Jess explores

I sometimes find myself think about odd topics that have nothing to do with anything that I am doing, but yet these questions still swirl around in my head... So, on this week's episode, I'm exploring what constitutes as long distance between whales. A massive spoiler alert: there are absolutely no useful answers in my episode, BUT rather a philosophical debate and a bit of insight of how my mind works...

Tune in anywhere you get your podcasts!

I love open water swimming for so many reasons! And if my previous episodes about the deep - freezing cold - blue did not convince you to give it a go, maybe this week's episode will. This week I'll explore some of the health benefits of open water swimming, both physical and mental health benefits.

As always: When in doubt stay out!

Before engaging in any physical activity, please consult with your medical doctor, GP!

Anywhere you get your podcasts!

Whale watching season is upon us and I want to share some tips and tricks with you on how to make sure you're keeping safe and have a lovely time out and about!

Tuning in anywhere you get your podcasts!

Did you ever notice that people get very emotional when it comes to anything ocean? It can be difficult to make sound decisions about ocean-related issues when emotions are high and in some cases, this can be very dangerous.

On this week's episode I talk about a recent whale stranding and how three camps of people started a discussion of what should, can, and cannot be done in this instance and there is a lot of parallels from this to decision-making processes in the marine space in general.

Tune in, anywhere you get your podcasts!

Last week I talked about what to do to keep dolphins and whales comfortable when they beach themselves and the likelihood of survival is slim. In this week's episode I want to talk about how to ensure a successful refloat of dolphins - if the animal is 1. healthy and 2. and you are able to assist safely.

The mantra for anything ocean related: When in doubt, stay out!

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For most people, seeing a whale or a dolphin is a memory of a lifetime. Sadly, sometimes whales and dolphins beach themselves and having seen them frolicking in the ocean, our gut-instinct could be trying to get them back into the water immediately. However, in most cases, when a whale or a dolphin beaches themselves, there is a reason and that may be that they're sick or old and trying to get them back into the water could actually create more stress on them. So in this week's episode I'll be talking to you through what to do when you come across a dolphin or whale that is still alive but that will most likely not survive.

Please be advised that this subject may require careful consideration when listening with children.

The mantra of anything ocean related is always: When in doubt stay out!

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I always wonder what to do on days where it's really nice but I have little going on - one of my favourite activities is to head towards the coast, sit down with snacks and binoculars and look for marine animals. At the moment the basking sharks are back in Cork waters and I couldn't let the opportunity pass without trying to see them for myself... Spoiler alert: I didn't find any, but that's not to say that land watches for marine mammals isn't a super exciting activity suitable for anyone!

P.S. the video is from my most recent land watches with the sea otter slowly swimming along...

Find out more here:

I can't smell underwater, so I never really thought about fish smelling underwater... So, on this week's episode that is what I'll be exploring - can fish smell underwater?

And this is the article I was referring to: https://daily.jstor.org/will-fish-lose-their-sense-of-smell-in-acidic-oceans/#:~:text=Unlike%20humans%20who%20don't,and%20even%20locate%20spawning%20grounds.

Have you ever wondered why beaches smelled so beachy? In today's episode, you'll find out! Also, if you find a way of bottling this up, LET ME KNOW!

Have you ever wondered how divers can go deep and how they stay down there when as a swimmer, the water will nearly keep you feeling weightless at the surface? On today's episode I'll be exploring that weightlessness and buoyancy and why it's important to have neutral buoyancy while diving.

Tune in anywhere you get your podcasts!

It is international women's day! Today I want to honour all the ocean-women that have come before me and that will follow me but to do that, we need to recognise that women have been very much underappreciated in the marine field. So on today's episode I will be talking about some of the issues that may arise when women aren't included in the decision making process.

Tune in anywhere you get your podcasts!

If you've been to a beach lately (in the cold spring-days) and you've watched people going for a swim, you'll be familiar with all the gasping and shocked reactions of people entering the water. It's a concert of shrieking, no matter how resilient these people are, they will always gasp for air - why is that?

In this week's episode, I'll talk about the cold shock and what it does to your body when you go open water swimming. As with every physical activity, please consult with your doctor before engaging!

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Have you ever been woken up by a jackhammer hammering along right outside your window early in the morning and thought to yourself - what awful thing is this? Now imagine you are underwater and you don't know where that noise is coming from, you don't know why that noise is even happening, and what to do to get away from it? That is what our lovely gentle giants are experiencing a lot and it's not exactly like they can put on ear plugs and go on their merry way. So in this week's episode I'll be talking about noise pollution, why we need to consider it and why it's a massive issue in the underwater world. I'll also be talking about the difference between sound and noise and why you should care!

Tune in, anywhere you get your podcasts:

What are marine ecosystem services? I asked myself that question quite a bit - turns out there are direct (such as fish and marine energy) and indirect (such as carbon sequestration and wellbeing) ecosystem services from the marine space. In this week's episode I'll talk about why marine ecosystem services are so important to anyone - regardless of if you live close to the ocean or not and why they are so difficult to manage.

Tune in, anywhere you get your podcasts:

We speak so often of the importance of developing technology - particularly when we talk about building a green or sustainable economy. But what is the role of technology in a blue economy?

In this week's episode I dive into the importance of prioritising sustainable development in order to enable technology development rather than focussing on developing technology to achieve sustainable development. You may think me mad - but I believe there is an important difference and one that doesn't get talked about too often. Join me, anywhere you get your podcasts.

The interest in the blue economy has sky-rocketed over the last few years and will gain more momentum in the years to come as we are learning more about the ocean and realising its importance in terms of climate change and in terms of creating a sustainable future. In this week's episode I will touch upon a few issues that need to be addressed when thinking about a blue economy - what does it mean and who is it for? And what marine activities are actually included in the blue economy?

This episode will only provide small insights into the blue economy and for anyone interested - it's a starting point on how to create a sustainable and just ocean future.

2022 is full of promises, full of best wishes, full of energy and productivity - maybe too much already? So, in this first episode of the new year, I'm going to reflect on why I started the podcast in the first place and come back to my beloved ocean-based roots! More ocean content is going to come your way, because that is what we all need in 2022 - I think we can all agree! I hope you enjoy this first episode, I'll catch you later.

We're coming into the reflective season and I used the opportunity to reflect on my family ties and take stock on my personal relationships! In this week's episode I talk about my family relationships and why they are so important to my learning abilities and growing abilities. While I get deeply personal, I think there is something for everyone in this personal excursion! So tune in anywhere you get your podcasts!

A note of self-love: Your inspiration and your helping hands are not always blood related, so you may find a supportive network elsewhere and that is simply wonderful! Please also know that you are not alone, there is help for everyone! Please reach out if you need help and at the same token, if you feel like you can help, please do not hesitate!

One of the first words that many children learn is "no" - as a safety mechanism mostly and to protect them but sometimes it doesn't stop there and we say no to an awful lot of things that we are actually fully capable of! So, on today's episode, I am exploring the art of saying yes. I will talk about creating opportunities by putting yourself out of your comfort zone and rise to the occasion. I still have a hard time saying yes sometimes, but it's a process and an exciting one at that!

So tune in on today's episode, everywhere you get your podcasts!

I love the ocean and open water swimming is really something that will make you feel alive! So on today's episode I'll explore open water swimming - part 2 (or swimming in the ocean in the winter...). It's gotten cold, which means less people are less out and it gets darker much sooner, so there is a few extra precautions to take!

As always, with any physical activity, consult with your medical doctor or GP before engaging in the activity!

Anywhere you get your podcasts!

I cannot tell you how many times I was asked to finish (or start) a task and had absolutely no clue what to do or how to do it and it sometimes made me doubt my own ability to do anything and with that all the small voices came creeping in that I may not be good enough to do this, that, or the other. In this week's episode I explore how you can deal with these situations and how you make sure that you are well equipped to complete your work responsibilities and also - how to find help when you feel like you don't know where to start.

Tune in anywhere you get your podcasts!

Have you ever looked in a room and thought to yourself, "whoa, everyone looks the same here"? Be it the way people dress or behave or where they come from... It can make you feel really isolated and really lonely, especially when you feel like you may not fit in! For most of my upbringing that is exactly what I felt like - just a bit on the outside but I learnt how to be comfortable with that uncomfortable feeling and tried my best to make sure that others wouldn't have to feel the same. But it can be challenging and really disheartening. On this week's episode, that is what I will be talking about: challenging the status-quo!

Tune in anywhere you get your podcasts!

Sometimes I find myself stuck in a rut and everything just becomes way too much and does not feel fulfilling at all, be it a personal routine, a personal relationship, a professional relationship, or the place you work at... And of course, sometimes I wonder if I should just stop it all and walk away and start something completely new some place else but I learnt through my personal relationships, that the best thing you can do is make an active decision about being present and choosing to be where you are and actively choosing everyday to try and do your best.

So, in this week's episode, that's exactly what I'll be talking about! Tune in, anywhere you get your podcast!

I've been told countless times that reading academic papers is boring and dull - especially new students are often overwhelmed by the world jumble that is thrown at them for them to make sense of it all and it is exhausting! In this week's episode I'll share some tips and tricks on how to read academic papers, journals, government papers, or any scientific reports effectively and how you can get the most out of the papers without having to spend hours and hours trying to decipher what is said!

Tune in anywhere you get your podcasts!

We have all been in a situation where we knew we had to make a good first impression or we met someone who did not make a good first impression. It's not rare that the first impression may not be the best but you end up being great colleagues or friends. But how do you prepare to meet someone new and how can you make sure that you leave a good first impression? I don't have any one-size-fits-all solution but maybe a few tips that may help!

Have you ever wondered why there were so many academic conferences and who attends all of these? And also - why do academics go to all of these?

In this week's episode we explore academic conferences, why they are important, and who should attend them, and when to maybe not to attend...

When I was younger, I loved the idea of going to the circus. In fact, I don't actually think I went all that often, but it was one of these magical experiences in my mind. It was never about the animals, but what I absolutely loved were the people and their ability to do things that just seemed so outlandish to me. Especially aerial acrobatics - hanging on silk ropes, catching themselves, climbing up again, flying through the arena - it always seemed so magical. So, naturally, I thought, why not give it a go myself? Well... Find out how this went on this week's episode!

These days it sometimes seems like everyone is a specialist - but what about all of us (including me) who are generalists who like to know a little bit about everything? There is a place for all of us in this world!

In this week's episode, I explore what a generalist is and how they operate and why you should maybe also consider a generalist approach to whatever you do. I also talk about specialists and why we need their skills to even consider being a generalist!

I absolutely love any water-based activities, no matter how terrifying they seem to some and believe me, this week's episode has some terrifying moments in it.

I recently joined the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) on one of their sailing trips on the Celtic Mist. This was my second time around and it was very different from two years ago. So tune in, know that no humans or animals were harmed during the course of this experience, and enjoy!

Have you ever received feedback and thought to yourself - what on earth was that? Well, I've been at the receiving end of that more times than I care to remember and there was a time in my life where I would have taken any feedback as a critique on my personal being. And of course, when you feel like someone is attacking you, you will never be able to actually listen to what they are saying (if in fact what they are saying has any merit). But, it turns out, that when you give constructive feedback that it's never that case but rather that whoever is giving feedback - in many cases (not all) - has your best interest at heart and really tries to help and wants to be constructive. It's a power skill to give and receive feedback and one that requires lots of training and lots of understanding on how to communicate effectively.

On this week's episode, I get deeply personal on constructive feedback and why it can really make a difference in your life.

The fear of missing out (FOMO) is that feeling you get when you at one place but wish you were some place else and while you are in that place, you are unable to enjoy yourself or really take in what is happening. While most of us think of this in the context of being invited to two parties at the same time, it's something we actually experience every day in our personal and professional lives. For instance, when you signed up for a webinar but are not paying attention to the webinar because you respond to emails because 'something important may be happening', you are experiencing FOMO on your emails.

So, in this week's episode I want to draw attention to that and how to raise your own awareness when you're experiencing FOMO.

When I was 14, I made the decision to become a fashion designer/seamstress, thinking that I found my calling and that one day I would be the next Vivian Westwood. Spoiler alert: that didn't quite happen (yet?!). I worked in a theatre for about 4 weeks, clocked 38.5 hours per week and made a whopping 168 euros (not per week - that was one month's salary!).

But I took a few moments in this week's episode and reflected on what I learnt in that job and how important it was to understand that what we learn in school isn't always useful in industry...

I could talk for hours about all the funny episodes and experiences I had in those four formative weeks, but mostly I just wanted to take you on a short excursion on where I started my 'career' and while you may not end up becoming what you thought you'd be at 14, the lessons are still valuable!

As we are all taking a few much-needed days off, it is important to reflect on how you take leave! You may have heard the buzzword "ecotourism" thrown around quite a bit, but what does that actually mean and how far do you have to travel to really be an ecotourist? Turns out, not that far at all! Join me in this week's episode where I talk about ecotourism, what that means and how you can make sure that you travel environmentally-friendly and eco-conscious. 

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where a tiny voice in your head told you that you don't have the skills, experience, or knowledge to participate in a conversation? Did it ever feel like anyone else around you knew much more and was much better equipped to respond to questions and make comments than you? Has this ever held you back in speaking your mind, applying for a job, or just feeling good about yourself? You may have a case of imposter syndrome and let me tell you, we've all been there and we all have that voice in our heads! But fear not, there is ways to overcome it and there are ways to make sure that you do get that job or that promotion that you deserve!

So, on this week's episode, we'll be talking about the imposter syndrome!

If you or someone you know suffers mental health issues related to the imposter syndrome or any other kind of mental health issues, please know that you are not alone and please seek help!

My image of surfers is quite stereotypical - carefree, lots of abs, and salty hair... Turns out, I was half right.

In this week's episode I explore the ins and outs of surfing, talking about the board itself and what you should do in theory to be able to stand on a board...

P.S. if it sounds like I am demonstrating the steps on how to surf, you are absolutely right, that is exactly what I was doing, although nobody could see it and I was talking to myself...

Being beach-smart is important - in this week's episode I'll discuss rip currents and how you can stay safe in the water.

As with any physical activity, please consult your GP or medical doctor before engaging in any physical and/or water related activity.

Disclaimer: I use riptide and rip current interchangeably, as I am sure many of us do. However, they are not the same thing and no matter how much I reminded myself to call it rip currents, the habit succeeded... A riptide is a tidal current is caused by the tide that pulls water through an inlet - i.e. tide water flows steadily out to sea.

As the weather's heating up (and with that the urge to go to the ocean becomes stronger), I want to explore snorkeling with you! It's one of my favourite ocean-related activities because you don't need much experience, all you need is a snorkel and a mask and you're good to go! So on this week's episode I'll walk you through snorkeling for beginners, an easy guide to get you comfortable in the water and make sure you know what to do when your mask fills up with water!

Please consult with your medical doctor or GP before engaging in any marine-related and physical activity.

As we are moving towards warmer months and warmer waters, I wanted to take a second and talk to you about blue health. It's a new and interesting concept looking at the benefits humans can get from interacting with the ocean.

I love being in/on/at/by the ocean, so a couple weeks ago, I tried a new way of enjoying the marine space - through sea kayaking. I took a 2-day-course a couple weeks ago and what started as a fun excursion quickly transitioned into a nightmare of hand-eye-coordination resulting in very sore muscles and a somewhat painful sun tan... So, quickly summarised: a successful excursion.

As with anything active, please consult with your doctor before undertaking any physical activities.

Sometimes I find myself in situations where I am somewhat lost. I know what I do is important and I typically can remember why I started to begin with, but when you loose sight of what is important, it becomes difficult to really make sense of it all. To avoid that utter confusion, it is important to ground yourself - find something that makes you go out of your own head and come back to what really matters. For that, I call my parents and we talk about anything for hours on end - you may do yoga, or you may go for a run, or do anything else to ground yourself. What you do, doesn't really matter as long as you find a mechanisms that makes sure you're not utterly lost.

P.S. Yes, this episode too has suffered the dog-barking-treatment, which is why the audio may be a bit quiet but on the plus side my dog was very happy barking to her heart's content.

Have you ever felt completely misunderstood or thought you knew exactly what you and your partner or colleague were talking about and then learnt that you couldn't be further from the truth? Misunderstandings like that make life very difficult and challenging when they don't have to be!

On this week's episode I explore the power of language and definitions and why this is such an important way to create trust and build a long-lasting workforce but how it can also create barriers for new employees and can be incredibly isolating.

P.S. Yes, this episode too has suffered the dog-barking-treatment, which is why the audio may be a bit quiet but on the plus side my dog was very happy barking to her heart's content.

When I was in school, my math teacher always used to say, "what you learn in this class will be usable in your other classes". That never made sense to me - was I supposed to calculate how many words per hour someone could write in class? It wasn't until much later that I understood the real lesson - the ability to take something I learnt in one context and use that knowledge, and the skills acquired in a completely different context. Transferable skills - as we like to call this learning experience.

Join me today, as I talk about my 10+ years of sales experience and some funny anecdotes and how that relates to what I do today and how you too should not disregard experiences you've made in different contexts. They are all beneficial because they enable you to see the world in a unique way.

World Oceans Day takes place every year on June 8th! This year's theme is The Ocean: Life and Livelihoods where we celebrate and shine a light on all that we've been up to in the realm of ocean space. To find out more about how to get involved, please visit: https://www.un.org/en/observances/oceans-day

It's open water swimming season (well, to be honest with the right gear it's always open water swimming season!). So this episode, I want to explore with you the ins and outs of open water swimming. Safety first, so you'll hear quite a few health disclaimers to keep you safe and sound and then, and probably more importantly, I will tell you some of the health benefits of open water swimming and whether you need a wetsuit.

Let me know how you like the icy cold! And as always, before any activity - consult your GP or doctor to make sure that this is safe for you to do!

European Maritime Day is approaching fast - this year it is held virtually on May 20-21 in Den Helder in The Netherlands and it promises to be good and exciting. The agenda is out and I am looking very much forward to all the different active workshops and plenary sessions and just having an opportunity to see and learn about what has been done and what is yet to come from an industry, government, and academic perspective. Participation is free so come and join us as we celebrate European Maritime Day!

Registration deadline May 4th

https://european-maritime-day-2021.b2match.io/

Netflix's newest documentary "Seaspiracy" has been making waves. I watched it and there is much to say about it. This episode will provide some critical insight into why documentaries like this are important but also, why you should be careful to view the main message of this documentary critically.

Listener note: This episode was recorded outside at the beach after having watched the documentary and there may be some spoilers and you may disagree with my observations. Please feel free to engage with my on social media to discuss your view points! 

Do whales need to rest? And if so, how do they sleep? In this week's episode I explore how sperm whales rest and how they use their social family structures to protect themselves and their female companions. I'll also talk about why male sperm whales don't travel with female sperm whales and why calves will stay very close to their mothers. We'll also explore why and how whale calves could drown... So much to explore about sperm whale logging!

My favourite thing to do is watch humpbacks feed - if you're lucky, you get to see every inch of their body as they move around, sometimes really fast and other times really slow and yet both behaviours serve the same purpose. I've never been more mesmerised than watching large animals feed in the water. On this week's episode I want to tell you about how humpbacks hunt their food and also how one humpback encounter had me covered in fish guts!

I recently 'cleaned' my perfectly fine pair of binoculars until they weren't perfectly fine anymore and then I spent days trying to figure out which new pair to get (it just wasn't feasible trying to fix the old ones). And then it got me thinking, why are binoculars such an important tool for marine mammal observers and how do you use them and why should you not use them on a boat if you're only on a boat for a short while and have no idea what you are looking for? So many questions! In this week's episode I explore the importance and necessity of binoculars when on a boat, figuring out why they are so amazing, and how to use them effectively and we get even in some of the nitty-gritty of marine mammal observation goodness!

We all write - all the time, but few of us actually think about *how* to write. In this week's episode I explore a magic writing formula. Writing is a four step process and if you know about it, writing and reading becomes so much easier and that much more fun. The four steps are: 1. topic sentence, 2. explanations, 3. examples or evidence, 4. conclusion or transition. It is that simple.

If you build an outline with all your arguments as your topic sentences, filling in steps 2-4 becomes that much easier.

Let me know how you get on either on @Jess_explores on twitter or Jess_exploresPodcast on insta.

Happy writing, y'all!

I am so excited for this - a UN proclaimed and dedicated decade to ocean science and generating ocean knowledge to achieve the sustainable development goals - particularly SDG 14 - Life below water. In this episode, I explore what the ocean decade is, why it is important, and how you can get involved - both in generating ocean knowledge but also how to be part of the participative, transformative, and two-way processes that the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) is proposing. To find out more - and endorse an ocean-action, head on over to: https://www.oceandecade.org/ and to find out more about what the framework for the ocean decade entails, look no further: https://www.oceandecade.org/assets/The_Science_We_Need_For_The_Ocean_We_Want.pdf

Happy New Year, everyone!

Have you ever been at the beach enjoying a lovely sunset and just as the sunset a green light flashed before your eyes? No - it wasn't Superman flying through the air, it was actually a natural phenomenon that this week we'll explore.

Also, a word of warning - please do not EVER stare into the sun, you can damage your eyes and I do not want to be responsible for that! You can witness the green flash safely and in this episode, I'll tell you when to look!

What is sustainable development and what do we actually mean when we say that something is sustainable? And how come that when we talk about environmental sustainability and economic sustainability it seems like these two are not at all related? In this episode I explore the meaning of sustainable development in the marine space. We will look at where the term sustainable development came from and what the pillars of sustainable development are and how they are connected to each other.