Wards Way Podcast

Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

A boat show can look like pure glamour, but the real story is the work happening behind the scenes and the relationships that keep boats moving. From the docks at the Newport International Boat Show, we sit down with the Kraken Yachts crew and hear how a “family” in the marine industry is often built through years of showing up for each other, not just sharing a last name. They trace it back to th...

A rule meant to protect whales nearly forced boats to crawl at speeds that don’t match how the ocean actually works and that tension opens a much bigger conversation about boating safety, smart regulation, and the tools that can protect both people and wildlife. From the Newport International Boat Show, we sit down with Aaron Staziak of Qualified Captain, a working captain turned educator who’s se...

You can feel it the moment you walk the docks in Newport: boating is fun, but the marine industry is serious work. We sit down at the Newport International Boat Show with Jennifer Saia, charter specialist at Denison Yachting, to map the real arc of a yacht charter career from early hustle to long term staying power. Jennifer shares how she took over the Sachs Group at 28, built a team across multi...

The moment you start running offshore, a boat stops being a toy and becomes a safety plan. From the floor of the Newport International Boat Show, we sit down with Ryan Fawcett, a lifelong New England boater who owns a rock-solid 2009 center console but is now shopping for a bigger, more capable platform for tuna fishing and longer-range family days on the water. Ryan walks us through what actually...

We talk with Kern Mass, president of the International Yacht Restoration School, from the Newport International Boat Show about how hands-on marine trades education turns beginners into confident pros. We dig into what IYRS teaches, who it serves, and how industry partners help students move from the shop floor to real jobs fast.  • what IYRS is and why hands-on learning stays essential  • how the...

We meet Larry Phillips of Midtown Racing at the Newport International Boat Show and trace how one spontaneous M32 ride turned into a full-on commitment to high-performance catamaran racing. We also dig into the new Newport waterfront hub he built to make launching, racing, and community access simpler and more welcoming.  • spotting M32s from the Newport Bridge and taking a first ride  • buying an...

A signature cocktail can be a local legend for years and still hide a bigger business idea in plain sight. From a family bar on Fishers Island to the Newport waterfront, we sit down with Branya Stillot, president and founder of Fishers Island Lemonade, to unpack how a vodka, whiskey, lemon, and honey recipe becomes a real ready-to-drink brand you can buy in a can. Along the way, we talk about the...

Newport looks calm from shore, but the docks tell a different story. From the Newport International Boat Show 2026, we sit down with Mike Millerick, General Manager of Newport Shipyard, to talk about what it takes to keep a high-traffic harbor running through peak charter season and straight into the fall service rush. You will hear how boats cycle from owner trips to charters to yard periods, and...

Banking decisions shape entire towns, but most people only see the final “approved” or “declined” screen. From the floor of the Newport International Boat Show, we talk with Jack Murphy, President and CEO of Bank Newport, about what changes when your bank is a mutual community bank owned by the community instead of shareholders. Jack explains why that structure allows longer-term thinking, deeper...

Boat buying is supposed to feel exciting, not exhausting. From the floor of the Newport International Boat Show, we sit down with Chris Connolly, CEO and co-founder of Marine Source, to unpack what happens when the marine industry finally gets a modern AI native marketplace built around how people actually search, browse, and decide. Think less checkbox filtering and more “type what you mean,” whe...

Sailing has an image problem, and it’s not just about money. When we sat down with Chris Hammond, CEO of Henry Lloyd, at the Newport International Boat Show, we kept circling back to one uncomfortable idea: for a lot of people, the ocean still feels like a private members’ club. Chris shares what that felt like growing up on the south coast of England, why “how to start sailing” is the most common...

What happens when you combine big boats, big fish, friendly competition, and a community that lives for the water? You get the 2026 Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament! On this episode of The Wards Way Podcast, we’re right in the middle of it. Host Kristina Hebert sits down with Lisa Howell and Captain Marty at Pirates Cove to talk about the first day of fishing, the strategy behind the tournament, t...

Seawater is everywhere, but fresh water determines how far a boat can truly go. Filmed at the 2026 Dare County Boat Builders Tournament, Host Kristina Hebert sits down with John Gabriel, Sales Director at FCI Watermakers, to explore how reverse osmosis systems transform seawater into clean, usable fresh water and give boaters greater independence from bottled water and dockside supplies. John expl...

Host Kristina Hebert sits down with Captain Kirk during the Dare County Boat Builders Tournament 2026 to explore what competitive offshore sportfishing really looks like beyond the weigh-in. From early mornings and meticulous preparation to the strategy, teamwork, and split-second decisions that define tournament fishing, Captain Kirk shares what it takes to compete at the highest level. Together,...

Filmed at the Dare County Boat Builders Tournament 2026, Host Kristina Hebert sits down with Aaron Sutten of West Marine Pro to explore the supply chain, logistics, and commercial services that help keep boat builders, repair shops, and marine technicians working without costly delays. Aaron explains how West Marine Pro supports marine professionals with specialized pricing, nationwide inventory a...

In the heart of North Carolina's legendary boatbuilding community, Host Kristina Hebert sits down with Alex Sarris of Quick USA during the Dare County Boat Builders Tournament 2026 to discuss the people, traditions, and technology shaping the future of American boatbuilding. Together, they explore the craftsmanship, family legacy, and working waterfronts that continue to define one of America...

Behind every reliable vessel is a supply chain built on experience, relationships, and people who know what it takes to keep boats moving. In this special standalone episode of The Wards Way Podcast , Host Kristina Hebert sits down with longtime Wards Marine Electric teammate Willie Soles to explore his journey with the company since 1999 and the evolution of marine electrical supply in a rapidly...

Host Kristina Hebert sits down with Milan Sangulin, director of the Biograd Boat Show, to explore how a small Croatian town of just 5,000 residents became home to one of Europe’s most successful international boat shows and a major gateway to the world’s yacht charter industry. Milan shares the show’s remarkable growth from a modest open house in 1999 to a record-setting event that has thrived thr...

Host Kristina Hebert sits down with Anne Dunbar, Executive Director of IBEX, and Mary Vallen, Show Director, to explore why the International BoatBuilders Exhibition and Conference has become one of the marine industry’s most important B2B events. They discuss how IBEX brings together more than 700 exhibitors, technical education, and industry experts to address real-world challenges in boatbuildi...

Host Kristina Hebert talks with Petros Michelidakis, Director of Boating and Watersport Events at Messe Düsseldorf GmbH, from the ICOMIA IFBSO Congress in Washington, D.C., about how Boot Düsseldorf became the world’s largest indoor boat show and a global winter destination for boating and watersports enthusiasts. He shares the strategy behind creating a seamless visitor experience through 17 well...

Host Kristina Hebert sits down with Patricia Becker (Metstrade Exhibition Manager) and Sarah Wallbank (August Race and Co-Chair of the ICOMIA/IFBSO Diversity Committee) at the ICOMIA IFBSO Congress in Washington, D.C., to explore what truly attracts new talent to boating and marine industry careers. Their conversation highlights why workforce development must begin long before university, emphasiz...

From the ICOMIA and IFBSO Congress in Washington, DC, Host Kristina Hebert talks with NMMA President and CEO Frank Hugelmeyer about the true scale of the recreational boating industry and its impact on the U.S. economy, jobs, and communities. Frank explains how NMMA drives growth through advocacy, standards and certifications, major boat shows, and Discover Boating, while addressing key challenges...

Host Kristina Hebert records from the ICOMIA IFBSO Congress in Washington, D.C., with Niels Klarenbeek, President of IFBSO and Director of Metstrade and The Superyacht Forum, and Teo Petricevic, CEO of Capax and Founding Partner of Adria Docks, to discuss Croatia’s growing influence in the global marine industry. Together, they explore the momentum behind the Croatian National Pavilion at Metstrad...

At the ICOMIA Congress in Washington, D.C., Host Kristina Hebert sits down with Sarah Wallbank, CEO of August Race and co-chair of ICOMIA’s Diversity Committee, to explore an often-overlooked challenge in the marine industry: neurodiversity at boat shows and events. Kristina and Sarah discuss how sensory overload, constant networking, masking, and social fatigue can impact both attendees and exhib...