ABOUT HOST

Rich German

Rich German is an entrepreneur and environmental advocate with an unyielding passion for the ocean. Since 1999 he has been a respected business coach, speaker, and best-selling author of three books – including his photo book Blue Laguna. Since 2010, Rich has paddled an astonishing 30,000 miles and has documented over 2,000 awe-inspiring interactions with dolphins and whales. His photographic work has been featured by National Geographic, The New York Times, NPR, The BBC and more.

Rich’s passion led him to found Project O, a non-profit organization committed to the protection of our ocean and the fragile life within it. He speaks regularly to students in southern California, inspiring them to fall in love with the ocean and join the efforts to protect the planet. His voice reaches further through his Our Epic Ocean podcast, where he engages with top experts to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

Based in Laguna Beach, his journey stands as a testament to the impact one individual can make through love for the planet and more importantly to the massive change possible utilizing the power of collaboration.

ABOUT HOST

Rich German

Rich German is an entrepreneur and environmental advocate with an unyielding passion for the ocean. Since 1999 he has been a respected business coach, speaker, and best-selling author of three books – including his photo book Blue Laguna. Since 2010, Rich has paddled an astonishing 30,000 miles and has documented over 2,000 awe-inspiring interactions with dolphins and whales. His photographic work has been featured by National Geographic, The New York Times, NPR, The BBC and more.

Rich’s passion led him to found Project O, a non-profit organization committed to the protection of our ocean and the fragile life within it. He speaks regularly to students in southern California, inspiring them to fall in love with the ocean and join the efforts to protect the planet. His voice reaches further through his Our Epic Ocean podcast, where he engages with top experts to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

Based in Laguna Beach, his journey stands as a testament to the impact one individual can make through love for the planet and more importantly to the massive change possible utilizing the power of collaboration.

ABOUT HOST

Bedonna Smith

Bedonna Smith is an executive producer and impact leader working with creatives, activists and advocates on initiatives to propel narrative change, support regeneration, and increase optimism. With experience in documentary, live television, branded content and movement work, Smith’s efforts have accelerated the missions of Emerson Collective, XQ Institute, Stand Up To Cancer, Entertainment Industry Foundation, National Domestic Worker’s Alliance, i am a voter, American Indian College Fund and others. Smith leads a residency program created for early-career artists and producers with support from The Netflix Fund for Creative Equity. With Dawn Porter and Joy Gorman Wettels, Smith is an EP on the upcoming HBO Documentary series Eyes On The Prize. Smith is a member of the board of directors of Midland School, a nature-based college preparatory boarding school, founded in 1932, in California’s Santa Ynez valley.

ABOUT HOST

Steve Reiss

Steve Reiss is an award-winning producer, creative consultant, art book developer, and digital video pioneer specializing in the production and delivery of media through a multitude of platforms. His collaborative spirit and keen eye for talent has resulted in working with iconic directors, Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, Joe Kosinski, and Mark Romanek and legendary artists including Madonna, Alanis Morissette, R.E.M., Coldplay, the Breeders, and Lauryn Hill, receiving a Grammy nomination and several Billboard and MVPA awards. His extensive knowledge of production, VFX and experiential design comes from his working at NBC Productions, Propaganda, Satellite films and anonymous content, launching Digital Domain’s special projects division, a leadership role at SeaLevel VFX and initiating the Directors Label Series with Palm Pictures.

He is part of the regeneration generation, his blood is Ocean Positive and believes one person can make a difference through spontaneous collaboration and a relentless desire for a better planet for all. Steve co-founded the podcast Our Epic Ocean with Host Rich German, is co-writing a book about the need to Re-Wild Humanity and is developing a series on the global water crisis.

ABOUT HOST

Steve Reiss

Steve Reiss is an award-winning producer, creative consultant, art book developer, and digital video pioneer specializing in the production and delivery of media through a multitude of platforms. His collaborative spirit and keen eye for talent has resulted in working with iconic directors, Spike Jonze, Michel Gondry, Joe Kosinski, and Mark Romanek and legendary artists including Madonna, Alanis Morissette, R.E.M., Coldplay, the Breeders, and Lauryn Hill, receiving a Grammy nomination and several Billboard and MVPA awards. His extensive knowledge of production, VFX and experiential design comes from his working at NBC Productions, Propaganda, Satellite films and anonymous content, launching Digital Domain’s special projects division, a leadership role at SeaLevel VFX and initiating the Directors Label Series with Palm Pictures.

He is part of the regeneration generation, his blood is Ocean Positive and believes one person can make a difference through spontaneous collaboration and a relentless desire for a better planet for all. Steve co-founded the podcast Our Epic Ocean with Host Rich German, is co-writing a book about the need to Re-Wild Humanity and is developing a series on the global water crisis.