In this episode of Icons of Naples, host Kristen Weardon sits down with Jean Walker-Humphries, a multi-generational Floridian whose family roots trace back to the very foundation of the state. Jean’s family history is a masterclass in the evolution of Southwest Florida, from her great-grandfather’s 40-acre homestead in Bonita Springs to her father’s pioneering engineering of Naples' famous waterways.

Jean shares a captivating look at a time when Naples was home to only 125 people. She details the grit and ingenuity of her ancestors—nurses, deputies, guides, and builders—who didn't just witness history, but actively constructed the neighborhoods and schools we recognize today.

“If you're from here, I'm related to you.” — Jean Walker-Humphries.

A huge thank you to our technology sponsor, Robert of Philadelphia, for making this podcast possible.

In the premiere episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen Weardon sits down with the extraordinary Thelma Hodges, a woman whose life is inextricably woven into the very first chapters of Naples, Florida. Arriving in a dark, quiet fishing village in November 1955, Thelma served as one of the community's first three nurses.

Thelma shares fascinating first-hand accounts of the early days of Naples Community Hospital, from unpacking medical instruments on the floor of a building that was still a shell to working through the devastating surge of Hurricane Donna in 1960.

Beyond her medical career, Thelma discusses her life with her late husband, Earl Hodges, a visionary philanthropist. Together, they built a legacy of service and education that continues to shape Southwest Florida today.

“If I had been born here, I couldn't have loved this place more.” — Thelma Hodges.

A huge thank you to our technology sponsor, Robert of Philadelphia, for making this podcast possible.