Todd's Podcast

Dan Chesnicka is the Producing Director and chief executive of Theatre Winter Haven, “one of the best community theatres in America.” This episode covers the role community theatres play beyond entertainment, creating a gathering place where people of all ages and backgrounds can connect, participate, and help strengthen their local culture. 

Dan shares how people can get involved in a production, as well as his team’s commitment to keeping ticket prices affordable, supporting children’s programming, and serving the broader community through partnerships, funding sources, and volunteer support. The conversation also touches on Dan’s personal path from entrepreneurship to Theatre Winter Haven and reflects on the legacy of Norman Small, who founded the organization more than 56 years ago. Dan expresses how that foundation continues to grow through main stage productions, the Ritz Theatre, the Ghost Light Lounge, the Penguin Project, and other programs that bring audiences together.

Buy tickets, make a donation, or get involved with Theatre Winter Haven at TheatreWinterHaven.com.
Learn more about Todd's Podcast at ToddDantzler.com.

Click here to text Todd!

Ryan McKellen is an entrepreneur, bourbon collector, sports card dealer, and founder of One Day Business Solutions. He joins Todd for a wide-ranging conversation on rare bourbon, collectible sports cards, business, and the relationships that often connect them. From building a 600-bottle bourbon collection to buying and selling sports cards through live-streamed markets, Ryan shares how passion, trust, timing, and reputation shape the world of collectibles. 

The episode also explores Ryan’s path to Polk County, his work in the jewelry industry, his commitment to local philanthropy, and the launch of One Day Business Solutions. Built to help small businesses identify practical opportunities for improvement without a long-term consulting commitment, the concept reflects Ryan’s broader approach to business: use experience, fresh eyes, and strong community ties to help others move forward. 

Learn more about Todd's Podcast at ToddDantzler.com.

Click here to text Todd!

Brenda Eubanks Burnette, a Florida Citrus Hall of Fame inductee, joins Todd to reflect on a career spanning more than four decades in the citrus industry. From her start as Florida Citrus Queen to her work as a spokesperson traveling across the U.S. and abroad, Brenda shares stories from a time when citrus marketing was at its peak, along with the relationships and experiences that shaped her path. 

The conversation also covers her leadership with the Florida Citrus Showcase and the Florida Citrus Hall of Fame, where she focused on preserving the industry’s history and expanding community engagement. Brenda discusses the legacy of citrus crate labels, the development of the Florida Citrus Crate Label Trail, and the ongoing challenges facing the industry today, offering perspective on what remains and why its history still matters. 

Learn more about Todd's Podcast at ToddDantzler.com. 

Click here to text Todd!

Lieutenant Commander Zachary Drum is a Naval Aviator with over 1,800 flight hours and more than 400 carrier landings. In this episode, he shares what life is really like behind the scenes of naval aviation, including his path from the Naval Academy to flying the F/A-18 Super Hornet. 

Zach offers a firsthand look at the intensity of military flight training, the discipline required to operate from an aircraft carrier, and the realities of combat-ready aviation. The conversation dives into the details most people never see, from the precision and pressure of day and night carrier landings to the teamwork required across pilots, maintainers, and crew to keep operations running safely and efficiently. Beyond the cockpit, Zach discusses daily life aboard a carrier, the mental and physical demands of deployment, and how pilots manage stress in high-stakes environments. 

Learn more about Todd's Podcast at ToddDantzler.com.

Click here to text Todd!

Paris Richardson is Miss Florida 2025 and the second runner-up at the Miss America Pageant. She joins Todd to share her path from growing up in Jacksonville to becoming a University of Florida cheerleader and Hall of Fame honoree, along with the persistence that led to earning the Miss Florida title. She also reflects on her experience at Miss America, where she received the preliminary fitness award and was recognized with the Quality of Life Award for her community impact. 

Beyond the stage, Paris discusses her work through "Get RAW" and her Crown of Health platform, along with her children’s book, "The Not-So-Perfect Garden Project", all focused on community outreach, food insecurity, and wellness education. From NIL branding as a college athlete to traveling the state as Miss Florida, Paris offers insight into balancing a professional career, public speaking, and service. 

Pick up a copy of "The Not-So-Perfect Garden Project" on Amazon.com.
Learn more about Todd's Podcast at ToddDantzler.com.

Click here to text Todd!

Mark Becker is a former Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, former Chief of Police of both East Chicago and Portage, Indiana, and the founder of Becker Consulting Group. From his early inspiration to join the FBI to leading police departments in Indiana, Becker shares a candid look at the realities of policing, leadership, and public safety. The conversation explores his time as an FBI Special Agent, including training at Quantico, interrogation techniques, and the challenges of working cases ranging from violent crime to counterintelligence, along with how agents build cases and work alongside local law enforcement. 

Becker also reflects on his transition into law enforcement leadership, where he focused on reducing crime, rebuilding community trust in a previously corrupt police department, and addressing other departmental challenges. The discussion expands into broader issues shaping modern policing, including federal oversight and evolving standards, before closing with insights from his consulting work, where he helps organizations and individuals better understand personal safety, threat awareness, and how to respond effectively in high-stress situations. 

For threat awareness and high-stress response training inquiries, please text Becker Consulting Group directly at 219-712-0864.
Pick up a copy of "NOT ME!" by Al Horner on Amazon.com.
Learn more about Todd's Podcast at ToddDantzler.com.

Click here to text Todd!

In this installment of General-ly Speaking on Todd’s Podcast, Todd is joined by United States Air Force veterans Major General H.D. “Jake” Polumbo and Major General Larry Martin, senior consultants with Two Blue Aces. Recorded one week after the February 2026 air strikes on Iran, the discussion focuses on helping listeners better understand the military planning, terminology, and operational concepts being discussed in the news. 

Drawing on decades of experience in air operations and joint military planning, the generals explain how large-scale operations are planned, how strategy, operations, and tactics differ, and how multiple branches of the U.S. military coordinate alongside allied forces such as Israel. The conversation explores the complex logistics behind modern air campaigns, including global refueling networks, intelligence gathering, timing and coordination across time zones, and the role of emerging technologies like drones, artificial intelligence, and space-based systems. The generals also reflect on the human side of military operations, emphasizing the importance of patience when interpreting early news reports and recognizing the impact of war on service members and their families. 

Learn more and support The 22 Project at Support22Project.org.
Learn more about the generals at TwoBlueAces.com.
Learn more about Todd's Podcast at ToddDantzler.com. 

Click here to text Todd!

Ed Chiles is an entrepreneur, restaurateur, organic farmer, and philanthropist with a family legacy in Florida and national public service. In his conversation with Todd, he shares many moments and lessons from his storied career, including working in a safari park wrangling baboons before entering the hospitality industry. 

The episode explores Ed's decades-long career building and operating iconic waterfront restaurants on Anna Maria Island, the challenges of navigating events such as red tide and COVID-19, and the decision to sell the business after 45 years. The conversation then turns toward Ed’s work beyond hospitality, including his involvement with Gamble Creek Farm as a model for organic agriculture, his collaboration with Shogun Farms on invasive wild pig management, and his broader insights into local food systems, oyster and seagrass restoration, and innovative approaches to responsible seafood and agricultural practices.

Learn more about Gamble Creek Farms at GambleCreekFarms.com.
Learn more about Todd's Podcast at ToddDantzler.com.

Click here to text Todd!

Anthony Pedicini is a political consultant, owner, and partner at Strategic Image Management (SIMwins) based in Tampa, Florida. In their conversation, Todd and Anthony dig into the real mechanics of political campaigns, drawing from their own experience working together during Todd’s run for Polk County Commission. 

The episode covers what candidates should look for when hiring a consultant, the fundamentals of fundraising and time management, the role of polling, and why likability and authenticity often matter more than credentials alone. Anthony explains how campaigns are built from the ground up, how strategy evolves in real time, and what separates strong candidates from those who struggle to gain traction

The discussion also explores how campaigning has changed, from the rise of texting and social media to negative campaigning and the increased scrutiny facing candidates and consultants alike. Along the way, Anthony shares about his connection with the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida, where he has helped raise hundreds of thousands of dollars to grant wishes for children facing critical illnesses. 

Donate or support Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida at Wish.org/SFLA.
Learn more about Todd's Podcast at ToddDantzler.com.

Click here to text Todd!

Charles Olvis and Elizabeth Muthard are two of the most accomplished and respected dog show judges in the United States. They join this episode to share an inside look at the world of competitive dog shows, discussing how a lifelong love of dogs evolved into decades-long careers judging at the highest levels of the sport, including the National Dog Show, Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, and the AKC Invitational. 

Charlie and Liz explain what it takes to become an AKC-sanctioned judge, how breed standards guide every decision in the ring, and how judging has changed over the years. The conversation also pulls back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes, from the pressures of judging nationally televised events to the realities of travel, training, and professional handling, offering clarity for listeners who may only know the sport from television. 

Learn more about Todd's Podcast at ToddDantzler.com.

Click here to text Todd!