Good Neighbor Podcast: Treasure Coast

Hosted by Garfield Bowen

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Episodes

284

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Connecting Treasure Coast Residents with Business Owners, Professionals and Community Leaders! The Good Neighbor Podcast: Treasure Coast , hosted by Garfield Bowen , bridges the gap between Treasure Coast residents and the businesses, professionals, and community leaders who help make North Dallas a great place to live, work and grow. Discover the people and stories behind the businesses, organizations and communities that make North Dallas unique. Because they're not just leaders and owners; they're your neighbors! Proud to be the #1 Treasure Podcast and Port St Lucie Podcast . Proudly serving Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Palm City, Sebastian, Stuart, Vero Beach, Jensen Beach, Hobe Sound, Fellsmere, and Indiantown. Are you a business or community leader serving North Dallas? We’d love to share your story. Visit gnpTreasureCoast.com to learn more and schedule your free interview.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 12, 20269 min

Holistic Nutrition That Actually Fits for Moms

Wellness advice is everywhere, but most of it falls apart the moment real life shows up. We sit down with Alicia Dunable of Our Essential Wellness, a holistic nutritionist who helps individuals and families make healthier choices that actually fit their bodies, their routines, and their stress levels. If you’re a mom trying to make sense of your child’s mood, behavior, sleep, or sensory challenges, this conversation brings a grounded, hopeful lens that goes beyond quick fixes and internet trends. Alicia shares how her work grew from both training and lived experience: after more than a decade as a licensed mental health counselor, she faced her own turning point when her son struggled early and was later diagnosed with ADHD. That moment pushed her into nutrition therapy, functional medicine, and board certified holistic nutrition, with a focus on supporting the whole family through food, sleep, lifestyle, and realistic routines. We also unpack a major misconception in the wellness world: the one size fits all approach. Different bodies need different nutrients, and copying what worked for an influencer can leave you frustrated, or even feeling worse. You’ll hear why Alicia frames health as a journey, how to think clearly when a plan isn’t working, and what it means to keep moving forward with smart adjustments instead of starting over every Monday. If you want a more personalized approach to hormone balance, weight loss, family nutrition, and long term wellness, this is a practical place to start. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s overwhelmed by wellness noise, and leave a review with the biggest question you want answered next.

September 28, 202614 min

What Changes When A Community Treats Blindness Like A Solvable Problem

Blindness can feel like a door slamming shut. Then the right person hands you a key. I’m joined by Joan Friedman from Lighthouse for the Blind of the Palm Beaches, Treasure Coast, and Okeechobee, a Florida nonprofit celebrating 80 years of helping neighbors who are blind or visually impaired build confident, independent lives. We talk about what “real support” looks like across a lifetime: early intervention for babies born with little or no vision, training for parents and caregivers, and practical education that keeps growing with a client through childhood, adulthood, and the senior years. Joan explains how people facing vision loss often grieve what they think they’re losing like driving, hobbies, work, even simple routines and how the Lighthouse uses skilled educators, proven methods, and today’s assistive technology to bring daily life back within reach. You’ll also hear why donor support matters and how storytelling connects the community to outcomes. Joan shares a powerful example of long term impact through Lauren’s story, showing what’s possible when braille literacy, education, and steady guidance meet a determined person. We also highlight the Lighthouse’s 80th anniversary celebration on December 3 at the Pelican Club in Jupiter and why sponsorships and partnerships fuel the next generation of services for people with vision impairment across Southeast Florida. If you care about accessibility, independence, and local impact, listen now, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more neighbors can find the story.

September 16, 20268 min

Design That Feels Like Home

“Interior designer” can sound like a luxury label, but what if it is actually a practical way to save time, reduce mistakes, and finally love the space you live or work in? We’re joined by Treasure Coast interior designer Zina Samek of Zina Samek Interior, who has spent more than 20 years helping clients pull off everything from staging and remodeling to full renovations for residential and commercial spaces, plus yacht interior design. We get real about the biggest misconception in interior design: that hiring a designer automatically means big dollar signs. Zina breaks down how the scope drives the cost, and why the right plan can make even smaller projects feel intentional and finished. She also shares how her business grows through referrals that can go “four or five people deep,” a reminder that trust and follow-through are still the strongest marketing strategy for local businesses. Then we zoom out to the story behind her credibility, including her win on HGTV’s Designers Challenge and what made that moment work: listening closely, presenting a clear floor plan and samples, and making clients feel seen. We also touch on her monthly social media design tip videos, plus a few personal favorites like travel (including a solo trip to Portugal), piano, puzzles, and her longtime book club. If you want a cleaner, calmer home design process and a better way to think about renovations, press play now. Subscribe, share this with a neighbor who is planning a remodel, and leave a review to help more local listeners find the show.

September 10, 202612 min

Sunrise Theater Proves Arts Can Run Like A Business

A live show looks effortless from the audience, but the real story starts long before the curtain goes up. We’re joined by Numa Saisselin, the new executive director of the Sunrise Theater, a 1,200 seat historic theater built in 1923 in downtown Fort Pierce. He shares what makes this venue special, from the iconic marquee to a year round schedule that can swing from classic rock to comedy to school performances. We also dig into the part most people never see: the business model behind arts and entertainment. Numa explains why “arts and culture” is not automatically a money pit, how a city owned building still has to earn its way, and what it means to be the local promoter. That includes researching talent, negotiating with agents, guaranteeing performer fees, and paying for stagehands, security, box office staff, and advertising before a single ticket is scanned. If you’ve ever wondered why ticket sales matter, this conversation makes the economics of live performances refreshingly clear. Finally, we talk community. Sunrise Theater serves “everybody” by design, and the smaller black box venue creates a flexible home for local talent, intimate comedy nights, jazz jams, and events that feel up close and personal. You’ll leave with practical ways to find your next night out in Fort Pierce, how to preview artists online, and how to save a few dollars by buying tickets at the box office. Subscribe for more conversations with local business leaders, share this with a friend who loves live music or comedy, and leave a review to help more neighbors find the show.

August 12, 20267 min

Natural Skincare For Sensitive Skin

Your skin doesn’t care about marketing, it cares about what you put on it. If you’ve ever bought a “gentle” product that still left you itchy, dry, or irritated, this conversation will feel like a breath of fresh air. We’re joined by Angela Jones, founder of Angela’s Boutique, a Philadelphia-based natural skincare and self-care business created for people with skin sensitivities. Angela shares how her own struggle with reactive skin pushed her to create handcrafted products designed to help support common concerns like eczema, psoriasis, hyperpigmentation, inflammation, and rough, dry texture. We talk through what she actually makes and why it matters, from whipped shea butters and cold-pressed soaps to facial cleansers, toners, hair and body oils, plus a men’s line with beard oil and beard balms. We also get honest about myths around clean beauty and handcrafted cosmetics. “Natural” isn’t a magic cure, and Angela explains the difference between promising miracles and offering a holistic skincare approach that helps alleviate symptoms and make skin more manageable day to day. If you’re building a healthier skincare routine and want products that feel intentional, simple, and results-focused, you’ll take away practical clarity and a better mindset for choosing what belongs in your cabinet. Subscribe for more local business stories, share this episode with a friend who’s tired of trial-and-error skincare, and leave a review to help more neighbors find the show.

April 6, 20267 min

Estate Planning Peace Of Mind

Estate planning gets treated like a luxury purchase, but what happens when real life hits and nobody can find the accounts, the logins, or the right documents. We talk with Michael Kirstein from Estate Doc Prep, who reframes estate preparation as a peace of mind service for everyday families, not a paperwork chore for the wealthy. He breaks down what an “estate” truly is: your home, your bank account, your sentimental photos, and even your digital passwords and online access. Michael shares how a background in tech, AI, and automation led him into modernizing an estate planning firm, and how that work opened his eyes to how unprepared most people are. We dig into the myths that keep people stuck, including the dangerous idea that you need a mansion to need a plan and the misconception that a will automatically avoids probate. The heart of the conversation is simple: preparation makes life easier for the people you love, and it can protect you if you become incapacitated so decisions are not left to a court. We also spotlight a group many families overlook: parents of kids heading to college. Once a child turns 18, parents may not be able to make medical decisions without the right documents, which is why health care surrogate forms, an advance directive, and a living will can matter sooner than you think. If you want a clear starting point for estate planning in Florida, this is a practical place to begin. Subscribe, share this with someone putting it off, and leave a review with your biggest estate planning question.

January 19, 20267 min

Port St. Lucie’s Living History

A city that incorporated with zero residents sounds like a riddle, but it’s the spark that brings Port St. Lucie’s past to life in this conversation with curator Donnita Graben. We pull back the curtain on the Port St. Lucie History Museum and Education Center inside the historic Peacock Lodge, tracing the city’s rapid journey from ranch land and river bends to one of Florida’s fastest-growing communities. Donnita shares how the Port St. Lucie Historical Society began in 1996 with a simple, ambitious goal: capture and protect local history before it fades. You’ll hear about moving historic buildings from the Peacock Ranch to McCarty Ranch and finally to the Port, and why those relocations matter for preserving a sense of place. We explore the power of oral histories in a young city where founders and first residents are still around to share stories, and we discuss how outreach to HOAs, clubs, and neighborhood groups helps new arrivals connect with the roots under their feet. Along the way, we surface surprises—like why the 1961 incorporation counted zero residents and how the city operated without its own police department until 1980—framing Port St. Lucie’s growth in a way that’s both human and historic. If you’re curious about local museums, civic identity, or how communities preserve living memory, this is a thoughtful guide to visiting and getting involved. Plan your trip to 2456 SE Westmoreland Boulevard, check hours Wednesday to Friday 10–4 and Saturday 11–3, and explore pslhistory.org for memberships and volunteer opportunities that keep this nonprofit museum thriving. If this story opened your eyes to Port St. Lucie’s hidden history, subscribe, share the episode with a neighbor, and leave a review to help more locals find the museum and become part of the story.

December 4, 20257 min

Inside A Dedicated Hernia Surgery Practice With Dr. Meshach Cober

What if your hernia care could be truly tailored to your body, goals, and daily life? We sit down with Dr. Meshach Cober with Cober Hernia, a general surgeon who built a dedicated hernia center to offer patients more nuanced choices, clearer guidance, and outcomes that last. Instead of squeezing hernias into a generic surgical playbook, Dr. Cober explains why specialization matters: from diagnosing which hernias need immediate repair to identifying when watchful waiting is safe, and from choosing the right mesh to deciding between open, laparoscopic, or robotic techniques. We explore the turning points that led him from hospital employment to running a focused practice with his wife, the gaps he saw in complex and recurrent hernia care, and how deeper repetition in one domain sharpens judgment and technique. Dr. Cober walks through how a specialist weighs durability, recovery time, and long-term comfort, and why a one-size-fits-all approach misses the mark. He also shares how the practice removes friction for patients—clear articles on hernia types, privacy-enabled texting, and simple ways to ask questions—so people can move from uncertainty to confident action. Beyond the OR, we get candid about the human side: raising two young kids, catching peaceful moments at Florida’s clear springs, carving out time for faith and family, and how that grounded life shapes a compassionate approach to care. If you or someone you love is weighing hernia surgery, this conversation delivers practical insight, real options, and a reminder that expert help might be closer than you think. Enjoyed the show? Follow for more local expert stories, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find reliable, patient-centered care. For more information on Cober Hernia, visit CoberHernia.com .

October 15, 20256 min

You don’t have to be “sick” to start feeling better with acupuncture and bodywork

What if you didn’t have to wait until you’re “really sick” to feel better? We sit down with Dr. Cynthia Ann Hayes-Hurst—Dr. Cindy—whose journey from critical care and emergency medicine to a doctorate in acupuncture reshaped how she helps people heal. After decades watching preventable issues turn into crises, she built Serendipity Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork to meet folks earlier, with care that blends physical medicine, nutrition, and movement in ways that fit real life. We break down the myths around acupuncture and share why it’s not just about needles. Think nervous system regulation, improved circulation, pain relief, and calmer stress responses—supported by acupressure, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, and everyday nutrition shifts. Dr. Cindy’s whole-person approach spans body, mind, and spirit, and it’s designed for everyone: newborns building strong foundations, adults juggling stress and posture, and older adults focused on mobility, sleep, and independence. If something feels “a little off,” that’s your cue—not a reason to wait. You’ll hear practical ways to start: simple daily habits that boost energy and ease pain, plus how a short, budget-friendly visit can help you test what works for your body. We also share details on Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine Day on October 24, a welcoming chance to try treatments, ask questions, and get a feel for integrative care with zero pressure. Want to learn more or book time with Dr. Cindy? Call 772-521-3638 or email theonlyresortspa@gmail.com, and explore Serendipity Massage & Acupuncture online. If this conversation sparks ideas for your health, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—your feedback helps more neighbors find care that actually fits.

September 4, 202510 min

Creating Safe Havens: Inside I Am Academy for Special Needs Children

When traditional education failed her autistic son, Anna Moore took matters into her own hands. What began as personal advocacy blossomed into I Am Academy, a sanctuary where children with special needs are celebrated rather than merely accommodated. Since 2015, this intimate K-12 private school has been transforming lives by rejecting the common misconception that neurodivergent children are simply "defiant." As Anna poignantly explains, behaviors often misinterpreted as intentional misbehavior are actually manifestations of neurological differences requiring patience, understanding, and tailored approaches. Drawing from her experience raising a son with autism and Tourette's syndrome, Anna has created an educational environment where dignity and respect form the foundation of every interaction. What sets I Am Academy apart isn't just its curriculum, but its deliberate smallness. Anna maintains limited enrollment to ensure each child receives the personalized attention they deserve. Many students have grown up within the school's nurturing embrace, some now transitioning to adulthood after joining as five-year-olds. Before founding the academy, Anna's advocacy work led to landmark changes in Florida legislation, requiring schools to report instances of restraining special needs children – a practice previously conducted without parental notification. The school operates on a word-of-mouth model, with families finding each other through therapy networks and special education circles. Currently relocating to a more visible location at Kitterman and US1, I Am Academy participates in the Step Up for Students scholarship program, making specialized education accessible to more families. Connect with this remarkable school through Facebook (I Am Academy K312) or by calling 772-380-4400, and discover a place where children with special needs aren't just taught – they're understood, valued, and empowered to be exactly who they're meant to be.