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Artwork for Florida Spectacular

Florida Spectacular

Cathy Salustri & Rick Kilby
Florida
Florida Keys
Hurricanes
Orlando
Florida History
Florida State Parks
Skunk Ape
Alligators
Climate Change
Florida Springs
St. Augustine
History
Ocklawaha River
Gulfport
Kayaking
Silver Springs
Bahia Honda
Winter Park
Conservation
Key West

Take a weekly trip across Florida with authors Cathy Salustri and Rick Kilby and discover a side of Florida you never knew existed. From the scallops in Panhandle bays to the Hemingway cats in Key West, every week's a Florida adventure.

Get more Florida goodness with greatfloridaroadtrip.com and rickkilby.com.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes290Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePlaces & TravelHistory

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Florida Spectacular

Latest Episodes

Send us your Florida questions!

Rick and Cathy talk about Florida mystery writers. Curl up with your next summer read after listening!

Links We Mentioned

Race of the Gazelles

Striptease (also a book; this links to info about the film)

Carl Hiaas... more

Send us your Florida questions!

Chadd Charland fills in for Rick and talks about how Nassau County was able to stop AI data centers — and what every community can do to stop them! Cathy talks about why eliminating single-use plastics makes a differe... more

Send us your Florida questions!

Rick and Cathy showcase the state of journalism in Florida and talk about hyperlocal papers. 

Five of our Favorite Hyperlocal Weekly Newspapers

The Community Paper (Orlando area)

The Gabber Newspaper (Gulfport and ... more

Send us your Florida questions!

Florida poet Heather Sellers joins the podcast to talk about why alligators are the best, her latest poetry book about Florida, Women in Tampa Talking About Alligators, and things she thinks everyone should do in Tamp... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Florida Madcaps
The Florida MadcapsSunshine State Seekers and the Florida Excursionist
Stuff You Should Know
Stuff You Should KnowiHeartPodcasts
Naturally Florida
Naturally FloridaShannon Carnevale and Lara Milligan

Recent Guests

Heather Sellers
Writer and poet
Author of Women in Tampa Talking About Alligators
Episode: Episode 262: Alligators, Florida Poetry, and Things To Do in Tampa
Lisa Moore
President of Save Crystal River
Save Crystal River
Episode: Episode 261: Springs, Seagrass, and Things To Do in Crystal River
Blair Petersen Updike
Artist focused on Florida landscapes and conservation storytelling; founder of The Florida Gallery
The Florida Gallery
Episode: Episode 260: Things To Do in Polk County, Florida Art, and Blair Petersen Updike
Mark Mustian
Author of Boy With Wings; founder/president of Word of South Festival
Word of South Festival, Midtown Reader (mentioned)
Episode: Episode 259: Word of South, Boy With Wings, and Things To Do in Tallahassee
Rick Kilby
Author of the book being discussed
Self-published author; Winter Park History Museum collaborator
Episode: Episode 258: Murals, Winter Park, and Rick Kilby's New Book
Kristin Hemphill
Creative operations director at FloridaRAMA
FloridaRAMA
Episode: Episode 257: Mermaid Star Motel, the Florida Wildlife Corridor, and FloridaRAMA
Lindsay Cross
Florida House of Representatives elected official, District 60
Florida House of Representatives
Episode: Episode 256: Lindsay Cross, Florida's Environment, and Florida Forever
Kristen Arnett
Florida author known for Mostly Dead Things, With Teeth, Stop Me If You've Heard This One
Author
Episode: Episode 255: Kristen Arnett: Taxidermy, 7-11 Lizards, and Other Florida Things
Dawn Shirreffs
Florida Director for the Environmental Defense Fund
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
Episode: Episode 254: Florida Environmental Victory!

Hosts

Cathy Salustri
Host with deep ties to Florida history and regional storytelling; often covers local culture and public history.
Rick Kilby
Host and author frequently discussing Florida history, environment, and local culture; co-host on most episodes.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 25 ratings
  • Obnoxious

    I tried listening to one show because the topic was appealing to me and I am genuinely interested in the beautiful state of Florida. But good Lord, the female host is so obnoxious. I feel like the male host is afraid to speak up in anticipation of being beaten down. The female host made a comment that she’s full of ideas but no one ever listens; there’s a good reason for that. Honestly, with the female host’s constant spouting of opinions the show was less about the state and more about her.

    I... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Communicore82
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great podcast about Florida

    A really interesting listen for anyone interested in learning more about Florida and the state’s history! The host is a great author and does a really job of choosing interesting guests!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jleuschke
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some listeners note strong opinions from the hosts, especially around environmental policy and local history debates.
Many praise the guest lineup for its variety and the hosts' conversational style on nuanced Florida topics.
Listeners appreciate the deep Florida history and local storytelling that comes with strong guest selections.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 261: Springs, Seagrass, and Things To Do in Crystal River
Q: How is the seagrass being protected during establishment?
Soldiers of restoration place exclusionary cages over the planted areas to prevent grazing by manatees and other herbivores, allowing the grasses to establish their roots and rhizomes before expanding outward.
Episode 261: Springs, Seagrass, and Things To Do in Crystal River
Q: What exactly is Kings Bay Restoration Project trying to achieve?
It aims to restore the spring-fed ecosystem by removing sediment, replanting seagrass, repairing damaged habitat, and reestablishing healthy water flow, so the area can once again support manatees, fish, and other wildlife.
Episode 256: Lindsay Cross, Florida's Environment, and Florida Forever
Q: How do you view the balance between conservation and working landscapes like cattle ranching?
She notes the importance of guard rails and evaluating land for ecological value and public access, arguing for a balanced approach that protects habitat while recognizing agricultural needs.
Episode 256: Lindsay Cross, Florida's Environment, and Florida Forever
Q: Why did you decide to run for the Florida House despite coming from a conservation background?
Cross explains the need for scientists' and conservationists' voices in the legislature to address water quality, habitat protection, and the economy, and she emphasizes a collaborative approach across the aisle to advance environmental policy.
Episode 254: Florida Environmental Victory!
Q: Tell us more about this piece of legislation.
The legislation, Senate Bill 302, focuses on elevating nature-based solutions like mangroves and other ecosystems to reduce risk, while creating guidelines for where and how to implement these features, ensuring cost-effectiveness and resilience over time.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Florida Spectacular

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

A thoughtfully attuned Florida-focused show that blends history, culture, and environment through conversations with authors, researchers, and local experts. Across recent episodes, the hosts explore Florida's past and present—from murals and public art to environmental policy, submerged histories, and regional storytelling—often pairing archival context with practical behind-the-scenes insights into publishing, conservation, and community initiatives. Notable strengths include a strong, locally grounded perspective, a mix of literary and investigative guests, and a hands-on approach to Florida's communities, ecosystems, and cultural memory. The format is well-suited for listeners who love in-depth Florida lore, regional storytelling, and p... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Florida Spectacular?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Florida Spectacular:

1. The Florida Madcaps
2. Welcome to Florida
3. Stuff You Should Know
4. What It's Like To Be... with Dan Heath
5. Naturally Florida

How many episodes of Florida Spectacular are there?

Florida Spectacular launched 6 years ago and published 290 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 Spectacular?

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What guests have appeared on Florida Spectacular?

Recent guests on Florida Spectacular include:

1. Heather Sellers
2. Lisa Moore
3. Blair Petersen Updike
4. Mark Mustian
5. Rick Kilby
6. Kristin Hemphill
7. Lindsay Cross
8. Kristen Arnett

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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