Fluent in Floridian

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126. Re-Release: Orlando City Soccer Club Founder Kay Rawlins Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

Football season is back! But we've got a different game on our minds… With Orlando City SC Co-Founder Kay Rawlins retiring this year after nearly 15 years with the club, we're re-releasing her fan-favorite episode.

Tune in to hear Kay and SMPR President Heidi Otway as they reflect on her historic legacy in Florida sports and the true "Believe" spirit she brought to the Sunshine State.

125. Pace Center for Girls CEO Yessica Cancel Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

What happens when girls are given the extra support and resources they need to flourish? Yessica Cancel knows.

As CEO of Pace Center for Girls, Cancel brings more than two decades of experience in education and nonprofit work. In this episode, she joins SMPR President Heidi Otway to discuss the importance of pairing academics with comprehensive mental health support and the impact of giving young Florida women the tools and confidence to shape their futures.

124. Florida State Parks Foundation Board President Matt Caldwell Jul 29, 2026

Show notes

With 176 state parks across Florida, your next adventure might be closer than you think.

In this episode, SalterMitchell PR President Heidi Otway and Florida State Parks Foundation Board President Matt Caldwell discuss what makes the Sunshine State's public lands so extraordinary.

Listen to hear about Florida's crystal-clear springs, best-kept-secret spots and how to keep these natural treasures alive for generations to come.

123. NOAA National Hurricane Center Director Michael Brennan Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

Behind every hurricane forecast is a team making predictions that can impact millions of lives.

As the current director of NOAA's National Hurricane Center, Michael Brennan's career has been defined by one mission: helping people make better decisions before, during and after a hurricane. From forecasting major storms such as Irma, Michael and Matthew to directly influencing emergency planning and public safety across Florida.

In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway sits down with Michael to discuss the human expertise behind every forecast and the responsibility that comes with protecting one of the nation's most hurricane-prone states.

122. Orange County Deputy Sheriff Thomas Lin May 27, 2026

Show notes

What does it take to build trust between law enforcement and one of Central Florida's fastest-growing communities? From improving language access and creating new reporting pathways as an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Liaison, Orange County Deputy Sheriff Thomas Lin offers a meaningful look at what supporting the communities through law enforcement can look like in practice.

In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway speaks with Deputy Lin about his decades-long career in law enforcement and the values that have shaped his career: commitment, perseverance, passion and dedication.

121. Florida High Tech Corridor CEO Paul Sohl Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

Innovation doesn't happen by accident. It takes vision, partnership and leaders who know how to bring people together around a shared future. That's what Paul Sohl, CEO of the Florida High Tech Corridor, is doing as he helps connect education and research across one of the state's most dynamic regions.

In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway speaks with Paul about his path from Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy to innovation leader, and how he is helping prepare Florida's students, businesses and communities for what comes next.

120. Eco World Water CEO Syed Shah Mar 18, 2026

Show notes

Water is one of Florida's most precious natural resources, sustaining our communities, ecosystems and economy. As population growth and development increase, protecting water quality has never mattered more.

Syed Shah, CEO of Eco World Water, points to a solution: wastewater reuse. In this episode, Shah joins SMPR President Heidi Otway to discuss his love for the Sunshine State, why water sustainability is essential for Floridians, and how water recycling can support a cleaner future.

119. Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside President & CEO Mike Sutton Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Tampa Bay is growing rapidly, but rising housing costs are making it harder for working families to stay in the city they call home. That's why Mike Sutton, president and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, is helping families achieve homeownership through zero-interest mortgages with the support of partners and volunteers.

In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway sits down with Mike to discuss his journey to nonprofit leadership and how he's helping families turn the dream of a "forever home" into a reality.

118. Nemours Children's Health Hospital President Martha McGill Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

Martha McGill, president of Nemours Children's Health Hospital, shares Nemours' bold push to become Florida's top-ranked children's health system. From expanding core clinical programs to developing sharply talented care teams, Martha is leading the mission to invest in the well-being of kids across the state.

In this episode, she joins SMPR President Heidi Otway to share her journey from bedside nurse to pediatric health leader, and how she's helping Nemours make a life-changing impact on children and families, bringing the "magic" of children's hospitals to life.

117. Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association President Pepper Uchino Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

With the longest coastline in the continental U.S. and 825 miles of warm beaches, Florida has a lot of shoreline to protect. That's where Pepper Uchino comes in.

As president of the Florida Shore & Beach Preservation Association, he leads the state's only organization devoted entirely to safeguarding the coastlines that make Florida so special. And with beach and waterfront activities among the most popular draws for out-of-state visitors, the state's natural beauty isn't just scenic – it's essential to our economy.

In this episode, SMPR President Heidi Otway talks with Pepper about his unexpected path into environmental advocacy and why investing in the next generation of coastal engineers may be the key to preserving Florida's future.

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