Featured Sea Stories
FAMILY PLANNING AND FERTILITY PRESERVATION WITH DR. BENJAMIN LANNON, EPISODE 143
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Dr. Benjamin Lannon about family planning in the maritime industry and fertility preservation. Dr. Lannon is double board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology/Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He...
IVF JOURNEY WITH KAMI AND ALLY, EPISODE 142
In today’s episode, Ally Cedeno speaks with Kami Bucholz who is a 2008 graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and is an Unlimited Master Mariner. She has worked in research, chemical, petroleum, Ro/Ro, towing, and aerospace vessels in her career. She sits on...
Jenny Johnson – Maritime Inclusion Partners, Episode 139
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Jenny Johnson, who is a certified HR professional with an extensive background in DEI unique to the maritime industry. Jenny has 20+ years of maritime experience, including at sea and ashore. She fiercely advocates...
SAL MERCOGLIANO – THE STORY OF ROBERT SMALLS AND THE PLANTER, EPISODE 138
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Sal Mercogliano, Chair of the Department of History, Criminal Justice, and Political Science at Campbell University. He is also an adjunct professor at US Merchant Marine Academy and a former merchant mariner....
BECKY NEWDICK – SAFER WAVES ORGANIZATION, EPISODE 135
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Becky Newdick from Safer Waves Organization, where she founded this organization in 2019 for merchant seafarers who have experienced sexual assault, sexual harassment, or gender discrimination on board to have a...
MARINER MAX KANTOR ON BUILDING A COMMUNITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA IN A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY – EPISODE 134
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with mariner Max Kantor about using social media as a good way to build community, personal branding, and how to come together in a male-dominated industry. She gives great advice that we all could use! Max Kantor works...

Podcast
KAMI RETURNS TO SEA AFTER BECOMING A PARENT, EPISODE 145
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Kami Bucholz about Kami's return to sea after bringing home their son. If you haven't already, make sure you listen to episodes 142 and 144, where you hear about Kami and Heather's IVF journey and Heather's 4th...
KAMI AND HEATHER’S 4TH TRIMESTER EXPERIENCE, EPISODE 144
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Heather Benjamin and Kami Bucholz about their new life with a baby and Heather's experience in the 4th trimester. Heather is a 39-year-old married woman in a same-sex, same-gender relationship. Heather has been in...
FAMILY PLANNING AND FERTILITY PRESERVATION WITH DR. BENJAMIN LANNON, EPISODE 143
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Dr. Benjamin Lannon about family planning in the maritime industry and fertility preservation. Dr. Lannon is double board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology/Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. He...
IVF JOURNEY WITH KAMI AND ALLY, EPISODE 142
In today’s episode, Ally Cedeno speaks with Kami Bucholz who is a 2008 graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy and is an Unlimited Master Mariner. She has worked in research, chemical, petroleum, Ro/Ro, towing, and aerospace vessels in her career. She sits on...
CAPTAIN TREVOR BOZINA AND CAPTAIN SANDY BENDIXEN – PUGET SOUNDS PILOTS & MATERNITY LEAVE, EPISODE 141
We have a special episode for you today. In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with both Captain Trevor Bozina and Captain Sandy Bendixen from Puget Sound Pilots. They share their experiences and path to becoming pilots while speaking about maternity leave...
Sanjam Gupta – Maritime SheEO, Episode 140
In today’s episode, Christine MacMillan speaks with Sanjam Sahi Gupta, the Director for Sitara Shipping Ltd. She shares about the big waves she is making in the maritime industry. She is such an inspiration to us all! Sanjam is a founding member of the Women's...
Offshore Lifestyle
Yoga on the Helideck
In the summer of 2020 I was kindly asked to do a double trip as Kazakhstan closed the borders. It was quite new for all of us, and everyone was affected in different ways. My best way to cope with stress is yoga. I have been practicing yoga since I was at university...
In Need of an Energy Boost?
As your hitch offshore goes on your energy level slowly depletes. The shifts, the demands of your job, the socializing aspects, and the lack of days off duty, they all take their toll on your sleep. It’s hard to stay focused and energized. Thankfully, there are ways...
Deepwater Dames: For the Love of 2nd Base
The 3-day, 60-mile, Susan G. Komen walk is grueling. Two crews competed to complete the walk first. From building gingerbread houses with the crew to epic custom birthday cakes, Aramark Camp Boss Michelle Yelovina always brings something special to the ships she...
A Technique to Fall Asleep Offshore
How to fall asleep and stay asleep - a yogic hack. When you’re offshore, your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep is dramatically impacted. The 12 hour shifts, the night shifts, the changes of shifts half-way through your hitch, can play havoc with your circadian...
Let’s Talk About Self Confidence
Let’s talk about self confidence to achieve your goals. Think of your life as the vessel, and you have “the conn,” meaning you are in control of your vessel. What you’re not in control of are the adverse effects on the vessel; winds, currents, shallow depths, etc. You...
Assault, Forgiveness, & Lessons Learned
Early in my career at sea, I joined an old feeder vessel in Jordan. I was on one of the smallest and oldest vessels in my company’s fleet. Due to its size, it traded in the Red Sea only between Jordan, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. I was a bit nervous before joining because...