EARTHMOVERS, with Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, Verna NezBegay Volker
EARTHMOVERS, with Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, Verna NezBegay Volker
Podcast Description
EARTHMOVERS, with Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, Verna NezBegay Volker is a trail podcast reclaiming the narrative by centering the experiences of people of color on the trails–with stories, insights, and wisdom for everyone. We are in this together.
Weekly conversations celebrate the growth, joy, and healing of getting in nature, and the challenging issues around exclusion and discrimination—as told by those who know from experience. Expect a vibe that is honest, casual, serious, fun, inspirational—and groundbreaking. With EARTHMOVERS, expand your understanding of the outdoor trail experience.
Hosts Désir, Flippin, and Volker are adventurers and runners, leading equity advocates and friends. Special guests are athletes, industry insiders, and community builders. They all share a passion for getting on the trails and know the life-changing power of experiencing the outdoors.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast focuses on outdoor experiences, racial equity, and community empowerment, highlighting topics like the challenges of exclusion in nature, inclusivity in trail running, and personal growth through outdoor activities. Episodes include personal stories from the hosts about their adventures, their involvement in promoting diversity in athletics, and interviews with guests like Miki Sawada on the power of music and nature.
EARTHMOVERS, with Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, Verna NezBegay Volker is a trail podcast reclaiming the narrative by centering the experiences of people of color on the trails–with stories, insights, and wisdom for everyone. We are in this together.
Weekly conversations celebrate the growth, joy, and healing of getting in nature, and the challenging issues around exclusion and discrimination—as told by those who know from experience. Expect a vibe that is honest, casual, serious, fun, inspirational—and groundbreaking. With EARTHMOVERS, expand your understanding of the outdoor trail experience.
Hosts Désir, Flippin, and Volker are adventurers and runners, leading equity advocates and friends. Special guests are athletes, industry insiders, and community builders. They all share a passion for getting on the trails and know the life-changing power of experiencing the outdoors.
This conversation was inspired by recent events, but as the hosts make clear, this lack of accountability isn’t new. Verna, Stefanie, and Alison provide context and critique around why and how running is always inherently political, especially trail running, and how the power structure of white supremacy continues to play out in these spaces. In this episode, there is also celebration. Among the highlights, the hosts talk about the accomplishments of former Earthmovers guest Tuvshin Baatar–at 58, he finished the 2026 Western States 100-miler, cheered on by his parents, both in their 90s, who flew over from Mongolia for the event.
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
Earthmovers episode ft. Dora Atim: youtu.be/4pn-DIV4V0s?si=bXZqZw5OOfj-MpEe
Earthmovers episode ft. Tuvshin Baatar: youtu.be/uRyGRXrOWek?si=-7ZjvbYQ0Auz4WK0
Tuvshin Baartar’s story on Instagram, via GU: instagram.com/reel
Tuvshin Baatar Earthmovers Substack post: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com/p/catching-up-with-tuvshin-baatar
Tressie McMillan Cottom New York Times article “How an Empty Internet Gave Us Tradwives and Trump”: nytimes.com/2024/11/21/opinion/trump-trad-wives-podcasters-wellness
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
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