Ft Myers Beach - Good Neighbor

Behind the paradise of Sanibel Island's pristine beaches and breathtaking sunsets lies a crucial challenge – housing the essential workers who keep this slice of heaven functioning. Nicole McHale from Community Housing and Resources (CHR) pulls back the curtain on the affordable housing crisis affecting our coastal communities and the innovative solutions making a difference.

Founded when Sanibel incorporated fifty ye...

Daniel Clarkston never imagined owning a bar when he first moved to Southwest Florida from Germany in 2017. Yet today, his Mr. Waves Island Bar stands as a testament to entrepreneurial spirit and community resilience on Fort Myers Beach.

When Daniel and his wife purchased a prime Times Square property in mid-2022, they had no restaurant experience and an uncertain vision. Then Hurricane Ian hit. While devastating for the i...

Peter Ennis invites us into the heart of Fort Myers Beach's resilient restaurant scene, showcasing how his trio of beloved establishments—Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant, Wahoo Willies, and SOB—are contributing to the community's remarkable comeback story.

When Peter opened Snug Harbor six years ago, he revived more than just a restaurant—he reconnected with local history, establishing the eatery on the same sp...

Hurricane Ian changed everything for Fort Myers Beach businesses. While some remain shuttered, others push forward with rebuilding efforts, determined to reclaim their slice of paradise. At the heart of this recovery stands Gulf Coast Business Bank, Southwest Florida's first community bank in 15 years, providing crucial financial support when it's needed most.

Treasury Manager Kathy Stefanski joins us to share ho...

From the rubble of Hurricane Ian rises a story of resilience, community, and cold beer. Matt Faller, manager of The Beach Bar on Fort Myers Beach, shares the remarkable journey of keeping a beloved local establishment alive against seemingly impossible odds.

The Beach Bar stands as a testament to the strength of Fort Myers Beach, having reopened just 97 days after Hurricane Ian devastated the island. Matt proudly recounts ...

Resilience, community, and the sweetness of ice cream amid reconstruction—this is the story of Graham Belger and The Goodz on Fort Myers Beach.

Graham takes us on a journey through his roots as an island native who transformed a run-down hardware store into a thriving local business, only to face Hurricane Ian's devastating impact. With remarkable candor, he shares how his entrepreneurial instincts led him to partner ...

The unexpected heroes of disaster recovery often emerge from the most unlikely places. When Hurricane Ian devastated Fort Myers Beach in 2022, a local golf cart shop transformed overnight into a lifeline for an entire community.

Heidi shares the remarkable origin story of FMB Strong, which began when business owners Tim Ryan and Dan Allers found their building relatively undamaged after the hurricane. As donations began po...

Have you ever wondered what happens when you finally take your own advice and chase your dreams? Gregg Flowers did exactly that when he and his wife Sarah left their comfortable life in Ohio after 30 years in logistics to start fresh in Fort Myers Beach. Their story isn't just about relocating - it's about reinvention, resilience, and discovering what truly matters.

Gregg's candid conversation takes us throu...

When Hurricane Ian devastated Fort Myers Beach, Darcy Kuenzel and her family faced a crossroads: rebuild what was lost or create something entirely new. Standing amid the wreckage of their recently purchased marina, they asked themselves a simple question: "What is going to make people happy?" The answer became the Tiki Pub – a floating celebration that embodies the resilient spirit of this beach community.

The T...

Pull up a beach chair and dive into an inspiring conversation with Ben Duval of Tuna Skin Greetings, a Fort Myers Beach business that embodies the resilience and community spirit of this beloved coastal paradise.

Ben shares the quirky origin story behind the Tuna Skin name, born from a fishing trip in the Florida Keys where the founders noticed tuna's unique skin-like appearance. What started in a garage has blossomed...

The soul of Fort Myers Beach didn't wash away with Hurricane Ian. Just ask Melody King, who watched from a third-story window as the storm devoured her paradise on September 28, 2022—her 39th birthday. "You never expect your birthday to be the worst day of everyone's life," she reflects with remarkable clarity in this powerful conversation.

Melody's story begins six years ago when she arrived on Fo...

Starting over after devastation can lead to unexpected opportunities. For Brian and Michelle Rich, Hurricane Ian became the catalyst for creating Current Riders, a specialty outdoor recreation shop on Fort Myers Beach dedicated to helping people overcome barriers to enjoying Southwest Florida's natural paradise.

The couple's journey began with long walks on the beach, contemplating their future while watching the...

Florida's second most visited state park holds a remarkable story of conservation triumph that nearly wasn't. Lovers Key, now a pristine coastal sanctuary, once faced imminent development into a canal-lined McMansion community in the late 1970s. Today, this environmental treasure stands preserved through the tireless efforts of an all-volunteer organization working to protect its unique ecosystems.

Jim Remis, Pre...

Grab a lime and pull up a bayside seat as we launch our flavorful journey through Fort Myers Beach's taco and tequila scene! Our inaugural episode takes us to Junkanoo, a mid-island treasure nestled right next to Publix with breathtaking back bay views where dolphins playfully surface throughout the day.

We're diving fork-first into their $12.99 Taco Tuesday special – beefsteak tacos with fresh cilantro on flour ...

The resilience of coastal communities is put to the test when natural disasters strike, but it's in these challenging moments that true innovation and human spirit emerge. Jack Walker's story exemplifies this perfectly, as he transforms personal adversity into opportunity through his drone technology business on Fort Myers Beach.

Eight years ago, Jack and his wife made the leap from a Chicago suburb to the sunny ...

Technology promises often fall short of expectations, leaving business owners frustrated and their digital needs unmet. That's where Brett Palladino and Luna Digital Services step in, providing what so many tech companies don't - actual solutions and genuine customer service.

On this episode of the Fort Myers Beach Good Neighbor podcast, Brett shares his journey from construction to becoming a trusted IT partner ...

When devastation strikes a community, true character emerges. The Fort Myers Beach Woman's Club exemplifies this through their remarkable story of service, resilience, and growth shared on our latest State Insurance USA Cares podcast.

Founded in 1950, the Woman's Club faced near extinction with fewer than 20 members until 2017. Today, they boast over 150 members and operate with a unique model that multiplies com...

The resilient spirit of Fort Myers Beach shines brightly in this heartwarming conversation with Scott Safford from Sea Gypsy Vacation Rentals. As the community rebuilds following Hurricane Ian, Scott shares the exciting progress happening across the island and the strategic approach of creating "a win every month" to maintain momentum.

July celebrated the Beach Bar becoming the first business to literally rise fr...