The Megan Waldrep Podcast

Our chat with Jenny continues with so much heart. In this episode, we discuss her husband Pat and his diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a rare degenerative disease also known as Lou Gherigs Disease. Jenny shares how ALS affected not only the family but also the fishing business, including financial management, and how the family came together to support each other during difficult...

Maternal + POCF wisdom in a candid interview with Jenny Gore Dwyer of Deadliest Catch! Jenny has been a huge support to our community since the beginning, and this episode is a perfect example of that. We discuss the challenges and successes of running a fishing business since 1986 and how she and her husband, Pat, managed to grow from one boat to a fleet of three. Jenny shares what they had to do...

MONEY! Something every fishing household thinks about as frequently as the seasons and days come and go. Today, I’m sharing what two POCFs in our community do and have done financially to make money stretch when seasons tanked or were closed. These POCFs have been with their fishermen for over 20 and 40 years, so I'm passing along their knowledge to see if anything inspires you.  Disclaimer: I am...

At times, requests from international organizations, students, and writers make it feel like we're the "Google" of the commercial fishing industry! People want to know exactly who we are, where we live, and how we contribute to the industry. We get into this and a whole lot more!  In this episode, we discuss: - What exactly a POCF is, and where you'll find us. - The invisible labor of POCFs (more...

Plenty of Partners of Commercial Fishermen solo parent for days, weeks, or up to six months at a time (maybe longer, depending on the fishery), and we have several in our community who also care for aging parents. Aging happens to us all, yet caretaking kids or elder adults can be easier than you think.    I’m honored to have Dr. Melissa Batchelor on this week. She hosts the podcast This is Gettin...

The Goodbye is Chapter One of The Diary of a Partner of a Commercial Fisherman, a limited series written in honor of POCFs preparing to send or have sent off their loved ones for the season.    Through 5 stories over 9 weeks, I shared my emotional journey of long-distance dating a fisherman in Bristol Bay, Alaska, including the uncertainty, frustration, & joys of a season apart. Inspired by Di...

It is a controversial topic among the commercial fishing community and a popular concern among Partners of Commercial Fishermen during this time of year: how would you feel if your partner worked with a female deckhand or captain? PSA: Our community is VERY supportive of female fishermen – some women in our community are also fishermen! However, when it comes to a loved one sharing close quarters...

Sneak Peek of Chapter 2 of the *brand new* eBook!  Partners of Commercial Fishermen Survival Guide 101: How To Go From WTF? To F*ck Yeah! Valuable Tips and Advice for Navigating a Relationship with a Fisherman & Yourself - This is the book I wish existed when I began dating my fisherman!   In this episode, I share a letter from a POCF who is brand new to dating a commercial fisherman and is st...

I’m thrilled to share that our eBook is out now, and I’m reading a chapter to give you a taste of what to expect! Partners of Commercial Fishermen Survival Guide: How to Go from What the F*ck? to F*ck Yeah! Valuable Tips and Advice on how to navigate a Relationship with a Fisherman & Yourself I’ve wanted to write this book for a while, and I’m so happy it’s finally out in the world. It’s downl...

Having a loving relationship AND solo time during a fishing season is an incredible gift many relationships never experience. Though missing your partner and worrying for their safety are inevitable feelings when your partner is at sea, there is also a freakin’ awesome side to having more time for yourself, like focusing on your wants and needs. Cultivating a strong, independent life and learning...

A question many POCFs ask themselves when beginning to date a fisherman - Can I Handle It? In this episode, I reveal a heartfelt and relatable letter from a Partner of a Commercial Fisherman wondering if this lifestyle is for her. I also give advice on how I've worked through similar feelings and ways we can connect to uplift each other through the on and off-seasons. Let's Dive In!   Show Resourc...

Child-Free Experience: How I Came to the Decision Not to Have Kids We’re talking about the choice not to have children and what that experience has been like as a 42-year-old Partner of a Commercial Fisherman. In this episode, I touch on: Interviews with 10 women, ranging from 19 to late sixties, on why they do or do not have kids Deciding factors as a Partner of a Commercial Fisherman The stigmas...

Happy one-year anniversary of the POCF Podcast! I can’t believe a year has passed, and it’s been really special. I’ve loved being able to take the love and goodness I pour into the lifestyle blog and turn it into another way to connect with you!  Since launching the podcast in May of 2023, we’ve met other POCFs and have gotten inspired by their experiences in this lifestyle, we’ve covered importan...

In this episode, I share the "Aha" moment I had after recording the previous episode (Part 1). After weeks of feeling kinda low about the fast-approaching fishing season in Bristol Bay, AK, I discovered the one "remedy" that helped me get out of the funk and back into enjoying day-to-day life with my fisherman again. I hope this helps if you're feeling this way, too! Let's normalize having BIG fee...

Let's normalize having BIG feelings at any stage of the POCF game! In this episode, I give a real-time, first-hand account of how I'm currently working through the feelings of longing/sadness for a fast-approaching season. The other morning over coffee, Chris said to himself, “I’m going back to Alaska this summer to run another boat.” As much as I love time to myself, the thought of another goodby...

What I want most is for Partners of Commercial Fishermen to thrive in this unique lifestyle, and living without pain is definitely a huge part of that. That's why I'm happy to introduce you to my personal Physical Therapist, Dr. Colleen Rollo of Paradigm Performance Therapy.  I started going to Dr. Colleen in 2022 when I was experiencing symptoms related to carpal tunnel from repetitive movements...

Adra Kusnirova is a former partner of a commercial fishing processor and part owner of a direct marketing family seafood business called Alaska Fresh. In this episode, we go deeper than just talking about business. We discuss long-distance dating and the challenges of living in remote Alaska with her partner, the isolation and depression she experienced during the rainy summers, and how she used a...

POCF Danielle Hall is the Digital Producer for the Ocean Portal for the Smithsonian Institution and runs the Smithsonian National Museum's ocean education website. Danielle was featured on the POCF blog in 2021 when she first moved in with her fisherman on a small Island in Maine. At the time, she had no real background in commercial fishing, and acclimating to a very small fishing community was a...

On today’s episode, POCF, Singer/Songwriter, & Restauranteur Sara Bug comes to us from Nashville, Tennessee.  If you’re curious about the singer-songwriter's creative process, love live music, or want to learn a little about running a family seafood restaurant, this episode is for you.  Inside the episode, Sara shares: how she and her family started a restaurant selling Gulf Coast seafood How...

Today, I read my essay on being a Military Brat, one of the main inspirations for starting the Partners of Commercial Fishermen community. I want to give partners the same recognition, empowerment, and support that military spouses receive because we deserve it. I've been a professional writer and journalist for over 11 years, and the discipline of writing has saved me more than I can express. Thi...

Did you know there are free and discounted safety programs for commercial fishermen on every coast? It's true!  POCF Ashley Green is the Training Coordinator for AMSEA, Alaska Marine Safety Education Association in Sitka, Alaska. In this episode, we discuss Ashley's background in education, her relationship with her fisherman, Tyler, her experience as a partner of a commercial fisherman, including...

I was super impressed by Cody even before our interview. After searching his Instagram account  @easytigerfishing , I was blown away by not only his passion for this career, but also how he handles comments from those who may have a negative attitude towards fishermen. I definitely took notes!  In this episode, we learn: Cody's beginnings in commercial fishing, how he balances school and fishing,...

What feeling do you get when you hear the word, "Health Insurance?" For some of us, it's positive. For others, it feels like an overwhelming task. In this episode, I speak with our personal health insurance agent, Andy Hester of Insurance Solutions NC, to answer and all questions regarding plans and how to make them work for us as commercial fishing families! Andy explains the basics of health ins...

Maternal Mental Health Specialist Kate Kripke was our very first episode on the podcast, so this is a beautiful full-circle moment to have you on at the beginning of 2024! In this episode, we learn about Kate's "3 C's:" Curiousity Compassion Choice And how to apply them to our partnerships, parenting, and ourselves. You'll enjoy this one as I get vulnerable as Kate walks me through moments of what...

Donna's book, DEATH IN DUTCH HARBOR, is a "whodunnit" crime mystery now available on Amazon. In this episode, we talk about the writing process, her time as a journalist turned commercial fisherman in Alaska, surviving a sinking vessel (really!), and tips for POCFs that she found helpful during her husband's career as a fisherman. She also gives insights into how they made this lifestyle work thro...