The Polk Experience

CF Wheels of Steel brings the best in custom motorcycles to the RP Funding Center

Central Florida Wheels of Steel brings the best in custom motorcycles to the RP Funding Center for a one-of-a-kind indoor event. 

We speak with Wheels of Steel Chairman Lt. Tony Allaire of the Polk County Sheriff's Office and co-chair Jason Hallman, owner of Cycle Stop USA, about the event that benefits the Early Learning Coalition of Polk County.  

Dan Chesnicka talks Theatre Winter Haven, Disney and the genius behind Hitch Critters

How does a business major from UMass Amherst wind up running Theatre Winter Haven? 

Come along with us as we learn about Dan's journey from college diver to Disney whiz kid to garage inventor and, finally, taking the helm of one of nationally acclaimed Theatre Winter Haven.  

What does the RP Funding Center mean to Lakeland?

We talk with Tony Camarillo, the director of Lakeland's RP Funding Center, about how the coronavirus has affected Central Florida's multipurpose entertainment complex and what we can expect in the near future.

In the future, Rob Sitz will teach the master class on pandemics and RussMatt baseball

In the span of 24 hours, the Coronavirus pandemic shut down the United States. 

For Rob Sitz, the president of RussMatt Baseball, it meant pivoting during one of the nation's largest collegiate baseball tournaments. 

Rob also shared his journey from being a player and, later, the pitching coach at Rollins College to being part of the multifaceted company, DS Sport Ventures. 

Stepping into the Fire with Clay Roberts and Donnie Smith

Without a doubt, the fastest growing sport in Polk County is soccer. The man at the helm of two pro teams, as well as the Southeastern University men’s program, is Florida Southern grad Clay Roberts. We speak to him, and SEU Sports Information Director Donnie Smith, about sports in the Coronavirus era, the upcoming season and one of the best fan bases in Central Florida.

Capturing History -- LB Brown House and Historic Pughsville

We take a detour from our usual podcasts to capture some Polk County history. 

LB Brown went from slave to prominent businessman. The home he built in Bartow, Florida, stands today as a memorial to the human spirit, thanks to the contributions of Clifton Lewis.

Just minutes away in Winter Haven is the historic town of Pughsville. Russell Burney strives to keep the memory of his hometown alive for future generations. We talk Pughsville, Winter Haven, Cypress Gardens and the Boston Red Sox.

A conversation with Geert D'hollander and Erica Smith from Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower Gardens is the jewel of Polk County, and at its core is the tower's carillon, surely the largest instrument in the state. Today we chat with world renowned musician and composer Geert D'hollander, Bok's carillon, as well as Erica Smith, the marketing and business development director about carillons, the history and legacy of Bok, and Patricia from Scotland. 

Remembering NFL, Florida A&M and Union Academy legend Ken Riley

NFL and Florida A&M great Ken Riley, whose 65 interceptions is fifth on the all-time list, recently passed away at his home in Bartow. 

In the first segment, we speak with his brother-in-law, Elijah Armstrong, and his lifelong friend, Bartow City Commissioner Leo Longworth, about Ken's legacy.

Longtime NFL sports writer Pat Zier joins us in the second segment to talk about Riley's NFL career, his demeanor on the field, and why he has yet to have a bust in Canton, Ohio. 

Crazy Fish, Harry's Old Place and Ovations

First, we visit with the owners of Crazy Fish in Lake Wales and Harry's Old Place in Winter Haven, Dwayne McQuillen and Matt Brock, two of the best eateries in the area, to discuss fish, friends, asking Tom Brady to dinner and COVID-19.

After that, we chat with Joel Rodriguez, one half of the Ovations ownership team. With restaurants in Davenport, Winter Haven and Lakeland, the community-minded Rodriguez brothers have mixed their love of family with their love of upscale barbecue. 

An interview with Drew Watson, the athletic director for Southeastern University

Drew Watson may have come to Southeastern University in Lakeland to be the NAIA college's head women's basketball coach, but in less than a decade has turned the school into a perennial national powerhouse. Interviewed by sports tourism innovator Kevin Smith, CSEE and journalism veteran Jack Cormier, Drew offers his insights on coaching, the future of sports and college life in the age of COVID-19, and shares his favorite moments at the helm of the SEU Fire.