The Captains For Clean Water Podcast

Ep. 9 - A Florida Bill that could bankrupt you for speaking out against special interests

A bill moving through Florida would make it legally dangerous to speak up about powerful industries — not by proving critics wrong, but by making public criticism too risky to attempt. In this episode, we break down SB 290 / HB 433, a quiet expansion of Florida’s food disparagement law that now reaches non-perishable products and agricultural practices. The result isn’t better information or public safety — it’s a chilling effect on speech, where ordinary people are forced to weigh the cost of a lawsuit before asking questions, sharing concerns, or speaking from lived experience. We show how fear replaces debate when lawsuits become a weapon to silence the public rather than answer criticism. From red tide to food transparency, this episode explores how accountability depends on citizens being able to speak early, imperfectly, and without legal intimidation. Because when the public is afraid to speak, power goes unchecked.

Ep 8: Dr. Steve Davis

Politicians talk. Special interests spend. Our waters suffer. That’s Florida’s reality. The only thing standing between recovery and collapse is science. On today’s episode, we sit down with Dr. Steve Davis, Chief Science Officer at the Everglades Foundation — one of the people who’s been mapping out how this ecosystem actually works and what it’ll take to bring it back. Steve’s research and science is critical to the movement. Without his work, our fight for clean water would have no foundation — no credibility — just noise. Today, he breaks down what’s really happening in the Everglades, why it’s so complex, and the science-based solutions that can actually fix it. If you’ve ever wondered what’s really behind Florida’s water problems — and what it’s going to take to solve them — this is the episode to tune in for.

Ep 7: Pete Squibb

Pete Squibb is a retired wildlife biologist and a local fly fishing legend known for catching massive snook off the beaches of Sanibel and Captiva. Pete is known as the grandfather of Captains For Clean Water. He wrote the playbook on how to become a successful, grassroots movement. Without him, we wouldn't exist. Plain and simple. Pete has traveled all over the world studying different animals and ecosystems, including some interesting stories from his adventures in China. This is the story of Pete, his life, and the lessons he is passing down for the future generations.

Ep 6: John Lai

John Lai is the president and CEO of the Sanibel-Captiva chamber of Commerce. John is at the forefront of leading the business community to be involved with the fight for clean water. In this episode, we hear from John on just how important the business community's voice is in this effort to save the Everglades. Own a business in Florida? This issue impacts you. Want to learn more? This episode is for you.

Ep. 5: Captain Cody Rubner

In this episode, we sit down with Captain Cody Rubner, a fishing guide based in Stuart, Florida, who represents the very best of what it means to be an advocate for our waters. Cody has stood up time and again for conservation, inspiring countless others to join the fight for cleaner, healthier ecosystems. Not only is Cody a full-time fisherman, but he also runs his own marketing agency, plays an active role with the American Saltwater Guides Association, and is always the first to answer the call when we at Captains for Clean Water need support. This conversation dives into what being an advocate really means, why it matters, and how anyone—angler or not—can make a difference.