Longleaf pines thrive with regular fire, and humans attempt to aid that with prescribed burns. But fire predates our use of it, leaving humans to try to mimic how fires once burned naturally. Rob Diaz de Villegas talks with Dr. Jean Huffman, a dendrochronologist who is using tree stumps to extract some surprising information from the tree-ring record about fires.

The Eastern Indigo is the longest native snake in the United States, but since the late 1970’s the serpent has been federally designated as threatened. New efforts are underway to return the Eastern Indigo to Florida. Gina Jordan sits down with WFSU Ecology Reporter Rob Diaz de Villegas and Catherine Ricketts with The Nature Conservancy, to discuss the return of the Eastern Indigo.

Writers and musicians have always had a dynamic relationship. Some authors write with a melodic rhythm, and some musicians are considered lyricists. Word of South Festival celebrates and explores the relationship between music and literature. Their first festival was in 2015, and ever since attendees have been presented a variety of talented authors and musicians (sometimes appearing together in what they call a “mu-aushups”). Gina Jordan is talking with authors Shonda Knight and Kristen Arnett, as well as Florida journalist Craig Pittman about this year’s festival…

Homelessness is a consistent issue across the country, and the big bend region is not excluded. Homelessness has increased both nationwide and locally, and some new initiatives are being put in place to try and help the housing insecure here in Tallahassee. But as these efforts are being made, some are trying to raise the question of personal responsibility vs government aid. Margie Menzel is sitting down with retired FSU Women’s basketball coach Sue Semrau, Leon County Commissioner Brian Welch, Dr. Heather Flynn with the FSU College of Medicine, and more to discuss Tallahassee’s unhoused population and the new efforts to help them…

This week on Speaking Of… has your phone been buzzing with text messages regarding an unpaid toll balance, or perhaps you’ve been on the receiving end of repeated calls from unsaved phone numbers? Well, you’re not the only one, many Floridians are feeling frustrated by the constant annoyance of scam calls and texts. Gina Jordan is diving into the issue and sitting down with Attorney Jana McConnaughhay, WFSU reporter Margie Menzel, Lawyer Twyla Sketchley (whose law firm is an underwriter of WFSU Public Media), and a Tallahassee resident helping a friend who was scammed. All ages are at risk, and the elderly are especially vulnerable, but we discuss what is going on and what can be done about these out-of-control scams…