Raziq Rauf is the voice behind Running Sucks, a fast-growing newsletter and Instagram account that explores modern run culture with honesty, humor, and curiosity. A former music journalist, Raziq’s storytelling captures what running really feels like for most of us — messy, meditative, and profoundly human. In this episode, he and Howie dig into the parallels between writing, recovery, and running; how the “just do it” ethos still carries real weight; and why the best thing you can do for others is to take care of yourself first. From his days discovering Coldplay and Muse to posting his slow runs on Strava to help others feel seen, Raziq reminds us that running doesn’t have to be about winning — it’s about showing up, staying curious, and keeping the door open for everyone else to join. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt Wisner has lived the full arc of the sport — from the high-stakes oval of NCAA and professional track to the freer, wider world of creative expression and longer distances. A former Duke and University of Oregon runner turned Oregon Track Club pro, Matt has since pivoted into storytelling, producing Alexi Pappas’s Mentor Buffet podcast and writing about the culture and meaning of running with rare honesty. Now based in Los Angeles, Matt is exploring the shift from chasing PRs to chasing perspective: why track once felt like running against time itself, how ultras and longer distances open up an entirely new way of experiencing the sport, and what happens when you stop holding on so tightly to metrics. We also talk about writing, coaching, and why running — at its best — is about lightness, freedom, and finding lessons that echo far beyond the course. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Filmmaker and podcaster Chris Winterbauer has spent his life chasing structure, discipline, and flow — first through competitive tennis, then corporate finance, and eventually through the uncharted waters of film school at USC. Along the way, running became both a release and a teacher: a way to process, to reset, and to understand that progress comes not from racing every mile but from learning to love the process. In this episode, Chris talks about his journey from the Pacific Northwest to Los Angeles, the parallels between marathon training and screenwriting, and how running helps him break down scripts, solve creative problems, and protect his focus. We explore how athletic family roots instilled an obsession with training, the challenges of dramatizing sports on screen, and the lessons of patience, consistency, and resilience that running keeps teaching him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John Freeman’s story is one of movement in every sense of the word. Born in Australia and drawn to landscapes that shaped his identity, John’s journey took him through bike racing in New York, years of undocumented life in the U.S., and the hard-earned clarity of sobriety. Along the way, running became more than a sport, it became a practice of presence, self-love, and spiritual grounding. In this conversation, John opens up about navigating recovery, the empowering edge of unsanctioned races, and the ways running and farming reconnect him with both family and land. We talk about the rebellious spirit of high school teams, the meditative calm of start lines, and how creating a DIY running zine is helping him reclaim his artistic voice. This is an honest, layered look at resilience, creativity, and the power of putting one foot in front of the other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Writer and runner Gordon Clark joins Howie for a wide-ranging conversation on movement, mindset, and the art of making something real. From his early days with Nike Run Club to his short-lived boxing career in Downtown LA, Gordon shares how sport became his medium and how ritual became his map. We dive into his screenwriting process, the spiritual logic of unsanctioned races, and why The Speed Project is so beautiful in its chaos. He talks Kaizen, Mayweather, basketball, and why LA is still missing its trail-running renaissance. More than anything, Gordon reminds us that the work isn’t just in the art — it’s in the miles, the rituals, and the remix. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Lesley Suter is a longtime journalist and creative force in the food media world, currently serving as Special Projects Director at Eater. She’s used to working in the realm of pixels, packaging stories, and feeding the insatiable digital algorithm, but out on the run, something different happens. The noise quiets. The thoughts drop. And something deeper begins to speak. In this episode, Lesley opens up about the tension between a life lived in words and a body that craves movement. We talk about the unexpected path that led her from music journalism to marathon training, the imposter syndrome she still feels around running, and the complicated relationship many women have with food and performance. She shares how running evolved from a calorie-burn mindset into a tool for joy, balance, and presence — and how lately, it’s started whispering something more. From “feeding the robot” to coaching Girls on the Run, this conversation explores what it means to follow the creative nudge, even when you don’t yet know where it leads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Darcy Budworth didn’t wait for permission — she made her own lane. As the founder of Take the Bridge, she’s spent the last 10 years building an underground race series rooted in grit, creativity, and community. What started as a scrappy summer experiment in New York has now grown into a cultural touchstone for runners who crave something more personal, more present, and more free. In this conversation, Darcy opens up about the journey from competitor to collaborator, the importance of creating space for women in racing, and the tough but necessary shift toward protecting her own peace. We talk about the thrill of unsanctioned races, the role of sponsors and integrity, and why slowing down might be the next phase of both movement and meaning. Whether you’re a run-clubber, a trail dreamer, or just trying to stay aligned with your values, this one is a map for building something lasting on your own terms. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Street artist and marathoner Jay Shells joins Salt and Flickers to explore how running became both his creative catalyst and spiritual reset. From his early Spartan races to chasing down his fifth World Major in London, Jay’s story is one of evolution — from metrics to meditation, from chaos to flow. We talk about the connection between movement and meaning, why laughter might be the ultimate race fuel, and how urban runs inspire his poetic street art. Jay reflects on the tension between solitude and community, his changing relationship with spirituality, and the quiet power of showing up for yourself one mile at a time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we have our first live episode with Olympic medalist, American record holder, and bestselling author Deena Kastor. With a career spanning decades at the highest level, Deena shares how she’s used positivity, curiosity, and gratitude as performance tools — and how those same qualities sustain her today. We dive into the mental shifts that helped her break barriers, the joys of masters running, and the rituals that ground her daily life. It's a lively conversation about longevity, reinvention, and why the most important training happens between the ears. Stay to the end for the audience Q&A. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode we're joined by painter, writer, and runner Scout Zabinski to talk about healing — physically, emotionally, and creatively. After coming back from a major injury and battling eating disorders and addiction, Scout shares how movement has evolved from punishment to a practice of presence. We explore how running fuels her art, why sobriety has made life more vivid, and what it means to truly listen to your body. A candid, moving conversation about finding joy after struggle, the importance of community, and embracing stillness as strength. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today's episode we're joined by writer, coach, and cultural instigator Knox Robinson for a wide-ranging conversation on movement, creativity, and community. From the founding of Black Roses NYC and Capri Collective to reflections on sustainability, authenticity, and the future of running culture, Knox shares his expansive view on what it means to build something lasting. We talk about the parallels between writing and running, the spiritual side of movement, and how today’s generation is reconnecting with the physical world in an era of digital distraction. An episode about feeling deeply, moving intentionally, and questioning what really matters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Howie sits down with Anna Bulbrook, a brand strategist, music curator for TED, and half-Ironman racer, whose relationship with movement is anything but ordinary. From the fluidity of trail running to the discipline of violin practice (and playing with bands like The Airborne Toxic Event and Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros), Anna shares how she found freedom in letting go of structure and embracing the joy of motion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today's guest is Eric Junker — an artist and lifelong runner who has never competed in a race. He shares how movement serves as his meditation, connecting him to nature and fueling his creativity. From judo to flyfishing and painting murals, Eric discusses the cross-pollination of art and endurance, the potential dangers of casual mindfulness practice, and the rituals that keep us moving. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Randy Clement is the co-founder of Silver Lake Wine, Everson Royce, and Highland Park Wine — a hospitality visionary who helped shape Los Angeles’ modern food and beverage scene. For Randy, business has always been about more than wine: it’s about creating spaces where people feel welcome, connected, and part of something larger than themselves. In this conversation, Randy shares the story of moving to LA at 19 with his wife, building Silver Lake Wine on the ethos of independence and joy, and navigating the evolution of the neighborhood’s creative culture. We explore his entrepreneurial spirit, his paradoxical approach to ideas, and his belief that momentum — when it arrives — should be chased with everything you’ve got. Randy also opens up about his relationship to movement: from baseball and bike rides to transcendental swimming and the flow state he now finds in running. Along the way, he reflects on parenting, community resilience after the Altadena fires, and his new project, the Altadena Foothillers run club. This is a wide-ranging, free-flowing conversation about business, creativity, and the power of simply showing up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Simon Freeman is the co-founder of Like the Wind, a print magazine that celebrates the culture, emotion, and deeper meaning behind running. What started as a simple blog has grown into a globally respected publication rooted in storytelling, community, and the shared experience of movement. In this episode, Simon joins Howie to talk about the origin of Like the Wind, the power of slow journalism, and why he believes the best stories in running often have nothing to do with speed. They explore Simon’s own evolution as a runner — from chasing PRs to discovering purpose — and the magazine’s mission to give voice to the runners who are shaping the sport, from elites to everyday strivers. We also dig into the business of independent publishing, the role of vulnerability in writing, and what it means to build something that endures. Whether you’re a marathoner, a trail runner, or simply someone who finds peace in motion, this conversation will remind you why we run — and why the stories we tell along the way matter. Like what you're hearing and want more? Follow us on Instagram or Online Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Charlie Dark has spent his life creating space. From the dance floors of London to the streets of Hackney, he’s always been in tune with rhythm — first through music, and now through miles. As the founder of Run Dem Crew, Charlie helped spark a global movement of running collectives rooted in creativity, inclusivity, and personal growth. In this episode, Howie joins Charlie in London to reflect on the culture of running, the power of ritual, and the deep responsibility of leadership. He shares his beginnings as a DJ, why he sees running as a form of meditation, and how he’s working to protect the joy and accessibility of the sport. Whether you’re chasing a finish line or just trying to stay grounded in an overstimulated world, Charlie offers a grounded, generous perspective on what it means to move with purpose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What if the runner’s high wasn’t a myth — and what if it could be bottled? In this episode, Howie sits down with Tony Fur and Todd Hunter, co-founders of OFFFIELD, a company that’s reshaping how we think about cannabis, creativity, and movement. After nearly two decades building brands and navigating the high-pressure world of sports marketing, they found themselves burned out, banged up, and disconnected from their own well-being. What followed was something unexpected: a pivot toward exercise, a deeper curiosity about the science of movement, and a bold new business blending cannabinoids with performance. We get into the early failures, the cultural taboos, the science behind the "exercise high," and how OFFFIELD’s mission is less about weed — and more about getting people to move their bodies, feel better, and reconnect with joy. This one’s about the body, the brain, and the boldness it takes to start again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brian Aubert, frontman of the beloved alt-rock band Silversun Pickups, joins Howie for a conversation that spans the physical and the metaphysical. From crafting songs that come to him fully formed in his head to the disorientation of a poorly timed playlist mid-run, Brian shares how movement — whether on stage, in the studio, or on the streets of LA — plays a pivotal role in his creative life. We talk about tour life, the influence of his sister’s love for running, meditation before shows, David Lynch, ancestral motion, and why finding the right pace — in running, music, or even just adulthood — is everything. This is a raw and honest look at what it means to keep showing up, even when the payoff isn’t immediate. A reminder that sometimes the point isn’t to feel good — it’s just to feel something. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this week's episode, Kam Casey opens up about the journey from steeplechase to studio life, from agency work to founding Capri Collective — a run club and creative hub born from a desire to make running beautiful again. With a groin injury behind him and a short film ahead, Kam reflects on his mom’s coaching, his own obsessive training habits, and how he’s learned to balance the grind with grace. We talk about the intimacy of running, the quiet power of community, and why LA should be claiming its place as one of the world’s great running cities. Kam’s vision is clear: this isn’t about perfection — it’s about effort, evolution, and showing up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices