The Travel Podcast | Special Guest

Irish Dave Holley | Master Captain and ecotour guide in Crystal River Florida

About Irish Dave

Irish Dave Holley is a Master Captain and ecotour guide in Crystal River Florida, the Manatee Capital of the World. Born in Dublin, Dave moved to America In2008 after a vacation to Florida that he found transformational. He lives an amazing life in Florida—guiding face to face underwater encounters with manatees nearly every day for travelers from all over the world.His uncanny ability to find manatees inbays and rivers have given him the unofficial title of “the manatee whisperer” among local guides.

The Travel Podcast | Special Guest

Jackie Parker | Communications Manager, The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel

About Jackie

Communications Manager Jackie Parker left the Midwest for The Sunshine State three years ago and hasn’t looked back.

Parker, former Travel Editor of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspaper, now promotes The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel to journalists around the world. Having been a journalist for more than 20 years, it’s a natural fit. Her favorite places to tell visitors to experience include the Goodwill Boutique on First in historic downtown Fort Myers and the fish shacks in Pine Island Sound, which means planning a boat ride.

She’s a fan of the local craft brewery scene, and is also the host of the destination’s new podcast called Shellcast, the official podcast of The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel. Shellcast gives listeners a chance to soak up some virtual sun and hear what makes this slice of Southwest Florida paradise so special, straight from the locals. Think of it as a beach break for your ears.

Parker lives in Fort Myers with her husband, Steve, another ex-pat journalist and their dog, Bleu.

The Travel Podcast | Special Guest

Toni Westland | Federal Park Ranger, US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)Supervisory Refuge Ranger J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

The Travel Podcast | Special Guest

Mermaid Sam | Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid

The Travel Podcast | Special Guest

John Athanason | Weeki Wachee Springs

About John

John Athanason’s career has spanned nearly three decades, all in the hospitality/theme park industry. John spent the last semester of college interning at Universal Studios Orlando, learning every aspect of promotions, public relations, and marketing. Upon completion of his internship, Johngraduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreations, Parks, and Tourism.Since graduating, John has worked in management in the hotel industry but wanted to return to the attraction business. An opportunity arose in hishometown of Ocala, Florida at Silver Springs Attraction. John began his tenure doing Corporate Sales. Gradually, John began assisting publicrelations opportunities and was eventually elevated to Promotions Manager.In late 2001, an opportunity arose to become the Marketing and Public Relations Director at one of Florida’s oldest roadside attractions, WeekiWachee Springs. Although a smaller park than those he worked at in the past, John saw an opportunity to bemore creative with a park that has beenan iconic symbol of Florida tourism since 1947. In fact, it was one of his favorite places to visit as a child.During his tenure at Weeki Wachee Springs, John was involved in the transition to becoming a Florida State Park, as well as numerous marketing andpromotional opportunities for the famed attraction. Most notably, expanding the brand of the mermaids abroad to various tourism marketsnationwide, including the first-ever appearance of the mermaids abroad in the UK.