The Orlando Sentinel’s combat sports reporter Jay Reddick talks with wrestler Mike Parrow about his journey becoming a professional wrestler and how he found the strength to come out as gay. He wears the number 49 on his wrestling gear to remember the victims of the Pulse tragedy. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podcast and all our Orl ...…

Orlando Sentinel reporter Dewayne Bevil talks with the "buyer of stuff" for Ripley Entertainment. Edward Meyer is vice president of exhibits and archives for the Orlando-based company and after 40 years is set to retire next week. But before he goes, he's giving us an insider's look at his biggest purchase, the movie that changed Ripley's colle ...…

The murder of Christina Grimmie in Orlando, FL, shocked the world. In the coming weeks, the Orlando Sentinel will take you behind the police tape in one of Orlando’s most shocking killings, which happened during perhaps the darkest weekend in the history of the City Beautiful. The first episode of a five-part podcast series entitled Christina G ...…

Orlando Sentinel reporter Michael Williams talks with two trailblazers at the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. Deputy Michelle Sayers is the first female SWAT deputy and Chief Deputy Martha Gens is the highest ranked female in the history of the sheriff’s office. They discuss challenges they face in their male-dominated field, being role models ...…

Orlando Sentinel reporter Kate Santich talks with Steven Arauz, who decided to become a foster dad when he was 26 and single, and Glen Casel, CEO of the nonprofit Community Based Care of Central Florida, who is leading the effort to recruit single parents and same-sex couples to fill a critical need for foster homes. SHOW NOTES: For more inform ...…

Orlando Sentinel reporter Steve Hudak talks with Mike Orlando, of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, about efforts to ensure people and bears coexist safely. They discuss bears in SUVs, bluff charges, the impact of "bear-wise" communities and if there are plans for another bear hunt. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podc ...…

Orlando Sentinel health reporter Naseem Miller talks with Dr. Mark Socinski, the executive medical director of the Florida Hospital Cancer Institute, about immunotherapy and what these groundbreaking drugs mean in the battle against cancer. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podcast and all our Orlando Sentinel Conversation podcasts go to ...…

Orlando Sentinel TV writer Hal Boedeker talks with Maitland author James Ponti about winning big at 'murder prom' with Edgar Award, giving back to the Central Florida community, what’s next for character Florian Bates and other books on the horizon. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podcast and all our Orlando Sentinel Conversation podca ...…

Stefano Steenbakkers Betancourt was 17 when he was murdered in an attempted carjacking in Dorado, Puerto Rico. For the past five years, his mother, Zorimar Betancourt, has been on a mission to reunite with the five people who received Stefano’s organs. That journey brought her to Central Florida to find the fifth, and final recipient, who recei ...…

Orlando Sentinel theater critic Matt Palm talks with comedian Rauce Padgett of "Swanlando" fame, who will be hosting one of the more than 100 shows featured at the Orlando Fringe Festival, and Fringe marketing guru Brian Sikorski about Central Florida’s biggest theater event of the year. By the end of this podcast you will be Fringing like a pr ...…

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil talks about the making of Toy Story Land with Disney mastermind Kathy Mangum and Robb Alvey of Theme Park Review. This one goes to California and back and features Slinky Dog talk. Stay tuned to the end for pro tips on how to get the most out of your visit to all the Disney parks. SHOW NOTES: F ...…

The Parkland shooting in South Florida spurred many to act. Among them are two Central Floridians — a parent and an administrator — looking for solutions to keep students safe on school campuses. Orlando Sentinel education reporter Leslie Postal talks with Mike Armbruster, an associate superintendent with Orange County schools, and Stacie Arche ...…

Orlando Sentinel theme park reporter Dewayne Bevil chats with Joe Rohde, mastermind of Disney’s Animal Kingdom. The famed Imagineer with the iconic earring talks about how Disney made the jump from the Magic Kingdom to Animal Kingdom, why Pandora – The World of Avatar, a movie about an alien planet, fits into a park focused on the natural, his ...…

Orlando Sentinel television reporter Hal Boedeker talks with UCF sophomore Hannah Sage about her time on ‘Jeopardy! College Championship. Hannah offers a behind-the-scenes look at her experience, praises the UCF community for its support, talks about how she plans to spend her winnings and shares who surprised her with a congratulatory phone ca ...…

Orlando Sentinel reporter Trevor Fraser and Julian Chambliss, a history professor at Rollins College, geek out about all things Marvel. Try to keep up as they discuss (10:13) what character might meet their end in "Avengers: Infinity War," (13:24) possible titles for part 2 that will instill fear, (15:44) did superhero movies make the stars or ...…

13 actresses unite in performance to fight gun violence (Ep. 20) Lauren Gunderson, the most produced playwright in America, is making her new play “Natural Shocks” available for readings on April 20, the 19th anniversary of Columbine and the day of the National School Walkout. Orlando Sentinel theater critic Matthew Palm talks with local actor ...…

Orlando Sentinel journalist Kayla O’Brien talks with Luther Davis, a physics and astronomy teacher at Lake Mary High School, about his 180-mile journey following the path of a raindrop from Sanford to Jacksonville by hiking, kayaking and swimming along the St. Johns River. Davis describes his harrowing encounters, his experience being a human p ...…

Orlando Sentinel reporter Hal Boedeker continues his talk with Daniel Dennis and Tom Vann of “A Mediocre Time With Tom and Dan” in advance of the premiere of a documentary about them at the Florida Film Festival. They discuss Dan’s angelic singing voice (2:15), the duo’s victory over Real Radio (8:08), their surprisingly inspiring story (10:23) ...…

Orlando Sentinel reporter Hal Boedeker talks with Daniel Dennis and Tom Vann of “A Mediocre Time With Tom and Dan” in advance of the premiere of a documentary about them at the Florida Film Festival. They discuss the making of the film (2:16), their hobby that turned into a career (13:04), the “fake” email that spurred their move out of terrest ...…

Valencia College hopes to shed some light on the transgender community with their production “Transition.” The Sentinel’s theater writer Matt Palm talks with John DiDonna, Valencia’s theater department chair, and Adrian Griffey, whose story of transitioning from woman to a man is highlighted in the play. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this ...…

The Orlando Magic have jumped into the esports world, creating the Magic Gaming esports franchise. They are one of 17 teams in the NBA 2K esports league – a league made up of video-game playing athletes. And much like their professional sports counterparts, they are preparing for a draft. The Sentinel’s Marco Santana discusses Magic Gaming’s go ...…

With Noor Salman's jury set to deliberate her fate, the Orlando Sentinel's Jeff Weiner breaks down the case with reporters Gal Tziperman Lotan and Krista Torralva, who have been covering the trial of the Pulse shooter's widow. They discuss key elements from both the defense and prosecution. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podcast and a ...…

In the days after Hurricane Maria ravaged their island, Orlando might have sounded like the Promised Land for Puerto Ricans — there was help waiting at the airport, an availability of FEMA housing vouchers and even schools eager to enroll displaced children. Six months later, however, many Puerto Ricans are still struggling. Orlando Sentinel Re ...…

Orlando Sentinel food writer Lauren Delgado talks with Lordfer Lalicon, one of the owners and chefs at the nine-seat sushi & sake bar located in Orlando’s Audubon Park. Then find out which restaurants won the top awards in the Orlando Sentinel’s 20th Annual Foodie Awards. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podcast and all our Orlando Sent ...…

Chefs and restaurants owners say the #MeToo movement and gender debates across the nation have begun to transform the restaurant industry. The Sentinel’s Kyle Arnold talks with The Rusty Spoon’s Kathleen Blake and Tapa Toro’s Wendy Lopez about how they are working to create a more inclusive culture in Central Florida. (Taped March 9) SHOW NOTES ...…

Orlando Sentinel journalist Rich Pope talks with top-ranked esports gamer Juan DeBiedma — also known as Hungrybox — about how a Jigglypuff explosion charted his career course, his Super Smash Bros. Melee god status and those gunning for him, and his recently obtained U.S. citizenship. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podcast and all our ...…

Nearly two years after 49 people were killed at Pulse nightclub, the trial of Noor Salman, the widow of the shooter, is set to begin. Orlando Sentinel reporter Jeff Weiner breaks down the case with reporters Gal Tziperman Lotan, who is covering the trial, and Kate Santich, who has written extensively about the victims and relatives of those kil ...…

Orlando Sentinel reporter Jay Reddick chats with featherweight Josh Emmett ahead of his UFC Fight Night main event bout against Jeremy Stephens. They discuss airboat tours, trash talking and his strategy to bring home the victory. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podcast and all our Orlando Sentinel Conversation podcasts go to OrlandoSe ...…

Orlando Sentinel reporter Naseem Miller talks with Dr. Marc Levy, a local pediatric surgeon, who has made it his mission to find middle ground while exploring solutions to stop firearm violence. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podcast and all our Orlando Sentinel Conversation podcasts go to OrlandoSentinel.com/Conversations.…

Orlando Sentinel food reporter Lauren Delgado talks with Culinary Hall of Fame honorees Trina Gregory-Propst of Se7en Bites and blogger Scott Joseph about (9:28) fond Orlando food memories; (17:10) Disney’s impact on the dining scene; (23:30) and trends they are happy to see fade. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podcast and all our Orl ...…

Orlando Sentinel reporter Trevor Fraser talks with Julian Chambliss, a professor of urban history and pop culture at Rollins College, about the importance of the movie "Black Panther" to the black community; (5:05) Orange County Black Voice raising money to send kids to the film; (9:07) “Blade” – the first time a black super hero had his own mo ...…

Orlando Sentinel Managing Editor John Cutter talks with Craig Pittman, author of “Oh, Florida! How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country,” about why some see Florida as a punchline and others paradise. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podcast and all our Orlando Sentinel Conversation podcasts go to OrlandoSentinel. ...…

Orlando Sentinel space reporter Marco Santana talks with Dale Ketcham, Space Florida’s Chief of Strategic Alliances, and Dr. Addie Dove, a UCF physics professor, about the SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch, Elon Musk’s love of spectacle and Teslas and disco balls in space. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podcast and all our Orlando Sentinel C ...…

The Orlando Sentinel's Kate Santich talks with the 2017 Central Floridian of the Year Dave Green about how he is reinventing the way we battle hunger. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podcast and all our Orlando Sentinel Conversation podcasts go to OrlandoSentinel.com/Conversations.

Orlando Sentinel's Scott Maxwell talks with documentarian Charlie Minn on why he felt compelled to make a film about the Pulse nightclub massacre. SHOW NOTES: For more information on this podcast and all our Orlando Sentinel Conversation podcasts go to OrlandoSentinel.com/Conversations.