Fort Lauderdale deserves a better conversation than “nice beaches.” After a trip to Greenville, South Carolina, I came home thinking about how people talk about the places they love and what we could do better here.

I get into Broward’s proposed pause on large data centers, the county’s growing dispute with Sheriff Gregory Tony, and why both stories deserve our attention. Then I turn toward our waterfront, where Seafarers’ House supports the people working aboard the ships we watch sail out of Port Everglades. Add boat show planning, early voting, and Halloween options from Wilton Drive to Snyder Park, and there’s plenty happening beyond the beach.

The Halloween lineup gives us some very different ways to get out around town:

• LauderBOO at Snyder Park is the free family outing on October 24, the weekend before Halloween.
• Bonnet House’s October 31 daytime event brings together costumes, treats, and a runway that includes pets.
• Wicked Manors takes over Wilton Drive on Halloween night, with proceeds supporting the Pride Center’s programs and services.

=== Chapters

• 00:23 Celebrating What Makes Lauderdale Special
• 02:18 Broward Weighs Data Center Pause
• 03:48 Early Voting Begins Across Broward
• 04:45 Heavy Rain and Beach Hazards
• 06:19 County-Sheriff Dispute Escalates
• 09:07 JetBlue Brings First Class to Fort Lauderdale
• 11:28 Honoring Port Everglades’ Maritime Community
• 14:45 Fort Lauderdale Boat Show Preview
• 17:25 Halloween Events Across Broward
• 22:13 What Makes Broward a Better Place?

=== Explore the Stories

• A Quick Downpour, a Big Flooding Risk: https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/wet-windy-saturday-night-south-215251934.html
• Broward County and the Sheriff Head Toward a Legal Fight: https://www.wlrn.org/light/law-justice/2026-10-13/broward-county-votes-to-pursue-legal-action-to-access-bso-headquarters
• JetBlue’s New First-Class Service Puts FLL in the Spotlight: https://www.miamiherald.com/living/travel/article317644851.html
• Seafarers’ House — 2026 International Golden Compass Award & Gala Honors: https://seafarershouse.org/golden-compass-award-gala-2026/
• Boat Show Season Is Back in Fort Lauderdale: https://www.flibs.com/
• Wicked Manors Takes Over Wilton Drive on Halloween: https://wickedmanors.org/
• Halloween at Bonnet House: https://www.bonnethouse.org/event/halloween-fest/
• LauderBOO: https://www.fortlauderdale.gov/Explore-FTL/Event-Calendar/LauderBOO

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

• Title: Happy Epic And Confident Corporate Background Piece To Suit Health Or Dynamic
• Item ID: 195889930
• Publisher: Saowakhon Brown
• Composer: Saowakhon Brown
• License: Individual License, Commercial
• Stock Media provided by TheSaoLady / Pond5

Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/

Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes Lauderdale stories and pass this episode along—because every Fort Lauderdale memory deserves an audience.

Dr. Ann Monis is the founder and CEO of Transformative Healthcare Solutions, a Fort Lauderdale-headquartered behavioral-health company providing talk therapy and corporate mental-health support across Florida. A Miami native who chose Victoria Park when she was ready to put down roots, Dr. Ann shares why Fort Lauderdale felt like the right balance of energy, community, charm, and a little less Miami traffic.

We get honest about the tough side of mental-health care: high deductibles, Medicaid waitlists, insurance session caps, and the fact that healing does not happen on a predictable 12-session schedule. Dr. Ann also talks about building the Florida Mental Health Coalition to help bridge that gap, bootstrapping her business, and why the changing look of Victoria Park brings both excitement and mixed feelings.

=== Chapters

• 00:10 Dr. Ann Monis Joins Let’s Talk Lauderdale
• 02:07 Transformative Healthcare Solutions and Talk Therapy
• 03:33 Workplace Culture, Wellness, and Business Realities
• 05:23 Healthcare Staffing and Florida’s Changing Workforce
• 07:11 The Florida Mental Health Coalition and Access to Care
• 09:44 From Law School to Forensic Psychology
• 11:08 The Pro Bono Case That Shaped Her Mission
• 14:57 Why Victoria Park Became Home
• 16:17 Las Olas Favorites and Fort Lauderdale Lifestyle
• 17:16 Building the Dr. Ann Brand and What Comes Next
• 19:42 Bootstrapping a Business as a Woman Entrepreneur
• 21:05 A Book Trilogy and the Next Chapter

=== Guest: Dr. Ann Monis, Transformative Healthcare Solutions, Founder and CEO

• Website: https://ths.health/
• Website: https://www.drann.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-monis-mba-psyd-43196b24

=== Local Businesses / Nonprofits / Events / Attactions

• Florida Mental Health Coalition: https://www.floridamhc.org/
• ChildNet: https://www.childnet.us/
• Ocean Prime Fort Lauderdale: https://ocean-prime.com/locations-menus/fort-lauderdale/
• Eddie V’s Prime Seafood, Fort Lauderdale: https://www.eddiev.com/locations/fl/fort-lauderdale/fort-lauderdale-fl/8528
• Timpano Las Olas: https://www.timpanolasolas.com/
• Annie Beck Park: https://www.parks.fortlauderdale.gov/Home/Components/FacilityDirectory/FacilityDirectory/139/1091
• Faena Hotel Miami Beach: https://www.faena.com/miami-beach

=== MUSIC LICENSE CERTIFICATE

• Title: Happy Epic And Confident Corporate Background Piece To Suit Health Or Dynamic
• Item ID: 195889930
• Publisher: Saowakhon Brown
• Composer: Saowakhon Brown
• License: Individual License, Commercial
• Stock Media provided by TheSaoLady / Pond5

Website: https://www.letstalklauderdale.com/

Let’s Talk Lauderdale is hosted by Marvin Bee & Jen Stewart.

Subscribe for more behind-the-scenes Lauderdale stories and pass this episode along—because every Fort Lauderdale memory deserves an audience.