She Explores

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’ve learned in the outdoors over the last few years. Through these women’s stories, we’re reminded how important it is to have the space we need to show up as ourselves when we’re spending time outside.

Thank you to everyone who has touched the show over the years: the listeners, our guests, our collaborators, and our advertisers. It’s been an honor to hold your stories.

READ THIS BLOG POST if you want to learn more about our decision, and what the team is up to next.

Featured in this episode: Jaymie Shearer, Shon’t, Hiranya de Alwis Jayasinghe, Sydney Williams, Gabaccia, Gretchen Powers, Noël Russell, Hailey Hirst, Tori Duhaime.

She Explores is Hosted & Produced by Gale Straub

Visit She-Explores.com & Follow Us on Instagram

Resources

• Hiranya de Alwis Jayasinghe’s new album, Frangipani & Daisy Chains
• Gale’s website: GaleStraub.com
• Full Quote from Helen Bright, aka “Bright Wanderer” on endings
• Our new book, Women and Water
• Women and Water, the Audiobook
• Rate this podcast
• Ravel Media

Music is licensed via podcastmusic.com.

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 started to see her daughters as adults and equals through hiking the A.T., a volunteer who took the initiative to start her own youth hiking challenge, a teenager who understands that the future health of our planet is in our hands, and a 6-year-old who feels just plain happy outdoors.

About the series: This story-forward six-part series, in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and made possible with support from REI, highlights the Appalachian Trail through both the women who helped to build it as well as those who continue to make it what it is today. Our goal is to tell a multi-dimensional story of the Trail through a range of voices from diverse backgrounds. Each episode will have a unique theme that helps tell the story of the way we shape the Trail, but more importantly — how the Trail shapes us.

Featured in this episode: Lori Loew, Sue Garcia, Jan Onan, Maymuna Sabree, and Sloane Straub

Hosted by Gale Straub, with Laura Borichevksy

A Production of Ravel Media

Resources:

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy
• Appalachian Trail Conservancy: Youth Outreach
• A Trail to Every Classroom (ATEACH)
• Youth Partner Challenge
• Learn about the NextGen Forest Ambassador Program

Episodes of “Where We Walk” will air weekly on Mondays.

Music by Josh Woodward & Monplaisir using a Creative Commons Attribution License

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 based out of Philadelphia, PA. She has hiked the Appalachian Trail (2015 & 2017), Israel National Trail (2018), and Pacific Crest Trail (2019). She is also an outdoor professional and hopes to inspire more women and people of color to get outside and explore the trails.

Featured in this episode: Alina "Abstract" Drufovka

Hosted & Produced by Gale Straub

A production of Ravel Media

Sponsored by BetterHelp, Danner, & Ikon Pass

Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook

Visit She-Explores.com & Follow Us on Instagram

Resources

• Follow Alina Drufovka on Instagram: @abstract.hikes & @alina.druf
• Alina's Portfolio Website
• Alina's She-Explores.com Artistry Feature
• Colombian Artist: Fernando Botero
• Hiker Royalty Instagram
• Books mentioned:
  • Becoming Odyssa by Jennifer Pharr Davis
  • Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
• Ravel Media

Sponsors and Discount Codes

• Ikon Pass: Learn more about the Ikon Pass and Ikon Pass Session 4 Day for your 20/21 winter adventures here.
• Danner: Learn more about the Danner Trail 2650 hikers here.
• Betterhelp: Get 10% off your first month at Betterhelp.com/explore

Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Ad Music is by Josh Woodward, Swelling, & Lee Rosevere.

Other music by Analog Heart, Stephen Gutheinz, & Utah via Music Bed.

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 made or the way our presence has shaped our world-- and there’s still a long way to go. In this episode, we’re taking a look at three women with different perspectives and identities when it comes to being a woman with a relationship to the Appalachian Trail, and we’re hoping these insights will help you reflect upon your own role in identifying the ways your presence impacts us all, from now into the future, while also helping to make meaningful space for other women to do the same.

About the series: This story-forward six-part series, in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and made possible with support from REI, highlights the Appalachian Trail through both the women who helped to build it as well as those who continue to make it what it is today. Our goal is to tell a multi-dimensional story of the Trail through a range of voices from diverse backgrounds. Each episode will have a unique theme that helps tell the story of the way we shape the Trail, but more importantly — how the Trail shapes us.

Featured in this episode: Gwyneth Loose, Kai TwoFeathers Orton, and Shilletha Curtis

Hosted by Laura Borichevksy, with Gale Straub

A Production of Ravel Media

Resources:

• Keep an eye out for Gwyneth Loose’s book “We Were There Too”, published in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy later this year
• Learn more about the women featured:
  • Kai TwoFeathers Orton: Instagram
  • Shilletha Curtis: Instagram

Episodes of “Where We Walk” will air weekly on Mondays.
Music by Josh Woodward & Monplaisir using a Creative Commons Attribution License

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-employed, and more.

Amber's bio says it best: Amber Share is an outdoorsy lettering artist with an affinity for colorful and punny illustrations. Her work is inspired by her interests — hiking, climbing, gardening, brewing kombucha, and, as a major introvert, spending time recharging at home. She strives to translate the joy of adventure into funny, light-hearted designs that spark conversation and help people connect.

Featured in this episode: Amber Share

Hosted & Produced by Gale Straub

A production of Ravel Media

Sponsored by BetterHelp, Oregon State University E-Campus, & Ikon Pass

Join the She Explores Podcast community on Facebook

Visit She-Explores.com & Follow Us on Instagram

Resources

• Follow Amber on Instagram: @ambershares_
• Amber's Website: AmberShareDesign.com
• SubPar Parks: Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr
• Bright Beta Co: Website & Instagram
• The Forgotten History of National Park Posters
• Hannah Rothstein: National Parks 2050
• Sarah Coyne: Post for the Parks
• Ravel Media

Sponsors and Discount Codes

• Ikon Pass: Learn more about the Ikon Pass and Ikon Pass Session 4 Day for your 20/21 winter adventures here.
• Oregon State University E-Campus: Learn more at ecampus.oregonstate.edu/explore
• Betterhelp: Get 10% off your first month at Betterhelp.com/explore

Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Ad Music is by Josh Woodward, Swelling, & Lee Rosevere.

Other music by Analog Heart, Stephen Gutheinz, & Utah via Music Bed.