She Explores

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She Explores episodes

September 12, 2018Nature Up Close: Science Illustrator Kristin Link
Kristin Link is a science illustrator and an artist living off the grid in McCarthy, Alaska. She shares about her life there, why she loves helping people see the natural world up close through science illustration, and her tips for applying to artist-in-residencies at National Parks.
Women featured in this episode: Kristin Link, science illustrator, with a special intro segment with Chevon Powell, founder of Refuge Outdoor Festival.
Hosted by Gale Straub
In this episode, you'll hear
Chevon Powell share her vision for the Refuge Outdoor Festival coming to Tolt-MacDonald Park September 28 - 30, 2018
About Kristin's life off the grid near McCarthy, Alaska
What brought Kristin to Alaska and how it lead her to a career in science illustration
What science illustration is and the different ways you can pursue it as a career
Why Kristin focuses on the environmental aspects of science illustration
About artist-in-residencies programs through the National Park Service
What the application process is like for artist-in-residency programs
The goal of Kristin's work, whether it's science illustration or fine art
How it's difficult to live sustainably, even when you're living off the grid
How Kristin's relationship with the land and its history has evolved in her time living in Alaska
Why science illustration will never go away as a profession and why she recommends it for others interested in art and the environment
Sponsored by RxBar, Otterbox, uBiome, and Victorious
Resources:
Kristin Link: Portfolio Site and Instagram
Refuge Outdoor Festival
Artist-Residencies info from Kristin:
Call For Entry is a website that
lists calls for visual artists. There are several residencies in
national parks that post there, including Gates of the Arctic
The Wrangell Mountains Center, the nonprofit where I used to work, also has a residency application there and hosts a two-week residency in McCarthy and the Wrangell-St. Elias. Their application is also on CaFE.
Voices of the Wilderness is a
collection of artist residencies on public lands and wilderness areas
in Alaska. It is one application where people can apply to many
opportunities. In 2017 I did a residency in the Nellie Juan – College
Fiord Wilderness Study Area with the Forest Service in Prince William
Sound. There is no fee to apply which I appreciate.
The Chilkoot Trail Artist Residency has it’s own application hosted on the Yukon Arts Center’s website. Also no fee.
Some artist residencies are just listed on NPS websites or organizations that work with them, so it can be worth searching around. A surprising number of places have artist residencies, and it seems like there are more becoming available. Here is the Joshua Tree one, which I did in 2016.
Sponsor Websites & Codes
UBiome
Victorious
RxBar: Use code "SHEEXPLORES" for 25% off your first order!
Otterbox
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Music is also by Lee Rosevere, Kai Engel, Jason Shaw, Doctor Turtle, and Steve Combs using a Creative Commons Attribution license.
43 min
September 05, 2018Venturing in the Mountains and in Business: Georgina Miranda
Georgina Miranda lives mindfully in business and while pursuing the Explorer Grand Slam: standing on the highest summits in each continent as well as the North and South Pole. The founder of She Ventures and Altitude 7 shares how years spent summiting the highest mountains in the world drove home her devotion to creating businesses and taking adventures that have a positive social impact on the world. While Georgina's accomplishments are impressive, we're most struck by her ability to learn and adapt with each one.
Women featured in this episode: Georgina Miranda, founder of She Ventures
Hosted by Gale Straub
In this episode, you'll hear
What factors in Georgina’s upbringing lead her to pursue an impact-driven career focused around women’s rights
How what you’re passionate about can find you vs. the other way around
How Georgina started “choosing adventure” in her life in the form of indoor rock climbing and hiking
Why she believes 30 minutes of activity and/or mindfulness each day has a positive impact on your life, and how She Ventures launched the Move 30 Collective to help people achieve that goal
How goals like summiting Mount Everest are more achievable when you break them down into smaller steps
How Georgina came up with the idea to hike the 7 summits to raise money for gender-based violence awareness and treatment
The ways in which listening to her gut have helped her in mountaineering and running her companies
How she's become more comfortable with failure (on and off the mountain)
Why it's key to make your decisions at "base camp"
The mission behind She Ventures and the special in-person events they put on
Sponsored by Otterbox, uBiome, and Victorious.
Resources:
Georgina Miranda: Website and Instagram
She Ventures: Website and Instagram
Move30Collective: Website and Instagram
City of Joy
International Medical Corps
V Day
About Miranda's quest for the Explorer Grand Slam
Learn more on She-Explores.com
Join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group!
Sponsor Websites & Codes
Otterbox
uBiome.com/explores
Victorious.com/explores
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Music is by The Mariners.
Music is also by Lee Rosevere, Kai Engel, and Josh Woodward using a Creative Commons Attribution license.
48 min
August 22, 2018The Musical Mountaineers
Anastasia and Rose hike their violin and keyboard, respectfully, into the mountains of Washington to play music to greet the rising sun. In doing so, they hope to inspire others to share their own gifts with the world.
A little over a year ago, Anastasia Allison and Rose Freeman met in person and found out they had the same dream: to play music in the backcountry (in a low impact and respectful fashion). They decided to load up a violin and keyboard and give it a try. You can watch videos of them playing in the mountains in all seasons - surrounded by snow and in the height of summer.
In this episode, Anastasia and Rose record a recent hike up Sahale arm in the North Cascades and share what makes it special for them and others.
Women Featured in this Episode: Anastasia Allison and Rose Freeman
Addy Polet is featured in the Deuter midroll.
Hosted by Gale Straub
In this episode you'll hear
How Anastasia and Rose got started as "The Musical Mountaineers" - carrying their instruments to play music as the sun rises and sets in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest
The sounds of the two women hiking up to Sahale Arm in the Cascades to play a sunrise "concert"
How the women practice Leave No Trace when they perform and why they don't tell anyone that they're going to be out there
The challenges and rewards of hiking instruments up 3,500 feet to play
The mission behind "The Musical Mountaineers" and how it's evolved
The ways playing music in the backcountry has impacted them personally
How they improvise to create new music together
What makes Anastasia and Rose a good team
How letting go of perfection in music relates to every day life and other lessons we can draw from their performances
And about the Women on the Road Gathering in Taos, NM!
Sponsored by Victorious and Deuter
Resources
Follow The Musical Mountaineers: Instagram, Facebook, Youtube
Follow Anastasia Allison: Instagram, Podcast: The Inspired Adventurepreneur, Website
Follow Rose Freeman: Instagram
See The Musical Mountaineers Perform at Benaroya Hall
Women on the Road Gathering
Learn more on She-Explores.com
Join the conversation in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group
Sponsors & Codes
Victorious: Get the first month's membership free using the URL Victorious.com/explores
Deuter
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Music is performed by The Musical Mountaineers:
Sunrise Improvisation - original music by The Musical Mountaineers
How Great Thou Art (1885)
Great is Thy Faithfulness (1923)
Music is by Jason Shaw via Free Music Archive (CC by A license)
43 min
August 15, 2018Grandma's Ride
Taryn's grandma Carol went on a bike tour in 1944 with her girlfriend Billie. We hear from Carol about the "ordinary adventure" she took at home during World War II. This episode is an opportunity to learn about what Carol's experience was like as a woman living near Vancouver and making airplanes during the war, as well as carving out a couple of weeks for a vacation that might seem surprising to anyone who didn't live through that time. It's a reminder to ask our grandmothers questions because we never know what their stories might hold.
Taryn sent us this note with some black and white photos of her grandmother on the one bike tour of her life in 1944:
My grandmother is 93 now. During World War II she was a teenager. Instead of going to university she went to work at a factory making airplanes. One summer she got a few days off so she and a female friend did a completely self-supported bike tour from their home in Vancouver BC, over to Vancouver Island and back, except that they didn't call it a bike tour. She says they wanted to go on vacation but they didn't have a car and gas was too expensive so they took bikes. They stayed with host families and toted all the things they would need (a change of clothes and some sandwiches) in suitcases tied to their rear racks with string. Their bikes were single speeds so they walked up all the hills. There may have been boyfriends, or brothers or dads who thought that two women shouldn't embark on such a journey alone and on bikes, but that's not how Grandma remembers it. When I talk to Grandma about this trip now, she doesn't see it as a grand adventure the way that I do. She sees it as a fun girls trip she took back before she got married. I think it's a great way to think about adventure - as something that can be quite ordinary. My grandma has some photos from the trip in an old album... there's one of her friend wearing a halter top and short shorts, riding a single speed bike with a suitcase on it... uphill... while grinning ear to ear.
Taryn wanted to learn more about her grandmother Carol and a trip that seemed so out of character for her. In this episode, we
get to learn, too.
Women Featured in this Episode: Taryn and Carol Eyton
Hosted by Gale Straub
In this episode you'll hear
About the value of photographing your adventures
What it was like to be a woman working at a factory to support the war effort during World War II
How some women were empowered during this time period
What bike touring was like in 1944
How the kindness of strangers prevails over the years
What gear you'd have on a bike tour in the 1940's
Why we might just overpack for our adventures
Why Taryn's Grandma Carol doesn't see her bike trip as extraordinary, but why we still think it's an adventure
What Taryn values in her grandmother
Why it's important to ask our relatives to tell us their stories, especially as time passes
Why you might be surprised by what the older women in your life have in their past
Sponsored by Escape Campervans and Deuter
Resources:
Taryn Eyton: Blog, Instagram, and Facebook
Episode landing page on She-Explores.com
Open Road, Open Sky - Song
[Learn more on She-Explores.com][12]
Join the conversation in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group
Sponsors & Codes
-Escape Campervans: Use code 'SHEEXPLORES20' for 20% off. Book for now through June 1, 2019! Some restrictions apply - see landing page for details.
Deuter
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 Jason Shaw via Free Music Archive (CC by A license)
Music is also by The Helio Sequence
42 min
August 08, 2018Sharing Wisdom: Cheryl Strayed & Anna Brones
Cheryl Strayed never planned on giving advice professionally and doesn't love a guru, but she agrees with Anna Brones that everyone has wisdom to bestow upon others. The key is to seek as much as you share.
When our friend, the artist and writer Anna Brones offered to chat with Cheryl Strayed at Mountain Film in Telluride for She Explores, the answer was a resounding yes. Anna is working on an ongoing paper cut series called, "Women's Wisdom Project" that has evolved from simple portraits with quotes to full conversations and write ups. This episode is an extension of that concept, and offers us the opportunity to contemplate the wisdom we receive from women in our everyday lives.
Women Featured in this Episode: Cheryl Strayed and Anna Brones
Hosted by Gale Straub
In this episode you'll hear
About the evolution of Anna's "Women's Wisdom Project"
How Cheryl is an "accidental self help writer"
Why advice giving should be a horizontal exchange vs. a top down one
The importance of seeking out wisdom in those close to you
The influence Cheryl's mom had on her life, in particular as it relates to seeking out beauty in the every day
Why kindness and vulnerability are often underrated in our culture
Why Anna believes the most revolutionary wisdom is often the most basic
How Cheryl sometimes feel like she doesn't 'look like' the type of person to write 'Wild.'
That Cheryl is both a 49 year old mom, but also an avid wilderness athlete
Why Cheryl is excited to get older
How to feel better about saying "no"
The role fear plays in stepping outside and creating art
The overlaps we all have with the wisdom Cheryl shares
How through her writing, Cheryl has told the truth about real life (whether venturing into the wilderness, grieving, or setting your life back on course) and made people feel less alone
Sponsored by Escape Campervans and Deuter
Resources:
Cheryl Strayed: Portfolio, Instagram, and Twitter
Anna Brones: Portfolio, Instagram, and Twitter
Wild, Tiny Beautiful Things, Dear Sugars podcast
Women's Wisdom Project
Best American Travel Writing 2018
Learn more on She-Explores.com
Join the conversation in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group
Sponsors & Codes
-Escape Campervans: Use code 'SHEEXPLORES20' for 20% off. Book for now through June 1, 2019! Some restrictions apply - see landing page for details.
Deuter
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Music is by Lee Rosevere and Kai Engel via Free Music Archive (CC by A license)
Music is also by Liam McNally and Our Many Stars
41 min
August 01, 2018Because Trails Inspire: Sirena Rana Dufault
Sirena Rana Dufault is an expert on trails, but that hasn't always been the case: hers is a hard-won expertise born of patience. Trails inspired her to persevere through the chronic pain of fibromyalgia, develop an intimate relationship with her newfound home state of Arizona, and change the course of her career.
Women featured in this episode: Sirena Rana Dufault, founder of Trails Inspire.
Hosted by Gale Straub
Learn more about Sirena in an editorial feature, Blaze Your Own Trail, on She-Explores.com earlier this year.
In this episode, you'll hear:
How Sirena started hiking at the age of 19
The impact a car accident and the onset of Fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition, had on her life and hiking
Tips for women whose romantic partners aren't as interested in hiking or backpacking
The benefits for Sirena of hiking solo
How to stay connected when you're off the grid
What fibromyalgia feels like for Sirena and why she chooses to hike through the pain when she can
Why section hiking a long trail is a great alternative to thru hiking
History of the Arizona Trail
How hiking trails connect communities to hikers and vice versa
How Sirena started a career in trails
The work she does through her consulting company, Trails Inspire
Why promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is a key element of her company's mission statement and how she's already put that mission into practice
The book Sirena is working on for Wilderness Press
Why Sirena recommends hiking the same trail more than once
Sponsors & Codes:
Deuter
Stamps.com - Use the code "EXPLORES" for a special offer of a 4 week trial, plus postage and a digital scale!
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook.
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Visit She-Explores.com
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Sirena Rana Dufault: Instagram, Trails Inspire, Blog
Satellite transmitter Sirena uses when she's off the grid hiking: Garmin InReach
About the Arizona Trail
Music is by Lee Rosevere and Kai Engel via Free Music Archive (CC by A license)
Music is also by The Mariner
42 min
July 25, 2018Something New
What’s up with the over-the-top uncertainty we sometimes feel when we try something new? We share two women’s stories of trying new things in the outdoors in spite of self-doubt or feeling like they won’t measure up.
Women Featured in this Episode: Locke Hughes and Laura Hughes
Hosted by Gale Straub
In this episode, you'll hear:
How Gale sometimes struggles with not feeling "outdoorsy" enough
Why Gale felt a bit apprehensive about some new high-altitude activities in Winter Park, Colorado
What being outdoorsy in Florida meant to Locke growing up vs. what it means today
Why Locke loved mountain biking so much her first time that she decided to move to Utah
The benefit of trusting your mountain bike and other lessons that translate to everyday life
Why trying new things is rarely as scary as it sounds in your head
Why Laura Hughes took the opportunity to take a two week trip rafting and hiking the Alsek River in Alaska
How Laura felt before she left
Why comparing herself with others makes Laura doubt her abilities in the outdoors
What Alaska taught Laura about herself
The camera gear Laura brought with her to Alaska
The bright spots of challenging weather on a long trip
Why Laura thinks we create mental blocks to trying new things at the outdoors at time
Sponsored by Escape Campervans and Victorious
Resources:
Locke Hughes: Instagram and Portfolio
Laura Hughes: Instagram and Women on the Road
Learn more about Laura's Alaska Experience
This is the trip Laura went on with MT Sobek
Learn about Winter Park Resort
Sponsors & Codes
Escape Campervans: Use code 'SHEEXPLORES20' for 20% off. Book for now through June 1, 2019! Some restrictions apply - see landing page for details.
Victorious.com/explores: Get your first month free by heading here!
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Music is by Jason Shaw and Kai Engel via Free Music Archive (CC by A license)
Music is also by Mree.
32 min
July 18, 2018The Story of an Adventure Friendship
This is the story of how Gretchen Powers and Alexandra Roberts became adventure partners. It's also about what it means to be an adventure friend, and how you might find one, too.
Sponsored by Escape Campervans
Women Featured in this Episode: Gretchen Powers and Alexandra Roberts
Hosted and Produced by Gale Straub
In this episode, you'll hear:
How Gretchen and Alex met and why they weren't fast friends
Why going through hard things together (emotionally and in the outdoors) can strengthen bonds
The value of "just trying" in the outdoors
How Gretchen and Alex went from meeting in Maine to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for their friendaversary
The importance of knowing your friend's weaknesses in the outdoors
Advice for making new friends and adventure partners
How to hold onto friends once you make them
Learn more on the episode landing page.
Sponsors & Codes
Escape Campervans: Use code 'SHEEXPLORES20' for 20% off. Book for now through June 1, 2019! Some restrictions apply - see landing page for details.
Resources:
Gretchen Powers: Portfolio and Instagram
Alexandra Roberts: Portfolio and Instagram
Gretchen & Alex's first ski trip
Organizations to Meet Women in the Outdoors: Women Who Hike, And She's Dope Too, Wylder Goods, Outdoor Women's Alliance, Bold Betties, Hike it Baby, Hiking My Way, She Jumps, Women Who Explore
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 Lee Rosevere and Kai Engel via Free Music Archive (CC by A license)
Music is also by Memory Palace.
35 min
July 11, 2018Solo (But Not Quite Alone)
Your stories of spending time solo in the outdoors. Including a bikepacker, a so-called fat hiker, an aspiring astronaut, an extrovert, two med students, and a backcountry paddler, in short - you and me.
It's been almost 2 years since we last asked you about how you adventure solo in Episode 8 of She Explores, Alone on the Trail. Gale asked for new submissions and she received more than she could squeeze into this episode, which is a great thing! It means you're getting out there.
Please keep in mind when you listen - there are inherent risks to recreating in the backcountry, whether you're with a friend or by yourself. It's always a good idea to take inventory of your limits.
In this episode, you'll hear:
How solo time in nature opens up your headspace
Why the listeners who submitted take time for themselves solo
How Beth Bradley and Jessie Johnson used solo hiking to help quiet the negative body talk that went on in their heads
Why getting outside solo isn't always a choice
The ways in which you might be physically solo, but not quite alone while you're out there
Why an extrovert says it's ok to find other people to adventure with
The value of a long thru hike
How going it solo can be empowering
Some motivation to take the next step
Women featured in this episode:
Sunny Stroeer: Website, Outside Online Article, Alpinist Article
Jodi Spangler: Instagram
Jessie Johnson: Instagram
Beth Bradley: Watch her full story here; Instagram
Francesca Turauskis: SeizeYourAdventure.com
Savannah Simmons-Grover: Blog
Natalie Izzo: Instagram
Kathi Kamleitner: Blog
Kristine Turner
Emily Sehloff: Instagram
Ashley Franklin
Sian Proctor: Facebook and Kickstarter
Julie Hotz: Instagram and Portfolio
Hosted by Gale Straub
Sponsors & Codes:
Benchmark Maps: use code SHEEXPLORES for 20% off your order
Ritual - try your first month!
Sawyer: Enter giveaway at She-Explores.com/sawyer
World Nomads: Check out their podcast at Worldnomads.com/podcasts
Music is by Lee Rosevere, Jason Shaw, and Smaller Tide via Free Music Archive (CC by A license)
Music is also by Fort Vine.
40 min
July 04, 2018How to Be a Role Model: Mirna Valerio
Ultrarunner Mirna Valerio is a role model for many because by doing what she loves, she shows others what is possible. She’s modeling being a black, fat girl running, moving her body up and over mountains. Which begs the question - what are you modeling for others?
Women featured in this episode: Mirna Valerio, AKA "The Mirnavator." Mirna is a full-time ultrarunner, author, and public speaker. She blogs at Fat Girl Running and Runner's World.
Want to meet Mirna in person? Our friend Shanti Hodges is hosting a retreat in October. Learn more here and take $50 off with the code, 'SheExplores' at checkout!
Hosted by Gale Straub
In this episode, you'll hear:
Why when Mirna coached high school students, she taught them to love running as a lifestyle
How Mirna answers the oft-dreaded question, "What do you do?"
How nature and trail running impacts Mirna personally
The ways in which joy and suffering balance each other in ultrarunning
Why it's important to put in the work, but why it's also important to rest and listen to your body
Why Mirna doesn't believe changing one's outward appearance leads to happiness
How our culture uplifts a certain beauty standard, and the ways in which Mirna believes this is changing
What she's learned from other plus-sized women about what they want their outdoor apparel to be like
What Mirna thinks about being a role model for others
Who Mirna looks up to in her everyday life
Advice for listeners on how they can be a role model
Sponsors & Codes:
Benchmark Maps: use code SHEEXPLORES for 20% off your order
Sawyer: Enter giveaway at She-Explores.com/sawyer
World Nomads: Check out their podcast at Worldnomads.com/podcasts
Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook.
Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us.
Visit She-Explores.com
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Mirna Valerio's Instagram
Mirna Valerio's Memoir: A Beautiful Work in Progress
The Mirnavator - Short Film produced by REI and directed by Sarah Menzies
Mirna's blog, Fat Girl Running
Submit your story of going solo in the outdoors!
She Explores Facebook Group
Music is by Lee Rosevere, Kai Engel, and Steve Combs via Free Music Archive (CC by A license)
Music is also by Memory Palace.
37 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,…