Advertise on podcast: Key Biscayne Stories

Sensei Robert Duzoglou a 30-year Key Biscayne resident and founder of the RDCA Academy of Martial Arts. Sensei shares how a chance realtor's recommendation brought his family to the island decades ago, and takes us through his 55-year journey in the martial arts. We dig into what really sets the Academy apart: the character development and core values, respect, accountability, and discipline that Sensei and his children, Derek and Morgan, instill in students of all ages. He also shares about his civic engagement in Key Biscayne, from chairing the Chamber of Commerce and sitting on the Educational Advisory Board to leading community service and disaster-relief efforts through the dojo. Sensei also talks about "Life Quest: A Transformational Journey," the interactive book he co-authored with his daughter Morgan, and closes with his idea of a perfect weekend on the island, beach, family, good food, and feeding the peacocks at Crandon Park. 55 years in martial arts: kung fu, judo, jiu-jitsu & moreCrossing paths with Chuck Norris and Dan InosantoBuilding character: respect, accountability & discipline at the AcademyCivic engagement: Chamber of Commerce, education board & community serviceMeeting Sensei Matthias and the German connection"Life Quest" — the book co-written with daughter Morgan #KeyBiscayne #MartialArts #KeyBiscayneStories #ChuckNorris #LifeQuest

Kathie Klarreich, founder of Exchange for Change, a nonprofit that teaches writing, leadership, and communication skills to incarcerated men and women across Florida. Kathie's path here started far from the Key: as a freelance journalist covering Haiti through a coup, a devastating earthquake, and a decade of reporting for outlets like NBC, ABC, and TIME. That work eventually led her into a Homestead women's prison classroom in 2009 and to founding Exchange for Change in 2014, which today reaches roughly 700 students a year across state prisons, county jails, and juvenile facilities in Florida, run by a staff of just two and a half people and a corps of volunteer facilitators from FIU, University of Miami, Miami Dade College, and Florida Atlantic University. We talk about how the program pairs incarcerated students with university students for an exchange of letters and ideas, how former students have gone on to teach classes themselves inside other facilities, the difference between jail and prison, the wellness and mindfulness programs that have grown out of the writing classes, and why Kathy believes giving people inside a voice — rather than telling their stories for them, is the whole point. Topics covered: How a career in Haitian journalism led to a nonprofit in Florida prisonsThe origins of Exchange for change and its university exchange modelA typical day teaching inside Everglades and Homestead CorrectionalLeadership councils, student-led classes, and expanding to new institutionsWellness programming: mindfulness, meditation, and trauma toolkitsGetting incarcerated writers publishedJail vs. prison, explained Key Biscayne Stories is a podcast where neighbors meet neighbors. #KeyBiscayne #ExchangeForChange #PrisonEducation #Nonprofit #Journalism #KeyBiscayneStories

Chief Charles "Chuck" Press spent 17 years as chief of police in Key Biscayne. In this episode, Chief Press joins Key Biscayne Stories to talk about the ride-along that changed his life, what it took to rebuild a police department from the ground up, and how a small Christmas toy drive grew into the Chief Press Foundation, which has raised over $700,000 and forged a sister-city bond between Key Biscayne and Liberty City. We cover: Beating out 75 candidates nationwide to become Key Biscayne's police chiefThe origin of the Chief Press Foundation and its Christmas toy drives in Liberty CityMaking Liberty City Key Biscayne's official sister cityOpening food pantries in Liberty City and HomesteadHis unexpected return to policing as Chief of Police in the Town of Surfside Key Biscayne Stories is a podcast where neighbors meet neighbors — conversations with the people who shape our island community. #KeyBiscayne #KeyBiscayneStories #ChiefPressFoundation #LibertyCity #SurfsidePolice #CommunityPolicing #Podcast

En este episodio de Key Biscayne Stories conocemos a Martha García, vecina de la isla desde hace 34 años. Marta cuenta cómo llegó a Miami desde Guayaquil, Ecuador, justo la noche del huracán Andrew en 1992, y cómo esa tormenta terminó marcando su historia con Key Biscayne. Hoy Marta es Realtor y home stager, y además dirige dos emprendimientos propios: La Casa de Marta, su mueblería online, y Table Design by Martha, donde diseña y decora mesas para cumpleaños, bautizos, bodas pequeñas y fechas especiales como el Día del Padre, el 4 de julio y Thanksgiving. Hablamos de su camino de Colombia a Costa Rica, Ecuador, Nueva York y finalmente Key Biscayne; de qué hace un home stager y por qué es clave para vender propiedades más rápido; y de sus planes para abrir un showroom en la isla. Un episodio con mucha historia familiar, negocios y la vida de barrio en Key Biscayne.

Patricia Romano and Patricia Riestra Peraita have been side by side on Key Biscayne since the nineties. Known around the island simply as Pat and Pat, they've built a life and a business here together — through good markets and bad ones, through community events and volunteer work, through Rotary Club meetings and Fourth of July parades. In this episode we sit down with both of them to hear how they each ended up on the island, how their partnership started, and what has kept it going for so long. Two very different people, one very strong team.

🎆 Key Biscayne Fourth of July Parade With Michele Estevez In this episode of Key Biscayne Stories — where neighbors meet neighbors, Alejandro Servalli sits down with Michele Estevez, a 47-year resident and the longest-standing member of the Key Biscayne Fourth of July Parade Committee. Michele shares the history and heart behind the parade as it prepares for its 67th year and celebrates the 250th anniversary of American Independence. She takes us behind the scenes — from organizing marching bands and coordinating the Air Force flyover to managing volunteers, fundraising, and parade-day logistics. Last year’s parade cost nearly $60,000 and required months of planning, strong village support, and dedicated community volunteers. Want to participate or volunteer?Visit kb4.org 🇺🇸 The parade must go on.

n this episode of Key Biscayne Stories, we sit down with longtime island residents Ceci and Eduardo Sánchez, a beloved couple whose lives are deeply woven into the history and heart of our community. They share their journey from Cuba to Key Biscayne — how they met, built a family, worked hard, and made the island their home for decades. Eduardo reflects on his many professional roles, from managing the Key Biscayne Hotel to running the Botánica in Key Colony, while Ceci tells us about her path from social worker to realtor, and now, her passion as an avid plant enthusiast. Together, they remind us of what makes the Key so special — the friendships, the memories, and the love that grows stronger with time. 📍 In this episode:Teir move to Key BiscayneHow Ceci and Eduardo met and built a familyThe early days of the Key Biscayne Hotel & Key ColonyFinding joy in community, work, and growing older together 💬 About Key Biscayne Stories:Key Biscayne Stories is a community podcast sharing the voices and experiences of the people who make our island unique. 👉 Subscribe for more inspiring stories from our island community.

🎙️ Get to Know Andy Garcia III and His Boutique Doggie Daycare After more than 40 years in the produce industry, longtime Key Biscayne resident Andy Garcia III decided it was time for a new chapter — one filled with wagging tails and warm hearts. In this episode, Andy shares how he turned his love for animals into a concierge-style dog care service right from his home on the Key. We talk about how the idea started, what makes his service unique, and how he creates a comfortable, family-style environment for every dog that stays with him. Andy also opens up about his therapy dog, Milano, and how together they bring joy to schools, hospitals, and the wider community. 🐾 Topics include: Andy’s 40-year career transition from produce to pet careWhat “concierge dog care” means and how it worksThe process for introducing new dogs into his homeMilano’s journey as a certified therapy dogFinding purpose and joy in serving both people and petsTune in to hear the heartwarming story of how one neighbor found a new way to give back — through unconditional love and care. Key Biscayne Stories - Where neighbors meet neighbors. 💛

In this episode of Key Biscayne Stories, we sit down with Txema, the Padel Director at the Ritz-Carlton in Key Biscayne. Txema shares his journey—from his early background in sports to his passion for teaching padel and developing programs that bring people together. We talk about the growing padel community on the island, his approach to building friendship and camaraderie among his students, and his love for Key Biscayne. 📍 Topics we cover:Txema’s personal and professional backgroundHow he built the padel program at the Ritz-CarltonThe role of community and friendship in sports 👉 Subscribe for more local stories and inspiring guests from our island community.

Matilda Urcuyo is the CEO of KBHelp and Miami Tutoring, two initiatives making a difference in the Key Biscayne area and beyond. KBHelp is a community service powered by high school students from Key Biscayne who offer babysitting, pet sitting, dog walking, errands, DJ help, tutoring, and more for local families. Learn more at https://kbhelp.webnode.page/ She also runs Miami Tutoring, a free tutoring program dedicated to helping students with homework, test prep, and study skills — all at no cost to families. Discover more at https://miamitutoring.webnode.page/ Thank you to Baptist Health for their support!  Hey listeners! Summer’s in full swing, and if you’ve got kids gearing up for school or sports,here’s a helpful heads-up. Baptist Health’s Urgent Care Express in Key Biscayne is your go-tospot for school and sports physicals—available all summer long. They're quick, convenient, andstart at just $25. Best of all? No appointment needed.And here’s something even cooler—right now, Baptist Health is offering free virtual urgentcare through August 31st with the Baptist Health PineApp. Whether it’s a summer cold, a minorinjury, or just peace of mind while traveling, care is just a tap away, 24/7.From in-person visits to virtual care, Baptist Health’s Same-Day Care options are designed to fityour schedule—so you can get back to doing what you love. Near Key Biscayne, you’ve gotaccess to more great locations like Urgent Care in Brickell and the Emergency Room at DoctorsHospital in Coral Gables. So wherever you are this summer, high-quality care is just around thecorner. To learn more or get started, visit BaptistHealth.net/GetCareNow.

In this episode, we sit down with Gonzalo Barrantes, a longtime Key Biscayne resident and the founder of Bantes Farms. Gonza has lived on the Key for 17 years and now delivers fresh, organic, pasture-raised eggs straight from his farm to your doorstep. He shares how his egg business started, how it operates, and what keeps him motivated to serve the Key Biscayne community. If you’ve ever wondered where to get farm-fresh eggs with local flavor, this episode is for you. 📦 Learn how to get Bantes Farms eggs delivered to your home🐓 Hear about his journey from idea to delivery🌴 Discover how Key Biscayne continues to support local dreamers A big thank you to Baptist Health, for sponsoring this show: http://baptisthealth.net/GetCareNow

Acompáñanos mientras Ian Blume comparte su inspiradora experiencia sirviendo con el Cuerpo de Paz en Paraguay. Desde aprender el idioma local hasta construir relaciones duraderas en comunidades rurales. 🎙️ En este episodio escucharás: Por qué decidió unirse al Cuerpo de Paz Cómo es la vida diaria en una aldea paraguaya Si te interesa el voluntariado internacional, las historias de vida o el crecimiento personal, no te pierdas este testimonio lleno de sentido y corazón.