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Schmooze with Suze

Schmooze with Suze

Di: Suzie Becker
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Hi, I’m Suze. Here with your dose of culture, values and global citizenship- and where we tackle those topics others may consider off-limits.

A little about me, I’m a busy GenX mom who, quite frankly, wanted to grow up like the Brady Bunch… But ended up being raised in the shadow of Schindler’s List. So this means I’ve spent a lifetime navigating these mixed messages we get hit with daily. You know those conversations- where we wonder if it’s safe to speak our minds? Can we share our experiences? Voice our fears and concerns, or should we just keep our mouths shut?

Well, too bad. I need to know! But I’m no expert. So, I’m going to schmooze the experts and get their thoughts. Why? So when we engage with our kids, colleagues, or the countless committees we interact with, we can do it with competence, kindness, confidence, and maybe a bit of humor.

If this sounds like your cup of coffee- welcome to Schmooze with Suze!

© 2026 Schmooze with Suze Scienze sociali
Episodi
  • What If A City’s Greatest Masterpiece Is Itself? My Guest: Diana Donovan, Executive Director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville

    What If A City’s Greatest Masterpiece Is Itself? My Guest: Diana Donovan, Executive Director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville
    Jun 30 2026
    Send us Fan MailJacksonville doesn't have a culture problem. It has a visibility problem.If you've ever said, "There's nothing to do in Jacksonville," this conversation may completely change the way you see our city.This week, I'm joined by Diana Donovan, Executive Director of the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, for a fascinating conversation about why arts and culture aren't simply entertainment. They're economic development, workforce development, tourism strategy, neighborhood revitalization, and community identity all rolled into one.We explore what really happens when someone buys a ticket to a show. It's never just about the performance. That one evening supports babysitters, restaurants, bartenders, parking garages, security teams, local vendors, stage crews, marketing professionals, and hundreds of small businesses that make Jacksonville work.Diana explains why the creative economy deserves the same attention as any other industry, how public-private partnerships stretch taxpayer dollars, and why cultural organizations should be viewed as businesses creating measurable returns for our community.We also dive into:• Why Jacksonville's arts community is far larger than most residents realize.• How murals, sculptures, and public art strengthen neighborhoods.• Why exposure to the arts creates tomorrow's audiences, artists, entrepreneurs, and civic leaders.• How financial literacy, networking, and professional development help artists build sustainable careers.• Why placemaking isn't about decorating a city. It's about helping people feel connected to where they live.The Cultural Council's recent reporting shows that Jacksonville's Cultural Service Grant Program transformed a $3 million public investment into approximately $143 million in economic impact, supporting thousands of jobs, local vendors, and small businesses across our community. Because once you begin to see the creative ecosystem... you can't unsee how much it shapes the future of Jacksonville.Learn More About the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville at the official website:Cultural Council of Greater JacksonvilleExplore:• Grant opportunities • Art in Public Places • Community events calendar • Public art map • Volunteer opportunities • Newsletter signup • Ways to support Jacksonville's creative communityFollow the Cultural Council:• Instagram (@moreartculture)• Facebook• LinkedInLearn More About Diana Donovan• LinkedIn ProfileSee how the Cultural Council is helping shape Jacksonville through:• Artist Grant Pilot Program • Public Art initiatives • Arts Awards • Community partnerships • Creative economy research • Arts advocacyCCGJ News & Media CenterTo better understand the Cultural Council's work, explore its impact reports, research, grantmaking, and economic development initiatives:Arts Research & Impact ResourcesHighlights include: $143 million in economic impact generated through the FY24-25 Cultural Service Grant Program from a $6 million public investment. More than 4,000 local vendors and small businesses supported. Investment in public art, artist grants, cultural nonprofits, and creative workforce development throughout Jacksonville. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who still believes there's "nothing to do" in Jacksonville.One conversation can change a perspective. One perspective can change a city.Question:What piece of art, neighborhood, performance, mural, museum, or Jacksonville place makes you feel like you belong?Hashtags#SchmoozeWithSuze #Jacksonville #DTJax #ArtsMatter #CreativeEconomy #PublicArt #Placemaking #JacksonvilleArts #CulturalCouncil #MoreArtCulture #SupportTheArts #CreativeCities #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityDevelopment #Leadership #Culture #JacksonvilleFlorida #904 #VisitJax #CreativeCommunity #TPA #JaxDanceTheater If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah... Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
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    54 min
  • What If Every Person Was a Work of Art Waiting to Be Understood? My Guest: Reese the Poet

    What If Every Person Was a Work of Art Waiting to Be Understood? My Guest: Reese the Poet
    Jun 30 2026

    Send us Fan Mail

    Some truths don't arrive wrapped in comfort.

    They arrive through heartbreak. Through discipline. Through music. Through the quiet decision to become someone better than your circumstances.

    Hate can be ancient, loud, and deeply personal. Yet every morning we still have to answer one question:

    Who are we going to be today?

    This episode on Schmooze with Suze, I sit down with Reese the Poet. Marine Corps veteran, composer, storyteller, spoken word artist, mentor, and living proof that our deepest wounds can become our greatest purpose.

    If you've ever wondered what authenticity actually means in a world that rewards performance, this conversation goes straight to the nerve.

    We begin with music. Reese shares his earliest memory of sitting at a grand piano, learning entirely by ear, and the unforgettable Marine Corps Band audition that humbled him in ways success never could.

    From there, we explore how speeches, church, hip hop, and Def Jam Poetry shaped his voice. Why slowing down helped people actually hear his message. And why performing before hundreds of strangers can sometimes feel easier than being vulnerable with one person who truly knows you.

    Then the conversation shifts toward survival.

    Reese opens up about joining the Marine Corps during one of the hardest seasons of his life, learning that "time waits for no man," and confronting one of the most difficult lessons of adulthood.

    You cannot do everything alone.

    We also discuss youth mentorship, mental health, loneliness hiding beneath "bad behavior," the healing power of nature and music, and one unforgettable perspective.

    What if we treated every person like a piece of art we're trying to understand instead of a problem we're trying to solve?

    It's one of the most moving conversations we've had this season.

    Whether you're an artist, veteran, educator, parent, mentor, or simply someone trying to make sense of the world, this conversation reminds us that healing rarely happens by accident.

    It happens one honest conversation at a time.

    About Our Recording Partner

    This episode was recorded at The Performance Academy (TPA), a Jacksonville nonprofit dedicated to helping young people discover purpose, confidence, and opportunity through the performing arts. TPA offers programs in music, theater, podcasting, film, visual arts, dance, fashion, creative writing, and leadership, creating safe spaces where creativity becomes a pathway to healing and transformation. Learn more about their mission, youth programs, and ways to get involved at jaxtpa.org.

    Follow The Performance Academy

    Website: The Performance Academy

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePerformersAcademy

    #SchmoozeWithSuze #ReeseThePoet #Poetry #SpokenWord #Authenticity #MentalHealth #HealingThroughArt #MarineCorps #Veterans #Leadership #YouthMentorship #Hope #Resilience #Jacksonville #CreativeCommunity #ArtsMatter #ThePerformanceAcademy #CommunityLeadership #Culture #Purpose #ChooseHope #ViewsWithSuze

    If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.
    Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze

    Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast for your dose of #Culture, #Values and #GlobalCitizenship... with a side of #chutzpah...

    Don’t forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!
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    1 ora e 10 min
  • Who Helps the People Who Protected Our Freedom? My Guest: Jonathan Richmond, Director of Mission United- United Way of Northeast Florida

    Who Helps the People Who Protected Our Freedom? My Guest: Jonathan Richmond, Director of Mission United- United Way of Northeast Florida
    Jun 30 2026
    Send us Fan MailFreedom is easy to celebrate. It's surprisingly easy to outsource in our minds until you meet the people who actually stood watch for it.This episode on Schmooze with Suze, I'm joined by Jonathan Richmond, a retired Navy officer whose service didn't end when he hung up the uniform. Today, Jonathan leads Mission United at United Way of Northeast Florida, helping veterans, active-duty service members, and military families navigate one of the most challenging missions they'll ever face: coming home.Leaving military service isn't simply changing jobs. It's leaving behind an identity, a structure, a language, and a community that has shaped every aspect of daily life. Jonathan shares what that transition really feels like and why purpose doesn't disappear. It simply has to be rediscovered.Together, we explore the invisible challenges facing thousands of veterans across Northeast Florida. Housing instability. Employment. Transportation. VA benefits. Mental health. Traumatic brain injuries. Depression. Family stress. We discuss why having hundreds of available programs still leaves many veterans asking the same question:"Where do I even begin?" That's exactly where Mission United steps in.Rather than creating another program, Mission United serves as a trusted navigator, connecting veterans and their families with peer-based care coordinators who understand military culture and can help them access the benefits and community resources they've earned. The program works alongside community organizations, the VA, and local partners to remove barriers and simplify what can often feel like an overwhelming system. Whether you've served, love someone who has, employ veterans, or simply want to become a better citizen, this conversation is a reminder that honoring service doesn't end with applause. It begins with showing up.We also talk candidly about suicide prevention, the warning signs that someone may be struggling, and why asking one difficult question can save a life.If you're facing an immediate mental health crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Florida Lifeline. For non-crisis support such as housing assistance, food, transportation, financial resources, veteran services, and connections to Mission United, simply dial 211. United Way's trained specialists connect callers with local resources every day across Northeast Florida. About Mission UnitedMission United, an initiative of United Way of Northeast Florida, launched in Northeast Florida in 2019 to connect veterans, active-duty military members, National Guard and Reserve members, and their families with coordinated health, human, and social services. Rather than duplicating existing resources, Mission United helps individuals navigate them through personalized case management and peer-based care coordination. Mission United assists with: Housing and homelessness prevention Employment and career transition VA benefits navigation Mental health and behavioral health referrals Transportation assistance Financial stability resources Legal assistance referrals Family support Community resource coordination Learn more: Mission UnitedAbout United Way of Northeast FloridaUnited Way of Northeast Florida works to connect people, resources, and ideas to build a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Through partnerships across Northeast Florida, the organization focuses on improving financial stability, health, youth opportunity, and community resilience while operating several vital community services. Programs include:211 Information & Referral 988 Florida LifelineMission UnitedRealSense Free Tax Preparation Community grantmaking and partnerships Volunteer engagement ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) initiatives Need Help?988 Florida Lifeline Immediate mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts. Call or text 988 anytime, 24/7. United Way 211 Food Housing Rent and utility assistance Transportation Veteran services Mental health resources Child care Financial assistance Community referrals Dial 211, call 904-632-0600, or text HELLO to 211904 to connect with a trained specialist. Follow United Way of Northeast FloridaWebsite: United Way of Northeast FloridaMission United: Mission UnitedFacebook: FacebookInstagram: InstagramLinkedIn: LinkedInYouTube: YouTubeHashtags#SchmoozeWithSuze #MissionUnited #UnitedWayNEFL #Veterans #MilitaryFamilies #Navy #Leadership #Purpose #MentalHealthMatters #VeteranSupport #Transition #Community #Service #Jacksonville #NortheastFlorida #HonorOurVeterans #988 #211 #CultureValuesIdentity #ThankYouForYourService If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and the remarkable people helping shape our communities and our future.Connect on Instagram @SchmoozewithSuze Subscribe to the Schmooze with Suze Podcast ...
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    42 min
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