She Explores

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

She Explores episodes

July 31, 2019Adventure Moms: Getting Out There With (and Without) Your Kids
Becoming a mom doesn't mean you stop going outside. We pulled together five incredible adventure moms to talk about getting out there with (and without) your kids.
We ask questions like: how do you know which trails are age appropriate? How do you make time as a single mom? Where can you find affordable gear? How can you use the outdoors as a place for education?
Continuing the conversation from a panel at Outdoor Retailer, we teamed up with OtterBox to highlight all the "cans" of motherhood when it comes to the outdoors.
Woman featured in this episode: Shon’t Savage, Brooke Froelich, Heather Balogh Rochfort, Melody Forsyth, and Jessica Carrillo Alatorre.
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by OtterBox
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook
Visit She-Explores.com
In this episode, you'll hear:
How the moms' outdoor lives change (or didn''t change) shape when they had kids
Why Shon't wanted to maintain a self outside of mother when she had her son
How Adventure Mamas helps mothers with self care in the outdoors without their kids
Tips for making time outside solo (even if you're a single mom)
Advice for getting out there with your kids on the trail and the ski slope
About Hike It Baby and their new age-appropriate Family Trail Guide
Tips for hitting the trail with special needs kids from Melody Forsyth, aka @downwithadventure
How to find affordable used gear for growing kids
Ways to keep your kids engaged as they grow older
Resources
Shon’t Savage: Instagram
Brooke Froelich: Instagram
Heather Balogh Rochfort: Instagram
Melody Forsyth: Instagram
Hike It Baby
Adventure Mamas
Women Who Hike Book
Hike It Baby Trail Guide
Sponsor
OtterBox: Learn more at OtterBox.com
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.
51 min
July 24, 2019A Few Big Leaps: Becky Marcelliano
Becky Marcelliano shares how she pivoted from working as an art teacher to working her way up to be a marketing manager a marketing manager in the outdoor industry (first Deuter, then Salomon). Her interview is full of tips for breaking into a new industry, but it’s also about her openness in the face of big life changes, living with chronic illness, and an omnipresent passion for lifting women up.
Woman featured in this episode: Becky Marcelliano
Hosted by Gale Straub
Made with support by Aunt Fannie's, Benchmark Maps, Hamama, and ThirdLove
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook.
Visit She-Explores.com
In this episode, you'll hear
Becky's transition from art teacher to marketing manager in the outdoor industry
The benefits of dabbling in your interests outside of your current career
Advice for making a big career leap
What it's like working a desk job in a big outdoor company
The stigma of grappling with a mystery illness
What Becky's chronic illnesses have taught her about her health
Why Becky is passionate about lifting up other women in her work and outdoor life
Resources
Becky Marcelliano: Instagram
Outdoor Industry Lady Leaders Meetup Group
Project16x
Women Who Hike
Native Women's Wilderness
Deuter
Salomon
Sponsor Websites and Codes
Benchmark Maps: Use code 'SHEEXPLORES' for 20% off your order!
Aunt Fannie's
Hamama
ThirdLove: Head to ThirdLove.com/explore for 15% off
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.
45 min
July 10, 2019Pushing Through: Meghan and Laurie Young
Laurie Young stepped into her daughter Meghan's world by joining her on a trek to Annapurna base camp in Nepal. Together they pushed through every challenge that presented itself while learning that limits are flexible and the mother/daughter relationship is more fluid than we think.
Woman featured in this episode: Meghan Young and Laurie Young
Hosted by Gale Straub
Made with support by Aunt Fannie's, Benchmark Maps, Parks Project, and Ritual
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook.
Visit She-Explores.com
In this episode, you'll hear
How a mother/daughter relationship evolves over time
The ways a big goal can help one in recovery for a traumatic brain injury (TBI)
The ways TBI symptoms can manifest
Why Laurie and Meghan wanted to hike to Annapurna base camp together
What training for altitude and strenuous hiking was like
All the unexpected things that happened on the trip
Why Meghan wanted her Mom to feel the accomplishment of achieving their goal
How their trip had its challenges but was ultimately a privilege
What mother and daughter learned about each other abroad
Resources
Meghan Young: Instagram & Portfolio
Laurie Young: Instagram
Sponsor Websites and Codes
Benchmark Maps: Use code 'SHEEXPLORES' for 20% off your order!
Aunt Fannie's
Parks Project: Use code 'SHEEXPLORES' for 15% off all discountable apparel and accessories!
Ritual: Use code 'EXPLORE' at checkout for 10% off your first three months
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.
59 min
July 03, 2019Revisiting Fifty Plus
What's it like to enjoy the outdoors after the age of 50? We're revisiting one of our favorite episodes that helps answer that question with the voices and experiences of you, the listeners.
We're honored to be highlighting the wisdom and experience of women in their 50's, 60's, and 70's. These are voices that we don't hear as often in our youth-obsessed culture. All of these stories are extraordinary for their willingness to share, try new things, and encourage others to do the same.
Women Featured in this Episode: Jo Ann Hickey, Jean Drummond, Cheryl Falkenburg, Joann Baste, Kristi, Kathleen Merrick, Liz Wise, Rose Burrows, Tricia, Hellen Wallis, Sarah Lefler, Lisa Auvril, Gail Storey, Lori Brookes, & Dianna Stavros
Hosted by Gale Straub
Made with support by Aunt Fannie's, Benchmark Maps, Hamama, and ThirdLove
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook.
Visit She-Explores.com
Resources mentioned in this episode:
I Promise Not To Suffer: A Fool for Love Hikes the Pacific Crest
Trail by Gail Storey
Episode landing page on She-Explores.com
Sponsor Websites and Codes
Aunt Fannie's
Benchmark Maps: Use code 'sheexplores' for 20% off your order
Hamama
ThirdLove: Head to ThirdLove.com/explore and use code 'explore' for 15% off your first order
Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.
Music for this episode is by Josh Woodward, Kai Engel, and Lee Rosevere via freemusicarchive.org.
Music is also by Our Many Stars.
52 min
June 28, 2019To Be Seen: Nikki Smith
Nikki Smith likes to say that she is a climber, photographer, and writer who just happens to be transgender. Professor Brené Brown inadvertently changed Nikki's course when she wrote about midlife, "it's time to show up and be seen." It was the inspiration Nikki needed to step into herself, and it's since served as a reminder of what she wants to do for others.
We say "step into" because Nikki has always been Nikki, and she's carried a curious, creative, empathetic spirit with her throughout her life.
This conversation with Nikki Smith was made in partnership with Mountain Hardwear. If you're in the San Francisco area, climb with Nikki and the Mountain Hardwear team at Touchstone Climbing Gym Saturday, June 29th 7-10pm.
Woman featured in this episode: Nikki Smith
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Mountain Hardwear
Join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group
In this episode, you'll hear
All the different parts of Nikki's identity that make up who she is
Her creative roots in photography, climbing, writing, and cooking
Why so much of Nikki's work is grounded in connection to others
What drew her to climbing and why it became an unhealthy coping mechanism
Why 'realization' vs 'transition' is the word Nikki would choose in coming out as trans
How a quote from Brené Brown inspired Nikki to "show up and be seen"
How her story isn't entirely her own, and why she'll keep sharing it as long as it's beneficial for others
Nikki's latest creative goals
Resources
Nikki's professional Instagram: @pullphoto
Nikki's photography portfolio & writing
Nikki's Guidebooks
Brené Brown
Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Resources for Transgender People in Crisis
Flash Foxy Women's Climbing Festival
Touchstone Climbing Gym Pride Activities
She Explores episode landing page
Sponsor Websites and Resources
Mountain Hardwear
Register for Pride Touchstone Climbing Night on Saturday June 29th
Non-profits and Organizations Mentioned at the End of the Episode:
Out There Adventures
LGBTQ Outdoor Summit
Unlikely Hikers
The Venture Out Project
Queer Nature
Queer Mountaineers (Podcast)
Music is by Kai Engel, Lee Rosevere, and Josh Woodward using a creative commons attributions license.
Learn more at She-Explores.com
1 hr 1 min
June 26, 2019Two States to Go on the Appalachian Trail: Grizel Williams
Grizel Williams is a fast hiker on a crowded Appalachian Trail, just two states away from finishing. We talk life on the trail: sexism, craving loneliness, periods, food, switchbacks, and more. Grizel helps us get a feel of what the trail is like when you're in the everyday of it, and she also shares how the many people on the trail complicate her hike.
Featured in this episode: Grizel Williams
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Merrell
Continue the conversation and join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group!
In this episode, you'll hear:
Why Grizel wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail with her dog, Rue (and why she decided to let her go home halfway through)
The differences Grizel has noticed between the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Appalachian Trail (AT)
Why Grizel chose to face her loneliness on the PCT
How sexism and harassment has been a challenge for Grizel on the AT
What a typical day is like for a thru hiker
Why periods aren't fun (on or off the trail)
How Grizel experiences freedom from her own body criticism on trail
The ways in which the AT has challenged her to speak up for herself
Why a crowded trail isn't necessarily a safe trail
Why Grizel loves the simplicity of the trail
Resources
Grizel Williams: Instagram and Website
Grizel's Vlog Series
As Far as the Eye Can See by David Brill
Sponsor Websites and Codes
Merrell: Learn more by visiting Merrell.com
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Music is by Lee Rosevere, Meydan, and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons Attribution license.
She Explores airs weekly on Wednesdays - subscribe so you never miss an episode!
44 min
June 19, 2019Safer Alone in the Backcountry: Sarah Grothjan
Sarah Grothjan believes solo hiking is one of the safest things she can do. Sarah explains why she feels safer alone in the backcountry than she does in her off-trail life.
We talk with Sarah about how a city can feel less safe than being by yourself in the woods, why she wants to change the pervasive narrative that says otherwise, and how the last five years of hiking and backpacking have helped her come out of her shell and step into herself.
Featured in this episode: Sarah Grothjan
Featured in the midroll ad: Emilee Struss
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Merrell
Continue the conversation and join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group!
In this episode, you'll hear:
How Sarah got into hiking and backpacking solo
Why she wants to break the pervasive narrative that women need a man to hike safely in the backcountry
How a stalker changed her perspective on city life and words from thru-hiker Heather Anderson made her want to try backpacking
The ways hiking and backpacking helped with Sarah's shyness
That there are risks to spending time in the backcountry, but Sarah doesn't believe they are gender specific (for the most part)
The mixed reactions Sarah gets from people about her solo outdoor experiences
Why she wrote an essay for Outside Online and what the feedback was
What outdoor trips Sarah is looking forward to this summer
Resources
Sarah Grothjan: Instagram and Website
Sarah's Outside Online Article: Backpacking is My Respite from Sexual Harassment
Sponsor Websites and Codes
Merrell: Learn more by visiting Merrell.com
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Music is by Lee Rosevere, Josh Woodward, and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons Attribution license.
She Explores airs weekly on Wednesdays - subscribe so you never miss an episode!
43 min
June 12, 2019After the Wildfire: Melissa Geissinger
Melissa Geissinger lost her house in the Tubbs fire of Northern California in October 2017. Two months later, she had her son Apollo, and life changed forever once again. We talk in the episode about the "old" Melissa and the "new" Melissa a year and a half after she and her husband were displaced by wildfire. Today she has her eyes set on hiking the length of the Oregon Coast and helping others cope with trauma by giving them a platform to share their stories.
Woman featured in this episode: Melissa Geissinger
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Merrell
Continue the conversation and join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group!
In this episode, you'll hear:
How Melissa took up hiking to make time for herself
Why she was planning to hike the length of the Oregon coast
How unexpectedly losing her home in the Tubbs fire of October 2017 shaped her next year and a half
Why Melissa and her husband found home in a hospital for the first 3 months of her son's life
What she wants for her 18-month-old son, Apollo
How nature, combined with therapy, has helped her heal (but why PTSD is real)
Why she started a blog, Survival Over Surrender, to help share other people's stories of trauma
Resources
Melissa Geissinger: Website
Survival Over Surrender: Website, Instagram, and Facebook Group
She Explores Book
San Francisco Chronicle Series: Out of Fire
Unrooted Podcast
Sponsor Websites and Codes
Merrell: Learn more by visiting to Merrell.com!
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Music is by Lee Rosevere, Josh Woodward, and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons Attribution license.
She Explores airs weekly on Wednesdays - subscribe so you never miss an episode!
40 min
June 10, 2019Voices from PGM ONE
What changes about the environmental movement when people of color are both the leaders and the audience? We teamed up with REI to send writer Amanda Machado to the third annual PGM ONE Summit in Philadelphia to answer that question first hand.
Recorder in hand, Amanda talked to outdoor educators, social entrepreneurs, nonprofit workers, artists, healers, and activists. She shares what was healing for the attendees, why this conference (and others like it) is a necessity for the environmental movement, what they want those who didn't attend to know, and how we can all learn from the leadership showcased at PGM ONE.
Woman featured in this episode: Amanda Machado, Wingyi Kung, Samantha Villatoro, Agnes Vianzon, Natalie Mebane, Anahí Naranjo, Chandrika Francis, Sophie Sarker, Grace Anderson, Mayra, Stormy Saint-Val, Yakuta Poonawalla, and Princella Talley.
Featured in the midrolls: Myrian Solis Coronel and Jaylyn Gough
Music featured from the PGM ONE Summit is by Femi Olatunji, Dwight Dunston, Rhetta Morgan, Lauren Scott, Aisha Fukushima, and Mariadela Alvarez.
Hosted by Amanda Machado
Sponsored by REI
Continue the conversation and join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group!
In this episode, you'll hear:
About the PGM ONE Summit and what makes it unique
What is special for attendees about a conference on environmentalism and the outdoors with only people of the global majority
How ritual, art, and music added to the experience
The importance of de-centering whiteness in the environmental movement
How PGM ONE organizers made an effort throughout the conference to be inclusive but also acknowledged how they could do better
The unique leadership traits showcased at the summit that would be beneficial throughout the environmental space
Why race and racism should be acknowledged more often in nonprofit workplaces and everyday life
What attendees want people who weren't there to know
Takeaways from the summit
Resources
PGM ONE Summit: Website
Amanda Machado: Instagram, Twitter, Portfolio & Newsletter
Agnes Vianzon - Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps: Website & Instagram
Chandrika Francis - Oshun Swim School Website & Instagram
Groundwork Colorado
Anahí Naranjo: Instagram
Stormy Saint-Val: Instagram
Princella Talley: Instagram
Adrienne Maree Brown
Native Women's Wilderness: Website and Instagram
Sponsor Websites and Codes
REI: Hear about Force of Nature and what REI is doing to make the outdoors welcoming for all in the midroll ads in the episode.
Organizations Involved in the Conference:
Life Do Grow Farm
“The Urban Creators was founded in 2010 by a diverse group of young students, artists, activists, organizers, entrepreneurs, and creators in North Philadelphia. Inspired by our differences and shared passion for ‘creation’, we came together with a vision to transform a 2-acre garbage dump into a farm. We spent our first year organizing door-to-door to build and strengthen relationships with our closest neighbors and local allies. We spent our second year clearing away debris and planting our first seeds of change. Our third year saw the transformation this land into LIFE DO GROW; our urban farm, sanctuary, and our home.
Since then, we have revitalized over 3 acres of blighted land into a network of thriving urban farms and gardens from which we provide fresh produce to dozens of local families each year. Through our our work, we have contributed to a 40% decrease in Part 1 Violent crime since 2008 in our immediate area.
Manaai: “We provide consumers with hand-pounded paiai and poi – a hypoallergenic, sustainable alternative to gluten, soy, dairy, and GMO products. Paiai is hand-pounded taro, using the least amount of water. By purchasing paiai or poi, you are supporting local and Hawaiian farmers and putting your dollars behind sustainable food sovereignty.”
1149 Co-Op: A new co-op in South Philadelphia founded by food
makers for social change
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Additional music by Centric. Music is also by Kai Engel and Lee Rosevere using a Creative Commons Attribution license
50 min
June 05, 2019When Your Path Finds You: Sam Ortiz
Sam Ortiz has gone from a beginner to a hiker to a climber to a mountaineer to a plus-size outdoor model in under five years. Her progression has happened in part due to curiosity, timely mentors, and the best kind of fear: the kind you move up and over and end up a little bit changed on the other side.
Woman featured in this episode: Sam Ortiz
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsored by Merrell
Continue the conversation and join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group!
In this episode, you'll hear:
How Sam didn't necessarily feel like the outdoors and climbing were for her growing up, but how she found herself drawn to them anyway
How an outdoor mentor helped Sam navigate new activities when she worked for Americorps in Alaska
Why climbing Mount Juneau in Alaska taught her she could "do hard things" and opened the door to learning new outdoor activities like climbing and mountaineering
How fear has been a positive (for the most part) driver in Sam's life
That Sam lacked role models growing up as a plus-size, Latinx woman and why she's determined to change that for others
How finding her voice as a climber and mountaineer has created many unexpected opportunities, including being an outdoor model for brands like REI and Eddie Bauer
Why being closer to outdoor brands has made her want to speak out for more and better plus size apparel and equipment
What it's like being an INFJ when you're connecting with so many people
Why Sam loves seeing other plus size women on the trail
Who have been Sam's role models in her advocacy work
Resources
Sam Ortiz: Instagram & Portfolio
Jenny Bruso & Unlikely Hikers - Her episode is called 'Fat & Outdoorsy'
Mirna Valerio - Her episode is called: "How to be a Role Model"
Fat Girls Hiking: Instagram and Website
PNW Outdoor Women
Sponsor Websites and Codes
Merrell: Learn more by visiting to Merrell.com!
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Music is by Liam McNally.
Music is also by Lee Rosevere using a Creative Commons Attribution license
47 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,…