John Davis
Host, Reporter, Assistant News Directorjrdavis@wgcu.org
John Davis has been a Reporter/Producer for WGCU since 2007. For more than a decade he served as the local host for NPR’s Morning Edition. He currently serves as producer and host of WGCU’s radio talk program Gulf Coast Life Arts Edition with John Davis. Prior to joining WGCU, he worked at WDUQ-FM in Pittsburgh, PA (now WESA) covering local government and general assignments. John studied journalism at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Florida Gulf Coast University. His work has garnered awards from the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania, the Radio Television Digital News Association, and a first-place award and “Best in Show” from the Florida Associated Press for his investigative work in 2011. Davis helped lead news team coverage around the clock during Hurricane Irma in 2017, which won a National Edward R. Morrow Award. More recently, his election and political coverage has garnered awards from the Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists.
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In this installment from the StoryCorps Mobile Tour visit to Fort Myers in March 2024, we hear Cornelius “Neil” Cahill and his wife, Linda Cahill, share remembrances of their late friend, Harry Snyder, including a story from Harry’s time as a U.S. combat veteran during World War II. -
The Marco Island Historical Society is hosting a retrospective exhibition of works by Naples-based impressionist painter Paul Arsenault titled, “Reflections of South Florida: A 50-Year Art Adventure,” through Feb. 15, 2025. Ahead of an Oct. 17 opening reception, we talk with Arsenault about his work, his storied career, and his advocacy for protection of our natural world. -
In this installment from the StoryCorps Mobile Tour visit to Fort Myers in March 2024, we Gene Dole share lessons he learned from Afar tribesmen while on paleoanthropological expeditions in Ethiopia more than 50 years ago. -
Southwest Florida-based artist Susie Krichbaum’s first solo exhibition titled “Whispers of the Bayou: Voodoo and Forest Magic” opens Oct. 4 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center. We talk with Krichbaum about her art, her creative process, and embracing the peculiar. -
In this installment from the StoryCorps Mobile Tour visit to Fort Myers in Feb. 2024, we hear friends Kiana Garius and Belinda Jones talk about their friendship, racial bias, and the importance of empathy, openness and paying it forward. -
The Southwest Florida Symphony will open the 2024-2025 performance season with new maestro Stilian Kirov after the sudden departure of music director Radu Paponiu in April. We listen back to our August conversation with Kirov and get a preview of what’s in store for the symphony’s 64th season. -
In this installment from the StoryCorps Mobile Tour visit to Fort Myers in Feb. 2024, we hear Lacey Martin interview her young daughter Zuzu about family, superpowers, dreams, and what Zuzu might do when she grows up. -
Florida Repertory Theatre in downtown Fort Myers kicks off its 27th season this week with an ambitious roster of productions including music revues featuring 1950s-era favorites, iconic women artists of the 1960s, an Agatha Christie murder mystery, a time-traveling love story and plenty of comedy, including a play based here in Florida. Florida Rep. Producing Artistic Director Greg Longenhagen joins the show for a preview of the season ahead. -
In this installment from the StoryCorps Mobile Tour visit to Fort Myers in Feb. 2024, we hear Martha Bireda, Ph.D. talk with her son Jaha Cummings about perceptions of their own childhoods, the importance of family and community for POC during the Jim Crow era. -
Tampa-based blues, roots rock and sacred steel musician Damon Fowler performs Saturday, Sept. 14 at the Alliance for the Arts’ “Art Is Essential” bash. Ahead of the concert, we’ll talk with Fowler about his musical journey and hear songs from his latest album “Barnyard Smile.”
