Bringing Back the Grounded Podcast: A New Chapter for Indigenous Runners

After nearly two years away from the mic, I’m excited to announce that the Grounded Podcast with Dinée Dorame is returning this fall! This break has been long but necessary, filled with reflection, learning, and growth, not only within myself, but also within the broader running community.

While I soak up these early few days of autumn and prepare for monthly episodes to return in late October, I want to share my thoughts with the Contributors Circle community on what this next chapter of the podcast will look like and how my vision for the show has evolved during my time off.

Elevating Voices in My Community

When I first started Grounded Pod in 2020, I wasn’t entirely sure where my voice fit in the larger conversations happening in the running industry. I only knew, as a Navajo woman, I wanted to help elevate voices within my own community and have conversations that explored the connection between land, Indigenous culture, and the sport of running itself.

When I received fellowship funding to start the show in the fall of that year, I was totally new to podcasting and struggling to navigate the complexities of collaborating with brands while maintaining my voice. While those early episodes were still impactful and resonated with many (particularly Indigenous runners), I found myself feeling burnt out quickly. I had launched the show with a weekly publishing format, where I was producing, recording, and editing episodes on my own (alongside my full-time job) for several hours a week in the evenings.

I was facing several barriers I didn’t feel prepared for at the time, including lack of internet access for Native listeners/guests located in rural reservation areas and a heavy responsibility to educate non-Native listeners on topics being discussed. Much to my own dismay, I put the show on “hiatus” in the fall of 2022.

New Questions, Healthier Practices

This two-year break has been extremely rejuvenating and brought me incredible opportunities to try my hand at work within the industry beyond podcasting. Announcing, consulting, and other writing projects have shaped me so much professionally. I used these experiences to consider how I could explore even more with the show if I re-imagined the format and challenged myself to ask new questions.

During this time away, I’ve also spent significant time focusing on my own health. Ironically, at the height of my podcast production in 2021 is when I lost sight of my own running and began a break from movement that paralleled my time away from podcasting. I was dealing with heavy stress and a stubborn ankle injury that I didn’t take the proper time to heal. I felt like I owed my podcast audience constant access to my running and fitness progress, which resulted in anxiety over things like Strava segments and Instagram posts. I knew I needed to do a better job at prioritizing my holistic well-being.

I took years off from sharing personal fitness updates, giving myself the space to recover both physically and mentally. Once I sought out the proper medical care, acquired some new orthotics and new shoes (shout out New Balance 860s!), and started cross-training, I was able to reconnect with the sport on my own terms earlier this year. I’m slower than I’ve ever been in pace, but I’m consistent, strong, and confident in my running. It turns out that my own journey as an athlete has been a big reason I’m inspired to return to the podcast. I want to create a reality for myself, a Native woman, that is safe, healthy, and joyful in the sport.

A Search for Fresh Perspectives

I’ve often used these Contributors Circle blog entries to ponder questions I’ve faced in the running industry. This time, I am letting you in on my guiding questions as I re-start podcast production: What did it mean to be a truly inclusive show, for guests and listeners, from the start of production to the moment I publish an episode? How does my research and recording process impact Grounded Pod guests and listeners? How can I stay true to the format of the quintessential “running podcast,” discussing times, mileage, training, etc. while continuing to hold space for the multidimensional realities and experiences of BIPOC athletes?

I learned it’s absolutely okay to get more creative with this format and that change is a welcome part of this process. While I love hosting one-on-one conversations with professional athletes, coaches, and everyday runners, I also believe there are rich histories of land and Indigenous culture behind every trail, track, and road race in this sport, and I want to bring those stories to the forefront of this next chapter. Whether it’s exploring the Indigenous running cities through the lens of Native people in that community or taking you through some of our most storied Indigenous athletes, teams, and histories, I want to bring fresh perspectives and compelling narratives to your speakers.

The Power of Storytelling

My renewed love for running and storytelling is something I’m ready to share with listeners, this time on my own, healthier terms. I want Grounded Pod to reflect the balance between the personal and communal, and I hope my journey can inspire others to take the time they need to reconnect with the things they love.

From Albuquerque to New York City to rural, tribal communities, every place has a history that ties back to the original stewards of the land. Running through these spaces represents our resilience and survival as Indigenous people.

If Grounded Pod taught me anything, it’s that audio storytelling/oral history is a powerful tool for both individual and collective healing. Can’t wait to share more soon…

Readers can follow @groundedpod on all platforms for updates on new episode releases this fall.

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