Fort Myers Beach is packed with beach energy, but the best stories often live just behind it on the back bay. We’re Cabo Jim and Sean, and we’re kicking off Buzz on the Bay with a simple promise: we’ll bring you the people, places, and waterfront experiences that make life on the water feel electric, easy, and unforgettable.

We start with what’s happening right now at Matanzas on the Bay and the Matanzas Inn as new ownership pushes a bigger vision for the property. Think an upscale waterfront restaurant with standout service and food, the charm and history of Petey’s Upper Deck upstairs, and lodging that’s being upgraded so your stay matches the views. Then we zoom out to what really makes this spot different: the marina and the on-the-water experiences being built around it.

We talk charter services, fishing charters, and a premium boat built for groups, opening the door to dinner cruises, wine dinners, and even wedding weekends where the ceremony happens on the water and the party stays steps from the dock. We also share what you might see from the seawall on any given day: dolphins, manatees, and sunsets that hit different when you’re watching from the bay with quick access out to the Gulf.

If you’re looking for things to do in Fort Myers Beach, boating experiences in Southwest Florida, or a true waterfront getaway that ties it all together, this is your starting point. Subscribe to Buzz on the Bay, share it with a friend who needs a tropical reset, and leave a review telling us what you want to hear next.

Buzz On The Bay
414 Crescent Street Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
(239) 463-3838
matanzasonthebay.com
Matanzas On The Bay
Matanzas Inn
Petey’s Upper Deck
@MatanzasInnResort

Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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Most people don’t need another motivational quote to start a business. They need a roadmap, someone who has been there before, and a reality check that doesn’t crush the dream. We sit down with Bill Robertson, Chapter Chair of SCORE Southwest Florida, to talk about what entrepreneurs actually struggle with when they launch, grow, or even restart a small business and how SCORE’s free mentoring helps.

We unpack how SCORE works, who it serves across Lee and Hendry counties, and why the first mentor meeting is all about listening. Bill explains how mentors help founders think through the decisions that shape everything else: LLC vs S-corp, bookkeeping and taxes, marketing strategy, and what “success” means to you personally. We also get into why you are not “one and done” with mentoring, because building a business is not a Google search, it is a series of choices made under pressure.

Then we go deep on the tools that separate hope from a plan: a business plan that holds you accountable, a feasibility study that forces the hard-cost math, and an elevator pitch that earns you the next conversation with lenders, partners, or grant makers. Bill also shares how SCORE is navigating delayed federal funding and why volunteers and community supporters keep this small business resource strong.

If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with a founder you care about, and leave a review so more entrepreneurs can find practical small business mentoring when they need it most.

SCORE Southwest Florida
Bill Robertson
(239) 533-3102
2201 SECOND STREET SUITE 500, Fort Myers, FL 33901
ch.admin0219@scorevolunteer.org
score.org
@SCORESouthwestFlorida/

State Insurance USA
4450 Camino Real Way
Ft Myers, FL 33966
239-567-9992
office@StateInsuranceUSA.com
stateinsuranceusa.com
https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa
#StateInsuranceUSA
#SupportLocal
#WeLoveOurClients
@Stateinsuranceusa

Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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Cape Coral has more burrowing owls than anywhere else in Florida, and the empty lots they depend on are disappearing fast. We sit down with Janet Windisch from Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife to hear how a retired chemist turned a love of birding into hands-on wildlife conservation after Hurricane Ian, and why this all-volunteer organization has become a quiet force for habitat preservation in Southwest Florida.

We dig into the real work behind protecting native species: staking and trimming burrowing owl burrows so they are not destroyed by mowing or construction, responding to community calls through a wildlife hotline, and supporting other critical animals like gopher tortoises, a keystone species whose burrows help hundreds of others survive. Janet also shares how the group maintains purple martin colonies, operates a public butterfly house, and helped rebuild the zebra longwing population after the hurricane. You’ll also hear about new monitoring efforts for ospreys, wading birds, and bald eagles that blend citizen science with local stewardship.

If you’ve ever wondered what you can do as a homeowner, we get specific: skip rat poison to prevent secondary poisoning in owls, hawks, and eagles, cut back on fertilizers and insecticides, and plant native Florida landscaping that supports pollinators and wildlife. Janet explains fundraising efforts like the Burrowing Owl Festival and the Adopt an Owl program, plus flexible volunteering opportunities for every schedule. Subscribe, share this episode with a neighbor, and leave a review to help more people find the local nonprofits protecting our community.

Cape Coral Friends of Wildlife
Janet Windisch
239-980-2593
PO Box 152761 Cape Coral, FL 33915
ccfriendsofwildlife.org
To Report:

Burrowing Owls, Gopher Tortoises
CCFW: 239-980-2593

Injured Wildlife
CROW: 239-472-3644

Harassment of Wildlife
FWC: 888-404-3922

Rotary Park Wildlife Info
239-549-4606

Monitor Lizards
CC Environmental Dept: 239-574-0785

State Insurance USA
4450 Camino Real Way
Ft Myers, FL 33966
239-567-9992
office@StateInsuranceUSA.com
stateinsuranceusa.com
https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa
#StateInsuranceUSA
#SupportLocal
#WeLoveOurClients
@Stateinsuranceusa

Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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Drowning is one of those risks people underestimate until it hits close to home, and in Florida, water is everywhere. I’m Gail Langner with State Insurance Cares, and I sat down with Terri Ballo, president of the Florida Drowning Prevention Foundation, to talk about what actually prevents child drowning and why “it only takes a second” is not just a saying. Terry shares the heartbreaking moment that pushed her to take action, and how that personal turning point became a statewide mission built on education, access, and community support.

We get practical about water safety for families, grandparents, and anyone with a pool, canal, or beach nearby. Terri breaks down the “layers of protection” that save lives: constant supervision, swim lessons, barriers like pool fences, door alarms that alert you when a child slips outside, and CPR skills that buy precious time in an emergency. We also talk about how quickly kids can move, why drowning is often silent, and how easy it is for adults at gatherings to assume someone else is watching.

A big focus is access. The Florida Drowning Prevention Foundation provides swim lesson scholarships for families across the state, including many who do not qualify for state vouchers but still struggle to afford lessons. Terri explains where lessons happen through certified swim schools, how the scholarship model works, and how partnerships with HOAs and property managers can expand water safety education and equipment at community pools. If you care about drowning prevention, swim lessons, and pool safety in Southwest Florida and beyond, this conversation gives you clear next steps. Subscribe, share this with a parent or grandparent, and leave a review so more families can find it.

Florida Drowning Prevention Foundation
Terri Ballo
(239) 919-2001
2670 Horseshoe Dr. N. Ste 203 Naples, FL 34104
fldpf.org

State Insurance USA
4450 Camino Real Way
Ft Myers, FL 33966
239-567-9992
office@StateInsuranceUSA.com
stateinsuranceusa.com
https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa
#StateInsuranceUSA
#SupportLocal
#WeLoveOurClients
@Stateinsuranceusa

Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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A rent notice, a medical bill, a week without wages, or even higher grocery prices can knock a working family off balance fast, especially in Southwest Florida. We’re joined by Caily Martin, Executive Director of Bonita Assistance Office in Bonita Springs, to talk honestly about what crisis support looks like when you treat people like neighbors, not numbers. Gail Langner asks the questions many of us are afraid to ask until we need help ourselves: who qualifies, how private is it, and what can you do when you’re trying to hold it together?

Caily breaks down the organization’s core programs, including a drive-up food pantry that provides a full week of groceries three times a week, with a strong focus on fresh produce and cook-at-home staples. We also talk through the details that make support feel dignified: clients stay in their cars, volunteers bring bags directly out, and the team intentionally varies items week to week so families get what they can actually use. You’ll hear how they distribute diapers and wipes through Healthy Start Diaper Bank, plus other essentials that can quietly make or break a household budget.

The most moving moment comes from a case management story: a mother with young twins facing eviction after the sudden loss of her husband. Caily explains how Bonita Assistance Office bridged the rent gap, then connected the family to Valerie’s House for grief support and CareerSource for training and career growth, showing how smart referrals can turn a crisis into a path forward. If you want to help, we share clear ways to donate, volunteer, or host a diaper or food drive. Subscribe, share this episode with someone in Southwest Florida, and leave a review to help more neighbors find support when they need it most.

Bonita Springs Assistance Office
Caily Martin
(239) 992-3034
25300 Bernwood Dr, Ste 6, Bonita Springs, FL 34135
info@bonitaassistance.org
bonitaassistance.org
@BonitaAssistance

State Insurance USA
4450 Camino Real Way
Ft Myers, FL 33966
239-567-9992
office@StateInsuranceUSA.com
stateinsuranceusa.com
https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa
#StateInsuranceUSA
#SupportLocal
#WeLoveOurClients
@Stateinsuranceusa

Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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A lot of people say they want to “give back,” but the real question is how. We sit down with Gary Israel, president of the Rotary Club of Estero, to get specific about what community service looks like when it’s organized, consistent, and welcoming. Rotary is one of the oldest service organizations in the United States, and Gary explains how local clubs take on real problems close to home while still carrying a bigger mission of service above self.

We dig into the projects that make the Rotary Club of Estero stand out in Southwest Florida, especially its youth programs. From Rotakids at Three Oaks Elementary to hands-on service like packaging rice and beans for Interfaith Charities Food Bank, the goal is to help kids build responsibility and discover that helping others can actually feel fun. We also talk about practical community support like school recycling efforts and a STEM-based school garden that teaches students how to grow vegetables and think differently about where food comes from.

You’ll also hear how Rotary funds this work through local fundraising events, including a successful golf tournament, a 5K run supporting children’s mental health, and community celebrations with raffles and 50-50 drawings. Gary shares how listeners can visit a meeting, join a social event, or donate to the Rotary Club Estero Foundation in a tax-deductible way. If you care about volunteering, charitable giving, and local nonprofits in Estero, this conversation offers a clear path to action. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves service, and leave us a review so more people can find the helpers in their own community.

Rotary Club of Estero
Gary Israel
10450 Corkscrew Commons Dr, Estero, FL 33928
(239) 287-4246
glipdg51@gmail.com
esterorotary.org
@esterorotary

State Insurance USA
4450 Camino Real Way
Ft Myers, FL 33966
239-567-9992
office@StateInsuranceUSA.com
stateinsuranceusa.com
https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa
#StateInsuranceUSA
#SupportLocal
#WeLoveOurClients
@Stateinsuranceusa

Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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Diapers sound small until you learn the truth: families can’t buy them with SNAP or WIC, daycares often require them, and running out can spiral into stress, missed work, and avoidable doctor visits. We sit down with Amanda Brunson, Associate Executive Director of Healthy Start Southwest Florida, to explain how one nonprofit is closing that gap and strengthening maternal and infant health across Lee, Collier, Hendry, and Glades counties.

Amanda shares her personal why, including her own experience with a premature birth, limited family support nearby, and the challenges that follow a NICU stay. That story connects directly to the heart of Healthy Start’s work: home visiting programs that show up consistently, build trust, and help parents navigate pregnancy, newborn care, and early childhood with practical guidance and real resources.

We dig into what Healthy Start actually does day to day, from the Connect coordinated intake and referral system that matches families to the right services, to multiple home visiting options like Nurse-Family Partnership with registered nurse visitors, and Team Dad, a program built specifically for fathers. You’ll also hear about Help Me Grow developmental screenings and the fetal and infant mortality review work that looks for community-level improvements in birth outcomes. Along the way, Amanda breaks down how their diaper bank scales impact through partner pickup sites and National Diaper Bank purchasing power, and why monetary donations can stretch farther than most people expect.

If you want pregnancy support, parenting resources, or a way to help families thrive in Southwest Florida, this one offers clear next steps. Subscribe, share with a friend who cares about maternal and infant health, and leave a review to help more neighbors find these resources.

Healthy Start Southwest Florida
Amanda Brunson
(239) 425-6920
Customer Service: (800) 883-1959

Fort Myers Office:
1921 Jefferson Avenue Fort Myers, FL 33901
healthystartbaby.org

State Insurance USA
4450 Camino Real Way
Ft Myers, FL 33966
239-567-9992
office@StateInsuranceUSA.com
stateinsuranceusa.com
https://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa
#StateInsuranceUSA
#SupportLocal
#WeLoveOurClients
@Stateinsuranceusa

Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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Your feed is full of nutrition rules, but your body still feels stuck. We’re joined by Francesca Scerbo, founder of Balanced Nutrition, to talk about what actually works when you want better energy, better digestion, and a plan you can live with not a short-term diet you’ll quit by next month. Francesca brings a food first, evidence-based perspective shaped by her background in clinical nutrition and exercise science, plus real life experience coaching clients through change without the all-or-nothing pressure.

We dig into why “diet” is often a recipe for disaster and how a lifestyle-based approach adapts to your schedule, stress, and goals. Francesca explains why gut health matters so much right now, how inflammation shows up as bloating, gas, belching, and bathroom issues, and why supplements can’t outrun ultra-processed food. She also shares a simple experiment many people can try: removing gluten for two weeks, then reintroducing it to see what your body tells you.

We also focus on women’s health and hormones, including why many women undernourish during perimenopause and menopause, how cortisol can fight fat loss when you overdo cardio, and why strength training and protein intake matter. Francesca offers concrete starting points like aiming for 100 grams of protein per day and building your morning around 30 grams, along with the bigger picture: hydration, sleep, stress reduction, and learning to read food labels.

If you’re ready for a realistic nutrition plan that supports gut health, hormone balance, and sustainable weight loss, listen now then share this with a friend, subscribe, and leave a review so more neighbors can find it. What’s one small change you want to make this week?

Balanced Nutrition
Francesca Scerbo
(239) 610-4921
9341 Tulipano Ter, Naples, FL 34119
francescascerbo121@gmail.com
balancednutritionlifestyle.com
@francescabalancednutrition

Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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