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The Florida Madcaps
A podcast about Florida’s natural areas around the state that offer fantastic recreation opportunities. There is much more to Florida than theme parks and overcrowded beaches. Three veteran Florida enthusiasts Chris, Chelsey, and Ryan share their travel experiences and perspective for exploring the Sunshine State. Each episode will delve into the natural and fascinating aspects of Florida, including the trails, beaches, springs, history, ecological issues, and recreational opportunities.
Episodes
96 episodes
The Madcaps Strategy for Environmental Activism in 2025
In this episode, the Madcaps joined by Ryan Smart, a Florida politics insider discuss the upcoming strategy to inform and organize environmental advocates for the upcoming 2025 legislative session and to oppose further attempts to develop our c...
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34:06
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Florida Trail Association: Upcoming events and how to get involved!
This week the Madcaps are joined by Florida Trail Association (FTA) Advancement Committee Chair Tiffany Bright to discuss the upcoming FTA Brews for Views event where anyone can support the Florida Trail Association by grabbing a beer and scann...
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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27:18
Chris Shares his experiences updating the Florida Trail Guide
Our fellow (and humble) Madcap Chris Stevens talks about his latest book he co-authored with Sandra Friend, the 5th edition Florida Trail Guide.
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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31:03
Florida's Challenging Trails
This week the Madcaps Reflect on the trails that we have individually or collectively found challenging either due to weather, location, or trail conditions. Tune in to hear some great hiking stories and spots!
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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32:23
Florida Roadside Oddities Part 2
In a continuation of a previous episode that we did, the Florida Madcaps and guest Imani discuss the interesting things they have seen along the roadside during our combined hundreds of thousands of miles of road-tripping throughout Florida.
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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30:44
Florida's Fall Wildflowers: What They Are & Where To See Them!
While Florida may not be known for the leaves of its forests changing color in the fall, what can widely be seen is the amazing fall wildflowers in Florida. This week the Madcaps with guest Bree @
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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31:57
Florida's Right to Clean Water: A grassroots push to save our most precious resource!
This week the Madcaps interview Captain Karl R. Deigert who is spearheading the grassroots initiative to get a Constitutional Amendment on the ballot that will give legal standing to protect waterways from pollution or over pumping.Karl...
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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36:53
Picnic & Paddle: Growing Community and Keeping Florida's Waterways Clean
This week's guests are the folks at Picnic and Paddle who organize clean-up efforts around Florida's waterways. Yet the clean-up is only part of the experience, it is also about experiencing Florida's natural wonders as refreshments and a...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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41:48
Sunshine State Shenanigans: Amusing myths, half truths, and tales.
In this week's episode, the Madcaps discuss some of the different myths, tales, and beliefs that we have encountered and question them. From zig-zagging to save yourself from charging gators to why everything around St Augustine is named ...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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32:40
Southwest Florida Gems Fakahatchee Strand & Collier Seminole State Parks
This week the Florida Madcaps discuss parks in the southwest corner of Florida focusing on Fakahatchee Strand State Park and Collier-Seminole State Park. There are some unique hiking experiences as well as opportunities to enjoy some icon...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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33:57
Venomous Snakes in Florida: What you need to know when enjoying the outdoors!
This week the Madcaps discuss various aspects of recreating in Florida and encounters with venomous snakes. Our special guest, Bree, shares important information about our valuable snake population. Bree can be found at @hiberniahis...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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41:28
Near Miss! The Almost Developed Florida State Parks along 30A.
With the withdrawal of the development plans for the nine state parks in the very recent rearview, the Madcaps discuss the parks that were threatened around 30A, mainly Topsail Hill and Grayton Beach and what makes them special. Our guest...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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29:00
Crisis in Florida State Parks
Just a few days ago plans to develop a few Florida State Parks were uncovered and made public. The plans where uncharacteristic of the Florida State Park mission of resource based recreation. Massive hotels, golf courses, pickleball...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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43:23
Florida's Carnivorous Plants and their Habitats
This week the Madcaps discuss the various carnivorous plants in our state and some of the environments they thrive in.
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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27:44
Central Florida State Parks: Hillsborough River & Colt Creek!
If you want beautiful views of the rapids of the Hillsborough River and CCC construction or amazing hiking near the Green Swamp you can find plenty to do at both of these state parks and they are less than half an hour from each other. Th...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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28:42
Gatekeeping Florida's Natural Areas: Helping or Hurting?
This week the Madcaps have a special guest, Imani to discuss whether gatekeeping benefits Florida's natural areas. With Florida surpassing a population of 23 million and the boost in post-pandemic popularity of springs, beaches, and trail...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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41:20
Myakka River State Park: History, Wildlife, and Miles of Trails
This week the Florida Madcaps discuss what can be expected when visiting Myakka River State Park. This park has it all: CCC history, gators, birding, trails, and wetlands.
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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32:03
Clean ups, how you can make a difference in Florida's natural areas!
This week the Madcaps discuss the importance of clean-ups and the events that they have participated in. There are a variety of organizations that host clean-up events, or you can do it solo while you you spend time in nature.
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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34:20
Northeast Florida State Forest Adventures
This week the Madcaps discuss some of the state forests in Northeast Florida and some of the recreation opportunities in each one.
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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31:00
An Introduction to Exploring Caves In Florida with the Florida Speleological Society
This week the Madcaps have Fletcher Jacob, the president of the Florida Speleological Society (FSS) discuss the basics of caving in Florida. More info on the FSS can be found at, https://www.floridacaving.com/
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Season 2
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Episode 24
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30:13
Cedar Key: Recreation, History, and Food
This week the Madcaps discuss Cedar Key. This episode covers the history, food, and unparalleled beauty that make Cedar Key one of the amazing destinations of Florida.
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Season 2
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Episode 23
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25:13
Summer Hiking & Outdoor Safety 2024 Update
This is our first reposted episode! Almost a year ago we published this summer hiking & recreating safety episode and decided to republish it due to the relevance that it has this month with the multiple heat warnings that have been i...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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30:42
Indian River Lagoon, History, Recreation, and Environmental Challenges
This week the Madcaps discuss some of the public lands that make up Indian River Lagoon as well as the recreational opportunities that exist there. No episode would be complete without the discussion of the environmental challenges that e...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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38:20