Sarasota Stories

Every once in a while you meet someone who indeed looks like a fabled character. They can be exceedingly tall and burly like a Paul Bunyan, or exceedingly powerful like the Norse god Thor.

My guest today is a strength athlete, bodybuilder, and gym owner of the hard-core Asgard Training Center in Bradenton, Bryce Johnston. (And folks when you visit his Instagram/Facebook pages you'll see what I mean about Bryce looking like Thor).

Bryce is going to share with us...

• Why his father had such a significant influence on his sports life.
• When Bryce decided to open his own gym.
• Why he decided not to go with a franchise.
• Why he chose a strongman-type business instead of all the other options.
• What's his take on Nutrition to build strength.
• What's surprised him most about owning his own gym.
• Where he hopes to take Asgard Training Center.
• How you can find out more to see if its the right gym for you.
• ... and much, much ... more!

Thank you for joining us today and remember to Listen ... Learn ... and Connect!

Facebook

Instagram

Youtube

We've all seen the cop shows.

They're sensationalized for a reason -- to get eyeballs on the screen.

But what is it really like to be on the police force right here in Sarasota? In today's episode, we'll find out with 28-year veteran, Captain Demetri Konstantopoulos who, just happened to be on duty on September 11, 2001. If you remember, President Bush was in Sarasota at Booker Elementary when the twin towers in NY were hit by 2 jets flown by terrorists.

Today we'll learn from Captan Demitri ...

• Why he fell in love with being a policeman at an early age.
• How his father influenced his career decision.
• What it was like on 911 getting President Bush to safety.
• A story of helping small children in a bad situation.
• How his work with Selah Freedom and sex trafficking has impacted him personally.

... and much, much, more!

I'm so glad you stopped by today. So while you're here, please listen ... learn ... and connect!

Just when you think you've heard of every type of food or drink there is, someone digs back in time to surprise us with an elixir that was used hundreds of years ago.

My guest today is Tony Zook. Founder and owner of Colonialshrubs.com. "Shrubs", as Tony will share, are not the bushes and hedges we know today but an old English term for an incredibly flavorful and fermented, organic elixir used for a variety of drinks, marinades, and even desserts.

I think you'll enjoy hearing Tony explain...

• What shrubs are and where they came from
• How Tony discovered shrubs with a friend who was experimenting with fermentation
• Why Tony decided to start his own shrubs business
• The surprising reaction people have when they first try Colonial Shrubs
• Where Tony is taking his business
• Where you can buy Colonial Shrubs
• ... and much ... much ... more!

Thank you for stopping in today

It is my hope that you will listen ... learn ... and connect!

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

Let's face it: Sarasota is holding its own in the foodie category. Seems like every month you read in SRQ or Sarasota Magazine about a new restaurant featuring cuisine from far-away places.

So I was very happy to interview one local woman who brought an incredibly tasty pastry from her home in Hungary where the recipe dates back over 300 years.

Today, I'm pleased to welcome Aniko Gulyas, Owner of Kurtos Chimney Cake Sandwich Shop located at 1314 Main Street in downtown Sarasota.

Aniko is going to share with us ...

• Where Kurto's cakes came from
• Why she decided to bring them to Sarasota
• The challenges Aniko faced in her business over the years
• How she is Americanizing her menu by creating new food groups from the original recipe
• What has surprised her most about her entrepreneurial journey
• ... and much much more

Thank you for spending your valuable time with us today. And as always it is my hope that you will listen … learn … and connect!

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

Not every child who attends school fits within the traditional school model. (I've often thought I didn't and that was many years ago!) In today's episode, you'll hear about an innovative charter school - led by one of the most enthusiastic people you'll ever meet - that virtually customizes and certainly personalizes the educational experience for both students and parents.

I'm very pleased to welcome today, Dr. Sherika Evans - Headmaster- of Suncoast School for Innovative Studies where their philosophy is: Every Student. Every Family. Every Day.

You'll hear Dr. Evans share ...

• One thing most people don’t know her
• What a charter school is and why Sarasota County got behind the effort to open 3 of them
• How Suncoast School is different from public schools
• The innovative mentor model they use to connect children and parents at a deeper level
• How growing up poor in Mississippi motivated Dr. Evans to get her doctorate in education

... and much much more!

Thank you for stopping by today. It is my hope that you will listen ... learn ... and connect!

Facebook

Instagram

YouTude

Florida tourism is hitting all-time highs after Covid bottled us up for the past two years so it's no wonder the festival and events industry is coming back in full swing.

Today you'll hear from one company that specializes in mostly free festivals and events and they have big plans for this Summer Season and beyond.

Today, my guest is Brett Cecere Sarasota Events manager from Florida Penguin Productions.

Brett will share...

• One thing most people don’t know about him.
• Who Florida Penguin Productions is, how long they've been around and what kind of productions they do.
• How Covid interrupted their season and how they bounced back.
• What's it is like to manage all the moving parts so the show can go on.
• The partners and sponsors behind the festivals and events they do.
• How Brett got into this business.
• The Dad's Day Block Party festival coming up June 18th and the Suncoast's Largest Food Truck Rally July 2-3rd - both at UTC mall.

... and much more!

Thank you for stopping by today and please remember to Listen ... Learn ... and Connect!

Do we need laughter today? More than ever. So it is very gratifying to hear two good friends -- with a love for art -- having so much fun promoting other artists in their new studio over in the Sarasota Park East District.

In today's episode, you'll hear from two guests: Elizabeth Goodwill & Barbera Gerdeman of Creative Liberties Studios & Gallery where they share...

• The one thing few people know about each
• Why they chose to start an artist studio
• How there's is different from other studios around town
• The digital and virtual services they offer
• What’s surprised them most in opening an artists studio
• The challenges of running Creative Liberties
• How you can connect with them
• ... and much, much, more!

Thank you for stopping by. And remember to listen ... learn ... and connect!

Instagram

Facebook

A wonderful part of living in the Greater Sarasota Area is it attracts top-notch medical professionals who want to live here too.

One sports doctor - with credentials from the Cleveland Clinic AND direct experiences with the two professional teams - recently opened a facility in the Bradenton area.

His goal?

To become THE premier sports medicine and sports rehab facility in the area.

My guest today is Dr. Michal Sclafani, founder, and owner of Tideline Sports Performance and Rehabilitation.

In this episode, you'll hear ...

• Why Dr. Sclafani chose orthopedics over law.
• His love of Crossfit.
• Who should reach out to him if you have a sports injury or if you want to take your sport to a higher level.
• What it was like being on staff with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
• What an initial consultation looks like. 
• What dry needling is and why it's preferred over cupping.
• Where he intends to take his practice.
• ...and much much more!

I'm so glad you joined us today and it is my hope that you will listen, learn and connect!

Facebook

Instagram

Youtube

It seems like every other day I read the necessity to eat fermented foods due to their health benefits. It's in our intestines or "gut" where many diseases are born so by consuming foods that feed the good bacteria there we help our bodies remain healthy.

In today's episode, you'll hear how one woman turned to fermented foods to help cure her ailments. She even started a company that makes incredibly high-end fermented foods to share with others.

Today, I'm very pleased to welcome Sharon Juraszek of Fermentilicious.

Sharon will share with us...

• What’s one thing that most people don’t know about her Sharon.
• The personal health journey she was on that lead her to start Fermentlicious.
• What Sharon learned about probiotics and their impact on our health.
• How the super healthy products she creates are made the Ayurvedic way.
• Where we can find her wonderful products.
• Why she wants her business to stay small and local.

... and much, much more!

Thank you for spending your valuable time with us today. I hope you will listen ... learn... and most importantly, connect!

Facebook

Instagram

It wasn’t too long ago that you could say the Sarasota food scene was lacking. Sure there were plenty of restaurants but variety was the problem. But not anymore. Today you can choose from a wide variety of upscale, casual, funky, and fun.

But just when you thought every restaurant niche was filled, one local entrepreneur has found something new that no one is doing - in fun, casual seafood.

My guest today is Mike Martin, creator, and owner of the 1-year-old Reef Cakes Seafood Restaurant. Reef Cakes is located just behind Sarasota Memorial in the charming Southside Village area.

As you’ll hear, Mike shares ….

• Where the original idea for Reefcakes came from.
• How it’s different than any other seafood restaurant Mike has seen.
• How Covid both helped and hurt his plans to open a restaurant.
• The other hurdles he had to overcome to open Reefcakes.
• Where he hopes to take his Reefcakes concept.

… and much much more!

Thank you dear listener for stopping by today. 

It is my hope that you will listen, learn and connect!

Facebook

Instagram

YouTube