The Florida Forge

The Florida Forge

The Florida Forge is the podcast spotlighting Florida entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders who are building legacy-driven companies. We dive into real stories of growth, grit, and generational impact, highlighting what it takes to lead with purpose and build a lasting business in the Sunshine State.

Episodes

February 4, 2026 68 mins

Dr. Ty Richardson joins us to talk about finding success on a winding path of ups and downs as an immigrant to the US. His path to success was forged doing things that fit HIS vision, not the vision or advice of the society around...

Mark as Played

Dr. Gil Vega put his intense focus to work for YEARS, only to change courses, go to medical school, and become a doctor.

He finally got the job he wanted, with great benefits, no call, weekends off...DREAM job for a doctor.

But then he got the itch.

After years of grinding...is this what I really want?

So he did something crazy, and left to start his own clinic.

In this conversation, Dr. Gil and Gavin talk about discipline, work et...

Mark as Played

Josh Roberts started a business that he initially thought failed.

He launched it, realized people wouldn't come just because you exist, and went back to get a job.

Then a big life change gave him the push he needed to prove himself, and this time he never looked back.

Now he owns a successful AC business in Florida, but it wasn't an easy path to get there.

In this conversation, we talk about the pitfalls, the trials, and the legacy...

Mark as Played

John Baxter broke his neck. Then healed it on his own...without surgery.

He lost tens of millions of dollars in his 30s. Then decided to respond with goodness anyway.

John is a true Renaissance Man, and we're blessed to have him on the podcast today.

He's a patent-holding inventor, natural health enthusiast, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author.

In this episode we dive into his background, what drives him to keep building and b...

Mark as Played

Donna Lewis is a mother of 9, grandmother of 1, and owns Guppies 2 Groupers, a business dedicated to ending accidental child drownings.

We talk about her business, life, and faith journey, from wanting to be a fighter pilot, to becoming a mother, to being able to teach kids to navigate water safely (even when they're as young as 1!).

In This Episode:

0:00 Intro

0:44 Guppies2Groupers

5:10 Why focus on teaching water safety

12:38 Don...

Mark as Played

What drives a man to build startups, fund innovation, and still keep faith and family at the center of it all?

Gavin sits down with Spencer Elliott - venture capitalist, founder, and Director at Plug and Play Tech Center - to explore purpose, perseverance, and the power of gratitude.

From humble beginnings in Orlando to leading one of the world's most active VC networks, Spencer opens up about the childhood experiences that forged ...

Mark as Played

Entrepreneur and philanthropist John Chiorando shares his raw and remarkable journey from growing up in violence and poverty to building multi-million-dollar companies, all while keeping one title closest to his heart: Dad.

John opens up about the heartbreak and faith that shaped his life, from losing his daughter to cancer, to raising a son with Down syndrome, to rebuilding his relationship with God after years of anger and loss.

...

Mark as Played

From bailing hay in small-town Michigan to building a multimillion-dollar company in Florida, Matt Mishler's journey is nothing short of remarkable.

In this powerful conversation, Matt opens up about overcoming alcoholism, leaving behind the corporate grind, and discovering a new path through faith, discipline, and entrepreneurship.

He shares how his rock bottom moment turned into the launchpad for Lion Rock Financial Services, and...

Mark as Played

She went from a college student in handcuffs to a trial lawyer who prays with clients, and the moment that changed everything happened in a jail cell.

In this episode Kaysia Early tells the raw story of pleading guilty, being sentenced while four months pregnant, and how a solitary night lit a fire that ultimately put her in court as an advocate for others.

You'll hear how one honest letter from the son she carried helped sway a ba...

Mark as Played

Jordan Goodfellow was sick of being told he was "non-essential" by the state of Colorado, so packed up his family and moved to Florida, where his business has expanded and his faith has impacted a ton of lives.

It's been just one of many chapters of his life where an adventure has brought him the chance to learn, grow, and share ...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Two Guys (Bowen Yang and Matt Rogers). Five Rings (you know, from the Olympics logo). One essential podcast for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Bowen Yang (SNL, Wicked) and Matt Rogers (Palm Royale, No Good Deed) of Las Culturistas are back for a second season of Two Guys, Five Rings, a collaboration with NBC Sports and iHeartRadio. In this 15-episode event, Bowen and Matt discuss the top storylines, obsess over Italian culture, and find out what really goes on in the Olympic Village.

    Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

    The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina are here and have everyone talking. iHeartPodcasts is buzzing with content in honor of the XXV Winter Olympics We’re bringing you episodes from a variety of iHeartPodcast shows to help you keep up with the action. Follow Milan Cortina Winter Olympics so you don’t miss any coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics, and if you like what you hear, be sure to follow each Podcast in the feed for more great content from iHeartPodcasts.

    iHeartOlympics: The Latest

    Listen to the latest news from the 2026 Winter Olympics.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2026 iHeartMedia, Inc.