She Explores

Cindy Villaseñor is an Enrich LA Garden Ranger who strives to live a low waste lifestyle. She also loves camping, gardening outside of work, and eats vegan. Cindy didn’t grow up doing any of these things, but keeping herself open to learning and opportunities have led her to where she is today. Cindy hasn’t left people behind in choosing a low waste and vegan lifestyle, instead, she invites people in through leading by example. She knows there’s no such thing as perfection, so why make others feel bad that they’re not doing enough? Woman featured in this episode: Cindy Villaseñor Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Merrell In this episode you'll hear About how Cindy's career path changed when she took an environmental science class What she does as a Garden Ranger with Enrich LA and why she enjoys teaching others The power of leading by example Low waste camping tips Why aiming for zero waste isn't always accessible or realistic About Cindy's low waste wedding at a nursery in Los Angeles Why Yosemite is so important to her and her husband Want to hear about Cindy's first solo camping trip? Head to the episode landing page for bonus audio! Resources Cindy Villaseñor: Instagram Enrich LA: Website Cindy's Zero Waste Vegan Taqueria Wedding Episode landing page on She-Explores.com She Explores Podcast Facebook Group Sponsor Websites and Codes Merrell: Learn more about the Ontario Mid hiking boots 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 and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons Attribution license.

For International Women's Day, 20 plus-size women hiked Mount Kilimanjaro. Each had a different reason and background, but they came together to take up space on the highest mountain in Africa. One goal? To normalize fat hiking around the world. Diandra Oliver brought along a recorder to share the seven-day trek with us. Woman featured in this episode: Diandra Oliver, Autumn Stofflet, Eve, Sharon ‘Shazz’ Nderitu, and Deb Malkin Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Merrell, ThirdLove, and GreenerWays Organic In this episode you'll hear Why Diandra Oliver wanted to climb Mount Kilimanjaro How the stakes feel higher when society's expectations don't align with your own Why reaching the summit was the main goal but why we might want to re-think summit culture The challenges of finding gear The shared experiences and bonding found in group activities (and it was typically harder for Diandra) The biodiversity of Mount Kilimanjaro Sounds and stories from the trail What acclimatization feels like Why self-care is important How standing on the top of the mountain felt Why sometimes a sign is not a summit Resources Curvy Kili Crew Instagram WHOA Travel Take the Extended Apparel Sizing Quiz Diandra Oliver's Blog Sink Ships & Instagram Sharon "Shazz" Nderitu: Instagram Deb Malkin: Instagram Eve: Instagram Autumn Stofflet: Instagram Glamour Article Adrienne Maree Brown, author of Emergent Strategy Sponsor Websites and Codes Merrell: Learn more about the Ontario Waterproof Mid hiking shoes by visiting Merrell.com ThirdLove: Get 15% off your first order by heading to Thirdlove.com/explore GreenerWays Organic: Find GreenerWays Organic on Amazon or by heading to their website Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us. Music is by Josh Woodward, Lee Rosevere and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons Attribution license.

A celebration of motherhood, outdoors and otherwise. In this episode, you’ll hear from mothers and daughters; it's equal parts a letter of thanks and a guidebook of sorts for a life best lived outdoors. We asked: What’s your best memory with your mom outdoors? What landscapes and outdoor places make you think of your mom? What do you hope for your children’s relationship with the outdoors? What outdoor knowledge and advice do you (Mom) want to pass down? Why is today (Mother’s Day) special to you? Why is it complicated? We hear from both familiar and new voices as listeners and past guests answer these questions as more as we honor mothers this May. Woman featured in this episode: Tori Duhaime, Nadio Mercado, Melody and Angelica Forsyth, Alison, Meg Day, Lana Lee Wright, Liz Song Mandell, Caro Garcia, Jasmine, Elissa Story, Jenni Goldman, Lynn Doiron, Anastasia Alison, Kathleen Ruland, and Laura Hughes. Hosted by Gale Straub *Sponsored by Merrell Resources Nadia Mercado Video: Mi Mamá & Instagram Tori Duhaime: Portfolio Melody Forsyth: Down With Adventure Elissa Story: @seattlestorys Jenni Goldman: Instagram Lynn Doiron: Instagram Anastasia Allison: Instagram Lana Lee Wright: Instagram Meg Day: Blog Laura Hughes: Instagram Sponsor Websites and Codes Merrell: Learn more about the Ontario Waterproof Mid hiking shoes 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 Josh Woodward, Lee Rosevere and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons Attribution license. Miusic is also by Liam McNally.

Hiking has become both a side hustle and a form of therapy for weekend adventurer Holly Johnson. We talk about how work and play blend together in her life, but also how she deliberately keeps them separate. From her first solo backpacking trip to carving out time for adventure travel outside of her 9-5 job, Holly, aka @missholldoll, is above all else a hiker. Woman featured in this episode: Holly Johnson Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Merrell, Ritual, and EarlyBirdCBD.com In this episode, you'll hear: How an ex-boyfriend reintroduced Holly to hiking (but why she kept hiking for herself) About her first solo backpacking trip Why she enjoys going out with friends but finds solo experiences to be rewarding How she grew a large Instagram following and does brand partnerships, but chooses to keep it as her side hustle What Holly likes about her 9-5 job How Holly balances what she chooses to share and what she keeps to herself Why, into her late 30's, she's made dating a smaller priority in her life, and how that's opened up room for hiking and travel Hiking trips on her bucketlist (and to return to!) About the adventure trip she's running to Costa Rica The She Explores book & Tour Resources Holly Johnson: Instagram @missholldoll & Website Costa Rica trip Holly is co-hosting with Trova She-Explores.com Sponsor Websites and Codes Merrell: Learn more by visiting to Merrell.com! Ritual: Get 10% off your first three months by visiting Ritual.com/explore EarlyBirdCBD.com: Get 20% off your purchase by going to EarlybirdCBD.com/explores and using code 'EXPLORES' at checkout Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us. Music is by Josh Woodward, Lee Rosevere and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons Attribution license

This Earth Day, we’re looking on the bright side. We’re asking, how can a sense of environmental optimism keep us facing forward? What strength do we gain when we’re comfortable starting fresh - whether it’s a climbing route, in our personal lives, or in our approach to sustainability? . We climb and camp in Moab, Utah with photographer, climber, and Mountain Hardwear ambassador Kylie Fly, who knows thinking outside the box is beneficial to all aspects of life. Woman featured in this episode: Kylie Fly Hosted by Gale Straub Sponsored by Mountain Hardwear Why Kylie gravitates towards optimism in all areas of her life How she got into climbing and the advice she has for others who want to get started Why she loves climbing Times in climbing (and life!) where she's approached a route and started from scratch How Mountain Hardwear has started from scratch with their whole gear line for spring, including tents without fire retardant chemicals Why environmental optimism can help us through challenging times The small steps Kylie takes to recreate and live sustainably How brands are using more sustainable (and recycled) materials What we can do when spending time outside to minimize our impact The She Explores book & Tour Resources Kylie Fly: Instagram & Portfolio Leave No Trace Mountain Hardwear Tents & Sleeping Bags She Explores Book & Tour Sponsor Websites and Codes Mountain Hardwear Products mentioned: Lamina ECO AF Sleeping Bag & Line of Flame Retardant-free tents Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us. Music is by Liam McNally, Josh Woodward, Lee Rosevere and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons Attribution license

Anyone else a ‘bad’ science student in high school? For those who haven’t been indoctrinated, earth science can be all intimidating facts and hard edges. Hannah Perrine Mode is an abstract artist who has found a connection to science through her artwork. Her experiences as a science communicator as part of the Juneau Icefield Research Program in Alaska have opened her up to more diverse methods of sharing glacial and earth science with people - on and off the icefield. We talk about how Hannah went from being a self-described ‘bad’ science student to using abstract art to tell the stories of glaciers to creating an installation at Google featuring women scientists. Woman featured in this episode: Hannah Perrine Mode Hosted by Gale Straub In this episode you'll hear: Why Hannah advocates for more hands-on science in high school and college How both creating art and spending time outside became an entry point for Hannah to learn more about science and geology About Hannah's love of and fascination with glaciers How she got involved with the Juneau Icefield Research Program (JIRP) Why Hannah argues for diverse methods of science communication The important role art plays in conservation conversations About her installation at Google that celebrates female scientists What Hannah hopes for the future of science and art Why Hannah doesn't have her career all figured out but has been enjoying looking back and seeing what has followed her throughout it so far Advice for other artists Head to She-Explores.com to meet us on our book tour! Sponsored by ThirdLove and Robinhood Join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group Sponsor Websites and Codes ThirdLove: Get 15% off your first order by heading to thirdlove.com/explore Robinhood: Get a FREE stock like Apple, Ford, or Sprint to help you build your portfolio by heading to explores.robinhood.com Resources Hannah Perrine Mode: Website & Instagram Juneau Icefield Research Program She Explores Book Book Events: Denver @ Topo Designs 4/10; Littleton, CO Tattered Cover - Aspen Grove 4/11; Moab, UT Back of Beyond Books 4/16

Shouldn't it be easier for women to use the bathroom outside? Shouldn't pants be made for female anatomy? The founders behind SheFly Apparel think so. They've reinvented pants for us to wear on the trail and elsewhere. Meet two of the three co-founders, Bianca Gonzalez and Charlotte Massey. Women featured in this episode: Bianca Gonzalez and Charlotte Massey Hosted by Gale Straub In this episode you'll hear: About Bianca's entrepreneurial philosophy, the acronym of which is appropriate: "PEE" What SheFly Apparel is, and how it came to be Why women need a solution for 'answering nature's call' outdoors Why the current position of a fly on pants is antiquated and fitting for male anatomy rather than female (and how it's also pretty darn sexist) The marketing challenges of spreading the word about a women's specific product that helps you go to the bathroom outside How the founders have balanced college and post-college life with founding a business Why SheFly Apparel hopes to revolutionize the pa(n)triarchy and what they have in store for the future Head to She-Explores.com to meet us on our book tour! Sponsored by Ritual and EarlybirdCBD.com Join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group Sponsor Websites and Codes Head to Ritual.com/explore to get 10% off your first 3 months of vitamins Head to EarlybirdCBD.com/explores and use code EXPLORES at checkout for 20% off your order Resources SheFly Apparel: Website SheFly Apparel iFundWomen crowdfunding campaign Kyle Wright: Portfolio She Explores Book & Tour She-Explores.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, Lee Rosevere and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons Attribution license

Both filmmaker Sarah Menzies and The Musical Mountaineers accomplished big things after our conversations last year. Sarah debuted her film Afghan Cycles. Rose and Anastasia played music in Seattle's Benaroya Hall. We catch up and celebrate what's next. Women featured in this episode: Sarah Menzies, Anastasia Allison, and Rose Freeman Hosted by Gale Straub In this episode you'll hear: How the Afghan Cycles film debut at Hot Docs film festival went for filmmaker Sarah Menzies Why film festivals are important for outdoor documentary films How Sarah is carving out time for her and her partner Kaitlin after devoting so much time to Afghan Cycles What Sarah wants to focus on for her next film project How she feels about Afghan Cycles being available to stream on platforms like iTunes Why Sarah wouldn't tell you she's "living the dream" but why she wouldn't have it any other way The Musical Mountaineers share about the concert they played at Benaroya Hall in Seattle (and how it wasn't as different as they thought it would be from playing in the mountains) The beauty in the fact that wherever Anastasia and Rose play their instruments, the feeling is the same. What Rose and Anastasia are excited about Anastasia's p-cloth company, Kula Cloth The possibility The Musical Mountaineers see in 2019 (for themselves and for others!) The She Explores book We're doing a She Explores book event at REI Seattle May 1st at 6:30PM. Mark your calendar! Sponsored by NoteCast by EX-IQ and Warby Parker Learn more at She-Explores.com Join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group Sponsor Websites and Codes Warby Parker: Head to warbyparker.com/EXPLORE to order your free Home Try-On’s today. Notecast: Head to Notecast.app and use code EXPLORES at checkout for 60 days free! Resources Sarah's Episode: All In Rose and Anastasia's episode: The Musical Mountaineers Afghan Cycles: Find it on iTunes and find out where you else you can stream it Afghan Cycles: Website Sarah Menzies: Instagram & Let Media The Musical Mountaineers: Instagram & Facebook Kula Cloth: Website & Instagram Anastasia Allison: Instagram and Website Rose Freeman: Instagram She Explores Book Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us. Music is by Josh Woodward, Lee Rosevere and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons Attribution license.

A little mindfulness goes a long way. Meet Kenya and Michelle Jackson-Saulters, founders of Outdoor Journal Tour and WE Hike to Heal. We have a lot on our minds - we often put our own needs on the backburner. Kenya and Michelle believe that self-care can look like a walk in the woods and that the effect can be multiplied with journaling and meditating. They're on a mission to help women all over the world reclaim their bodies, minds, and communities through their special guided hikes and mindfulness lessons. Women featured in this episode: Kenya Jackson and Michelle Jackson-Saulters Hosted by Gale Straub In this episode you'll hear: How meditation can amplify the positive effects of your experiences in nature What 'grounding' is and why it's important About the origin of Outdoor Journal Tour (ODJT) The positive benefits of hiking, journaling, and meditating About Michelle's first solo hike in Georgia How ODJT cultivates a welcoming and non-intimidating environment on their group hikes Why ODJT gears their work towards women About the Journal of Mindful Movement Why Kenya included a 'body apology' in the journal How when we think about health, we should include mental as well as physical health About WE Hike to Heal and the March initiative culminating in group hikes around North America on March 30th Why embracing healing doesn't mean there's something wrong with us Sponsored by NoteCast by EX-IQ, ThirdLove, and EarlybirdCBD.com Learn more at She-Explores.com Join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group Sponsor Websites and Codes Notecast: Head to Notecast.app and use code EXPLORES at checkout for 60 days free! ThirdLove: Get 15% off your first order by heading to ThirdLove.com/explore EarlybirdCBD: Head to EarlybirdCBD.com/explores and use code EXPLORES at checkout for 20% off Resources Outdoor Journal Tour: Website & Instagram WE Hike to Heal: Website Sign up for a hike March 30th Register to lead a #WEhiketoheal hike! Here's the form Kenya Jackson-Saulters: Website & Instagram Michelle Jackson-Saulters: Instagram UN/ROOTED podcast: Website & Instagram Mirna Valerio: Instagram & SE Podcast Episode Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us. Music is by Jason Shaw, Lee Rosevere and Kai Engel using a Creative Commons Attribution license.

How has the She Explores podcast impacted you? That's what we wanted to know. So Gale’s team member and host of Women on the Road, Laura Hughes, secretly asked some of you who have been on the show in the past to share just that, and in doing so created a secret bonus episode to celebrate 100 episodes of the She Explores podcast, the She Explores community, and the work Gale has done over the past several years to help cultivate it with such intention, generosity, and care. We hope that in listening to these familiar voices, you feel some pride and kinship. Because if you’re hearing this, you’ve helped to build it. Women featured in this episode: Gale Straub, Kit Whistler, Anna Brones, Brigette Meinhold, Julie Hotz, Karen Wang, Mary Ann Thomas, Sarah Attar, Sarah Menzies, Erin Sullivan, and Lora Straub Hosted by Laura Hughes in honor of Gale Straub's hard work Learn more at She-Explores.com Join us in our She Explores Podcast Facebook Group Resources Episode 100 of She Explores: ‘Injured & Indoors‘ Gale Straub: Instagram Kit Whistler: Instagram | Website | Episode 1 Anna Brones: Instagram | Website | Episode 58 | Episode 78 Brigette Meinhold: Instagram | Website | Episode 30 Julie Hotz: Instagram | Website | Episode 2 & Episode 32 Karen Wang: Instagram | Website | Episode 9 Mary Ann Thomas: Instagram | Website | Episode 83 Sarah Attar: Instagram | Website | Episode 45 & Episode 58 Sarah Menzies: Instagram | Website | Episode 58 & Episode 62 Erin Sullivan: Instagram | Website | Episode 21 Lora Straub: Episode 43 Enjoy this episode? Rate us on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. It’ll help other people find us. Music is by Kai Engel and Lee Rosevere using a Creative Commons Attribution license.