She Explores

Endless Curiosity (The Last Episode)

19 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This is the last episode of She Explores. In it, we say farewell, reflect on endings, and invite past guests of the show to share the lessons they’v...

A Deeper Connection - Mugdha Flores

12 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Mugdha Flores is proof of where your passion for science and the natural world can take you. From playing in tide pools as a child in Southern India, ...

Becoming a Mermaid - Irene Marcoux

26 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

When Irene Marcoux was growing up and playing at her local pool, she didn’t dream of becoming a mermaid. She was a mermaid. Those early days of free...

Fluidity in Recovery: Antoinette Lee Toscano

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

A life-changing rappelling accident lead Antoinette Lee Toscano to choose to live the life of outdoor adventure she’d always dreamed of. And since t...

A Student of the Sea: Olivia VanDamme

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Olivia VanDamme’s hope is that one day, in her older years, she’ll be at the beach, covered in seaweed and still contributing to community science...

Immersed in Swimming: Eden Elgeti

15 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Eden Elgeti is a wild and pool swimmer in the United Kingdom, and is featured in our new book, Women and Water. The first line in her profile is, “I...

Finding Freedom in Swimming: Bonnie Tsui

03 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Bonnie Tsui's book, Why We Swim, dropped at a time when we were all looking for guidance on how to move our bodies in ways that took us out of our hea...

We Know You'll Love: Wild for Scotland's "Creature of the Sea"

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing a series of interviews with some incredible humans who are featured in Women and Water - a new book from the t...

Living the Vanlife: Noami Grevemberg

12 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Noami Grevemberg is a leader in the world of vanlife, and the founder of Diversify Vanlife, a platform that highlights less-heard voices in vanlife, r...

How Do We Spend Time Alone? Creative Fuel

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

When writer Florence Williams’ 25-year marriage falls apart, it sets her on a journey to explore the science behind loneliness. Photographer Alexand...

Taking Up Space on the Trail: Victoria Amico

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Victoria Amico would say that hiking 100% ruined her life, but in the best way possible. Seven years ago, she thought she knew what she wanted in her ...

Constant Forward Movement: McKayla Bower

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Whether she’s rock climbing or sailing, McKayla Bower is motivated by always moving forward. And by setting her sights on becoming the first trans w...

We're back! And an Introduction to Creative Fuel

02 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A hello, what we've been up to, a new podcast Gale's working on called "Creative Fuel", and a fresh episode of She Explores comes back next week. Res...

Makeup and Muckboots in the Field

29 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

How do you navigate your femininity in a male-dominated space like environmental fieldwork research? For Julia Bingham, it's been an exploration of se...

Courage & Surrender on the Road - Steph Jagger

16 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Steph Jagger and her mom, Sheila, took a camping road trip together in 2016 across the Rocky Mountains. So often, the purpose of a road trip, or spend...

Caving, Creatures, & a Dream Job - Ashley Adkins

02 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ashley Adkins isn’t a scientist, she simply loves recreational caving and the opportunity it offers folks with non-science background to contribute ...

An Announcement

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A special announcement from host Gale Straub about the future of this show. Prefer to read it rather than listen? Find the 3-minute transcript on the...

Examining Skiing, with Love - Heather Hansman & Tori Duhaime

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Journalist Heather Hansman digs deep into the past, present, and future of skiing in her new book Powder Days. Her love for the sport leaps off the pa...

We Know You'll Love: Indoor Kid by Out There

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Dealy was not outdoorsy. But at age 20, during a severe bout of depression, she enrolled in a wilderness therapy program. By the end of the prog...

Embracing a New Life in the Subarctic - Kristen Berkeley

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes adventure looks like picking up and moving 3000 miles away from your home to live in the subarctic. Four years ago, Kristen Berkeley was liv...

Nature Meditations: Kenya Jackson-Saulters

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Kenya Jackson-Saulters believes in the power of pairing meditation with time outside and cultivating rituals to help her channel the spirituality and ...

We Know You'll Love: This is Our Time

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to a preview of "This is Our Time" a storytelling podcast that takes you on an immersive adventure on a ship to Antarctica with host Samantha H...

The Cyclical Nature of Everything: Anna Brones

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The idea that everything comes back around can be a comforting thought - especially as Anna Brones shares it:“I think that that's what we've really ...

Into the F.U.T.U.R.E.

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Outdoor F.U.T.U.R.E. Initiative is a coalition of ethnically and racially diverse leaders dedicated to ensuring youth from historically excluded c...

The Adventure Art Academy: Claire Giordano

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Join environmental artist Claire Giordano in the field as she teaches plein air painting in stunning landscapes like alpine lakes, old growth forests,...

How to Be Alone: Nicole Antoinette

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nicole Antoinette recently released a trail journal of her 2017 thru-hike of the Arizona Trail called “How to Be Alone.” And that’s what we met ...

Showing Up as Her Full Self for Wildlife: Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant

03 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

As a little girl, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant loved watching nature shows -- and she paid a lot of attention to the humans that showed up in front of the camer...

Hiking Through Cancer: Rebecca Sperry

13 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rebecca Sperry was in the middle of a big hiking challenge when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2020: she was tracing all 1400+ miles o...

Listen to this: About the Journey

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Listen to this: About the Journey, the podcast that takes you on an audio road trip with travel lover Oneika Raymond.Each episode of About the Journey...

A Problem Solver's Approach to the Climate Crisis: Shaandiin Cedar

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shaandiin Cedar is on the solution side of fighting the climate crisis and invites you to join in, too. A problem-solver by nature, Shaandiin is takin...

Why We Hunt

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

For far too long, we were told that Man was the hunter and Woman the gatherer. Are we surprised to have witnessed a “hunting industry” that for de...

WorldPride: Revisiting Our Conversation with Elyse Rylander

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In honor of WorldPride, we're revisiting our 2018 conversation with Elyse Rylander. Elyse is the founder and executive director of OUT There Adventure...

Kindness Out There

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Your stories of the unexpected kindness you’ve found in the outdoors - from strangers, from nature. We’ve all been finding solace in nature after...

Reciprocity with Lands & Waters: Brianne Lauro

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Brianne Lauro was born and raised on Hawai’i Island and learned how to hunt, fish, and dive from her father at a young age. She’s carried this pas...

Bobbing at the Surface: Carrot Quinn

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Carrot Quinn joins us on the show again to talk about her latest memoir: The Sunset Route. For those who read and loved Thru Hiking Will Break Your He...

Traversing Seasons - Matrescence, Part 2

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In our first episode on matrescence, we talked about continuing to carry a love for nature and time outside into pregnancy as we prepare for the major...

Recovery on the Water: Palinor Velasco

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Palinor Velasco has always pursued an adventurous life, even before she found her place in and love for the outdoors. While newly sober, Palinor found...

Abby Ruhman - Voices from the GoPro Mountain Games, Episode 1

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Abby Ruhman is a professional makeup artist with Alopecia Totalis who uses her body as a canvas to advocate for change when it comes to outdated beaut...

Ariel Tweto - Voices from the GoPro Mountain Games, Episode 2

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ariel Tweto is passionate about taking chances and trying new things in the outdoors -- and sharing her experiences with others. Ariel’s Inupiaq Inu...

Emily Jackson - Voices from the GoPro Mountain Games, Episode 3

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Jackson is a professional kayaker and a mother of two. Kayaking is in her blood—her dad, Eric Jackson, is a World Champion freestyle kayaker a...

Arielle Shipe - Voices from the GoPro Mountain Games, Episode 4

25 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Arielle Shipe is someone who shares her health and adventure story for the service of others. She understands that we all have a lifelong relationship...

Pregnancy & the Outdoors - Matrescence, Part 1

09 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Pregnancy is a time of drastic physical change, and one full of expectation and anxieties, pressure and pain, hope and uncertainty. And for those of u...

Meeting Yourself Where You're At: Lindsey Ingram

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Lindsey Ingram has long-haul COVID, which means she is constantly renegotiating what's possible for herself in the outdoors. But just like she's not j...

Spreading the Joy: Demiesha Dennis

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Demiesha Dennis is an angler, mom, and community leader who is passionate about spreading the joy she’s found outdoors. Her reflections on time spen...

Canine Companionship on the Trail: Kylie Yang

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Kylie Yang is a dog owner, thru-hiker, trail lover, and the New Jersey program coordinator for the New York-New Jersey Trail Conference. We talk about...

LIVE Catch-Up: Mirna Valerio

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Catch-up with Mirna Valerio aka The Mirnavator. Mirna is an ultra runner, adventurer, author, former teacher, more. Her blog, Fat Girl Running, took o...

Reach Out for a More Inclusive Outdoors

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

We all have something to give when it comes to making the outdoors more inclusive and accessible for all. But we don’t have to reinvent the wheel, w...

Fishing for Community: Serene Cusack

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Serene Cusack wants to build more community in the fly fishing world, especially amongst those folks who haven’t always been included. Whether throu...

Unlock a Day Trip - Navigating Through, Episode 1

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

You don’t have to head out on a multi-day road trip to enjoy the benefits of time away: a micro-adventure can be just what you need to help you rese...

Building Bonds with Family - Navigating Through, Episode 2

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In more ways than one, our circles have tightened in the last year. And while for some family has been out of reach, for others, it's been a constant....

Recharging with Purpose - Navigating Through, Episode 3

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Running a nonprofit, doing advocacy work, challenging the dominant narratives of what it means to recreate outside - it all takes a lot of energy. Thi...

Getting Creative - Navigating Through, Episode 4

14 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 fre...

Slowing Down for Wildflowers: Doris Lance

07 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 Reflect...

Listen, Learn, Engage: Women's Outdoor Summit

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Listen and learn from leaders in the outdoor industry in this special highlight episode of the virtual Women’s Outdoor Summit. In celebration of Wom...

LIVE Catch-Up: Shelma Jun

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 talke...

Self-Defense in the Outdoors: Nicole Snell

24 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 Girl...

More than Pretty Pictures: Sofia Jaramillo

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Photojournalist turned outdoor photographer Sofia Jaramillo wants to do more than take incredibly beautiful photos, she wants to help diversify the ou...

LIVE Catch-Up: Erin Sullivan

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

A Send-Off: Laura Borichevsky

10 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

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 S...

Meet-Cute with Sex Outside

03 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Laura Borichevsky wants to open up more conversations about sex, gender, and love: all through digging into the many connections we can find between t...

LIVE Catch-Up: Kareemah Batts

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Catch-up with Kareemah Batts, founder of Adaptive Climbing Group, diversity professional, and disability advocate.  Kareemah was on the show back in ...

Our Cultural Connection - See Us Outside, Episode 1

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 mean...

Empowerment Through Access - See Us Outside, Episode 2

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Creating more opportunities for access to outdoor recreation allows young women of color to define their own narratives in the outdoors. Organizations...

The Joy of Community - See Us Outside, Episode 3

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 orga...

Looking to the Future, Today - See Us Outside, Episode 4

18 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Expanding the Conservation Conversation: Gabaccia Moreno

16 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Ripple Effect: Documentary Filmmaker Biz Young

09 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Filmmaker and climber Biz Young shares her evolution from creating stop-motion music videos in her dorm room to making short documentary films inspire...

Taking Your Period Outdoors

02 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Where is All the Plus-Size Snow Gear? Part 1

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 mou...

Where is All the Plus-Size Snow Gear? Part 2

25 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 mou...

Where There's Smoke: Climate Change & Outdoor Adventures

18 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 sha...

Find Your Next Outdoor Job: Olivia Deihs

11 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Olivia Deihs, founder of Women in Outdoor Work, helps women land jobs in the outdoor industry and the environmental nonprofit world. Olivia helps us g...

Wonder Walking Heals: Amy Won

04 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 y...

Paralympic Snowboarder Brittani Coury

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 f...

Where We Walk: Building The Pathway

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 indiv...

Fear & Leadership in the Mountains

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Where We Walk: Meeting Wildlife on the A.T.

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In the fifth episode of Where We Walk, we hear from two incredible human voices, conservationist Sally Naser and bird researcher Amber Wendler, who ar...

Blooming in a Green Career: Laura Navar

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Laura Navar, Outreach Manager at National Parks Conservation Association, considers herself to be a bit of a late bloomer in the conservation nonprofi...

Where We Walk: Dreaming of Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Where We Walk: What Youth Have to Teach Us About the Trail

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Coming Together to Vote as an Outdoor State: Lindsay Bourgoine

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lindsay Bourgoine of Protect Our Winters, who leads outdoor athletes and brand executives on climate policy issues and advocacy, shares the power of o...

Where We Walk: We’re Here, Too

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this second episode of “Where We Walk: Stories from the Appalachian Trail,” we’re examining the presence of women both on the Appalachian tra...

Outdoorsy Puns & "Subpar" Parks: Illustrator Amber Share

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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, ...

Where We Walk: Memories of the Appalachian Trail

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 mak...

The Art of Thru-Hiking: Alina "Abstract" Drufovka

16 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Figuring It Out as She Grows: Mina Okpi, Founder of Black Outdoor Adventurers

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mina Okpi is an electrical engineer-turned outdoor entrepreneur. Through her company Black Outdoor Adventurers, she helps connect people of color to t...

Sprinkling Seeds: Carrington Kernodle

02 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 bel...

Walking Can Change the World: Amanda Jameson

26 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The Promise of Climbing: Sabrina Chapman

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 w...

Refuge Outdoor Festival Founder Chevon Powell

05 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Chevon Powell founded Refuge Outdoor Festival in 2018 to provide joy, community, connection, and refuge in the outdoors for Black, Indigenous, People ...

Team Pattie Gonia

29 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Perspective Shifts: Ash Hobbs

15 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Letting Go of Perfection: Rocío Villalobos

08 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Whether running an ultramarathon, talking about recovery from her eating disorder, fighting for racial equity, or mentoring youth at Explore Austin, R...

A Natural Leader: Environmental Educator Nicole Jackson

01 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nicole Jackson is an environmental educator, birder, and co-creator of Black Birders Week. She's also dedicated to connecting people to the environmen...

Embracing Intersectional Environmentalism: Leah Thomas & Kristy Drutman

24 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Because environmentalism should be inclusive of both people and the planet. Leah Thomas, founder of IntersectionalEnvironmentalist.com, and Kristy Dru...

An Open Heart to Growth: Ashleigh Thompson

17 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ashleigh Thompson is an indigenous archaeologist. She's also a runner, climber, photographer, and lifelong learner. Ashleigh's woven her many interest...

Black Birders Week is Forever: Danielle Belleny

10 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Danielle Belleny is a wildlife biologist, member of BlackAFinSTEM collective, and co-founder of Black Birders Week, a movement created in response to ...

Call to Action: Black Lives Matter

03 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Playing it Safe: Outdoor Rec & COVID-19

27 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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, cli...

Stories of Togetherness

20 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

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. B...