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... Also, we revisit a conversation that originally took place in February of 2025, when Roy Wood Jr. was in Tallahassee for a Black History Month Fireside Conversation with Florida A&M University. Host Josh Johnson sat down with Roy Wood Jr., the renowned comedian, actor, and proud Florida A&M University (FAMU) alumnus. And… we’re listening back on our conversation with Krypto the Superdog’s motion capture actress!

This week on the Speaking Of Radio Hour… Tallahassee was recently included in a list of America’s most boring. 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. Also, Josh Johnson is sitting down with Matt Shanaghan, a local muralist and graffiti expert, to discuss the history of graffiti, the controversy surrounding it, and what it can add to a community. And… we’re talking about the rising popularity of women’s sports!

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. Also, its National Tattoo Day on the 17th and Josh Johnson sat down with Thomas Bacot, a tattoo artist and shop owner, to discuss the history of tattoos, the local sentiments and styles. And… we’re talking with the motion capture performer behind Krypto the Superdog!

This week on Speaking Of… 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. Also, Tom is About Town, and he is on location and talking with a Leon County school administrator and two officials from the Holocaust Education Resource Council, that were part of a group of 11 that traveled up to Washington D.C. to visit the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the United Stated Holocaust Memorial Museum. The goal of the trip was to bring the lesson learned at these museums back to Leon County students and the community in general. And… we’re discussing how to get on Jeopardy and improve your trivia skills.

This week we’re talking about Independence Day, and we’ll get into the results of our listener survey regarding freedom and what does it mean to be an American, and we’ll discuss these topics with Mayor John Dailey and Ethel Dam, a longtime resident who recently got her citizenship. Also, Evan Rossi is filling in the host’s seat on The Warehouse, and is sitting down with Kevin Cole and Madeline Giovannelli, the organizers of VHS Fest. The festival is an all-day event filled with buying, selling, trading, and watching your favorite movies on VHS. And… we’re discussing an extravagant wedding and the history of the wedding dress.

This week on Speaking Of… 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 as some of the most vulnerable in our community 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. Also, Josh Johnson sits down with the owner of an art gallery and gift market located in Quincy, Florida. And… we’re looking into the consumer craze that is the Lebubu collectible plush toy.

This week on Speaking Of… 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. Also, the 5th annual Juneteenth Empowerment Day Festival was hosted recently in Cascades Park. The event was originally founded to help boost local black owned businesses but has grown to help educate the larger public on the importance and significance of Juneteenth. Josh Johnson sat down with Al Williams and Brittany Bacon, two organizers of the festival, to discuss this year’s event. And… we’re discussing Black Music Month. A time to celebrate the legacy, culture, and impact of black musicians across generations.

This week on Speaking Of… 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. Also, Josh Johnson sat down with Peyton Davis to discuss an upcoming art exhibit the Apalachee Center put together using pieces created by patients undergoing art and music therapy. And… we’re discussing a watermelon festival.

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. Also, Sue Dick has spent a quarter of a century as the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce President, Tom is About Town to talk to local business owners and Sue Dick on her tenure as president. And, we’re discussing Florida Panthers.

Hurricane season is descending upon us once again, and 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. And, Josh Johnson is talking with Susan Stelzmann, the founder of Tallahassee Clay Arts, to see how the classic tradition of pottery and ceramics is practiced modernly. Also, we’re turning OFF our porch lights and discussing moths.