Wo(men) Mind the Water Podcast
Exploring the connection between women and water through storytelling
Listen to Our Latest Episodes.
When we want to communicate, we use art.
Our Artivist Series brings you conversations with creators from around the world whose work is shaped by the ocean—and who, in turn, use their creativity to protect it. Each episode explores an artist’s connection to water, the stories behind their practice, and the ways art can spark action for a healthier, more resilient planet.
We’ve produced more than 100 episodes, featuring artivists working across every medium imaginable.
Stay tuned. We have so much more to share.
Inspirational Wo(men) Who’ve Shared Their Passion for the Ocean with Us
AWA & beluga whales, voices for Arctic health- Nicole Schmitt
Nicole Schmitt is the executive director of the Alaska Wildlife Alliance. She discusses beluga whales and why the Cook Inlet population is classified as endangered. There used to be about 1700 of them with about 300 now with their population is declining around two and a half to 3% per year. She also talks about the pros and cons of working in Alaska, the largest state. Nicole believes there is no level of volunteerism that's too small. So she encourages supporting organizations in your community or in areas that you care about who are doing that work.
Vessel Noise Reduction Benefits Endangered Whales - Sara Adams
Sarah Adams, program manager for Maritime Blue’s Quiet Sound, works with maritime vessels to develop and implement voluntary measures in Puget Sound aimed at protecting resident southern killer whales, an endangered population numbering less than 80 individuals.
Art is an Important Tool to Create Public Engagement - Rosie Poirier
Rosie is a marine scientist, underwater photographer, and an artist. Her first engagements with the ocean were through stories and art. She speaks about how art can encourage public engagement and specifically how art can engage the public's understanding of the ocean.
Songs from the Sea: Grief, Hope & Action - Seth Glier
Musical artist Seth Glier gets inspiration from the natural world and says the ocean brings him comfort and often provides a narrative for his music. His music reminds us that we have the ability to positively influence the world.
Seth has worked as a producer, music director, and studio musician. He has collaborated with such renown musical artists as Tom Rush, Nick Carter, and Cyndi Lauper. Seth has been nominated for a Grammy and is a five-time Independent Music Award winner. He characterizes music as an empathy machine and feels incredibly lucky to be part of it.
Civil Engineer to Innoceana’s Marine Environmental Advocate - Carlos Mallo Molina
Carlos Mallo Malina is founder of Innoceana, an organization with a mission to protect critically important areas of the ocean. Originally trained as a civil engineer, he discovered his passion was for safeguarding the ocean. For his work in the Canary Islands to protect marine habitat, he was awarded a Goldman Environmental Prize.
Water Women Who Weave Mussels into Gold Binding Mothers to Daughters - Bonnie Blaylock
Bonnie Blaylock author of several books including The Water Women, an engaging novel that explores the bonds between mothers and daughters. The women create threads from the beards of mussels, a marine mollusk. From the threads they weave a special cloth. The activity strongly binds the women to one another.
Securing our Constitutional Rights to a Healthy Environment - Maya van Rossum
Maya van Rossum is the Delaware Riverkeeper, founder of Green Amendments for the Generations, author of The Green Amendment: The People's Fight to Secure a Clean, Safe, and Healthy Environment and a lawyer. She has devoted her energies to securing that every state has a Green Amendment, an amendment that assures our rights to a healthy environment by enshrining them in a state's constitution.
Indigenous Hawaiian Marine Science - Kaileia Duriano
Kaileia Duriano is an Indigenous Hawaiian trained in both Hawaiian cultural practices and academic marine biology. She discusses the differences between Indigenous and academic practices and what needs to be done to maintain Hawaii's natural beauty and abundance.
Negotiating Global Environmental Solutions - Susan Gardner
Susan Gardner, Director of the Ecosystem Division for the United Nations Environmental Program, negotiates global environmental treaties to protect the world's natural resources and works on inclusion of previously underrepresented voices.
Preparing Sea Otter Pups to Live in the Wild - Megan Smylie
Megan Smylie, Sea Otter Program Manager, Aquarium of the Pacific, discusses the Sea Otter Surrogacy Program, a program rehabilitating rescued sea otter pups and releasing them back into the wild.
Bringing the Edges of Earth to Corporate Decision-Makers - Andi Cross
Andi Cross of Edges of Earth, a company based in Perth Australia provides strategies for companies to achieve tangible solutions in collaboration for organizations on the front line of the climate crisis.
Returning Sunflower Sea Stars to the Wild - Ashley Kidd
Ashley Kidd cofounder and conservation program manager of the Sunflower Star Laboratory in California. She discusses sunflower sea stars: what they are, why they are critically endangered, how her laboratory is trying to restore them to the wild, and why this is important.
Young People with a Passion to Save the Critically Endangered Dugong - Project Lawud
Project Lawud is concerned with the survival of the Philippines dugong Project Lawud was awarded the 2025 Seed Prize by the Iris Project. Christian Agregado talks about dugongs, why they are important, and what Project Lawud is doing to build awareness of this endangered marine mammal.
Impactful Documentary Films - Rebecca Aquilar
Rebecca works for the Oceanic Preservation Society, a documentary movie production company. It’s a fulfilling job. She is currently involved with post-production work on Speaking with Giants, a film about whale communication.
100th Episode Artivist Series Podcast - Pam Ferris-Olson
100 episodes globally produced podcast of ocean art, interviews with artists, marine conservation. Podcast maker discusses podcast production, shares personal stories
The Art of Seeing Transforms Objects — Patrizia Zelano
Italian photographer Patrizia Zolano lives near the Adriatic Sea, where natural light shapes and unifies much of her work. In this episode of the Wo(men) Mind the Water Artivist Series, Patrizia reflects on her path to photography and the ideas behind two powerful bodies of work: Acqua Alta a Venezia and Plastica Animistica.
Nomadic Artist Creates Solutions Art and AI — Parisa Golchoubian
Born in Iran and now based in Canada, Parisa left a corporate engineering career in search of work that felt more meaningful. Her journey has since grown into a layered blend of art, business, engineering, and environmental purpose. In this conversation, she reflects on the evolution of her multiple ventures: one that sustains her own life as an artist, another that supports fellow artists, and a third focused on addressing marine plastic pollution.
Photos that Speak Volumes — Angèle Etoundi Essamba
Renown photographer Angèle Etoundi Essamba, observes, looks, listens, and connects to connect with people and her camera tell the story. A woman of water she focuses on Africa, women, and storytelling.
Sea Change, Story of Hope Designing Healthy Oceans - Amanda Leland
Amanda Leland, Exec. Dir Environmental Defense Fund, organization focused on climate change, healthy oceans, and more discusses her new book Sea Change, a true story about unlikely allies in pursuit of achieving sustainable fisheries. The book is a narrative of a real Gulf Coast fisherman and Amanda’s pursuit to help find a path forward that would enable fishermen to keep fishing and have a healthy, vibrant ocean for all of us.
Shark Facts You Didn't Know -Sophie Maycock
Sophie Maycock, shark biologist, SharkSpeak & Shark: The illustrated biography, guest Wo(men) Mind the Water Artivist Series podcast on womenmindthewater.com. representative Sharks Educational Institute, dedicated shark research, conservation and communication