Barb Shepherd, a Beacon of West Volusia

Starting Up a Startup with Adam Babbit

Adam Babbit is the Chief Technology Officer of Dapt, a B2B SaaS solution to track job and project costs. Dapt connects Accounting, Time Tracking, and Payroll to simplify payroll and accounting and meet compliance requirements. He's built out a full development team from the ground up, and helmed all things software for the company for nearly 2 years. Despite this, Adam is only 24. He was hired by Dapt as a software dev right out of university, and quickly filled both a technical and leadership vacuum, entering the C-suite after just a few months. Since then, Dapt has grown dramatically, scoring clients as large as Intuit Quickbooks, and receiving their first round of outside capital. Adam keys us in on this journey and his still young but eventful career in tech.

Tiny Desk Podcast, with Katie Sarro

In this episode of the Nathan Bohncast Podcast, I sit down with Katie Sarro. Katie currently works as a 6th grade teacher for Volusia County Schools, and formerly held positions at the Washington, D.C offices of both NPR and CBS. Katie gives us a front row standing-space to several of NPR's "Tiny Desk Concerts" that she viewed, including Harry Styles', an insider's look at how a major media outlet's outlet can operate, work culture distinctions between for-profit and non-profit media, and so on. Katie also lets us in on the front line of being The Very Model of a Modern Middle School teacher (note to self: will anybody understand this Gilbert and Sullivan reference or should I edit it out?), and tells all about with what's up with the kids these days. She talks the importance of encouraging children to read and write, and how she goes about providing that encouragement. We also get into the political scene among college students in DC, specifically among American University students, and how background and wealth can really influence the way people shape their ideas and worldview. I hope you enjoy listening to this interview as much as I enjoyed recording it. If you have the time, please answer the question in the poll if you are a Spotify user.

An aMuseing Conversation with Janet Bollum

In this episode, we delve into the enchanting world of books and local community with Janet, the passionate owner of DeLand's beloved independent bookstore, The Muse Bookstore. With its doors open since the 1980s, The Muse Bookstore has become an intrinsic part of the cultural fabric of this quaint Florida town. Janet takes us on a journey as she shares her personal story of relocating from Minnesota to DeLand and establishing the bookstore as a haven for literary enthusiasts. Her love for books and dedication to fostering a thriving literary community shine through as she discusses the challenges and triumphs of running an independent bookstore for several decades. We explore the unique charm of The Muse Bookstore, with its cozy nooks, shelves overflowing with carefully curated titles, and the welcoming aroma of freshly brewed coffee that lingers in the air. Janet emphasizes the importance of creating a warm and inviting atmosphere, where avid readers and casual passersby can immerse themselves in the joy of discovering new worlds within the pages of a book. Janet's deep connection to the local community is palpable as she discusses the various initiatives The Muse Bookstore and herself have undertaken to support and engage with the residents of DeLand, such as Janet's role in the founding of of the Mainstreet Association. As we explore the challenges independent bookstores face in the digital age, Janet shares her insights into adapting to changing times while staying true to the store's unique character. She highlights the importance of personal recommendations and the power of cultivating a sense of community, which sets independent bookstores apart from their online counterparts. Join us for this delightful conversation as we celebrate the rich history, passion, and unwavering dedication that Janet and The Muse Bookstore have brought to DeLand. Tune in to discover how this literary oasis has remained an anchor of inspiration and a sanctuary for book lovers in the heart of Florida for over four decades.

Barb Shepherd, a Beacon of West Volusia

This is an interview I conducted with Barb Shepherd, chief executive and cofounder of The West Volusia Beacon. She gives us the inside scoop on all things black, white and red all over. We chat about how a person actually goes about founding a newspaper, and, maybe more to the point, how it is kept in business in the days of digital media and ever-creeping AI. Go find some local west Volusia news here: https://beacononlinenews.com/ [https://beacononlinenews.com/]

DeLand Remembered, with Mark Watts

This is an interview I conducted with Mark Watts. He is a prominent Central Florida attorney, who has played a major role in shaping development in and around the area of our home town over the course of his career. Aside from that, he is a serious proponent of conservationism an and responsible land use all over the state. In both regards, he follows in the footsteps of his father, Allan Watts, who was also cut a titanic figure in these areas.  We chat about his career, the state of the state of Florida, past and present, life, love, bad puns, and family.  I hope you enjoy listening to this conversation, as much as I enjoyed having it.  This episode was mixed and mastered by Joe Begalla. If you are ever in need of consultation of any kind in the area of audio production and engineering, I encourage you to check Joe out at https://www.jbegallasound.com/ [https://www.jbegallasound.com/]