Sen. Shevrin Jones joins Deeper Dive this week to chat with Dara about attending his first Democratic National Convention and shares some takeaways from the Sunshine State primaries. Shev, who's chair of the Democratic Executive Committee in Miami-Dade County, also weighs in on Dems' biggest challenges heading into the November election. The pair a…

Maria DeLiberato, executive director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty, joins Dara for a wide-ranging dive into the state's death penalty process. Maria, a former prosecutor, says she wants to have an "honest conversation" about the death penalty with people on both sides of the issue. Join Deeper Dive for this timely discussion, …

Rich Templin, director of politics and public policy for the Florida AFL-CIO, tells Dara why labor unions "are needed now more than ever" and talks about the impact of recent laws aimed at dismantling them. Rich also gives Dara an update on how Vice President Kamala Harris has shaken things up in down-ballot races in Florida. The pair swaps notes o…

Join Dara and First Amendment Foundation Executive Director Bobby Block for a dive into Florida's expansive public-records laws and efforts to chip away at what was once a national model for government in the sunshine. Bobby also warns about the "growing threat" to citizens' ability to hold government officials accountable.…

Dara takes Deeper Dive on the road to the annual Florida Media Conference! Join Dara and editors in as they dig into what's happening at media outlets of all sizes in an ever-evolving world of journalism. Also, discerning consumers of news get some tips amid a highly charged political season. Hear about podcasts, investigative journalism, fact-chec…

Former Gov. Jeb Bush joins Dara for Deeper Dive's 100th episode! Gov. Bush shares insights about some of his most controversial policies, such as the "One Florida" plan scrapping affirmative action in university admissions and state hiring and the sweeping "A-plus" education plan that assigned grades to schools, provided school vouchers for student…

State Rep. Vicki Lopez, R-Miami, returns to Deeper Dive to give us an update on "vertical living," following changes to the state's condo regulations. Rep. Lopez, aka the "Condo Queen," gives Dara the down-low on issues facing condominium owners and condo boards, shares some takeaways from a recent "life-changing" sojourn to Israel, and much, much …

Carlos Guillermo Smith won't appear on the ballot in November, but he'll be joining the Florida Senate this fall after cruising to victory without an opponent. The senator-elect chats with Dara about his priorities for the 2025 session, his passion for the arts, his advocacy for the LGBTQ community and much, much more. Plus, find out what he and Se…

House Speaker-Designate Daniel Perez talks about his love for the 305 (watch out, Pitbull!), shares his priorities for the upcoming 2024 session and makes predictions about state House races. The incoming Speaker also chats about Cuban-American culture and reveals one of his not-so-hidden talents!By Dara Kam

You've seen him on billboards and on your TV... Trial lawyer extraordinaire John Morgan joins Deeper Dive this week to talk medical marijuana, politics, the 2024 elections and some legislative races he's interested in.By Dara Kam

Florida's Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis talks about being a "people person," shares insights into the state's insurance market, discusses his political future, and much, much more!By Dara Kam

In the second part of a two-part episode with Senate Majority Leader Ben Albritton, the incoming Senate president chats with Dara about the citrus industry and resilient citrus trees, his priorities for the 2025 legislative session and much more!By Dara Kam

It's a big episode of Deeper Dive this week, as Senate Majority Leader Ben Albritton, who will take the gavel as Senate president after the November elections, chats with Dara about his faith, his family, 2024 Senate races and much more! This is the first of a two-part episode.By Dara Kam

Hurricane season is about to start in Florida, and Deeper Dive has you covered with the latest and greatest information. Dara chats this week with Mark Wool, warning coordination Meteorologist for the National Weather Service, about the forecast for this coming hurricane season (spoiler alert, we’re expecting more and stronger storms), the effect o…

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and NWF Health Network CEO Mike Watkins joins Dara this week to chat about increases in the need for mental health and substance abuse services. Mike talks about resources available to families in need, the effects of COVID and natural disasters - and shares successes about adoption.…

State Attorney Dave Aronberg, Deeper Dive's second-ever guest, returns for Episode 90 to chat with Dara about former president Donald Trump’s legal trials, campus protests, and whether Florida is in play for Democrats in 2024By Dara Kam

Dara dives into the hottest topic in tech this week, as she is joined by two experts in generative artificial intelligence from the firm KPMG. The trio discuss how AI is so good at mimicking human intelligence that it may seem creepy - but don't be scared! Learn how businesses, students, government and even professional sports can benefit from the …

Dara gets the band back together! Jim Rosica brings his new title with him to the Terracotta Room, where the two mooks dig into this week in politicsBy Dara Kam

Dara chats this week with opponents of Amendment 4, a proposal that would enshrine abortion rights in the state Constitution. Mat Staver and John Stemberger talk about efforts to block the measure from passing. Check out Episode 85 to hear from supporters of the proposal. This week's guests are: Mat Staver, Chairman, Liberty Counsel John Stemberger…

Pass the dutchie! Dara dives into Potlandia with two experts this week to discuss Amendment 3, which will give voters the chance to legalize recreational marijuana in November. This week's guests are: John Lockwood, regulated industries attorney and founder, Lockwood Law Firm Steve Vancore, veteran political consultant and pollster…

Dara chats this week with proponents of Amendment 4, which will be on the ballot in November in a bid to enshrine abortion rights in the Florida Constitution. Dara and guests also discuss a six-week abortion restriction set to go into effect May 1, and dig into one of 2024's most contentious issues. This week's guests are: Laura Goodhue, executive …

South Florida Sun Sentinel Opinion Editor and Columnist Steve Bousquet chats with Dara about decisions pending at the Florida Supreme Court, controversial vacation rental legislation, Trump endorsements and much more!By Dara Kam

Longtime Democratic political consultant Beth Matuga joins Dara this week for a Deeper Dive into the 2024 elections, the importance of 'institutions,' and voter turnout. Plus, tips on online dating!By Dara Kam

This week's Deeper Dive features Howard Simon, interim executive director of the ACLU of Florida. Howard dishes with Dara about nearly five decades of fighting to uphold constitutional rights to free speech, voting and abortion. Simon also calls balls and strikes on the 2024 legislative session. Don't miss it!…

Coming to you from the Florida Capitol, Dara visits the fourth floor rotunda and chats with people involved in The Process as we wrap up the 2024 legislative session. This week's guests are: Lobbyists Yolanda Jackson, Chris Doolin & Steve Schale, with a special appearance by Florida House Chaplain Tim Perrier…

Top-tier lobbyist Nick Iarossi, who also played an instrumental role in Gov. Ron DeSantis' presidential campaign, shares insights into GOP politics and chats about how lobbying in Florida has morphed over the past two decades. The owner of Capitol City Consulting discusses what's happening now on the Fourth Floor in the run-up to the end of session…

Should kids under 16 be banned from social media? Longtime Capitol reporter Steve Bousquet joins Dara this week to discuss Gov. Ron DeSantis' doubts about the effort - a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner - and to chat about other bills as the session winds down.By Dara Kam

This week's Deeper Dive commemorates Black History Month with state lawmakers who highlight some of Florida's African American leaders, share their personal stories and much more! Our guests this week are Sen. Geraldine Thompson, D-Windermere, and Rep. Michele Rayner, D-St. Petersburg.By Dara Kam

Former state Rep. Carlos Lacasa, a Republican, and fellow GOP'er Carol Whitmore, who served on the Manatee County Commission, join the podcast this week to discuss their work with the Florida Women's Freedom Coalition and why they - and other Republicans - support a proposed constitutional amendment that would protect abortion rights in Florida.…

Politico Florida's Gary Fineout and Dara dish about Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, a Trump v. Biden matchup, and some of the 2024 session's hot topics.By Dara Kam

Al Cardenas, a former chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, joins Dara weigh in on Gov. Ron DeSantis' 2024 presidential campaign and offer some advice for the GOP.By Dara Kam

In the second of a two-part series, Dara's back with more from the 2024 Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislative Fly-In. This week, hear your host chat with: Beth Cicchetti, executive director, Florida Economic Development Council Derrick McGhee, chief operating officer, Johnson & Blanton Devin Stephenson, president, Northwest Florida State College …

‘Live’ from the 2024 Florida Chamber of Commerce Legislative Fly-In, Dara chats with movers and shakers about their priorities for the session and much more! In Part One, Dara has some fun with: Florida Agriculture & Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples Florida Chamber of Commerce Presi…

Florida Supreme Court Justice John Couriel joins the show for the second of a two-part episode to discuss what's on his reading list, his previous run for public office and how many U.S. presidents he has met.By Dara Kam

Florida Supreme Court Justice John Couriel joins Dara in the Terracotta Room to chat about his approach to serving on the state's highest court, discuss his Cuban-born parents' influence on his life, and reveal how long he intends to stay on the job. Come for the gratitude, stay for the 'posse of nerds!'…

Rick Wilson - Lincoln Project Co-Founder, onetime GOP political consultant and #Florida man - joins Dara for Episode 70 to give the scorching lowdown on Gov. Ron DeSantis' political future, First Lady Casey DeSantis' ambitions and the Republican Party of Florida.By Dara Kam

Barbara Petersen has long been a champion for Floridians’ access to public records from their government. Now the executive director of the Florida Center for Government Accountability, Petersen chats with Dara this week about how her team of investigative journalists uncovered records related to an accusation of sexual assault against the chairman…

Back by popular demand in the Terracotta Room this week is Steve Bousquet, opinion editor and columnist for the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Dara and Steve chat about legislation filed for the upcoming session that would result in “dismantling” some of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's top educational priorities, Gov. Ron DeSantis' approach to public r…

You've seen him on TV, now take a Deeper Dive with MSNBC & NBC News Analyst David Jolly into Florida's biggest political players and their chances in upcoming elections. Jolly also dishes about leaving the GOP, third-party candidates and his time in Congress with Ron DeSantis.By Dara Kam

Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and State Rep. Michael Gottleib join the show this week to discuss the war between Israel and Hamas, a rise in anti-Semitism in America and a special legislative session that concluded this week.By Dara Kam

Sen. Jason Pizzo, who is in line to become Senate minority leader after the 2024 elections, joins Dara this week to talk about Democrats' chances in state Senate races, the 2024 presidential race and much more! Come for the political chat, and stay for the commentary on Sunday gravyBy Dara Kam

On episode 64 of the Deeper Dive podcast, Dara chats with South Florida Sun Sentinel Opinion Editor Steve Bousquet about state Rep. Randy Fine’s very public break with Gov. Ron DeSantis, the governor's presidential campaign and moreBy Dara Kam

Jim Rosica, editor-in-chief of City & State Florida, hosts the show this week and talks with News Service of Florida reporter Jim Turner about the potential field of candidates for Florida governor in 2026, and more!By Dara Kam

Episode 61 of the Deeper Dive podcast looks back at Hurricane Michael, five years after the destructive storm made landfall in the Panhandle and devastated Bay County. This week's guests are Bay County Manager Bob Majka and State Rep. Griff Griffits, R-Panama City Beach.By Dara Kam

On this week's Deeper Dive, Film Florida Executive Director John Lux gives Dara the downlow about the Sunshine State's film industry.By Dara Kam

This week's episode is a live taping of City & State Florida's Above and Beyond Awards honoring women in government and public service. Hear from keynote speakers and sponsors as we celebrated this year's honorees!By Dara Kam

John Stemberger, president and general counsel of the Florida Family Policy Council, joins the show to talk about the Florida Supreme Court's recent arguments in a challenge to a law banning abortions after 15 weeks, which could open the door to a 6-week abortion restriction in the state.By Dara Kam

This week's guests join the Deeper Dive podcast to discuss the response to Hurricane Idalia. Tune in for insight from State Rep. Allison Tant, D-Tallahassee; Levy County Commissioner John Meeks; Kaitlynn Culpepper, Community Relations Director, Tri-County Electric Cooperative; and Shayne Morgan, Columbia County Emergency Management Director.…

State Rep. Angie Nixon, a Jacksonville Democrat, speaks out against racially charged rhetoric that she blames for a hate crime that left three Black people dead in Duval County.By Dara Kam

Visit Lauderdale President and CEO Stacy Ritter joins Deeper Dive to talk with Dara about Broward County being an "international destination," the importance of making travel inclusive and accessible, and her effort to draw tourists -- via the Rose Parade.By Dara Kam