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What does it look like to be truly authentic to yourself and your values, even when it's tough? Even on social media when you're going to ruffle some feathers? In this episode, runner, coach, PT, and community builder Jess Mena talks to co-host Stefanie Flippin about this and how running has influenced her life since she was a preteen.  After completing her first marathon at the age of 12, Mena has never stopped running. In this episode Flippin and Mena discuss Mena’s life juggling being a physical therapist and running coach, as well as the founder and leader of the women focused Tempo Training Run Club. They also dive into the realities of speaking out on social media, and how calling for diversity and greater accountability is not as easy as it seems. EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcastEARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com Our Season 2 Presenting SponsorThank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com Mentioned in this Episode Jess Mena on Instagram: @tempo_with_jessSoCalTrail Website: socaltrail.events EARTHMOVERS HostsVerna 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

In this episode, co-host Alison Mariella Désir is joined by Jade Stevens, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the 40 Acre Conservation League, California’s first Black-led land conservation organization.  Through her conservation work with the League, Stevens aims to increase public access to land for underrepresented groups while protecting it. In this conversation, Alison and Jade discuss topics of what land conservation is, land trusts, and how expanding access to public lands can help raise awareness of conservationism for everyone.  Jade also discusses the origins of the League's name, a reference to the unfulfilled promise by the US government after the Civil War to provide 40 acres and a mule to formerly enslaved African Americans. EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcastEARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com Our Season 3 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com Mentioned in this Episode Jade Stevens on Instagram: @msjadesaid 40 Acre Conservation League: 40acreleague.orgGateway Park on Instagram: @gatewayparkcalifornia 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

In this episode co-hosts Stefanie Flippin and Verna NezBegay Volker sit down with Hebah Hezfy. As a neurologist, mother, and hijabi trail runner, Hezfy is our trailblazer this week, lighting the path for more visibility of hijabi runners, and also sharing how she fits ultra running in around parenting and career (she gets creative).  In this discussion, we talk about why the hijab is a hot topic in sports, how to manage ultra training and life, and confronting racism in the trail running space. Mentioned in this Episode Hebah Hezfy: @hibs82 EARTHMOVERS on Instagram: @earthmoverspodcastEARTHMOVERS on Substack: earthmoverspodcast.substack.com Our Season 3 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

In this episode, host Verna NezBegay Volker is joined by Sergio Avila, a trail runner and conservation scientist turned outdoor advocate, with a focus on diversifying the outdoors.  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.com Our Season 3 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com Mentioned 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. @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

We are back! With Season 3 of Earthmovers: the podcast dedicated to trailblazers reclaiming the narrative. Hosts hosts Alison Mariella Désir, Stefanie Flippin, and Verna NezBegay Volker get on the mic for this season opener.  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.com Our Season 2 Presenting Sponsor Thank you to our presenting sponsor ALTRA. Find them at altrarunning.com Mentioned 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. @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

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

Additionally, Yuri taught school for 12 years before working for GU. Yuri has always been someone who aims to create welcoming spaces for all, and this has carried over into his work at GU: he has placed an emphasis there on sponsoring and providing opportunities to diverse riders and runners. And, as Stefanie points out when introducing Yuri in this episode: “In addition, in our opinion, he's also just one of the greatest definitions of an ally in the endurance and trail world.” Stefanie and Alison have both worked with Yuri for the past several years, and in this illuminating conversation, they get into a huge range of topics, which all point to how Yuri has become the leader and community builder he is today. Stefanie and Alison learn about Yuri’s childhood, his experiences as a lacrosse player, how he came to study African American literature, and his years teaching. Yuri also shares about his life as a cyclist, and the many roles he’s played in that sport, including talking about some of the many nonprofit organizations he’s supported. And Yuri talks about the work he does at GU–including his experiences with Stefanie and Alison, and his approach to building authentic, impactful, mutually supportive relationships, which go beyond contracts. As Yuri says, “It all really boils down to me wanting to have everybody have similar experiences that I've had or I've seen others have and how transformational it can be, whether you're on the podium or not. Podium does not matter.... It's being outdoors. Movement outdoors is medicine, whether you're running, hiking, riding a horse, surfing, ... all the things. Moving in nature is is really important, and we all should have access to it." 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  Yuri Hauswald on Instagram: @yhauswald Silver Stallion Bicycle and Coffee Works: silverstallion.org Pablove Foundation: pablove.org Norcal High School Mountain Bike League: norcalmtb.org Bloom House Youth Services: bloomhouseks.org Conservation Alliance: conservationalliance.com 1% for the Planet: onepercentfortheplanet.org Challenged Athletes Foundation: challengedathletes.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: 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

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

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: 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

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: 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

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 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

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 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

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: 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