the morning shakeout podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 253 | Simon Freeman and Mario Fraioli on the Work That Happens in the Background, Why Running Is a Team Sport, and Helping People See What's Possible Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

I recently sat down with my good friend and frequent podcast guest Simon Freeman, the co-founder and publisher of my favorite running magazine, Like The Wind, for our third quarterly conversation of 2026, which you can listen to wherever you get the morning shakeout podcast. An excerpt of this exchange can be found in the latest issue of LtW, which is out now. (You can buy a copy or subscribe here.)

In this episode, recorded a month after Western States, Simon turned the tables and put me on the spot, asking about the work that gets done quietly in the background of a big performance. We talked about the work that happens in the background: how our crew was organized, what we'd have done if things had gone sideways, why I try to keep my cool no matter what comes into the aid station, and why I coach in the first place.

We also got into the parallels between coaching and editing, why "chop wood, carry water" is still the best advice to fall back on after a big accomplishment, and a lot more.

Click here for complete show notes and sign up here to get the morning shakeout email newsletter delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.

Music and editing for this episode of the morning shakeout podcast by John Summerford.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 252 | Simon Freeman and Mario Fraioli on Resetting Expectations, Running's Growing Pains, and Choosing Sustainability Over Scale Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

I recently sat down with my good friend and frequent podcast guest Simon Freeman, the co-founder and publisher of my favorite running magazine, Like The Wind, for our second quarterly conversation of 2026, which you can listen to wherever you get the morning shakeout podcast. An excerpt of this exchange can be found in Issue #49 of LtW, which is out now. (You can buy a copy or subscribe here.)

In this episode, recorded shortly after a wild spring racing season, we dig into the first sub-2-hour marathon ever run in an actual race, the women's-only world record set the same day in London, the barnburners at both Boston and Cocodona, and how barrier-breaking performances reset our sense of what's possible.

We also get into why racing (and not clock-chasing) is what makes the sport worth watching, running's growing pains around access to major events, the case for racing locally and supporting your community, and a lot more.

Click here for complete show notes and sign up here to get the morning shakeout email newsletter delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.

Music and editing for this episode of the morning shakeout podcast by John Summerford.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 251 | Matt Taylor on Brand Building, Storytelling, and Creative Expression May 11, 2026

Show notes

Matt Taylor is the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer of Tracksmith. He recently stepped down from the CEO role, which he held since 2014, to return his focus to what drew him to the brand in the first place: its creative expression.

I recently sat down with Matt in Boston to trace the full arc of his journey, from a cold letter left at a hotel for IMG founder Mark McCormack, to embedding himself in top-tier college cross country programs for Chasing Tradition, to funding the early days of Tracksmith with an Usain Bolt iPhone game. We talked about how each of those pursuits helped shape the brand he eventually built, and also got into what has always set Tracksmith apart: narrative-driven storytelling, reverence for the history of the sport, and a refusal to be everything to everyone.

This is a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, craft, entrepreneurship, and what it means to build something with genuine staying power that I've been waiting to have for a long time, and it did not disappoint. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed having it.

Click here for complete show notes and sign up here to get the morning shakeout email newsletter delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.

Music and editing for this episode of the morning shakeout podcast by John Summerford.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 250 | Raziq Rauf on Running Crews, Culture, and Community Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

Raziq Rauf is the author of the forthcoming book, This is Running, and he also writes the popular newsletter, Running Sucks. Raz’ book, and his work in general, celebrates running as a sport, activity, and culture, and digs into the people, events, trends, and technology that push it forward.

I sat down with Raz in his adopted hometown of Los Angeles before the 2026 L.A. Marathon and we covered a wide range of topics, from the increased excitement around that particular event, to the evolution of run crew culture in that city, to the growth and strength of community in general. We also discussed his background as a journalist and a runner, how his relationship to running has evolved over time, why he started writing about running a few years ago (and how that led to the publication of his first book), and a lot more.

Click here for complete show notes and sign up here to get the morning shakeout email newsletter delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.

Music and editing for this episode of the morning shakeout podcast by John Summerford.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 249 | Simon Freeman and Mario Fraioli on Like the Wind U.S., Fresh Starts, and Cultural Differences in Running Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

I recently sat down with my good friend and frequent podcast guest Simon Freeman, the co-founder and publisher of my favorite running magazine, Like The Wind, for our first quarterly conversation of 2026, which you can listen to wherever you get the morning shakeout podcast. An excerpt of this exchange can be found in Issue #48 of LtW, which is out now. (You can buy a copy or subscribe here.) In this episode, we discuss the launch of the U.S. edition of LtW U.S., fresh starts, various cultural differences in running, and a lot more.

Click here for complete show notes and sign up here to get the morning shakeout email newsletter delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.

Music and editing for this episode of the morning shakeout podcast by John Summerford.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 248 | Devin Kelly on His New Novel, Exploring His Obsessions, and Committing to a Daily Practice Feb 03, 2026

Show notes

I recently sat down with runner and writer Devin Kelly to discuss his new novel, Pilgrims, and also talk about his process, his use of repetition throughout the book, and the parallels that exist between what he feels when he writes and what he feels when he runs. We also got into how he used the novel to explore his obsessions, the importance of committing to a daily practice, what's exciting him in running today, and a lot more.

Longtime listeners may remember Devin’s first appearance on the podcast in Episode 119, a wide-ranging and impactful conversation that touched on running, writing, exploration, masculinity, shame, self-worth, hope, and more. If you’re new to the podcast, or simply missed it the first time around, you can give it a listen right here.

Click here for complete show notes and sign up here to get the morning shakeout email newsletter delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.

Music and editing for this episode of the morning shakeout podcast by John Summerford.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 247 | Simon Freeman and Mario Fraioli on When to Push Hard and When to Pull Back Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

I recently sat down with my good friend and frequent podcast guest Simon Freeman, the co-founder and publisher of my favorite running magazine, Like The Wind, for our final quarterly conversation of 2025, which you can listen to wherever you get the morning shakeout podcast. An excerpt of this exchange can be found in Issue #47 of LtW, which comes out this week. (You can buy a copy or subscribe here.)

In this episode we discuss when to push and when to pull back in running, business, and life.

Click here for complete show notes and sign up here to get the morning shakeout email newsletter delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.

Music and editing for this episode of the morning shakeout podcast by John Summerford.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 246 | Simon Freeman and Mario Fraioli on Teamwork and Support Crews in Running, Business, and Life Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

I recently sat down with my good friend and frequent podcast guest Simon Freeman, the co-founder and publisher of my favorite running magazine, Like The Wind, for our third quarterly conversation of 2025, which you can listen to wherever you get the morning shakeout podcast. An excerpt of this exchange can be found in Issue #46 of LtW, which comes out this week. (You can buy a copy or subscribe here.)

In this episode we discuss the importance of surrounding yourself with good people in running, business, and life.

Click here for complete show notes and sign up here to get the morning shakeout email newsletter delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.

Music and editing for this episode of the morning shakeout podcast by John Summerford.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bonus Pod: Reflecting on 500 Issues of the morning shakeout Newsletter Jun 10, 2025

Show notes

This week on the podcast I sit down with my right-hand man Chris Douglas to discuss the history of the morning shakeout email newsletter, which just celebrated its 500th issue. It's been published every Tuesday since November 17, 2015.

This episode is brought to you by:

— Tracksmith, New Balance, Precision Fuel & Hydration, and Final Surge. All of these brands have missions I believe in and products that I trust and use myself on a regular basis. One of the best ways to support the morning shakeout is by patronizing the partners that help keep them going week in and week out. Check out this page some of the discount codes and special offers available exclusively to readers and listeners of the morning shakeout.

Click here for complete show notes and sign up here to get the morning shakeout email newsletter delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.

Music and editing for this episode of the morning shakeout podcast by John Summerford.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 245 | Simon Freeman and Mario Fraioli on "Peak Running," Event Hype, and Fundamentals Over Fads May 31, 2025

Show notes

I recently sat down with my good friend and frequent podcast guest Simon Freeman, the co-founder and publisher of my favorite running magazine, Like The Wind, for our second quarterly conversation of 2025, which you can listen to wherever you get the morning shakeout podcast. An excerpt of this exchange can be found in Issue #45 of LtW, which comes out this week. (You can buy a copy or subscribe here.)

In this episode we discuss the idea of "peak running," the seemingly ever-growing hype around events, fundamentals over fads in training, why chasing optimization is a fool's errand, and a lot more.

Click here for complete show notes and sign up here to get the morning shakeout email newsletter delivered to your inbox every Tuesday.

Music and editing for this episode of the morning shakeout podcast by John Summerford.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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