Scuba Diving, Freediving, Surfing, Ocean Environmentalism, Marine Science. Big Deep is about people who have a deep connection to our world’s oceans, connections strong enough that they have dedicated some part of their lives to being in or working on behalf of the water. In each episode, we speak with the most interesting people, from scuba diving crime fighters and record-breaking freedivers to marine biologists and ocean advocates - even a real-life mermaid. So we invite you to join us on this journey as we explore the ocean through the stories of people who love it.
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The Underworld: Deep Ocean Author Susan Casey On Why It Is Vital For Humanity To Look Even Deeper (00:22:55)
In today's episode, I speak with Susan Casey, New York Times bestselling author and journalist, whose work focuses primarily on the intersection of human beings and the ocean. Susan started as a journalist, becoming a national magazine award winner and editor-in-chief of O Magazine, creative director at Outside Magazine, and editor-at-large for Time Magazine. But it was her books that really caught my attention, especially her latest, The Underworld: Journeys to the Depths of the Ocean, w...
Floating In A Galaxy Of Stars: Pier Nirandara on Swimming With Sharks In Hollywood And Drifting With Sardines Off South Africa (00:19:09)
In today's episode, I speak with award-winning author, film producer, and underwater photographer Pier Nirandara. Pier's connection to the ocean started as a young girl growing up in Bangkok, Thailand, with weekend family trips to a nearby beach house. Her time there sparked an interest in storytelling, which led her to writing a trilogy of novels about mermaids when she was just 15 years old. And, remarkably, all three novels went on to be number one national bestsellers in Thailand....
Gesture of a Lifetime: Manatee Researcher Jamal Galves On How Before He Started Saving Manatees They Saved Him (00:18:12)
In today's episode I speak with Jamal Galves, program director at Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute and National Geographic Explorer and Edge Fellow. Jamal's work focuses particularly on the Antillean manatee of his native Belize. Jamal's passion for marine wildlife runs deep and, in particular, his connection to manatees reaches back to when he was a kid, growing up in the rough, impoverished neighborhoods of coastal Belize. We spoke from his home in Belmopan, the capital...
The Clean-Up Kid: 13 Year-Old Ocean Conservationist Cash Daniels On How Kids Are The Future Of Ocean Advocacy (00:08:55)
In today's episode, I speak with Cash Daniels, an ocean and river conservationist, Time Magazine honorary finalist as "Kid of the Year," and co-founder of the ocean activism and conservation nonprofit called The Cleanup Kids. Cash had been a big fan of the show for a while, but, as someone being so engaged in ocean conservation at such a young age, I felt Cash's story was impressive and thought he might make an excellent guest. And, as it turns out, I was right, as he was thoughtful, well-s...
A World Beneath Galapagos: Dr Alex Hearn on Hammerhead Sharks, Where Meaning Lies in the Sea, and a Hidden Underwater Swimway Through the Pacific (00:16:29)
In today's episode, I speak with Dr. Alex Hearn, a marine ecologist at the Universidad de San Francisco in Quito, Ecuador. Alex's work is focused on marine conservation in and around the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of South America, which is part of Ecuador. Alex is one of the scientists working to establish the Galapagos Marine Reserve, one of the world's largest underwater areas dedicated to protecting migratory pathways through the deep ocean. This oceanic highway for marine life,...
A Deep Sense of Presence: Kinga Philipps on her Spiritual Connection to the Sea and Passion for Freediving (00:17:08)
In today's episode, I speak with explorer, ocean activist, and television journalist, Kinga Philipps. Kinga was one of the founding journalists and hosts of Al Gore's Current TV and since has gone on to host several shows on National Geographic and Travel Channel, most recently becoming the first female host on Discovery Channel's Shark Week. However, I was interested in talking to Kinga because of her deeper passion for ocean advocacy. This has led to her becoming a fellow at the prestig...
Telling the Stories of the Sea: Dr Maddy McAllister on the Wonder of Shipwrecks and Maritime Archaeology (00:14:30)
In today's episode, I speak with Dr. Madeline McAllister, senior Curator of Maritime Archaeology at the Queensland Museum and James Cook University in Townsville, Australia. Dr McAllister, or Maddy as she's called, focuses her work on historic shipwrecks and underwater archaeology in Australasia, with a special interest in shipwrecks on the Great Barrier Reef. And this comes as no surprise as her offices look out over the water in eastern Australia, where the Great Barrier Reef lies just of...
Giants From The Deep: World Champion Big Wave Surfer Maya Gabeira and the Challenge of Riding Mountains of the Sea (00:14:06)
In today's episode, I speak with Brazilian big wave surfer Maya Gabeira, one of the most famous female surfers in the world. Maya is a seven-time world champion in the World Surf League and a two-time world record holder for the largest wave surfed, including in 2020, where she surfed the biggest wave of the year for both men and women combined. Beyond that, and perhaps as no surprise, she is also deeply committed to ocean conservation and is a board member of Oceana and a UNESCO champion f...
Finally Coming Home: Wild Ocean Forager Roushanna Gray's Journey Through South African Tidepools (00:18:15)
In today's episode, I speak with South African edible ocean and landscape forager Roushanna Gray. When I first heard of Roushanna's unique take on eating from the wild landscape, I was intrigued, particularly as it related to her deep dive into the seaweed off her local coast in Cape Town. I was interested in her foraging with the over 900 edible seaweeds found in South Africa's intertidal rock pools. But, maybe unsurprisingly, what came out of our interview that interested me was less ab...
Living At The Edge of the Unknown: Deep Coral Reef Pioneer Dr. Richard Pyle on A Life of Exploration (00:20:28)
In today's episode, I speak with explorer, renowned ichthyologist and deep coral reef pioneer, Richard Pyle. Richard's life story has been one of adventure and exploration, particularly a fascination with deep coral reefs far below where most recreational divers dive. And this points to a deeper aspect of Richard's personality, a part I resonated with, which is challenging and rethinking deeply held assumptions about our world. Because of this, he is now seen as a true pioneer, evidenced ...
Where The Story Ends - Maritime archaeologist Jim Delgado on the magic of stories revealed, what shipwrecks can tell us, and his time exploring Titanic (00:18:05)
In today's episode, I speak with maritime archeologist, historian, author, television host, and explorer Jim Delgado. Jim's work has taken him around the globe, and he has known is one of the world's foremost experts in underwater archeology. And his CV reads almost like the greatest history of that field. He started with the National Park Service in San Francisco, then went on to work for NOAA as the Director of Maritime Heritage, was Executive Director of the Canadian Maritime Museum, and ...
Under A Billion Stars - Legendary freediver Mehgan Heaney-Grier on creating records and breaking boundaries for American freediving (00:19:53)
In this episode, iconic freediver Mehgan Heaney-Grier. Mehgan's life story is wildly eclectic and has elements that originally attracted me, particularly its sense of rugged individualism and carving your own path. As a teenager and underwater model, she was a pioneer as she set the first U.S. freedive record for both men and women in the constant-weight category. And this earned her a place as one of the original inductees and the youngest ever at the time of induction to the Women D...
Just Over The Horizon - Explorer, adventurer, and NOAA scientist Dr. Steve Gittings on a life spent chasing adventures under the seas (00:15:20)
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Steve Gittings, chief science officer for NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. In addition to overseeing science at all 14 United States Marine sanctuaries, and being on numerous boards for ocean environmental organizations, he lives one of the most eclectic lives I know. As an example, he spent time recording and studying humpback whale songs off Hawaii with National Geographic photographer, Flip Nicklin; became a self-identified garage-ineer as he ...
The Wild Place - Underwater cinematographer Doug Anderson on how the ocean has defined his life on films such as "Our Planet", "Frozen Planet", and "Life" (00:17:48)
In today's episode, I speak with Doug Anderson, considered to be one of the world's best underwater cameramen. Doug works on primarily what are called blue chip wildlife films, which try to tell compelling stories focused on a specific animals in magnificent pristine landscapes, and have budgets in the area of $1 million per hour or more. For Doug, this has meant traveling the world to film in the world's most rugged and remote oceans for such films as BBC's Our Planet, Frozen Planet, and ...
Comfortable with the Uncomfortable - Sarah Richard, Girls That Scuba founder, on the challenges and joy that a life of passion brings (00:14:25)
In today's episode, I speak with Sarah Richard founder of the world's largest community for female divers, Girls That Scuba, and the ancillary Girls That Free Dive. With over 700,000 members in just under four years, the group has exploded onto the ocean scene and commands a powerful presence online. And much of that is simply because of Sarah's character and determination. But having gotten to know Sarah over the past couple of years, we were able to speak a bit more deeply. And she shar...
A Being of Wonder - Ocean and Science Journalist Erik Olsen on a life driven by exploration, curiosity, and otherworldly cephalopods in the Lembeh Strait (00:17:17)
In today's episode, I speak with journalist and filmmaker Erik Olsen. Erik’s video journalism has taken him around the world, but his passion most always lies underwater in our world's oceans. His career has spanned ABC News, The Atlantic, Popular Science, and The New York Times. And earlier this year he had a big spread in the Times Science section where he explored the world of backwater photography where underwater photographers shoot the strange creatures that rise to the surface in...
Chasing A Mirage - Pro surfer and journalist Jamie Brisick on finding meaning in a life amongst the waves (00:20:51)
In today's episode, I speak with former pro surfer, surf journalist, and Fullbright scholar Jamie Brisick. I originally met Jamie as he grew up in Southern California with a close friend of mine, who thought he might be a great guest for the show. And he was, both contemplative and fun to talk to. Jamie told me how he discovered his lifelong passion for surfing at an early age in Malibu, and before long he was traveling the world on the pro surf tour. After years of surfing on the tour, he th...
Breaking The Surface - Shark researcher Jasmine Graham on the surprisingly deep connections which attracted her to sharks (00:16:09)
In this episode, I speak with Marine Biologist and Co-Founder of Minorities in Shark Science, Jasmine Graham. I originally reached out to Jasmine because I had seen a talk given by her and her passion and enthusiasm for sharks and rays was infectious. But additionally, I was interested to learn more about the purpose of the organization she co-founded with three other women focused on creating opportunities in the marine sciences, a field largely inaccessible to women of color. When we finall...
Passage to the Underworld - Adventurer and Journalist Michael Menduno on a life of exploration and an underwater swim beneath a temple (00:11:55)
Today I speak with Michael Menduno, one of the most accomplished ocean technology and dive reporters for the past 30 years. Michael’s work is everywhere. He is editor-in-chief of Global Underwater Explorers InDepth magazine, a contributing editor for DAN Europe’s Alert Diver and X-Ray magazine, and is on the board of directors for the Historical Diving Society. Michael is also very active in the technical and exploration diving worlds, which focus on more extreme forms of diving, from d...
Some Kind of Magic: Alexandra Cousteau on how a deep sense of wonder drives her activism: (00:22:23)
In this episode, I speak with journalist, filmmaker, and ocean activist Alexandra Cousteau. Alexandra has a long legacy of working to protect our world's oceans and is the founder of Oceans 2050. She is also on the board of the incredible environmental organization Oceana, which works to protect and restore the oceans on a global scale, and it was Oceana who originally connected me with Alexandra. If Alexandra's last name sounds familiar, it's because she continues the work of her gra...
Legacy Of The Sea - National Geographic photographer and co-founder of SeaLegacy Cristina Mittermeier on the meaning in telling ocean stories (00:16:55)
In today's episode, I speak with National Geographic Photographer and marine scientist, Cristina Mittermeier. Cristina started her career as a marine biologist but quickly discovered a passion for photography, which in many ways shaped the rest of her life. She has traveled the world documenting the state of our world’s oceans and was awarded Smithsonian Conservation Photographer of the year, recognized as one of the World’s Top 40 Outdoor photographers by Outdoor magazine, and w...
Uncovering the Outlaw Ocean: Ian Urbina, Pulitzer Prize winning author, on how the open oceans shape human beings (00:19:17)
In today's episode, I speak with New York Times Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ian Urbina. Ian’s investigate journalism about the intersection of the human species and the lawless frontier of the open ocean, most often appears in the new york times, but he frequently writes for the Atlantic and the New Yorker, and culminated in his Times bestseller, “The Outlaw Ocean." Most often, the people I speak with in this show have a deep passion for the ocean itself and somehow deviate their lives ...
The Wonder of a Blue Planet: Hugh Pearson on filming iconic scenes from the oceans of our world (00:20:42)
In this episode, I speak with Hugh Pearson, the underwater filmmaker behind some of the most iconic ocean sequences ever captured, and director of portions of "Blue Planet," and more recently, both underwater episodes for Netflix's "Our Planet." When we did our interview Hugh spoke openly about the challenges of the career he had chosen, told a story behind one of the most recognizable ocean film sequences of the past decade, and related a very open-hearted story about his connection to the...
Survival of the Strangest: Mikki McComb-Kobza On Her Passion For The Undersea World of Hammerheads (00:19:38)
In this episode, I speak with Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza, Executive Director of the Ocean First Institute, an organization dedicated to preserving the world's oceans, and a woman with a deep passion for sharks and particularly hammerheads. When I spoke with Mikki , I found her to be not only a dedicated shark researcher but also an entertaining interview. And she talked openly about how her life has been shaped by a few seminal moments, from seeing a movie with her brother as a child to a chanc...
A Life Complete: Aaron James On Ocean Philosophy And The Meaning In Surfing (00:15:44)
In this episode, I speak with Aaron James, a philosophy professor who's also an avid surfer. As a lifelong Buddhist myself and an avid scuba diver with a profound connection to the ocean, I was interested in exploring what deeper meanings a philosopher might find simply by being in the ocean. What I found was not only was Aaron thoughtful and open, and very smart, he was also a lot of fun to talk to. And he shared his story of why he connects to the ocean, what it meant to be a surfer, and...
