The Palm Beach Current

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, host Chris sits down with Joe Radich, founder of Renewing Our Heroes and a leader at R3 Health and MedHouse, to explore a different approach to healthcare—and a deeply personal mission to give back to those who serve others.

Joe shares his journey from growing up in a New York City firefighter family to working in healthcare and ultimately embracing a more preventative, integrative approach to medicine. He discusses the philosophy behind MedHouse, the importance of understanding the root causes of health issues, and why he believes healthcare should focus more on prevention and early detection.

The conversation then turns personal as Joe opens up about his father, a longtime New York City firefighter who passed away from a 9/11-related illness, and how his father's legacy helped inspire Renewing Our Heroes. Joe explains how the organization supports first responders, veterans, and everyday community heroes by helping them access comprehensive health services and potentially identify health risks earlier.

Joe also breaks down who qualifies as a "hero," how people can nominate themselves or someone else, the role of donations and community partnerships, and the organization's plans surrounding the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

It's a powerful conversation about healthcare, prevention, service, loss, community, and the people who dedicate their lives to making a difference in the lives of others.

What makes Palm Beach County such a powerhouse for high school sports? On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, Chris sits down with Alex Peterman, longtime sports writer for the Palm Beach Post, for an inside look at the athletes, coaches, rivalries, and stories shaping the local sports landscape.

Alex shares his unexpected journey from theater and teaching into sports journalism, how his background in education has influenced the way he interviews and connects with teenage athletes, and why covering a high school football game can actually be more challenging than covering the Dolphins.

The conversation dives deep into the incredible depth of athletic talent across Palm Beach County, from football and golf to volleyball, as well as the impact of transfers, NIL, recruiting, and changing rules on the future of high school sports. Alex also highlights some of the area's top prospects, emerging underdog teams, and can't-miss rivalries — including the increasingly popular Wellington Cup.

Beyond the scores and statistics, Alex opens up about the human side of sports journalism, including the emotional conversations that have shaped his career and why empathy is essential to telling meaningful stories about athletes and their communities.

Plus, Alex shares his favorite local spots, his most memorable moments covering sports — including the Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup victory — and what makes Palm Beach County such a special place to cover sports.

If you're a fan of Friday Night Lights, local sports, or the people and stories behind the games, this episode offers a fascinating look at Palm Beach County athletics from someone who sees it all from the sidelines.

What if Palm Beach County's next major sports and entertainment destination combined world-class polo, live music, technology, hospitality, and community events all under one roof?

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, Chris sits down with Tareq Salahi, Chairman of the International Polo Tour, to discuss the ambitious plans for a new state-of-the-art indoor polo stadium and cultural center coming to Palm Beach County, with a proposed opening in 2030.

Tareq shares the vision behind the project, why Wellington is the perfect home for the International Polo Tour, and how arena polo could introduce the sport to entirely new audiences. The planned venue will feature climate-controlled seating, 60+ hospitality suites, restaurants and lounges, flexible seating configurations, and the ability to host everything from concerts and performing arts to charity events and other sporting activities.

The conversation also explores the project's multimillion-dollar private funding, expected economic impact, potential for hundreds of jobs, accessibility for families and newcomers to polo, and how the stadium will work alongside the National Polo Center rather than compete with it.

Tareq also gives several exclusive details about the venue's technology, immersive fan experiences, robotics, horse welfare and veterinary care, and an exciting new vision for professional polo teams representing cities across the country.

Whether you're a lifelong equestrian enthusiast or someone who's never watched a polo match, this episode offers a fascinating look at how one ambitious project could reshape sports, tourism, entertainment, and the cultural landscape of Palm Beach County.

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, we sit down with Christine Frederick, CEO of The Lord's Place, to take an honest look at homelessness in Palm Beach County and what it really takes to help people rebuild their lives.

Christine shares how her career led her to working with people facing extraordinary challenges and gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the work happening every day at The Lord's Place—from outreach and basic needs to employment training, mental health support, life skills, housing, and the wraparound services that help people achieve long-term stability. We also challenge some of the common misconceptions surrounding homelessness. Christine explains why many people experiencing homelessness are simply one unexpected crisis away from losing their housing, how rising rents and the cost of living are impacting local families, seniors, veterans, and workers, and why affordable housing has become one of the biggest obstacles to ending homelessness in the community. The conversation also highlights the powerful ripple effect of helping one family regain stability, the often-overlooked work of The Lord's Place outreach teams, and the many ways local businesses and residents can make a difference—including donations, advocacy, employment opportunities, and partnerships. Christine also shares her vision for a future campus combining affordable and supportive housing with essential services, and why solving homelessness will require the entire Palm Beach County community to work together.

This is an important conversation about homelessness, compassion, affordable housing, and the people working every day to make Palm Beach County a better place for everyone.

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, we sit down with local author James Patrick Rooney, whose new book, For the Love of Money, chronicles an extraordinary life and a remarkable four-decade career in wealth management.

James takes us from his early days growing up in New York and playing hockey at Providence College to a life-changing spinal cord injury that left him paraplegic—and the unexpected opportunity that led him from a questionable penny-stock boiler room to Merrill Lynch. He shares the wild stories, characters, market crashes, bull markets, and major transformations that shaped his career, from the high-interest-rate environment of the 1980s to the dot-com boom and the 2008 financial crisis. Beyond Wall Street, James opens up about resilience, family, personal responsibility, and his perspective on what really matters in life. He also explains the deeper meaning behind For the Love of Money—why money can provide freedom, independence, and generosity, but can become destructive when it takes priority over relationships, dignity, and integrity.

Plus, James shares some of his favorite Palm Beach County spots, local businesses and people he believes deserve recognition, and what he hopes readers take away from his story.

For the Love of Money is set to be released September 9.

A conversation filled with humor, adversity, financial history, and plenty of unforgettable Palm Beach stories—this is one episode you won't want to miss.

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, Chris sits down with Kelley Whiter, CEO of Philanthropy Tank, to explore how young people can turn their ideas for making a difference into real, sustainable change in their communities.

Kelley shares her own journey from a 16-year career in law to philanthropy, and how personal experiences and a lifelong commitment to service ultimately led her to Philanthropy Tank. The organization, often described as a real-life "Shark Tank" for middle and high school students, empowers teens to identify problems they care about and develop solutions through mentoring, coaching, funding, and community support. The conversation dives into what makes a successful student project, why Philanthropy Tank focuses on students in grades 8 through 11, and how passion—not a polished presentation or perfect business plan—is the key ingredient. Kelley highlights inspiring projects created by local students, including initiatives supporting pollinators and helping seniors navigate technology and avoid online scams.

Chris and Kelley also break down the application process, the role of community mentors and philanthropic investors, and what students can expect from Philanthropy Tank's annual pitch competition. The next finals event is set for March 11, 2027, at the Kravis Center, where student finalists will pitch their ideas and compete for funding to bring their projects to life.

Most importantly, Kelley shares a message for young people who have an idea but aren't sure where to start: you don't have to have all the answers. Philanthropy Tank is designed to meet students where they are and give them the support, tools, and confidence to turn their passion into meaningful community impact.

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, Chris sits down with Wendell Maxey, a Sports Illustrated reporter, author, basketball coach, scout, and longtime sports writer who recently made Palm Beach his new home.

Wendell discusses his new book, Called for Traveling: 20 Years of Sports Writing from the NBA to Europe and Back Again, a collection of stories from two decades covering basketball, international sports, and some of the biggest names in athletics. He shares how he broke into sports journalism without attending journalism school, his early days covering the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks, and the experiences that took him from NBA locker rooms to basketball courts across Europe.

Wendell also reflects on a memorable encounter with Kobe Bryant, the human stories behind the athletes we turn into larger-than-life figures, and his work scouting and coaching players in Germany. The conversation explores international basketball, passionate European fan bases, the challenges facing American players overseas, and why some of the best sports stories happen far beyond the major arenas. The conversation eventually turns to Wendell's new life in Palm Beach, his love of local sports, the Palm Beach Cardinals, and his fascination with professional wrestling and its storytelling. It's a wide-ranging conversation about sports, journalism, travel, community, and the people behind the stories we love.

Called for Traveling is available in paperback, hardcover, and ebook.

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, Chris sits down with Kelly Smallridge, President and CEO of the Business Development Board of the Palm Beaches, to explore how Palm Beach County has transformed from an economy centered around tourism, real estate, agriculture, and construction into one of the country's emerging hubs for finance, technology, innovation, life sciences, and aviation.

Kelly shares her own journey growing up in Palm Beach County and spending nearly four decades with the Business Development Board, where she has played a key role in attracting, retaining, and expanding businesses throughout the region. She explains the foundation that had to be built before Palm Beach County could successfully recruit major companies — from infrastructure and workforce development to education, transportation, and quality of life.

The conversation takes a closer look at Wall Street South and how Palm Beach County became an increasingly attractive destination for hedge funds, private equity firms, wealth managers, and other financial services companies. Kelly explains how the strategy began by identifying executives who already owned homes in the area and eventually accelerated as remote work and major financial institutions made it easier to operate outside traditional financial centers.

Chris and Kelly also discuss the next chapter for the region, including the push to establish Palm Beach County as a hub for technology, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and quantum computing. Kelly details the ecosystem being built around universities, incubators, venture capital, and companies like D-Wave, and explains why developing a skilled local workforce will be critical to sustaining that growth.

Looking ahead, Kelly identifies workforce development and housing as two of the biggest challenges facing Palm Beach County and shares her vision for an economy that continues to grow without sacrificing the character, charm, and quality of life that make the area special. She also highlights the often-overlooked small businesses and workers whose everyday contributions help make Palm Beach County a best-in-class place to live. From Wall Street South and quantum computing to workforce development, entrepreneurship, and the future of Palm Beach County, this episode offers an inside look at who is shaping the region's economy, where it's headed next, and how that growth could impact the people who call the Palm Beaches home.

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, Chris sits down with Michael Simms, Managing Partner of Veracity Advisors, for a wide-ranging conversation about financial planning, tax strategy, entrepreneurship, business valuations, and what it really takes to build a business that can thrive without its owner.

Michael shares the personal journey that brought him to Palm Beach County, from his military service and years in corporate healthcare to a major life transition that ultimately led him into wealth management and entrepreneurship. He explains why he and his partner built Veracity Advisors around a client-first philosophy and how their virtual family office model brings together wealth management, tax advisory, risk management, legal resources, and business strategy.

The conversation dives deep into tax planning for entrepreneurs, the importance of bringing CPAs into the conversation early, and why financial strategies should be built around a client's actual goals rather than simply selling financial products. Michael also explains how business owners can increase the value of their companies by creating recurring revenue, reducing their personal involvement in day-to-day operations, and preparing for an eventual exit long before they're ready to sell.

Beyond finance, Michael discusses the importance of finding purpose after retirement, his work supporting veterans through the Military Appreciation Initiative, his involvement with Palm Beach Gardens' Five-Star Magnet program, and why community involvement can make such a lasting difference. He also shares a deeply personal connection to Quantum House and why he believes the organization deserves more recognition throughout Palm Beach County. From building a more valuable business to planning for taxes, retirement, legacy, and life beyond work, this episode offers practical financial insight alongside a powerful reminder that success is about more than money — it's about creating something meaningful and making an impact in the community around you.

On this special election edition of The Palm Beach Current, Chris Moody sits down with Jacob Noble, candidate for Palm Beach County Court Judge, Group 12, ahead of the upcoming election.

With more than 20 years of experience as an attorney, over 50 jury trials, appellate experience, and a career spanning criminal and civil law, Noble shares what inspired him to pursue a seat on the bench and why he believes his experience in both the public defender's office and private practice has prepared him to serve as a county court judge.

Noble discusses his commitment to an independent and impartial judiciary, what voters should know about the often-overlooked county court system, and the types of cases that come before a county court judge—including landlord-tenant disputes, small claims, misdemeanors, and civil matters. He also explains how he would approach the courtroom, emphasizing dignity, respect, patience, and making sure every person feels heard.

The conversation also explores Noble's views on judicial efficiency, access to the courts, the importance of technology like Zoom, and the challenges facing the judicial system. He explains why he sees the county court position as a destination rather than a stepping stone and why he believes judicial decisions should be based solely on the facts and law—not politics, endorsements, or future ambitions.

Beyond the campaign, Noble opens up about his personal evolution, his love for the Jupiter Hammerheads and Roger Dean Stadium, and his life as the adoptive parent of two Chihuahuas, Teddy and Wendell.

Tune in for an informative conversation designed to help Palm Beach County voters better understand the candidate, the role of county court, and why judicial elections matter.