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St Pete X features business and civic leaders in St. Petersburg Florida who share their insight, expertise and love of our special city. An initiative of the St. Petersburg Group, St Pete X strives to connect and elevate the city by sharing the voices of its citizens, and to bring awareness to the opportunities offered by the great St. Petersburg renaissance.
109 Episodes
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Former Florida Governor Bob Martinez joins Joe Hamilton on SPx for a wide-ranging conversation on his journey from Tampa's mayor to the Governor's mansion to serving as the nation's drug czar. Martinez reflects on the contrasts between running a city, navigating state politics and shaping national policy—and how partisanship and media have transformed along the way. He also shares the story behind his party switch after meeting Ronald Reagan, his environmental legacy and lessons learned from both victories and defeats. Enjoy this candid look at leadership, pragmatism and resilience from one of Florida's most influential political figures.
In this episode of St. Pete X, Joe Hamilton talks with Rudy Webb, President of Paradise Advertising, about the evolution of destination marketing. Webb reflects on two decades in the industry, from faxes to AI, and how his agency helps cities define and promote their identity. He explains how Paradise navigates RFPs, tracks tourism impact without direct sales data, and adapts messaging during crises like COVID-19. Webb also shares how the agency has grown under new leadership and continues to influence national campaigns while staying rooted in St. Pete's community and culture.
Fred Forsley's entrepreneurial reach is as wide as it is unexpected—real estate broker at 18, founder of Shipyard and Sea Dog Brewing, maker of alt-THC beverages, vodka, rums, and even a mushroom energy drink. In this episode of SPX, Forsley shares his journey from hustling real estate in Maine to building a beverage empire that spans coastlines and categories. He talks frankly about seizing opportunity—even when it comes wrapped in bankrupt breweries or building code nightmares—and the lessons he's learned from four decades in business. Forsley also reflects on St. Pete's collaborative spirit, his new podcast Beers with Fred, and what's coming next in the ever-shifting alcohol and beverage industry.
Join Joe Hamilton in a candid conversation with community leader Carl Lavender as he reflects on his life's journey—from his roots as a pastor's son in Cleveland, to navigating gang violence and fundraising in Chicago, and finally becoming a transformative force in St. Pete's nonprofit sector. Carl shares personal insights on leadership, balancing public service with self-care, and the vital importance of economic equity. Rich with wisdom, humor, and heartfelt anecdotes, this podcast offers a glimpse into the life of a dedicated advocate who continues to inspire change by building bridges between communities and opportunities.
In this episode, Joe Hamilton sits down with Kelly McBride—Senior VP at the Poynter Institute, NPR Public Editor, and Chair of the Craig Newmark Center for Ethics and Leadership—for a wide-ranging conversation on news diets, media trust, AI's role in journalism and the fading sense of local connection. From dopamine-driven doomscrolling to the potential of AI agents as personal information curators, they explore how we consume news, why it matters, and what gets lost in the process. It's thoughtful, candid and packed with insights for anyone trying to make sense of the modern media landscape.
In this episode, Eric Deggans, NPR's TV critic and media analyst, delves into the complexities of modern media. The conversation explores the fractured media landscape, the rise of niche platforms and the responsibilities of media creators and consumers in combating misinformation. Joe and Eric discuss the evolution of local news, the role of algorithms and the impact of tribalism on media consumption as well as unpacking the forces that shape how we engage with information today.
Stan Liberatore, founder of No Limit Technology, discusses his journey from a corporate background in software development and recruitment to entrepreneurship and founding his own company. He shares the early struggles of No Limit, including financial instability and the importance of relationships. We also learn about the rise of Save the Kids, a nonprofit he co-founded, which has raised significant funds for pediatric cancer research and is now establishing a new lab at USF. Liberatore explains the importance of community involvement and his hope for the potential for Tampa Bay's tech scene to grow further.
In this episode, Joe welcomes John Graydon Smith, the President and CEO of the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa. John shares his fascinating journey as a turn around specialist in the museum world. They discuss the evolution of MOSI, its current challenges, and the innovative strategies being implemented to ensure its future success. Get ready for an insightful conversation about the intersection of innovation and business in a facility with world class potential that's right here in Tampa Bay.
In this episode of the SPX, Joe Hamilton interviews Lisa Speer Vickers, daughter of the prolific entrepreneur Roy Speer. Lisa recounts her upbringing in a household driven by her father's diverse business ventures, which ranged from a utility company and real estate to oil and financial institutions. She shares her early memories of her father's entrepreneurial spirit and the dynamic between her parents that fueled their family's success. Lisa delves into her involvement with Home Shopping Network (HSN), remembering how the business evolved from local radio sales to forging a whole new business vertical.
On this special 100th episode of SPx, Neil Brown, President of the Poynter Institute, joins Joe for an in depth conversation about the current state of journalism. Brown believes that journalism is thriving despite challenges and highlights the need to move away from a negative narrative. They discuss objectivity in journalism, the impact of the internet on information dissemination and the importance of transparency and neutrality. Brown also details the acquisition of PolitiFact by Poynter, the purchase of the Tampa Tribune and the ownership structure of the Tampa Bay Times. The conversation underscores the evolving landscape of journalism and the role of innovative approaches in serving communities.
In this episode of SPX, host Joe Hamilton chats with the multifaceted actress and teacher Eugenie Bondurant. Known for her roles in films like "Fear of Rain", "The Hunger Games" and her upcoming appearance in "Summer Camp," Bondurant takes us on a journey through her vibrant career. From her unique upbringing in New Orleans to her foray into the world of fashion and finance, Eugenie shares personal anecdotes that highlight her passion for creativity. We look at the evolution of her acting career, her experiences with character development on set, and her dedication to fostering a community of actors through her Station 12 Studio. Throughout the conversation we overlay the business of acting - from branding to the Screen Actors Guild, and Eugenie shares her rules of engagement for aspring actors.
In this epside of SPx, Joe welcomes Sean Schrader, a young, dynamic community leader who recently completed his MBA from the University of South Florida. Schrader shares his journey from local neighborhood meetings to working with U.S. Congressman Charlie Crist, emphasizing the importance of local advocacy, community involvement, and civil discourse. He discusses his future ambitions, including a potential stint abroad to gain global experience and his aspiration to become a JAG officer, aiming to continue his service to the community and the country.
In this episode we welcome renowned author, sports historian and St Petersburg resident Peter Golenbock. With a seasoned eye on the game and a pen that has chronicled baseball's most pivotal moments, Peter brings a unique perspective on how the sport has evolved amidst today's fast-paced, technologically driven world. We also dig into the current debate around the pending Rays stadium deal and more.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame and a U.S. Naval officer veteran, Mark Mahaffey joined his father's business in 1969. Today, he is Chairman of the Board of The Mahaffey Companies, one of the largest family-owned real estate companies in Florida. St. Petersburg's Mahaffey Theater bears his family's name. In this edition of SPx, Mahaffey discusses his amazing life journey, as chronicled in his 2023 memoir "The Pathfinder." In the book, subtitled "Finding the Right Path," Mahaffey recognizes the defining moments that were the tailwinds to his considerable success.
Ken LaRoe is the founder of Climate First Bank, which is his third bank. After the very successful sale of Florida Choice Bank, his first, LaRoe and his wife Cindy rented a small RV to travel the country. For that trip LaRoe's brother gave him a copy of Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard's book, Let My People Go Surfing. It proved to be a transformational read. In this episode of SPx we explore that transition into values based banking as well as entrepreneurial banking as a whole.
After looking for every reason not to open a fund in Tampa Bay, the founders of TampaBay.Ventures found the value to compelling to deny. They stood up a fund and the man who runs the day to day operations, Andreas Calabrease, is our guest on this episode.
Washington Post associate editor and senior national security correspondent Karen DeYoung is Joe's guest on today's SPX podcast. DeYoung, who has been with the Post for nearly 50 years, grew up in St. Petersburg, and wrote for the St. Petersburg Times in the early 1970s. The Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist discusses her many years as a foreign correspondent, her encounters with global heads of state and her love of travel – along with her thoughts on the role of the journalist in today's society, objectivity vs. subjectivity, and what it's like to have Jeff Bezos for a boss (Bezos purchased the Post in 2013).
A fourth-generation St. Petersburg native, Marcus Brooks passionately believes in absolute equity on every level, and as the executive director of the Center for Health Equity, he is fully invested in what he calls the "collaboration and connectivity" needed to achieve both physical wellness, racial balance, empathy and understanding in the city (and county) he loves. His daily affirmation: "Whatever gifts you are believed to have, are not yours. They were gifted to you for a finite amount of time, to be passed on and used in service of others."
Jim Barnish is the Founding Managing Partner of Orchid Black and the host of The Dirt podcast. Orchid Black is a consulting firm that focuses exclusively on revenue-positive start-ups looking to make an exit within three years. This conversation discusses the nuances of Orchid Black's unique business model, the hurdles and opportunities facing companies looking to scale, and how to balance working with multiple start-ups. You can learn more about Orchid Black at orchid.black, and The Dirt podcast is streaming on all podcast platforms.
Ray Roa is the Editor-In-Chief at Creative Loafing Tampa, a weekly publication that focuses on city news, arts and culture, and more. Roa has held this position for nearly four years, building on a career writing for various publications in the Tampa Bay area. In this podcast, Hamilton and Roa cover the evolution of local news, and the alt-weekly in particular. They discuss the role of reporters in the local community, including how journalists strive for objectivity, what is worth reporting on, and what grace, civility, and good faith debate looks like in a world where much of our activity and perspective lives online for all to see.
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