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Fun in Key West Podcast

Fun in Key West Podcast

By: Michele O'Connor
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🌴 Welcome to the Fun in Key West Podcast! 🌴 Get ready to dive into all things Key West—the southernmost island where the sunsets are breathtaking, the food is unforgettable, and the drinks are always cold! 🍹 In this podcast, we bring you insider tips on: ✅ The best places to eat (yes, there will be conch fritters 🥥). ✅ Where to drink and enjoy the island's famous cocktails 🍸. ✅ The coolest spots to stay, from cozy inns to luxury getaways 🏝️. ✅ And so much more—from quirky local events to can't-miss festivals! 🎉 We'll also keep you up to date on the latest happenings around the island and occasionally chat with special guests who know Key West like the back of their sandy hand. 🐚 Whether you're planning your first trip, a frequent visitor, or just daydreaming about island life, this podcast is your ultimate guide to enjoying paradise. 🎙️ New episodes every wek—so don't forget to subscribe! Hit the like button if you're as obsessed with Key West as we are, and share the island love with your friends! 💌 Connect with us! 👉 Website: www.FunInKeyWest.com 👉 Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for even more island vibes. 🌊 So grab your flip-flops, pour yourself a cold drink, and escape to the island state of mind with the Fun in Key West Podcast! #FunInKeyWest #KeyWestPodcast #IslandLifeVibesFun In Key West 2026 Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Nick Shuck on The Green Flash at Sunset: Reinvention, Key West Grit, and Hope

    Nick Shuck on The Green Flash at Sunset: Reinvention, Key West Grit, and Hope
    Jun 21 2026
    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 his background as a Pensacola senior English teacher, tour company owner (Emerald Coast Tours), father, and writer inspired by Hemingway, and explains he began the novel from its ending, sparked by watching Mallory Square street performers. He describes the green flash as a metaphor for chasing dreams despite risk and uncertainty, talks about crafting four central characters and Key West as an essential setting with layered history, and addresses reader reactions to the book's darkness as honesty about the world. The episode also spotlights sponsor Cruises and Tikis of Key West and mentions Key West Island Books. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 June Book Club Preview 03:13 Meet Author Nick Shuck 04:30 Nick's Origin Story 08:06 Cruising Tikis Sponsor Break 09:32 How Green Flash Began 12:53 Meaning of the Green Flash 16:37 Key West as Reinvention 21:07 Seeing Places in Layers 24:29 Meet Janet and Her Fight 27:11 Dark Stories Hopeful Endings 31:23 Writing Without an Outline 33:14 Endings and Lessons Learned 35:36 Writing Is Showing Up 37:17 Starting Emerald Coast Tours 38:50 Segway Tours Spark 40:44 Pub Tours Drunk History 42:07 Characters Walk Into Bar 43:22 Reinvention And Past 46:16 What Readers Should Feel 48:42 Next Projects And Research 51:06 Key West Favorites Rapid Fire 54:49 Coffee Rum And Local Tips 59:44 Thanks Sponsors And Wrap 01:02:40 Final Outro And Call To Action https://emeraldcoasttours.net/ https://bookshop.org/shop/PanhandleBooks
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • Historic Marker Monday: Truman's Little White House (Marker #59) in Key West

    Historic Marker Monday: Truman's Little White House (Marker #59) in Key West
    Jun 21 2026
    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, including President William Howard Taft's 1912 visit and Thomas Edison's six-month World War I stay. The episode focuses on Truman's 11 working vacations from 1946–1953 totaling 175 days, when major issues were discussed there, including the Marshall Plan, Truman Doctrine, recognition of Israel, civil rights executive orders, the Korean War ceasefire efforts, and the merger creating the Department of Defense. She notes later presidential connections (Eisenhower, Kennedy, Carter, Clinton) and promotes Trusted Tours' small-group "White Glove Tour," featuring behind-the-scenes access, exhibits, refreshments, a keepsake, and a ride in Truman's 1950 Lincoln limousine. 00:00 Welcome to Fun in Key West 01:26 Marker Monday Setup 04:30 Sponsor White Glove Tour 05:45 Origins of the House 06:54 Early VIP Visitors 08:18 Truman Arrives in 1946 09:53 Big Decisions Made Here 12:11 Truman Daily Rhythm 14:00 Other Presidential Ties 15:31 Why Historic Markers Matter 17:00 Tour Highlights and Questions 19:15 Explore More Key West Markers 20:24 Final Wrap and Call to Visit www.funinkeywest.com/truman
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    22 mins
  • Wreck Ashore: How Key West Wreckers Built a Fortune

    Wreck Ashore: How Key West Wreckers Built a Fortune
    Jun 14 2026
    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 claims through admiralty court at the Custom House—rather than piracy, noting myths like false lights lack evidence. The Florida Keys' reefs, storms, and limited navigation led to frequent wrecks, with NOAA estimates of hundreds to over 1,000 shipwrecks and an average of one per week in the 1800s; wrecking drove 60–90% of Florida exports by the 1830s and made Key West a leading port and home to Florida's first millionaire. She recommends visiting the Key West Shipwreck Museum tower, the Mel Fisher Museum about the 1622 Atocha found in 1985, and other related sites, and notes lighthouses and navigation improvements ended wrecking's profitability. 00:00 Welcome to Key West 01:26 Wreck Ashore Hook 03:18 Historic Marker 58 06:29 What Wrecking Means 08:04 Why Ships Wrecked Here 10:38 Key West Gets Rich 12:34 Custom House and Courts 15:01 Myths and Methods 18:45 Mel Fisher and Atocha 20:57 Shipwreck Museum Tower 21:42 End of Wrecking Era 22:43 Where to See It Today 24:33 Final Thoughts and Wrap 28:18 Recap and Call to Action
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    30 mins
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