Ocean Wings Podcast

Makenna Trapani spent five years in emergency veterinary medicine before realizing that individual care wasn’t enough to fix the system-level problems affecting animals. Now, at just 23, she works as a Government Affairs Associate in Arizona, helping to pass animal welfare legislation and build the coalitions needed to turn ideas into state law. Martina sits down with Makenna to explore her path f...

For over thirty years, Professor Dawn Murray has built a career in marine science by following her curiosity wherever it led. That path has included jellyfish research at Monterey Bay, documenting Indigenous medicinal plant knowledge in Bhutan, and serving on the advisory council of the first Indigenous-led National Marine Sanctuary in the United States. In this conversation with Martina, she walk...

In this episode, Martina sits down with Savannah Maira, a core member of the Manta Ray Advocates team, to discuss her journey to her current role in ocean conservation. With a background in backstage theater and office administration, Savannah explains how her skills in organization, consistency, and long-term observation now contribute to manta ray conservation and enhance the guest experience. T...

Rae Madison Gerber’s life has been shaped by three encounters with manta rays that became unexpected turning points. What began as a tentative first swim evolved into a way to reconnect with her body, question long-held beliefs about trust and worth, and find the clarity to step away from work that no longer felt right. This episode explores listening inward, finding momentum when the world feels...

Living in landlocked Nebraska makes ocean visits precious. In this episode, Chris Gorman reflects on why he and his wife keep returning to Hawaii, how they approach travel with care and curiosity, and what made their manta ray experience unexpectedly impactful. It’s a conversation about slowing down, traveling with intention, and bringing a little of the Aloha Spirit back home. In this episode : C...

What does it mean to experience nature without expecting something in return? In this episode, Martina and honors undergraduate student Rowan Daugherty explore that question through the lens of environmental ethics, drawing on Rowan’s academic work and a manta swim that echoed those ideas. Together, they examine how technology and consumer expectations shape our experiences and why shifting away f...

Hawaii State Rep. Nicole Lowen talks about how laws get made and why ocean conservation policy moves so slowly. From regulating ocean recreation to renewable energy, this is what it takes to turn environmental concerns into action. Why do environmental regulations take so long, even when there's public support? In this episode, Hawaii State Representative Nicole Lowen pulls back the curtain on the...

At age 12, Ashley Jacob knew she wanted to work with marine mammals. Her path there took her through elephant seal fieldwork, challenging funding landscapes, and an unplanned move across the Pacific. Today, she's a marine scientist guiding manta ray swims in Hawaii. Her story shows how persistence and a clear sense of purpose often matter more than any perfect plan. In this episode How Ashley’s ea...

Marine biologist Dawn Murray sits down with Martina Wing for two hours of conversation about manta rays. Martina shares 27 years of experience with Hawaii's reef manta rays, from identifying individuals by their belly patterns to navigating the current challenges of sustainable manta tourism. Dawn asks the questions a marine educator wants answered, and Martina provides insights from nearly three...

Ocean Wings is a podcast about conservation, civic courage and the ripple effect of nature. Tune in weekly for real stories of how manta ray magic leads to positive action, personal healing and meaningful change.

At 16, Abraham Hickson is already using his voice to fight for the future he’ll inherit. A repeat guest on Martina’s manta ray night swim, he watched tourists ignore the rules and harass the animals, and something shifted: anger turned into responsibility. In this conversation, Martina and Abraham explore how a single ocean encounter can ignite a lifelong commitment to advocacy, how speech & d...

A chance conversation between meditation teacher Amanda Weber and underwater filmmaker Martina Wing grew into Manta Ray Meditations, a guided video meditation series with underwater manta footage.  This episode explores how the project came together during the 2020 lockdown and why the meditations still resonate today. In this conversation, you'll hear: Amanda’s journey from 20 years in corporate...

Two sisters went swimming with manta rays in Hawaii. One quit competitive triathlon; the other redirected her career to hold local government accountable. When Amy Spring and Heidi Maldonado joined a manta ray swim after Heidi's Ironman World Championship in 2023, they didn't expect that 90-minute experience to reshape their entire approach to living in alignment with their values. From career piv...