Meet the Florida man who turned a childhood obsession into a real-life treasure chest.

Irving Santiago is the ultimate kid at heart, but his collection is serious business. In this special holiday episode of Top of Mind Florida, Michael and Brian take a break from politics to explore a massive world of nostalgia right here in our backyard.

Irving is the President of UltraCon of South Florida and the owner of over 30,000 comic books, 23,000 Funko Pops, and 14,000 G.I. Joes. From the first appearance of the Green Goblin to original 1930s memorabilia, we dive into the joy of collecting and the incredible story of how he bought three properties with cash... just by selling toys.

Grab a cup of coffee (or eggnog) and enjoy this trip down memory lane. It’s a reminder that keeping your imagination alive is the best gift of all.

WE ARE BACK ON SUNDAY MORNINGS! ☀️ "Top of Mind Florida" has officially moved. Join us every Sunday at 9:00 AM EST for the honest, deep-dive analysis you’ve been missing since our broadcast TV days.

#Comics #Collecting #Florida

CHAPTERS

00:00 Intro

00:28 What is UltraCon?

01:45 The First Green Goblin (1960s)

02:54 Why We Love Comic Cons

04:17 Buying Real Estate with Toys

06:58 The Psychology of Superheroes

09:03 The Super Toy Show Days

11:27 The Great Debate: Best Batman?

14:16 Worst Comic Book Movie?

16:36 Inside the 30,000 Item Collection

20:25 Future Events & Charity Work

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"Who do I trust for my news?" It is a big question Floridians are asking in 2025.

In this inaugural Sunday morning episode of Top of Mind Florida, hosts Michael Williams and Brian Crowley review the massive political shifts of the year. We cut through the media echo chamber to analyze the consolidation of power in Tallahassee, the erosion of the "Sunshine Law," and the new federal immigration policies causing anxiety across South Florida.

Topics Discussed:

• The "Alligator Alcatraz" Mystery: Why are inmate records disappearing from public view?
• Immigration Anxiety: How federal "pauses" and deportation rhetoric are hitting Florida communities.
• The Power Grab: Has the "Red State" monopoly killed local control?
• The Democratic Bench: Why the opposition party can't seem to recruit a winning team (explained with a Gators football analogy).
• Media Distrust: Navigating the "Information Chaos" to find the truth.

📺 WATCH THIS EPISODE See the full discussion in our new studio setting on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TopOfMindFlorida

#FloridaPolitics #DeSantis #MediaBias #TruthInMedia #SundayMorning #TopOfMindFlorida #2025Review #SunshineLaw #ImmigrationNews

Chapters:

0:00 - Sunday Morning is Back

2:39 - 2025 Review: The Decline of Florida Openness

5:20 - "Alligator Alcatraz": Where are the Prisoners?

7:10 - Immigrant Anxiety: Deportation Fears in South Florida

10:55 - The Tallahassee Power Grab vs. Local Control

13:25 - How COVID Solidified the "Red State" Reality

17:40 - Why Democrats Can’t Build a Bench

24:10 - The Vanishing Casey DeSantis?

27:00 - Media Distrust: Finding Truth in 2025

34:55 - The Great Bird Debate: Flamingo vs. Mockingbird

Connect with Us:

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TopOfMindFlorida
• Website: https://rss.com/podcasts/top-of-mind-florida/

On December 14, we return to our 14-year tradition of Florida Sunday morning news analysis.

We are moving Top of Mind Florida back to the time slot where we spent over a decade with you. In a media landscape often defined by shouting matches, we are recommitting to the quiet work of civil analysis and storytelling.

From the 2026 Governor’s race to conversations with civic leaders, environmentalists, rocket engineers, authors, sports gurus, musicians, comedians and more...our goal remains the same: Headlines, Hard Questions, and Humor.

#FloridaNews #SundayMorning #TopOfMindFlorida #RealJournalism

The New Schedule:

• When: Sundays at 9:00 AM EST (Starting Dec 14).
• Where: Right here in your podcast feed.

Action Item: Please ensure you are following the show so the new Sunday episodes automatically appear in your library.

Watch the Announcement: See us back in the studio on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TopOfMindFlorida

The have nots keep growing in the Sunshine State, and the 'Florida Dream' is becoming a nightmare for working families. Are we pricing the middle class out of the Sunshine State?

In this episode, Michael Williams and Brian Crowley sit down with Paige Shortsleeves (Executive Director, PEACE) to discuss the hidden economic crisis in Palm Beach County. They explore why some families are working three jobs and sleeping in cars, and how new laws criminalizing homelessness are impacting the most vulnerable.

Plus, Brian Crowley breaks down the political reality: With cost of living skyrocketing, is the "Red State" label hiding a massive block of dissatisfied Independent voters?

#FloridaLife #HousingCrisis #FloridaPolitics #PalmBeachCounty #CostOfLiving #Homelessness #PoliticalAnalysis #TopOfMindFlorida

In this episode on Florida sea turtle conservation, we look in on the Loggerhead Marinelife Center Pres/CEO to see how Florida wildlife is surviving the condo boom. Andy Dehart discusses sea turtle nesting season, the 1-in-1,000 survival rate, and the fight to save our oceans. Despite rising ocean temperatures and booming coastal development, Florida is pulling off a conservation miracle. The Green Sea Turtle was recently de-listed from "endangered" to "least concern"—but the fight isn't over. Michael Williams and Brian Crowley hear Andy Dehart, CEO of the Loggerhead Marinelife Center (USA Today's "Best Free Attraction") discuss how this "Center of Hope" is rehabilitating injured turtles, using $7,500 satellite tags to track their "reverse snowbird" migrations to Canada, and proving that humans and nature can coexist—even on the "Serengeti" of the Florida coast.

#FloridaSeaTurtles #OceanConservation #JunoBeach #SaveTheTurtles

Florida’s affordability crisis collides with the 2026 governor’s race as Michael Williams and Brian Crowley unpack the rising push to reduce—or even eliminate—property taxes in Florida.

What’s real policy and what’s political theater? What happens to essential services if the cuts happen?

The discussion broadens to the fast-shifting governor’s race field, pocketbook pressures across Florida, storm devastation in Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba, and rising U.S.–Venezuela tensions affecting South Florida families.

Plus, Brian reflects on the 2000 election recount 25 years later, and the hosts dig into America’s growing struggle with misinformation and trustworthy news in the AI era.

Includes full chapter list for easy navigation.

#FloridaPolitics #PropertyTaxes #FloridaElection #TopOfMindFlorida

Rural areas in Florida are being hard hit by the Congressional shutdown. In this episode of Top of Mind Florida, Brian Crowley and Michael Williams discuss this critical issue with Karis Engle, President and CEO of nonprofit The Glades Initiative.

Food is becoming tougher to obtain. High percentage of people in poverty depend on food help. Many are employed but are not earning enough to meet increasing living costs. Seniors are struggling to afford the basics.

An important conversation about an issue harming many Floridians.

00:00 – Opening and Guest Introduction

Brian Crowley and Michael Williams welcome Karis Engle President and CEO of Glades Initiative, a nonprofit addressing health and human service care needs in the Glades.

01:08 – Rural Florida is being hit hard by government shutdown

Engle talks about struggling families and seniors who face food insecurity and shortages of other needed services. There is a high level of poverty and more isolation from resources available on the coast.

03:26 – Employment is an issue for many

Engle describes how most people receiving SNAP and other program benefits are employed but it is not enough.

07:20 – Needs are growing and there is no solution in sight.

She says the federal and state government is not as reliable as it once was and those in need are depending more on local organizations and the community to help them.

11:17 – There are many ways people can help

Engle encourages people to volunteer, donate, and get involved. She says that it is the best way for people to make a difference in the lives of families and seniors who need help. And she talks about people who do get involved.

18:23 – A childhood that led to a desire to help others

A high school trip led to Engle’s future belief in helping others.

21:41 – Post interview analysis

Brian and Michael discuss the complicated issues impacting the Glades, rural Florida and many others affected by government cutbacks.

25:21 – Closing Thoughts

Brian and Michael discuss the Florida governor’s race and more. They encourage you to subscribe and stay engaged.

In this episode of Top of Mind Florida, Urban League of Palm Beach County President Patrick Franklin joins Michael Williams and Brian Crowley for a hard look at how Floridians are struggling to make ends meet as the gap between the haves and have-nots widens.

From nonprofit funding cuts and vanishing workforce housing to the loss of skilled labor and new voter restrictions, Franklin explains how everyday families are being squeezed from every direction — higher prices, fewer jobs, and less stability.

He describes how sudden federal and state defunding threw many seniors out of work, how corporate donors pulled back under political pressure, and why essential immigrant workers are disappearing from the very industries that keep Florida running.

It’s a candid, urgent conversation about the cost of living, economic inequality, and what leadership — and ordinary citizens — can do to close Florida’s growing gulf.

#TopOfMindFlorida #FloridaEconomy #CostOfLiving #UrbanLeague