This week is the one-year anniversary of Speaking Of, and we are celebrating our birthday by listening back to some of our audience’s favorite segments. Also, Gina Jordan sits down with our Director of Content, Lynn Hatter, to chat about the beginnings and evolution of the radio hour. We will also hear snippets of some of our most popular episodes including Hurricane Preparedness, Immigration Raids, and Juneteenth...

Tallahassee was recently included in a list of America’s most boring cities in a study performed by a finance and lifestyle website, Finance Buzz. The survey has caused many reactions locally, with some quietly agreeing and others are arguing Tallahassee has plenty to do. Gina Jordan is looking into the response to this survey, we’ll hear from several local voices to get their thoughts on whether Tallahassee should have been on the list...

This year, the Florida Department of State rolled out new procedures for distributing arts funding. Today, we are discussing the impact on local organizations that saw their funding cut. Tom Flanigan sits down with Kathleen Spehar of COCA, Tallahassee Ballet CEO, Lauren Hernandez, and Young Actors Theatre CEO, Sarah Roy.

Florida is moving toward a bear hunt in December, following a vote from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The plans have been controversial to say the least. We hear from a slate of voices including FWC Chief Conservation Officer George Warthen; Franklin County Sheriff Tony Smith; Katrina Shadix with Bear Warriors United; and WFSU’s Margie Menzel, who’s done extensive reporting on the issue...

This week we’re talking about Independence Day, and we get into the results of our listener survey regarding freedom and "what does it mean to be an American?". We’ll discuss these topics with Mayor John Dailey and Ethel Dam, a longtime resident who recently got her citizenship.

The summer solstice has officially passed, and the following weeks are usually some of the hottest of the year. This can not only bring discomfort, but also danger to some of the most vulnerable in our community as they will struggle to stay cool. Regan McCarthy spoke with some Floridians trying to escape the heat and sat down with Florida Public Radio Meteorologist, Tim Miller to discuss how you can stay cool and safe throughout these summer heatwaves.

Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas heard the news that slavery was effectively over. Today’s it’s recognized as Emancipation Day and in 2021 it became a federal holiday. But for years Tallahassee has been celebrating emancipation on May 20th. Why does Tallahassee have its own emancipation holiday? And how has our local celebration of these events evolved over time? Gina Jordan is looking into these questions with some help from local experts.

Fireflies are more than just dots of light in the night’s sky, and they aren’t even flies… they’re beetles. We borrowed an excerpt from our sister podcast, “Coast to Canopy”, where host Rob Diaz de Villegas talks with Dave Almquist, an Invertebrate Zoologist. They discuss fireflies’ life cycles, the diversity of the species, and how to observe them. You'll never look at a firefly flashing the same way again.

There have been numerous reports on immigration raids nationwide, and recently Tallahassee saw ICE sweep through local construction sites. There have been many changes to immigration policies, leaving some with questions. Gina Jordan hears from several local authorities, advocates, and experts to find out more about what’s going on with immigration.

Hurricane season is descending upon us once again, and with it can come 70 miles per hour winds or higher, flash flooding, power outages, and severe damage of all types. That is why it is extremely important to be ready and vigilant. Regan McCarthy is sitting down with Leon County Public Information Officer Mathieu Cavell and the Emergency Management Director for Leon County Kevin Peters, to discuss how you can be best prepared this season.

One of the most hostile places to exist on Earth is the deep-sea floor. Light only penetrates so far, and beyond that is complete darkness where alien looking creatures thrive. But what do they eat down there? And how do humans perform deep-sea research? We borrow an excerpt from our sister podcast, “Coast to Canopy”, and join Rob Diaz de Villegas as he talks to three deep-sea researchers about life around methane seeps and hydrothermal vents, and the difficulties of studying ecosystems far beneath the surface of the ocean.

Tornadoes can be traumatic experiences, one moment a storm is blowing in just like any other Floridian day—and the next your phone is going off with alerts, sirens are blaring, and it sounds like a freight train is outside your house. After a tornado, there is often widespread damage, but no one should have to pick up the pieces alone. Gina Jordan is hosting a discussion with stories from our live studio audience about the lasting effects and damage caused by the May 10th tornadoes.