S3E23 Nancy R Koucky, Artist: NRK Designs

October 10, 2025Podcastpiexp

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:00 — 33.2MB)

🌴💛✨ Creativity isn’t just for artwork—it’s a powerful tool for business, too. 🌟

This week, we sit down with Nancy Koucky of NRK Designs, who shares how her artistic roots shape her graphic design work, from adult books and children’s books to branding for businesses.

🎧 Tune in and be inspired by Nancy’s journey🌴

“If you turn a painting upside down and it still works, that is a good painting. Because it’s not just about what you’re seeing, it’s how it’s laid out.” —Nancy Koucky

✨ Books, branding, and beyond! ✨

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

Share your thoughts: pineislandexperience@gmail.com

💡 Visit the Koucky Studios website to see works by Nancy and Chuck including their latest collaborative pieces: kouckystudios.com

🧍‍♂️ Attend the Pine Island Potters Potters’ Guild Show and Sale … it’s not just pottery. The first show this season is Saturday, November 8, 2025.

S3E22 Nancy Cote, Executive Director: Beacon of Hope Pine Island

September 19, 2025Podcastpiexp

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:46 — 37.5MB)

🌴💛✨ Welcome to the Pine Island Experience Podcast, where we celebrate the people, places, and spirit that make our island community so special. Today, we’re shining a light on the Beacon of Hope. Since 2004, this organization has been a lifeline for Pine Islanders—offering meals, transportation, counseling, education, and so much more. Executive Director Nancy Cote joins us to share how the Beacon is not only meeting needs but also inspiring hope and connection every single day.

🌟You’re going to walk away from this episode feeling encouraged, uplifted, and proud of what’s happening right here on Pine Island.

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

Share your thoughts: pineislandexperience@gmail.com

🧍‍♂️To learn more abut the Beacon of Hope… Nancy says, “The best way to get to know us is to Volunteer.” Stop in and see Nancy at 5090 Doug Taylor Circle, St James City, FL 33956.

🌐 Checkout the Attic Thrift Store and donate and/or purchase some lovely items.

💡 Visit the Beacon of Hope website: https://beaconofhopepineisland.com

S3E21 Madison Morris: Guitarist, Singer & Songwriter

August 29, 2025Podcastpiexp

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:03 — 36.7MB)

Madison Morris is on fire — from being a two-time Grammy-submitted singer-songwriter to his currently nominated song Hard Rain, up for a Josie Award for Americana Song of the Year. 🏆

💛 On the latest episode of Pine Island Experience, hear the story behind Madison’s music and journey. These days, he calls himself “half Texan, half Floridian”—a mix that fuels his ability to blend country, electronic dance, R&B, and hip-hop with a style all his own.

🔥 Don’t miss his just-released single, Eve of Revolution, available on all streaming platforms or at madisonmorrismusic.com.

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

📩 Share your thoughts: pineislandexperience@gmail.com

S3E20 – Tami Sager: The Eagle’s Nest Restaurant

August 22, 2025Podcastpiexp

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:56 — 29.7MB)

In just a short time, Tami Sager and Yovan Santiesteban have transformed The Eagle’s Nest into one of Pine Island’s most exciting destinations — serving up incredible food, refreshing drinks, live entertainment, and an atmosphere that feels like family.

With multiple Best of Pine Island 2025 Awards under their belt, their success goes beyond the kitchen. Tami and Yovan are passionate about giving back, guided by faith and a deep love for the community they call home. From generous portions to heartfelt service, their mission is clear:

💛 “Our focus is on making Pine Island better. This is our home.”

🌟 This is an inspiring and unforgettable conversation about food, faith, and building community. 🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

📩 Share your thoughts: pineislandexperience@gmail.com

S3E19 – Paulette LeBlanc: Pine Island Eagle Editor and Author

July 18, 2025Podcastpiexp

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:19 — 35.8MB)

Paulette LeBlanc, Editor of the Pine Island Eagle and award-winning author, has spent her life writing—and her heart now belongs to Pine Island and its people.

From children’s books to community stories, Paulette captures resilience, kindness, and hope with every word.

💛“The heart of what I do creatively will always be writing.”

🌟This a must listen unforgettable interview.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

📩 Have thoughts or questions? We’d love to hear from you: pineislandexperience@gmail.com

S3E18 – Juli Gilson: Teaching Artist at Coastal Creations

July 11, 2025Podcastpiexp

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 31:03 — 35.5MB)

From her early days growing up in Ohio to her vibrant life on Pine Island, artist Juli Gilson has always been drawn to the coast. Her work beautifully reflects the natural gifts of the sea—seashells, sea glass, driftwood—and brings them to life in her paintings, driftwood sea creatures, birds, boats, and resin art. She even uses historic Pine Island windows as frames for her coastal creations.

In this episode, Juli shares how a life-changing accident and the challenges that followed led her back to her first love: art. With resilience and heart, she transformed adversity into inspiration—building a life filled with creativity, teaching, and community. Whether in her home studio or at local businesses, Juli now teaches art classes on Pine Island, spreading joy through every brushstroke.

☀️ Stop into @Island Flair in Matlacha to see her latest artwork in person, and follow @Juli Gilson and @Coastal Creations to explore more of her art and stay updated on upcoming events.

☀️ These are Pine Island businesses where Juli has taught art classes: @Island Flair, @Kickstand’s Pub & Grub, @Street Eatz & Ale, @Jug Creek Marina & Fish House, and @The Island Girl Eats

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

📩 Have thoughts or questions? We’d love to hear from you: pineislandexperience@gmail.com

S3E17 – Joe Harley: Musician & Pine Island Native

June 27, 2025Podcastpiexp

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 36:22 — 41.6MB)

From casting lines to writing lyrics, Joe Harley’s journey is rooted in resilience and creativity.

In this episode, we hear how Joe went from growing up on Pine Island to becoming a beloved fishing guide—until Hurricane Ian changed everything. Now, he’s pouring his heart into music as a singer-songwriter with growing success.

🎶 His latest single, Pass the Time, is gaining traction on Spotify, and his music (under Hotel Life and The Tokes) is available on all major streaming platforms via SONY ORCHARD and 9LIVES RECORDS.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

📩 Have thoughts or questions? We’d love to hear from you: pineislandexperience@gmail.com

S3E16 – Leanne Luehrman: Sea Salt & Co.

June 20, 2025Podcastpiexp

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:20 — 38.1MB)

In this episode, we meet Leanne Luehrman, the creative force behind Sea Salt & Co. Though she’s new to Pine Island, Leanne is no stranger to the art of bespoke embroidery and personalized gifting. A self-taught embroiderer with a love for the history of monograms, Leanne brings passion, precision, and personality to everything she creates.

Leanne lights up when helping customers find just the right gift—often encouraging them to come back and share how much the recipient loved it. Her philosophy? “If it fits on the embroidery machine, I can do it!”

Since arriving, Leanne has fallen in love with Pine Island and its people, calling the community unbelievably welcoming and supportive. Sea Salt & Co. is more than a store—it’s a space where creativity and connection come together.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

📩 Got questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you at pineislandexperience@gmail.com

S3E15 – Darcy Conner: Your Personal Guide to Stress-Free Travel

June 13, 2025PodcastJOANNA ANDERSON

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:11 — 34.5MB)

In this episode, we meet the delightful Darcy Conner—Travel Advisor, Small Business Owner, and passionate travel matchmaker. Helping people is what brings her joy, and that shines through in every trip she helps plan. Whether you’re dreaming of ocean cruises, river adventures, resort getaways, or fully customized travel experiences, Darcy brings deep expertise, personal insight, and a whole lot of heart to every itinerary.

Her mission? To take the stress out of planning and add in service, service, and more service—at no extra cost to you.

✨ Learn how Darcy’s insider knowledge and preferred access to travel perks can turn your next vacation into something unforgettable.

📞 Ready to start planning? Reach out to Darcy at https://www.cruiselandandsea.com

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com
📩 Got questions or feedback? We’d love to hear from you at pineislandexperience@gmail.com

S3E14 – Kickstand’s Pub & Grub: Food, Community, and Full Throttle Spirit

May 30, 2025Podcastpiexp

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 33:56 — 38.8MB)

In this episode, we sit down with Sheila Breech, of Kickstand’s Pub & Grub. When Sheila and Dave Breech rolled into Pine Island, they brought more than restaurant know-how—they brought heart, grit, and a deep love for community and motorcycles. In this episode, Sheila shares how Kickstand’s Pub & Grub came to life, filling a big gap for a biker-friendly restaurant.

Now a favorite hangout for locals and visiting bikers, Kickstands serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a welcoming vibe and top-notch menu. They’ve revitalized the space with major renovations, a brand-new stage, and island-wide delivery. More than that, they’ve made it a place where the community gathers—hosting charity events, supporting local causes, and creating a space that feels like home.

🎸 Ride over on a weekend to catch live music from 1–4 p.m., or just stop in and say hello—you’ll always feel welcome at Kickstands.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com
📩 Questions or feedback? Reach out at pineislandexperience@gmail.com