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

Alison Mariella Désir, Verna NezBegay Volker, Stefanie Flippin
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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.

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

    6D AGO

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

    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  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

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

    12/11/2025

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

    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

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

    11/21/2025

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

    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 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

    39 min
  4. Season Finale: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

    10/23/2025

    Season Finale: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

    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 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

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

    10/16/2025

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

    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 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

    45 min
  6. Zagdaa and Tuvshin Baatar of Nomadic Adventure Club, with Co-Host Stefanie Flippin

    10/09/2025

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

    "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 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

    56 min
  7. Ellie Windham, with Co-Host Verna NezBegay Volker

    10/02/2025

    Ellie Windham, with Co-Host Verna NezBegay Volker

    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 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

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

    09/25/2025

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

    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 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

    56 min
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5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

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.

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