She Explores

Running a nonprofit, doing advocacy work, challenging the dominant narratives of what it means to recreate outside - it all takes a lot of energy. This episode highlights filmmaker Faith Briggs and photographer & GRLSWIRL co-founder Monroe Alvarez, two women who recharge in the outdoors and on the road, and digs into the ways these excursions help them stay invigorated in their work and close to t...

We love finding inspiration in the outdoors. Nothing gets us out of a creative rut like a change of scenery: it helps provide a new perspective, a fresh way of looking at the world. Amidst the stress of the pandemic, it’s been more challenging to carve out the headspace that gives flight to those seemingly easy ideas. So for the last episode of Navigating Through, we wanted to talk with three wome...

Doris Lance is an avid hiker and wildflower photographer who happens to be over the age of 75.  She’s also the author of the book Botanical Reflections––a book to “Explore feelings, reduce anxiety, and reconcile emotional conflicts” all through time spent journaling with wildflowers. We think you’ll appreciate Doris's message to slow down and take things in, not because of age, but because of the...

Listen and learn from leaders in the outdoor industry in this special highlight episode of the virtual Women’s Outdoor Summit. In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day and created by Teresa Baker, this event centered around inclusivity, accessibility, sustainability, entrepreneurship, and outdoor career advice. Hear from inspiring and thought-provoking speakers like Dr...

Catch-up with Shelma Jun, founder of Flash Foxy and the creator of the women’s climbing festival. Shelma was on the show back in 2017, when we talked about the founding of Flash Foxy and the ripple effect of starting small in a place she knew, the climbing community.  In an Instagram live catch-up Gale did with Shelma on Thursday, we talked about her lessons from 2020, particularly the way societa...

Nicole Snell is a self-defense expert, the creator of Outdoor Defense, owner and CEO of Girls Fight Back , a solo adventurer, hike lead with Black Girls Trekkin’ , and more. Nicole’s Outdoor Defense series includes videos about subjects like: tools to address catcalling; the phrase, "I’m sorry"; safety while camping; and asking for help. By putting her two passions together—the outdoors and self d...

Photojournalist turned outdoor photographer Sofia Jaramillo wants to do more than take incredibly beautiful photos, she wants to help diversify the outdoors through her work. We talk about how she got started in photography, why who’s behind the camera matters, how she’s broadening her portfolio to include filmmaking, and the benefits and pain-points of living in the small mountain town of Jackson...

Catch-up with Erin Sullivan, the creative behind @ErinOutdoors . Erin was first on the show back in February 2017, talking about her winding path to a freelance creative career inspired by the outdoors.  In an Instagram live catch-up Gale did with Erin on Thursday, they chatted about how Erin's been making time for nature and creativity during the pandemic and how we should all offer ourselves gra...

Laura Borichevsky's been working with She Explores for many years and helped co-found Ravel Media. This Thursday, with the launch of her new podcast Sex Outside, Laura's moving on from Ravel to grow it into a show and education platform. This special episode is our team's tribute to Laura and our thank you for all she's given us in our time together. Featured in this episode:   Laura Borichevsky,...

Laura Borichevsky wants to open up more conversations about sex, gender, and love: all through digging into the many connections we can find between them and the outdoors. Gale links up with Laura to learn more about her vision for her exciting new podcast, Sex Outside. About Sex Outside: A podcast peering into all the nooks and crannies of sex, gender, and love---and their connections to the natu...

Catch-up with Kareemah Batts, founder of Adaptive Climbing Group, diversity professional, and disability advocate.  Kareemah was on the show back in May of 2018, talking about her journey of finding climbing after losing a leg to cancer, and all that she’s done to share her love of climbing with others. As a Black adaptive climber, Kareemah holds multiple identities and is wildly motivated to cont...

We all have our own profound connection to land and water that should be honored and respected, but all too often, dominant narratives of what it means to be an ‘outdoorsperson’ uplifts just one way to be outdoors. In the first episode of “See Us Outside,” Gabaccia talks with leaders from Brown Girl Surf and Charles Roundtree Bloom Project to help affirm the cultural connection to nature that exis...

Creating more opportunities for access to outdoor recreation allows young women of color to define their own narratives in the outdoors. Organizations like Young Women Who Crush and Women’s Wilderness are playing a key role opening up the door to the benefits of spending time in nature. In the second episode of See Us Outside, Gabaccia explores the systemic barriers to accessing the outdoors and t...

In a shared space amongst Women of Color, there is a unique comfort and freedom, with no need to explain yourself or hold yourself back. The four organizations highlighted on this series are in many ways a testament of the importance of affinity spaces. Their communities, beyond creating opportunities for personal development, leadership, and outdoor skills, reveal the existence of a very special...

What do we hope the future of women of color in the outdoors looks like? In the final episode of See Us Outside, we hear from leaders from across the organizations doing the work to provide outdoor opportunities, as well as the outdoor community, as they share their vision as we look ahead.  About the series:  This special She Explores miniseries is made in collaboration with The Cairn Project , a...

Gabaccia Moreno is passionate about creating spaces to talk about what it means to explore responsibility. In both her freelance work and in her spare time, Gabaccia works on projects to help expand the conversation around conservation and public lands to be more inclusive and to tell a deeper story of what it means to recreate in them. This dedication to considered outdoor recreation is just one...

Filmmaker and climber Biz Young shares her evolution from creating stop-motion music videos in her dorm room to making short documentary films inspired by nature and driven by purpose. Featured in this episode:   Biz Young Hosted & Produced by Gale Straub A production of Ravel Media Sponsored by  IKON Pass & Danner Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook Visit She-Explores.com & Follow...

If you menstruate (and honestly, even if you don’t), it’s likely that periods are one of many factors that come into play when you’re looking to head outside. In fact, we know that’s the case-- because we recently asked the She Explores community to tell us what questions or topics they thought about when it came to navigating menstruation in the outdoors, and everyone really came through with ide...

For people who wear plus-size apparel, it’s often downright impossible to find the gear necessary to get out and stay warm, safe, and dry on the mountain. That’s what this two-part series is about. In part one, we talk with Marielle Elizabeth. Marielle is a photographer, model, fat advocate, and the writer of a viral essay in The Cut titled “ Apparently, I’m Too Fat to Ski .” Marielle speaks first...

For people who wear plus-size apparel, it’s often downright impossible to find the gear necessary to get out and stay warm, safe, and dry on the mountain. That’s what this two-part series is about.  In part two, we hear from Mon Balon, the founder of Plus Snow - an online retail shop that sells plus size snow gear to fulfill the need for quality gear that fits a variety of plus size bodies. Mon sh...

Every outdoor adventure we go on is affected by climate change. Listen to the experiences of two women, Dani Reyes-Acosta and Doreen Wong, as they share specific ways their adventuring has been impacted by extreme weather, wildfires, and glacial ice melt. Featured in this episode:   Dani Reyes-Acosta and Doreen Wong Hosted & Produced by Gale Straub A production of Ravel Media Sponsored by  IKON Pa...

Olivia Deihs, founder of Women in Outdoor Work, helps women land jobs in the outdoor industry and the environmental nonprofit world. Olivia helps us get a sense of what kind of outdoor jobs are out there, how to decide what’s right for you, and tips to navigate the application process. She’ll also give us a peek into her vision for the outdoor industry. Featured in this episode:   Olivia Deihs Hos...

Artist Amy Won is a big believer in making time in your life for wonder, even magic. And you can access it by walking out your front door.  Wherever you are out there listening, today might just be a particularly tender day in an especially tender year.  Around the world, we’re all still grappling with the rippling impacts of the pandemic, keeping up with a contentious U.S. election,  and navigati...

Brittani Coury is a Paralympic snowboarder and registered nurse who loves spending her winters in the mountains. It’s where she’s found a second family, it’s where her stubbornness and dedication have helped her realize her potential as an athlete. Brittani hasn’t had a straight path in her athletic career. So she knows a thing or two about starting over, pushing through, and having fun. Which mak...

In this final episode of the Where We Walk miniseries, we take a look at volunteering by hearing from Michela Williams and Brittany Leavitt: two individuals who have had a big hand in volunteer positions for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, as well as other leadership roles where they get to see firsthand how powerful volunteering can truly be.  Brittany and Michela say it best, but as you’ll he...