Fun in Key West Podcast

🌴 Welcome to the Fun in Key West Podcast! 🌴 Get ready to dive into all things Key West—the southernmost island where the sunsets are breathtaking, the food is unforgettable, and the drinks are always cold! 🍹 In this podcast, we bring you insider tips on: ✅ The best places to eat (yes, there will be conch fritters 🥥). ✅ Where to drink and enjoy the island's famous cocktails 🍸. ✅ The coolest spots to stay, from cozy inns to luxury getaways 🏝️. ✅ And so much more—from quirky local events to can't-miss festivals! 🎉 We’ll also keep you up to date on the latest happenings around the island and occasionally chat with special guests who know Key West like the back of their sandy hand. 🐚 Whether you’re planning your first trip, a frequent visitor, or just daydreaming about island life, this podcast is your ultimate guide to enjoying paradise. 🎙️ New episodes every wek—so don’t forget to subscribe! Hit the like button if you’re as obsessed with Key West as we are, and share the island love with your friends! 💌 Connect with us! 👉 Website: www.FunInKeyWest.com 👉 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for even more island vibes. 🌊 So grab your flip-flops, pour yourself a cold drink, and escape to the island state of mind with the Fun in Key West Podcast! #FunInKeyWest #KeyWestPodcast #IslandLifeVibes

Pit Bulls in Paradise: Tony Soika on Key West Mysteries, Rescue Dogs, and Second Acts 03/18/2026

Historic Marker Monday: How Cayo Hueso Became Key West 03/14/2026

Historic Marker Monday: Ponce de León’s 1513 Voyage 03/08/2026

Tasty Tuesday: The Best Oyster Spots in Key West 03/08/2026

Bottling the Spirit of Key West with Deejay Peak of Key West Candle & Bath Co. 03/01/2026

Thirsty Thursday: Best Frozen Drinks in Key West 03/01/2026

Trust the Signs: Mark Renson on How Will I Know, Whitney Houston as a Guardian Angel, and Finding Solace in the Florida Keys 02/18/2026

Trust the Signs: Mark Renson on How Will I Know, Whitney Houston as a Guardian Angel, and Finding Solace in the Florida Keys 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 novel in 2016, wrote in small increments until COVID gave him time to finish, and realized he was pulling heavily from his own life experiences, including a breaking point during the recession when his restaurant carried $80,000 in debt. Renson recounts a pivotal moment at the Florida Bay in Key Largo where, after praying for help, he felt a wind and heard a message he interpreted as God being present; within 15 days his debts were resolved or put on manageable payment plans, and he later secured a publishing contract. He also describes finding a key in downtown Memphis in 2011 and, two weeks later, being asked by Bradley Cooper to feed him a paleo diet for seven weeks while filming The Place Beyond the Pines—an experience that changed his reputation and financial stability. Renson discusses his belief that there are no coincidences, his training in holistic classes and identification as a psychic medium (though he does not offer readings), and his practice of asking the universe for specific signs; he cites examples such as Whitney Houston songs appearing at meaningful moments and a COVID-era idea to create Baileys-infused ‘boozy muffins’ that went viral and helped sustain his business. The conversation covers Renson’s love of the Keys—especially Key Largo for its quiet, reflection, and ‘church’ feeling—along with favorite local spots like Key’s Bite (steak a Mexicana), his mixed feelings about busy Key West, and places he revisits like Blue Heaven (his husband’s favorite), LaTe Da, Mallory Square sunsets, and occasional stops on Duval Street. Renson confirms several characters and details are based on his life (including Lucy, inspired by his longtime friend Tracy), explains the Dolly Parton inspiration behind the name ‘Ambition,’ and shares how he researched Whitney Houston’s voice, mannerisms, and outfits over many years. He addresses the inclusion of other entertainers in a seance scene, his belief that Whitney ‘picked’ them, and notes his decision to keep the story feel-good. Renson lists where to buy the book (Amazon, Barnes & Noble by order, markrenson.com, and select Florida Keys locations including Shell World, the Marathon library, and Books & Brews at Florida Keys Brewing Co.), mentions upcoming Restaurant Week dates and plans to run a Disney 5K in April, and names Whitney Houston songs like ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ as spirit-resetting favorites. The episode closes by reinforcing the theme of trusting signs, self-trust, resilience, and the Florida Keys as a grounding backdrop. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West: What This Podcast Is All About 01:26 Today’s Guest Tease: Mark Ranson, the Keys & a Whitney Houston Guardian Angel 02:10 Theme Song + Book Club Intro: Why “How Will I Know” Hits Different 04:16 Meet Mark: Chef, Restaurant Owner & Accidental Author 07:15 Writing Fiction During COVID: How Michael Monroe Became Mark’s Story 09:33 The 2010 Breaking Point in the Keys: Florida Bay, Faith & the Wind 12:25 The Key That Opened Doors: Memphis Find to Feeding Bradley Cooper 14:05 Self-Doubt, Failure & Trusting the Message Behind the “Feel-Good” Book 16:46 Why Whitney Houston? Mediumship, Signs, Dreams & Listening to the Higher Voice 22:39 Ambition Coffee & Eatery: Dolly Parton Inspiration and the Restaurant’s Soul 26:04 So Why Key Largo? Solace, Stillness, and Feeling Close to God 26:27 The Florida Keys as Church: Finding Solace & Spiritual Reset 27:13 Quieting the Mind: Raising Your Vibration & Noticing the Signs 27:58 Dockside Wildlife Moments (and the Dolphin TikTok Story) 29:03 Real-Life Lucy: Tracy, 50 Years of Friendship & Accents 30:04 Foodie Favorites in Key Largo: Key’s Bite, Steak a Mexicana & Local Vibes 30:51 Key West Takes: Crowds, Duval Street, and Sunset at Mallory Square 34:34 No Coincidences: How to Ask for Signs (Songs, Keys, Dreams) 38:13 Sparkles, Endings & Sequel Talk: Where Whitney Could Return 39:19 Nailing Whitney on the Page: Outfit Research, Voice, and Concert Deep Dives 41:20 What’s Next for Mark: Restaurant Week, Disney 5K, and the Séance Entertainers 45:07 Where to Buy the Book + The One Song That Resets Your Spirit (Final Wrap) 48:38 Closing Message: Trust the Universe & Keep Chasing the Signs /episode/index/show/funinkeywest/id/40155540

Key West Travel Tips and Booking Smarter with Savvy.com (Guest: Eric Goldreyer) 02/17/2026

Key West Travel Tips and Booking Smarter with Savvy.com (Guest: Eric Goldreyer) 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 platform fees when booking a trip. He outlines common frustrations with Airbnb/VRBO and other OTAs, including 15–20% platform fees, restricted guest-host communication, temporary phone numbers, and complications when changes are needed (similar to booking hotels via Expedia). Eric describes Savvy as a book-direct marketplace that avoids platform fees, shows Savvy pricing alongside Airbnb pricing, and focuses on enabling direct communication with professional property managers (no rent-by-owner listings), with internal vetting and planned third-party trust/ID verification for hosts and travelers. The conversation covers how travelers can avoid scams by checking reviews, what fees are normal (taxes and cleaning) versus frustrating (platform fees), and why professional local management helps during high-demand destinations like Key West. Eric notes Savvy has been live about a year, lists about 150,000 North American properties from 2,500+ property management companies, is adding thousands of listings monthly, and aims to expand internationally by year-end, sharing how to reach him via Savvy.com, LinkedIn, and eric@savvy.com. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West: What This Podcast Covers 01:26 Today’s Guest: Hospitality Veteran Eric Goldreyer Joins the Show 02:00 Theme Song & Kickoff: Setting the Island Vibe 03:26 Eric’s Origin Story: BedandBreakfast.com to Boutique Hotels 04:36 From Mega-Yacht Inflatables to Vacation Rental Tech 05:40 Why Savvy.com Exists: Beating Airbnb/VRBO Fees 07:42 Behind the Scenes of OTAs: Hidden Fees & Blocked Communication 10:49 Avoiding Scams: Reviews, Vetting, and Booking with Pros 14:42 What Fees Are Legit vs. Junk Fees (and Price Comparison Tools) 17:40 How Travel Has Changed: From Hospitality to Transaction 18:19 Tech vs. Hospitality: Why Human Hosts Still Matter 19:09 Real-World Trip Planning: Nuance, Off-Market Homes & Concierge Help 21:02 Savvy for Peak Season: Direct Communication + No Rent-by-Owner Safety Net 23:01 Quality Control: Reviews, Background Checks & Removing Bad Apples 24:47 Key West Love Letter: B&Bs, Longer Stays & Local Vibes 28:15 Food, Coffee & Duval Street: Gluten-Free Finds and Must-Do Spots 30:23 Booking Habits to Break: Save Money by Booking Direct on Savvy 31:55 Wrap-Up: Savvy’s Growth Plans, How to Reach Eric, and Final Thanks /episode/index/show/funinkeywest/id/40144740

First Timer Friday: Why Marathon Is the Perfect Home Base in the Florida Keys 02/15/2026

First Timer Friday: Why Marathon Is the Perfect Home Base in the Florida Keys 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 Sombrero Reef, kayaking and paddleboarding on both ocean and bay sides through mangroves and seagrass with possible manatee, turtle, and bird sightings, and fishing options (deep sea, reef, and flats). She recommends experiencing the Seven Mile Bridge via the old bridge for walking, biking, fishing, and views, plus visiting Pigeon Key by trolley for tours, museum history, snorkeling, and fishing while bringing your own essentials. Wildlife stops include the Dolphin Research Center’s educational and conservation focus and the Turtle Hospital’s guided tours and rehabilitation work, with advice to book ahead and consider supporting both. She also spotlights Curry Hammock State Park for trails, kayaking, picnics, birdwatching, and competitive seasonal camping. For food, she recommends Keys Fisheries for marina views and classic Keys atmosphere, noting popular items like the lobster Reuben, seasonal stone crab claws, and award-winning key lime pie, along with a cash-only note and arriving early for sunset. The episode closes by describing who Marathon best fits (families, nature lovers, water-focused travelers) versus those seeking nightlife or luxury, and directs listeners to funinkeywest.com for guides, an ultimate road trip guide, newsletter (including a Key West happy hour list), and book club updates. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West: What This Podcast Covers 01:26 Today’s Detour: Why Marathon Is a Hidden Gem in the Keys 02:57 First Timer Friday: Marathon as the Perfect Home Base 04:12 Where Marathon Sits + Why the Middle of the Keys Matters 06:29 Snorkeling in Marathon: Easy Reefs, Clear Water & Tour Tips 08:03 Kayaking & Paddleboarding: Mangroves, Manatees and Quiet Water 09:30 Fishing Capital Vibes + Experiencing the Seven Mile Bridge 10:42 Pigeon Key: Old Bridge Walks, History Tours & Island Time 11:38 Wildlife Must-Dos: Dolphin Research Center & The Turtle Hospital 13:13 Curry Hammock State Park: Trails, Camping and Nature Escapes 14:11 Where to Eat in Marathon: Keys Fisheries & Local Favorites 15:17 Is Marathon Right for You? Day Trips, Travel Styles & Final Take 17:30 Wrap-Up + Resources: Guides, Newsletter, Happy Hour List & Book Club 19:08 Final Outro: Marathon, the Unsung Hero of the Florida Keys /episode/index/show/funinkeywest/id/40114810

Historic Marker Monday: The Birth of the Conch Republic and the Great Battle of 1982 02/15/2026

Historic Marker Monday: The Birth of the Conch Republic and the Great Battle of 1982 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 Mayor Dennis Wardlow to respond, a legal effort led by David Paul Horan failed in federal court in Miami; outside the courthouse Wardlow told reporters Key West would “go home and secede.” On April 23, 1982, the Conch Republic declared itself, raised its flag over City Hall, and staged a humorous protest known as the “Great Battle of the Conch Republic,” involving the schooner Western Union (captained by John Cross) jokingly attacking the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Diligence with water balloons, conch fritters, and stale Cuban bread, while the cutter responded with fire hoses. Wardlow, now acting as prime minister, immediately surrendered and requested foreign aid and war relief; the episode notes they are still waiting to be paid, but the roadblock was removed and tourism was saved. The script emphasizes the protest was not anti-American and the Coast Guard was never considered an enemy, describing the Conch Republic as a “sovereign state of mind” rooted in humor, community, and independence. Listeners are directed to the historic marker at 402 Wall Street and invited to attend Conch Republic Days, described as the 44th year of the celebration, with 2026 dates April 17–26, 30+ events, multiple parades (including one spanning from the Atlantic to the Gulf), and a reenactment at Mallory Square featuring boats, water balloons, stale bread, a Coast Guard fire hose response, and a plane dropping toilet paper. The episode points viewers to funinkeywest.com for details, free guides, a newsletter, and the podcast’s book club and author interviews on YouTube, including a 2025 selection by Richie “Conch Boy” Gomez. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West: What This Podcast Covers 01:26 Historic Marker Monday Teaser: The Conch Republic Origin Story 02:57 March 1982: The Border Patrol Roadblock & 17-Mile Traffic Jam 05:45 Tourism Takes a Hit: Empty Hotels and Economic Fallout 07:05 From Courtroom to Secession: ‘We’re Going Home and Secede’ 07:56 April 23, 1982: Flag Raised & The ‘Great Battle’ (Water Balloons + Cuban Bread) 09:33 Quiet Victory: Roadblock Removed and the Real Point of the Protest 10:51 Conch Republic Today: A ‘Sovereign State of Mind’ + Where to See the Marker 11:36 Conch Republic Days 2026: Dates, Parades, and the Battle Reenactment 13:25 Wrap-Up & Where to Learn More (Website, Guides, YouTube, Newsletter) 14:16 Final Sendoff: Keep the Conch Republic Spirit Alive /episode/index/show/funinkeywest/id/40114720