On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, host Chris sits down with Nicole Meyer, owner of The Chief of Happiness, to explore how businesses can build stronger workplace cultures, improve employee morale, and create environments where people feel valued, heard, and connected.

Nicole shares how her early leadership experiences shaped her approach to service-based leadership and why effective management means putting the needs of your team ahead of your ego. From moving beyond traditional team-building exercises to fostering meaningful communication, she explains why workplace happiness is about much more than pizza parties and perks. It starts with building trust, encouraging honest conversations, and recognizing employees as whole people with lives beyond the office.

The conversation dives into the warning signs of a struggling workplace culture, including declining morale, disengaged employees, and a lack of collaboration. Nicole offers practical advice for leaders looking to turn things around, emphasizing the importance of listening, asking the right questions, respecting employees' time, and balancing genuine support with accountability. She also discusses the challenges businesses face as they grow, from entrepreneurs learning to delegate to organizations navigating generational differences and changing expectations around remote work.

Plus, Nicole explains how her workshops and culture health assessments help teams strengthen relationships, improve communication, and boost productivity. She also shares some of her favorite local spots in Palm Beach County, including Blackbird in Tequesta and The Sweatshop by Randy in North Palm Beach.

Learn more about Nicole and take her free culture health assessment at thechiefofhappiness.com.

Tune in for an insightful conversation about leadership, workplace culture, and why creating a better employee experience can lead to stronger teams and better business results.

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, host Chris sits down with Alexandria Ayala Long, CEO of the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County, to discuss the growing housing crisis, the changing face of homelessness, and the collaborative efforts working to make a difference across the community.

Alexandria shares how the organization's annual Mayor's Ball brought together nearly 500 community leaders and raised approximately $500,000 to support housing assistance, emergency rental funding, and programs that connect individuals experiencing homelessness with essential services. She also breaks down a surprising reality: homelessness can affect anyone, from young adults and seniors to veterans and full-time workers struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living.

The conversation explores why early intervention is critical, how partnerships with local governments, nonprofits, landlords, and businesses are helping people stay housed, and why expanding affordable and attainable housing must be a priority for Palm Beach County's future. Alexandria also explains how the Homeless Coalition approaches each individual's circumstances with compassion and tailored support, emphasizing that homelessness is a community issue that requires collective action.

Plus, Alexandria shares how listeners can get involved, support the Homeless Coalition's work, and help create lasting change in Palm Beach County. She also highlights a few local favorites, including a must-try breakfast sandwich at Aioli in West Palm Beach.

Learn more about the Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County at homelesscoalitionpbc.org.

Tune in for an important conversation about housing, community collaboration, and the people who make Palm Beach County home.

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, host Chris Gannon sits down with Doug Barrow, independent candidate for Florida House District 94, to discuss his campaign, his priorities for Palm Beach County, and his vision for a more community-focused approach to government.

A business owner with a background in the hospitality industry, Barrow shares what inspired him to run for office and why he believes local politics should prioritize people over party lines. He discusses his positions on responsible government spending, development in rural communities, AI data centers, affordable housing, rising insurance costs, and the importance of protecting Florida's public schools.

Barrow also explains his commitment to government transparency, stronger communication between elected officials and residents, and ensuring taxpayer dollars are directed toward the infrastructure and services communities need most. From addressing housing challenges for teachers and first responders to improving access to local representatives, he outlines how he hopes to make a difference in District 94.

Tune in for a conversation about the issues shaping Palm Beach County, the role of independent leadership, and Barrow's call to make government less about political division and more about serving the community.

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, host Chris Moody sits down with Elizabeth Holmes, candidate for Florida House District 94 and a Palm Beach County educator with 16 years of teaching experience, to discuss her journey into politics and the issues she believes are most important to local families.

Holmes shares how her experiences in the classroom inspired her to run for office, from witnessing the challenges students face to confronting low teacher pay and the growing cost of living. She outlines her priorities for Tallahassee, including insurance reform, affordable workforce housing, stronger public schools, accessible healthcare, and better resources for students with disabilities.

The conversation also explores the challenges facing communities such as Belle Glade and Pahokee, the importance of keeping local decision-making in the hands of residents, and concerns surrounding development and AI data centers. Holmes explains why she believes investing in teachers and public education is essential to building stronger communities and ensuring every child has access to opportunity.

Tune in for a conversation about education, affordability, and the future of Palm Beach County, as Holmes discusses her vision for representing the community and her commitment to staying accessible and accountable to the people she hopes to serve.

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, we sit down with Amy Kight, CEO of Bush Wildlife Sanctuary, to explore the vital work being done to protect and rehabilitate Palm Beach County's wildlife.

Amy shares her lifelong passion for animals and the more than 20 years she has spent at Bush Wildlife, from animal care and education to executive leadership. She takes us behind the scenes of what happens when an injured wild animal arrives at the sanctuary—from the initial examination and diagnostics to rehabilitation and, when possible, release back into the wild.

We also discuss some of the biggest challenges facing local wildlife, including development, habitat loss, fishing-line entanglements, vehicle collisions, and human interaction. Amy explains why many animals that appear to need help are actually best left alone, shares the heartwarming story of a baby sandhill crane finding a new family, and reveals some surprising facts about rabbits, opossums, birds, alligators, and even the elusive Florida panther.

Amy also talks about Bush Wildlife's new 19.4-acre Jupiter Farms campus, the expanded rehabilitation facilities and flight complex, the organization's partnership with Loggerhead Marinelife Center to train future wildlife veterinarians, and her vision for the sanctuary's future.

Most importantly, Amy explains how everyday residents can become better stewards of Palm Beach County's environment—from driving carefully around wildlife and securing garbage to planting native species and simply educating themselves.

It's a fascinating conversation about conservation, community, leadership, and the small actions we can all take to make a big difference for the wildlife we share our home with.

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, we sit down with Travis Conway, Executive Director of the Edna Runner Education Center, to learn how a longtime Jupiter community institution is expanding its mission and changing the lives of local children.

Named after Travis's aunt, Edna Runner—known as the "unofficial Black mayor of Jupiter"—the center has spent nearly 40 years providing education, support, mentorship, and a safe haven for children and families in the Limestone Creek community. Travis shares Edna's powerful legacy and explains how her commitment to helping children continues to shape the organization today.

Travis also takes us inside the center's new elementary school, which launched with kindergarten and first grade and is designed to grow one grade at a time. With a strong emphasis on phonics and literacy, small classroom sizes, certified teachers, STEM, art, music, Spanish, and hands-on learning, the school is creating an educational experience focused on both academic achievement and the whole child.

The conversation also explores the center's monthly real-world learning experiences, partnerships with local organizations, its Step Up scholarship model, and the importance of giving children opportunities to experience everything Palm Beach County has to offer.

Beyond education, Travis discusses the growing issue of food insecurity among local families and the center's partnership with the Quantum Foundation to provide healthy meals, fresh produce, and summer food assistance. He shares why something as simple as a $25 grocery gift card can make an enormous difference for a family in need.

From carrying on his aunt's legacy to building the next generation of the Edna Runner Education Center, Travis offers an inspiring look at the power of community, education, and simply showing up for the people who need it most.

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, we sit down with West Palm Beach community advocate and Flagler Drive Preservation Initiative founder Linda Grosz for an in-depth conversation about the rapid growth and development reshaping the city.

Linda shares her perspective from the North End, where new high-rise developments and construction are transforming the waterfront. She discusses the challenges residents are experiencing, from traffic and parking to road conditions, construction impacts, and questions surrounding infrastructure and development fees.

We also explore Linda's mission to preserve the character and scenic beauty of Flagler Drive and her efforts to build support among neighborhood associations and residents. She explains why she believes community involvement is essential to shaping West Palm Beach's future and shares what she has learned while advocating for greater transparency and accountability.

Plus, Linda talks about some of her favorite local restaurants, a local business that went above and beyond to help her restore her historic home, and why she believes small acts of community involvement can make a meaningful difference.

Topics include:

• The rapid development of West Palm Beach's North End

• The Flagler Drive Preservation Initiative

• Growth, infrastructure, traffic, and road conditions

• Community advocacy and neighborhood coalitions

• Development and impact fees

• The importance of preserving Palm Beach County's character

• Linda's favorite local restaurants and businesses

Tune in for a candid conversation about growth, preservation, and the people working to shape the future of West Palm Beach.

On this episode of The Palm Beach Current, we sit down with local author Susannah Marren to discuss her latest novel, Palm Beach Confidential—a story of family, secrets, loyalty, betrayal, and the pressures of maintaining appearances in the glamorous world of Palm Beach.

Susannah takes us inside the Barrows family, a powerful matriarch and her three adult daughters whose lives begin to unravel when secrets from the past threaten everything they've built. We explore the inspiration behind the novel, the complicated dynamics between mothers and daughters, female friendships, aging, belonging, and the expectations society places on women.

Susannah also shares how her decades of research into women's lives and relationships have influenced her fiction, her journey from wanting to become a writer as a child to becoming a published author and professor, and why she chose to write her fiction under the name Susannah Marren. She offers insight into her creative process and advice for aspiring writers about finding the time and courage to tell the stories they feel compelled to write.

Plus, we talk about Susannah's nonfiction work, the real-life experiences that shape her characters, her connection to Palm Beach, the importance of independent local businesses, and what readers can expect from another Palm Beach novel already in the works.

It's a fascinating conversation about the people, relationships, secrets, and stories that exist beneath Palm Beach's glamorous exterior.