BringJoy

Joy Nulisch

This podcast is all about bringing joy through storytelling and conversation, with two shows. The Joy of Baseball Show is all about baseball from the sandlots to the big leagues and everything in between, my guest and I will share  our joy for the game with you. The Conchs Show is all about celebrating the incredible people of Key West and their stories from every corner of our Conch Community.  So whether you’re a fan of baseball or good storytelling you’ll be entertained and each episode will bring a little joy to your day

  1. 6d ago

    Conch Pride with Rob Smith-Martin

    Joy Nulisch sits down with Rob Smith-Martin a lifelong Conch storyteller, musician, and entrepreneur to trace the version of the island many people only hear about in rumors: the 1970s and early 1980s, when storefronts were boarded up, rent was cheap, and artists, writers, and unforgettable characters filled the gaps. We talk about why that era felt like a “golden age,” how the Navy pullout and a shaky economy reshaped downtown, and what it meant to live in a place that still felt small enough for everyone to know your name.  We take the conversation across the water to Cuba, with Rob's firsthand experience visiting the island and working with Cuban artists. Rob shares what headlines miss, the warmth, generosity, music, family loyalty, and daily resilience that persist through shortages, outages, and political strain. We also revisit the Mariel boatlift and how it changed Key West schools almost overnight, pushing local kids to see a much bigger world. If you care about Cuban culture, Key West Cuban roots, and what real community looks like under pressure, this part hits hard.  Then we come back home for stories that feel like snapshots learning to swim at the Pier House pool, the nerves of swimming out to the harbor dock, and the way old Key West blurred the line between ordinary life and legend. We dig into the Key West Picture Show as a true time-capsule film, and we share a rare, personal look at Jimmy Buffett’s Key West connections, including how Sunshine, Rob's mom helped launch Margaritaville as a real mom and pop shop at the seaport before it became a global brand.  Subscribe, share this with a fellow Key West lover, and leave a review so more people can find the stories that keep this island’s heart beating. some Pics from Our Key West Magazine Talk to Joy Support the show

    Conch Pride with Rob Smith-Martin
  2. May 24 ·  Bonus

    (Bonus Segment) Conch Pride with Richie Garcia: The Jeffrey Maier Incident

    Special Segment: From the Conch Pride with Legend Richie Garcia.  One call in October can follow you for years, but the part most fans never hear is what it does to the person who made it. We sit down with former MLB umpire Richie Garcia to unpack the human fallout from the Jeffrey Maier play in the 1996 Yankees vs. Orioles postseason, and why he still describes that stretch as the hardest winter of his career. If you’ve ever searched for the truth about MLB umpiring pressure, controversial calls, or what officials endure off the field, this conversation goes straight there.  Garcia shares what it was like to keep working immediately after the storm hit: traveling under security, being escorted into and out of the stadium, and trying to protect his wife and kids from the noise and anger surrounding his name. We also talk about the psychology of officiating, including how he handles conflict after an ejection and why confronting tension directly can be the only way to move forward. It’s a rare look at sports officiating that goes beyond rules and replay angles and into safety, stress, and identity.  Then the story turns. Garcia describes walking into a packed press conference for the first time and using a single joke to steady the room, plus how a decades-long reputation with players and writers can quietly matter when everything is on the line. Finally, we get the perspective shift that makes this episode stick: Orioles players offering grace at spring training, and Garcia’s later conversation with Jeffrey Maier as an adult, which reframes the moment with empathy and maturity. If this changed how you see umpires, subscribe, share the episode with a baseball fan, and leave us a review. Talk to Joy Support the show

    (Bonus Segment) Conch Pride with Richie Garcia: The Jeffrey Maier Incident
  3. May 13

    Conch Pride with Marina Goins

    Pressure situations don’t create a clutch player, they reveal one. That’s why sitting down with Marina Goins feels like getting a real look at what makes a Key West athlete rise when the moment gets loud. Marina is a Lady Conchs softball standout who took her game from the Backyard to college softball, first through the JUCO route at Pensacola State College and then to NCAA Division II at Lynn University, and she’s honest about what each level demands. We get into the differences between JUCO and D2 softball, from the “no restraints” grind of junior college practices to the NCAA limited hours that force you to develop discipline on your own. Marina also shares what she tells herself in the batter’s box, how she reads the field, and why her goal is always to “produce,” no matter what that looks like. If you care about leadership, mental toughness, and becoming a better teammate, her definition of a great teammate is simple and strong: communicate, stay humble, bring grit, and ride for your team. The conversation goes beyond stats. We talk about balancing academics and athletics, building confidence through mentoring younger players, and how girls weightlifting helped her get stronger and hit with real power. Marina closes the loop on what Conch Pride means, why Key West community matters, and what she’s doing next with a biology degree and the start of chiropractic school. Subscribe, share this with a Conch fan, and leave a review so more people can find these Key West stories and the athletes who live them. Talk to Joy Support the show

    Conch Pride with Marina Goins
  4. Apr 7

    Conch Pride with Dr. Michael Stern

    A lot of people think “chiropractic” means one thing: cracks, pops, and a quick visit. Talking with Dr. Michael Stern reminded me how much bigger the picture can be when the goal is real recovery, better movement, and long-term performance, especially in a place like Key West where life is active and community is everything. He’s the founder of Southernmost Sports Chiropractic, and he literally brings care to you with a mobile sports chiropractic clinic built inside a Sprinter van.  We get into how that van became his “brick and mortar” after a serious car wreck totaled his work vehicle, and why that obstacle ended up shaping a smarter, more accessible way to serve locals. We also talk about the Key West fitness scene, his partnerships with gyms, and the practical mindset shifts that help beginners start exercising without burning out. Michael shares three clear tips: find movement you enjoy, set realistic goals you can actually repeat, and build consistency by plugging into a supportive group.  Then we go deeper on recovery and injury prevention, because longevity matters. Sleep, nutrition, hydration, and stress are the foundation, and chiropractic care can be part of the plan when you want to keep progressing. Michael explains how modern chiropractic can blend adjustments with rehab-style exercise, hands-on work, and tools like acupuncture and dry needling when appropriate. We also talk about giving back through Take Stock in Children mentorship and local scholarship fundraising, including the Garrett Hughes Memorial Scholarship Foundation.  If you care about Key West wellness, sports injury recovery, and community leadership, hit play. Subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the stories that keep Key West strong. Talk to Joy Support the show

    Conch Pride with Dr. Michael Stern
  5. Mar 29

    Conch Pride with Bella Perez

    Key West shows up for its own, and Bella Perez has felt that support from her first days at Rosa Hernandez Field to her senior season catching for the FIU Panthers. We’re talking with a Lady Conch softball legend who’s built a reputation on two things that travel anywhere: a fearless catcher’s mindset and a steady, humble work ethic. If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to stay a four-year starter in Division 1 college softball, Bella lays it out without the fluff.  We get into the season goals that matter most right now: stacking statement wins, grinding through conference play, reaching the conference tournament, and pushing for that NCAA tournament bid. Bella breaks down why throwing out runners is her biggest adrenaline rush, how “Bella bombs” became a thing, and what “clutch” actually feels like when it’s your job to deliver. She also shares the routines most fans never see, from early lifts and long practices to commercial flight travel and the mental reset required when the schedule gets heavy.   Then we zoom out to the bigger story: coaches who believed early, teammates who turned into lifelong friends, and the Lady Conchs era that helped raise the standard back home. Bella’s advice for younger athletes and incoming college students is clear: ask for help, stay consistent, and treat failure as part of the game, not the end of it. If you love college softball, catcher leadership, Key West sports culture, and real lessons you can use off the field, this one hits home.   Subscribe, share this with a Conch fan, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Talk to Joy Support the show

    Conch Pride with Bella Perez
5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

This podcast is all about bringing joy through storytelling and conversation, with two shows. The Joy of Baseball Show is all about baseball from the sandlots to the big leagues and everything in between, my guest and I will share  our joy for the game with you. The Conchs Show is all about celebrating the incredible people of Key West and their stories from every corner of our Conch Community.  So whether you’re a fan of baseball or good storytelling you’ll be entertained and each episode will bring a little joy to your day