Direct with Dana

On this episode of Direct with Dana, host Dana Brooks talks with Dr. Erwin Jackson, a Tallahassee businessman, Ph.D. counseling psychologist and longtime City Hall watchdog. They discuss ethics, transparency and how city government works.They cover how he became involved in local government, his years of working with federal investigators, the city employees who shared information with him, and how he thinks public life changes people. They also talk about the rules for City Commission aides. That includes a complaint Dr. Jackson has filed with the city's Independent Ethics Board, and his proposal that commission aides report to the city manager. Dana questions him throughout, including on whether he holds everyone to the same standard.Recorded Oct. 27, 2026, ahead of Tallahassee's Nov. 3 municipal election.Note: The opinions and allegations in this conversation are Dr. Jackson's own. His ethics complaint is pending, and no findings of wrongdoing have been made. Direct with Dana does not endorse candidates.In this episode:Why he goes by "Dr. Jackson" at City Commission meetingsHis background: psychology, business and student housingWorking with federal investigators, and looking back on those casesCity employees who shared information with himThe rules for City Commission aides, and his pending ethics complaintHis proposal: commission aides report to the city managerA psychologist's view on how public life changes peopleThe biomass plant story, in his words📍 Direct with Dana | Tallahassee, Florida🎙️ Hosted by Dana Brooks | Featuring Dr. Erwin Jackson📻 Heard Mondays 12–1 PM on Real Talk 93.3⚖️ Presented by Fasig BrooksSubscribe and follow Direct with Dana for straight talk for forward thinkers.#Tallahassee #Election2026 #LocalGovernment #DirectWithDana #Podcast

Tallahassee attorney Carrie Rohn joins Dana Brooks to discuss her lawsuit involving OpenAI and allegations related to the 2025 FSU shooting. They explore AI safety, corporate accountability, and what families can do to protect themselves as artificial intelligence becomes part of everyday life.

Is Ozempic changing weight loss forever? And what happens to your body, confidence, and relationships when the pounds come off?After 20 years in the weight loss business, Glenda Cato has seen it all — and she's sharing what most people never talk about.On this episode of Direct with Dana, host Dana Brooks sits down with Glenda Cato, owner of Fit Weight Loss in Tallahassee, to discuss the evolution of weight loss, GLP-1 medications, aging, nutrition, and the emotional side of transforming your health.From traditional diet pills to today's popular weight loss injections, Glenda shares her experiences working with clients and explains why she believes lasting change requires more than medication alone.In this episode:How weight loss treatments have changed over 20 yearsOzempic, GLP-1 medications, and potential side effectsWhy protein and maintaining muscle matter as we ageThe emotional and relationship changes that can follow weight lossWhy accountability and support make a differenceHow Fit Weight Loss approaches new clientsGlenda's passion for Springtime Tallahassee and community leadershipPlus, hear Glenda's perspective on staying active, aging with purpose, and why she has no plans to slow down.Whether you're considering medical weight loss, struggling with stubborn pounds, or simply interested in healthier aging, this conversation offers personal stories, practical perspectives, and plenty of straight talk.Subscribe to Direct with Dana for more conversations with the people making a difference in our community.Learn more about Fit Weight Loss and follow Direct with Dana for future episodes.This conversation includes personal experiences and opinions about medical treatments and nutrition. It is not a substitute for individualized medical advice.#DirectWithDana #WeightLoss #Ozempic #GLP1 #HealthyAging #MedicalWeightLoss #Tallahassee #DanaBrooks #GlendaCato

What really happens when a community-minded person steps into local politics? Wakulla County Commissioner Quincee Messersmith opens up about the criticism, pressure, growth battles, and political games that come with public service.Dana Brooks sits down with Quincee for a candid conversation about going from longtime volunteer and political insider to elected county commissioner. Quincee discusses why she refused to become a traditional politician, what happens when supporters expect something in return, how social media has changed local government, and why leaders can’t make decisions based on whoever is shouting the loudest.They also tackle some of Wakulla County’s biggest issues: economic development, new jobs, infrastructure, internet access, environmental protection, population growth, and the tension between preserving a community and preparing it for the future.Quincee reflects on losing political support without losing herself—and hints that her next chapter in public service may be bigger than local government.Topics include: local politics, Wakulla County, county government, leadership, economic development, community growth, public service, social media, political campaigns, Florida politics, infrastructure, environmental protection, and running for office.Subscribe to Direct with Dana for more candid conversations with the people shaping North Florida, and follow Fasig Brooks for more from Dana and the show.

Childhood trauma doesn’t always stay in childhood. But it also doesn’t have to determine the rest of your life. Dana Brooks sits down with Dr. Mimi Graham, Director of the FSU Center for Prevention and Early Intervention Policy, for a powerful conversation about adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), attachment, trauma, resilience, foster care, early intervention, and the adults who can completely change a child’s trajectory. Dr. Graham explains how early experiences can affect brain development and behavior, why repeatedly moving children between caregivers can cause additional harm, and how trauma-informed courts and early-childhood programs can make better decisions for vulnerable families. Dana also shares deeply personal experiences from her own childhood and explains why experiencing adversity doesn’t automatically determine someone’s future. The conversation explores the importance of teachers, coaches, mentors, fathers, and other stable adults—and why sometimes one person believing in a child can make an enormous difference. Topics include childhood trauma, ACEs, attachment, foster care, resilience, early childhood development, parenting, fatherhood, mentorship, juvenile justice, Head Start, trauma-informed courts, and breaking generational cycles. Subscribe to Direct with Dana for more candid conversations with the people working to strengthen families and communities, and follow Fasig Brooks for more from the show.

Florida homeowners want property tax relief. But could lowering one tax make rent more expensive and put local services under pressure?What happens when counties lose millions in revenue—and who ends up paying the difference?On this episode of Direct with Dana, host Dana Brooks sits down with former Leon County Commissioner Brian Desloge to examine Florida's proposed Amendment 3 and its potential impact on homeowners, renters, businesses, and local communities.Brian draws on his experience in county government to explain how the proposed homestead exemption increase could affect local budgets. He discusses a projected $70 million annual revenue loss for Leon County, possible changes to property tax rates, and concerns about funding for first responders, parks, libraries, and animal shelters.Dana challenges Brian with the questions everyday Floridians are asking: Why can't government simply spend less? Why should homeowners pay for services they don't use? And could property tax relief end up shifting costs to renters and businesses?In this episode:How the proposed property tax amendment worksWhy homestead and non-homestead properties matterThe potential impact on rent and commercial propertyHow counties fund emergency services and public facilitiesWhether local governments can cut spending insteadAlternative approaches to property tax reformThe discussion also explores Florida's property insurance challenges and the importance of understanding local budget impacts before making decisions at the ballot box.Have a question about Florida property taxes? Share it with us! Subscribe to Direct with Dana for candid conversations about the issues affecting your community, your finances, and your future.#DirectWithDana #FloridaPropertyTaxes #Amendment3 #PropertyTaxRelief #FloridaHomeowners #FloridaRealEstate #HomesteadExemption #LocalGovernment

American politics feels angrier, louder, and more divided—but did voters actually become more extreme? Dana Brooks sits down with longtime political insider Steve Burtman to talk about what happened to the political middle and whether our parties still represent everyday Americans.Steve, president of the Capital City Tiger Bay Club, brings decades of experience in Florida politics, government affairs, business, and advocacy to a wide-ranging conversation about the changing Republican and Democratic parties.Dana and Steve dig into political polarization, MAGA and the changing GOP, the progressive movement on the left, why outrage gets rewarded, the influence of PAC money, third-party politics, immigration, political discourse, and why so many moderate voters feel politically homeless. They also discuss whether people are actually nastier than they used to be—or whether social media simply gives our worst political instincts a bigger microphone. And they explore why organizations like Tiger Bay could help bring people back into face-to-face political conversations.If you're tired of political shouting matches and want a smarter conversation about where American politics is headed, this episode is for you.Keywords: American politics, political polarization, Democratic Party, Republican Party, MAGA, moderate voters, independent voters, third party politics, Florida politics, Tallahassee politics, PAC money, elections, political discourse, Capital City Tiger Bay ClubSubscribe to Direct with Dana, follow the show, and join us for more conversations that inform, challenge, and inspire.

Greg Tish is usually the one asking the questions. This time, Dana Brooks puts him in the hot seat.On this episode of Direct with Dana, Greg opens up about growing up in Tallahassee, his unexpected path from DJing to radio, nearly two decades with the Florida Sheriffs Association, and the leap that ultimately led to The Greg Tish Show. He and Dana also dig into why hyper-local radio matters, “outrage fatigue,” the Tallahassee people underestimate, and why there’s a lot more happening in this city than critics think.Then the conversation gets personal. Greg talks candidly about shyness, insecurity, relationships, learning to say no, walking away from alcohol, getting older, and the legacy he hopes his generation leaves behind in Tallahassee.If you enjoy honest conversations with the people shaping our community, subscribe to Direct with Dana, follow the show, and share this episode with someone who loves Tallahassee.