She Explores

How many times have we been told the story of the fearless leader — in work, in politics, in the mountains? When the stakes are high, it’s natural to place our confidence in strength and certainty. To turn to the leader and believe that they have no doubt, that they've built up a kind of resilience that will carry us all to safety. Today’s episode isn’t about how to become a fearless leader in the...

In the fifth episode of Where We Walk, we hear from two incredible human voices, conservationist Sally Naser and bird researcher Amber Wendler, who are dedicated to better understanding and appreciating the wildlife on the Appalachian Trail. But unlike other episodes in this series, we're also going to hear from many wildlife voices you might not stop to hear often-- so that next time you're outdo...

Laura Navar, Outreach Manager at National Parks Conservation Association, considers herself to be a bit of a late bloomer in the conservation nonprofit world. She didn’t know that the environmental field would be of interest to her because conservation wasn’t something that was talked about growing up. And yet, as we’ll hear, it’s always been embedded in her Latinx family culture. In this episode,...

In the fourth episode of Where We Walk, we hear from Brittany and Laura, two women who share a longing and a love for the Appalachian Trail. Brittany fulfilled her goal of thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2019, despite facing the devastating loss of her husband a few years prior. Laura dreams of hiking the Trail, but forces outside of her control have kept her from doing it.  There’s a lot of...

In the third episode of Where We Walk, we explore some of the long lasting impacts of introducing kids and young people to paths like the Appalachian Trail (A.T). Above all else, this episode is about hope. The hope that exposing children to enriching outdoor experiences will cultivate a lifelong relationship with nature. We’ll hear from a teacher who is using nature as a classroom, a mother who s...

Lindsay Bourgoine of Protect Our Winters, who leads outdoor athletes and brand executives on climate policy issues and advocacy, shares the power of our voice and our vote in the fight against climate change.  There are countless issues to keep in mind as you consider who you will vote for on a state and federal level in the United States this November. And while don't make specific endorsements o...

In this second episode of “Where We Walk: Stories from the Appalachian Trail,” we’re examining the presence of women both on the Appalachian trail and within the land that hosts it-- from moments in the past, to what we see today, with hopes for where we continue on into the future. Like many spaces both in the outdoors and elsewhere, women haven’t often been recognized for the contributions we’ve...

Amber Share is the creator of Subpar Parks, a National Parks illustration project with a satirical twist. Though her sense of humor leans on sarcasm, Amber's love of the outdoors and helping adventurous creatives achieve their goals is purely genuine.  In this episode, we talk about Subpar Parks, Amber's relationship with the outdoors as it blends with creativity, her path to becoming self-employe...

On the very first episode of “Where We Walk: Stories from the Appalachian Trail,” we’re looking back - but as you’ll hear, the memories we make on the Appalachian Trail, or A.T., extend beyond the real-time steps we take. We share submissions from women whose lives have been shaped by the A.T., whether on a thru, section, or day hike. Trails help us access landscapes both familiar and new, as well...

From the age of 13, Alina Drufovka dreamed of hiking the Appalachian Trail. She spent years thinking about her next hike, but her long walks haven’t been an escape or a cure-all, they've played a very formative role in her front-country life through her relationships, her identity, and in her burgeoning artistic career. Alina “Abstract” Drufovka is a Colombian-American painter and illustrator base...

Mina Okpi is an electrical engineer-turned outdoor entrepreneur. Through her company Black Outdoor Adventurers, she helps connect people of color to the outdoors. Like a lot of small business owners, Mina didn't plan on starting an adventure tour company, but she followed the demand and she's figuring it out as it grows.  In this episode, we’ll hear from Mina about running a purpose-driven adventu...

Carrington Kernodle is a plant-lover and a plant-eater, sprinkling the seeds of what she's learned about growing a more sustainable lifestyle. She believes in spreading the most joy possible, all while causing the least amount of harm.  She shares her knowledge on her blog, Parts Homegrown . We talk about how vegan food powers her hiking, kayaking, and yoga practice, the impact our food choices ha...

Amanda Jameson has walked over 3500 miles since setting foot on the Colorado Trail in 2015. She documents her walks on her blog and handle, Brown Girl on the NST, or Brown Girl on the National Scenic Trail. Amanda’s writing is about more than simply sharing her thru-hikes as a Black, queer, woman  - it’s about taking an intersectional approach to thru-hiking, and in doing so, being one part of hel...

Sabrina Chapman's climbing story helps redefine what it means to be an elite climber. That said, you don’t need to be a climber for it to resonate with you. Sabrina is wildly thoughtful, a woman who chooses her words as carefully as she places her hands and feet on a rock wall. Her thoughts on working through fear, finding Black role models, contextualizing achievements, and the vulnerability of a...

Chevon Powell founded Refuge Outdoor Festival in 2018 to provide joy, community, connection, and refuge in the outdoors for Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and allies. This year's virtual festival will look a little different, but the same level of intention, care, and healing is imbued in each and every detail of the 3-day event. In this episode, we'll hear about the importance of community i...

Pattie Gonia can come across as larger than life in her namesake social media platform. In person, strutting through the halls of an industry that is often stuck in its ways, Pattie is indeed real, showing up in the flesh as if to say, change is here, it’s been here. Don’t look away. Pattie is a drag queen who embraces change and working together to further community in the outdoors. In this episo...

Recharging in nature helps Ash Hobbs stay energized in their 9-5 work in the criminal justice system. It also gives Ash the space to think creatively and to shift their perspective when they're feeling stuck. In this week's episode, Ash helps us examine some of the constraints we place on ourselves and others — even when we don’t realize it. We learn about the insidious ways implicit bias creeps i...

Whether running an ultramarathon, talking about recovery from her eating disorder, fighting for racial equity, or mentoring youth at Explore Austin, Rocío Villalobos practices patience, not perfection, as she achieves progress.   In this special episode, we meet up with Rocío at Westcave Preserve in Texas and hike down to a beautiful grotto. We also get to hear the trailer for the new Ravel Media...

Nicole Jackson is an environmental educator, birder, and co-creator of Black Birders Week. She's also dedicated to connecting people to the environment and each other. As a girl, nature nurtured Nicole growing up on the east side of Cleveland, and much of her career is built around returning the favor. Throughout our conversation, Nicole gifts us with nature lessons and shares how she's grown into...

Because environmentalism should be inclusive of both people and the planet. Leah Thomas, founder of IntersectionalEnvironmentalist.com, and Kristy Drutman, the podcaster behind Brown Girl Green, use the power of their platforms to help us rethink what it means to be an environmentalist in 2020. While the fight for environmental justice isn’t a new one, it’s not one that’s historically been talked...

Ashleigh Thompson is an indigenous archaeologist. She's also a runner, climber, photographer, and lifelong learner. Ashleigh's woven her many interests together and is actively building a life that is true to her values. In this episode, we talk about the importance of uplifting indigenous archeologists in the field, the life-long influence her grandmother and running has had on her life, coping w...

Danielle Belleny is a wildlife biologist, member of BlackAFinSTEM collective, and co-founder of Black Birders Week, a movement created in response to the Central Park birdwatching incident. In this episode, we’ll hear from Danielle about her love of birds, her path to becoming a wildlife biologist, and the powerful force that is Black Birders Week. Featured in this episode: Danielle Belleny Hosted...

We want to leave room in your week and your podcast feed for Black Lives Matter. Escaping to the woods, while restorative and wonderful for reflection, won’t effect change. This is a time to listen and learn. This is a time to amplify Black voices. This is a time to vote, to donate, to sign petitions, to march, to protest. This is a time to support Black businesses, educators and organizers. Pay i...

We’re heading into summer and parks and trails and beaches around the US are starting to open up again amidst the pandemic. As hikers, paddlers, climbers, runners, we crave time outside, but we also have a responsibility to do so in a way that respects the health of others and the land we’re on. We hear from four women who can help guide us in the right direction as we step out into this strange,...

We often talk on this show about what we learn about ourselves in the outdoors. We share solo experiences that help us rethink what we’re made of. But there’s a special kind of intimacy that we can cultivate with family, friends, and loved ones when we’re outside. This week, we're sharing memories that celebrate togetherness. Our hope? That you’ll listen, call a loved one, and relive an outdoor me...