The Beach Speaks

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In this episode, I share my eventful month, which included a fabulous trip to Italy, an unexpected bout with the flu, and the devastating and unprecedented impact of Hurricane Helene on our Florida Gulf Coast.

It all started with exploring Venice, Florence, Siena, Sorrento, Capri, and Rome, soaking in historic sites and delicious food, and even finding a few beaches.

Upon returning, I quickly fell ill, causing delays in my podcast schedule, making me fear losing my beach-loving audience. Then Hurricane Helene hit, bringing devastation to the Gulf Coast where many friends and family live, although Jacksonville Beach was relatively unscathed.

I reflect on the destruction of our beach communities, how we prepare for hurricanes, and how we maintain resilience in tough times. 

Through it all, I find solace in the beach, which reminds us of its healing power. I hope this episode offers a bit of hope and connection for everyone facing their own storms.

To thank my loyal listeners, I’m offering a small beachy gift to those who message me at [email protected]

The beach is speaking. 
Are you listening?

Mentioned in this episode:
Jamaican Beach Lifeguard Vibes: Stories of Heroic Rescues, Coconut Climbing, and Scuba Adventures with Oneike Jackson: https://www.buzzsprout.com/357242/episodes/13491902

PODCAST LINKS:

• Leave a review! on Apple and Spotify and share it with your friends!
• Share your beach story! https://thebeachspeaks.com/contact
• Purchase your Beach Speaks coastal essence room spray: https://sahuoils.com/meagld
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
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In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Sindia M. Rivera-Jiménez, Ph.D., a native of Puerto Rico who was born and raised near the ocean. With a deep love for the beach, Sindia built a beautiful life in Puerto Rico, earning a degree in engineering, meeting her husband, and starting a family. The ocean was always a central part of her life.

However, a unique opportunity to advance her career took her away from her beloved beaches to the "swamps" of Central Florida, where she became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Education and an Affiliate Faculty of the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Facing the challenge of teaching Chemistry in English—a language she learned later in life—Sindia's story is one of resilience, adaptation, and maintaining her beach-loving spirit.

In this episode, Sindia shares her experience of transitioning from the shores of Puerto Rico to landlocked Central Florida, coping with the distance from family and the ocean, and finding ways to stay connected to her roots.

For all the beach lovers out there who find themselves far from the coast, Sindia offers hope, inspiration, and practical tips for keeping the spirit of the sea alive, no matter where you are.

What do you do when you're landlocked and need  to "reach the beach?"
Click the "Send Us a Text Message" at the top of the Summary and let me know!

About my Guest:
Sindia M. Rivera-Jiménez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor Department of Engineering Education
Affiliate Faculty of Chemical Engineering Department
Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida

PODCAST LINKS:

• Leave a review! on Apple and Spotify and share it with your friends!
• Share your beach story! https://thebeachspeaks.com/contact
• Purchase your Beach Speaks coastal essence room spray: https://sahuoils.com/meagld
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
• Listen and Subscribe on YouTube
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This audio version of my podcast newsletter starts with a heartfelt story called "The Water" by Rachel LaPresti, touching on how the beach affects us all. I also dive into Waterlust, an innovative eco-apparel company with a fun facts newsletter —did you know sharks could be exposed to cocaine through pollution? I also talk about my recent paddleboarding adventures at sunrise, complete with coffee, dolphins, and a potential shark sighting!

If more beach is what you crave, sign up for my newsletter at thebeachspeaks.com

Learn more about Waterlust here: https://waterlust.com/
Sign up for my newsletter! https://thebeachspeaks.com/

PODCAST LINKS:

• Leave a review! on Apple and Spotify and share it with your friends!
• Share your beach story! https://thebeachspeaks.com/contact
• Purchase your Beach Speaks coastal essence room spray: https://sahuoils.com/meagld
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
• Listen and Subscribe on YouTube
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebeachspeaks/
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Today, we delve into the powerful concept of "Blue Mind" and the profound impact of water on our well-being. My guest, Amanda Esposito of Northern Tides Studio, shares how she met Wallace J. Nichols, the author of Blue Mind, and how the ocean has shaped her life and artistic expression.

Key Highlights:

1. The legacy of Wallace J. Nichols and the Blue Mind movement

2. Amanda's new ocean-inspired jewelry pieces and their deep connections to Cape Cod and the Jersey Beaches

3. The unpredictability of life and how the ocean teaches us valuable lessons

4. Carrying on the Blue Mind mission and encouraging others to share their water stories

Amanda's heartfelt story reminds us of the importance of cherishing the moments we have with loved ones and the healing power of the ocean. Her unique jewelry creations serve as conversation starters, inviting others to reflect on their connection to water.

We also discuss Jay Nichols's recent passing and our commitment to honoring his life's work by spreading the message of Blue Mind. We encourage you, our listeners, to share your experiences and stories about the transformative effects of being near water.

As always, I appreciate your support and engagement. Please get in touch with me with your stories, questions, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, we can continue to explore and celebrate the profound impact of the beach and ocean on our lives!

Link to our Instagram Live with Wallace J. Nichols: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4ZU0AOLZ8B/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

To learn more about Amanda's inspiring jewelry pieces and how they embody the essence of the ocean, visit her website https://northerntidesstudio.com/ or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/northerntidesstudio/

PODCAST LINKS:

• Leave a review! on Apple and Spotify and share it with your friends!
• Share your beach story! https://thebeachspeaks.com/contact
• Purchase your Beach Speaks coastal essence room spray: https://sahuoils.com/meagld
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
• Listen and Subscribe on YouTube
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In this episode, I speak with Mary Carroll Moore about her novel Last Bets, set on the Caribbean island of Bonaire. The novel features twists of fate, paranormal elements, high-stakes gambling—and a hurricane!  I like to describe it as "Queen's Gambit" meets "White Lotus." 

We share some personal anecdotes; I reminisce about playing backgammon with my brother, and we delve into Mary's scuba diving skills and camping experiences. The conversation highlights Mary's deep character development in her writing and her talent as a plein-air painter. I'm reminded of a previous conversation with my guest, Annora, a plein-air painter and how the beach truly connects us all.

• Discover more about Mary Carroll Moore's books and paintings on her website: https://www.marycarrollmoore.com/
• Buy her book here! Last Bets
• Listen to the Three Kitchens Podcast here: https://www.threekitchenspodcast.com/episodes

PODCAST LINKS:

• Leave a review! on Apple and Spotify and share it with your friends!
• Share your beach story! https://thebeachspeaks.com/contact
• Purchase your Beach Speaks coastal essence room spray: https://sahuoils.com/meagld
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
• Listen and Subscribe on YouTube
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebeachspeaks/
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Have you ever been at the beach on a full moon?
 
One of my favorite things to do is sit on the beach and watch the moonrise over the ocean. It elevates my mood and stirs up a feeling of wonder and otherworldliness—watching that bright white globe shining on a velvet black sky, that sparkling trail of light shining across the water following the waves to the shore. It’s just magical—especially when the waves are calm, and no one else is around to disturb the "vibe."

I had been waiting for months to watch the full moon rise, and I finally got my chance; however, when I arrived at the beach, my expectations quickly turned to disappointment. This was not the magical full-moon beach experience I wanted, but it was just what I needed.

Mentioned on the podcast:
Overcoming a Love/Hate Relationship with the Beach: Pam Uzzell

Mary Carroll Moore, Last Bets

PODCAST LINKS:

• Leave a review! on Apple and Spotify and share it with your friends!
• Share your beach story! https://thebeachspeaks.com/contact
• Purchase your Beach Speaks coastal essence room spray: https://sahuoils.com/meagld
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
• Listen and Subscribe on YouTube
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Jen Hardy is a true beach girl - so much so that after receiving a life-threatening health diagnosis, she instinctively knew that she - and her family - needed the healing power of the beach to get through it. So, Jen, her husband, and their seven kids moved from their home in Tennessee to an island paradise off the coast of Florida, where she found the healing she needed and is living her best life - at the beach!

In this episode, you'll hear about her journey to the “Sunshine State,” what life is like on a coastal island, and the profound healing she has experienced since making the beach her forever home.

We talk about:

• Jen's podcast Fabulous Over 50, and her wildly popular YouTube Channel called The Jen Hardy Show
• Life on the Southern California Coast vs. the Florida Atlantic Coast 
• Paddleboarding with sea turtles, dolphins, and manatees 
• Avoiding shark attacks
• How the beach helped her heal from a life-threatening diagnosis  -  and more!

ABOUT JEN:
Jen Hardy is on a mission to help women find their inner fabulousness and transition to the life of their dreams. She wrote the book  The Sick Mom's Guide and hosts the Fabulous Over 50 podcast, and the YouTube channel The Jen Hardy Show.
Follow Jen on:
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thejenhardy
Instagram: @thejenhardy
To learn more about Jen, her courses and speaking opportunities go to: https://jenhardy.net/

PODCAST LINKS:

• Leave a review! on Apple and Spotify and share it with your friends!
• Share your beach story! https://thebeachspeaks.com/contact
• Purchase your Beach Speaks coastal essence room spray: https://sahuoils.com/meagld
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
• Listen and Subscribe on YouTube
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebeachspeaks/
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheBeachSpeaks

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Today’s episode is a conversation I had recently with Jessie King Regunberg, author of the book SEARCHING FOR SEASHELLS: An Artist’s Guide to Treasures on the Beach 

It’s all about the enchanting world of seashells and how they have touched our lives and sparked our curiosity. 

Jessie’s book is a testament to her passion for shells, art, and history. It’s filled with 200 hand-painted illustrations, intriguing facts, and interesting stories about shells you might already have in your collection (I know you have one!) and shells you dream of finding—perhaps along a magical moonlit shore or on a sparkly beach at sunrise. 

Now, as you’re admiring all your beautiful shells - ask yourself, what one speaks to your soul? If it could talk, what stories would it tell? 

The beach says, “Like seashells, you are beautiful and unique. Each one has a story to tell - and I’m listening.!”

Poem by: E. E. Cummings (1983). “Hist Whist: And Other Poems for Children”, p.13, W. W. Norton & Company


ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jessie King Regunberg is an artist and writer in Washington, DC, living with her husband and three children. She trained as a historian at the University of Pennsylvania, and her knowledge of the past informs all her work. Her projects include fiction and nonfiction, and she feels lucky to be making a career out of the things she loves most.

 ABOUT THE BOOK:

Searching for Seashells: An Artist's Guide to Treasures on the Beach
By Jessie King Regunberg
Available anywhere you purchase books. Be sure to support your local indie bookseller!

ABOUT HER ART:
Follow Jessie on Instagram: @jessie.regunberg.paints

PODCAST LINKS:

• Leave a review! on Apple and Spotify and share it with your friends!
• Share your beach story! https://thebeachspeaks.com/contact
• Purchase your Beach Speaks coastal essence room spray: https://sahuoils.com/meagld
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
• Listen and Subscribe on YouTube
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I recently had the opportunity to visit one of the beaches on my bucket list—Venice Beach. Venice is on the Gulf Coast of Florida and is often called the “shark tooth capital of the world” because of the plethora of prehistoric shark teeth you can find there. Some are the size of your hand!  

Now, I don’t have the greatest record when it comes to finding sharks' teeth, but I know a lot of people are really into it. 

It’s like digging for gold—if you know where to go and have the patience to dig, treasure can be found. 

As far as Venice Beach was concerned, I did have an idea where on the beach I wanted to go - but I had no clue what kind of treasure I would find. 

I hope this story today evokes a happy memory of the beach for you!
Would you like to share it on the podcast?

Tell me, how is the beach speaking to you today?

I’m listening! 

PODCAST LINKS:

• Leave a review! on Apple and Spotify and share it with your friends!
• Share your beach story! https://thebeachspeaks.com/contact
• Purchase your Beach Speaks coastal essence room spray: https://sahuoils.com/meagld
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
• Listen and Subscribe on YouTube
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebeachspeaks/
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheBeachSpeaks

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In early October 2021, when the post-pandemic world was beginning to open up for travel, we had just discovered that Ernie only had a month's vacation before starting a new job; we decided to go on a 12-day adventure in Costa Rica!

It was last minute, and I had no idea how we were going to pull it off - but I knew my friend and travel agent Judi could make it happen and, true to form,  she took care of all the details   - from booking flights to finding the hotels and excursions that she knew we would love - she arranged all our transportation and even the Covid tests that we would need to get back into the states  - she had every detail covered so that when we got there - all we had to do was enjoy our dream of 12 days of relaxation and adventure in a tropical paradise. Ahhhh. . . 

But then - on day 12, something happened.

The moment we walked off the plane, loaded our luggage in the car, and drove home, that peaceful “Ahhhh”  feeling I had just hours before suddenly turned to “UGH”—the shock of coming back to “ life.” 

Since many of you are getting ready to go on your vacation getaway, I thought it would be helpful for Judi and Cathi, my other travel agent friend and frequent podcast guest, to give us some tips for making that return to real life a little less…shocking. 

So, what will YOU do after your next fabulous vacation getaway?  

I'm making a list,  so if you have any more suggestions - what works for you or something you’d like to try - email me at [email protected], and I'll add it. 

Visit Destiny Travel Agency to schedule your dream vacation!
Contact:
Judi Dunlap:  [email protected]
Cathi Taucher:  [email protected]

PODCAST LINKS:

• Leave a review! on Apple and Spotify and share it with your friends!
• Share your beach story! https://thebeachspeaks.com/contact
• Purchase your Beach Speaks coastal essence room spray: https://sahuoils.com/meagld
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
• Listen and Subscribe on YouTube
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thebeachspeaks/
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