First Timer Friday: Why Marathon Is the Perfect Home Base in the Florida Keys
Release Date: 02/15/2026
Pit Bulls in Paradise: Tony Soika on Key West Mysteries, Rescue Dogs, and Second Acts
Fun in Key West Podcast
Pit Bulls in Paradise: Tony Soika on Key West Mysteries, Rescue Dogs, and Second Acts Host Michele O’Connor introduces the Fun in Key West Podcast and its Book Club episode featuring author Tony Soika, a retired U.S. Army officer with 30 years of service and extensive animal-rescue volunteering. Soika discusses his deep pull toward the Florida Keys since first visiting in 1999, his transition challenges after leaving the military, and how becoming a late-in-life father shaped him and influenced his writing. He explains how his novel Pit Bulls in Paradise (first in the Conch House...
info_outline
Historic Marker Monday: How Cayo Hueso Became Key West
Fun in Key West Podcast
Historic Marker Monday: How Cayo Hueso Became Key West Host Michele O’Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast and this Historic Marker Monday episode focused on the origin of Key West’s name, highlighted by a historic marker near Mallory Square. She explains how the Taíno word “cayo” (small island) passed through Spanish usage and into English as “key,” and how “hueso” (bone) made the original Spanish name Cayo Hueso translate to “Bone Island.” Michele shares theories for the island’s bones, including Native American conflicts, shipwreck victims from the...
info_outline
Historic Marker Monday: Ponce de León’s 1513 Voyage
Fun in Key West Podcast
Historic Marker Monday: Ponce de León’s 1513 Voyage and Key West’s Marker #50 Host Michele O’Connor introducses this Historic Marker Monday episode focused on a Duval Street historic marker (noted at 1405 Duval Street) honoring Spanish explorer Ponce de León and his 1513 voyage. She recounts his background sailing with Columbus, his roles in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, and how he personally financed three ships to seek gold, expand Spain’s territory, and strengthen his position. The episode traces the expedition as he named Florida, moved through the Florida...
info_outline
Tasty Tuesday: The Best Oyster Spots in Key West
Fun in Key West Podcast
Tasty Tuesday: The Best Oyster Spots in Key West (Happy Hours, Hidden Gems & Upscale Bites) Host Michele O’Connor delivers a Tasty Tuesday guide to why oysters in Key West “hit different,” emphasizing freshness from local fishermen, the Historic Seaport, and markets like Eaton Street Seafood Market. She shares what to look for in a great oyster stop—freshness, variety, preparation styles, atmosphere, value (especially happy hour), and seafood focus—then highlights recommended spots including Half Shell Raw Bar, Alonzo’s Oyster Bar, Conch Republic Seafood Company, Schooner...
info_outline
Bottling the Spirit of Key West with Deejay Peak of Key West Candle & Bath Co.
Fun in Key West Podcast
Bottling the Spirit of Key West with Deejay Peak of Key West Candle & Bath Co. Host Michele O’Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast as an insider guide to where to eat, drink, stay, and what to do in Key West, with updates on events and local guests. She interviews Deejay Peak, owner of Key West Candle and Bath Company, who moved to Key West seven and a half years ago after family trips and an opportunity to run her parents’ ice cream shop. Deejay describes starting her candle business with $500 by collecting top-shelf liquor bottles from local bar dumpsters, then rebranding...
info_outline
Thirsty Thursday: Best Frozen Drinks in Key West
Fun in Key West Podcast
Thirsty Thursday: Best Frozen Drinks in Key West (Flying Monkeys, Fat Tuesday & Mary Ellen’s) Host Michele O’Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast as an insider guide to where to eat, drink, stay, and what to do on the island, with updates on events and occasional local guests. In this Thirsty Thursday episode, she spotlights Key West’s frozen drink scene and encourages listeners to try new menu options beyond standard pina coladas, margaritas, and daiquiris. She recommends Flying Monkeys on Duval (near Bull and Whistle and Fogerty Mansion) for its mix-and-match frozen...
info_outline
Trust the Signs: Mark Renson on How Will I Know, Whitney Houston as a Guardian Angel, and Finding Solace in the Florida Keys
Fun in Key West Podcast
Trust the Signs: Mark Renson on How Will I Know, Whitney Houston as a Guardian Angel, and Finding Solace in the Florida Keys Host Michele O’Connor introduces chef, restaurant owner, and author Mark Renson about his novel How Will I Know, the Fun in Key West Book Club February pick. Renson shares his background as owner of Ambition Coffee and Eatery in upstate New York (nearly 26 years), his first book Is The Coffee Fresh? about daily life in his coffee house and how he was inspired in 2012 to write fiction using Whitney Houston as a guardian angel. He explains how he began the...
info_outline
Key West Travel Tips and Booking Smarter with Savvy.com (Guest: Eric Goldreyer)
Fun in Key West Podcast
Key West Travel Tips and Booking Smarter with Savvy.com (Guest: Eric Goldreyer) Host Michele O’Connor welcomes listeners to the Fun in Key West podcast and interviews hospitality entrepreneur Eric Goldreyer, who has 30+ years of experience spanning bed and breakfasts, boutique hotels, mega-yacht inflatables, and vacation rental property management. Eric shares his background (founding BedandBreakfast.com, selling it to HomeAway in 2010; co-founding TurnKey Vacation Rentals and selling to Vacasa in 2021; and launching FunAir) and explains why he created Savvy.com after experiencing high...
info_outline
First Timer Friday: Why Marathon Is the Perfect Home Base in the Florida Keys
Fun in Key West Podcast
First Timer Friday: Why Marathon Is the Perfect Home Base in the Florida Keys Host Michele O’Connor welcomes listeners to the Fun in Key West podcast and presents a First Timer Friday episode that detours from Key West to highlight Marathon as a laid-back, centrally located Florida Keys home base. She explains Marathon’s position halfway between Miami and Key West across 13 islands and why it offers quieter mornings, easier parking, and strong water access for day trips up to Key Largo, Island Morada, Big Pine Key, and Key West. Activities and highlights include snorkeling at...
info_outline
Historic Marker Monday: The Birth of the Conch Republic and the Great Battle of 1982
Fun in Key West Podcast
Historic Marker Monday: The Birth of the Conch Republic and the Great Battle of 1982 Host Michele O’Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast and a Historic Marker Monday episode about the 1982 events that led to the creation of the Conch Republic. She recounts how a U.S. Border Patrol roadblock at Last Chance Saloon in Florida City stopped and searched every car entering and leaving the Keys, creating massive traffic jams, generating national and international press, and causing major economic harm as tourists canceled trips and hotels sat empty. After community leaders pushed...
info_outline