THE RUNNING EFFECT PODCAST

Latest Episodes:

Bryan Poerner: Building a Rebellious Running Brand, Redefining Diadora, and Putting Community Before Scale Sep 07, 2025

Show notes

How do you build a running shoe brand that feels rebellious, authentic, and different in a market dominated by giants?

For Bryan Poerner, President & CEO of Diadora USA, the answer lies in blending a punk-inspired do-it-yourself ethos with Italian craftsmanship and a deep respect for the running community.

From his roots as a Division III steeplechaser to leading Diadora’s return to the U.S. performance market, Bryan’s journey has been anything but conventional.

His path is marked by defining career highlights. In 1998–1999, he set the Stockton University steeplechase record (9:31.0) while completing his business degree. He then spent more than a decade at PUMA, rising from regional specialty sales to managing national accounts, before channeling his entrepreneurial side in 2007 to launch TRKFLD, a Philadelphia-based accessories brand.

Under his leadership, Diadora has transformed from a heritage name with history into an edgy new player in the run-specialty world. In November 2023, he made national headlines by pushing profit-sharing as a model for the future of runspecialty.

Rather than chasing mass-market share, Bryan and his team have doubled down on a “best, not biggest” philosophy that prioritizes authenticity and community over volume. Today, Diadora under his guidance represents not just a heritage brand reborn, but a bold challenger reshaping the future of running.

In today's conversation, Bryan takes me deep into the process of helping to build Diadroa and his background in the sport in DIII. We dive into trying to build the next great running shoe company and how and why it's centered around performance.

Tap into the Bryan Poerner Special.

If you enjoy the podcast, please consider following us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts and giving us a five-star review! I would also appreciate it if you share it with your friend who you think will benefit from it.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

The Year That Nearly Broke Him: Parker Wolfe on Pain, Patience, and the Process of Becoming Elite Sep 05, 2025

Show notes

The road to greatness rarely runs smoothly.

For Parker Wolfe, the path has twisted through injury, disappointment, and resilience. Over the past year, the NCAA champion, Olympic Trials finalist, and now Nike pro has faced some of the toughest setbacks of his young career.

Whether it’s a foot injury that threatened to derail his season, or the heartbreak of missing the Paris Olympics, he keeps finding ways to perform.

After returning from a spring foot injury, Parker lined up at the 2025 U.S. Championships and finished 6th in the 5,000m (13:28.20). Months earlier, he defended his ACC 5k/10k double, setting a championship record of 13:13.49 in the 5,000m. His PRs—3:34 (1500m), 3:54 (mile), 7:30 (3k), and 13:10 (5k)—back up what the results already show: Parker Wolfe isn’t just surviving adversity, he’s thriving off it.

Parker is here to open the book on his past year: the setbacks that nearly broke him, the mental battles behind the results, and the resilience it takes to chase greatness when nothing goes according to plan.

This isn’t the story from the headlines. It’s the inside look at how setbacks don’t define champions—they refine them.

In today's conversation, Parker walks me through the past year of adversity, opening the next chapter with NIKE and Coach Mike Smith, his ambtions for his future career, reflecting on his time at UNC, and more.

Tap into the Parker Wolfe Special.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

How to Get Recruited for College Running: A Masterclass on Recruiting and running at the next level from One of the NCAA’s Top Coaches Ian Mioni Sep 03, 2025

Show notes

Coach Ian Moini is not just building a strong running program at UNC, he’s building a pipeline of success.

In just his mid-20s, Ian has gone from standout athlete to one of the youngest and most effective associate head coaches in NCAA distance running.

Since his last appearance, North Carolina’s distance squad has leveled up in a big way: ACC titles, school records, and a national 5,000m championship led by Parker Wolfe. Behind all of that? Ian — shaping the training, the mindset, and most importantly, the culture.

But here’s what makes Ian different: he’s a master recruiter. He knows what college coaches are looking for, because he isthe coach they’re trying to beat. His track record isn’t just about fast times, it’s about finding the right athletes, building trust, and helping them grow into something bigger than themselves.

And he’s lived it from every angle. From winning New Jersey state titles in high school, to breaking 4:15 in the mile at UNC, to grinding as a volunteer coach while still a student at Eastern Michigan, Ian’s journey is all about work ethic, humility, and pushing people to unlock their full potential.

A lot’s changed since he was last on, but one thing hasn’t: Ian sees the big picture. He knows that long-term success takes more than talent, it takes the right environment, the right support, and the right belief.

If you’re serious about running in college, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

In today's conversation, Coach Ian Moini takes me deep into the world of how to get recruited to run at the next level, whether you're the top recruit in the nation or just someone who wants to run at the next level. We tackle every question in the book, common misconceptions, and inside stories from one of the best recruiters in the country.

Tap into the Coach Ian Moini Special.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Zack Telander on Discipline, Longevity, and Why He’s Running a Mile Or More Every Day With No Background In Running Sep 01, 2025

Show notes

Part coach, part storyteller, and part entertainer, Zack Telander shows that serious training doesn’t have to be boring—or stuck in one lane.

A former Division I lacrosse player at the University of Vermont (2011–2013), Zack built his athletic base in a team sport before transitioning into Olympic weightlifting as both an athlete and coach. But recently, his followers have been watching a different kind of streak: he’s running a mile every single day—and documenting it on Instagram. (As of recording this, he’s on day 79.)

What started as a personal challenge has become a running narrative (pun intended) on his feed, showing how a committed weightlifter can integrate daily running without losing strength or swagger. His posts blend mileage updates with reflections on training discipline, recovery, and mindset.

On YouTube, where he has about 245K subscribers as of August 2025, Zack’s content mixes deep coaching insights, technical breakdowns, and the occasional cultural hot take—plus personality-driven pieces like his snatch session with Alec Blenis. Off-camera, he’s USAW Level 1 & 2 and NSCA-CSCS certified, with coaching stints at Texas A&M (Rugby S&C; Weightlifting Club) and experience training everyone from beginners to national-level lifters.

We’ll dig into how his daily runs fit into a strength athlete’s world, how running and lifting can sharpen each other, and why Zack believes community and healthy skepticism are key to long-term athletic growth.

In today's conversation, Zack dives deep into his running journey, thoughts on how runners can get the most out of their life and running pursuits, where he wants to take his running, his unorthodox beginnings in the sport, and so much more.

This one is fun, but also deep. The perfect mix for your next run.

Tap into the Zack Telander Special.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

The Peak-Performance Blueprint: Taper Science, Beating Plateaus, and the Hidden Behaviors of Champions With Alex Ostberg Aug 30, 2025

Show notes

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER: https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

What does it really take to peak, push through plateaus, and build a championship culture?

Alex Ostberg returns to unpack the latest four installments of The Run Down, beginning with “The Science of a Taper,” where the guys explore how dialing back training at just the right moment allows fatigue to fade while fitness shines through, unlocking peak performance when it matters most.

From there, they dive into “When the Magic Fades,” a candid look at the moment every athlete experiences when the spark of progress dims. Alex examines why this happens, what it reveals about adaptation, and how runners can stay grounded through the inevitable plateaus.

The discussion then turns to “The Hierarchy of Endurance Needs.” Like a pyramid, Alex outlines how consistency and aerobic development form the base, while intensity, specificity, and tapering build upward—offering athletes a clear framework for long-term success.

Finally, they tackle “The Hidden Behaviors Behind Championship Teams,” highlighting the unseen habits—accountability, unselfishness, and shared standards—that turn groups of athletes into cultures of excellence.

Alex continues to blend science, mindset, structure, and team dynamics in a succinct way, giving readers a rich look at the forces that shape endurance performance.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

From NCAA Bronze to 1:58 and Worlds: Maggi Congdon on Beating Olympic Medalists, Going Pro with Nike, and the Tokyo Gameplan Aug 28, 2025

Show notes

Maggi Congdon is blowing past expectations and Olympic medalists on her way to the world stage.

In June, she grabbed NCAA bronze in 4:09.31. Just weeks later, she was dropping under two minutes in the 800, running 1:59.39 to earn silver at the USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene.

Her run through the rounds in Eugene was just as electric. In the semifinals, Congdon clocked a lifetime best of 1:58.42, finishing ahead of Olympic medalist Raevyn Rogers and punching her ticket to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.

This trajectory checks out when you trace it back a bit: Growing up in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, Congdon was a multi-time state champion in the 800 and 1600.

At Northern Arizona University, she found a program built for producing champions—and 2025 has become the year she’s turned potential into proof. In February, she stormed to a Husky Classic mile win in 4:27.77, rewriting the meet, school, and Big Sky record books.

Months later, she stood on the NCAA podium in the 1500.

With Tokyo on the horizon, Maggi isn’t just another name on the start list—she’s a serious medal contender with momentum that feels unstoppable.

In today's conversation, Maggi walks me through this breakthrough at USAs, the blueprint that got her here, her relationship with Coach Mike Smith, going Pro with NIKE, and a glimpse into her future, her ambitions for Tokyo, and so much more.

Tap into the Maggi Congdon Special.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Colorado's Sean Carlson: The Championship Formula—Tough Leadership, Uncompromising Standards & How to Win at Every Level Aug 26, 2025

Show notes

Final Surge: https://www.finalsurge.com (RUNNINGEFFECT20)

From Division III runner to one of the most respected coaches in the NCAA, Sean Carlson has never stopped leveling up.

Heading into his second season as Director of Cross Country & Track and Field at the University of Colorado, his journey is a story of persistence, vision, and transformation.

From his days as a Division III All-American at North Central College, he climbed the coaching ladder at Notre Dame, where he built a powerhouse: guiding Yared Nuguse to an NCAA title and record, leading a men’s team to a runner-up finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships, and capturing a DMR national championship (2019 indoor) along the way.

In 2022, Sean brought that same energy to Tennessee, where he led Dylan Jacobs to an NCAA 5,000m title and took the women’s team back to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2006 — finishing an incredible sixth place in the nation.

And now, as of 2024, he’s at the helm of one of the sport’s most storied programs in Boulder. In just his first year, he’salready making an impact–with Colorado athletes setting school records, earning All-American honors, and bringing fresh momentum to a program with legendary tradition.

We’re looking into Sean’s philosophy of athlete empowerment and culture-building, the challenges of navigating today’sNCAA landscape, and what excites him most as Colorado heads into his second cross-country season under his leadership.

In today's conversation, Coach Sean Carlson takes me through his principles of success and winning, rebuilding programs, how to coach champions, his thoughts on the new NCAA, and how all of the recent changes will affect the sport, and so much more.

This one is PACKED with value. Don't miss it.

Tap into the Coach Sean Carlson Special.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

The Hidden Blueprint of a Champion: Drew Bosley on Training, Coming Back From Adversity & Making His Dreams Come True By Going Pro With Nike Aug 24, 2025

Show notes

Undertrain now, dominate later.

That philosophy–his dad’s choice to undertrain him in high school–turned a patient Wisconsin high schooler named Drew Bosley into one of the NCAA’s fiercest finishers.

At Northern Arizona University, Bosley became an NCAA cross country podium finisher, broke the collegiate indoor 3000m record in 7:36.42 (which has since been broken), and stacked All-American honors across multiple distances.

Along the way, he clocked personal bests of 3:39.32 in the 1500m, 3:59.34 in the mile, 13:13.26 indoors and 13:17.06 outdoors for 5000m, and a blazing 27:53.48 for 10,000m–times that placed him among the nation’s elite.

His journey hasn’t been without turbulence.

A quiet 2024 season tested his patience and resolve, but the comeback was worth the wait. Bosley stormed back in April 2025 with a 27:53.48 personal best at the Stanford Invitational and later placed 20th in the 10,000m at the NCAA Outdoor Championships.

Then he held his own against America’s best, placing seventh in the 10,000m at the USATF Outdoor Championship in Eugene.

Now, Bosley is stepping onto the professional stage, signing with Nike’s Swoosh Track Club in Flagstaff under coach Mike Smith.

Patience is a strange weapon in distance running. Drew Bosley turned it into a superpower.

In today's conversation, Drew takes me through his adversity over the past few years, how he overcame it, the dream of signing with NIKE, his plans for his pro-career, lessons from being a part of NAU's domination, learning Bob Dylan on the guitar, and so much more.

Tap into the Drew Bosley Special.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

Inside the Mind of Graham Blanks: 12:48 5K, World Championship Bound, and Still Just Getting Started Aug 22, 2025

Show notes

He made history in college. Now he’s rewriting it on the world stage.

From Ivy League dominance at Harvard to lighting up the Diamond League, Graham Blanks is one of America’sbrightest young stars in distance running.

He was the first Ivy League male to ever win the NCAA Cross Country title — not once, but twice. In college, he set a then-NCAA indoor 5000m record of 13:03.78, ran 3:56.63 for the mile, and earned multiple All-American honors on the track and grass.

Since turning professional with New Balance, his trajectory has only accelerated. In just the past six months alone, he’sclocked 7:29.72 for 3,000m, 26:57.30 for 10,000m, and 12:48.20 for 5,000m, cementing himself among the fastest Americans in history.

Recently, he qualified for Team USA in the 10,000 meters for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo by placing 3rd at the USATF Outdoor Championships in Eugene.

Graham has impressed with his seamless shift from NCAA champion to world-class professional racer, inspiring runners everywhere to think bigger, train smarter, and run with purpose.

In today's conversation, Graham takes me into his plans for Tokyo, qualifying for his first World Championship team, learning to give himself grace, preparing for World XC Championships in the US next year, inside training in Georgia, upcoming races, training insights, and more.

Tap into the Graham Blanks Special.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz

The Mastermind Behind Parker Wolfe & Ethan Strand: Coach Chris Miltenberg on Building Champions and the Hidden Work Behind the Breakthroughs Aug 20, 2025

Show notes

Final Surge: https://www.finalsurge.com (RUNNINGEFFECT20)

Coach Chris Miltenberg has built champions, broken records, and rebuilt entire programs. But his real gift? Preparing athletes for what comes next.

Coach Milt returns to the show with a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most pivotal phases in any runner’s career: the leap from college to pro.

As the architect of UNC’s rise, he’s been there every step of the way for Ethan Strand and Parker Wolfe, two of the brightest stars in American distance running. From NCAA titles to 3:48 miles to World Championship ambitions, their résumés speak for themselves.

Most recently, Ethan lined up as a professional at Hayward Field for the U.S. Championships—clocking a 3:30.25 in the 1500 meters, securing second place and a spot on the U.S. team.

Before UNC, Coach Milt built powerhouses at Georgetown (2011 NCAA XC champs, National Coach of the Year) and Stanford (NCAA podiums, Pac-12 titles, countless All-Americans). At UNC, he sparked a resurgence. He’s accrued ACC titles, NCAA top-5s…and in 2024, the school’s first men’s 5,000m national champion.

Now, he’s doing what great coaches do best: helping his athletes level up, without losing who they are.

It’s about more than running fast. It’s about stepping into the moment, and staying there.

In today's conversation, Coach Milt tackles philosophical conversations around training, mindsight, building culture, dangers to the modern day runner like social-media, prioritizing fatherhood over certain opportunities and a large deep dive into the progressions of Ethan Strand and Parker Wolfe.

Tap into the Coach Chris Miltenberg Special.

Comment the word “PODCAST” below and I’ll DM you a link to listen.

If this episode blesses you, please share it with a friend!

S H O W N O T E S

-The Run Down By The Running Effect (our new newsletter!): https://tinyurl.com/mr36s9rs

-BUY MERCH BEFORE IT’S GONE: https://shop.therunningeffect.run

-Our Website: https://therunningeffect.run

-THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClLcLIDAqmJBTHeyWJx_wFQ

-My Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/therunningeffect/?hl=en⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

-Take our podcast survey: https://tinyurl.com/3ua62ffz