Icons of Naples

Part 2: Resilience as a POW with Wayne Smith

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 Vice President and COO of MidAmerican Energy. He discusses how the lessons of resilience and leadership learned in the Air Force translated to managing major corporations, and how a search for the perfect golf course eventually led him to find his permanent community in Naples, Florida. “I moved here for the love of the golf courses, but the people turned out to be the real reason I stayed.” — Wayne Smith. Thank you to our technology sponsor, Robert of Philadelphia [https://ropsalons.com/], for making this podcast possible.

Part 1: Resilience as a POW with Wayne Smith

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 provides a rare, firsthand account of life as a POW, describing the ingenious ways prisoners used "tap codes" to maintain their sanity and community while in solitary confinement. From the moment of his ejection to his eventual release after over 5 years of captivity, Wayne’s story is a profound testament to the strength of the human spirit. “All of a sudden, the guy gets on the horn and he says, 'Gentlemen, feet wet.' And that meant the ocean was there. And then you should have heard us then. We were just cheering up. We were going to make it.” — Wayne Smith. Thank you to our technology sponsor, Robert of Philadelphia [https://ropsalons.com/], for making this podcast possible.

Bridging the History & Future of Naples with Jacob Winge

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 W. Shepard & Son and his grandfather's specialized fish taxidermy, offering a unique perspective on the industries that first built this community. The conversation explores the distinct identities of Naples' many neighborhoods and serves as a passionate call for long-term vision and community involvement to preserve the "mosaic" of Florida's west coast. “We want to keep those individual identities...you get a mosaic when every community has its own little color on the board.” — Jacob Winge. Thank you to our location sponsor, Feel Amazing Spine and Joint Institute [https://feelamazing.com/], for allowing us to record in their space. Thank you to our technology sponsor, Robert of Philadelphia [https://ropsalons.com/], for making this podcast possible.

The Evolution of Naples with Retired Collier County Sheriff Don Hunter

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 conversation goes beyond history—it’s about leadership, community, public service, and the people who built Naples from the ground up. What you’ll learn in this episode: 1. The early days of Naples and what life was like before major development. 2. How Collier County grew—and the challenges that came with it. 3. Behind-the-scenes insight into law enforcement during rapid population growth. 4. The truth about crime, community safety, and leadership in Naples. 5. Why community relationships and civic involvement shaped the city’s success. 6. Lessons in integrity, service, and leadership for future generations.   “The Naples proper built upon the good aspects of a social grouping: academics, social awareness, and want to do better.” — Don Hunter. Thank you to our location sponsor, Feel Amazing Spine and Joint Institute [https://feelamazing.com/], for allowing us to record in their space. Thank you to our technology sponsor, Robert of Philadelphia [https://ropsalons.com/], for making this podcast possible. Thank you to 239 Live Productions [https://www.239liveproductions.com/] for their editing services.

The Old Naples Historian with Dr. Lois Bolin

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen sits down with Dr. Lois Bolin [https://www.loisbolin.com/], 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 how Naples remembers itself. Lois shares a treasure trove of local "family stories," offering a unique look at the business districts, the philanthropic giants who saved the Naples Pier, and the deep-rooted military history of Southwest Florida. This conversation is an essential guide for anyone who wants to understand the soul of the community beyond the modern skylines. “History is nothing more than family stories...stories about families that did stuff they ought not to do and family stories about families that did what they were supposed to.” — Dr Lois Bolin. Thank you to our location sponsor, Ferrari of Naples [https://www.ferrariofnaples.com/], for allowing us to record in their space. Thank you to our technology sponsor, Robert of Philadelphia [https://ropsalons.com/], for making this podcast possible.