Behind every hurricane forecast is a team making decisions that can impact millions of lives.

As 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.

Florida is home to extraordinary talent, fast-moving industries, and big ideas with global potential. That’s why Florida High Tech Corridor CEO Paul Sohl is working to prepare our state’s learners for the future, from pre-K students to post-doctoral researchers.

In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway talks with Paul about service, leadership and building the workforce of tomorrow. From Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy to innovation leader, Paul is helping prepare Florida’s students, businesses and communities for what comes next.

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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. 

Through innovative purification technology, Eco World Water is making it possible to produce higher-grade reusable water that’s accessible and has a smaller ecological footprint. In this episode, Shah joins SMPR President Heidi Otway to discuss what he loves about the Sunshine State, why water sustainability is essential for Floridians, and how water recycling supports a cleaner future.

Tampa is one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, yet rising housing costs are putting homeownership out of reach for working families. 

In this episode, Mike Sutton, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, sits down with SMPR President Heidi Otway to share how his organization is helping families achieve homeownership through zero-interest mortgages and strong community partnerships.

Tune in to hear about the future of affordable housing in Tampa and how leaders like Mike are turning the dream of a “forever home” into reality.

Florida has 4.4 million children, but no children’s hospital nationally ranked in the top 10… yet. That’s why Martha McGill, president of Nemours Health Hospital, shares her bold push to become Florida’s premier children’s health system. 

From expanding core clinical programs to developing highly skilled care teams, Martha is leading the mission to invest in the well-being of kids across the state. Tune into this episode as she joins SMPR President Heidi Otway to talk about the powerful lessons kids have taught her about resilience and what it takes to make the “magic” of children’s hospitals possible.

With the longest coastline in the continental U.S. and 825 miles of warm, accessible beaches, Florida has a lot of shoreline to protect. That’s where Pepper Uchino steps in.

As president of the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association, Pepper leads the state’s only organization dedicated to coastal preservation, beach protection and shoreline resilience. With beach and waterfront activities being one of the most popular draws for visitors, Florida’s natural coastline isn’t just beautiful, it’s a vital part of our tourism, economy and environmental health.

In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway sits down with Pepper to talk about his unexpected path into environmental advocacy, the future of Florida’s beaches and why developing the next generation of coastal engineers is essential to protecting our state’s coastline for years to come.

For many Floridians, mental health is more than a medical issue: it’s deeply personal. That’s why Palm Beach County is reimagining how care is delivered. 

On this episode of Fluent in Floridian, Health Care District CEO Darcy J. Davis and Dr. Courtney Phillips share their passion for improving the lives of those experiencing mental health challenges and their commitment to building a more responsive, compassionate system of care. 

From pioneering mobile response teams that meet people where they’re at, to evidence-based crisis centers and peer-supported programs, they explore how creativity and empathy are transforming mental health services in Palm Beach County. Tune in to hear how this approach not only treats illness but also restores dignity, setting a new standard for care throughout the state. 

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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, Winsten and SMPR President Heidi Otway discuss how he inspires people to get outside and connect with Florida’s natural beauty. He also reveals the Brevard Zoo’s plans for a new aquarium, a milestone project in Port Canaveral that will expand their educational endeavors to sea life.