In the conclusion of this 2-part conversation, Kristen Weardon continues her deep dive with legendary landscape photographer Clyde Butcher. Clyde dispels the myths of the "scary" Florida swamp, sharing how his mentor, Oscar Thompson, helped him see the Big Cypress not as a dangerous stagnant pool, but as a safe, solid, and vital "river of grass."

Clyde explains the philosophy behind his massive black-and-white prints, which are designed not just to be looked at, but to be experienced. He shares intimate stories of patience and persistence—returning to the same spot for 9 years to get a single shot—and reflects on how art serves as a critical bridge to environmental awareness and conservation.

“If you can't feel it, you can't see it...I'm creating a feeling. A womb. A space. A room.” — Clyde Butcher. 

Thank you to our location sponsor, Gulfshore Playhouse, for allowing us to use their Founder's Lounge.

Thank you to our technology sponsor, Robert of Philadelphia, for making this podcast possible.

In this episode of Icons of Naples, Kristen sits down with the legendary Clyde Butcher, a man who has shifted the world’s perspective on the Florida landscape through his monumental black-and-white photography. Originally from California, Clyde shares his journey from living on a sailboat in Newport Beach to discovering the "spiritual cathedral" of the Florida swamp.

More than just a photographer, Clyde is a dedicated storyteller and conservationist. He recounts the pivotal week in the early 80s when he "found Florida" through a chance stop at a roadside attraction and an introduction to the deep wilderness of Big Cypress. Clyde discusses his transition from color to black-and-white photography and his evolution into one of the most passionate guardians of the Everglades ecosystem.

“Florida is a living, organic environment...you find a big old cypress tree and hug it for about half an hour, you can feel the energy in that tree.” — Clyde Butcher.

Thank you to our location sponsor, Gulfshore Playhouse, for allowing us to use their Founder's Lounge.

Thank you to our technology sponsor, Robert of Philadelphia, for making this podcast possible.

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.