Two fantastic, dark, and eerie stories are featured in Freaky Fiction. The first is Deb Rogers' debut novel, Florida Woman. It's the story of one woman's journey to redemption after going viral for committing an outrageous crime she never inten

Tampa's History and Mysteries

Feb 3rd, 2023 30m

One town in Florida has a rich history and unsolved mysteries. There are miles of tunnels beneath the city that may have been used for smuggling, cigars once held secret messages with instructions to launch the Cuban rebellion against Spain an

Conversations With Florida Literary Legend

Jan 13th, 2023 29m

The SoFlo Weird Street Team met up with award winning author and reporter Craig Pittman, at the Miami Book Fair. Pittman, a Florida native, worked for The Tampa Bay Times, where his environmental reporting garnered him multiple regional and nat

Columbia: Gem of Spanish Restaurants

Dec 24th, 2022 31m 32s

In another installment of our SoFlo Weird Street Team Tampa Trip we explore the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City. Taking up an entire city block at 52,000 square feet, which includes 6,000 just for the kitchen, and seating for up to 1,700 peop

Chasing Ghosts

Oct 16th, 2022 35m 30s

The SoFlo team met Brian Kramer and Donna Lyman of Paranormal Adventures on a late-night ghost hunt at the St Augustine Lighthouse. They discuss their investigations and give tips on what they've learned on their paranormal journey as the busie

Tampa's Underworld

Sep 17th, 2022 28m 50s

The SoFlo Weird Team hit the streets of Tampa to explore it's sordid past. Historic Ybor City was once a hotbed for criminal activity during prohibition, only second to New York City. From bolita and bootlegging to a turf war that led to the

Jerky Neighbors

Aug 12th, 2022 39m 30s

Neighbor disputes date back centuries to the time of early settlements. You can bet that in our colorful state of Florida, those disagreements can get downright absurd. We've got several stories about those jerks who will do just about anything

Battle For The Big Top

Jul 11th, 2022 30m 21s

One of America's favorite pastimes has always been the circus. And dominating that entertainment spectacle were the larger than life circus kings PT Barnum, James Bailey and John Ringling. Independently they competed for control of the America

Only In Your State: Florida Edition

Jun 24th, 2022 32m 45s

Florida is famous for its magical theme parks and pristine beaches, but for those who seek adventure off the beaten path, there is a fantastic resource offering a daily look into the hidden gems you can find only in your state. Marisa Roman, a

Key Largo's African Queen

Jun 3rd, 2022 24m 27s

Our adventures in Key Largo take us to Mile Marker 100, where a special piece of film history floats along the dock next to the Holiday Inn. It's the iconic African Queen, the real boat on which movie legends Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bog

Weird Underwater Adventures

Mar 18th, 2022 26m 8s

The SoFlo Weird Street Team headed to Key Largo Florida in search of a one of a kind real treasure, an underwater hotel located 25 feet deep on the ocean floor in a mangrove lagoon. The Jules Undersea Lodge, a unique underwater sanctuary, is

The Thing About Florida

Jan 23rd, 2022 30m 47s

To find the true essence of Florida you must be willing to travel it’s backroads, coastal regions and swamps to immerse yourself deep within it’s communities. That's just what author Tyler Gillespie did. In his latest book "The Thing About Flo

Weird Crimes

Dec 14th, 2021 31m 53s

These crimes predate the Florida Man phenom, but back in the day, there were brazen thieves with catchy nicknames like Gentle Jim, The Kissing Bandit and Murph The Surf. We meet up with historian and fellow podcaster Casey Piket, who discusse

Time Slips

Oct 29th, 2021 28m 50s

Outta time brings on a whole meaning when we discuss the mystery of time slips, a phenomenon that happens when a moment from the past spontaneously intrudes on the present through seemly-unexplained means. There are numerous documented cases ar

Monkey Business & Other Strange Things

Sep 18th, 2021 23m 38s

Florida is home to some pretty weird wildlife. Aside from our state's mascot, the gator, there are West African Monkeys residing in a mangrove swamp between Port Everglades and the Fort Lauderdale Airport. These playful primates have been li

Florida's Botanical Wonders

Aug 13th, 2021 35m 5s

The SoFlo Weird Street Team hit the road and headed to Lake Wales, home of the most beautiful and unique sanctuary you'll ever see, Bok Tower Gardens. This National Historic Landmark is a 250-acre contemplative garden and nature preserve with

Orange Blossom 2.0 & The Birth of Miami

Jul 16th, 2021 38m 49s

In this special episode we celebrate Miami's 125th Anniversary with historian Cesar A. Becerra as he reveals some very interesting facts about the birth of Miami. Cesar's book, Orange Blossom 2.0 tells the untold story of Miami's "other" Mothe

Without A Trace

Jun 12th, 2021 33m 18s

The SoFlo Weird team dive into the murky history of the Bermuda Triangle, that infamous part of the Atlantic Ocean between Bermuda, Florida and Puerto Rico. A place riddled with mystery and intrigue, as it has been a place where many ships and

Jacksonville's Southern Rock Roots

May 21st, 2021 22m 24s

We discuss the in-depth history of Jacksonville’s Southern Rock Music scene with media historian and author Dr. Michael Ray FitzGerald. In his book "Jacksonville and The Roots of Southern Rock" he shines a light on the artists and songs that p

Freaky Florida

May 7th, 2021 28m 17s

The SoFlo Weird team looks into shock entertainment, those live circus side show attractions that featured human oddities and bizarre performances, Freak Shows as they were once called. This live entertainment drew crowds like a moth to a flam

Florida's Natural Elixir

Apr 21st, 2021 27m 57s

Tourism and agriculture have always been the backbone of Florida's economy. Primarily people flocked to our shores to escape cold northern winters, but weather was not the only reason. It seems there is something in our natural spring water a

Paradise Found & Lost

Apr 2nd, 2021 23m 37s

If you've ever thought of just getting away from it all, there is a secluded island located off of Florida's Forgotten Coast. Dog Island is part nature preserve and part home for very resourceful residents. It is amenity deprived, hurricane pr

Weird Eats

Mar 12th, 2021 35m 34s

On the menu...creamed rattlesnake meat, possum stew and anti-aging pancakes. SoFlo Weird Contributor Michelle McArdle and I are dishing up the dirt on these Florida-centric foods and some weird dining experiences. Should you wish to feast wit

Weird Journeys

Feb 20th, 2021 34m 46s

Imagine walking through the entire state of Florida for four months. That's just what author Kent Russell did and documented in his book "In The Land of Good Living: A Journey To The Heart of Florida". Intent on making a film, he and two of

SoFlo Origins

Jan 28th, 2021 33m 17s

Get to know the SoFlo Weird Show backstory. Find out the inspiration and reason why we are so compelled to bring you these unique Florida stories, how we became self-proclaimed weirdoes and what spiritually guided force is behind this podcast.