She Explores

We travel to Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia to create a story about the visible impact we leave behind on the country we live in and the countries we visit. We talk with Emily Green, director of the Torres del Paine Legacy Fund about the importance of the social, economic, and political communities teaming together to support the sustainability of the park. Gale also shadows Chilean trail volunteers as they build a new trail in Torres del Paine. We find out what motivated them to give back and what they hope to leave behind. Find out more about the Torres Del Paine Legacy Fund on their website, Instagram, and Facebook. Learn more at www.she-explores.com/podcast. Sponsored by Peak Design - Get 15% off purchases $19.95+ with code SHEEXPLORES (excludes bundles). Shop here. Join our Facebook Group! Music is by Lee Rosevere and Kai Engel.

Traci Lynn Martin is currently attempting two big goals: 1) to set a new world record for number of miles paddled in a surfski kayak 2) to be the first to circumnavigate all 5 Great Lakes in that kayak within 12 months. These are seriously big goals, but to Traci, they're just a series of little goals to show other people with Rheumatoid Arthritis what they could achieve, too. We talk with Traci about how she got into endurance kayaking, what motivated her to begin this journey, how it feels to be out there on the water day after day, and how she'll feel if she doesn't achieve those big goals. We were left feeling inspired by her mental and physical fortitude. As of yesterday, she had ~270 miles left to paddle in December for the world record. Go Traci, Go! Follow Traci's journey "Just Around the Pointe" on her website, Instagram, and Facebook. Learn more at www.she-explores.com/podcast. Sponsored by Peak Design - Get 15% off purchases $19.95+ with code SHEEXPLORES (excludes bundles). Shop here. Joi

Last winter Emma Hayward reached out to ask Gale, "What does wilderness mean to you?" Emma was working on her senior thesis project. As an environmental science major with a love for the ocean, she wanted to dig into not only the "what" of wilderness, but the "where." This episode is a piece of Emma's thesis project. It's her personal exploration to find out why wilderness is so important to us and how we make the distinction between wild and not-wild. It includes Emma's findings through survey results, research, and conversations with Dr. Nita Tallent (Cape Cod National Seashore), Dr. Craig Marin (assistant professor of SEA Semester), Rachael Miller (founder of Rozalia Project), and our own Gale Straub. Follow Emma on Instagram. Learn more at www.she-explores.com/podcast. Sponsored by Peak Design - Get 15% off purchases $19.95+ with code SHEEXPLORES (excludes bundles). Shop here. Join our Facebook Group! Music is by Kai Engel and Kevin Macleod.

We talk with Katy Fetters, founder of the movement Cerebral Palsy Strong, about how she's found adaptability and vulnerability to be her strengths on the trail, overlanding in South America, and in every day life. Katy is driven to share stories of other young people with CP as evidence that there are many ways to lead an active lifestyle with differing mobilities. Above all, Katy wants all women to channel the ability to overcome challenges, be they physical, emotional, or situational. Find Cerebral Palsy Strong stories on Instagram and through the website. Learn more at www.she-explores.com/podcast. Sponsored by Peak Design - Get 10 - 25% off sitewide (!) Thursday Nov 23rd through Tuesday Nov 28th. Join our Facebook Group! Music is by Lee Rosevere.

There's magic to be found in a small park. Writer Korrin Bishop shares Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve through the voices of three women: park superintendent Vicki Snitzler, interpretive ranger Kat Gans, and artist Jean Robertson. For the last summer season, Korrin Bishop balanced her full time job with being an artist-in-residence at Oregon Caves National Monument. In this episode, she gives us an insider's look at the ~4,500 acre park. We're drawn to what lies beneath the surface of this small community: a togetherness that results in the protection of a unique landscape and history, as well as the creation of art. Learn what it's like to work at a small park and be a part of this community. Read about 10 National Monuments at risk. Korrin's articles from her time as a writer artist in residence at Oregon Caves: Do We Need National Preserves? Yes. Here's Why. Learn more at www.she-explores.com/podcast. Sponsored by Peak Design - Be sure to check out their kickstarter this week as they revamp cla

Sarah Attar, the first female runner to represent Saudi Arabia in the Olympics, believes in the intimacy of learning a landscape on your own two feet. We talk with Sarah about the inspiration she finds in the mountain town of Mammoth Lakes, the power of tuning in to your speaking voice, and the recognition that every hill, every mile, and every accomplishment becomes a part of you. Featuring Sarah Attar. Find her on Instagram and learn more on her website. Learn more at www.she-explores.com/podcast. Sponsored by Vasque: Featuring Kelly Dona KIND : Get a free 10 pack of full-size KINDbars by visiting www.kindsnacks.com/sheexplores for more details. Just pay shipping! Join our Facebook Group! Music by Steve combs, Kai Engel, Josh Woodward, and Lee Rosevere via freemusicarchive.org.

We talk with Kylie Fly about how she's creating her own career in the outdoor industry as an adventure photographer, when it's right to say no to opportunities, and why for her, people always come first. Featuring Kylie Fly. Find her on Instagram and see more of her photography in her portfolio. Kylie's tips for making your career: 1) Put yourself out there. Whether it’s the side of a mountain, on social media, or in Peru, Kylie practices her craft by doing and showing. 2) Keep learning. Kylie emphasizes that she’s not an expert, that there’s alway more to be curious about. 3) Don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t feel like it’s happening for you, or like you’re not getting the jobs you want. Continue to do #1 - do the work that inspires. 4) Weigh the pros and cons of unpaid work. Consider how it will serve you and your goals. Consider the potential of a project beyond the current scope. 5) Take a deep breath and know it’s ok to say no sometimes. No to a work opportunity, no to a social event, no to that knot o

Host Gale takes her twin sister Lora backpacking for the very first time. They spend the night in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The hope? To be tired but happy, together. Featuring Lora and Gale Straub. Learn more at www.she-explores.com/podcast. Sponsored by Vasque KIND : Get a free 10 pack of full-size KINDbars by visiting www.kindsnacks.com/sheexplores for more details. Just pay shipping! Join our Facebook Group! Music by steve combs, Josh Woodward, Lee Rosevere, and Fog Lake via freemusicarchive.org.

The smallest moments can have a real impact on our lives. We reflect on those moments in the outdoors, in the workplace, and in our personal lives. In this episode, we hear from a solo sailor approaching fifty years old, an adventure photographer on a mission to learn how to surf, an entrepreneur letting go after a loss, and a cancer survivor celebrating with a hike - among others. Recorded in part at No Man's Land Film Festival in Carbondale, CO. Featuring: Adventure photographer and filmmaker: Kat Carney Entrepreneur and co-founder of Wylder Goods: Jainee Dial Filmmaker and artist: Margie Woods Artist: Lisa Kowieski Co-Owner & Operator Alpacka Raft: Sarah Tingey Voice Submissions from: Greta Matos Lianna Lee Kathleen Merrick Janet Seabrands Aubrey Moore Lindsay Kovar Sponsored by Vasque KIND : Get a free 10 pack of full-size KINDbars by visiting www.kindsnacks.com/sheexplores for more details. Just pay shipping! Music by steve combs, kai engel, Josh Woodward, Lee Rosevere, and Fog Lake via freemusicarc

Ever feel like you need permission to try something new? We talk with Amanda Machado, author of the Vox essay "The Strangeness of Being a Latina who Loves Hiking." Amanda brings up the astute point that we so often look around us for permission to take a risk, when we just might not find it within our close circles. Amanda's advice? Go for it anyway. We talk with Amanda about growing up in Florida, how she got into hiking and backpacking, and traveling the world in her 20's. Most importantly, we find out what she's passionate about right now, the ways in which she's merging her interests and her communities, and how she's using her talents as a writer to reach people. Learn more on the episode page via she-explores.com/podcast. Read Amanda's writing via her portfolio site, www.amandaemachado.com. Donate to Latino Outdoors and learn more about their mission. Music is by Lee Rosevere, Kai Engel, and Chris Zabriskie via Freemusicarchive.org Thanks to our sponsor, Oru Kayak. Links mentioned in this epis

On the trail, is confidence good, bad, or something in between? We talk with Lisa Michelle, a woman who lost her hiking partner tragically while hiking solo. We discover how Lisa is able to reconcile still doing what she loves when there's risk involved. Lisa doesn’t know the full details of her friend’s death (allegedly she fell while hiking in a foreign country), but she knows that her friend felt most confident (maybe too confident) in her hiking boots with a pack on. But is it OK for Lisa to still feel good about backpacking solo? Read Lisa's essay at www.she-explores.com/podcast. Thanks to our sponsor, Oru Kayak. Music is by Kai Engel, Evan Schaeffer, Soft & Furious, and Josh Woodward.

Can failure bring out the best in you? We're excited to share one of our favorite outdoor podcasts with you, "Out There Podcast." This week, we chat with host Willow Belden and share her award-winning episode, "High On Failure." Last spring, Jordan Wirfs-Brock attempted one of the toughest trail running races in existence: a 550-miler called Infinitus, which took place in the rugged mountains of Vermont. Jordan wasn't new to ultra running, but this race was more extreme than anything she'd done before. And it broke her: she failed to finish. Curiously, though, the failure didn't leave her feeling defeated. In fact, it turned out to be one of the best things that's ever happened to her. Thanks to our sponsor, Oru Kayak. Learn more at the episode page at www.outtherepodcast.com and She-Explores.com/podcast. Join our facebook group and chat about this episode! Music by MindsEye and Soft & Furious.

What do you do when your life looks great "on paper" but it isn't the life you want? We talk with Shelby Stanger, journalist and host of the podcast "Wild Ideas Worth Living" about what she gained when she left a high paying job 9 years ago to pursue a freelance journalism career. For Shelby, what looked good on paper, a job that looked fantastic in other people’s eyes and that she’d told herself should look great in her own, resulted in a dissonance that lead her to make a big life change. It’s a feeling we can all relate to - that friction in our mind when everything is not as it appears. Shelby is a big personality: she's warm, confident and funny. She loves surfing, diving deep into other people's stories, and teaching - whether its through her work or guiding women to learn how to surf. Learn more about Shelby through our episode page via she-explores.com/podcast. Shelby interviews She Explores Host Gale Straub on "Wild Ideas Worth Living." Check out our She Explores Podcas

Crystal Brindle is the park ranger only child of two park rangers. She was born to work for the National Park Service in the United States, so why did she decide to start a career as a biodiversity ranger in New Zealand? After a childhood on the move, Crystal found a home of her own. The Spanish notion of querencia that Crystal describes is core to her story - that indescribable feeling that draws you to a place. Yet, her story is also about growing up, following in her parents footsteps but ultimately gaining independence as she figures out what she wants in a career and a place. And most importantly, it’s about listening to your gut when it tells you to go. Learn more on the episode page via She-Explores.com/podcast. See Crystal's photography on her portfolio site. Sponsored by Oru Kayak Join our Facebook Group for She Explores listeners -> Music by Lee Rosevere, Josh Woodward, and Chris Zabriskie

What's top of mind for women in the outdoor industry right now? We go to the inaugural "Women's Outdoor Summit for Empowerment" in the Presidio Trust of San Francisco with that question in the back of our mind. We find out that "empowerment" is more dynamic than the story we often tell ourselves. Featuring Teresa Baker, Alyssa Ravasio, Kelly Martin, Cicely Muldoon, Jarre Hamilton, Erin Thiem, Kate Mullen, Ava Holliday, Aparna Rajagopal-Durbin, Stephanie Barron, and Andrea Thomas. Learn more on the episode page via She-Explores.com Sponsored by Oru Kayak Links mentioned in this episode: Women's Outdoor Summit for Empowerment High Country News Coverage Sylvia Ann Hewlett Sponsorship Article She Explores Facebook Group She-Explores.com Music by Lee Rosevere and Josh Woodward

We talk with Chloe O’Neill, founder of "More Than Lyme." She’s had Lyme Disease for most of her young life. For Chloe, the vague, intermittent, but often debilitating symptoms of the disease have impacted her life view in both negative and remarkably positive ways. Many of the lessons its taught her are surprisingly universal - whether that's becoming more at ease with gray areas or redefining personal strength. Stay tuned for the end of the episode, there's a sneak peak of our new podcast, "Women on the Road," hosted by Laura Hughes. Subscribe on Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Google Play, and wherever you stream stories. Learn more about it in an essay by Laura. Sponsored by Oru Kayak. Music is by Lee Rosevere and Josh Woodward via the freemusicarchive.org. Find out more at She-Explores.com/podcast and www.morethanlyme.org.

Annie Nyborg isn’t an entrepreneur or an extreme athlete or a thru hiker. She’s as passionate about the environment as she is about spending time in the backcountry as she is about being a mother. After years of feeling like the “grass was greener” everywhere but where she was - Annie let go of her expectations and in doing so, found the closest thing possible to the life work she was searching for. Learn more on She-Explores.com/podcast Sponsored by Oru Kayak Music is by Lee Rosevere via freemusicarchive.org

Agnes Vianzon has been working hard. After years of experience with the California Conservation Corps (CCC), Agnes decided to take start her own Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps (ESCC), described as a youth and young adult "development and leadership program committed to building a stronger and more inclusive community... through transformational backcountry experiences." Agnes understands the power of the backcountry because she first immersed in it herself as a 20-something in the CCC. Agnes is laying the groundwork for more than just a nonprofit, she's training and mentoring a new generation to be leaders and environmental stewards. We learn from Agnes about how her life turned out differently than her parents expected, what it's like to start a nonprofit, a bit about the work of Conservation Corps, and why she's so passionate about "Women in the Wilderness," an all-women's backpacking trip for women of color hosted by ESCC. Sponsored by Oru Kayak Links Mentioned in this episode: Easte

Sisters Julie Hotz and Shelly Blacketer grew up together in rural Texas but took very separate paths. Living 1,500 miles away, they decided to train for their first race together: a half-ironman. This episode is kind of about that race, but it's more about two sisters coming together in a novel way. You might remember thru hiker and filmmaker Julie Hotz from our second podcast episode, "On Fear: Human Powered Travel." We talked with Julie about hiking the PNT, PCT, and bike packing from LA to Glacier. She was on the precipice of big life changes: going completely freelance and deciding to call LA home. In some ways, this episode picks up where we left off. Learn about how pain can be integral to growth, the subtle bonds that tie family together, and why it's important to do hard things. Sponsored by Oru Kayak Learn more about this episode on the episode page at www.she-explores.com/podcast Music is by Lee Rosevere

How has your dad shaped your experiences in the outdoors? Prompted by a message from a new father, we asked you to share your stories and received a breadth of responses. We found that our dads have had a profound impact on our relationship with the natural world, even in his absence. Included in this episode are 21 voice memos from women of all ages and backgrounds. It's a big Venn Diagram - some overlap, but each is uniquely her own. Learn more via the episode page at www.she-explores.com/podcast Sponsored by Oru Kayak Music by Lee Rosevere, Kai Engel, Komiku, Mise, PC One, Nihilore, Chris Zabriskie