Ft Myers Beach - Good Neighbor

Hosted by "Cabo" Jim Schaller

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Episodes

363

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Listen & Subscribe Island Vibes Ahead! Tune in to the Ft. Myers Beach – Good Neighbor Podcast , where the spirit of community meets the rhythm of island life. Each episode is a laid-back journey through heartfelt stories, local voices, and the connections that make our beach town so special. Whether you’re a resident or just dreaming of coastal breezes, let us be your guide to all things good in our neighborhood. Hit play and catch the vibe – Ft. Myers Beach style.

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60 recent

June 17, 2026Episode 418 min

FMBGN-HW-Naples Cancer Advisors-Cancer Advice Without The Sales Pitch

Cancer can make everything feel urgent, but urgency is not the same as clarity. We sit down with Nikki from Naples Cancer Advisors to talk about a rare kind of resource in Southwest Florida: free, expert cancer second opinions that are independent, unbiased, and built to support you and your current oncologist, not compete with them.Naples Cancer Advisors is a local nonprofit that does not bill insurance, does not require a referral, and does not make you “qualify.” If you have an active cancer diagnosis, you can self-refer and get access to a powerhouse oncology team that reviews your medical records in depth and meets with you via telemedicine. Nikki explains why their model works like “Switzerland” in the cancer industry: their physicians are not aligned with pharmaceutical companies or health systems, so the focus stays on what’s best for the patient. Even if your treatment plan does not change, you walk away with something many people never get in cancer care: time to understand the diagnosis, the reasoning, the side effects, and the real options in front of you.We also talk about the fear that drives snap decisions and why self-advocacy matters so much. Screening comes up in a big way, including lung cancer screening, environmental risk like radon exposure, and the reality that not all lung cancer is tied to smoking. Nikki shares practical ways to ask better questions, slow things down, and use second opinions as a tool for confidence, not conflict.Subscribe for more local health and wellness conversations, share this with someone who needs steadier footing right now, and leave a review so more listeners in Fort Myers Beach and beyond can find these resources.Naples Cancer AdvisorsNikki Audia201 Tamiami Trl N suite 112, Naples, FL 34103(239) 846-2273information@naplescanceradvisors.orgnaplescanceradvisors.orgFt Myers Beach-Good NeighborTo Nominate Someone to be FeaturedOrTo Subscribe to the NewsletterCLICK HEREhttps://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/

June 17, 2026Episode 513 min

ST INS CARES-Hope Healthcare-Beyond Hospice

Hospice is often misunderstood as a place you go, but what we see on the ground is a network of care that follows families through some of the hardest seasons of life. We’re joined by Jennifer Thrash, Director of Philanthropy for Hope Healthcare, to unpack what they actually do across Southwest Florida, including Charlotte County, Lee County, Collier County, Hendry County, and Glades County. From hospice houses in Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, and Cape Coral to in-home visits, the goal stays the same: comfort, dignity, and real support for patients and families.We dig into Hope Healthcare’s bereavement services, which are available to anyone in the community, even if you’ve never been part of their programs. Jennifer shares how they provide more than 10,000 hours of grief support each year to around 1,500 participants, with services available for up to 18 months after a death and for many kinds of loss, including the death of a pet. We also talk about their uniquely intensive pediatric hospice and pediatric palliative care program serving babies through age 21, plus the funding reality behind “extras” that change daily life, like music therapy and art therapy, and a $150,000 grant supporting their partnership with Golisano Children’s Hospital.From there, we explore the PACE program (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), which supports low-income adults 55+ who are often homebound by coordinating care, coverage, and specialist access for hundreds of participants each year. We also highlight the Valor program honoring veterans and first responders, Camp Braveheart for children experiencing grief, and the volunteer engine behind it all, including pet therapy and bedside companionship.If this conversation moves you, subscribe for more community stories, share it with someone who cares about nonprofit impact, and leave a review so more listeners can find these resources. What part of Hope Healthcare’s work should more people know about?Hope HealthcareJennifer ThrashDirector of Philanthropy9470 HealthPark Circle Fort Myers, FL 33908800-835-1673239-482-4673hopehcs.orgFt Myers Beach-Good NeighborTo Nominate Someone to be FeaturedOrTo Subscribe to the NewsletterCLICK HEREhttps://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/

June 10, 2026Episode 311 min

ST INS CARES-Into His Image-Healing That Lasts In Five Days

Some pain doesn’t go away with time or willpower. If you’ve ever felt stuck in the same reactions, the same inner narrative, or the same relationship patterns, this conversation puts language to what many people quietly carry and offers a clear path toward change.We sit down with Pastor Warren Kooi of Into His Image, a Southwest Florida nonprofit that provides emotional healing and spiritual healing through a structured “Restoring the Foundations” approach. Warren explains how the ministry looks for roots beneath the surface, including generational issues, wrong beliefs, fractured identity, life traumas, and spiritual strongholds. We talk about why those roots can block joy, patience, and self-control, and how healing can be both deeply spiritual and surprisingly practical.You’ll also hear what the process actually looks like: a five-day sequential ministry format (about 10 to 15 hours), plus two- and four-week follow-ups to help people stay steady after the work is done. We get specific about couples ministry too, where each spouse completes individual sessions before coming back together for forgiveness, restored connection, and the option to renew their marriage covenant. For listeners outside Florida, Warren shares how Zoom ministry and Zoom training make this accessible from anywhere, along with the training pathway from issue-focused ministry to thorough-format ministry.If this story resonates, listen through and share it with someone who needs hope. Subscribe for more community stories, and if you found value here, leave a review so more people can find the show.Into His ImagePastor Warren Kooi(239) 315-364825050 Cypress Hollow Ct #203Bonita Springs, FL 34134info@intohisimage.comintohisimage.comState Insurance USA4450 Camino Real WayFt Myers, FL 33966239-567-9992office@StateInsuranceUSA.comstateinsuranceusa.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa#StateInsuranceUSA#SupportLocal #WeLoveOurClients@StateinsuranceusaFt Myers Beach-Good NeighborTo Nominate Someone to be FeaturedOrTo Subscribe to the NewsletterCLICK HEREhttps://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/

June 3, 2026Episode 212 min

ST INS CARES-Advanced The Faith-Preparing Foster Youth For Adult Life

Turning 18 is hard enough with a family to call. Now imagine hitting adulthood with no safety net, no steady adults, and a history of being moved again and again. That’s the reality for many foster youth aging out of foster care, and it’s why we invited Rebecca Clark from Advanced The Faith to join us for a frank, practical conversation about what real support should look like.Rebecca walks us through how Advanced The Faith, a Christian nonprofit serving Southwest Florida and beyond, partners with group homes and emergency youth shelters to help teens build a foundation for adult life. We dig into the life skills that most of us take for granted, like budgeting, financial literacy, scheduling appointments, handling car problems, and learning conflict resolution. But we keep coming back to the deeper need: trusted relationships with safe adults who don’t disappear when the system does.We also talk volunteering and what it means to enter a group home with respect. Rebecca explains why these teens are not “criminals,” why group homes are not “jail,” and how trauma and disrupted placements can shape trust. From faith and fitness Saturdays to customized programming across Florida, her stories make it clear that consistency is its own kind of intervention.If you care about foster care transition support, mentorship, and practical ways to reduce homelessness after aging out, this conversation will give you a clear next step. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’d volunteer, and leave a review so more people find the nonprofits doing the work up close.Advance the FaithRebecca Clark2258 Campestre TerraceNaples, FL 34119239-248-2838Info@advancethefaith.orgadvancethefaith.orgState Insurance USA4450 Camino Real Way Ft Myers, FL 33966239-567-9992100 Lovers Ln 3rd Floor Ft Myers Beach, FL 33931(239) 690-6300office@StateInsuranceUSA.comstateinsuranceusa.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa#StateInsuranceUSA#SupportLocal#WeLoveOurClients@StateinsuranceusaFt Myers Beach-Good NeighborTo Nominate Someone to be FeaturedOrTo Subscribe to the NewsletterCLICK HEREhttps://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/

June 2, 2026Episode 143 min

FMBGN-ROXIE-Friends of the Ft Myers Beach Library Tour

Join Us on a Tour of the Fort Myers Beach Library with the Friends of the Library as a beautiful reminder that this isn’t just a place for books — it’s a true island treasure filled with history, heart, resilience, and community spirit. Hosted by Jan Fleming and Kelly Smith from the Friends of the Library, the tour highlighted everything from patron parking and the volunteer-run bookstore to the whimsical signs, murals, bike racks, local art, children’s spaces, quiet rooms, historic displays, and stunning third-floor views. Every corner of the building seems to tell a story, including the lasting legacy of Dr. Leroy Hummerding, whose vision and love for the library can still be felt throughout all three floors. What stood out most was how much love and local support continue to flow through this library, especially after the damage from Hurricane Ian. The Friends of the Library help fund special projects, support local nonprofits, offer affordable memberships, run book sales, provide free books for children after story hour, and keep the bookstore alive through dedicated volunteers. Whether you’re a resident, snowbird, visitor, parent, reader, history lover, or just someone looking for a cool place to connect, work, explore, or escape the beach heat for a bit, the Fort Myers Beach Library is absolutely worth a visit — and becoming a Friend is a great way to help keep this Good Neighbor gem shining.The Friends of the Fort Myers Beach LibraryJan Fleming & Kelly Smith2755 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL, United States, 33931239-765-8162friendsatthefmblibrary@gmail.comlibrary@fmb.lib.fl.usFt Myers Beach-Good NeighborTo Nominate Someone to be FeaturedOrTo Subscribe to the NewsletterCLICK HEREhttps://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/

May 31, 2026Episode 10012 min

FMBGN-BIZ-Captain Melody King - Florida Boat Adventures

The Florida marine world is packed with legends, but most of them are too busy at sea to ever tell their story. We’re joined by Captain Melody King, CEO of Florida Boat Adventures, to share how she’s turning boating across the Gulf Coast into something bigger than charters and pretty sunsets: a storytelling-driven marine lifestyle brand built on real people, real work, and real community.We talk about how Florida Boat Adventures evolved into a vetted directory of captains, charter experiences, rental vessels, marine businesses, creators, and hidden Florida destinations. Melody explains why modern travelers want connection and behind-the-scenes access, not another brochure, and how content can help small operators get discovered online while giving tourists a trusted way to find unforgettable boating adventures in Florida.Then we get into the heart of her newest project, Captain Chronicles, a raw interview series that brings the humans behind the boats to the front. Expect Coast Guard and military veteran stories, yacht and dive life, sea rescues, sacrifice, heartbreak, and the kind of hard-earned wisdom you only get on the water. Melody also shares how her Christian faith shapes the mission, especially after the rebuilding and reinvention that followed Hurricane Ian.If you love Fort Myers Beach, Florida boating culture, and stories with purpose, follow Florida Boat Adventures, check out the June 1 subscription drop, and jump into the movement. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the captains who keep our coast alive.Florida Boat AdventuresCaptain Melody King(219) 299-57876900 Daniels Parkway, 29-370, Fort Myers, FL 33931captain@floridaboatadventures.comfloridaboatadventures.comhttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61563840927830&sk=directory_contact_infohttps://www.instagram.com/floridaboat_adventures/https://www.tiktok.com/@floridaboatadventuresFt Myers Beach-Good NeighborTo Nominate Someone to be FeaturedOrTo Subscribe to the NewsletterCLICK HEREhttps://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/

May 28, 2026Episode 9923 min

FMBGN-BIZ-Diversified Plumbing Services-Call The Cowgirl

When a toilet backs up or a water heater quits, you don’t just need a fix, you need someone who shows up calm, clear, and ready to help. We talk with Ashleydawn, the “call the cowgirl” face of Diversified Plumbing Services, about what it really takes to deliver reliable plumbing and septic service across Southwest Florida, from Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach to Marco Island and beyond.We get into the behind-the-scenes reality of running a family-owned plumbing company in a high-demand area: emergency calls, tight timelines, and the hardest piece of growth, finding great employees who treat customer service like the job, not an add-on. Ashley shares how their team thinks about trust, communication, and small maintenance habits that save homeowners money, including annual water heater flushes and proactive checks that catch issues before they turn into disasters.We also talk hurricane impact and recovery, including how saltwater flooding damaged older copper and cast iron systems and why many island homes needed full repipes. Then we zoom into what’s changing in the plumbing world right now, from true tankless water heaters to hybrid units that can even cool a garage. Along the way, Ashley shares her love for Fort Myers Beach, community giving through autism awareness with Family Initiative, and a personal message about skin cancer prevention and reef-safe sunscreen for beach life.Subscribe, share this with a neighbor, and leave a review if you want more local stories, practical home tips, and the people making Fort Myers Beach stronger.Diversified Plumbing Services of SWFL Inc.Ashleydawn Wells534 Meadow Road Lehigh Acres, FL 33973(239) 850-6674Ashleydawn - (239) 691-2222ashleydawn@servicedps.comdpservicesfl.com@diversifiedplumbingswflFt Myers Beach-Good NeighborTo Nominate Someone to be FeaturedOrTo Subscribe to the NewsletterCLICK HEREhttps://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/

May 27, 2026Episode 9813 min

ST INS CARES-Florida Lions Eye Clinic-Restoring Sight In Southwest Florida

Losing your vision is scary enough. Losing it because you cannot afford care is something our community can change. We sit down with Kyle Hartman, Executive Director of the Florida Lions Eye Clinic, to hear how a small, mission driven nonprofit delivers specialty eye care, eye exams, and life changing surgeries for people who are uninsured or underinsured across Southwest Florida and beyond.Kyle walks us through the clinic’s origin story and the practical reality of meeting a growing need: a team powered by volunteer ophthalmologists, supported by paid doctors so patients can be seen consistently throughout the week. We also talk about the kind of dedication most people never see, including a retina doctor who flies in from St Louis to treat patients, plus expanding local specialty coverage. Along the way, we dig into what “underinsured” can really mean when your assigned provider is hours away, and how the clinic’s eligibility guidelines help working individuals and families who still cannot pay out of pocket.The conversation gets personal and specific, from migrant farm workers facing intense sun exposure while picking produce to the everyday moment you realize your eyesight is slipping, like not being able to read signs at a distance. We share why preventive eye exams matter, what cataracts can take from someone’s daily life, and what it feels like when surgery gives that life back. If you’re looking for affordable eye care resources in Florida, or you want to support a nonprofit that restores sight and independence, you’ll leave with clear next steps and real hope.If this story moved you, subscribe, share the episode with a friend in Florida, and leave a quick review so more people can find the clinic and the care they need.Florida Lions Eye ClinicKyle Hartman10322 Pennsylvania Ave Bonita Springs, FL 34135(239) 498-3937floridalionseyeclinic@fllec.comfllec.orgState Insurance USA4450 Camino Real Way Ft Myers, FL 33966239-567-9992100 Lovers Ln 3rd Floor Ft Myers Beach, FL 33931(239) 690-6300office@StateInsuranceUSA.comstateinsuranceusa.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa#StateInsuranceUSA#SupportLocal #WeLoveOurClients@StateinsuranceusaFt Myers Beach-Good NeighborTo Nominate Someone to be FeaturedOrTo Subscribe to the NewsletterCLICK HEREhttps://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/

May 27, 2026Episode 9712 min

ST INS CARES-All Star Athletic Foundation-Making Youth Sports Affordable

Youth sports can shape a kid’s confidence for life, but the price tag is getting out of hand. I’m joined by Marissa Battle of All-Star Athletics Foundation, a Southwest Florida nonprofit built to help families keep their kids in the game when tuition, uniforms, equipment, camps, and travel start to feel impossible. If you’ve ever wondered how families afford all-star cheerleading or the football camp and recruiting grind, this conversation gets real fast.Marissa shares how the foundation started, why it operates beyond a single school or gym, and what makes their model different: athletes fundraise into their own tracked accounts, and parents can use those funds for the costs that actually show up throughout a season. We talk about what’s allowed, what takes planning, and why transparency matters when money is raised in the community for kids.We also dig into the fundraisers that work best, from major partnerships like running concession stands and ice cream carts at Hertz Arena to community efforts like “canning” meet-and-greets, bake sales, car washes, quarter auctions, popcorn and cookie fundraisers, Super Bowl squares, and a big color run. Marissa explains how sponsorships help too, especially when local businesses want to support a specific athlete or sport.If you believe talent should not be priced out, listen, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it. Want to help right now? Donate at allstarathleticsfoundation.org and hit subscribe for more stories of local impact.All-Star Athletics FoundationMarissa Battle(239) 245-3198allstarathleticsfoundation@gmail.comallstarathleticsfoundation.orgState Insurance USA4450 Camino Real WayFt Myers, FL 33966239-567-9992100 Lovers Ln 3rd FloorFt Myers Beach, FL 33931(239) 690-6300office@StateInsuranceUSA.comstateinsuranceusa.comhttps://www.facebook.com/Stateinsuranceusa@Stateinsuranceusa#StateInsuranceUSA#SupportLocal #WeLoveOurClientsFt Myers Beach-Good NeighborTo Nominate Someone to be FeaturedOrTo Subscribe to the NewsletterCLICK HEREhttps://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/

May 26, 2026Episode 967 min

FMBGN-Tequila & Taco Tuesday-Pelican Bay Charters-Bonita Fish Co-A Tiki Boat Cruise for Grouper Tacos

A taco night on land is fine, but a taco night by tiki boat feels like a vacation you can squeeze into a Tuesday. We climb aboard the brand-new Chickee Tiki in Fort Myers Beach, point the bow toward Bonita Fish Company, and turn Tequila And Taco Tuesday into a quick, salty-air cruise with a dockside food mission. On the ride, we get into the practical stuff people actually want to know before booking a boat tour in Southwest Florida: how many guests the boat fits comfortably, what BYOB really looks like, and why having water, soda, a cooler, and an onboard bathroom changes the whole experience. We also talk about summer weather, how captains watch radar and the sky, and how those fast afternoon showers affect sunset cruises and sightseeing trips around Fort Myers Beach. Then we tie up, grab drinks, and dig into the star order: grouper tacos. You’ll hear the full breakdown of what’s in them, how the tortillas can be swapped for dietary needs, and why the flavor combo works so well. We wrap with a tequila toast, shout out the designated driver, and float the idea of making this taco run a regular tour. Subscribe, share this with a friend who loves tacos and boats, and leave a review telling us your go-to taco order.Pelican Bay Charters / Chickee TikiCaptain Rob Jones450 Harbor Ct, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931(239) 744-7376pelicanbaycharters.comBonita Fish Company702 Fisherman’s Wharf Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931 (239) 314 5132info@bonitafishco.combonitafishco.comFt Myers Beach-Good NeighborTo Nominate Someone to be FeaturedOrTo Subscribe to the NewsletterCLICK HEREhttps://cabowabojim.com/listen-to-podcasts/