The Megan Waldrep Podcast

In Part 2, we continue our conversation with Ashely Veliss, Wife of a Commercial Fisherman, mom, and owner of Ashley's Seafood out of Humboldt Bay in Eureka, California. In this episode, we talk about: How she finds personal support in this lifestyle and shouts out to experienced Partners in her community The Humbolt Wives Fishermen’s Group and the specific ways they serve their members and commun...

Ashely Veliss is the Wife of a Commercial Fisherman, mom, and Owner of Ashley's Seafood out of Humboldt Bay in Eureka, California. I love that Ashely belongs to a Fishermen’s Wives group but joined the POCF private chat to connect with partners in other ports to see what they struggle with or don’t struggle with and hear how they overcome challenges in the industry.  In this episode, we learn: How...

Part 2 of our Juicy Chat!  Looking out for our mental wellness takes many forms, and communication and the information we receive daily are huge parts of that.  As many know, communication is a major problem for POCFs when connecting with their fishermen at sea. Yet it is also a major challenge for fishing communities, scientists, environmentalists, government officials, and academics to understan...

Looking out for our mental wellness takes many forms, and communication and the information we receive daily are huge parts of that.  As many know, communication is a major problem for POCFs when connecting with their fishermen at sea. Yet it is also a major challenge for fishing communities, scientists, environmentalists, government officials, and academics to understand each other's goals. This...

Happy New Year everyone! A perfect time to sit back and take a bird’s eye view of the positive experiences you had in 2024 and what you want to bring into 2025.  In this episode, I share: 4 simple ways to gain more time when you think you have no time.  1 controversial way to make time for yourself. 2 hard conversations with friends that helped me set healthy boundaries (and prompts if you want to...

Part 2 continues with our juicy conversation with POCF Lindsey Hoadley from Ventura, CA! If you missed the first episode, I highly recommend you go back and listen, especially if you’re an entrepreneur. There are so many nuggets to be had there. In this episode, we talk about: What it means to have a team to support when running a business and what those roles look like. How she balances the entre...

Dropping some pearls of wisdom with this one! If you're an entrepreneur or are interested in starting or scaling your business (fishery business included!), then you'll love this interview with POCF Lindsey Hoadley from Ventura, California. In this episode, we discuss:  The relaunch of her business, Mothersun and the Captain, and the importance of taking a 1-year break to get in the mindset to res...

In Part 2, I answer questions from our IG community by sharing intimate stories about my sobriety journey from alcohol and marijuana. We also discuss: The transformative power of the mind in overcoming addiction. (Including weed, which I discuss in more detail than planned. Let's get into it!) The challenges of breaking habits, the prevalence of alcohol consumption in society, and the various non-...

This organization was *founded by a commercial fisherman* who wanted to keep fishing and has since grown into an initiative that helps sustain the North Carolina coastline. This perfectly reflects our fishing families, who have a shared passion for caring for our oceans. And when you connect with others in this space, it can be a real eye-opener on what we’re all experiencing individually to maint...

This is a very special episode that you can save and replay anytime you need it.  In this episode, I guide you through deep breaths that will help regulate your nervous system and bring you to a place of calm so you can continue your day or night with a clearer mind, eased body, and peaceful heart. I love thinking about how when we practice this for ourselves, we practice with each other. All you...

At 42, I've begun to notice big changes in my body and mind, and going through a "mid-life review" has been more inspiring than society/media/Hollywood lends it to be. Peri-menopause, Menopause, and Post-Menopause are other superpowers that women experience, and in this episode, I want to normalize the conversation by sharing personal stories about what this has looked like for me in the past 12 m...

Whether during a fishing season or in the off-season, solo date nights (or trips!) allow you to get a deeper sense of confidence, self-acceptance, and personal joy - something you can carry throughout your life that no one or nothing can take away from you. What a gift! In this episode: I give you a ton of ideas on different hobbies and interests and how to get started. Personal stories of how oth...

This one is so rich that I can’t wait for you to hear it.  In this episode, Artist David Macomber shares his family's history in the commercial fishing industry in Cape May, New Jersey, and his journey into fine art. We discuss: The creative process by acknowledging the challenges of maintaining motivation and overcoming self-doubt How spirituality plays into his daily life and creative live and t...

We have many superpowers, yet this is one many of us don't realize we have access to. Our fishermen may not because they are exhausted, fishing, or all of the above. In this episode, we discuss: One skill POCFs may have more than their fishermen. How to lean into this skill. The #1 way to gain support when you utilize this power. Let's Dive In! Show Resources: PRIVATE GROUP CHAT: Our lively group...

Eating healthy can be challenging when you're on the go or deciding what to make for your fisherman (and their crew) for the season. A recent road trip inspired this one, and I hope this helps make food shopping and prepping a lot easier for you! In this episode, we discuss: - Best healthy meals to take along or send aboard.  - Foods that keep fresh for up to 3-5 days in the cooler or fridge.  - E...

This was inspired by a DM I received that said, “Hi! I just wanted some advice because I have been with my boyfriend for only three months (and he leaves for Alaska soon)…I just don't know how to deal with it...Do you know if there are any other apps that I can use or what else I can do?" In this episode, I share: - direct ways to communicate with your fisherman - indirect ways to feel connected -...

This lifestyle can stir up some BIG feelings that can sometimes show up in strange ways. Miscommunication can quickly lead to resentment if not addressed. If you’re feeling this or felt this, you’re not alone!  In this episode, I share 3 ways to fix it by discussing: Three common scenarios between partners of commercial fishermen and their fishermen Conversation prompts to help you discuss challen...

Enter to Win Scholarships from Guy Cotten & Partners of Commercial Fishermen! We're giving $500 scholarships to 4 students and 1-year memberships to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen Forum to 4 POCFs. POCF winners will also receive access to private group chat, a one-year access to private podcasts (launching 2025), a one-year access to the private newsletter (launching 2025), 1 POCF Surviv...

Enter to Win Scholarships from Guy Cotten & Partners of Commercial Fishermen! We're giving $500 scholarships to 4 students and 1-year memberships to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen Forum to 4 POCFs. POCF winners will also receive access to private group chat, a one-year access to private podcasts (launching 2025), a one-year access to the private newsletter (launching 2025), 1 POCF Surviv...

While in California recently to spend extra time with Chris and help him prep for spiny lobster season, I seriously considered fishing with him this season for about 5.5 hours. In this episode, I share: Advice from POCFs in our community about why working alongside their fisherman was a great decision for them (and reasons to consider doing it, too). The POV of a female fisherman who is co-captain...

Returning to my solo POCF life after traveling with my fisherman to his fishery in California wasn’t as easy as it had been in the past, and it almost felt daunting. How did I do it before? How will I get through this long season? I felt the inklings of depression coming on, if I’m being honest. Thankfully, I remembered the advice I’d gotten from POCFs and personal experience, and I went through e...

Does this title trigger you? You’re not alone! I know many Partners of Commercial Fishermen in our community can feel disconnected from their fishermen during the fishing season and even in the off-season. In this episode, I share a story about what it's like when I start to feel less like a priority during a season. I also share ways we can productively communicate our needs to our partners so th...

We are back with part two of a uniquely special episode to me because today we are continuing our conversation with retired Army officer Dr. Douglas Waldrep, who is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist—also known as my dad! As you probably know by now, my upbringing as a military kid sparked the idea of creating Partners of Commercial Fishermen in the first place. My ultimate goal is to lea...

This episode is particularly special to me because today we have retired Army officer Dr. Douglas Waldrep, who is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist—also known as my dad! As you probably know by now, my upbringing as a military kid sparked the idea of creating Partners of Commercial Fishermen in the first place. My ultimate goal is to learn ways to best support us through fishing seasons...

After speaking to POCFs in our community, I’ve learned that the most helpful way to figure out the best financial plan for you is to learn what has successfully (and unsuccessfully) worked for others in our unique lifestyle, connect with financial professionals to ask questions, then create a financial plan that reflects your goals. That’s what this “Fishy Money” series is all about!  Continuing o...