Tropical Depression

This week's bonus episode is a live debate between TD host Ryan Ray and Republican Party of Florida chair Evan Power from September 2023 at the Capital Tiger Bay Club.

Thanks to the illustrious Gary Fineout for moderating. More great interviews and shows coming up soon. 

Make sure to leave a review or rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you're enjoying the show. Thanks for listening. 

This week we speak with famed Florida politico Rick Wilson about Republicans' chaotic orgy of shame in an age when nothing matters. 

With voters revolting against Ron DeSantis' "Free State of Florida" regime in national polls, an opportunity for progress emerges as Christian and Bridget Ziegler's sordid Sarasota sex scandal puts a little swing back into our purple state. 

Plus, how transactional local government in the Capital City— "pound for pound, as corrupt as New Orleans or Miami" according to Wilson— runs as pure as the developer-driven Tallahassee snow.

It's a Thanksgiving miracle! A new episode of Tropo featuring a sparkling conversation about bleak topics with literary writer and New College of Florida alum Alec Niedenthal. 

We discuss what Florida means in the wider world, the far-right takeover of a public liberal arts school and how to do letters in an unlettered world. Plus a first-ever Tropical Depression exclusive as Alec reads from his novel in progress, "The Grief Jet."

A better Florida is possible. Happy Thanksgiving, all. 

This week, we talk with Gainesville luminary Katy Burnett about state lawmakers' brazen attacks on the people of Florida's iconic college town — and how they may soon escalate even more.

Ryan talks with Isaac Eger, writer and host of "Cheeseburger in Babylon," about all manner of Florida topics. Is it foolish to be hopeful? Will Ron DeSantis be ok? Is North Florida underrated?

Rebuilding the temple starts one brick at at time — it was a pleasure chucking some up with a close friend of the pod.

Listen to Isaac's show on Spotify. Thanks for visiting bud, next year in Jerusalem.

A quick dispatch from the calm before the big one. 

Author Jeff VanderMeer came by this week to talk environmental catastrophes past, present, and future, and the promise of conservation in Florida.

Learn more about helping to stop the insane proposed Wakulla Springs-adjacent gas station here.

Check out the recent stories we referenced in TIME Magazine, Esquire and Current Affairs — and this 2016 classic celebrating Florida’s biodiversity in the Los Angeles Times.

Thanks again to Jeff and to everyone listening and supporting the show.

This week we talked with Kartik Krishnaiyer, author of a new book on Florida’s little-understood colonial period under foreign rule. Multiple empires including the U.S. have tried to tame Florida and found it largely ungovernable. When the “Free State of Florida” regime runs aground as well, it will no doubt fascinate future historians.

Check out Kartik’s new book Florida & the British Prior to the American Revolution here and support the show by becoming a Patron!

We talk with veteran Florida journalist Jason Garcia about how power and money flow through the State Capitol in the era of Ron DeSantis for President.

Check out Jason's latest work at Seeking Rents.

We also mourn the loss of Florida reporter Aimee Sachs (1985-2023).

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