Making Strides (Stefanie Flippin and Carolyn Su)
Explore every episode of Making Strides
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 27 Jun 2024 | Episode 11 - The Venn Diagram Overlap | 01:05:55 | |
Stef and I get more into our different experiences growing up as Asian Americans — like how I felt like I was constantly straddling two separate worlds and identities, while Stef moved about not acknowledging her Asian ancestry. We also share about the steps we’ve taken as adults to reclaim and celebrate our heritage, whether through cooking more cultural foods, amplifying Asian American runners, or participating in more Asian American-centered events. This was a whole therapy session, yall! We also start to touch upon our thoughts on how social media has shaped running culture and community — and full disclosure: this topic is definitely to be continued! There are lots of unpack! Special s/o to Alexandria Staten, the Rising Hearts athlete whom Stef has been coaching and who will be lining up to run Western States 100 this weekend! Make sure to go show her some love!! We hope you enjoy this convo (take us with you on your next run!), and of course, subscribe, leave a rating and review if you do! The Making Strides Podcast is available across all streaming platforms now. As always, we are so grateful you’re here — in this space, in the sport, and in this world! #keepshowingup, keep running, and keep on being the change we wish to see. Notes: 00:06 - Carolyn and Stef shoot the shit for awhile, reflecting on Further, the Boston Marathon, Vegas travels, and moving 05:05 - Stef cautiously getting back into training for her upcoming 100K 08:10 - Carolyn’s family participating in the Boston AAPI 5K, and how different of an experience it has been for her kids to grow up as Asian Americans, compared to when Carolyn was a kid 17:00 - Carolyn and Stef get more in depth on their different experiences growing up as Asian Americans, and how they have sought to reclaim aspects of their heritage as adults 24:10 - Stef celebrates AANHPI Heritage Month by elevating one of her API athletes, Andrew, who immigrated from Korea and has had to navigate discrimination in the trail and ultra world 36:15 - Carolyn honors AANHPI Heritage Month by prioritizing AAPI athletes in the month’s Diverse We Run features; she highlights George Rehmet, the out-going President of the RRCA 41:50 - Carolyn and Stef delve into how social media has changed the sport and the ways we feel community (and this discussion is TBC!) 58:40 - looking ahead, Stef will be coaching Rising Hearts athlete, Alexandria Staten at Western States! Carolyn will be getting through her kids’ graduations, kick-starting summer vacation, and diving into marathon training! Links: Diverse We Run feature on George Rehmet Find Stef here. | |||
| 31 Mar 2025 | Episode 18 - Happy Women's History Month! | 00:53:07 | |
“As someone who grew up in a time when girls were pitted against each other and seen as competition, I love that we’re in this era where, just being in each other’s corners is celebrated!” This is the GIVE HER FLOWERS episode! We talk about the women who inspire us, the women who have moved us to action, and the young women we are raising. In light of Women’s History Month (March) and in recognition of International Women’s Day (March 8th), we want to specifically thank every female here for all the ways you show up in your spheres of influence, everyday. We know that you do so while juggling the needs of those who depend on you and while navigating the various biases and stereotypes that others places upon you; and yet you continue to show up, day after day, with strength, courage, grace, and wisdom. We see you, and we celebrate you! As always, we are so grateful that all of you are here in this space, in the sport, and in this world! #Keepshowingup and keep making strides in being the change we wish to see! Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, Mark Kalagayan, from the non-profit, SPARC Worldwide. The Making Strides Podcast is about building representation and about changing the ways we expect ourselves and others to show up in the running world. If you enjoy this convo please share about us with your friends! And of course, we would appreciate you subscribing and leaving a rating and review. #MakingStridesPod #letsFlippindothis #diversewerun Show Notes: 00:45 - Happy International Women’s Day! What does Women’s History Month mean to you? 02:50 - flowers for everyone 06:15 - Joy and Jo Banner, sisters who are reclaiming American history through the Descendants Project 13:40 - the legacy of Connie Chung, who broke barriers for women and Asian Americans in journalism and news broadcasting 17:20 - the advocacy and representation led by NCAA runner, Ali Upshaw, of Northern Arizona University 27:35 - the realities of safety that we still deal with in running 42:15 - looking to build up the next generation of young women Links: Connie: A Memoir, by Connie Chung Ali Upshaw (IG) Raising Worry-Free Girls, by Sissy Goff Liz Rock (IG), co-founder of the TrailBlazHers Ashley Mitchell (IG), founder of The Courage Campaign Find Stef here Find Carolyn here and here | |||
| 01 Feb 2025 | Episode 15 - The Everything, Everywhere Episode | 01:26:20 | |
Hello, 2025! In this episode, we catch up with each other after the holiday season, and we also discover how we are both in a similar season, in regards to our relationship with running social media. We talk about Seasonal Affective Disorder, meditation, laying on the ground at races, and toilet paper ornaments! We also spend time talking about the immediate impact that the new, presidential administration has already made on people in the running community and in our personal lives. This conversation is about everything, everywhere, all in 90-ish minutes! We hope you find it relatable and encouraging. As always, we are so grateful you’re here: in this space, in the sport, and in this world! #keepshowingup, keep running, and keep on being the change you wish to see. Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, Mark Kalagayan, from the non-profit, SPARC Worldwide. Show Notes: 00:25 - welcome to the new year! 01:30 - Stef gets back into the practice of meditation 09:50 - the drive towards constant productivity and how that translates into how we run and train 21:10 - Carolyn's break from all the social media running hype 22:50 - going back to the WHY's of running 30:00 - Seasonal Affective Disorder, and how it's shown up 39:10 - what running looks like for Stef right now 49:15 - the realities that many in the running community face now, following the newly signed Executive Orders 57:15 - it's okay to change your mind after getting new information; it's okay to say, "I used to think one way, and I was wrong." 1:10:00 - we're all impacted by policy, and trying to keep running insulated from politics is a privilege 1:12:50 - looking ahead Links: Help those affected by the Eaton Fire Donate to Community Resources in Altadena Support Displaced Black Families in Altadena & Pasadena Find Stef here Find Carolyn here and here #MakingStridesPod #letsFlippindothis #diversewerun | |||
| 12 Oct 2023 | Episode 6 - The Invisible Load We Carry | 01:03:22 | |
Carolyn and Stef talk about bearing the impact and invisible load of microaggressions and discrimination, both in running and in life. Is it fair? How to we protect our peace while continuing to show up in the sport? We also discuss the importance of naming the problems we want to change. Show notes: 6:25 - how raising a teen daughter who is Asian American brings to light the invisible burdens that women of color need to navigate 9:00 - Stef discusses impact of being reprimanded on runs, on multiple occasions 16:30 - Carolyn's encounter with a woman claiming 'all sides matter' 24:00 - how the burden to process situations in real-time and to 'keep it together' falls on POCs 29:20 - discussion on the crowds at UTMB, vs the cheer zone at Mile 21 at the Boston Marathon 33:40 - why should the burden on bridging the divide fall on BIPOC community? 39:00 - impact of not naming the actual issues of racism and the trickle-down problems it reinforces 42:00 - people mixing up Stef and Carolyn 49:00 - the problem of colorblindness and the privilege of uniqueness that whiteness provides 54:20 - wrap up! Carolyn and Stef share things they're grateful for and what they're looking forward to in the coming weeks | |||
| 29 Feb 2024 | Episode 8 - Baking In Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging | 00:52:30 | |
How do you pull a seat up at the Table, when the Table has historically been an unsafe and unwelcome place for you? Join us in another episode of the #MakingStridesPod, where we dive into the convo on why it’s so critical for companies and organizations to not simply talk about the value of DEIB, but to have Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging “baked in” the entire organizational culture. We also chat Lunar New Year celebrations, both from our childhood and also how our perspectives have changed as adults. As always, we would LOVE to hear from YOU: how did you celebrate Lunar New Year, what your experience has been with brands/orgs re: DEIB, and also ways you have been taking steps to challenge the status quo! If you enjoy our convo, please leave a rating and review, as that helps more people find us! Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, Mark Kalagayan, from the non-profit, SPARC Worldwide. Thanks for being here. May we work to be the change we want to see! Show Notes: 1:00 - Stef and Carolyn share about celebrating the Lunar New Year 4:14 - red envelope shenanigans 10:45 - how celebrating the Lunar New Year looks different, as adults 21:00 - Carolyn's experience participating in the 2024 Running USA Conference 33:50 - reminder of how we are not alone in doing the work of DEIB 34:40 - the importance of DEIB being "baked into" an organization's culture and structure 43:30 - Stef and Carolyn's roles in the upcoming, lululemon FURTHER project | |||
| 12 May 2023 | Episode 3: LIVE show at the Boston Marathon | 01:35:10 | |
“When we don’t behave how we are expected to, based on stereotypes, it’s jarring for people!” - @irunfortheglory “I definitely did not see many athletes that looked like me, so that’s been on the forefront of my mind now in my own professional running career.” - @stefanieannflippin This was an incredibly meaningful and candid conversation between Mirna Valerio, Stefanie Flippin, and Carolyn Su. We covered topics ranging from our own, personal journeys in the sport; to how we push back against the negative stereotypes and status quo of who belongs in the outdoors; to what motivates us to keep showing up! Thank you to everyone who chose to come to our first, live recording in the midst of a very packed marathon weekend! Your presence meant the WORLD, and the Q&As could’ve easily made for a whole other episode — y’all kept us on our toes! And of course, a BIG, BIG THANK YOU to the entire lululemon team, particularly the Boston team, for not only making this show happen, but for how you make each of us feel fully seen, valued, and empowered to strive after our goals and to not be deterred by those who don’t yet understand. We hope this episode does the same for everyone who listens! Please leave a rating and review, and let us know your thoughts! We’d love to hear from you. May we continue to listen, learn, and work together in making strides towards a more equitable and inclusive sport! “The more we continue to show up in these outdoor spaces, the more we are disrupting the narratives and common perceptions that people have about who we are, who we are ‘supposed’ to be, and what we can or cannot do.” - @themirnavator Show Breakdown: 06:15 - Stef's time running in 26.True Marathon 07:30 - Mirna's time at Culture Shifters for People of Color in snowsports. "It's often my experience that when POCs are doing things outdoors, it's met with the response, 'I didn't know Black people did that!' 10:50 - Mirna's background and the role of movement in the outdoors in shaping her life 14:50 - Stef's background and the role of sports in her life 16:35 - Carolyn's background and the impact of representation in her running journey 19:40 - Carolyn's first marathon experience 26:00 - Mirna, on the familial and cultural expectations of women, surrounding a family Thanksgiving 30:15 - Carolyn's experience at the Boston Marathon expo 37:00 - Mirna's experiences at races and expos 39:00 - when Mirna had the police called on her during a run 45:00 - when Stef was policed while on a run in her own neighborhood 50:00 - Q: how does Mirna cultivate the ability to respond to policing in ways that are productive for herself while not taking on the burden of educating others? 55:20 - Stef discusses learning how to practice assertiveness and pushing back against racial stereotypes 1:00:15 - Mirna discusses the origins of 'Karens' 1:06:00 - start of Q&A | |||
| 20 May 2024 | Episode 10 - LIVE from the Boston Marathon! | 01:35:09 | |
Buckle up! You're gonna wanna take notes, because in this convo, Stef and Carolyn talk with the indomitable Kayla Jeter and Charlie Dark! This episode was recorded live, from The View Boston, during the Boston Marathon weekend -- exactly one month following the completion of lululemon's Further ultramarathon project. We spoke about how we define ourselves and the importance of separating what we do from who we are. Charlie shared the impact of receiving Great Britain's MBE for his service and long-withstanding impacts on the community, as well as how running and training have evolved since he first entered the sport -- and what still needs to be done looking ahead. Kayla dove into her experience as a Black woman leader in a realm that often challenges accessibility, and the deeply personal significance to her of getting more people excited about health. We are experiencing a movement right now, not a moment. A movement that acknowledges culture and how diversity is what makes culture great. A movement that underscores inclusivity and bridge-building as the way forward. A movement that ultimately elevates, betters, and benefits everyone. We are so grateful to be a small part of it, and we hope you enjoy this convo as much as we did! Show Notes: Start: bios and intro by Boston Community Lead, Sarah Mulvanity 3:50 - overview of convo for the day, focusing on the running journeys of Kayla and Charlie 5:10 - personal intros by each speaker, answering “who are you?” 8:00 - the significance of Charlie receiving Great Britain’s “M.B.E.” and what it represents to him personally, as well as its social and historical impact 15:20 - what role did movement have in each of Kayla and Charlie’s upbringing 22:30 - Charlie discusses the shift from hedonism to health 30:10 - Kayla’s experience as a Black woman, on accessibility and privilege in running 35:25 - deep dive into lululemon Further! 37:40 - each person’s goals before, during, and after the ultramarathon (starting with Stef, then Kayla, then Charlie) 54:05 - “if you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go further, go together.” 1:01:00 - start of Q&A Links: Further Highlights, vol. 1 and vol. 2 Find Stef here. | |||
| 13 May 2024 | Episode 9 - LIVE from lululemon Further Ultramarathon! | 01:25:14 | |
Out in the desert of Palm Springs, CA, a team of ten women set out on a 6-day, ultramarathon, with the goal of breaking world records and going "Further" than any team of women had gone before: enter, the lululemon Further Project! When the dust settled, the ten women collectively ran approximately 3,000 miles and broke 12 world records! They also provided an unprecedented amount of physiological data that will change the course of women's running. In this episode, Stef and Carolyn -- both of whom participated in Further as an athlete and crew captain, respectively -- process their thoughts and emotions coming off this one-of-a-kind event! This episode also includes two conversations that were recorded, live, from Further -- one with returning guest, Mirna Valerio, and the other with fellow teammate, Vriko Kwok, the day after the conclusion of Further. Get ready to GO FURTHER! Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, Mark Kalagayan, from the non-profit, SPARC Worldwide. Show Notes: 2:45 - diving into all that was lululemon Further! 4:40 - background: the conception of Further 7:00 - background: the diversity of athletes 9:00 - background: the female-focused research component 13:55 - the implications of impact of how Further brought together representation on a global platform 17:00 - the shift mid-race from performance to presence 22:05 - *special*: live convo with Mirna Valerio on Day 5 of Further 39:40 - *special*: live convo with Vriko Kwok, the day after the completion of Further 1:20:20 - announcements and upcoming events at the Boston Marathon Links: Further Highlights, vol. 1 and vol. 2 Find Stef here. | |||
| 08 Jul 2024 | Episode 12 - Allyship, Intention and Impact | 01:07:41 | |
A recent article on irunfar.com made quite a splash, when the [white] authors called for feedback on the new 'progressive' initiatives launched by the Pro Trail Runners Association, and BIPOC women answered by calling out the lack of intersectionality and diversity. In this episode, Stef and Carolyn address the harm that was caused while still acknowledging the good intent behind the initiatives, and they discuss the bigger picture of why feminism and inclusivity must be addressed with an openness to accountability. Show Notes 1:25 - diving into Western States 100 (WSER) and the [lack of] diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility 4:00 - "you can be a good human and still make mistakes" 5:10 - overview of WSER, including pre-race events 7:30 - context for on-going concerns with spotlight ultra events such as WSER/UTMB and the driving force behind initiatives for change 9:50 - "what we don't need is continued divisiveness; we need to hold accountability and a path forward in how to educate and work together." 11:20 - "let's not make the mistake of making the discomfort of addressing a problem, the actual problem." 12:25 - article on irunfar and what was problematic about it 15:50 - inclusion is not implied; it needs to be explicitly addressed 17:40 - DM from BIPOC ultra trail runner who was at WSER 23:55 - the imperative to speak up and why it matters 24:50 - the cost of the White Gaze 29:10 - not acknowledging an aspect (like race) of a person is erasure 37:20 - what would it be like to be able to purely focus on performance goals without having to also hold the weight of inequities, invisibility, and representation? 43:00 - burnout 54:35 - real change happens when you enter into relationships 58:50 - true inclusion requires safety 1:03:00 - looking ahead Additional Links: GU Energy Labs and their work with Rising Hearts and athlete Alexandria Staten Filmmaker and Rising Hearts founder, Jordan Whetstone Filmmaker and Podcaster, Faith E. Briggs, who intentionally centers work by BIPOC individuals across the globe Find Stef here | |||
| 25 Apr 2023 | Episode 1: Hello and Welcome! | 00:35:00 | |
Announcing, the Making Strides Podcast! We are so glad you're here! Stefanie and I (Carolyn) are both women who stumbled into the sport of running in our 20s, and neither of us would have ever imagined how running would one day lead to us creating a podcast for YOU, our beloved, running community! Stef is a coach and professional trail and ultrarunner based out of Colorado, where she also runs her private practice as a foot & ankle surgeon. Carolyn is a writer and marathoner based out of Boston, and she is most known for her advocacy work through the Instagram platform, @DiverseWeRun. ‘Making Strides’ is a space to share our experiences as BIPOC, female runners, as well as a space to discuss the nuances that come with our perspectives: safety, sponsorships and contract negotiations, mental health, current events in the running world and beyond, etc. We hope this podcast serves to fill in the gaps of what might not typically be covered in running industry media, and we hope that, through our conversations here, we can be a safe space for learning and a launching pad for making the sport more equitable and inclusive for everyone. Please enjoy our first episode*, where we make introductions and discuss what’s ahead! Thanks you for joining us, Carolyn & Stefanie *apologies in advance, the audio file for the recording was corrupted during download, and we were unable to recover a clearer version. Please bear with us, as this issue is resolved by the next episode!* | |||
| 07 Mar 2025 | Episode 17 - Running and Defiance | 01:01:20 | |
“We want to believe that, when seeing harm being done, we will rise to the level of our expectations, but the reality is, most of us will fall to the level of our training.” - Stefanie In this episode, Carolyn and Stef talk about Stef’s newest addition to the family (spoiler: she has four paws and gives lots of kisses!), Carolyn’s new fitness endeavors, and the intersection of race, politics, and running. “As women who are also People of Color, there is no way we can separate politics from running or from life. All of our lives are affected by policy.” - Carolyn It’s a conversation you don’t want to miss! We are so grateful you’re here in this space, in the sport, and in this world! #Keepshowingup and keep making strides in being the change we wish to see! Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, Mark Kalagayan, from the non-profit, SPARC Worldwide. The Making Strides Podcast is about building representation and about changing the ways we expect ourselves and others to show up in the running world. We hope you enjoy this convo (take us with you on your next run!), and if you do, please subscribe and leave a rating and review! #MakingStridesPod #letsFlippindothis #diversewerun Show Notes: 00:15 - Stef’s new family addition! 11:00 - Carolyn’s foray into OrangeTheory Fitness! 21:45 - thoughts on the current running boom 28:10 - the audiobook, James, by Percival Everett 31:15 - connection to Ra’Shaude Kenney, the co-founder of the Space City Elite Running Team, and his experience as a Black runner 33:00 - the stigma of running 39:30 - the book, Defy: the Power of No in a World That Demands Yes, by Sunita Sat 47:30 - the consequences and cost of defiance that Carolyn experienced, speaking up with Tracksmith Running 55:20 - Stef’s example of struggling with defiance, while practicing medicine Links: James, by Percival Everett (also available here) Audiobook version (which Carolyn highly recommends!) Ra’Shaude Kenney’s story on the 26.2 Foundation Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes, by Sunita Sah (also available here) Find Stef here Find Carolyn here and here | |||
| 12 Apr 2025 | Episode 19 - Where Do We Go From Here? (part 1) | 01:19:19 | |
“This is bigger than democrat or republican; we’re all connected. This is about taking care of each other and about the promises we’ve made to each other.” This was an emotionally heavy episode, though we spend the first half talking about our new hobbies (aka, our coping mechanisms). As policies and politics continue to impact our lives, we have been asking the questions, “where do we go from here? How do we move forward?” If you’re also feeling the weight of current events in our nation right now, we hope you know you are not alone. We hope that you are taking actions to take care of yourself, as well as to care for your community. As Stef says in this episode, “we agreed to take care of each other and to have and preserve freedoms here," and for as long as it takes, we will keep doing so, however we can. We are grateful for you all! #Keepshowingup and keep making strides in being the change we wish to see. Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, Mark Kalagayan, from the non-profit, SPARC Worldwide. The Making Strides Podcast is about building representation and about changing the ways we expect ourselves and others to show up in the running world. If you enjoy this convo, please share about us with your friends! Of course, we always your subscribing and leaving a positive rating and review. #MakingStridesPod #letsFlippindothis #diversewerun Show Notes: 01:15 - Carolyn’s new hobby 14:20 - Stef’s current relationship with running 33:50 - the current state of the nation and its impact on our mental health and wellness 49:20 - Stef’s reflections on the Bernie & AOC rally in Denver Find Stef here Find Carolyn here and here | |||
| 20 Feb 2025 | Episode 16 - Values and Representation | 01:05:28 | |
Staying true to our commitment to record more episodes this year, we hop back on after the Lunar New Year to discuss a variety of topics, ranging from 2025 being Stef’s lucky year, to how Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial debut embodies the representation we didn’t know we needed! We also dive into the significance of identifying your Core Values and allowing those to guide decisions, what to say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to, instead of operating either out of the fear of missing out or the fear of losing relevance and impact. As always, the Making Strides Podcast is about building representation and about changing the ways we expect ourselves and others to show up in the running world. We hope you enjoy this convo (take us with you on your next run!), and if you do, please subscribe and leave a rating and review! We are so grateful you’re here — in this space, in the sport, and in this world! #keepshowingup, keep taking up space, and keep on being the change we wish to see. Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, Mark Kalagayan, from the non-profit, SPARC Worldwide. #MakingStridesPod #letsFlippindothis #diversewerun Show Notes: 1:00 - Is the name “Lunar New Year” actually accurate?! 7:01 - The Year of the Snake and The Year of Stef! 13:10 - Time management and multi-tasking 20:10 - How meditation practice is going 23:15 - Identifying core values 43:05 - “A Real Pain” movie 55:45 - What’s ahead 56:40 - Coaching athletes for WSER for GU and Rising Hearts, building representation and giving access to overlooked communities 1:02:35 - Upcoming travels Links: Free trial to Op-e-n Meditation App Armchair Expert Podcast with Jesse Eisenberg Western State athletes being sponsored by GU Energy Labs and Rising Hearts: Find Stef here Find Carolyn here and here | |||
| 25 Oct 2024 | Episode 13 - Confidence vs Comparison | 01:17:56 | |
Hello again, everyone! We’re back after a brief break for the summer, and, just like the quick turn into the Fall season, we get right back into racing! In this episode, we talk about some big wins — both on and off the race course: Stef has been on a solid, health-centered training trajectory, and she’s made some big wins in the ultra and trail space in the last month! Carolyn has also been working hard in her comeback-to-marathoning journey, and she talks about how her own life lessons have helped her encourage her son, who has entered the world of cross country and track. Both Stef and Carolyn will be running the NYC Marathon at the beginning of November, and they talk about plans for race weekend and beyond. Show Notes 0:05 - welcome welcome! Catching up after summer break 3:10 - Stef’s BIG WIN at the Above the Clouds 50K, and she talks about why the race and this past year’s training were so significant 8:45 - Stef talks about developing confidence and practicing assertiveness 18:20 - hunting men and strategy on the race course 22:30 - Stef’s thoughts on safety when racing in rural areas, especially as an Asian American woman 38:55 - discussion on the impact of comparison, and Carolyn talks about navigating the Comparison Trap for herself while simultaneously also helping to coach her son through it 46:20 - diving into the NYC Marathon! Carolyn shares why this training block has been so significant for her 1:01:00 - Carolyn shares about the mental training and work she’s done with sports psychologist, Emily Saul, and how it has changed the way she views the future Make sure to follow the Rising Hearts team and cheer on athlete Kali Ko Reis and Rising Hearts founder, Jordan Whetstone, at the NYC Marathon! Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, Mark Kalagayan, from the non-profit, SPARC Worldwide. As always, we are so grateful you’re here — in this space, in the sport, and in this world! #keepshowingup, keep running, and keep on being the change we wish to see. #MakingStridesPod #letsFlippindothis #diversewerun Find Stef here | |||
| 25 Apr 2023 | Episode 2: Brand Partnerships & Sponsorships | 01:01:04 | |
“Don’t sell yourself short; don’t let imposter syndrome cause you to shrink yourself and settle. A year from now, you want to be able to look back and know in your heart and in your gut that you felt good about the partnership — that you felt seen, understood and known.” - Carolyn This episode, we talk about WORKING WITH BRANDS: what has been the industry norm? What would it look like for companies to consider athletes, whether professional or amateur, as multi-faceted, comprehensive humans, instead of just as marketing tools or performance stats? We also share about our own, personal experiences working with different running brands — what it looks like when a brand actually puts actions behind claims, vs how it feels when companies are merely performative — and we share advice to both athletes and brands on how to build relationships that are true partnerships. What have your experiences been like, working with brands? What kinds of working relationships made you feel the most supported? We hope you give this convo a listen, and let us know your thoughts! “These brands need to support athletes — both at the ambassador levels and at the pro levels — as whole people. It’s not just about throwing up the numbers. What are the athletes doing outside of their training, outside of their performances, outside of themselves? What are they bringing in terms of representation for themselves and for the brand? It’s an outdated model — solely focusing on an athletes’ performance. It’s important to understand the work that athletes are doing as a HUMAN, because it all adds up, and it is ALL a part of the industry.” - Stefanie | |||
| 20 Jun 2023 | Episode 4: De-Centering White Comfort | 00:48:24 | |
“Until the aftermath of 2020, I felt a sense of embarrassment, sharing some of the [racist] experiences that I’ve had, and I think it stems from the fact that I didn’t want my close friends — who are white — to feel uncomfortable, or like I was pointing fingers.” - @stefanieannflippin In our fourth episode, ‘De-Centering White Comfort,’ Stef and I (Carolyn) reflect on the events surrounding the Boston Marathon weekend, including the over-policing of the only Black-and-Brown cheer zone at the marathon and its aftermath. We also talk about the ways we are both un-learning the default habit of staying quiet or of modifying our behavior in order to keep from making our white peers feel uncomfortable, as well as the feelings of shame that come when we fail at ‘preserving peace.’ AND!! If you haven’t already heard, #MakingStridesPod is now available on Apple, Spotify, and Overcast! Hope that makes our conversations more accessible to everyone! If you listen to this episode and can relate, or if you learned something new, or if you have any thoughts you’d like to share (any at all!), we would love to hear from you! Of course, subscribing and leaving a rating and review would also be greatly appreciated, as it helps others find our pod too! Thanks for being here, and thanks for being YOU. #togetherforward, Carolyn & Stef Show Notes: 01:55 - recap of events surrounding the Boston Marathon and our Live Show 03:15 - unpacking the recent convo with the AAPI Undoing Racism Collective, regarding how Asian Americans cater to white comfort 7:40 - Stef sharing her perspective as a biracial woman 10:05 - the significance of the live show as a personal point of healing and of letting go of shame 12:30 - recognizing white comfort 14:10 - Carolyn sharing the freedom that comes from proudly embracing the ways her culture and ethnic background have shaped her experiences 16:20 - how this student-founded course at UC Berkeley is an example for us in allyship and in making change 20:25 - the problem of racially-targeted policing at the Boston Marathon 35:50 - the significance of being a spectator who is also a Person of Color, at the Boston Marathon | |||
| 03 Aug 2023 | Episode 5: Barriers to Entry | 00:50:56 | |
“Even the decision to train for a race is a privilege itself.” Episode 5 of the #MakingStridesPod, ‘Barriers to Entry,’ drops today! In this episode, Stef and I get into how participating in a trail or ultra race event isn’t as simple as ‘just stepping outside’ (as some claim). There’s a reason why women only comprise 23% of the trail and ultra scene (and that number drops to 16% at distances over 50 miles), or why fewer than 25% of participants in the outdoors are People of Color (and yes, that number dropped starting in 2020, as racially-charged hate crimes increased, according to the US Dept. of Justice). In light of heated online discussions of Western States 100, along with the significance of the announcement of lululemon’s Further project, we dedicated this episode to addressing the various barriers that many populations face, when considering whether or not to participate in a trail or ultra event. While setting aside entries for marginalized groups is a good start, it doesn’t do a person any good to throw them onto a Start Line without factoring in the social and environmental safety of the race event itself, and without giving them the tools, knowledge, and support to succeed. We hope this convo is insightful and spurs the sport towards change! You can find us on most podcast platforms now (yay!!), and, if you enjoy our episodes, please leave a rating and review, as it helps keep our show relevant for more listeners! Thanks for being here. May we work to be the change we want to see. Carolyn & Stef Show Notes: 00:01 - chatting summer activities thus far 04:30 - Stef talks about being a part of the lululemon Further project. "The whole goal is to see what's possible when a brand fully goes in on holistically supporting female-identifying athletes," vs the "shrink it and pink it" ideology. 11:20 - discussion on how intensive and comprehensive it is to train for ANY race 13:40 - Carolyn talks about her experience as a Woman of Color (Asian American), being invited to participate in her first, multi-stage race, the TransRockies Run, and how her primary reason for participating was to build representation and to help change norms 23:50 - the privilege behind the belief that "the outdoors is for everyone!" 24:50 - Stef shares insights and reflections on Western States, especially in light of online discussions of who has access to the sport and who does not 34:15 - how preparation for a race event entails more than a comped race entry; what does it mean to prepare athletes with both the knowledge and the skills to perform well and to want to return 39:15 - Carolyn discusses the advantages and privilege she had access to, in order to get support to simply participate at the TransRockies Run Trail & Ultra Race Orgs actively working to be safe, accessible, and inclusive: Mendocino Movement Project (designed by and for adaptive athletes) | |||
| 03 Dec 2024 | Episode 14 - All Things NYC Marathon Weekend! | 01:52:16 | |
A little overdue, but it’s here: the recap (or…post mortem?!) of everything surrounding this year’s New York City Marathon weekend! Stef and Carolyn breakdown the course experience ‘chunk by chunk’ and also celebrate the fact that it was Carolyn’s return to the marathon distance after six, long years away due to injury. Stef shares her BTS perspective as a professional athlete who traveled to this world major marathon not to race, but rather, to support a friend, and how this kind of participation is often an overlooked aspect of the sport. Of course, there’s also a discussion about the infamous, e-bike-induced controversy surrounding Matt Choi, which points to the bigger discussion about run-fluencers, content creators, and co-existence (does harmony exist?!). There are lots of surprises, star-encounters, and personal “IMHO” reflections. We hope you enjoy our conversation as much as we did! Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, Mark Kalagayan, from the non-profit, SPARC Worldwide. As always, we are so grateful you’re here — in this space, in the sport, and in this world! #keepshowingup, keep running, and keep on being the change we wish to see. #MakingStridesPod #letsFlippindothis #diversewerun Find Stef here | |||
| 06 Feb 2024 | Episode 7 - Having Peace with our Pace | 00:42:49 | |
“Not everything that counts can be counted.” Carolyn and Stef are back! The first episode of the year includes a lot of reflections on 2023, both personally and professionally, as well as the plan and mindset for moving into 2024. As always, thanks for being here! If you enjoy our convos, please like, subscribe, and leave a positive review! Show Notes: 0:18 - intro and reconnecting after the holidays 3:18 - reflections on the first year of the Making Strides Podcast! 6:05 - Stef’s reflections on social media presence and usage, and how it has been connected with her growth in self-acceptance and advocacy 11:11 - how Stef’s shift towards self-acceptance happened 18:09 - reflections on the pace of Making Strides in 2023, as well as the plan for 2024 21:32- what Stef is looking forward to in 2024, particularly in coaching 25:05 - highlighting endurance athlete, Vriko Kwok 30:08 - what Carolyn is looking forward to in 2024, and shifting her mindset from being an ‘injured runner’ to a ‘healthy athlete’ Special thanks to our new Audio Engineer, Mark Kalagayan, from the non-profit, SPARC Worldwide! Noted in our convo: Emily Saul, Sports Psychologist Rising Hearts, grassroots org working to support and elevate Native communities Alexandria Staten, Diné-Mexican runner, training for Western States 100 supported by GU Energy Labs, Rising Heart, and Stefanie Flippin Vriko Kwok, entrepreneur and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu-turned ultrarunner, currently a Global Ambassador for lululemon and training for the lululemon Further project | |||