Peyton Porter is a rising music star who has already played the Grand Ole Opry, while sharing stages with names like Wille Nelson and Tim McGraw. As her star ascends, Porter visited Key West this past January and took some time on our podcast to discuss road life, navigating Nashville and how her small town Georgia roots keep her grounded throughout the journey.

Pulitzer Prize -winning journalist and author Eugene Robinson joins the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to discuss his latest book release, his love for Key West and the current state of media--all while supporting local scholarships in the Florida Keys..

Renowned political columnist and author Eugene Robinson took a moment to join the podcast to discuss his latest book, "Freedom Lost, Freedom Won: A Personal History of America." The Pulitzer Prize-winner also dove into the current state of media, including his recent departure from the Washington Post where he served as associate editor. Robinson's visit to the southernmost city was also in support of Take Stock in Children, which provides scholarships to local students across the Keys. Jump on now with the Weekly's Mandy Miles and Josh Mothner on a can't-miss podcast.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Peyton Porter is a rising music star who has already played the Grand Ole Opry, while sharing stages with names like Wille Nelson and Tim McGraw. As her star ascends, Porter visited Key West this past January and took some time on our podcast to discuss road life, navigating Nashville and how her small town Georgia roots keep her grounded throughout the journey.

Peyton Porter is a rising music star who has already played the Grand Ole Opry, while sharing stages with names like Wille Nelson and Tim McGraw. As her star ascends, Porter visited Key West this past January and took some time on our podcast to discuss road life, navigating the Nashville scene and how her small town Georgia roots keep her grounded throughout the journey. Porter is joined by "Coach" Kristi Creegan (who just so happened to graduate high school with our host).  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Kyle Carter Brings the Magic of Mile 0 Fest Back to Key West

From Tyler Childers, Whiskey Myers, The Red Clay Strays and Jason Isbell- some  of the biggest names in music have come through Key West at Mile 0 Fest. As the "red dirt" festival returns for a seventh year, founder Kyle Carter joins the Florida Keys Weekly Podcast to discuss the festival's magic formula of stars and upcoming talent, including this year's list of mind-blowing artists that features Stephen Wilson Jr, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Shane Smith & The Saints and many more. So buckle up for Mile 0 Fest on Jan 27-31 in Key West and visit www.mile0fest.com [https://www.mile0fest.com] for more.  (Pictured: Kyle Carter with Jamie Lin Wilson and Pam Tillis).  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Emily Schulten and the poetics of Key West

For the second edition of the “On The Rock” podcast, Mark Hedden speaks with Emily Schulten. Schulten is a classic Key West multi-hyphenate – a poet who has published three books, a professor, a Fulbright Scholar, and the reigning poet laureate of Key West. We talked about the perks of the poet laureate gig, playing David Brubeck records on Jack Keruoac’s hifi, donating a kidney, writing a book of poetry about donating a kidney, sharks in bottles, and how she got to Key West in the first place.  See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

Farmer Jeanne Selander and Her Jailhouse Menagerie

Mark Hedden kicks off the first edition of his "On the Rock" podcast with one of the most beloved people in the Florida Keys. Farmer Jeanne Selander, of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office Animal Farm (commonly referred to as "the jail zoo") joins the show to discuss her career spanning over 20 years. From kinkajous, sloths, ponies, alligators and more, the jail zoo boasts one of the most unique jail programs on the globe. Approaching retirement, Selander recounts riding out Hurricane Irma alone in a jail with 150 animals, tips on how to catch alligators and which sloths are ok to pet.   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.