The Gulf Stream Podcast

Meghan and Justin Brodnax dive into the world of ecotourism on Baffin Bay in South Texas. As owners of La Pesca Lodge, they share how they’re finding the delicate balance between running a successful business and protecting the fragile ecosystem that draws anglers to the bay. From encouraging catch-and-release practices to educating customers on responsible fishing, the Brodnaxes weave conservation into every aspect of their lodge operations. They are moving away from single-use plastics, hosting conservation organizations for meetings, and creating a culture where guests not only enjoy the beauty of Baffin Bay but also learn how to help preserve it for future generations.

Water is a precious commodity in Texas, and across the world. In the the first episode of season three of The Gulf Stream Podcast, guest host Jay Kleberg, Executive Director of the Gulf Trust, is joined by Sarah Schlessinger, Executive Director of the Texas Water Foundation, to talk about water in Texas. The two talk about why water is so important in Texas, along with recent legislation that will help communities secure supplies. Tune in for an unfiltered (pun intended) look at water in Texas.

Curious about oyster farming in Texas? In this episode of The Gulf Stream Podcast, host Ellis Chapman, Project Manager for the Oyster Resource and Recovery Center (ORRC) at HRI, dives into the world of sustainable seafood with A.J. Minns, founder of Blackjack Point Oyster Company, and Amy Belaire, owner of Big Tree Oyster Company. From the challenges and rewards of farming oysters in Texas waters to the impact on local ecosystems, they share the real story behind this growing industry. Tune in for an insightful, unfiltered look at life as an oyster farmer!

Television meteorologist Alan Holt has gained a strong following during his more than decade-long career in Corpus Christi, becoming a key source for weather in the Coastal Bend region as Chief Meteorologist for KIII 3 News. In this episode of The Gulf Stream Podcast, Holt talks with HRI's Chris Hale, Program Manager for Community Resilience, about community resiliency, the forecasting tools he wished he had, and his talent for playing the drums.

Get ready to dive into the wild and wonderful world of beachcombing with your two favorite coastal adventurers! Eric Ehrlich from Mustang Island State Park and Jace Tunnell of the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi have joined forces to reveal their most jaw-dropping discoveries along the Texas coast. From the bizarre to the beautiful, they'll share the stories behind their craziest finds, what fuels their relentless passion for exploring every stretch of the shoreline, and how they've turned to social media to showcase the breathtaking wonders of the Gulf of Mexico. Get ready for an adventure you won’t want to miss!

Vibrio, also known as a "flesh-eating" bacteria, thrives in warmer months in waters along the Texas Gulf Coast, and can be dangerous, even deadly, if not treated early. Harte Research Institute's (HRI) Chair for Coastal Ecosystem Processes Dr. Mike Wetz is joined on this month’s Gulf Stream Podcast by Dr. James Mobley, who works with Texas A&M University’s Healthy South Texas program, and Shane Bonnot, the Advocacy Director for CCA Texas, to talk about vibrio. The trio focuses on what it is, ways to prevent it and treat it, and how preparation for it should be part of your routine when going on outdoor adventures.

Season Two debuts during Shark Week 2024 with acclaimed shark cinematographer Joe Romeiro who has been behind much of the amazing footage Shark Week is known for. In this episode, he visits with HRI's Director Dr. Greg Stunz to discuss what goes into filming up-close footage of these predators. Hear stories about previous Shark Week excursions for the "Monster Mako" series that HRI participated in, other fascinating shark encounters throughout Joe's career, and his current efforts to raise awareness about sharks and shark conservation.

In the season one finale, The Gulf Stream welcomed Texas Storm Chaser, Chelsea Burnett! In this episode, Chelsea describes what got her into storm chasing, her lifelong fascination with weather, and what it’s like to chase tornadoes, hurricanes, and tropical storms throughout the country. Chelsea shares some of her favorite stories from chasing wild weather, and even some of the science that storm chasers like her are able to provide to the National Weather Service to help meteorologists better predict storm trends in the future.

In this episode of The Gulf Stream, we took the show on the road to our friends at the Texas State Aquarium, where Dr. Kesley Banks, Assistant Research Scientist in HRI’s Center for Sportfish Science and Conservation, discusses what sparked her interest in sharks and why she made them such a large part of her career. During the episode, Dr. Banks explains why we all should care about sharks, how important they are to the world’s oceans, tells us about her upcoming appearance on Discovery’s Shark Week, and so much more. Follow The Gulf Stream on social media to see clips of the episode and to watch Dr. Banks and The Gulf Stream co-producer/host, Megan Radke, snorkel with sharks, an exclusive encounter offered at the Texas State Aquarium.

In this episode of The Gulf Stream, we were honored to welcome Danielle Prewett to the studio! Danielle is the founder of Wild+Whole, is a Wild Foods Contributing Editor for MeatEater, a Board Member at Large for the Texas chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and has a passion for connecting to the outdoors through hunting, fishing, gardening, and foraging. During the episode, Danielle shares why she embraces being an outdoorswoman, born out of a desire to eat consciously and live more mindfully.