The Mark Schulein Passion Project

John Wadsworth grew up in NYC and found love for both the mountains and the ocean early on. He made his way to Southern California for college… and never looked back. His life has been one of family, adventure, travel, and the ocean. Today, his passion for the ocean manifests itself in many ways, in him and his family. John is an ocean advocate who dedicates his time, energy and resources to prote...

Ethan Wayne has done a lot in his life. Growing up with adventure, travel and exposure to the world… and the world of Hollywood. He went on to be a stuntman and actor for decades. Ethan opens up about growing up with a famous father, on sets and boats around the world, racing motorcycles, flying planes and splitting his time between the beach and out in nature. Ethan talks about leading John Wayne...

Scott Richards grew up 2,500 miles from the Pacific but fell in love with surfing early. As a kid, he scoured surf magazines from front to back to front again; dreaming of surf… long before he made his big move to Southern California. There he found his wife, art school, surf culture (in full force) and spent the next two decades living his dream; working in some of the most coveted roles for some...

Billy Whitford is one of my favorite people; and he does not like to be the focus of attention. =) He’d rather be behind the scenes; developing programs, organizing events, supporting groups, driving boats and trucks, and doing whatever needs to be done… at any hour; and he’s done this for decades. His influence has impacted the lives of countless people; far and wide. In this episode, Billy share...

These four women: Alyssa Norwood, Keri Pommerenk, Ericka Primeau and Alice Toth aka the VESL Vixens, for different reasons, decided to take on a very big, bold, and audacious challenge; to individually paddle 30 miles across the ocean as part of the Ben Carlson Foundation’s annual fundraising paddle, the Ben Did Go 9.0. And they rocked it, together. However there were two big, key factors: none ha...

Joe Bark is an absolute legend in the traditional (prone) paddling world and the nicest and most humble guy you will ever meet. He has made the majority of prone paddleboards on the planet and has been racing them for over 40 years. His name is synonymous with the sport of prone paddling. And it’s a family affair; all are accomplished water-people, his kids make boards, surf, fish, dive and they p...

Matt Emerzian is on a mission to change the world by helping us all recognize and embrace the fact that: I Matter, YOU Matter, WE Matter. Matt has dedicated his life and his non-profit, Every Monday Matters, to sharing powerful mantras and tools to help us all find our meaning, live fully… and to change the world! His books and keynotes have been utilized by the largest organizations and school sy...

Johnny Puakea. Growing up in Hawaii working on historic Hawaiian koa canoes with his father and grandfather, to racing and coaching internationally at the highest levels; Johnny has melded historic Hawaiian canoe culture with modern design and methodology. The result is Johnny’s company, Puakea Designs, which produces some of the fastest and most innovative outrigger canoes on the market while he...

Aimee Spector operates at 110% and 100 miles per hour in everything she does and there is no off switch; which I very much appreciate. She has the best laugh but she is also passionately determined to drive herself, and her teammates, to peak performance… which may not always have her teammates laughing. From her career as an educator to running a non-profit fundraiser for over a decade, to runnin...

I’ve known Bret Marumoto since we were little kids. When most of us were thinking of college, Bret had a vision for taking his passion for making surfboards to the “proving ground” in Hawaii. Twelve days after we graduated high school, he moved to the North Shore of Oahu… and he has never looked back. For the last thirty years, Bret has been making boards for some of the best surfers in the world;...

Keoni Watson comes across like your long lost best friend. So happy and positive and approachable; and just the nicest, most humble guy. When you hear the stories of who his mentors were, who his friends are, and where and how he grew up… you quickly start to connect the dots. Then you hear of his accomplishments in the surf and paddling worlds and in the surf industry; all at the very highest lev...

Bill Lobdell prefers to be behind the scenes and to “tell the story, not be the story.” With decades of journalism expertise, a book, and an amazing podcast, Bill is not keen to be on “this side” of the camera. So it was really cool to put a face to the name and to the voice. Bill’s podcast “Newport in the Rearview Mirror” is not only a historical account of this famed SoCal town, but provides a c...

From the rivers of Ohio to the southern coast of California, with stops all over the world along the way, Jimmy Terrell has done just about everything that requires a paddle in one’s hands. 4 Olympic Games, ultra marathon paddling races, downwind, flat water, you name it. An ultra craftsman and innovator, Jimmy has an engineer’s mind and the hands of a master. Paddles and boats, wood and carbon fi...

Ben Carlson made his final rescue, in massive surf, on July 6, 2014; just 4 days after his 32nd birthday. Ben’s passing galvanized the community where he had made his home for 15 years. Ten years later, his heroic act, and his passing in the line of duty, has left a lasting impression that is evident throughout Newport Beach and well beyond. His father, Chris Carlson and his brother in law, Jake J...

Willie Reichenstein is one of those guys that we all want to grow up to be like. 76 years young and fitter and faster than 98% of the population. He has not stopped, nor even slowed, since his Olympic Games in 1976 and 1980. From Scotland to California, Willie is a family man, a lifelong teacher, a beast of an athlete, an awesome role model, and is amazingly nice, humble, and as cool as a guy you...

Don Meek has done a lot of things at a very high level and his stories are captivating and chock full of authentic soundbites, noteworthy quotes, and examples of all manner of success, failure, and the path through it all. Whether it be his fitness mantra of “fit to play,” his long list of executive positions across multiple industries, or how his current roles with the New Earth Project, US Board...

What started as a passion project by two friends over ten years ago; today this respected, acclaimed, and inclusive non-profit has served over 15,000 at-risk youth, employing over 350, with 10 sites spanning the coastline of Israel. HaGal Sheli was built on the power of surfing, camaraderie, and engagement to help struggling youth get back on the path. They are exceptionally well-known and respect...

Clarke Brogger is a passionate, inspirational, and rad human. His is a life of leadership, kindness, faith, and nature. From the pulpit to the surf to the top of mountains to long, long miles on the trails, you’ll always find a smile, a positive message, gratitude, and the desire to bring people together. ⚡

Rami and Krista Zur are as nice, humble and cool people as you will ever find. They also happen to be world class athletes (and a coach) at the Olympic level. They have been to 5 Olympic Games collectively as athletes, and more with coaching; and they have THE hardware to prove it. They are wonderful people from very diverse backgrounds and incredible accomplishments. Theirs is an amazing story of...

Say (Sarah) Craig is rad. She is a humble, creative spirit with a passion and determination to make a difference in the world. She likes to do big things; big and hard things, like inspiring and educating people how to lessen their environmental footprint, to move away from single-use plastics, and to clean up our environment. Known as “The Trash Tramp,” she’s an ambassador, a leader, an activist,...

Kali Wilding and Emma McDonald are rad. They are best friends from Hawaii, training together with their eyes on the Olympics. Both are hammer athletes and so much more. These are impressive, fun, inspirational and determined young women who do more in a day than most people do in a month and they do it with awesome headspace and infectious passion. These are great representatives of the US… and of...

The awesome mother and son team of Debbie and Forbes provide powerful, fun, and educational insights about Autism in our communities and the role their organization plays in it. Get an impressive firsthand, family experience in navigating autism in the world today and why passionate local organizations like ABSea are so important and make such a difference. And you get a special treat; a peak at “...

Craig Lockwood grew up in the golden age of surfing in Southern California and “in the garage” with icons of the sport like Hobie Alter, Tom Morey, Peanuts Larson and more. An accomplished writer, a published author, a war correspondent, competitive prone paddler, and a friend; Craig’s stories of growing up in Laguna, surrounded by legends, are just awesome.

Or… the Kel and Will show. I’m so stoked to have had these two in the studio together. Lifelong friends. Big figures in the outrigger paddling community. Hammer paddlers. A race director. A boat builder. And hosts of one of my favorite podcasts - “Cocktails and Canoes” which has just released their 100th episode. Listen to the backstory, the family histories, and what keeps them passionate and dee...

Drasko’s passion for public safety and serving the public is crystal clear and has inspired and driven him to focus on educating the public and shining a bright light on the importance and the under-recognized value and responsibilities of ocean lifeguards. The Lifeguard Project has partnered with the Ben Carlson Foundation to widen the reach of this imperative campaign. This is a must listen. Dra...