Welcome to the very first episode of This Is Marine Conservation!

In this pilot episode, I’m sharing my personal journey to marine conservation and the story behind why I decided to start this podcast.

Instead of jumping straight into ocean science, I wanted to start at the beginning. In this episode, I talk about growing up near the ocean in Massachusetts, navigating a career in environmental engineering, and slowly realizing that I wasn’t aligned with the impact-driven work I truly wanted to be doing. I share how travel, scuba diving, and a life-changing experience in Indonesia ultimately led me back to the ocean and into the field of marine conservation.

This episode is my origin story. It’s about following curiosity, listening to discomfort, and discovering that protecting the ocean doesn’t look just one way.

In this episode, I share:

• How growing up near the ocean shaped my connection to marine life
• Why I chose environmental engineering, and why it didn’t feel like the right fit
• A pivotal conversation at work that revealed a major values mismatch
• How learning to scuba dive in Indonesia completely changed my life
• The night market moment that sparked deeper questions about marine protection
• Why marine conservation is an interdisciplinary field, not just biology
• What led me to pursue a Master’s in Marine Conservation
• My path through research, communications, dive training, and field science
• Why optimism and community are essential in conservation work
• My vision for This Is Marine Conservation and what’s coming next

Who this podcast is for

This podcast is for you if:

• You love the ocean and want to protect it
• You’re curious about marine conservation or ocean-related careers
• You work in marine science or conservation and want community
• You’re feeling eco-anxiety and need hopeful, action-oriented conversations

You don’t need a science background to be here, just a love for the ocean and a desire to make a difference.

Why I started this podcast

Marine conservation can feel overwhelming. The challenges are big, the science can be complex, and the news is often heavy. I started this podcast to create space for learning, storytelling, optimism, and action because protecting the ocean starts with understanding it and believing that change is possible.

Future episodes will include solo deep dives, career-focused conversations, and interviews with people working across marine science, conservation, policy, and advocacy.

Let’s connect!

I’d love to hear from you.
Where are you listening from, and what brought you to this podcast?

📧 Email me at casey@caseysnook.com
📸 Follow me on Instagram and send me a DM to say hello

If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing, sharing it with a fellow ocean lover, or leaving a review—it helps this podcast reach more people who care about the sea.