Wards Way Podcast

Sunshine sells the dream, but the truth is in the dock lines. We sit down at the Miami International Boat Show with Erick Martinez, founder of LocMarine, to reveal how a smart, simple monitoring system turns boat ownership from anxious guesswork into calm, data-backed confidence. If you’ve ever shown up to a dead battery, a tripped shore power breaker, or a soggy fridge, this conversation shows ex...

Step onto the docks of the Miami International Boat Show and into the story of how Miami’s shimmering lifestyle is powered by the people who keep its engines turning. We sit down with Reuben Rhodes, president and owner of Reliable Marine, to trace his journey from a family freight business to leading the nation in Suzuki outboard sales—proof that a sharp eye for customer pain points and an obsessi...

Salt air and startup grit meet on the mouth of the Miami River, where a small outboard shop in 1926 became a century-long marine legacy. We sit down with fourth-generation leader Krissy Hewes Wiborg to trace the family’s journey from boat racing roots to game-changing flats boat innovation, revealing how a community of anglers and makers turned feedback into breakthroughs that shaped modern inshor...

Miami’s glow comes from more than sun and skyline—it comes from the ocean that shapes daily life here. We sit with Captain Manuel, founder of Universo Marino, to unpack how a bilingual magazine, radio, and TV effort turns casual anglers and new boat owners into thoughtful stewards. The conversation moves fast from shark myths to safety basics, weaving in stories that show how small choices change...

Time moves differently on the docks. At the Miami International Boat Show, we sat with Livio Helfer—founder and CEO of Helfer Watches Geneva—to unpack how a boutique Swiss brand became the show’s official timekeeper and why human connection still beats hype. From designing a turbine-inspired piece for Pope Francis to building 500m-capable dive watches that actually belong on the water, Livio shows...

Sunlight on the bay, a crowd at the dock, and a legacy brand acting like a startup—our sit-down with Zodiac Nautic's CEO at the Miami International Boat Show is a story about getting faster, smarter, and more human. Florent Battistella brings candor and spark as he maps out how a 130-year-old company keeps its edge: design for real life, iterate quickly, and let customers shape the details th...

Sunlight and saltwater sell the dream, but the real magic of boating often rides on two axles and a set of hubs. We sit down at the Miami International Boat Show with Javier Picon, founder of AAA Marine Trailers, to uncover how quiet engineering choices and real customer service can turn ramp chaos into road confidence. From the early days in marine electronics to launching a trailer brand in 2019...

Step onto the docks and into the control room of the Discover Boating Miami International Boat Show, where a three-venue campus, floating infrastructure, and a relentless team transform Miami into a global stage. We sit down with Larry Berryman, VP at Informa, to reveal how the Yacht Collection returned to Collins Avenue for the first time since 2018 without closing a single lane—and why that deci...

Sun, salt air, and a city that moves fast—Miami rewards people who show up ready. We sit down with Damiani’s creative director, Daniella Estrella, to trace how true Italian tailoring helps women lead with confidence, especially in a climate where breathable fabrics and sharp construction matter more than logos. From boardrooms to boat show mixers, Daniella explains why quality materials and the ri...

Sunlight, seawater, and a city that never stands still set the stage for a candid conversation with Dr. Humberto Hernandez, a Miami pulmonologist whose career runs from Spain to South Florida—and straight through the heart of a pandemic. We talk about what it means to keep the doors open when fear is high, why small tools like pulse oximeters can change outcomes, and how clear thresholds and anti-...

Miami’s shimmer looks effortless from the outside—yachts sliding past the skyline, crisp tailoring on a warm breeze, Coconut Grove buzzing with new money—but the real story lives behind the scenes. We sit down with master clothier Carmine Camera of Damiani and Tony Argiz of BDO to unpack the craft, capital, and community that power South Florida’s signature lifestyle. From how true hospitality bec...

The water may sparkle in Miami, but the real power comes from people, products, and policy working in sync. From the first minutes on the dock, we dive into how the National Marine Manufacturers Association fuels access, innovation, and the year’s biggest reveals at the Miami International Boat Show. With NMMA’s Chief Administrative Officer, Robert Newsome, we explore the engines behind the lifest...

Sun on your face, salt in the air, and a city moving at the speed of sport—Miami’s transformation is no headline stunt. Wards Marine Electric's general manager, Luis Lopez, sits down with Cuban journalist and author Omar Claro to trace how the Magic City evolved from a vacation stereotype to a global capital where soccer, Formula 1, boating, and bold style power real economic momentum. We div...

Miami’s shimmer is famous, but the real story lives below the surface: the people and standards that make boating safe, reliable, and thrilling without crossing the line into risk. From the floor of the Miami International Boat Show, we sit down with Brunswick’s Dave Marlow and ABYC’s Pete Chisholm to reveal how voluntary marine standards quietly shape every ride, repair, and upgrade on the water....

Step behind Miami’s glossy waters and meet the engine room that keeps it moving. From the dock at the Miami International Boat Show, we sit with Chuck Cashman, SVP of Global Yacht Sales at MarineMax, to map how a “boat dealer” grew into a full-stack marine partner: retail, deep service, marina ownership through IGY, finance, technology, charter, and superyacht management. If you’ve ever wondered h...

Step inside South Miami’s Damiani, where tailored craftsmanship meets the hum of a city built by water, and discover how industry—not just imagery—powers Miami’s lifestyle. We sit down with founder Carmine and veteran attorney Robert Burlington to trace the city’s growth from a boutique showroom floor to the docks, law offices, and construction cranes shaping the skyline. What emerges is a candid,...

In Season 5, Episode 10, Kristina Hebert explores Christine Battles’ journey of evolving her public relations expertise into a dedicated initiative to develop a sustainable marine workforce pipeline. The episode highlights Battles' efforts in establishing Junior Achievement's maritime storefront, along with her success in scaling pre-apprenticeship programs that facilitate job placements...

Host Kristina Hebert sits dockside at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show with Hooker Pumps founder Trista Evans to explore how a patented, serviceable livewell system changed uptime, service, and safety across boating. The conversation widens to boat show business, tech integration, rescue use cases, and a surprising move into agriculture. • Family legacy and industry resilience across ma...

A family legacy meets a builder's journey from a Guatemala lodge to a modern custom brand shaped by a "game boat ethos." Host Kristina Hebert and Release Boatworks' founder, Jim Turner, unpack how simplicity, safety, and innovative tech design keep crews fishing longer, plus what's next for Release and Game Fisherman. • Defining a game boat as a purpose-built, easy-mainten...

In Season 5, Episode 7, host Kristina Hebert engages in a detailed discussion with Corey Ranslem, president and CEO of Dryad Global. They delve into the critical intersections of maritime intelligence and cybersecurity, exploring how these sectors contribute to the safety of maritime operations. The conversation highlights how effective advocacy can transform intricate regulatory frameworks into a...

In Season 5 Episode 7, Kristina Hebert engages in a comprehensive discussion with Jessima Timberlake, Co Client Relationship Manager at Amico, along with Arielle Knuttel and George Llop from Llop and Knuttel. They delve into the intricate details of superyacht refits, exploring the dynamics of a family-run business culture and emphasizing how maintaining transparency is crucial for owner satisfact...

Host Kristina Hebert sits down with Winterfest CEO Lisa Scott-Founds to explore how a handful of decorated boats became Florida’s biggest one-day spectacle, fueling $51 million in impact and year-round community programs. From safety logistics to kid-led art to televised reach, the parade proves how a city builds pride on water. • Origin in 1966, incorporation in 1988, growth to one million specta...

Host Kristina Hebert sits with Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show to trace how bipartisan action protected marine workers, saved children’s lives in pools, and set a balanced path for Port Everglades and coral restoration. The throughline is grit, data, and partnerships that turn research into real-world impact. • Workers’ comp inequities in marin...

Season 5, Episode 3 was recorded live at the 2025 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show. Host Kristina Hebert engages with industry leaders, including Nick Siler, the new President and CEO of Burger Boat Company; Richard Thompson, the Chief Sales and Marketing Director; and Gabe Boughner, Engineering Manager at Wards Marine Electric. This episode explores the strategic initiatives of a 162-year-...

Season 5, Episode 2 is filmed at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show to explore how education, funding, and policy can foster careers and revitalize U.S. chartering. Captain Sandy joins us to map a 12-year plan that links a free school curriculum, a specialty license plate, and pragmatic crewing reform. • Mission of Captain Sandy’s Charities and why early education matters • Free Florida D...