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In this episode Rob and Chrissanne share some important announcements and wax philosophical on the origins of success and whether it’s simply a matter of hard work or if the conditions for success also play a role in an entrepreneur’s journey. The Quitter by Robert ServiceWhen you're lost in the Wild, and you're scared as a child,    And Death looks you bang in the eye,And you're sore as a boil, it's according to Hoyle    To cock your revolver and . . . die.But the Code of a Man says: "Fight all you can,"    And self-dissolution is barred.In hunger and woe, oh, it's easy to blow . . .    It's the hell-served-for-breakfast that's hard."You're sick of the game!" Well, now, that's a shame.    You're young and you're brave and you're bright."You've had a raw deal!" I know — but don't squeal,    Buck up, do your damnedest, and fight.It's the plugging away that will win you the day,    So don't be a piker, old pard!Just draw on your grit; it's so easy to quit:    It's the keeping-your-chin-up that's hard.It's easy to cry that you're beaten — and die;    It's easy to crawfish and crawl;But to fight and to fight when hope's out of sight —    Why, that's the best game of them all!And though you come out of each gruelling bout,    All broken and beaten and scarred,Just have one more try — it's dead easy to die,    It's the keeping-on-living that's hard.https://allpoetry.com/The-Quitter 

Rob and Chrissanne discuss the best ways to cope with what life throws at you. 

When it comes to phosphate mining, Tip Fowler has had a front row seat to the evolution of mining in our county and the region overall.  Tip shares with us some of the history of phosphate mining, what phosphates are used for, how old mines are converted into lavish resorts and what the future of the industry might look like.  From rocks to urine, join us for a fascinating glimpse into an industry that shaped Polk County's past, present and possibly its future. 

A veritable grab bag of conversation and some obscure trivia. Also, will Rob and Chrissanne's friendship survive?  Listen and find out!

Are there things you are afraid to talk about? Do you worry that even though your beliefs might seem measured and reasoned, they might just be used against you and could harm your business or personal life? In the age of social justice, one false move can cost you everything. What's worse, there is rarely a clear path toward redemption.  Chrissanne and Rob discuss the overall concept of "cancel culture," what it means for society as a whole and how we can cope in our local community. 

After taking some time off to relax and contemplate the future of the podcast, we are ready to get back full swing.  Our goal is to highlight the best of our community, to hopefully make you laugh a bit (even if it's at Chrissanne's expense) and build a stronger community overall. We appreciate your support and make sure to subscribe to get our new weekly episodes. 

After taking a week off to plan our response to recent events in our community and our nation overall, we want to share with you some principles that we believe will put all of us on a better path forward. We don't have all the answers and there is an assortment of problems affecting all of us these days. It is our hope that we can resolve these problems and build a better tomorrow for our community.  However, none of that is possible without a willingness to listen and respect one another as human beings. Join us as we attempt to elevate the conversation and hopefully advance a conversation that desperately needs to take place. 

Why does Rob despite the move Frozen?  What do you think of  #LoveRedBug?  And we all know that at Publix, shopping is a pleasure... but the reason why just might surprise you. Tune in and test your knowledge of Polk County fun facts and trivia. 

William "Bill" Braswell, Chairman of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners,  joins us to discuss the Polk CARES program and what the county is doing to help businesses during the COVID-19 recovery process. Comm. Braswell also shares with us a bit about his evolution from the Air Force, to an airline captain and ultimately to farming blueberries in Auburndale.  If you would like to learn more about Polk CARES or to submit an application online, go to https://www.polk-county.net/polk-cares-2020 For video instructions and tips for completing your Polk CARES application, go to https://vimeo.com/421713245    

Dr. Timothy Regan, Lakeland Regional Health's Chief Medical Officer joins us to discuss the importance of keeping up with your scheduled visits and tests despite the pandemic and Patrick Phillips, Lakeland Regional Health's Senior Vice President of Business Development and Chief Strategy Officer offers some tips that both businesses and consumers can use to minimize the risk of COVID-19 infection. For more information, please visit LRH's COVID-19 Business Resource Center at http://mylrh.org/businessresources/To inquire about their consulting services call 863-904-1859 or email covidsafe@mylrh.org.

Whether your hair is a bit fluffy, your roots are impossible to hide or your toes look like a velociraptor, most of us are greatly in need of some personal care. As Governor DeSantis modifies his order and allows hair and nail salons to reopen, there is bound to be a flood of shaggy patrons rushing back to their favorite salons. Those working in the salon and beauty industry are also eager to get back to work but everyone wants to do it as safely as possible. Victoria Woods, owner of End Results Salon and Spa in Lakeland joins us to share her experience with the shutdown, her plans for reopening and how she plans to keep her customers and her stylists safe in these trying times. 

Just as Polk County begins to reopen, $126 million in unexpected relief funding arrives from Washington.  Reopening our businesses and taking small steps to returning to normal might be  too much for some and too slow for others, nevertheless Polk is marching forward to brighter times and with a few extra dollars to spend in the process. Find out how the County Commission intends to distribute the funds, what it means for small businesses desperate for relief and glimmers of what the future holds. 

A look back at the funniest moments of the last 22 episodes. We dare you not to laugh.  The "Lakelandist" Joe Cruz shares some of his favorite headlines. What's the deal with Chrissanne's marbles? Craig Hosking signature tropical style. Joe Tedder, our very own Zacchaeus! Sheriff Judd chooses a motorcycle over high school football. Bob Donahay's "Geraldo hair." Steve Scruggs' family were not travelling circus performers, despite what you might have heard. Tom Phillips gives the Ramada Inn five stars. Jae Choe and the pros and cons of goat yoga. Brad Sundgren and the art of feline carpentry.  

As talk of reopening our economy grows louder, so have opinions over whether or not it's the right time and if it will be done the right way. During these difficult times, emotions are running high but there are so many examples of generosity, innovation and survival going on around us. We can only hope that when we return back to "normal" that the "new normal" might involve a greater appreciation for the incredible people in our community who stood up and pushed forward at a time when it would have been easier to fold.  Please help us support these individuals and businesses, fill out our online small business survey so that we can share our collective voice with our elected officials and guide them as we take these next steps together. https://bridgelocal.com/survey/

When things are tough, it helps to turn to those who are always there to support you. This week, we  talk with Brad Sundgren, a  long time supporter of the show. Brad shares some funny stories and some insight on how we can all get through this together. We discuss the need to focus on getting back to normal and when we might expect to see that happen. 

These are tough times for our local community and our country overall. But while there is so much uncertainty and stress, there are extraordinary things happening right here in our area. We share countless examples of individuals and businesses who are innovating and how there are big things and small things alike that can make our present situation much more positive and rewarding. We are all in this together and in the tough times it's more important than ever to Elevate Polk. 

The son of an immigrant entrepreneur, Jae Choe grew up in a family martial arts business. He's since opened his own martial arts studio, Karate Beyond, in Lakeland. Jae share with us the evolution of his business and his vision for our community in the years to come. We talk philosophy, raising children and answer the age old question; "should Rob have become a dentist and is he willing to try yoga?" Listen and find out, it's a lighthearted episode that should be as fun to listen to as it was to record. To learn more about all the martial arts classes Jae offers, visit his website at https://www.karatebeyond.com/  And you can listen to Jae's own podcast, The Jae Choe Show at https://www.jaechoe.net/

Alis shares with us some memorable stops on his journey to Lakeland, a journey paved with service to community and country. As CRA Manager for the City of Lakeland, Alis brings a unique passion to an agency tasked with making Lakeland a more vibrant, modern city for all its citizens. Alis shares some insight on CRA projects as well as what is on the horizon as Lakeland continues to grow and thrive. 

Government can be messy, it can be full of challenges and those challenges only grow larger as our world changes with social media and the twenty-four hour news cycle. Tom Phillips, Director of the Citrus Connection, is no stranger to the minefield of public policy. His pursuits of "big, hairy, audacious goals" has taught him many lessons about how best to communicate with the public he serves. Tom shares with us some of those lessons, some of his proven methods, a  smattering of interesting acronyms and more than a few laughs in the process.  Special thanks to the manager of the Ramada Inn for making this conversation possible.   (listen to find out why)

The Lakeland Economic Development Council has worked to improve the local economy, create jobs and cultivate new opportunities for the City of Lakeland and its citizens.  But as any organization looking to raise the bar and tackle big challenges, their bold ideas occasionally ruffle feathers or even cause outright panic.  The fate of the Cleveland Heights golf course was one such issue that caused quite a stir. As thousands of Lakelanders chatted online and among one another about what was, what is, and what should be; we decided to sit down with the man behind it all, LEDC President, Steve Scruggs. We discuss the Heights, the role of the LEDC in shaping Lakeland's future and strategies for improving communication between all interested parties. This conversation may or may not change your opinion of the Heights, the LEDC or Steve Scruggs himself but we believe it's imperative to hear all sides and we hope you do too. For more information on the LEDC, including contact information, you can get to their website by clicking here.