Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast

Blue Frontier
  • 5.0 (25)
  • NEWS COMMENTARY
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

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.

  1. Sachi Cunningham Shoots Women Riding Giants

    MAR 9

    Sachi Cunningham Shoots Women Riding Giants

    Breaking Barriers & Pioneering Pursuits On the latest episode of Rising Tide, bodysurfer David Helvarg and board surfer Natasha Benjamin sit down with photographer, filmmaker, and journalist Sachi Cunningham — a woman who has spent more than two decades pointing her lens at the pioneers rewriting what's possible in big wave surfing. Cunningham helped build the LA Times video team from the ground up, producing the award-winning Chasing the Swell series and documenting the historic first women's heats at Mavericks, the legendary big wave break that rises from the deep-water canyon just south of San Francisco. Now living within earshot of Ocean Beach, she's putting the finishing touches on her first major documentary, Big Wave Women — a film tracking the hard-won fight for pay equity among the elite athletes drawn, or perhaps driven, to ride some of the most dangerous walls of water on the planet. The conversation ranges wide: the cameras she trusts in the impact zone, the technical and physical demands of shooting from inside the surf, and a recent piece she wrote examining the geology and marine ecosystems that make Mavericks not just a spectacle, but a living seascape. It's a session that goes well below the surface. Additional Resources Seasachi.com — Photographer and ocean swimmer Sachi Cunningham has spent two decades hurling herself into the savage, churning waters of Ocean Beach and Mavericks, camera strapped to her wrist, chasing the beauty buried inside the chaos — and emerging with images she hopes will make the rest of us remember that the sea doesn't just surround us, it lives inside us. Blue Frontier / Substack — Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild. Inland Ocean Coalition — Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection Fluid Studios — Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

    29 min
  2. Fatal Watch: Uncovering the Truth Behind Ocean Observer Murders

    FEB 23

    Fatal Watch: Uncovering the Truth Behind Ocean Observer Murders

    On the latest episode of *Rising Tide*, hosts David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein sit down with Mark Benjamin and Katie Carpenter, co-directors of the powerful feature documentary Fatal Watch. Fatal Watch exposes the darkest underbelly of the global fishing industry—the murder and suspicious deaths of dozens of onboard fisheries observers assigned by the tuna industry and others to document illegal activities aboard commercial fishing vessels. Through an examination of multiple cases, including video evidence of observers supposedly “lost at sea,” the film reveals the profound difficulty of holding anyone accountable. Spanning the world’s waterfronts and open seas, Benjamin and Carpenter follow criminal investigators, industry critics, and the families left behind—people fighting through grief in pursuit of truth and justice. Fatal Watch is now available for streaming on Apple TV, YouTube, and other platforms. After listening to this wide-ranging and revealing conversation, audiences will undoubtedly want to experience the film for themselves.   ** Additional Resources ** Fatal Watch weaves the stories of four marine observers and investigators exposing the true cost of overfishing. Combining exclusive footage with access to key investigations, the documentary shows how tuna has become a prized commodity, lives are sacrificed and marine observers are dying to tell the truth. Brick City TV — Creating award-winning content for TV, film, and digital platforms. We partner with thought-leaders, organizations, and brands ready to stand up and say what they stand for. Blue Frontier / Substack — Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild. Inland Ocean Coalition — Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection Fluid Studios — Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

    29 min
  3. Can you Eat Seafood Sustainably? This Aquarium thinks so.

    FEB 9

    Can you Eat Seafood Sustainably? This Aquarium thinks so.

    On the latest episode of Rising Tide, hosts David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein sit down with Erin Hudson, Director of the Seafood Watch program at the world-renowned Monterey Bay Aquarium. With more than 15 years dedicated to advancing sustainable seafood, Hudson brings deep insight into how consumer choices ripple through ocean ecosystems and fishing communities. The conversation traces the origins of Seafood Watch’s iconic red, yellow, and green pocket guides—a simple, powerful tool that helps people understand which seafood choices are environmentally responsible, risky, or best avoided. To date, more than 65 million of these guides have been distributed worldwide. The episode also explores Hudson’s collaborative work with the fishing industry and retailers, and why meaningful change can sometimes start with asking one clear, straightforward question. It’s a smart, accessible, and surprisingly delicious listen—proof that informed choices can be good for both people and the planet.   ** Additional Resources ** Monterey Bay Aquarium — An aquarium unlike any other. From sea otters to seaweeds, our unique oceanfront location and timeless galleries bring the wonders of the ocean to life for our visitors. But beyond our exhibits, we are transforming what it means to be an aquarium. The mission of the Monterey Bay Aquarium is to inspire conservation of the ocean. Blue Frontier / Substack — Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild. Inland Ocean Coalition — Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection Fluid Studios — Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

    29 min
  4. Two Cousteaus Who Want to Save the Krill

    JAN 26

    Two Cousteaus Who Want to Save the Krill

    In the latest episode of Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast, David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein speak with former guests and good friends of the Ocean Philippe and Ashlan Cousteau. Philippe is the third generation of the legendary family of Jacques Cousteau and a founder of the youth group Earth Echo International. Ashlan is a former entertainment journalist who now reports on the doings of sea stars and influencers of climate. Together they’ve produced ocean documentaries for CNN, the Discovery Channel and others, written books including ‘Oceans for Dummies’ and now are engaged in an effort to protect Antarctica’s Southern Ocean. They are supporting the establishment of protected areas and opposing massive commercial krill fishing that threatens the sea life, including penguins and whales, that depend on these tiny crustaceans. They have also launched an Omega 3 algae-based supplement – SeaVoir - to provide a healthier alternative to krill (or fish) oil that they also discuss. So, a fascinating encounter with a dynamic ocean duo. Please do listen in.    ** Additional Resources ** SeaVoir — Building on the spirit of the Cousteau legacy of ocean exploration and conservation. With a passion for scaling solutions to the biggest problems facing our ocean, Ashlan and Philippe Cousteau are leading the way to a healthier future. Blue Frontier / Substack — Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild. Inland Ocean Coalition — Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection Fluid Studios — Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

    29 min
  5. Fighting Offshore Oil Again with Richard Charter

    JAN 11

    Fighting Offshore Oil Again with Richard Charter

    In the latest episode of Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast, David Helvarg and Vicki Nichols Goldstein speak with longtime ocean activist and former guest Richard Charter about the Trump administration’s punitive effort to open the entire California coastline to offshore oil drilling. It has been several years since their last conversation with Charter, who has spent decades leading efforts to protect America’s coastal seas. The discussion centers on the Department of the Interior’s latest offshore lease plan, which would open Arctic waters, the eastern Gulf of Mexico, and California’s 1,100-mile coastline to drilling—despite polls showing that more than 70% of Californians oppose the move.  Charter outlines the laws this plan would violate, the growing opposition mobilizing to stop it, and the hypocrisy he sees in the administration’s declared “Energy Emergency.” He also explains why this moment may represent the “last gasp” of Big Oil, and what people in California and across the country are doing—and can do—to challenge this dangerous and likely illegal proposal. ** Additional Resources ** Save My Coast — Prepare your public comment on 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program.  Blue Frontier / Substack — Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild. Inland Ocean Coalition — Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection Fluid Studios — Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

    29 min
  6. End the Year by Refusing Refuse

    12/29/2025

    End the Year by Refusing Refuse

    In this year-end episode Holden Hardcastle and Nick Paz do an on-the-ground (actually on the beach) interview with Vince Yuen, founder of 'Refuse, Refuse San Francisco.' During a beach clean-up on the city's oceanfront he discusses the significance of community-led trash cleanups in protecting the environment. Vince shares how his organization started as a personal project during the COVID pandemic and evolved into a city-wide movement aimed at reducing urban litter and its impact on all waterways. The discussion also touches on legislative efforts to reduce cigarette butts and single-use plastics, illustrating how collective citizen action and policy changes are crucial for lasting environmental impact. ** Additional Resources ** Refuse Refuse - Keeping San Francisco beautiful. Organizing events and cleanup opportunities, as well as partnering with local organizations with the ultimate goal of keeping San Francisco free of refuse. Blue Frontier / Substack — Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild. Inland Ocean Coalition — Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection Fluid Studios — Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

    28 min
  7. Cal Maritime’s Eric Jones - His Tall Ships and Tall Orders

    12/15/2025

    Cal Maritime’s Eric Jones - His Tall Ships and Tall Orders

    In the latest episode of Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast, David speaks with Superintendent Eric Jones of the Cal Poly Maritime Academy, the only one of 7 U.S. Maritime Academies located on the west coast. A retired Coast Guard Rear Admiral credentialed to captain anything afloat, Eric served 13 years of his distinguished career at sea where he commanded three Coast Guard cutters including the 3-masted Bark ‘Eagle’, known as ‘America’s Tall Ship.’  We’ll discuss his early life aboard fishing party boats off California, his career in the Coast Guard, including responding to hurricanes and ships in distress and his years commanding the Coast Guard Academy training-ship Eagle including during the anniversary of the War of 1812.   We’ll also discuss changes in the U.S. maritime industry, his overseeing the integration of Cal Maritime in Vallejo and Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo, one of the state’s top technical colleges and what today’s maritime students can expect of future careers in ports and at sea. So, check out this even saltier than usual Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast  ** Additional Resources ** Blue Frontier / Substack — Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild. Inland Ocean Coalition — Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection Fluid Studios — Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

    29 min
  8. Peter Gros and Dr. Wynn-Grant — Protecting the Wild Kingdom

    12/01/2025

    Peter Gros and Dr. Wynn-Grant — 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. ** Additional Resources ** WILD KINGDOM PROTECTING THE WILD — Get inspired by wildlife success stories on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild! Since 2023, Co-Hosts Peter Gros and Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant have taken viewers around the world in search of the most captivating wildlife conservation wins. Watch Season 3 on NBC and stream past episodes on nbc.com. Go behind the scenes of the show with in-depth stories from animal experts on Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom The Podcast. Rae Wynn-Grant, PhD — Wildlife Ecologist, TV Presenter, Author, Speaker & Co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild Blue Frontier / Substack — Building the solution-based citizen movement needed to protect our ocean, coasts and communities, both human and wild. Inland Ocean Coalition — Building land-to-sea stewardship - the inland voice for ocean protection Fluid Studios — Thinking radically different about the collective good, our planet, & the future.

    29 min
See All (156)

5
out of 5
25 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Blue Frontier
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    156
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast
  • Show Website
    Rising Tide: The Ocean Podcast

You Might Also Like