She Explores

Cindy Villaseñor is an Enrich LA Garden Ranger who strives to live a low waste lifestyle. She also loves camping, gardening outside of work, and eats vegan. Cindy didn’t grow up doing any of these things, but keeping herself open to learning and opportunities have led her to where she is today. Cindy hasn’t left people behind in choosing a low waste and vegan lifestyle, instead, she invites people in through leading by example. She knows there’s no such thing as perfection, so why make others feel bad that they’re not doing enough? Woman featured in this episode: Cindy Villaseñor Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Merrell In this episode you'll hear About how Cindy's career path changed when she took an environmental science class What she does as a Garden Ranger with Enrich LA and why she enjoys teaching others The power of leading by example Low waste camping tips Why aiming for zero waste isn't always accessible or realistic About Cindy's low waste wedding at a nursery in Los Angeles Why Yosemite is so im

For International Women's Day, 20 plus-size women hiked Mount Kilimanjaro. Each had a different reason and background, but they came together to take up space on the highest mountain in Africa. One goal? To normalize fat hiking around the world. Diandra Oliver brought along a recorder to share the seven-day trek with us. Woman featured in this episode: Diandra Oliver, Autumn Stofflet, Eve, Sharon ‘Shazz’ Nderitu, and Deb Malkin Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Merrell, ThirdLove, and GreenerWays Organic In this episode you'll hear Why Diandra Oliver wanted to climb Mount Kilimanjaro How the stakes feel higher when society's expectations don't align with your own Why reaching the summit was the main goal but why we might want to re-think summit culture The challenges of finding gear The shared experiences and bonding found in group activities (and it was typically harder for Diandra) The biodiversity of Mount Kilimanjaro Sounds and stories from the trail What acclimatization feels like Why self-care is impo

A celebration of motherhood, outdoors and otherwise. In this episode, you’ll hear from mothers and daughters; it's equal parts a letter of thanks and a guidebook of sorts for a life best lived outdoors. We asked: What’s your best memory with your mom outdoors? What landscapes and outdoor places make you think of your mom? What do you hope for your children’s relationship with the outdoors? What outdoor knowledge and advice do you (Mom) want to pass down? Why is today (Mother’s Day) special to you? Why is it complicated? We hear from both familiar and new voices as listeners and past guests answer these questions as more as we honor mothers this May. Woman featured in this episode: Tori Duhaime, Nadio Mercado, Melody and Angelica Forsyth, Alison, Meg Day, Lana Lee Wright, Liz Song Mandell, Caro Garcia, Jasmine, Elissa Story, Jenni Goldman, Lynn Doiron, Anastasia Alison, Kathleen Ruland, and Laura Hughes. Hosted by Gale Straub *Sponsored by Merrell Resources Nadia Mercado Video: Mi Mamá & Instagram Tori

Hiking has become both a side hustle and a form of therapy for weekend adventurer Holly Johnson. We talk about how work and play blend together in her life, but also how she deliberately keeps them separate. From her first solo backpacking trip to carving out time for adventure travel outside of her 9-5 job, Holly, aka @missholldoll, is above all else a hiker. Woman featured in this episode: Holly Johnson Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Merrell, Ritual, and EarlyBirdCBD.com In this episode, you'll hear: How an ex-boyfriend reintroduced Holly to hiking (but why she kept hiking for herself) About her first solo backpacking trip Why she enjoys going out with friends but finds solo experiences to be rewarding How she grew a large Instagram following and does brand partnerships, but chooses to keep it as her side hustle What Holly likes about her 9-5 job How Holly balances what she chooses to share and what she keeps to herself Why, into her late 30's, she's made dating a smaller priority in her life, and how

This Earth Day, we’re looking on the bright side. We’re asking, how can a sense of environmental optimism keep us facing forward? What strength do we gain when we’re comfortable starting fresh - whether it’s a climbing route, in our personal lives, or in our approach to sustainability? . We climb and camp in Moab, Utah with photographer, climber, and Mountain Hardwear ambassador Kylie Fly, who knows thinking outside the box is beneficial to all aspects of life. Woman featured in this episode: Kylie Fly Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Mountain Hardwear Why Kylie gravitates towards optimism in all areas of her life How she got into climbing and the advice she has for others who want to get started Why she loves climbing Times in climbing (and life!) where she's approached a route and started from scratch How Mountain Hardwear has started from scratch with their whole gear line for spring, including tents without fire retardant chemicals Why environmental optimism can help us through challenging times The sm

Anyone else a ‘bad’ science student in high school? For those who haven’t been indoctrinated, earth science can be all intimidating facts and hard edges. Hannah Perrine Mode is an abstract artist who has found a connection to science through her artwork. Her experiences as a science communicator as part of the Juneau Icefield Research Program in Alaska have opened her up to more diverse methods of sharing glacial and earth science with people - on and off the icefield. We talk about how Hannah went from being a self-described ‘bad’ science student to using abstract art to tell the stories of glaciers to creating an installation at Google featuring women scientists. Woman featured in this episode: Hannah Perrine Mode Hosted by Gale Straub In this episode you'll hear: Why Hannah advocates for more hands-on science in high school and college How both creating art and spending time outside became an entry point for Hannah to learn more about science and geology About Hannah's love of and fascination with glacie

Shouldn't it be easier for women to use the bathroom outside? Shouldn't pants be made for female anatomy? The founders behind SheFly Apparel think so. They've reinvented pants for us to wear on the trail and elsewhere. Meet two of the three co-founders, Bianca Gonzalez and Charlotte Massey. Women featured in this episode: Bianca Gonzalez and Charlotte Massey Hosted by Gale Straub In this episode you'll hear: About Bianca's entrepreneurial philosophy, the acronym of which is appropriate: "PEE" What SheFly Apparel is, and how it came to be Why women need a solution for 'answering nature's call' outdoors Why the current position of a fly on pants is antiquated and fitting for male anatomy rather than female (and how it's also pretty darn sexist) The marketing challenges of spreading the word about a women's specific product that helps you go to the bathroom outside How the founders have balanced college and post-college life with founding a business Why SheFly Apparel hopes to revolutionize the pa(n)t

Both filmmaker Sarah Menzies and The Musical Mountaineers accomplished big things after our conversations last year. Sarah debuted her film Afghan Cycles. Rose and Anastasia played music in Seattle's Benaroya Hall. We catch up and celebrate what's next. Women featured in this episode: Sarah Menzies, Anastasia Allison, and Rose Freeman Hosted by Gale Straub In this episode you'll hear: How the Afghan Cycles film debut at Hot Docs film festival went for filmmaker Sarah Menzies Why film festivals are important for outdoor documentary films How Sarah is carving out time for her and her partner Kaitlin after devoting so much time to Afghan Cycles What Sarah wants to focus on for her next film project How she feels about Afghan Cycles being available to stream on platforms like iTunes Why Sarah wouldn't tell you she's "living the dream" but why she wouldn't have it any other way The Musical Mountaineers share about the concert they played at Benaroya Hall in Seattle (and how it wasn't as different as the

A little mindfulness goes a long way. Meet Kenya and Michelle Jackson-Saulters, founders of Outdoor Journal Tour and WE Hike to Heal. We have a lot on our minds - we often put our own needs on the backburner. Kenya and Michelle believe that self-care can look like a walk in the woods and that the effect can be multiplied with journaling and meditating. They're on a mission to help women all over the world reclaim their bodies, minds, and communities through their special guided hikes and mindfulness lessons. Women featured in this episode: Kenya Jackson and Michelle Jackson-Saulters Hosted by Gale Straub In this episode you'll hear: How meditation can amplify the positive effects of your experiences in nature What 'grounding' is and why it's important About the origin of Outdoor Journal Tour (ODJT) The positive benefits of hiking, journaling, and meditating About Michelle's first solo hike in Georgia How ODJT cultivates a welcoming and non-intimidating environment on their group hikes Why ODJT gears their wo

How has the She Explores podcast impacted you? That's what we wanted to know. So Gale’s team member and host of Women on the Road, Laura Hughes, secretly asked some of you who have been on the show in the past to share just that, and in doing so created a secret bonus episode to celebrate 100 episodes of the She Explores podcast, the She Explores community, and the work Gale has done over the past several years to help cultivate it with such intention, generosity, and care. We hope that in listening to these familiar voices, you feel some pride and kinship. Because if you’re hearing this, you’ve helped to build it. Women featured in this episode: Gale Straub, Kit Whistler, Anna Brones, Brigette Meinhold, Julie Hotz, Karen Wang, Mary Ann Thomas, Sarah Attar, Sarah Menzies, Erin Sullivan, and Lora Straub Hosted by Laura Hughes in honor of Gale Straub's hard work Learn more at She-Explores.com Join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group Resources Episode 100 of She Explores: ‘Injured & Indoors‘ Gale

What happens when injury sidelines you from your favorite outdoor activities. First off, you're not alone. This episode features four nature-loving women whose injuries necessitated surgery and lots of time for rest. We talk about the mental and physical challenges, how they coped, and how it felt when they made it outside again once more. Women featured in this episode: Hailey Hirst, Erica Aaron, Amanda Gates, and Jaime Purinton Hosted by Gale Straub In this episode you'll hear: About four women's injuries and how their recoveries put them on the sidelines of their outdoor lives How the mental challenge of healing is often harder than the physical challenge How the women coped with the isolation, immobility, and separation from the outdoor activities they love What it felt like when they were able to step back outside Sponsored by NoteCast by EX-IQ & Ritual Learn more at She-Explores.com Join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group Sponsor Websites and Codes Notecast: Head to Notecast.app and

How to make time for nature, even in the winter season. It can be be all too easy to get into a groove that doesn't include the outdoor activities you love -- but that's OK, too. This episode shares some practical tips for experiencing nature year round. We talk to She Explores and Women on the Road team members Noël Russell, Laura Hughes, and Hailey Hirst about how they incorporate nature into their everyday lives, and why it isn't always easy. Women featured in this episode: Noël Russell, Laura Hughes, and Hailey Hirst Hosted by Gale Straub Tips for experiencing nature year round, even in winter: Eat your meals outside Walking your dog Driving with your window open Try a new activity: snowshoeing, cross country skiing, skating, ice climbing, ice fishing - for a few ideas! Go out with a friend that loves cold weather Treat yourself to something you love after you step outside Read an adventurous book and experience some 'armchair' outdoor time Sent up a tent inside! Bring some plants into your home Take not

Stories connect us, help us learn, and help us better understand each other. Melanin Base Camp founder Danielle Williams taps into the power of storytelling to showcase the many different ways people of color and LGBTQ+ folks experience the outdoors. In this episode, we talk to Danielle and featured bloggers Nadia Mercado and Dr. Favia Dubyk. In interviewing Danielle, there’s a lot we could dig in to. She’s a skydiver and started “Team Blackstar Skydivers,” a community for skydivers of color. She’s third generation military. She’s coping with complications from Rheumatic Fever that have left her unable to run. She’s also one of the founding members of Diversify Outdoors, a coalition of social media influencers who share the goal of promoting diversity in outdoor spaces. Their website also hosts Teresa Baker’s Outdoor CEO Diversity pledge. For this episode, I want to highlight Danielle’s work with Melanin Base Camp and the power of storytelling, and in particular, the power of telling your own story and liste

What's the Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge? Teresa Baker and Danielle Williams share why it's important for diverse people to take the lead doing the work to make the outdoors a more inclusive, equitable place for all. They also comment on the recent announcement of a CEO Outdoor Equity Pledge by Camber Outdoors. Women featured in this minisode: Teresa Baker and Danielle Williams Resources: Outdoor CEO Diversity Pledge "Camber CEO Outdoor Equity Pledge sparks major backlash" SNEWS article by James Edward Mills Op-Ed: After the Camber Equity Pledge Blow Up Camber Outdoors Public Apology Camber Outdoors Public Statement Melanin Base Camp Instagram Melanin Base Camp Website She Explores Podcast Facebook Group Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us. Music is by Mise and Nihilore using a Creative Commons Attribution license.

Meet Jeanine Pesce, creative connector and founder of RANGE, a creative agency and magazine inspired by the culture of the outdoor movement. We talk about how she's carved out a place for herself in the outdoor industry. We also chat about the tenth issue of RANGE Mag, centered around the theme 'Work in Progress.' RANGE contributors Rocío, Hatie, and Emily share their perspectives on the theme and the unique stories about culture, product technology, and outdoor travel that they brought to the issue. Women featured in this episode: Jeanine Pesce, Rocío Villalobos, Hatie Parmeter, and Emily Hopcian Hosted by Gale Straub In this episode you'll hear: Stories around the theme of 'work in progress' How Jeanine Pesce started RANGE, a creative agency and magazine inspired by the culture of the outdoor movement Why Jeanine carved out a place for herself in the outdoor industry Why Jeanine believes in sharing her media platform with others How Rocío Villalobos sees herself as a work in progress and why it's importan

Caroline Gleich is a ski mountaineer who knows the meaning of scary but rewarding: whether she's climbing 8,000 meter mountains in the Himalayas or anticipating her future as an adventure-seeking wife and mom. Years of hard work have brought her here and while she's a self described late bloomer, Caroline's learned to trust the timing in her life. Looking back on 2018, Caroline shared on her Instagram that she summited 72 peaks and climbed 489,704 human powered vertical feet of uphill. Included in these peaks and vertical feet was the 6th highest mountain in the world, Cho Oyu. We talked with Caroline about that climb and the family she sees in her future. Even though she’s ski mountaineered some of the tallest mountains in the world, her thoughts on fear, self-trust, and creating the life she wants for herself hit close to home. Plus, we catch up with Karen Wang two years after we interviewed her for Episode 9, After the Pacific Crest Trail. Women featured in this episode: Caroline Gleich and Karen Wang Host

Heather Hansman went on a solo pack rafting adventure for the sake of conservation. Paddling the 730 mile Green River, she learned about the future of water in the west and documented her journey in her upcoming book, Downriver: Into the Future of Water in the West. We talk about her two month pack rafting trip, what it means to write an adventure memoir that's grounded in water conservation, and why addressing environmental issues doesn't have to be intimidating or impersonal. Planning ahead can be like reading a river, a graceful mix of intuition and problem solving. Women featured in this episode: Heather Hansman Hosted by Gale Straub The She Explores Book is now available for presale! Learn more here In this episode you'll hear: How Heather got started as a rafting guide Why water conservation doesn't have to be an abstract, hard to understand concept (But why it's probably more complicated than you think ) The reason Heather wanted to pack raft the Green River All the logistics involved in planning a 73

We put out a call for voice submissions, asking questions like: how will you bring what you’ve learned in the outdoors this year into 2019? Are you hoping to take up a new skill? Is there anyone you want to introduce to your outdoor life? Do you have any big trips planned? Or are you embracing resources closer to home? The answers were a resounding yes, all around. Women featured in this episode: Marissa Priestap, Alisha M’Lot Ruby and Jenni Goldman, Rhiannon Ball, Annabel Plush, Diandra Oliver, Jennifer, Meghan Young, Hailey Hirst, Kimberly Bradley, Katarina Mulec, Rachel Friedman, Kate Rafey, Rocio, Elisa Janson, Desiree Penner, Helen Wallis, Francesca Turauskis, Teresa Benitez, Greta Matos, and Christina Hickman Hosted by Gale Straub In this episode you'll hear: The question to ask yourself if you're looking to spend more time outside in 2019 Why bringing others (and pets!) out with you can be fulfilling How fat people are claiming space for themselves in the outdoor industry (and on Mount Kilimanjaro) in

Nicole Antoinette quit her thru hike of the Pacific Crest Trail after about 1,600 miles and she's ok with calling it a failure. In fact, Nicole questions why we have to choose either success or failure. Can't we be gentler with ourselves? Can't we set out to both succeed and fail? Nicole Antoinette has a gift for applying lessons she's learned to new chapters of life. We talk about how what she's learned in sobriety applies to distance running applies to thru hiking applies to us all. Women featured in this episode: Nicole Antoinette. Cameos by Carrot Quinn, Karen Wang, and Rahawa Haile Hosted by Gale Straub In this episode, you'll hear: How long distance running can be a gateway to thru hiking Physical activity as a way to cope with new sobriety Why you don't have to be "good" at something to do it Why growth is a value for Nicole When making life changes is a lonely thing Why Nicole wanted to hike the PCT on her own but also wanted a trail family What the culture is like on the PCT The awareness

Becoming a new mom has changed the way Kristina Frost experiences the outdoors. And she's realizing, it's not better or worse - it's just different. The confluence of a body in healing, a child who needs constant care, and postpartum depression means her life looks little like it did a few years ago. We talk to Kristina before and after she takes her two-month-old daughter Emma camping for the very first time. Women featured in this episode: Kristina Frost Hosted by Gale Straub In this episode, you'll hear: How Kristina compares her first backpacking experiences with being a new mom What postpartum depression feels like to Kristina The difference between PMDD and postpartum depression Why Kristina feels like she's lost her outdoor community (for now) Before and after Kristina's first camping trip with her 2 month old daughter and husband How her body's changed after pregnancy and birth Why Kristina feels like she has an old self and a new self and how the two might be integrated Advice for new moms who want