Freedom to Rise

On this episode of the Freedom to Rise podcast, Bronwyn welcomes education journalists Divya Kumar of the Tampa Bay Times and Derek Gilliam of Suncoast Searchlight about the forces shaping the 2026-27 school year, including declining enrollment, the growth of charters and universal vouchers, and the ripple effects of the Schools of Hope law. They also discuss chronic absenteeism, local funding pressures tied to referendums and tax-collection fees, and why district grades and graduation gains still point to strong work happening in Florida public schools.

Ernest Hooper fills in for Bronwyn to talk with Tampa Bay Partnership CEO Bemetra Simmons about two new reports on housing and regional competitiveness. They discuss the region’s housing affordability gap, the need for more workforce housing, and why stronger regional collaboration is key to Tampa Bay’s future. Plus, Hooper highlights United Way Suncoast’s Coaching United program and its impact on financial empowerment.

United Way Suncoast Chief Communications Officer Ernest Hooper guest hosts to discuss the 2026 ALICE report with Turning Points Executive Director Kathleen Cramer and United Way Suncoast’s Doug Griesenauer. They explain that ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households often earn above the federal poverty line but still can’t afford basics as costs outpace wages, leaving many one emergency from crisis. They emphasize disproportionate impacts on single-parent households and seniors and call for coordinated community solutions, donations, volunteering, and advocacy.For more information on the 2026 ALICE Report, visit http://uwsalice.org/

Bronwyn welcomes back United Way Suncoast Disaster Resiliency Officer Heather Koester to the Freedom to Rise podcast as the 2026 Hurricane season is upon us. They discuss 2025 recovery work after hurricanes Helene and Milton and United Way’s leadership in strengthening COAD and long-term recovery coordination. They also discuss the Verizon-sponsored Beyond the Storm business continuity/COOP workshops and a major scale-up in preparedness support, including distributing 6,000 disaster resiliency kits through food pantries.

Manatee County Commissioner George Kruse.  joins Bronwyn on the Freedom to Rise Podcast to discuss rapid growth, housing affordability, and why mixed-income housing near jobs, schools, and transit is essential to reduce the infrastructure strain. 

United Way Suncoast CEO Jessica Muroff describes her six years leading this organization as one of the greatest honors of her life. On this special episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, host Bronwyn Beightol reviews Jessica's most significant accomplishments during her tenure, and why United Way Suncoast will always hold a special place in her heart. She leaves the organization on Jan. 9 to embark on a new career path as CEO of the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

In this episode, the Freedom to Rise Podcast explores how United Way Suncoast is reshaping the future of giving through Go United, a new digital platform built to connect donors more deeply with the causes they care about. Bronwyn is joined by United Way Suncoast Chief of Staff Heather Navratil and Rev Star Consulting Product Manager Priya Rudas about how this innovative portal bridges technology and empathy making philanthropy more personal, transparent, and engaging.

In this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, Bronwyn chats with Jose Garcia, CEO of Rebuilding Together Greater Florida discussing disaster recovery, affordable housing preservation, and their partnership with United Way Suncoast to create workforce and training opportunities. For over 25 years, Garcia has led efforts to repair homes and restore hope, expanding the organization from one to six locations, and his team's work has been recognized nationally by Time Magazine. Hear how Rebuilding Together Greater Florida is building stronger, more resilient communities across the state.

Bronwyn invites Congresswoman Kathy Castor to the Freedom to Rise podcast to explore the urgent challenges shaping our communities today. With nearly two decades of service in Congress, Rep. Castor shares insights on combating climate change, strengthening disaster resiliency, and creating opportunities for good-paying jobs. She also addresses the rising concerns around healthcare access, veteran support, and the looming threats to essential safety net programs like SNAP and Medicaid. They also discuss housing affordability and highlight the importance of community engagement and bold policy solutions to ensure every Floridian has the freedom to not just survive, but thrive.

The federal government will stop issuing paper checks for most benefit payments beginning in September. This change could create real challenges for unbanked individuals who rely on check-cashing outlets. On this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, we explore how the Bank On Suncoast program, a collaborative initiative led by United Way Suncoast and regional partners, is helping ensure everyone has access to safe and affordable banking. Joining us is Mark Smith, Financial Security Manager at United Way Suncoast, and Kathleen Cramer, Executive Director of Turning Points, a Bradenton nonprofit that empowers individuals and families on their path to financial stability and independence.