Partners of Commercial Fishermen

We’ve recently talked a lot about advocacy in fishing recently, yet advocacy also extends to your relationships. Advocating for yourself in a relationship means clearly expressing your needs, boundaries, and desires while maintaining mutual respect and understanding. You deserve this always! Because commercial fishing can feel so overwhelming for fishermen, partners, and families, feeling like you’re not a priority is a common challenge in our community. Some topics we address in this episode are: Real examples from our POCF private community. How to communicate your feelings easily. How to communicate your feelings easily if a person is not receptive or does not follow through. The solutions we discuss can be helpful for friend and family relationships, too. Let’s Dive In!   EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS! > Consider this your home port: pocfpride.com > Hang with Megan on IG at @megan.waldrep >   [Join our Group Chat!] If you're seeking to connect with people who understand what you're going through OR are curious about what's happening in other fisheries and how they handle it, we've got you! Our group chat allows you to connect immediately and anytime you need us. Sound fun?  Click here to learn more about the private chat!   Check out all of our offers here!

Ava Schulenberg is a female fisherman and leader in many important roles in Santa Barbara, California, fisheries. She also works from Santa Barbara to San Diego for the CA Lobster Association due to the geographical span of the fishery. She, along with her colleagues, has SoCal on lock! Here’s a quick list of the many hats she wears: Executive Director  of the California Lobster & Trap Fishermen's Association Assistant Director of the Commercial Fishermen of Santa Barbara (CFSB) Manager  of  the Saturday Fishermen's Market of Santa Barbara Laboratory Assistant II at CA Sea Grant Deckhand with a variety of boats Stewardess with yachting company, Santa Barbara Captains SB Captains. Homegirl knows what she’s talking about and has been incredibly active in advocating for Santa Barbara fisheries. She is a treasure trove of information on how to do it effectively on the local, state, and national levels.  In this episode, we discuss:  How to make effective Public Comments How to best connect with local and federal agencies to advocate for fisheries.  Ava's experience as a Female Fisherman and more!  As you continue on your journey of advocacy or are thinking about getting more involved, I hope this interview is helpful and informative and inspires you in ways to do what you are called to do. Let’s Dive in!   EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS! >   [Join our Group Chat!] If you're seeking to connect with people who understand what you're going through OR are curious about what's happening in other fisheries and how they handle it, we've got you! Our group chat allows you to connect immediately and anytime you need us. Sound fun? Click here to learn more about the private chat! > Consider this your home port: pocfpride.com > Hang with Megan on IG at @megan.waldrep Check out all of our offers here!

This month's theme is “Bringing the Feminine into Fishing,” which is also a theme of Advocacy. I feel the themes complement each other so much because, since the beginning of our economic civilization, POCFs have been instrumental in keeping the industry going and protecting our fisheries, fishermen, and fishing families. And, the people at Oregon State University understand this on a deep level, and here’s how.    Our interview today is with Laurel Kincl, a professor at the College of Health at Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR.  In this episode, you’ll hear Laurel’s passion for what she does and how other industry supporters come together to support our commercial fishermen. Laurel’s partnered with many, including Englund Marine, various Oregon fishermen's wives’ groups, PFD manufacturers, AMSEA in Sitka, AK, and other collaborations to build a program to distribute free lifejackets to Oregon fishermen!  You also may be inspired by their efforts to bring a program like this into your fishing community.  I love learning about projects and programs out there whose goal is to help our fishing communities. There are more than we know, and learning about what they do shows that we are not alone.  Let’s Dive In! Show Resources: flippresources.org Englund Marine - Oregon Fishermen, mention the “FLIPP for Lifejackets” program to receive a free lifejacket.  EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS! > Consider this your home port: pocfpride.com > Hang with Megan on IG at @megan.waldrep >   [Join our Group Chat!] If you're seeking to connect with people who understand what you're going through OR are curious about what's going on in other fisheries and how they are handling it, we've got you! Our group chat allows you to connect immediately and anytime you need us. Sound fun?  Click here to learn more about the private chat!   Check out all of our offers here!

In Part 2, I answer questions from our IG community by sharing intimate stories about my sobriety journey from alcohol and marijuana. We also discuss: The transformative power of the mind in overcoming addiction. (Including weed, which I discuss in more detail than planned. Let's get into it!) The challenges of breaking habits, the prevalence of alcohol consumption in society, and the various non-alcoholic beverage options available for those who choose to quit or reduce their alcohol intake. Several memoirs about addiction helped me understand my journey through the experiences of others and ways to navigate a sober lifestyle.  Let’s Dive in! Show Resources: Joe Dispenza - Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself Sobriety Journey Part 1: on Apple & Spotify   If you find yourself challenged, you are not alone! Here are ways to find support: Talk to family or friends you can trust who lead a sober life. Search for sober accounts on social media (they are out there!) There are apps for that:  Sunnyside (tracks time sober, money saved, and motivational quotes)  I Am Sober (same as above)  Sober Time (counts days sober and an option to join a community) AA Speakers To Go (stories from AA speakers) NA To Go (stories from NA speakers) Alcoholics Annonymous: www.aa.org Narcotics Annonymous: www.na.org  Addiction is widespread in the commercial fishing industry and, basically, everywhere. If your partner or a loved one is suffering and you feel stuck, Al-Anon is an excellent option for family support: www.al-anon.org.  If you’re feeling distressed or having thoughts of suicide or severe depression, you can call 988 in the US or visit 988lifeline.org. The line is open 24/7 and completely anonymous.   For international assistance, visit https://blog.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines and choose your country to receive guidance and support.    Exclusive Offers for POCFs! > JOIN OUR EPIC GROUP CHAT! If you want to talk with others who understand what you're going through or are curious about what's happening in other fisheries and how they handle it, we've got you! Our lively group text chat lets you connect immediately, and anytime you need us. Sound fun? Click here to learn more about the private chat!

We have many superpowers, yet this is one many of us don't realize we have access to. Our fishermen may not because they are exhausted, fishing, or all of the above. In this episode, we discuss: One skill POCFs may have more than their fishermen. How to lean into this skill. The #1 way to gain support when you utilize this power. Let's Dive In! Show Resources: PRIVATE GROUP CHAT: Our lively group text chat is a space to connect immediately and anytime you need us. Sound fun? Click here to learn more about the private chat!   EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS! > *[eBOOK]* The ultimate guide for being a POCF - the book I wish existed when I began dating my fisherman! Partners of Commercial Fishermen Survival Guide 101: How To Go From WTF? To F*ck Yeah! > [FREE]  Visit the Lifestyle Blog where it all started. Our blog is a go-to resource for all things related to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen lifestyle! If you’re unsure where to start, consider this your home port. Join us at pocfpride.com > [FREE] Don't forget to follow and check in with us on IG! I post daily in Stories and share funny, relatable, and informative Reels to connect us to our unique and beautiful lifestyle. Join me at @megan.waldrep > [JOIN] The POCF Private Forum delivers valuable and helpful resources important to our unique lifestyle monthly. You can also connect with other like-minded POCFs worldwide to learn about their experience, ask questions, and get personalized support. It's a treasure box curated just for you. Click here to join the private forum! Check out all of our offers here!

Enter to Win Scholarships from Guy Cotten & Partners of Commercial Fishermen! We're giving $500 scholarships to 4 students and 1-year memberships to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen Forum to 4 POCFs. POCF winners will also receive access to private group chat, a one-year access to private podcasts (launching 2025), a one-year access to the private newsletter (launching 2025), 1 POCF Survival Guide, and 1 POCF Pride T-shirt.       Just fill out this form, and you will be automatically entered to win! Winners are to be announced on 10/10/24 through Instagram stories and emails. Thanks for your interest, and good luck! >>> Enter to win here! https://forms.gle/UPKHmZEPdtw5JPKt9 Did you know you’re already advocating for your fishery and don’t even know it? One of the most significant support systems for commercial fishermen is the partners. Not only do we take care of “shoreside duties,” but we (arguably) have more access to help protect our fisheries from regulations without merit (and I know you know what I’m talking about!).  In this episode, I discuss easy ways to be proactive in your fishery if you choose to. I spoke with several Partners of Commercial Fishermen about what they do or have done to create a presence in political meetings and help spread the word that wild-caught seafood is essential locally and globally.  You have significant, influential power that can harnessed in the commercial fishing industry, and in this episode, I discuss how to do it. Let's Dive In! Show Resources: POCF Science Writer Danielle Hall on Why Fishermen Need to be Heard To Help The Environment Episode 48   EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS!  > *[eBOOK]* The ultimate guide for being a POCF - the book I wish existed when I began dating my fisherman! Partners of Commercial Fishermen Survival Guide 101: How To Go From WTF? To F*ck Yeah! > [FREE]  Visit the Lifestyle Blog where it all started. Our blog is a go-to resource for all things related to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen lifestyle! If you're unsure where to start, consider this your home port. Join us at pocfpride.com > [FREE] Don't forget to follow and check in with us on IG! I post daily in Stories and share funny, relatable, and informative Reels to connect us to our unique and beautiful lifestyle. Join me at @megan.waldrep > [JOIN] The POCF Private Forum delivers valuable and helpful resources important to our unique lifestyle monthly. You can also connect with other like-minded POCFs worldwide to learn about their experience, ask questions, and get personalized support. It's a treasure box curated just for you. Click here to join the private forum! > [JOIN] If you're seeking real-time support from people who understand what you're going through, we’ve got you! Our lively group text chat is a space you can connect immediately, and anytime you need us. Sound fun? Click here to learn more about the private chat!

Returning to my solo POCF life after traveling with my fisherman to his fishery in California wasn’t as easy as it had been in the past, and it almost felt daunting. How did I do it before? How will I get through this long season? I felt the inklings of depression coming on, if I’m being honest. Thankfully, I remembered the advice I’d gotten from POCFs and personal experience, and I went through each tip like a mental checklist to recalibrate myself back to life. In this episode, I share those exact tips that helped me so that it may help you get back to your independent POCF life, too! We got this.  Let’s Dive In! Show Resources: Rom-com books about Commercial Fishing Couples by Tessa Bailey: It Happened One Summer Hook, Line, and Sinker Private Group Chat for POCFs: If you're seeking real-time support from people who understand what you're going through, we’ve got you! Our lively group text chat is a space you can connect immediately and anytime you need us. Sound fun? Click here to learn more about the private chat!   MORE EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS! > *[eBOOK]* The ultimate guide for being a POCF - the book I wish existed when I began dating my fisherman! Partners of Commercial Fishermen Survival Guide 101: How To Go From WTF? To F*ck Yeah! > [FREE]  Visit the Lifestyle Blog where it all started. Our blog is a go-to resource for all things related to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen lifestyle! If you’re unsure where to start, consider this your home port. Join us at pocfpride.com > [JOIN] The POCF Private Forum delivers valuable and helpful resources important to our unique lifestyle monthly. You can also connect with other like-minded POCFs worldwide to learn about their experience, ask questions, and get personalized support. It's a treasure box curated just for you. Click here to join the private forum! Check out all of our offers here!

This episode is particularly special to me because today we have retired Army officer Dr. Douglas Waldrep, who is a child, adolescent, and adult psychiatrist—also known as my dad! As you probably know by now, my upbringing as a military kid sparked the idea of creating Partners of Commercial Fishermen in the first place. My ultimate goal is to learn ways to best support us through fishing seasons and beyond. This begins with learning how to nurture our mental health.  In this episode, we discuss the similarities between military and fishing families, the importance of family cohesion and communities, and how to deal with trauma and challenges. We touch on the importance of communication and how commercial fishing couples can approach it during the season and in the off-season. We also talk about what it means to take mental health breaks, what that may look like, and its benefits.    Let’s Dive in!    Show Resources:  International Assn. for Suicide Prevention: https://www.iasp.info/ National Alliance on Mental Health: https://www.nami.org/about-mental-illness/research/ AA - https://www.aa.org/ and worldwide at https://www.aa.org/aa-around-the-world NA - https://www.na.org/ AL-ANON - https://al-anon.org/ SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Assn -  https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline > FOR POCFs: If you're seeking real-time support from people who understand what you're going through, we’ve got you! Our lively group text chat is a space you can connect immediately and anytime you need us. Sound fun? Click here to learn more about the private chat! EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS!  > *[eBOOK]* The ultimate guide for being a POCF - the book I wish existed when I began dating my fisherman! Partners of Commercial Fishermen Survival Guide 101: How To Go From WTF? To F*ck Yeah! > [FREE]  Visit the Lifestyle Blog where it all started. Our blog is a go-to resource for all things related to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen lifestyle! If you’re unsure where to start, consider this your home port. Join us at pocfpride.com > [JOIN] The POCF Private Forum delivers valuable and helpful resources important to our unique lifestyle monthly. You can also connect with other like-minded POCFs worldwide to learn about their experience, ask questions, and get personalized support. It's a treasure box curated just for you. Click here to join the private forum! Check out all of our offers here!

After speaking to POCFs in our community, I’ve learned that the most helpful way to figure out the best financial plan for you is to learn what has successfully (and unsuccessfully) worked for others in our unique lifestyle, connect with financial professionals to ask questions, then create a financial plan that reflects your goals. That’s what this “Fishy Money” series is all about!  Continuing our conversation about handling financials during tough seasons, I share what two members of our private chat community have done in the past and what they do now to stay afloat. I also share one huge financial mistake my fisherman, and I made in the past and how we got out of it.  Disclaimer: I am presenting personal viewpoints of POCFS that do not directly reflect the opinions or positions of the POCF community. (I’m learning along with you and sharing advice and ways people in our community handle finances!) I’m not endorsing or taking responsibility for the accuracy or implications of this episode, so listeners are encouraged to form their own informed opinions based on a range of sources and perspectives and what works best for them. You got this!   Show Resources:  > If you're seeking real-time support from people who understand what you're going through, we've got you! Our lively group text chat is a space where you can connect immediately and ask questions anytime you need us. Sound fun? Click here to learn more about the private chat! > BC Young Fishermen’s Network - https://www.bcyoungfishermen.ca/resources > Fishing Partnership - https://fishingpartnership.org/economic-security ​​ EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS! > *[eBOOK]* The ultimate guide for being a POCF - the book I wish existed when I began dating my fisherman! Partners of Commercial Fishermen Survival Guide 101: How To Go From WTF? To F*ck Yeah!   > [FREE]  Visit the Lifestyle Blog where it all started. Our blog is a go-to resource for all things related to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen lifestyle! If you’re unsure where to start, consider this your home port. Join us at pocfpride.com   > [JOIN] The POCF Private Forum delivers valuable and helpful resources important to our unique lifestyle monthly. You can also connect with other like-minded POCFs worldwide to learn about their experience, ask questions, and get personalized support. It's a treasure box curated just for you. Click here to join the private forum!   Check out all of our offers here!

Our chat with Jenny continues with so much heart. In this episode, we discuss her husband Pat and his diagnosis of ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a rare degenerative disease also known as Lou Gherigs Disease. Jenny shares how ALS affected not only the family but also the fishing business, including financial management, and how the family came together to support each other during difficult times. Jenny also shares strategies for preparing for low or no seasons and the decision to expand their family's involvement in the fishing industry by adding a third boat to the fleet. She also gives us an update on her children and closing advice to all POCFs in our community. Let’s Dive In!   Show Resources:    > Visit Jenny’s blog: www.crabbymama.net > ALS Therapy Development Institute - www.als.net  > Read Jenny’s essays she wrote for US on POCFPride.com! Part 1  Part 2  Part 3    EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS! > *[eBOOK]* The ultimate guide for being a POCF - the book I wish existed when I began dating my fisherman! Partners of Commercial Fishermen Survival Guide 101: How To Go From WTF? To F*ck Yeah!   > [FREE]  Visit the Lifestyle Blog where it all started. Our blog is a go-to resource for all things related to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen lifestyle! If you’re unsure where to start, consider this your home port. Join us at pocfpride.com   > [JOIN] If you're seeking real-time support from people who understand what you're going through, we've got you! Our lively group text chat is a space you can connect immediately and anytime you need us. Sound fun? Click here to learn more about the private chat!   > [JOIN] The POCF Private Forum delivers valuable and helpful resources important to our unique lifestyle monthly. You can also connect with other like-minded POCFs worldwide to learn about their experience, ask questions, and get personalized support. It's a treasure box curated just for you. Click here to join the private forum!   Check out all of our offers here!

Maternal + POCF wisdom in a candid interview with Jenny Gore Dwyer of Deadliest Catch! Jenny has been a huge support to our community since the beginning, and this episode is a perfect example of that. We discuss the challenges and successes of running a fishing business since 1986 and how she and her husband, Pat, managed to grow from one boat to a fleet of three. Jenny shares what they had to do financially at times to make it work while raising two kids. Plus, she shares the one business decision that has kept the business profitable to this day. Let’s Dive In!   Show Resources:  > Visit Jenny’s blog: www.crabbymama.net > Read Jenny’s essays she wrote for US on POCFPride.com! Part 1  Part 2  Part 3    EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS!   > *[eBOOK]* The ultimate guide for being a POCF - the book I wish existed when I began dating my fisherman! Partners of Commercial Fishermen Survival Guide 101: How To Go From WTF? To F*ck Yeah!   > [FREE]  Visit the Lifestyle Blog where it all started. Our blog is a go-to resource for all things related to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen lifestyle! If you’re unsure where to start, consider this your home port. Join us at pocfpride.com   > [JOIN] If you're seeking real-time support from people who understand what you're going through, we've got you! Our lively group text chat is a space you can connect immediately and anytime you need us. Sound fun? Click here to learn more about the private chat!   > [JOIN] The POCF Private Forum delivers valuable and helpful resources important to our unique lifestyle monthly. You can also connect with other like-minded POCFs worldwide to learn about their experience, ask questions, and get personalized support. It's a treasure box curated just for you. Click here to join the private forum!   Check out all of our offers here!

MONEY! Something every fishing household thinks about as frequently as the seasons and days come and go. Today, I’m sharing what two POCFs in our community do and have done financially to make money stretch when seasons tanked or were closed. These POCFs have been with their fishermen for over 20 and 40 years, so I'm passing along their knowledge to see if anything inspires you.  Disclaimer: I am presenting personal viewpoints of POCFS that do not directly reflect the opinions or positions of the POCF community. (I’m learning along with you and sharing advice and ways people in our community handle finances.) I’m not endorsing or taking responsibility for the accuracy or implications of this episode. Listeners are encouraged to form their own informed opinions based on a range of sources and perspectives and what works best for them. Show Resources:  Listen to the full interview with Maureen Marinkovich on the Partners of Commercial Fishermen Podcast on Apple, Spotify, and more. Read the full interview with Jolene Colomy on pocfpride.com here. eBook Partners of Commercial Fishermen Survival Guide: How to Go from What the F*ck? to F*ck yeah!   EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS! > *[eBOOK]* The ultimate guide for being a POCF - the book I wish existed when I began dating my fisherman! Partners of Commercial Fishermen Survival Guide 101: How To Go From WTF? To F*ck Yeah!   > [FREE]  Visit the Lifestyle Blog where it all started. Our blog is a go-to resource for all things related to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen lifestyle! If you’re unsure where to start, consider this your home port. Join us at pocfpride.com   > [JOIN] The POCF Private Forum delivers valuable and helpful resources important to our unique lifestyle monthly. You can also connect with other like-minded POCFs worldwide to learn about their experience, ask questions, and get personalized support. It's a treasure box curated just for you. Click here to join the private forum!   > [JOIN] If you're seeking real-time support from people who understand what you're going through, we've got you! Our lively group text chat is a space you can connect immediately and anytime you need us. Sound fun? Click here to learn more about the private chat!   Check out all of our offers here!  

A question many POCFs ask themselves when beginning to date a fisherman - Can I Handle It? In this episode, I reveal a heartfelt and relatable letter from a Partner of a Commercial Fisherman wondering if this lifestyle is for her. I also give advice on how I've worked through similar feelings and ways we can connect to uplift each other through the on and off-seasons. Let's Dive In!   Show Resources: Your Sex Life & Dating a Commercial Fisherman   EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS!   > [FREE] Visit the Lifestyle Blog where it all started. Our blog is a go-to resource for all things related to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen lifestyle! If you’re unsure where to start, consider this your home port. ➡️ Join us at pocfpride.com   > [JOIN] The POCF Private Forum delivers valuable and helpful resources important to our unique lifestyle monthly. You can also connect with other like-minded POCFs worldwide to learn about their experience, ask questions, and get personalized support. It's a treasure box curated just for you. Click here to join the private forum!   > [JOIN] If you're seeking real-time support from people who understand what you're going through, we got you! Our lively group text chat is a space you can connect anytime. Sound fun? Click here to register and join the private chat!

Child-Free Experience: How I Came to the Decision Not to Have Kids We’re talking about the choice not to have children and what that experience has been like as a 42-year-old Partner of a Commercial Fisherman. In this episode, I touch on: Interviews with 10 women, ranging from 19 to late sixties, on why they do or do not have kids Deciding factors as a Partner of a Commercial Fisherman The stigmas of child-free women Real thoughts and concerns of those who don’t have kids Feeling confident in your decision to have kids or not  I share to normalize women making decisions for themselves and not what society, family, or friends feel like they should do.   Also, I am sensitive to those who are trying to have children and are having difficulty and those who want a child more than anything and aren’t able to conceive. Please skip this episode if the topic is too much right now. I hold space for you and send so much love. Alright. Let’s get personal, shall we?  Show Resources: Blog Post: Why Have Kids? Part 1 Blog Post: Why Have Kids? Part 2 Nikki Glaser Stand Up on MAX EXCLUSIVE OFFERS FOR POCFS! > [FREE] 👯‍♀️ Visit the Lifestyle Blog! ⚓️This is where it all started. Our blog is a go-to resource for all things related to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen lifestyle! If you’re unsure where to start, consider this your home port. ➡️ Join us at pocfpride.com > [Join] Connect with other POCFs on questions you may have & get 1:1 support from me in the private forum! We also have a lively group text chat you don't want to miss. If it feels aligned for you, click here in to join the private forum!  https://mailchi.mp/meganwaldrep/h5sjzsapku  

Happy one-year anniversary of the POCF Podcast! I can’t believe a year has passed, and it’s been really special. I’ve loved being able to take the love and goodness I pour into the lifestyle blog and turn it into another way to connect with you!  Since launching the podcast in May of 2023, we’ve met other POCFs and have gotten inspired by their experiences in this lifestyle, we’ve covered important topics such as motherhood, mental health, addiction, finances, health, art, creativity, and, of course, relationships and so much more. Thank you for listening and coming back each week to hang out. I’m so honored you chose to spend time w me and our community. We’ve really built this together, and I’m so thankful and honored to serve you.  In honor of the one-year anniversary, I’m sharing testimonials from listeners and blog readers.  I share not to boast but to show that we are out there, in different parts of the world, and can relate to each other on a lifestyle many do not understand. If it weren’t for you, I’d be a writer, blogging about this life and feeling alone in my own path, wondering if others felt the same. But, because you show up to this podcast, and comment on the blog and Instagram, you show up for us all. WE are an incredible community, and everything I do is dedicated to you. Show Resources! > [FREE] 👯‍♀️ Visit the Lifestyle Blog! ⚓️This is where it all started. Our blog is a go-to resource for all things related to the Partners of Commercial Fishermen lifestyle! If you’re unsure where to start, consider this your home port. ➡️ Join us at pocfpride.com > [Join] Connect with other POCFs on questions you may have & get 1:1 support from me in the private forum! We also have a lively group text chat you don't want to miss. If it feels aligned for you, click here in to join the private forum!