Tag Archives: #PineIslandExperience

S4E10: A Moment of Calm: Real Talk on Mental Health with Psychologist Michelle White



Mental health touches every one of us—but knowing where to begin isn’t always easy.

In this episode of the Pine Island 🌴 Experience Podcast, we sit down with Michelle White of Azul Mindspace, a licensed psychologist with over 20 years of experience, to talk about what mental wellness really looks like in everyday life.

🩵 From simple ways to reset your mood—like stepping outside and reconnecting with nature—to deeper conversations about therapy, stress, relationships, and healing, Michelle shares practical insight with warmth, compassion, and understanding.

Whether you’ve considered therapy or are just looking for small ways to care for your well-being, this episode offers something meaningful for everyone.

Michelle explains why Telehealth can work well.

The convenience of it I think is one of the pluses that makes up for not being in the same room together.  They are getting more out of it because they actually go.  It’s also really nice to get a peek into their home environment.  What it looks there and how they are at home, relaxed, in a sweatshirt and ponytail versus how they would show up to an person therapy session.  I think it’s a little more authentic.

Michelle White, Licensed Psychologist – Azul Mindspace

🌐 Check out the Azul Mindspace website at azulmindspace.com

🎧 Listen now and take a moment for yourself on your favorite podcast app or at: pineislandexperience.com 

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


S4E9 Elsie Stearns — Becoming an Island Girl



Some people move to Pine Island.

Others become part of its heart.

In this week’s episode, we sit down with Elsie Stearns, Vice President and Sr. Branch Manager of Centennial Bank on Pine Island, to hear the story of how a young woman from the city fell in love with island life — and spent decades giving back to the community she came to love.

Elsie shares memories of arriving on Useppa Island in 1977, building a life and family here with her husband Scott, and serving Pine Island through both her banking career and years of community leadership.

From Beacon of Hope to the Bobby Holloway Foundation to the Fire Commission, Elsie has quietly helped shape this island in ways that have touched countless lives.

Her story is heartfelt, inspiring, and full of the kind of island history and spirit we love to share.

“Scott and I just fell in love with the island my first day there… I give Mel Meo credit for making me an island girl.”

— Elsie Stearns

🌐 Check out the Beacon of Hope and The Greater Pine Island Emergency Task Force at  beaconofhopepineisland.com

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

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


S4E7 Tristan Carter—The Proper Palm Cottage Bakery



🌟 The Cottage Bakery Pine Island Fell in Love With

What happens when a chef moves to the island and asks one simple question: What can I create here that people will love?

In this episode, we sit down with Tristan Carter, founder of The Proper Palm Cottage Bakery. From his kitchen in Pine Island, Tristan releases online menus that islanders eagerly wait for—and when the menu drops, the orders come pouring in.

From artisan breads 🍞 to unforgettable cinnamon rolls, cookies 🍪 and celebration cakes 🎂, Tristan shares how his cottage bakery quickly became part of many islanders’ weekly routines.

As Tristan says, “Food brings us together.”

This is for the people who live here. It’s just something beautiful. I wanted something that, …it is something you buy just to eat for breakfast but it still has a beautiful moment to it. It’s a pink box or a white box but it has time and something that has taken time to it with a bow over it. It just feels like you are enjoying something for yourself.  It’s just a soft moment.  That’s all I wanted for it.

Tristan Carter

🎧 Listen on any podcast app or at pineislandexperience.com

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

🌐 Order online at theproperpalm.com 🎀🦩🍰