WMFM is pleased to launch a new series, Talking the Walk, with guest Howard Simon, well-known in Florida and nationwide for his tireless commitment to the public good. Howard’s resume includes being the longest-serving state director (Michigan and then Florida) in the century-long history of the American Civil Liberties Union. In that and other roles, he has promoted countless policy changes and fought against self-serving attacks on equality, rights, and justice. Today, Howard will extend thoughts he shared recently in an Op-Ed on authoritarianism and the threat to democracy. His commentary was published in newspapers around Florida, including in the Tampa Bay Times Take heed, Florida: Here’s how democracies slide into authoritarianism (6/27/23). He has also authored an Op-Ed published this week in the Miami Herald. Can Gov. DeSantis’ campaign for president manage to rise from the dead? (8/9/23). In today’s 30-minute podcast, Howard does not mince words about the challenges ahead and what citizens must do to respond effectively to the rising threat of authoritarianism in Florida and beyond, including the vital role women can play in the democratic process.

(Frank Fear and Amanda Simat host today’s podcast on behalf of Women’s March Fort Myers.)