I'm Jason Old.

I build things that connect people, culture, and real-world outcomes.

20+
Years of experience
35+
Countries of impact
520+
Global providers
ResearchVenturesPodcastsAcademiaSurf CultureLatin AmericaStorytellingStrategyResearchVenturesPodcastsAcademiaSurf CultureLatin AmericaStorytellingStrategy

Where strategy meets story.

I work at the intersection of culture, business, and real-world systems. Over the past two decades, I’ve built across education, travel, and entrepreneurship, launching ventures like Waverii, a global surf travel marketplace spanning 40+ countries.

My work focuses on one thing: turning ideas rooted in culture into systems people actually use.

Research & academic work

Two decades of scholarship on cultural and economic systems — with a particular focus on the Americas and the way subcultures become economies.

Ph.D. in History

Specialized in U.S. and Latin American history, with a focus on the cultural, economic, and social systems shaping coastal communities — University of South Florida.

USF · Dissertation on surf tourism

Global Field Experience

20+ years across 35+ countries in education, business, nonprofit, and community development.

35+ Countries · Bilingual (EN/ES)

Academic Leadership

Former university professor and program director with 17 years designing courses and leading international academic programs.

Associate Professor · Academic Advisor

Research & writing

Selected academic and cultural work exploring Latin America, history, and global experience. Published through Academia.edu and scholarly platforms.

How I build

Every venture, podcast, or research project follows the same four movements — regardless of scale.

01

Start where things are messy

Most ideas don’t need more polish — they need structure.

02

Turn complexity into something usable

If people can’t act on it, it’s not done.

03

Build with the end in mind

Strategy only matters if it holds up in the real world.

04

Refine through repetition

The best work comes from testing, not guessing.

Platforms & projects

A selection of ventures, nonprofits, and experiences built from the ground up — each one a system designed to last.

01 · Marketplace · Live

Waverii

A global surf travel marketplace connecting travelers with local providers across 40+ countries. Built and scaled to 520+ providers, turning independent surf operators into real, bookable businesses.

02 · Nonprofit · Sport-for-development

CAN Fútbol Foundation

Sport-for-development nonprofit supporting youth through soccer, reaching 1,000+ student-athletes across Florida, Honduras, and Kenya. Creating pathways for underserved communities through structured athletic programs, community development, and public health initiatives.

Airbnb Experience

Cultural & public history experience in Ybor City with 100+ bookings and 80+ five-star reviews, connecting travelers to authentic local heritage.

Lucky Shovel

Botanical garden and plant nursery built in Nicaragua in collaboration with local and indigenous farmers, promoting sustainable agriculture.

Surf REALTOR®

Real estate brand focused on local insight and modern lead generation, serving Central Florida with specialized market expertise.

Clarity doesn’t come from thinking more. It comes from building something real.

— My working philosophy

Podcasts & media

40+ episodes exploring surf culture, history, and place through global conversations.

The Surfing Historian

A podcast exploring surf culture, history, and place through a global lens, connecting scholars, nonprofit leaders, and adventurers in long-form conversation.

Video & YouTube

Video content exploring travel, culture, and storytelling across global perspectives and communities.

Newb Squad

An illustrated children's book introducing surfing, etiquette, and environmental awareness to young readers.

Have a project you’d like to collaborate on?

I work with a small number of founders and teams each year — usually when things are still early, messy, or undefined.

All projects & resources

The complete archive. Every platform, podcast, publication, and professional link — consolidated.

Linktree

A comprehensive directory of all projects, writing, media, and resources. Your single source for everything across the work.

LinkedIn

Professional background, experience, and latest updates on ventures, projects, and new initiatives. The long-form resume.

Have a project
in mind?