Does Habitat for Humanity really give away free homes? | Mike Sutton, CEO
I sat down with Mike Sutton, President and CEO of Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside, which serves Pinellas, Pasco, and Hernando counties. Mike has led the organization since 2014 and was recently named one of the Tampa Bay Business Journal's most admired CEOs.We talk about the biggest misconceptions of Habitat, how 0% interest mortgages work, and what it actually takes to qualify for a home. We get into the affordability crisis in St. Pete, MacKenzie Scott's $12 million gift, why permitting slows everything down, that there have been only 7 foreclosures out of 1,100 homes, how to volunteer, and whether Mike can still swing a hammer.Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe and follow @caltalkpod for more conversations with the people shaping our community.
10 Sept 2026
Jeff Gigante | Restaurateur | Forbici, Sundial, Pizza Reviews & A Career in Hospitality | Ep. 11
I sat down with entrepreneur and restaurateur Jeff Gigante; founder of Next Level Brands, whose portfolio includes Forbici and Boulon. We talk about his 25+ years in hospitality, what it takes to open a restaurant and his journey back to St Pete. We get into the opening of Forbici St. Pete, revitalizing the Sundial, the best food cities, Portnoy’s pizza reviews, his philanthropic efforts across Tampa Bay and what he cooks on a night off.Watch the full episode on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Subscribe and follow @caltalkpod for more conversations with the people shaping our community.
19 Aug 2026
Richie Floyd | St. Pete City Council | Democratic Socialism & St. Pete Politics | Ep. 10
I sat down with St. Pete City Council Member Richie Floyd for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of St. Pete and his views of key issues shaping the city.We discuss democratic socialism, including what it means and the influence of political figures like Zohran Mamdani and Bernie Sanders. Floyd also shares his perspective on capitalism, affordability, housing, development, and public transportation.The conversation also covers several major local issues, including the Gas Plant District redevelopment, Flock cameras, Duke Energy, utility bills, and what Floyd's ideal St. Pete would look like in the future.
7 Aug 2026
Rays Pitcher Ryan Pepiot | Road to the Show, St Pete Spots, Gameday Routines | Cal Talk Ep. 9
🎙️ Episode 9 | Ryan Pepiot | Rays Pitcher, St Pete Aficionado I sat down with Ryan to talk about his road to the MLB, pregame routines and all things St Pete. Ryan grew up as a 3-sport athlete in Indiana, attended Butler, before being drafted by the LA Dodgers. We cover his time at Butler, in the Cape Cod League, the minors, his first MLB start and his trade to the Rays. We discuss what life is like as a pro athlete, superstitions and the importance of an Intermezzo coffee on gameday. On a personal note; it was awesome to hear Ryan's engagement with St Pete (drop restaurant recs for him in the comments) including a ton of charitable work; alongside great organizations like Gigi's Playhouse. As always, please subscribe to Cal Talk on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and follow @caltalkpod on Instagram and Facebook for new episodes, clips, and updates.
21 Jul 2026
Brandi Gabbard | St. Pete City Councilmember & Mayoral Candidate | Cal Talk Ep. 8
🎙️ Episode 8 | Brandi Gabbard | St. Pete City Councilmember & Mayoral CandidateIn this episode of Cal Talk, I sit down with St. Petersburg City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Brandi Gabbard.We discuss Brandi's decision to run for mayor, the priorities shaping her campaign, and her vision for the future of St. Petersburg. Our conversation covers affordability, infrastructure, hurricane resilience, Duke Energy, the redevelopment of the Historic Gas Plant District, and why she previously endorsed Mayor Ken Welch before deciding to challenge him in this year's race.We also talk about urban agriculture and summer gardening in Florida. As always, please subscribe to Cal Talk on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts, and follow @caltalkpod on Instagram and Facebook for new episodes, clips, and updates.
14 Jul 2026
St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch on the Gas Plant, Hurricanes & Reelection | Ep. 7
I sat down with St. Pete Mayor Ken Welch to discuss his first term as Mayor and his reelection campaign. Our discussion covers: • A history of the Gas Plant District• His selection of Blake Investment Partners to lead the Gas Plant redevelopment • The Rays decision to leave Tropicana • The Welch Administration's response to Helene and Milton • Duke Energy and the "Dump Duke" Campaign• Water bills and smart-metering• The upcoming General Obligation Bond referendum• Property Taxes • Some of his favorite St Pete food spots Subscribe to Cal Talk on YouTube, Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and follow @caltalkpod on Instagram and Facebook.
30 Jun 2026
Charlie Crist | St Pete Mayoral Candidate | Former FL Governor
🎙️ Episode 6
I sat down with Charlie Christ, candidate for St Pete Mayor and former FL Governor.
We covered:
• The Pillars of Charlie’s Platform: Affordability, Executive Leadership, Hurricane Preparedness, Education and Smart Economic Development
• Key Issues including the Rays, Gas Plant, Duke Energy and the Kanye Concert
• Stories from his time in the Governor’s Office
Charlie was a little time constrained because of an upcoming debate, so we’ll continue the conversation in the future.
As always, feedback much appreciated!
#CalTalk #StPete #StPeteMayorsRace #Pinellas #PinellasCounty#GasPlant #Duke #Rays #charliecrist #Caltalkpod
For more information on Charlie visit: https://charliecrist.com/
15 Jun 2026
Mike Harting | St Pete City Council | Founder, 3 Daughters Brewing | Ep 5
🎙️🎙️ Episode 5 | Mike Harting | St Pete City Council | Founder 3 Daughters BrewingI sit down with Mike who was candid in sharing his thoughts on key St Pete issues and his path to building 3 Daughters BrewingOur discussions covered:- Duke Energy- Gas Plant- Hurricane Rebuilding- Pickleball Complaints- Founding and Building 3 Daughters- Changing Alcohol TrendsFeedback appreciated! #Caltalk #Pinellas #PinellasPodcast #StPete #Duke
2 Jun 2026
Rick Baker | Former St Pete Mayor | Ep 4
In this episode of Cal Talk, I sit down with Rick Baker, who served as the Mayor of St Pete from 2001-2010; helping to lead the city's transformation during a pivotal decade of growth.
In our conversation, we discuss Rick's path to the Mayor's office, the St Pete Grand Prix and his vision for the future of the Gas Plant through his St. Pete Commons proposal. We also talk about what he's been working on since leaving office and his involvement with the upcoming miniseries adaptation of A Land Remembered.
For more on Rick's St Pete Commons Proposal: https://stpetecatalyst.com/an-open-letter-to-st-petersburg-city-council-on-the-trop-site-redevelopment/ (St Pete Commons Proposal)
Books Referenced and Recommended:
A Land Remembered: https://www.amazon.com/Land-Remembered-Patrick-D-Smith/dp/0910923124 (https://www.amazon.com/Land-Remembered-Patrick-D-Smith/dp/0910923124)
A Seamless City: https://www.amazon.com/Seamless-City-Conservative-Approach-Revitalization-ebook/dp/B004S6UWOG?ref_=ast_author_mpb (https://www.amazon.com/Seamless-City-Conservative-Approach-Revitalization-ebook/dp/B004S6UWOG?ref_=ast_author_mpb)Beyond the Sunshine: A Timeline of Florida's Past: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Sunshine-Timeline-Floridas-Past-ebook/dp/B07GX6C545?ref_=ast_author_dp&th=1&psc=1
22 May 2026
Maria Scruggs | St Pete Mayoral Candidate | Ep 3
Maria Scruggs joins Cal Talk to describe her platform for mayor of St. Petersburg. We discuss her plans for rebuilding the culture of the Mayor's office, Gas Plant redevelopment, economic clusters and public safety. We talk about her time as President of the St Pete NAACP and founding the Childs Park Youth Initiative.
For more information about Maria Scruggs, visit www.mariaformayor.com
14 May 2026
Kevin Batdorf | St Pete Mayoral Candidate | Ep 2
Kevin Batdorf joins Cal Talk to lay out his platform for mayor of St. Petersburg. We discuss his plans for the Gas Plant redevelopment, disaster preparedness, and public safety, along with his work in Shore Acres following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Kevin also shares what it was like growing up in St. Pete and how he plans to compete in a crowded mayoral race.
For more information about Kevin Batdorf, visit batdorf4mayor.com
5 May 2026
Jim Large | St Pete Mayoral Candidate
Out of the fire and into the Mayor's office?
Former St Pete Fire Chief Jim Large joins Cal Talk to lay out his St Pete Mayoral campaign platform - focused on infrastructure, disaster preparedness and public safety. We dig into his background, priorities, and how he plans to compete in one of the most closely watched local races.
17 Apr 2026
Introducing Cal Talk
Introducing Cal Talk
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