Welcome to The Waterpeople Podcast, a gathering for our global ocean community to dive into the critical conversations of our culture – through storytelling.
We wanted an inclusive place to share stories from diverse voices within surfing culture — and from all kinds of waterpeople — from around the world.
We begin each episode with a simple question: “Tell us about a time or experience after which you were never the same…” We sit with some of the most adept waterpeople on the planet to explore common themes of aquatic lives lived well: ecology, adventure, community, activism, science, egalitarianism, inclusivity, meaningful play. And surfing, of course.
We hope you’ll listen with us.
In gratitude,
Lauren & Dave
WHO WE ARE
Lauren L. Hill question asker
Lauren L. Hill is a surfer and writer. Much to her own surprise, Lauren managed to make a career as a “professional freesurfer” over the last decade. She has degrees in Environmental and Social Science. Her work and activism continue to revolve around marine conservation and gender as they relate to surfing culture. @theseakin
Dave Rastovich anecdote adder
Dave Rastovich is an aquatic wombat who also happens to be one of the finest wave riders on the planet. From bodysurfing one-footers to scouting off the radar bombies, Dave has made a life and livelihood out of reading and riding water. He founded the NGO Surfers for Cetaceans and mostly refuses to make concrete plans for the future out of respect for ocean conditions.
Shannon Sol Carroll sound engineer & music maker
Jess Leitmanis graphic design
Jess is a sculpture artist – and sometimes graphic designer – with a strong connection to the ocean. She salvages her primary medium, marine debris rope, from extremely remote coastlines across Australia. Her personal collection weighs more than 700kg. jessicaleitmanis.com