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Florida Matters

WUSF Public Media
Florida
Tampa
Tampa Bay
St. Petersburg
University Of South Florida
Everglades
Mental Health
Hurricane Season
Tampa Bay Rays
Vaccination Rates
Gaza
Caregiving
Property Taxes
Climate Change
Measles
Ybor City
Hillsborough County
Affordable Housing
Florida Budget
Hillsborough County Public Schools

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes557Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Florida Matters

Latest Episodes

Friday marks 25 years since 9/11. It was a watershed moment for the U.S. and the world. It changed how we approached the world, flying, security, patriotism and society in general.

Journalists, an aviation executive, a robotics rescue expert, a coll... more

If the summer had you second-guessing your salad, you’re not alone. Cyclosporiasis, a nasty stomach bug caused by a microscopic parasite, spread across several states, sickening more than 1,100 people and killing two.

The outbreak was linked to iceb... more

YouTube

The Lindsay Clancy case in Massachusetts has sparked conversations about perinatal mood disorders. Many of us are trying to learn more about postpartum psychosis. A local expert is here to oblige.

Also, a report reveals the Pinellas County Jail deta... more

YouTube

Animal shelters in Tampa Bay have too many pets and not enough space. What’s leading to the overcapacity — especially for cats? And what can be done to reduce the number of stray and abandoned animals?

Also, eco anxiety is a “chronic fear of environ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Trey Williams
CEO of Fleet Force, Sarasota-based truck driver training school
Fleet Force
Episode: Wanted: a new generation of truck drivers. And every generation gets an ‘Odyssey’
Charity Gaston
10,000th Fleet Force graduate with a CDL
Fleet Force
Episode: Wanted: a new generation of truck drivers. And every generation gets an ‘Odyssey’
Colleen Cherry
Star of Penelope, epic new musical
Penelope production
Episode: Wanted: a new generation of truck drivers. And every generation gets an ‘Odyssey’
Virginia Lewis
Professor of Classics, Florida State University
FSU
Episode: Wanted: a new generation of truck drivers. And every generation gets an ‘Odyssey’
Stephen Sansom
Professor of Classics, Florida State University
FSU
Episode: Wanted: a new generation of truck drivers. And every generation gets an ‘Odyssey’
Michael Barfield
Investigative journalist, Florida Trident
Florida Trident
Episode: Florida’s shadowy immigration database, and remembering the Buffalo Soldiers
Donald D. Rock Williams
President of the Tampa Chapter, National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club
Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club
Episode: Florida’s shadowy immigration database, and remembering the Buffalo Soldiers
David WD. Austin
Secretary, Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club
Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club
Episode: Florida’s shadowy immigration database, and remembering the Buffalo Soldiers
Emily Grace
Brainchild of the goodness gracious, great balls of love food truck
Goodness Gracious Food Truck / Great Balls of Love
Episode: A school board’s partisan pendulum swings, and multitasking food trucks

Host

Matthew Petty
Host of the show; regional politics and public affairs journalist focused on Florida communities and policy.

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 States10 months 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.

Some episodes feel Tampa-focused; broader statewide coverage could be stronger.
A few reviews note audio volume issues that affect accessibility.
Guest variety is strong, with experts across policy, health, and culture.
Listeners appreciate the host's solid interviews and practical take on Florida policy.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Scrubbing climate science from textbooks, and Tampa Theatre turns back the clock
Q: What did you find when you filed public records requests about these changes?
Katie describes a systemic, broad push to alter language across many textbooks, with the state requesting language changes and attributions across multiple publishers, not isolated to one book.
Scrubbing climate science from textbooks, and Tampa Theatre turns back the clock
Q: Okay, so Jessica, can you tell us what the State's Department of Education wanted changed or taken out of these textbooks?
Jessica explains there were changes to climate change references, attributions, and how information was presented, including removing or downplaying climate-related facts and adding specific sources, which she describes as a deliberate shift in how climate science is taught in Florida.
Wanted: a new generation of truck drivers. And every generation gets an ‘Odyssey’
Q: Charity, what did it take to get that license?
Receiving a CDL requires passing a permit and a series of knowledge and skills tests, with dedicated training time; in Charity's case, the program at Fleet Force is structured as a full-time four-week course with government-supported subsidies to reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Vindman challenges political headwinds, and USF nursing school's major expansion
Q: What makes you think you can prevail in Florida this year?
Vindman argues the current environment favors an independent-minded, non-career politician who can address cost of living and corruption, highlighting his military service and willingness to challenge the status quo.
Class acts: Rethinking school success for teens under stress, and a head start in hospitality
Q: What should parents focus on to help their kids start the school year strong besides grades?
Parents should emphasize developing their child's reading, math, and thinking skills while also encouraging creative projects and everyday problem-solving at home to nurture confidence and ownership of learning.

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?

A Florida-focused news program delivers daily, conversation-driven coverage on politics, policy, culture, and local issues. Across recent episodes, discussions span international diplomacy, civil rights and policing tech, homelessness and public safety, hunger and social services, teen safety and education, coastal resilience, and arts/culture scenes. The show often blends expert analysis with human-interest anecdotes from community leaders, researchers, and journalists, producing a pragmatic, locally grounded take on how Florida's laws, budgets, and institutions touch everyday life. A standout trait is its breadth—mixing public policy, health, environment, and arts in a way that informs listeners while highlighting diverse voices from gove... more

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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 Florida Roundup
2. The Bay Blend
3. Reuters World News
4. Global News Podcast
5. KCRW's Left, Right & Center

How many episodes of Florida Matters are there?

Florida Matters launched 5 years ago and published 557 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. Trey Williams
2. Charity Gaston
3. Colleen Cherry
4. Virginia Lewis
5. Stephen Sansom
6. Michael Barfield
7. Donald D. Rock Williams
8. David WD. Austin

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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