Shellcast: Recent Episodes
The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel
Welcome to Shellcast, the podcast that's a beach break for your ears, from The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel.
The all-new board game Sanibel sparks a fun conversation with acclaimed board game designer Elizabeth Hargrave and the creative team from Avalon Hill and Hasbro. They share their affection for Sanibel Island and how Elizabeth's family beach walks inspired a game that celebrates the Seashell Capital of the World. Launching locally Jan. 15, the family-friendly game invites players to collect shells for their bag and celebrate simple joy, creativity and the island's next chapter. Recorded Dec. 10, 2025
November marks the start of college basketball season and during Thanksgiving week, Fort Myers heats up with 4 exciting tournaments. In this episode, East Carolina University Men's Head Coach Mike Schwartz joins Jeff Mielke, Lee County Sports development director, and Shellcast host Jackie Parker for a conversation about what makes the Fort Myers Tip-Off a slam dunk for players, fans and families. Recorded Oct. 30, 2025
Grab your beach chair and settle in as longtime Captiva Island innkeeper Tony Lapi shares a few of his favorite tales from nearly five decades in hospitality. From humble beginnings in 1976 to leading ’Tween Waters Inn & Marina, one of Southwest Florida’s most iconic resorts, Tony’s new book, Tales of an Island Innkeeper, is a great beach read that’s also a love letter to Captiva and Sanibel islands. Recorded Sept. 24, 2025
Shellcast kicks off Season 4 with a preview of Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, Sept. 19-28, on Captiva Island, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach. Guests include: Nancy McPhee, product development manager & Island Hopper Songwriter Fest lead organizer, Jacki Liszak, president & CEO, Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce, Angie K., singer-songwriter performing at the Sept. 4 Island Hopper Preview Party and during the festival, With Shellcast host Jackie Parker, the guests talk about how Island Hopper boosts community spirit and tourism, while Angie K. reveals how a vision board helped turn her dreams — including opening for Jelly Roll — into reality. Angie K. performs her song Red Dirt on Mars. Recorded Aug. 26, 2025.
Sanibel Island’s time capsule was sealed on Nov. 19, 1983, with instructions for it to be opened on the city’s 50th anniversary on Nov. 5, 2024. Let’s find out what’s inside with Sanibel Mayor Richard Johnson and Porter Goss, the island’s first mayor. Recorded Nov. 5, 2024
One week after Hurricane Milton, much of the Fort Myers area is open and ready for visitors. Shellcast guests include, in order of interviews, Pamela Johnson and Miriam Dotson of the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau; Bill Waichulis, Pink Shell Beach Resort & Marina, Fort Myers Beach; John Lai, SanCap Chamber of Commerce; Matt Devitt, chief meteorologist, WINK News; and Jeff Mielke, Lee County Sports Development. Recorded on Oct. 17, 2024
Island Hopper Songwriter Fest is only a week away, so to get ready for the 10-year celebration, Shellcast invited singer-songwriter Claire Liparulo in for a conversation about why the 10-day music event - Sept. 20-29 - is so special to Southwest Florida. Claire performs "No Shade" and "God's Cathedral. Shellcast also welcomes Nancy MacPhee, product development director at the Lee County VCB, and de facto director of Island Hopper. Recorded on Sept. 12, 2024
Essex County, the band of brothers Nate, Mark and Kieran Bass, tell what they love about Island Hopper Songwriter Fest and why you should be there, plus they sing an a cappella song, just for Shellcast. Island Hopper is set for Sept. 22-Oct. 1, with shows on Captiva Island, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach. Video on Shellcast's YouTube channel. Recorded Aug. 18, 2023
This preview to Island Hopper Songwriter Fest features an interview with Grammy-award winning performer Kristian Bush. He talks about why this year’s event is so special and why you should be there. Island Hopper is set for Sept. 22-Oct. 1, with shows on Captiva Island, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach. Recorded Aug. 18, 2023
The Grapefruit League’s in full swing and this episode takes you to the Lee County Sports Complex for a spring training game between the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. Jeff Mielke, executive director of Lee County Sports Development, tells how Hammond Stadium and JetBlue Park play into Lee County sports tourism. Recorded March 3, 2023
What’s the difference between bird watching and being a birder? Quite a lot, according to ardent birder Dr. Jose Padilla-Lopez. Spend some time with him at Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve in Fort Myers and you’ll learn more than a few things about the birds to be seen along the boardwalk. Jose breaks down birding with his easy-to-understand, five-point plan: Why birding is good for you What you need to start birding Birding hotspots in Lee County, Florida A few of the best birds to be found in Lee County How to meet other local birders and learn from them Recorded Jan. 25, 2023
Manatee Park in Fort Myers gives non-captive, Florida manatees a warm place to stay when the waters of the Gulf of Mexico dip below 68° F (20° C). It’s also a fun thing for visitors to do, especially January-March. The warm water in the park’s canal comes from the Florida Power and Light Power Plant across the street and is created as a byproduct of cooling off its equipment. Interviews include Laura Carr, Lee County Parks and Recreation, and visitors to Manatee Park. Recorded Jan. 16 and 18, 2023
Celebrate the holiday season with the Lighting of the Lighthouse at Port Boca Grande Lighthouse on Gasparilla Island and hear from the locals about how this island community is recovering from Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 hurricane that hit Southwest Florida on Sept. 28. Interviews with Sharon McKenzie, executive director, Barrier Island Parks Society; Gary Cross, president of Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce; Sue Herbert, resident of Fremont, Ohio, and Englewood, Florida; Andrew and Brittany Madison, residents of Englewood; Paul Townsend, lighthouse docent. Recorded Dec. 8 and 10, 2022.
Fort Myers Beach business owners and visitors talk about the recovery and cleanup efforts that continue weeks after Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 hurricane slammed into Southwest Florida on Sept. 28. Interviews with Peter Ennis, owner of Wahoo Willie's; Tom Fritz, resident of Fort Myers; Rebecca Henderson, general manager of Bayfront Bistro; Tom Houghton, owner of La Ola; Bill Ignatti, general manager of Wahoo Willie's; Jacki Liszak, president of Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce; Cameron Roper, host at Bayfront Bistro; and Diane and Jeff Stone, visitors from upstate New York. Recorded Nov. 16, 2022.
Sanibel Mayor Holly Smith and John Lai, president and CEO of Sanibel Captiva Islands Chamber of Commerce, talk about the Oct. 19 reopening of the Sanibel Causeway, restoring access to residents and construction crews just three weeks after Hurricane Ian. The Causeway’s reopening marks a significant milestone in Lee County’s recovery from the Category 4 hurricane that hit Southwest Florida on Sept. 28. Recorded Oct. 20, 2022
Sun, sand and songs. That's Island Hopper Songwriter Fest. Now in its eighth year, the event brings singer-songwriters to Captiva Island, downtown Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach for 10 days of music, Sept. 16-25. Performances by two-time Grammy winner Kristian Bush and Sheena Brook, along with interviews with Essex County, Dan Spears of BMI and music writer Cindy Watts. Recorded Sept. 17, 2022
Sanibel Island’s Blind Pass Beach is one of the best places in Southwest Florida for fly fishing, according to Norm Zeigler – and he should know. That’s where we chat with Zeigler, outdoor writer, author and creator of the Schminnow, an elegant fly – the name combines shrimp + minnow – known to catch 70 kinds of fresh and salt water fish. Recorded July 14, 2021.
See Spot Splash at Dog Beach in Bonita Springs, where dog paddling is the preferred swimming stroke. Hot dogs of all sizes gather here for fun in the shallow inlet off the Gulf of Mexico and south of Lovers Key State Park. Off-leash or on, there’s no mistaking the fresh breeze off the gulf with a hint of wet dog. One of pet-friendly faves. Recorded June 3, 2021. IG
Manatees love warm water. So, when the waters in the Gulf of Mexico cool, the gentle, slow-moving mammals swim through several bodies of water to arrive here at in Fort Myers. Guest Laura Carr, Lee County Parks & Recreation specialist, tells us what she’s learned about these super-sized vegetarians who can’t say no (it’s a vertebrae thing) and how it might even be cool to be a manatee. Recorded Feb. 10, 2021. IG
, one of Florida's original roadside attractions, welcomes about 75,000 visitors annually to Bonita Springs. Its new executive director, David Rahahę•tih Webb, is eager to bring conservation and education to the forefront of the Wonder Gardens, while keeping its kitschy-cool vibe. Hear his plans and listen in on a flamingo-feeding frenzy at the 3-acre attraction, established in 1936. Recorded Nov. 5, 2020. ,
WoW, aka Wildlife on Wheels, is the newest addition to on Sanibel Island. Ranger Toni Westland describes the mobile education facility and how it will be part of the refuge’s 75th anniversary. WoW will visit schools, libraries, senior facilities and festivals in the five-county area to teach about water quality, the ecosystem and wildlife. Finally, when you've gotta go, where better to go than an award-winning Learning Lavatory? Recorded July 30, 2020. ,
Hear the crunch, crunch, crunch of the shell-covered Indigo Trail on our hike with Ranger Toni Westland at Sanibel Island's . The 6,400-acre refuge is home to endangered and threatened species as well as over 245 species of birds. Our visit to the four-mile, round-trip Indigo Trail includes a stop at the Wildlife Education Boardwalk for a lesson in scat. Recorded July 30, 2020. ,
Be part of a successful morning visit in search of roseate spoonbills, Florida's other pink birds, at Sanibel Island's . Ranger Toni Westland takes us on Wildlife Drive, a four-mile paved road within the 6,400-acre refuge that is home to endangered and threatened species as well as over 245 species of birds. Recorded July 30, 2020. ,
Enjoy a visit to in Fort Myers, Florida, with Mike Cosden, executive vice president of the 20-acre estate located along the scenic Caloosahatchee River. Cosden tells us how Thomas Edison’s passion for this Southwest Florida city made it a destination for snowbirds and visitors worldwide, and considers what the inventor might have thought about podcasts. Take in the historic homes of Edison and Ford, the beautiful gardens and grounds, the inventor’s laboratory, and many other interesting features. Recorded June 25, 2020.
visits , the final resting place of many of Cayo Costa’s original settlers, known as fisherfolk. Danish mariner Capt. Peter Nelson is also buried there. In the late 1880s, Nelson founded Alva, Lee County, Florida's first incorporated town. Recorded Nov. 21, 2019.
Shellcast visits the 2020 Burrowing Owl Festival in Cape Coral. Hear how celebrates the only owl that lives underground. Interviews with volunteers Beverly Saltonstall and Bernadette MacNee. Take a ride on a school bus to see where you can find the owls on your own - just look for the PVC pipe. Recorded Feb. 29, 2020.
“It’s the way Florida used to be,” said Dennis Romig, volunteer, . When it comes to what to bring for a day trip or an overnight camping adventure, he’s the expert. Recorded Nov. 21, 2019.
Come aboard for a boat ride on Pine Island Sound and the Gulf of Mexico with one of Southwest Florida’s favorite outdoor guides, . Recorded Nov. 21, 2019.
“It’s a magical, magical place,” recalls Dorrie Hipschman, former executive director, , on her first visit to Sanibel. Recorded May 19, 2020.
Learn about goldendoodle Walter the intern and how he became Employee of the Month at . Recorded May 19, 2020.
Take a walk along a Sanibel Island beach with someone who really knows shells – Dorrie Hipschman, former executive director, on Sanibel. Recorded May 19, 2020.