Tropical Depression

Leon County Commissioner David O’Keefe returns to discuss the seemingly endless assault on local government coming from Meatball Ron's administration. Whether it's paving over colorful crosswalks, threatening local officials at the behest of developers, or a state takeover of a community hospital, just remember -- every culture war is a class war. Follow Tropical Depression on all social platforms at @TropDepPod! Fan of the show? ⁠Support Tropical Depression on Patreon!

Trimmel Gomes finally joins the show and reminisces with Ryan over recording a podcast in the side room of a smoke-filled bar in 2016. In between talk of government at the local, state, and federal levels, Trimmel offers his thoughts on what it means to participate in democracy and hold elected officials accountable. We also remember Rob Lorei, a Florida icon who departed this world too soon from cancer. Follow Tropical Depression on all social platforms at @TropDepPod! Fan of the show? ⁠Support Tropical Depression on Patreon!

On the latest segment of Reading RAYnbow, Ryan catches up with an old friend: critically-acclaimed author Sarah Gerard. Her 2015 novel Binary Star was listed as a best book of the year by NPR, and her second book – a collection of essays called Sunshine State – was named as a New York Times Critics’ Top Book of 2017. Sarah gives her insights on how being from Florida shaped her writing, the Tampa/St. Pete sister dynamic, and just what it is about the state’s relatively new cruelty that stands out today.Check out Sarah’s latest book, Carrie Carolyn Coco: My Friend, Her Murder, and an Obsession With the Unthinkable.Follow Tropical Depression on all social platforms at @TropDepPod!Fan of the show? ⁠Support Tropical Depression on Patreon!

It’s been a busy Florida summer, and intrepid WUSF reporter Douglas Soule joins the show to go over some of the biggest stories from the last few weeks: Will Florida follow Texas’ example of extreme gerrymandering? What was it like on the ground as Ghislaine Maxwell was being deposed in downtown Tallahassee? And are people really hitting the penjamin in the Florida Capitol?Follow Tropical Depression on all social platforms at @TropDepPod! Fan of the show? ⁠Support Tropical Depression on Patreon!

With democratic norms and institutions weathering a storm at the federal level, Ryan catches up with Amy Keith, executive director of Common Cause Florida. Amy had a lot to say about the latest attack from gerrymandered politicians on citizen-led amendments and how to ensure that every eligible voter can vote after a disaster. After all was said and done, this fan of the show – yes, a bona fide Depressionista – did leave us with some good news for democracy do-gooders, we believers in the Sunshine State: a better Florida is possible. You can learn more about Common Cause at commoncause.org and follow them on social media at @CommonCause. Follow Tropical Depression on all social platforms at @TropDepPod! If you’re enjoying the show, support Tropical Depression on Patreon!

Ryan sits down with author Kent Wascom to discuss his novel, “The Great State of West Florida.” The story is a beautiful tribute to what makes Florida unique and features a villainous far-right politician who leads a movement to turn the panhandle into a white Christian ethnostate. Too soon? Raised in Pensacola, Kent takes us through the plights and gripes of a mystical figure called simply the Governor and a fictitious West Florida that, much like real life, has always been up for grabs.⁠Support Tropical Depression on Patreon!Follow us on ⁠BlueSky⁠Follow us on ⁠TikTok⁠Follow us on ⁠Instagram

Fresh off the heels of being published in The Paris Review, Alec Niedenthal returns to the show with a deep dive into the themes of “Schändung (Desecration)” and how the act of writing can help process memories and experiences. Read Alec’s story, Schändung (Desecration) in The Paris Review: https://www.theparisreview.org/fiction/8363/schandung-desecration-alec-niedenthal Follow us on BlueSkyFollow us on TikTokFollow us on Instagram⁠Support the show on Patreon!

This week, Ryan met with Kaitlynn Black & Dean Fraser of the newly-formed Florida Keepers, a nonpartisan group dedicated to ethics and environmental conservation. We talked about how the Keepers came to be, as developers and real estate interests destroy Florida’s wetlands and wild places. We also delved into Florida’s newest law HB 1205 – the state government’s attack on the last way for everyday Floridians to have a say in the policies that govern our lives. Become a Depressionista Patron on Patreon!

Florida Senator Carlos Guillermo Smith breaks down the Legislature’s dysfunctional relationship with Gov. Ron DeSantis, as their political divorce takes an ugly turn through three Special Sessions in a fortnight and rhetoric hotter than a motel Jacuzzi.The People’s Champ in the Florida Senate discusses his current work on expanding mass transit and the arts in the world’s largest tourist destination, plus the ultimate goal of politics: neighborly love.Thanks for listening. Become a Patron to support the show! *About Tropical Depression*Tropical Depression dives into the chaos and charm of Florida, where the politics are messier, the culture louder, and the stories stranger—because Florida is America, only more so.From Tallahassee’s backrooms to the beaches and bayous, Tropical Depression and its host Ryan Ray, takes listeners on a journey to understand the forces that make Florida both fascinating and confounding. With a growing library of episodes and a reputation for sharp commentary and storytelling, we reveal why Florida is a microcosm of America’s weird, wild future. Whether you’re a Floridian, a frequent visitor, or just someone wondering, “What the hell is going on down there?” we promise to keep you informed, amused, and occasionally outraged. Available on all major platforms, Tropical Depression brings a uniquely Floridian voice to the national conversation. Produced by Abdelilah Skhir. *WATCH ON PATREON:*https://www.patreon.com/TropicalDepression*WATCH ON SPOTIFY:*https://open.spotify.com/show/3Sd6ldGOGesEcfFN9vHP9I*WATCH ON APPLE PODCASTS:*https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tropical-depression/id1684631733*WATCH ON YOUTUBE*https://www.youtube.com/@TropicalDepresssionFL*OTHER LINKS:*TikTok  /@tropicaldepressionfl Twitter:  /@td_FlaYouTube  /@TropicalDepressionFLInstagram /@tropicaldepressionflaFacebook  /@TropicalDepressionFL

This week we sat down with Tampa Bay transit advocate Dayna Lazarus, founder of Transit Now Tampa Bay, about recent struggles and progress for public transportation in one of America’s fastest-growing cities.  DAYNA LAZARUS has over a decade of experience in community organizing and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from University of South Florida. At USF, she won several professional and academic fellowships and scholarships, earning graduate certificates in Sustainable Transportation and Community Development. She authored a thesis on achieving transportation equity through the urban planning process. She co-founded the grassroots organization Transit Now Tampa Bay, sits on the board of the Sunshine Citizens, and has been a member of the Hillsborough Transportation Planning Organization’s citizens advisory committee since 2017. About Tropical Depression Tropical Depression dives into the chaos and charm of Florida, where the politics are messier, the culture louder, and the stories stranger—because Florida is America, only more so. From Tallahassee’s backrooms to the beaches and bayous, Tropical Depression and its host, Ryan Ray, takes listeners on a journey to understand the forces that make Florida both fascinating and confounding. With a growing library of episodes and a reputation for sharp commentary and storytelling, — we reveal why Florida is a microcosm of America’s weird, wild future.  Whether you’re a Floridian, a frequent visitor, or just someone wondering, “What the hell is going on down there?” this podcast promises to keep you informed, amused, and occasionally outraged. Available on all major platforms, Tropical Depression brings a uniquely Floridian voice to the national conversation.   *WATCH ON PATREON:* https://www.patreon.com/TropicalDepression *WATCH ON SPOTIFY:* https://open.spotify.com/show/3Sd6ldGOGesEcfFN9vHP9I *WATCH ON APPLE PODCASTS:* https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tropical-depression/id1684631733 *WATCH ON YOUTUBE* https://www.youtube.com/@TropicalDepresssionFL *OTHER LINKS:* TikTok /@tropicaldepressionfl  Twitter: /@td_Fla YouTube /@TropicalDepressionFL Instagram /@tropicaldepressionfla Facebook /@TropicalDepressionFL

This week Ryan sat down with returning guest Jason Garcia, who discussed his brand new reporting on just how much money the Free State of Florida may have spent politically opposing abortion rights — despite the 57% of voters who want the exact opposite. Plus, reasons for optimism in Orlando & Orange county local elections with and more expert analysis from the author & publisher of Seeking Rents. __ In the first episode of Season 3 of Tropical Depression, we sit down with a friend of the show who just this week broke statewide news that the State of Florida has been funding advertisements supporting the Florida Pregnancy Center Network, an entirely state-funded anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy center.” Jason and Ryan talk about the growing politicization of the mechanisms of Florida state government and how it represents a more extensive cultural warfare on behalf of some parts of Florida’s Republican party.  *About Tropical Depression* Tropical Depression dives into the chaos and charm of Florida, where the politics are messier, the culture louder, and the stories stranger—because Florida is America, only more so. From Tallahassee’s backrooms to the beaches and swamps, Tropical Depression and its host, Ryan Ray, takes listeners on a journey to understand the forces that make Florida both fascinating and confounding. With a growing library of episodes and a reputation for sharp commentary and storytelling, — we reveal why Florida is a microcosm of America’s weird, wild future.  Whether you’re from Florida, a COVID transplant, or just someone wondering “What the hell is going on down there?” we keep you informed, amused, and occasionally outraged. Available on all major platforms, Tropical Depression brings a uniquely Floridian voice to the new American age of Florida. WATCH ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/TropicalDepression WATCH ON SPOTIFY: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Sd6ldGOGesEcfFN9vHP9I WATCH ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tropical-depression/id1684631733 WATCH ON YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/@TropicalDepresssionFL OTHER LINKS: TikTok /@tropicaldepressionfl  Twitter: /@td_Fla YouTube /@TropicalDepressionFL Instagram /@tropicaldepressionfla Facebook /@TropicalDepressionFL

Our first year in review episode looks back at guests and highlights from the most Florida-pilled year in Florida history.  As Trump’s new administration lights a candle in broad Palm Beach daylight, Florida took on a new importance yet again. The villain of national politics and its new hometown saw federal intrigue, two major hurricanes, Matt Gaetz, and a sprinkling of taxpayer boondoggles — plus some successes and progress towards the Other Florida yet to come.Be sure to follow the show on social media! Check out linktr.ee/tropicaldepression for our Instagram, BlueSky, TikTok, and Twitter etc. Happy New Year!

Host Ryan Ray sits down with St. Petersburg City Council Member Richie Floyd the day after a dramatic reversal on City stadium funding — and possibly the Rays' entire $600 million+ subsidies proposal they claim to need stay in Tampa Bay. We discussed whether in the era of climate catastrophes like Hurricanes Milton and Helene, that may be a good thing. Leave a review and subscribe on Patreon to support the show!

Ben Braver joins the show to talk political violence after the Trump shooting, his experience as a teacher navigating the continued defunding of Florida's public schools, and his vision for a state that works for the people over corporate interests. You can learn more about Ben at benbraver.org.

An emergency pod dispatch from the Cone of Concern. Stay safe all, and let's re-build a better Florida in the ruins of Helene.

This week we spoke with Rodney Jacobs, director of the City of Miami's Civilian Investigative Panel, about more heavy-handed state government intrusion into local affairs in Florida. Just as Miami City Hall cries out for more accountability, the long arm of backwater Tallahassee state politics has destroyed the ability for millions of Florida citizens to weigh in on local community issues yet again. Read Rodney's column in the Miami Herald: ⁠Civilian oversight of Miami police is about to end. Residents must speak up now⁠

It’s Halloween in June as we talk ghost candidates with award-winning independent journalist Valerie Crowder, founder of The Panhandle Press. Valerie is investigating a possible special interest-backed "ghost" effort to affect the outcome of a City Commission race here in the state capital. She takes us through the recent use of this shady political tactic, and what it means for our democracy if unchecked. Please consider supporting Valerie’s reporting at thepanhandlepress.substack.com To learn more about ghost candidates check out Integrity Florida’s report, “Ghost Candidates” How They Manipulate (and sometimes steal) Florida Elections

This week we mourned the loss Florida Governor & U.S. Senator Bob Graham, who passed away last week at age 87. Kartik Krishnaiyer, publisher of the The Florida Squeeze, joined host Ryan Ray to celebrate Gov. Graham's legendary life and career as Florida's crusading reformer within the highest corridors of power in American government. Thanks to The Florida History Podcast for co-producing this week's show. Rest in Peace, Bob Graham.

We sat down with Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward, just days after a racist vandal launched two bricks through the windows of his office along with a hate-filled note. Mayor Ward talks us through what brought us to this point, and how the city plans to double down on equity and justice going forward. We also chat about state politicians in Tallahassee attacking local government, exurban secessionist movements in Alachua County, and abolishing parking minimums. Classic. You can listen to Tropical Depression at tropicaldepressionfl.com, as well as on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

This week's bonus episode is a live debate between TD host Ryan Ray and Republican Party of Florida chair Evan Power from September 2023 at the Capital Tiger Bay Club. Thanks to the illustrious Gary Fineout for moderating. More great interviews and shows coming up soon.  Make sure to leave a review or rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts if you're enjoying the show. Thanks for listening.