21st Century Mermaids

21st Century Mermaids

21st Century Mermaids is a podcast dedicated to women and the ocean. Hosted by Danni Washington, each episode features a ‘mermaid’ who works in ocean science or marine conservation fields. By sharing the stories of these modern day mermaids around the world, this podcast promotes ocean literacy and empathy, while championing access, agency, and equity for women and their allies in ocean conservation, leadership, and STEM fields. 21st Century Mermaids is an official activity of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) and addresses the UN’s 2019 theme for World Oceans Day (Gender and the Ocean). It is Executive Produced by Washington, Mariasole Bianco, and Dr. Erika Woolsey, three women who are scientists, ocean explorers, educators, and advocates.

Episodes

Elevating Women in Ocean Science with Mads St. Clair

January 27, 2023 • 51 mins
In this Season 2 finale, Danni Washington is joined by Madeline St. Clair. Mads is a marine biologist, filmmaker, and Managing Director of Women in Ocean Science.   Mads and Danni dive deep on a variety of issues and topics ranging from Mad's experience studying tropical marine biology at the University of Essex, her research work in the Indo-Pacific, ocean noise pollution and quiet zones, and the struggle of finding resources in a...
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Global Ocean Policy with Minna Epps

January 20, 2023 • 30 mins
Join Danni Washington as she speaks with Minna Epps. Minna is the Director of the IUCN Global Marine and Polar Program.   Minna and Danni discuss her beginnings in the cold waters of the UK that inspired her to study marine biology. This led her to work with IUCN where she has worked with coastal communities to help their environmental economies protect our oceans. Topics are wide ranging from Minna's involvement in COP 27, interti...
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Deep Storytelling with Inka

December 16, 2022 • 35 mins
In this episode, Danni is joined by marine biologist, film maker, wildlife photographer, and ocean advocate Inka Cresswell. Inka is a researcher for the upcoming Netflix series "Our Oceans". She is an Ocean Ambassador for the Marine Conservation Society, as well as a host of World Ocean Day.   Inka and Danni dive deep on variety topics including Inka's beginnings in the cold water of England, her work with blue chip productions, me...
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Maritime Archaeology with Maddy

October 26, 2022 • 37 mins
Join Danni Washington as we take a deep dive with the shipwreck mermaid, Dr. Maddy McAllister. Maddy is the senior curator of Maritime Archaeology for the Queensland Museum Network and James Cook University in Australia. Dr. Maddy McAllister is also the recipient of the Women Divers Hall of Fame Cecelia Connelly Memorial Scholarship in Underwater Archaeology.   Danni and Dr. McAllister discuss a breadth of topics about maritime arc...
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Freediving with Zandi Ndhlovu

September 14, 2022 • 27 mins
In this episode, Danni Washington speaks with the Black Mermaid, Zandi Ndhlovu. Zandi is a freediver based in South Africa. She is the founder of The Black Mermaid Foundation, and she works to create opportunities for exploration of the ocean for children across South Africa.   Zandi and Danni dive deep on topics ranging from how conservation starts with the youth, the need for diversity and inclusion in the marine conservation spa...
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Representing Small Island States with Angelique Pouponneau

August 31, 2022 • 35 mins
Join Danni Washington as she speaks with Angelique Pouponneau. Angelique is a Seychellois lawyer and environmentalist. She co-founded SIDS Youth Aims Hub (SYAH), a youth-led NGO that aims to reverse the effects of climate change and promote sustainable development in Seychelles.    Danni and Angelique jump head first into topics including blue bonds, blue economies, Angelique's transition from commercial law to environmental law, a...
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Building a Sea Legacy with Cristina Mittermeier

August 17, 2022 • 34 mins
In this episode, Danni Washington is joined by Cristina Mittermeier. Cristina is an adventurer, conservationist, writer, and photographer. In 2005, she founded the prestigious International League of Conservation Photographers (ILCP) to provide a platform for photographers working on environmental issues. Cristina also co-founded Sea Legacy with her partner, Paul Nicklen.   Conversation goes deep as Danni and Cristina speak about t...
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Protecting the High Seas with Kristina Gjerde

August 3, 2022 • 37 mins
Join Danni Washington as she dives deep into discussion with Kristina Gjerde. Kristina is a High Seas Policy Advisor for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Global Marine and Polar Program. She is also an adjunct professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, California, where she teaches an intensive course on international marine law.     Kristina and Danni have a wide ranging discussio...
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Being Black in Marine Science with Tiara Moore

July 20, 2022 • 41 mins
In this episode, Danni Washington is joined by Dr. Tiara Moore. Dr. Moore is the Founder and CEO of Black In Marine Science (BIMS) and the BIMS Program Lead at The Nature Conservancy in Washington.   Join Dr. Moore and Danni as they dive deep into the issues and solutions around lack of diversity and agency in marine science. Conversation ranges from the hurdles of marine science in HBCUs and higher education, to creating networks ...
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A Pod of Mermaids: Andrea, Eni, Chloe, and Sierra

July 6, 2022 • 39 mins
Danni Washington is joined by a pod of mermaids in this episode. Andrea Contreras, Eni Owoeye, Sierra Garcia, and Chloe McKenna are all members of the US Youth Advisory Council for the UN Ocean Decade.    Dive into this engaging conversation with some of our oceans' next generation of conservationists and biologists as they discuss a wave of topics including mentorship, connecting urban environments to our waters, and the importanc...
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Discovering Sea Turtles with Ronky

June 22, 2022 • 46 mins
In this episode, Danni Washington speaks with Nigerian marine scientist Ronky Moojisola Adegbile. Ronky is the founder of the Nigerian Sea Turtle Network. She is also one of the first marine biologists to study Nigerian sea turtles.   Jump in as Danni and Ronky have deep discussions on topics ranging from rescuing sea turtles from coastal poachers and paying ransoms for sea turtle lives and building international support for fundin...
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Empowering Seatizens with Anna Oposa

June 8, 2022 • 30 mins
In this opening episode of Season 2, Danni Washington speaks with "Chief Mermaid" Anna Oposa. Anna is a Filipina ocean conservationist and the co-founder of Save Philippine Seas, an organization that aims to protect coastal and marine environments through education and community-based projects.   Oposa dives deep on the work she has done to change the narrative around her native seas and the communities that rely on a healthy ocean...
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Mares de Tiburones con Melissa Cristina ​Márquez

July 21, 2021 • 46 mins
Danni Washington speaks with Melissa Cristina ​Márquez, also known as the Mother of Sharks. Puerto Rican born and raised, Melissa has used her unique upbringing and love for sharks to become one of the biggest advocates for our oceans' top predator. First being introduced to sharks after watching Discovery's Shark Week as a child, Melissa took the deep dive into marine biology. Topics discussed range from bioluminescent bays to stu...
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Going to Sea with Grace Young

June 22, 2021 • 43 mins
In this episode, Danni goes deep with ocean engineer, Dr. Grace Young. Topics discussed range from Grace's upbringing in the landlocked Midwest of the United States and learning to dive in freshwater quarries to deep sea expeditions with Alphabet's Moonshot Factory.   Dr. Grace Young is a Lead Scientist at X, Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, where her team is creating radical new technologies to protect the ocean while feeding humanity...
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Journeys with Josheena Naggea

May 21, 2021 • 34 mins
Danni Washington jumps into a great conversation with Mauritian marine scientist, Josheena Naggea. Listen on to hear topics ranging from sea turtle hatchlings to the social and ecological benefits of caring for our seas.   Josheena Naggea is an interdisciplinary scientist working to support marine governance in small island states who grew up in Mauritius. Her research focuses on adaptive management of marine protected areas, commu...
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Exploring with Erika Woolsey

April 21, 2021 • 40 mins
In this episode, Danni Washington has an explorative discussion with co-host and West Coast mermaid Dr. Erika Woolsey, about her upbringing, coral reef exploration, and integrating emerging technology into ocean education.   Dr. Erika Woolsey, is a marine biologist, National Geographic Explorer, designer, Visiting Scholar at the Virtual Human Interaction Lab at Stanford University, and co-founder of The Hydrous, which harnesses eve...
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Marine Protection with Mariasole Bianco

March 21, 2021 • 49 mins
Danni Washington makes the deep dive on marine protection and conservation with fellow mermaid, Mariasole Bianco. Mariasole coordinates the Young Professionals network of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas, hosts a TV show in Italy about ocean wonders and issues, works with private sector on ocean responsibility, teaches at the University of Genoa, and is the founder and president of Worldrise, an Italian non-profit organ...
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Dive in with Danni Washington

February 21, 2021 • 46 mins
In this inaugural episode, Erika Woolsey and Mariasole Bianco interview Danni Washington. Danni is an ocean activist, science communicator  and TV presenter who campaigns for healthier, , plastic-free oceans. She founded the Not-for-Profit Big Blue & You. Danni also presents the STEM-themed TV show Xploration Nature Knows Best, Mission Unstoppable, and web series Science the $#!* out of it.   Washington dives deep on her journey fr...
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Trailer

February 14, 2021 • 1 min
Check out the trailer for Season 1 of 21st Century Mermaids! Episodes for Season 1 will release on the 21st of every month starting February 21st.   Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review!   Production: Vagabond Podcast Productions
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