Partners of Commercial Fishermen

Best Fishing Boots Ever? A Chat with Tahma Boots Founder Bill Combs

(Not Sponsored): It took Bill Combs, founder of Tama Boots, twelve years to perfect the sole for a slip-resistant boot that passes military approval. In this episode, we discuss his journey from founding Bogs Boots, to designing products for retailers and emphasizing the importance of pushing the boundaries to create groundbreaking footwear for commercial fishermen. Bill discusses the in-depth development process, which took over a decade due to constant testing and redesigning. He also discusses the unique ways he's vetted the boot factory to ensure fair wages and employee satisfaction while maintaining competitive pricing. Are these the best fishing boots ever? Fishing families will be the judge.  To learn more, visit tahamaboots.com Additional Notes from Episode: United AK Fishermen's Summit December 5-7 in Anchorage, AK. (Read the back of the card). Then include alaskaseagrant.org/ayfs for more info. A "Dry December" Sober Series podcast episodes will end our 2023! Be sure to tune in! RESOURCES Just for POCFs [Order] WE NOW HAVE GEAR! We recently got a new logo, and we are STOKED to represent our crew! Show your POCF pride by rockin’ our new T’s and vinyl stickers. Check out the new POCF gear here! [FREE] Commercial fishing has its challenges, and managing finances can be one of them.  Grab the FREE Guide: CUSTOMIZABLE BUDGET TEMPLATE FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING HOUSEHOLDS TO THRIVE to organize expenses, income, and investments and to help create wealth for your future! [Join] Want to connect virtually with other POCFs in our community? We’d love for you to join us in the private forum! The forum lets us chat with POCFs worldwide and share experiences and feelings without judgment because we get you! There are also monthly Zoom chats, private podcasts, an ongoing resource bank to help make the commercial fishing lifestyle easier, plus more ways to connect and feel supported in the on and off-season. If it feels aligned for you, click here to join the private forum!

Fishermen’s Wives: Coping with an Extraordinary Occupation

Today is a reading from a study done in 1978 of New England POCFs called "Fishermen's Wives: Coping with an Extraordinary Occupation." I wanted to share this with you because it COMPLETELY VALIDATES our existence and the service of partners of commercial fishermen worldwide! KEY POINTS:  How forced independence of our lifestyle benefits us in the long run. The key to a fishermen's success in the industry. The specific reason why POCFs are so important to the industry.  RESOURCES: [Pre-Order] WE NOW HAVE GEAR! We recently got a new logo, and we are STOKED to represent our crew! Show your POCF pride by rockin’ our new T’s and vinyl stickers. Check out the new POCF gear here! [FREE] Are you a POCF who struggles to feel connected to their fisherman at different times of the fishing season? Grab the Guide: 💝 6 WAYS TO RECONNECT WITH YOUR FISHERMAN BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT’S WEIRD 🥴 and receive tips on navigating your relationship through seasonal transitions that will benefit you, your fisherman, and your family to have smoother homecomings. [Join] Want to connect virtually with other POCFs in our community? We’d love for you to join us in the private forum! The forum lets us chat with POCFs worldwide and share experiences and feelings without judgment because we get you! There are also monthly Zoom chats, private podcasts, an ongoing resource bank to help make the commercial fishing lifestyle easier, plus more ways to connect and feel supported in the on and off-season. If it feels aligned for you, click here to join the private forum!

Perfect Gift Ideas for Commercial Fishermen

Don't know what to get a fisherman? You're not alone! In this episode, I share the top gift ideas voted on by the partners of the commercial fishermen community. The link below will take you to the list, including the number one gift NOT to get a fisherman and why. Happy Holidays, y'all! meganwaldrep.com/commercial-fishermen-gifts RESOURCES Just for POCFs [Order] WE NOW HAVE GEAR! We recently got a new logo, and we are STOKED to represent our crew! Show your POCF pride by rockin’ our new T’s and vinyl stickers. Check out the new POCF gear here! [FREE] Commercial fishing has its challenges, and managing finances can be one of them.  Grab the FREE Guide: CUSTOMIZABLE BUDGET TEMPLATE FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING HOUSEHOLDS TO THRIVE to organize expenses, income, and investments and to help create wealth for your future! [Join] Want to connect virtually with other POCFs in our community? We’d love for you to join us in the private forum! The forum lets us chat with POCFs worldwide and share experiences and feelings without judgment because we get you! There are also monthly Zoom chats, private podcasts, an ongoing resource bank to help make the commercial fishing lifestyle easier, plus more ways to connect and feel supported in the on and off-season. If it feels aligned for you, click here to join the private forum!

Fisherman Author Terry Evers & POCF D’Ann on 36 years of marriage & commercial fishing memoir Fifteen Seasons

This is a groundbreaking episode because it is our first interview with a fishing couple! Author Terry Evers reached out to be on the podcast to talk about his memoir Fifteen Seasons, and when he mentioned he’d been married to his wife, D’Ann, for 36 years, I was even more thrilled to have him on.  Today, Terry is joined by his POCF D’Ann, and they discuss 36 years of marriage, his book, Fifteen Seasons, a memoir about the bond of a fisherman and son and a vibrant Oregon fishing community, and what it was like for him and his family when he transitioned out of commercial fishing for a new career. Connect with Terry on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fifteenseasons1977/ Instagram: @fifteenseasons1977 Buy the book on: Amazone: amazon.com/dp/1945587822 Barnes and Nobel: barnesandnoble.com/w/fifteen-seasons-terry-evers/1142873019?ean=9781945587825 OFFER FOR POCFs! Want to connect virtually with other POCFs in our community? We’d love for you to join us in the private forum! Click here to learn more or visit meganwaldrep.com/private-forum.

55-Year-Old POCF Shares Her Relationship Fears w A Fisherman

Today, I’m sharing a personal email I received from a 55-year-old POCF whose sparse communication with her commercial fisherman is triggering past unhealthy relationships. I also share how I was able to overcome some of my own insecurities and my recommended tools for each transition. If you find this relatable, be sure to check out our recommended resources to support your journey as a POCF, like the private online forum where you have access to POCFs worldwide and a growing bank of events, recordings, and helpful sources to aid you in this unique lifestyle, weekly blog posts on pocfpride.com, and, of course, the weekly Partners of Commercial Fishermen Podcast to meet others in our community who get our unique lifestyle.  Tune in with me, and let’s connect and learn more about partners in our community!   KEY POINTS: How to navigate communication with a commercial fisherman Triggers and how to deal with your relationship past coming into your future Actionable advice to move through feelings of insecurity and get on with your life RESOURCES: [Pre-Order] WE NOW HAVE GEAR! We recently got a new logo, and we are STOKED to represent our crew! Show your POCF pride by rockin’ our new T’s and vinyl stickers. Check out the new POCF gear here! [FREE] Are you a POCF who struggles to feel connected to their fisherman at different times of the fishing season? Grab the Guide: 💝 6 WAYS TO RECONNECT WITH YOUR FISHERMAN BECAUSE SOMETIMES IT’S WEIRD 🥴 and receive tips on navigating your relationship through seasonal transitions that will benefit you, your fisherman, and your family to have smoother homecomings.  [Join] Want to connect virtually with other POCFs in our community? We’d love for you to join us in the private forum! The forum lets us chat with POCFs worldwide and share experiences and feelings without judgment because we get you! There are also monthly Zoom chats, private podcasts, an ongoing resource bank to help make the commercial fishing lifestyle easier, plus more ways to connect and feel supported in the on and off-season. If it feels aligned for you, click here to join the private forum!   

What Helped Me Stay Present & Maximize QT When My Fisherman Surprised Me for the Weekend

This episode explores simple things that made life easier to maximize quality time when I learned my fisherman was visiting from California for a surprise three-day weekend home in Wilmington, North Carolina. Our Instagram community voted on this subject in a recent Story, and I’m passing it along in case it may help you, too!  Inside, we discuss: How to nurture a smooth transition home. Best foods and snacks to have on hand. Ways for healthy communication Resources:  How to Send a Care Package to a Fisherman: https://meganwaldrep.com/care-package/ Healthy Boat Snacks for Fishermen: https://meganwaldrep.com/boat-snacks-tjs/ Here are Ways You Can Connect with the POCF Community!  Private Forum: If you want to connect virtually with others in our community, we’d love for you to join us in the private forum! The forum is a space for us to chat with POCFs worldwide to share experiences and feelings without judgment. There are also monthly Zoom chats, private podcasts, an ongoing resource bank to help make the commercial fishing lifestyle easier, and more! If it feels aligned for you, click here to join the private forum!  Let's Meet at the Pacific Marine Expo: We're taking over the National Fisherman Booth #150 for a Dockside Chat called the "Partners of Commercial Fishermen Parlor" from 3:45 pm to 4:45 pm Wed & Thurs, 11/8 & 11/9. Kick back with us as we sip, snack, and chat after a long day at PME. Special healthy treats for the first 25 to attend. Learn more at https://www.pacificmarineexpo.com/. I hope to see you there!   

6 Mo. Long-Distance From Fisherman While Raising 3 Kids w Sena Wheeler of Sena Sea

Sena Wheeler is well established as a POCF, and in this episode, she shares how yearly 6-month separations from her Fisherman while raising 3 kids is just part of their game. Sena also touches on: What makes her life easier when you’re managing home solo. The visualization technique she uses when anxiety rises. Her mindset and advice for raising young kids on your own. To learn more about Sena, visit their website: www.senasea.com Check out the following interviews we've had on what it's like to run a family fishing business out of Alaska: POCFPride.com Blog: “Life Hacks from a 3rd Generation Fisherman’s Wife, Sena Wheeler” https://meganwaldrep.com/sena-sea/ Fishing Families: The business of catching, processing, and shipping seafood in Alaska as a family: https://www.nationalfisherman.com/sena-sea-seafood Here are Ways to Hang with More POCFs!  Private Forum: If you want to connect virtually with others in our community, we’d love for you to join us in the private forum! The forum is a space for us to chat with POCFs worldwide to share experiences and feelings without judgment. There are also montly Zoom chats, private podcasts, an ongoing resource bank to help make the commercial fishing lifestyle easier, and more! If it feels aligned for you, click here to join the private forum!  Let's Meet at the Pacific Marine Expo: We're taking over the National Fisherman Booth #150 for a Dockside Chat called the "Partners of Commercial Fishermen Parlor" from 3:45-4:45pm Wed & Thursday, 11/8 & 11/9. Kick back with us as we sip, snack, and chat after a long day at PME. Special treats for the first 25 to attend. Learn more at https://www.pacificmarineexpo.com/ I hope to see you there! 

3 Ways to Connect & Be Heard in the Commercial Fishing Community

This episode is all about helping YOU live your best life in the commercial fishing industry! In this episode, we discuss:  Ways I can help be a platform to get your issues heard and noticed by officials inside and outside of commercial fishing A *Free In-Person Event* that I’d love for you to join in November at the Pacific Marine Expo! For tickets: https://www.pacificmarineexpo.com/    I'm sharing new additions and ways to connect in our *POCF Private Forum*, including private podcasts, virtual meet-ups, helpful resources for the POCF lifestyle, and more!  The forum is a safe space for us to chat with POCFs all over the world to share our thoughts and feelings without judgment. We can also link here to see who lives nearby or if you have fishery questions, seeking motherhood advice, or looking at retirement. We're all here for you!  Click here to join the private forum! More resources from the episode: Email me at support@meganwaldrep.com.  Melissa Collier of West Coast Wild Scallops in National Fisherman: https://www.nationalfisherman.com/canadian-gov-t-threatens-bc-closures-here-s-what-fishing-families-are-doing-to-survive Apple Podcast: Partners of Commercial Fishermen Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-run-a-family-wholesale-fishing-business/id1689251577?i=1000629161128 Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/4pLpmg9lJdG59oTeXrO6zs?si=dZlyZVWwSPaahs6VRilg5g *Private Podcast available to Forum Members.  Trish Whetstone of the BC Young Fishermen's Network Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/partners-of-commercial-fishermen/id1689251577?i=1000629999793 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/029MKGVTAMoiiliGc7p4Nk?si=cOqkSrDHSqacESjHNMjbQA *Private Podcast available to Forum Members.  Join POCF Private Forum: https://meganwaldrep.com/private-forum

Buoying the Fleet: What it Takes to Nurture an Industry Trish Whetstone of the BC Young Fishermen’s Network

Whew, this one is FIRE! Our girl Trish Whetstone of the BC Young Fishermen's Network out of Canada, shares the backend of what they're doing to help new fishermen become successful in this industry, the challenges for new entrants and young fishers on the BC coast, and how they actively work to make things easier for everyone involved. WARNING: We get down and dirty, and *expletives* fly. Around the 49-minute mark, Trish speaks the truth most of us feel in our hearts, and it's hard not to tear up!  There's real talk, real laughs, and real heart behind each word, and I can't wait for y'all to listen in. To connect with Trish and learn more about their mission, visit the BC Young Fisherman's Network,  T. Buck Suzuki Foundation, follow and DM them on Instagram at @bcyoungfishermen, or join the group on Facebook.  EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR POCFS! Private Forum: If you want to connect further with others in our community, we’d love for you to join us in the private forum! The forum is a safe space for us to chat with POCFs all over the world to share thoughts, joys, concerns, and feelings without judgment. If it feels aligned for you, click here to join the private forum! We can't wait to meet you!

How to Run a Family Wholesale Fishing Business with Canadian POCF Mellissa Collier of West Coast Wild Scallops

This is our first international episode with Canadian POCF Melissa Collier, where we learn how a husband and wife team created a wholesale fishing business without prior experience while raising two kids and how you can, too! Connect with WC Wild Scallops through Instagram @wcwildscallops or learn more at www.wildscallops.ca Helpful Recommendations by WC Wild Scallops: NO FISHING ALLOWED Documentary Local Catch Network BC Young Fishermen’s Network EXCLUSIVE OFFER FOR POCFS! Private Forum: If you want to connect further with others in our community, I’d love for you to join us in the private forum! The forum is a safe space for us to chat with POCFs all over the world to share our thoughts and feelings without judgment. If it feels aligned for you, click here to join the private forum! With love & #POCFpride!