Northstar Unplugged

Majka Burhardt is a professional climber, conservation entrepreneur, author, and filmmaker. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Legado and the author of Vertical Ethiopia: Climbing Toward Possibility in the Horn of Africa, which was short-listed for the Banff Book Award. Her work and projects have been featured in The Economist, Outside Magazine, The Weather Channel, NPR and more, and her articles have appeared in publications including Afar, Men’s Health, Skiing Magazine, Backpacker, Patagonia, Alpinist, Women’s Adventure, The Explorers Journal, and Climbing. Majka is a climber and ambassador with Patagonia and an American Mountain Guides Association Rock Guide and Ice Instructor. She graduated from Princeton University cum laude and received a MFA in Creative Writing from the Warren Wilson Program for Writers. She and her husband, Peter Doucette, an internationally certified (AMGA/IFMGA) mountain guide, live in Jackson, New Hampshire with their twin children.  Full show notes at https://northstarunplugged.kristenrainey.com/

Sarah Kitchin is an architect and faculty member at Montana State University who joined MASS Design Group in 2011 as a founding member of the Kigali Office, contributing to nearly all of MASS's built work in Rwanda. She has led design and implementation projects in various typologies, including healthcare, housing, and education, cultivating deep engagement with local builders, material suppliers, and agencies to maximize impact during the construction process. Full show notes at https://northstarunplugged.kristenrainey.com/

Matthew Marquardt is a professional triathlete and medical student at the Ohio State University College ofMedicine. A varsity swimmer while in college and US Olympic Trials Qualifier, he graduated from Princeton University in 2021 with a major in Chemistry and a minor in Entrepreneurship. A diagnosis of sleep apnea during his sophomore year of college sparked his interest in learning more about sleep and how sleep can be used to optimize performance in all aspects of life. Full show notes at https://northstarunplugged.kristenrainey.com/

Genevieve Walsh is the Co-founder and CEO of Iqra Fund, supporting the education of girls in the remote regions of northern Pakistan. Full show notes at https://northstarunplugged.kristenrainey.com/

Emily Stifler Wolfe has two kids, two donkeys, two cats, five chickens, one spunky, lanky, very enthusiastic teenage dog, and a mountain man husband. A journalist-turned-strategist, Emily has called Bozeman home since January of 2005. Her first job in town was selling homemade cookies off her tailgate while parked at the turnoff for Bridger Bowl.  Full show notes at https://northstarunplugged.kristenrainey.com/