Dear friends, neighbors, and fellow Orlando dreamers,
After more than a decade working under someone else’s masthead, I find myself standing on the edge of something brand new, and my heart is full of gratitude and possibility. Today, I’m honored (and honestly, a little emotional) to introduce you to The Orlando Shine.
The last 10+ years have been filled with lessons, late nights, and a deep love for telling the stories that make this city extraordinary. But I won’t sugarcoat it, the end of that chapter was hard. It ended in a way that knocked the wind out of me. I felt a little bruised, a little lost, and unsure of what was next. But here’s the thing about endings: sometimes they’re the only way to make room for something better, something truer.
The Orlando Shine is born from that space, out of both heartbreak and hope. This site isn’t just another news outlet. It’s a promise. A promise to focus on the light in our city: the artists, the neighbors who show up for one another, the moments that make us proud to call Orlando home. We’ll cover the tough stuff, too, but always with the belief that telling the truth can bring people together rather than pull them apart. I want The Orlando Shine to feel like a friend knocking on your door with a good story and a six-pack of cold (local) beer (even though most of them come in four-packs).
If you’ve ever felt the weight of starting over, you’ll understand how much this moment means to me. I’m stepping into this next chapter with more excitement and more freedom than I’ve ever had. And I want you with me every step of the way.
I’m so thankful to Moe DeWitt, of JustCallMoe.com, for adopting me into his collection of misfit toys. I met Moe through our radio show, now renamed to “The Orlando Shine Show,” what seems like years ago. Through those years, he came to know me as a hard worker and someone he could trust. When I shared with him that I was facing an uncertain future at my last gig, he stepped up and offered to support me on my next adventure. He’s the reason for the season, and I’m so happy to say that I am now one of his biggest fans. If you need legal help and don’t know where to go, Just Call Moe, y’all. He’ll have your back. And special thanks to Jon Busdeker, my co-host and friend, for making the connection and holding my hand (in a non-gay way) through my first baby steps on this new road. (I can make gay jokes because I’m super gay).
Thank you for letting me share this dream with you. Thank you for believing that our city’s stories matter. And thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for helping The Orlando Shine become exactly what its name promises, a place where the light always finds a way through. I feel like a Care Bear.
With love and gratitude,
Brendan O’Connor
Editor-in-Chief, The Orlando Shine
