‘Making Strides’ is a space to share the experiences of underrepresented and marginalized communities in the sport of running. Join Stefanie Flippin and Carolyn Su in discussions on navigating microaggressions and policing, sponsorship negotiations, mental health, current events, and more.
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.
We’re back! In this episode, we catch up on our summer activities and personal lives, including family trips abroad and ultra races. We also discuss our evolving perspectives on training, as well as the rapidly-changing running culture. Carolyn talks about a food-run-tour she led through Boston’s Chinatown, and the ancestral connection she discovered through that experience, and Stef shares about an exciting upcoming project in the works that is also tied to their Asian American ancestry.
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 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kalagayan-299679119/), from the non-profit, SPARC Worldwide (https://www.sparcworldwide.org/).
Don't forget to grab your Pen & Paces (https://penandpaces.com/) Custom Bib Kit for any of your upcoming races and get 20% off when you use code MAKINGSTRIDES at checkout!
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
18 Jul 2025
Episode 23 - The Great Power of Representation
“I think the experience I had is what EVERY straight, white male has at EVERY race.”
Consider this convo as a part-two follow up to our most listened-to episode, "Allyship, Intention, and Impact" (episode 12 (https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/4yDWOc7S1Ob )), as we parse out what exactly made the ‘We Out Here’ Trail Fest so incredibly special.
In a time when there’s constant pushback and criticism of what DEI actually means or looks like, we hope this conversation gives practical examples of how create events and spaces that move beyond tokenizing to celebrating the diversity of excellence that already exists in our sport!
“It doesn’t have to be: we choose representation and inclusivity OR we choose excellence and competitiveness. There can be overlap!”
Have you ever been to a race or running event where you felt fully seen, celebrated, and free to be your authentic self? What factors do you think helped make that happen? Drop a comment here or send a message to let us know!
Special thanks to our Audio Engineer, Mark Kalagayan (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-kalagayan-299679119/), from the non-profit, SPARC Worldwide (https://www.sparcworldwide.org/).
The Making Strides Podcast is about building representation and 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 appreciate your subscribing and leaving a rating and review.
#MakingStridesPod
#letsFlippindothis
#diversewerun
Show Notes:
05:50 - Stef’s upcoming racing plans
12:00 - takeaways from the We Out Here Trail Fest: the excellence displayed and the power of representation!
33:15 - the role representation plays in helping others understand different lived-experiences
38:10 - what led Carolyn to create a trail event with her local lululemon team, in the Boston area
56:25 - Stef’s athletes who ran Western States 100 this year
1:09:20 - shoutout to our ongoing sponsor, Pen & Paces (https://penandpaces.com/ )!
Links:
David Jaewon Oh Photography (https://www.davidjaewonoh.com/)
OtterPawz (https://www.otterpawz.com/) Native, family-owned design company who made the custom medals (https://www.instagram.com/otterpawzlazer/?hl=en) for the We Out Here Trail Fest
Rubato HK Cafe (https://www.rubato-food.com/)
Gyee O’Malley (https://www.instagram.com/gyomalley/?hl=en), Train Ambassador for Boston lululemon
Don't forget to grab your Pen & Paces (https://penandpaces.com/) Custom Bib Kit for any of your upcoming races and get 20% off when you use code MAKINGSTRIDES at checkout!
Find Stef here (https://www.stefanieflippin.com/)
Find Carolyn here (https://www.instagram.com/irunfortheglory/) and here (https://www.instagram.com/diversewerun/)
24 Jun 2025
Episode 22 - LIVE from the We Out Here Trail Fest!
Trail festival founder Aaliyah Earvin, runner Alison Desir, wellness advocate Kayla Jeter, and author Mirna Valerio discuss defiance as acting according to one's values despite pressure, highlighting the We Out Here Trail Festival as an act of defiance against the status quo in running in this interview.
Who has been a guest on Making Strides
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Aaliyah Earvin
Alison Desir
Kayla Jeter
Mirna Valerio
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
21 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
62
Social presence
97
YouTube
0
Engagement
71
Contact Making Strides
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Making Strides?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
