Monthly Archives: February 2026

S4E6 JD Hollway— Horse Eyed Jake’s American Sliders

February 27, 2026Podcast#FoodTruckLiife, #SouthwestFlorida, #SupportLocalpiexp

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:36 — 36.2MB)

From waterfront restaurateur to food truck favorite — JD Hollway joins us for S4E6 of the Pine Island Experience.

After owning the Waterfront Restaurant and Marina for nearly 25 years and supporting countless local charity fishing tournaments, JD reinvented himself with Horse Eyed Jake’s American Sliders Food Truck. Alongside his wife, Tricia, they’ve created more than a menu — they’ve created an experience.

In this episode, JD shares:

🍔 The story behind the now-famous “OMG BLT”

🧄 Why four gallons of roasted garlic means Tricia leaves the house

🌴 What it’s like going from brick-and-mortar to life on wheels

💛 And why feeding the community has always mattered

✨“My philosophy on restaurants is people come for the food, they come back for the service.”

— JD Hollway✨

Follow Horse Eyed Jake’s on social media, Facebook and Instagram to see where they’ll be next — then go find them hungry.

🎧 Listen on any podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

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

S4E5 Capt Debbie Hanson — Freedom Waters Foundation Outreach Director

February 20, 2026Podcast#LadiesWhoFish, #piccfreefishingseminar, #SheFishes, #WomenInTheOutdoors, #WomenOnTheWater, #WomenWhoFishpiexp

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:37 — 32.7MB)

🎣 Being on the water has a way of bringing people together — friends, family, and even someone you’ve just met. Add a Pine Island sunset and dolphins 🐬 surfacing nearby, and it becomes something truly special.

In this episode, we talk with Debbie Hanson, award-winning outdoor writer, professional fishing guide, and Community Outreach Director for the Freedom Waters Foundation. Debbie shares her passion for introducing women to fishing and building confidence, connection, and community on the water.

🎣 Women’s Free Fishing Seminar

📅 Saturday, March 7, 9:00 – Noon at The Eagles Nest Restaurant Tiki Hut

👩‍🦰 Designed for ladies — beginners welcome

📍 Pine Island

It’s not just about fishing — it’s about shared moments, new friendships, and discovering the joy of being out on the water together.

✨“Patience, perseverance, peace, connection, community. Those would be my top answers. I know especially here on Pine Island, there’s such a tight-knit fishing community and one of the wonderful things that I think fishing has brought to my life is that feeling of community especially with my other women angling friends. When we get together we have so much fun and we share so many stories and have such a great time.”

— Capt. Debbie Hanson✨

🎧 Listen on any podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

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

S4E4 Staci Stevens — Castaways Island Realty & Rentals

February 13, 2026Podcastpiexp

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 39:20 — 45.0MB)

🏝️ 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

February 6, 2026Podcastpiexp

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:08 — 37.9MB)

⚓ 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