Panhandle Pulse

“Real issues. Real people. No filters.” Welcome to Panhandle Pulse — the podcast that gives North Florida a voice. Hosted by Chuck Asbury, Panhandle Pulse dives into the real challenges and real conversations shaping our communities. From small business owners, farmers to veterans, healthcare workers, and defense professionals, we talk with the people who keep our region moving. Every week, we bring you candid interviews, frontline stories, and unfiltered insight on the issues that matter most — including agriculture, national defense, healthcare access, deregulation, and the fight to keep rural America strong.

Panhandle Pulse is a society podcast hosted by Chuck Asbury, with 37 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Chuck Asbury hosts Panhandle Pulse, a society show with 37 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Panhandle Pulse

  Why 70% of Family Businesses Fail | Peter Bergeron on The Trapped Operator & Small Business Success

  Aug 19, 202642 min

  Why do so many successful small businesses fail during succession? In this episode of Panhandle Pulse , Chuck Asbury sits down with entrepreneur, author, and business strategist Peter Bergeron to discuss his new book, The Trapped Operator , and the hidden challenges that keep business owners from scaling, exiting, or passing their companies to the next generation. Peter shares insights from more than 50 years of family business experience, explains the 12 Fatal Issues that threaten small businesses, and reveals why nearly 70% of family business transitions fail . The conversation covers leadership, succession planning, AI, delegation, business growth, operational systems, and how owners can escape becoming trapped inside the companies they built. Whether you're an entrepreneur, family business owner, CEO, or planning your exit strategy, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you build a business that lasts. Topics Covered: Why family business succession fails The "Trapped Operator" framework The 12 Fatal Issues affecting small businesses How to scale without becoming the bottleneck Leadership, delegation, and AI in modern business Preparing your company for sale or generational transition Building systems that create long-term value Connect with Peter Bergeron: Visit TheTrappedOperator.com to learn more about the book, access business diagnostics, and connect with Peter. Small Business • Family Business • Entrepreneurship • Business Growth • Succession Planning • Leadership • The Trapped Operator • Peter Bergeron • Small Business Podcast • Business Systems • Business Exit Strategy • Family-Owned Business • CEO • Founder • Business Operations • Panhandle Pulse Podcast Support the show

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  Panhandle Pulse

  Marketing, AI & Podcasting with David Fiore | Panhandle Pulse

  Jul 29, 202640 min

  In this episode of Panhandle Pulse , Chuck sits down with David Fiore , founder of Fiore Communications and host of the How I Got Here podcast, to discuss entrepreneurship, digital marketing, AI, and building lasting relationships with customers. David shares how he transitioned from journalism and magazine publishing into launching his own marketing agency, the lessons learned over 25 years in business, and why authentic relationships still matter in an AI-driven world. They also discuss: How marketing has evolved over the past 25 years Using AI as a tool without replacing human creativity Why long-term marketing strategy beats chasing viral moments The relationship between marketing and sales Starting and growing a successful podcast Entrepreneurship, business ownership, and taking calculated risks The future of work and AI Why Tallahassee and Florida's Panhandle are great places to build a business Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, marketer, or podcast creator, this episode is packed with practical insights and real-world advice. Keywords: marketing, AI marketing, entrepreneurship, Tallahassee business, Florida business, digital marketing, podcasting, content marketing, small business growth, Panhandle Pulse, David Fiore, Fiore Communications, business strategy, branding, customer relationships, Florida entrepreneurs https://fiorecommunications.com/ Support the show

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  Panhandle Pulse

  Finding Hope in Exile with Niki Kirby | Faith, Purpose & The Garden of Exile

  Jul 15, 202641 min

  In this episode of Panhandle Pulse , Chuck Asbury sits down with author, entrepreneur, and 30A resident Niki Kirby to discuss her new book, The Garden of Exile . Together they explore what it means to remain faithful during life's difficult seasons, why exile can become a place of growth instead of defeat, and how identity in Christ provides hope in a changing culture. Niki shares her personal journey, the inspiration behind her book, parenting through uncertainty, entrepreneurship, taking bold risks, and how God often uses our hardest seasons to prepare us for something greater. Whether you're navigating a challenging season, searching for purpose, or looking to strengthen your faith, this conversation offers practical encouragement and timeless biblical wisdom. Topics Covered: The inspiration behind The Garden of Exile Finding purpose during difficult seasons Parenting and raising children in today's culture Faith beyond religion Entrepreneurship and trusting God's direction Living with courage instead of fear Discovering your God-given purpose Connect with Niki Kirby: 🌐 https://nikikirby.com Subscribe to Panhandle Pulse for more conversations with the people shaping Northwest Florida and beyond—real issues, real conversations, no filters. Support the show

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  Panhandle Pulse

  From 14-Year-Old Entrepreneur to 1,300 Stores: Joe Tomarchio's Business, Leadership & Customer Service Blueprint

  Jul 8, 202656 min

  What does it take to build a business from a single tire shop into a company that grows to 1,300 locations across 32 states ? In this episode of Panhandle Pulse , Chuck sits down with entrepreneur and business leader Joe Tomarchio to uncover the timeless leadership principles that helped him build, scale, and eventually sell one of the nation's most successful automotive service businesses. Joe shares the incredible story of launching his first business at just 14 years old , growing it into 26 full-service tire and auto centers , and selling the company before leading acquisitions that expanded Monroe's footprint from 550 stores to 1,300 locations nationwide. Along the way, he reveals the business philosophies that transformed employees into leaders and customers into lifelong advocates. In this conversation, you'll learn: How Joe started his first business as a teenager and built a multimillion-dollar company. The Four Pillars of Successful Hiring : attitude, enthusiasm, work ethic, and moral compass. Why paying employees more can dramatically improve retention and company culture. The importance of building a customer-first organization instead of chasing short-term profits. How exceptional customer service creates lifelong loyalty and organic word-of-mouth marketing. Leadership lessons on hiring, accountability, company culture, and motivating teams. Why entrepreneurs should focus on mastering one business before chasing multiple opportunities. The mindset required to overcome fear, uncertainty, and the challenges of starting a business. Why your spouse, family, and support system can determine entrepreneurial success. Joe's thoughts on Florida's business climate, taxes, insurance, economic growth, and opportunities for entrepreneurs. His personal mantra for success that has guided him throughout more than five decades in business. Whether you're launching your first startup, growing a small business, leading a team, or simply looking for practical leadership advice, this episode is packed with real-world lessons from someone who has spent over 50 years building successful companies and developing winning teams. If you're an entrepreneur, business owner, executive, manager, or anyone passionate about leadership and customer service, this conversation delivers actionable insights you can apply immediately. Support the show

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  Panhandle Pulse

  From Combat to 'Florida Noir': Veteran & Author Jared Maxwell | Panhandle Pulse

  Jul 1, 202633 min

  Welcome back to the Panhandle Pulse! This week, host Chuck Asbury sits down with native Floridian, combat veteran, and grit-infused fiction author Jared Maxwell for an unfiltered look at what it truly means to stare down chaos—and live to write about it. Growing up with parents in the entertainment industry, Jared always had a knack for storytelling. But before he ever picked up a pen professionally, he answered the call of duty following 9/11. What followed was a decorated military career spanning nine years, three deployments, and 35 months in heavy combat. In this episode, Jared opens up about: The Baptism by Fire: From jumping out of airplanes with the 82nd Airborne to the initial push into Fallujah, Iraq. Surviving the Corngal Valley: Living out of remote outposts in Afghanistan, navigating brutal mountain terrain, and surviving nearly 200 daily firefights in one of the most dangerous sectors on earth. From the Frontlines to the Thin Blue Line: Turning the page to an 11-year career in law enforcement, navigating the grit and politics of modern policing, and dealing with PTSD. Pioneering "Florida Noir": How real-life combat skills and wild "Florida Man" police encounters birthed his viral new crime epic, Code of Vengeance , and how he successfully mastered the brutal world of indie self-publishing. Whether you are a fan of military history, true-to-life tactical thrillers, or just love a raw, honest look at human resilience, this conversation is one you don't want to miss. Connect with Jared Maxwell: Find his books ( Code of Vengeance ) on Amazon and Goodreads by searching "Jared Maxwell". Subscribe, rate, and leave a review if you enjoyed the show! Support the show

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