Lessons from the Ocean

How a Midwestern Teacher Moved to San Diego and Learned to Surf

By: Julie Bruder

Narrated by: Julie Bruder

Have you ever wanted to drop everything and move to California?

Julie had been teaching German in Indiana for 12 years, and longed for a new, wet adventure. One day, inspiration struck, and she decided to move to San Diego, wear Hawaiian shirts, and surf before work.

Come along on a journey west, to sunny, sandy, San Diego, as Julie leaves the comforts of her Indiana homestead for America’s Finest City. She trades a yard for the beach, friends for surfboards, and her huge, comfy classroom for a shared, hectic space.

It’s a beautiful place, but not always kind. From teaching to surfing, in museums, the forest, and the desert, through love and heartache, from Nazaré to Waikiki, Lessons from The Ocean will inspire, entertain, and resonate with anyone who loves the water, has ever started over, or fosters the aloha spirit.

Read by the author.

Audio Production, Musical Composition, and Musical Performance by Jake Carl Miller.

©2025 Julie Bruder (P)2025 Julie Bruder

An excellent resource for any Midwesterner who is considering moving to the West coast

I have privately wondered what it would be like if I were to leave the safety of the rural world and venture out to the “real world”. This book was like receiving that experience encapsulated into one very valuable pill.

Julie explains the brutality of what it means to leave everything you know and go to Cali where people are “bigger, badder & hotter”. More so than any of us homely, country peasants could ever hope to be.

This book is not overly spicy or melodramatic. It’s not just about a woman going to find some “hot bro” to make her feel whole. So if that is what you are looking for, this book is not it. Julie seems to be describing her experience as it literally happened. Which might be too much “real life” for some readers. But personally as a consumer of non-fiction. I found it to be refreshingly honest and an absolutely beautiful tribute to the hearts of those who live the Midwest.

🤟

Loved it, got to know a friend better. For anyone thinking to just up and move this might help with some of the highs and lows they might experience with the move.

Inspiring

An honest and inspiring book, made even better by being read in the author's own voice. It's a tale of dramatic change, growth, and discovery centered around the author's love of the ocean. The production is fantastic, with a little groovy surf guitar between chapters.

If you've ever had the desire to quit your job, throw your belongings in your car, and hit the road for a new life, this book is for you.

Authentic and Beautifully Told

A beautifully written and inspiring memoir about starting over and chasing adventure. The storytelling flows effortlessly, and the audiobook format makes it feel especially personal and immersive. A thoughtful, honest reflection on change, courage, community, and the lessons we learn along the way.

The Feelings of Homesickness

I really enjoyed this story. While listening, I felt like it was a year long vacation to places I'll probably never see or visit. It's a great reminder that if you don't water your own lawn, it may never be as green as someone else's.