The Joy Trip Project

By James Edward MillsSociety & Culture Education Personal Journals Courses

The Joy Trip Project episodes

October 01 The Korean Vegan ~ An Interview will Joanne Lee Molinaro
In Episode 5 of the Joy Trip Reading Project, James Edward Mills welcomes Joanne Molinaro, known as The Korean Vegan, author of The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma’s Kitchen.
Food and family stories: Molinaro pairs her cooking with memories of her childhood and family, connecting recipes with the people behind them.
A memorable trip for walnut cookies: In the episode’s featured excerpt, Molinaro recalls her mother standing up for her after a customer insults her in a Korean walnut cookie shop. She later pairs that story with a video of herself making walnut cookies.
Cooking and justice: The episode introduces Molinaro’s work as both a cookbook author and a legal voice who helps people understand their rights.
Featured book: The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma’s Kitchen, by Joanne Molinaro.
Explore more: The Korean Vegan · YMCA of the Rockies
The Joy Trip Reading Project
The Korean Vegan Cookbook: Reflections and Recipes from Omma’s Kitchen is a featured title of the Joy Trip Reading Project, where we build understanding of sustainability, environmental justice, and social equity through the power of books.
38 min
September 03 Thirty Below ~ An Interview with Author Cassidy Randall
## Episode 4: Thirty Below with Cassidy Randall
In 1970, six women set out to climb Denali together—and changed the history of mountaineering.
Known as the **Denali Damsels**, the team completed the first all-women’s ascent of Denali and the first all-women’s ascent of any of the world’s major high peaks. Yet for decades, their achievement remained largely absent from popular histories of exploration.
In this episode of the **Joy Trip Reading Project**, host **James Edward Mills** talks with author and journalist **Cassidy Randall** about her award-winning book, *Thirty Below: The Harrowing and Heroic Story of the First All-Women’s Ascent of Denali*.
Cassidy shares how she first discovered the story of the Denali Damsels and why she became determined to bring their accomplishments back into the historical record. Their conversation explores sexism in mountaineering, the struggle for autonomy, the power of women climbing together, and the ways dominant narratives determine whose accomplishments are remembered—and whose are forgotten.
The episode also examines a larger question at the heart of the Joy Trip Reading Project: **Who gets to be part of the story of exploration and adventure?**
For James, the conversation is especially personal. In 2013, he organized **Expedition Denali**, the first all-Black American team to attempt the summit of Denali. That shared connection to the mountain opens a wider conversation about representation, belonging, and the importance of seeing ourselves reflected in stories of outdoor achievement.
### About the Book
*Thirty Below: The Harrowing and Heroic Story of the First All-Women’s Ascent of Denali* tells the remarkable story of six women who challenged the conventions of climbing culture and proved that women could mountaineer at the highest level on their own terms.
The book was the winner of the **2025 Banff Mountain Book Award Grand Prize** and the **Literature Award for Non-Fiction**.
### About Cassidy Randall
Cassidy Randall is an author and freelance journalist whose work explores the intersections of adventure, gender, history, and the outdoors.
Learn more about her work at **CassidyRandall.com**.
### In This Episode
James and Cassidy discuss:
* How Cassidy discovered the largely forgotten story of the Denali Damsels
* Why the 1970 expedition represented a watershed moment in mountaineering history
* The sexism and exclusion women encountered in climbing culture
* Why the women ultimately chose to climb without men
* How stories that challenge dominant narratives can disappear from history
* The importance of representation in exploration and outdoor adventure
* What the Denali Damsels can teach a new generation of climbers and adventurers
### Featured Book
**Thirty Below: The Harrowing and Heroic Story of the First All-Women’s Ascent of Denali**
by Cassidy Randall
*Thirty Below* is a featured title of the **Joy Trip Reading Project**, where we build understanding of sustainability, environmental justice, and social equity through the power of books.
### Credits
Hosted by **James Edward Mills**
Produced by **Bianca Martin**
Production assistance by **Hayleigh Dunk**
The Joy Trip Project is made possible with support from **YMCA of the Rockies**, because sometimes the right setting changes the whole story. Bring your curiosity, bring your people, and join us where trails, forests, and starry skies lead to deeper conversations.
Learn more at **YMCArockies.org**.
### Join the Conversation
What did you think of this episode? Share your thoughts, questions, and reactions in the comments or leave us a review.
Subscribe to **The Joy Trip Project** wherever you listen to podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and share the episode with someone who might enjoy the conversation.
**Go be joyful.**
39 min
August 06 Campfire Stores: Tales & Travel Companions
In this episode of the Joy Trip Reading Project, James Edward Mills sits down with editors, storytellers, and creative partners Dave and Illysa Kyu, whose work invites readers to experience America’s parks, trails, and special places through the stories connected to them.
41 min
July 02 Build It Boldly | Dr. Kimberly McGlonn on Leadership, Sustainability & Social Impact
In this inspiring episode of the Joy Trip Reading Project, James Edward Mills welcomes entrepreneur, educator, and author Dr. Kimberly McGlonn for a conversation about leadership that extends far beyond business. Inspired by her book, Build It Boldly: How Daring Business Leaders Can Gain Influence and Create Impact, this discussion explores how our values shape our work, our communities, and ultimately our relationship with the world around us.
43 min
June 04 People the Planet Needs Now
In this episode of the Joy Trip Reading Project, James Edward Mills speaks with author, photographer, and conservation storyteller Dudley Edmondson about his new book People the Planet Needs Now. Together they explore representation in the outdoors, environmental justice, the healing power of nature, and the importance of allowing communities to tell their own stories. Featuring inspiring voices from across the global majority, Edmondson’s work challenges listeners to rethink who belongs in conservation and why diverse leadership is essential to the future of the planet.
42 min
April 15 Be Like Ruby Bridges
Recently I had the pleasure of attending a community discussion with an icon of the Civil Rights Movement. The distinguished lecture series at the University of Wisconsin–Madison featured a program titled “A Fireside Chat with Ruby Bridges” at the Shannon Theater in the Memorial Union. For those who may not recognize her name, the story of Ruby Bridges gained national attention when her image was depicted in Norman Rockwell's 1964 painting “The Problem We All Live With.”
4 min
December 01, 2025 The American Cowboy is Black: A Review of the Docu-series High Horse
The story of this iconic figure is portrayed with unapologetic accuracy and authenticity to reveal an unassailable truth. The American cowboy is Black.
14 min
November 03, 2025 For the Love of The Parks ~ A Discussion on Preservation
At the Outside Festival James Edward Mills of the Joy Trip Project spoke with three National Park Service leaders, Sally Jewell, David Vela and Chuck Sams
33 min
December 24, 2024 From Wrangell With Love
In 2024 the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree was harvested and delivered from the Tongass National Forest of Wrangell Alaska. For the tenth year in a row, I had the rare privilege to be the official photographer of The People’s Tree. In cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the Society of American Foresters we brought an 80-foot Sitka Spruce to the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol Building on a journey of more than 4,000 miles. Taking pictures along the way, we also gathered audio and video to tell this amazing story. In this special edition of the Joy Trip Project Podcast in three acts, we bring you the sounds and voices of our travels on the trail of a gift from the lands of Tlingit People.
39 min
October 22, 2024 Trump V.S. Harris on the Environment
After 16 years of production, the Joy Trip Project has worked hard not to endorse political candidates. With a single exception in the last Wisconsin Senate race, I’ve intentionally kept my opinions to myself. As a professional journalist, it is my obligation not to reveal my personal bias regarding any political party or partisan issue. Instead, it is my job to report on the events of our world in as objective a manner as possible. Even in this incredibly divisive and polarizing campaign season, I have recounted few details on the respective candidacies of former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Although I’ll vote for one candidate, based on my personal beliefs publicly, I’ve been silent on these matters. That’s not going to change. As a news organization it is our duty to convey to our audience the facts of any story with neither bias nor prejudice so that one can draw their conclusions, and cast their vote based on the information we’ve gathered.
Since we tend to focus on issues of environmental preservation, I believe that a summary of the two candidates’ history of protecting the natural world can best serve the interests of our readers and listeners.
Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have strikingly different records on the environment.
8 min