Women Who Dare

Vicki Cowart has been the President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains for 15 years. Before becoming the head of PPRM, Vicki had a successful, 26-year career in the geological sciences. Kerry found Vicki at her home in Denver, CO. They talked about Planned Parenthood, organizing for women's rights, and the transition away from geological sciences. For more about this interview, head to http://kerrygross.com/interview-vicki-cowart/

Five more days in Wyoming is more than enough for Kerry. Though, she doesn't realize how ready she is to escape the wide open landscape until she smells her first Coloradan pine tree. Farther into Colorado, she finds even more pieces of heaven. And a couple big mountains to climb on foot. For more about this episode, head to http://kerrygross.com/episode-9-escaping-wyoming/

Maureen Beck is a badass rock climber who happens to have one hand. She's been "smashing boxes" with your expectations for years, and she's not going to stop anytime soon. Kerry found Maureen in Boulder, Colorado, where they talked about these boxes and wanting to be a motivation, not just an inspiration. For more about this interview, head to http://kerrygross.com/interview-maureen-beck/

Lorraine Moller is a four-time Olympian and bronze medalist in the 1992 marathon. Since ending her 25-year elite running career, she's founded races and the Lydiard Foundation. Kerry found Lorraine in Boulder, CO, where they talked about breaking barriers in women's athletics and the mindfulness that arises from long distance running. For more about this interview, head to http://kerrygross.com/interview-lorraine-moller/

Starting out with some wildlife watching, this episode follows Kerry as she braves brutal weather in Yellowstone National Park and Idaho. Fortunately, she has warm beds to sleep in, and eventually makes it over Teton Pass. The views are worth it, she thinks, as she climbs Togwotee Pass and then cruises into Lander, Wyoming. For more about this episode, head to http://kerrygross.com/episode-8-cold-snow-june/

Amy Hatch is the founder of Garage Grown Gear, a company that finds, reviews, and sells good outdoor gear produced by small start-ups. Kerry caught up with Amy at her offices in Driggs, Idaho. They talked about starting companies, getting outside, and the importance of being honest. For more about this interview, head to http://kerrygross.com/interview-amy-hatch/

Mostly recovered from food poisoning, Kerry sets off again into the remote countryside of Montana. Along the way, she checks out a national monument, gets stung by a hornet, and hunkers down to wait out a thunderstorm. Finally, she makes it to Yellowstone National Park and interviews poet and naturalist Ilona Popper. For more about this episode, head to http://kerrygross.com/episode-7-redefining-remoteness/

Ilona Popper is a poet, writer, and naturalist who lives in Montana. She balances her passion for writing and teaching with wolf-watching and wildlife advocacy. Kerry caught up with Ilona just north of Yellowstone National Park, and they talked about being a naturalist, managing a non-mainstream life, and strategies for good self care. For more about this interview, head to http://kerrygross.com/interview-ilona-popper/

After a rest day on Bainbridge Island, Kerry boards the train for an overnight ride to Whitefish, Montana. In the morning, she sets off again on leg two of the Women Who Dare. Despite finding a good riding groove on the west coast, her first days in Montana do not go well. For more about this episode, head to http://kerrygross.com/episode-6-rough-transitions/

From Portland, OR to Bainbridge Island, WA, Kerry rides four much-needed solitary days. After landing on Bainbridge, Kerry starts to reflect on the end of the first leg of the Women Who Dare ride. But, it's not quite done until she takes a day trip into Seattle, and a four-day tour to Port Townsend and Anacortes. For more about this episode, head to http://kerrygross.com/episode-5-making-it-to-seattle/

Carol Hasse is a sailmaker in Port Townsend, WA. She's owned, designed, and made sails at Port Townsend Sails for nearly forty years. Kerry found Carol at her sail loft in Port Townsend. After a tour of the loft and nearby Marine Center, Kerry and Carol talk world adventure, choosing to hire all women, and guiding life principles. For more about this interview, head to http://kerrygross.com/interview-carol-hasse/

From the high desert back to the green side of the Cascades, Kerry rides through rain to make it to Eugene. Then, she turns north to ride through the Willamette Valley to Portland, OR. Along the way, she has a snake surprise, fun with hosts, and a few tailwinds. For more about this episode, head to http://kerrygross.com/episode-4-rain-snake-tailwinds/

Su Embree is president and principal of DHM Research, a research firm dedicated to brining accurate public opinion data to lawmakers and other big decision-makers.Kerry found Su at the DHM offices in Portland, OR. They talked about the importance of using numbers to tell as story and the fallacy of the work/life balance. For more about this interview, head to http://kerrygross.com/interview-su-embree/

Kaeli Casati is a builder, filmmaker, artist, and educator in Portland, OR. Kerry found Kaeli at her home in Portland, Oregon. Kerry and Kaeli talked about how the trades give Kaeli the ability to work when and where she'd like, so she can continue pursuing other creative endeavors. For more about this interview, head to http://kerrygross.com/interview-kaeli-casati/

Crystal Rutland is the president and CEO of Particle Design, a user-centered design firm partnered with Jaguar Land Rover, Intel, HP, and Dreamworks. Kerry caught up with Crystal at the Particle Design offices in Portland, OR. They talked about being a woman-owned engineering firm and how Crystal has structured her company to allow the best ideas come to market. For more about this interview, head to http://kerrygross.com/interview-crystal-rutland/

After an easy start, Kerry spends the next 13 days pushing hard. Riding north along Route 1 on the California coast, she finds remote beauty and  brutal headwinds. Turning inland to Ashland, Oregon, Kerry considers her options for crossing the Cascades. Eventually, she makes it to Bend to interview entrepreneur Kristin Luck. For more about this episode, head to http://kerrygross.com/episode-3-pushing-too-hard/

Kristin Luck started her career in market research at Lieberman Research Worldwide. From there, she started two tech companies, and now she helps other companies strategically scale for growth. Kerry found Kristin in Bend, Oregon and they talked about Kristin's guiding principles of seeking out challenge and learning new things. For more about this interview, head to http://kerrygross.com/interview-kristin-luck/

Before the Women Who Dare ride officially starts, Kerry makes a quick weekend tour. Then, she skis one last day and packs her belongings. Eventually, she hits the road! Riding from Fairfield, CA to Berkeley and then north to Petaluma and Inverness Park. Along the way, she finds headwinds, hunger, and three remarkable women.

Shannon Thompson is the founder of Shakti Rising, an organization dedicated to the development of girls, women, and communities. Kerry found Shannon in Inverness Park, CA during her second week of the Women Who Dare ride. They talked about having the courage to follow one's own path, how to build community, and the importance of being warm, willing, and open. For more, head to http://kerrygross.com/interview-shannon-thompson/

Lila Singh is the founder of RISE Yoga for Youth, a nonprofit bringing yoga to schools in the San Francisco Bay area. Lila and Kerry met in Petaluma, California during the early stages of Women Who Dare. They spoke about building a calm space for yoga in a chaotic atmosphere and how to turn passion into a successful nonprofit. For more, head to http://kerrygross.com/interview-lila-singh/