Wards Way Podcast

Wards Marine Electric

Kristina Hebert, the dynamic President and CEO of Wards Marine Electric, hosts the Wards Way Podcast. In this captivating series, she engages with prominent leaders from the yachting industry, each bringing their unique insights and experiences to the table. The discussions delve deep into a variety of compelling industry stories, where guests share their successes and the challenges they’ve faced along the way. Listeners are treated to invaluable lessons gleaned from years in the field and thought-provoking perspectives on the future of yachting, making each episode a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration for anyone passionate about the maritime world.

  1. 6d ago

    How Kraken Yachts Brings Semi-Custom Outboard Boats From Argentina To The US

    A boat show can look like pure glamour, but the real story is the work happening behind the scenes and the relationships that keep boats moving. From the docks at the Newport International Boat Show, we sit down with the Kraken Yachts crew and hear how a “family” in the marine industry is often built through years of showing up for each other, not just sharing a last name. They trace it back to their Miami Beach days, then forward into running a boutique yacht brokerage that lives between Connecticut and Florida. We also get a first look at their newest push: bringing Bravo Yachts to the US market. Built in Buenos Aires by a shipyard with more than 50 years of experience, these modern outboard boats lean into sharp styling, shallow draft, and semi-custom options that let owners choose the look, the layout, and the onboard electronics that match their boating life. We talk practical details too: lead times, what models they plan to debut at Palm Beach, and how they handle tariffs and pricing so buyers don’t get surprised after the headline number. Then we zoom out to what’s changing across boating right now: the explosion of marine electronics, the growing importance of reliable marine electrical systems, and how customer experience can make someone a lifelong boater or drive them out of the lifestyle entirely. We even dig into AI for marine businesses, from saving admin time to planning deliveries, plus why the captain still has to own the final call on navigation and safety. If you like honest industry talk from people building real operations, subscribe, share this with a boating friend, and leave a review so more listeners can find the show. Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

  2. 6d ago

    From Boat Show Hustle To Global Yacht Charters And Giving Back

    You can feel it the moment you walk the docks in Newport: boating is fun, but the marine industry is serious work. We sit down at the Newport International Boat Show with Jennifer Saia, charter specialist at Denison Yachting, to map the real arc of a yacht charter career from early hustle to long term staying power. Jennifer shares how she took over the Sachs Group at 28, built a team across multiple offices, and learned a core lesson that applies far beyond yachting: hire experts for what you do not do well, then lead with clarity and care. We get practical about what makes boat shows and charter campaigns succeed. Jennifer walks through the preparation most people never see, from touring the show before it opens to mastering details that make client meetings smoother. We also talk about how yacht charter has evolved, including the growth of New England yacht charter as facilities expand, and why a global footprint still matters when you are booking Mediterranean yacht charter itineraries in places like Greece and Croatia. If you have ever wondered what a charter broker actually does, Jennifer breaks down the real job: matching yacht and crew, building itineraries, coordinating dockage, and managing a thousand tiny decisions that shape the guest experience. Then the conversation takes an unexpected turn into reality TV. Jennifer shares her behind the scenes involvement helping Below Deck find boats in its early seasons, what the show gets right, and why the exposure still mattered for recruiting new talent into yachting. We close with the part of her story that defines her legacy: giving back. Jennifer explains how the “yacht hop” fundraiser helps power the Boys and Girls Club of Newport County and why serving your industry through boards, committees, and associations makes you better at your craft. If you care about luxury yacht charter, the yacht industry, or leadership with real impact, hit subscribe, share this with someone who loves boats, and leave us a review so more people can find these stories. Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

  3. 6d ago

    Boating Safety That Actually Works

    A rule meant to protect whales nearly forced boats to crawl at speeds that don’t match how the ocean actually works and that tension opens a much bigger conversation about boating safety, smart regulation, and the tools that can protect both people and wildlife. From the Newport International Boat Show, we sit down with Aaron Staziak of Qualified Captain, a working captain turned educator who’s seen firsthand how fast “a fun day out” can turn into an avoidable emergency.  We talk through the whale speed restriction backlash and why so many in the marine industry pushed back while still supporting conservation. Aaron shares how builders and boaters are leaning into technology, including AI-driven detection and better awareness systems, as a practical path forward. That leads into a wider look at how boating standards often improve through voluntary action, and why collaboration with regulators matters when the goal is fewer injuries and fewer close calls.  Then we get hands-on: Aaron explains the long road to launching a NASBLA-approved online boating safety course and why his approach goes beyond the minimum curriculum. We cover the “low-hanging fruit” mistakes that cause chaos on the water, like poor throttle control, ignoring weather, risky kid placement, and not using engine cutoff devices. Finally, we build a real-world safety kit list including trauma kits, a ditch bag, EPIRBs, PLBs, flares, and what to double-check so your emergency beacon actually helps rescuers reach you.  If you care about boating safety training, marine safety gear, and real talk from someone who lives it, hit play. Subscribe, share this with the boater in your life, and leave a review with the one safety habit you wish every new boat owner learned first. Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

  4. Oct 8

    Buying The Right Offshore Boat

    The moment you start running offshore, a boat stops being a toy and becomes a safety plan. From the floor of the Newport International Boat Show, we sit down with Ryan Fawcett, a lifelong New England boater who owns a rock-solid 2009 center console but is now shopping for a bigger, more capable platform for tuna fishing and longer-range family days on the water. Ryan walks us through what actually drives his search: twin outboards for redundancy, real fuel capacity, and the kind of build quality that holds up after years of salt spray and winter storage. We also get into why he is targeting pre-COVID boats from 2017 to 2020, how higher interest rates and fuel costs are reshaping the used boat market, and why fall can be the best time to negotiate in the Northeast when owners want to avoid winterizing and shrink wrap. Tech comes with tradeoffs, too. We talk marine electronics like radar and FLIR for early morning runs, the temptation to over-tech a boat with gadgets, and the very real “ghost in the wiring” problems that can haunt older hulls. We also zoom out to modern offshore connectivity, including Starlink on smaller boats and the surprising ways streaming and onboard networks are changing what boaters expect at sea. If you’re boat shopping, planning an offshore upgrade, or just curious how experienced buyers think, hit play, subscribe, and share this with a friend who’s dreaming about the next step. If you enjoy the show, leave a review and tell us what your non-negotiables are for an offshore boat. Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

  5. Oct 7

    You Can Learn Boatbuilding From Scratch And Get Hired Fast

    We talk with Kern Mass, president of the International Yacht Restoration School, from the Newport International Boat Show about how hands-on marine trades education turns beginners into confident pros. We dig into what IYRS teaches, who it serves, and how industry partners help students move from the shop floor to real jobs fast.  • what IYRS is and why hands-on learning stays essential  • how the school grew from yacht restoration into marine systems, composites and advanced manufacturing  • ABYC certifications and what they signal to employers  • who can apply, from 17-year-olds to career changers and retirees  • program lengths, paid externships and why placement stays strong  • how industry partners shape curriculum and show up to hire  • why soft skills, leadership and workplace fit matter as much as technical ability  • how IYRS approaches new tech, data and AI without losing the craft  • what’s next, including yacht design, advanced composites and public launch day  please don't forget to like and subscribe, Wartsway.  Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

  6. Oct 7

    A Family Bar Recipe Turns Into A Regulated Spirits Business

    A signature cocktail can be a local legend for years and still hide a bigger business idea in plain sight. From a family bar on Fishers Island to the Newport waterfront, we sit down with Branya Stillot, president and founder of Fishers Island Lemonade, to unpack how a vodka, whiskey, lemon, and honey recipe becomes a real ready-to-drink brand you can buy in a can. Along the way, we talk about the unglamorous driver behind so many great products: making life easier when the bar is slammed and the night runs late. We also get honest about what it actually takes to build a spirits-based canned cocktail company. Branya walks us through learning compliance and alcohol regulations, choosing distributors, and why she grows “little by little” instead of trying to land in 50 states overnight. We reflect on leadership in a male-dominated liquor industry, how credibility is earned through hard work and fluency in the details, and why relationships can make or break your route to market. Then we zoom out to the bigger trend reshaping beverage alcohol: RTDs. We break down the traditional categories of beer, wine, and liquor, and why ready-to-drink cocktails sit in a confusing fourth lane where spirits-based vs malt-based products can affect labeling, taxes, and pricing. If you’ve ever wondered what you’re really drinking when you grab a “vodka soda” style can, this conversation makes it clearer fast. If you enjoy founder stories, beverage business strategy, and smart talk about the RTD market, subscribe, share this with a friend who loves canned cocktails, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

  7. Oct 7

    How A First-Time Sailor Built A Home For High-Performance Racing In Newport

    We meet Larry Phillips of Midtown Racing at the Newport International Boat Show and trace how one spontaneous M32 ride turned into a full-on commitment to high-performance catamaran racing. We also dig into the new Newport waterfront hub he built to make launching, racing, and community access simpler and more welcoming.  • spotting M32s from the Newport Bridge and taking a first ride  • buying an M32 without prior sailing experience and learning with a pro crew  • the intimidation and thrill of close-quarters racing and changing wind  • creating a race-friendly base with better waterfront access in Newport  • designing a flexible venue that looks like it has always belonged  • what makes M32 catamaran sailing fast, physical, and approachable  • the class culture, dockside vibe, and where the fleet travels  • inviting new sailors aboard through casual Thursday night racing  • distance racing highlights, nerves at the start, and why sailing clears the mind  • how the facility, restaurants, and events work together as a waterfront hub  Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

  8. Oct 4

    Community Banking That Actually Knows You

    Banking decisions shape entire towns, but most people only see the final “approved” or “declined” screen. From the floor of the Newport International Boat Show, we talk with Jack Murphy, President and CEO of Bank Newport, about what changes when your bank is a mutual community bank owned by the community instead of shareholders. Jack explains why that structure allows longer-term thinking, deeper accountability, and a relationship-driven approach that treats small business owners like people with real stories, not just data points. We also get into the marine industry and Rhode Island’s blue economy. As title sponsor of the Newport International Boat Show, Bank Newport sees firsthand how boat sales ripple outward to marinas, boatyards, surveyors, refit crews, and marine electronics and service companies. Jack breaks down Ocean Point Funding and how their boat financing model works as a pass-through that connects borrowers with the right correspondent bank, helping buyers find a strong deal while supporting an industry that keeps coastal communities working. Then we zoom out to community impact and practical business banking. Jack shares how the Bank Newport Foundation directs roughly $1.7M to $1.8M a year toward food insecurity, financial education, housing, and the arts across hundreds of nonprofits, backed by significant employee volunteer hours. We wrap with real-world cash management advice for entrepreneurs, including why paper checks fuel fraud and how the best “digital banking” still needs a real human on the other end when it matters. If you care about community banking, small business lending, marine lending, or Rhode Island economic development, this conversation delivers. Subscribe, share with a business owner, and leave a review with your biggest banking pet peeve. Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Kristina Hebert, the dynamic President and CEO of Wards Marine Electric, hosts the Wards Way Podcast. In this captivating series, she engages with prominent leaders from the yachting industry, each bringing their unique insights and experiences to the table. The discussions delve deep into a variety of compelling industry stories, where guests share their successes and the challenges they’ve faced along the way. Listeners are treated to invaluable lessons gleaned from years in the field and thought-provoking perspectives on the future of yachting, making each episode a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration for anyone passionate about the maritime world.

Information

  • Creator
    Wards Marine Electric
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Wards Way Podcast
  • Show Website
    Wards Way Podcast