Black in Wild the Podcast

Today’s episode features a new friend of mine, Victor! Victor is currently pursuing his masters in Chicano studies at CSUN, is an employee of the grass-roots nonprofit organization Mono Lake Committee, a photographer, and is a self proclaimed social scientist that is researching the connection between environmentalism and POC communities. Because the outdoors was never just “white people shit.” In this conversation we unpack what it means to reconnect with the land, water, and environmental stewardship, while making these topics accessible for people of all ages. Victor shares about how a week at the Mono Basin Outdoor Education center enhanced his understanding of where LA gets their water, and how impactful it was for him to see a Colombian guide in the mountains. We begin with Victor’s upbringing and then dive into representation outdoors, decolonizing outdoor spaces, and who gets to be seen as leaders in environmental work. His perspective brings both urgency and hope. This was a fun conversation for me. I really enjoyed getting to know you better and learning about the amazing work you are doing to highlight the connection non-white people have with nature. One take away I have from this conversation is that even though many Americans are limited by the effects of colonialism on how we are able to connect with nature, we unpack the question of how do we participate more consciously, support Indigenous leadership, and still keep showing up for the land? It is a question that will continue to be in the back of my mind. This conversation helped me think about how I care about the environment, Chicano identity, and what it really looks like to decolonize how we move through the world. Be sure to check out the short film that Victor worked on called "Heat in the Barrio". It is available on Youtube. Follow him on Instagram @payasito26. If you’d like some supplemental content in addition to the podcast episodes, follow on the podcast’s Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook @black.in.wild. For behind the scenes information and updates, sign up for the Black in Wild Substack newsletter at blackinwild.com. Please reach out with any ideas on topics of guests you’d like to see featured in the future. Currently, working on recording episodes for season 4!

Today’s episode features my fellow Piscean and Columbus, Ohio born and raised, Nate Pierce. A climber, a snowboarder, and honestly an all around tremendously talented human. I first came across Nate’s instagram when I first moved to Mammoth back in 2019 and immediately felt drawn to his page because he was a black climber spending time in places I also recreate in. In this discussion we explore how Nate got into climbing and snowboarding, as well as the other creative outlets he partakes in such as film, painting, and writing among other things. We touch on the importance of stewardship outdoors and pushing beyond fears to explore new experiences. Nate! Thank you so much for being a guest on Black in Wild! It was really cool for me to get to know you better after having followed along with your journey all these years. I’m inspired by your grit and tenacity as well as the ways you express yourself through different mediums. I felt especially connected to the ways you describe the feelings you get when you spend time in nature and the need to let out all of the thoughts running through your head regularly. As those sentiments are similar to why I have chosen to live where I do and participate in the activities that involve being outdoors. Keep representing and showing up as your unapologetic self. Be sure to check out Nate’s silent film Sleeping in Silence and follow along on his instagram @noapproachnate. Visit blackinwild.com for all things Black in Wild and subscribe to the newsletter for behind the scenes updates and information! Follow on YouTube, Instagram, Tik Tok, and Facebook. Note: The opinions and perspectives represented in this episode and on this podcast are not representative of any business, agency, or organization.

This episode features another friend I’ve known since the beginning of my Yosemite days, Jennifer Nunez. During this conversation me and Jennifer discuss the transformative experiences she had while spending time outdoors with family and friends from a young age both in Mexico and the U.S. We go into how her journey led her to pursue her education and a career in organic farming. Throughout this conversation we discuss the importance of mental and physical health as well as the community you contribute to. If you have ever experienced discrimination while outdoors, and/or have a passion or interest in organic farming then this episode will speak to you! Jen! Thank you so much for being a guest on Black in Wild the Podcast! Your story is a reminder of the positive and negative experiences black and brown people have while being outdoors. I’m thankful that you chose to use what you’ve learned to not only better yourself but also your community. One of the takeaways I have from our conversation is that spending time in nature isn’t new to POC, we are simply returning back to our roots. Jen has since had her baby. Congratulations to her and her partner! Be sure to visit blackinwild.com for all things Black in Wild! And sign up for the Black in Wild substack to stay up to date on behind the scenes information you won’t find anywhere else!

This is the first episode of season 3! Welcome back to all of my listeners and hello to those tuning in for the first time. This episode features my friend Anna Natal whom I’ve known since my first season in Yosemite back in 2017. During this conversation Anna shares about the rough childhood she endured where she was forced to grow up quickly while living in the hood, to her experience moving to Yosemite and traveling, and describing what the journey has been like to eventually becoming a National Park Service Interpretive Ranger in Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park today. Her story is inspiring because it touches on finding beauty in life even after hardships. And that it’s never too late to choose a different path for yourself. If you’ve ever been curious about untraditional pathways into an NPS career and/or come from a challenging past, then Anna’s story will resonate with you. Anna! Thank you so much for being a guest on Black in Wild the Podcast! The more I heard about your story the more I realized how much more we have in common that I knew otherwise. What stands out to me from your story is resilience, chosen family, and fresh starts. Out of everything you’ve been through you had every excuse to give up and yet you kept choosing to keep going. And that although you didn’t experience much positive encouragement growing up, what helped you along the way was the chosen family you developed over time. People who didn’t owe you anything but saw something in you and believed that you could achieve great things. As well as deserved to! Lastly, you’ve started over more times that I can count yet choose to make the most out of every situation. You’re a great example of creating your own community and being the change you want to see. I’m so proud of all that you’ve accomplished! Can’t wait to see what else you do and where you go! Thanks for representing the green and gray! *Note: the opinions and perspectives represented in this podcast are not representative of any agency, organization, business, or company. Be sure to visit blackinwild.com for all things Black in Wild! Don't forget to sign up for the newsletter to stay up to date. Episodes will be posted bi-weekly!

Coming to y’all today with just a quick update on upcoming content releases so you know what to expect and what to look for. I'd love to hear from my listeners about what topics or themes you'd like to see me discuss in Season 3 as well as guests you recommend I interview :) TLDR: No new episodes until Monday, September 7th at 5pm New logo coming soon! Sign up for the Black in Wild newsletter/email list for updates Follow Black in Wild on Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, and/or Tik Tok for regular content Visit blackinwild.com for blogs, vlogs, and more!

This is the final episode of season 2! In this episode I chat with my friend Rizalyn whom I met 3 years ago at a BIPOC retreat. Ever since then I have been following along on her journey with plants. Rizalyn is studying horticulture right now but this was not always a clear path for her. Listen in to learn about Rizalyn’s first experiences from a young age connecting with plants in her family garden with her grandpa, to all kinds of varying plant related jobs and internships that have all contributed to the direction she continues to head in. For all of my plant nerds, green thumbs, and gardening heads this one’s for you! I do want to add in a quick note that ya girl was having almost every kind of technical issue during this recording but Rizalyn is so graceful and on point through it all. So just focus on her. Let’s get into the episode! Rizalyn! Thank you so much for being a guest on Black in Wild the Podcast! It was so fun getting to know you better and hear about your journey with plants. Talking about your childhood reminded me so much of playing outside as a child and feeling like my backyard was its own little world. Your story is a reminder that taking an unconventional path that isn’t linear is okay. Because it's not just about the destination but the journey along the way. And it seems like no matter where all of the opportunities you’ve experienced have taken you, it has all led you to where you are today. Keep shining and sharing that infectious enthusiasm! To check out Rizalyn’s artwork you can support her work on etsy at rizalynart and stay tuned on what she creates on her instagram at rizalynisbotanicals. As always, be sure to visit blackinwild.com to read my latest blogs, watch my previous vlogs, and listen to all of the episodes from season 1 and 2. I’ve got some great things cooking so you won’t want to miss out on how the Black in Wild community will be expanding. Thanks again for listening! Support this black educated queen by liking, subscribing, and sharing!

I’m back with an episode just in time to celebrate Juneteenth! In this episode I feature my friend and supposed doppleganger, Jameisha. Both Jamiesha and I moved to the Eastern Sierra in 2019 and have worked for federal land management agencies. Being that there isn’t much diversity in this area, we have been and continue to be mistaken for each other even after all of these years. Jamiesha is one badass lady! She is a self proclaimed tomboy who enjoys a variety of ways to move her body such as pilates, climbing, hiking/backpacking, skiing, and more. In this episode we talk about what it's like being a black woman living in rural/remote areas, the pressure placed on us from stereotypes, and ways we’ve learned to navigate a world that thinks they know how to define us by our appearance. If you’ve ever been frustrated by the idea that you have to accept the cultural narrative of an activity to be welcomed, then you’ll enjoy this conversation. Jameisha! Thank you for being a guest on Black in Wild the podcast and for sharing your story! I hope that people can now tell we are not the same person, not even related lol. But for real, this conversation was extremely healing for me. I’ve always felt inspired knowing that you existed in similar spaces I’ve been in and to watch your journey more closely as your friend. I’m thankful that the universe finally brought us together so we can represent in wild spaces together taking up space melanin skin and all. So many themes we touched on in our conversation is why I created the podcast and why representation matters. If you’d like to follow along with Jamiesha’s pilates journey be sure to follow her instagram account @move.with.jam. And don’t forget to visit the Black in Wild website at blackinwild.com where you can find all of the episodes from the podcast, blogs, and vlogs! And there is an option to connect with me using the contact form to share feedback, suggest guests and or themes/voices that are missing. New episode out in two weeks! Episodes are released bi-weekly! Thanks for checking out this episode! *Note: Opinions in this episode and on this podcast are not representative of any agency, organization, or business.*

In this episode I interview my brother from another, Martin. I first met Martin outside of Glacier National Park in 2020 through my sibling who was living in Montana at the time. Martin has always inspired me by the way he is unapologetically himself. When he sets his mind to something he sees it through. There doesn’t seem to be an adventure too big for him. It’s been awesome to see a Latino man participating in activities and living in places where brown voices are not usually advertised. This episode is a great reminder that it’s never too late to start over. Listen in to hear about Martin’s journey from growing up in another country to living in some of the most remote/rural places in the United States. Martin! Thank you so much for being a guest on black in Wild! It was a pleasure getting to know you better. It was fun to reminisce on both of our experiences being POC’s living in National Parks. Our conversation reminded me that community can be found even in the most unlikely of places if you’re willing to say yes. I’m so proud of the man you’ve become and can’t wait to see what other adventures you get up to. Be sure to check out BlackInWild.com for all things black in Wild. I have a new blog post up where I share about my journey to hiking upper Yosemite falls. And be on the look out for a new vlog coming soon. If you have ideas of stories that are missing on this show or people I should feature please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can send me a message through the website under contact me. Happy pride month! Although I do not have any pride themed discussions this month, just know I’m sending love to my queer community. *Note: the opinions and perspectives on this podcast are not representative of any agency, business, company or organization.

We're back after a short and unexpected hiatus! In this episode I chat with my friend Hannah Ashby about the lessons she's learned along the way in the outdoors both professionally and recreationally. Hannah is a climber, outdoor enthusiast, a guide, and a naturalist. Listen in to hear about her experience in outdoor spaces as a a queer woman of color. This conversation will leave you feeling inspired to be a kinder human both to yourself and others. As well as being reminder to not only enjoy those big adventures but also the little moments too. Thanks Hannah for being an awesome badass human and sharing your story on Black in Wild! Keep doing the good work! Be sure to check out blackinwild.com for all things Black in Wild! New episode bi-weekly! *Note the opinions and perspectives featured on this podcast are not representative of any agency, organization, or business.

In this week’s conversation I have another talk with a new friend, Mr. Justin Campbell aka Mr.JayCam of Equalized Outdoors. Justin shares his experience as a hunter who grew up in Virginia and how hunting is an important part of his life for many reasons. The biggest being his mental health. He describes his journey to creating equalized outdoors and how being outside can benefit everybody. Whether you are a hunter, know someone who hunts, or is curious about the ethics of hunting, you’ll find this conversation enlightening and interesting. Justin! Thank you for being a guest on black in Wild! This was a fun and thought provoking conversation to be a part of. I’m so excited about our plans to collaborate in the future. Stay tuned for some more content coming out from us in the near future. But really I’m appreciative of the way you patiently and humbly share your story and information on hunting. Equalized outdoors is a great platform to connect anybody with more information on hunting. Thanks for making easily digestible and entertaining content. Follow Justin on instagram @equalizedoutdoors and check out their website equalizedoutdoors.com for more information regarding hunting, cooking, etc. Thanks for checking out this episode! Don't forget to visit blackinwild.com for all things Black in Wild and stay connected to the community!

Welcome back! I took a short hiatus for some birthday travels in late March. Shout out to all of my Pisces! I’m back in the month of April with two new episodes featuring new friends of mine. The theme that kept coming up in this months conversations is mental health. In this episode I chat with the homie Joseph Bogorad, also known as yourmammothagent on social media. Joseph is a realtor, content creator and someone who likes to recreate in the seasonal sports that are available to him at any given time. We talk about how he ended up living in Mammoth Lakes, influences from his upbringing, and reflect on how all of our yes’ have led us to where we are today. If you’ve ever experienced a time in your life where you’ve asked yourself what younger you would think about where you are now, you’ll enjoy this episode. Enjoy this conversation that was recorded in Joseph's office/studio earlier this winter. Joseph! Thanks so much for being a guest on Black in Wild! This was a fun conversation for me because not only did I get to know you better but I also got to reflect on my own experience in real time. Which I don’t have the opportunity to do on this show very often. One of my favorite parts was hearing you describe what it feels like to ice skate or snowboard. Because I can definitely relate and I have heard so many other people describe that same feeling when they’re doing an activity that brings them joy. Thanks for sharing your story. Be sure to check out Joseph’s social media where he not only highlights upcoming homes for sale in Mammoth Lakes but also shares exciting news going on in the town as well. Instagram @yourmammothagent. And don't forget to visit the Black in Wild website for all things Black in Wild. Blog posts will be coming soon!

Lately I have been reminded of the goal I set for my younger self. College aged Deja who studied History and Anthropology but wasn’t sure quite what to do with those majors other than teaching. And I remember coming to the conclusion that whatever I did, I wanted to be a voice for people/places/things that could not speak for themselves. I recently realized that that idea has subconsciously led me to work that involves me advocating for people and places. To be honest, I strongly believe that is what led me to creating Black in Wild. There are voices and stories that some people want to silence or erase altogether. Now more than ever, I am thankful to have created this space where I and others from underrepresented backgrounds can take up space. Sticking to the theme of the month, this episode features another badass woman, one of my first friends in Mammoth, Rachel. Rachel taught herself how to snowboard, has hiked the JMT, and is an advocate for outdoor education for all. She herself has experienced the benefits of nature and music, both things that she has sought to provide for others. This episode will make you laugh, cry, and think about your own why. This episode is for all women, but especially trans women who don’t always see themselves represented in outdoor spaces. Rachel! Thank you for being a guest on Black in Wild! Thank you for sharing the journey you have been on of self discovery. One of the parts of your story that resonated with me the most was how nature has really shaped the trajectory of your life. In moments when the rest of the world feels scary, unwelcoming, and uncertain nature provides the greatest escape where the true life lessons lie. Like you, I too do not see much representation of people like me in the outdoors. But regardless we are out here girl! And we deserve to be here and represent just as much as anyone else. This conversation was so healing for me, I hope it was for Rachel and those of you listening. If you take anything away from this episode is that we should lean into the people, the places, and the things that brings us peace. I would share her social media with you but her account is set to private. However, you can check out the Black in Wild website for all things black in wild. And be sure to check back bi-weekly for more stories from underrepresented communities in relation to the outdoors. *Note: The opinions and perspectives represented in this conversation are not representative of any agency, company, business, or organization.

Happy Women’s history month! In honor of that I will be highlighting women’s stories, experiences, and voices this month. To kick things off this episode features a close friend and an all around badass woman in her own right. I’ve had so many conversations with my female friends about the pressures from society to look and/or act a certain way. Those pressures are heightened in the outdoor community where if you do not have a certain appearance then you may not be taken as seriously. In this conversation with Nikki, we talk about topics such as body positivity, ADHD, mental health, and overall well being. Nikki is an adult educator, outdoor enthusiast aka dirt bag, and a true ally to all. Like with many of my guests, I’m sure there will be parts of Nikki’s story that resonates with you too. Get ready to laugh, to smile hard, and be inspired to love yourself fiercely. Nikki! Thank you so much for being a guest on Black in Wild! I truly appreciate your vulnerability and transparency with what your experience has been like in life. Some take-aways I have from our conversation are to place an emphasis on my mental health and overall well being by listening to my body rather than focusing on my “size” or weight. To be more intentional about loving my body and all of its parts because the world is already placing enough pressure on me. And through that, I will find people who really love me and accept me as I am because I’ve set that standard. For the listeners I hope out of all of Nikki’s advice and tips, that there is a part of her story that resonated with you too. The world is harsh enough, please take care of yourselves. Do the things that make you feel good and bring you joy. Because we all deserve it. To find more content from Nikki follow her instagram Harts and Crafts. @harts.and.crafts2025 where she focuses on selling potted plants and her many crafty creations. Don’t forget to also check out Black in Wild .com for all things Black in Wild. Thank you for listening to this episode! Hope you enjoy the additional hours of daylight! *Note: The opinions and perspectives from this podcast are not representative of any agency, business, or organization.

To continue with the themes of the month, Winter and Black History (because lets be honest, black history is created everyday and should be celebrated all the time!). This episode features a local Mammoth celebrity, Maurice Cooper. Maurice is a former ski instructor, avid adventurer, an actor, and the most sought out MC in the Eastern Sierra Nevada. He is another long time friend of mine that is always bringing high energy. In this conversation with Maurice, we talk about Maurice’s passion for traveling and seeking out new experiences. I hope this conversation inspires you to say yes more! Let’s get into the episode! Maurice, thank you for such an inspiring and thought provoking conversation! It was a pleasure getting to know your story better. You reminded me that leaning into the things that bring you joy will attract your people. Community really can influence your experience. However, the way you stand in your truth does not go unnoticed as well. One of the messages that Maurice ends with is to encourage folks with melanin skin to not be afraid to try something new because it may change your life for the better. If you want to follow along with Maurice’s adventures you can follow him on instagram at mcooper.entertainment. Maurice often hosts events such as Trivia, Karaoke, and more in various locations around the Eastern Sierra! Make sure to check out his podcast called the Sheridan Tapes where he plays the character Jerry Price. During the episode Maurice references the play he was in called Driving Miss Daisy. This episode was recorded on January 5th. I hope that in these trying times the stories and voices amplified on Black in Wild make you feel less alone. Because we are out here and we ain’t going nowhere. See you in two weeks with another episode. The month of March will focus on women’s stories in the outdoors for Women’s History Month. Don’t forget to check out the new Black in Wild website at blackinwild.com for all things Black in Wild. *Note: The perspective and opinions on Black in Wild are not representative of any agency, organization, or company.

This first episode of season two is setting things off in the best way with all the good vibes. At the beginning of this season I want to highlight snow sports because we are in winter right now, so that feels most relevant. The theme for this month is going to honor Black History Month. Today’s episode features my friend, my brother from another, local Mammoth legend, Lawrence Bowie. Snowboarding and drum playing extraordinaire. I’ve known Lawrence since I officially moved to Mammoth over 6 years ago. As you’ll come to learn, he brings nothing but positive energy. Keep listening to hear about his journey into snowboarding and what the experience has been like for him finding this sport as well as living in a ski/mountain town. Without further ado, let’s get into the episode! Lawrence! Thank you again for being a guest on Black in Wild! I’m thankful that you paved the way for me to be here and made my time living in a remote ski town feel so welcoming. This was such a good conversation where I couldn’t stop smiling and laughing. Which is true even as I listen to the episode again. Lawrence’s story reminds me of how welcoming and inclusive the Mammoth community can be. Even if you don’t always see yourself represented, there are like-minded people who are drawn to places such as this. As someone who is learning to snowboard in their 30’s, I was reminded that it is never too late to learn or try something new. It may be the best decision of your life. If you want to stay connected with Lawrence you can follow his instagram @l.bowie and to keep up with his band Mammoth All Stars, follow their instagram @mammothallstars. If you visit Mammoth especially in the summer, you might get a chance to catch them performing somewhere locally. I promise you won’t be disappointed and may feel your hips swaying or your foot tapping along to the music. Not only is the show back but Black in Wild now has a website where you can find all things Black in Wild. All the episodes are available there in audio format, you can find my vlogs from my adventures, and there’s a new blog too! Think of it as a one stop shop for all things Black in Wild. My goal this year is to share more diverse stories and give some more insight into what I get into during my free time. Be sure to check out the website for all the details and updates at blackinwild.com! *Note: The opinions on Black in Wild are not representative of any agency, organization, business, or company.

This episode of black in wild the podcast is the follow up episode to the previous one where I shared about my experience of my work being affected by the executive orders. This episode will focus on two individuals who have also been affected by the executive orders and are from underrepresented communities. One would like to keep their identity anonymous for safety reasons and the other I will allow to introduce themselves. The first story you will hear today was submitted in the form of an email that I will read for you. And the second was submitted in audio form from the individual. My goal is to highlight how people from underrepresented backgrounds have been impacted by the executive orders as well as how these orders are destroying people's dreams. Note: the opinions and perspectives shared in this episode and on this show are not reflective of any organization or agency. For more information on executive orders visit:Federal Register: ⁠https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders/donald-trump/2025⁠White House - available as PDF’s from White house press office : ⁠https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/⁠American Presidency Project: managed by UC Santa Barbara: ⁠http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/executive_orders.php⁠

In this episode I touch on what executive orders are and share about how the executive orders impacted my work. This episode will be followed by another that will focus on highlighting how people from underrepresented communities who work in conservation have been affected by the executive orders of the Trump Administration. *Note: the opinions in this episode and on this podcast are not representative of any agency or organization For more information on executive orders visit: Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders/donald-trump/2025 White House - available as PDF’s from White house press office : https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/ American Presidency Project: managed by UC Santa Barbara: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/executive_orders.php

In this episode of Black in Wild, I chat with a long time friend from my time working and living in Yosemite Valley, Justin Elkins. A self proclaimed lady of leisure and someone who likes to just exist in a space. Justin emphasizes that in the end it’s all about accessibility and the images that are perpetuated for given activities or places. Park accessibility goes beyond race, gender, or sexual orientation, classism and ableism play a major role as well. We can make national parks accessible for all it just takes some effort. The woods are for everybody! According to Justin: the goal of pride is to advocate for freedom, dignity, respect and the right to live our lives safely. It does not just apply to queer people. If you have any power or privilege, it is a disservice not to use it. Justin has chosen to use the spotlight and attention gained from the Pride walks she leads in Yosemite as a platform to highlight other issues. In Justin’s words: “Pride can be a message bringer and a change maker....Pride is so much more than just a party.” “National parks and the outdoors in general is a space for queer folks just as much as it is for anyone else. Nature is very gay. These spaces seem like they are not meant for queer people partially because they have not been able to access it like others have and have not welcome to access it because of gate keepers of nature.” Thank you Justin for being you and bringing awareness to important issues effecting human rights. I found many parts of your personal story to be relatable and I’m sure others will too. Be sure to follow Justin Elkins on Instagram: @justinqueef *Note: the perspectives and opinions stated in this episode and on this podcast are not representative of any agency or organization.

In this episode of Black in Wild, I share about my experiences with hiking and how that has evolved into backpacking. If it was not for trial and erroring, plus the kindness and patience of loved ones I would not be where I am today. Hiking has been a gateway to new opportunities and beginnings. Stay tuned for more episodes where I share about my experiences in outdoor recreation and the field of conservation. Be sure to check out the companion video on Youtube, a vlog from my last backpacking trip! Have ideas on topics you'd like to hear covered on the podcast? Want to be a guest or know someone you recommend I feature? Reach out via email or on Instagram! Podcast email address: blk.in.wild@gmail.com Instagram: @blk.in.wild Youtube: @blackinwild *Note: the opinions represented in this podcast and during this episode do not represent any agency or organization.

In this episode of Black in Wild, I pop in with a quick life update and message to let you know I and this podcast have not gone anywhere. This is the first of more new episodes to come. Have ideas on what topics you'd like to hear covered on the podcast? Want to be a guest or know someone you recommend I feature? Reach out via email or on instagram! Podcast email address: blk.in.wild@gmail.com Instragram: @blk.in.wild *Note: the opinions represented in this podcast and during this episode do not represent any agency or organization.