Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast
Podcast & Audio Production
Overseeing the Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast's production, promotion, and strategic growth. Fluid Studios manages podcast development, from concept to publication, ensuring high-quality content that resonates with audiences. We develop social media and content marketing strategies to maximize engagement and reach. By collaborating with the Blue Frontier team, we maintain the podcast's vision, enhance its impact, and leverage analytics to optimize performance, drive continuous improvement, and contribute to the organization's dynamic leadership and innovative solutions.
A refreshing, irreverent dive into the lives, work, and explorations of today’s leading and diverse ocean voices.
Each half-hour episode co-hosted by David Helvarg of Blue Frontier and Vicki Nichols Goldstein of the Inland Ocean Coalition sails through lively discussions with our guests about marine life, culture, and critical issues affecting our rapidly changing seas. Informative, enlightening, and often humorous it is an invaluable resource for anyone passionate about understanding, enjoying, and protecting our salty blue world.
Cal Maritime’s Eric Jones — Tall Ships and Tall Orders
From the deck of America’s Tall Ship to the helm of California’s only West Coast maritime academy, Superintendent Eric Jones has spent a lifetime navigating complex waters. In this episode of Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast, David Helvarg sits down with the retired Coast Guard Rear Admiral to trace a remarkable journey shaped by saltwater, service, and leadership.
Jones reflects on his early days working fishing party boats along the California coast, the experiences that launched him into a distinguished Coast Guard career, and the high-stakes moments that defined it—from hurricane response and maritime rescues to commanding the legendary three-masted barque Eagle. The conversation also explores the enduring value of seamanship, leadership under pressure, and what tall ships still teach future officers in a high-tech world.
Now leading Cal Poly Maritime through a period of historic transition, Jones shares insights on the changing U.S. maritime industry, the integration of Cal Maritime with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and the opportunities awaiting the next generation of mariners. It’s a wide-ranging, deeply human conversation about tradition, transformation, and the future of life and work at sea.
Protecting the Wild Kingdom
In the latest episode of Rising Tide, David Helvarg speaks with Peter Gros and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant, co-hosts of “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom: Protecting the Wild,” a show whose origins go back to 1963, when most televisions were still black and white, but wildlife was both more abundant and less understood.
Today, you can see their Emmy-nominated television show on Saturday mornings on NBC or watch it on Peacock, Amazon Prime, YouTube - so many outlets, you have no excuse not to watch it, once you’ve heard what they have to say on this podcast.
Peter Gros is, among other things, a wildlife expert, a licensed animal educator, and a 40-year veteran of the show many of us grew up on.
Dr. Wynn-Grant is a wildlife ecologist specializing in carnivore-human interactions who also focuses on expanding science communications and sustainability. A National Geographic research fellow and author, she joined the show in 2023.
‘Wild Kingdom’ is also getting saltier over time with more ocean shows on gray whales, white sharks, coral reefs, and one of our favorites, kelp forests, including their most famous residents, the voracious marine weasels also known as sea otters. So, dive in for a fun and informative interview with these two land and sea stars.
Reviving the River: Amy Bowers Cordalis on Healing the Klamath—and Ourselves
In the latest episode, David Helvarg and Natasha Benjamin speak with Amy Bowers Cordalis of California’s Yurok Tribe about her life and her new book, The Water Remembers: My Indigenous Family’s Fight to Save a River and a Way of Life. Amy, the former general counsel for the Yurok Tribe, the largest tribe in California, living along the Klamath River, shares the story of her family’s leadership in the historic effort to remove four dams on the Klamath following the devastating 2002 fish kill. She reflects on how the Yurok and neighboring Klamath Basin tribes mobilized, organized, and persevered to restore the river’s health and its wild salmon.
A co-founder of the Ridges to Riffles Conservation Group, Amy has been recognized globally as a UN Champion of the Earth Laureate and one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential Climate Leaders. This episode explores what it means to be born of wild water, to uphold a culture of world renewal, and to take real-world action to protect and restore a river, its people, and our blue planet.
Ministering to Mariners
In the latest episode, David Helvarg & Vicki Nichols Goldstein talk with the Reverend Robert Wilkins about how his faith led him to his work with the Seafarers Ministry, serving ship crews arriving at the Port of Oakland, California. Wilkins and his team make ship visits, help crew members connect with families in places like the Philippines and Bangladesh, and check in on conditions such as time spent at sea and food quality — often doing follow-up when issues arise.
They also support mariners on shore leave with recreation, transportation, and other needs, and even coordinate doctor visits when necessary, frequently working with Customs and Border Protection to make it happen.
Each holiday season, the ministry delivers gift bags to seafarers and continues to grow its volunteer program, expanding ship visits from 250 vessels to 370 this year — supporting the people responsible for moving more than 90% of the world’s goods.
Wilkins also shares his perspective on shipping automation and decarbonization, exploring how these changes are already affecting seafarers and may reshape their livelihoods in the future.
Tune in to this insightful conversation with Rev. Wilkins and gain his unique perspective.
Conversations and Culinary Insight with Chef Andrew Zimmern
In the latest episode of Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast, hosts David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein speak with Chef Andrew Zimmern — the award-winning host and producer of numerous acclaimed radio and television programs, including the Food Channel’s Bizarre Foods and the PBS documentary series Hope in the Water, which explores ocean farming and restoration.
Zimmern, who began working in the food industry at age 14, has authored several books, including the forthcoming Blue Food Cookbook, co-written with Cod and Country author and longtime Blue Frontier friend Barton Seaver.
A recipient of multiple James Beard Awards and a founding member of the Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture, Zimmern brings deep expertise and passion to the conversation. This episode offers a rich and flavorful exploration of food, sustainability, and the future of our seas — an audio feast not to be missed.
Balancing Wonder and Warning: Dr. Ben Halpern on the Future of Our Oceans
In the latest episode of ‘Rising Tide, the Ocean Podcast,’ David and Natasha speak with Dr. Ben Halpern. Along with being a past Peter Benchley Ocean Award winner, Ben serves as Director of the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, a research center at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he is also a professor of marine biology and conservation science. Among his numerous honors and research papers, he’s contributed to a new report published in Science magazine warning that the world’s ecosystems could be permanently altered – meaning degraded - by mid-century if the present trend in greenhouse gas pollution, industrial overfishing, and coastal development continues unabated. Ben also offers some ideas on how each of us can act in ways that can help reverse that trend. So, give a listen, learn a bit, and visit the ocean when you can.
Labor is for ‘Revolution’ in Offshore Wind
In the most recent episode of the Rising Tide Ocean Podcast, David Helvarg hosted Erica Hammond, the legislative director of the Rhode Island AFL-CIO. The discussion centered around the collaborative efforts of labor, environmental, and community groups in Rhode Island working towards sustainable energy solutions through the Climate Jobs Rhode Island coalition.
Drew Harvell — Exploring the Secrets of the Sea
In the latest episode of 'Rising Tide, the Ocean Podcast,' hosts David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein of the Inland Ocean Coalition interview Dr. Drew Harvell, an esteemed professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at Cornell University. The discussion delves into the recent breakthrough in identifying the bacteria responsible for sea star wasting disease, which has decimated starfish populations and kelp forests on the West Coast. Dr. Harvell reveals her journey into marine biology, highlights her research on marine ecosystem health, and discusses her influential books, including 'A Sea of Glass' and 'The Ocean's Menagerie.' Dr. Harville emphasizes the impact of pathogen pollution on marine life, the interconnectedness of human and environmental health, and the therapeutic potential of marine organisms. The episode underscores the critical need for better ocean management and the role of art in translating scientific knowledge to foster public interest and understanding.
A Voice for the Ocean's Mammals
The latest episode of Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast features a conversation with Kirsten Donald, a marine mammal biologist, educator, and ocean advocate with the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach, California. This renowned rescue center responds to whales and dolphins in distress while rehabilitating and releasing hundreds of sick and injured seals and sea lions each year.
Before joining the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, Kirsten spent 18 years at the Dolphin Research Center in the Florida Keys, where she also co-founded and directed the College of Marine Mammal Professions.
Learn about the current state of marine mammals, the impacts of climate change, and challenges facing gray whales. Kirsten shares memorable release stories—including a group of sea lion pups who checked in on each other before re-entering the ocean—and discusses why now is the time to strengthen, not weaken, marine mammal protection.
The War Against the Greens
The latest episode of the Rising Tide Ocean Podcast features an excerpt from a recent conversation between David Helvarg and Chris Clarke of the desert podcast 90 Miles from Needles. Clarke discusses Helvarg’s first book, The War Against the Greens (1994), which was highly influential in exposing a violent environmental backlash funded by western industries such as hard-rock mining, beef, and timber.
Helvarg draws parallels between that earlier backlash and today’s top-down right-wing attacks on environmental laws and agencies under President Trump. He explores how violent rhetoric and climate denial merged within a Republican Party that once championed both environmental protection and democracy. He also explains how the oil and gas industry applied lessons from the past to obstruct the growth of clean energy, and reflects on what he now believes is most effective in the fight to protect the planet’s blue world—and humanity itself.
Tides of Change: Unpacking Ocean Policy with George Leonard
Unpacking Trump’s Ocean Rollbacks
n the latest Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast David and Vicki talk with former Ocean Conservancy Chief Scientist and policy expert George Leonard about the Trump administration’s approach to our public seas. In taking a closer look at the BBB (‘Big Beautiful’ or ‘Big Brother’) mega-bill that Congress just passed, George breaks down many of the vital services from ocean observation and weather labs to protection of salmon, parks in the sea and public education, fishing regulation, beach pollution warning systems, deep-sea exploration and coastal management that will be gutted or terminated under this law.
Listening to area experts like George you realize not only will this legislation blow a hole in the deficit and untax the rich, it will expand offshore oil drilling and put more mercury in tuna. It may even mark the end of right whales along with many of our own rights. So, tune in to hear what George has to say about Trump 2.0 policies and his major new law that treats the Ocean as little more than a gas station and a garbage dump. Also, hear what he thinks you can still do about it.
Navigating Success: Meaghan Brosnan's Journey and Mission with WildAid
Protecting Wildlife, Enforcing Change: A Global Dive with WildAid’s Meaghan Brosnan
In this episode of 'Rising Tide, the Ocean Podcast,' hosts David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein interview Meaghan Brosnan, CEO of Wild Aid. Wild Aid is an international organization dedicated to protecting wildlife and their habitats, with a strong focus on combating illegal poaching, trafficking, and fishing, as well as addressing climate change impacts. Brosnan, who has an extensive background in marine enforcement with over 20 years in the US Coast Guard, discusses the journey that led her to Wild Aid and the significant expansion of their oceans program to over 16 nations. The episode also touches on key conservation topics, such as Trump's administration canceling subscriptions to scientific journals, and Wild Aid's impactful initiatives in areas like the Philippines and Galapagos, involving collaboration with local partners and law enforcement to protect marine life.
Navigating Change: Blue Zones, Green Zones, and Ocean Futures
In this episode of Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast, hosts David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein from the Inland Ocean Coalition talk with Mike Sutton, Executive Director of the Goldman Environmental Prize, and Lindsay Gordon, Head of Global Programs at Parley for the Oceans. The discussion centers on the United Nations Ocean Conference held in East France from June 9th to 13th, highlighting the lack of media coverage in the US. Sutton and Gordon share their experiences, noting significant advancements in transparency and civil society engagement over the years. Sutton discusses his role in enhancing the value of the conference for Goldman Prize winners, while Gordon emphasizes the importance of managing international waters collaboratively. Key topics include the High Seas Treaty, the establishment of marine protected areas, and the importance of international funding and enforcement. They also touch on issues like sustainable fishing, plastic pollution, and the urgent need for global action on climate change. The conversation stresses the importance of accountability and progress to truly protect the oceans.
Restoring the Underwater Forest: Tom Ford's Kelp Crusade
In this episode of the Rising Tide Ocean Podcast, hosts David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein welcome Tom Ford, CEO of the Bay Foundation and Director of the Santa Monica Bay National Estuary Program. They discuss Ford's journey from his first ocean encounter in high school to his extensive work in kelp forest restoration. Ford shares insights into the Bay Foundation's efforts, including restoring 75 acres of kelp forest off Palos Verdes, California, reintroducing endangered white abalones, and collaborating with commercial sea urchin harvesters. The conversation covers the challenges and successes of these restoration projects, the impact of environmental changes, and the importance of continued funding and community engagement. Ford also talks about his memorable kelp dives and the significance of creating sustainable marine ecosystems.
Behind the Glass – Kim McIntyre and the Aquarium Conservation Partnership
In the latest episode of Rising Tide, the Ocean Podcast David Helvarg and Natasha Benjamin talk with Kim McIntyre, the Executive Director of the Aquarium Conservation Partnership, a coalition of 35 aquariums working together to increase their collective impact. Along with helping revive the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards that took place at the National Aquarium in May, the 9-year-old coalition is involved in educating its members’ 40 million annual visitors around issues of sustainable seafood, climate change, plastic pollution and more.
Kim talks about the changing role of aquariums as conservation hubs for the sea, marine animal rehab and release centers and how many children are transformed by their first visit to an aquarium.
Plus, we’ll have our ‘Blue News You Can Use’: This week on the threat of Deep-Sea Mining that the Trump administration has just embraced. So, dive into our aquarium special.
Blue News and Great Diving with Rep. Huffman & Tiani Dun
On the latest episode of Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast ranges David Helvarg travels ffrom Palau in the central Pacific to Washington D.C. After a short Blue News update with Congressman Jared Huffman in his DC office he travels to the shark enhanced — not infested — waters of Palau where he interviews Tiani Dun an underwater photographer who also organizes dive charters, part of the multi-billion-dollar global scuba diving industry.
Co-Owner of Dive and More, a company that focuses its dive trips around underwater photography and more recently, marine conservation, Tiani’s also a marine biologist, surfer and drone pilot from Byron Bay Australia. Lots to cover in this episode from political resistance to Trump administration attacks on our public seas to diving with big critters in one of the world’s last best coral reef habitats and Marine Protected Areas. So, dive in!
From Bay to Blue Planet: Live at SF Climate Week with Ocean Defenders
On Friday April 25 the Rising Tide Ocean Podcast recorded our show with a live audience during SF Climate Week – one of the largest climate gatherings in the world. From the downtown studios of KALW – “The Voice of the Bay Area,” David and Natasha discussed global and Bay Area aspects of the Ocean and the Climate Crisis with guests Rod Fujita, a marine consultant and recently retired director of ocean research and development for the Environmental Defense Fund and Sejal Choksi-Chugh an attorney and Executive Director of the San Francisco Baykeeper. We had a lively and informative discussion about impacts and solutions for our global seas and West Coast estuary. Our live audience enjoyed it and we hope you will too.
The Blue Revolution: Jeremy Rifkin on Our Water Planet
What if water isn’t just a resource—but the key to rethinking life on Earth?
In the latest and award-winning Rising Tide: the Ocean Podcast, David Helvarg, and Vicki Nicholas Goldstein speak with Jeremy Rifkin, who wants us to rethink our home in the universe. He is a best-selling author of 23 books translated into 35 languages and a major climate advisor to the European Union and China. He has returned to basics with his newest book, "Planet Aqua," about how water is the animating force of life, something the team at Blue Frontier has long known and believed. Jeremy Rifkin gives his perspective on how to convert our approach to water from a 'resource' to a 'life source' that can guide us into a future better adapted to our amazing hydrosphere. Dive into "Planet Aqua"
Craig McLean & The Fight To Save NOAA
In the latest episode of the award-winning Rising Tide: the Ocean Podcast David and Vicki talk with retired NOAA Captain Craig McLean about the Trump administration’s attacks on the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration. 20 percent of its workforce including weather forecasters and ocean and climate scientists have already been laid off and more than 10 percent of the budget cut and things could get worse.
Having spent his career as a ship’s master in the uniformed NOAA Corps and as a lawyer and administrator including Acting Chief Scientist during the first Trump administration when he stood up for scientific integrity during the Sharpie-gate scandal, Craig will give us his unique perspective on what’s going on, and the importance of what NOAA does day to day to help our economy, security and environment and what we can all do to protect its work. This is one you won’t want to miss.
Sequoias of the Sea Hits the Big Screen
The latest episode of Rising Tide – The Ocean Podcast features a conversation with Natasha Benjamin of Blue Frontier and Ana Blanco of the International Ocean Film Festival, who recently took on the role of co-directors for Sequoias of the Sea. This 54-minute documentary explores the global crisis facing kelp forests, told through the experiences of the people of Fort Bragg, California—a former timber town on the state’s north coast.
The episode delves into the challenges of making the film, as well as the struggles Fort Bragg residents face in rebuilding a blue economy after the decline of their once-thriving kelp forests. Lost jobs, shifting cultural landscapes, and the disappearance of traditional ocean sports have left the community searching for new ways forward.
The discussion also highlights the film’s upcoming premiere at the International Ocean Film Festival in San Francisco on April 13, offering listeners insight into how they can see the film and learn more about the critical role of marine forests in ocean health.
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You can also listen to Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast on a variety of platforms including Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, Android, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Blubrry, Podchaser, Gaana, the Podcast Index, and Deezer. Additionally, the podcast is broadcast on several radio stations: KGUA Radio (Public Media for the Mendonoma Coast), KWMR (Point Reyes West Marin Community Radio), KGNU & KGNU-FM (Denver & Boulder Community Radio Stations), KKRN (Round Mountain California Listener Supported Radio), & G-TOWN RADIO (Germantown Community Radio, Philadelphia).
Check out the Our Blue Frontier on Substack for transcripts, emerging ocean & climate issues highlights, and the lighter side of the Environmental Apocalypse.