Welcome to Florida

When is protected land not really protected? When it's in Florida.

A.E. "Bean" Backus (1906-1990) is one of Florida's most esteemed artists. While best known today in connection to the Florida Highwaymen, Backus was an exceptional artist in his own right.

J. Marshall Adams, executive director at the A.E. Backus Museum and Gallery in Fort Pierce joins us to talk about Backus' life and legacy.

Listen to our previous episode with Kelvin Hair, son of legendary Florida Highwaymen artist Alfred Hair.

Encouraging news for the Florida Grasshopper Sparrow, the most endangered bird species on mainland America.

A pair of notorious Florida villains have died. Norma Padgett Upshaw who falsely accused "The Groveland Four" of rape, and William Calley, Jr. a U.S. Army officer convicted for his role in 1968's My Lai Massacre in Vietnam.

Our guest today is Erica Smith from Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. Here's more information about its native plant conservation and research efforts.

The right wing's gameplan for a second Trump administration is laid out in a 900-plus page document called "Project 2025." One of its aims is to privatize weather reports. Craig explains how this terrifying document would impact Floridians.

Our guest this episode is Lynn Smallwood McMillin, owner and operator of the Smallwood Store in Chokoloskee since 1990. She is the granddaughter of the store's original owner, Ted Smallwood, who began operating the business out of his home there in 1906.

This episode begins by discussing Craig's most recent "Flamingo" magazine article about the Florida State Park system.

Our guest is Lauren Ali, Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail coordinator. The Trail is a project of the FWC - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The New College of Florida has been purged of its academic integrity and set up as an incubator of right wing ideology by Ron DeSantis, now, the school's president has destroyed an environmental preserve to construct ball fields.

Michael Adno is a freelance writer and photographer from Sarasota. He recently visited the Apalachicola State Forest in the Panhandle to investigate worm grunting.

What Donald Trump didn't say about climate change during the presidential debate spoke volumes. During the debate, Trump said, "During my four years, I had the best environmental numbers ever." The exact opposite is true. Trump was the most anti-environmental president in U.S. history, rolling back 100+ environmental protections.

The built environment and "vibe" of Miami Beach are defined by Art Deco, an architectural style popular during the 1920s and 30s. Daniel Ciraldo is executive director at the Miami Design Preservation League and tells us how Art Deco came to Miami Beach, how it has been protected, and the threats it faces.

Solar energy is heating up in Florida no thanks to state government.

Harry Crews grew up dirt poor in south Georgia during the Great Depression before moving to Florida, enrolling at UF, and then becoming a famous writer of novels, essays, reported pieces, and screenplays. He also taught creative writing at the University of Florida for three decades.

Ted Geltner met Crews while working at "The Gainesville Sun" and wrote "Blood, Sweat, and Marrow: A Biography of Harry Crews." He joins us to discuss the legend of Harry Crews.

Eco-criminal Ron DeSantis continues working against Florida's environment.

They exist only in Miami: ventanitas. You'll find the "little windows" attached to Cuban restaurants. Customers can order food and coffee out of them, sometimes, 24-hours a day. This episode's guest Daniela Perez is a Miami native who wrote a book on the subject, "Ventanitas: A Window into Miami’s Coffee Culture."

Two of the ventanitas mentioned in the episode are at Versailles and Mary's Coin Laundry.

Thanks to all our patrons for helping support the show at Patreon.com. We have a new bonus episode for you about Craig's next book project.

One of the worst bills to pass out of the Florida legislature in the most recent session was supported completely on lies.

Everyone has heard of birder and artist John James Audubon, namesake of the Audubon Foundation. Audubon came to Florida twice while researching his epic "Birds of America." Our guest today, Kenn Kaufman, is one of America's great birders and author of “The Birds That Audubon Missed: Discovery and Desire in the American Wilderness.”

Start you adventures birding around Florida with the Great Florida Birding Trail.

Thanks again to all of our patrons at Patreon.com. For just $5 per month, you can help support production of the show and receive BONUS episodes. Two new bonus episodes published recently about Chadd Scott's May trip to Miami, and news regarding Craig Pittman's next book.

Florida congressman Matt Gaetz wants to bomb endangered whales in the Gulf of Mexico.

One of Florida's great hidden gem cultural and tourist attractions is Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach. As beautiful as the gardens are today, the history of Japanese immigration to Florida and the garden's founding are equally interesting. Curator of education at Morikami Wendy Lo joins us to discuss.