SeaDoc Society - Podcast Details

Shows

Blue Dot Blue Dot: Exploring the Salish Sea and coast with the SeaDoc SocietyHost Dave Schlom is joined once again by Joe Gaydos and Bob Friel from the SeaDoc Society based on Orcas Island in the Pacific Northwest.

2026-02-1351 min

Extraordinary Vets What Veterinarians Can Do for the OceanIn this episode of Extraordinary Vets, host Dr. Donna Harris interviews Dr. Joe Gaydos, a marine mammal veterinarian and science director at the SeaDoc Society. They discuss Joe's unique career path, his experiences in wildlife medicine, and the importance of ocean health and conservation. Joe shares insights from his time in Zimbabwe, his transition to marine mammals, and his efforts in educating the public through children's literature and media outreach. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities in veterinary medicine, particularly in wildlife conservation, and offers advice for aspiring veterinarians.Keep up with the...

2026-01-2737 min

Discovery Tooth and Claw: Killer WhalesInvestigating the black-and-white apex predator of the sea – the killer whale! Able to predate even great white sharks, this marine mammal is the largest member of the dolphin family. From tropical seas, to the Arctic and Antarctic, killer whales (or orcas) are found across the world. Living in family groups and often led by a post-menopausal matriarch, killer whales have passed on their hunting methods, which vary depending on which prey they specialise in hunting, through the generations.Presenter Adam Hart finds out about the killer whales incredible social behaviours (such as wearing salmon as hats) and he...

2025-07-0726 min

Discovery Tooth and Claw: Killer WhalesInvestigating the black-and-white apex predator of the sea – the killer whale! Able to predate even great white sharks, this marine mammal is the largest member of the dolphin family. From tropical seas, to the Arctic and Antarctic, killer whales (or orcas) are found across the world. Living in family groups and often led by a post-menopausal matriarch, killer whales have passed on their hunting methods, which vary depending on which prey they specialise in hunting, through the generations. Presenter Adam Hart finds out about the killer whales incredible social behaviours (such as wearing salmon as hats) and hears ho...

2025-07-0727 min

Getting Better with Jonathan Van Ness Zohran Mamdani, Killer Whales, Cuts to NPRCheck out the JVN Patreon for exclusive BTS content, extra interviews, and much much more - check it out here: www.patreon.com/jvn This week on The Monday Edit: JVN life updates, cuts to NPR funding, the recent attacks on Iran, the NYC mayoral primary election win for Zohran Mamdani, and a quick update on the killer whale’s salmon supply in the Pacific Northwest with this week’s Patreon guest, Dr. Deborah Giles from the SeaDoc Society. Not A Phase. Trans Lifeline Follow us on Instagram @gettingbetterwithjvn Jonathan on Instagr...

2025-06-3028 min

Pod of Orcas Join us on Orcas Island July 12thPod of Orcas is produced by The SeaDoc Society, whose big summer auction event will take place Saturday July 12th, from 4-7 pm, on Orcas Island. The event will be held at Slanted Apple Farm, just a few miles from the Orcas Island Ferry Landing. Seating is limited, so don't wait too long. Tickets and info: www.seadocsociety.org/auction

2025-06-2801 min

Pod of Orcas 17. Science, Storytelling, and Salish Sea Wild, with Bob FrielBob Friel is the producer of SeaDoc Society's EMMY-nominated web series, Salish Sea Wild, hosted by Joe Gaydos. He's also an award-winning writer, photographer, documentary filmmaker, and author of the true-crime bestseller The Barefoot Bandit. In this episode we talk about how to get folks to care about vital science in a chaotic and unreliable media environment—more specifically how he and Joe make their own brand of magic with Salish Sea Wild. Salish Sea Wild: youtube.com/seadocsocietyGet our newsletter: seadocsociety.org/newsletter

2025-05-0152 min

The Island Digest - News from San Juan County, Washington The Island Digest - April 23, 2025Headlines from the week of April 23, 2025 - Soroptomist award 11 island women - SeaDoc’s ‘Salish Sea Wild’ earns EMMY nomination - Wren’s Berries and Native Plants is honoring the natural ecosystem - Shooting Stars, harbingers of spring - plus excerpts from the Sheriff's Log

2025-04-2317 min

Pod of Orcas 16. A Rockfish Baby Boom, with Adam Obaza and Olivia CarmackRockfish are very vulnerable to overfishing and don't have babies every year. Very rarely a "jackpot recruitment" happens and tons of rockfish babies are born (they give birth to live young, meaning no eggs!). The last time it happened in the San Juan Islands was decades ago. Our guest today are Adam Obaza and Olivia Carmack of Paua Marine Research Group. We work with Paua to collect data on young rockfish to aid in the recovery plan for the species. Check it out! -- www.pauamarineresearch.com ⁠www.seadocsociety.org⁠

2024-09-3036 min

Pod of Orcas 15. Why are human feet washing up on beaches in the Salish Sea?Human feet have been washing up on beaches in the Pacific Northwest's Salish Sea since at least 2007. But why? Turns out there are scientific explanations for "why feet?" and "why here?" The answer sheds light on why the ecosystem's name—The Salish Sea—is important, and why place names matter in general. Support the creation of this show: seadocsociety.org/tidepoolers -- GUESTS: Erika Engelhaupt, author of Gory Details - https://erikaengelhaupt.com/gory-details-book/ - x.com/GoryErika David Trimbach, Conservation Social Scie...

2024-05-2857 min

Pod of Orcas 14. Our team reflects on 2023Join the whole SeaDoc Society team as we reflect on 2023 and look ahead to 2024. Thanks for listening to the show and for supporting our work. All gifts will be doubled thanks for two generous donor families: seadocsociety.org Thank you!

2023-12-2338 min

Pod of Orcas 13. A 250-pound Bluefin tuna mysteriously washed up on Orcas Island. Why?This is the story of a mysterious fish that washed up on Orcas Island on July 11, 2023. That fish was a six-foot long Pacific bluefin tuna—a species that had never in history been documented in the inland waters of the Salish Sea. Bluefin are a delicacy that can sell for millions of dollars. Why was it here? Support the creation of this show: seadocsociety.org/donate Follow on social for visuals: - facebook.com/seadocsociety - instagram.com/seadocsociety - tiktok.com/seadocsociety - twitter.com/seadocsociety

2023-10-051h 01

Nature Now State of the StarsJoe Gaydos of the SeaDoc Society returns to Nature Now to give Nan Evans an update on the sea star wasting disease that decimated the sea star population of the Salish Sea and much of the Pacific Coast in 2013. (Airdate: September 7, 2022) Nature Now is created by a dedicated team of volunteers. If you enjoy this episode and want to support the work that goes into making Nature Now, we invite you to go to kptz.org/donate to make a contribution. Thank you for your support!

2023-08-0129 min

The Animal Wellness Podcast Save the Salmon for Orcas | Episode 61For decades, a wide range of man-made and environmental threats have endangered Southern Resident Orca—thinning the population in the Pacific Northwest to only 73. Today, they’re looking directly at extinction. The urgency of the orcas’ plight cannot be overstated. While many agencies and organizations are working to save our orca through scientific research, mitigation programs, public policy initiatives, and political action, these efforts have fallen short and the orca simply can’t wait. The show is about how each of us can help make a difference simply by NOT ordering a particular item off the menu...

2023-06-2344 min

Pod of Orcas 12. Searching for the rarest whale in the world, w/ Kevin CampionOur guest today is Kevin Campion, founder of Deep Green Wilderness and a board member for the SeaDoc Society. In this episode we talk about the North Pacific Right Whale. Kevin and his crew have made an excellent new film called Right Over the Edge—all about their search for this elusive and severely endangered species, which used to number in the 10s of thousands and now is down to about 30. The SeaDoc Society will be hosting a free screening of the movie on Orcas Island on the evening of Thursday May 18th at the SeaV...

2023-05-0341 min

Segeln ist Meer! Thomas und Ümit über Fakten und Mythen zum Thema Segeln und Meer!Medizin an BordIst das, was auf See an Unfällen passiert, genau dasselbe wie an Land? Entspricht das, was wir daheim an Erster Hilfe lernen dem, was an Bord gefordert wird? Ist die Bordapotheke dieselbe zuhause? Ümits heutiger Mythos klingt zuerst unverdächtig. Doch dann sezieren Thomas und Ümit erst den Bordalltag und seine Gefahren. Und dann den Mythos... Zum Seminar „Medizin an Bord“ mit Charterbar und Seadoc: https://app.guestoo.de/public/event/edd10ca2-bcc0-480c-9216-e097bae1719d Mehr hören und lesen von Thomas & Ümit: Das CHARTE...

2023-05-0240 min

Pod of Orcas 11. Is it safe to eat seaweed and kelp? w/ Jennifer HahnThis episode is about kelp and seaweed in the Salish Sea, and more specifically whether it is safe for human consumption. Our guest is Jennifer Hahn, who has a unique and adventurous childhood story, and in adulthood kayaked solo through Alaska’s Inside Passage. She’s the author of Pacific Feast: A Cook’s Guide to West Coast Foraging and Cuisine, in which kelp is featured heavily. When Jenny started teaching classes about kelp throughout the region, she’d often get asked if it was safe to eat. Eventually that brought her into contact with SeaDoc Society Science...

2023-01-2641 min

Pod of Orcas 10. Getting sassy on social media with the Washington State DNR, w/ Rachel TerlepThis episode is about social media at the intersection of science, nature, conservation, and nonprofit work. More specifically it’s about Twitter, Instagram and Facebook, and a state agency that has leveraged social media beautifully as a way to get their word out. Our guest is Rachel Terlep, Social Media Manager for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (Twitter / Instagram / Facebook). Note: We had this conversation about four hours before Twitter entered a state of crazy flux on November 17, 2022. Here are some DNR hits: “Live, laugh, lay eggs and die.” (on salmon spawning) “Every time you leave dog poop o...

2022-11-1832 min

Pod of Orcas 9. Climate fatalism vs. climate hope, w/ Elin Kelsey (PART TWO)Welcome to Part 2 of our episode about Hope with Elin Kelsey. In this episode we talk about Southern Resident Killer Whales, why we shouldn't put our climate responsibility on young children, environmental fatalism, and individuals vs. corporations as it relates to a healthy planet and Salish Sea. Register for our virtual event at seadocsociety.org/event. Elin Kelsey is the author of Hope Matters: Why Changing the Way We Think is Critical to Solving the Environmental Crisis. The whole SeaDoc staff has read the book, and to say it has inspired us would be a hug...

2022-08-0226 min

Pod of Orcas 8. Hope Matters in our doom-and-gloom climate, with Elin Kelsey (PART ONE)We're back for Season 2, and we’re kicking things off with a conversation about Hope! The doom-and-gloom of the endless news cycle can convince you that our planet is as good as dead. This conversation with Elin Kelsey, author of Hope Matters: Why Changing the Way We Think is Critical to Solving the Environmental Crisis, will make you rethink that. The whole SeaDoc staff has read the book, and to say it has inspired us would be a huge understatement. Kelsey, PhD, is a leading spokesperson, scholar and educator in the area of evidence-based hope. Support our wo...

2022-06-3038 min

Pod of Orcas Trailer: Pod of Orcas Season TwoWelcome to Pod of Orcas! Last season, we dove deep with an endangered population of killer whales, and we met some brilliant scientists and storytellers along the way. This season, we’re zooming out. We’re gonna look at the place they call home, which is also the place we call home. And by that I do mean the Salish Sea and its 8 million people and two large cities with bustling ports and shipping routes, but I also mean the Pacific Ocean, the planet, all of it. We’ll look at everything from dire stories of near extincti...

2022-05-1900 min

Outbreak News Cryptococcus gattii outbreak in porpoises and dolphins in the Salish SeaCryptococcus gattii is a fungus that lives in the environment in primarily tropical and sub-tropical areas of the world but also in some temperate regions such as British Columbia and some parts of the United States. C. gattii cryptococcosis is a rare infection that people can get after breathing in the microscopic fungus. Scientists found that the disease also killed porpoises and dolphins in the Salish Sea. In a new study published in Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, researchers explore how human-caused changes on land can affect aquatic animals, specifically in the case of the fungal...

2021-10-2811 min

Pod of Orcas Some brief and exciting news!All three pods of Southern Resident Killer Whales were spotted in the Salish Sea Tuesday night for the first time in more than 100 days! The Salish Sea is important summer habitat for the Southern Residents, and their presence is a joy and a relief to many. Here's to hoping they're finding the food they need. Listen for them on the Lime Kiln Hydrophone. SeaDoc Society's annual benefit event will be virtual again this year, and it's on September 9 from 5:30-6:30. It's going to be a blast! We have a $5 registration open and a limited supply of $100...

2021-07-2801 min

Whale Scout Podcast SeaDoc’s New Podcast Shares the Orcas’ Stories The SeaDoc Society recently launched a new podcast called, Pod of Orcas: Saving Southern Resident Killer Whales. On this episode we talk with Justin Cox, SeaDoc Communications and Marketing Manager about the podcast, how it came about, and how it aims to make a difference for endangered Southern Resident killer whales. To be explored similar to a book with chapters, Pod of Orcas is available here. Which episode of Pod of Orcas was your favorite? Share in the comments section on YouTube. Please like and subscribe! Also available on iTunes. The post SeaDoc’s...

2021-05-1722 min

Pod of Orcas 7. Our Shared Home, with Lynda Mapes & Joe Gaydos (Season One Finale)In our finale episode, we look at Southern Resident Killer Whales through the eyes of the Seattle Times environment reporter, Lynda Mapes. Lynda has been locked into their story since Tahlequah carried her dead calf for 17 days and more than a thousand miles in the summer of 2018. That story captured the world and Mapes’ articles for the Times are some of the most popular in the paper’s online history. Tahlequah’s story is also how she introduces her beautiful new book, Orca: Shared Waters, Shared Home, which comes out June 1, but you can preorder now: mountaineers.org/books/books...

2021-05-1358 min

Cup Of Hope E.2 "In The Same Boat" w/Joe GaydosThis week I spoke with the Chief Scientist at the Seadoc Society - a Science program out of U.C. Davis. Joe brings his enthusiastic energy to this conversation, and helps us keep our heads up while fighting to rescue the Salish Sea and all of its inhabitants. You can find out more about what his organization is doing at www.seadocsociety.org Listen to their new podcast, "Pod Of Orcas: Saving The Southern Resident Killer Whales" - https://anchor.fm/seadoc-society Follow them on Instagram: @seadocsociety Also, go look up SeaDoc Society on YouTube to view their many awesome vid...

2021-05-1038 min

Pod of Orcas 6. Toxic blubber, with Peter RossIn Ep. 6, we look at how human-made contaminants in the ocean are compromising killer whales and compounding the other problems they face. Fat soluble toxins move up the foot chain and accumulate in killer whales, who metabolize it in their blubber. Mothers also pass those contaminants down to their babies when nursing. Our guest is the excellent Peter Ross, who takes this complex subject and artfully breaks it down. Next week is the finale and it's a good one. See you then! Rate, review and share the podcast to spread the word. You can email me at j...

2021-05-0634 min

Pod of Orcas 5. Looking to gorillas to save killer whales, with Kirsten GilardiIn Ep. 5, we look at a conservation success story that could help map out the future for Southern Resident Killer Whales. The similarities between mountain gorillas and Southern Residents are plenty: Both can be individually identified and monitored by researchers. Both are massive tourist attractions--which on one hand comes with threats, but also brings enthusiasm, support, and the potential for funding to ensure protection. Both also regularly cross the imaginary borders humans have drawn to carve up our countries, meaning international collaboration is crucial. Our guest is Dr. Kirsten Gilardi, Director of Gorilla Doctors and Executive Director of the...

2021-04-2943 min

Pod of Orcas 4. Orca sound & human noise, with Rob WilliamsIn Ep. 4, we enter the acoustic world of killer whales, and what that means for how they talk with their families, hunt for salmon, navigate the sounds of boats, and so much more. Our guest is Rob Williams, who is Chief Scientist and Co-Founder of Oceans Initiative with Erin Asche. Acoustic communication is fundamental to the survival of killer whales and their uniqe culture, so don’t miss this one. Rate, review and share the podcast to spread the word. You can email our host at justin@seadocsociety.org. Support our work through GiveBIG this week! Get our free monthly ne...

2021-04-2247 min

Pod of Orcas 3. How captivity changed everything, with Jason M. ColbyIn Ep. 3, we look at how humans have viewed and treated killer whales throughout history, especially in the Salish Sea. It starts with slaughter by fishermen, followed by captivity for entertainment, all the way up to our present moment, in which wild Southern Resident Killer Whales are endangered, but beloved. We look at portrayal in media (Free Willy, Blackfish and more) and get into how captivity shifted scientific study and shaped perception of orcas in ways that would ultimately lead to a ban on their capture in the Salish Sea. Our guest is Jason Colby, author of t...

2021-04-1651 min

Pod of Orcas 2. Could we lose salmon in our lifetime?, with Cecilia GobinIn Ep. 2, we talk about salmon—the sole food source for Southern Resident Killer Whales. Our guest is Cecilia Gobin—a Tulalip tribal member who is on staff at the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. She's incredibly thoughtful and and exactly the kind of voice you want speaking on this topic. How did we create such a bleak situation for this amazing species of fish? Could we lose salmon in our lifetime? What happens if the status-quo continues? Listen to find out. Subscribe to follow along. Get our free monthly newsletter at seadocsociety.org/newsletter • F...

2021-04-0837 min

Pod of Orcas 1. Killer whales and culture, with Dr. John FordIn Ep. 1, we bring you up to speed on the critically endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales and discuss orca culture with Dr. John Ford, who has studied the species since the 1970s, when killer whale research truly began. How did things become so dire? What’s the difference between the three distinct ecotypes of killer whales? What are scientists and conservationists doing to solve the problem? Click listen and subscribe to find out. Rate, review and share the podcast to help spread the word. Get our free monthly newsletter at seadocsociety.org/newsletter Facebook: fa...

2021-04-0143 min

Pod of Orcas Introducing 'Pod of Orcas: Saving Southern Resident Killer Whales'There are only about 70 Southern Resident Killer Whales remaining in the wild and they’re looking directly at extinction if things don’t change. Southern Resident Orcas are emotionally intelligent animals with complex family dynamics. They also have a deep spiritual connection to the tribes and first nations who’ve been in the Salish Sea since time immemorial. Over the next six weeks, we’ll dive into those issues and more, with some brilliant guests joining us along the way. Subscribe to the podcast and spread the word!

2021-03-0402 min

Love of Learning KidsQuest Explores Engineering with Gever Tulley, Founder of Tinkering SchoolIn 2005 Gever Tulley accidentally stumbled into starting his own engineering-based summer camp in his backyard called Tinkering School. In this episode we’ll hear about the philosophy behind this remarkable program and what can happen when you give kids real tools to solve real problems. Hands-on designing, fabricating and constructing empowers kids and helps them test their theories about the world around them. Giving tinkerers tools, autonomy and space has resulted in some unbelievable projects, like a gondola re-imagined as a dragon flying across their warehouse workspace! This week’s Audio Postcard comes to you from Orcas Isla...

2021-02-0218 min

Aquadocs 16. Orca Medicine, Conservation, and PolicyThis week on Aquadocs is Dr. Joe Gaydos from the SeaDoc Society. Listen as Dr. Gaydos discusses the Southern Resident Killer Whales in the Salish Sea, an area of Pacific Northwest Coastline, and his role in increasing knowledge of these animals and informing local, state, and national conservation policy in the Salish Sea. And stick around to the end of the episode to find out what Michelle is hoping for this holiday season! Episode links: https://www.seadocsociety.org

2020-12-2230 min

A-Pod Cast For Killer Whales Dr. Joe Gaydos: "Orca Health Database"Dr. Joe Gaydos is a veterinarian and scientist with SeaDoc Society. He worked closely on an intervention to save J50, the sickly and starving young Southern Resident killer whale who recently died. Dr. Gaydos is currently compiling a health database for the Southern Resident orcas in order to inform both policy surrounding the whales as well as any future efforts focused on individual survival. Dr. Gaydos also sits on Governor Inslee's Southern Resident Killer Whale Recovery Task Force.

2018-09-2124 min

KEXP Presents Mind Over Matters Sustainability Segment Sustainability Segment: Joseph GaydosGuest Joseph Gaydos, Chief Scientist, SeaDoc Society, speaks with Diane Horn about his book, “The Salish Sea: Jewel of the Pacific Northwest”, coauthored with Audrey DeLella Benedict.

2015-04-2025 min