21st Century Mermaids

In this Season 2 finale, Danni Washington is joined by Madeline St. Clair. Mads is a marine biologist, filmmaker, and Managing Director of Women in Ocean Science.

 

Mads and Danni dive deep on a variety of issues and topics ranging from Mad's experience studying tropical marine biology at the University of Essex, her research work in the Indo-Pacific, ocean noise pollution and quiet zones, and the struggle of finding resources in an underfunded industry. Mads and Danni speak in depth about helping women overcome obstacles in the marine science ecosystem. This discussion includes the Women in Ocean Science Sexual Harassment Survey. Please reference the following links for that part of the discussion.

 

Learn more about the Women in Ocean Science Sexual Harassment Survey discussed in this episode:

https://www.womeninoceanscience.com/sexual-harassment

 

Here is a recommended peer-reviewed article on sexual harassment during scientific fieldwork:

Clancy KBH, Nelson RG, Rutherford JN, Hinde K (2014) Survey of Academic Field Experiences (SAFE): Trainees Report Harassment and Assault. PLoS ONE 9(7): e102172. 

https://journals.plos.org/PLOSOne/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0102172

 

And a 2018 report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine: “Sexual Harassment of Women: Climate, Culture, and Consequences in Academic Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine”

https://nap.nationalacademies.org/catalog/24994/sexual-harassment-of-women-climate-culture-and-consequences-in-academic

 

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Audio Production: Vagabond Podcast Productions

Production Assistant: Carrie Wentzel

Join Danni Washington as she speaks with Minna Epps. Minna is the Director of the IUCN Global Marine and Polar Program.

 

Minna and Danni discuss her beginnings in the cold waters of the UK that inspired her to study marine biology. This led her to work with IUCN where she has worked with coastal communities to help their environmental economies protect our oceans. Topics are wide ranging from Minna's involvement in COP 27, intertidal ecology, blue carbon, and the link between trade and the environment.

 

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Audio Production: Vagabond Podcast Productions

Production Assistant: Carrie Wentzel

In this episode, Danni is joined by marine biologist, film maker, wildlife photographer, and ocean advocate Inka Cresswell. Inka is a researcher for the upcoming Netflix series "Our Oceans". She is an Ocean Ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society, as well as a host of World Ocean Day.

 

Inka and Danni dive deep on variety topics including Inka's beginnings in the cold water of England, her work with blue chip productions, merging science and creativity, conservation versus restoration, and leaning on indigenious knowledge to help us gain a better understanding of our oceans.

 

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Audio Production: Vagabond Podcast Productions

Production Assistant: Carrie Wentzel

Join Danni Washington as we take a deep dive with the shipwreck mermaid, Dr. Maddy McAllister. Maddy is the senior curator of Maritime Archaeology for the Queensland Museum Network and James Cook University in Australia. Dr. Maddy McAllister is also the recipient of the Women Divers Hall of Fame Cecelia Connelly Memorial Scholarship in Underwater Archaeology.

 

Danni and Dr. McAllister discuss a breadth of topics about maritime archaeology including the important role that shipwrecks play in wildlife habitats, technology used in modern shipwreck diving that helps us gain a better understanding of the past, and changing the narrative in a traditionally male dominated industry.

 

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Audio Production: Vagabond Podcast Productions

Production Assistant: Carrie Wentzel

In this episode, Danni Washington speaks with the Black Mermaid, Zandi Ndhlovu. Zandi is a freediver based in South Africa. She is the founder of The Black Mermaid Foundation, and she works to create opportunities for exploration of the ocean for children across South Africa.

 

Zandi and Danni dive deep on topics ranging from how conservation starts with the youth, the need for diversity and inclusion in the marine conservation space, and how storytelling through various mediums is the key to engagement and protection of our oceans.

 

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Audio Production: Vagabond Podcast Productions

Production Assistant: Carrie Wentzel

Join Danni Washington as she speaks with Angelique Pouponneau. Angelique is a Seychellois lawyer and environmentalist. She co-founded SIDS Youth Aims Hub (SYAH), a youth-led NGO that aims to reverse the effects of climate change and promote sustainable development in Seychelles. 

 

Danni and Angelique jump head first into topics including blue bonds, blue economies, Angelique's transition from commercial law to environmental law, and small island nations' impact on climate change and ocean conservation.

 

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Audio Production: Vagabond Podcast Productions

Production Assistant: Carrie Wentzel

In this episode, Danni Washington is joined by Cristina Mittermeier. Cristina is an adventurer, conservationist, writer, and photographer. In 2005, she founded the prestigious International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) to provide a platform for photographers working on environmental issues. Cristina also co-founded Sea Legacy with her partner, Paul Nicklen.

 

Conversation goes deep as Danni and Cristina speak about topics including the power of connecting the science of the sea through story-telling, starting conservation non-profits, and overcoming obstacles as a woman wildlife photographer.

 

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Audio Production: Vagabond Podcast Productions

Production Assistant: Carrie Wentzel

Join Danni Washington as she dives deep into discussion with Kristina Gjerde. Kristina is a High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program. She is also an adjunct professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, California, where she teaches an intensive course on international marine law.  

 

Kristina and Danni have a wide ranging discussion on topics from Kristina's beginnings at the Woods Hole Reef, establishing marine protected areas, her co-founding of the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative and the High Seas Alliance, and navigating international law to protect high seas biodiversity. Enjoy this packed conversation with one of the world's fiercest ocean conservationists.

 

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Audio Production: Vagabond Podcast Productions

Production Assistant: Carrie Wentzel

In this episode, Danni Washington is joined by Dr. Tiara Moore. Dr. Moore is the Founder and CEO of Black In Marine Science (BIMS) and the BIMS Program Lead at The Nature Conservancy in Washington.

 

Join Dr. Moore and Danni as they dive deep into the issues and solutions around lack of diversity and agency in marine science. Conversation ranges from the hurdles of marine science in HBCUs and higher education, to creating networks and organizations that show the power of diversity in protecting and maintaining our oceans.

 

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Audio Production: Vagabond Podcast Productions

Production Assistant: Carrie Wentzel

Danni Washington is joined by a pod of mermaids in this episode. Andrea Contreras, Eni Owoeye, Sierra Garcia, and Chloe McKenna are all members of the US Youth Advisory Council for the UN Ocean Decade. 

 

Dive into this engaging conversation with some of our oceans' next generation of conservationists and biologists as they discuss a wave of topics including mentorship, connecting urban environments to our waters, and the importance of youth voices and involvement at every level of ocean protection.

 

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Audio Production: Vagabond Podcast Productions

Production Assistant: Carrie Wentzel