Dive shops are some of my favorite places. An atmosphere of learning, a melting pot of characters, an opportunity to discover new friendships. While spending some time at Tek Deep Asia last year, I had the opportunity to meet Priyamvada Tiwari. Originally from India, she came to Amed for training. It was great to have her on the podcast to hear her story of how it all began and how it's going. From Open Water to Instructor, Recreational to Technical, Local diving around India, a mission to see more women in the industry, and much more. Please enjoy.  

Recorded in July 2025

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/tvmayirp

Growing up in France, Maxime Cheminade would be influenced by one of the greatest spy’s of all time, James Bond. After watching this film, he would embark on a journey into the aquatic world. Today, he can be found on the island of Koh Tao. Educating the public on Hyperbaric Chambers, exploration with Bottomline Projects, working as a dive medic, changing the narrative on safety, his thoughts on the Avelo System and much more. Please enjoy.

Recorded in July 2025

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/maxime_underwater/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/maxime.cheminade

Website:

https://www.maximecheminade.com/

Addtional Links:

https://www.youtube.com/@MaximeCheminade

https://www.instagram.com/bottomlineprojects/

https://www.daneurope.org/

Traveling can lead to unexpected situations that can have an impact on our future path. A new adventure would move Alicia Christman back onto a journey to start teaching scuba again. A journey that began in Texas and continues to flourish in the Pacific Northwest. As she continues to develop her skills, moving from recreational to technical to overhead, she most enjoys capturing images to aid in identifying all the creatures of the underwater world. Please enjoy! 

Recorded in June 2025

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/scuba_licia/

iNaturalist Page:

https://www.inaturalist.org/people/aliciachristman

Additional Links:

www.snowbirds-design.com

With a schedule always on the move, I was grateful to Patrick Widmann for taking the time to sit down and join the podcast. Taking me through his journey of personal growth, from humbling moments to moments of great achievement. It was great to hear more about his early days in the industry, what keeps him motivated, past mentors, finding new passions, the beginnings of ProTec Tulum, exploration, and much more. Please enjoy!

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/patrick_widmann/

Website:
https://protecdivecenters.com/
https://www.xdeep.eu/
https://www.kissrebreathers.com/
https://www.sealdrysuits.eu/

Scuba diving is a sport but also at the end of the day, a business. In this episode, I sit down with Business Of Diving Institute Founder and Author, Darcy Kieran. I speak with him about his early days in the industry, the positives and negatives of owning a dive shop, the lack of data throughout the industry, advice for people getting into the business, why he founded the institute, and much more. Please enjoy.

Website:
https://www.businessofdiving.com/

Falling in love with the sport from the moment she took her first breath underwater, in Turkey while on vacation, Caroline Massie started progressing through the sport. In January of this year, I sat down with her as she was at home in Belgium to hear more about her journey through the sport. Cold water diving, technical diving, cave diving, rebreathers, international travel, and much more. Please enjoy.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/carolinex8x8/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CarolineX8X8

Descent Technical Diving:
https://tecdiving-storms.webnode.be/

Divesoft:
https://www.divesoft.com/en

Xdeep:
https://www.xdeep.eu/

An episode full of laughs as I speak with April Weickert. The level of excitement she has for scuba diving is contagious. Scuba being the family business, it was only a matter of time before she would find herself taking breaths underwater. She tells me more about Torpedo Rays Scuba based within Nova Scotia, cold water diving, the local diving community, podcasting, “Jump In” The Series, and much more. Please enjoy.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/aprilweickert/
https://www.instagram.com/seafoxes_/

Website:
https://torpedorays.com/

Jump In!
Episodes 1-8 on YouTube

A couple of months ago, I had the great pleasure of having a conversation with Megan Hassa. Leaving Michigan for Hawaii to pursue marine biology, she became a free diver and eventually a Scuba Diver. I speak to her about her journey as she found her confidence and passion for photography, recent travels, goals for the future, finding a community, and much more. Please enjoy.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/meganhassa/

Website:
https://www.meganhassa.com/

While on sabbatical from work, Stephen Aynsley went backpacking through Australia, and this is where he became introduced to the sport of scuba diving. After a few years, he would find himself working full-time in the industry. As he progressed through the sport, he would find himself in many locations throughout the world gaining experience. In this episode, I chat with Stephen about his path through the industry, creating and mentoring instructors, travel experiences, a quick conversation about Colorado, and much more. Please enjoy.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/stephenjaynsley/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AskAynsley/

It was an honor to welcome back Jami Leslie Feldman to the podcast. Late last year she participated in a Round Table discussion about Photography. In this episode, I get a chance to catch up with her and hear more about her journey into the aquatic environment, her love of photography, some tips and tricks, capturing images of high-profile, prominent creatures with the work she does as The Underwater Paparazzi, and much more. Please enjoy.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/underwaterpaparazzi/
https://www.instagram.com/abovewaterpaparazzi/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/uwpaparazzi

Website:
https://underwaterpaparazzi.com/

There is always an ongoing list of must-reads that I have compiled over the years since I started my journey into the underwater world. I am sure if you ask most divers, without skipping a beat, they could name at least three or four. I would be willing to bet that on the top of most lists would be Close Calls by Stratis Kas. It was an amazing opportunity to sit down with him and hear his thoughts, insights, future projects, and much more. Please enjoy.

Proudly Supported by:

DTEK DRYSUITS: 
https://www.instagram.com/dtekgroup/
K01:
https://www.instagram.com/k01diving/
KISS REBREATHERS:
https://www.instagram.com/kissrebreathers/
D-LUXE DIVE GEAR:
https://www.instagram.com/dluxe_dive_gear/

Website:
https://stratiskas.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/stratiskas_adventures/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/stratiskasadventures/

You might know her as the Underwater Panda, you might know her for her underwater photography, or you might know her as technical diver Anastasia Schmuck. One of my first interviews this year was full of laughter and good times as I had the chance to sit down with her and hear more about her journey through the sport. Training with Global Underwater Explorers, underwater photography, plans for the future, how she became known as the Underwater Panda, and much more. Please enjoy.

Website:
https://anastasiaschmuck.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/theunderwaterpanda/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/anstasiphoto

I am not sure when I first heard about Human Factors in Diving. What I am sure of, is it was something I knew I needed to learn more about. In this episode, I speak with Gareth Lock, founder of The Human Diver. With a background in military aviation, he noticed a lack of human factors training within the diving industry, along with its resistance to incorporating it. He has made it his mission to change this. Please enjoy.

https://www.thehumandiver.com/

Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/counter-errorism-in-diving-applying-human-factors-to/id1708755394

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheHumanDiver

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/184882365201810

Articles by Gareth Lock:
https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/human-factors-in-diving-what-it-is-what-it-isn-t-why-you-need-to-know

https://indepthmag.com/learning-culture-in-the-diving-industry/

https://indepthmag.com/compliance-provides-an-illusion-of-safety-in-diving/

https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/the-value-of-loops-for-learning-don-t-just-fix-the-diver

https://www.thehumandiver.com/blog/risks-decisions-lessons

Naomi Allen would earn her first scuba certification on the island of Koh Tao in Thailand. An island that would eventually become her home. A place where she would develop into an explorer. It was great to sit down and chat with Naomi about her development with Koh Tao Divers, the simplicity and sturdiness of the KISS Sidewinder, exploring the unexplored with Bottomline Projects, turning her future vision into a reality, and much more. Please enjoy.

Recorded in May 2025

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/naomi_underwater_/

https://www.instagram.com/bottomlineprojects/

https://www.instagram.com/kohtaodivers/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/naomi.allen.547

In this episode, I sit down with Mike Mason, a Human Factors in Diving Instructor located in Australia. I first met Mike when I contacted him to enroll in the Level 1 course, a 10-week webinar series from HFiD. Along with his work with the Human Diver, Mike is an active DM, a rebreather diver, and works with the Australian Air Force. I speak with Mike more about HFiD, his previous diving experiences, challenges going between open-circuit and closed, and much more. Please enjoy!

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/184882365201810/
https://www.instagram.com/thehumandiveraustralia/

The Human Diver:
https://www.thehumandiver.com/meet-the-team

Email:
mike.mason@thehumandiver.com

From a very early age, Neal Pollock knew he wanted to be a diver. Having developed a love for the aquatic environment, it was only natural for him to find his way to diving. A love for teaching was discovered through his aquatic hobbies. This has developed into a distinguished career, having participated in multiple studies all over the world. It was amazing to have Neil back on the podcast to hear about some of his most memorable moments underwater, public speaking, ice diving, and much more. Please enjoy.

Articles by Neal  W. Pollock, PhD:
https://indepthmag.com/what-is-undeserved-in-undeserved-decompression-sickness/

https://indepthmag.com/the-risk-and-management-of-record-chasing/

https://indepthmag.com/will-open-circuit-tech-diving-go-the-way-of-the-dinosaur/

It can be a daunting task to decide where to go on your next diving adventure, especially when it comes to Latin America. I was excited to sit down and chat with Melanie and Kathleen, co-founders of Dive The Americas, a boutique travel company offering a more personalized diving adventure. Different destinations throughout the Americas, liveaboards, building friendships, custom diving trips, The Galapagos, The Cocos, and much more. Please enjoy.

Website:
https://divetheamericas.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/divetheamericas/

In October of 2023, I participated in a Fundamentals Course with Global Underwater Explorers. I had many ideas of what I thought this course would be. I had many misconceptions going in, and the goal of this series is to highlight the misconceptions one might have about GUE and their standard of training. I sit down and speak with five instructors across the globe to hear their stories and gain some insight into this agency whose approach “Begins with the end in mind”.

In the final episode of this series, I sit down and speak with Jon Kieren. I was able to catch Jon before he moved back to Cave Country in the state of Florida. In his early twenties, a snowstorm pushed him in the direction of the Virgin Islands, which kicked off his diving career. Throughout his career, he has held many positions and has emerged as a true leader in his field. Someone who is not afraid to speak his mind about his frustrations with the industry or personal challenges he has faced. Decisions that led him to change his path, seeking and creating a higher standard, more misconceptions, and some unexpected reactions for speaking up. Please enjoy.


Website:
GUE Instructor Resumé: Jon Kieren

https://www.gue.com/

https://www.kierentechnical.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kieren38

Articles by Jon Kieren:
https://indepthmag.com/why-i-became-a-gue-instructor/
https://indepthmag.com/i-trained-doc-deep/
https://indepthmag.com/fathom-ccr/
https://indepthmag.com/sump-potion-9/

In October of 2023, I participated in a Fundamentals Course with Global Underwater Explorers. I had many ideas of what I thought this course would be. I had many misconceptions going in, and the goal of this series is to highlight the misconceptions one might have about GUE and their standard of training. I sit down and speak with five instructors across the globe to hear their stories and gain some insight into this agency whose approach “Begins with the end in mind”.

For some, diving becomes more than a hobby, it becomes a lifelong passion. Jordan Allured first became certified when he was ten years old and he has been chasing breaths underwater ever since. I sit down and speak with Jordan about his progression through the sport which eventually led him to teaching with Global Underwater Explorers. The wide range of diving conditions in the UK, shipwrecks of the UK, advice on drysuits, why he chose to pursue a path with GUE, and some misconceptions one might have about GUE training and their standards. Please Enjoy.

Website:
GUE Instructor Resumé: Jordan Allured

https://www.gue.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/j.a_technicaldiving/

In October of 2023, I participated in a Fundamentals Course with Global Underwater Explorers. I had many ideas of what I thought this course would be. I had many misconceptions going in, and the goal of this series is to highlight the misconceptions one might have about GUE and their standard of training. I sit down and speak with five instructors across the globe to hear their stories and gain some insight into this agency whose approach “Begins with the end in mind”.

In the next episode of this series, I speak with GUE instructor Annika Persson. Originally from Sweden but relocated to Norway, but now spends as much time as possible chasing her love of cave diving in Mexico. She first got a taste for teaching in Australia as a research assistant and eventually became a diving instructor. From her first breath underwater in the Mediterranean, her pathway through Global Underwater Explorers, connections made through the years, and more misconceptions about training. Please enjoy.

Website:
GUE Instructor Resumé: Annika Persson

https://www.gue.com/

https://www.annikapersson.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/annika_gue_instructor/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/AnnikaGUEInstructor

 In October of 2023, I participated in a Fundamentals Course with Global Underwater Explorers. I had many ideas of what I thought this course would be. I had many misconceptions going in, and the goal of this series is to highlight the misconceptions one might have about GUE and their standard of training. I sit down and speak with five instructors across the globe to hear their stories and gain some insight into this agency whose approach “Begins with the end in mind”.

Most of my growing up was in New Hampshire, so it’s always nice to speak with a fellow New Englander. I had a wicked good time sitting down with Meredith “Mer” Tanguay and hearing about her journey through the sport. The cold and demanding diving environment of the North East pushed her to seek a higher level of training, which led her to a Fundies course in 2003. In this episode, we speak about the early days of GUE, her pathway to becoming an instructor, Wet Rocks Diving, Recreational Training with GUE, and some common misconceptions about training with Global Underwater Explorers. Please enjoy.

Website:
GUE Instructor Resumé: Meredith "Mer" Tanguay

https://www.gue.com/

https://www.wetrocksdiving.com/

In October of 2023, I participated in a Fundamentals Course with Global Underwater Explorers. I had many ideas of what I thought this course would be. I had many misconceptions going in, and the goal of this series is to highlight the misconceptions one might have about GUE and their standard of training. I sit down and speak with five instructors across the globe to hear their stories and gain some insight into this agency whose approach “Begins with the end in mind”.

In this first of a five-episode series, I interview Gemma Thomas. An Instructor Evaluator and Recreational Administrator for GUE, who is based out of Singapore. I spoke with Gemma before she headed out to the Global Underwater Explorers 25th Anniversary Conference. I first met Gemma when I contacted her to enroll in a Fundamentals course. I sit down with her as she tells me how she first became certified in diving after moving to South East Asia, her pathway through the agency, the benefits of taking a fundies course, and some misconceptions about GUE training. Please enjoy.

Website:
GUE Instructor Resumé: Gemma Thomas

https://www.gue.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/boss_gemmama/

When did it sink? How did it sink? Where was it built?  When was it built? Were lives lost? Behind every unidentified shipwreck is a story waiting to be told. In this episode, I speak with Callum Girvan and Alex Aberle-Leeming, two members of WreckSploration. A team of divers based out of Western Australia with a goal, to explore, preserve, educate, and promote a culture of safety in the technical diving community. I speak with them about photogrammetry, The abundance of shipwrecks around Perth, the process of identifying a wreck, the importance of creating a role model behavior with their local diving community, their work with Human Factors in Diving, and much more. Please enjoy!

Website:
https://wrecksploration.au/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wrecksploration/

Human Factors in Diving:
https://www.thehumandiver.com/

Just before Christmas of last year, I had a chance to sit down and speak with Brett Eldridge, a technical wreck diver based in Southern California. After years of enjoying recreational diving, Brett found his way into the technical world and eventually found his love for deep wrecks. I spoke with Brett about his journey as a diver, his blog Wrecked in My rEvo, photogrammetry, rebreathers, and the dive that led him to write the article “Close Call on the IJN Sata. This is a must-read for anyone who is thinking about or currently participating in technical wreck diving. Please enjoy.


Article:
Close Call on the IJN Sata

Blog:
https://wreckedinmyrevo.com/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/secondelementdiving/

After being gifted an Open Water Course, Christof Müller began his journey into the underwater world. An environment that would enable him to combine his passion for educating and his drive for learning. A path that would bring him around the world in search of more knowledge to share with future students. Choosing the right tool for the job, E-learning versus in-person learning, creating the best path forward, and much more. Please enjoy. 

Recorded in April 2025

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/christof.mueller/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/christof.muller.735

GUE Profile:

https://www.gue.com/de/diver-training/gue-instructors/instructor-resume?id=65203

What started as a family activity soon turned into a passion for Scott RG. As one who always welcomes a challenge, technical and overhead diving soon came into his sights. Relaxation and meditation are some of the words he uses when describing his time in the overhead environment. I sit down with Scott and speak with him about his motivation for exploring, the importance of taking your time, his love of the KISS Sidewinder, the Mines of Scotland, cold water diving, solo diving, and much more. Please enjoy.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/scottrg.1/

Facebook:
Scott RG

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@scottrg.cavelineproductions

I have always had a fascination with history. As a kid, watching movies or reading stories about past events is something that has always piqued my interest. Late last year, I had the opportunity to speak with Adventure Historian, Jeff Maynard, Through Jeff's writings, he brings diving history to life with titles such as Divers in Time: Australia’s Untold History, Niagara's Gold, and The Frontier Below: The Past Present, and Future of Our Quest to Go Deeper Underwater. We speak about his adventures to uncover history, his thoughts on writer's block, advice for up-and-coming writers, and much more. Please enjoy.

Website:
https://www.jeffmaynard.net/

YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@jeffmaynardadventurehistorian

After graduating with a degree in journalism Eric Douglas found himself enrolling in a scuba course. Like most people at the start of their scuba career, he had no idea the opportunities and memories that would be created. Countless articles across multiple publications, Author of the Mike Scott Thriller novels, a career in journalism that has brought him all over the world, his writing process, advice for future writers, and much more. Please enjoy as I sit down with Eric and hear his story.

Website:
https://www.booksbyeric.com/

Regardless of the depth, whether five meters or fifty meters, there is always a level of risk when it comes to scuba diving. The question is, how, as individuals, are we assessing and evaluating these situations? What steps can we take to improve and mitigate? In the aftermath of an incident, how do we create a community where an individual feels empowered to speak about the experience? Why have we created an environment where someone is reluctant, scared, or ashamed to speak about an accident?

In this Round Table Discussion about Risk Management and Accident Analysis, I speak with Grant Tobin, Dr. Neal Pollock, Charlie Roberson, and Gareth Lock. 

Special guest appearance by Dr. Richard Harris.

Please enjoy!

Article by Jenny Lord:
Who is responsible for change? 

Grant Tobin
https://www.instagram.com/baetobin/
https://www.mwue.org/

Gareth Lock
https://www.thehumandiver.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thehumandiver/

Charlie Roberson
https://www.fathomdive.com/
https://sites.google.com/view/karstunderwater/home

Neal Pollock
https://www.facebook.com/neal.pollock.92

Richard Harris
https://realriskpodcast.com/
https://www.instagram.com/richard.harris_/

One thing I love about this industry is seeing people branch out and create their own paths. It's not always the easiest but the rewards can be fulfilling. As someone who has started something from nothing, I was excited to chat with Blake Baker. Taking his first breaths in the land-locked state of Indiana before relocating to Florida to start A-List Divers. A premier diving business offering a unique diving experience. We sit and discuss ways to grow, finding an audience, Florida diving, challenges faced along the way, and much more. Please enjoy!

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/alistdivers/

Stepping back from corporate life, Ellie Hudson decided to pursue her passion for scuba diving. A sport that has built her self-confidence, where dive buddies are family, and a place where she continues to grow. Continuing to further her education in diving, she never forgets to bring up the community around her, creating an environment where nobody feels inadequate. Podcast host, ambassador, content creator, community leader, and just down-to-earth human being who enjoys scuba diving. This is Ellie and this is her story. Please enjoy!

Website:
https://linktr.ee/scubaellie

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/scubaellie/

Links:
https://www.girlsthatscuba.com/girls-talk-scuba-podcast/
https://www.daneurope.org/en/home
https://avatarsuits.com/
https://www.reeldiving.se/
https://coralcatch.org/

Each person’s journey through this sport varies from one person to the next. For some, it is an easy transition, for others, it's about overcoming fear. Smita Jairam did not let her fear of deep water overtake her and it’s amazing to hear about her journey. From open circuit to closed circuit, the rewarding feeling of conservation work, Malaysia’s must-go-to spots for diving, advice for overcoming fear, and much more. Please enjoy!

Tropical Research And Conservation Centre
https://tracc.org/

I am always excited to highlight conservation on the podcast. Especially when it comes to turtles. If you know me, you know I am a fan of turtles. In this episode, I interview Ginny and Seh Ling from Lang Tengah Turtle Watch located off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. I speak to them about day-to-day operations, conservation efforts, typical days off, and much more. Please enjoy!

Website:
https://www.langtengahturtlewatch.org/

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/lang_tengah_turtle_watch/
https://www.instagram.com/ginnycheok/
https://www.instagram.com/lsehling/

Nitrox. Mixed gas. Decompression Diving. Technical Diving. Most divers are familiar with these words and practices as they are very common in today's world of scuba diving. Years ago, just whispering these terms, you could find yourself banished from certain circles within the greater scuba community. Mike Gault is no stranger to these times. A few months back, I had a chance to catch up with my good friend Mike to hear about these challenging times. Difficulties in finding a nitrox certification, being introduced to a new emerging method of diving called DIR, risks of technical diving, exploring Texas caves, and much more. Please enjoy!

Website:
https://www.ctxscuba.com/

https://goodenoughsprings.org/gsep-wp/

 At an early age, Grant Tobin was adopted into the Florida cave diving community. Learning the ways of the cave early on, shaped him into the diver he is today. An active member of the Midwest Underwater Explorers, a volunteer of the Wisconsin Historical Society’s Maritime Preservation and Archaeology Program, and he continues to find his way back to the Sunshine State to enjoy the overhead environment. In this episode, I speak with Grant about why he switched from the KISS Sidewinder to the Fathom Gemini, Sidemount vs Backmount rebreathers, advice for divers seeking overhead training, and much more. Please enjoy!

**Grant did amend that a few current rebreathers do in fact ship stock with oxygen shutoff valves**

Midwest Underwater Explorers
https://www.mwue.org/
Karst Underwater Research
https://sites.google.com/view/karstunderwater/home
Wisconsin Marine Historical Society
https://www.facebook.com/WisconsinMarineHistoricalSociety/
Article by Grant Tobin
mCCR Face-Off: Gemini vs Sidewinder - InDepth (gue.com)

Accident Analysis Report by National Speleological Society-Cave Diving Section

Incident: October 4th, 2024 Location: Phantom Springs, Texas

Cave diving instruction is largely based on lessons learned from accident analysis.  While there have been significant changes and advancements in cave diving over the past twenty years, there has been a shortage of accident analysis to keep up with those changes.  The NSS-CDS Accident Analysis Committee was (re)formed to fill the need for the continued systematic analysis of cave diving accidents in North America.

The National Speleological Society-Cave Diving Section (NSS-CDS) is a 501(3)c non-profit corporation with a rich history in conservation, education, exploration, and safety. In fact, the organization’s roots run so deep that it is impossible to separate NSS-CDS history from the history of cave diving itself!

Article Link:

https://nsscds.org/accident-analysis/

Website:

https://nsscds.org/

On today’s episode, I speak with Kurt Storms. A technical and rebreather instructor out of Belgium. I was able to catch Kurt before he traveled to Malta for the 3rd Annual Divesoft Liberty Summit. A family holiday as he explains it. I reached out to Kurt after seeing his photography work and he was kind enough to come onto the podcast for an interview. He tells me about finding and exploring mines, U/W photography, some challenges of traveling with a rebreather, and why he gravitated toward the Divesoft Liberty. Please enjoy.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/kurt_storms_photography/

Website:
http://www.kurtstorms.com/

DIVESOFT:
https://www.divesoft.com/en/ambassadors/kurtstorms

I am super excited to introduce this next Round Table, this group had me in tears I was laughing so much. Joanna Wyrebek, Sara Banderby, and Sanne Volja make up The Cavettes. A group of technical divers with a goal to empower other women in diving. They sit down and tell me about how the group was formed, their expeditions, some challenges they have faced, and much more. Let me say they did not hold anything back and hands down this was one of my favorite episodes to record. Please enjoy.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/the.cavettes/

Joanna Wyrebek:
https://www.instagram.com/girlthatccr/

Sara Banderby:
https://www.instagram.com/sarabanderby/

Sanne Volja:
https://www.instagram.com/tecdivesanne/

As you find yourself at the end of the cavern zone you will be greeted with a sign that reads STOP; PREVENT YOUR DEATH! GO NO FARTHER. Most divers see this warning and will never travel beyond this point. My next guest is not like most divers. She saw this sign and wanted to know what needed to be done to go beyond this picture of the Grim Reaper. In this episode, I speak with Sara Banderby. Finding her way into overhead environments, a history lesson on the Baltic Sea, the benefits of rebreather diving, the joy she finds in creating new divers, and much more. Please Enjoy.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sarabanderby/

Website:
https://www.diveinpeace.se/

Today on the Round Table, I sit down with this accomplished group of underwater photographers and hear their thoughts about capturing images within the underwater world. Join me along with Hannah Tilley, Kate Jonker, Annie Crawley, and Jami Leslie Feldman. I hope you enjoy.

If you are enjoying the show, please leave a review on your podcast listening platform. If you are really enjoying the show, share your favorite episode with family and friends.

Annie Crawley:
https://www.anniecrawley.com/
https://www.instagram.com/anniecrawley_oceanannie/
http://www.youtube.com/AnnieCrawley

Hannah Tilley:
https://linkin.bio/ilovenudis
https://www.instagram.com/ilovenudis/

Jami Leslie Feldman:
https://underwaterpaparazzi.com/
https://www.instagram.com/underwaterpaparazzi/

Kate Jonker:
https://katejonker.com/
https://www.instagram.com/katejonkerphotography/
https://www.instagram.com/kate_underwaterphotocoach/

My next guest always had a fascination with the ocean. When she had the opportunity, she became certified and it led her down a path to becoming an ocean warrior. In this episode, I speak with Wendy Mitchell. She tells me about her journey that has brought her to some of the most beautiful and remote dive destinations in the world, her goal to document and protect the underwater world, and some amazing times she has had as she continues to add nautical miles to her sailing adventures. Please Enjoy.

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/wendys.underwater.world/

Website:
https://www.wendymitchellphoto.com/

At some point, most divers will come across New Zealand physician and scientist, Dr. Simon Mitchell. In the slim chance you have not heard of him, do yourself a favor, find your way to a computer, conduct a Google search, and I guarantee you will learn a thing or two. In the meantime, enjoy this interview as I sit down and get to know one of the most respected divers on the planet.

In this episode, I speak with Ichthyology research specialist Brian Greene. Growing up in Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Brian learned to dive at a very young age. When he was just nine years old he came across the book Micronesian Reef Fishes and from that point on he made it a mission to find every fish he could. The Bishop Museum, challenges of remote expeditions, advice for up-and-coming ichthyologists, and much more. I hope you enjoy.  

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/thedeepgreene/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/brian.greene.1610

Bishop Museum:
https://www.bishopmuseum.org/

A few months back I conducted some interviews on solo diving. I reached out to ScubaBoard to find guests to speak with. Andrew known as MB NZ on the platform was happy to participate. Originally scheduled as a group discussion turned into a one-on-one interview due to scheduling conflicts with the other members. In this interview, I speak with Andrew and hear his thoughts on solo diving.

As with any diving, if you should choose to partake in this method of diving, please seek out proper training, and always dive within your training and comfort level. Safe diving.

https://scubaboard.com/

ScubaBoard Member:
MB NZ

In this episode, I interview Terry Irvine. During his Open Water course in the snowy Canadian weather, he was instantly drawn to what he refers to as the magic that happens underwater. The deep wrecks of The Great Lakes led him to pursue technical and overhead training. We speak about his passion for wreck diving, the discovery of Canadian Pacific Railway Locomotive 694 which crashed on June 10th, 1910, and how he enjoys the simple magical moments underwater. Please enjoy.

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/terry.irvine.927
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/terry.irvine1/
CPR Locomotive 694 wreck:
https://youtu.be/cXk-oAqgbtw?si=hV42FFC1cppE0SIX
Gunilda wreck:
https://youtu.be/02bOlUC1nxQ?si=xYMxdkwU2Br-rhQ_

In October of this year, the dive community lost one of its biggest ambassadors. For a brief moment on August 10th, 2023, I had the amazing privilege to sit down with Brett and hear his story.

Foreword by Dr. Andrew Pitkin.

Brett B Hemphill 1967-2023

Accident Analysis Report by National Speleological Society-Cave Diving Section

Incident on May 26th, 2023, at Jackson Blue Spring, Florida

Cave diving instruction is largely based on lessons learned from accident analysis.  While there have been significant changes and advancements in cave diving over the past twenty years, there has been a shortage of accident analysis to keep up with those changes.  The NSS-CDS Accident Analysis Committee was (re)formed to fill the need for the continued systematic analysis of cave diving accidents in North America.

The National Speleological Society-Cave Diving Section (NSS-CDS) is a 501(3)c non-profit corporation with a rich history in conservation, education, exploration, and safety. In fact, the organization’s roots run so deep that it is impossible to separate NSS-CDS history from the history of cave diving itself!

Article Link:

https://nsscds.org/accident-analysis/

Website:

https://nsscds.org/

When most divers sign up for that next course, we have high hopes, and usually, expectations are met. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Sometimes, we as students leave disappointed and frustrated at our own lack of ability to meet all the standards and requirements, and sometimes it's completely out of our control and falls on those in charge of the course. I'll be the first to say that I have made mistakes as an instructor and things do not always go to plan. As an instructor, the highest priority is always safety. I feel that creating an environment to learn and master skills but also leaving students with a great experience is equally important. Once again this is not always the case.

In this interview, I speak with Josh. After a disappointing course out of his control, Josh took to ScubaBoard to speak about his frustrations with his recent experience. In classic ScubaBoard fashion, the masses came out and this now-closed thread became a heated discussion with some of the usual characters and many more weighing in and giving their thoughts and opinions. I reached out to Josh to see if he would be interested in coming onto the show to speak about his experience.

It's not always easy for a student to speak out about a bad experience after a class. So I want to send a big thank you to Josh for agreeing to come onto the podcast.

ScubaBoard:
Advanced Open Water Disappointment

During my trip to Ceningan earlier this year I met Alissa. She completed her Advanced Open Water during our time there and I wanted to know more of her story. In this episode, she speaks about her Open Water experience, how the peaceful and quiet atmosphere of the underwater world brings her joy, how she learns to find comfort and adapt to different situations in less-than-optimal environments that arise while scuba diving, and some future destinations she would like to visit. I hope you enjoy

One day while scrolling through the wonderful world of Instagram, I came across my next guest's profile. Videos of sea turtles, eagle rays, and other various creatures of the underwater world. I reached out to Matt to see if he would be interested in coming onto the podcast for an interview. He tells me his story of how he ended up in Australia on a working visa, his time at Heron Island, and he gives me some tips on the tedious task of editing underwater videos. Please enjoy.

Instagram:
@matt.above