St. Pete X

On this episode of SPx, we sit down with innovative investor and former Wall Street executive, Irv Cohen. As St. Petersburg Group Insight Board Member and through other platforms like Social Venture Partners and Seed Funders, Cohen is trying to change the way Tampa Bay supports start-ups. He believes that new companies need active investors who lend their acumen on a regular basis. Enjoy this lively discussion about needed change and how SPG could be a catalyst.

On this episode of SPx, we sat for meditative tea with local yogi, Rachel Miller. She shares how tea has transformed her meditative practice, helped her break down perfectionism and conquer the fear that once restricted her life. Miller opens up about taking leaps of faith and keeping herself "unstuck" by living life as a perennial student. In this light-hearted, yet poignant conversation with our host Ashley Ryneska, Miller talks her latest ventures in rock climbing, her foray into bath bomb making, and her newest passions, nude yoga and Jyotish astrology. Rachel is using her role as a yoga instructor to guide her students to self-acceptance, empowerment, and levity (with some help from Whitney Houston).

On this episode of SPx, we sat down with one of St. Petersburg's political giants, Nadine Smith. Smith is an award-winning journalist, advocate, and the founder of Equality Florida, the state's largest organization working to end discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation. Making waves since the early 90's, Smith continues her work as a driving force for change throughout the state of Florida, pushing cities and businesses throughout the state to adopt uniform standards of nondiscrimination. Once a resident of the city across the Bay, Nadine shares her special love for St. Pete and its unique commitment to being a welcoming city. Smith acknowledges St. Pete's struggles with equitable education and sheds light on her hopes for St. Pete's future.

On this episode of SPx, our host Joe Hamilton sits down with St. Pete renaissance man, Ryan Griffin. The St. Pete native wears many hats in the community, including businessman, attorney, restauranteur, real estate investor and civic leader. Griffin has been working tirelessly to elevate the St. Pete food scene. A purveyor of fine food and drink, Griffin co-owns a number of establishments in St. Pete, including Mandarin Hide and Souzou, and will soon be adding a few more to the mix. In this episode, Ryan shares the fundamentals of business partnerships, his big dreams for St. Pete's hospitality start-ups, and his take on the Grow Smarter Strategy, a partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and the City of St. Pete.

On this episode of SPx, the man behind the Dali Museum's acclaimed Innovation Labs, Nathan Schwagler, shares with us his Kilimanjaro climb, his take on ketogenic-based vs. carbohydrate-based diets, and the ingredients for a successful and creative life. Fusing his training in both creativity and entrepreneurship, Nathan takes his knowledge bombs corporate by stretching minds, reforming the definition of creativity, and teaching creative-thinking skills through Dali Innovation Labs offerings.

On this episode of SPx, Joe Hamilton sits down with Brian Auld. As President of the Tampa Bay Rays, Auld has a special insight into the evolution of St Petersburg and in this conversation he shares his deep-seated love for our city as well as his thoughts on where the city is headed. And we'd be remiss if we didn't talk a little about the business of baseball. This interview was originally shot on video. Head to the show notes on StPeteX.com to watch instead of listen.

On this episode of SPX, host Ashley Ryneska wades into the realm of local politics with incumbent Mayoral candidate Rick Kriseman. With an emphasis on community and the shared successes of his administration, we cover topics from his viral tweet to then-candidate Trump, to his fondness for Central Avenue, and his love and commitment to St. Pete's small businesses. 

On this episode of SPX, our host Ashley Ryneska sits down with former mayor and 2017 mayoral candidate Rick Baker. On the cusp of election day, capping off an expensive, divisive, and controversial race, we sought to go beyond the talking points. A two-part series speaking with both leading candidates, we cover all things St. Pete with one of the city's biggest cheerleaders and toughest critics. Baker talks about his heartfelt return to the public sector, his old-school community chats at local diners, and his priorities to get St. Petersburg "back on track."

On this episode of SPX, Reuben Pressman, founder and CEO of Presence, talks all things start-up, construction of company culture, and the role of investment/money in a start-up's mission. The embodiment of a millennial entrepreneur, Reuben sports a laid back, shorts and t-shirt vibe, complete with an asymmetrical hair-cut and flip-flops. But as a serial entrepreneur, he's serious about building big things in his native city, for the right reasons. In the last three years, Reuben and his crew have successfully taken on one of higher ed's biggest problems, grown to 22 full-time employees, and raised millions of investment dollars. 

On this episode of SPX, St. Petersburg Chamber CEO, Chris Steinocher, sheds light on the past of our city, and how the Chamber and its predecessor, the Board of Trade, played a part in making St. Pete the special city is it today. From the purchase of the St. Pete waterfront, to the transfer of that land to the public, to investing in big ideas, like the St. Petersburg-Tampa Airboat line, the first scheduled flight of commercial aviation, the Chamber past and present has been an engine for community-minded economic growth.