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The Florida History Podcast

The Florida History Podcast

By The Florida History Podcast

A weekly look at a different fascintating topic in Florida History
Cover art photo by Derek Reese. @DR928
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Episode 251: Disney in the 1980's - The Dark Age and MGM

The Florida History Podcast Mar 19, 2024

00:00
23:30
Episode 251: Disney in the 1980's - The Dark Age and MGM

Episode 251: Disney in the 1980's - The Dark Age and MGM

Disney is a media company and Florida wants more film and television in the state - so the simple solution is for Disney to be incentivized to build a film studio as a "third gate" on its property.


However things don't go to plan as Disney itself is in a rotten period as a company.

Mar 19, 202423:30
Episode 250: EPCOT center development problems and opening

Episode 250: EPCOT center development problems and opening

EPCOT Center was a grand vision of Walt Disney. But the eventual park was not only not true to Walt's vision but dramatically scaled-down and over-budget from what had been planned in the 1970's.

We discuss the original plans, then the plan for 30 nations in the World Showcase and where it went wrong.

We also focus on Florida at the time, and how EPCOT became a grand project for the vision of 1970's and 1980's Florida - forward looking, progressive in terms of diversity and foreign commerce, futuristic and cutting-edge.

Mar 12, 202425:53
Episode 249: Disney World opens but it's not all positive

Episode 249: Disney World opens but it's not all positive

This week we discuss the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971 including the popularity of some of its original attractions like its a Small World, Carousel of Progress and Country Bear Jamboree but also discuss the environmental and traffic impact of the park which angered local residents.

Mar 05, 202421:25
Episode 248: The Florida Project

Episode 248: The Florida Project

Walt Disney's Florida Project is thrown into doubt with Walt's untimely December 1966 passing, but brother Roy Disney keep pushing toward a 1971 opening of the Magic Kingdom. But EPCOT will have to wait.

Feb 27, 202418:01
Episode 247: Walt Disney targets Florida

Episode 247: Walt Disney targets Florida

In the first episode of our new season on Florida amusement parks, we discuss the years between 1959 and 1965 when Walt Disney began looking for a site for a second Disney park, and the process to finally arrive at a Central Florida site.

Feb 20, 202423:46
TRAILER: New Podcast Season- Disney and Florida Amusement Parks

TRAILER: New Podcast Season- Disney and Florida Amusement Parks

A new season of the Florida History Podcast begins next Tuesday as we take a deep dive into the history of Walt Disney World and other amusement parks in Florida.

Feb 13, 202400:31
Episode 246: Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Florida

Episode 246: Jefferson, Madison, Monroe and Florida

We look at how the 3rd, 4th and 5th President interacted with Spanish Florida, from research Kartik Krishnaiyer conducted in writing his new book "The American Conquest of Florida."

Feb 06, 202442:23
Episode 245: Matanzas Massacre

Episode 245: Matanzas Massacre

We discuss the 1565 massacre of French protestants by the Spanish at the current site of Fort Matanzas.

Jan 30, 202416:41
Episode 244: Key West and the Civil War

Episode 244: Key West and the Civil War

Dr Angela Zombek joins us again to discuss and an area which she is working on a book related to - Key West in Civil War.


Key West was central to union war planning and the city went through many trials and tribulations during the war as most residents were confederate sympathizers in a union-held town.

Jan 23, 202421:28
Episode 243: Egmont Key

Episode 243: Egmont Key

On this episode we discuss Egmont Key with Dr Angela Zombek.


Here is Dr Zombek's written work on Egmont Key's history:


https://www.journalofthecivilwarera.org/2016/08/paradise-lost-floridas-egmont-key-civil-war/

Jan 16, 202412:32
Episode 242: Fort Brickell

Episode 242: Fort Brickell

We conclude our fort series by discussing the Spanish-American War fort that stimulated Miami's growth.

Jan 09, 202410:35
Episode 241: Fort Myers and the Third Seminole War

Episode 241: Fort Myers and the Third Seminole War

We discuss Fort Myers, the Third Seminole War and the unconquered Seminoles that survived FIVE attempts by the United States to conquer them or drive them west.

Jan 02, 202415:38
Episode 240: Fort King and the Second Seminole War

Episode 240: Fort King and the Second Seminole War

We discuss Fort King in Marion County and its role in the Second Seminole War.

Dec 26, 202324:08
Episode 239: Fort Gadsden

Episode 239: Fort Gadsden

Continuing our fort series we discuss Fort Gadsden" also know as the negro fort which was built by the British in 1812 and was the scene of the Americans slaughtering runaway African-Americans and Seminole during the First Seminole War.

Dec 19, 202322:14
Episode 238: Fort Jefferson and protecting the Florida Keys

Episode 238: Fort Jefferson and protecting the Florida Keys

Ryan Ray joins us to discuss Fort Jefferson, the latest stop on our tour of Florida forts.
Dec 12, 202319:50
Episode 237: Fort Taylor and the Civil War

Episode 237: Fort Taylor and the Civil War

Dr. Angela Zombek of UNC-Wilmington, who is one of the foremost experts on Florida and the Civil War joins us to discuss the pivotal role that Key West's Fort Taylor played in Union war planning at the very highest levels and in the Civil War in general.

Dec 05, 202311:56
Episode 236: Fort Taylor

Episode 236: Fort Taylor

We discuss Key West's Fort Taylor.
Nov 28, 202309:04
Episode 235: Santa Rosa Island Fortifications

Episode 235: Santa Rosa Island Fortifications

We discuss the batteries around Santa Rosa Island protecting Pensacola Bay

Nov 21, 202312:41
Episode 234: Fort Pickens

Episode 234: Fort Pickens

Pensacola's Fort Pickens was one of the key sites in the start of the Civil War.

Nov 14, 202311:08
Episode 233: Fort Barrancas

Episode 233: Fort Barrancas

We discuss Pensacola's Civil War era Fort Barrancas.

Nov 07, 202311:58
Episode 232: The Panhandle and why it's different - a historical overview of West Florida

Episode 232: The Panhandle and why it's different - a historical overview of West Florida

Before we move to West Florida in our ongoing series of Forts we discuss why West Florida developed differently than East Florida during colonial times and how that led to long-term the Panhandle being different than the entire peninsula as well as the big bend region.

Oct 31, 202301:05:20
Episode 231: La Florida -Part 2

Episode 231: La Florida -Part 2

On this week's Florida History Podcast we dive deep into discussions around Colonial Florida when we talk to Kevin Kokomoor about his new book La Florida.

This is part 2 of a two-part conversation about the book which puts Florida, and its founding as well as its development at the heart of the origin stories about the United States

Oct 24, 202332:20
Episode 230: A chat about La Florida with author Kevin Kokomoor - Part 1

Episode 230: A chat about La Florida with author Kevin Kokomoor - Part 1

On this week's Florida History Podcast we dive deep into discussions around Colonial Florida when we talk to Kevin Kokomoor about his new book La Florida.

This is part 1 of a two-part conversation about the book which puts Florida, and its founding as well as its development at the heart of the origin stories about the United States

Oct 17, 202323:45
Episode 229: Fort Clinch

Episode 229: Fort Clinch

This week we discuss Fort Clinch, a masonry fort in Fernandina Beach that was built in the mid 1800's.

Oct 10, 202311:48
Episode 228: Fort San Carlos

Episode 228: Fort San Carlos

We discuss the history of Fort San Carlos which once protected Fernandina Beach.

Oct 03, 202317:32
Episode 227: Fort Matanzas

Episode 227: Fort Matanzas

We discuss Fort Matanzas which is located about 18 miles south of St Augustine.

Sep 26, 202316:21
Episode 226: Fort Mose

Episode 226: Fort Mose

We discuss Fort Mose, which beyond being a defensive fort around St Augustine was the first free African-American settlement in what is now the USA.

Sep 19, 202322:27
Episode 225: The Castillo de San Marcos and defending St Augustine

Episode 225: The Castillo de San Marcos and defending St Augustine

In our second episode of our series on Florida forts we discuss the Castillo de San Marcos and defending Spanish St Augustine of the colonial period.

Sep 12, 202321:22
Episode 224: Fort Caroline

Episode 224: Fort Caroline

We kick off our series on Florida forts with Fort Caroline which is now a National Monument in Duval County.

Sep 05, 202313:47
Kartik's new book: Florida and the American Revolution

Kartik's new book: Florida and the American Revolution

Kartik's new book Florida and the American Revolution is now for sale at Amazon.com!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CGZ87YN4

Sep 04, 202302:05
Trailer: Florida's Forts

Trailer: Florida's Forts

Season 10 of the Florida History Podcast will focus on forts across the state.
Aug 29, 202301:46
Episode 223: Connecting Colonial Florida with today

Episode 223: Connecting Colonial Florida with today

Ryan Ray and Kartik Krishnaiyer discuss how Florida became the most American of places despite a rich colonial history that was unlike the rest of North America.
Aug 22, 202351:00
Episode 222: Kartik on Beyond Politics discussing Florida

Episode 222: Kartik on Beyond Politics discussing Florida

We take a week off from history to replay Kartik's recent appearance on the Beyond Politics podcast discussing Ron DeSantis reset and why Donald Trump is (at the time of this podcast) cruising to renomination by the GOP.


We'll return to history discussions next week.

Aug 15, 202326:54
Episode 221: Talking Climate Action with a former GOP Congressman

Episode 221: Talking Climate Action with a former GOP Congressman

We divert from history this week to talk Climate Action and policy solutions with former Congressman Bob Inglis (R-SC) who runs an organization that is seeking to facilitate free market solutions to the Climate Change crisis. He's focusing heavily, as you would expect on Florida.

Aug 08, 202325:09
Episode 220: Robert Buccellato discusses his sequel to Rum Runners and Moonshiners of Old Florida

Episode 220: Robert Buccellato discusses his sequel to Rum Runners and Moonshiners of Old Florida

On August 4, Robert Buccellato's sequel to Rum Runners and Moonshiners of Old Florida will be released. We discuss why a second book which focuses more on south Florida and other issues related to prohibition and the depression era in Florida.



Aug 01, 202313:45
Episode 219: Kartik Krishnaiyer discusses his new book

Episode 219: Kartik Krishnaiyer discusses his new book

In Episode 219 Kartik Krishnaiyer discusses his new book which dives into Florida's interactions with the British in the pre Revolutionary War period. Included in this discussion is the critical role runaway slaves played in Florida making the colony fundamentally different in the colonial period than the rest of North America. Krishnaiyer also discusses the cosmopolitan aspect of St Augustine when compared to other North American cities of the 1600's and 1700's.

Jul 25, 202324:49
Episode 218: The Battles of the Loxahatchee River

Episode 218: The Battles of the Loxahatchee River

Josh Liller joins us once again this week, this time to discuss the 1838 Battles of the Loxahatchee River, the last traditional set piece battles of the Second Seminole War.

Jul 18, 202313:02
Episode 217: History of the Jupiter Lighthouse and Jupiter Inlet

Episode 217: History of the Jupiter Lighthouse and Jupiter Inlet

We're joined by Josh Liller the Historian and Collections Manager for the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum to discuss the Jupiter Lighthouse and its unique history as well as the role General George Meade played in its construction, the history of World War II operations in the area and the historic museum and exhibits on the ground.

Jul 11, 202324:24
Kartik's New Book: Florida and the British before the American Revolution

Kartik's New Book: Florida and the British before the American Revolution

Check out Kartik Krishnaiyer's new book which is available for Kindle or in Paperback on Amazon today!

Jul 09, 202300:49
Episode 216: Fort Jefferson

Episode 216: Fort Jefferson

Ryan Ray joins us to discuss one of the most unique and important locations in Florida- Fort Jefferson and Dry Tortugas National Park.

Jul 04, 202318:48
Episode 215: Jackson governs Florida and series loose ends

Episode 215: Jackson governs Florida and series loose ends

We discuss Florida's cession to the United States, Jackson as territorial governor and other loose ends.

Jun 27, 202316:24
Episode 214: Diplomacy and controversy around Jackson's Invasion

Episode 214: Diplomacy and controversy around Jackson's Invasion

The Monroe Administration is split on Jackson's invasion of Florida. Some like John C. Calhoun despite being proponents of slavery are concerned about the reaction from the British and the Spanish. But an unlikely source comes to Jackson's rescue.

Jun 20, 202313:22
Episode 213: Andrew Jackson invades Florida

Episode 213: Andrew Jackson invades Florida

We get into the heart of the Jackson conquest of Florida. Illegal encroachment on Spanish-held territory and racially-motivated brutality against runaway slaves as well as Seminole people characterize this period. We also discuss the influence of Britain on the conflict and their relationship with the native people of Florida and Georgia.

Jun 13, 202339:49
Episode 212: Jackson encroaches into Florida in 1814

Episode 212: Jackson encroaches into Florida in 1814

The Spanish had invited the British to garrison troops in Pensacola in 1814. Meanwhile Andrew Jackson is fighting Creek Native Americans in Georgia and pursues them into Florida illegally. Britain and the US are in a declared war. You can guess what happens next. Jackson defeats the British and Spanish in Pensacola and begins his five year conquest of what remains of Spanish Florida.

Jun 06, 202322:32
Episode 211: The US eyes conquering East Florida

Episode 211: The US eyes conquering East Florida

In 1812 the Madison Administration tacitly backed a hostile rebellion in East Florida.

May 30, 202322:53
Episode 210: Rebellion in West Florida, US annexation

Episode 210: Rebellion in West Florida, US annexation

We discuss the short-lived Republic of West Florida and the US annexation of areas of Florida west of the Perdido River. These locales are now in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

May 23, 202311:01
Episode 209: Florida and Louisiana Purchase

Episode 209: Florida and Louisiana Purchase

In the second episode of our series on Andrew Jackson and the Conquest of Florida, we discuss The Louisiana Purchase and how it impacted Florida. US negotiators were more interested in acquiring Florida than the vast wilderness of the west at the time.

May 16, 202311:40
Episode 208: Andrew Jackson steals Florida - Overview

Episode 208: Andrew Jackson steals Florida - Overview

On our first pod of a new series, we discuss why the United States was so committed to stealing Florida from Spain in the early 1800's. We cover the period from the Revolution until the 1820's in this series and discuss the broader themes we will explore in future pods in this episode.

May 09, 202324:30
Episde 207: Kartik on Beyond Politics talking Florida since 2000 Part 2

Episde 207: Kartik on Beyond Politics talking Florida since 2000 Part 2

Part 2 of the Beyond Politics discussion we started last week.

May 02, 202326:39
Episode 206: Kartik on Beyond Politics talking recent Florida History (Part 1)

Episode 206: Kartik on Beyond Politics talking recent Florida History (Part 1)

For the next two weeks we're going to play part one and part two of Kartik's recent appearance on the Beyond Politics podcast discussing Florida's evolution from progressive state in the 1970's, to neoliberal/DLC state in the 1980's and 1990's to competitive leans conservative state in the 2000's to Tea Party state in the 2010's and MAGA Central in the 2020's.

Apr 25, 202317:19