Fun in Key West Podcast

From Snowshoe to the Keys: Jamie of The Underwater Gardener on Coral Farming, Collecting, and Reef Restoration In this Fun in Key West podcast episode, host Michele interviews Jamie Edelman, owner of The Underwater Gardener, about his path from running a landscape design business and earning a Master Naturalist certification to working at Snowshoe, West Virginia, and ultimately moving to the Flori...

Jedwin Smith on Mel Fisher, the Atocha, and Writing "Fatal Treasure" Host Michele from Fun in Key West interviews Jedwin Smith, author of the October book club pick Fatal Treasure, discussing Mel Fisher's long search for the Nuestra Señora de Atocha and the persistence behind "Today's the day." Smith recounts accidentally finding the Mel Fisher Treasure Museum during a storm, meeting Fisher the da...

Key West in October: Weather, Water Activities, and What to Expect for Fantasy Fest Michele hosts the "Fun in Key West" live show focused on visiting Key West in October, explaining three distinct periods: before Fantasy Fest, during the 10-day Fantasy Fest (Oct 16–25, 2026), and the quieter days after. She covers typical October weather (mid-80s highs, mid-70s lows), warm water around 80–82°F, po...

Miki Bennett on Writing the Florida Keys Romance Series as Therapy and the Inspiration Behind Runaway to the Keys On the Fun in Key West podcast, Michele O'Connor interviews Charleston-based author and artist Miki Bennett, September book club pick author of Runaway to the Keys. Bennett explains she never planned to write until a doctor urged her to share her and her daughter's medical experiences;...

Historic Marker #65: Key West's Old Coca-Cola Bottling Court and the Rumor of Rainwater Coke Michele O'Connor explores Key West Historic Marker #65 at 103 Simonton Street, tracing one site's many lives and how they reflect Key West history. The original building was destroyed in the Great Fire of 1886, which burned about 12 hours, destroyed over 200 buildings across 50 acres, devastated the cigar...

Before the Treasure: The Navy Storehouse Behind the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum Michele O'Connor explores the history of the building at 200 Green Street—now the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum—focusing on its earlier life as a U.S. Navy storehouse. Planned in 1902, built from 1908–1910 for $54,791, it was among Key West's most technologically advanced structures, featuring a steel frame constructed by...

Unusual and Unique Things to Do in Key West (Thursday Night Live) Michele hosts the Fun in Key West Thursday Night Live show and invites viewers to share unusual Key West experiences beyond staples like Duval Street, Mallory Square sunset, the Southernmost Point, and key lime pie. She recommends exploring Truman Annex, including the Truman Little White House white-glove tour, historic markers, and...

The San Carlos Institute: Key West's "House of Cuba" on Duval Street Michele O'Connor of the Fun in Key West podcast tells the story of the San Carlos Institute at 516 Duval Street, a pivotal site for Cuban exiles and Cuba's independence movement. Founded in 1871 on Ann Street by leaders José Dolores Pollo and Juan Maria Reyes and funded largely by Cuban cigar workers, it became an early bilingual...

Key West in September: Weather, Crowds, and Can't-Miss Events The host explains why September can be an overlooked but rewarding time to visit Key West: summer crowds are gone, the island is quieter, and you may find lodging deals, though some businesses close so visitors should check schedules. They address hurricane season expectations, noting heat (highs around 89–90°F), frequent but typically...

Winging It in Key West: Trip Recap, New Favorites, and Classic Tours Michele O'Connor hosts the Fun in Key West podcast with her husband Kevin, recapping their recent Key West trip and announcing a new weekly Thursday 8:00 PM ET live format. They highlight their first-night tradition at Conch Republic Seafood Company (mahi sandwich, Key West shrimp) and meeting travelers who were "winging it," the...

The House That Moved: The Sawyer-Navarro House's Key West Adventure   Michele O'Connor shares the story of the Sawyer-Navarro House, a two-and-a-half story classic revival home now at 426 Elizabeth Street in Key West that originally stood at Duval and Fleming. Built for master ship carpenter and businessman John T. Sawyer after the Great Fire of April 7, 1886 destroyed his first mansion, the rebui...

Ridley House: Richard Kemp, the Rarest Sea Turtle, and a Key West Legend Michele O'Connor of the Fun in Key West podcast shares the story behind Ridley House at 601 Caroline Street, now part of the Key West Historic Inns Collection. The property dates to 1845 when the Bahamian-settler Kemp family bought land and remained connected to it for 72 years. Richard Moore Kemp, a Key West furniture dealer...

From Jimmy Buffett to 25 Tropical Crime Adventures with Chip Bell What happens when a rainy weekend, a Jimmy Buffett song, and a longtime trial attorney collide? You get Come Monday , the first book in a tropical crime series that eventually grew into 25 Jake Sullivan adventures. In this episode of the Fun in Key West Podcast, Michele sits down with author Charles "Chip" Bell to talk about the rea...

Dani Hoy on Trop Rock, Island Life, and the Old Stone Church in Key West Host Michele O'Connor welcomes listeners to the Fun in Key West podcast and introduces guest Dani Hoy, a Key West singer-songwriter, artist, and member of The Shanty Hounds who also manages social media and communications for the historic Old Stone Church (Key West United Methodist Church). Dani shares how Jimmy Buffett, the...

Key West Easter Eggs at Disney's Old Key West Resort: Exploring Conch Flats Host Michele O'Connor takes a detour from the Florida Keys to Disney's Old Key West Resort in Central Florida to explore Key West-inspired "Easter eggs" built into an imaginary Keys town called Conch Flats. She explains the resort's history (opened Dec. 20, 1991 as the first Disney Vacation Club resort; renamed in 1996) an...

Key West in July: Key Lime Festival, 4th of July, Hemingway Days & Lobster Mini Season Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast and shares an insider guide to visiting Key West in July, emphasizing the heat, humidity, and typical afternoon showers during hurricane season, along with tips on packing breathable clothes, reef-safe sunscreen, and planning around the weather with ai...

Nick Shuck on The Green Flash at Sunset: Reinvention, Key West Grit, and Hope Host Michele O'Connor welcomes listeners to the Fun in Key West podcast and introduces the June 2026 book club pick, The Green Flash at Sunset by Nick Shuck, with Shuck joining to discuss the story behind the story, why Key West is a "world capital of reinvention," and how a book can feel dark yet hopeful. Shuck shares h...

Historic Marker Monday: Truman's Little White House (Marker #59) in Key West Host Michele O'Connor welcomes listeners to the Fun in Key West podcast and spotlights Historic Marker Monday episode #59: the Harry S. Truman Little White House in Truman Annex. She describes the house's origins (built in 1890 as Quarters A and B, becoming a single-family residence by 1911) and notable early stays, inclu...

Wreck Ashore: How Key West Wreckers Built a Fortune Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast and explains Key West's historic wrecking industry, highlighted by Historic Marker #58 near Mallory Square and the Wrecker Memorial by the Memorial Sculpture Garden. She describes wrecking as licensed marine salvage under maritime law—rescuing crews first, salvaging cargo, and settling...

Key West in June: Weather, Packing Tips, Events, and a 3-Day Itinerary Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast and shares a practical guide to visiting Key West in June, covering warm, humid upper-80s weather, comfortable water temps, and typical quick afternoon showers during the start of hurricane season. She recommends booking midweek for better hotel deals, packing breatha...

The Ultimate Couples Guide to Key West: Sunsets, Food Tours, and Quirky Date Ideas Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast as an insider guide to where to eat, drink, stay, and what to do on the island, then focuses on experiencing Key West as a couple with a laid-back, spontaneous vibe. She recommends balancing iconic activities—Mallory Square Sunset Celebration, sunset cruis...

Family-Friendly Florida Keys Road Trip: Key Largo to Key West (Summer Travel Tips) Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast and shares family-travel tips for a Florida Keys road trip from Key Largo to Key West heading into Memorial Day weekend 2026. She argues the Keys are a great multi-generational destination if approached with a relaxed mindset: plan one major activity per d...

David Sloan Returns: How Key West Killed JFK, Bum Farto, Beatles Tales, and Haunted History Host Michele O'Connor welcomes listeners to the Fun in Key West podcast and interviews returning guest David Sloan, a longtime Key West author and researcher known for haunted history, Robert the Doll, and key lime pie expertise. Sloan explains how he moved to Key West after seeing ghost tours abroad and de...

Visiting Key West in May: Weather, Events, Packing Tips, and Travel Planning Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast and shares an insider guide to visiting Key West in May, calling it a sweet spot with fewer crowds, mid-80s daytime highs, upper-70s evenings, less rain, and generally more forgiving hotel rates before hurricane season begins June 1. She covers what to pack (ree...

Historic Marker Monday: Key West's Old Stone Church (Marker #55) Host Michele O'Connor introduces the Fun in Key West podcast and a Historic Marker Monday episode focused on historic marker #55, the Old Stone Church (United Methodist Church) at 600 Eaton Street at Simonton and Elizabeth in Old Town. She explains how Methodist missionaries began services in 1832 in Bahamian settler Samuel Kemp's ho...