Episode 2: Van Wezel's Uncertain Future, Ringling's Crossroads, and Legislative Gridlock | Talk of the Town (May 31, 2025)

Episode 4: LIVE: The Passions and Peeves of Suncoast Millennials and Gen Z | Talk of the Town (June 14th, 2025)

Welcome to Talk of the Town, WSLR News' new weekly roundtable hosted by journalist and author Carrie Seidman. This episode was recorded live at Fogartyville on June 14th, 2025 in front of an engaged community audience. This week’s discussion covers three urgent topics: * What does that mean for your quality of life if you’re a young adult living in our community?  * What are the passions and peeves of members of Gen Z?  * What do they wish Sarasota’s senior population understood about them?  Joining Carrie for this episode: * Zander Moricz of the SEE Alliance   [https://www.seeourpower.org/] * Olivia D’Amico of Manatee County’s Friendly City Foundation   [https://www.friendlycity.foundation/] * Sophia Brown serves as the Program Coordinator at PEN America Florida [https://pen.org/profile/sophia-brown/] 🔗 Watch the full live recording on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9_QcwevJeU [https://youtu.be/0UxHf-tj48E] Have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to host Carrie Seidman at carrie@wslr.org [carrie@wslr.org]. Talk of the Town is a production of WSLR News, part of WSLR 96.5 FM and Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center in Sarasota, Florida. © 2025 WSLR, Inc. Produced by WSLR News.

Episode 3: Sarasota-Manatee Affordable Housing | Talk of the Town (June 7th, 2025)

In this episode of Talk of the Town, host Carrie Seidman, the Sarasota-Manatee real estate market continues its steep decline, but market rate residential development continues unabated, The latest on efforts to expand our affordable housing stock.  Recorded live in the Joe Jacco Studio at the WSLR Community Media and Arts Center, the conversation focuses on the crossroads facing Sarasota’s cultural landmarks and the stalled business of state government. Guests include: * Jon Thaxton, Director of Policy and Advocacy for the Gulf Coast Community Foundation and the newest member of the Sarasota County Planning Commission, Jon Thaxton Mark Vengroff, Managing Partner of One Stop Housing / One Stop Development Construction Chairman of the nonprofit, One Stop Cares * Terrill Salem, former City Commission candidate, Planning Board member and affordable housing developer   For questions or feedback, contact host Carrie Seidman at carrie@wslr.org [carrie@wslr.org]. Talk of the Town is a production of WSLR News, part of WSLR 96.5 FM and the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center in Sarasota, Florida. © 2025 WSLR, Inc. Produced by WSLR News.

Episode 2: Van Wezel's Uncertain Future, Ringling's Crossroads, and Legislative Gridlock | Talk of the Town (May 31, 2025)

In this episode of Talk of the Town, host Carrie Seidman brings together cultural advocates and a state policy expert to explore critical issues shaping Sarasota and Florida. Recorded live in the Joe Jacco Studio at the WSLR Community Media and Arts Center, the conversation focuses on the crossroads facing Sarasota’s cultural landmarks and the stalled business of state government. Guests include: * Mollie Cardamone, former Sarasota city commissioner and mayor, who shares insight on the proposed replacement of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and what’s at stake for the city’s bayfront. * Nancy Parrish, co-founder of Citizens to Protect the Ringling, who discusses concerns over development pressures and transparency at the John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. * Jeff Brandes, former Florida state senator and founder of the Florida Policy Project, who explains what’s holding up the still-unfinished legislative session in Tallahassee and why it matters for Sarasota and beyond. For questions or feedback, contact host Carrie Seidman at carrie@wslr.org. Talk of the Town is a production of WSLR News, part of WSLR 96.5 FM and the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center in Sarasota, Florida. © 2025 WSLR, Inc. Produced by WSLR News.

Episode 1: LIVE: Real Estate Slows, Storm Risks Rise, and City Manager Search Resets | Talk of the Town (May 24, 2025)

Welcome to the premiere episode of Talk of the Town, WSLR News' new weekly roundtable hosted by journalist and author Carrie Seidman. This episode was recorded live at Fogartyville on May 24, 2025 in front of an engaged community audience. This week’s discussion covers three urgent topics: * The cooling real estate market and what it signals for Sarasota's future growth * Ongoing concerns about storm preparedness, including the county’s failure to dredge Philippi Creek ahead of hurricane season * The City of Sarasota’s stalled city manager search, now back to the drawing board after candidates were rejected Joining Carrie for this episode: * Shelton Weeks, Lucas Professor of Real Estate and Director of the Lucas Institute for Real Estate Development & Finance at Florida Gulf Coast University  | sweeks@fgcu.edu * Mark Smith, Sarasota County Commissioner, District 2 | msmith@scgov.net * Jen Ahearn-Koch, City of Sarasota Commissioner |  jen.ahearn-koch@sarasotafl.gov 🔗 Watch the full live recording on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0UxHf-tj48E [https://youtu.be/0UxHf-tj48E] Have feedback, questions, or ideas for future episodes? Reach out to host Carrie Seidman at carrie@wslr.org. Talk of the Town is a production of WSLR News, part of WSLR 96.5 FM and Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center in Sarasota, Florida. © 2025 WSLR, Inc. Produced by WSLR News.