Episodes

  • Protecting Tampa Bay’s Waters: Jessica Lewis of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program: On the Grid

    Protecting Tampa Bay’s Waters: Jessica Lewis of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program: On the Grid
    Jan 29 2026
    On this episode of On the Grid, host EJ Moreno sits down with Jessica Lewis of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program to talk about the critical work being done to protect and restore Tampa Bay’s waterways. Jessica shares insights into environmental stewardship, water quality, community partnerships, and how science, policy, and public engagement come together to safeguard one of our region’s most important natural resources. This conversation highlights why estuary protection matters not just for the environment, but for the health, economy, and future of the Tampa Bay community.
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    29 mins
  • What Nic Zatesco Wants to Change in Congress, Talk to Your Government

    What Nic Zatesco Wants to Change in Congress, Talk to Your Government
    Jan 24 2026
    In this episode of Talk to Your Government, host Becky Yettaw sits down with Nic Zatesco, candidate for U.S. Congress in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District. Nic Zatesco shares his background, priorities, and vision for the district, discussing key issues such as AI, economic opportunity, community development, public policy, and the role of government in everyday life. Talk to Your Government is a civic interview series produced by Tampa Bay Community Network (TBCN), designed to give residents direct access to the people seeking to represent them and to encourage informed, local dialogue about public issues. Watch, learn, and stay engaged with your community.
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    24 mins
  • Arts, Culture & Photography Alexis Muellner of FMoPA: On the Grid

    Arts, Culture & Photography Alexis Muellner of FMoPA: On the Grid
    Jan 24 2026
    In this episode of On the Grid, host EJ Moreno sits down with Alexis Muellner, Chairman of the Board of the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA), to discuss the role of photography in culture, community engagement, and the future of visual storytelling in Tampa Bay. Alexis shares insights into FMoPA’s mission, the importance of arts leadership, and how museums can serve as dynamic, inclusive spaces for education, dialogue, and creative expression. The conversation explores how photography documents history, challenges perspectives, and connects communities while also highlighting FMoPA’s impact on the local and regional arts ecosystem. On the Grid brings you conversations with leaders, creatives, and change-makers shaping Tampa Bay and beyond.
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    30 mins
  • TBCN Unplugged – Michael Raso & The Rise of ei Independent Cinema

    TBCN Unplugged – Michael Raso & The Rise of ei Independent Cinema
    Dec 17 2025

    In this special Unplugged Part 2 episode, host John Casimiro continues his conversation with Mike Raso, founder of the Film Photography Project. This time, they open the vault and revisit some of Mike’s early independent films—ambitious, DIY projects that helped shape his creative voice long before FPP became a cornerstone of the analog community.

    They talk about creative risks, low-budget filmmaking, and what it was like making indie movies during a very different era. Whether you’re a fan of the Film Photography Project, analog media, or independent film, this episode offers a rare look at the roots of Mike Raso’s creative journey.
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    36 mins
  • On the Grid : Changing the Narrative: Filmmaker Dr. Nyla Hazratjee on Representation & NY/LA Productions

    On the Grid : Changing the Narrative: Filmmaker Dr. Nyla Hazratjee on Representation & NY/LA Productions
    Nov 21 2025
    In this episode of On the Grid, host EJ Moreno sits down with Dr. Nyla Hazratjee, founder of NY/LA Productions which is a nonprofit, woman-centered creative agency dedicated to elevating MENA, Muslim, and South Asian voices in film and television. Dr. Hazratjee is an award-winning filmmaker, a double board-certified physician, and a first-generation Pakistani American whose work explores the rich and complex experiences of minority subcultures in the United States. Her creative mission focuses on combating Islamophobia, shifting cultural narratives, and building equity through independent media. NY/LA Productions champions stories that mainstream outlets often overlook, producing projects with artistic innovation, cultural depth, and real community impact. Dr. Hazratjee shares insights into the power of storytelling, her journey as a Muslim woman filmmaker, and her vision for reshaping how Muslim and MENA communities are represented on screen. This inspiring conversation explores filmmaking, identity, activism, and the transformative potential of inclusive media.
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    30 mins
  • Keeping Tampa’s Cigar Tradition Alive Drew Newman of J C Newman Cigar Co

    Keeping Tampa’s Cigar Tradition Alive Drew Newman of J C Newman Cigar Co
    Oct 17 2025
    In this episode of Hillsborough Heritage Exploration, host Jimmy Flint-Smith sits down with Drew Newman, fourth-generation owner and General Counsel of the J.C. Newman Cigar Company, to discuss how Tampa’s last operating cigar factory continues to preserve a proud tradition more than a century later. Founded in 1895 by Julius Caeser Newman, the company began rolling cigars by hand in a family barn in Cleveland, Ohio, before moving to Tampa in 1954 then the cigar capital of the world. Today, J.C. Newman operates out of the historic El Reloj factory, built in 1910, which remains the only large cigar factory still producing cigars in the United States. Drew shares the story behind his family’s mission to “roll cigars 100 years from now, the way we do today,” the restoration of the 114-year-old El Reloj building, and their ongoing efforts to keep Tampa’s cigar-making heritage alive. From creating a public museum and cigar tours to restoring the nearby Sanchez y Haya building, the Newmans are breathing new life into Ybor City’s historic heart. This conversation celebrates craftsmanship, family legacy, and Tampa’s enduring connection to its cigar-making roots.
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    31 mins
  • Inside Ybor City’s Cuban Club with Patrick Manteiga

    Inside Ybor City’s Cuban Club with Patrick Manteiga
    Oct 2 2025

    In this episode of Hillsborough Heritage Exploration, host Jimmy Flint-Smith sits down with Patrick Manteiga, publisher of La Gaceta, to discuss the rich history and lasting cultural legacy of the Cuban Club (El Círculo Cubano de Tampa) in Ybor City. Founded in 1902 by Cuban immigrants, the Cuban Club was much more than a gathering place: it provided healthcare, social services, and cultural enrichment for its members. After its original building was lost to fire in 1916, the grand four-story structure built in 1917 became a landmark of Neoclassical architecture and community pride. With its theater, ballroom, library, cantina, and murals, the Cuban Club has stood as a hub for music, theater, and celebration while preserving Cuban identity for generations. Patrick shares insights about the club’s role as a mutual aid society, its service as a temporary hospital during the 1918 flu pandemic, and its ongoing significance as both a historic venue and a cultural institution. Join us as we uncover the stories behind one of Ybor City’s most treasured landmarks.
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    31 mins
  • TBCN Unplugged: Michael Raso on Film, Photography & Creativity Part 1

    TBCN Unplugged: Michael Raso on Film, Photography & Creativity Part 1
    Sep 16 2025

    In this episode of TBCN Unplugged, filmmaker and photographer Michael L. Raso shares his journey from Super 8 films and EI Independent Cinema to launching the Film Photography Project. We talk about his creative process, independent film productions, and how his passion for analog photography grew into a worldwide community.
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    40 mins