Jim Ritterhoff: Force Blue Executive Director
Podcast Episode #53
Jim is the Executive Director of Force Blue, a non-profit organization uniting special operations veterans with the world of ocean conservation through mission therapy. Learn more about how Jim and his co-founders are putting the skills of these combat veterans to use, not only helping rebuild coral reefs, but rebuilding the confidence of our veterans. In a world where every topic seems bi-partisan, Force Blue is bringing communities on opposite sides of the spectrum together in extremely powerful and positive ways… all for the good of the planet.
Follow Force Blue on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Visit their website forceblueteam.org to learn more and watch their powerful video trailer.
Michael Doshi: The Gnarly Beach Cleaner
Podcast Episode #52
Doshi is THE Gnarly Beach Cleaner, using Instagram and public engagement to spread awareness about ocean plastic pollution in super funny and positive ways. In this episode we talk about the origins of GnarlyBeachCleaner, the ridiculously hilarious videos he makes, Dr. Dude and Gnar Gnar, the #makeitfunmovement, the South Pacific plastic gyre, and Doshi’s role in educating the public about this issue he’s so passionate about. Prepare to laugh and be inspired!
Follow him on Instagram @gnarlybeachcleaner, check out his Vimeo channel, and watch his hilarious video compilation.
Dr. Iliana Baums: Coral scientist studying the shallows and the deep sea
Podcast Episode #51
Iliana is an associate professor at Pennsylvania State University studying the evolution and ecology of corals – both in the shallow waters as well as in the deep sea. In this episode we discuss our recent ECOGIG expedition studying the continued impacts of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill on deep sea corals and their surrounding ecosystems, what motivates Iliana to study corals, and the importance and excitement of exploring the deep sea.
Learn more about this research by visiting ecogig.org as well as Iliana’s lab website. You can also follow her on Twitter @TheBaumsLab.
Ocean Allison: 50th Podcast Episode!
Podcast Episode #50
In celebrating my 50th Ocean Allison Podcast episode I decided to give listeners a bit more info about my background, my story, why I started the podcast, why I continue to produce the podcast, and also answer the most common question I receive from listeners: how can I get involved in ocean conservation? A big thank you to all my listeners, all of my inspiring guests, and everyone that’s contributed to my funding platform at patreon.com/oceanallison to help keep the podcast episodes coming. Onward and upward for Ocean Allison Podcast!
If you aren’t already, follow me @ocean_allison on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Beth Brady: Marine Biologist Studying Manatee Acoustics
Podcast Episode #49
Beth is a Marine Biologist in South Florida conducting cutting edge research on manatee acoustics. She’s working to understand what exactly are manatees saying? In this episode, we discuss how Beth records the noises these manatees make, why this research is so important, and the current state of manatee populations in Florida. Plus you’ll get to hear two great audio clips of manatee sounds from below the surface! Photo credit: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
To learn more about Beth’s research watch “Sounds of the Manatee”, a film by Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.
