Ep 1: Bringing The Ocean To You

Welcome to Beneath The Waves Radio. Our team of researchers, scientists, and innovators is working every day to protect endangered marine life and explore and conserve our ocean. Every member of the team has a unique origin story, and we will be sharing everything from our first diving experiences to the moments that changed our lives and catapulted each of us into marine conservation.

Today, we are introducing Austin Gallagher Ph.D. (CEO), Jamie Fitzgerald (Managing Director), and Sami Kattan (Media Director). We were inspired to create this podcast to bring our adventures to you—and we hope to show just how exciting, awe-inspiring, hilarious and sometimes terrifying the ocean can be—and why it is worth protecting.

With a mission as vast as protecting our ocean, Beneath The Waves attracts some adventurous and passionate people. Get to know our podcast hosts, the leaders of the team at Beneath The Waves. Each week we will be introducing more of our team and sharing exclusive behind-the-scenes stories from our expeditions. 

 

Austin Gallagher, PhD: Founder, CEO

Dr. Austin Gallagher is the founder and lead scientist at Beneath The Waves. His vision for the NGO is to study and preserve a thriving shark population within our oceans. He has been featured in Forbes, Scuba Diving Magazine and even serves as the editor of the Scientific journal Endangered Species Research. Dr. Gallagher is notably recognized for his repeat appearances on Discovery Channel’s Shark Week. He has published over 100 research papers that have had a direct influence on the legal protection of endangered marine life. His combination of research and strategic partnering with government agencies has attracted and grown the Beneath the Waves team into the dynamic organization it is today. 

 

Jamie Fitzgerald: Managing Director

Jamie Fitzgerald is the Managing Director at Beneath The Waves, where she manages key partnerships, communications and marketing, and execution of brand strategy and growth. A passionate conservationist and ocean lover, she grew up on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and has spent her life on or in the water. Jamie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science from Tulane University, with concentrations in Marine Biology and Political Science. She spent her early career in marine and coastal conservation organizations on Cape Cod and in New Orleans, scuba diving throughout the Caribbean and Central America, and working in production and marketing in NYC before joining Beneath The Waves in 2018. She is a PADI Divemaster and member of The Explorer’s Club.

 

Sami Kattan: Director of Media

Sami Kattan is the Director of Digital Media at Beneath The Waves. A digital media producer and entrepreneur, he is the Founder and CEO of Nomad Creative, a digital storytelling agency producing content for purpose-driven individuals and organizations. From documenting blue whales to the jungles of Costa Rica to tiger shark research in the Bahamas, he provides impactful media for a global audience. His previous clients include the BBC, National Geographic, Spartan Race, and Virgin Unite, and his media pieces have garnered millions of views across digital channels, being featured in Forbes, Virgin, Lonely Planet, and Yahoo. He graduated with honors from the University of Florida with dual degrees in Anthropology and Psychology. He is involved in all aspects of Beneath The Waves’ digital media strategy, from creating, managing, and deploying projects, to engagement with key partners, donors, and stakeholders. Kattan has also led entire research expeditions throughout the Caribbean.

 

To learn more about Beneath The Waves and to stay connected, visit the links below:

Website: https://beneaththewaves.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/btwaves/

 

Key Takeaways:

[2:45] Why we chose to start the podcast 

[4:15] You never know what you will see on an expedition! 

[5:10] Not everyday is glamorous out on the ocean 

[6:03] The love and passion behind, Beneath The Waves  

[6:45] Like everything in life, there are always challenges  

[7:30] Austin’s catalyst: sharks and their innate freedom 

[8:50] Our goal is to live in better harmony with the ocean  

[10:10] Sami’s catalyst: Scuba diving in the Red Sea in Saudi Arabia  

[10:55] The mind-blowing kaleidoscope of colors in the deep sea coral  

[11:20] Divemaster training off the Island of Utila  

[12:00] Jamie’s catalyst: Hooked on diving and the thrill of being surrounded by water   

[12:40] Turning a passion into a career  

[13:35] Choosing to conserve the beauty of the ocean instead of merely enjoying it 

[15:35] How much the platform has evolved since its founding in 2014  

[17:20] Finding balance between happiness and your livelihood  

[19:00] Bringing adventure and purpose to ocean lovers 

[21:00] This is Discovery, Exploration, and Community!  

[23:30] Every expedition is an adventure  

[24:10] Sammy’s transformational experience with a Whale Shark on the coast of Utila  

[30:25] Collaborating with artists with their own connection to the ocean  

[34:20] Filming a live stream with Nora En Pure on a moving boat  

[45:15] Battery troubles with the final drone shot  

[47:04] The dangers of drone catching  

[49:30] Trying new things and reaping the rewards