That's Her Problem

In this episode of That's Her Problem, we talk with cycling coach, bike educator, and Femme Cyclist creator Kristen Bonkoski about what it means to build confidence on two wheels and live a more bike-centered life. Kristen shares her origin story, from childhood rides and a life-changing 60-mile Yellowstone ride to leaving a corporate job to build a career around biking, coaching, and helping women feel welcome in cycling spaces.The conversation covers women’s bike fit, fueling properly on the bike, safety, mental health, mountain biking, and why bikes can be both a form of freedom and a tool for resistance. Kristen also discusses motherhood, raising a son with feminist values, the challenges of online backlash, and how joy and political awareness can coexist. If you’re looking for motivation to ride more, fuel better, or feel stronger and more included in cycling, this episode is for you.Kristen Bonkoski: Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/femme_cyclist/ YouTube: Femme Cyclist - https://www.youtube.com/femmecyclist Patty Wiens: Website: pattybikes.comPodcast: That's Her Problem Support Patty on Patreon to help keep the show going at https://www.patreon.com/c/herproblem Chapters00:00 Introduction to Kristen Bonkowski and her cycling background02:21 Kristen's childhood bike experiences and early influences06:32 Transition from corporate job to full-time cycling coach11:10 Kristen's coaching focus on women and her program goals17:15 Fueling strategies and nutrition for long rides22:01 Bike fit essentials for women and equipment tips24:07 Addressing safety concerns and roadside repair skills28:53 Encouraging girls and women in mountain biking and downhill riding33:05 The mental health benefits of cycling and community support44:25 Kristen's advice for starting a passion-based business45:53 Balancing activism, joy, and mental health through cyclingLinksSupport my podcast at www.pattybikes.com/podcastOrder my book in Canada from McNally Robinson: https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/9781773371399/patty-wiens/thatll-never-work-here?blnBKM=1 and in the USA from Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/that-ll-never-work-here-challenging-the-myths-around-biking-in-a-winter-city-the-city-project-book-3/632bcbd73d3178fe?ean=9781773371399&next=tSign up for my newsletter at www.pattybikes.com ZM98RY4IBPALUCVBKeywords#podcast #urbanplanning #transportation #womeninleadership #communitybuilding #Journalism #Advocacy #SustainableCities #BikeLife #ActiveTransport #WomenWhoRide #WomenInMedia #SafeStreets #Urbanism #PublicTransport #EmpoweredWomen #GirlsEducation #AuthorLife #MentalHealthAwareness #UrbanForests #ClimateResilience #CommunityAction #WomenInLeadership #EnvironmentalAdvocacy #TreeConservation #GreenSpaces #Winnipeg #ErnaBuffie #CityPlanning

Winnipeg's Erna Buffie reveals how urban forests are crucial for climate resilience, mental health, and community safety. Whether you're passionate about climate action, city planning, or just love a good story of advocacy, this episode will change the way you see your city.You’ll discover how urban trees can lower temperatures by up to 8°C, reduce traffic of how the right arguments can turn the tide. She breaks down the hidden costs of losing tree canopies, from biodiversity loss to health disparities, especially in communities like Winnipeg's West End struggling with green space scarcity.We explore innovative ideas sweeping across cities worldwide, from Paris’s mini forests to planting fruit trees in neighborhoods, showing how individuals and communities can impact local ecosystems. Erna offers practical steps: how to get involved, advocate for greener policies, and even plant a single tree to start a ripple effect. Her insights illuminate the interconnectedness of climate resilience, urban design, and social equity, reminding us that trees are not just nature’s luxury—they're a climate necessity.In a world racing to adapt, this episode underscores the importance of grassroots activism and political engagement. You’ll leave inspired to take action—whether that’s voting for eco-conscious leaders, volunteering in your community, or advocating for equitable green spaces. Because when cities plant more trees, everyone benefits—especially the women, the wild animals, and future generations.Erna Buffie is an acclaimed author and environmental advocate known for her work inspiring communities to protect urban forests. Her background in documentary filmmaking and science informs her passionate storytelling and strategic activism. She’s led campaigns in Winnipeg and beyond, championing biodiversity, climate resilience, and Indigenous land stewardship.If you care about climate change, community health, or just want to know how a single tree can change everything—this episode is your call to action. Tune in to learn how to make your city greener, safer, and more beautiful. Because when we plant trees together, we grow hope—and a healthier planet.ResourcesFinding the Mother Tree by Suzanne Simard - Triede & Fungal by Ariel GordonThe Global Forest by Diana Beresford-KrögerTrees Please! Winnipeg InitiativeCity of Winnipeg Urban Forestry ProgramOrder Erna’s book - https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/9781773371474/erna-buffie/out-on-a-limb?blnBKM=1 LinksSupport my podcast at www.pattybikes.com/podcastOrder my book in Canada from McNally Robinson: https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/9781773371399/patty-wiens/thatll-never-work-here?blnBKM=1 and in the USA from Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/that-ll-never-work-here-challenging-the-myths-around-biking-in-a-winter-city-the-city-project-book-3/632bcbd73d3178fe?ean=9781773371399&next=tSign up for my newsletter at www.pattybikes.com ZM98RY4IBPALUCVBKeywords#podcast #urbanplanning #transportation #womeninleadership #communitybuilding #Journalism #Advocacy #SustainableCities #BikeLife #ActiveTransport #WomenWhoRide #WomenInMedia #SafeStreets #Urbanism #PublicTransport #EmpoweredWomen #GirlsEducation #AuthorLife #MentalHealthAwareness #UrbanForests #ClimateResilience #CommunityAction #WomenInLeadership #EnvironmentalAdvocacy #TreeConservation #GreenSpaces #Winnipeg #ErnaBuffie #CityPlanning

For an earlier preview of this content, go to https://www.pattybikes.com/podcast and support me on my Patreon page. Patreon supporters get early access to all episodes one day early!When Stephanie referred Mevan Babakar to me because of her book, The Bicycle, I thought it would be a cute story of a girl who was given a bicycle as a young refugee in the Netherlands and how it made an impression on her life. I did NOT know her story would touch my heart so much. Mevan and her family fled Saddam Hussein’s reign of terror on the Kurds and her long journey through the Middle East to Russia and the Netherlands, finally settling in the United Kingdom.We talk about:The unseen power of policies like no-fly zones and refugee programs that literally save lives.How community acts of kindness, from sharing food to giving a child a bike, create enduring bonds and reshape destinies.The importance of embracing the “in-between” identity that refugees and diaspora communities forge, a space where cultural blending and community become a new homeland.The ongoing impacts of global conflicts today, how narratives are shaped, and why individual stories like Mevan’s reveal the truth behind the headlines.Why storytelling and kindness are revolutionary acts in a fractured world and how small gestures can reconnect us to our shared humanity.Whether you love stories about overcoming adversity, exploring identities in diaspora, or the transformative power of community, you'll leave inspired to see your own “in-between” moments as opportunities for connection and change. Join us as Mevan, a refugee turned author and activist, takes us on a breathtaking voyage from war-torn Kurdistan to the streets of Europe and beyond, reminding us all that hope is found in the simplest acts and the stories we choose to tell.LinksSupport my podcast at www.pattybikes.com/podcastCheck Mevan’s website at https://mevanbabakar.com/ Order my book in Canada from McNally Robinson: https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/9781773371399/patty-wiens/thatll-never-work-here?blnBKM=1 and in the USA from Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/that-ll-never-work-here-challenging-the-myths-around-biking-in-a-winter-city-the-city-project-book-3/632bcbd73d3178fe?ean=9781773371399&next=tSign up for my newsletter at www.pattybikes.com ZM98RY4IBPALUCVB

University of Winnipeg Book Event - The City ProjectThis engaging discussion explores the future of sustainable cities, municipal finance, urban planning, and community engagement, using Winnipeg as a case study. Experts share insights on incremental city improvements, the importance of understanding municipal finance, and how small actions can lead to big change.Featuring authors Michel Durand-Wood (You’ll Pay for This) and Patty Wiens (That’ll Never Work Here).You can purchase both books from your local bookstore, or online. If you’re in Canada you can buy them here: https://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/searchresults?txtSearchSearchType=keyword&txtSearchFulltextCriteria=the+city+project&txtSearchMode=sitewideChapters00:00 Introduction to the City Project Book Series02:53 Understanding Municipal Finance05:50 The Role of Local Activism and Community Engagement08:51 The Importance of Incremental Change in Urban Planning11:23 The Impact of Infrastructure on City Life14:26 Lessons from Jane Jacobs and Modern Urbanism17:39 The Future of Urban Development and Local Politics31:12 Tackling the Biggest Little Things for Change31:39 Reflections on the Book and Future Opportunities34:01 Exploring Women's Experiences in Urban Spaces35:48 Perceptions of Safety in Urban Environments39:06 Understanding the Complexities of Urban Safety40:03 The Role of Connectivity in Urban Experiences42:13 Changing the Default Mode of Transportation45:38 Civic Engagement and Community Responsibility51:25 Finding Sustainable Solutions for Urban Infrastructure52:47 Combating Civil Apathy and Encouraging Engagement

As a Patreon supporter, you get first dibs on this episode, so make sure to go to my Patreon page and add to cart!Join us as Ashleigh Myles shares her incredible journey of riding the Pan-American Highway, overcoming fears, and breaking records as a woman cyclist. Discover insights on preparation, mental resilience, gear, and advice for women aspiring to undertake similar adventures.  Ashleigh set the record for the fastest female to ride the Pan-American Highway, solo and unsupported. In the process, she unknowingly set a record for South America. The Pan-American Highway runs from Prudhoe Bay, Alaska, to Ushuaia, Argentina. It’s approximately 22,500km with 190,000m elevation. Spanning two continents and 13 countries - it is the longest road in the world.LinksAshleigh Myles websiteSupport my podcastChapters00:00 Introduction to Ashley Myles and Her Journey06:27 Breaking Records: A New Era for Female Cyclists08:59 Facing Fears: Safety and Wildlife Encounters11:41 The Scariest Moments: Overcoming Internal Doubts14:16 The Journey Begins: Planning and Preparation17:03 Type 2 and Type 3 Adventures: Understanding the Experience20:05 Challenges on the Dalton Highway: A Test of Endurance22:37 Determination to Finish: The Mental Battle25:34 Adjusting to New Environments: Camping and Safety27:56 Cultural Shifts: Navigating Mexico and Beyond31:29 Riding Through Sickness: A Test of Will34:41 Support Systems: The Backbone of Adventure36:30 Days on the Road: Shortest and Longest Distances39:09 The Beauty of the Andes: A Journey Through Lives40:38 Advice for Women Adventurers42:22 The Importance of Community Support43:02 Embracing Breakdowns: A Necessary Part of the Journey44:22 Mental Challenges: Alone with Your Thoughts46:46 Essential Gear for Long-Distance Cycling49:14 Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and ReflectionsZM98RY4IBPALUCVBKeywords#podcast #urbanplanning #transportation #womeninleadership #communitybuilding #Journalism #Advocacy #SustainableCities #BikeLife #ActiveTransport #WomenWhoRide #WomenInMedia #SafeStreets #Urbanism #PublicTransport #EmpoweredWomen #GirlsEducation #AuthorLife #MentalHealthAwareness #Cycling #RecordBreaking, #PanAmericanHighway, #GearTips, #WomenCyclists #LongDistanceCyclingPre-order my book in Canada from McNally Robinsonand in the USA from Bookshop.orgSign up for my newsletter