In this incredibly special episode of Mikes on Mic, hosts Mike Hightower, Mike Tolbert, and Mike Miller dedicate the hour to honoring a true Jacksonville icon—philanthropist, trailblazer, and community champion Pam Paul.

With fingerprints all over the civic, political, and philanthropic fabric of Jacksonville, Pam has spent over six decades quietly transforming the city from the ground up. From serving as an indispensable full-time volunteer senior staff member across three mayoral administrations (Mayors Ed Austin, John Delaney, and John Peyton) to her fierce advocacy for the creation and funding of the Jacksonville Children’s Commission, Pam’s legacy is a masterclass in selfless leadership.

The Mikes share moving tributes from an exclusive video feature packed with local legends—including former Mayors John Delaney and John Peyton, former Sheriff Nat Glover, Judge Audrey Moran, and business leader Michael Munz—before sitting down with Pam herself to reflect on a wonderful life of service.

Tune in to hear firsthand stories about her fearless early days lobbying for children's issues in the all-male halls of Tallahassee and Washington, her unique trademark bowl of peanut M&Ms, and that unforgettable weekend she directed street traffic to ensure 2,100 underprivileged kids got to see Michael Jackson live at the Gator Bowl.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 – Introduction: Honoring the Fingerprints of Pam Paul
• 01:25 – The Florida House Impact Award & A Gathering of 500 Leaders
• 01:50 – Local Legends Reflect: Audrey Moran, John Delaney, Nat Glover, Mark Lamping & John Peyton
• 02:20 – The Dollar-a-Year Volunteer & The Famous Peanut M&Ms
• 03:40 – Sheriff Nat Glover on the New Town Project Partnership
• 04:20 – Mayor John Peyton & The Early Childhood Literacy Book Club
• 06:30 – Michael Munz: "The Mother of the Children's Commission"
• 08:30 – Cracking the Glass Ceiling & Quietly Designing the Better Jacksonville Plan
• 14:50 – Mike Tolbert’s Story: Pam, Michael Jackson, and the 1984 Victory Tour
• 15:50 – Mike Hightower’s Story: Crashing the Halls of Tallahassee & Washington DC
• 18:10 – Mike Miller’s Reflection: The Senior Staff’s "Moral Compass" and "Den Mother"
• 19:30 – The History of the 1994 Tax Referendum for Kids
• 22:10 – Pam Paul Joins the Show: Meeting Bobby Paul at Yale & Moving South
• 24:45 – Facing the Good Ol' Boys: Trailblazing for Female Lobbyists
• 28:00 – "Aren't We Having Fun?" & Closing Remarks

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Mikes on Mic runs on the generosity of our community. A huge thank you to all of our donors for keeping the lights on and the cameras rolling! If you enjoyed this tribute to Pam Paul, please consider liking, subscribing, and sharing this episode with a friend.

#MikesOnMic #PamPaul #JacksonvilleHistory #Philanthropy #WomenInLeadership #JaxChildrensCommission #CommunityImpact #DuvalCounty

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Is Downtown Jacksonville truly booming, or are we just chasing buzzwords? In this episode of Mikes on Mic, Mike Miller, Mike Hightower, and Mike Tolbert sit down with Ennis Davis—a certified planner, public historian, and sixth-generation Floridian—to peel back the layers of Jacksonville’s urban development, transportation struggles, and rich cultural heritage.

From the future of the Laura Street Trio to the deep Gullah Geechee roots of LaVilla, Ennis provides a master class on how history and density must work together to create a vibrant city.

Key Highlights from the Conversation:

• The Reality of "Booming" Downtown: Ennis discusses why hitting the 10,000-resident milestone isn't a "magical pinnacle" for vibrancy and why the city must focus on "The Three Cs": Clustering, Complementing uses, and Compact settings.
• Historic Preservation & The Laura Street Trio: A look at why projects like the Trio have struggled to cross the finish line and how the Ambassador Hotel's transition into a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel serves as a model for adaptive reuse.
• LaVilla’s True Identity: Why Ennis corrects the "Harlem of the South" label, instead calling Harlem the "LaVilla of the North," and the neighborhood's role as the epicenter of Gullah Geechee culture in Jacksonville.
• Transportation & The Navi System: A candid critique of JTA’s driverless vehicle system, the need to attract "choice riders," and why transit investments fail without supportive land-use policies.
• The Emerald Trail: Why this project is more than just a "wide sidewalk" and how it can serve as a tool for generational wealth in historically disenfranchised communities.
• Jacksonville’s Gullah Geechee Heritage: Ennis discusses his new book and the $34 billion economic potential of cultural tourism, including the authentic history behind local staples like shrimp and grits and garlic crabs.
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About the Guest:

Ennis Davis is an author and urban planner with over 20 years of experience in architecture and development. He is the President of the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation and a leading voice on equitable development and mobility in Florida.

Join the Conversation:

Special thanks to our generous donors for keeping the lights on and the cameras rolling.

Tune in to the show on your favorite Podcasting platform and on MikesOnMic.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mikes-on-mic/id1697258731

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Enjoy!

The three Mikes are taking a brief hiatus this week, but we’re digging into the vault to bring you a discussion that is just as relevant now as it was when it first aired in March 2025. Join Mike Miller, Mike Hightower, and Mike Tolbert for a deep dive into the political maneuvers and fiscal realities shaping Jacksonville.

In This Episode:

• The UF Land Swap: We break down the friction between Mayor Donna Deagan and Councilman Ron Salem over the proposed land swap to bring a University of Florida graduate school to downtown.
• The $3 Billion Elephant in the Room: A sobering look at the city's $3 billion pension debt and the record-breaking $201 million annual payment hitting the general fund.
• The Power of Local Journalism: We discuss the critical role of the Jacksonville Tributary in uncovering the health crisis at the Duval County Jail, leading to staffing increases and the lifting of the facility's probation.
• 2026 Political Forecasts: From the Trump vs. DeSantis influence on the Florida Governor’s race to John Morgan’s potential third-party run, we look at the shifting tides of the GOP and independent voters.
• Legislative Watch: A discussion on the $115.6 billion state budget, the erosion of Home Rule, and the future of property insurance in Florida.

Connect with the Mikes:

• Website: mikesonmic.com
• Platforms: Find us on your favorite podcast app, Facebook, and YouTube.

Tune in to the show on your favorite Podcasting platform and on MikesOnMic.com

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mikes-on-mic/id1697258731

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/show/1osbkLvqreSJPXmfaubY1M?si=yVwAAnw1TmSSzZnZ3vM8sA

Connect with us on Social:

Youtube Channel: http://youtube.com/@mikesonmic

Facebook Page link: http://facebook.com/mikesonmic

Enjoy!