S4E4 Staci Stevens — Castaways Island Realty & Rentals



🏝️ In this episode, we’re joined by Staci Stevens, local realtor and broker-owner of Castaways Island Realty & Rentals. Staci Stevens shares her journey, her love for the island, and the heart behind Castaways Island Realty & Rentals.🩵

This is a heartfelt conversation about island life, family, and building a business rooted in community. As the owner of Castaways Island Realty & Rentals, Staci shares what makes Pine Island living so special, how island real estate is truly one of a kind, and why helping people find their place here means so much to her. This episode is a warm look at home, resilience, and loving where you live.

🏝️ Island Knowledge 🌅

💛 Energy and Heart

Boutique Experience — Family Feel

🏡 Full Service — Buying, Selling and Rentals

I have a degree in secondary education and biology. I have a masters in special ed that I got after the first two children were born, and I never intended on being in the position I’m in currently other than I do like real estate a lot. And so, getting into that was not natural based on my education degree but at the same time I just say I teach people about real estate now instead.”

Staci Stevens

🎧 Listen on any podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

📧 We’d love to hear your thoughts: pineislandexperience@gmail.com


S4E3 Alan and AJ Ferrera — A & A Boat and Equipment Services



Alan and AJ Ferrera, a dynamic father and son team with a commitment 🩵

🚤 In this episode, we’re joined by Alan and AJ Ferrera, the father-and-son team behind A & A Boat and Equipment Services — a veteran-owned, licensed, and insured mobile service proudly serving Pine Island and Matlacha. 🌊

Alan and AJ share their Navy backgrounds, what it’s like working together as family, and how their mobile repair services help keep boats, trailers, generators, lawn equipment, and small engines running reliably. It’s a conversation about service, trust, and community — Pine Island style.

📍 Serving Pine Island & Matlacha 🛠

🚐 Mobile repair available

🇺🇸 Veteran Owned & Operated

“I’m not the type of person to look at a customer and be like well, I can’t fix it.  You entrusted me to work on your equipment to begin with so I’m going to actually fix it.”

AJ Ferrera

🎧 Listen on any podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com


S4E2 — Captain Chuck Downes & Dan Carns – PICC 5th Annual Fishing Seminar Series



🎣 The 5th Annual PICC Free Fishing Seminar Series Returns for 2026!

Captain Chuck Downes is back, joined by expert presenter Dan Carns, to bring a refreshed and more focused approach to fishing education. This year’s free seminar series dives deeper into snook, redfish and spotted seatrout behavior — where to find them, how they live, and what to present throughout the seasons.

📍 Held at the Eagles Nest Restaurant’s new large tiki hut

🗓 Saturdays, February 7–29 | 9:00 AM – Noon

🎉 Bonus Women’s Angler Seminar: Saturday, March 7

💺 Free to attend — just bring a chair

In this Pine Island Experience Podcast episode, Chuck and Dan share what’s new and why anglers of all experience levels will benefit from this year’s series.

🎧 Listen on any podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

🎧 Listen to the podcasts on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8zuPKxsuzdusG0RbUHoQXijz0KSy0LUe

📧 We’d love to hear from you: pineislandexperience@gmail.com


S4E1 Tom Chase – Attorney, Mediator, Storyteller, Comedian and Poet



🎙 Season 4 begins with laughter, reflection, and storytelling.

The delightful Tom Chase joined us on the Pine Island Experience Podcast for a conversation filled with humor, heart, and insight. Tom shares the moment he first discovered the power of making people laugh, stories from growing up in Plant City, Florida, and how those early experiences shaped a life that would include law, mediation, comedy, storytelling, and poetry.

Along the way, Tom also treats us to readings from his poetry — offering a thoughtful glimpse into another side of his creative life.

“Even as a kid, I didn’t like seeing people get treated unfairly. If no one was going to say something about it, I was.”Thomas C. Chase

🎧 Listen on any podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com
🎧 Listen to the podcasts on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8zuPKxsuzdusG0RbUHoQXijz0KSy0LUe

📧 We’d love to hear from you: pineislandexperience@gmail.com


S3E29 Robert N Macomber: Award-Winning Author — Maritime Historical Fiction



📚✨Award-Winning author and Pine Islander,  Robert N. Macomber joins us to share the heart behind his life as a maritime historian, novelist, and lecturer. From the inspiration behind his 17-book Honor Series to the moments that light up his audiences, Robert brings history to life with passion and purpose. This conversation offers a glimpse into the storyteller who has captivated readers around the world — and built a dedicated community of “Wakians” who follow his adventures across seas, stages, and pages.

🌴🎨 Meet Robert at the Potters’ Guild Holiday Show and Sale on Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 10:00am – 2:00pm at Koucky Studios, 5971 Bay Point Rd, Bokeelia on Pine Island.  Robert will have books for sale. Buy for yourself or give them as great gifts.

“Nobody ever covered the Civil War in Florida which bothered me because on this coast, we had lots of civil war action.” —Robert N. Macomber

🎧 Listen on any podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

🌐 Learn more at robertmacomber.com

📅 See the Calendar of Events at robertmacomber.com/calendar.html

📧 We’d love to hear your thoughts: pineislandexperience@gmail.com


S3E28 Bill and Benet Kazokas — Flor-Da-Lee Farm



🥬✨In this episode, we sit down with Bill and Benet Kazokas of Flor-Da-Lee Farm in Bokeelia.  In 2013, they stepped away from corporate life, purchased 2.5 acres of agricultural land, and began growing specialty artisan lettuce — now supplying hotels, country clubs, and restaurants across Naples and Fort Myers. Today, they nurture 60 varieties for seven months each year, while Benet has expanded the farm’s offerings with her growing passion for ornamentals, herbs and artistic planters.🌸🌿

🌱With agricultural experiences that span Mexico, Australia, Brazil, and Argentina, and a deep commitment to the Pine Island community through the Garden Gala, Island Market, Potters Guild and Friday Night Art Walk, their story blends global perspective with local purpose. Join us as they share the challenges, inspirations, and unexpected joys that shaped Flor-Da-Lee Farm — and the vision they carry into the island’s future.🌴

“It spoils you.  Once you start to taste flavorful food, it’s hard to accept anything else.”   Bill Kazokas

💚”It’s nice to get feedback from other people and encouragement and to see that people really like what you’re doing.” —Benet Kazokas

🎧 Listen on any podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

🌐 Learn more at flordaleefarm.com

📧 We’d love to hear your thoughts: pineislandexperience@gmail.com


S3E27 John D. Mills — Author, Attorney, and Storyteller



⚓️📚This week, we dive into mystery, law, and life along Pine Island Sound with author and attorney John D. Mills.

🌅🐟 A fifth-generation Fort Myers native, John grew up fishing these waters — and today, he channels that deep local knowledge into his nine-book fictional mysteries set right here in our coastal backyard.  In his first three books, his main character is Detective Doug Shearer with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Detective Shearer solves murders set on islands in Pine Island Sound in these books: Reasonable and Necessary, The Manatee Murders, and The Objector. The fourth book, Sworn Jury, is a legal thriller about a murder at the Historic Edison Home in downtown Ft. Myers.  John’s characters in his recent five books: The Trophy Wife Divorce, The Hooker, the Dancer and the Nun, Pineland Gold, Cayo Costa Cross and Captiva Coven are divorce attorney, Beth Mancini and longtime boyfriend, Frank Powers, prosecuting attorney. 

🏝️💛 John’s writing blend courtroom tension with the heritage and heart of the islands we love. From years in the legal field to a lifetime on the water, his stories carry the depth of real experience.  From his years as a prosecutor and defense attorney to his passion for preserving local stories, John gives us a rare glimpse into the real people and places that inspire his thrillers.

On fishing Pine Island Sound, “Going out on the water, it reminds me of my younger days and it uses a different part of my brain.”  — John D. Mills

🎧 Listen on any podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

📚 Learn more at pineislandsoundmysteries.com

📧 We’d love to hear your thoughts: pineislandexperience@gmail.com


S3E26 — Dan Boone: CoastalFlo



🌴✨ From firefighter to Florida dreamer, Dan Boone’s journey is all heart.

After years as a firefighter — eventually becoming a Lieutenant and joining Special Ops — Dan’s optimism and drive led him through every chapter with purpose and joy. Known as his department’s “Ambassador of Goodwill,” Dan brings that same energy to his company, CoastalFlo, creating performance apparel made for Florida’s sun, sea, and sand.

Now calling Pine Island home, Dan has turned retirement into inspiration — building community, friendship, and a lifestyle brand that celebrates the Florida vibe.

💬 “Making new friends on the Gulf Coast — this never gets old!” — Dan Boone

We love Florida! From beach, boat, to sandbar — CoastalFlo has you covered.

🎧 Tune in and be inspired by Dan’s story.  Listen on your favorite podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

💡 Visit: coastalflo.com

📧 Share your thoughts: pineislandexperience@gmail.com


S3E25 Chef Anthony Pospiech: The Island Girl Eats



🌴✨ Chef Anthony Pospiech opened The Island Girl Eats last spring within Pineland Marina in Bokeelia — a food truck and large tiki hut that’s quickly become a must-stop for locals and visitors alike. Open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset, it’s where incredible food meets stunning waterfront views. You’ll hear his passion, his gratitude for his team, and his humble joy in creating something special for this island community.💛

🌅🍴“I’d rather sacrifice five minutes and give you a great meal than get it out quickly and you’re just unimpressed. The view’s great but I want the food to be great too.” — Chef Anthony 🎉

🎧 Tune in and be inspired by Chef Anthony🌴

Open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset

🎧 Listen to the podcast now Use your favorite podcast app or pineislandexperience.com

Share your thoughts: pineislandexperience@gmail.com

💡 Visit the website to see the menu and order food https://order.toasttab.com/online/islandgirleats

🧍‍♂️Sit back and enjoy the sunsets


S3E24 – Rob Wells: Tarpon Lodge and Restaurant & Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant



🌅🐟 In this episode, we sit down with Rob Wells, who grew up surrounded by the beauty of Pine Island Sound. His family’s story began in 1976 when his parents purchased Cabbage Key, creating a one-of-a-kind island retreat. In 1999, the Wells family expanded their legacy with The Tarpon Lodge in Bokeelia — blending history, hospitality, and heart.

Today, Rob and his brother Ken continue to preserve that legacy, building unforgettable guest experiences, winning awards, and creating lasting connections for visitors and locals alike. 🌴

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app — and experience the magic of Pine Island Sound through Rob’s story.

📩 Share your thoughts: pineislandexperience@gmail.com

View more on the websites: 👉 tarponlodge.com 👉 cabbagekey.com