Episode 26: Fort Myers Tip-Off Preview with East Carolina Men's Head Coach Mike Schwartz
Shellcast
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
info_outline
Episode 25: Tony Lapi's Tales of an Island Innkeeper
Shellcast
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
info_outline
Episode 24: Island Hopper, vision boards and the magic of music
Shellcast
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....
info_outline
Episode 23: What is inside Sanibel’s time capsule?
Shellcast
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
info_outline
Episode 22: Fort Myers reality check, post-Hurricane Milton
Shellcast
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
info_outline
Episode 21: Island Hopper preview with Claire Liparulo
Shellcast
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
info_outline
Episode 20: Island Hopper preview with Essex County
Shellcast
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
info_outline
Episode 19: 'Drink Happy Thoughts' with Kristian Bush
Shellcast
This Island Hopper Songwriter Fest preview 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. Bush is the opening act for headliner Chris Janson on Oct. 1 at the Pink Shell Pool Party. Use the official Island Hopper app to purchase tickets. 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
info_outline
Episode 18: Spring training - Let the games begin
Shellcast
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
info_outline
Episode 17: For the birds
Shellcast
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
info_outlineIsland 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