Advertise on podcast: The Florida Madcaps

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we have Tiffany Bright the executive director of the Rattlesnake Conservancy, on to discuss the do's and don'ts when it comes to encountering venomous snakes while in the outdoors. To learn more about the Rattlesnake Conservancy click here: https://www.savethebuzztails.org/ To get tickets or learn more about The Rattlesnake Conservancy's annual fundraiser "Get Buzzed for Buzztails" click here: https://www.savethebuzztails.org/gb4b Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail This past weekend, the Madcaps went to South Florida.  Ryan visited the Florida Keys and Everglades.  Chris and Chelsey visited Southwest Florida.  They share their experiences and recommendations in this episode.  Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail Our guest this episode is Tim Gilmore and we discuss his book “The Wilderness and Willie Browne” Tim Gilmore writes about the haunted South and the spirit of place. He’s the author of 27 books and four stage works produced at Florida State College at Jacksonville, where he teaches writing. His newest book, Memphis Wood and the Sanctified Fecund, will launch on October 15, 2026 at the Mandarin Museum in Jacksonville. Gilmore is the creator of jaxpsychogeo.com, a 14 year (thus far) project that explores Jacksonville, Florida in more than 850 nonfiction place-portraits. He has won teaching and community service awards and the Jacksonville Cultural Council’s Literary Artist of the Year award. He co-chaired Jacksonville’s Civil Rights History Timeline Committee. He has a Ph.D. in English from the University of Florida. For information about Tim’s next book launch: https://www.mandarinmuseum.org/events/lecture-series Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail While folks flock to the beaches, springs, and lakes, many trails in the summer are neglected and offer some great exploring and wildlife viewing opportunities.  However, heat illness is a serious risk as well.  This week the Madcaps discuss their favorite hiking areas, strategies, and tips for hiking in the Florida summer. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail This week, the Madcaps discuss threats and calls to action regarding sea turtles in Florida.  We are joined by Dr Katherine Sayler, the Southeastern Representative of Defenders of Wildlife!  Katherine explains the challenges that sea turtles face while nesting in Florida's beaches as well as some things that we can all do to help! Check out Defenders of Wildlife here:  https://defenders.org/ Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail This week is a colorful journey where the Sunshine State Seekers and the Florida Excursionist discussed how they got started in their natural Florida passion projects. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail Recently, there have been three instances of gator bites around waterways here in Florida.  Unfortunately, one of them was fatal.  Today, we have gator expert Chris Gillette on to discuss gator safety and mannerisms.   Info on Chris's wildlife sanctuary, Bellowing Acres, can be found at: https://bellowingacres.org/ Social media and online store can be found at: https://www.instagram.com/gatorchris https://bellowing-acres.myspreadshop.com/bellowing+acres+jurassicpark?idea=672e2142e1948830e297ab53&page=2&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAdGRleASzQcVwZG9mAmV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDzEyNDAyNDU3NDI4NzQxNAABp3WzUHHhz5PNm4cNBWG2XOtVoxNY51KT7pnSvYYHTfZQIVwIRidag5anVtce_aem_ZR0EzOPQgV036Y6Lds6n4A Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail This week we have two special guests and discuss the facets gatekeeping on social media here in Florida.  Gatekeeping is often posting images or video of an area without disclosing the location. Our guests are: Tessa Skiles, who is a conservationist, underwater photographer/cinematographer, and impact producer known for her evocative, immersive storytelling that reveals the beauty and vulnerability of one of our planet’s most elusive and misunderstood natural resources: groundwater. Josh, aka FloridaGuideJosh, is a wildlife photographer and content creator sharing authentic stories from the natural world. While Florida’s springs and waterways are home base, the work extends wherever wild places and meaningful stories exist. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail This week, we interview our very own Chris Stevens new book that we authored with Sandra Friend.  An atlas a nd breakdown of over 1000 trails in Florida.  We talk with Chris about the book, the process, and some of the features that make it great! To get the book, go to: https://floridapress.org/9780813081588/hikers-guide-to-the-sunshine-state-second-edition/ Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail This week the Madcaps share some of their preferred alternatives to traveling the interstates around Florida.  Backroads often can take a path through Old Florida and some interesting roadside attractions. Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail Parks discussed during this video: Shoal River Headwaters State Park https://www.floridastateparks.org/shoalriverheadwaters Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/fred-gannon-rocky-bayou-state-park Torrey State Park https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/torreya-state-park Defuniak Springs https://www.visitsouthwalton.com/blog/defuniak-springs-guide-for-first-timers/ Wilderness Landing Park https://www.myokaloosa.com/parks/wilderness-landing Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail This week, the Madcaps discuss their favorite visitor centers and small museums. Here are the links for the ones that were discussed. Guy Bradley Visitors Center on Flamigo Key https://www.nps.gov/ever/planyourvisit/gbvc.htm John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park https://pennekamppark.com/environmental-education/ Boyd Hill https://www.stpeteparksrec.org/parks___facilities/boyd_hill.php Crystal River NWR https://www.discovercrystalriverfl.com/directory/crystal-river-national-wildlife-refuge-complex-and-visitor-center/ Merritt Island NWR https://www.fws.gov/refuge/merritt-island Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail This week, the Madcaps discuss the best visitor centers, small museums, and interpretive displays that can be found in the natural areas of Florida! Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum https://www.ahtahthiki.com Gumbo Limbo https://www.myboca.us/2485/Gumbo-Limbo-Nature-Center Stephen Foster https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/stephen-foster-folk-culture-center-state-park Orlando Wetlands Park https://www.orlando.gov/Our-Government/Departments-Offices/Public-Works/Water-Reclamation-Division/Orlando-Wetlands Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary  https://www.audubon.org/corkscrew Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail This week's guest is Matt Caldwell, President of the Florida State Parks Foundation.   We discuss what the  Foundation does to improve our state parks. To become a member of the Florida State Park Foundation: https://floridastateparksfoundation.org/membership/individual-and-family-membership/ To learn more about the Florida State Parks Foundation: https://floridastateparksfoundation.org/ https://floridastateparksfoundation.org/explore-our-state-parks-specialty-license-plate/ https://volunteers.floridastateparks.org/pages/HOME Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en

Send us Fan Mail This week, our guest is Kristin Anderson, the Programs & Community Engagement Lead with Conservation Florida.  We discuss Conservation Florida's mission to conserve natural areas here in Florida and some of their upcoming events.  To learn more, go to: https://conservationfla.org/ Please subscribe!  Shares and reviews are much appreciated! Get your FREE sticker from the Florida Springs Council and sign up to be a springs advocate at https://www.floridaspringscouncil.org/madcaps Questions and comments can be emailed at [email protected] Ryan can be found on Instagram at:  https://www.instagram.com/the_fl_excursionist/ Chris and Chelsey can be found at https://www.instagram.com/sunshinestateseekers/?hl=en