She Explores

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 continue making the outdoor world more accessible for all people. In an Instagram live catch-up Gale did with Kareemah on Friday, we talked about her 2020. All the good, all the difficult. As someone who falls in the category of high risk for COVID, we were moved by her ability to continue to take on new challenges and deepen her relationship with the outdoors during a year she described as a “bad ex” you'd rather not mention by name.This special bonus episode of She Explores is brought to you by ust, who are making a name in the camping world by creating gear that helps EVERYONE get outside and enjoy the outdoors. Learn more at ustgear.com and follow along on Instagram @ustgear.Featured in this episode:  Kareemah BattsHosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Ravel MediaJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.com & Follow Us on InstagramResourcesFeatured in this episode: Kareemah BattsWebsiteInstagram: @herhopnessAdaptive Climbing GroupWebsiteInstagram: @adaptclimbgroupRavel MediaEpisodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.Music by Jacob Montague and Utah via MusicBed. 

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 exists for girls and women of color. About the series: This special She Explores miniseries is made in collaboration with The Cairn Project, and made possible by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.Host Gabaccia Moreno is our guide in exploring the unique relationships girls and young women of color have with the natural world and outdoor recreation. Through the voices and stories of leaders and participants from diverse outdoor organizations doing the work to help young people of color thrive in the outdoors, this four-part audio miniseries will highlight the joy, connection, and community these girls find in nature, as well as the importance of organizations doing the work to expand outdoor opportunities.This is inclusive of all cis and trans women and girls of color, as well as folks of all gender identities who feel comfortable in spaces that center women. That said, for the most part, when we talk about gender we most often do so in terms of those who are socialized as girls and women in a more heteronormative, binary way.Featured in this episode: Cristal Cisneros, Ki’Amber Thompson, and Mira Manickam-Shirley;  Voice memos included in this episode were submitted by Meggy Pyaneeandee and Arlene HuezoHosted by Gabaccia MorenoProduced by Gabaccia Moreno, Noël Russell, and Gale StraubA Production of Ravel MediaResources:The Cairn ProjectWebsite | Instagram | FacebookOrganizations Highlighted The Charles Roundtree Bloom Project: Website | InstagramBrown Girl Surf: Website | Instagram | FacebookWomen's Wilderness: Website | Instagram | FacebookYoung Women Who Crush: Website | Instagram Featured in this episode:Cristal CisnerosKi’Amber ThompsonMira Manickam-ShirleyVoice Memos FeaturedMeggy Pyaneeandee | InstagramArlene | InstagramHost: Gabaccia MorenoWebsite | InstagramAll Four Episodes of See Us Outside Are Available Now Wherever You Listen to She ExploresThe opening See Us Outside Compilation includes the voices of Marinel De Jesus, Yakuta Poonawalla, Meggy Pyaneeandee, Fernanda Jardim, Arlene, Chi Pham, Denise Meeker and Doreen Wong and includes Spanish, French, Portuguese, Tagalog, Hindi, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and English. Music by Joy Ike & Sita via MusicBedPodcast Art by Susana Castro @susdraws

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 the liberation and healing that can occur when a woman of color gets to choose it for herself.About the series: This special She Explores miniseries is made in collaboration with The Cairn Project, and made possible by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.Host Gabaccia Moreno is our guide in exploring the unique relationships girls and young women of color have with the natural world and outdoor recreation. Through the voices and stories of leaders and participants from diverse outdoor organizations doing the work to help young people of color thrive in the outdoors, this four-part audio miniseries will highlight the joy, connection, and community these girls find in nature, as well as the importance of organizations doing the work to expand outdoor opportunities.We want to stress that when we say this series highlights women and girls of color, this is inclusive of all cis and trans women and girls, as well as folks of all gender identities who feel comfortable in spaces that center women. That said, for the most part, when we talk about gender we most often do so in terms of those who are socialized as girls and women in a more heteronormative, binary way.Featured in this episode: Cristal Cisneros, Kriste Peoples, Alexis Krauss, Marian Perez, and Mira Manickam-Shirley;  Voice memo included in this episode were submitted by Gabrilla Ballard.Hosted by Gabaccia MorenoProduced by Gabaccia Moreno, Noël Russell, and Gale StraubA Production of Ravel MediaResources:The Cairn ProjectWebsite | Instagram | FacebookOrganizations HighlightedYoung Women Who Crush: Website | InstagramWomen’s Wilderness: Website | Instagram | FacebookBrown Girl Surf: Website | Instagram | FacebookThe Charles Roundtree Bloom Project: Website | InstagramFeatured in this episode:Cristal CisnerosKriste PeoplesAlexis KraussMarian PerezMira Manickam-ShirleyVoice Memos FeaturedGabrilla Ballard | Instagram | WebsiteHost: Gabaccia MorenoWebsite | InstagramAll Four Episodes of See Us Outside Are Available Now Wherever You Listen to She ExploresThe opening See Us Outside Compilation includes the voices of Marinel De Jesus, Yakuta Poonawalla, Meggy Pyaneeandee, Fernanda Jardim, Arlene, Chi Pham, Denise Meeker and Doreen Wong and includes Spanish, French, Portuguese, Tagalog, Hindi, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and English. Music by Joy Ike & Sita via MusicBedPodcast Art by Susana Castro @susdraws

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 kind of joy. In episode three of See Us Outside, Gabaccia contemplates the power of nature and community in cultivating joy in the outdoors.About the series: This special She Explores miniseries is made in collaboration with The Cairn Project, and made possible by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.Host Gabaccia Moreno is our guide in exploring the unique relationships girls and young women of color have with the natural world and outdoor recreation. Through the voices and stories of leaders and participants from diverse outdoor organizations doing the work to help young people of color thrive in the outdoors, this four-part audio miniseries will highlight the joy, connection, and community these girls find in nature, as well as the importance of organizations doing the work to expand outdoor opportunities.We want to stress that when we say this series highlights women and girls of color, this is inclusive of all cis and trans women and girls, as well as folks of all gender identities who feel comfortable in spaces that center women. That said, for the most part, when we talk about gender we most often do so in terms of those who are socialized as girls and women in a more heteronormative, binary way.Featured in this episode: Karina Zavala, Alexis Krauss, Marian Perez, Adriana Guerrero, and Cristal Cisneros;  Voice memo included in this episode was submitted by Denise Meeker.Hosted by Gabaccia MorenoProduced by Gabaccia Moreno, Noël Russell, and Gale StraubA Production of Ravel MediaResources:The Cairn ProjectWebsite | Instagram | FacebookOrganizations HighlightedYoung Women Who Crush: Website | InstagramWomen’s Wilderness: Website | Instagram | FacebookBrown Girl Surf: Website | Instagram | FacebookThe Charles Roundtree Bloom Project: Website | InstagramFeatured in this episode:Cristal CisnerosAlexis KraussMarian PerezAdriana GuerreroKarina ZavalaVoice Memos FeaturedDenise Meeker | InstagramHost: Gabaccia MorenoWebsite | InstagramAll Four Episodes of See Us Outside Are Available Now Wherever You Listen to She ExploresThe opening See Us Outside Compilation includes the voices of Marinel De Jesus, Yakuta Poonawalla, Meggy Pyaneeandee, Fernanda Jardim, Arlene, Chi Pham, Denise Meeker and Doreen Wong and includes Spanish, French, Portuguese, Tagalog, Hindi, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and English. Music by Joy Ike & Sita via MusicBedPodcast Art by Susana Castro @susdraws

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, and made possible by a grant from the Walton Family Foundation.Host Gabaccia Moreno is our guide in exploring the unique relationships girls and young women of color have with the natural world and outdoor recreation. Through the voices and stories of leaders and participants from diverse outdoor organizations doing the work to help young people of color thrive in the outdoors, this four-part audio miniseries will highlight the joy, connection, and community these girls find in nature, as well as the importance of organizations doing the work to expand outdoor opportunities.We want to stress that when we say this series highlights women and girls of color, this is inclusive of all cis and trans women and girls, as well as folks of all gender identities who feel comfortable in spaces that center women. That said, for the most part, when we talk about gender we most often do so in terms of those who are socialized as girls and women in a more heteronormative, binary way.Featured in this episode: Cristal Cisneros, Ki’Amber Thompson, and Mira Manickam-Shirley;  Voice memos included in this episode were submitted by Brandielee Johnson, Yakuta Poonawalla, Michelle Kay, and Arlene.Hosted by Gabaccia MorenoProduced by Gabaccia Moreno, Noël Russell, and Gale StraubA Production of Ravel MediaResources:The Cairn ProjectWebsite | Instagram | FacebookOrganizations HighlightedThe Charles Roundtree Bloom Project: Website | InstagramBrown Girl Surf: Website | Instagram | FacebookYoung Women Who Crush: Website | InstagramWomen’s Wilderness: Website | Instagram | FacebookFeatured in this episode:Cristal CisnerosKi’Amber ThompsonMira Manickam-ShirleySarah MurrayAlexis KraussKriste PeoplesKarina ZavalaVoice Memos FeaturedMichelle Kay | Instagram | WebsiteYakuta PoonawallaBrandielee Johnson | InstagramArlene | InstagramHost: Gabaccia MorenoWebsite | InstagramAll Four Episodes of See Us Outside Are Available Now Wherever You Listen to She ExploresThe opening See Us Outside Compilation includes the voices of Marinel De Jesus, Yakuta Poonawalla, Meggy Pyaneeandee, Fernanda Jardim, Arlene, Chi Pham, Denise Meeker and Doreen Wong and includes Spanish, French, Portuguese, Tagalog, Hindi, Vietnamese, Cantonese, and English. Music by Joy Ike & Sita via MusicBedPodcast Art by Susana Castro @susdraws

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 reason Gabaccia is such a wonderful host for our upcoming series,  See Us Outside, which launches Friday! In the last episode of 2020, we get to know Gabaccia.About Gabaccia:  Gabaccia is a first-generation Mexican-American multi-disciplinary creator, consultant, and passionate outdoor advocate #ExploringResponsibly wherever life takes her. Having grown up in Veracruz, Mexico to a family of hunters and ranchers gave her an appreciation for the land and its wildlife at an early age, one that prevails today. Her works, whether artistic, creative, or entrepreneurial, have always intersected with the social and environmental issues that surround her.Featured in this episode:  Gabaccia MorenoHosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Ravel MediaSponsored by  DannerJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.com & Follow Us on InstagramResourcesFeatured in this episode: Gabaccia MorenoWebsiteInstagram: @gabacciaSee Us Outside Drops on Friday, December 18thOrganizations and Projects Gabaccia is involved with:Hiking My FeelingsDesert Institute at Joshua Tree#ExploringResponsiblyNuestra Tierra: Website & InstagramOrganizations Highlighted in See Us OutsideThe Cairn ProjectBrown Girl SurfCharles Roundtree Bloom ProjectYoung Women Who CrushWomen's WildernessRavel MediaSponsors and Discount CodesDanner: Learn more about the Danner Trail 2650's.Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.Jacob Montague, Human Pyramids, Joy Ike, Gracie & Rachel, Utah, Bradford Nyght, via MusicBed. Music is also by Josh Woodward.

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 YoungHosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Ravel MediaSponsored by  IKON Pass & DannerJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.com & Follow Us on InstagramResourcesFeatured in this episode: Biz YoungWebsiteInstagram: @shutupbizFilms Mentioned in this episode:Bomb Ass Babes - Short Film SeriesTitan Project (via Melanin Base Camp)The Traveler Comes Home (via The North Face)Mapping Our Roles in a Social Change EcosystemRavel MediaSponsors and Discount CodesIKON Pass: Learn more about 20/21 winter season at IkonPass.com.Danner: Learn more about the Danner Trail 2650's.Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.Music is by James Childs, 

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 ideas, questions, and longstanding myths they wanted to hear busted.We were hoping to find a way to meet this community enthusiasm with thoughts from someone who knows both the medical and the practical aspects of taking your period outdoors. Mary Ann Thomas, a current ICU nurse and former travel nurse, bike tourist, and a queer brown daughter of Indian immigrant parents comes to this conversation with both knowledge and applied know-how to share. Tune in to hear their insights and options around staying clean, remaining conscious of the environment, and giving yourself permission to recognize that there is always more to learn about our bodies and their cycles.Featured in this episode: Mary Ann ThomasHosted by Laura BorichevskyA Production of Ravel MediaResources:Find Mary Ann Thomas on Instagram: @postcardsfrommatStay tuned to Mary Ann’s Instagram to hear more about their course, “Intro to Land Trauma” coming out this month!Read more from Mary Ann Thomas here in their latest piece about how it feels to be a COVID nurseIf you liked this episode, make sure to check out Sex Outside!Listen to bonus interview content with Mary Ann Thomas in a 5-minute "Nature Quickie" called "Orgasms as Backcountry Cramp Relief?"Subscribe to the show-- first full episode airing 2/11/2021!Find Sex Outside on Instagram! @sexoutsidepodMusic by the band UTAH featuring Gabby Jones, Gracie and Rachel, Mike Mains, Phillip Cuccias, and the Wild Wild licensed via MusicBed.Sponsors and Discount Codes:IKON Pass: Learn more about 20/21 winter season at IkonPass.com.Danner: Learn more about the Danner Trail 2650's.Betterhelp: Get 10% off your first month by heading to Betterhelp.com/explore

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 hand about the need for plus size winter apparel, as well as the changes she’d like to see across the outdoor industry.In part 2, we hear from Mon Balon, the founder of Plus Snow - an online retail shop that sells plus size snow gear to fulfill the need that Marielle speaks of. Part 2 is available now in your feed.Featured in this episode:  Marielle ElizabethHosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Ravel MediaSponsored by Danner &  IKON PassJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.com & Follow Us on InstagramResourcesFeatured in this episode: Marielle ElizabethWebsiteInstagram: @marielle.elizabethMarielle's Essay in The Cut: "Apparently, I'm Too Fat to Ski."Unlikely HIkersPlus SnowRavel MediaSponsors and Discount CodesIKON Pass: Learn more about 20/21 winter season at IkonPass.com.Danner: Learn more about the Danner Trail 2650's.Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.Music is by James Childs and Kazi Jay via MusicBed

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 shares the origin story of Plus Snow, talks about how misleading supply & demand can be within the industry, and shares why she's so passionate about this work.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 hand about the need for plus size winter apparel, as well as the changes she’d like to see across the outdoor industry. Part 1 is also available now in your feed.Featured in this episode:  Marielle ElizabethHosted & Produced by Gale StraubA production of Ravel MediaSponsored by Danner &  IKON PassJoin the She Explores Podcast community on FacebookVisit She-Explores.com & Follow Us on InstagramResourcesFeatured in this episode: Mon BalonPlus Snow websiteInstagram: @plussnowMarielle's Essay in The Cut: "Apparently, I'm Too Fat to Ski."Unlikely HIkersPlus SnowRavel MediaSponsors and Discount CodesIKON Pass: Learn more about 20/21 winter season at IkonPass.com.Danner: Learn more about the Danner Trail 2650's.Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.Music is by James Childs and Kazi Jay via MusicBed