She Explores

By Ravel MediaSociety & Culture Sports Health & Fitness Fitness Places & Travel Wilderness

She Explores episodes

October 16, 2019Running Towards the Sun: Verna Volker
Verna is Navajo, a mother of four, and days away from running a 50-mile ultra run. She started running after having her second child 12 years ago. Hear about Verna's journey as a runner and how it’s underlined her resilience as a person. Now she's bringing native women together by uplifting their running journeys, too.
Featured in this episode: Verna Volker
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Smartwool & Stio
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook
Visit She-Explores.com
In this episode, you'll hear:
About growing up Navajo in Northwest New Mexico
How Verna took up running after her second child
The ways running has emphasized Verna's resilience
Why Verna shares the stories of other native runners through her Instagram: @native_women_running
Verna's annual virtual run to raise awareness for Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women
Why Verna places an emphasis on safety (not fear) when running
What excites her about the future of Native Women Running
Resources
Verna Volker: Instagram
Native Women Running: Instagram
Native Women's Wilderness: Instagram & Website
Red Earth Running Co: Website
About the inaugural virtual run for MMIW
About Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women
Urban Indian Health Institute
Women's Running: The Importance of Running in Native American Culture
Learn more about the land you're exploring on: Native-Land.ca
She Explores Landing Page
Sponsors and Discount Codes
Smartwool: Learn more at Smartwool.com
Stio: Get 25% off your order when you use the code 'EXPLORE' at checkout
Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.
Music is by Swelling, Josh Woodward, Kai Engel, and Monplaisir using a creative commons attributions license.
41 min
October 09, 2019What We Need to Fuel Ourselves: Chi Pham
Chi Pham wants you to know that you can fuel your body for success as an outdoor athlete, and it doesn't have to fit in the little boxes you see on social media. Because being focused on health and wellness doesn't mean there's just one way to live your life, Chi is committed to showing up, keeping it real, and encouraging other women to be themselves above all else.
In this episode, we talk about how Chi took her training outdoors, how she slowly started fueling her body to help achieve her goals (rather than feeding into toxic diet culture), and the power Instagram can have on what we think 'fit' looks like.
Featured in this episode: Chi Pham
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Smartwool, Nature Gnaws, and Ritual
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook
Visit She-Explores.com
In this episode, you'll hear:
When Chi started identifying as an athlete, and when she took her athleticism outdoors
What Chi enjoys most about a triathlon (hint, she likes a challenge!)
Why she loves trail running
How a bike accident helped put her physical insecurities in perspective
When Chi realized her restrictive eating was taking a toll on her training
The power Instagram can have over what we think is healthy and what fit looks like
Why Chi is frustrated by the sameness of her EXPLORE feed on Instagram
Why Chi is happy not to weigh herself anymore
About her forthcoming trip to Vietnam to spend time with family and rediscover her roots
Resources
Chi Pham: Instagram & Blog
Vacation Races
She Explores Landing Page
Sponsors and Discount Codes
Smartwool: Learn more at Smartwool.com
Nature Gnaws: Sign up for their Gnaw Box subscription service and get your first month for $1 by using code "SHEEXPLORES" at checkout. Head here.
Ritual: Get 10% off your first three month at Ritual.com/explore
Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.
Music is by Kay Orange.
Music is also by Swelling, Josh Woodward, Kai Engel, and Lee Rosevere using a creative commons attributions license.
40 min
September 25, 2019Shining a Light on Caving: Katt Greaser
Katt Greaser shares her experience on a recent caving trip to Scapegoat Wilderness area in Montana, and encourages you to try the sport, too.
Featured in this episode: Katt Greaser
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Merrell & Deuter
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook
Visit She-Explores.com
In this episode, you'll hear:
How Katt got into caving
Why Katt got a later start (in her eyes) on hiking, camping, and caving
Recordings from Katt's caving trip in the Scapegoat Wilderness area in Montana
What you need to get started caving
What it feels like in the cave
The benefits of challenging yourself in a sport like caving
What Katt will carry with her from the trip
Resources
Katt Greaser: Instagram
What is caving?
Northern Rocky Mountain Grotto
Sponsors and Discount Codes
Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com
Deuter: Learn more about Deuter Aviant travel line at Deuter.com
Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.
Music is by Liam McNally.
Music is also by Lee Rosevere using a creative commons attributions license.
36 min
September 18, 2019If You Want to Try Backpacking, You're in Good Company
With the help of listeners and Backpacking 101 author Heather Balogh Rochfort, we share stories of first-time backpackers and advice to get started.
Whether you're a seasoned backpacker or a beginner, there's inspiration and a little trail magic (not the thru-hiking kind) to be found in this episode.
Woman featured in this episode: Voice memos: Maggie Rehberg, Holly Bullis, Jennifer Jansen, Lindsey Falkenburg, Victoria Wang, Laura Navar, Tori Morrison, Marie Vanderpool, Lori O’Connell, Sarah Grothjan, Alexandra Goldman, Meg Dagon, and Julie Hotz.
Interview with Heather Balogh Rochfort on getting started backpacking.
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Merrell, Deuter, and Rooted
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook
Visit She-Explores.com
In this episode, you'll hear:
Stories of listeners' first time out backpacking
The story of host Gale Straub's first backpacking trip
Conversation with Heather Balogh Rochfort, author of Backpacking 101, about practical advice for women who are new to backpacking, including:
Safety
Hygiene
What to pack
Leave No Trace
Advice from listeners about what they wish they knew when they got started, as well as specific advice for fellow solo backpackers
A bit of cheerleading you didn't know you needed to take the final step towards your first backpacking trip!
Resources
Beginner backpacking resources mentioned:
The 10 Essentials
The 7 Leave No Trace Principles
Bear Safety:
NPS Bear Safety Tips
Bear Spray and Other Options
Personal Hygiene
Backpacking with your period
Going to the bathroom
Kula Cloth
Moon Cup
Heather Balogh Rochfort: Instagram, Blog & Books - Backpacking 101 & Women Who Hike
Listeners Featured:
Maggie Rehberg: Instagram
Holly Bullis: Instagram & Website
Jennifer Jansen: Personal Instagram & Wanderluv Maps: Instagram & Website
Lindsey Falkenburg: Instagram & Tandem Trekking Blog
Victoria Wang: Instagram & Teacher Life Pod
Laura Navar: Instagram
Tori Morrison: Instagram & Tickled by Travel Blog
Marie Vanderpool: Instagram & Photography Site
Lori O'Connell: Instagram & Feed N Flow - Outdoor Adventure and Keto lifestyle blog
Sarah Grothjan: Instagram & Website; She Explores Podcast Episode - Apple Podcasts & Spotify
Alexandra Goldman: Instagram & the Ladies of the JMT facebook group she referenced
Meg Dagon: Instagram
Julie Hotz: Instagram, Website, and Unrooted Podcast
Sponsors
Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com and check out the Moab-2 Mid Hiking boots
Rooted: Get 15% off your order by heading to Rooted.nyc/explore and using the code 'Explore' at checkout
Deuter: Learn more at Deuter.com and check out the backpacking bag Laura took to the Eastern Sierras
Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.
Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, Meydän, and Josh Woodward using a creative commons attributions license.
59 min
September 11, 2019A Beautiful Place of Healing: Emilee Struss
Sometimes the hardest thing isn’t running an ultra marathon or topping out at a climbing competition, it’s showing up for yourself in small ways, taking a step back and figuring out what you need so you can figure out who you are. For a long time, Emilee Struss identified as a climber and an endurance runner. Persistent injuries have made her dig into the hard work of self-love.
Featured in this episode: Emilee Struss
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Merrell, Deuter, and ThirdLove
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook
Visit She-Explores.com
In this episode, you'll hear:
How growing up in an athletic family shaped Emilee's interest and desires
About finding climbing as a 16 year old in Minnesota
How a fall from a 70 foot tree gave Emilee a sense of gratitude beyond her years
About struggling through persistent injuries, and the space that opened up in the process
Why Emilee is more interested in enjoying the journey outdoors than big accomplishments
Why selling her climbing equipment isn't saying no to climbing, it's taking a pause and saying yes to other opportunities
What Emilee is hoping for in her writing career and business
How Emilee defines success today
Advice Emilee has for others going through injuries or setbacks
Resources
Emilee Struss: Instagram & Outtabounds Design Co.
Episode Landing Page
Sponsors and Discount Codes
Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com
Deuter: Learn more at Deuter.com
ThirdLove: Get 15% off your first order by heading to ThirdLove.com/explore
Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.
Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, Josh Woodward, and Meydän using a creative commons attributions license.
43 min
September 04, 2019With Respect for Rolling Tundra: Ranger Sara Wolman
Sara Wolman is an interpretive park ranger for US Fish and Wildlife in King Salmon, Alaska. Find out how she's building a career, fostering community, and raising a young child in the rolling tundra, and what you do to help gather valuable scientific data to help tell the story of environmental change.
Sara reached out because every day, she's confronted with a story that's just not getting enough attention: marine mammal and bird dieout on Bristol Bay - - and what it could mean for the rest of the world.
Featured in this episode: Sara Wolman
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Merrell, Deuter, and Ana Luisa
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook
Visit She-Explores.com
In this episode, you'll hear:
About how Sara fell in love with Alaska on a visit in college and knew she needed to return
Sara's early career doing trail work in Alaska, Washington, and California
About working at Katmai National Park as a ranger, and a couple of tips for those looking to work at a federal agency
What a National Park conservancy or "friends of" group is
Her career evolution to working at US Fish and Wildlife as an interpretive ranger
About the marine species die-offs occuring on Bristol Bay and what they might say about the rest of the world
How we can help collect data for federal agencies and nonprofits that can help tell the story of environmental change
Tips for gaining a deeper appreciation fo the natural world when you're spending time outsdie
What Sarah loves about living in King Salmon
How she's built community living in the bush
Why we might need to devote a whole additional episode on women in the bush of Alaska
Resources
Sara Wolman: Instagram & Website
Report Marine Mammal/bird Strandings: Fisheries.noaa.gov/report
Coastal Obesrvation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST):coasst.org
Local Environmental Observer Network (LEO Network) - You can sign up for the Northern Climate Observer here: Leonetwork.org
Bear Cams: Explore.org
Katmai Conservancy
Volunteer.org
USA Jobs
She Explores Episode: Nature Up Close - Science Illustrator Kristin Link
She Explores Episode: Conservation and Experience - Jerryne Cole
Episode Landing Page
Sponsors and Discount Codes
Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com*
Deuter: Learn more at Deuter.com
Ana Luisa: Get 10% off by using code EXPLORE10 and heading to analuisa.com/sheexplores
Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.
Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, Josh Woodward, and Meydän using a creative commons attributions license.
49 min
August 28, 2019The Vulnerability of Putting Your Voice Out There: Sarah Shimazaki
How can you do what you love without losing yourself in the process? Putting your voice out there can be a very vulnerable thing: just take it from Outside Voices podcast host Sarah Shimazaki. We talk about the very real struggle of how to balance work, passion, and your own wellbeing.
The stories you tell, the podcasts you listen to - they say a lot about you. In this episode, we’ll learn about Sarah through her work on Outside Voices as well as how that work makes her feel. Sometimes she wants to pull herself apart from it (and sometimes that’s the healthiest thing) but what she chooses to focus on says a lot about what she cares about: that the outdoors belongs to all of us.
Featured in this episode: Sarah Shimazaki
Featured in the Outside Voices Trailer: Ahjani Yepa, Olivia VanDamme, Adam Hymans, Evelyn Shimazaki and Bam Mendiola
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Merrell, GreenerWays Organic, and Ritual.
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook
Visit She-Explores.com
In this episode, you'll hear:
How Sarah started podcasting
Why the PGM ONE Summit spurred her to action
The need for a podcast that underlines that the outdoors belongs to all, not a select few
About the learning curve of podcasting and why Sarah asked for help vs. trying to do it all on her own
Why it can be hard to separate your sense of self from your work, especially if you love what you do
What ethical storytelling is and why Sarah wants it to be the norm vs. the anomoly
The boundaries that can be necessary if you want to keep doing meaningful work
Sarah's vision for Outside Voices Podcast
Why joy, healing, and power are integral outputs of Sarah's work
Resources
Sarah Shimazaki: Instagram
Outside Voices Podcast: Website, Instagram, Apple Podcasts
PGM ONE
Episode Landing Page
Sponsors and Discount Codes
Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com*
Ritual: Head to Ritual.com/explore to get 10% off your first three months
GreenerWays: Search "GreenerWays Organic" on Amazon
Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.
Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, Josh Woodward, and Meydän using a creative commons attributions license.
56 min
August 21, 2019Butterflies, Bison, and the Border Wall: Conservationist Krista Schlyer
Conservation photographer Krista Schlyer describes the almost 2,000-mile border between the US and Mexico as a vibrant landscape teeming with life. Raising awareness for its biodiversity has become an integral part of her life’s work and is the focus of a new documentary film she directed, Ay Mariposa, which came out in May.
We hear a lot about the border wall in the news, but we don’t often talk about the wildlife and landscape that its construction impacts.
Note: We want to emphasize that while there’s a lot of talk about flora and fauna in this episode, it’s not to discount the very human elements of the US/Mexico border - it’s simply to highlight what exists alongside it.
Featured in this episode: Krista Schlyer
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Merrell, Rooted, and ThirdLove
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook
Visit She-Explores.com
In this episode, you'll hear:
Krista's circuitous route to political journalism, followed by a shift to environmental journalism
Advice for making a living as a conservation photographer
How witnessing a rare herd of bison jump over a border fence changed the direction of Krista's work
Why Krista is so motivated to showcase the biodiversity at the US/Mexico border
The many animals that call both the United States and Mexico home
Why the butterfly is the perfect symbol for the delicate state of animal life along the Rio Grande
The unknown cost of human and animal life due to the border
How to keep moving forward when you're feeling discouraged by the progress of a project
About Ay Mariposa, a short documentary film telling the story of two women and a rare community of butterflies in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas
Resources
Krista Schlyer: Website
Ay Mariposa Film: Website
Almost Anywhere: A book about Krista's life changing road trip
Continental Divide: A photo book about wildlife, people, and the border wall
Episode Landing Page
Sponsors and Discount Codes
Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com
Rooted: Head to Rooted.nyc/explore and use code EXPLORE for 15% off your order
ThirdLove: Head to Thirdlove.com/explore for 15% off your order
Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.
Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, and Meydän using a creative commons attributions license.
58 min
August 14, 2019A Challenge from the Universe: Sharlene Jones
Sharlene Jones is allergic to exercise (literally) but because hiking feels like home, fear of what could happen isn't enough to keep her from hitting the trail. Instead, she's developed a familiarity with her body that makes it possible to keep moving forward.
It's hard to say what the bigger challenge from the universe was: the exercise-induced anaphylaxis or winning the lottery to hike Mount Whitney after being diagnosed. Either way, Sharlene Jones is not one to back down from a challenge.
Featured in this episode: Sharlene Jones
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Merrell
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook
Visit She-Explores.com
In this episode, you'll hear:
Why Sharlene loves hiking and other forms of exercise, and why she almost had to give them up
What an exercise allergy is and how Sharlene manages the attacks
How a service dog has helped
Why Sharlene wouldn't let fear keep her from hiking Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental United States
How as an ex-pat, hiking feels like home
How focusing on "what is", rather than on "what ifs" can help you find joy in a moment and manage chronic health issues
Words of advice for others who might have challenges or fears that get in the way of spending time outside
Resources
Sharlene Jones: Instagram
H.E.A.T. Hiking Group
About Exercise-Induced Anaphylaxis
* Woosah Art
Episode Landing Page
Sponsors and Discount Codes
Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com
Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.
Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, and Meydän using a creative commons attributions license.
49 min
August 07, 2019Giving Wildlife a Second Chance: Rescue, Rehab & Release
We humans have a habit of getting in the way of wild animals, but wildlife rehab is one way we can give back. Sirena Rana Dufault has spent nine of the last ten years volunteering at Wildlife Rehabilitation Northwest Tuscon. She shares why it's needed, what happens when an animal is taken in, funny stories along the way, and the beauty of the release.
As Sirena mentions in the episode, Wildlife Rehabilitation Northwest Tuscon is a completely self-funded facility that relies on donations. If you'd like to help support the work they do there, head to their website and donate, or give them a follow on their Facebook page to stay in touch.
Woman featured in this episode: Sirena Rana Dufault
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Merrell and Ritual
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook

Visit She-Explores.com
In this episode, you'll hear:
How Sirena got started volunteering at Wildlife Rehabilitation Northwest Tuscon
What wildlife rehabilitation is and why it's necessary
Funny (and scary!) stories from volunteering
Why Sirena loves dedicating some of her spare time to rehabilitating large birds of prey like owls and perigrine falcons
The life cycle from intake to release
When release back into the wild isn't possible
Myths and misconceptions of animal rescue
How to get involved, too!
Resources
Wildlife Rehabilitation Northwest Tuscon: Website
Sirena Rana Dufault: Instagram
Trails Inspire: Website
Episode Landing Page
Sponsors and Discount Codes
Merrell: Learn more at Merrell.com
Ritual: Get 10% your first 3 months by heading to Ritual.com/EXPLORE
Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.
Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, and Josh Woodward using a creative commons attributions license.
46 min

About She Explores

From the publisher's feed

Come find inspiration with women in the outdoors. Interviews, in-the-field recordings, and listener submissions make up a tapestry of episodes covering themes such as solo hiking and camping,…