SWFL Strong Podcast

One month ago, Hurricane Ian made landfall as one of the worst storms in Southwest Florida's history. Today, we see neighbor helping neighbor, communities rising through the rubble and a stronger, more resilient community than ever before. A great driving force for relief and recovery has been the team at the United Way of Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties. Connie Ramos-Williams sits down with President & CEO Jeannine Joy to talk about the storm's impact, ongoing relief efforts, heartfelt stories, volunteer opportunities and the Relief Fund that is helping to rebuild our communities. Together, we are #swflstrong. 

In the latest episode of the SWFL Strong Podcast, Connie Ramos-Williams speaks with the mastermind behind Sizzle Restaurant Week, Guy Clarke. Key Takeaways: Learn how Sizzle Restaurant Week got started and how it benefits the local SWFL community Guy talks about what cooking and eating great meals means to him  Hear about some of SWFL's resident foodie's favorite dishes   

This month we are talking about a topic that is on everyone's mind - the Southwest Florida housing market! As we saw housing prices peak this year, we are beginning to see somewhat of a cool down in our region. Connie Ramos-Williams brings in powerhouse entrepreneur and owner of Borgia Consulting Corporation & American Real Title, Karina Borgia-Lacroix to talk about her journey as a female business owner and gets her take on where the housing market is going to go from here. 

Do you know the story of how CONRIC pr + marketing got its start, the secret to its continued success, and how our founder and chief marketing officer Connie Ramos-Williams and her husband, CONRIC's CFO Rick Williams balance work and life to make it all work? Listen to what Connie and Rick have to share. 

Have you ever wanted to sit down with a business consultant and pick their brain on how to start your own successful business? In the latest episode of the SWFL Strong Podcast, Connie Ramos-Williams speaks with local entrepreneur and CEO of Steel Bleu Consulting Cotrenia Hood about unlocking your true potential and the entrepreneurial journey. Key Discussions:  How do you turn your passion into profit?  What should you focus on when starting a new business?  When should you start hiring? 

In the latest episode of the SWFL Strong Podcast, Connie Ramos-Williams speaks with arts know-it-all, blogger and author Tom Hall about the Southwest Florida arts community.  Key Takeaways: Murals are all the rage right now. Listen and learn about a few hidden gems you may not have seen yet.  There's a new app that makes the art scene interactive and could help drive tourism in our region.  There are so many ways YOU can support our arts community. Listen how! Are you ready to take a deep dive into the diverse arts culture of SWFL? We hope you enjoy our conversation and subscribe to the SWFL Strong podcast to keep up with the people and places that truly make SWFL Strong! 

In the latest episode of the SWFL Strong Podcast, Connie Ramos-Williams speaks with Vice President of Education and Interpretation from the Naples Botanical Garden, Britt Patterson-Weber, and Florida Gulf Coast University's Food Forest's manager, Marco Acosta, about the importance of sustainable living and plant conservation, and how it relates to Southwest Florida.    Key Takeaways:

Ever wonder what business or development is going into the empty lot or vacant commercial space? And what exactly does it mean to invest in the Metaverse real estate market? Get the answers to these questions and learn more about the explosive development and growth opportunities along the Gulf Coast - from North Fort Myers becoming an extension of Downtown Fort Myers to the growth near the Southwest Florida International Airport all the way to Ave Maria in Collier County. In our latest episode, Connie Ramos-Williams and Cushman & Wakefield | Commercial Property Southwest Florida's Gary Tasman tells all! Not many people know SWFL like Gary so be sure to tune in! 

People move to Southwest Florida because of its abundance of natural beauty and outdoor activities. One of the area's most viable resources is its waterways. And it's no secret that Southwest Florida, and the rest of the state, is facing a water crisis. It affects boaters, business people, fishermen and everyone who calls Southwest Florida home. President and CMO of CONRIC pr + marketing Connie Ramos-Williams chats with clean water advocates Chauncey Goss with the South Florida Water Management District and Captain Daniel Andrews with Captains for Clean Water about what you need to know about restoring water quality, what you can do to help and why this is a crisis. 

In this episode, Connie Ramos-Williams speaks with Jason Teeters of the Collaboratory and Marilyn Santiago of CARP USA about ways we can embrace the differences in our Southwest Florida community.   Key Takeaways: ☀️Be aware of the differences in our community and how they make us stronger  ☀️You may need to unlearn what you were taught about differences growing up ☀️Learn to learn - be respectful and stay curious as to other's stories  ☀️It's okay to agree to disagree with respect to another person's point of view   Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Podbean and your favorite podcasting platform! 

Dr. Mel offers listeners the best relationship advice in Southwest Florida! When it comes to relationship advice for women and relationship advice for men, some things will make you blush and some will make you smile. But, you'll come out of it learning a thing or two about how to communicate better and make your connections stronger. And just like that, this is Sex, Love and Southwest Florida. Like what you hear? Make sure to follow, share and comment on this episode on your favorite podcast platform. 

We're back for season 3 of the SWFL Strong Podcast! Have you heard of “The Great Resignation”? Join our host, Connie Ramos-Williams, as she talks to Peg Elmore of CareerSource SWFL about the state of our local job market, and the  resources available for those seeking employment or looking to hire in Southwest Florida.  Like what you hear? Make sure to follow, share and comment on this episode on your favorite podcast platform. 

Tis the season! Well it's the end of Season 2 of the SWFL Strong Podcast. Join us as we talk about what events you can't miss over the holidays with the "Downtown Diva" Stephanie Davis and the "Unofficial Mayor of Fort Myers" Marc Collins.

The Calusa Nature Center & Planetarium is a hidden gem in Fort Myers. Join us as we talk to Connie Bennett Martin about the sights you can explore, animals you can meet and events you can bring the family out to this year.

Guten Tag! Bust out your lederhosen and pour yourself a beer because Cape Coral Oktoberfest is almost here! We enjoyed talking with German American Social Club president, Stephen Bauer about what to expect at this year's festival.

Have you tried CBD yet? That's the question you likely will hear walking into Seed and Bean in downtown Fort Myers. This cutting edge coffee shop and bistro specializes in CBD infused drinks, food and even dog treats! Tune in as we talk to Cole Peacock about the health benefits of CBD and why they chose SWFL as a home base.

Krista Fogelsong is a well known local celebrity with ABC7 who brings good news to our living rooms everyday. Join us on this episode of the SWFL Strong Podcast as we talk to her about why she chose the Sunshine State as her home and what drives her to be "Positively SWFL".

Southwest Florida is full of budding entrepreneurs and small business owners, but where can they go to get support and education? Goodwill's MicroEnterprise Institute provides aspiring small business owners with the skills to succeed as entrepreneurs and become more independent. Join us as we talk to Sandra Plazas about some of the great success stories to come out of the program. 

What if we were to tell you that in 18 years you can help solve all of SWFL's issues? That's the challenge that the Collaboratory is taking on. Join us as we talk to Sarah Owen about how we as a community can come together to make SWFL Stronger than ever! 

Do you ever wonder who is responsible for all the great events that happen in Cape Coral? Let us introduce you to Shelly Walton. She's the owner of Backstreets Sports Bar and the President of the South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Association. Her group is responsible for trolley nights, fun business events and PRIDE Cape Coral. Tune in as we talk about the fun coming up for the rest of 2021!

What happens when you combine two powerhouse business women on a podcast? Tune in and find out as Connie Ramos-Williams talks to Erica Castner in this episode of the SWFL Strong Podcast.  Erica is a business owner, fellow podcaster and Know Women Ambassador that has great advice for any professional looking to raise their game.

You've heard about farm to table, but how about farm to pint? The SWFL Strong Podcast brings you on location at Crazy Dingo Brewing. We talked to brewer and co-owner Stu Paache about what makes Crazy Dingo's brews some of the most unique in Southwest Florida. 

This podcast we want to introduce you to an amazing young lady, Megan O'Grady. She created Blue Line Bears while she was still in high school to help bring comfort to the families of fallen officers. Her organization has hand sewn and delivered over 900 bears all over the world. Find out more about Megan and her mission at bluelinebears.org.

Wine down with us as we talk to Sarah Newcomb of The Wine Room - Fort Myers. Sarah is an entrepreneur who took her love of wine and philanthropy and turned it into a business that serves our community. So, pour yourself a glass, sip back and relax! It's wine o'clock in Southwest Florida!

With hurricane season just around the corner for Southwest Florida, we wanted to bring you insider information from everyone's favorite chief meteorologist! Matt Devitt joins us on this episode to talk about what brought him to SWFL and what to expect for the 2021 season.

Have you seen the hottest new restaurant in town? Oxbow brings a unique flavor to Downtown Fort Myers. Oxbow GM Bob Megazzini joins us to talk about the food, drinks and views you can expect with a visit to Oxbow. Stick around for a specialty cocktail recipe you don't want to miss!

Ever have a dream business idea that you wanted to make into a reality? Join us as we talk to Rochelle Graham-Campbell who started Alikay Naturals in her kitchen and grew it to the multi-million dollar business it is today. 

Connie and Rick will be behind the bar at Burntwood Tavern at Gulf Coast Town Center for the Battle of the Burntwoods Celebrity Bartending event benefitting the United Way of Lee, Hendry, Glades, and Okeechobee Counties! Check out this great new addition to the SWFL restaurant scene in our latest vodcast episode! #swflstrong *This was recorded previous to the Battle of the Burntwoods event*

The pandemic changed our way of life here in Southwest Florida. However we are seeing a major bounceback in tourism and our local hospitality industry. Join us as we talk to the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association and the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau about how SWFL is stronger than ever in 2021.

In this episode we find out what's on tap in SWFL! First up are Chefs Ben Voisin and John Hill with Gather in Cape Coral. These two highlight some of their favorite dishes and how they helped bring our community together in the face of a pandemic. Our second guest is Kyle Cebull, owner of Millennial Brewing Co. in Downtown Fort Myers. Kyle talks about fan favorite beers, the brewery expansion and how Millennial is all about helping our SWFL community.

On this special episode of the SWFL Strong Podcast we are featuring two dynamic power couples of Southwest Florida! Scott and Diana Willis are the brains behind bringing Jason's Deli to our beautiful area. Guido and Susan Minaya are the proud owners of Minaya Learning Global Solutions LLC and both couples have a few tips you need to hear about how to make marriage and a business partnership work long term. #swflstrong #powercouples #valentinesday #vlog

2021 is all about rebuilding our local business community and giving them the support they need. In this episode of the #SWFLStrong Podcast, we connect you with John Talmage, the Director of the Lee County Economic Development Office and Colleen DePasquale, the President and CEO of the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce. These two community leaders do so much to support, connect and lift up the business community of Lee County.

How many times have we all said, "This year, I'm going to be the healthiest version of me!"? Well, we support your efforts and want to introduce you to two women who exemplify a healthy lifestyle. Join us for our first episode of Season 2 as we talk to Carey Ralston aka "The Plant-Based Rachael Ray" about the benefits of adding more plant-based meals to your diet. Then we amp it up with IRONWOMAN Angie Ferguson of GearedUp Health, Wellness & Fitness who has some great advice on how to get started and maintain a workout plan that fits your lifestyle. Get motivated and make sure to look for us on Podbean, YouTube, or anywhere you listen to podcasts! Until next time, stay #SWFLStrong!

In this episode, we talk to JoAnn Elardo of Wicked Dolphin Distillery and the Cape Coral Animal Shelter about how they pivoted to better the community in the face of a pandemic. Michael Chatman from the Cape Coral Community Foundation also calls in to talk about how they help small nonprofits make a huge difference in SWFL. Plus our Vice President of Media Relations, Josh Milton, tells us how to handle company communications in the face of a crisis.

This episode we talk about how we can continue to help our Southwest Florida community throughout the holidays. Bill Daubmann with My Shower Door / D3 Glass calls in to talk about the festive new product they stumbled upon and their upcoming toy drive with the Lee County Sheriff's Office. Tracey Galloway from Community Cooperative joins us to let you know exactly how to feed the hungry families of our area and give back to their amazing program. Finally Digital Marketing Coordinator, Chelsea Castoria gives us the upcoming social trends you need to know going into 2021. Stay #SWFLStrong!

November officially kicks off the season of giving. This episode we talk to Jeanne Sweeney with the Above Board Chamber of Florida on why it's more important than ever to shop small and local this holiday season. Cecilia St. Arnold with Blessings in a Backpack of Southwest Florida joins us to talk about their mission to keep feeding the children of Tice Elementary. Finally, VP of Web Development, Javier Fuller gives us his top Wordpress plugins for every website. For more #SWFLStrong content, check out conricpr.com.

This year has really highlighted how important it is to practice kindness in your daily life. This episode we were lucky enough to talk to two women who are making it their mission to spread kindness all over SWFL and the world! #SWFLBiz: Francesca Donlan with the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau and an adjunct professor with Florida Gulf Coast University joins us to talk about her class, "The Kindness Effect." She's got some great stories that will require tissues. #SWFLCares: Leigh Clark (entrepreneur, writer, TedX speaker) with Kindleigh calls in to tell us about how she's seen kindness transform the lives of so many. She also issues the #SWFLCares kindness challenge to our community!! #SWFLMarketing: VP of Marketing, Jaimie Miller, tells us why your business should be using personalized content marketing.

This episode is all about our SWFL Schools. COVID-19 has changed the way that our classrooms and after school programs operate. Dr. Kamela Patton, Superintendent of the Collier County Public School District, joins us for #SWFLBiz to talk about how they have adapted to virtual learning for the 2020 school year. Angela Fisher of the Junior Achievement of Southwest Florida, Inc. talks all about helping kids virtually reach their potential in #SWFLCares. Plus a #SWFLMarketing tip from our own Digital Director, Joe Loverde.

This episode is all about the Boss Babes! Over the decades, women have been scrapping their way through the business world and few make it to the top. This episode we feature business women at the top of their game. They have great advice for those coming up in the ranks and some great stories of how they got on top. Hosted by Connie Ramos-Williams. #SWFLBiz - CMO Marilyn Santiago of CARP USA. She takes us through her many jobs (across many industries) and talks about how it takes tenacity to be on top. #SWFLCares - Nickole Hendra with Dress for Success SWFL stops by to talk about the importance of lifting your female friends and acquaintance up in life. She also gives us the insider details on their upcoming virtual gala. #SWFLMarketing - Marketing Director Kirsten O'Donnell tell us all about listicles and why it's more than a fun word to say!

Welcome to our first episode of the #SWFLStrong Podcast by CONRIC pr + marketing. This episode we dive into our water and environment. #SWFLBiz: We talk to Alex Menendez with Pavese Law Firm about important local ordinances homeowners need to know. #SWFLCares: K.C. Shulberg joins us to talk about the Calusa Waterkeeper Ranger Program and their upcoming online fundraising gala. #SWFLMarketing: Digital Marketing Coordinator Chelsea Castoria breaks down the different types of media that you should be using when creating your brand's marketing strategy.