From the Capitol to the Boardroom: Power, Policy & Influence

A New Golden Era: Head Coach Todd Golden on What’s Next for Florida Gators Basketball

This week on ChompCast, we sit down with University of Florida men’s basketball head coach Todd Golden following one of the most memorable seasons in program history. After leading the Gators to the 2025 national championship and earning 2025-2026 Head Coach of the Year honors, Coach Golden has helped usher in a new era for Florida Basketball built on toughness, culture and elite expectations. In this episode, we talk about what comes next after reaching the top, sustaining championship success, recruiting at the highest level, developing players in today’s college landscape, and the mindset required to lead one of the premier programs in the country. Coach Golden also shares lessons on leadership, pressure, resilience and what it means to represent Gator Nation. A must-listen for Florida fans, basketball lovers and anyone interested in building a winning culture.

How a UF Grad Became Under Armour’s Global Marketing Chief | Tyler Rutstein on Building Iconic Brands

This week on ChompCast, we sit down with Tyler Rutstein, Senior Vice President of Global Brand and Americas Marketing at Under Armour. A University of Florida graduate and adjunct professor teaching Sports Branding at UF, Tyler has built one of the most impressive careers in modern sports business and marketing. Before joining Under Armour, Tyler helped lead brand growth at Overtime as Chief Brand Officer and Head of Commerce, where he worked at the center of sports media, creator culture and next-generation fan engagement. Prior to that, he spent nearly seven years at adidas, leading style collaborations, global key city strategy and brand activations across markets including New York, Paris, Tokyo, London and Shanghai. In this episode, Tyler breaks down what it takes to build brands that actually matter, how sports and culture now move together, lessons from working inside some of the world’s biggest companies, and why the future belongs to leaders who can blend creativity with strategy. We also talk about his path from UF to the top of the global marketing world and what students should be doing now to stand out.

From Hurricanes to Headlines: Stephanie Abrams on Owning the Forecast & Building a National Voice

What does it take to become one of the most recognizable faces in weather—and stay there for over two decades? In this episode, we sit down with Stephanie Abrams, on-camera meteorologist at The Weather Channel and proud University of Florida alum, to talk about building a career at the intersection of science, media, and storytelling. Since joining the network in 2003, Stephanie has covered everything from hurricanes and wildfires to the biggest national weather events, becoming a trusted voice for millions of viewers.  We get into her journey from UF to national television, what it actually looks like behind the scenes of live weather coverage, and how she’s built a career that blends credibility with personality. Stephanie also shares how she’s adapted in a constantly evolving media landscape, what it means to communicate during high-stakes moments, and why connecting with your audience matters just as much as the forecast itself. Whether you’re interested in media, science, or just figuring out how to turn your passion into a career, this episode is a masterclass in showing up, staying relevant, and owning your space.

Modern Manners, Major Moves: Myka Meier on Etiquette, Influence, and Building a Global Brand

On this episode of ChompCast, we sit down with Myka Meier, a world-renowned etiquette expert, entrepreneur, and founder of Beaumont Etiquette. Often referred to as “America’s Queen of Good Manners,” Myka has built a global brand around modernizing etiquette for today’s world—spanning social, business, and digital spaces. From training in London under a former member of the Royal Household to co-founding The Plaza Hotel’s Finishing Program in New York City, Myka brings a unique blend of tradition and modern relevance. She is also a two-time best-selling author of Modern Etiquette Made Easy and Business Etiquette Made Easy, and has worked with high-profile clients including Gwyneth Paltrow, Snoop Dogg, and Jessica Alba. We dive into how etiquette translates in a digital-first generation, what “good manners” actually look like today, and how personal branding, professionalism, and presence can open doors across industries. Whether you are navigating internships, networking, or building your own brand, this conversation is full of insight you did not know you needed.

From the Capitol to the Boardroom: Power, Policy & Influence

What actually goes into shaping the decisions that impact millions of people? In this episode of ChompCast, we sit down with two major players in Florida’s political and business landscape—Andrew Wiggins, Senior Director of Political Affairs & Coalitions Advocacy at the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and Joe Gruters, Florida State Senator, CPA, and Chairman of the Republican National Committee. From running high-stakes campaigns to navigating the intersection of business and government, both guests offer a behind-the-scenes look at how power, policy, and influence really work. We talk coalition-building, campaign strategy, and what it takes to lead in environments where every decision carries weight. Whether you're interested in politics, business, leadership, or just understanding how things actually get done, this episode breaks it down in a way that’s real, relevant, and worth knowing. This episode was filmed in March 2025 at the Bob Graham Center event, prior to Senator Gruters’ election as Chairman of the Republican National Committee.