Sarasota Stories

Every once in a while you run into a person whose record and reputation are so amazing you're a bit skeptical until you meet them face-to-face.

You think to yourself is this person really as advertised?

In today's episode, I interview one such individual and as you'll hear, indeed he is as advertised.

Today, my guest is Philip Tavill President & CEO of Children First.

Phillip will share with us...

• How his physician father made an incredible impact on his career choice.
• Why he continues to lead Children First even after 26 years at the helm.
• A story of redemption and success from a tragic and hopeless situation.
• Why it's critical for infants and toddlers to have a nurturing environment.
• How fathers of all ages are being trained to be better fathers and husbands.
• How you can connect with Children First to help carry on their legacy.

... and much much more!

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

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Unfortunately, it is the tragic headlines that grab us. We read further to find out what happened. We may shake our heads in disbelief... but then, we quickly move on because after all, it's just another tragic story -- that didn't happen to us.

My guest today is Melissa Wandall. She was that story 18 years ago. Newley married, in a new home, and 9-months pregnant, she got a phone call that dramatically changed her life forever.

In this episode, you will learn ...

• What terrible news Melissa got as a young mother.
• Her incredible response and life-long Advocacy quest to help others.
• Where her personal strength comes from.
• The Florida Statute she got passed to improve highway safety.
• The Florida foundation she started for children grieving the loss of a loved one.

... and much much more!

I'm so glad you stopped by today.

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

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Electronically we are more connected than ever... Facebook... LinkedIn... Instagram... Twitter. There are no shortages of social sites for us to promote our interests.

But what about true connections? The type where you're having eyeball to eyeball conversations about your future? Or where you want to take your work?

What about connecting with others on a project that raises your profile as a trusted member of the community while also moving your business forward?

My guest today leads an organization in Venice that allows you to do these things and much more.

I'm very pleased today to introduce Kathy Lehner, CEO/President of the Venice Chamber of Commerce.

While Kathy has a rich and diverse business background, her love for the Venice Chamber began as a member business.

Four years after taking the reins, she is leading this essential community connector to new heights.

In this episode you'll learn:

• What's one thing most people don’t know about Kathy.
• Why she chose the Venice Chamber as a career option.
• Misconceptions non-members may have about joining the Venice Chamber.
• Why some businesses get great returns on their membership investment and others do not.
• The new leadership collaboration with Venice High School.
• Why you should consider joining.

... and much, much, more...

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

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Sunshine and beaches. That’s what we tell all our friends up north. Of course, this is a beautiful place to live, that’s why we moved here. 

But there is a “soft underbelly” we don't often see — those who are most vulnerable and susceptible to attacks from domestic abuse.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear from one caring woman who leads an amazing organization whose mission is to “stop domestic and sexual violence in our communities.

Her name is Jessica Hays, CEO & President of the Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center, or SPARCC as it's more commonly known.

For the past 15 years, Jessica has worked tirelessly at SPARCC and today you’ll hear her share ...

• The crucial services SPARCC provides to the most vulnerable in our community.
• Why Jessica chose to serve at SPARCC for so many years.
• Misconceptions that people may have about domestic abuse.
• How the recent pandemic has impacted the services they provide.
• Locations where women can get help.
• Success stories that will warm your heart.
• Upcoming events and the best ways to volunteer.

…. and much, much more!

I’m so glad you stopped by today. And it is my hope that you will listen… learn… and connect!

Learn more about SPARCC below.

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The Florida economy is built on small, family-owned businesses. The Greater Sarasota Area is no different. Drive around town and you'll see all the mom and pop stores that offer products and services from A-Z.

For example, there is one amazing cake business that has been a mainstay in Sarasota for years. And now the next generation is coming on strong to put their mark on what their father started over 25 years ago.

Today, my guests are brother and sister team Nathan and Sarah Zammit from Cakes By Ron on Fruitville Road. Their father started this Sarasota bakery but now they are taking the lead to build their family business for the future.

In this episode, you'll learn...

• Why their father Ron, decided to change professions from Cobbler to Master Cake Maker.
• What it was like growing up in the family business.
• Why they both changed their opinions towards "working for Dad."
• How their business skills actually complement each other.
• Where they hope to take Cakes by Ron in the future.

.... And much much more!

Thank you for joining us today and it is my hope that you will listen ... learn ... and connect

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With many consumers in the US looking for healthier alternatives to alcohol and sodas a local businessman is doing his part to fill that need with locally brewed Kombucha.

Kombucha is a fermented tea. In fact it has been around for centuries in Asia but is now growing fast in the U.S. and now Sarasota has its very own version.

Interestingly, it does appear to have health benefits. It contains probiotics for digestion and may improve immunity with a fraction of the sugar in sodas.

However, the greatest benefit is it really just tastes really great.

Today my guest is Kombucha Brew Master, Rob Manley of Boombacha Kombucha (say that 3 times in a row!).

Rob has a degree in marine biology but always enjoyed cooking. Eight years ago he began experimenting with all things fermentation. Two years ago Rob started Boombacha Kombucha and has never looked back.

In today's episode, you'll learn...

• What Kombucha is and where his idea came from to produce it locally.
• The health benefits of drinking Boombacha Kombucha.
• What are the greatest constraints on Rob's expanding his business.
• Where Rob is working to take his budding kombucha business.
• Locations where you can find Boombacha Kombucha.

... and much, much, more!

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

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Making the transition from tourist to full-time Sarasota resident has taught me one thing: Sarasota has many, many very cool hidden gems and more people need to find them. 

So I highly recommend you get off the water and the beaches and take a trip to find some of these little treasures inland, especially the one you’re going to hear about today.

My guest today is Kim Livengood of The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime.

While Kim is a serial entrepreneur having owned a local hotel and a community magazine, she got quite the surprise when her mother called to say she bought a warehouse.

Today, they run one of the coolest and artiest markets in Sarasota.

In this episode, you’ll learn …

• How they got national recognition on Good Morning America during the pandemic
• What Kim believes is so special about The Bazaar on Apricot and Lime.
• How two antique cars became recognized, bazaar art pieces.
• Cool stuff you can find there.
• What you’ll experience when you go.

… and much much more!

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

(Find out more below)

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If you’re a true foodie you may have heard of Spanakopita. It is a Greek, savory pie made with phyllo bread and filled with spinach and other goodies. It has been around since the fifth century. But one local entrepreneur is putting a new twist on this dish by making the name easier for newbies to pronounce and adding his own ingredients to take this dish to a whole new level.

My guest today is Jonathan Simos. He’s a certified fitness trainer by day but his true passion is making spanakopita more accessible to the average person. Jonathan’s love for his ancestral heritage and food as a second-generation Greek is the catalyst that made him start his newest venture — Greek Triangles.

In this episode, you’ll learn…

• Why Jonathan started Greek Triangles.
• How he makes this traditional food he grew up with.
• What’s different about the style that he makes.
• Where you can purchase these wonderful savory pies.

…. and much, much more …

Thank you for stopping by and it is my hope that you will listen, learn, and most importantly connect!

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If there's one thing the pandemic and the current war in Ukraine are teaching us, it's that we need to produce more food locally. But a critical part of that effort is to not waste what we already grow. One community group of dedicated volunteers is making big strides by gathering up the overproduction from local farmers and giving it to those most susceptible to hunger.

Today I'm very pleased to welcome Joyce Norris, Executive Director of Transition Sarasota. Joyce and all her volunteers are dedicated to building resilience through community, especially in the area of food security.

In this episode, you'll learn...

• What Transitions is and how they got started.
• How Joyce's parents and childhood garden gave her a love for growing food.
• The four initiatives of Transition Sarasota that bring about greater food security for the most vulnerable in our town.
• Upcoming events you can attend.
• How you can get in involved.

.... and much, much more!

Thank you for stopping by today. And as always it is my hope that you will listen ... learn ... and connect!

Have you ever traveled overseas where you didn’t speak the language and had no one to translate for you? I have, and it can be quite intimidating. To even order a coffee or get directions to a restaurant definitely raises your blood pressure several notches. Likewise, it is just as stressful for many immigrants when they come here not knowing English. 

However, one local organization is helping to change this by providing ESL --or English as a Second Language-- classes to adult learners.

Today my guest is… Elena Farkas.

Elena is the Executive Director of the Project Light Language School located in Bradenton where they “Close the Literacy Gap to Adult Learners.”

In this episode, you’ll learn …

• Why Elena chose a career as a language teacher.
• What it is like to have a single classroom full of students from 6-7 or 8 different countries.
• How they teach respect for each person’s culture regardless of where they come from.
• How you can get involved as a volunteer English teacher.

… and much much more!

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