Taylor Cunningham is a trained marine biologist and shark diver. Growing up ten minutes from Sea World shaped what she wanted to do in life– and that was to train Shamu. In this episode, we dive into the controversy around aquariums and animals in captivity, the importance of keeping an open mind, how to actually make money as an underwater photographer, what it’s like to go on a shark dive, and so much more.

Taylor also shares tips on what to look for if you are thinking about going on a shark diving tour, so stay tuned for that.

Connect with Taylor: website | instagram

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Shane Gero is a marine biologist who studies whales. Growing up in Canada, Nature captivated him at an early age, and a childhood love for orcas grew into a career studying their cousins, the sperm whale.

In this episode, Shane shares his path to working with the whales in Dominica, how scientists are using groundbreaking AI techniques to decode whale speech, and why this research is so vitally important. We chat about how listeners can become involved in whale research– no career change required. Shane also has one of the most magical answers I’ve ever heard to the field story at the end of the episode, so be sure to stay tuned for that.

Connect with Shane: website| Project CETI

Become a citizen scientist: Flukebook.org 

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Our world is in a state of change, and my guest today is asking the questions: What comes next? How do we adapt? And who is finding the solutions?

Alan Weisman is an award-winning journalist whose reports have appeared in national outlets including The Atlantic Monthly and NPR, among others. 

His new book, "Hope Dies Last", seeks to answer the above questions.

Alan has reported from more than 60 countries, all seven continents, has written seven books, several of which have won awards. On the show today we chat about the original garden of eden, stories from around the world from people that are working hard for our blue planet, the importance of following the breadcrumbs of your own passion, and the reality of not just the book, but also the vital concept that "Hope Dies Last".

Connect with Alan: Homelands website

Get your copy of Hope Dies Last

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Ever felt like you're juggling flaming glassware while riding a unicycle on a trampoline? Same.

In this deeply honest episode, we dive into what balance really looks like—and spoiler alert: it’s not a neat, tidy equation. From overworked weeks and triangle theory to biology’s take on homeostasis, we explore the messy, dynamic dance of work, life, health, and everything in between.

Learn how to assess your priorities, adjust your inputs, and find your version of balance—whether it’s a tiny tweak or a full life reboot. Because in a constantly moving world, staying steady isn’t about perfection—it’s about tuning in and choosing again.

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Joe Meisel is a scientist committed to protecting wild places and educating curious people. As a biologist, he has worked for 25 years with the Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation, where he gets to study plants such as orchids, the ocean, and share the fascination through study abroad programs.

Growing up in the American Midwest, Joe was a long way from the sea. Through following his own fascinations, Joe found himself working in the tropical Americas, co-creating a foundation, and ultimately teaching and writing a book on marine science.

Joe also speaks on what it means to hold space for both the threats our world faces and simultaneously enjoy and revel in the beauty around us, so stay tuned for that.

Connect with Joe: website | book

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It’s funny how we can start off in life thinking that we’re going to do one thing, and end up pivoting to something totally different. Today’s guest is Eve Samples, Executive Director of Friends of the Everglades. In this episode we dive into a myriad of topics from career shifts to what one spark of activism can mean for a community.

Eve shares the legacy of Marjory Stoneman Douglas, the woman who helped the world see the Everglades as more than just a swamp. She shares how her career pivoted from newsroom deadlines to leading grassroots efforts in the fight for clean water. Plus, we break down the Rescue the River of Grass campaign and what it means for the future of South Florida’s waterways. This episode in particular is near and dear to my heart because we explore the history of the waters where I live and how greatly– and very intentionally–  they’ve been impacted. 

Sign the River of Grass petition

Connect with Eve: website| Instagram

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Captain Mermaid Professor Holly is how Holly Buresh’s niece very aptly describes what her aunt does. A graduate of Eckerd College, Wilderness 1st Responder, 200T Captains license holder, and marine science teacher, Holly certainly has charted her own path in life. Her journey takes us from the American midwest down to Florida over to the Bahamas, and out on the high seas where the closest other person was in the international space station. In today’s episode, Holly shares her winding path, how bonefish in the Bahamas affect people in Nebraska, and the importance of saying “I don’t know.” She also has a great ask at the end, so be sure to stay tuned for that.

Connect with Holly: instagram

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Join Kara as she shares some similarities between our lives and the live of the magnificent sea turtle.

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Stephen Kavanaugh joins us on the show today. After graduating college, he followed his dream of becoming a field biologist, trekking through the wild Alaskan frontier. When it was time to return home to Ireland, Stephen looked around and saw the lack of a job market for a marine biologist, and decided to create his own– with oysters.

The oyster has thousands of years of history, lore, and industrial uses as well as a myriad of health benefits. In fact, the oyster has been credited with saving humanity. I learned so much during this episode, and really enjoyed this chat about the magnificent oyster.

Support the show

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Farmer, fisherman, and founder of Smoke in Chimneys, Ty Walker joins us on the show today. After living in LA and following his calling as a DJ, Ty returned to his farming roots in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It’s there that he charted a new path for himself and his young family– in aquaculture.

On the show today, Ty shares how he navigated these big life changes, even when his family wasn’t on board. He also shares how he purchased a hundred year old hatchery– and learned how to run it from scratch, creating a truly sustainable product sought after by chefs and consumers alike. 

Connect with Ty: website| instagram

Support the show

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