Off Gassing: A Scuba Podcast

One thing I love about this industry is seeing people branch out and create their own paths. It's not always the easiest but the rewards can be fulfilling. As someone who has started something from nothing, I was excited to chat with Blake Baker. Taking his first breaths in the land-locked state of Indiana before relocating to Florida to start A-List Divers. A premier diving business offering...

Stepping back from corporate life, Ellie Hudson decided to pursue her passion for scuba diving. A sport that has built her self-confidence, where dive buddies are family, and a place where she continues to grow. Continuing to further her education in diving, she never forgets to bring up the community around her, creating an environment where nobody feels inadequate. Podcast host, ambassador, cont...

Each person’s journey through this sport varies from one person to the next. For some, it is an easy transition, for others, it's about overcoming fear. Smita Jairam did not let her fear of deep water overtake her and it’s amazing to hear about her journey. From open circuit to closed circuit, the rewarding feeling of conservation work, Malaysia’s must-go-to spots for diving, advice for overc...

I am always excited to highlight conservation on the podcast. Especially when it comes to turtles. If you know me, you know I am a fan of turtles. In this episode, I interview Ginny and Seh Ling from Lang Tengah Turtle Watch located off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. I speak to them about day-to-day operations, conservation efforts, typical days off, and much more. Please enjoy! Website: h...

Nitrox. Mixed gas. Decompression Diving. Technical Diving. Most divers are familiar with these words and practices as they are very common in today's world of scuba diving. Years ago, just whispering these terms, you could find yourself banished from certain circles within the greater scuba community. Mike Gault is no stranger to these times. A few months back, I had a chance to catch up with...

 At an early age, Grant Tobin was adopted into the Florida cave diving community. Learning the ways of the cave early on, shaped him into the diver he is today. An active member of the Midwest Underwater Explorers, a volunteer of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program, and he continues to find his way back to the Sunshine State to enjoy the overhead enviro...

On today’s episode, I speak with Kurt Storms. A technical and rebreather instructor out of Belgium. I was able to catch Kurt before he traveled to Malta for the 3rd Annual Divesoft Liberty Summit. A family holiday as he explains it. I reached out to Kurt after seeing his photography work and he was kind enough to come onto the podcast for an interview. He tells me about finding and exploring mines...

I am super excited to introduce this next Round Table, this group had me in tears I was laughing so much. Joanna Wyrebek, Sara Banderby, and Sanne Volja make up The Cavettes. A group of technical divers with a goal to empower other women in diving. They sit down and tell me about how the group was formed, their expeditions, some challenges they have faced, and much more. Let me say they did not ho...

As you find yourself at the end of the cavern zone you will be greeted with a sign that reads STOP; PREVENT YOUR DEATH! GO NO FARTHER. Most divers see this warning and will never travel beyond this point. My next guest is not like most divers. She saw this sign and wanted to know what needed to be done to go beyond this picture of the Grim Reaper. In this episode, I speak with Sara Banderby. Findi...

Today on the Round Table, I sit down with this accomplished group of underwater photographers and hear their thoughts about capturing images within the underwater world. Join me along with Hannah Tilley, Kate Jonker, Annie Crawley, and Jami Leslie Feldman. I hope you enjoy. If you are enjoying the show, please leave a review on your podcast listening platform. If you are really enjoying the show,...

My next guest always had a fascination with the ocean. When she had the opportunity, she became certified and it led her down a path to becoming an ocean warrior. In this episode, I speak with Wendy Mitchell. She tells me about her journey that has brought her to some of the most beautiful and remote dive destinations in the world, her goal to document and protect the underwater world, and some am...

At some point, most divers will come across New Zealand physician and scientist, Dr. Simon Mitchell. In the slim chance you have not heard of him, do yourself a favor, find your way to a computer, conduct a Google search, and I guarantee you will learn a thing or two. In the meantime, enjoy this interview as I sit down and get to know one of the most respected divers on the planet.

In this episode, I speak with Ichthyology research specialist Brian Greene. Growing up in Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Brian learned to dive at a very young age. When he was just nine years old he came across the book Micronesian Reef Fishes and from that point on he made it a mission to find every fish he could. The Bishop Museum, challenges of remote expeditions, advi...

A few months back I conducted some interviews on solo diving. I reached out to ScubaBoard to find guests to speak with. Andrew known as MB NZ on the platform was happy to participate. Originally scheduled as a group discussion turned into a one-on-one interview due to scheduling conflicts with the other members. In this interview, I speak with Andrew and hear his thoughts on solo diving. As with a...

In this episode, I interview Terry Irvine. During his Open Water course in the snowy Canadian weather, he was instantly drawn to what he refers to as the magic that happens underwater. The deep wrecks of The Great Lakes led him to pursue technical and overhead training. We speak about his passion for wreck diving, the discovery of Canadian Pacific Railway Locomotive 694 which crashed on June 10th,...

In October of this year, the dive community lost one of its biggest ambassadors. For a brief moment on August 10th, 2023, I had the amazing privilege to sit down with Brett and hear his story. Foreword by Dr. Andrew Pitkin. Brett B Hemphill 1967-2023

When most divers sign up for that next course, we have high hopes, and usually, expectations are met. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Sometimes, we as students leave disappointed and frustrated at our own lack of ability to meet all the standards and requirements, and sometimes it's completely out of our control and falls on those in charge of the course. I'll be the first to...

During my trip to Ceningan earlier this year I met Alissa. She completed her Advanced Open Water during our time there and I wanted to know more of her story. In this episode, she speaks about her Open Water experience, how the peaceful and quiet atmosphere of the underwater world brings her joy, how she learns to find comfort and adapt to different situations in less-than-optimal environments tha...

One day while scrolling through the wonderful world of Instagram, I came across my next guest's profile. Videos of sea turtles, eagle rays, and other various creatures of the underwater world. I reached out to Matt to see if he would be interested in coming onto the podcast for an interview. He tells me his story of how he ended up in Australia on a working visa, his time at Heron Island, and...

There is a very active diving scene in Central Texas. This is where I first became certified, and have lost count of the number of times I have been underwater in Lake Travis located in Austin Texas. In this week's episode, I interview Dawson. I can easily, without a doubt say that he is one of the most active members of the diving community in this area. I first met Dawson when I was working...

Let's face it, the world has no shortage of assholes, and the scuba industry is no exception. I am sure you know one or two. Maybe you’ll run into one this weekend on the dive boat. Maybe, you narrowly escaped an encounter last week at the dive site. In this Round Table, I sit down with Rosa, Sarah, and Olivia and discuss Toxicity in the scuba industry. Please enjoy!  Are you enjoying the Rou...

In this episode, I speak with Explorer and founder of Sulawesi Dive Trek Robin Cuesta. Robin is at the forefront of cave exploration around Indonesia. We speak about getting in the right mindset before a dive, the logistic difficulties of remote exploration, current projects, what to look for in teammates, the path that led him to open the first full cave dive center in Indonesia, and the relaxed,...

On today's show, I sit down and have a conversation with Jarrod Jablonski. An aquatic lover from a very young age, learning to swim before he could walk, It was only natural for him to find his way to the underwater world. His drive for exploration led him to create a new standard with Global Underwater Explorers. Conservation, underwater caves, Deep Dive Dubai, and much more in this episode...

In this Round Table discussion, I bring together journalists Ashley Stewart, Michael Menduno, David Strike, and Eric Douglas to have a conversation and hear their thoughts about Scuba Journalism. How are you keeping up-to-date on the latest scuba news? What piques your interest and keeps you engaged to the end? What would you like to see more of? What would you like to see less of? Leave a comment...

I am willing to make a bet you can guess what magazine my next guest started. Micheal Menduno known by many as M2 has had quite the impact in the scuba diving world. Have you heard of Technical Diving? In this episode, I get a chance to sit down with Micheal and hear about his exit from the tech world to becoming one of the most well-known diving journalists of our time, how his curiosity of the d...