Advertise on podcast: Fluent in Floridian

Football season is back! But we've got a different game on our minds… With Orlando City SC Co-Founder Kay Rawlins retiring this year after nearly 15 years with the club, we're re-releasing her fan-favorite episode.  Tune in to hear Kay and SMPR President Heidi Otway as they reflect on her historic legacy in Florida sports and the true "Believe" spirit she brought to the Sunshine State.

What happens when girls are given the extra support and resources they need to flourish? Yessica Cancel knows. As CEO of Pace Center for Girls, Cancel brings more than two decades of experience in education and nonprofit work. In this episode, she joins SMPR President Heidi Otway to discuss the importance of pairing academics with comprehensive mental health support and the impact of giving young Florida women the tools and confidence to shape their futures.

With 176 state parks across Florida, your next adventure might be closer than you think. In this episode, SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway and Florida State Parks Foundation Board President Matt Caldwell discuss what makes the Sunshine State's public lands so extraordinary. Listen to hear about Florida's crystal-clear springs, best-kept-secret spots and how to keep these natural treasures alive for generations to come.

Behind every hurricane forecast is a team making predictions that can impact millions of lives. As the current director of NOAA's National Hurricane Center, Michael Brennan's career has been defined by one mission: helping people make better decisions before, during and after a hurricane. From forecasting major storms such as Irma, Michael and Matthew to directly influencing emergency planning and public safety across Florida.  In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway sits down with Michael to discuss the human expertise behind every forecast and the responsibility that comes with protecting one of the nation's most hurricane-prone states.

What does it take to build trust between law enforcement and one of Central Florida's fastest-growing communities? From improving language access and creating new reporting pathways as an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Liaison, Orange County Deputy Sheriff Thomas Lin offers a meaningful look at what supporting the communities through law enforcement can look like in practice. In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway speaks with Deputy Lin about his decades-long career in law enforcement and the values that have shaped his career: commitment, perseverance, passion and dedication.

Innovation doesn't happen by accident. It takes vision, partnership and leaders who know how to bring people together around a shared future. That's what Paul Sohl, CEO of the Florida High Tech Corridor, is doing as he helps connect education and research across one of the state's most dynamic regions. In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway speaks with Paul about his path from Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy to innovation leader, and how he is helping prepare Florida's students, businesses and communities for what comes next.

Water is one of Florida's most precious natural resources, sustaining our communities, ecosystems and economy. As population growth and development increase, protecting water quality has never mattered more. Syed Shah, CEO of Eco World Water, points to a solution: wastewater reuse. In this episode, Shah joins SMPR President Heidi Otway to discuss his love for the Sunshine State, why water sustainability is essential for Floridians, and how water recycling can support a cleaner future.

Tampa Bay is growing rapidly, but rising housing costs are making it harder for working families to stay in the city they call home. That's why Mike Sutton, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, is helping families achieve homeownership through zero-interest mortgages with the support of partners and volunteers. In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway sits down with Mike to discuss his journey to nonprofit leadership and how he's helping families turn the dream of a "forever home" into a reality.

Martha McGill, president of Nemours Children's Health Hospital, shares Nemours' bold push to become Florida's top-ranked children's health system. From expanding core clinical programs to developing sharply talented care teams, Martha is leading the mission to invest in the well-being of kids across the state.  In this episode, she joins SMPR President Heidi Otway to share her journey from bedside nurse to pediatric health leader, and how she's helping Nemours make a life-changing impact on children and families, bringing the "magic" of children's hospitals to life.

With the longest coastline in the continental U.S. and 825 miles of warm beaches, Florida has a lot of shoreline to protect. That's where Pepper Uchino comes in. As president of the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association, he leads the state's only organization devoted entirely to safeguarding the coastlines that make Florida so special. And with beach and waterfront activities among the most popular draws for out-of-state visitors, the state's natural beauty isn't just scenic – it's essential to our economy.  In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway talks with Pepper about his unexpected path into environmental advocacy and why investing in the next generation of coastal engineers may be the key to preserving Florida's future.

From a childhood spent playing with snakes to leading some of Florida's most innovative wildlife programs, Keith Winsten shares his journey in conservation and immersive animal experiences.  As executive director of the Brevard Zoo, which welcomes over 500,000 visitors annually, he helps rehabilitate sea turtles and manatees, restore habitats and create exciting adventures for visitors. In this episode, Keith and SMPR President Heidi Otway discuss how he inspires people to get outside and connect with Florida's natural beauty.

Talethia Edwards is shaping the future of neighborhoods throughout Florida's Big Bend region. As executive director of Good News Outreach, she works to connect residents with critical resources that help communities flourish.  In this episode, Talethia talks with SMPR President Heidi Otway about her path from Miami to the state capital, and why she believes investing and advocating for people is the foundation for real, lasting change.

Cybercrime is rising, and Danny Jenkins is one of Florida's first lines of defense. As co-founder and CEO of ThreatLocker, Danny leads a global cybersecurity company headquartered right here in Florida, protecting more than 50,000 businesses from digital threats that grow more sophisticated each day.  In this episode, Danny shares his journey with SMPR President Heidi Otway from the UK to the Sunshine State and how he's helping businesses and communities stay secure. From the future of cybersecurity in Florida to the importance of staying one step ahead, Danny offers a powerful look at what it means to protect the digital landscape of the state we call home.

What does it really take to build hope, support and lasting change in the mental health space? Carali McLean, executive director of NAMI Florida, has some ideas. In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway sits down with Carali, a lifelong advocate whose journey from Pinellas County to statewide leadership is rooted in a core belief: asking for help is a strength. They discuss her early work in clinical social work, Florida's evolving mental health landscape, and NAMI's role in supporting communities from big cities to rural towns.

Traci Deen has dedicated her career to advocating for Florida, first as a public defender and now as the CEO of Conservation Florida, a nonprofit focused on preserving the state's water, land and wildlife. With over 34 million acres of land, Florida's ecosystems are central to the state's identity. But now, more than ever, they need our protection. In this episode, Traci sits down with SMPR President Heidi Otway to share her journey, what drives her passion, and why every Floridian has a role in protecting this special place they call home.