Skaana 🫍 One Ocean – Details, episodes & analysis

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Skaana 🫍 One Ocean

Mark Leiren-Young

Science

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/35d. Total Eps: 97

About Skaana:

Skaana - One Ocean — Ocean Life, Eco‑Ethics & the Environment — Interviews for a Changing Planet is a podcast for anyone who loves the ocean and the animals who live there.

Host Mark Leiren-Young dives beneath the surface with scientists, authors, activists, and other dolphin-friendly humans for candid conversations about marine life, conservation, eco‑ethics, and the issues shaping our future.

Launched in 2017 with a focus on orcas, Skaana has expanded to explore sharks, octopuses, whales, and the wider web of ocean stories—fact-based, curious, and always grounded in respect for life in the sea. Dive in and make waves with us.

Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com

About Our Pod:

Mark Leiren-Young (Host): Mark is an author, screenwriter, playwright, journalist, performer, and environmentalist. His book The Killer Whale Who Changed the World won the 2016 Science Writers and Communicators Award, and his comic memoir Never Shoot a Stampede Queen won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. Mark also wrote and directed The Hundred-Year-Old Whale, which won the 2018 Writers Guild of Canada Award for Best Documentary.

Substack: https://leirenyoung.substack.com/
Website: https://www.leiren-young.com/

Bug Lewis (Producer & Audio Engineer): Bug is Skaana’s producer and audio engineer, with a creative background spanning poetry, music, and acting. They were first published as a poet at fifteen (Poetry on Buses) and performed as a musician/actor with the ensemble for Desdemona Chiang’s Measure for Measure at the Seattle Shakespeare Company.

Rayne Ellycrys Benu (Executive Producer): Rayne is an award-winning cinematographer and artist, and a nationally published festival and theatre photographer. Their work spans filmmaking (directing, editing, sound, video), interactive/digital storytelling, and visual art—bringing a creative, multidisciplinary lens to Skaana’s mission and production.

Substack: https://ellycrys.substack.com/
Skool: https://www.skool.com/reiki-online-7404

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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https://skaanapod.substack.com/
194 shares
http://www.orcaseverywhere.com
88 shares
https://books2read.com/forceofdoubt
70 shares

https://www.patreon.com/skaana
269 shares
https://www.patreon.com/mobydoll
97 shares
https://www.patreon.com/cw/skaana
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https://www.facebook.com/skaanapod/
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https://www.facebook.com/LeirenYoung/
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https://www.facebook.com/DavidSuzuki/
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RSS feed quality

Good

Score global : 80%

Publication history

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Camille Labchuk on Animal Rights and Wrongs

Season 4 · Episode 95

Friday, May 15, 2026 • Duration 40:26

Sometimes animals who hang out with humans need a vet. Sometimes they need a lawyer. The belugas at Marineland in Niagara Falls need both. Whales around the world need sanctuary. And sharks everywhere were saved by a Canadian law. Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice, returns to Skaana to talk with host Mark Leiren-Young about fighting for animals who live in the water and on the land. "Some things did change and they're going in the right direction." Made in Canada, eh 🍁

To Support Camille Labchuk & Animal Justice

Animal Justice
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube
Tik Tok
Her first Skaana interview - talking about shark-finning and more in 2019

To Support/follow Skaana:

Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter on Substack
Join and support the Pod at Patreon
Linktree
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Skaana on iTunes… Skaana.ca & Spotify

To Support/follow Mark:

Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young’s newsletter on Substack
Linktree
Facebook
Bluesky
Instagram
Threads

Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana

**Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!**

Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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When Orcas “Attack” – Alexandra Johnston on the world’s most infamous whales

Season 4 · Episode 94

Saturday, January 10, 2026 • Duration 54:28

Iberian orca guardian, Alexandra Johnston, talks with Skaana host Mark Leiren-Young about hanging out with the world's most infamous orcas. On orcas as click-bait – the orcas who are “attacking” boats and how social media is creating orca hysteria. “Blue fin tuna is their main prey source. They are fish eaters, not boat eaters.” Alexandra Johnston. “I really feel these orcas have been used as click-bait for the last five years.” On the infamous White Gladys: “She's a part of this family that's fighting to survive. She's very authoritative, she's very dominant, she's very curious, but she's not this bloodthirsty tyrant leading this orca rebellion!” Made in Canada, eh 🍁

Skaana on social media:

Mark on social media:

Shownotes:

2:22 Meet Alexandra Johnston – an “orca attack” survivor.

3:35 “These guys blew my mind… I was just fascinated from my first encounter.” – Alexandra Johnson

4:35 The first time she met an Iberian orcas and the magic of encountering their superpod.

6:34 Meeting the “infamous” White Gladys and her newborn baby, Atlas.

8:14 On the first time she saw a wild orca.

Skaana podcasts connect you with experts and their thoughts on oceans, eco-ethics and the environment.Support Our GuestBooks and classes for sale from Team SkaanaSubscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: Support us on Patreon:

Lummi Elder Squil-le-he-le on Her Relatives Beneath the Waves

Season 4 · Episode 85

Thursday, May 8, 2025 • Duration 54:17

Squil-le-he-le – Lummi Elder and matriarch – on her relationship, and her nation's relationship, with the orca known as Lolita, Tokitae and Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut, the attempt to bring her home and sharing that story in the powerful new documentary Resident Orca. Resident Orca is now available on Crave in Canada and is still in festivals in the USA and around the world. “You can't separate Canada and the US… “Clean up our beaches. Stop using plastic. Talk to your electeds. And say it's enough. Breach the dams. It's enough, stop the pollution. It's enough, talk to Canada and let's join forces in saving that body of water that we all treasure and hold sacred. ”

Made in Canada, eh 🍁

Shownotes:

4:43 Meet Skay-la-hay-la – Lummi (Lhaq'temish) elder and martiarch.

5:24 On the naming and renaming of Lolita/Tokitae to Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut

7:00 On being related to the orcas. “Our relatives that live under the waves… We're related through cosmology.”

9:10 On the “round-up” that almost ended the southern resident orcas.

11:40 “They separated these babies from their mothers and there were several that were killed in the process and the captors didn't want to count them in their take. So they slit their bellies, filled them with gravel and sunk them.”

14:24 The orcas' memories of Penn Cove and the orca matriarch, Ocean Sun steering clear. “She never led her people back there to hunt. Ever… Ocean Sun led her people into the cove… and the one day they did ceremony.”

14:30 “They have traditions that mirror the Lhaq'temish people. *

16:32 Orca potlatches. “We mirror each others culture and traditions… they sing, they polatch, they surround in times of sorrow and loss to support the family.”

17:16 The Lhaq'temish take on salmon hats. “What we believe they are doing is they had feasted. That's their way to share. I've had enough. Have some.”

19:20 On getting involved with the documentary: “If you don't tell the story of her and her sacrifices. How will people know what they've done to her and her family.”

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.Support Our GuestBooks and classes for sale from Team SkaanaSubscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: Support us on Patreon:

Mark Leiren-Young on Canadians Voting for the Ocean and Against Trump

Season 4 · Episode 84

Friday, April 25, 2025 • Duration 34:14

Skaana host Mark Leiren-Young breaks out his political pundit persona and talks about the Canadian election, how Trump upended the Canadian election and Canada and why that new baby orca needs a name NOW! A special audience Q&A episode with producer, Bug Lewis, asking the audience questions!

“Don't vote for the guy who doesn't believe there's a problem with the climate.”

Made in Canada, eh 🍁

Shownotes:

1:30 Mark's background as a satirist and a political journalist and columnist.

3:00 Meet Skaana producer and audio engineer, Bug Lewis!

3:45 The scoop on the new J-pod baby – the Southern Resident orca – and why Suttles' new baby needs a name NOW! So for now, Mark names the baby “Bug!”

10:30 Who should a Canadian environmental voters vote for in this election? “Don't vote for the guy who doesn't believe there's a problem with the climate.”

12:00 Pierre Pollution boasts about being endorsed by Carbon Tax Campbell. The origin of Canadian carbon taxes.

16:00 Thoughts on our new – and hopefully future – Prime Minister, Mark Carney.

17:45 On not being a fan of the Green Party of Canada. “Here's where I'm going to break a few hearts… I do not think the Green party does what it does very effectively… I do not see a there there.”

20:35 The history of Skaana and our documentary about the past, present and future of the Southern Resident Orcas.

23:40 Trump's impact on Canada's election, Canadian politics and how Canada has changed since Trump started talking about taking over our country.

26:10 “The flag is back, baby.”

34:25 Forgive Us, We're Canadian – performed by Mark Leiren-Young and Mike McCormick from The Arrogant Worms.

Arno Kopecky on Canada’s Election Climate

Season 4 · Episode 83

Saturday, April 19, 2025 • Duration 44:07

Arno Kopecky (author The Environmentalist's Dilemma) on covering Tory leader Pierre Pollution Poilievre's vs. the environment, Canadian eco-politics and the Greens vs. Greens. When Pierre's not Trumpy. And when he is. And what he'll ask Pierre Poilievre – if he ever gets to ask him a question. “He turned the carbon tax into kryptonite.” Made in Canada 🍁

Shownotes:

4:25 On being the only journalist embedded with Canada's Conservative Campaign.

5:04 “It feels like a prolonged sort of Grateful Dead Festival festival tour meets the Freedom Convoy tour.”

7:05 Pierre's greatest hits…

10:52 On making sense of conspiracy theories.

12:18 Why Pierre and the Tories won't talk to reporters. “For the most part the Conservative entire machine is all about message control… it is very Trumpy.”

11:56 What Pierre Poiliviere doesn't want to talk about.

15:06 Where Pierre's not Trumpy. And where he is…

18:02 Why Pierre's declared the carbon tax public enemy #1. “He turned the carbon tax into kryptonite.”

19:48 On Pierre not talking about climate policy, except to mock it.

22:53 “The NDP has always been in a bit of a tricky place around environmental policies.”

23:40 The carbon tax is a very conservative solution…

26:16 On Mark Carney: “He's really quite literate on that file and he's built his career trying to convince the world's financial industries and bankers that climate change presents a massive existential threat to capitalism.”

28:30 On Carney: “I don't think he's the hero that we need but… it was his choice to go to rooms full of bankers in the halls of power in Europe and beyond. And tell them, you know, 10 years ago. “Listen, climate change is coming for us and we need to address it.” So I appreciate that.”

33:30 “The Green Party of Canada has become invisible.”

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.Octopus OceanSupport Our GuestBooks and classes for sale from Team SkaanaSubscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: Support us on Patreon:

Octopus Ocean – Shaking Hands With A Giant Pacific Octopus

Season 4 · Episode 82

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 • Duration 12:10

Shaking hands with a Giant Pacific Octopus… Skaana host Mark Leiren-Young shares an excerpt from his new book Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep.

“Mark Leiren-Young’s Octopus Ocean gives young readers a wonderful sense of many aspects of the world of octopuses in a very clear, concise and interesting way. It makes the reader think, and it educates without preaching. This book is a door to the magnificent world of the octopus—a door that, if opened and explored, will bring much joy and connection.” – Craig Foster, star and producer of My Octopus Teacher, co-founder of the Sea Change Project.

Made in Canada 🍁

Shownotes:

3:33 The introduction to Octopus Ocean: Geniuses of the Deep.

4:52 How Storm arrived at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. And got her name.

5:42 Meeting a Giant Pacific Octopus.

6:57 Feeding time. Her speed shocks me.

7:20 “Watching an octopus is like watching a dream.”

8:42 “Storm's deciding whether I'm friend, for or food.”

9:08 The first octopus I ever saw… at the Vancouver Aquarium!

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.

Skaana homepage
Mark's homepage
Join and support the Pod at Patreon
Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter on Substack
Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young's newsletter on Substack
Spotify
Apple
The Orca Bites Podcast (on anchor)

Octopus OceanSupport Our GuestBooks and classes for sale from Team SkaanaSubscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: Support us on Patreon:

Lynda Mapes on Tahlequah’s Second Tour of Grief

Season 4 · Episode 81

Wednesday, March 19, 2025 • Duration 37:02

In 2018 Tahlequah captured the world's attention when she carried her dead daughter's body for seventeen days in what became known as the “tour of grief.” The human who shared that story with the world was Seattle Times reporter, Lynda Mapes. Tahlequah just lost another newborn daughter. She just completed a second tour of grief. And this time… the world wasn't watching. Lynda Mapes and Skaana host Mark Leiren-Young talk about why the media and the world wasn't tuned in this time, trolls who blame Tahlequah for her tragedies, the future and fate of Tahlequah and her family and the challenges facing everyone who cares about whales and the planet in 2025. “The way to think about these animals is as an ancient society.” – Lynda Mapes.

Made in Canada 🍁

Shownotes:

4:10 Meet Lynda Mapes. “It's a pretty catastrophic time.”

5:11 The difference between Tahlequah's first and second tour of grief. “It's not like the last time with six million people reading my stories.”

6:20 “She's still the ultimate media star.”

8:27 Remembering the first tour of grief and the attempts to save Scarlet (J-50).

10:04 “These animals define the region.”

10:25 “Look at the world right now… it's a pretty dire time in the US.”

11:15 “Some people blame her.” We interrupt this show note (Mark here) to say this makes me want to scream…

14:18 “This is a co-extinction.”

18:17 “What we have left we cannot lose.”

18:55 Is the biggest threat to the Southern Residents the Biggs transients?

20:00 “I'm afraid people are going to forget about the southern residents… they have a right to be here… the way to think about these animals is as an ancient society.”

23:44 Tour 2… “It isn't what it was…”

25:06 People trolling Tahlequah…

27:15 “We've taken away her food, we've taken away her territory…”

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.Lynda MapesSupport Our GuestBooks and classes for sale from Team SkaanaSubscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: Support us on Patreon:

Paul Watson – Free and Fighting!

Season 4 · Episode 80

Thursday, February 20, 2025 • Duration 41:50

“In my lifetime I want to eradicate whaling.” – Paul Watson. Paul Watson is out of jail, back in France and still fighting for whales, dolphins, turtles, manatees and more. Paul Watson talks to Skaana host, Mark Leiren-Young, about his arrest and how it helped raise awareness about sketchy international arrest warrants, Japan's unjust justice system, illegal whaling, aggressive non-violence and his response to being called a “terrorist.” “I find it absolutely amazing that my case is being discussed at the highest levels of Japan… it really shows you how defensive they are about their illegal whaling operations.”

Shownotes:

3:10 Paul Watson on being released from prison in Greenland.

4:00 The politics behind his prison time.

6:48 “I find it absolutely amazing that my case is being discussed at the highest levels of Japan… it really shows you how defensive they are about their illegal whaling operations.”

8:00 “In the description, in the Red Notice, I'm described as an armed and extremely dangerous terrorist.”

8:57 Challenging Interpol.

10:20 His iconic status in France.

11:25 “I've been doing this for fifty years. I've never been convicted of a felony crime and I've never caused an injury to anybody… When anybody says, ‘people say you're a terrorist, what's your response.' I've never worked for Monsanto or Exxon.”

12:15 Explaining “aggressive nonviolence.”

13:43 On getting arrested.

14:58 His cell – with a view of whales. And other prisoners asking for autographs.

19:35 Receiving more than 5000 letters.

20:48 “I've been given political asylum in France.”

21:11 “If I go to Canada, I'll be immediately arrested.”

23:43 Why the French are so supportive.

28:38 Iceland vs. whales.

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.Listen to the whales – #FreePaulWatsonSupport Our GuestBooks and classes for sale from Team SkaanaSubscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: Support us on Patreon:

Eric Pelkey on BC’s Fishy Herring “Fishery” – “SHUT IT DOWN!”

Season 4 · Episode 79

Wednesday, January 1, 2025 • Duration 27:16

Let the Herring Live! Eric Pelkey is done pretending BC fishers should still be capturing herring. The Community Engagement Coordinator for the W̱SÁNEĆ leadership council talks about a proposed boycott, over-fishing, under-enforcement and the disappearance of a keystone species with significance to the W̱SÁNEĆ Nation and the entire eco-system of the Salish Sea. “Without the herring the salmon can't live. The sea lions can't live. The seals can't live. And if there's no salmon, the killer whales and the larger sea mammals can't live either. No salmon, no killer whales… The herring is a keystone species for the survival of life within the Salish Sea.”

Shownotes:

3:11 “The importance of herring to our people is immeasurable.” A trade item. A food source. And more.

6:31 “Herring and other fish provided a really substantial part of our diet… Not having that seafood and herring has really had a detrimental effect to the health of our people. Especially the First Nations women.”

10:20 How real is the herring “fishery” as an industry?

11:30 The history of herring fishing and when the herring were everywhere.

14:09 The Canadian government allowing over-fishing. “They went in there and took whole communities at once. And wiped them right out.”

15:10 “Without the herring the salmon can't live. The sea lions can't live. The seals can't live. And if there's no salmon, the killer whales and the larger sea mammals can't live either. No salmon, no killer whales… The herring is a keystone species for the survival of life within the Salish Sea.”

16:28 “The DFO is supposed to be the protector of the fish, of the sea… but the DFO speaks only to the commercial industry and listens only to them. And doesn't listen to us.”

17:45 “They're gonna do the same thing that they did on the east coast with the cod… it's like you're putting another arrow into the backs of the First Nations people.”

18:30 “They're willing to wipe out the herring for a few dollars more… for a few dollars.”

19:40 “Let the herring live!”

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.Eric PelkeySupport Our GuestBooks and classes for sale from Team SkaanaSubscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: Support us on Patreon:

#FreePaulWatson – It’s Up to You!

Season 4 · Episode 78

Friday, December 13, 2024 • Duration 36:22

A letter from Captain Paul Watson from prison in Greenland, an interview with Paul in prison and a plea for you – yes you – to help save his life. On December 18th, 2024, the government of Denmark will decide whether to send Captain Paul Watson to die in a Japanese prison. Please email the Danish Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard and ask for the immediate release of Captain Watson. Phone: +45 7226 8400 Mail: jm@jm.dk Sign The Free Paul Watson Petition at www.paulwatsonfoundation.org and contact any government official you can to demand his release. Use the hashtag #FREEPAULWATSON on all social media posts. For more about what you can do, visit the Captain Paul Watson Foundation.

Shownotes:

6:27 A letter from jail in Greenland from Captain Paul Watson to Skaana host, Mark Leiren-Young.

14:08 An interview with Paul Watson from prison in Nuuk, Greenland – courtesy of the Captain Paul Watson Foundation podcast.

Skaana podcasts connect you to news and experts and their discussions about environments, oceans, and orcas.

Skaana homepage
Mark's homepage
Join and support the Pod at Patreon
Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter on Substack
Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young's newsletter on Substack
Spotify
Apple
The Orca Bites Podcast (on anchor)
Skaana on Medium……www.orcatales.com

Skaana on social media:

Facebook

Listen to the whales – #FreePaulWatsonSupport Our GuestBooks and classes for sale from Team SkaanaSubscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: Support us on Patreon:

Skaana 🫍 One Ocean – Details, episodes & analysis

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Skaana 🫍 One Ocean – Details, episodes & analysis

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