Icons of Naples

The Truth About Naples Growth with Lauren Maxwell

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen welcomes Lauren Maxwell, a longtime Naples resident, mortgage banker, and community supporter who has called Naples home since 1988. Lauren shares what first brought her from Massachusetts to Southwest Florida, the small-town charm she remembers, and her perspective on how Naples has grown from quiet roads and early neighborhoods into the thriving community it is today.   Lauren offers an honest look at growth, housing affordability, real estate, and why she believes Naples still holds its charm despite change. The conversation also explores her heart for giving back, especially to children and families in Immokalee, as well as the resilience she developed through hurricanes, the 2007 market crash, and rebuilding her business stronger than before.    “Growth equals opportunity… people want to come here. Who wouldn’t want to come here? To me, it’s the best place in the whole world.” — Lauren Maxwell.   Thank you to our location sponsor, Gulfshore Playhouse [https://www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org/?fbclid=IwY2xjawSNIYFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFDOU1wWFpWYVBqVUl3WjBuc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHopdXkWVeW8YyTwv_Q1ShUGjbOTdwltwPXU_6CDMDHUTkldgNfGw7S6vZcyV_aem_k0VlL9Kkw3bdYD2qPKk2jA], for allowing us to use their Founder's Lounge.  Thank you to our technology sponsor, Robert of Philadelphia [https://ropsalons.com/], for making this podcast possible.

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.