Todd's Podcast

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson joins Todd for a conversation about egg farming, public service, and the responsibilities of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Drawing on his experience operating a farm with one million chickens, Simpson explains how his operation produced roughly two million dozen eggs each month, how technology has changed the industry, and how avian flu and rising costs have affected farmers and consumers. 

The conversation also explores the Florida Cabinet’s role, Simpson’s experience as Senate President, and the department’s wide-ranging work. From gas pump inspections and food safety to consumer protection and wildfire response, Simpson offers a behind-the-scenes look at the services that touch Floridians’ daily lives. He also discusses the Fresh From Florida program and why supporting local farmers matters to the state’s food supply, agricultural economy, and open spaces. 

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Former FDLE Special Agent Nick Del Castillo returns to recount a series of connected investigations from his time with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the Polk County Sheriff’s HIDTA task force. A Friday evening phone call from an FBI colleague in Texas set the cases in motion, leading investigators to discover $1.7 million hidden inside a semi-truck. Over the following months, the same driver and confidential informant became central to additional operations involving local, state, and federal agencies. 

Drawing from his original case files, Nick walks through overnight surveillance, highway traffic stops, and fingerprint evidence that connected the seized money to drug traffickers. He also explains how forfeited funds were distributed among participating agencies and how the confidential informant was compensated. Throughout the conversation, Nick highlights the persistence, trusted relationships, and teamwork that helped bring these investigations together. 

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Twis Lizasuain is the CEO of the 5,000+ member Osceola County Association of REALTORS®. She joins this episode to share the remarkable story of her family’s escape from Vietnam when she was just three years old, leaving Saigon only days before its fall in April 1975. Their journey took them through Thailand and Guam as part of Operation New Life before they eventually arrived in the United States, where a church in Indiana sponsored the family and helped them begin again.

We also talk about the tremendous influence of Twis’s mother, who worked tirelessly to support her daughters and emphasized education, hard work, self-reliance, and adapting to life in America. Twis reflects on growing up in Central Florida, becoming a U.S. citizen, and building a career in communications that included more than two decades in local government and law enforcement before leading the Osceola County Association of REALTORS®. 

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Jhoanna Mukai Allende is a yoga teacher, hospitality professional, and passionate advocate for animals. In her conversation with Todd, she shares her journey from the Philippines to California, her years at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a move to Puerto Rico, where an unexpected introduction to Ashtanga yoga changed the direction of her life. 

Jhoanna and Todd explore the philosophy behind yoga, the importance of being present, meditation, breathing techniques, and why yoga is as much about the mind as it is the physical poses. They also discuss how the principles she has learned through yoga have influenced her advocacy for animal welfare and her involvement with CARE, the Coalition for Animal Rights in Education, which works to support local solutions that help keep animals out of shelters. 

Outside of yoga and advocacy, Jhoanna is the Lodging Manager at Adams Estate, helping create a welcoming experience for guests at the Central Florida wedding and event venue. 

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Ed Kendrick is the Lead Pastor and founder of Heartland Church in Winter Haven, Florida. He joins Todd to share about the unexpected path that took him from a 20-year career in banking and a term as Mayor of Fort Meade to starting a church at age 46. 

Ed reflects on the calling that led him to seminary, the impact that decision had on his family, and the process of building Heartland from a small group of 14 people into a congregation of more than 2,500. He shares lessons from the church’s growth, its commitment to children and families, and the development of a counseling center serving people throughout the community. 

The conversation also turns to the changing state of Christianity in America, the distractions created by modern culture and social media, and why Ed believes authentic faith lived out consistently is essential to reaching the next generation. 

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Hank Longo is a world-ranked water ski jumper, announcer, author, entrepreneur, and motivational speaker. A life spent pursuing big ideas, he joins Todd to reflect on his water skiing career, including his televised world-record jump over 14 boats, and his five decades behind the microphone at national water ski competitions. 

Hank shares stories about building a cabin in the mountains of New Mexico, installing a stereo in Prince’s limousine, and unexpectedly joining Sheila E. onstage during a concert. He and Todd also explore Hank’s work as a children’s author and the purpose behind SOAR, his 16-lesson educational program designed to help students believe in themselves, establish a vision, and create a plan for making their dreams a reality. 

Learn more about SOAR at SoarEducation.com.
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Dr. Savannah Dantzler joins Todd to discuss the long and often demanding path through medical school and a five-year general surgery residency at Lakeland Regional Health. She shares how personal experiences, family support, and mentorship gave her the confidence to pursue osteopathic medicine and helped shape her interest in surgery. 

Savannah also explains the difference between MD and DO training, the intensity of medical school, physician burnout, robotic surgery, and what she expects from the long hours and growing responsibilities of residency. Along the way, the conversation turns to life outside the hospital, including her marriage, their two rescue dogs, cooking, saltwater fishing, and who serves as captain of the boat.

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Marreese “Mo Buckets” Speights won an SEC and NCAA national championship with the Florida Gators before being selected in the first round of the 2008 NBA Draft. He went on to play 10 seasons in the NBA, earning a championship with the Golden State Warriors in 2015. 

Mo joins Todd to reflect on his basketball career, how his faith has shaped his commitment to helping young athletes develop beyond the court, and his latest endeavor as head coach of the Polk State College men’s basketball team. He discusses recruiting, player housing, community support, and his goal of building a program that represents Polk State well on the court and throughout the community. 

Support Polk State student-athletes at Foundation.Polk.edu.
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Major General H.D. “Jake” Polumbo returns to reflect on America’s semiquincentennial and what it will take to carry its freedoms and democratic principles forward for generations to come. Building on his keynote address at the America 250 Celebration, held June 13 at the Aerospace Center for Excellence in Lakeland, Florida, General Polumbo discusses the nation’s enduring pursuit of a more perfect union. 

Todd and General Polumbo emphasize the importance of teaching young people American and world history, strengthening civics education, supporting teachers, serving within our communities, maintaining an apolitical military, and encouraging qualified citizens to seek public office. Their conversation also recognizes the sacrifices made by service members and Gold Star families, while challenging listeners to protect the Constitution, participate thoughtfully in civic life, and do a little more for their neighbors. 

In honor of this year's Independence Day, General Polumbo offers a hopeful reminder that America’s future will depend on each generation’s willingness to learn, serve, lead, and defend the freedoms it has inherited. 

Learn more and support The 22 Project at Support22Project.org.
Learn more about General Polumbo at TwoBlueAces.com.
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Polk County Commissioner Bill Braswell joins Todd for a timely conversation on the proposed Florida constitutional amendment involving property taxes and homestead exemptions. Bill breaks down how property tax bills are calculated, the role of the property appraiser, how millage rates are set, and why rising property values can increase tax bills even when local millage rates are reduced. 

Todd and Bill also discuss how local government is funded, what the proposed amendment could mean for counties, cities, parks, libraries, public safety, and other local services, as well as the broader challenges tied to growth management, infrastructure, housing affordability, and the future of Polk County. The conversation offers a practical look at how state-level decisions can shape day-to-day services at the local level, and why understanding the full tax structure matters before voters head to the ballot box. 

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