Howie Cooke: Artivism
from Waterpeople Hosted by Lauren L. Hill & Dave Rastovich - surf stories & ocean adventures
When was the last time you had an epiphany? Artist/activist Howie Cooke shares the sudden realisation that steered the course of his life's work - a handful of decades on the front lines of marine protection via NGOs, art, music and direct action. Howie has spent 50 years boogie boarding, playing guitar and painting. He has shown in hundreds of art exhibitions around the world – in addition to his large-scale murals, mostly of cetaceans. Twenty years ago, Howie co-founded the NGO Surfers for Cetaceans to activate surf media on the issue of whaling. S4C then grew into one of surfing’s most scrappily impactful direct action organisations – through campaigns like Transparentsea, films like Academy Award winning documentary The Cove, and collaborating with groups like Paul Watson’s Sea Shepherd. Along the way we dig into what keeps conviction alive as you age: ideals without absolutism, humor as a tool, and the role of the artist in a world flooded with distraction. If you care about the power of art, cetacean conservation, ocean pollution, or creative environmental activism, this conversation offers both practical lessons and deep emotional re-centering. We talk through the campaigns, contradictions, and mindset that have kept Howie moving forward without slipping (too far) into perfectionism or despair. Send us Fan Mail ... Co-Hosts + Production: Lauren L. Hill & Dave Rastovich Sound + Video Engineer: Ben J Alexander Theme song: Shannon Sol Carroll Additional music by Kai Mcgilvray + Ben J Alexander Closing track: 'Sunseekers' by Andysixstring Join the conversation: @Waterpeoplepodcast ... Thanks to our generous sponsors this season: Patagonia Australia: in business to save our home planet Ngalung Kalla Eco Retreat: surf adventure paradise The Sunglass Fix: give your favourite sunglasses new life Sodii: hydration for salty humans ... Subscribe to our newsletter for BTS stories from making the podcast, and the books, films and music we’re currently into. Written by us + free to read.
Embed this episode
What this episode covers
When was the last time you had an epiphany? Artist/activist Howie Cooke shares the sudden realisation that steered the course of his life's work - a handful of decades on the front lines of marine protection via NGOs, art, music and direct action. Howie has spent 50 years boogie boarding, playing guitar and painting. He has shown in hundreds of art exhibitions around the world – in addition to his large-scale murals, mostly of cetaceans. Twenty years ago, Howie co-founded th...
Chapters
- 0:00 A Surreal Bowie Recording Moment
- 0:22 Welcome And Why Howie Matters
- 10:22 A Cliffside Whale Epiphany
- 18:03 Labs Acid And Latin Roots
- 24:23 Fishing Boats Sanctuaries And Threats
- 30:48 Whaling Footage Sparks A Mission
- 34:45 Telepathy Experiments And Dolphin Encounters
- 40:09 From Rainbow Warrior To Bondi
- 58:15 David Bowie And The Cheapest Guitar
- 1:36:05 Holding Conviction Without Absolutism
- 1:53:01 The Artist’s Role In A Noisy World
- 2:00:08 Humor As A Tool For Change
- 2:09:39 Hearts Bigger Than Brains
- 2:32:24 How Actions Ripple Beyond Proof
- 2:37:15 Final Thanks And Where To Connect
No transcript yet.