Top of Mind Florida is where we mix Headlines, Hard Questions and Humor with stories that matter.

This week, Michael Williams and Brian Crowley talk with a Florida rocket engineer from L3Harris Aerojet Rocketdyne who helps lead the Artemis mission. She shares her inspiring path from Wellington High School to FAU to the frontlines of America’s space program, managing the RL-10 engine that powers spacecraft into lunar orbit.

She opens up about:

• Overcoming barriers in a male-dominated field
• The mentors who shaped her career
• How diversity fuels better problem-solving
• Florida’s role in the future of space exploration
• Inspiring students to dream bigger in STEM

From rocket launches that never get old to her mission of motivating the next generation, this conversation is about purpose, perseverance, and progress.

• #FloridaEducation
• #STEMInspiration
• #TopOfMindFlorida

In this 15th edition of Top of Mind Florida, veteran journalists Michael Williams and Brian Crowley reflect on why they launched the show and the value of mixing tough political discussion with personal storytelling. They share lighter moments from their careers — from newsroom lessons to campaign trail humor and even a brush with Ronald Reagan — while underscoring why thoughtful conversations still matter.

The discussion then turns serious as the hosts examine political decisions, Florida’s ongoing redistricting debates, and the controversial “Alligator Alcatraz.” They highlight how nationalized politics often overshadows local issues like affordability, elder care, and hurricane preparedness. With warmth, wit, and decades of journalistic experience, Michael and Brian deliver a thoughtful and entertaining half-hour that informs while encouraging listeners to think for themselves.

#FloridaPolitics #TopOfMindFlorida #PublicAffairsPodcast #FloridaNews #HeadlinesHardQuestions

Summary Bullet Points

• Michael Williams & Brian Crowley reflect on launching Top of Mind Florida
• Mixing humor with serious political and cultural analysis
• From Reagan’s hair to campaign trail anecdotes
• Governor DeSantis, redistricting, and Florida politics today
• The Alligator Alcatraz controversy and its implications
• Why local issues like affordability, elder care, and hurricane prep matter most

Nonprofit law expert Philip DiComo, who facilitated the WXEL-WPBT merger creating South Florida PBS, breaks down the devastating impact of federal funding cuts on public broadcasting. From his unique perspective as both a former PBS executive and attorney, DiComo explains why the recent Congressional rescission threatens the backbone of America's Emergency Broadcasting System and essential educational programming.

Discover innovative survival strategies including immersive exhibits, enhanced underwriting, and digital pivots that stations are using to stay afloat. DiComo addresses the political bias debate, explains why rural and underserved communities face the biggest threat, and reveals how public media lost touch with local supporters. Plus insights on the future of nonprofit media, AI's impact on legal practice, and why some stations get 60% of revenue from federal sources while others get only 6%.

Essential listening for nonprofit leaders, media professionals, and anyone concerned about public broadcasting's survival in the digital age.