Best Cathy Salustri Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 159: The Best Bike Trails in Florida 36:44

4h ago36:44

36:44

Send us your Florida questions! This week Rick and Cathy talk about some of their favorite bike trails in Florida. Orange County Bike Trails West Orange Trail Bikes and Blades at Killarney Station Northeast Orlando Trail Map Cady Way Trail Post: Biking the Orlando Urban Trail Post: West Orange Trail Oakland Nature Preserve Downtown Winter Garden Pl…

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🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 13: Stock Island: Old Key West, Dead Bodies, and... Cows? 33:56

6d ago33:56

33:56

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! If it's Old Key West you want, stop short of Key West on your drive down US 1 and explore Stock Island. Brad and Cathy talk about the island's cow-centric and crime-adjacent history, what's worth doing now, and where you can meet an ostrich. Links We Mentioned Bone Island Mambo by Tom Corcoran…

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Episode 158: Hidden Key West, Judy Blume, and Writers at Mile Zero 26:36

7d ago26:36

26:36

Send us your Florida questions! This week the "Florida Spectacular" welcomes Carey Winfrey, the editor of Key West Sketches: Writers at Mile Zero. Carey and Cathy talk about the writers who contributed to the anthology, Judy Blume's Key West bookstore, and what Carey says he wishes people would see instead of Duval Street. Links We Mentioned Elizab…

1
Episode 157: Lower Your Power Bill, Stop Flooding, and Protect Florida's Beaches 24:53

15d ago24:53

24:53

Send us your Florida questions! Lower insurance and power bills? Stop flooding in your neighborhood? Protecting Florida's beaches without spending billions on beach renourishment? This might sound too good to be true, but this week's podcast has ways you can help do all those things. Dawn Shirreffs, the Florida Director of the Environmental Defense…

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🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 12: Hidden (and not-so-hidden) Railroad History in the Florida Keys 38:25

21d ago38:25

38:25

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Some Florida Keys history is hidden in plain sight — and that's especially true when it comes to Henry Flagler's railroad from Homestead to Key West. Brad and Cathy give listeners insight to some ways to experience railroad history while enjoying the natural beauty of the Florida Keys. Links W…

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Episode 156: Florida's Wild and Scenic River: Myakka in Sarasota 38:37

22d ago38:37

38:37

Send us your Florida questions! Jono Miller, author of "The Palmetto Book: Histories and Mysteries of the Cabbage Palm," joins the podcast to talk about the Myakka River. We're loving the Myakka River — and the park — a little too hard, but there are ways to experience the park without impacting the natural environment. Jono talks about ways such a…

1
Episode 155: Ginnie Springs, Responsible Spring Use, and Secret Paddles 33:33

29d ago33:33

33:33

Send us your Florida questions! Merrillee Jipson, owner of Rum 138 in the High Springs area, joins the podcast to talk about the tragedy at Ginnie Springs last weekend, how to enjoy the springs responsibly, and some of the best places to paddle the springs. Links We Mentioned Silver Glen New River Santa Fe River Preserve Guide from Alachua Conserva…

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🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 11: Gators and Crocs and Caimans, Oh My! 28:13

1M ago28:13

28:13

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Think crocodiles are only for Australia? Think again, because you can find them alive and well in the Florida Keys. Brad and Cathy talk about where in the keys you can find crocodiles and alligators, and also talk about why Florida crocodiles aren't as energetic as their Australian cousins. An…

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Episode 154: Shark's Teeth, Dog Beaches, and Healing Waters: Venice and Warm Mineral Springs 34:19

1M ago34:19

34:19

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy take a (metaphorical) dive into Warm Mineral Springs and the Venice/Nokomis area. They give you a guide of things to do and places to eat along the Venice/Nokomis coast. Don't forget to subscribe to Florida Keys Spectacular — premium content about the Florida Keys! Support all things Spectacular, start…

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Episode 153: Hurricanes: The Good, the Bad, and the Windy 43:35

1M ago43:35

43:35

Send us your Florida questions! Cathy and Rick talk about Florida hurricane prep, the history of hurricanes, and how to prepare without freaking out. Links We Mentioned Hurricanes.gov Oranges and Alligators: Sketches of South Florida Life by Iza Duffy Hardy Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen Hurricane prep suggestions: Turn off your TV and check hurric…

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🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 10: How To Do Bahia Honda 26:40

2M ago26:40

26:40

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Brad and Cathy talk about Bahia Honda State Park. Brad shares the little-known history of Bahia Honda's pre-park days, and Cathy talks about which parts are best for camping and water activities. Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get premium Florida Keys history and travel tips with Brad …

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Episode 152: Vero Beach, Florida Indians, and Old Florida 35:19

2M ago35:19

35:19

Send us your Florida questions! Kristalyn Shefveland joins the podcast to talk about her book, Selling Vero Beach. They talk about Vero's history, its first people, and why the past matters to newcomers. Links We Mentioned Selling Vero Beach: Settler Myths in the Land of the Aís and Seminole Florida's disastrous plan for a reservoir McKee and Sexto…

1
Episode 151: The Belleview Biltmore: Schrödinger's Hotel 46:29

2M ago46:29

46:29

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy welcome Florida historian Joey Vars on the podcast to talk about Henry Plant's Belleview Biltmore hotel. Joey's the former staff historian for the hotel, now called the Belleview. Links We Mentioned The Belleview Inn Watch Joey's former tour of the Biltmore Aerial view of Belleview Biltmore demolition …

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🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 9: Robbie's Marina: So much more than a tourist joint 24:52

2M ago24:52

24:52

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! If you've driven past it and not stopped, you don't know what you're missing. Sure, you can do tourist things like feed a tarpon and have a frozen drink... but they also have a fantastic fish sandwich, knowledgeable fishing guides, and one particularly amazing Florida Keys historian (and some …

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Episode 150: Florida Springs: How Anyone Can Help 42:33

2M ago42:33

42:33

Send us your Florida questions! Ryan Smart, Executive Director of the Florida Springs Council, joins Cathy and Rick on the podcast to answer a listener's questions about Florida springs. Q: If the springs naturally come to the surface, why would the bottled water companies need permits to pump out? A: We answer this more in-depth in the podcast, bu…

1
Episode 149: Top Tiki Bars and Experiences in Florida 36:43

2M ago36:43

36:43

Send us your Florida questions! Cathy and Rick talk about their favorite Tiki bars and events in Florida. Links We Mentioned The Donn of Tiki film Tiki hotels in Daytona Beach Tiki Bars Bahi Hut in Sarasota The Wreck Bar in Fort Lauderdale (Rick's post) Mai Kai in Fort Lauderdale (Rick's post) Don the Beachcomber in Madeira Beach Suffering Bastard …

1
🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 8: Please Don't Feed the Deer: Everything You Want To Know About Key Deer 28:39

3M ago28:39

28:39

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Florida Key Deer are the smallest of the white-tailed deer subspecies, and you can only find them in the Florida Keys. Brad and Cathy talk about the oft-debated origins of these tiny creatures, the legend of the cryptid key deer (aka Conch Republic Border Guards), and how and where to see — an…

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Episode 148: Florida New Deal Art, Post Offices, and State Parks 53:08

3M ago53:08

53:08

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy welcome Keri Watson, author of Florida's New Deal: Parks and Post Office Murals. Her book takes people on an armchair tour of Florida post offices with New Deal art. It explores Florida's first 10 state park (nine of which still exist as state parks today.) Links We Mentioned Get Keri's book Living New…

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Episode 147: Let's Get Small: Check Out These Small Florida Towns 35:03

3M ago35:03

35:03

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy talk about what there is to do at some of their favorite small towns in Florida, and why you should visit. Take a listen, load up the car, and let's go! Links We Mentioned Safety Harbor Resort & Spa | Spa Resort in Tampa Bay, FL Welaka, Florida | Quiet Old Town on the St. Johns River Stegbone's Fish Ca…

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🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 7: Purple Isles: Legend, Lore, and Truth 23:47

3M ago23:47

23:47

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Islamorada means "purple island." After all, Isla (island) and morada (purple), right? Think again. Brad explains why that's not how this part of the Florida Keys got its name. He takes Cathy — and listeners — on an armchair journey on why the "morada" in the name dates back to William Krome a…

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Episode 146: Matlacha, Pine Island, and a Different Kind of Paradise 49:33

3M ago49:33

49:33

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy talk about mangos, Matlacha, and a different type of Florida paradise. Pine Island and Matlacha don't have high rises, chain hotels, or franchises. This small island haven has plenty of small pleasures on offer, especially for people seeking a less-traditional type of paradise. Things To Do in Matlacha…

1
Episode 145: Traveling the World to Come Home to Florida 50:16

3M ago50:16

50:16

Send us your Florida questions! On this week's podcast, Jenny DeWitt talks about why she left Florida, where she traveled when she did, and why she came back. Links we mentioned: Eau Gallie Arts District. Backwater restaurant. Downtown Creedo. Green Gables, Melbourne, FL Lil Bit of Life, Mount Dora, FL Grow Lake County - Local Farm & Food Map Archi…

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🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 6: The Florida Keys Eco Trail 25:37

4M ago25:37

25:37

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Everyone loves the Florida Keys — but not everyone has discovered the sheer magnificence of the wilder and more natural parts of the island chain. The Florida Keys tourism board wants to change that; they created an an app that lets anyone earn points (and swag) for checking out an eco trail t…

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Episode 144: Lighthouses, Florida Parks, and the Dry Tortugas 35:38

4M ago35:38

35:38

Send us your Florida questions! Meet Shilpi Rawat, who left Mumbai for a life in Florida. As a new Floridian, she planned a Florida lighthouse road trip. Learn about her experiences from the panhandle to the Dry Tortugas, the time she swam with a barracuda (not on purpose), and hear about some of her favorite lighthouses. Links We Mentioned About D…

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Episode 143: Florida Journeys, Nibbling Cockroaches, and John Muir 29:50

4M ago29:50

29:50

Send us your Florida questions! Leslie Kemp Poole, author of Tracing Florida Journeys: Explorers, Travelers, and Landscapes Then and Now, comes on the podcast to talk about recreating Florida journeys made by famous Floridians and Florida-fans such as John Muir, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. She gives life to these journeys —…

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🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 5: Snorkeling the Florida Keys 27:04

4M ago27:04

27:04

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Looking for places to snorkel in the Florida Keys? Brad's the expert. He explains not only how snorkeling ignited his interest in Florida Keys and Monroe County history, but where anyone can snorkel in the Florida Keys. Brad's Florida Keys snorkeling spots Bahia Honda State Park Looe Key Key W…

1
Episode 142: Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, Citrus, and Writing in the Woods 35:28

4M ago35:28

35:28

Send us your Florida questions! Cathy and Rick talk about how nature influences their writing, Cathy's camping experience at Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park, Rick's upcoming keynote at the MKR annual conference, and where to find wild citrus. Links We Mentioned Matheson Museum, with the anniversary exhibit Rick designed Squarehouse Piz…

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Episode 141: Pirates, Bureaucracy, and Gasparilla 39:26

4M ago39:26

39:26

Send us your Florida questions! People love pirate lore — but what did it mean to be a pirate in Florida? According to Cathy, a lot more bureaucracy than you'd think. Rick and Cathy talk about pirates, real and imagined, and make a few Florida detours along the way. Links We Mentioned Legend of Jose Gaspar Sir Francis Drake and privateer Robert Sea…

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🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 4: Land Sharks, Pirates, and Newspapers 33:53

4M ago33:53

33:53

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Did the Florida Keys have pirates? Brad and Cathy debate. Brad unearthed an 1829 Keys newspaper and talks about an article warning of land sharks and advertising a house for rent for $20 a month in Key West. They also chat about the San Carlos, the Key West Firehouse Museum, and Carysfort Reef…

1
Episode 140: Explore Cross Creek (A Hidden Campground, Historic Paddle) and What Is Real Florida? 40:50

4M ago40:50

40:50

Send us your Florida questions! Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings made Cross Creek famous through her writing, and if you want to experience Florida as she did, there's no better place. From free-range venison starters at a Cross Creek restaurant to paddling the same creeks she did, immerse yourself in the world of Cross Creek. Here's how! Spoiler alert: Ca…

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Episode 139: Florida Springs, Politics, and the Profanity Manatee 30:12

5M ago30:12

30:12

Send us your Florida questions! Ryan Smart, the executive director of the Florida Springs Council, joins the podcast to talk about threats facing springs, some recent victories for Florida's environment, and how people can support the work that protects Florida springs. Image of the Profanity Manatee courtesy of Florida Springs Council; used with p…

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🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 3: Bahia Honda and Long Key State Park 33:21

5M ago33:21

33:21

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Brad and Cathy take a deep dive into two of the best Florida State Parks in the Florida Keys: Bahia Honda and Long Key. Links We Mentioned Florida Keys Eco-Experience Trail app for exploring the Florida Keys. Bahia Honda State Park Long Key State Park Support the podcast! For $5/month, you get…

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Episode 138: Fort Mose, Black History Matters, and Florida's Underground Railroad 37:51

5M ago37:51

37:51

Send us your Florida questions! Today's guest, Charles Ellis, who serves as the Fort Mose Historical Society president, talks about the reconstruction of the Fort, what’s happening in February, and Florida's place on the Underground Railroad. Links We Mentioned Fort Mose State Park Flight to Freedom Fort Mose Historical Society Jazz and Blues at Fo…

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Episode 137: Hidden Sarasota, Things to Do You Might Not Know About 38:36

5M ago38:36

38:36

Send us your Florida questions! If you want to explore Sarasota, Rick and Cathy have plenty of favorites. Places to Eat Owen's Fish Camp Yoder's of Pinecraft and The Gabber Newspaper's feature on Yoder's Bali Hut Tiki Hut Outdoors and Nature Experiences Myakka River State Park Warm Mineral Springs Selby Botanical Gardens Mote Marine Aquarium (kayak…

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🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 2: The Most Beautiful Drive in America, State Road 4A 39:21

5M ago39:21

39:21

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Flying into Key West is super-convenient, but people who fly into Key West miss one of the best parts of the Florida Keys: The Overseas Highway, which connects mainland Florida with the Florida Keys. The road didn't always look the way it does today, however. Brad and Cathy explain it all. Flo…

1
Episode 136: Where to See Manatee in Florida 38:07

5M ago38:07

38:07

Send us your Florida questions! It's January! It's cold! It's the best time to see manatee! Where can you see them? Rick and Cathy name their favorite spots (see the links) and talk about whether manatee resemble sea potatoes or zaftig mermaids, manatee flatulence, and manatee nipples (when an animal has armpit nipples, you have to mention it.) Lin…

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Episode 135: Florida Trails: Hiking Shoes, Stepping on Snakes, and Sloughs 38:02

6M ago38:02

38:02

Send us your Florida questions! A reader question about hiking shoes leads to a discussion about best places to hike in Florida. The Florida Madcaps' Chelsea Stevens joins to talk about hiking and water shoes, that time she stepped on a copperhead, and her favorite hikes. Links We Mentioned FloridaHikes.com Shoes for Hiking Florida Trails Altra sho…

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🔒 Florida Keys Spectacular Episode 1: Florida State Parks We Love in the Upper Keys 36:16

6M ago36:16

36:16

Subscriber-only episode Send us your Florida questions! Florida does an amazing job with state parks, and perhaps this is best showcased in the Florida Keys. In the inaugural episode, take a tour of some of Brad and Cathy's favorite state parks in the Upper Keys. State Parks to Visit in the Florida Keys • Dagny Johnson Key Largo Botanical State Par…

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Episode 134: Into the Woods: Swamp Hikes, Snakes, and Stories 43:20

6M ago43:20

43:20

Send us your Florida questions! Take a hike in the swamp! Cathy and Rick talk about hiking in Florida swamps, venomous snakes, and other things you might find as you experience Florida's wilderness. Also, Cathy talks about the time she got lost in the swamp and almost stepped on a venomous snake. Pictured is the juvenile cottonmouth from Cathy's hi…

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Episode 133: Mermaids, Manatee, and Many, Many Paddling Trips 42:23

6M ago42:23

42:23

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy talk about Florida places they want to visit in 2024. Unsurprisingly, many of the trips involve kayaking. Quick Travel Guide to St. Augustine Meehan's Irish Pub Osteen's Casa de Sueños Quick Travel Guide to West Volusia Heritage Corridor Cassadaga DeLand Memorial Hospital Museum Main Street DeLand Hont…

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Episode 132: Sanford, Arcadia, and the Disney Wilderness Preserve: Florida Places to Visit in 2024 49:44

6M ago49:44

49:44

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy talk about places they want to visit–or revisit—in 2024. Below, find guides to two not-often-visited places in Florida. Visit Sanford Visitor's Guide December's St. Lucia Festival Celery Soup—a folk life play Hollerbach's German Restaurant Pico Hotel (similar to the Tampa Bay Hotel, now University of T…

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Episode 131: Once Upon a Time in Florida 36:56

7M ago36:56

36:56

Send us your Florida questions! Jacki Levine joins Rick and Cathy today to talk about Once Upon a Time in Florida, a gorgeous coffee table book celebrating 50 years of essays about Florida. Jacki edited the book, which includes essays from Stetson Kennedy, Michael Gannon, and Rick Kilby. Links We Mentioned Once Upon a Time in Florida (with discount…

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Episode 130: Reverse Snowbirding, Hidden Springs in the Florida Keys, and Fairy Grottos 35:20

7M ago35:20

35:20

Send us your Florida questions! This week, the "Florida Spectacular" welcomes back a familiar voice — Brad Bertelli, an early and super-popular guest. Cathy, Rick and Brad talk about where to find hidden springs in the Florida Keys, an old manuscript that mentions a "fairy grotto" by Robbies, and how people are "reverse snowbirding" north of Florid…

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Episode 129: Tim Dorsey, Serge Storms, and the Florida Book Gift Guide 52:09

7M ago52:09

52:09

Send us your Florida questions! This week, Florida Spectacular hosts Cathy and Rick celebrate the work of Tim Dorsey. Dorsey created the lovable serial killer Serge Storms, who served vengeance with a side of history... or perhaps history with a side of vengeance. From there, they talk about Florida books for everyone on your holiday shopping list.…

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Episode 128: Two Thanksgivings and No Pilgrims: Florida's First Thanksgivings 44:38

7M ago44:38

44:38

Send us your Florida questions! If you thought the Pilgrims celebrated the first Thanksgiving in the present-day United States in Plymouth, well, you've been lied to. Cathy and Rick talk about the first and second Thanksgivings, both of which happened in Florida, and why the 16th-century French Huguenot Thanksgiving — celebrated in what is now Jack…

1
Episode 127: Thanksgiving, Florida Ledger Art, and Comic Books 48:05

7M ago48:05

48:05

Send us your Florida questions! This week, Cathy calls BS on Turkey Day and scholar Jeremy Carnes helps us understand the connection between art created by American Indians imprisoned at Fort Marion and the art produced by contemporary indigenous people. The trio also offers their perspective on how they attempt to respectfully observe the fourth T…

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Episode 126: Beach, Please: Beach Renourishment is Evil, Rick's Imaginary House on the Sand, and Favorite Beaches 49:16

8M ago49:16

49:16

Send us your Florida questions! Rick and Cathy talk about the evils of beach renourishment — not only why it's a no-win situation, but how great Florida beaches could look without renourishment. It's a controversial take — especially for beach property owners. Links We Mentioned Fort De Soto Canaveral National Seashore St. George Island State Park …

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Episode 125: Pee-wee Herman, Panther Puppetry, and the Big Potato 40:18

8M ago40:18

40:18

Send us your Florida questions! This week's episode welcomes Floridian David Jordan, a puppet master (not his real title, but we love to use that phrase) who wrangled the puppets on Pee-wee's Playhouse. Hear him talk about his puppetry with efforts to save the whooping crane and the Florida panther, his work with the Henson family, and his Central …

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Episode 124: Scares in the Sunshine: Robert the Doll, Ghost Tours, and Haunted Florida 59:42

8M ago59:42

59:42

Send us your Florida questions! For the final podcast of October, Rick and Cathy tell ghost stories and a few "wait, was that a ghost?" stories. Join the fun and let yourself get scared (or not so scared!) with the Florida Spectacular podcast this week! Links We Mentioned The Blair Witch Project Robert the Doll Robert the Doll by David Sloan Robert…

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Episode 123: Florida Scary - Real Things To Fear in the Sunshine State 31:40

8M ago31:40

31:40

Send us your Florida questions! Forget ghosts and ghouls, this week Rick and Cathy talk about Florida things that should scare you — like baby gators (a protective mom is near), coyotes (hide your cats!), and killer manatee (OK, that one isn't a thing.) They end on a Florida B-movie note (because happy scary season!) and talk about, of course, snak…

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Cathy Salustri Podcasts

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