Post Session Podcast

When Ren invited pro surf vet, CJ Hobgood, on the podcast the girls were stoked. There’s nothing quite like getting perspective from someone who has been to the top. But this discussion turned into so much more. Surfing opened the door for CJ to share his real gifting with the world. PSP holed up in a rented tiny house in Orlando, FL for this session. The close quarters left little room for hot air, allowing the crew to get right down to the heart of matters. Boy are the girls grateful for this opportunity… and we hope you will be too!

For more Post Session Podcast surfing and diving adventures check the ladies out on Instagram, Facebook or email them. You can also support them on Patreon.  Don’t forget to read the blog!

Post Session Notes

CJ: Catching some fun waves with fellow rippers. Loving the comradery. He talks about the coffin. When there’s no surf, he swims.

They talk about the performance lifestyle and adjusting to life after leaving that behind. Running has been an awesome transition for CJ.

Ash: Our kids swam with the manatees in Florida. We also talk turtle soup.

Laurel: It’s been too cold but she’s been surfing anyway. Laurel takes the birthday wave challenge, 42 waves for Kristen’s birthday. Happy birthday Kristen!

Injustice of the week

The war of attrition is real. We’re all fighting the battle against the human heart. 1. What is your mission field? 2. How do you show up for others? Speak the truth in love.

Dive Deeper

The crew talk about the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of surfing and just about everything else.

Want to know how to become the world’s best surfer? Just surf a lot. It’s that easy people.

How does CJ stay mentally grounded? Being thankful…go figure.

Laurel talks about the virtues of authorship.

Turns out Salty Crew is starting a women’s line. About dang time!

God Waters

Ash asks about CJ being an anomaly amongst surfers because of his Christianity.

Joe Penovich and Dean’s Blue Hole.

Laurel and CJ talk about crucifying your gifting to see how much the Father loves you.

Honesty equals freedom.

They talk about false spirituality and idols. CJ suggests, “Ask the creator.”

Homework

Take an adventure with the creator and ask him what his design is. -CJ

Uh oh, it doesn’t stop with homework. CJ asks a poignant question to the ladies. He wants to know how they interpret the misuse of power by men.

Resources

CJ Hobgood Instagram

Salty Crew

And Two if by Sea- Documentary

Pour yourself some coffee, sit back, and enjoy this light episode full of surf talk, stoke and Christmas carols! Listen in as Laurel and Ashley host three other ladies on this episode, their highest interviewee count ever. They talk about Post Session Podcast’s last surf adventure to Puerto Rico, Hawaii East. They also invite a girl in who is going on the next adventure. With airfare cheap and the Post Sesh casa open for business there’s no limits to the jet setting that will happen for the crew.

For more Post Session Podcast surfing and diving adventures check the ladies out on Instagram, Facebook or email them.  Don’t forget to read the blog!

Characters: Ashley, Laurel, Grom, Jules, Charlotte

Post Session Notes

Laurel- PR as a surf destination, Hawaii East, inexpensive flights, 3hr 15min flight

Ashley talks about flying to Hawaii with a 6 month old

Grom- Short trip to PR, same weather we have on East Coast, familiarity 

Jules- Easy flight, great waves, locals made her feel welcome, traveling with girls make it easier to simulate, 

Charlotte- In the water her entire life which is only 19 years, preparing for the trip, happy to be going with the other girls

Injustice of the week

Jules- Covid 19 is bringing out the dumb friends, covid test should be done between the 5th-7th day after being exposed to someone Covid positive.   

Vaccine?

Dive Deeper

The girls talk about surfing out of their comfort zones

Jules-talk about being a world traveler

Grom- traveling and surfing different/bigger waves and coming out of the comfort makes home surfing easier

Girls talk about the fear of hitting the reef and Jules discusses hitting the reef of PR

Ashley talks about freediving dangers which are diving alone. Complacency in any sport

Traveling immerses you in what your doing creating focus on the task

Grom- stress is removed when traveling so you can focus

Ashley- discusses normally life verses focusing on a goal like the freediving records

Grom talks about flying to Mexico for surf and the the trouble you can get in to and the shake down the authorities gave them

Puerto Rico is a safe zone for surf travel

God Waters

The girls talk about Christmas songs they love

Ashley likes the song “Emanuel”

Laurel likes the song “Mary Did You Know”

Charlotte also likes and sings at her home church “Emanuel”

Jules likes Wham’s “Last Christmas”

Grom’s favorite Christmas song is the “Charlie Brown Christmas”

Laurel and Ashley loved talking to Peter Maguire so much they cannot wait to have him back. What did they talk to him about exactly? The verdict is still out. This episode, full of digression and boasting the longest running time so far still manages to keep your attention as the trio talk philosophy, politics, surf, surf more surf, war crimes, martial arts, affluenza and basically everything else. No stone is left unturned.

For more Post Session Podcast surfing and diving adventures check the ladies out on Instagram, Facebook or email them.  Don’t forget to read the blog!

Peter, Malibu Colony 1982

Post Session Notes

-Laurel just got back from Puerto Rico and talks about the waves. Turns out they were good.

-Peter has been surfing locally with his sons. The surf was surprisingly powerful but fun. Peter hates ego and crowds so tries to hit spots that are less occupied. That’s a tall order in Wrightsville Beach.

-Growing up surfing in California, Peter learned proper Taliban mentality, which he admits isn’t the most fun way to do it.

-Peter tells us about his reckoning in relation to surfing.

-He almost drowned as a child!

-They digress into a discussion about martial arts among other things. Peter teaches martial arts.

-Turns out, body surfing is awesome!

-Ash talks about the Florida Springs and her last trip there.

-They get back to surfing and how to teach kids to love it.

-Peter saves a life in the Outer Banks, but could’ve taken one. Then he sees a butt.

Peter and his sons in Baja, 2014

Injustice of the Week

-Peter hates when people paddle for a wave, miss it, then try for the next one. Go to the end of the line!

-Also, learn the rules of the game and earn your spot in the lineup. Have some respect.

-Peter tells a crazy story about a head-on collision in Baja.

-Laurel quizzes Peter on surf etiquette in regards to board size.

North Shore, 2000

Dive Deeper

-They go a bit deeper and talk about moral law.

-Peter is a First Amendment absolutist. Discomfort is an important part of the socratic method.

-What’s wrong with the kids today? For that matter, what’s wrong with our education, infrastructure and political system?

– Eroding the foundation and corruption. Peter prefers blatant corruption.

-Silicon Valley and social media. The Social Dilemma and ethics.

-“The strong do what they have to do and the weak bear what they must.”

– Peter talks about socialism, capitalism and identity politics.

-“A good game of pool is the sign of a gentleman. A great game is the sign of a wasted life.” -Winston Churchill…maybe.

-They’ve already decided they need another shot talking to Peter Maguire.

-Peter shares his writing methodology.

-They finally talk a bit about Peter’s experiences in Cambodia and his research regarding the Khmer Rouge and the genocide of the regime.

Peter, Wrightsville Beach, recent

Val Bennett is on the scene to chat with the girls about her time in the military, the hard transition after a life of service and how surfing helped bridge the gap. Val runs the local chapter of One More Wave, a surfing club geared towards veterans. The discussion turns towards living more with less and letting go of regret.

For more Post Session Podcast surfing and diving adventures check the ladies out on Instagram, Facebook or email them.  Don’t forget to read the blog!

Post Session Notes

-Val talks about not being able to surf in her halloween costume because of the cold

-Laurel talks about her hurricane swell surf and ask Ashley about her post shore break beating headache.

-Ashley is teaching a course and the cold weather is taking its toll.

Injustice of the Week

-Val discusses hidden shipping fees and how frustrating it was to get her new surfboard from Australia. Ashley discusses the necessary evil boatyards.

Dive Deeper

-Val discusses reintegrating into society after the military and using surfing as a means therapy.

–One More Wave is a non profit for veterans that uses surfing as a means of therapy

-How to live life with little regret.

-How to live with less and have more.

God Waters

-Val discusses her thoughts on fear. “Do not fear for your God is with you wherever you go”

-Ephesians 6:10-Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Homework

-Take the time to meet the people to the left and to the right of you. Ashley mentions that “this is discipleship, a lifetime of homework”.

Resources

-Funny post election Granny Video

–MAT Surfboards

–One More Wave is a non profit for veterans that uses surfing as a means of therapy with chapters around the USA

Again, please welcome Dave Baker to the PSP studio! He tells the ladies they’re gluttons for punishment for having him on twice but with a CV like his, one episode just scratches the surface. This time the ladies talk to Dave about some of the exciting things he’s done. There’s mention of watercolor painting, helicopter rides, and the secret service. This guy lives a full life and he’ll inspire you to think about what you want to do with your spare time (after you finish watching Queen’s Gambit on Netflix that is).

For more Post Session Podcast surfing and diving adventures check the ladies out on Instagram, Facebook or email them.  Don’t forget to read the blog!

Post Session Notes

-Dave talks about the watercolor paintings he’s been making from his photography.

-Laurel is a writer and talks about her documentary, her book and the new short film she’s working up with Ash.

-Ash has been out of the water but is looking forward to the Cenotes Adventure this year. She has enjoyed watching Ani start her sailing lessons.

Injustice of the Week

-Masonboro is NOT a secret spot. Your hosts are tired of everyone thinking Masonboro is a secret surf spot. They’re even more annoyed that people have so much ownership over something they don’t own.

-Take home message, be kind to your neighbor and let them play. Just show them the house rules first.

Dive Deeper

-Dave is the most interesting person in the world! He starts with his helicopter rescue excursions. Have you ever been suspended by a harness 100′ over water by a moving helicopter? He has!

-They talk about Dave’s experiences with the Bush era secret service.

-The conversation takes a slightly dark turn as they talk about the training needed to survive emotionally after a survival experience.

-Ash talks about Nick’s death and Ren’s involvement.

-And an even darker turn…social media and our need for business to satisfy social pressures.

God Waters

-Romans 5:3

-What does hope mean?

-The 24 hour rule and why it’s awesome!

Homework

-Try the 24 hour rule!

Resources

Any Given Morning: Doc by Laurel

Dave Baker on Instagram

Cenotes Adventure

Blockade Runner Sailing School

Brotherhood of the Fin: Book by Jerry Hoover

This time the ladies Break Bad with fellow freediver, Talita Mauro. Talita talks about self defense, especially for women. She discusses the psychology behind victimization and introduces us to her alter ego, Vanessa. Talita is originally from Brazil and began training Krav Maga as a teenager in her home country. She brings intensity and philosophy to the conversation all based on her life experiences. Also, don’t forget, Post Session Podcast is hosting a their first FREE event with Talita. A women’s self defense seminar slated for November 7, 10:00am at Wrightsville Beach, NC. Email [email protected] with interest or for details.

For more Post Session Podcast surfing and diving adventures check the ladies out on Instagram, Facebook or email them.  Don’t forget to read the blog!

Post Session Notes

-Talita describes her experiences going through the freediving and Krav Maga instructor programs.

-Ash starts to talk about a time she felt unsafe but then changes course and talks about the time she hit someone. She is still not proud of this! Laurel had an open palm slap experience and the guy thanked her later!

-Talita gets the ladies back on track and reminds them about PTSD and the negatives of altercation. Avoidance is the #1 rule.

-Laurel visited Jim Morrison’s grave and talks about the safety of the surf culture.

Injustice of the Week

-Around 50% of violent encounters occur in the home. This sucks! The ladies get deep into it. Why does this happen?

Dive Deeper

-Talita discusses how she got into Krav Maga

-What is Krav Maga and why is it white male dominated?

-Talita expresses her passion for bringing this method of self defense to those who need it the most: women.

-They discuss the objectification of women.

-There’s a debate between basic Christian values and the more secular views of female sexuality. Interesting!

-Dissolving the system of male dominance.

-Cultures of infidelity.

-Laurel was abducted!

God Waters

-Luke 23:34

-Speaking of a patriarchial society, Jesus was the first social justice pioneer for women.

Homework

-Listen to Pretty Deadly Podcast (link below)

Resources

Pretty Deadly Podcast

National Domestic Violence Hotline

What is Krav Maga

Self training for survival

Article “How a Krav Maga Class Gave Me More Than Self-Defense”

*All photos courtesy of our guest, Dave Baker. His inspired artwork is featured on his Instagram page.

*This episode includes an announcement for Post Session Podcast’s first free event: Self Defense with Talita Mauro.

Where to start? With a guest like Dave Baker and his incredible CV it is hard to narrow the conversation. The ladies started by chatting about his ocean rescue experiences on WB. They get into a conversation about high performance athletes and their mindsets. Dave opens up about his congenital heart condition and life after near death. He also digresses into some pretty awesome rescue stories including lightning strikes.

For more Post Session Podcast surfing and diving adventures check the ladies out on Instagram, Facebook or email them.  Don’t forget to read the blog!

Post Session Notes

-Dave had a little sunrise prone paddle session. He gushes about his training partner and their 9 years of sunrises together. Dave reminds us to stop and watch the sunrise.

-Laurel asks, “Is it safe to surf alone?” Her mom doesn’t think so. As the water rescue expert, Dave says you have to weigh the risk vs. the reward. Stay sharp and have fun but choose your days.

-Ash talks about how she deals with fear during deep dives. Fixate on the next step. Break the dive down into manageable pieces so you don’t have time to think about the fear. We all agree, a little fear makes us feel alive.

Injustice of the Week

-So, Dave hates when people feed the seagulls. Laurel may smother you in sand if she sees you do it! Ash tells the story of when she was pooped on by a seagull.

Dive Deeper

-Dave Baker was instrumental in having surf zones moved at WB making life safer and way more fun.

-Do surfers save lives? Turns out they do! Dave tells us all about some of his experiences: 212 rescues on WB in one day! One rip current flushed 22 people out at one time. Surfers rose to the occasion, jumping in where they could.

-The trio talks about keeping calm under pressure. How do you maintain your mental state in high stress situations, rescues, physical activities, etc.

-Give your mind something to eat or it will eat itself.

-Dave talks about his congenital heart condition, his near death experience and setting the stage for the rest of his life.

-Our guest reminds us that we’re an “experiment of one”. We can be participants in our lives and discover our own limitations.

-Dave gives us advice on how to safely manage a paddle over to Masonboro Island. He lays out the considerations and eases Laurel’s mind.

-Lightning strikes are no joke! Take them seriously. Dave pulls the lifeguards off the beach when lightning is within 10 miles.

God Waters

-Isaiah 40:28

-The word speaks on strength, both internal and external.

-When we look in scripture we see how God turns nobodies into somebodies through his supernatural power.

Homework

-Sit back and take the time to appreciate what you have.

Special Guest Tony Butler founder of WbLiveSurf.com

Post Session Notes:

Tony: shares that with his new job he doesn’t often have time to surf. “Even though Im surfing less, it’s more special when I go. Especially when I can go with my wife.” Now at his job he too checks his own site to get a fix. 

Laurel: shares the old school WBLiveSurf phone line surf report. Listen for the excerpt of the original call in report Tony made.

Ashley: Shares her first weather forecasting nightmare- The sail from the Tortugas…

Injustice of the Week:

Tony brought it! Manners people!!!! Raised in the South there is something called Southern Hospitality. This is where when you pass a person going to check the surf on the beach or anywhere; you make eye contact; you say hello; and you smile! Easy peasy! 

Dive Deeper:

Tony: shares how WBLiveSurf got started, who influenced him and his vision.

The motto is “A community of surfers supporting surfers.”

Although there is a partnership with Sweetwater surf shop who does the later reports, Tony still does the sunrise report. For 17 years!!!!! 

We talk about the history of Surf Zones at WB and how he and Ocean Rescue were instrumental in changing the terrible tiny surf zone it used to be all summer!!!! 

Ashley: shares along with our producer Ren sailing sites on how to now when to go. They talk about weather predicting sites that you can subscribe to. 

Tony: shares his process for predicting waves. 

* Buoy weather- he pays for the longer version* Checks swell direction- bar graphs* Checks wind: swell period

We talk about having a East South East facing beach and needing a WNW wind to groom the waves but not too much and not too long or the swell will disappear! We talk further about the tropics and storm swells. 

Devo: Matthew 28 vs 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…

Laurel: shares about Jesus scolding the disciples for not listening to the women who told them Jesus was alive. Then he tells them all to go! Go share the good news about him- that this life is more than about ourselves but really, it’s about living for God and others and Jesus teaches us how to do that. 

Links:

Tony’s Page: www.wblivesurf.com

Windy: www.windy.com

Marine Weather Center Chris Parker: www.Mwxc.com

Buoy Weather: www.buoyweather.com

Summer in NC is spectacular! Plants thrive because of our long growing season and what is better than talking about food? Nothing! The ladies talk about the bounty of summer. They start by talking about what they eat after freediving and surfing but then digress into a discussion about the end of summer abundance. They share recipes and food ideas so nothing goes to waste. Oh yeah, and thank you so much Sandy Errante for your support!!

For more Post Session Podcast surfing and diving adventures check the ladies out on Instagram, Facebook or email them.  Don’t forget to read the blog!

Honduran pineapples are the best, or so I thought.Laurel’s homegrown version blew my mind.

Post Session Notes

-Ash talks about the weekly gastronomic experience she has when she meets Laurel to podcast. Laurel always provides a spread, straight from the garden.

-What do you eat to recover from a freedive training session? You might like what you hear! She also shares her family favorite, Nutty Monkey.

-Laurel doesn’t drink coffee before surfing…what? But don’t worry, right after. She also talks about the benefits of salting your water!

Injustice of the Week

-Flavored coffee and creamers. Overall, barf! Wakey wakey to fakey fakey, not cool.

Laurel’s garden isn’t just full of food.

Dive Deeper

-Summer in NC is spectacular! Our long growing season means an abundance of vegetables.

-Figs and berries

-What to do with tomatoes: salsas, tomato pie, tomato sandwiches

-Cucumbers: continuous cucumber salad

-What can you grow all year long

-You can freeze your boiled peanuts

-Melons: you can salt them

God Waters

-Mathew 5:13

-“…be salt seasoning…”

-What is food without salt? As Christians we insert ourselves as salt seasoning.

Homework

-Ash: Try a veggie plate for supper, no meat allowed.

-Laurel: Plant a fall garden. At least start planning.

Resources

-The Splendid Table

-What’s in your Coffee Creamer

-Taming the Heat of Peppers

-Chef and the Farmer: Collard Green Dolmathes

Lucas Nelson: “Turn off the News”

The ladies welcome Stuart Foreman to the studio. Stuart is an old friend of Ashley’s but most impressively, as if that’s not enough, a local entrepreneur with a ton of advice for you. Stuart talks about how he has steadily and successfully grown his welding business, how he’s moving into acquisitions for future growth potential and the lameness of people trying to pull one over on you in business. Stuart also tells the heartwarming story of how he recently acquired his late father’s first sportfishing boat. Al’s Gal is currently turning heads and turning profits for Stuart in the Outer Banks. Man, this guy really does have the Midas touch.

For more Post Session Podcast surfing and diving adventures check the ladies out on Instagram, Facebook or email them.  Don’t forget to read the blog!

Now this guy is a professional!

Post Session Notes

-Laurel has been surfing non-stop! She’s getting ready for the big show. She’s feeling swell, swell, swell.

-Ash reminisces about her experience with Stuart at Dean’s Blue Hole, Bahamas. Here’s where the backflip story comes in!

-Stuart talks about his charter boat, Al’s Gal. Double header blue marlins on that boat!

Injustice of the Week

-The Wayfair scandal

-Scary at the time but most accusations have been reported as false since this recording.

-Sidenote, Stuart makes 15 year olds cry.

Dive Deeper

-Find something you enjoy and that you’re good at. Stuart is a firm believer in the trades.

-Laurel describes the forest through the trees. She’s super poetic.

-Stuart talks about the limitations of wage when you work for someone else.

-Spoiler alert: there’s no such thing as work/life balance.

-Um…how can he hate fiction? That’s a serious friendship setback!

-Stuart’s philosophy: Grind, Grow, Chill

-Stuart prefers a more traditional route to retirement

-He talks about acquisition as the biggest potential contributor to the Grow phase.

-Stuart also talks about the importance of transitioning from micro managing to delegation.

-He throws Ren under the bus in regards to parenting Ani. He’s so confused!

-Ruminations on the backstabbing, undercutting nature of entrepreneurship.

-Apprenticeships are the wave of the future: Earn as you learn…

-Stuart talks about the coronavirus just a bit, not too much.

God Waters

-Devo by Timothy Keller

-Proverbs 1:1, Proverbs of Solomon are for gaining wisdom

-Making the right choices even when there aren’t laws that tell us what to do. Who to marry?

-Are there good and moral people that are unwise?

Homework

-Stuart: set up your goals and go after them but keep your hand close. Your friends and family can derail you.

-Be as good as you can at what you love to do if you want to make money doing it.

Resources