Partners of Commercial Fishermen

POCF and Writer Maressa Voss on Publishing Her First Novel While Balancing Motherhood, Advocacy, and Marriage to a Commercial Fisherman.

Maressa Voss is a writer, the partner of a commercial fisherman, and a mother living in Santa Barbara, CA. Beyond our shared passion for writing, we have another unique connection—her husband, James, is my husband’s cousin!
Through marriage, both Maressa and I have been immersed in the culture of this unique industry—one that has been woven into our families for generations.
As a side note, Our theme this month is “Bringing the Feminine into Fishing,” which is a HUGE part 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. Shout out to POCFs everywhere!
In this episode, we explore Maressa’s journey, including how she carved out her identity as a writer and author while balancing motherhood, life as a commercial fisherman’s wife, and advocating for the California spiny lobster fishery.
Let’s dive in!
Show Resources:
Maressa’s Interview on POCFPride.com in April 2020! 
IG: @maressakate 
Bluesky: @maressakate.bsky.social
www.maressavoss.com
 
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!

10 Tips for Advocacy, Public Speaking, and/or Conversations with Friends and Family About Commercial Fishing

Since the beginning of our economic civilization, POCFs have been instrumental in keeping the industry going and protecting our fisheries, fishermen, and fishing families. (Mic drop!) 
For that reason, I’m sharing 10 tips that may help you next time you:
Speak to an audience to advocate for your fishery.
Chat with friends and family outside of the industry
Interact with customers who are purchasing from your direct-to-consumer seafood business
Share on social media. 
Let’s Dive In!
Show Resources: 
Canva.com - graphic design made easy for presentations, logos, social media, website landing pages, and more!
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!

Pt 2: Bootstrapping a Direct-to-Consumer Fishing Business to Support Her Family and Community with Ashely Vellis of Ashley's Seafood in Humbolt Bay, California.

In Part 2, we continue our conversation with Ashely Veliss, Wife of a Commercial Fisherman, mom, and owner of Ashley's Seafood out of Humboldt Bay in Eureka, California.
In this episode, we talk about:
How she finds personal support in this lifestyle and shouts out to experienced Partners in her community
The Humbolt Wives Fishermen’s Group and the specific ways they serve their members and community.
Ways she’s working on getting a cold storage facility built in her town. MAJOR accomplishments for anyone, especially a POCF who started her business to bring in more income for her family and learned how to fillet a fish via YouTube. The power of a Partner of a Commercial Fisherman knows no bounds!
I love that Ashely belongs to a Fishermen’s Wives group but joined the POCF private chat to connect with partners in other ports to see what they struggle with or don’t struggle with and hear how they overcome their challenges in the industry. 
It goes to show that we continually grow and expand when we are in connection with each other.
Let's Dive In!
 
Show Resources
Connect with Ashley:
Instagram: @ashleysseafood
Website: ashleysseafood.com
Book Recommendation: Salt In Our Blood: The Memoir of a Fisherman's Wife by Michele Longo Eder
 
Hey, POCFs - Let's Connect!
> [Hang] with Megan on IG at @megan.waldrep
> [Chat] If you're seeking real-time support from 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 got you! Our lively group text chat allows you to connect immediately and anytime you need us. Sound fun?  Click here to learn more about the private chat!

Pt 1: Bootstrapping a Direct-to-Consumer Fishing Business to Support Her Family and Community with Ashely Vellis of Ashley's Seafood in Humbolt Bay, California.

Ashely Veliss is the Wife of a Commercial Fisherman, mom, and Owner of Ashley's Seafood out of Humboldt Bay in Eureka, California.
I love that Ashely belongs to a Fishermen’s Wives group but joined the POCF private chat to connect with partners in other ports to see what they struggle with or don’t struggle with and hear how they overcome challenges in the industry. 
In this episode, we learn:
How Ashley went from learning how to fillet fish on YouTube to starting a direct-to-consumer fishing business at the farmers market to now learning how to create shelf-sustaining seafood and becoming a pillar in her community for advocacy.
Connecting with customers (even tough conversations) by steering conversations toward aspects of her sustainable fishery. (She is a great example from which we can all learn.)
How she supports other fishermen and fishing families all while being a Partner of a Commercial Fisherman and mom, too! 
Let’s Dive In!
Show Resources
Connect with Ashley: 
Instagram: @ashleysseafood
Website: ashleysseafood.com
Book Recommendation: Salt In Our Blood: The Memoir of a Fisherman's Wife by Michele Longo Eder
Hey, POCFs - Let's Connect!
> [Hang] with Megan on IG at @megan.waldrep
> [Chat] If you're seeking real-time support from 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 got you! Our lively group text chat allows you to connect immediately and anytime you need us. Sound fun?  Click here to learn more about the private chat!

Pt 2: Go From Disinformation Overload to Honest Data-Driven Studies to Help Your Mental Health and Fishery w/ Journalist and International Media Analyst Gabriela Capestany

Part 2 of our Juicy Chat! 
Looking out for our mental wellness takes many forms, and communication and the information we receive daily are huge parts of that. 
As many know, communication is a major problem for POCFs when connecting with their fishermen at sea. Yet it is also a major challenge for fishing communities, scientists, environmentalists, government officials, and academics to understand each other's goals. This is where our next guest comes in.
Gabriela Capestany is a journalist and media analyst based in Charleston, SC, with a diverse journalistic background, including acting as a media advisor for the US military and NATO members at United States European Command USEUCOM.
One of her gifts is making abstract and complex subjects relatable, making sense of information online, communicating between industry, science, and audiences, and sifting through information online and on social media.
Want to learn how to overcome disinformation overload and produce honest, data-driven studies that can help your mental health and Fishing? Let's Dive In!
 
Show Resources: 
Connect with Gabi on IG: @gabilovescheese 
Groundnews App - to decipher unbiased and biased news sources on topics important to you and your fishery.
 
Hey, POCFs - Let's Connect!
> [Hang] with Megan on IG at @megan.waldrep
> [Chat] If you're seeking real-time support from 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 got you! Our lively group text chat allows you to connect immediately and anytime you need us. Sound fun?  Click here to learn more about the private chat!

Pt 1: Go From Disinformation Overload to Honest Data Studies to Help Your Mental Health and Fishery w/ Journalist and International Media Analyst Gabriela Capestany

Looking out for our mental wellness takes many forms, and communication and the information we receive daily are huge parts of that. 
As many know, communication is a major problem for POCFs when connecting with their fishermen at sea. Yet it is also a major challenge for fishing communities, scientists, environmentalists, government officials, and academics to understand each other's goals. This is where our next guest comes in.
Gabriela Capestany is a journalist and media analyst based in Charleston, SC, with a diverse journalistic background, including acting as a media advisor for the US military and NATO members at United States European Command USEUCOM.
One of her gifts is making abstract and complex subjects relatable, making sense of information online, communicating between industry, science, and audiences, and sifting through information online and on social media.
Want to learn how to overcome disinformation overload and produce honest, data-driven studies that can help your mental health and Fishing? Let's Dive In!
 
Show Resources: 
Connect with Gabi on IG: @gabilovescheese 
Groundnews App - to decipher unbiased and biased news sources on topics important to you and your fishery.
 
Hey, POCFs - Let's Connect!
> [Hang] with Megan on IG at @megan.waldrep
> [Chat] If you're seeking real-time support from 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 got you! Our lively group text chat allows you to connect immediately and anytime you need us. Sound fun?  Click here to learn more about the private chat!

4 Simple Ways to Gain More Time For Yourself and Convo Prompts to Make Healthy Boundaries with Friends

Happy New Year everyone! A perfect time to sit back and take a bird’s eye view of the positive experiences you had in 2024 and what you want to bring into 2025. 
In this episode, I share:
4 simple ways to gain more time when you think you have no time. 
1 controversial way to make time for yourself.
2 hard conversations with friends that helped me set healthy boundaries (and prompts if you want to set them, too!).
Here’s to our growth and bringing more ease into our lives. Let’s Dive In!Show Resources:
POCF Episode: 2-Minute Simple Breathing Technique To Feel Grounded and at Peace Anytime. (Apple and Spotify) 
True Story: When a Friend Flirts With Your Man
> 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!

Pt. 2 POCF Lindsey Hoadley on Growing a Solo Business and a Fishery Business with her Fisherman, Embracing Motherhood, and Embodying Manifestations

Part 2 continues with our juicy conversation with POCF Lindsey Hoadley from Ventura, CA! If you missed the first episode, I highly recommend you go back and listen, especially if you’re an entrepreneur. There are so many nuggets to be had there.
In this episode, we talk about:
What it means to have a team to support when running a business and what those roles look like.
How she balances the entrepreneurial workload, motherhood, and family.
Her new manifestation course. Lindsey goes into depth about how she’s manifested her dream life and work life in detail.
How she and her husband can strengthen their bond even when times get tough in the fishing industry. 
Let's Dive In!
Connect with Lindsey:
mothersunandthecaptain.com
@mothersunandthecaptain
The Good Captain Co.
@thegoodcaptainco
Connect with Megan and POCFs in our Community:
pocfpride.com
@megan.waldrep
> 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!
 
 

Pt. 1 POCF Lindsey Hoadley on Growing a Solo Business and a Fishery Business with her Fisherman, Embracing Motherhood, and Embodying Manifestations

Dropping some pearls of wisdom with this one! If you're an entrepreneur or are interested in starting or scaling your business (fishery business included!), then you'll love this interview with POCF Lindsey Hoadley from Ventura, California.
In this episode, we discuss: 
The relaunch of her business, Mothersun and the Captain, and the importance of taking a 1-year break to get in the mindset to restructure it the way she wants to create and scale,
How she and her husband, John, work together on a joint venture called the Good Captain Co. and how they work together creatively to create messages that connect and advocate for their fisheries, 
And the importance of diversifying and finding mentors to help guide them through success.
Let's Dive in!
Connect with Lindsey:
mothersunandthecaptain.com
@mothersunandthecaptain
The Good Captain Co. 
@thegoodcaptainco
Connect with Megan and More POCFs in our Community:
pocfpride.com
@megan.waldrep
> 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!

Sobriety Story Pt 2: Answering Qs from Our Community About Quitting Alcohol and My Journey with Weed (I Didn't Think I'd Talk About, But Let's Get Into It!)

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!