This Ocean Life Podcast

Stoked Grom Stories: Bella and Leila -- surfing, diving, fun in the Outer Banks

** Stoked Grom Stories #9 **
 
Born and raised in the legendary Outer Banks of North Carolina, two great friends, Bella and Leila, share their stories with us today. As young women of the water, Bella and Leila, take us through their local surf scene describing the waves, the community, and the quiver of boards they ride. Bella and Leila share perspective on charging hurricane swells, travel, and representing the next generation of water woman in their area. With their well rounded skills in the ocean, the girls also talk story of freediving local shipwrecks, paddling, teaching surf lessons, and much more. Tons of fun stuff with these two stoked groms today —I hope you enjoy.
 
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Today's sponsors: LiveCrepic.com -- use the coupon code Ocean20 to get 20% off any purchase of their rad hats, shirts, and more. Mile22.com -- grab a pair of Monster Straps for 20% off when you enter the coupon code TOL15.
 
Check out the This Ocean Life blog now available and sign-up for the bi-weekly newsletter to stay informed on all the latest podcast episodes, articles, news, and more.
 
 

Dr Gregory Stone -- ocean scientist and conservationist, making cleaner energy from the ocean a reality

** Interview episode 123 **
Today, we have Dr Gregory Stone. Career oceanographer, conservationist, author of books, and overall expert on the ocean. Dr Stone takes us through his transition from ocean researcher to ocean protector touching on the many roles he’s held within his career culminating into today with Deep Green. We learn about polymetallic nodules and the massive potential these undersea rock formations provide for the key materials of cobalt, manganese, nickel and more that we use to create our electric vehicle batteries. Dr Stone takes us through Deep Green’s mission to extract these nodules from the deep sea as a sustainable and eco-conscious alternative to today’s destructive land-based mining practices. Along the way Dr Stone shares his passion for all things ocean — mammals, sharks, marine reserves and shares his perspective on developing socially responsible and economically viable business models that help protect our natural world. With the continued rise of electric vehicles, which my family has 2 ourselves, today’s conversation with Dr Stone is fun, inspirational, and educational. You can learn more online by going to Deep.Green and finding Dr Greg Stone’s page on Wikipedia. 
 
I hope you are well and getting in, on, or under the water, maybe not 6,000 meters deep like Dr Stone here, but getting wet nonetheless — thanks for being here with me and Dr Gregory Stone.
 
Today's sponsors:
LiveCrepic.com -- use the coupon code Ocean20 to get 20% off any purchase of their rad hats, shirts, and more.
Mile22.com -- grab a pair of Monster Straps for 20% off when you enter the coupon code TOL15.
 
Check out the This Ocean Life blog now available and sign-up for the bi-weekly newsletter to stay informed on all the latest podcast episodes, articles, news, and more.

Eric Anderson -- from US Marine to Northern California freediver and spearo

** Interview episode 122 **
 
Today we talk with Eric Anderson who checked out of the military life and into an ocean life here in the waters of Northern California. Eric takes us through his time deployed around the world as a United States Marine to finding his true calling underwater through his wife and family. With a commendable obsession for freediving and spearfishing, Eric takes us through diving California’s Channel Islands, white sharks, to days hunting abalone and pursuing fish of all shapes and sizes along the very epic Big Sur coast. Throughout, Eric provides a great perspective on conservation, limiting your take from the ocean, and dedication to introducing the next generation to the ocean and his own kids find that connection that we all feel. Our conversation begins around one random day where we met each other at a top secret dive spot.
If you like what you hear on the podcast today, I appreciate you following This Ocean Life on your podcast app and/or sharing with a friend. Hope everyone is well and safe. You can find more fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate 
 
Day to day in the ocean we all have sometimes crazy experiences, sometimes epic experiences, and sometimes a mix of both. That’s why two young brothers started ‘Crepic’ an ocean lifestyle apparel company that purpose-built to encourage each of us to get in the water and live a crazy and epic lives in our own way. I’m stoked for them to be a sponsor of the podcast — check them out at LiveCrepic.com and use the coupon code Ocean20 to get 20% off any purchase of their rad hats, shirts, and more.
 
Let me ask you - do you love your surfboard and paddlebord straps? I’m not afraid to admit that I do — the Monster Straps from my good friends at Mile 22 are so strong, so long, and so easy to use it’s insane. I’ve had 4 pairs for years now and never go on a surf, dive, or paddle trip without them. Go to Mile22.com to learn more and grab a pair of Monster Straps for 15% off when you enter the coupon code TOL15.
 

Madison Stewart -- life dedicated to saving sharks, helping fishermen convert to ecotourism

**Interview episode 121**
Madison Stewart has been focused on sharks since she was 7 years old. Growing up on the Gold Coast she was attached to the ocean at an early age, scuba diving and traveling the world as a teen ager, spending countless hours in the water with sharks of all kinds.
Today we hear of Madi’s commitment to helping protect sharks in Indonesia by working with local shark fishermen to convert their boats and livelihoods into ecotourism. Her story of gaining trust from a fishing village, bringing them a new, sustainable business, and helping locals develop their own sustainable model is really amazing. The horrors of shark fishing are real and present in Madi’s story in Indonesia and back home where she helped document the 80 year shark culling program ran by the Australian government, now being brought to the public with a new movie, Envoy: Cull (you can hear from both the director and Madi in episode 118 to learn more).
Madi balances the reality of shark fishing with her own unique style and feminine strength in the ocean, which you can see more of on her website www.projecthiu.com and Instagram. For now, sit back and enjoy the stories of this dynamic, young woman making a difference in our natural world.
If you like what you hear on the podcast today, I appreciate you following This Ocean Life on your podcast app and/or sharing with a friend. Hope everyone is well and safe. You can find more fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  
 

Neil Pearlberg -- Off The Lip Radio Show, chronicling Santa Cruz surfing

** Interview episode 120 **
Neil Pearlberg surfs, SUPs, writes and talks on all things skate and surf. As co-host of Off The Lip Radio Show Neil has been documenting the colorful surfing and skateboard lifestyle of Santa Cruz for over a decade. With over 375 episodes, Off The Lip Radio show shares the stories and perspectives from famous big wave chargers, local shapers, musicians, technologists, and much more. Today, Neil takes us through his days writing for the local newspaper, starting Off The Lip Radio, and being an early adopter of stand up paddle boarding in Santa Cruz. We hear his perspective on the evolution of santa cruz surfing over the last decade, sharing thoughts on the hot bed of talent and crazy characters that Santa Cruz waters have produced. Neil pulls no punches and tells it like it is —I hope you enjoy.
 
Find more about Off The Lip Radio Show and give a listen -- visit https://offthelipradio.com/podcast or find it on all the major podcast platforms. If you like what you hear, I appreciate you following This Ocean Life on your podcast app and/or sharing with a friend. Hope everyone is well and safe. You can find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  
 
 

Kara Muzia -- So You Want to Be a Marine Biologist podcast, sea turtles of South Florida

** Episode 119 **
In the waters of South Florida, marine biologist and podcaster Kara Muzia splits her time between working to protect sea turtles and sharing stories from other marine biologists. With a strong dedication to helping the next generation understand the wide variety of paths to becoming a marine biologist and the realities of the profession, Kara hosts ’So You Want to Be A Marine Biologist Podcast’ that provides unique perspectives and stories from others in her profession. Throughout her own career in Marine Biology, Kara has worked across different disciplines and now today focuses on sea turtle research and conservation. On the topic of sensitivity to human impact on beaches by nesting turtles, Kara shares an interesting perspective on what the COVID-19 lockdown has done for sea turtles through less disturbed beaches near her in South Florida. Now Kara rounds out her ocean life with strong dedication to exposing her young family to the water and providing guided nature tours by paddle board around her area. 
 
Learn more about Kara and her podcast on her website, Instagram, and Facebook.
 
I hope you get inspired today by Kara like I did. If you like what you hear, I appreciate you following This Ocean Life on your podcast app and/or sharing with a friend. Hope everyone is well and safe. You can find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  

Stoked Grom Stories: Max Hart -- shredding guitar and waves, spearfishing, fishing

** Stoked Grom Stories #8 **
Max Hart is a 12-year old legend-in-the-making from Sydney's Gold Coast. With a well rounded set of skills and knowledge in the ocean that includes fishing, surfing, and spearfishing Max is constantly busy enjoying life in the water with friends and family. Competing in state championship paddle races and surf competitions, Max is no stranger to pressure. Playing a leading role in the School of Rock Musical in both South Korea and Australia, totaling over 130 performances, Max rips on the guitar and continues to add this gift to his already impressive set of skills in the water. Max shares the ins and outs of his favorite surf breaks, like Byron Bay and Snapper Rock, talks about his favorite dive spots, and masterfully handles the dreaded lightening round of questions.
I hope you get inspired today by this stoked grom like I did. If you like what you hear, I appreciate you following This Ocean Life on your podcast app and/or sharing with a friend. Hope everyone is well and safe. You can find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate  

Envoy:Cull -- documentary film on Australia and 83 years of shark killing

** Interview Episode 118 **
 
For over 80 years the Australian Government has supported the killing of sharks along popular Queensland and New South Wales beaches through nets and baited hooks under the guise of public safety. Today we hear the truth behind this senseless ‘culling’ of sharks that not only kills other animals, such as whales, dolphins, and rays, but also has zero proof of positive impact on human safety in the water. Today Andre Borrell, director and producer, with Madison Stewart, shark conservationist and co-star, take us through the history and horrors of the Australian shark culling program and how they have came together with many others to create this amazing movie, Envoy:Cull, that has the sole purpose of ending this 83-year government program. In this we have epic stories of bravery and passion for the ocean, with tales of following an undeniable calling in life that some, like Andre and Madi, are fortunate to realize.
Remember the old saying, ‘If you’re not mad, you’re not paying attention’? Well sometimes there is so little information availabel on a tragic activity, like shark culling, that there’s almost nothing to pay attention to. That’s exactly why Envoy, is so important — the film is bringing awareness to all of us around the world about shark culling in Australia and is exactly that ‘thing' that we can pay attention to. So now that we know, how about we do something? Dive deeper at envoyfilm.com.au and share the Envoy trailer on Facebook — @envoyfilmau. With more people paying attention, more people will be mad, and more people will be willing to do something to make change happen to save sharks. Let’s all be part of that together.
 
You can also find fun stuff on the ThisOceanLife.TV website, Instagram, and Facebook, and Twitter. Host: Josh Pederson, @surfpaddletailgate