Sarasota Stories

What do you do with your life when you’re young, smart, and talented? Simple. You get a job, try to make a lot of money, or start a business to do the same thing. Or if you’re a free spirit maybe you budget travel the world for a few years.

But none of these options fit for one very determined young woman who is making a big difference taking on the homeless problem in the Greater Sarasota Area.

Today I am very pleased to welcome Megan Howell. She’s the Founder and Executive Director of Second Heart Homes. It's a non-profit organization that provides “mental health housing that empowers by helping people off the streets into the lives they deserve.”

Two years ago while Megan was working on Main street in Sarasota, she met a man who changed her life. He shared his story of how he became homeless and Megan realized that it could happen to anyone. It was then she decided to do her part to help solve Sarasota’s homeless problem. 

In this episode, you’ll hear Megan’s story of... why she became involved in Sarasota’s homeless problem… the process her team uses to help people get back on their feet… success stories that will warm your heart… how you can get involved… 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!”

Most people don’t know that some of the household company names we know today were started in the Great Depression. Publix Supermarket is one such example. So it never ceases to amaze me what people can accomplish even during the toughest times, including the recent worldwide pandemic. One local couple decided that what Sarasota needs is an all-inclusive, upscale picnic service for local beaches. In a moment we will find out who started this clever business and why they decided to start it at a time when many people were afraid to go anywhere including outside.

Today I am very pleased to welcome Reni of SunServed Bespoke Picnics. Reni is originally from Brazil and an architect by trade. Two years ago she and her husband decided to try their hands in the upscale picnic business. What is that you say? It's where you book your date and location for a nice picnic on the beach and Reni takes care of the rest! In this episode, we will learn: what led Reni and her husband to start their business … which beaches she currently serves … the types of services she offers … her favorite picnic story … 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!

My guest today wrote the hilarious: Cheapskate's Handbook: Cheap Dates, Cheap Mates, How To Resist General Impulses, and More (For Less!) This book was translated into a half-dozen languages and has sold over a quarter-million copies. 

But what he is best known for is writing well-researched and incredibly engaging children’s books with such titles as— “Dad: The Man, the Myth, the Legend”; “The Cuddle Book”; “The True West: Real Stories About Black Cowboys, Women Sharpshooters, Native American Rodeo Stars, Pioneering Vaqueros, and the Unsung Explorers, Builders, and Heroes Who Shaped the American West”; and his latest book coming in June of 2022: “Forgotten Founders: Black Patriots, Women Soldiers, and Other Heroes Who Shaped the American Revolution”

Today I am very pleased to welcome Mifflin Lowe a man who knew he was destined to become a writer since 7th grade. In this episode, Mifflin will share: One thing most people don’t know about him (hint: it's Oprah Winfrey), how he goes about writing a book, insights into his latest release about the Black Cowboys of the True West, 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!

Many US communities have been impacted by their local icons. These icons work hard in their own professions but in reality elevate the entire community towards greater prosperity while molding the local culture though their philanthopy, leadership and vision.

Today I am very pleased to welcome Michael Klauber of Michael’s on East. I’d wager if a vote were ever taken for the title of Mr. Sarasota, Michael would win hands-down. 

For over 40 years, Michael and partner Phil Mancini have owned and operated the iconic Michael’s on East restaurant. But what most people don’t know is Michael also owns an event and catering business that serves Spanish Point and Selby Gardens. He has an outstanding wine store that was recently awarded Best of Excellence in Wine Spectator Magazine. He is a Founding Member of Sarasota-Manatee Originals. an organization dedicated to promoting and sustaining the local independent area restaurants in order to promote local culture and local flavors. Plus he leads international wine tours to far-away places like South Africa.

And if that wasn’t enough for a lifetime of work, starting in 2013 Michael was the catalyst for the redesign for the Sarasota waterfront know as: The Bayfront Park Conservancy. 

Today, we’ll learn from Michael …. How his upbringing and early training helped him launch the famous Michael’s on East in 1987 …. Where his drive and creativity comes from …. How he led his team through the pandemic …. How the Bayfront Park idea started …. 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!

Most everyone has been to a farmers’ market at one time or another. I think we have one of the very best markets in all of Florida at the Sarasota Farmers’ Market in downtown Sarasota. It’s open every Saturday from 7:00am to 1:00pm rain or shine.

But have you ever wondered, what happens behind the scenes?

Today I’m pleased to have as my guest, Amber Rusch. Amber took over as the Sarasota Farmers’ Market Manager at the beginning of 2022. From our talk you’ll find out: How Amber came to Sarasota …Why the Manager’s position appealed to her in the first place ….What is required to join as a vendor at the market …How she and the Market Board of Governors decide which vendors get in and which do not … What Amber enjoys most about her job …. And much, much more. 

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

The fastest growing fitness franchise in the US and possibly the world is Anytime Fitness with more than 4500 locations state-side and sites in 50+ countries. I’ve been a member for over ten years now and love it. One reason is I can use any, Anytime Fitness affiliate when I travel. So I’ve been to their gyms in Texas, Ohio, Florida and in Santiago, Chile. Still, my favorite location is my hometown gym right here in Osprey. 

Today I’m pleased to have as my guest, Michael Springer, the owner of the Anytime Fitness gym in Osprey, FL. As you’ll find, Michael has worked in a lot of different industries but has always been focused on his health and staying in shape. Three years ago Michael along with his wife Jolene invested in an Anytime Fitness franchise to realize his dream of being a gym owner. Michael will share with us what led him to choose to partner with Anytime Fitness… what it’s like to be a gym owner… how he chose the equipment to buy… the classes they offer… mistakes that many of us gym goers make in our routines… 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!

One of the real treasures of the Sarasota Area is the downtown Farmers' Market which is open year-round, every Saturday from 7-1 pm. If you have not been, you simply must go and try a variety of foods, drinks and music from more than 70 vendors.

While hard to say what’s my favorite, finding a fresh take on gourmet ethnic foods is a real treat. Today I share one vendor I recently discovered whose Mediterranean recipe has been in their family for generations.

In this episode, I talk with Pam and Jim Pulsifer. Originally from the Boston area, Pam & Jim relocated to Sarasota with their children to begin a food brokerage company. Twenty-two years later they sold this company to retire. Like so many talented and creative couples who find themselves retired a little too early, the Pulsifer's decided to start another business to fit their current lifestyle.

But what?

And they hit upon an idea - Why not take Pam’s fresh humus and Baba ghanoush recipes she grew up with, as a first generation immigrant of Lebanese parents to the Farmers’ Market? And presto! AUTHENTICALLY LEBANESE was born.

In this episode I ask the Pulsifers…

What life was like before starting 'Authentically Lebanese'?... What was it about Pam’s heritage that inspired the Pulsifers to start their company?... As a husband and wife team, what are the challenges/rewards in working in a business together?…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!

Who is NOT concerned about our environment.. especially when you consider South Florida has had its own problems with Red tide and algae blooms. Sometimes all we hear is how bad things are when in reality there are good things happening by people who care and are making a real difference right here in the Greater Sarasota Area.

Today, my guest is Sean Patton, Founder and Owner of Stocking Savvy. Stocking Savvy is a consulting firm focused on the natural restoration of ecology. Sean is an Aquatic Biologist working in the swamps, lakes, and other bodies of water found in Sarasota and Manatee Counties.

After being disillusioned by the traditional, costly, impermanent, and ineffective systems within the private sector of environmental management, he began researching alternative methods of restoring Florida's landscapes and waterways to their most balanced and natural forms.

In this episode, Sean and I discuss… How he first got interested in Ecological studies... Why synthetic fungicides and pesticides are so bad for the environment... Alternatives that work just as well... What we can do as individuals to make a difference... 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!

Imagine owning/operating not one but two local restaurants during the height of the Covid pandemic. With both staffing shortages and food delivery interruptions the job of navigating these difficulties demand management to be creative and nimble. One local restauranteur deals with the pandemic head-on with creativity and resolve to come out on the other side more connected to the communities he serves.

In this episode, I interview restaurant owner Greg Campbell of Pier 22 and Grove Restaurants to find out: Why Greg chose a career in the food industry... His journey from server to manager to owner... The one skill a restaurant owner has to have to be successful... What creative moves Greg made to survive and thrive during the pandemic… and much, much more!

Are you familiar with the term “Integrative Health?” How about “Telehealth?” If not you should be. Both Integrative Health techniques and Telehealth are two of the fastest growing sectors in the  medical field and for good reason: Integrative Health takes the best of traditional or Western style medicine and combines it with ancient techniques that have been successfully used for centuries. Telehealth allows doctors to use modern technology to treat and coach patients from the comfort of their homes. One Sarasota doctor shares her journey into the Integrative health field and how she helps patients using Telehealth techniques..

In this episode I interview Dr. Victoria Andarcia to find out ... Her journey from Venezuela to Florida ... What led her into the field of Integrative Medicine ... How she helps patients et health goals ... The processes she uses at her new Telehealth practice called Healthful Roots MD ... .and much more!