Wards Way Podcast

Kristina Hebert, the dynamic President and CEO of Wards Marine Electric, hosts the Wards Way Podcast. In this captivating series, she engages with prominent leaders from the yachting industry, each bringing their unique insights and experiences to the table. The discussions delve deep into a variety of compelling industry stories, where guests share their successes and the challenges they’ve faced along the way. Listeners are treated to invaluable lessons gleaned from years in the field and thought-provoking perspectives on the future of yachting, making each episode a treasure trove of knowledge and inspiration for anyone passionate about the maritime world.

Wards Way Podcast is a leisure podcast hosted by Wards Marine Electric, with 102 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Wards Marine Electric hosts Wards Way Podcast, a leisure show with 102 episodes published.

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  Episode #3

  How Newport Shipyard Keeps Charters Moving

  Oct 4, 202613 minS11

  Newport looks calm from shore, but the docks tell a different story. From the Newport International Boat Show 2026, we sit down with Mike Millerick, General Manager of Newport Shipyard, to talk about what it takes to keep a high-traffic harbor running through peak charter season and straight into the fall service rush. You will hear how boats cycle from owner trips to charters to yard periods, and why the weeks before yachts head south to the Caribbean and Florida are some of the most intense of the year. We dig into the Nikor Charter Yacht Show and why Newport Shipyard puts the spotlight on the people who actually make charters work: the crew. Mike breaks down how crew-focused events and competitions build pride, sharpen standards, and give charter brokers a real window into what a yacht team can do under pressure. That crew-first mindset continues with Safe Harbor Race Weekend, including a growing superyacht class and social events that somehow feel like “neighbors” even at a 1,200-person clam bake. From there, we get practical about yacht service and marina operations: how Newport Shipyard delivers full-service work with a strong subcontractor base, how the Safe Harbor network helps finish projects across multiple stops, and why Front Street Shipyard in Maine adds real value for cruising owners. We also cover Safe Harbor membership benefits like fuel at cost and free member transient nights, plus where to learn more. If you found this useful, subscribe, share it with a boater or crew member, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

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  Episode #4

  Community Banking That Actually Knows You

  Oct 4, 202628 minS11

  Banking decisions shape entire towns, but most people only see the final “approved” or “declined” screen. From the floor of the Newport International Boat Show, we talk with Jack Murphy, President and CEO of Bank Newport, about what changes when your bank is a mutual community bank owned by the community instead of shareholders. Jack explains why that structure allows longer-term thinking, deeper accountability, and a relationship-driven approach that treats small business owners like people with real stories, not just data points. We also get into the marine industry and Rhode Island’s blue economy. As title sponsor of the Newport International Boat Show, Bank Newport sees firsthand how boat sales ripple outward to marinas, boatyards, surveyors, refit crews, and marine electronics and service companies. Jack breaks down Ocean Point Funding and how their boat financing model works as a pass-through that connects borrowers with the right correspondent bank, helping buyers find a strong deal while supporting an industry that keeps coastal communities working. Then we zoom out to community impact and practical business banking. Jack shares how the Bank Newport Foundation directs roughly $1.7M to $1.8M a year toward food insecurity, financial education, housing, and the arts across hundreds of nonprofits, backed by significant employee volunteer hours. We wrap with real-world cash management advice for entrepreneurs, including why paper checks fuel fraud and how the best “digital banking” still needs a real human on the other end when it matters. If you care about community banking, small business lending, marine lending, or Rhode Island economic development, this conversation delivers. Subscribe, share with a business owner, and leave a review with your biggest banking pet peeve. Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

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  Episode #2

  Marine Source And The Future Of Boat Buying

  Oct 2, 202645 minS11

  Boat buying is supposed to feel exciting, not exhausting. From the floor of the Newport International Boat Show, we sit down with Chris Connolly, CEO and co-founder of Marine Source, to unpack what happens when the marine industry finally gets a modern AI native marketplace built around how people actually search, browse, and decide. Think less checkbox filtering and more “type what you mean,” whether that’s “Viking in Florida under $1M” or a stream-of-consciousness description of the perfect family boat. We talk about the bigger shift behind the product: moving away from closed ecosystems and vendor lock-in toward an open ecosystem where listings, leads, and tools can travel. Chris explains why data federation matters for brokers, dealers, and manufacturers, and how pushing inventory to the places buyers already live (social media, shows, partner sites) changes lead generation and conversion. We also get into how boat shows can level up with smarter pre-planning, live map navigation, and better exhibitor ROI using real search data instead of guesswork. Then we go even wider: SEO is changing into GEO (generative engine optimization), “zero-click” results are exploding, and the old rules of website traffic are getting rewritten by AI search. If UI becomes less visible and outcomes matter more than dashboards, marine businesses need to understand where discovery is going, not where it used to be. We wrap with what Marine Source is building next, including brand pages for builders, lifecycle support beyond the sale, and why the in-person experience still matters for big purchases. Subscribe, share this with someone in the marine industry, and leave a review so more builders, brokers, dealers, and boat buyers can find the conversation. Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

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  Episode #1

  Reclaiming The Soul Of Sailing

  Oct 1, 202626 minS11

  Sailing has an image problem, and it’s not just about money. When we sat down with Chris Hammond, CEO of Henry Lloyd, at the Newport International Boat Show, we kept circling back to one uncomfortable idea: for a lot of people, the ocean still feels like a private members’ club. Chris shares what that felt like growing up on the south coast of England, why “how to start sailing” is the most common question online, and what the sport can do to feel more open without losing what makes it special. We also get into what Henry Lloyd stands for when you strip away the logo and look at the history. From early round-the-world sailing to product breakthroughs like tape sealed seams, the brand’s credibility comes from ocean racing and harsh-weather reality. Chris tells the Ocean Pro story, including three years of development, 18,000 nautical miles of testing, and the moment the flagship jacket was literally stolen the night it launched, a pretty good signal that people were paying attention. Then we go practical: Henry Lloyd’s “Sail Free” program is built to remove friction for beginners by covering an introduction to yachting course when you buy a jacket and discounting follow-on training. We also talk sailing gear innovation, four-way stretch, PFAS-free DWR, durability, and why sustainability has to be part of performance if you actually love the water. If you care about sailing culture, offshore sailing, or finding the right waterproof sailing jacket, this conversation is for you. Subscribe, share this with a sailing friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

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  Episode #5

  Making A Fishing Tournament Feel Like Home

  Aug 20, 202622 minS10

  What happens when you combine big boats, big fish, friendly competition, and a community that lives for the water? You get the 2026 Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament! On this episode of The Wards Way Podcast, we’re right in the middle of it. Host Kristina Hebert sits down with Lisa Howell and Captain Marty at Pirates Cove to talk about the first day of fishing, the strategy behind the tournament, the incredible competition, and what makes this event such a special part of the Outer Banks community. Whether you're a serious offshore fisherman, a boating enthusiast, or simply someone who loves the marine industry, this episode gives you an inside look at what makes the Pirates Cove Billfish Tournament more than just a fishing tournament. It's competition. It's tradition. It's community. It's life on the water. #wardsway #piratescove #podcast #sportsfish Wards Marine Electric https://www.wardsmarine.com/ Wards Way YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/@WardsWay75

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