EARTHMOVERS

Through his efforts as an Outings Program Coordinator for the Sierra Club and current board member of Alianza Tecuani, as well as his past work on the board of the Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC), Avila’s advocacy work helps to decolonize our relationship with the land and bring communities of color and others who are marginalized into outdoos spaces. From interrogating how we can respect the land by integrating Indigenous ways of knowing to expanding the inclusion of outdoor outings for people of color and those with less access to designated nature parks, this episode dismantles preconceptions that the outdoor recreation space is just for those who are part of "outdoor culture." Sergio discusses his running journey, the Land Back Movement, why he refers to himself as a "recovering conservationist," and the culture of outdoor recreation—and he shares the beautiful experiences of caring for Toby the tortoise. EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcastEARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.comOur Season 3 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.comMentioned in this Episode Sergio Avila: @sergio_concolor Toby the Turtle: @tobydetucsonSierra Club: sierraclub.orgRunning Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC): runningdiversity.comAlianza Tecuani, Instagram: @AlianzaIndigenaSinFronteras Alianza Tecuani, information: givenative.org/organization/AlianzaTecuaniEARTHMOVERS 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. @hozhorunner4Alison 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

To launch this new season of Earthmovers, hosts Alison, Stefanie, and Verna catch up and share what’s been on their minds this summer. From navigating new training blocs to parenthood and discussing diversity within the trail running space, they get into it all this episode; you don't want to miss it!EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcastEARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.comOur Season 2 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.comMentioned in this Episode Every Child Matters, Orange Shirt Day, Sept. 30: for more information: orangeshirtday.org Remembrance Run: remainingnativedocumentary.com/rr26 Remaining Native Documentary: remainingnativedocumentary.com Kutoven Stevens, Instagram: @ku_stevens Here For The Women Of Color T-shirt campaign: bonfire.com/here-for-the-women-of-color Good People by Pateemna Sabit: penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777077/good-people-by-patmeena-sabit Black Voters Matter, co-founded by LaTosha Brown and Cliff Albright: blackvotersmatterfund.org LaTosha Brown on The Jamal Bryant Podcast “Let’s Be Clear” on YouTube Trail Mix Fund: trailmixfund.orgEARTHMOVERS 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. @hozhorunner4Alison 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

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  

Hear about memorable moments from the season; surprises, learnings, and joys. Alison, Verna, and Stefanie also discuss what they are looking forward to next.  Remember, we have merch and a Substack. You can also keep up with us @earthmoverspodcast on Instagram.  Thank you to our listeners, supporters, Altra, and everyone who continues to help make this idea into a reality. Changing the narrative is a community effort.  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 still just getting started! EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcast EARTHMOVERS merch: bonfire.com/earthmovers Our Seasons 1 and 2 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.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: 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

The mission of the RIDC is to “unite the running industry to improve inclusion, visibility, and access while creating clearer pathways for people to enter the sport and build meaningful careers within the running industry.” It’s the only organization of its kind in the running industry. Alison and Verna are both co-founders of the RIDC. Kiera is also the co-founder of the running community City Fit Girls, which became Strides.  Kiera thrives on connecting people and resources, and making meaningful change. In this conversation, Kiera tells about her own journey to meaningful movement and running and how that led to her becoming a leader in the movement space, starting in Philadelphia. The groups she help found became models for other movement communities. Kiera then applied these skills in her professional life, helping companies and organizations expand their reach and audience.  Kiera has been guided by her motto: If I can’t be me, it’s not for me. And she's applied this to how she envisions messaging to others. Who is this for? All of her experience made Kiera an ideal candidate to run the RIDC, which just celebrated 5 years. Kiera talks about what the RIDC does, some of its big achievements, and announces some big news about what’s happening next. And she talks about her new guiding mantra to “Do less, but do better.”  Through this conversation, discover how Kiera Smalls has developed the ability to make real change happen, how she's turned skills and passion into action, and what those real world changes actually are. It’s also a time for Verna and Alison to look back with Kiera on the ambitious plans they helped set in motion, and celebrate how those plans are manifesting under Kiera’s exceptional leadership. 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  Kiera Smalls on Instagram: @kierasmalls Running Industry Diversity Coalition (RIDC) on Instagram: @runningdiversity RIDC website: runningdiversity.com Movement for All: runningdiversity.com/movement-for-all 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