In Episode 123 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with James Nozar, the former CEO of SPP.

Strategic Property Partners (SPP) is the real estate development firm backed by Jeff Vinik and Cascade Investment that led the charge on Tampa’s massive $3.5 billion Water Street District, a first-of-its-kind urban project for the city. In this episode, James unpacks how the project came together from scratch, the challenges of transforming empty parking lots into a walkable downtown, and why intentional design, public-private collaboration, and culture matter more than ever. They also talk about the future of Tampa, what’s next for Water Street, and the lessons other cities can learn from its success.

0:00:00 - Who is James Nozar?

0:13:10 - Water Street

0:43:16 - Sparkman Wharf

0:49:23 - Behind the Scenes of Water Street

1:09:58 - The Future of Tampa

1:19:17 - Gasworx

1:31:39 - Future of Water Street

In Episode 122 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Richard Munassi from Tampa Bay Wave to discuss how Tampa has become a serious hub for startups. They talk through why founders are choosing to build here, how companies raise early funding, and what makes some startups succeed while others stall. Richard explains how Tampa Bay Wave supports founders, what he looks for when selecting companies, and why a strong team matters more than just a good idea. If you're building or thinking about building a company, this episode gives you a clear look at what it takes to grow in this market.

0:00:00 - Private Equity Buying Businesses 

0:03:57 - Tampa Bay Wave

0:15:35 - Pulse Charter Connect

0:19:27 - Is Tampa Becoming an Innovation Hub? 

0:29:43 - 3D Printed Seawall Company

0:33:01 - Tampa Bay Wave Success Stories

0:42:45 - Transportation 

0:50:52 - Tampa Compared to Major U.S. Cities

1:10:24 - Economic Instability 

1:19:17 - Tech Companies 

In Episode 121, Garrett sits down with Chris Kneer, a retired banker turned author, to discuss his debut novel Bluebird: A Cigar City Thriller. The conversation explores Tampa as a rich setting for fiction, the cultural complexity of Ybor City, and how real-life financial events shaped the book's plot. Chris shares behind-the-scenes details about self-publishing, the audiobook production process, and why he believes storytelling is essential to capturing Tampa’s identity. The episode also covers firsthand insights into the shutdown of community banks, the evolution of SBA lending, and what makes Tampa an emerging creative hub.

0:00:00 - Cigar City

0:03:54 - Chris Kneer

0:13:56 - Ybor City

0:35:12 - Writing Bluebird

0:52:56 - Banking during 2008

1:01:44 - Banking during Covid

1:12:47 - Bluebird

In Episode 120 Garrett sits down with producer David for a freeform and brutally honest conversation about Tampa’s past, present, and future. They dive into the city’s broken transportation system—unpacking why you still can’t take a train to Lakeland, the challenges of expanding the streetcar, and how highways and poor planning disconnected once-thriving neighborhoods. The conversation covers everything from suburban-style apartment projects that undermine walkability to the promise of GasWorx and its potential to reconnect the city grid. They also dig into lesser-known infrastructure issues like the damage caused by South Tampa’s oak canopy and outdated stormwater systems. With no guests and no filters, Garrett and David look into the policy failures, planning frustrations, and emerging technologies that could shape the city’s future.

In Episode 119 of the TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Chris Waggener, a local attorney fighting for pedestrian safety and legal reform in Tampa Bay. They discuss the tragic case of Maximus Giannikos, a tourist from South Africa visiting Clearwater with his family, whose life was forever changed at a local intersection, and the $200,000 cap that limits justice in cases like his. Chris breaks down the legal obstacles to holding cities accountable, the state-level red tape involved in claims bills, and why so many intersections in the region are still dangerously outdated. From traffic engineering to legislative gridlock, this conversation exposes the hard truths behind Florida's infrastructure and what it will take to make meaningful change.

00:00:00 – Introduction to the episode and overview of the case

00:10:21 – Background on the intersection and how the incident happened

00:18:36 – Explanation of the $200,000 state cap and its legal implications

00:26:03 – How claims bills work in Florida and the difficulty of filing them

00:32:42 – Why this case could create systemic change in Tampa Bay

00:41:38 – Discussion of city accountability and lack of maintenance protocols

00:47:30 – Economic impact vs. safety: Clearwater’s tourism dollars vs. payouts

00:57:51 – The growing pedestrian and biking culture in Florida

01:03:32 – Barriers to safer infrastructure and legal loopholes

01:13:56 – Final thoughts on next steps, policy hopes, and long-term reform

In Episode 118, Garrett sits down with Tampa City Councilman Alan Clendenin for a wide-ranging and brutally honest conversation about the future of Tampa. They dive into the state of public transportation, including the controversial streetcar expansion and how to better connect downtown to the airport. Clendenin shares what’s really holding back progress—from permitting delays to the tangled web of city, county, and state control. They also explore the city’s approach to development, land use reform, housing affordability, and the urgent need for better infrastructure. With decades of experience and no political strings attached, Clendenin offers a rare look into how big decisions are made—and what’s at stake if Tampa gets them wrong.

0:02:15 - Tampa's transportation system needs a bold vision

0:13:40 - Streetcar expansion revival and challenges

0:22:18 - Why Tampa’s ferry system is a missed opportunity

0:31:12 - The truth about tree canopy laws and development

0:45:00 - Tampa's overcrowding and infrastructure strain

0:53:00 - Why the city needs control over major roads

1:00:15 - The $500M mistake: expanding 275

1:04:35 - The politics of streetcar funding and fare-free transit

1:18:10 - Why planned developments (PDs) are being misused

1:39:00 - The unsung heroes shaping Tampa’s future

In Episode 117 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Shane Brady — actor, director, magician, and now the mind behind Hacked, a new feature film inspired by a real-life real estate scam that cost him and his wife $20,000. What started as a devastating case of wire fraud turned into the fuel for a darkly comedic revenge thriller, shot right here in Tampa. Shane shares how the experience nearly broke him, how Tampa’s film community stepped up, and why he believes indie filmmaking belongs in Florida. Hacked will make its world premiere on March 29th at the Gasparilla Film Festival. You don’t want to miss this one.

In Episode 116 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with renowned restaurateur Jeff Gigante to discuss how he built some of Tampa’s most iconic restaurants, including Boulon Brasserie, Forbici, Union New American, Blue Lagoon, and the Ciccio Restaurant Group concepts like Fresh Kitchen and Daily Eats. Jeff shares his journey from aspiring actor to entrepreneur, the strategy behind creating Boulon, and why he saw Water Street as the perfect location for a high-energy brasserie. They also dive into the evolution of Tampa’s restaurant scene, how to scale a hospitality business, and what it takes to stay ahead in the competitive food industry. If you’ve ever wondered how top-tier restaurants are built from the ground up, this episode is a must-listen.

In Episode 115 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Tampa Bay sports insider JP Peterson to break down the latest on the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium saga. From failed deals in St. Petersburg to behind-the-scenes negotiations with new ownership groups, JP explains why Major League Baseball has finally had enough of Stu Sternberg and why a move to Tampa is more likely than ever. They discuss potential stadium locations, how Tampa business leaders are stepping up, and what this means for the future of baseball in the region. If you’re a Rays fan or just curious about one of the biggest business moves in Tampa history, this is an episode you don’t want to miss!

In Episode 114 of The TBD Podcast, Garrett sits down with Christian Giordano, president and majority owner of Mancini Duffy, and Andy Dohmen, co-founder of Design Styles Architecture (now Tempo Studio under Mancini Duffy). They discuss how technology is radically reshaping the architecture industry, from AI-driven design to VR-powered client experiences.

Christian shares his vision for modernizing a 100-year-old firm, drawing from collaborations with major brands like Google, Peloton, and Disney. Andy dives into the evolution of Tampa’s real estate landscape, tackling everything from high-end residential homes to solving the affordable housing crisis. They also discuss the challenges of rapid urban growth, the future of public transportation, and how design thinking is shaping Tampa’s skyline.

Whether you’re into architecture, real estate, or just curious about the future of our cities, this episode is packed with insights!This episode is sponsored by KohlerHaus Remodeling Co, the Official Remodeler of the TBD POD.

KohlerHaus is built on integrity, craftsmanship, and clear communication, setting a high standard for home remodeling. Their work ranges from condos in Channelside to century-old homes in South Tampa, delivering quality renovations that are built to last.Visit kohlerhaus.net to explore their portfolio and start yourresidential remodeling experience today.