Send us a text 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 go...
Jun 18, 2025•1 hr 28 min•Season 2Ep. 113
Send us a text 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...
Jun 04, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 112
Send us a text 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 awa...
May 21, 2025•53 min•Season 2Ep. 111
Send us a text 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’...
May 07, 2025•9 min•Season 2Ep. 110
Send us a text 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 foundat...
Apr 23, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 2Ep. 109
Send us a text 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 c...
Apr 09, 2025•56 min•Season 2Ep. 108
Send us a text 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 win...
Mar 26, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 2Ep. 107
Send us a text Join Kara as she shares some similarities between our lives and the live of the magnificent sea turtle. Support the show GET THE *FREE* GUIDE: HOW TO BE A MARINE BIOLOGIST WITHOUT THE DEGREE REGISTER FOR THE *FREE* COURSE: ✨ BACK TO NATURE ✨ Daily drops of goodness to bring your closer to Ocean, Nature, and Yourself Land your dream job. Join the Waitlist. ✨ STEER YOUR COURSE ✨ Check out the website: https://karagracemuzia.com/ PURCHASE ✨ SCUBA FOR BEGINNERS ✨ DIRECT DOWNLOAD DROPS...
Mar 05, 2025•10 min•Season 2Ep. 106
Send us a text 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 credite...
Feb 19, 2025•1 hr 24 min•Season 2Ep. 105
Send us a text 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 ...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Season 2Ep. 104
Send us a text Dr. Steve Moreau, is a Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner with Caribbean roots. Like so many of us, Steve wanted to be a marine biologist in childhood, but personal health challenges in high school led him to pursue a career in wellness. On the show today, Steve shares his story from eating the Standard American Diet to vegetarianism to veganism and finally eating according to biology. Steve’s winding journey takes us through what true health and vitality looks and feels li...
Jan 22, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Season 2Ep. 103
Send us a text Hunter, trapper, and fisherman Cody McLaughlin joins us on the show today. Cody is a season podcast producer and outdoor writer featured in several national publications including National Wild Turkey Federation’s Turkey Call Magazine and the Sportfishing Magazine. He also is a political strategist and serves on the board of the Alaska Outdoor Council, the Last Frontier State’s NRA affiliate, and is a former board member and spokesperson for the NJ outdoor alliance. On the show to...
Jan 08, 2025•1 hr 19 min•Season 2Ep. 102
Send us a text WELCOME BACK! Host Kara Muzia is on the show today verifying the nearly two year hiatus from recordings, and sharing what’s next for the SYWTBAMB podcast. Support the show GET THE *FREE* GUIDE: HOW TO BE A MARINE BIOLOGIST WITHOUT THE DEGREE REGISTER FOR THE *FREE* COURSE: ✨ BACK TO NATURE ✨ Daily drops of goodness to bring your closer to Ocean, Nature, and Yourself Land your dream job. Join the Waitlist. ✨ STEER YOUR COURSE ✨ Check out the website: https://karagracemuzia.com/ PUR...
Jan 08, 2025•12 min•Season 2Ep. 101
Send us a text So, so much has been covered in 100 episodes. Here we recap some of the most important topics covered. Full transcript: marinebio.life/100 Support the show GET THE *FREE* GUIDE: HOW TO BE A MARINE BIOLOGIST WITHOUT THE DEGREE REGISTER FOR THE *FREE* COURSE: ✨ BACK TO NATURE ✨ Daily drops of goodness to bring your closer to Ocean, Nature, and Yourself Land your dream job. Join the Waitlist. ✨ STEER YOUR COURSE ✨ Check out the website: https://karagracemuzia.com/ PURCHASE ✨ SCUBA FO...
Feb 22, 2023•10 min•Ep. 100
Send us a text Melissa Cristina Márquez is a marine science education expert, TEDx speaker, author, and podcast host currently finishing her doctoral degree. She has been featured in NPR, Allure, InStyle, GQ, Seeker, Popular Science, and appeared on Disney+, BBC, National Geographic, Discovery Channel, Acciona, and Good Morning America. Born in Puerto Rico and raised in Mexico, Melissa has worked at the forefront of marine science education and communication for over a decade, her work taking he...
Feb 08, 2023•41 min•Ep. 99
Send us a text Emily Velasquez is a student who currently lives in Mozambique. Though a newcomer to the country, she’s followed her curiosity to help answer some of the most pressing questions that this region- and the world- faces. From mangrove reforestation to using red algae in cattle feed to reduce methane emissions, Emily’s projects and goals are wide ranging with positive, long-lasting implications. Show Notes: marinebio.life/98 Support the show GET THE *FREE* GUIDE: HOW TO BE A MARINE BI...
Jan 25, 2023•49 min•Ep. 98
Send us a text Andrea Richey is the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Shark Foundation. After decades as a corporate lawyer, Andrea realized that she wanted to give back more in life, and found her passion in saving sharks in the very epicenter of the shark fin trade. Through her work, Andrea has educated thousands of students, created lasting change in her community, and, through her TED talk, reached thousands more. One of the biggest takeaways from Andrea’s story is that you don’t have to h...
Jan 11, 2023•1 hr 19 min•Ep. 97
Send us a text William Trubridge is the world’s deepest man, with an unassisted freediving record to 102m or 334 feet. He holds eighteen freediving records and six world champion titles, and is able to hold his breath for over seven minutes. He has spent an extraordinary amount time in and around the ocean in his lifetime, completing nearly unfathomable underwater challenges. William offers a fascinating way of translating his freediving techniques into the everyday world and he shares them here...
Dec 28, 2022•47 min
Send us a text Divya Karnad is an Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at Ashoka University in India. The focus of her work is marine conservation and fisheries management. She won the global Future for Nature Award in recognition for her work with InSeason Fish, a sustainable seafood initiative that she founded. Divya is published in scientific journals like Ambio, Biological Conservation, Conservation Biology, Marine Policy and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science and off...
Dec 14, 2022•54 min•Ep. 95
Send us a text Brooke Lynn Elzweig is an engineer and a marine biologist. Growing up, marine science took center stage with school projects focused on the ocean and marine science sleep away camps. When it came time for higher education, Brooke chose to pursue engineering in a land-locked state. The siren song of the sea is a powerful one, and after graduation, Brooke found herself once more back in the marine science realm. This time, she’s traveling overseas to Saudi Arabia as a Project Coordi...
Nov 30, 2022•56 min•Ep. 94
Send us a text Erich Hoyt has spent much of his life on or beside the ocean, working with whales and dolphins. He is a noted conservationist, scientist, and an award-winning author, he actually wrote the first ever book on Orcas, or Killer Whales. A former Vannevar Bush Fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Erich is currently a research fellow at Whale and Dolphin Conservation, co-chair of the IUCN Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force, and author of the new book "PLANKTONIA: T...
Nov 16, 2022•1 hr 32 min•Ep. 93
Send us a text Maddy McAllister is the Senior Curator for Maritime Archaeology at James Cook University and the Museum of Tropical Queensland. In her words, Maddy is a maritime archeologist and shipwreck detective. In today’s episode we chat about the ghost story that inspired Maddy’s career, how technology has helped shape the archeology field, how to identify a shipwreck, and why telling these stories is so important. Show Notes: marinebio.life/92 Support the show GET THE *FREE* GUIDE: HOW TO ...
Nov 02, 2022•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 92
Send us a text Stephan Abel is the the President and CEO of Ferry Cove Shellfish, an oyster hatchery located along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. Starting off his career, Stephan didn’t even consider going into natural sciences or natural resources at all. In fact, he was military. In today’s episode, Stephan shares his story, transitioning from flying helicopters for the US Navy to working for big name start ups like Sallie-Mae and Career Builder before taking the leap into the w...
Oct 19, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 91
Send us a text Chris Maingot is an ocean engineer and physical oceanographer. Growing up in South Florida, Chris always felt at home in the water and- after a slight deviation down the path of pre-med- decided to pursue a career in the ocean. Today we chat about what an ocean engineer is, what a physical oceanographer does, and about some crazy ocean phenomenon including waves underneath the waves- nature is wild. Scuba for Beginners Show Notes Support the show GET THE *FREE* GUIDE: HOW TO BE A ...
Oct 05, 2022•49 min•Ep. 90
Send us a text For four decades, Dr. Megan Davis has been working with the iconic queen conch in Florida and all over the Caribbean. In today’s episode, Megan shares how at age 16, she knew she wanted to do conch aquaculture, and how she’s been at the forefront of conch science and aquaculture since. Megan shares how conch is being restored all over the Caribbean, some crazy facts about the iconic species, and what a conch pearl looks like. Her passion for these shelled creatures is contagious; ...
Sep 21, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 89
Send us a text Dr. Joshua Voss is the Executive Director of NOAA's Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology and an Associate Research Professor at Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. His research interests? Coral. In today’s episode, we chat about coral reefs, both shallow and mesophotic (or slightly deeper water), their health, how they’re explored. Josh is a certified technical rebreather diver and scuba instructor who has completed...
Sep 07, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 88
Send us a text Outdoor environmental educator Amy Osborne joins us on the show today. Starting her career as a rowing coach, Amy discovered her passion for teaching- and particularly teaching the outdoors- a little bit later in life. This led her to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, Wyoming, and California. It also gave her the opportunity with PolarTrec to conduct research at McMurdo Research Station in Antarctica, something we chat about quite a bit today. Amy shares what life on the ice is li...
Aug 24, 2022•59 min•Ep. 87
Send us a text Film-maker, broadcaster, photographer, and outdoor swimmer Calum Maclean joins us on the podcast today. Calum is a host on the BBC Social, and has his own wildly popular YouTube, Instagram, and now TikTok channels. His new book, “1001 Outdoor Swimming Tips” is written to get people out in and excited about being submerged in nature. Today’s episode is a fun one chatting about all things swimming outside- in both the ocean and freshwater bodies. Calum shares insights into what it’s...
Aug 10, 2022•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 86
Send us a text Entrepreneur, marine biologist, educator, and dive instructor, Danél Wentzel joins us on the show. Danél shares her journey from landlocked farmland in rural South Africa to becoming an instructor with over 600 dives under her belt, four minute breath holds, and her own show and company. As a self proclaimed “freelance marine biologist” Danél has some incredible stories and experiences to share, including surviving a shark attack (you’ll have to listen to the end for that one!) sh...
Jul 27, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 85
Send us a text Past SYWTBAMB intern Aislinn Olthoff joins us on the show today! Inspired by nature around her and Jane Goodall, Aislinn took a gap year after high school in order to figure out where her interests lie. A pivotal volunteer opportunity working with elephants in Asia firmly pointed her to her degree in Wildlife Conservation. Not one to sit idylly by, Aislinn did quite a bit of traveling and work during her undergrad, including to Costa Rica, Africa, and Paris. Then she decided to tu...
Jul 13, 2022•40 min•Ep. 84
