<![CDATA[Rooted in Milton: Community Voices]]>Rooted in Milton: Community Voices is a local podcast dedicated to thoughtful, solution-focused conversations about the issues impacting Milton, Florida and Santa Rosa County.

From affordable housing and substance use recovery to workforce development and economic opportunity, we bring together local leaders, professionals, and residents to explore real challenges — and real solutions.

This channel is committed to respectful dialogue, community connection, and strengthening the place we call home.

If you care about Milton’s future, subscribe and join the conversation.

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Thu, 28 May 2026 19:46:02 GMTTue, 03 Mar 2026 17:46:52 GMT60Tanya Ftretwell<p>Rooted in Milton: Community Voices is a local podcast dedicated to thoughtful, solution-focused conversations about the issues impacting Milton, Florida and Santa Rosa County.<br /><br />From affordable housing and substance use recovery to workforce development and economic opportunity, we bring together local leaders, professionals, and residents to explore real challenges — and real solutions.<br /><br />This channel is committed to respectful dialogue, community connection, and strengthening the place we call home.<br /><br />If you care about Milton’s future, subscribe and join the conversation.</p>episodicTanya Ftretwelltfretwellrn@yahoo.comno<![CDATA[Podcast #1 - ALICE]]>What does it mean to be working—but still struggling to afford the basics?

In this episode of Rooted in Milton: Community Voices, Tanya explores ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)—households that earn above the federal poverty level but still cannot afford the true cost of living in their community. These are working families who often live paycheck to paycheck yet don’t qualify for many assistance programs.

After attending an information session hosted by the United Way of West Florida, Tanya breaks down what ALICE looks like locally and why it matters. Using economic data from Florida Economic and Demographic Research Office, she explores wages, major industries, and the cost pressures facing households in Santa Rosa County.

This episode discusses:

  • What ALICE means for working families in Northwest Florida
  • Why federal poverty guidelines often miss the real cost of living
  • How local wages compare to the ALICE survival budget
  • Why rising healthcare costs are making financial stability even harder

Understanding ALICE helps communities recognize a growing reality: many hardworking families are financially vulnerable—even while employed.

Learn more:

United Way of West Florida ALICE information sessions:
https://www.uwwf.org/alice-info-sessions

Santa Rosa County economic profile:
https://edr.state.fl.us/content/area-profiles/county/santarosa.pdf

]]>365384c6-6eea-45a2-831f-cc2959e66eb7Tue, 10 Mar 2026 18:47:39 GMT<p>What does it mean to be working—but still struggling to afford the basics?</p><p></p><p>In this episode of <i>Rooted in Milton: Community Voices</i>, Tanya explores <b>ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed)</b>—households that earn above the federal poverty level but still cannot afford the true cost of living in their community. These are working families who often live paycheck to paycheck yet don’t qualify for many assistance programs.</p><p></p><p>After attending an information session hosted by the United Way of West Florida, Tanya breaks down what ALICE looks like locally and why it matters. Using economic data from Florida Economic and Demographic Research Office, she explores wages, major industries, and the cost pressures facing households in Santa Rosa County.</p><p></p><p>This episode discusses:</p><ul><li>What ALICE means for working families in Northwest Florida</li><li>Why federal poverty guidelines often miss the real cost of living</li><li>How local wages compare to the ALICE survival budget</li><li>Why rising healthcare costs are making financial stability even harder</li></ul><p>Understanding ALICE helps communities recognize a growing reality: many hardworking families are financially vulnerable—even while employed.</p><p><b>Learn more:</b></p><p>United Way of West Florida ALICE information sessions:<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.uwwf.org/alice-info-sessions" target="_blank">https://www.uwwf.org/alice-info-sessions</a></p><p>Santa Rosa County economic profile:<br /><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://edr.state.fl.us/content/area-profiles/county/santarosa.pdf" target="_blank">https://edr.state.fl.us/content/area-profiles/county/santarosa.pdf</a></p>no00:08:23Podcast #1 - ALICEfull<![CDATA[Welcome to Rooted in Milton]]>Welcome to Rooted in Milton: Community Voices — a platform dedicated to honest conversations, local stories, and real solutions for the issues shaping life in Milton, Florida.

Milton is more than a location — it’s home. It’s families, small businesses, schools, churches, neighborhoods, and the everyday people working hard to build stable lives. But like many communities, we’re navigating real challenges:

• Affordable housing and rising rent
• Substance use and recovery support
• Mental health access
• Workforce development and job opportunities
• Economic stability for families
• Access to healthcare and community resources

These issues are complex. They’re interconnected. And they affect real people.

This is not a political platform.
It is not about blame or division.

It is about listening.
It is about learning.
It is about strengthening our community through informed conversation.

My goal is to create a space where difficult conversations can happen respectfully — where diverse perspectives are welcomed — and where we focus on practical steps forward.

Community change doesn’t start with noise.....

It starts with understanding.
It starts with connection.
It starts with conversation.

If you believe Milton’s future matters, I invite you to subscribe, share, and join this growing community.

Thank you for being here.
Thank you for caring.

This is Rooted in Milton: Community Voices — where Milton’s voices take root and real conversations grow.

]]>98d64674-03d5-4b0a-8fed-47df061de49bTue, 03 Mar 2026 17:51:21 GMT<p>Welcome to Rooted in Milton: Community Voices — a platform dedicated to honest conversations, local stories, and real solutions for the issues shaping life in Milton, Florida.<br /><br />Milton is more than a location — it’s home. It’s families, small businesses, schools, churches, neighborhoods, and the everyday people working hard to build stable lives. But like many communities, we’re navigating real challenges:<br /><br />• Affordable housing and rising rent<br />• Substance use and recovery support<br />• Mental health access<br />• Workforce development and job opportunities<br />• Economic stability for families<br />• Access to healthcare and community resources<br /><br />These issues are complex. They’re interconnected. And they affect real people.<br /><br />This is not a political platform.<br />It is not about blame or division.<br /><br />It is about listening.<br />It is about learning.<br />It is about strengthening our community through informed conversation.<br /><br />My goal is to create a space where difficult conversations can happen respectfully — where diverse perspectives are welcomed — and where we focus on practical steps forward.<br /><br />Community change doesn’t start with noise.....<br /><br />It starts with understanding.<br />It starts with connection.<br />It starts with conversation.<br /><br />If you believe Milton’s future matters, I invite you to subscribe, share, and join this growing community.<br /><br />Thank you for being here.<br />Thank you for caring.<br /><br />This is Rooted in Milton: Community Voices — where Milton’s voices take root and real conversations grow.</p>no00:02:3211Welcome to Rooted in Miltontrailer