Icons of Naples

In the conclusion of this special two-part conversation, Host Kristen Weardon continues her sit-down with decorated veteran and former POW Wayne Smith. After enduring 1,882 days in captivity, Wayne returned to U.S. soil during Operation Homecoming in 1973 and immediately set his sights on a new mission: the American corporate world.

Wayne shares his transition from the cockpit to the boardroom, eventually serving as the Executive V...

In this powerful episode of Icons of Naples, Host Kristen Wearden sits down with Wayne Smith, a decorated veteran, F-4 fighter pilot, and former prisoner of war whose story of resilience began long before he arrived in Naples, Florida. Wayne takes us back to his humble beginnings on a small farm in Kentucky and shares the journey that led him from the brand-new Air Force Academy to the cockpit of an F-4 Phantom over Vietnam.

Wayne ...

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen Weardon welcomes Jacob Winge, a local historian and civic leader whose family roots in Southwest Florida stretch back nearly a century. Jacob provides a vivid look at the evolution of Collier County, from its days as a vast wilderness of 5,000 residents to the interconnected international destination it is today.

Jacob shares the history of his family’s local businesses, including George ...

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen Weardon sits down with Don Hunter, a former Collier County Sheriff, whose leadership helped guide Naples through decades of growth, change, and challenge.

From arriving in Naples as a young boy in the early 1960s to serving over 20 years as Sheriff, Don Hunter shares firsthand stories of how this once small coastal town evolved into one of Florida’s most sought-after communities. This con...

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen sits down with Dr. Lois Bolin, the woman widely known as the "Old Naples Historian." For nearly 5 decades, Dr. Bolin has dedicated herself to preserving the cultural landscape of Naples, ensuring the community’s heritage isn't lost to the rapid tides of development. From her early days as a competitive tennis player to founding Naples Backyard History, Lois has been at the forefront of ho...

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen Weardon sits down with Garrett Anthony, the spokesperson for one of the city's most respected pioneering families. Arriving in Naples from Alabama in 1953, the Anthony family was among the first Black families to settle in what was then a sleepy fishing village. Garrett shares the powerful story of his great-grandparents, LC ("Big Daddy") and Daisy May ("Big Mom"), who moved south to trad...

In the conclusion of this special 2-part conversation, Kristen Weardon continues her exploration of Naples with acclaimed artist Paul Arsenault. Having lived a block from the Naples pier for decades, Paul provides an intimate look at the "genteel appreciation" of the town’s early days and the influential figures - from philanthropic giants to "old characters" - who helped shape its history.

Paul reflects on the importance of enviro...

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen Weardon sits down with acclaimed artist and preservationist Paul Arsenault. Since arriving in Naples in the 1970s, Paul has dedicated his career to capturing the soul of the community on canvas. From his early days as a deckhand on a research vessel to becoming one of the most recognizable names in the Florida art scene, Paul shares the "primal surge" that drew him to the corkscrew swamp ...

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen Weardon sits down with Kristen Coury, the visionary Founder, CEO, and Producing Artistic Director of the Gulf Shore Playhouse. Arriving in Naples in 2004 from the high-stakes theater worlds of London and New York City, Kristen saw an opportunity to bring professional, Broadway-caliber theater to this arts-loving community.

What began as a one-woman operation with a $0 budget and no employ...

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen sits down with Paul "Butch" Manley, a cornerstone of the Collier County educational system for decades. Known to generations as the first principal of Barron Collier High School, Mr. Manley shares his journey from an Indianapolis teacher to a foundational leader in Naples education, starting in 1967.

The conversation delves into the "frontier" days of local schooling—from teaching biology...

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen Weardon sits down with Tony Ridgway, a pioneering chef and restaurateur who has been a cornerstone of the Naples dining scene since 1971. Tony shares his journey from arriving in a quiet 1962 Naples to becoming a key architect of the city's culinary identity.

Tony reflects on the evolution of "Old Naples," the shift from food-centric to relationship-driven service, and the grit required t...

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen Weardon welcomes Eileen Arsenault, a dedicated champion of historic preservation, cultural awareness, and environmental conservation. From her early days navigating the quaint, quiet streets of Naples in the 1980s to her deep involvement with the historical society and environmental boards, Eileen shares how she became a steward of the community’s unique character.

Eileen discusses the ...

In the conclusion of this 2-part conversation, Kristen Weardon continues her deep dive with legendary landscape photographer Clyde Butcher. Clyde dispels the myths of the "scary" Florida swamp, sharing how his mentor, Oscar Thompson, helped him see the Big Cypress not as a dangerous stagnant pool, but as a safe, solid, and vital "river of grass."

Clyde explains the philosophy behind his massive black-and-white prints, which are des...

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen sits down with the legendary Clyde Butcher, a man who has shifted the world’s perspective on the Florida landscape through his monumental black-and-white photography. Originally from California, Clyde shares his journey from living on a sailboat in Newport Beach to discovering the "spiritual cathedral" of the Florida swamp.

More than just a photographer, Clyde is a dedicated storyteller a...

In this episode of Icons of Naples, host Kristen Weardon sits down with Jean Walker-Humphries, a multi-generational Floridian whose family roots trace back to the very foundation of the state. Jean’s family history is a masterclass in the evolution of Southwest Florida, from her great-grandfather’s 40-acre homestead in Bonita Springs to her father’s pioneering engineering of Naples' famous waterways.

Jean shares a captivating look ...

In the premiere episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen Weardon sits down with the extraordinary Thelma Hodges, a woman whose life is inextricably woven into the very first chapters of Naples, Florida. Arriving in a dark, quiet fishing village in November 1955, Thelma served as one of the community's first three nurses.

Thelma shares fascinating first-hand accounts of the early days of Naples Community Hospital, from unpacking medical ...