Women Offshore Podcast

Join Christine MacMillan as she chats with Jessica Hewitt, a 2nd mate with Hornbeck currently in Port Angeles. Jessica shares her journey, from using her Chief Mate title on this trip to surviving a hurricane, a moose car crash, and overcoming learning disabilities. She discusses the events that shaped her and her leadership approach, offering valuable advice. Jessica's simple three-word mant...

In this episode of the Women Offshore Podcast, Christine chats with Madeleine Wolczko, a US Merchant Mariner Chief Mate and YouTube content creator. Madeleine reflects on her challenging experience of being stranded in a Shanghai shipyard during the pandemic, sharing how she navigated the uncertainty and emerged stronger. She discusses her personal definition of work/life balance, goal setting, an...

In this heartfelt and insightful episode of the Women Offshore podcast, Christine dives deep into the art of asking the right questions at the right time, depending on your familiarity with someone and the stage of your relationship. Christine explains the 4 types of questions that can enhance your connection, foster trust, and drive meaningful conversations. Whether you’re just starting a mentori...

In this episode of the Women Offshore Podcast, Christine sits down with Beth Stowell, the Director of Marine Operations at Washington State Ferry System (WSF) – the largest ferry system in the US. Under Beth's visionary leadership, WSF is undergoing a transformational culture change that is setting a new standard in the maritime industry. Starting her career as a deckhand in 1996, Beth's...

In this episode of the Women Offshore podcast, we dive into the transformative journey of our MentorSHIP program, designed to connect and empower women in the maritime industry. Key Highlights: Connecting through Software: Discover how our innovative software facilitates meaningful connections between mentors and mentees. We explain the seamless process that brings together experienced professiona...

In this episode, Christine reveals 7 powerful questions that have transformed her perspective on life. She explores how asking the right questions can provide a broader view of our lives and guide us toward a more fulfilling existence.  Tune in as we discuss: The lies we tell ourselves and how to break free from them. Evaluating our values and priorities through the eyes of others. Identifying and...

On today's podcast, we welcome a special guest—Women Offshore's new Executive Director, Liz Schmidt! With over 15 years of experience, Liz brings a wealth of experience both on and off the water, with a robust background in non-profits and captivating sea stories. We are thrilled to have Liz on board, driving the mission of Women Offshore forward.  At Women Offshore, Liz excels in nonpro...

Join Miriam and Christine as they dive into a comprehensive discussion about maritime unions, exploring the pros and cons of joining a union versus sailing non-union. They share insights into how unions have evolved over time and the significant impact they’ve had on improving working conditions, wages, and overall industry standards for mariners. In this episode, you'll learn: Union Benefits...

In this episode, Larkin Bohn is back! She transitioned from a gift shop job at Norwegian Cruise Lines to becoming a passionate advocate and Science Communicator in the maritime industry. Starting her seafaring career at 31, Larkin moved from selling jewelry to working as an Unlicensed Deckhand with Uncruise Adventures, driven by her love for marine conservation. Her dedication led her to create Yo...

In this episode of Women Offshore, join Chelsea Patterson, a maritime professional who advocates for mothers working at sea. Chelsea graduated from Kings Point in 2014 and has since navigated her career through roles with a private tanker company before transitioning to the Masters Mates Pilots  (MMP) in 2018. Balancing her passion for the maritime industry with motherhood, Chelsea has temporarily...

Join us as we set sail with Emma Garschagen, the inspiring founder of Sail Seabird, which offers transformative sail training voyages across Maine and Cape Cod. With over 25,000 ocean miles under her belt, Emma's maritime journey is nothing short of extraordinary. She has sailed dinghies on the Hudson River, schooners in Haiti, tall ships in New Zealand, and sloops through the North Sea. She...

We're thrilled to mark our 200th episode milestone at Women Offshore with a special discussion you won't want to miss! Join our Women Offshore team, Ally Cedeno, Cassi Laskowski, and Christine MacMillan, as they dive deep into a question that sparks curiosity and reflection: "Would you let your daughter join the maritime industry?" In this thought-provoking episode, the Women O...

Join us on today's Women Offshore podcast as we sit down with Eva Veldkamp, a seasoned maritime professional who has navigated diverse roles across the industry. Eva's career journey began aboard large container ships as a dual-licensed maritime officer, leading her to work with shipowners, managers, maritime schools, and various organizations within the maritime sector. What sets Eva ap...

Join us on this inspiring episode of Women Offshore as we sit down with Women Offshore Ambassador Cassie Mead, a maritime professional who has made a remarkable journey from a small rural community in New Zealand to a successful career at sea. Cassie discovered her passion for the maritime industry at a young age through a youth development program on a Tall ship. Despite being one of the few fema...

On today's podcast, we have the Turkey Women Offshore Ambassador, Captain Ayse Asli Basak, on the show. Ayse shares with Christine about her journey working offshore and now what her current ashore career life looks like.  Ayse Asli Basak is a seasoned maritime entrepreneur and innovator, having founded maritime start-up Shipsider to streamline commercial operations with smart, modular AI sys...

On today's podcast, we have the UK Women Offshore Ambassador Heather Ennesss on the show. Heather shares with Christine about her journey working offshore and her journey at home while raising kids.  Heather is also a proud member of the UK Careers at Sea Ambassadors program. She's on a mission to ignite young minds about the endless opportunities within the merchant navy. From visiting...

Christine has Dr. Sal Mercogliano on the podcast today. Sal is Chair of the Department of History, Criminal Justice, and Political Science at Campbell University. He is also an adjunct professor at the US Merchant Marine Academy and a former merchant mariner. He hosts the "What’s Going On With Shipping" channel on YouTube and contributes to Sea History, Naval Institute Proceedings, and G...

In today's podcast, embark on a transformative journey of leadership with today's podcast episode, where Ally introduces some incredible resources to help you navigate the waters like the book, "Sticky Note Leadership: 5 Simple Steps to DO LESS and LEAD MORE." Tune in as she candidly shares her own experience, reflecting on how she wishes she had been mentored with this invalua...

Today on the podcast, we bring you an unforgettable speech delivered by Kitara at the Women Offshore Benefit Gala. Join us as we dive into Kitara's remarkable journey—a tale of resilience, perseverance, and the unwavering spirit of a mariner. Kitara's speech is about her extraordinary journey of resilience and determination in the face of adversity. It recounts her battles with cancer, b...

Join us on today's podcast as Christine MacMillan engages in a heartfelt conversation with Vineeta Dhillon, a remarkable woman whose journey from India to the USA in 1986 is a testament to resilience and determination. Currently calling California home, Vineeta has dedicated nearly three decades of her professional life to the esteemed maritime academy, finding immense joy and purpose in her...

On today's episode, Christine gets to speak with Cassidy Patton from Ketchikan, Alaska, who grew up in a fishing community that inspired her to seek out a career at sea.  She shares all about the Alaska Marine Highway System, along with diving into her interesting story of growing up in Alaska and her experience in the maritime world.  Cassidy attended the California Maritime Academy, graduat...

Set sail with us on another captivating journey in the Women Offshore community! Today, we're thrilled to introduce Rena Navarro, a mariner whose passion for the sea knows no bounds. Join us as Rena, a USCG Certified Instructor, Captain, and Old Boat Enthusiast, takes the helm and shares her inspiring story. Hailing from Superior, Wisconsin, Rena's path to maritime mastery is as riveting...

Dive into an inspiring tale of resilience and determination with today's episode of the Women Offshore podcast! President Ally Cedeno takes us behind the scenes, revealing the untold challenges she encountered while laying the foundation of this remarkable organization. You might be familiar with Women Offshore's impactful work today, but what lies beneath the surface are the hurdles All...

In the latest Women Offshore podcast episode, Christine dives into a captivating conversation with Traci Langford, a powerhouse from the leading Louisiana apparel company, LAPCO.  Discover the story behind LAPCO's fire-resistant apparel line and hear Traci's firsthand experience working for a company that prioritizes women's safety and comfort. Join us as Traci shares insights into...

Dive into the latest Women Offshore podcast episode as our remarkable Women Offshore Ambassador, Max Kantor, returns for an engaging chat with Christine about navigating change and personal growth in the new year. Max and Christine not only share invaluable advice on moving forward but also open up about their personal interests and the delightful ways they find joy outside of work. It's a ca...