Embedded Files
Progressive Voices 2026
February 11: "Welcome to Florida" by Craig Pittman
Craig Pittman is a native Floridian, an author, a journalist and a podcaster. Born in Pensacola, he graduated from Troy State University in Alabama, where his muckraking work for the student paper prompted an agitated dean to label him "the most destructive force on campus."
Since then he has covered a variety of newspaper beats and quite a few natural disasters, including hurricanes, wildfires and the Florida Legislature. For 21 years, he covered environmental issues for Florida's largest newspaper, the Tampa Bay Times, winning state and national awards. He now writes a weekly column for the Florida Phoenix and co-hosts the popular “Welcome to Florida” podcast. He is the author of seven books, including Oh, Florida! How America's Weirdest State Influences the Rest of the Country, a New York Times bestseller which won the gold medal for Florida non-fiction from the Florida Book Awards. In 2020, he was named a Florida Literary Legend by the Florida Heritage Book Festival and in 2022, the national Sierra Club gave him their Rachel Carson Award. He lives in St. Petersburg with his wife and two children.
Meeting The Moment!
Perhaps now more than ever, our well-regarded Progressive Voices lecture series provides a crucial platform for progressive thought leaders to address the Southwest Florida community about the important issues we face as a community, region, nation and world.
The Progressive Voices Planning Group has begun considering what issues we should focus for the coming season. And, there is no lack of important issues! Based on feedback from attendees, we have identified issues we think are most important to address in our current moment. These include:
Immigration
The Rise of Authoritarianism
The Impact of the Defunding of USAID
Freedom of Speech
The Role of the Media
Higher Education
The Impact of Loosening of Climate Protections on Health, Refugees
Artificial Intelligence
What Will the World Look Like in Two Years? Four Years?
We are seeking suggestions of people who would make good speakers to address these issues. If you have someone to suggest, please be in touch with one of the members of the Progressive Voices Planning Group which includes: Roger Frick, Leslie Frick, Sandy Cunningham, Kathie Gorski, Jack Moter, Ann Fisher and Rev. Tony Fisher.
We are also welcoming new members of our Planning Group! If you know you’d like to be part of this exciting program or want to find out more, please reach out to one of us.
Page updated
Report abuse