The Mark Schulein Passion Project

By Mark Schulein

Mark Schulein is a businessman and community leader with a passion for people, philanthropy, and endurance sports. Mark is stoked to know so many talented and diverse people, and is setting out to cap... more

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FAQs about The Mark Schulein Passion Project:

How many episodes does The Mark Schulein Passion Project have?

The podcast currently has 79 episodes available.

The Mark Schulein Passion Project episodes:

March 27, 2026 #77 - DJ Wilson (O’Brien) Paddling Legend & Life as a Mermaid
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1h 29min
March 13, 2026 #76 - Joe Nance & KrakenX.ai - Bringing Artificial Intelligence to Lifeguarding, First Responders & Beyond
Joe Nance & KrakenX.ai.
At only 19 years old, Joe Nance is bringing artificial intelligence to the lifeguard services with the goal of making the ocean safer by giving lifeguards an additional, powerful, tool to add to their arsenal.
Joe started lifeguarding at 16 and he is passionate about it and yet… he, like many tech creators before him, wondered “what if?”
While he originally created KrakenX.ai as a concept that he thought his department, in Laguna Beach, California, would think was “cool” little did he know the path this concept would take him on.
Not only has Laguna adopted his platform, Joe is now engaged with not only other lifeguard and first responder agencies, but other business use cases altogether. The potential is truly limitless.
This is a story of a vision, passion, determination and entrepreneurship with the very real potential to make life-saving impacts in lifeguarding and other first responder applications… and way beyond. It also showcases what’s possible when someone has the vision… and the grit to pursue a dream.
0:00 – “Introducing Joe Nance & His Background”
6:35 – Early Influences & How the Journey Started
13:10 – Key Turning Points in His Career
20:05 – Lessons Learned From Early Challenges
27:30 – Developing Skills, Discipline & Consistency
34:15 – Navigating Setbacks & Tough Moments
41:05 – What Separates the Best From the Rest
48:00 – Mindset, Preparation & Daily Habits
55:20 – Advice for the Next Generation
1:02:10 – Balancing Work, Life & Long-Term Goals
1:09:15 – Looking Ahead & Future Plans
1:15:30 – Final Reflections & Closing Thoughts
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1h 20min
February 27, 2026 #75 - Scott Muir. A Smile Saved My Life
Scott Muir is one of the most inspirational and positive people that I’ve been honored to meet. His story is both incredible and so so scary; and through it all he is one of the most upbeat, engaging, and happy people I've met. I got way more out of this interview than Scott has any idea. He thoroughly impacted me and I have very much taken his messages to heart.
Scott is a proud husband and parent, a passionate lifelong surfer, an Air Force Academy graduate and D1 soccer player, an Air Force veteran, pilot, is someone that likes to do hard things; and speaks in compelling and inspirational sound bites. He’s truly an embodiment of all the books and podcasts on high performers that I consume.
In September 2025, Scott completed a giant goal he had set for himself; paddling the 30 mile prone paddle fundraising event in honor of fallen lifeguard Ben Carlson; the Ben Did Go 10.0. And he crushed it.
Two weeks later Scott was surfing with a good friend in solid surf. Because of a split second choice and a smile, they made friends with two young guns out surfing the same spot.
That connection saved Scott’s life.
Scott tells the story of breaking his neck, being rescued and the recovery journey he is on. This interview is full of chicken skin moments, inspirational storytelling, and an incredible way to look at life. We should all strive to live like Scott.
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1h 35min
February 13, 2026 #74 - Leanne Stanley. World Class Paddler, Coach & Plowing Through Obstacles
Leanne Stanley is a highly respected, Canadian outrigger canoe paddler, coach, and ocean athlete whose impact spans decades in the paddling community. Known for her grit, discipline, and deep love for the water, Leanne has competed at the highest levels of racing, across numerous paddle craft, earning a reputation as both a fierce competitor and someone that can push through significant obstacles.
Living, and racing, with Type 1 Diabetes is no small feat and it took many years for Leanne to get a proper diagnosis; which ultimately changed her world… for the better. However, as result of a major car crash, she now navigates living with a traumatic brain injury as well. But she doesn’t let these conditions keep her from her passions of paddling at the highest levels and coaching others.
Leanne is highly recognized for her work as a teacher, coach and mentor. She has guided paddlers of all ages and abilities, from beginners to elite athletes chasing podiums; helping them build strength, resilience, and confidence both physically and mentally. Her coaching philosophy blends technical expertise with an emphasis on mindset, camaraderie, tenacity, and fun.
Leanne’s connection to paddling runs deeper than competition alone. She is a passionate advocate for the paddling community and lifelong athleticism. Whether she’s leading a training session, coaching from the beach, or lining up at the start line, Leanne brings authenticity, experience, and courage to everything she does.
Leanne continues to inspire paddlers of all ages by showing what’s possible through commitment, grit, and the determination to keep going… no matter what obstacles you have in front of you.
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1h 35min
January 30, 2026 #73 - Nathan Visagie. In pursuit of (riding) the biggest waves on the planet
Nathan Visagie is on a mission to ride the biggest waves in the world; and he gave himself a pretty short window of time to get there… while documenting it all and sharing his path with the world.
Nathan has created a large following of his quest with a super cool, vibrant and honest depiction of the road to doing something that 99.9% of humanity will never experience. Me included.
Nathan is capturing the entirety of his pursuit; from concept through execution and all the highs and lows along the way. He shares the vision, the commitment to training and learning the craft; and capturing it all; the good, the bad and the ugly.
Nathan is what I love to see; someone chasing their dreams and doing all the hard work it takes to get there. There is no “easy button” hack here. He shows the physical commitment, the body transformation, the safety preparation and the community he’s engaged in; and captures the determination, challenges and sacrifices it takes to reach his goals… and doing so while navigating a serious heart condition. This adds another layer of risk and complexity.
It’s so cool to watch Nathan’s path and his progress… because he has done a ton of work, has committed his life to this pursuit, and he has surfed some of the biggest and heaviest spots on the planet.
And, he has had to pay some heavy dues to play in these world class, harrowing conditions. And he shares it all.
Nathan’s path is rad and I think you’ll love to hear and watch his story unfold.
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1h 34min
January 16, 2026 #72 - Chuck Patterson. Multisport Extreme Athlete. Going Big… in Everything
Chuck Patterson may not be a household name but if you’re into extreme sports that happen in massive surf, big mountains, or howling wind, there’s a very good chance you know exactly who he is. And if you don’t know him… you want to.
Chuck is also known for his huge smile and infectious positivity. He possesses the unmistakable energy of someone who’s not only incredibly accomplished, but genuinely stoked to be doing what he loves. He is an all-around rad human.
There are very few people on the planet with Chuck’s level of extreme, multi-sport mastery. Who else has earned major brand sponsorships, magazine covers, film roles, and massive accolades across surf, snow, and wind? There are only a handful.
Chuck shares the story of how his family helped shape his path, how surrounding himself with the right people opened doors, and how he repeatedly found himself at the right place at the right time—early windsurfing, the emergence of tow-in surfing on the world stage, the beginnings of snowboarding and stand-up paddling, and the early days of foiling.
Across every one of these disciplines, Chuck didn’t just participate—he got in early, leaned in with passion and drive, and mastered them at the highest level.
And he’s not done yet.
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1h 39min
January 02, 2026 #71 - Lauren Kleiman. Public Service. Local Leadership. Lasting Impact.
Lauren Kleiman is a dedicated public servant and community leader serving the residents of Newport Beach, CA in numerous community and civic roles. She is a member of the City Council and for 2026 she is serving as Mayor. No small feats.
This is especially impressive considering that Lauren grew up on Long Island, New York and had no aspirations for “politics.” But she found herself wanting to be an engaged and active member of her community when she and her husband moved to Newport Beach over a decade ago. Today, she is as passionate and committed to her community as they come.
Formally trained as a lawyer, her knowledge and tenacity have found fertile ground in public service and have provided a strong foundation for the positions she holds. These same skill sets are the basis for her desire to dig deep and develop a strong understanding of the technical details that are paramount within these roles.
Known for her clear views and pragmatic approach to local government, Lauren brings a strong focus to fiscal responsibility, public safety and preserving the unique character of Newport Beach’s neighborhoods and coastline.
While Newport Beach is the canvas, Lauren’s path to public service, her why and the challenges associated with public office is what I was most interested in. Regardless of where you live, public service and being an active and engaged member of your community is something that we all need to play a role in; or risk what happens without our engagement.
In this conversation, Lauren shares her path to public service, her goals and the challenges of serving, and her perspective on leadership at the local level. It’s a candid look at what it takes to govern a world-class coastal city while staying grounded and representing the needs of the people who call it home.
0:00 – “Introducing Lauren Kleiman & Today’s Conversation”
6:40 – Lauren’s Background & Path Into Public Service
14:10 – Why Local Leadership Matters More Than Ever
22:05 – Community Needs, Listening & Real Representation
30:00 – Challenges Facing Local Government Today
38:15 – Leadership Under Pressure & Tough Decision-Making
46:20 – Balancing Policy, People & Practical Solutions
54:10 – Building Trust & Long-Term Community Impact
1:01:45 – Lessons Learned From Public Service
1:09:30 – Advice for Aspiring Leaders & Civic Engagement
1:17:05 – The Future of Local Leadership
1:25:10 – Final Reflections & Closing Thoughts
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1h 33min
December 19, 2025 #71 - Branch Lotspeich & the Rescue Tube Foundation. Saving Lives
Branch Lotspeich is co-founder and Director of the Rescue Tube Foundation, a non-profit based on Kauai, Hawaii, whose mission is to save lives. Is there a more important purpose for an organization? I don’t think so.
If you’ve spent time on the Hawaiian islands, there is a good chance that you’ve seen, or been in close proximity to a Rescue Tube. Hopefully you’ve not needed to use one or be saved by one; but that’s what they are there for… and that’s exactly what they do.
Hundreds of these “public access rescue devices” are strategically placed on beaches around the islands (and on the mainland) where there are typically no lifeguards. These Rescue Tubes provide a safe and effective way for a family or community member or any Good Samaritan to save lives when professional lifeguards are not present.
Countless rescues have been made with these tubes, and dozens of lives have been saved with their assistance; and no rescuers have been hurt in the process while employing a rescue tube on a rescue. Amazing.
Branch tells his story and how he was compelled to jump in deep with the Rescue Tubes and ultimately co-found the Foundation many years ago. Incredible safety statistics have driven significant awareness, accolades and recognition; and it is not slowing down. Branch’s legacy and that of the Rescue Tube Foundation will continue to save lives across the Hawaiian Islands and well beyond. Hallelujah.
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1h 60min
December 09, 2025 #70 - James Merrill. Stoked Plastics & Opolis Optics. Innovation & Inspiration
James Merrill is the Founder, CEO and the force behind Stoked Plastics and Opolis Optics; and he is an unapologetic optimist about our ability to fix the worldwide plastics problem.
James has built these companies that don’t just talk about sustainability… they literally turn plastic waste into high-performance products. From discarded plastic water bottles to premium materials, his work sits at the intersection of sustainability, environmental impact, design, and innovative business.
James’ background is not what you might think. He did not grow up in the outdoor, action sports or fashion industries but deep in international assistance work; in some of the most heavily impacted (and most dangerous) regions on the planet. What he saw and experienced firsthand is what has led him to do the work he’s doing today.
James isn’t just focused on feeling or acting “green;” he’s obsessed with making an impact. Taking ocean found and ocean bound plastics out of the environment and turning them into materials that can compete at the highest levels of performance, durability and fashion is the future; and James is at the forefront of this technology.
James shares his path and how Stoked Plastics and Opolis Optics came to life, what it really takes to turn trash into something people love.
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1h 26min
November 14, 2025 #69 - Cyril Derreumaux. Athlete. Explorer. Adventurer. Inspiration & 3x World Record Holder
Cyril Derreumaux is truly one of a kind. There are only a handful of people in the history of the world that have done the things that he has.
Cyril has paddled his kayak (named Valentine) across both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, solo and unsupported.
He is the ONLY person in history to paddle both oceans in this way.
And for the record, the Pacific took him 91 days and the Atlantic, 71.
Can you imagine?
Before that he kayaked across, he rowed the Pacific with a crew of four guys, also unsupported.
These accomplishments have landed Cyril in the Guinness Book of World Records 3 times. Incredible.
In addition to these feats, he also speaks 6 languages, is a keynote speaker, coach and mentor and is a positive and infectious force for good.
Cyril has done the work and he’s accomplished incredible, unimaginable feats of human perseverance and determination; and his mission is to share what he’s learned, along with the tools and tactics, with the world; to help others reach their full potential and to break limiting beliefs.
He’s been written about in Esquire Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Men’s Journal and many more.
Cyril is truly one of a kind and will leave you inspired and ready to go conquer your next big adventure.
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1h 37min

FAQs about The Mark Schulein Passion Project:

How many episodes does The Mark Schulein Passion Project have?

The podcast currently has 79 episodes available.

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