Women Offshore Podcast

In this Women Offshore podcast episode, join Ally Cedeno in an insightful conversation with our Marketing Manager, Kristy. Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the dynamic world of Women Offshore as Kristy unveils the intricacies of her pivotal role. From the meticulous planning of our weekly features to overcoming hurdles in the digital realm, Kristy shares the passion and dedication that g...

Dive deep into the future with our latest Women Offshore podcast episode!   Last week, Christine and Ally explored the horizons of our Career Development Program in 2024. This week, Christine is back, riding the waves of anticipation as she unveils the incredible journeys Women Offshore is set to embark on in the coming year. From the highly-anticipated 2024 Benefit Gala—nearly sold out—to the upc...

 Gain insights into the exciting initiatives Women Offshore has in store for 2024 with our latest podcast episode featuring Christine and Ally!  Dive into the future of career development for women in the maritime industry as they unveil a roadmap for empowering women+ through our innovative Career Development Program and more. From navigating the complexities of the job market to securing coveted...

Today, we conclude our series on "Bad Bosses," featuring insights from Erica D'Eramo of Two Piers Consulting. In this episode, Ally and Erica delve into the topic of recognizing when you, as an individual, may exhibit traits of a bad boss. Whether you're a cadet or a team leader, continuous learning and self-reflection are essential components of personal and professional growt...

Welcome back to our Bad Bosses mini-series on the Women Offshore Podcast. From the historical figure of Captain Bligh, known for his tyrannical leadership aboard the HMS Bounty, to more contemporary tales shared by members of our own community, we're exploring the multifaceted nature of challenging leadership in the maritime industry.  The following story was anonymously submitted to the Wome...

Today on the podcast, Ally is talking about bad bosses. A bad boss can turn a smooth sailing career into a journey through stormy seas of conflict. Let's be honest: it's nearly impossible to go through your career without crossing paths with at least one difficult leader, and sometimes, you might even unknowingly become that challenging boss. Leadership is a complex and nuanced skill, an...

In today's podcast, we discuss the Women Offshore Foundation's overarching goal and impact. The Women Offshore Foundation is dedicated to empowering women+ in the maritime industry by connecting women working on the water to a global community, providing professional development tools, and addressing unique challenges. Our Career Development Program, led by coordinator Christine, expande...

As Thanksgiving approaches, we're exploring the power of gratitude in leadership. In this episode, we'll also delve into the inspiring story of Ernest Shackleton, a remarkable example of leadership in extreme circumstances. Gratitude is more than just saying 'thank you.' Gratitude is a positive emotion that arises when we acknowledge the value of something or someone. Did you k...

In today's podcast, we have a special treat for you. We want to share with you an inspiring panel that was from our 2023 Women Offshore Conference this year. Bound by Experience: Navigating Careers Through Lifelong Connection with Admiral Mark Buzby and Maddie Thibeault Madeline Thibeault has a successful maritime career with experience at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, G & H...

In today’s episode, we talk with Captain Jeanne Ferrer, a lifelong native of St. Bernard Parish, who graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 2006, as a Logistics and Intermodal Transportation major. She is also the recipient of the Women Offshore’s Wavemaker Award for 2022 and an active mentor within the maritime and seagoing military communities. She enjoys coordinating mariti...

In today's episode, with today being Halloween Ally Cedeno wanted to share some interesting stories about the dark side of mermaids. In this gripping second part, she will venture into the shadowy realms of mermaid lore, shedding light on the dark and mysterious aspects of these mythical creatures. Prepare to be captivated as we share stories from around the world that reveal the chilling and...

In today's episode, Ally Cedeno is speaking about mermaids and dives into the rich history surrounding these mythical creatures. Join us for part 1 of this special podcast on a journey through time as we unravel the mystery and allure of mermaids. She delves deep into the enchanting world of mermaids, uncovering the reasons why they have fascinated human imagination for centuries. We'll...

In today's episode, Ally spoke with Brooke Baldassari who is a Senior Products Scheduler at bp. She is a graduate of the US Merchant Marine Academy where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Science, Logistics and Intermodal Transportation. She has worked as a Ship Operator and West Coast Scheduler for BP. Before moving shoreside to work for bp, Brooke worked offshore for 3 years. Her offshore e...

In today's episode, we talk with Captain Jeanne Ferrer, a lifelong native of St. Bernard Parish, who graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 2006, as a Logistics and Intermodal Transportation major. She is also the recipient of last year's Women Offshore’s Wavemaker of the Year Award for 2022 and an active mentor within the maritime and seagoing military communities....

In today's episode, Christine speaks with Bridget Truxilo, who has firsthand experience with harassment, discrimination, retaliation, and a hostile work environment.  As the only female on the SWAT team, along with her time on patrol and as an undercover narcotics investigator, she knows what it feels like to have no one to trust and to feel defeated at every turn. This is why Bridget started...

In today’s episode, join Ally Cedeno as she dives into the exciting preview of the Women Offshore Conference 2023 'A World of Opportunity' at Texas A&M in Galveston. Attendees are promised two invigorating days of motivation, insights, and priceless networking. Day 1 Captain Sherri Hickman of Houston Pilots is our trailblazing opening keynote speaker. She's a stalwart in the mar...

We've all seen it - a critical board meeting, brainstorming sessions, even casual team chats. A woman is making her point, laying down insights, or suggesting strategies, and suddenly, she's interrupted, cut off, or talked over, often by a male colleague. This isn't just about breaking the conversational flow; it's about undermining authority, credibility, and voice. We've...

In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Mandy Maude Culbreath who is an Emergency Room Social Worker within a large Louisiana non-profit, academic hospital system. Mandy evaluates patients’ initial emergencies and implements a plan of care with the medical team to resolve psychosocial problems. She acts as a patient advocate and resource person to staff and the community on social work...

In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Jenny Johnson, Founder and CEO of Maritime Inclusion Partners, about the presentation she gave on "Balancing Gender Bias within the Promotion Process in the Offshore Environment" at the Women Offshore Inclusion Summit. They discuss the key takeaways from not only her presentation but from all the speakers. Whether you got a chance to at...

In today's episode, Ally speaks with Sarah Hirsch, the newly appointed Head of Customer Success at MM-SEAS, the go-to provider for the Coast Guard licensing software. From sailing roots to becoming a Captain, she shares her sea stories and how she is trying to make the industry more inclusive. You don't want to miss this great story! About the MM-SEAS Software: MM-SEAS ( www.mmseas.com )...

In today’s episode, Christine speaks about finding her voice while experiencing non-consent when she was younger. She shares how important it is to find your voice and how you can achieve this. Unfortunately for most women+ working offshore some sort of unwanted sexual harassment or assault has happened to us. Finding our voice is incredibly important.  This can be a very triggering topic for some...

With the Inclusion Summit  1 week away, we wanted to give you a sneak peek of our Inclusion Summit. Inclusion refers to the practice of creating an environment where all individuals, regardless of their background, identity, abilities, or characteristics, are treated with fairness, respect, and dignity. It involves actively involving and valuing every person as an essential and contributing member...

In today's episode, Christine speaks with Nellie Tormala as she shares her story of how she found her authentic self. Nellie shares how she first came to the sea to isolate and run from her true identity as a woman.  She shares about her transgender journey and how it led to working offshore.  Join us as we listen to this enlightening conversation as you listen to Nellie's challenges and...

In today's episode, Christine speaks with Philip C. Schifflin and Christine Brunson from the Seamen's Church Institute about what they do and resilience. They discuss how they help during devastating times and when mariners need support. They highlight that resilience is BENDING not BRAKING and how to build resilience. They explore how to find the coping mechanisms for yourself and reali...

We asked YOU what questions you are too embarrassed or afraid to ask offshore. In today's episode, our Director of Career Support Programs, Christine MacMillan, and Women Offshore Ambassador Max Kantor review our questions and share their answers and experiences. They cover topics from menstrual cycles to career transitions to sexual harassment.  If you are a women+ mariner, this is a great p...