Ocean Wings Podcast

Martina Wing

From manta ray magic to meaningful change: conversations about the preservation of our planet, civic courage, and the ripple effect of nature. Join Martina Wing and her guests as each episode explores how pivotal moments can heal trauma, ignite action, and reconnect us with our purpose in life. In these uncertain times and this critical hour for the environment, we uncover how each of us can truly make a difference for our planet, for society, and for ourselves - both above and below the surface.

Episodes

  1. Trauma and Body Trust: a licensed therapist on manta rays as therapy with Rae Madison Gerber

    FEB 11

    Trauma and Body Trust: a licensed therapist on manta rays as therapy with Rae Madison Gerber

    Rae Madison Gerber’s life has been shaped by three encounters with manta rays that became unexpected turning points. What began as a tentative first swim evolved into a way to reconnect with her body, question long-held beliefs about trust and worth, and find the clarity to step away from work that no longer felt right. This episode explores listening inward, finding momentum when the world feels overwhelming, and how the ocean can create space for emotional release. In this episode: What manta rays can teach us about self-acceptance and seeing bodies without judgment.How Rae’s work with Body Trust shapes her approach to healing and care.The role of listening inward and continuing forward to something better when the work you’re doing no longer fits.How trauma lives in the body and why the ocean can help unlock what gets stuck.How Rae imagines blending the power of the ocean with therapeutic work to create a different kind of healing space. Key moments: (00:00) Introduction  (01:33) Rae's first manta experience (03:33) From anxiety on the beach to joy in the water  (06:25) Rae’s path into mental health counseling (07:52) Unlearning body shame with the mantas (09:26) "Big Bertha," a manta ray matriarch  (11:43) Burnout and wondering if therapy is still the right path (16:26) A new chapter and choosing work that makes your heart sing (19:47) What Body Trust is and why it matters  (22:48) Third manta swim and finding community in the dark (26:41) Keeping momentum when the world feels heavy (31:52) Learning scuba the right way: skill, discipline, safety (34:20) Scar the sea turtle and protecting the ocean (35:46) Body Trust meets the ocean: Rae's vision for group therapy (37:21) Trauma in the body and healing in the ocean Resources • Episode page and resources: https://oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/rae-body-trust-therapy• Get Martina’s emails: https://oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter• More about manta rays on https://mantarayadvocates.com• Watch the full video on YouTube Follow us on YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

    41 min
  2. From landlocked Nebraska to manta rays in Hawaii: bringing the Aloha Spirit home (with Chris Gorman)

    JAN 28

    From landlocked Nebraska to manta rays in Hawaii: bringing the Aloha Spirit home (with Chris Gorman)

    Living in landlocked Nebraska makes ocean visits precious. In this episode, Chris Gorman reflects on why he and his wife keep returning to Hawaii, how they approach travel with care and curiosity, and what made their manta ray experience unexpectedly impactful. It’s a conversation about slowing down, traveling with intention, and bringing a little of the Aloha Spirit back home. In this episode: Chris’s approach to sustainable travel and experiencing places from a local’s perspective How to cut through online noise and figure out which experiences are actually worth your timeWhy choosing fewer, better experiences often leads to deeper trust and more meaningful momentsCarrying lessons from travel back home: slowing down, consuming more thoughtfully, and being more aware of everyday choices Key moments: (00:00) Intro and living in landlocked Nebraska (04:37) Swimming with manta rays during a stressful season (05:20)  Learning about Hawaii from locals, not guidebooks (08:19)  Choosing responsible travel experiences  (10:05)  A magical moment in the water with the manta rays (17:09)  "Serial research" and planning trips with intention  (18:16)  Going beyond the guidebooks and maximizing your travel experience (26:51)  Reading between the lines of online reviews (32:48)  How preparation and experience create trust on the water (38:02)  What indigenous cultures reveal about sustainability (42:19)  Feeling more tuned into the planet after time in Hawaii (44:39)  Aloha as a way of living, not just a greeting Resources • Episode page and resources: https://oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/chris-intentional-travel• Get Martina’s emails: https://oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter• More about manta rays on https://mantarayadvocates.com• Watch the full video on YouTube Follow us on YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

    47 min
  3. The expectations gap: how technology changes our relationship with nature (with Rowan Daugherty)

    JAN 15

    The expectations gap: how technology changes our relationship with nature (with Rowan Daugherty)

    What does it mean to experience nature without expecting something in return? In this episode, Martina and honors undergraduate student Rowan Daugherty explore that question through the lens of environmental ethics, drawing on Rowan’s academic work and a manta swim that echoed those ideas. Together, they examine how technology and consumer expectations shape our experiences and why shifting away from a human-centered mindset matters. In this episode: How expectations influence our experience of nature, and what happens when we let them goWhy technology and social media subtly distance us from real connection with the natural worldThe difference between a human-centered and eco-centered way of moving through the worldWhat environmental ethics looks like outside the classroom, in everyday choices and habits Key Moments: (00:00) Meeting through the manta swim  (02:51) Rethinking how we interact with nature (04:13) An essay about "Putting the Phone Down"  (05:32) Studying law through an environmental lens (09:50) Technology as a barrier to connection in nature (13:39) Turning nature into an attraction (18:09) Aldo Leopold's ecocentric vs. egocentric philosophy (21:45) Being out of your comfort zone in nature (24:05) Thinking about your own environmental ethic Resources: • Episode page and resources: oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/rowan-daugherty-technology-vs-nature • Get Martina’s emails: oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter • More about manta rays on mantarayadvocates.com   Watch the full video on YouTube  Follow us on YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

    29 min
  4. From resolution to regulation: environmental lawmaking in Hawaii (with Rep. Nicole Lowen)

    JAN 5

    From resolution to regulation: environmental lawmaking in Hawaii (with Rep. Nicole Lowen)

    Hawaii State Rep. Nicole Lowen talks about how laws get made and why ocean conservation policy moves so slowly. From regulating ocean recreation to renewable energy, this is what it takes to turn environmental concerns into action. Why do environmental regulations take so long, even when there's public support? In this episode, Hawaii State Representative Nicole Lowen pulls back the curtain on the legislative process and shares what happens behind the scenes when we try to protect our oceans. Rep. Lowen chairs the Energy and Environmental Protection Committee and has spent over a decade working on renewable energy, ocean conservation, and waste management policy. She walks us through what a state representative does, how committee assignments work, and the departments like DLNR and DOBOR that oversee our natural resources. The conversation discusses the long process of ocean recreation regulation in Hawaii. Despite a 2014 resolution calling for mandatory industry regulation, a tragic death in 2022, and widespread concern about overcrowding at popular manta ray dive locations, rules still haven't been implemented - and Rep. Lowen explains why. We also explore Hawaii's renewable energy: the 100% clean energy goal by 2045, the closure of the last coal plant, the expansion of solar farms, and the potential for geothermal. Rep. Lowen discusses where Hawaii is ahead of schedule and where we're struggling, as well as ongoing challenges with cesspools, waste management, and invasive species. This episode is for anyone who's frustrated by the slow pace of environmental progress and wants to understand how the system actually works. If you care about ocean conservation and want to move beyond individual action to influence policy, this conversation will help you understand how each of us can engage with the process.KEY MOMENTS (00:00) Intro (01:38) What does a lawmaker actually do? The four buckets of the job (04:10) How Rep. Lowen "fell into" politics after working at the legislature (08:29) The committee system: how you get appointed and who has power (10:23) Conservation as the heart of the work—ocean, land, and everything connected (13:40) Hawaii's renewable energy progress: where we're ahead and where we're behind (17:50) Why ocean recreation still isn't regulated after 11+ years (22:30) The tragedy that reopened the conversation in 2022 (24:35) The surf lesson lottery disaster and why fair regulation is so hard (27:51) The decade of decisions: why this moment mattersRESOURCES • Episode page and resources: oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/rep-nicole-lowen • Get Martina’s emails: oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter • More about manta rays on mantarayadvocates.com   Follow us on YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

    29 min
  5. A marine biologist's journey from California seals to Hawaii's manta rays, with Ashley Jacob

    2025-12-22

    A marine biologist's journey from California seals to Hawaii's manta rays, with Ashley Jacob

    At age 12, Ashley Jacob knew she wanted to work with marine mammals. Her path there took her through elephant seal fieldwork, challenging funding landscapes, and an unplanned move across the Pacific. Today, she's a marine scientist guiding manta ray swims in Hawaii. Her story shows how persistence and a clear sense of purpose often matter more than any perfect plan. In this episodeHow Ashley’s early love of the ocean and animals evolved into a career in conservation and manta ray advocacyChoosing research, outreach, and education over aquarium work, and why following your values can get you further than a perfect planHow a single wildlife encounter can shift perspective in lasting waysWhy you don’t need to be a large company to make a meaningful impact in conservationPractical advice for anyone who wants to build a career in marine science  Key moments: (00:00) Introduction  (03:25) How a childhood film sparked Ashley's marine mammal career  (07:00) Marine biology at Humboldt  (11:34) Scientific diving and choosing conservation education over aquarium work (16:05) Elephant seal fieldwork on California's Lost Coast  (20:34) Elephant seal migration patterns  (23:25) Florida shark and ray tagging  (26:21) Moving to Hawaii for work  (30:47) Finding Manta Ray Advocates and aligning work with personal values (35:43) What makes manta ray encounters so transformative  (38:20) Ashley's advice for building a career in marine science Episode page and resources: https://oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/ashley-marine-biologist Get Martina’s emails: oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter More about manta rays on mantarayadvocates.com  Follow us on YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

    41 min
  6. The lives and habits of manta rays: Dawn Murray interviews manta expert Martina Wing

    2025-12-18 · BONUS

    The lives and habits of manta rays: Dawn Murray interviews manta expert Martina Wing

    Marine biologist Dawn Murray sits down with Martina Wing for two hours of conversation about manta rays. Martina shares 27 years of experience with Hawaii's reef manta rays, from identifying individuals by their belly patterns to navigating the current challenges of sustainable manta tourism. Dawn asks the questions a marine educator wants answered, and Martina provides insights from nearly three decades above and below. In this episode, you’ll learn about: What we know (and don't know) about manta ray reproductionManta rays movement ranges and individual behaviorsThe gracious and acrobatic manta ray feeding patternsMartina’s mission to make manta tours safer and more sustainableThe "superpower" of manta rays: pushing trauma forward for healing You’ll get to know the individual mantas Martina’s gotten to know and love, hear about civilians and scientists who’ve helped uncover some of the mysteries surrounding the gentle giants of the ocean, along with some manta ray mythbusting.  Key moments: (1:46) Martina's origin story: from deep grief to manta rays(8:13) Evolution from underwater videographer to shore-based tour operator(13:48) How do we identify and track individual manta rays?(28:22) The birth and early development of manta rays(46:15) Manta ray filter-feeding behavior and patterns(52:57) Dangers and threats to manta rays in Hawaii and globally(59:14) Why is manta ray tourism such a controversial topic right now? (01:05:00) Stories of manta ray courtship and pregnancy(01:10:55) Mythbusting: manta rays don’t turn off their brains to swim (01:11:13) Manta ray predators and why mantas are hard to catch(01:14:16) Movement range and the Pavlov effect, continued at (1:25:53)(01:20:12) Does the moon affect manta ray movement patterns? Continued at (01:21:32)(01:20:30) The third species of manta rays, officially recognized last summer (2025)  (01:23:47) Do manta rays eat jellyfish? (01:29:41) The partnership with Jim, speaking up about safety and manta tour regulations(01:51:48) Sharing the magical experience of swimming with manta rays This episode is for anyone who wants to understand manta ray behavior and cares about sustainable ocean tourism and conservation.  Episode page and resources: https://oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/dawn-martina-manta-deep-dive Get Martina’s emails: https://oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter More about manta rays on mantarayadvocates.com  Follow us on YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

    1h 58m

  7. TRAILER

    Ocean Wings Trailer

    Ocean Wings is a podcast about conservation, civic courage and the ripple effect of nature. Tune in weekly for real stories of how manta ray magic leads to positive action, personal healing and meaningful change.

    1 min
  8. Building a BS radar: misinformation, conservation, and civic engagement (with Abraham Hickson)

    2025-12-12

    Building a BS radar: misinformation, conservation, and civic engagement (with Abraham Hickson)

    At 16, Abraham Hickson is already using his voice to fight for the future he’ll inherit. A repeat guest on Martina’s manta ray night swim, he watched tourists ignore the rules and harass the animals, and something shifted: anger turned into responsibility. In this conversation, Martina and Abraham explore how a single ocean encounter can ignite a lifelong commitment to advocacy, how speech & debate can sharpen a young person’s voice, and why learning to spot misinformation is now a survival skill. In this episode: Anger can fuel productive change: That moment of frustration in the water encouraged Abraham to build the communication skills he’d need to advocate for issues he cares about.Why Gen Z's voice matters: This generation inherited massive environmental and political challenges, and they're the ones who'll live with the consequences, making their engagement and leadership critical right now.Direct experience drives responsibility: A single, powerful wildlife experience can shift someone’s understanding of what’s worth protecting.Critical thinking is non-negotiable: With misinformation everywhere, building a reliable BS radar is essential for anyone trying to make sense of the world. Key Moments: (00:00) Intro: Why Gen Z voices matter right now (03:21) A moment in the water that changed Abraham’s perspective (08:27) Martina's path from engineering to ocean advocacy (12:01) Building a small, ethical ocean recreation business (16:22) The transformative power of manta ray experiences (20:46) Speaking up, confrontation, and cultural differences (24:31) Finding his voice through advocacy and debate (29:23) What competitive debate actually teaches you (35:56) Connecting values to policy and civic action (43:46) Spotting misinformation and building a “BS radar” (49:29) From manta ray magic to meaningful change Episode page and resources: https://oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/abraham-gen-z Get Martina’s emails: oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter More about manta rays on https://mantarayadvocates.com/ Follow us on YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

    53 min
  9. Creativity in uncertain times: from corporate burnout to manta ray meditations (with Amanda Weber)

    2025-12-12

    Creativity in uncertain times: from corporate burnout to manta ray meditations (with Amanda Weber)

    A chance conversation between meditation teacher Amanda Weber and underwater filmmaker Martina Wing grew into Manta Ray Meditations, a guided video meditation series with underwater manta footage.  This episode explores how the project came together during the 2020 lockdown and why the meditations still resonate today. In this conversation, you'll hear: Amanda’s journey from 20 years in corporate marketing to teaching meditationWhat it's like to swim with manta rays at night (and why it sticks with you)How two people with different skills used their creativity to help the world heal Why visual meditation works better for our distracted mindsThis episode is for anyone looking for calm, creativity, or a reminder that unlikely collaborations can create something powerful. Key moments:  (00:00) Intro (01:35) From corporate marketing to meditation teacher (06:22) Amanda’s manta ray experience - the process of letting go (13:01) COVID lockdown and dealing with trauma through creativity (19:17) Manta Ray Meditations - calm amidst chaos, relaxation in uncertain times (21:26) How visual meditation works to help with focus (25:51) Corporate stress management and other healing modalities, dream work (29:03) Lessons from the manta rays - life is long, keep swimming forward Episode page and resources: oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/amanda-meditation   Get Martina’s emails: oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter More about manta rays on mantarayadvocates.com  Follow us on YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

    35 min
  10. Two sisters on civic engagement and sustainable living (with Amy Spring & Heidi Maldonado)

    2025-12-12

    Two sisters on civic engagement and sustainable living (with Amy Spring & Heidi Maldonado)

    Two sisters went swimming with manta rays in Hawaii. One quit competitive triathlon; the other redirected her career to hold local government accountable. When Amy Spring and Heidi Maldonado joined a manta ray swim after Heidi's Ironman World Championship in 2023, they didn't expect that 90-minute experience to reshape their entire approach to living in alignment with their values. From career pivots to vegan living, this conversation explores how connecting with nature can lead to real, lasting change in how we show up in the world. This episode covers the following topics:  🐋Transformational experiences often wait on the other side of fear and discomfort🐋 Everyone can contribute to the world we’re building. You don’t need a national platform to create change. 🐋 Start local, think long-term: getting involved in political and environmental causes within your own community🐋 Finding balance: staying informed about global challenges, while focusing energy on what you can do right now, right here.  Key moments:  (0:37) Amy & Heidi’s manta ray experience, and the emotional journey of snorkeling in the dark with giant fish(06:32) Prerequisites for snorkeling with manta rays, and #CommonSense(07:55) Connecting through shared values and political engagement(11:49) Personal transformation through wildlife encounters(13:19) Veganism and environmental awareness(17:45) Heidi’s decision to quit triathlon and the environmental impact of Ironman(23:58) Amy’s career change toward local government transparency(28:05) Finding balance between staying informed and maintaining hopeEditors Note: Amy asked us to clarify a comment she made about the Documenters program. While the hourly rate is fair, she works a limited number of hours, which means the total pay is relatively modest. Episode page and resources: oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/amy-spring-heidi-maldonado-life-changes  Get Martina’s emails: oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter More about manta rays on mantarayadvocates.com  Follow us on YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky

    35 min

Trailer

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About

From manta ray magic to meaningful change: conversations about the preservation of our planet, civic courage, and the ripple effect of nature. Join Martina Wing and her guests as each episode explores how pivotal moments can heal trauma, ignite action, and reconnect us with our purpose in life. In these uncertain times and this critical hour for the environment, we uncover how each of us can truly make a difference for our planet, for society, and for ourselves - both above and below the surface.

Information

  • Creator
    Martina Wing
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Martina Wing
  • Show Website
    Ocean Wings Podcast