EARTHMOVERS, with Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, Verna NezBegay Volker

Verna NezBegay Volker with Ultrarunner Harold Bennally of Moccasin Running

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (EARTHMOVERS) — Thu, 2 Apr 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Harold Benally is Navajo, living in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a longtime distance runner and has run road marathons and now runs ultra trail races. He’s competed in several 100 milers and is currently training for his longest race, the Cocodona 250.
Verna, who is also Navajo, and Harold have been friends for many years: that shines through in this beautiful, powerful, and rich conversation.
As Harold tells Verna, he has been running for as long as he can remember: this sport is both challenging and it connects his to his culture, his community, his family, and his ancestors.
Formative in Harold's life was the time he spent with his grandfather, who was a medicine man. Running was intertwined in the teachings he learned from his grandfather, and it became something he did with his sisters, and then later he competed in school, beginning in junior high.
Harold ran for Page High School in Page, Arizona, a school that has a long reputation for having a strong running program. After graduation, Harold became a coach there. To this day, Harold works to support younger runners, including, proceeds from his race fund youth programs.
Harold and Verna discuss Harold's racing experiences, including running the Boston Marathon in moccasins to honor the passing of his father and running his first trail race. Harold shares how his strong connections to his ancestors and remembering the hardships they endured as well as the enduring legacy they've left behind give him strength.
Verna also asks about the Antelope Canyon X Half Marathon, the race that Harold created and is race director for. She and Harold talk about the land the race covers and the personal touches Harold gives this event, including hand crafting jewelry for each participant who finishes—Harold's answer to race medals.
And of course, Harold talks about his preparation for his longest challenge yet: the Cocodona 250, which kicks off on May 4.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast
EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com

Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor
Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com

Mentioned in this Episode
Harold Bennally on Instagram: @haroldbennally
Moccasin Running on Instagram: @moccasinrunning

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4

Alison Mariella Désir: Runner, mountain climber, mother, community builder, and racial equity activist, Désir is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black and the host of the award winning PBS TV show Out and Back with Alison Mariella Désir. @alisonmdesir

Stefanie Flippin: Professional ultra trail runner, running coach, podcaster, writer, racial equity activist, and a foot and ankle surgeon, Flippin is the 2021 USATF 100-mile road champion and course record holder, and she’s the 6th fastest all-time American woman at the 100-mile distance.

@stefanieannflippin

Stefanie Flippin with Cristina Regalado of the Wasatch Trails Collective

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (EARTHMOVERS) — Thu, 26 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Christina Regalado is an ultra trail runner, physician's assistant, daughter of El Salvadoran and Mexican immigrants, and the co-founder of Wasatch Trails Collective, a local trail running group for BIPOC runners in Utah. Wasatch Trails Collective's mission is to create an inclusive and supportive community for runners of color along the Wasatch Front, empowering runners of all levels to achieve their personal goals, improving diversity and equity in the broader running community, and reducing barriers that limit participation and representation of people of color in endurance sports.

Christina has also served on the board of directors for Women of the Wasatch, a women's nonprofit group in Utah, and has worked with Bigger Than the Trail (BTTT) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness to help fundraise and advocate for mental health care. And, Cristina was recently awarded a GU Energy sponsorship to run the 2026 Western States 100-Mile Endurance Race (WSER).

In this conversation Cristina talks about being the daughter of immigrants, as well as her work in healthcare and being one of the few Spanish-speaking and Latina women in her position. She also discusses mental health challenges she and others in her family have faced, and how being out on the trails has been a powerful tool in her own health journey—being out on the trails is a space where Cristina can bring her full self, however that may look on any given day.

Also discussed: Cristina's work within the trail community, including becoming a co-founder of the Wasatch Trails Collective and what that organization is all about. Stefanie also dives into Cristina's own trail running journey, including being chosen to run at this year's WSER as a GU sponsored athlete. Also, Cristina is running WSER as a fundraiser for BTTT (see link below to donate). And both Stefanie and Cristina read the powerful words that Cristina has written about what trail running means to her and the impact it's had on her life.

This is a deep and insightful conversation. Cristina has a beautiful way of expressing her passion for the trails and also why she's so passionate about opening the trail space to those who have felt excluded.

A note of caution: this conversation touches on the topic of suicide and suicidal thoughts. Please see below for links on where to find help if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast
EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com

Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor
Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com

Mentioned in this Episode
Cristina Regalado on Instagram: @runchachi
Wasatch Trails Collective on Instagram: @wasatchtrailscollective
Women of the Wasatch website: womenofthewasatch.com
National Alliance on Mental Illness website: nami.org
Bigger Than the Trail (BTTT) website: bttt.run
To donate to Cristina's WSER BTTT fundraiser: givebutter.com/teambttt/RUNCHACHI

Mental Health Resources
To apply for free counseling through BTTT: https://www.bttt.run/support
For an acute issue, 988 lifeline: https://988lifeline.org
Crisis text line: text HOME to 741741: https://www.crisistextline.org
The Trevor Project (for LGBTQ youth): https://www.thetrevorproject.org

EARTHMOVERS Hosts
Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4

Alison Mariella Désir with Phoebe Robinson, Comedian and Culture Shifter

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (EARTHMOVERS) — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 14:55:47 +0000

Phoebe brings it in this conversation, shining a light on how she is shifting and reclaiming the narrative through her work. Phoebe Robinson is a standup comedian, best-selling author, producer, actress, and publisher.

Her second standup special, "I Don't Wanna Work Anymore" premiered October 7, 2025 exclusively on YouTube. Phoebe is the author of the essay collections You Can’t Touch My Hair, Everything’s Trash, But It’s Okay, and Please Don't Sit on My Bed in Your Outside Clothes, and, in 2020, she launched her own imprint, Tiny Reparations Books.

Robinson is also the co-creator and co-star of the podcast “2 Dope Queens” and HBO series of the same name. Other onscreen work includes the TV adaptation of “Everything’s Trash” and the standup special “Sorry, Harriet Tubman,” both of which are produced by her company, Tiny Reparations. She is the recipient of Variety’s Comedy Innovator Award for her work and continued contribution in comedy.

In this conversation, cohost Alison Mariella Désir talks to Phoebe about becoming a comedian, her hilarious and poignant ThotNaysh Instagram video series, running marathons, her publishing imprint Tiny Reparations Books, being Bono’s best Black friend, and so much more! You will want to listen to this one more than once! Phoebe drops so much insight and wisdom, and also leaves you laughing.

We were left energized and inspired to keep learning and speaking out.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast
EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com

Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor
Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com

Mentioned in this Episode

Phoebe Robinson on Instagram: @dopequeenpheebs
Phoebe Robinson Website: phoeberobinson.com
RED: red.org

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

Verna NezBegay Volker with Brandon Dugi, Competitive Ultrarunner and Photographer

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (EARTHMOVERS) — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Brandon grew up on the Navajo Nation, in the remote area of LeChee. He talks to Verna about how he was raised in traditional Navajo culture.

He also talks about how sharing his story and representing for his culture and for younger members of his community is important to him. In addition to being a runner and storytelling photographer, Brandon is a high school running coach at Page High School in Page, Arizona, his alma mater. Page has a long reputation for having a strong running program.

Brandon and Verna also discuss the Western States 100-mile Endurance Race (WSER). Brandon shares that he had spent years learning the course and helping other runners at WSER, with the ultimate goal being to run it himself. That happened last year, 2025, and Brandon talks about that experience, too, including how he was able to bring many members of the Page High School running team with him to experience the race.

Looking ahead, Brandon shares what he’s focused on in the immediate future as well as some of his long-term dreams and goals.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast
EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com

Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor
Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com

Mentioned in this Episode
Brandon Dugi on Instagram: @brandon_dugi

EARTHMOVERS Hosts Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4

Verna NezBegay Volker and Stefanie Flippin with Priscilla Rojas of Santa Mujeres Run Club

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (EARTHMOVERS) — Thu, 5 Mar 2026 16:17:20 +0000

In addition to being a runner and community organizer, Rojas is a biotech scientist. She is also an ambassador for the LA Marathon and the Endurance Race Series, and she was part of the inaugural Broken Arrow Skyrace advisory council 2024–2025, and remains on the council to this day.

This dynamic conversation gets into Rojas’s work in STEM and how she is working toward being a role model in that position. She also discusses the formation of Santa Mujeres, the core values of the organization, and the reasons behind becoming a nonprofit. Stefanie and Verna also talk to Priscilla about her work as a race ambassador and they get the bold story behind Priscilla being on the Broken Arrow Sky Race advisory board. Also, Priscilla was awarded as the San Diego USATF Trail Runner of the Year, and she discusses that, too. Priscilla is running, representing, and leading in so many ways, and she drops a lot of wisdom, values, and vision here.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast
EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com

Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor
Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com

Mentioned in this Episode
Priscilla Rojas on Instagram: @akagingersnap
Santa Mujeres Run Club on Instagram: @santamujeresrc

EARTHMOVERS Hosts Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4

Stefanie Flippin with Schuyler Hall, Ultrarunning Commentator

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (EARTHMOVERS) — Thu, 26 Feb 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Yes, Schuyler Hall does a lot!
Schuyler shares how he first got into running and his experiences on the trails in Arizona, as one of the original media creators for Aravaipa. Schuyler was foundational to what would become Mountain Outpost. The company pioneered ultra race coverage in the US and is now the premier outlet to provide live race day coverage for many of biggest events on the trail racing calendar. Schuyler continues to be a commentator for Mountain Outpost.
Schyuler also gets into his work these days as a high school running coach in the San Francisco Bay Area, and social studies teacher. And he talks about his involvement with the new documentary Dipsea Generations, which highlights youth participation in the country’s oldest trail race–the famous Dipsea in Northern California; this race is known for its unique handicap format.
Of course, Stefanie also asked about Schuyler’s beer race record and his work as a relationship advice columnist in the trail running world. And they discuss the reality that running is political, and the challenges of addressing the lack of diversity in the trail running scene.
This in depth and wonderfully wide ranging conversation captures why Stefanie dubs Schuyler one of the most interesting people in the trail scene.
EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast
EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com

Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor
Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com

Mentioned in this Episode
Schuyler Hall on Instagram: @schuylerhall
Mountain Outpost on Instagram: @mountainoutpost
Mountain Outpost on YouTube: youtube.com/mountainoutpost
Dipsea Generations website: dipseagenerations.com
Dipsea Generations documentary, YouTube: youtube.com/@DipseaGenerations
Trail Running Film Festival, featuring Dipsea Generations: trailfilmfest.com

EARTHMOVERS Hosts Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4

Alison Mariella Désir with Katy Farrell of Rainshadow Running

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (EARTHMOVERS) — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:43:21 +0000

This conversation goes there, in the best ways possible. Katy shares how they first discovered trail running in their adult years and how that eventually led to them having a passion for overseeing ultra races in wild spaces and building community beyond the event space. They also discuss the life and work experiences that have informed their approach to putting on trail events.

Katy and Alison cover how Rainshadow operationalizes its values: the company walks the walk when it comes to creating a well considered safe, welcoming space for the full spectrum of communities it serves and embraces. Katy talks about the intentional steps to make that happen: it’s an ever evolving process. Central to this conversation: what are we talking about when we talk about community? How far does it extend and who does it serve? And, looking ahead, the interest in making space for yet unknown futures that embrace systems of matriarchy and racial equity.

Katy drops a lot of gems here. Tune in.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast
EARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com

Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor
Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com

Mentioned in this Episode
Katy Farrell on Instagram: @kathryn_ann_farrell
Rainshadow Running on Instagram: @rainshadowrunning
Rainshadow Running website: rainshadowrunning.com

EARTHMOVERS Hosts Verna NezBegay Volker: Runner, mother, community builder, public speaker, and racial equity activist from the Navajo Nation, Volker is the founder of Native Women Run, an organization that began as a virtual community and is now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. @hozhorunner4

We're Back! Hosts Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, and Verna NezBegay Volker Launch Season 2

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (EARTHMOVERS) — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:50:00 +0000

Verna, our resident Minnesotan, who lived for 16 years in Minneapolis, talks about running in winter and the impact of the ICE siege in her area, for herself and her community. And it brings up discussion around how running is political, and Alison questions how races will respond to runners' concerns and fears about ICE presence around events.

Stefanie talks about her work with GU Energy Labs on the board of the diversity initiative that selects two runners from historically excluded and underrepresented communities to receive support and entry into the prestigious 100-mile Western States Endurance Run. And she talks about when she discovered her Japanese heritage and how that's led her to research the WWII US Japanese internment camps and subsequent discriminatory practices against US citizens of Japanese descent after the war ended.

Alison announces the return of her Cascade PBS TV show Out & Back with Alison Mariella Désir, as well as the return of the We Out Here Trail Fest in June in Seattle, which she co-directs. She also announces that EARTHMOVERS is now on Substack! Subscribers receive weekly posts, including the signature EARTHMOVER of the Month post, and podcast updates. Free subscribers will get the EARTHMOVER of the Months posts and podcast updates. Go to earthmoverspodcast.substack.com.

We are also thrilled to share that Altra has returned as this season's presenting sponsor. We are thankful and love representing this brand. EARTHMOVERS is a trail podcast reclaiming the narrative. We are still just getting started.

One exciting announcement: EARTHMOVERS is now on Substack! Subscribers receive weekly posts, including the signature EARTHMOVER of the Month post, and podcast updates. Free subscribers will get the EARTHMOVER of the Months posts and podcast updates. Go to

We are also thrilled to share that Altra has returned as this season's presenting sponsor. We are thankful and love representing this brand.

EARTHMOVERS is a trail podcast reclaiming the narrative. We are still just getting started.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast

Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor
Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com.

Mentioned in this Episode
Tressie McMillan Cottom: @tressiemcphd
Dipsea Generations Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@DipseaGenerations
Out & Back with Alison Mariella Désir: pbs.org/show/out-back-alison-mariella-desir

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

Bonus: Runner’s Round Table with Stephanie Diaz, ft. Alison Mariella Désir

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (EARTHMOVERS) — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:30:18 +0000

The Runner’s Roundtable with Stephanie Diaz features female runners, run coaches, and entrepreneurs in the running space. The goal is to uplift their voices while being curious about how to make running more inclusive, accepting, and welcoming. Each season Stephanie focuses on a different theme: the theme of the episode featured here is "Conversations with Runners," and the theme of her next season, Season 6, is "Beyond Pace" where female runners will discuss their favorite running memories.

The episode we’re featuring here is a conversation EARTHMOVERS cohost Alison Mariella Désir had with Stephanie back in 2024, where they talked about the running culture, Alison's book Running While Black, why Alison's so passionate about focusing on the intersection of racial equity work, movement, and mental health, and why it’s important to look beyond the marketing and media noise in the running world and choose what’s right for you.

From Runner's Round Table: Welcome to the Runner’s Round Table podcast. Season is “Conversations with Runners”, and each episode features a conversation with an inspiring female runner who is making the running community better in her own way. In this episode, Stephanie talks to Alison Mariella Désir about the weaving of histories through her book Running While Black” and how she uses movement as a path towards disrupting the status quo in running to create a future where all are visible and feel like they belong. Enjoy this episode and thanks for listening.

About Stephanie: Stephanie is an RRCA (Road Runner’s Club of America) and McMillan Running certified running coach with over 10 years of running experience. Additionally, Stephanie is a yoga teacher with advancedcertifications in yoga for athletes, Yoga For All, and Empowered Wisdom Yoga Nidra. Stephanie believes that to be a runner is to believe in your possibility as a human through movement. Her favorite running distance is the half marathon (13.1 miles/21 kilometers).

About Alison Mariella Désir: Alison Mariella Désir is multi-talented: a founder, a doer, an activist, a connector, a visionary and an unapologetically straightforward communicator with a passion for movement, mental health, and racial equity. Alison got her start in the running and outdoor industry unintentionally, after seeing a black friend train and complete a marathon. inspired, alison went on to run her first marathon and discovered that she had found a powerful tool to manage her depression. she’s been working to share the transformational power of running and movement ever since.

Resources

Stephanie Diaz on Instagram: @thecookierunner
Stephanie Diaz Website: thecookierunner.net
This episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EfpzepXlrt8
Alison Mariella Désir on Instagram: @alisonmdesir
Alison Mariella Désir Website: alisonmdesir.com
To purchase "Running While Black": alisonmdesir.com/book
EARTHMOVERS Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast
EARTHMOVERS YouTube: youtube.com/@EarthmoversPodcast

Live NYC Marathon, Martinus Evans of Slow AF Run Club, with Alison Mariella Désir & Verna NezBegay Volker

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (EARTHMOVERS) — Fri, 21 Nov 2025 13:22:35 +0000

This engaging and dynamic trio talked about Evans' running journey, creating the 40K+ strong Slow AF Run Club, how he’s dealt with criticism–both online and in person, and how he’s navigating being a new dad, and a lot more. It’s an inspiring, uplifting conversation, with some laughs along the way.

A huge thank you to our presenting sponsor Altra for making this conversation possible for us. And a huge thank you to New York Road Runners for making us a part of this incredible marathon weekend.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: https: @earthmoverspodcast

Our Season 1 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com

This event was hosted by the New York Road Runners. Find them at www.nyrr.org

From this Episode

Martinus Evans on Instagram: @martinusevans

Slow AF Run Club on Instagram: @slowafrunclub

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

Alison Mariella Désir: Runner, mountain climber, mother, community builder, and racial equity activist, Désir is the author of the groundbreaking book Running While Black and the host of the award winning PBS TV show Out and Back with Alison Mariella Désir. @alisonmdesir

Season Finale: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (EARTHMOVERS) — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 12:22:27 +0000

Hear about memorable moments from the season; surprises, learnings, and joys; and what Alison, Verna, and Stefanie are looking forward to next. Oh, and yes, they do talk about their pets!

Also announced: EARTHMOVERS will be live at the NYC Marathon Expo, Jacob Javits Center, on the Main Stage, Sat., Nov. 1, 1pm, featuring special guest Martinus Evans, resilience speaker, marathoner, and author of Slow AF Run Club. Entry is free! Please join us. This conversation will be published as a special EARTHMOVERS episode.

And, coming soon! There will be MERCH! EARTHMOVERS merch was on special offer to Kickstarter contributors, and soon it will be available for purchase by you—a perfect holiday gift! Stay tuned to @earthmoverspodcast on Instagram for all updates!

Thank you to our listeners, supporters, Kickstarter contributors, Altra, and everyone who’s helped make this idea into a reality. We ALL did this! We are already seeing the power of sharing these stories, highlighting different perspectives and experiences in outdoor spaces, and making connections to grow community, representation, and support so that everybody feels welcome and safe to show up as their full selves. We are just getting started!

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthmoverspodcast/

Our Season 1 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

Deo Kato, on Running Across Africa and Europe, with Alison Mariella Désir & Stefanie Flippin

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (Stefanie Flippin, Alison Mariella Désir) — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Deo Kato is a runner, coach, and racial equity activist. He was born in Uganda, and at age 10 came to London, where he still lives. Today he is best known for being the first person to run from Cape Town to London. This trek began on July 24, 2023: it took Deo 518 days and he covered 8,230 miles.

Previous to this huge undertaking, Deo created the 381 Days Running For Justice movement. Starting June 6, 2020, Deo set out to run 10km every day for 381 days to protest against racial injustice and inequality in society. The 381 days honors those of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955-56 Alabama, USA, and the change they created on the policy of racial segregation.

This initiative also encompassed Deo running from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, carrying a customized U.S. flag where each star represented a black person who had been killed by police. Deo also ran a double London Marathon to protest against police brutality in the UK, known as the Unarmed Campaign. Additionally, Deo is the Spirit of the London Marathon Award winner.

In this beautiful conversation, Deo shares with Alison and Stefanie his running background, how he conceived of and prepared for his incredible journey, what he encountered along the way, and the powerful takeaways that have settled with him since completing his journey. This is an absolute not to miss episode!

As they always do, co-hosts Alison and Stefanie bring their vast experience as runners and racial equity advocates to this conversation, along with their deep respect and curiosity about Deo's astonishing journey.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthmoverspodcast/

Our Season 1 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com

From this Episode

Deo Kato on Instagram: @deoruns
Deo Kato on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/deok
Deo Kato on TikTok: @deoruns

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

Zagdaa and Tuvshin Baatar of Nomadic Adventure Club, with Co-Host Stefanie Flippin

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (Stefanie Flippin) — Thu, 9 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

"You cannot act in a different way in the mountains," says Zagdaa. "You have to be yourself."

The Bataars have a lifetime of experience in the outdoors, but their way of living changed dramatically when they came to the US: time in the outdoors gave way to working long days to establish their family in the States. Over time, they recognized the need to get back out into nature. Their own journey back to climbing mountains and exploring the trails near their home in Northern California led them to trail racing, and it led them to wanting to share these experiences with other families like theirs.

The Bataars started organizing group hikes and set to learning how to lead others up big mountains, and the Nomadic Adventure Club was born. That was over a decade ago. The organization is now a 501c3 nonprofit organization and has become a source of support and community, especially for immigrant families, focused on trail running and mountain climbing.

The Bataars themselves have become accomplished trail runners and racers, and Zagdaa sits on the Advisory Council of the Broken Arrow Sky Race; the couple also volunteers a lot of their time to trail races and the trail community. In addition to all of that, the Bataars are wine makers, and proud parents.

In this conversation, Stefanie and the Bataars talk about the Bataars growing up in Mongolia, the challenges and joys of moving to the US and raising their children, getting back into the mountains and trail racing, and their deep passion for building community and getting others into nature. They also talk about their wine making venture, which has community ties as well.

Here, Stefanie brings her own experience as a coach—in particular, she has coached Zagdaa for several years—as well as her experience as a professional ultra runner and racial equity advocate.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: https: @earthmoverspodcast

Our Season 1 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com

From this Episode

Zagaa Baatar on Instagram: @zagd_nomad

Tuvshin Baatar on Instagram: @tuvshin_nomad

Nomadic Adventure Club on Instagram: @nomadic.adventure.club

Nomadic Adventure Club website: nomadicadventure.club

Broken Arrow Skyrace on Instagram: @brokenarrowskyrace

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

Ellie Windham, with Co-Host Verna NezBegay Volker

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (Verna NezBegay Volker) — Thu, 2 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Ellie sat down with EARTHMOVERS co-host Verna to talk about her running background and how she developed into a running community leader. Their conversation touches on Ellie's experiences navigating and claiming her own identity as a Korean woman who was adopted from her home country and raised by a white family in a predominantly white community in Pennsylvania.

Ellie also talks about her evolution from solo runner to group run leader, with a passion for helping newer runners find joy and reach goals they'd previously thought they couldn't reach. Ellie tests her own limits in ultra running: she is currently wrapping up training for the Javelina Jundred 100-mile race: this will be Ellie's third attempt at this distance. She talks about how she's adjusted her training so that she can overcome the difficulties that held in back from completing previous 100 milers.

"Ultra running really teaches you so many things about yourself," say Ellie. "I think ultra running is the greatest teacher in my life."

Additionally, Ellie is a first time producer and director, with Christine Rivera: they created the short documentary Girls Run Ultras. Ellie and Verna talk about how Ellie developed this new skill and passion for telling stories through film and video and how this documentary came to life. Girls Run Ultras screened at the 2024 Trail Running Film Festival.

As always, Verna brings her experience as a community leader and organization founder, as well as her experience as an ultra runner and racial equity advocate.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcast

Our Season 1 Presenting Sponsor

Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at ALTRArunning.com

From this Episode

Ellie Windham on Instagram: @elliewindham

Asian Women Stay Running (AWSTARS) on Instagram: @awstars_nyc

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

Olympic Medalist Alysia Montaño, with Alison Mariella Désir, Live from 2025 Women of Color Take the Lead Retreat

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (Alysia Montaño, Alison Mariella Désir) — Thu, 25 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Alison and Alysia get deep, and they also share some laughs, covering a range of topics. Alysia brings her vast experience as a world-class athlete and a ground-breaking advocate for mothers and women, especially women of color. She has experienced racism and misogyny, and cheating in competition. Throughout, Alysia has followed her heart and held firm to remaining vocal and taking brave steps toward advocating for herself, which has changed the game for everyone—both inside sport and far beyond.

Famously, Alysia ran the 800-meter event at the 2014 national championships when she was 8 months pregnant. Then in 2019, in the New York Times OpEd piece "Nike Told Me to Dream Crazy, Until I Wanted a Baby," Alysia exposed the default punitive practices against women who wanted to have children during their professional athletic careers. This resonated beyond track and field, and beyond sport. It changed the way contracts for child-bearing people are now written.

Alysia and Alison also discuss how Alysia has persisted in pursuing doping cases that impact her professional athletic legacy. Alysia has retroactively been awarded an Olympic bronze medal from the 2012 London Games, and two bronze world championship medals, from 2010 and 2013. She discusses receiving her world championship medals in a lackluster setting and how that won't be the case when she finally receives her Olympic medal—that will happen at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

Alison brings her vast experience as an equity advocate and public speaker, and as an athlete and friend to this inspirational, insightful conversation. There's so much wisdom and empowerment dropped here.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast

Our Season 1 Presenting Sponsor

Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at https://www.altrarunning.com/

From this Episode

Alysia Montaño on Instagram: @alysiamontano

For All Mothers (FAM+) on Instagram: @forallmothersorg

Women of Color Take the Lead Retreat on Instagram: @woctakethelead

"Nike Told Me to Dream Crazy, Until I Wanted a Baby": nytimes.com/2019/05/12/opinion/nike-maternity-leave

ICARUS documentary, on Netflix: netflix.com/title/80168079

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

Yolanda López Haugabook, with Co-Hosts Verna NezBegay Volker and Alison Mariella Désir

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (EARTHMOVERS) — Thu, 18 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Yolanda, known as “Yo,” is a marathoner, hybrid athlete, and community builder. She ran her first marathon after just five months of training and then went on to co-found Sin Miedo with her husband, Antoine, not long after.

Sin Miedo, which means without fear, is a fast-growing trail running community, founded by people of color, centering people of color, with the aim to uplift cultura, courage, and connection in the outdoors.

In this conversation, Yolanda talks about her own running journey, the origins of Sin Miedo, and the joys and challenges of creating a trail running group that is focused on runners of color. She also highlights the support she and Antoine are getting from the Freedom to Run: Back Outside program, created by the Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC). Verna and Alison are RIDC co-founders.

Verna and Alison bring their shared experience, as community leaders and organization founders, as well as runners and racial equity advocates.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcast

Our Season 1 Presenting Sponsor

Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at ALTRArunning.com

From this Episode

Yolanda López Haugabook on Instagram: @yofitruns

Yolanda López Haugabook, business, on Instagram: @yofitofficial

Sin Miedo Trail Runners on Instagram: @sinmiedotrailrunners

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

Wynonna Fulgham and Missy Hendricks, on Running the 2025 Cocodona 250, with Co-Host Verna NezBegay Volker

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (Verna NezBegay Volker) — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Both Missy and Wynonna, who are themselves native as well–Mescalero Apache and Navajo, respectively–were introduced to ultra trail running through NWR. Previous to Cocodona, the furthest they’d ever run was 100 miles.

Verna talks to these runners about their running history and what inspired them to want to take on this huge challenge. They also discuss how they prepared for this event and what running on trails means to them, as native women, including how being on the trails is healing and a way to connect with the land and ancestors.

And of course, Missy and Wynonna discuss completing this tremendous feat. They cover the joy and challenges they experienced, all the way through to the emotional finish.

Verna brings her shared ultra experience, fresh off finishing her first 100-miler in August 2025, as well as her shared cultural connections to the trails and long trail journeys. And, as the woman who founded the organization that inspired Missy and Wynonna to take up ultra trail running, this conversation is also a recognition of the importance of creating these spaces for her community.

This is a journey of a lifetime–a truly unforgettable ultra story, like you’ve never heard before.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcast

Our Season 1 Presenting Sponsor

Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at ALTRArunning.com

From this Episode

Wynonna Fulgham on Instagram: @blacksheep_running

Missy Hendricks on Instagram: @ellicul_lucy

Native Women Run: @native_women_run

Cocodona 250: @cocodona250

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

Co-Hosts Verna NezBegay Volker and Stefanie Flippin, On Verna's First 100-Mile Finish

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (Verna NezBegay Volker, Stefanie Flippin) — Thu, 4 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Stefanie and Verna dive into all that went into Verna reaching her 100-mile goal, a process that's been years in the making, as well as how the race went down. Several years ago, Verna attempted this distance and over 90 miles before having to end her bid. She vowed then that she had no interest in going after 100 miles ever again.

But then Verna changed her mind.

Verna had the opportunity to run the Redwoods 100-mile Challenge, put on by Milestone Events, and she took it. This sounded like just the set-up that would facilitate her being able to accomplish this tremendous goal. She was right. Also key to Verna's success was teaming up with Sky Tulley, who was also going after his first 100-mile finish: the two ran most of their miles together. Though they'd never met before, both Verna and Sky are Navajo and grew up on the reservation. Verna talks about how this shared bond helped get them through the tough miles. She also shares some of the funnier times, experiencing hallucinations and how laughter helped get them through to the end.

Stefanie brings her perspective as a friend, as well as a professional racer who specializes in the 100-mile distance and coach who works with athletes at all levels of the sport. She also shares some of her own experiences in the outdoors, connected to her Japanese-Chinese heritage.

Both Stefanie and Verna also get into why representation matters and the ways in which this 100-mile event allowed Verna to show up as her full self and support her goals.

Find EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcast

Our Season 1 Presenting Sponsor
Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at ALTRArunning.com

Mentioned in this Episode
Daniel Böcker, Verna's coach, Instagram: @athletewithoutmeat

Milestone Events: @officialmilestoneevents

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

Dora Atim with Co-Host Alison Mariella Désir

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (Alison Mariella Désir) — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this conversation between EARTHMOVERS co-host Alison Mariella Désir and Dora Atim, Atim shares how she got started in running, and what got her out on the trails, running ultras. She also gets into how the running group she founded, Ultra Black Running, came to be, and why she's so passionate about carving out space on the trails for other Black women and nonbinary runners.

Atim goes deep, sharing empowering, joyful moments in running and on the trail. And she shares experiences of racism and exclusion. Once a shy, quiet kid, today Atim is known today for being boldly herself. But that's been a process. Atim and Désir discuss how Atim navigates making change and overcomes times of self-doubt, why Atim doesn't view herself as an activist, and how community is at the core of it all.

Find EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcast

Our Season 1 Presenting Sponsor
Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at ALTRArunning.com

From this Episode

Dora Atim on Instagram: @doradontexplore
Ultra Black Running on Instagram: @ultrablackrunning

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

Miki Sawada with Co-Host Stefanie Flippin

earthmoverspodcast@gmail.com (Stefanie Flippin) — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Miki Sawada is an ultra trail runner and professional pianist who focuses on bringing classical music to community spaces through her nonprofit Gather Hear. Sawada is Japanese, and she’s been living in the US for the past two decades. She calls the Boston area home.

Sawada was chosen as one of the two recipients for the 2025 GU Energy Labs’s Diversity Initiative. In this episode, Sawada talks to EARTHMOVERS host Stefanie Flippin, who is also her coach. In addition, Flippin is a sponsored athlete with GU and helps oversee the Diversity Initiative Sawada was chosen for.

Sawada discusses her upbringing and the different cultures she’s grown up in, and what led her to becoming a professional musician. Sawada also gets into her experiences on the trail: why she runs in outdoor spaces and why she applied to be a part of the Diversity Initiative through GU. For Sawada, inclusivity work is core to her drive–in the world of classical music and now in trail running.

EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcast

Our Season 1 Presenting Sponsor

Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at ALTRArunning.com

From this Episode

Miki Sawada on Instagram: @mikipony

Gather Hear: gatherhear.com

EARTHMOVERS Hosts

We Are EARTHMOVERS: Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, Verna NezBegay Volker Are On the Mic

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this premier episode, EARTHMOVERS hosts Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, and Verna NezBegay Volker get on the mic. They catch up on their recent outdoor and life adventures, including Alison’s second summit of Mount Kilimanjaro and putting on her first trail race, the We Out Here Trail Festival.

Stefanie shares about her busy coaching season and about her own training, which has included documenting her local trail system, while setting FKTs along the way. She also talks about being at We Out There and the panel discussion that took place the night before the race. You can find that conversation on the Making Strides podcast (find link below).

Verna shares about her recent trip home to the Southwest, where she hosted Georgia Weir and her husband, both native runners from Australia–Georgia founded the organization Deadly Runner, to amplify and support indigenous runners in Australia. Verna also discusses training for her 100-mile trail race, as well as the last time she attempted this distance–at Dark Anchor, put on by Yeti Trail Runners.

Also discussed: the origin of the EARTHMOVERS name, some of the reasons behind starting this podcast, and what everyone is looking forward to for this first season of EARTHMOVERS. EARTHMOVERS is a trail podcast reclaiming the narrative. We are just getting started.

Find EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @EARTHMOVERSpodcast

Our Season 1 Presenting Sponsor
Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at ALTRArunning.com

Mentioned in this Episode
Learn more about the upcoming Kilimanjaro Marathon and safari trip, with host Alison Mariella Désir, happening March 2026: soraka.tours/kilimanjaro-marathon-with-alison

Making Strides live panel discussion from We Out Here, on Apple and Spotify

Yeti Trail Runners: yetitrailrunners.com

Georgia Weir: @georgiaweir83

Deadly Runners: deadlyrunner.com.au

EARTHMOVERS Hosts