Pod of Orcas

Latest Episodes:

The Power of Playful Online Communications (Non-Taylor's Version), w/ Rachel Terlep of Washington State DNR/WSDOT Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

This episode originally aired back in 2022 but it recently got taken down because of a short clip of the Tayl*r Sw*ft song "Lavender Haze." This is that original episode, sans Taylor.

On this episode we cover 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 was Social Media Manager for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources when we spoke, but now runs social media for Washington State Department of Transportation.

Note: We had this conversation about four hours before Twitter, now called X, entered a state of crazy flux on November 17, 2022.

SUPPORT THE CREATION OF THIS SHOW: seadocsociety.org/donate

This Saturday: Expanding Science, Expanding Hope. Jul 12, 2026

Show notes

Our big summer auction event will take place Saturday July 18th, from 4-7 pm, on Orcas Island. The event is near but we have a handful of tickets left if you'd like to join. It will be held at Slanted Apple Farm, not far from the ferry landing.

Get tickets an learn more at seadocsociety.org/auction

Interview with Michelle Barbieri Lino, New SeaDoc Scientist Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

Today’s guest is SeaDoc Society’s new Veterinary Translational Scientist, Michelle Barbieri Lino.

In a moment where researching funding is tenuous on both the state and federal level, SeaDoc Society is expanding its impact. Michelle (who goes by Shell) is joining Joe Gaydos, Deborah Giles and Cat Lo on SeaDoc’s esteemed team of scientists.

This casual conversation is a good chance to learn about her life and career, whether you’re a SeaDoc supporter of a budding scientist yourself. Learn more or support our work at seadocsociety.org.

Follow SeaDoc on most social media sites at @seadocsociety

Dr. Deborah Giles on Killer Whales, Poop-Sniffing Dogs, and the Superpod that Changed Her Life Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

Early in 2025, the amazing killer whale research organization Wild Orca merged with SeaDoc Society, adding Giles to our growing team of scientists, alongside Joe Gaydos and Cat Lo.

In today's episode we talk with Giles about her time on the water this field season, having her life changed by a Superpod on her 18th birthday, Eba the poop-sniffing dog, and the future of Southern Resident Killer Whale science and conservation.

You can support this work at seadocsociety.org

17. Science, Storytelling, and Salish Sea Wild, with Bob Friel May 01, 2025

Show notes

Bob 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/seadocsociety

Get our newsletter: seadocsociety.org/newsletter

16. A Rockfish Baby Boom, with Adam Obaza and Olivia Carmack Sep 30, 2024

Show notes

Rockfish 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

15. Why are human feet washing up on beaches in the Salish Sea? May 28, 2024

Show notes

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 Scientist at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife

- https://davidtrimbach.com/current/

14. Our team reflects on 2023 Dec 23, 2023

Show notes

Join 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!

13. A 250-pound Bluefin tuna mysteriously washed up on Orcas Island. Why? Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

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

12. Searching for the rarest whale in the world, w/ Kevin Campion May 03, 2023

Show notes

Our 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 SeaView Theatre. That event marks the in-person return of our popular Ocean Night series. Put it on your calendar and join us!

Become a Tidepooler and help support this show's creation: seadocsociety.org/donate

RIGHT WHALE RESOURCES