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.
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.
From the Vents to the Arctic: Kathy Crane’s Ocean Explorations
This fall, NASA launched the Europa Clipper spaceship on a mission to Jupiter’s moon Europa to investigate the possibility of life in its subsurface ocean. In this episode of Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast, Dr. Kathy Crane, a pioneering geologist, shares her experience mapping hydrothermal vents in the deep Pacific 45 years ago—an expedition that led to the discovery of chemosynthetic life, including giant clams and tubeworms. These deep-sea organisms offer clues about potential extraterrestrial life on Europa and beyond. Crane also reflects on her experiences as a woman in geology and her work exploring the Arctic seabed during the Cold War. This episode offers a compelling look at scientific discovery and the uncharted frontiers of both Earth and space. Dive in.
Nat Herz’s Northern Beat
In our latest episode of ‘Rising Tide the Ocean Podcast’ David and Vicki check in on Nat Herz founder and reporter at The Northern Journal. After covering our 49th state (including one third of America’s coastline) for the Alaska Daily News and Alaska Public Media Nick set out on his own in 2022, creating an Anchorage-based investigative newsletter covering issues from public lands and water, energy, mining, fisheries, politics, dog sled racing, everything the Alaskan public has a right to know. Now a must read in Alaska with stories picked up by every media outlet in the state the Northern Journal is what you might get if I.F. Stone met a polar bear. We ask Nat about his take on Alaska in the world, how things might change – or not cha nge – during Trump 2.0 and what it’s like covering a beat the size of Western Europe but mostly without roads. It’s a fascinating take on journalism on ‘The Last Frontier.’
Reef Report: The Unyielding Efforts for Ocean Health
In this episode of 'Rising Tide, the Ocean podcast,' hosts David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein interview Melanie McField, the founder and director of Healthy Reefs for Healthy People. Melanie shares her journey from a childhood interest in marine biology to her work in Belize with the Peace Corps and beyond. She discusses the creation of the world's first science-based coral reef report card, which evaluates the health of the Mesoamerican Reef, the second-largest coral reef system globally. Melanie details the indicators used in the report card, including coral cover, macro-algae levels, herbivorous fish populations, and commercial fish stocks. She explains the impact of COVID-19 on fishing practices and reef health, the importance of protected areas, and the ongoing challenges of pollution and nutrient management. The conversation also touches on global reef stressors like coral bleaching and disease and the potential for coral restoration projects. Melanie expresses cautious optimism for the future, citing the dedication of conservation groups and innovative restoration efforts.
Salmon State Revisited with Tim Bristol
Last fall David & Vicki spoke with a University of Alaska scientist about the state of salmon. Today they speak with Tim Bristol, the Director of ‘Salmon State’, a Juneau based environmental initiative to protect and sustain Alaska’s wild salmon that include some of the largest runs in the world. But all’s not well in their river and ocean home.
Working with Alaska Native people, commercial fishermen, river guides, and conservationists Salmon State aims to protect and restore these iconic fish. Tim talks about some of the challenges they face from mining, logging, offshore factory trawlers and of course climate change. He also discuss the mixed signals Alaska’s getting on how the new Trump administration may deal with salmon. So, join us for a fascinating and informative episode.
Richard Charter on Biden’s Historic Offshore Drilling Ban
In this episode of Rising Tide the Ocean Podcast David Helvarg & Vicki N. Goldstein talk with longtime anti-offshore drilling activist Richard Charter about one of President Biden’s last acts in office, his January 6th ban on future offshore oil and gas drilling permits along the entire Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the U.S. in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and the northern Bering Sea off Alaska.
Richard, whose been a leader of citizen campaigns to protect offshore waters for 48 years discusses the legal strength of Biden’s declaration, the difficulties incoming president Donald Trump will have in trying to reverse these protections and why he thinks this is one of the greatest environmental victories since the establishment of our national parks.
Whales, Waves, and Wonders
In this episode of the Rising Tide Ocean Podcast, David Helvarg presents a compilation of the most impactful ocean voices of 2024. The episode features commercial fisherman turned journalist Nick Raheim discussing sperm whales in Alaska, artist Rachel sharing her fish-inspired art, Dr. Sarah Frees Torres on her marine biology journey, author Shelby Van Pelt on her book's influence, Nancy Rabley on the Gulf’s dead zone, Rear Admiral Andy Sugimoto on Coast Guard missions, Sherry Goodman on clean energy's military advantages, Craig Foster on tracking underwater life, and Wendy Benchley on the revival of the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards. The episode highlights inspiring stories and calls for donations to support ocean conservation efforts.
Development Dreams to Parkland Reality
Sometimes you save the world 413 acres at a time. In our latest Rising Tide Ocean Podcast Vicki asks some probing questions of David and former guest Andres Soto, a longtime Richmond California activist, musician and radio host recently relocated to Portugal. They talk about their years of work helping to establish Point Molate Park which will soon be dedicated as the next green Jewel and public headland on San Francisco Bay.
They recount two decades of grassroots bottom-up organizing that helped save this unique habitat. In explaining how the Point Molate Alliance led a successful campaign to stop developer schemes for a mega-casino and luxury housing estate they discuss how other low-income waterfront communities can win similar climate justice battles while protecting biologically rich lands and waters.
Environmental & Cultural Shifts of the Pribilof Islands
Join David Helvarg and Natasha Benjamin on this episode of the Rising Tide Ocean Podcast as they discuss environmental changes and community impacts on St. Paul Island, the largest of the Pribilof Islands, with residents Destiny Bristol Kushin, a 20-year-old college student, and Zinaida Melovidov, her grandmother and lifelong island inhabitant. The conversation delves into the shifting climate patterns, the decline in local wildlife, the community's adaptation strategies, and the significant cultural heritage surrounding traditional fishing and hunting practices. With personal anecdotes and reflections, this episode paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced and the resilience shown by the residents of St. Paul.
From Jaws to Jubilation: The Legacy & Return of The Peter Benchley and the Ocean Awards
In this episode of the Rising Tide Ocean podcast, hosts David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein discuss the Peter Benchley Ocean Awards revival with co-founder Wendy Benchley. After a hiatus since 2017, the awards are set to return on May 8, 2025, at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, backed by the National Aquarium Conservation Partnership.
Their conversation covers the origins of the awards, their impact on the ocean conservation community, and the excitement surrounding their return. Wendy Benchley shares memorable moments from past awards and highlights the importance of recognizing leaders in various sectors including policy, science, grassroots activism, and sustainable business.
David, Vicky, & Wendy also delve into Peter Benchley's legacy and his contribution to marine conservation.
Crisis to Conservation: The Inspiring Journey of Dune Lankard
In our latest episode of Rising Tide the Ocean Podcast David heads to Alaska to interview Dune Lankard, a member of the Eagle Clan of the Eyak tribal nation based in Cordova Alaska, on Prince Williams Sound. Dune talks about his life as a commercial fisherman and his response to the 1989 Exxon-Valdez oil spill, the largest U.S. environmental disaster till that time.
He talks about his founding of the Native Conservancy and its work with 32 tribes across Alaska, including protecting over a million acres of land. They also talk about his kelp farming to restore the ocean, traditional food sources and provide indigenous people and fishermen a chance to be part of a new regenerative food industry in a time of climate disruption. Check out Dune’s spiritual, practical and innovative ideas on the new Rising Tide Ocean podcast.
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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.