The Blue Podcast: Recent Episodes
Taylor Phelps and Christian Laserna
Southern California natives, surfers, and best friends discuss the societal and cultural impacts of the surf community. Lots of stories, laughs, and conversations about the ocean. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-blue-podcast/support
In this episode, we passionately discuss the horrifying truth behind the deeply rooted misogyny and homophobia within the surf industry.
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In this episode, Taylor and Christian break down the finances within the World Surf League, prize money and competition win probability, endorsement contracts, and the inevitable side hustle. It would be ignorant to assume this group of thrill-seeking 'sharks' wouldn't translate to new business ventures. Nowadays, everyone has multiple streams of revenue, or at least we all should. Listen to learn why!
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In this episode, Taylor and Christian talk about their school-yard crush on the same surfer girl. They also devise a plan to break-up professional surfer Coco Ho and Olympic snowboarder Mark McMorris. Who's your surf crush?
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In this episode, Taylor and Christian discuss their roots and why surfing means so much to them. From their home life to poetry, from passion to purpose, this episode gets raw and real.
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Not all of us grew up surfing the glassy waves of Hawaii. Not all of us come from a legendary surf family. Not all of us bleed surf heritage. In this episode, Taylor and Christian talk about their family dynamic growing up in a household that didn’t surf, how they adapted, and why chosen family means everything to them.
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In this episode, Taylor and Christian explore the evolution of surf culture in America from the '60s to the 21st century. From rebellious, politically driven teens to peaceful environmental enthusiasts, we deep dive into the historical intricacies of the subculture of surfing.
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In this episode, Taylor and Christian talk on trauma, PTSD, and how to better manage fears in and out of the water. Christian admits his favorite movie is Dirty Dancing and Taylor speaks on her surf injury that landed her in the hospital. The topic drifts often, so good luck with the metaphorical whiplash they are about to put you through. Happy Halloween!
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In this week's episode, guest speaker Dr. Juliet Murray breaks down Kelly Slater's foot shattering fiasco and Dusty Payne's PAINFUL backdoor face plant.
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The episode you get, but never wanted. Taylor and Christian answer 30 personal questions to connect with listeners outside of just "surfing."
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Ghost ships are real! But not what you thought? Natural disasters, illness, and piracy can disrupt voyages and leave ships uninhabited but still at sea. So if you're ever walking beachside and see a weathered ship that appears to be driving itself, it very well may be.
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This week, we have a conversation with fellow waterman Michael Kusaba. In school, he studied Aerospace Engineering, ventured into the first responder realm as a State Beach Lifeguard, and is currently pursuing a firefighting career. Listen to learn more about the engineering involved in building rockets, his involvement with the Surfrider Foundation, and his opinion on the film Interstellar!
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In this episode, Taylor and Christian choose their top 5 favorite surfers in 2020. What does it take to make it in your top 5? To have a cool nickname like the white lightning or the black knight? To be known as the guy that punched a great white shark in the face? To be good friends with the Bieber's? Listen to our favorites and why we chose them!
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Anxiety, depression, you name it. There are a lot of moving pieces when it comes to mental health and drug addiction. Bring awareness to the topic, voice your concerns if you or a loved one is struggling, seek professional treatment, and remember you are never alone.
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As a surfer, being a kook is a rite of passage. In this episode, Taylor and Christian discuss a few kooky experiences they've encountered out in the water and regrettably done themselves.
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In this episode, we go over 3 key elements all surfers should integrate into their daily routine; meditation, reflection, and stretching/conditioning. Learn more about the benefits of flexibility, adopting a strength training regime, and advancing your water skills. Strive for balance as a great surfer and human being!
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In this episode, we deep dive into the mechanics and technological advances underwater photography has seen over the last century. We've evolved from a steel human-sized camera supported by floatation devices to a handheld, voice-activated GoPro.
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At one point in Taylor's life, she lived the frat life by the beach. If that synopsis doesn't interest you, this podcast isn't for you.
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To close the beaches down or not to close the beaches down, that is the question. It's as if we are currently living on Amity Island from Jaws. The ecosystem is out of wack due to multiple reasons, and we now have an abundance of aggressive sharks in the waters. What consensus will we come to?
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This episode is dedicated to our blue listener, Bailey Hayles, for suggesting this topic. Today, we discuss our dream destination surf trips!
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This episode is dedicated to our blue listener MK Brazil for recommending this topic. Today, Taylor and Christian cover the infamous Taylor family and their chilling plot to murder Matt Taylor's wife. Yachts, money, and fame don't always equate to happiness.
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In this episode, we discuss Gabriel Medina's exclusive interview with Mick Fanning about the stone-cold competitiveness this world champ exudes out in the water. We also get into some historic rivalries such as Kelly Slater (the white knight) and Andy Irons (Kelly's kryptonite).
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In this episode, we cover the broad strokes of a deeply rooted issue regarding sexuality and sexualization in the surf industry. We discuss financially what it takes to be a professional surfer, brand expectations, and the challenges women along with queer surfers face to survive in this industry.
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The world is changing rapidly due to the global crisis of COVID-19 and we are doing our best to adapt. Learn more about the impact coronavirus has on our ocean's health, security, and economy.
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In this episode, we discuss Tyler Wright's 60 Minutes feature. Tyler is a fan favorite and has been one of our favorite surfers for years. In 2018, she was diagnosed with post-viral syndrome after a heavy case of Influenza A. Recently she got back on her feet and back in the ocean. She's a superwoman!
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Have you ever seen a shark swim underneath you? Taylor has. Have you ever swam with a wild killer whale? Taylor has. We hope you enjoy this short, spicy episode on sharks!
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In this episode, we dive into a few simple actions everyone can mindfully practice to become more environmentally conscientiousness.
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In this episode, we rank our top 3 favorite wetsuits of all time! Christian shares an embarrassing story about the time he accidentally exposed himself on PCH because of a wetsuit tear. While Taylor talks wetsuit design in the female space and how technology, along with style, has evolved.
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In this episode, we give a few tips to help beginner surfers feel more comfortable out in the line-up.
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Taylor and Christian take a metaphorical road trip up the coast of California giving listeners their incite on the coolest breweries in San Diego, Ventura, and Santa Cruz. Taylor admits to one of her most embarrassing moments at a brewery involving Dane Reynolds while Christian educates listeners about his homemade Ballast Point in Costa Rica.
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With extra time on our hands, we are releasing two episodes a week from now on starting with a conversation about Bethany Hamilton's film Unstoppable. It's on Netflix, go check it out!
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In this episode, we go over the dimensions of our magic sticks, Christian's shaping skills, new board technologies, and what makes a good all-around California board.
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With the COVID-19 outbreak and social distancing slowly taking a toll on everyone, we drop in to check on our listeners!
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We bring you another laid-back episode where we discuss COVID-19 quarantines, Taylor's car getting broken into, and to lighten the mood, explain how the vibe of the line-up effects a surf session. Both Christian and Taylor deep dive into the surf subculture, agro sessions, and kooky Californians.
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A laid-back episode where we discuss TIK TOK trends, name our studio plant and talk about gender in athleticism. It gets deep!
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In this episode, we do our best to relay Taylor's broken notes on the Legendary Sea Monster, the Kraken. We also briefly talk about Kelly Slater's new wave pool in Coachella Valley, our new boxing training regime, and Surfline's new 'feature'.
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With Christian's Bali trip right around the corner and the coronavirus still active, his family fears their trip will be canceled. Taylor and Christian also breakdown a few of their favorite cringey surf films including Point Break, North Shore, and Blue Crush. They are so bad, they're good.
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Christian decides he's going to be participating in one of the most challenging races in the world, the Spartan Race. With this newfound obsession, he explains the origin of the race, the obstacles, and more. We also touch on sacred rituals performed at CT surf events and in history, including the Olympics. Do you know why we light the torch at the Olympics? Neither did I.
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In this week's episode, we go over our Valentine's Day plans, the Nazare Tow in Surf Challenge, and over 10.7 million dollars worth of sunken treasure off the coast of Ireland.
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SHARKS SHARKS SHARKS. To sum it up, this episode is a hodgepodge of survivor stories, Taylor messes up Christian’s shark quiz and remember to NEVER pee in your wetsuit.
Also Mick Fanning’s incident happened in 2015 we accidentally shared the wrong year*
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We talk about Stephanie Gilmore wailing on the guitar next to Chris Hemsworth for a fundraiser, Kelly Slater performing next to Jack Johnson after his foot injury at JBay, and Fisher is a wild flamingo at Coachella.
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We talk about winter swells, worst wipeouts, and draft our own 2020 Big Wave Tour Fantasy Team
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Christian and Taylor recall their first impressions of one another, fistfights in the ocean, and Tulsi Gabbard?
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