Deeper Dive with Dara Kam

Divas, it's a show you've all been waiting for! Peter Schorsch, the president of Extensive Enterprises Media, and NBC News National Political Reporter Matt Dixon bring their double act to the Speakeasy this week for a rollicking episode. Peter, the man behind the "Florida Politics" website and the daily must-read "Sunburn," prognosticates about next year's mid-term elections (spoiler alert: he has ideas!), as Matt & Dara join in. Matt, the author of "Swamp Monsters: Trump vs. DeSantis — The Greatest Show on Earth (Or At Least in Florida)," gives an inside peek into the ongoing schism between the two GOP leaders & their posses. Tune in as the Peter & Dara dig into all-things-Florida-politics with Matt as he exits the Sunshine State and heads to D.C. Hilarity ensues. Plus, guns, pumpkin spice, & Halloween! Divas, you do NOT want to miss this episode.

It's been 25 years since hanging chads, butterfly ballots and dozens of lawsuits thrust Florida into the international spotlight, with the presidency of the country hanging in the balance. In the first of a two-part series, Dara sits down with two key players who were at the epicenter of Florida's Bush v. Gore battle: Craig Waters, who was the Florida Supreme Court's public information officer, and Barry Richard, the lawyer who represented George W. Bush's campaign and managed 47 lawsuits around the state. Craig reveals how he balanced the media's 'need to know' with the deliberative court process under the spotlight. Barry takes us behind the scenes of the Bush campaign's legal war room, sharing insights into the most pivotal arguments that turned the tide. Dara provides her perspective as one of the hundreds of journalists covering the story of a lifetime. The trio also weigh in on the lasting historical impact of Bush v. Gore, misconceptions about legal decisions and the subsequent fundamental changes in election litigation. Join us for Part One of this unforgettable look back at a moment that redefined American political and legal history. Did a reporter really get run over by another reporter? Tune in and find out!

Olivia Keller, a fierce champion for people with disabilities, joins Dara this week for an in-depth discussion about her journey to the state Capitol and beyond! Olivia, a public policy manager for a national nonprofit, gives Dara the down-low on the Americans with Disabilities Act and discusses some of her biggest advocacy accomplishments, as well as challenges. Parking near the entrance to a building isn't a luxury for Olivia, who explains why being able to get her van into a parking spot for disabled people is an absolute necessity. The duo dig into a federal challenge to a state law allowing pregnant women to obtain disabled-parking permits and why the statute is problematic. AND: Olivia shares how she once took on Sen. Joe Gruters at the polls - and why! Plus, pumpkin spice, Crocs and dining in Tallahassee. 

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Patronis joins Dara on Deeper Dive this week (from his mamma's living room) in the duo's first visit since his election to Congress this spring. Jimmy gives the Divas an update on the government shutdown and the partisan stalemate in D.C. over health care. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? The congressman also offers some suggestions about the hottest topic in Tally: property taxes. The former Florida chief financial officer also weighs in on his successor's DOGE efforts, what's on voters' minds going into the 2026 mid-term elections, and much, much more. Plus, potato salad and deep-fried turkey! Also, all of us at Deeper Dive are wishing a happy, happy birthday to Mamma Patronis, who's turning 90 this week!

Divas! In keeping with the spooky Halloween season, Deeper Dive has some fun with history with Storied Paths Owner/Tour Guide Stephanie Chandler. Drinking, dueling and other tales of derring-do — Stephanie delivered it all in her visit with Dara this week. Stephanie shares anecdotes about political shenanigans in the years before and after statehood, and dispels a myth about how Tallahassee became Florida's capital. While in the Speakeasy with Dara, Stephanie also served up stories about how Wild West-style hijinks on Monroe Street helped usher in the temperance movement. Find out how a duel involving the man who was in line to be Speaker of the House resulted in Tallahassee's first police force. Plus, pumpkin spice, Casper and Al Capone!

Florida is among the GOP-led states that could aid President Donald Trump in his quest to boost the number of Republicans in Congress. Amy Keith, executive director of Common Cause Florida, joins Dara in the Speakeasy to delve into the implications of a rare mid-decade effort to redraw congressional maps. Amy and Dara dig into the complex world of reapportionment, partisan gerrymandering and its impact on our democracy in an evolving political landscape. The duo discuss Florida's Fair Districts amendments, as well as a seminal Louisiana case before the U.S. Supreme Court that could have a significant impact on the Voting Rights Act. Amy helps Dara break down all that and tells divas how to "cut through the noise" on redistricting. Plus, Crocs, pumpkin spice and the "local library!"

Former House Speaker Paul Renner joins Dara this week in the Speakeasy to break down his bid to be Florida's next governor. Speaker Renner tells Divas (and the rest of the Sunshine State!) why he's the best candidate to replace Gov. Ron DeSantis in next year's gubernatorial race, saying he's "delivered on results" for Floridians and has the "steady leadership experience" to lead the state. Candidate Renner also shares how his lengthy military career, faith and family positioned him for the race as well as his thoughts on competing against Trump-backed U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds. Plus, Paul Renner tells Dara that successful leaders need to "check their egos at the door" and speaks frankly about what he WON'T do if elected governor! (Spoiler alert: He won't be picking fights on the socials!) Plus, separation of powers, Halloween candy and more!

The dynamic duo is back! Capitol reporters Jason Delgado of Spectrum News and E.W. Scripps' Forrest Saunders are back in The Speakeasy with Dara to round up this week's news. The trio parse Gov. Ron DeSantis' flex about a potential special session on property taxes -- smack dab in the middle of the GOP primary season? Government shutdown, immigration, presidential library? We've got ya covered, divas. Plus, the trio peer into their crystal balls to make predictions about the Legislature's response to a recent ruling making open-carry the law of the land. Dara and the guys share deep insights on First Amendment rights, the 2026 elections and Halloween. Plus, Fresca!

Democratic gubernatorial candidate David Jolly visited Dara in the Speakeasy this week as he travels throughout the state in the run-up to next year's election! Join Deeper Dive to hear David reveal how Charlie Kirk's assassination prompted him to assess whether he wanted to remain in the race for governor. David, a former Republican congressman who spent the past eight years as a political consultant for MSNBC, shares his concerns about GOP leaders' crackdown on speech. Can a Democrat win statewide in Florida next year? David tells Dara why he believes voters are looking for a change in 2026. The pair also discuss the candidate's plans to address the state's property-insurance crisis and alleviate property-tax burdens for homeowners. Plus, crocs, pumpkin spice, and a Halloween surprise!

Dave Aronberg's book tour brought him to the Speakeasy this week, where he visited with Dara to discuss the recently released "Fighting the Florida Shuffle." The former Palm Beach County state attorney gives the inside scoop on corruption in the drug treatment industry and offers some congressional tweaks to boost patient protection. AND ... Deeper Dive zags into true crime this week with Dave! The duo dig into Donna Adelson's guilty verdict and Dave makes predictions about what to expect next in the hunt for justice for his late friend, Dan Markel. Plus, Jeffrey Epstein, the Killer Clown, and Halloween candy!

Craig Fugate earned his chops in Florida as the state's Division of Emergency Management Director before heading to D.C. to take over as the administrator of FEMA. The disaster prep & recovery guru joins Dara this week as we mark the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina to share how the state helped Mississippi respond to a massive storm surge and widespread destruction in 2005. Craig, who developed the "Waffle House" index, also discusses lessons learned from Hurricane Andrew and the state's historic 2004-2005 hurricane seasons. Join the duo to find out what keeps the disaster specialist up at night. Craig talks about climate "adaptation," terrorist threats and so much more. Plus, Crocs and ham radio!

Attorney General James Uthmeier hasn't slowed down since joining the Florida Cabinet in February. AG Uthmeier joined Dara this week for an in-depth discussion about immigration, his drive to protect the state's kids, and so much more. The AG tells the Divas how he is transitioning from Gov. Ron DeSantis' right-hand-man to Florida's top legal eagle. As one of the state's youngest attorney generals ever, the AG also shares some insight about the fresh perspective he and other 30-somethings bring to leadership and governing. The AG also opens up about his faith and how it informs his approach to policy-making. Plus, the Federalist Papers, Hope Florida, and the AG takes a parting shot as the duo bid adieu!

In this week's episode, Archbishop Thomas Wenski joins Dara to discuss state and federal efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. The Archbishop recently hopped on his Harley-Davidson to lead members of the Archdiocese of Miami's "Knights on Bikes" to a remote immigrant-detention center in the Everglades. Find out what happened after the "Biker Bishop" and his posse prayed the rosary outside the remote facility, as part of his effort to bring Mass to people detained at the complex dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" by state officials. The Archbishop shares his thoughts on immigration and detention, and says you don't have to be mean to make America great. The pair also discuss the Archbishop's take on the death penalty. Tune in for all that and more! Plus, music and ring tones!

We're back in Part 2 with outtakes from this year's Florida Media Conference. This week, Dara chats with Politifact Editor-in-Chief Katie Sanders, and Michael Kelly, owner/publisher of The Herald-Advocate. Katie talks about the Truth-o-Meter and tells Dara how she and her team decide which claims to fact-check in their pursuit of keeping 'em honest online and IRL. Michael wowed Divas last year with the donkey story, and don't worry if you haven't heard it - we get an abbreviated version this time around! Michael discusses how the Herald Advocate serves members of the Peace River Valley and the challenges covering at-times hard-to-hear news in a small community. Loads more in this week's episode with two of our fave return guests, plus haiku!

Divas! Dara took Deeper Dive on the road to the 2025 Florida Media Conference for a special two-part episode to hear from editors and publishers about the state-of-the-state in journalism. In the first segment in this week's episode, Sergio Bustos, WLRN's Vice President for News, discusses how state and federal funding cuts are affecting public radio & TV stations around Florida. Sergio tells Dara how WLRN highlights the experiences of people living in South Florida. The pair also discuss challenges and bright spots in the media landscape. Dara was lucky enough to snag a visit with Kat Wingert, Executive Editor/COO of Observer Media Group. Kat offers insight into the powerful impact her group's "hyper-local" news coverage brings to communities on the Gulf Coast. AND (drumroll, please!) Thanks to the Florida Society of News Editors for making Deeper Dive the state's top podcast in our category! 😎😎😎

Leon County Superintendent of Schools Rocky Hanna joined Dara to pull back the curtain on the "bullseye" on public schools in the Sunshine State. Rocky delves into the impact the state's universal voucher program is having on the K-12 system and its students. The superintendent, who's spent nearly four decades working for Leon schools, says "there's just not enough money to properly fund two parallel programs." Rocky also talks about recruiting challenges as educators confront a "lack of respect" after being on the frontlines during the coronavirus pandemic. The Leon County schools chief has taken up the mantle to "speak truth to power" on behalf of administrators throughout the state. Don't despair, though. Forget about the Crocs. Join Deeper Dive this week to hear Rocky highlight the resilience of public school teachers, students, support staff and administrators.

Miami Herald investigative reporter Julie K. Brown has forgotten more about Jeffrey Epstein than most of us will ever know. The author of "Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story" joins Dara this week as MAGA world explodes over the Epstein "list." Super sleuth Julie says the list doesn't exist and that's just a sample of the insights she shares on this week's Deeper Dive. Did Epstein take his own life? What happened to the FBI files? Julie has spent years hunting down documents, fighting in court and speaking with victims and insiders in her investigation of Epstein, the wealthy Palm Beach financier who was arrested for sex trafficking of young girls and who died in prison in 2019. Julie speaks about how the government and judicial system repeatedly let down Epstein's victims, many of whom continue to struggle with the trauma they experienced as young girls. On a lighter note, Philly! Julie schools Dara on Pat's vs. Geno's.

As executive director of Friends of the Everglades, Eve Samples is following in the footsteps of one of the state's most revered conservationists - Marjory Stoneman Douglas - in more ways than one. The onetime journo joins Dara in this week's Deeper Dive to delve into a lawsuit challenging an immigrant detention center in the Everglades. Dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the facility is located on the very spot that spawned Friends of the Everglades and a federal law that's at the heart of the legal challenge. Eve tells Dara about the endangered species that can be found in or near the detention facility and the center's impact on their habitat. Join Dara and Eve for a timely conversation about the hottest topic in Florida news this week. Plus, Crocs!

Forrest Saunders, Capitol Reporter for E.W. Scripps, rejoins Dara in the Speakeasy this week to delve into a week of alligators, vetoes and founding fathers. Forrest breaks down Gov. Ron DeSantis' action on the state's $117.4 billion spending plan for the fiscal year that began Tuesday. The biggest news this week, however, is percolating at a migrant detention center in the middle of the Everglades, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" by DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier. The journos weigh in on President Donald Trump's visit to the detention center and the host of GOP heavyweights who gathered for a tour this week. And, just in time for the Fourth of July, Dara and Forrest dish on their favorite founding fathers. Drop us a line at podcasts@newsserviceflorida.com to share your favorite founding father, a haiku, or just to tell us what you think!

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz rejoins Dara this week for a wide-ranging chat about partisan family feuds, threats against elected officials, and so much more. The Broward County Democrat doesn't hold back on her assessment of President Donald Trump and what she calls the "Big, Ugly Bill" under consideration in D.C. DWS, a former chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee. Are congressional pickups a possibility in Florida in the upcoming midterm elections? Join in and find out! The congresswoman also sounds the alarm about a skyrocketing rise in antisemitism, including in her South Florida region. Plus, DWS dishes about her journey to better health in the kitchen. Find out more about that on Insta at @CleanCookingCongresswoman!