As artificial intelligence floods the workplace, from mimetic cover letters and chatbot interviews to automation and mass displacement, it can be increasingly tempting to focus on how best to wield — or even master — the technology. But an AI strategist who works in Northeast Florida says fear of being outpaced is pushing many to compete, rather than refine what they’re best at: being human. Ahead of her TEDxJacksonville keynote address, she discusses how workers can become indispensable instead of obsolete.Guest: <ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>Svetlana Makarova, <a href="https://tedxjacksonville.com/">TEDxJacksonville</a> keynote speaker, AI strategist at Mayo Clinic, founder of Spark Change.</li></ul>Then, a longtime early childhood educator known by students as “Mrs. T” was recently named Preschool Educator of the Year by the <a href="https://www.flaeyc.org/2025flaeycmemberawards">Florida Association for the Education of Young Children</a>. Kerstin Teutonico has more than 30 years' experience in the classroom and is known for her intentional and thoughtful approach to teaching. We ask her about how balance and structure in the classroom helps cultivate young minds and why her approach led to statewide recognition.Guest: <ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>Kerstin Teutonico, junior kindergarten teacher, Jewish Community Alliance.</li></ul>And, a pirate party might seem a strange choice for seafarers. But the International Propeller Club-Port of Jacksonville is all-in celebrating briny bandits, with a <a href="https://www.propclubjax.com/pirate-party">Pirate Party Fundraiser</a> in honor of the nonprofit’s 95-year anniversary. The event, from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday, is held aboard the USS Orleck and features a pirate costume contest, live music and coastal-inspired hors d’oeuvres. We sit down with the group’s leaders, who say the event is more than a party, but a celebration of the maritime industry.Guests: <ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>Linda Carrion, president, <a href="https://www.propclubjax.com/">International Propeller Club-Port of Jacksonville</a>.</li><li>Liz Miller, director, International Propeller Club-Port of Jacksonville.</li></ul>

<description>TEDxJacksonville’s keynote speaker says your job isn’t to compete with a system, but to “become more human."</description>

TEDxJacksonville’s keynote speaker says your job isn’t to compete with a…

TEDxJacksonville’s keynote speaker says your job isn’t to compete with a system, but to “become more human."

Winning in an AI job market

From the city’s response to missing SNAP benefits, to mounting criticism over the cost of the Jacksonville Transportation Authority's autonomous shuttle system, we ask the mayor about the latest city headlines. She also responds to a council member's fraud allegations about the city's telehealth provider and shares her thoughts about the former mayor's criticism of her administration.Guest: <ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan.</li></ul>Then, an accidental discovery of AI bias led one local student to national recognition. Eighth grader Peter Fernández Dulay was goofing around with his sister using an AI image generator when they got a surprising response to a prompt for a “scientist.” The response? “All the images that showed up were of old, light-skinned men with frizzy gray hair. Not a single woman.” Peter chose to dig into why, and the result was ultimately taking home a $10,000 prize and a Department of Defense STEM Talent Award.Guest: <ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>Peter Fernández Dulay, eighth grader, winner of Department of Defense junior innovator award.</li></ul>And, shoppers can keep their holiday spending local and simultaneously support First Coast artists at the First Coast Cultural Center's 34th annual Holiday Shoppes event. We preview the artists on display and discuss the organization's three-decade history of boosting art and culture in Ponte Vedra Beach.Guests: <ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>Silvia Romero, senior operations director, First Coast Cultural Center.</li><li>Kimberly Sheridan, fundraising manager, First Coast Cultural Center.</li></ul>

<description>Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan discusses city business, from the politics of her predecessor to a profusion of downtown parkspace.</description>

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan discusses city business, from the politics of…

Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan discusses city business, from the politics of her predecessor to a profusion of downtown parkspace.

Ask the Mayor

Twenty-two years after Art Walk began with a vision of defibrillating Downtown, big changes are in the works. The agency that manages the monthly first Wednesday event, Downtown Vision Inc., has begun charging a $45 fee to all participating vendors, not just those in James Weldon Johnson Park, as it previously did. Some vendors fear being priced out. Others feel they’re being pushed out. And still others say they understand the rationale behind the new fees. We talk to foundational creators and current artists about how Art Walk has changed and what the event might look like in the months and years to come.Guests:<ul class="rte2-style-ul" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-inline-start:48px;"><li>Mal Jones, emcee, host of The Lyricist Live.</li><li>Tony Allegretti, co-founder, First Wednesday Art Walk.</li><li>Sherry Shine, owner, Sherika Originals Handcrafted Gifts.</li><li>Michael Taylor, aka “Animus,” artist.</li></ul>Then, a World War II love story in honor of Veteran’s Day. Author Larry Schnell tells the true story of a couple who sent love letters during wartime via secret code. Schnell, a former reporter for the Florida Times-Union and journalism professor at the University of Florida, uncovered the cache of letters hidden in his parents’ attic. A few years later, he also located the key to deciphering the code, which allowed his father to secretly communicate his location as he traveled the world as a Coast Guard sailor.Guest: <ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>&nbsp;Larry Schnell, author, <a href="https://larryschnell.com/" target="_blank">A Sailor’s Song: Lost Love Letters of World War II</a>.</li></ul>And, they ain’t sisters, but they are a wild mix of musical influences, from Prince to Shovels and Rope. We talk to the band Aint Sisters ahead of their Jacksonville <a href="https://intuitionale.com/live-music/">show</a> on Friday at Intuition Aleworks’ Bier Hall.Guest:<ul class="rte2-style-ul" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-inline-start:48px;"><li>Barb Carbon, acoustic guitar, vocals,&nbsp;<a href="https://theaintsisters.com/">Aint Sisters</a>.</li><li>Arrie Bozeman, electric guitar, mandolin, vocals, Aint Sisters.</li></ul>

<description>New rules and vendor fees are changing who can participate in the iconic Downtown event.</description>

New rules and vendor fees are changing who can participate in the iconic…

New rules and vendor fees are changing who can participate in the iconic Downtown event.

Paying to hawk at Art Walk

An urban farmer in Springfield says it shouldn’t be this hard to feed the community fresh, healthy food. But local ordinances and the farmer’s goals for the property have created a zoning problem more complex than city codes can accommodate. We discuss what is and is not permitted when it comes to community gardening, along with legal efforts to change and clarify the current framework.Guests: <ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>Nathan Ballentine, founder of <a href="https://overalls.life/">Overalls Farm</a>.&nbsp;</li><li>Tyler Grant, president of the <a href="https://www.sparcouncil.org/">SPAR</a> Council board of directors.</li><li>Laureen Husband, director of <a href="https://www.projectonehealth.org/project-one-health-jax/">Project One Health Springfield</a>.</li></ul>Then, Northeast Florida’s foster care prevention system has an urgent need for 16 host families and 27 mentors, proof of growing demand throughout Duval, Clay, Nassau, St. Johns, Flagler, Putnam and Volusia counties. We ask the region’s faith-based coordinator about the need for short-term homes for children and talk to two experienced volunteer host parents about what it takes, and what it gives back.Guests: <ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>Dr. Standralyn Terry, Northeast Florida executive director of <a href="https://bettertogetherus.org/">Better Together</a>.&nbsp;</li><li>Tiffani and William Lancaster, volunteer host family for Better Together.</li></ul>And, the Jaguars fell to the Texans in Houston on Sunday after blowing a 19-point lead in the fourth quarter. We get local expertise on what went so wrong and how the team’s performance stacks up at the NFL season’s midpoint.Guest: <ul class="rte2-style-ul"><li>Alessandra Pontbriand, sportscaster for WJXT News4Jax.</li></ul>

<description>The city has proven unwelcoming for some urban farmers. We talk to agricultural and legal experts who hope to change that.</description>

The city has proven unwelcoming for some urban farmers. We talk to agricultural…

The city has proven unwelcoming for some urban farmers. We talk to agricultural and legal experts who hope to change that.

Growing pains

Each Friday, our media roundtable dives into the biggest stories of the week. Among our topics this week:<ul class="rte2-style-ul" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-inline-start:48px;"><li>The Jacksonville Transportation Authority boosts ridership by enlisting employees to hop on board.&nbsp;</li><li>Locals respond to help those shut out by the government shutdown.&nbsp;</li><li>Duval County Schools Superintendent Chris Bernier pushes back on charter expansion.&nbsp;</li></ul>Guests:<ul class="rte2-style-ul" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-inline-start:48px;"><li>Emily Turner, Action News Jax anchor and investigative reporter.</li><li>Nikesha Williams, author and producer of the Black &amp; Published podcast.</li><li>Mike Mendenhall, City Hall reporter and associate editor at Jacksonville Today.</li><li>David Bauerlein, metro reporter at the Florida Times-Union.</li></ul>And, from “dirt roads and citrus groves” to modern-day Mandarin. It’s an evolution the Mandarin Garden Club has both witnessed and helped shape. As the storied civic beautification club celebrates 80 years, we talk to some of the leaders and historians about the challenges the organization has faced and the many victories that have helped preserve the area’s charm — and iconic trees.Guests:<ul class="rte2-style-ul" style="margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-inline-start:48px;"><li>Marvine Thompson, president, Mandarin Garden Club.</li><li>Sandra Varner, first vice president, Mandarin Garden Club.</li><li>Jessie Hillard, circle leader, Mandarin Garden Club.</li></ul>

<description>It’s the week’s biggest headlines, from JTA’s costly effort to boost ridership to growing pushback to charter school expansion.</description>

It’s the week’s biggest headlines, from JTA’s costly effort to boost ridership…

It’s the week’s biggest headlines, from JTA’s costly effort to boost ridership to growing pushback to charter school expansion.

First Coast Week in Review

First Coast Connect is an hour-long call-in program that features local newsmakers, civic and community leaders, arts, activities across Jacksonville and Northeast Florida, along with spot news features and a weekly roundtable of local journalists.

First Coast Connect

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