Sarasota SpeaX
The Sarasota SpeaX Podcast is a hyper-local podcast that feature the incredible entrepreneurs, leaders and personalities that make Sarasota tick. On the show, they will be sharing their stories, insights and lessons learned along the way - completely unfiltered!
Episodes
96 episodes
#96 - Terri Klauber, Advisory Board Member of The Make-A-Wish Foundation
Just about everyone knows about the Make-A-Wish Foundation. But did you know that there are chapters throughout the country that focus on granting wishes for children in their local area? This week, we sit down with Advisory Board M...
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Episode 96
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43:04
#95 - William Villafranco & Kevin Pease of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation
This week, we have the privilege of welcoming two distinguished guests to the podcast. William Villafranco, who is the trustee of the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation, and Kevin Pease, who is both an educator and the author of an 8-Part boo...
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Episode 95
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53:33
#94 - Erin Duggan - President & CEO of Visit Sarasota
This week, we sit down for an in-depth discussion with the President and CEO of Visit Sarasota, Erin Duggan. Not only do we learn more about the organization, and its task for getting “more heads in beds” as they like to say, but Erin sha...
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Episode 94
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1:01:32
#93 - Jason LeFevre, District President for MarineMax
This week, we sit down with Jason LeFevre, the District President for MarineMax. Summer is coming quick, which means boat season is gonna be underway (in Florida, it never really ends though). We talk about the upcoming Aquapalooza ...
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Episode 93
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43:40
#92 - Rachel Borock, Owner of Catch A Buzz Events
This week, Sarasota SpeaX sits down with the owner of Catch a Buzz Events, Rachel Borock. Coming from the restaurant and service industry, Rachel channeled her passion for creating delicious cocktails into a customer service experience th...
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Episode 92
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27:14
#91 - Todd Morton, Owner & President of Morton's Gourmet Market
This week, we sit down with the Owner and President of Morton’s Gourmet Market, Todd Morton. Not only is this high level market a staple in Sarasota, it still maintains that “neighborhood market” appeal. We get into Todd’s story of ...
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Episode 91
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43:26
#90 - Ben Shroyer, Executive Director of Casting for the Kids
This week, we sit down with the Executive Director of Casting for the Kids, Ben Shroyer. Several years ago, Ben and his wife received the 4 words no parent ever wants to hear… “your child has cancer”. As a result, Ben decided to tur...
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Episode 90
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1:01:56
#89 - Vic and Kira, Owners of DD Roasters and The Kira Lee Gallery
This week, Sarasota SpeaX sits down with husband-and-wife duo, Vic Cipolla and Kira Lee, owners of the DD Roastery and Kira Lee Gallery. The couple made their way to Sarasota via the 2020 migration from New York City and have loved every ...
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Episode 89
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57:55
#88 - Vilia Dragovoy, Co-Owner & Director of Operations for the Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry
This week, we're having an in-depth conversation with Vilia Dragovoy, Co-Owner and Director of Operations for the Center of Revitalizing Psychiatry. The center was originally opened in New Jersey, but expanded to Sarasota, due to the owner lovi...
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Episode 88
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41:24
#87 - Tim Self on Behalf of My Hometown Fest in Sarasota
This week, we welcome Tim Self, who is here on behalf of My Hometown Fest, which takes place on Saturday, March 29. This event is a food festival that also includes beer, activities, bands, and so much more. You’ll also get an oppor...
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Episode 87
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46:55
#86 - Alex Kompothecras, Attorney with Alpha Law Group
This week, we have a bit of a different discussion on the podcast. We welcome Alex Kompethecras, owner of Alpha Law Group for an in-depth roundtable discussion to go over an incident that happened in September of 2024. On that eveni...
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Episode 86
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48:41
#85 - Nicolette Fornasari, Producer of The Sinister Sisters
What happens when you take a rock and roll variety show, and intertwine it with circus and burlesque? You get the Sinister Sisters. This week, Sarasota SpeaX sits down with the producer of the Sinister Sisters, Nicolette Fornasari.&...
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Episode 85
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30:32
#84 - Dr. Robert Vodnoy, Music Director of the Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota
This week, the SpeaX crew sits down with the Music Director, and Maestro, of the Chamber Orchestra of Sarasota, Dr. Robert Vodnoy. Robert’s career spans nearly 50 years in music, conducting several orchestras and composing music. We...
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Episode 84
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51:18
#83 - Wesley Roberts, Executive Publisher of SRQ Magazine
This week, the gang sits down with Executive Publisher for SRQ Magazine, Wesley Roberts. We get into the nitty gritty of why he and his wife, also the CEO, decided it was important to develop a publication that focused on some of the best...
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Episode 83
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1:17:58
#82 - Michael Klaubner Shares Info On The Forks & Corks Event 2025
Get ready Sarasota! This year’s Forks & Corks event will have your mouth watering and your tastebuds asking for more. Michael Klauber, owner of Michael’s on East and the Founder of Forks and Corks, joins the show to preview this...
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Episode 82
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24:11
#81 - Dr. Christopher Davis, Cardiologist & Owner of the Reveal Vitality & Longevity Institute
This week, we sit down for an in-depth conversation with Cardiologist, and Founder of the Reveal Vitality & Longevity Institute, Dr. Christopher Davis. As a life long health professional, he began to grow weary of fixing problems afte...
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Episode 81
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52:38
#80 - Allison Imre, Owner & CEO of Grapevine Communications
On this week’s show, the SpeaX gang sits down with Owner & CEO of Grapevine Communications, Allison Imre. We dive into how she ultimately became the owner of the business, her background in sports marketing, and several other key nugg...
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Episode 80
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1:07:35
#79 - Ron Soto & Chris Hembrough, The Sarasota New Year's Eve Pineapple Drop
This year marks the 25 annual Pineapple Drop, which takes place each and every New Years Eve, in downtown Sarasota…right in Pineapple Square. We brought Ron Soto, who has been in charge of the annual event, along with Chris Hembrough (of ...
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Episode 79
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56:07
#78 - Blake Fitzpatrick, Owner of Sunshine Movers in Sarasota
This week, we sit down with owner of Sunshine Movers, Blake Fitzpatrick. Over the past 10 years, Blake has built a successful moving business by putting his customers’ needs first, and building genuine relationships with partners. I...
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Episode 78
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54:02
#77 - Dovydas and Vere Hill, The Legends Behind the Tennessee Whiskey Performance on St. Armands Circle
We are honored to have a couple of repeat guests, together on the same podcast, for the first time. Dovydas and Vere Hill are talented artists in their own right. But it was one fateful night on St. Armands Circle that led to the pe...
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Episode 77
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51:21
#76 - Kim Githler & Charlie Githler from The MoneyShow
Before the CNBC’s, before the Squawk Boxes, and even before Fox Business, there was someone with a dedicated passion towards educating investors, and aspiring investors alike. Kim Githler began the MoneyShow back in 1981 with a mission to...
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Episode 76
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1:05:59
#75 - Dan Henson, Sr., Owner of Arts & Central Restaurant
This week, Sarasota Speax sits down with owner of the Arts & Central Restaurant, located downtown in the Rosemary District. Don Henson spent 30 years in the corporate world, but always had a bucket list item that included starting an ...
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Episode 75
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35:42
Untitled Episode
This week, the Sarasota SpeaX crew sits down with the man who has embodied downtown Sarasota to the max, Perry Corneau…or as most know him, Sarasota Perry. He has spent his career in the luxury end of the real estate, and now hones his cr...
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Episode 74
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40:50
#73 - Tatyana Stewart, Owner of T. Georgiano's & True Blue Vibes
This week, the SpeaX crew sits down for a discussion with Tatyana Stewart, owner of T. Georgiano’s and the soon-to-be open, True Blue Vibes. Having grown up in New York City, with a father who was in the fashion business, this has been in...
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Episode 73
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53:29
#72 - Post-Hurricane Roundtable Discussion
This week, we are taking a moment away from our traditional episodes to discuss mother nature’s fury that was unleashed on the Southeast by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. As this episode airs, there are still families and businesses who ar...
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Episode 72
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47:01