Freedom to Rise
From school superintendents to elected officials and business leaders, learn more about the people making a difference in the community with this informative and engaging podcast that highlights United Way Suncoast's lasting impact.
Episodes
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 prepare...
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...
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 mor...
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...
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...
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...
Hurricane season officially begins June 1st; and if you're feeling almost prepared, you're not alone. In this special episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, we’re leaning into hurricane preparedness and the power of community partnerships.
Thanks to a grant from Verizon through United Way Worldwide, we're amplifying our efforts during National Hurricane Preparedness Month to ensure that our neighbors are ready. Not ...
When we delve into the topic of affordable and workforce housing in this state, issues pop up like dollar weed on a Florida lawn. What can be done to address an issue that weighs on our economy and weakens our labor force? On this episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we talk to Kody Glazer, the Florida Housing Coalition's Chief Legal and Policy Director, about this pressing state issue.
In this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, host Bronwyn Beightol welcomes Molly Grant, Executive Director of the Association of Early Learning Coalitions, and Madeleine Thakur, President and CEO of The Children’s Movement of Florida. Together, they explore Florida’s new 2024 tax credit designed to incentivize employer-supported childcare—whether through on-site facilities or partnerships with community-based providers. This po...
In this episode of Freedom to Rise, we dive into the data that shapes Tampa Bay’s future. Each year, the Tampa Bay Partnership and the University of South Florida’s Muma College of Business, with support from the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and United Way Suncoast, release the Regional Competitiveness Report and Tampa Bay eInsights. These reports provide key insights into economic trends, affordability, education, and the tal...
In this episode of the Freedom to Rise Podcast, Bronwyn discusses key disaster recovery questions with Brady Penn, a FEMA External Affairs Officer working clsesly with the relief efforts from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. With over $1.8 billion in housing and public assistance granted to Florida communities hit by the recent storms, FEMA is offering critical support; but the application process can feel daunting.
Brady sh...
A significant number of the communities in our area live without the conveniences and advantages banking accounts offer. Bronwyn invites Mark Smith, Financial Stability Manager and Bank On lead for United Way Suncoast and Patrick Eichholtz Community Development manager for First Horizon Bank in a discussion about what it means to be unbanked or underbanked and why economic inclusion is a focal point for United Way Suncoast.
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The new 2024 ALICE Report illuminates the plight of families living paycheck to paycheck, and highlights the fact that the household survival budget for a family of four in Pinellas County now ranks as the highest in the state. On this episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we delve into the results of the new ALICE report and explore how we're weaving together our education and financial stability efforts to create greater e...
In framing the findings of its latest Regional Competitiveness Report, the Tampa Bay Partnership used the term The Allure of Sunshine. The report highlights the fact that for Tampa Bay to maximize its potential, it has to go beyond warm weather and scenic vistas and address the drivers behind workforce and affordability trends. On this episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we speak with the partnership's top economic researc...
United Way Worldwide Senior Director of State Policy and Advocacy, often asks United Way advocates "to find the person in each of the representatives" they meet and set aside partisan differences. It’s key, she said, to removing the invisible walls trapping the community members United Way strives to serve. On this episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we talk about advocacy and how United Way Worldwide's efforts i...
Some present a rosy picture of the Florida economy, but on the latest episode of the Freedom To Rise podcast, we delve deeper into the data and explain why all is not well for the state's ALICE families. Florida Trend associate editor Mike Brassfield and United Way Suncoast Data Analysis Director Aaron Neal join United Way Suncoast Chief Impact Officer Bronwyn Beightol to give a true picture of the highs and lows of the state ...
In our region, only a handful of philanthropic organizations have thrived over the course of decades, marching with time and evolving to keep pace. At United Way Suncoast, we're proud to be in that group and eager to celebrate our success as we move into our second century of service.
Here to tell us more about the centennial celebration is our very own CEO Jessica Muroff.
Chief Impact Officer Bronwyn Beigh...
The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners recently voted to slash its funding for Suncoast 2-1-1, a vital service that provides a 24/7 path to support for community members in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto. What's the potential impact of losing that funding? Heart of Florida United Way 2-1-1 vice president Catherine Rea and Glasser/Schoenbaum executive director Charlene Altenhain join United Way Suncoast's Bronwyn Beighto...
All politics is local, but much can be done on the Federal level to affect us here on the Suncoast. Congresswoman Laurel Lee joins the Freedom to Rise Podcast as a lifelong public servant who has experience as a federal prosecutor, a circuit judge, and Florida’s Secretary of State - and is already making an impact for Florida’s 15th Congressional District.
Congresswoman Lee discusses her experience in Washington, what brought her i...
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