Episode 300: Miami Circle

In this milestone 300th episode of 'Welcome to Florida,' hosts Chad Scott and Craig Pippen reflect on the podcast's journey since 2020, celebrating its consistent weekly release and mission to preserve Florida’s environmental and cultural history. They open with a stark warning about the Trump administration’s efforts to undermine the Endangered Species Act through a controversial 'God Squad' that authorized the potential extinction of 22 Gulf of Mexico species for offshore drilling, framing it as a fascist overreach disguised as national security. This sets a dire tone before shifting to hope: the announcement of in-person events in St. Petersburg and Orlando, and a deep dive into the Miami Circle, one of North America’s most significant archaeological discoveries. Through an interview with Dr. Bob Carr, the pioneering archaeologist who discovered the 1,700-year-old circular structure at the mouth of the Miami River, the episode reveals the sacred, ceremonial role of the site for the ancient Tequesta people. The discovery, preserved through a landmark eminent domain case, challenges colonial myths of Native American 'primitiveness' and highlights Florida’s deep indigenous roots. The episode closes with a reflection on how urban development often erases history, and a nod to Carr’s novel, 'The Python Conspiracy,' which weaves real events into a fictional narrative about environmental and cultural preservation.