Shellphone: Connecting Communities to the Ocean

Shellphone is Breach the Surface’s project to educate listeners on ways to preserve the ocean by using a growing digital format and featuring guests such as professors, social media influencers, and more.

Tampa, Fl–Shellphone is a new podcast designed by Breach the Surface, a Tampa-based marine nonprofit, to give the ocean its very own “hotline.” Eckerd students and hosts Harmony Dawson and Cameron Larmer interview a variety of special guests–including activists, scientists, leaders, and professionals on ocean conservation. They share their unique experiences in marine preservation and their perspectives on how to tackle the question, “How do we answer the ocean’s call?” Shellphone seeks to educate listeners, and arm them with ways that they too can become ocean stewards in their communities.

“Breach the Surface has given me a new perspective on what helping the ocean and environment can look like. There are so many ways to make a difference in the world and Shellphone makes that even more clear with its variety of topics. The guests are incredible sources of information and inspiration for everyone listening,” said Harmony Dawson, Shellphone host.

Episodes of Shellphone contain valuable information on how to conserve and preserve the ocean in a fun way. Episode 1, “The Power of Digital Media,” features special guest Caulin Donaldson (@trashcaulin) who shares how he uses TikTok and other social media platforms to spread awareness and get others involved in advocating for ocean protection. Episode 2, “Lights, Cameras, Ocean!” with Dr. Stephen Kajiura from Florida Atlantic University, is all about the fact and fiction behind how the ocean and marine life are portrayed in movies. Upcoming episodes include “Connecting with the Earth, Community, and Self” with Jillian Simons and “Discovering Your Conservation Niche” with Leah Biery. Tune in for our next episode on Wednesday, January 18th, 2023.

Shellphone partners include Coastal Creative and Tampa Bay Estuary Program. Coastal Creative is an all inclusive digital media studio based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Their studio space is home to Shellphone and its guests. The Tampa Bay Estuary Program is a Tampa based nonprofit who’s partnered with Breach the Surface to bring new forms of ocean education to the community. Their values include scientific integrity, collaboration and communication, and programmatic continuity and stability. These partnerships have helped both Shellphone and Breach the Surface grow.

Breach the Surface has big plans for Shellphone in the coming months, including bringing on more special guests, expanding local partnerships, and creating additional episodes each month. Shellphone is a great way to teach listeners that in conservation, small scale projects have the ability to play a huge role in the much larger “conservation” picture. If you are interested in working with Breach the Surface, you can reach us at info@breachthesurface.org.

Shellphone is streaming on all major platforms including: Spotify, Apple Podcast, Google Podcast, Amazon Music, and Stitcher. To learn more about Breach the Surface, please visit www.breachthesurface.org.