She Explores

Catch-up with Kareemah Batts, founder of Adaptive Climbing Group, diversity professional, and disability advocate.  Kareemah was on the show back in May of 2018, talking about her journey of finding climbing after losing a leg to cancer, and all that she’s done to share her love of climbing with others. As a Black adaptive climber, Kareemah holds multiple identities and is wildly motivated to continue making the outdoor world more accessible for all people. In an Instagram live catch-up Gale did with Kareemah on Friday, we talked about her 2020. All the good, all the difficult. As someone who falls in the category of high risk for COVID, we were moved by her ability to continue to take on new challenges and deepen her relationship with the outdoors during a year she described as a “bad ex” you'd rather not mention by name.This special bonus episode of She Explores is brought to you by ust, who are making a name in the camping world by creating gear that helps EVERYONE get outside and enjoy the outdoors. Learn

We all have our own profound connection to land and water that should be honored and respected, but all too often, dominant narratives of what it means to be an ‘outdoorsperson’ uplifts just one way to be outdoors. In the first episode of “See Us Outside,” Gabaccia talks with leaders from Brown Girl Surf and Charles Roundtree Bloom Project to help affirm the cultural connection to nature that exists for girls and women of color. About the series: This special She Explores miniseries is made in collaboration with The Cairn Project, and made possible by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.Host Gabaccia Moreno is our guide in exploring the unique relationships girls and young women of color have with the natural world and outdoor recreation. Through the voices and stories of leaders and participants from diverse outdoor organizations doing the work to help young people of color thrive in the outdoors, this four-part audio miniseries will highlight the joy, connection, and community these girls find in natu

Creating more opportunities for access to outdoor recreation allows young women of color to define their own narratives in the outdoors. Organizations like Young Women Who Crush and Women’s Wilderness are playing a key role opening up the door to the benefits of spending time in nature. In the second episode of See Us Outside, Gabaccia explores the systemic barriers to accessing the outdoors and the liberation and healing that can occur when a woman of color gets to choose it for herself.About the series: This special She Explores miniseries is made in collaboration with The Cairn Project, and made possible by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.Host Gabaccia Moreno is our guide in exploring the unique relationships girls and young women of color have with the natural world and outdoor recreation. Through the voices and stories of leaders and participants from diverse outdoor organizations doing the work to help young people of color thrive in the outdoors, this four-part audio miniseries will highlight

In a shared space amongst Women of Color, there is a unique comfort and freedom, with no need to explain yourself or hold yourself back. The four organizations highlighted on this series are in many ways a testament of the importance of affinity spaces. Their communities, beyond creating opportunities for personal development, leadership, and outdoor skills, reveal the existence of a very special kind of joy. In episode three of See Us Outside, Gabaccia contemplates the power of nature and community in cultivating joy in the outdoors.About the series: This special She Explores miniseries is made in collaboration with The Cairn Project, and made possible by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.Host Gabaccia Moreno is our guide in exploring the unique relationships girls and young women of color have with the natural world and outdoor recreation. Through the voices and stories of leaders and participants from diverse outdoor organizations doing the work to help young people of color thrive in the outdoors,

What do we hope the future of women of color in the outdoors looks like? In the final episode of See Us Outside, we hear from leaders from across the organizations doing the work to provide outdoor opportunities, as well as the outdoor community, as they share their vision as we look ahead. About the series: This special She Explores miniseries is made in collaboration with The Cairn Project, and made possible by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.Host Gabaccia Moreno is our guide in exploring the unique relationships girls and young women of color have with the natural world and outdoor recreation. Through the voices and stories of leaders and participants from diverse outdoor organizations doing the work to help young people of color thrive in the outdoors, this four-part audio miniseries will highlight the joy, connection, and community these girls find in nature, as well as the importance of organizations doing the work to expand outdoor opportunities.We want to stress that when we say this series

Gabaccia Moreno is passionate about creating spaces to talk about what it means to explore responsibility. In both her freelance work and in her spare time, Gabaccia works on projects to help expand the conversation around conservation and public lands to be more inclusive and to tell a deeper story of what it means to recreate in them. This dedication to considered outdoor recreation is just one reason Gabaccia is such a wonderful host for our upcoming series,  See Us Outside, which launches Friday! In the last episode of 2020, we get to know Gabaccia.About Gabaccia:  Gabaccia is a first-generation Mexican-American multi-disciplinary creator, consultant, and passionate outdoor advocate #ExploringResponsibly wherever life takes her. Having grown up in Veracruz, Mexico to a family of hunters and ranchers gave her an appreciation for the land and its wildlife at an early age, one that prevails today. Her works, whether artistic, creative, or entrepreneurial, have always intersected with the social and environme

Filmmaker and climber Biz Young shares her evolution from creating stop-motion music videos in her dorm room to making short documentary films inspired by nature and driven by purpose.Featured in this episode:  Biz YoungHosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Ravel MediaSponsored by  IKON Pass & DannerJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.com & Follow Us on InstagramResourcesFeatured in this episode: Biz YoungWebsiteInstagram: @shutupbizFilms Mentioned in this episode:Bomb Ass Babes - Short Film SeriesTitan Project (via Melanin Base Camp)The Traveler Comes Home (via The North Face)Mapping Our Roles in a Social Change EcosystemRavel MediaSponsors and Discount CodesIKON Pass: Learn more about 20/21 winter season at IkonPass.com.Danner: Learn more about the Danner Trail 2650's.Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.Music is by James Childs, 

If you menstruate (and honestly, even if you don’t), it’s likely that periods are one of many factors that come into play when you’re looking to head outside. In fact, we know that’s the case-- because we recently asked the She Explores community to tell us what questions or topics they thought about when it came to navigating menstruation in the outdoors, and everyone really came through with ideas, questions, and longstanding myths they wanted to hear busted.We were hoping to find a way to meet this community enthusiasm with thoughts from someone who knows both the medical and the practical aspects of taking your period outdoors. Mary Ann Thomas, a current ICU nurse and former travel nurse, bike tourist, and a queer brown daughter of Indian immigrant parents comes to this conversation with both knowledge and applied know-how to share. Tune in to hear their insights and options around staying clean, remaining conscious of the environment, and giving yourself permission to recognize that there is always more

For people who wear plus-size apparel, it’s often downright impossible to find the gear necessary to get out and stay warm, safe, and dry on the mountain. That’s what this two-part series is about. In part one, we talk with Marielle Elizabeth. Marielle is a photographer, model, fat advocate, and the writer of a viral essay in The Cut titled “Apparently, I’m Too Fat to Ski.” Marielle speaks first hand about the need for plus size winter apparel, as well as the changes she’d like to see across the outdoor industry.In part 2, we hear from Mon Balon, the founder of Plus Snow - an online retail shop that sells plus size snow gear to fulfill the need that Marielle speaks of. Part 2 is available now in your feed.Featured in this episode:  Marielle ElizabethHosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Ravel MediaSponsored by Danner &  IKON PassJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.com & Follow Us on InstagramResourcesFeatured in this episode: Marielle ElizabethWebsiteIns

For people who wear plus-size apparel, it’s often downright impossible to find the gear necessary to get out and stay warm, safe, and dry on the mountain. That’s what this two-part series is about. In part two, we hear from Mon Balon, the founder of Plus Snow - an online retail shop that sells plus size snow gear to fulfill the need for quality gear that fits a variety of plus size bodies. Mon shares the origin story of Plus Snow, talks about how misleading supply & demand can be within the industry, and shares why she's so passionate about this work.In part one, we talk with Marielle Elizabeth. Marielle is a photographer, model, fat advocate, and the writer of a viral essay in The Cut titled “Apparently, I’m Too Fat to Ski.” Marielle speaks first hand about the need for plus size winter apparel, as well as the changes she’d like to see across the outdoor industry. Part 1 is also available now in your feed.Featured in this episode:  Marielle ElizabethHosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Rav

Every outdoor adventure we go on is affected by climate change. Listen to the experiences of two women, Dani Reyes-Acosta and Doreen Wong, as they share specific ways their adventuring has been impacted by extreme weather, wildfires, and glacial ice melt.Featured in this episode:  Dani Reyes-Acosta and Doreen WongHosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Ravel MediaSponsored by  IKON Pass, Danner, & BetterhelpJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.com & Follow Us on InstagramResourcesFeatured in this episode: Dani Reyes-AcostaWebsiteInstagram: @notlostjustdiscoveringFeatured in this episode: Doreen WongInstagram: @herclimateadventureLinkedInSubmit Your Voice for New Miniseries Highlighting Girls & Women OutdoorsProtect Our WintersLos Angeles Times article on California Fire DamageIntersectional EnvironmentalistShe Explores Episode featuring Leah Thomas: "Embracing Intersectional Environmentalism"Ravel MediaSponsors and Discount CodesIKON Pass: Learn more ab

Olivia Deihs, founder of Women in Outdoor Work, helps women land jobs in the outdoor industry and the environmental nonprofit world. Olivia helps us get a sense of what kind of outdoor jobs are out there, how to decide what’s right for you, and tips to navigate the application process. She’ll also give us a peek into her vision for the outdoor industry.Featured in this episode:  Olivia DeihsHosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Ravel MediaSponsored by  IKON Pass & DannerJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.com & Follow Us on InstagramResourcesFeatured in this episode: Olivia Deihs, founder of Women in Outdoor WorkWomen in Outdoor Work WebsiteInstagram: @womeninoutdoorworkFacebook Group CommunityTikTok: @womeninoutdoorworkEastern Sierra Conservation CorpsShe Explores Episode featuring Agnes Vianzon: "Laying the Groundwork"Ravel MediaSponsors and Discount CodesIKON Pass: Learn more about 20/21 winter season at IkonPass.com.Danner: Learn more about the Danne

Artist Amy Won is a big believer in making time in your life for wonder, even magic. And you can access it by walking out your front door. Wherever you are out there listening, today might just be a particularly tender day in an especially tender year.  Around the world, we’re all still grappling with the rippling impacts of the pandemic, keeping up with a contentious U.S. election,  and navigating a historic social uprising. Most everyone we’ve been in contact with is having some kind of hard time between the isolation, the uncertainty, and the collective trauma of this time. This is why we wanted to talk with Amy Won about the power of making time for wonder in our lives.In this episode, we’ll talk bout how a sense of enchantment got away from Amy, how she harnesses it today, and how you can access it in your daily life through nature big and small.Featured in this episode:  Amy T. WonHosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Ravel MediaSponsored by  IKON Pass, BetterHelp, & DannerJoin the She

Brittani Coury is a Paralympic snowboarder and registered nurse who loves spending her winters in the mountains. It’s where she’s found a second family, it’s where her stubbornness and dedication have helped her realize her potential as an athlete.Brittani hasn’t had a straight path in her athletic career. So she knows a thing or two about starting over, pushing through, and having fun. Which makes her the perfect person to learn from in this episode, whether you’re new to skiing or snowboarding, or looking to level up in skill and the amount of time spent on the mountain.We asked you what questions you have about skiing and snowboarding. Our hope is that everyone out there listening will be empowered by Brittani’s story and expertise to safely explore the slopes - whether It’s possible this season or in the many winters to come.Featured in this episode:  Brittani CouryHosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Ravel MediaSponsored by  Ikon PassJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit

In this final episode of the Where We Walk miniseries, we take a look at volunteering by hearing from Michela Williams and Brittany Leavitt: two individuals who have had a big hand in volunteer positions for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, as well as other leadership roles where they get to see firsthand how powerful volunteering can truly be. Brittany and Michela say it best, but as you’ll hear, volunteering is a way we build paths-- not just through the physical act, but also building connections, exposing ourselves to new experiences, taking on leadership roles, and utilizing our time as volunteers to create pathways for others: recreationalists, stewards, and community members alike.About the series: This story-forward six-part series, in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and made possible with support from REI, highlights the Appalachian Trail through both the women who helped to build it as well as those who continue to make it what it is today. Our goal is to tell a multi-dimensiona

How many times have we been told the story of the fearless leader — in work, in politics, in the mountains? When the stakes are high, it’s natural to place our confidence in strength and certainty. To turn to the leader and believe that they have no doubt, that they've built up a kind of resilience that will carry us all to safety.Today’s episode isn’t about how to become a fearless leader in the mountains. Nor is it about how to overcome your fear, or even how to harness it. But it is about listening to what fear is trying to teach us. It’s an opportunity to consider what kind of leader you need, as well as the one you might want to be.Lindsey Falkenburg shares the story of her season as a lead for BOEALPS, a mountaineering club in Seattle.Featured in this episode:  Lindsey Falkenburg, Ashley Abril, and Kristen JonesHosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Ravel MediaSponsored by  IKON Pass, BetterHelp, & DannerJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.com & Fol

In the fifth episode of Where We Walk, we hear from two incredible human voices, conservationist Sally Naser and bird researcher Amber Wendler, who are dedicated to better understanding and appreciating the wildlife on the Appalachian Trail. But unlike other episodes in this series, we're also going to hear from many wildlife voices you might not stop to hear often-- so that next time you're outdoors, you might be encouraged to move a little slower and observe the world around you. With thousands of species of animals to encounter, it's clear that wildlife on the Appalachian Trail is plentiful. But here’s a question: how much do you see and experience when you're outdoors, especially when you're hiking? Do you take some time to observe? Do you practice patience to discover what's around you? Or do you focus on moving from Point A to Point B? Of reaching the summit? Of covering the miles you planned for the day?This episode is immersive and will take you on a journey walking on the Trail for a day through list

Laura Navar, Outreach Manager at National Parks Conservation Association, considers herself to be a bit of a late bloomer in the conservation nonprofit world. She didn’t know that the environmental field would be of interest to her because conservation wasn’t something that was talked about growing up. And yet, as we’ll hear, it’s always been embedded in her Latinx family culture.In this episode, Laura will share her unique path to a green career and to claiming the title of an environmentalist. Featured in this episode: Laura Navar Hosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Ravel MediaSponsored by  BetterHelp, Danner, & Sierra DesignsJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.com & Follow Us on InstagramResourcesFollow Laura Navar on Instagram: @sweetgrassbhLA Young Leaders CouncilNational Parks Conservation AssociationLatino OutdoorsAn Intro to Latin American Magical Realism in 6 NovelsAbout Juana Inés De la CruzBlack Girls Trekkin'Ravel MediaSponsors and Discount

In the fourth episode of Where We Walk, we hear from Brittany and Laura, two women who share a longing and a love for the Appalachian Trail. Brittany fulfilled her goal of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2019, despite facing the devastating loss of her husband a few years prior. Laura dreams of hiking the Trail, but forces outside of her control have kept her from doing it. There’s a lot of talk about the universal nature of the Appalachian Trail. And there are a lot of aspects of a thru hike that unites a trail community. But the individuals that hike the A.T. bring their full, unique, selves to the trail. Laura and Brittany are different: in upbringing, in background, in temperament. Laura’s Latina, she and her parents immigrated from Colombia to Georgia when she was six years old. Brittany’s white and grew up in North Dakota. But they have something in common that’s core to what attracts them to the Trail: a need, at a particular point in their lives, to do something entirely for themselves.This episo

In the third episode of Where We Walk, we explore some of the long lasting impacts of introducing kids and young people to paths like the Appalachian Trail (A.T). Above all else, this episode is about hope. The hope that exposing children to enriching outdoor experiences will cultivate a lifelong relationship with nature.We’ll hear from a teacher who is using nature as a classroom, a mother who started to see her daughters as adults and equals through hiking the A.T., a volunteer who took the initiative to start her own youth hiking challenge, a teenager who understands that the future health of our planet is in our hands, and a 6-year-old who feels just plain happy outdoors.About the series: This story-forward six-part series, in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and made possible with support from REI, highlights the Appalachian Trail through both the women who helped to build it as well as those who continue to make it what it is today. Our goal is to tell a multi-dimensional story of the