Tybee Island Marine Science Center Podcast

Host Jessica Leigh Lebos welcomes Dr. Kathryn Craven, a Georgia Southern University professor, Tybee Marine Science Center board trustee, and researcher known for work with loggerhead sea turtles and diamondback terrapins.

Craven shares her path from growing up near the Northeast coast to landing a sea turtle research job on Jekyll Island in 1991, including renewing flipper-tagging efforts. She discusses Georgia nesting-season mon...

Host Jessica Leigh Lebos welcomes back Joy Davis, the Tybee Island Marine Science Center’s permanent artist-in-residence, a biologist-artist known for the Center’s three-dimensional North Atlantic right whale model of “Smoke” and life-size sea turtle models.

Davis discusses how homeschooling, travel as an Air Force brat, and a blended arts-and-science college path shaped her career, plus her move to Savanna...

Host Jessica Leigh Lebos is in the Ship Watch Loft of Tybee Marine Science Center with  Captain Jimmy Armel, former Army Ranger and founder of the Knot Lucky Foundation (K-N-O-T), which offers free fishing trips for active-duty service members and veterans (and immediate family) to support healing, connection, and purpose.

Armel shares his own struggles after leaving the military, including alcoholism, brain damage, and suici...

Welcome to the Tybee Island Marine Science Center Podcast! Host Jessica Leigh Lebos interviews Lisa Goodman, executive director of Wilderness Southeast, Georgia’s first environmental education nonprofit (founded 1973), about its mission to build awareness, appreciation, and stewardship through fun, guide-led outdoor eco-tours.

Goodman describes offerings including boat and kayak trips to Wassaw Island, marsh and creek explor...

Host Jessica Leigh Lebos records from the Tybee Island Marine Science Center’s Ship Watch Loft and interviews multidisciplinary abstract artist Betsy Cain, whose work appears in major museums, galleries, and collections.

Cain discusses moving to Savannah in 1981 through the early SCAD community, how living near the river and later on the marsh shaped her work through tides, light, movement, and texture, and how kayaking imme...

This episode of the Tybee Marine Science Center Podcast (recorded at the Ship Watch Loft on Tybee Island) features award-winning marine biologist Dr. Chris Hintz, associate professor at Savannah State University.

Hintz recounts arriving at Savannah State in 2009, early NSF-funded coastal sampling along the Savannah River and Georgia coast, and his path from chemical/environmental engineering into marine science via coral aquacultu...

The award-winning Tybee Island Marine Science Center Podcast kicks off season four from the Shipwatch Loft at North Beach with host Jessica Leigh Lebos and superstar guest Chantal Audran, Executive Director of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center, to preview major updates.

Chantal highlights new exhibit clusters, including the center’s first cultural exhibit on Gullah Geechee coastal cultures featuring ethnobotany and medi...

In the final episode of the Tybee Island Marine Science Podcast for 2025, the team reflects on a remarkable year. Host Jessica Leigh Lebos welcomes curators Sarah Alley and Rachel Cantrell to dive into the highlights from the Marine Science Center, including the much-anticipated Whale Week, turtle nest discoveries, birding adventures, and engaging in necropsies.

They also discuss upcoming plans for a new sea turtle hatchling and t...

In this episode of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center podcast, host Jessica Leigh Lebos welcomes Megan Desrosiers, the founding president and CEO of One Hundred Miles a coastal conservation organization dedicated to protecting Georgia's coastline through advocacy, education, and community engagement.

Megan discusses the organization's journey from its inception in 2013 with just two employees to becoming the leading advocacy g...

In this episode of the award-winning Tybee Island Marine Science Center podcast, host Jessica Leigh Lebos is joined by marine campaigner Greg Reilly from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). They discuss the various efforts to protect the endangered North Atlantic Right whale, focusing on the implementation of AIS (Automatic Identification System) transceivers along the coast to alert vessels to slow down in whale habi...

In this episode of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center podcast, Sister Patt Gunn shares the rich cultural heritage and spirit stories of the Gullah Geechee people. Recorded on a blustery October day, Sister Patt recounts her experiences, including a remarkable whale-watching expedition that highlighted the connection between Gullah Geechee history and the endangered right whales.

She also shares poignant family stories and spir...

In this episode of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center podcast, host Jessica Leigh Lebos sits down with Sister Patt Gunn for part one of a two-part conversation. Sister Patt is a celebrated Gullah Geechee storyteller and tour guide.

Sister Patt shares the historical significance of the Gullah Geechee people, their unwavering connection to their land and water, and the ongoing fight to preserve their culture. The conversation de...

In this episode of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center Podcast, host Jessica Leigh Lebos welcome Shannon Browning Mullis, Executive Director of the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace.

They discuss the fascinating life of Juliette Gordon Low, the founder of the Girl Scouts of America, and her impact on young women. Shannon shares insights into Juliette's unique character and her contributions during a time of social change. The disc...

Hey there, ocean explorers! Welcome to another episode from the Tybee Island Marine Science Center podcast. Today, we have a super special guest—Jacilyn Ledford! She’s not just a tour guide, but also a yoga teacher, sound healer, and all-around Tybee Island expert.

Here’s what you’ll discover in this fun episode:

• Jacilyn tells us how she started Tybee Tours and why she loves sharing the island’s a...

In this episode of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center podcast, host Jessica Leigh Lebos welcomes Sarah Porter, the chapter director for Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, located 19 miles off the Georgia coast.

The discussion delves into the mission and unique features of the sanctuary, including its diverse marine life, educational outreach programs, and conservation efforts. Highlights include the innovative ROV competiti...

In this episode of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center podcast, host Jessica Leigh Lebos sits down with geophysicist and ENKI Research founder Chuck Watson. Watson, known for his no-nonsense and wry communication style, discusses his journey from the military and intelligence community to becoming a reliable source of information on hurricanes.

His models and data have become essential for millions seeking accurate weather forec...

In this episode of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center Podcast, host Jessica Leigh Lebos welcomes Jennie Berglund, a science journalist and deep-water documentarian, to discuss her fascinating career.

Jennie shares stories from her expeditions to all seven continents, including the Amazon, Antarctica, and the deep ocean. She talks about her experiences studying leaf cutter ants, documenting the landscapes of Antarctica, and film...

In this episode of the Tybee Island Marine Science Center Podcast, host Jessica Leigh Lebos welcomes Sarah Jones, Executive Director of the Tybee Island Light Station and Museum. Together, they delve into the fascinating history of Tybee Island's lighthouse and fortifications.

Sarah shares intriguing stories about the island’s lighthouse series, starting from General Oglethorpe's commission in 1734, to its unique hybrid stru...