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Florida Matters

WUSF Public Media
Tampa Bay
Hurricane Season 2024
Recreational Marijuana
Bob Graham
Summer Learning Programs
Florida
Pro-Palestinian Protests
Civil Rights Movement
University Of South Florida
Vaping
Florida Arts Organizations
Spelling Competitions
United Way Suncoast
Educational Funding
Parental Rights and Education Law
Florida Education Laws
Smart Approaches To Marijuana
True Leave
Everglades
Vietnam War

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes458Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for Florida Matters

Latest Episodes

Lt. Gov. Jay Collins dials into “Florida Matters Live & Local” to talk about why he’s running for governor and review some of his legislative priorities. We’ll also hear an analysis of the crowded gubernatorial race, news from the Dalí Museum and an ... more

Former state lawmaker José Javier Rodríguez wants to be Florida’s Attorney General. He faces steep odds in a very red state. On “Florida Matters Live & Local,” he makes his pitch. Guests also discuss the latest on ICE arrests in Florida and the upcom... more

YouTube

In just a week, gas prices have shot up to almost $4 for a gallon of regular unleaded. "Florida Matters Live & Local" takes a closer look at what’s driving up the cost of gas and how you are dealing with it.

We also talk to a USF professor about the... more

YouTube

Hillsborough schools are rolling out smart sensors that detect vape clouds, the Legislature's last week, meeting a Tampa City Council member and taking a dive at an aquarium in Lecanto.

Call: 813-755-6562

Message: FloridaMatters@wusf.org

Website: h... more

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Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Shawna Muckle
Tampa Bay Times reporter who covers transportation and politics
Tampa Bay Times
Episode: Playing us for fuel, chilly reaction to H-1B freeze, getting away Scot-free
Darden Rice
Chief Planning and Community Affairs Officer
Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority
Episode: Playing us for fuel, chilly reaction to H-1B freeze, getting away Scot-free
Adriana Navoa
USF History Professor
University of South Florida
Episode: Playing us for fuel, chilly reaction to H-1B freeze, getting away Scot-free
Eliza Knight
Award-winning author
Independent author
Episode: Playing us for fuel, chilly reaction to H-1B freeze, getting away Scot-free
Rob Nelson
Hillsborough County Public Schools Regional Superintendent
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Episode: A Juul casket, Councilor Naya Young, educational mermaids, cram job at the Capitol
Christine Marsh
Founder and President of Secure Us Solutions
Secure Us Solutions
Episode: A Juul casket, Councilor Naya Young, educational mermaids, cram job at the Capitol
Douglas Soule
Reporter from Your Florida team at WUSF
WUSF
Episode: A Juul casket, Councilor Naya Young, educational mermaids, cram job at the Capitol
Naya Young
Tampa City Councilor, District 5
Tampa City Council
Episode: A Juul casket, Councilor Naya Young, educational mermaids, cram job at the Capitol
Eric Ducharm
Founder and Owner of MerTailer Mermaid Aquarium Encounter
MyrTailer
Episode: A Juul casket, Councilor Naya Young, educational mermaids, cram job at the Capitol

Hosts

Matthew Petty
Host of Florida Matters Live & Local, facilitating discussions on a wide range of topics impacting the community.
Cathy Carter
Host of Florida Matters, engaging with various community experts and leaders on pressing local topics.
Sky LeBron
Host of Florida Matters Live & Local, known for covering a broad spectrum of local issues.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 19 ratings
  • Great host!

    Amazing host who does a fantastic job with the interviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Green in Orange
    United States4 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 Statesa year 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 States2 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 States3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Critiques mention occasional lagging behind current events, highlighting a need for timely discussions.
Hosts are described as engaging and adept at facilitating thoughtful conversations about important issues.
Some feedback indicates a desire for the podcast to cover a broader geographic range beyond just Tampa.
Listeners appreciate the depth and local relevance of the topics discussed, finding them informative and necessary.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Jolt for Lakeland residents, bill deletion, response to Welch, risky med cuts, women take field
Q: What are the main drivers behind Lakeland Electric's bill increase?
The increase is driven by a combination of higher natural gas costs due to a cold snap, lower reserves, and a pass-through fuel charge that reflects energy market conditions, with projections of potential further adjustments.
A Juul casket, Councilor Naya Young, educational mermaids, cram job at the Capitol
Q: Now represent District 5. Tell us a little bit more about District 5. What makes it unique? What are some of its specific challenges?
District 5 is highly diverse with a mix of history, needs, and opportunities. The council member highlighted ongoing investment needs and the importance of transparency and accountability to ensure development benefits all communities.
Playing us for fuel, chilly reaction to H-1B freeze, getting away Scot-free
Q: Why is it argued that the H-1B pause is limited to public universities and not all sectors?
The guest explains that the visa is used to fill specialized roles critical to research and higher education, and the regulatory structure includes protections for local workers; the pause is framed as a policy measure rather than a blanket restriction, but its effects on public universities could be significant.
Playing us for fuel, chilly reaction to H-1B freeze, getting away Scot-free
Q: What is the impact of Florida colleges pausing H-1B hiring on teaching and research?
The guest Professor Adriana Navoa argues the pause could hinder universities' ability to recruit top talent essential for research and advanced programs, especially in fields requiring international expertise, though she notes that searches remain competitive and visas are time-limited.
St. Pete mayor looks ahead, nonprofits and citizenship checks, Jackson House rebirth
Q: What would you like voters to focus on if you're re-elected?
Housing, infrastructure resilience, and the J-Hop priorities—jobs, housing, economic opportunity, and honoring the promises made to the community—are the core focus areas, along with continuing to deliver on previously planned development and ensuring community input guides decisions.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Matters

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

This podcast offers a platform for engaging conversations about local and statewide issues affecting the community. Through a variety of topics, the episodes highlight influential figures such as local leaders, activists, and journalists who provide insights on pressing matters ranging from environmental concerns and education policy to cultural events and public health. Noteworthy are discussions on the implications of government policies and community initiatives that shape daily life for residents. The format encourages storytelling and local engagement, making it appealing for listeners interested in the unique narratives that emerge from Florida's diverse population and heritage.

Listeners can expect a blend of political, environmenta... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Florida Matters?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Florida Matters. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Florida Matters and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Florida Matters get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Florida Matters, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Florida Matters?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Florida Matters, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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 Best People with Nicolle Wallace
3. The NPR Politics Podcast
4. Fresh Air
5. The Daily

How many episodes of Florida Matters are there?

Florida Matters launched 5 years ago and published 458 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.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Florida Matters?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Florida Matters. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Florida Matters?

Recent guests on Florida Matters include:

1. Shawna Muckle
2. Darden Rice
3. Adriana Navoa
4. Eliza Knight
5. Rob Nelson
6. Christine Marsh
7. Douglas Soule
8. Naya Young

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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