Ocean Stories

What if the best conditioner you’ve ever used also happened to be plastic free? In this episode, we talk with Kate and Jonathan Assaraf, the minds behind Dip– “an environmental awareness company parading around as a damn good personal care company.” Dip isn’t just selling shampoo bars that last forever. They’re challenging what we’ve come to expect from capitalism, consumerism, and convenience cul...

There’s a crisis unfolding at the U.S.-Mexico border that’s polluting beaches, harming marine life, and putting communities at risk…and it’s been happening for decades. In this episode, we chat with Patrick McDonough, an attorney from San Diego Coastkeeper, to break down the transboundary pollution crisis in Tijuana and Imperial Beach. Millions of gallons of untreated sewage and toxic runoff are f...

What happens when you follow your curiosity, trust the signs, and take the leap into something bigger than yourself? In this episode, I sit down with Brooke Buckman, the founder of a streetwear brand that doesn’t just look good…it does good, actively fighting ocean plastic with every purchase. Planet Deep Blue aims to be more than just clothing, from pulling plastic pollution out of the ocean to r...

Fast fashion is fueling ocean pollution. Are we even talking about that? Every time we wash synthetic fabrics tiny microplastic fibers shed into our waterways, harming marine life and ending up in our food. Add in the constant cycle of overconsumption, and it’s clear: the fashion industry is wreaking havoc on the planet. Why is fast fashion so hard to resist? What can we actually do about it? In t...

Welcome back! I wish it was under better circumstances. If you feel super in the dark on what’s going on with NOAA and the federal government, this is a very basic overview that I hope sheds some light. What is NOAA, and what does it actually even do? How are the layoffs at the National Park Service & NOAA potentially going to impact our daily lives? What does he mean, “drill baby drill”!?!? T...

I always wondered what it takes to become someone that works with sharks for a living. Kaitlyn McQueeney walks us through her career journey, from studying marine biology to getting on boats and to finally becoming the wildlife guide and shark conservationist that she is today. We chat about what it’s like being responsible for the safety of others in the ocean with sharks around, and the most com...

Today we chat with Hannah Tizedes, microplastics artist and founder of The Cleanup Club, about her journey from growing up by the Great Lakes to starting a nonprofit dedicated to tackling plastic pollution. She shares her experience organizing creative, social, and fun trash cleanups and offers practical advice for anyone wanting to make a difference, whether you’re near the ocean, a lake, or comp...

Everyone deserves the chance to learn how to swim and feel safe around water, no matter their background or age! Plenty of adults don’t know how to swim, yet there aren’t enough resources specifically designed to help adults learn water safety and confidence. Jacqueline Wong founded The Swim Project to do just that– to help those uneasy around water, or those with a past traumatic experience in th...

Ever wondered how to turn your passion for wildlife into a career in conservation photography? In this episode, we sit down with Kaush Subramaniam, wildlife biologist and photographer, to explore what it takes to break into the field of conservation biology and filmmaking. Kaushiik shares his own journey, from studying conservation science to working with organizations like the BBC, and how he use...

What does holiday shopping have to do with ocean conservation? So much more than you might think! In this episode, we’re diving into how you can vote with your dollar to support the planet this holiday season. Black Friday and Cyber Monday are great for deals, but 80% of those purchases end up in landfills. That’s bad news blues for marine life, coastal ecosystems, and our climate. But we have the...

What’s at stake for ocean conservation during the Trump years? Knowledge is power so let’s get engaged! In this episode, I’m broadly outlining the biggest threats, the policies to watch, and what we can do to protect our seas. What exactly do we have to worry about when it comes to the new administration and ocean conservation policy? Plus, it’s not all bad news. I’ve rounded up some positive upda...

This is a quick recap of random thoughts on my brain plus a little celebration of the past year of Ocean Stories. Our first episode was released on Nov. 7th, 2023. Plus some thoughts on how I'm dealing with election anxiety and trying to trust in the good of humanity no matter what (lol). Thank you for listening 🩵

In this episode we’re talking with Laura– Australian surfer, ocean lover, and the creative mind behind Froth Nugget, a small surf brand featuring her quirky and relatable illustrations. Laura’s content captures the ups and downs of surfing, reminding us that everyone, even seasoned surfers, wipe out sometimes, worry about sharks, and keep paddling out because of a true love for the ocean. We chat...

Ever wondered how to break into marine biology or find your place in the field? In this episode we sit down with Madysson (Marine Science with Mady on Instagram) to talk about what it really takes to study marine biology and make it your career. Mady shares bits from her own journey– balancing full-time work, school, and family life– while offering insights on how to figure out if this path is for...

Tourism and travel are closely linked with ocean health, as more than 50% of tourism happens in coastal or marine ecosystems. What about the carbon emissions from planes? Long haul vs. short haul flights? Reef safer bodycare and waste reduction? This episode is me just talking your ear off about traveling with some ideas about sustainable travel sprinkled in. Some topics are so complex, and I don’...

Building a surf brand from the ground up is no easy feat, especially when you’re navigating the complex world of sustainable business. In episode 33 of Ocean Stories, we chat with Manon Erné, founder of SunDaze Surf, about how she’s started a surf brand. From finding the right production house to making decisions about the brand’s identity, Manon shares about balancing creativity, sustainability,...

Our consumption patterns and habits create MAJOR impacts on our oceans– from ocean plastics to harmful ingredients to unethical labor to false advertising, it’s ROUGH out there in terms of shopping sustainably. We all want to support brands that are good for the Earth, but it isn’t always easy or clear. Krystalynn Gier creates tools and content to help taking care of our mind, body, and planet an...

Breathwork + zen + relaxation = freediving? Luciana is a holistic freediving instructor and competitor who shares some of her best freediving tips for beginners. We talk about her experience learning how to freedive and her connection to the sea. Plus I ask just a few of my burning questions about how to hold my breath underwater for just a bit longer.  Luciana’s IG:  @lucianaloveslife (what a cut...

Today we're chatting with content creator and surfer Jade Darmaswangsa about her journey learning to surf. Jade's experience began with a simple surf lesson and quickly spiraled into her conquering one of the most infamous surf breaks in the world. She'll share her ups and downs, tips for beginners, and what kept her motivated along the way. 👀 more how-to surfing episodes to come 👀...

Irene is a marine biologist working in the Maldives to protect, preserve, and grow new corals. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone that loves corals as much as Irene– she explains their importance to the Maldives, the impact of tourism, and how Save the Beach Maldives is working with local communities to reduce plastic pollution. How does bleaching actually work? What even is it? I loved hearing h...

Lauren takes us on a journey recounting how she followed her dream of living on a sailboat and building a career through YouTube. She shares the challenges and joys of sailing solo, exploring the oceans, and building a community through her captivating content. Alongside her loyal cat, Mako, Lauren dives into freediving solo, safety precautions, how she packs food, and the pros and cons of connect...

If you’re a huge orca fan, this one is for you. How The Orca Man got his name (and fascination with the creatures). A land-based whale watching guide from Seattle to Vancouver with 28 excellent spots for getting outside and sighting whales this summer. Killer whales have a new species delineation, potentially. Begging for $8,000 on the street with a pillowcase in order to buy a captured killer wha...

We’re back baby what happened while we were gone!? 😚 No intro, straight chats. This is a short update on what’s happening with the podcast plus some ideas for the future. Did you hear that Charlotte the pregnant stingray has a rare reproductive disease and is no longer pregnant? I’m also talking about the sharky headlines out of socal detailing recent encounters. It’s a ramble and a half because...

In this episode we’re chatting with Janavi Kramer, an artist and scientific illustrator who's making waves worldwide with her ocean-inspired pieces. We explore the stories behind Janavi's mesmerizing paintings, her personal connection to the sea, and her passionate mission to use art as a force for marine conservation. 🎨Follow Janavi on IG: @belowandbeyondart 🎨Website: https://www.belowa...

We’re chit chatting sharks and life updates today— Sarah asks Lydia a bunch of shark trivia questions. How likely is it that you’ll actually encounter a shark? What does a shark’s skin feel like? Technical difficulties abound but that doesn’t stop us from talking about random thoughts. How many species of sharks are there? Find out in this episode 🦈 💚 If you liked this episode, please follow &am...