Ocean Wings Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Martina Wing
Podcast Overview
<p>From manta ray magic to meaningful change: conversations about the preservation of our planet, civic courage, and the ripple effect of nature.</p><p></p><p>Join Martina Wing and her guests as each episode explores how pivotal moments can heal trauma, ignite action, and reconnect us with our purpose in life.</p><p></p><p>In these uncertain times and this critical hour for the environment, we uncover how each of us can truly make a difference for our planet, for society, and for ourselves - both above and below the surface.</p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
12/12/2025
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Recent Episodes
March 26, 2026
From vet tech to state lobbyist: giving a voice to the voiceless (with Makenna Trapani)
<p>Makenna Trapani spent five years in emergency veterinary medicine before realizing that individual care wasn’t enough to fix the system-level problems affecting animals. Now, at just 23, she works as a Government Affairs Associate in Arizona, helping to pass animal welfare legislation and build the coalitions needed to turn ideas into state law. Martina sits down with Makenna to explore her path from vet tech to policy work, how an internship sparked her interest in public service, and what it actually takes to move a bill through the legislature, from stakeholder negotiations to the persistence required when laws don’t pass the first time.<b><br /><br />In this episode</b></p><ul><li>What emergency veterinary work revealed about the limits of care beyond the clinic</li><li>How a Senate internship sparked Makenna’s path into public policy and advocacy</li><li>What a Government Affairs Associate actually does day to day</li><li>The two-year process behind passing an animal neglect law</li><li>How bills move through committees, chambers, and legislative deadlines</li><li>What “being a voice for the voiceless” means in legislative work</li><li>The role of lobbying, amendments, and compromise in shaping legislation</li><li>Why persistence and timing matter as much as good ideas in policy work</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Key moments</b></p><p>(00:00) Introducing Makenna and her work in public policy</p><p>(01:14) Emergency vet work and the gaps that led her toward policy</p><p>(03:30) What a Government Affairs Associate does</p><p>(05:29) How Makenna and Martina first met in Hawaii</p><p>(06:31) Shark research and early conservation work</p><p>(07:59) Linking conservation work to policy and legislation</p><p>(09:21) From vet tech shifts to policy work at the Capitol</p><p>(11:28) The animal neglect case that led to new legislation</p><p>(13:32) The two-year process behind Arizona's animal neglect legislation</p><p>(14:50) How legislative timing and deadlines affect bills</p><p>(17:23) How many people are involved in passing a bill</p><p>(19:57) Stakeholder work, lobbying, and persistence</p><p>(21:12) Closing reflections on civic engagement and change</p><p></p><p><b>Resources</b></p><p>• Episode page and resources: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/vet-to-lobbyist-makenna" target="_blank">https://oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/vet-to-lobbyist-makenna<br /></a>• Get Martina’s emails: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter" target="_blank">https://oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter</a> <br />• More about manta rays on <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://mantarayadvocates.com" target="_blank">https://mantarayadvocates.com<br /></a>• Watch the full video on YouTube </p><p></p><p></p><p><b>Follow us </b>on Follow us on <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@oceanwingspodcast" target="_blank"><b>YouTube</b></a> | <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/oceanwingspodcast" target="_blank"><b>Instagram</b></a> | <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/oceanwingspodcast" target="_blank"><b>Facebook</b></a> | <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bsky.app/profile/oceanwingspodcast.bsky.social" target="_blank"><b>Bluesky</b></a></p>
March 12, 2026
A marine biologist connecting coastlines, classrooms, and conservation (with Dawn Murray)
<p>For over thirty years, Professor Dawn Murray has built a career in marine science by following her curiosity wherever it led. That path has included jellyfish research at Monterey Bay, documenting Indigenous medicinal plant knowledge in Bhutan, and serving on the advisory council of the first Indigenous-led National Marine Sanctuary in the United States. In this conversation with Martina, she walks through the key turns in her career and the people and places that shaped it — and examines how ocean science translates into education, policy, and real-world action.</p><p></p><p><b>In this episode</b></p><ul><li>How a lifelong curiosity for the ocean became a 30+ year career in marine science</li><li>Ocean systems, nutrient cycles, and why they matter far beyond the shoreline</li><li>How manta rays reveal the health of ocean ecosystems</li><li>Working alongside Indigenous communities from Tulum to Bhutan to Hawai‘i</li><li>Challenging students to apply ocean science in their own communities</li><li>Grassroots activism, policy, and the long game of ocean conservation</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Key moments</b></p><p>(00:00) Introduction: Dawn Murray, marine scientist and professor</p><p>(01:48) Growing up coastal: Hawaii, Santa Barbara, and a love of the ocean</p><p>(04:07) From art history and Italian to marine science </p><p>(06:01) Jellyfish, marine snow, and master's research at Monterey Bay</p><p>(09:24) PhD work and citizen science in the intertidal</p><p>(11:22) Intertidal ecology and human shoreline impacts</p><p>(14:56) Why ocean health is essential for human survival</p><p>(15:42) The global ocean conveyor belt explained</p><p>(19:39) Phytoplankton, food webs, and climate regulation</p><p>(24:30) The discovery of the third manta species</p><p>(25:12) Mantas as nutrient movers and ecosystem connectors</p><p>(27:40) What is plankton? Phytoplankton vs. zooplankton</p><p>(32:11) Why lights attract plankton at night</p><p>(34:30) Lifelong curiosity and resilient ecosystems</p><p>(38:55) Teaching graduate students across the globe</p><p>(46:00) Environmental awareness: Europe vs America</p><p>(49:08) From awareness to action: activism and policy</p><p>(52:50) The Tribal Trust Foundation and advocating for Indigenous voices</p><p>(55:56) Preserving Indigenous medicinal plant knowledge in Bhutan</p><p>(01:00:23) The Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary</p><p>(01:03:10) Miloli‘i: community-led ocean stewardship</p><p>(01:07:55) Curiosity, connection, and protecting what we love</p><p></p><p><b>Resources</b></p><p>• Episode page and resources: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/dawn-murray-marine-biologist" target="_blank">oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/dawn-murray-marine-biologist<br /></a>• Get Martina’s emails: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter" target="_blank">oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter</a> <br />• More about manta rays on <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://mantarayadvocates.com" target="_blank">mantarayadvocates.com</a> <br />• Watch the full video on YouTube </p><p><b>Follow us </b>on Follow us on <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@oceanwingspodcast" target="_blank">YouTube</a> | <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/oceanwingspodcast" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/oceanwingspodcast" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bsky.app/profile/oceanwingspodcast.bsky.social" target="_blank">Bluesky</a></p>
February 25, 2026
From office to ocean: two sides of being a manta ray advocate (with Savannah Maira)
<p>In this episode, Martina sits down with Savannah Maira, a core member of the Manta Ray Advocates team, to discuss her journey to her current role in ocean conservation. With a background in backstage theater and office administration, Savannah explains how her skills in organization, consistency, and long-term observation now contribute to manta ray conservation and enhance the guest experience. The conversation provides insight into how individual manta rays are tracked over time, how real sighting data informs candid discussions with guests, and how considerations such as safety, seasonality, and preparation guide responsible ocean encounters. </p><p></p><p><b>In this episode</b></p><ul><li>Savannah’s path from theater and admin work to swim guiding with manta rays</li><li>How nightly manta sightings are tracked and documented over time</li><li>The story of Black Diamond’s fishing hook injury and its long-term resolution</li><li>What the 2025 sighting data reveals about familiar mantas and close encounters</li><li>Why manta ray sightings vary by season, and when tours are canceled for safety</li><li>How the box jellyfish calendar evolved into the <i>Manta Rays of Kona</i> calendar project</li><li>Sharing manta ray work and knowledge with the next generation</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Key moments</b></p><p>(00:00) Introduction to Savannah and her role at Manta Ray Advocates</p><p>(00:37) Backstage theater and the path to Hawaii</p><p>(04:21) How a family connection led to an unexpected job opportunity</p><p>(07:04) Starting in admin and learning the business fast</p><p>(08:45) First manta swim and moving into guide briefings</p><p>(11:19) Swim guide training and lifeguard certification</p><p>(13:44) Commuting across the island for weekend guiding</p><p>(15:13) Tracking Black Diamond’s fishing hook injury over time</p><p>(22:06) Recording nightly manta sightings to answer guest questions</p><p>(23:41) 2025 sightings: familiar mantas and close encounters</p><p>(29:14) Seasonal manta sightings and tour cancellations</p><p>(34:46) The Manta Rays of Kona calendar project</p><p>(40:21) Raising a four-year-old manta ray enthusiast</p><p></p><p></p><p><b>Resources</b></p><p>• Episode page and resources: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/savannah-swim-guide" target="_blank">https://oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/savannah-swim-guide</a><a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oceanwingspodcast.com/episode/Savannah-swim-guide" target="_blank"><br /></a>• Get Martina’s emails: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter" target="_blank">https://oceanwingspodcast.com/newsletter</a> <br />• More about manta rays on <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://mantarayadvocates.com" target="_blank">https://mantarayadvocates.com<br /></a>• Watch the full video on YouTube </p><p></p><p>Follow us on <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@oceanwingspodcast" target="_blank">YouTube</a> | <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/oceanwingspodcast" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/oceanwingspodcast" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bsky.app/profile/oceanwingspodcast.bsky.social" target="_blank">Bluesky</a></p>
13 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Ocean Wings Podcast?
<p>From manta ray magic to meaningful change: conversations about the preservation of our planet, civic courage, and the ripple effect of nature.</p><p></p><p>Join Martina Wing and her guests as each episode explores how pivotal moments can heal trauma, ignite action, and reconnect us with our purpose in life.</p><p></p><p>In these uncertain times and this critical hour for the environment, we uncover how each of us can truly make a difference for our planet, for society, and for ourselves - both above and below the surface.</p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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