The Gator Nation News Guide to 40 Florida Podcasts
Gator athletics. Career conversations. The student murders, 30 years later. Even a tiny tech talk just one minute long. Podcasts aplenty are popping up at UF. We’ve compiled 40 of the latest productions, so browse by interest area and then listen up to be inspired, trained, educated and entertained.
If you are among the 50% of Americans who listen to multiple podcasts per week, you know how engaging this on-demand digital audio format can be. And who better than our innovative UF departments, units and alumni groups to create podcasts with up-to-date, meaningful content?
Organized by general topic, here are 40 recent UF podcasts to enjoy while you’re driving cross-country on vacation, running on the treadmill or folding laundry. Follow the links to listen on Spotify, Stitcher, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and more.
Sports
Gator Tales: This official weekly podcast brings you exclusive access to the Florida Gators, with interviews and analysis from those inside the athletic program. Hosted by Adam Schick (BSTEL ’10), Gator Tales features appearances by FloridaGators.com writers, current and former student-athletes, coaches and more. The podcast drops each Thursday during the athletic season. Average episode: 30-45 min.
Voices from the Field: Join hosts Brian Avery and Shelley Lyle (BA ’08, MS ’19), with UF’s Department of Sport Management as they share the career journeys of sport industry professionals, including coaches, athletes, athletic directors and executives. Now in its second season, the podcast has interviewed notables such as NFL wide receiver Bennie Fowler; NBA VP of International Operations Greg Stolt; and Justin Su’a, head of mental performance for the Tampa Bay Rays. Average episode: 45 min.
Health
CWC Talks: The College Mental Health Podcast: This weekly podcast is devoted to “honest conversations about mental health and wellness, in college and beyond.” Topics explored range from racism to managing panic attacks to developing resources for hard times. Recent episodes: “Counseling Black Men,” “Strategies for Reducing Anxiety” and “Staying Connected in Close Relationships.” The series is produced by the UF Counseling and Wellness Center. Average episode: 50 min.
From the Front Lines: This 45-episode WUFT podcast provided crucial updates on Florida’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, with a particular focus on North Central Florida, from March through Aug. 2020. Topics include COVID-19 and frontline workers, teachers and schoolchildren, and what the future holds with the virus. The show was hosted by Ryan Vasquez (BSTEL ’06), WUFT multimedia news manager. Average episode: 20-30 min.
Health in a Heartbeat: This daily radio series from UF Health provides consumer health information and the latest medical research news in an easily digestible 2-minute format. Think of it as “news you can use” that has been rigorously vetted by UF Health physicians, UF researchers and medical editors. It now airs on public radio stations in more than 55 markets nationwide.
MedEd Cast: Aimed at medical professionals, this UF Health podcast provides engaging insight on today’s trending health care topics. Physicians can earn Continuing Medical Education credits while learning about clinical issues and research advances from experts at UF Health Shands Hospital. And even if you’re not an MD, you can bone up on the latest information about cardiovascular disease in women, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, epilepsy in infants and more. Average episode: 20 min.
PRICE of Pain: Starting June 30, this conversation-style podcast from the UF Pain Research and Intervention Center of Excellence (PRICE) will educate listeners about pain research at UF and breakthroughs in the field. The project is the brainchild of postdoc fellow Joshua Crow (MS ’11, PHD ’19), who interviews scientists, health care providers and industry professionals. “Despite affecting everyone at some point in life, very few people outside of academia are even aware that pain is specifically researched,” says Crow.
UF CARE Podcast: Produced by the Center for Addiction Research & Education, the UF CARE podcast highlights issues related to addiction and addiction research. Host Dr. Oliver Grundmann interviews CARE members and affiliate members on topics related to addiction, including pharmacology, psychology, epidemiology and more.
Check out the 12+ installments
Animal Care
Animal Airwaves: Experts from UF Veterinary Hospitals share advice on animal health through a Saturday call-in radio show, hosted by Dana Hill (BSBA ’88) of WUFT-FM, as well as one-minute spots that run three times daily on the station. Visit the podcast archives to learn about “The Whys and Hows of Tooth Loss in Cats,” the growing field of veterinary forensics, shelter medicine, and more.
PreVet PawsCast: Know someone who’s thinking of becoming a veterinarian? They will want to tune into this regular “pawscast” from the UF College of Veterinary Medicine Admissions, which provides tips, tricks and tales on applying to vet school and choosing a specialty. The three seasons’ episodes include “A Different Side of Shelter Med,” “Holy Cow: Exploring Food Animal Veterinary Medicine” and “Equine Veterinarian of Steele.” Average episode: 30 min.
Community & Journalism
4 Days, 5 Murders: 30 Years Later: Created in 2020, this WUFT podcast miniseries revisits the Gainesville student murders of 1990. How does trauma travel over three decades and what mark does it leave on a town like Gainesville, the producers ask? Hosted by reporter Camille Respess (BSJ ’20). Average episode: 20 min.
The Point: A daily roundup (Sun.-Thurs.) of important Florida stories curated by WUFT’s The Point newsletter team and produced for audio by students at the UF College of Journalism and Communications. Average episode: 7 min.
Tell Me About It: This weekly storytelling series from WUFT, hosted by UF CJC Community Relations Coordinator Sue Wagner (BSJ ’81), focuses on events, people and institutions around the Gainesville area, often tied to upcoming events. Recent episodes spotlight a “Pints and Predators” fundraiser for birds of prey, GRACE Marketplace, the Harn Museum and the Florida Museum’s 2021 “Survival of the Slowest” exhibit. Average episode: 20 min.
Untold Florida: Your Neighborhood, Your Story: This wide-ranging, listener-driven WUFT podcast covers everything from North Central Florida’s “odd” rain patterns to the legacy of Mr. Two Bits to standardized testing requirements in Florida. Topics are suggested by listeners themselves, which makes the podcast a true reflection of its audience’s burning questions and pet peeves. Average episode: 8 min.
Why Don’t We Know? This award-winning series from 2020 focuses on ways that government agencies fail to gather and share information essential for public safety and welfare. Why don’t we know how often college athletes get concussions? Why don’t we know if hazing is becoming more or less common at Greek houses? Led by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Sara Ganim and other UF profs, UF journalism students worked to answer these and other questions by digging into America’s most impenetrable “data deserts.” Average episode: 30-40 min.
Business & Leadership
Reflections on Leadership: While created to advance UF faculty and staff, this podcast series from UF Training & Organizational Development covers topics of interest to anyone in the workplace: setting team goals, developing trust in working relationships, myths about multitasking and more. Guests are drawn from throughout the campus community. Average episode: 15-30 min.
We Are Warrington: Produced by UF’s Warrington College of Business, this monthly podcast highlights stories about the UF experience, business industry insights, research and more. Recent episodes include “How Can I Be a More Thoughtful Communicator? With Dr. Fiona Barnes”; “Will Data and Smart Technology Turn Against Us? With Dean Saby Mitra”; and “How Do You Stay Motivated in a Pandemic? With Kim Kaupe [BSBA ‘08].” Average episode: 30-45 min.
Careers & Professional Development
Behind the Suits: This is the official weekly podcast of the UF Career and Peer (CAP) Mentors program. CAP mentors discuss the ins and outs of professional development, helping listeners navigate the internship hunt, interviews, networking sessions and landing that first job. Average episode: 30 min.
Keep Growing at UF: The Training & Organization Development team at UF Human Resources began producing this podcast series in 2020, to help employees keep growing during the pandemic. Topics include engaging with a virtual audience, leading a hybrid team, addressing racism and bias, and promoting diversity.
Nexus: Produced by UF’s award-winning Career Connections Center, Nexus presents 15-minute unscripted conversations with guests that push listeners to reflect on their own values, interests and career goals. Recent episodes have explored taking risks, becoming confident, barriers to people with disabilities in the workplace and navigating unplanned career transitions. The show is hosted by Keira Simmonds, a graduate student in the College of Education and senior assistant director for campus engagement at CCC. Average episode: 15 min.
Inspiration
Unstoppable Minds: What if big breakthroughs weren’t a cause for a victory lap—rather, they were the beginning of paths to even bigger achievements? That is the focus of Unstoppable Minds, a podcast hosted since May 2020 by Dr. Kyla McMullen and Dr. Jeremy Waisome, who explore the challenges and triumphs faced by Gators taking on obstacles. Guests have included Antarctic researcher Dr. Brent Christner; undergrad Mariel White (4 Health & Human Performance), who triumphed over a near-fatal disease and lower-body paralysis; and Phoebe Stubblefield (PHD ’02), a forensic anthropologist who recovered remains from the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Average episode: 15-30 min.
Nature, Gardening & Agriculture
All in for Citrus: UF/IFAS and Southeast AgNet provide the latest news on citrus-related research in this monthly podcast. All in for Citrus talks with scientists working to find solutions to citrus greening and other devastating citrus diseases. Could finger limes be Florida’s hero? How are field tests going with natural compounds to restore tree health? Average episode: 30 min.
Extension Cord: UF/IFAS is sometimes called Florida’s best-kept secret. Extension Cord brings the statewide activities of IFAS Extension to life through interviews with Master Gardener volunteers, UF researchers and specialists. Produced by Extension Agent Taylor Clem (MLARC ’13, PHD ’17) and UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County, Extension Cord has focused on summer vegetable gardening, lawns, “The Pollinator Highway, with Dr. Jaret Daniels,” and more. Average episode: 45 min.
Fire University: Got burning questions about using fire ecology to manage wildlife and plants on your own land? This science-based podcast is for you. UF wildlife biologist Dr. Marcus Lashley sits down with scientists and professionals, who explain the ecology behind prescribed fire and how private land owners can get started safely with this technique. Average episode: 55 min.
Florida-Friendly Landscaping in a Minute: This quickie podcast shares practical tips from UF/IFAS horticulturalists on how to achieve Florida-Friendly landscaping (FFL) in your own yard. Launched in 2020, the show airs twice each weekday on WUFT and is hosted by Tom Wichman (BSA ’86), IFAS Extension’s statewide coordinator for FFL. Recent topics include oakleaf hydrangeas, tomatoes, birdwatching basics and fertilizers.
Joe What? The Cattle Range Podcast: It’s no bull – this monthly UF/IFAS Range Cattle podcast covers everything growers needs to know about cattle production, which accounts for nearly half of Florida agricultural land use. Hosted by UF agronomy professor Joao (“Joe”) Vendramini (PHD ’05) and featuring interviews with industry experts, the 40+ episodes cover crossbreeding, methane emissions, controlling pasture weeds, water quality, and more. Average episode: 15-30 min.
Two Bees in a Podcast: Launched in 2020, this podcast is hosted by members of UF’s Honey Bee Research and Education Lab, a world-class facility opened in Gainesville in 2018. Learn about honey bees, beekeepers, researchers and specialists from around the world in episodes that are educational, fun and practical. Average episode: 1 hr.
Diversity & Inclusion
Level Up on Presence and Belonging: Launched by former CDO Antonio Farias in January 2019, Level Up is a production of the Office of the Chief Diversity Officer at UF. Each week, Farias interviewed a different UF student, faculty member or staff member and asked, “What does it mean to belong.” The five seasons of Level Up encompass 75 episodes. Average episode: 10 min.
Modern Figures: UF Computer and Information Science and Engineering professors Jeremy Waisome (BSCE ’10, ME ’12, PHD ’17) and Dr. Kyla McMullen are the creators of Modern Figures, a conversational-style podcast that promotes the voices of black female scholars in computing around the globe. Recent episodes include “Best Revenge Is Your Paper,” “Working Moms Get the Job Done” and “Lessons from a 14-Year-Old Tech Boss.” Average episode: 1 hr. Listen
Salita Stories & Casita Chronicles: UF Hispanic Latinx Affairs began this podcast during the pandemic to connect students with “la familia” at UF. Since April 2020, they’ve produced more than 20 episodes touching on workplace diversity, Spanish as a heritage language, the 2020 Census, Latin foods and more. Average episode: 35 min.
When I Became a Gator: Produced by the UF Association of Asian Alumni, When I Became a Gator focuses on the stories of Asian alumni around the country, in the hopes of bringing the Gator Nation closer. The series is hosted by Phillip Cheng (BA ’11, BSISE ’11). Average episode: 12 min.
Proctor Podcast Series
UF’s Samuel Proctor Oral History Program (SPOHP) is a beehive of podcasting activity, producing series that draw on the program’s diverse oral history collections. Past shows include the Florida Queer History Project, Farmworker Association of Florida, Confederate Veterans Collection, and African American History. Visit the SPOHP podcast homepage to comb the archives: https://oral.history.ufl.edu/collections/podcasts/the-spohp-podcast/
SPOHP’s recent podcast series include:
Race and Remembrance: With 10 planned episodes, this brand-new podcast explores stories from SPOHP’s Joel Buchanan Archive, which documents the perspectives and experiences of local African American communities and commemorates Black history. Explore episode 1 now, which introduces the topic of racial terror, providing historical context for a discussion of violent events that occurred in 20th-century Florida, particularly the Newberry Six lynchings of 1916.
Safe Spaces: This series explores people’s and institutions’ efforts to protect themselves by creating so-called safe spaces. Episodes include “Friends with Weapons” (an African American armed defense group that protected civil rights demonstrators in Ocala in the 1960s); “Miracle on 13th Street” (creation of the India and Cultural Education Center in Gainesville) and “No Place Like Home” (La Casita and the Institute of Black Culture at UF). Written and narrated by Ryan Morini (PHD ’14), associate program director of SPOHP. Average episode: 40-60 min.
Science & Technology
Science by the Slice: This new podcast from the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education (PIE Center) explores the science behind issues affecting our daily lives, encompassing public health, agriculture, and natural resources. The first three episodes focus on COVID-19. Hosted by Dr. Ricky Telg, PIE Center director. Average episode: 48 min.
Streaming Science: Ever wonder what scientists really do? How they find solutions to everyday problems? Then this podcast is for you. Designed to introduce the public, especially middle and high school students, to real-world scientists and critical agricultural and environmental research, Streaming Science offers podcasts, videos and live, interactive electronic field trips. It’s led by Dr. Jamie Loizzo, an assistant professor of agricultural communication at UF. Average episode: 15-30 min.
Tiny Tech Radio: Step into the world of nanotechnology with Tiny Tech, a series focusing on the science and engineering of the very small. Each short episode presents an aspect of nanoscale objects, ranging from the effects of size on chemical and physical properties to new technological applications in electronic devices and medicine. Tiny Tech is produced by WUFT-FM, with funding from the National Science Foundation; episodes are written by faculty and students at UF and other institutions. Average episode: 1 min.
Teaching & Research
Beyond the Talk: Gatorologies: Overseen by Warrington’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center, this weekly podcast from TEDxUF invites listeners to become experts of the “-ologies,” and yes, they mean all of them. Research at the University of Florida is limitless, and these TEDxUF sessions provide a deep dive into the subjects that fascinate Gator profs and alumni. Episodes include Rebecca Baldwin (PHD ’05) on “Bugs and People,” Lazaro Tejera (BS ’18) on sexual health and biostatistician Dr. Natalie Dean on the COVID-19 pandemic. Average episode: 35 min.
Teaching Beyond the Podium: Get inspired by members of the UF teaching community as they discuss tips and strategies for creating a quality learning experience in this podcast from the Center for Teaching Excellence. Recent topics include infographics, virtual travel, scaffolded role-play and “the secret sauce for successful online student teams.” Average episode: 15-25 min.
UF CHPS Podcast Reading Group: A podcast about podcasts! Yes, this brand new UF series examines the implications of podcast creation and listening for teaching, scholarship and learning. The Podcast Reading Group is sponsored by University of Florida’s Center for the Humanities in the Public Sphere. 
Published
May 28, 2021
