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Florida Matters

WUSF Public Media
Florida
Tampa
Tampa Bay
St. Petersburg
University Of South Florida
Everglades
Property Taxes
Tampa Bay Rays
Ybor City
Mental Health
New College Of Florida
Hurricane Season
Climate Change
Tropicana Field
Iran
Hope Florida
Florida Doctor Shortage
Public Schools
Food Insecurity
American Dream Sentiment Survey

Your spot for real, daily conversations. Where neighbors become storytellers, newsmakers explain why and how changes happen and where locals — natives to the area and newcomers — discover and delight in the community they share.

PublishesDailyEpisodes592Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Florida Matters

Latest Episodes

For decades, Steven Van Zandt has wowed audiences with his performances.

You may know him from playing guitar and singing with Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band or portraying Silvio Dante on the iconic gangster TV series “The Sopranos.”

The Rock & ... more

Bardmoor Elementary School in Seminole has been dealing with mold, forcing students in at least four classes to change rooms. Parents were notified days later.

Also, an ongoing project through the Library of Congress collects and preserves firsthand... more

Florida homeowners are in line for a property tax break after voters approved Amendment 3 with 62% support. But the measure could leave local governments scrambling to replace billions of dollars in revenue.

On “Florida Matters Live & Local,” we loo... more

USF is becoming increasingly competitive.

The university is among the top research schools in the country and a member of the American Association of Universities, along with being a top 50 public university.

Then, the show graduates to the arts.

more

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Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Helen French
Executive Director of the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance
St. Petersburg Arts Alliance
Episode: What USF’s rise in academics and research means for enrollment, and diving with a purpose
Derek Donnelly
Muralist involved in the SHINE Mural Festival
Episode: What USF’s rise in academics and research means for enrollment, and diving with a purpose
David Kushner
Author of Ocean of Bones
Episode: What USF’s rise in academics and research means for enrollment, and diving with a purpose
Ken Stewart
Founder of Diving with a Purpose
Diving with a Purpose
Episode: What USF’s rise in academics and research means for enrollment, and diving with a purpose
Kamau Siddiqui
Lead instructor at Diving with a Purpose
Diving with a Purpose
Episode: What USF’s rise in academics and research means for enrollment, and diving with a purpose
Prasant Mohapatra
Provost of the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
Episode: What USF’s rise in academics and research means for enrollment, and diving with a purpose
Stephanie Half
Associate Vice President of Strategic Enrollment Management at the University of South Florida
University of South Florida
Episode: What USF’s rise in academics and research means for enrollment, and diving with a purpose
Abraham Al-Badawi
University of South Florida student and public safety advocate
University of South Florida
Episode: Florida’s political landscape is still red, but the nation’s changes are out of the blue
Shayna David-Massett
Director of The Flick production at Sunray Cinema
Sunray Cinema
Episode: Florida’s political landscape is still red, but the nation’s changes are out of the blue

Host

Matthew Petty
Host of Florida Matters Live and Local

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 21 ratings
  • Great host!

    Amazing host who does a fantastic job with the interviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Green in Orange
    United Statesa year ago
  • Volume too low

    I enjoy the episodes but would listen to it a lot more if the volume was raised. I typically can only listen to this podcast with headphones in and my volume turned all the way up. In the car it’s almost impossible to hear the speakers clearly. Other than that, good content pertaining to FL politics.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    bettadenu1
    United States2 years ago
  • Needs to take on issues at a higher level if it is going to stay a weekly

    Ok source of news and info particular to Florida. Unexceptional. I get why other reviewers comment on the podcast being behind the news, though I don’t think it is that bad. The podcast does get into the larger issues which are not really time sensitive.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    aihpcfl
    United States3 years ago
  • SLOW

    either the podcaster is 2-3 days behind the news or the podcaster is 2-3 days slow on posting the podcast to the public?

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Oymcneil
    United States3 years ago
  • OK but the content is very Tampa heavy

    It says it’s about Florida in general but the content is very Tampa region heavy.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Biggest of the big Bobs
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the host for strong interview skills and clear questions.
Some note the volume level can be low and hard to follow in noisy environments.
A few reviewers feel coverage is Tampa-centric rather than statewide.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Growth and affordability in Manatee County, and defining democratic socialism
Q: In the Crisis Center's message about election anxiety, you encourage people to step back. What does stepping back from elections or the news cycle look like?
Clara Reynolds recommends checking news on a schedule, silencing political messages and calls, doing enjoyable activities, and turning concern into constructive involvement.
Growth and affordability in Manatee County, and defining democratic socialism
Q: How would you define socialism?
Manny Ramirez contrasts capitalism, where a small wealthy group controls production, with socialism, where the majority has a say in society and its workplaces.
What USF’s rise in academics and research means for enrollment, and diving with a purpose
Q: What do you want readers to take away from it?
David Kushner hopes readers feel both inspired by the effort to recover and share the history and outraged by the erasure of those stories, and that they are moved to take action themselves.
What USF’s rise in academics and research means for enrollment, and diving with a purpose
Q: Why is it getting more competitive to get into the school?
USF has seen a decade of increasing interest because it offers an affordable education at a leading public research university. Its latest entering cohort was the most academically talented in the university's history.
Florida’s political landscape is still red, but the nation’s changes are out of the blue
Q: What does this amendment actually mean now for local governments?
Douglas Sowell says the measure raises the exemption for non-school property taxes, potentially reducing homeowners' bills while cutting revenue local governments use to fund services. He adds that governments may consider other taxes or fees to make up the difference.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Matters

What is Florida Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Cocused coverage blends local Florida politics with community stories and practical guidance on civic life. Episodes commonly thread investigative journalism, public policy, and neighborhood-level developments—covering topics from budget battles and election dynamics to public safety, education, and climate-related issues. A notable strength is the ability to pair hard-hitting political analysis with tangible, human-interest segments (such as local entrepreneurship, cultural events, or disaster preparedness), offering listeners both context and relatable storytelling. The show often leans into timely Florida-centric affairs while spotlighting voices from journalism, government, academia, and community groups, making it a go-to for listeners... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Florida Matters?

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How many listeners does Florida Matters get?

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How many subscribers and views does Florida Matters have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Florida Matters has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Florida Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Florida Matters:

1. The Bay Blend
2. The Daily
3. The Florida Roundup
4. The Opinions
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of Florida Matters are there?

Florida Matters launched 5 years ago and published 592 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Florida Matters?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Florida Matters?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Florida Matters from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Florida Matters?

Recent guests on Florida Matters include:

1. Helen French
2. Derek Donnelly
3. David Kushner
4. Ken Stewart
5. Kamau Siddiqui
6. Prasant Mohapatra
7. Stephanie Half
8. Abraham Al-Badawi

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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