The City Playbook

UCF Student Built a Global Brand from a Kitchen Sink in Orlando

Episode 1

In this episode of The City Playbook, Tim sits down with Rob Starkman, founder and CEO of Rock ’Em Socks, the Orlando company behind the viral MCO carpet socks, in-park Disney and Star Wars designs, and performance gear for NCAA and pro athletes.

Rob shares how a dorm-room side hustle turned into a 30,000 sq. ft. design-to-delivery operation in Orlando. We talk talent, manufacturing, licensing, and why Orlando’s connectivity and partnerships help founders scale globally.

Inside Orlando’s Creative Village

Building a Walkable, Vibrant Downtown

Episode 2

Curious about what is next for Orlando and Central Florida’s urban core? In this episode, host Tim sits down with Brooke Myers, founder of Velocity Red, an Orlando-based urban developer instrumental in the Creative Village project.

Brooke shares lessons from a decade at Disney working on land strategy and real estate, how the Great Recession sparked her entrepreneurial path, and what it really takes to build walkable, vibrant, mixed-use places that work for residents, students, and employers.

We unpack post-COVID trends, why residential density drives everything, the role of placemaking and safety, and what is coming in Creative Village Phase Two including restaurants and ground-floor activation, new apartments, a multi-tenant office building, a hotel, and the adaptive reuse of the Bob Carr as an innovation hub.

If you care about how cities grow, this one is for you.

From Startup to $1 Billion

How Sal Rehmatullah Built Stax and Worth AI in Orlando

Episode 3

In this episode of The City Playbook, Tim sits down with Sal Rehmetullah — co-founder of Stax and now president/cofounder at Worth AI — to unpack a decade-long “overnight success,” a billion-dollar exit, and why he’s building company number two right here in Central Florida. We cover scaling from startup to unicorn, creating 500+ jobs, making 70 new millionaires, and how Orlando’s talent, connectivity, and quality of life factor into founder decisions, investment, and retention.

Building Orlando’s Future

Real Estate, Community, and Growth

Episode 4

Orlando is more than theme parks. In this episode of The City Playbook, host Tim Giuliani sits down with real estate creator and community builder Ken Pozek (The Orlando Real) to unpack Orlando’s growth story, what residents and newcomers really want, and how smart development can strengthen community.

Ken shares his journey from Detroit to Central Florida, how content marketing helped him scale a 55-person real estate company, and why neighborhoods like SoDo, Mills 50, and Winter Garden are setting the pace. We compare takeaways from Orlando’s learning trips to Nashville and Charlotte including light rail, infill, 15-minute districts, and policies that fast-track high-quality development. Plus, we talk food scene surprises, the power of third places, and why “amenities and access” often matter more than bed-bath counts.

How Placemaking and Storytelling Are Powering Orlando’s Economic Revolution

Episode 5

In this episode of The City Playbook, Orlando Economic Partnership President & CEO Tim Giuliani sits down with Steven Pedigo, renowned urban strategist and faculty at the University of Texas at Austin, to explore what truly makes a city world-class.

From placemaking and destination branding to economic development, innovation ecosystems, and the bold Vision 2045 plan — discover how Orlando is positioning itself alongside global creative capitals like Barcelona, Tokyo, and Montreal.

You’ll hear why Orlando’s story is about more than tourism — it’s about the fusion of creativity, research, and opportunity that’s redefining the future of work, life, and community in Central Florida.

Inside Travel + Leisure Co.’s Bold Move to Downtown Orlando

Episode 6

In this episode of The City Playbook, Orlando Economic Partnership President & CEO Tim Giuliani sits down with Michael Brown, President & CEO of Travel + Leisure Co. (Fortune 1000), to talk about the company’s evolving strategy, why they’re moving their headquarters into Downtown Orlando, and how civic leadership can shape neighborhoods and futures.

Designing a City People Love

Orlando’s Playbook with Dan Kirby

Episode 7

In this episode, Tim sits down with architect and urban planner Dan Kirby of Jacobs to talk about what it takes to build a people-first city that attracts talent, investment, and opportunity.

From converting one-way streets to designing great “third places,” Tim and Dan dig into how policy, placemaking, and smart growth can elevate downtown Orlando and surrounding main streets across Central Florida.

The Business of Building Orlando

Scott Cathcart on How Truist Powers Community Progress

Episode 8

Curious about what is next for Orlando and how civic leadership and corporate partnership shape a thriving city?

In this episode, Tim Giuliani sits down with Scott Cathcart, President of Truist in Florida, to unpack career lessons, community investment, and the power of innovation to serve real people and real businesses. Scott shares his journey from early banking roles to leading a statewide team of 6,000, why careers work more like a jungle gym than a ladder, and how “showing up” creates opportunities.

Tim and Scott dive into Truist’s Innovation and Technology Center in Charlotte, what Orlando can learn from high collaboration hubs, why transit and walkable districts matter for housing and talent, and how Lift Orlando shows the impact of holistic community development.

The throughline is simple: Build your community and you build your company.

Orlando Helps Entrepreneurs Win

Lessons from Brand Strategist Latria Graham

Episode 9

In this episode, Tim sits down with Latria Graham, founder of GLB, brand strategist, and trusted advisor to both athletes and corporations.

From choosing between ESPN in Bristol and the Orlando Magic to spending 11 seasons inside the NBA organization, Latria shares how her early sports career shaped the way she now builds strategic brands and community impact platforms from her home base in Orlando.

You will also hear a powerful conversation about Orlando’s openness as a city, the advantage of building a business in a place where leaders actually listen, and why diversity of voices is not just a moral imperative but a business opportunity.

Latria shares how she navigates spaces from the locker room to the board room, why she pushes young athletes and young professionals to give before they take, and how board service and community involvement can shape your leadership journey.

Piero’s Bold Vision

Building a Worldwide Fintech From Orlando

Episode 10

In this episode of The City Playbook Podcast, host Tim Giuliani, President & CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership, sits down with Piero Del Risco the founder of Pana, a global neobank built for immigrants and diasporas around the world.

Piero shares how a frustrating attempt to open a bank account during a visit to Orlando sparked the idea for Pana, how he got into Y Combinator, secured an O-1 “extraordinary ability” visa, and ultimately chose Orlando over Miami, New York, and California as the home base for his fast-growing fintech company.

He also talks candidly about the toughest parts of fundraising, the realities of startup life, and why he believes Orlando checks all the boxes for high-skilled immigrants building global companies.

Inside Orlando’s Creative Renaissance

Poet Laureate Shawn Welcome Shares His Vision

Episode 11

In this episode of The City Playbook Podcast, host Tim sits down with Shawn Welcome, Poet Laureate of the City of Orlando, to explore the deeper story of Orlando beyond theme parks and tourism.

With over 30 years in Central Florida, Shawn shares how the city has shaped his life as an artist, educator, and community builder, and how poetry gives voice to neighborhoods that are often overlooked.

You will hear about the evolution of Orlando’s literary arts scene, from open mics and spoken word residencies at Dr. Phillips Center to the creation of the Literary Arts Council of Central Florida. Sean and Tim dig into Orlando’s identity as a collaborative, innovative city, where creatives, business leaders, and residents have a unique opportunity to co create what comes next.