the morning shakeout podcast

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.

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.

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.

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.

Simon Freeman, co-founder of Like The Wind magazine, joins to share insights on the importance of teamwork and community in running and business. He emphasizes how surrounding yourself with supportive people can elevate your performance and life experiences. They reflect on the joy of reconnecting with friends, the dynamics of transitioning roles in creative projects, and the essential role of a support crew, from training partners to family. Trust and collaboration are highlighted as cornerstones for navigating challenges together.

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.

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.

This week on the podcast I sit down with my right-hand man Chris Douglas and answer reader and listener questions about dream podcast guests, training ideas I have and haven’t changed my mind about, the impact of AI on coaching, best mindset practices for training and racing, and a lot more. There’s even a good rant from me on running while sick/injured that I hope folks will appreciate and take to heart.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.

Sebastian Junger, a New York Times bestselling author known for titles like "The Perfect Storm" and a passionate distance runner, shares his unique insights on the intersection of running and writing. He discusses how running shapes identity and parallels experiences in combat, emphasizing how fear and exhaustion dissolve ego. Junger reflects on his transformative journey from athlete to author, highlighting the emotional ties to both sports and stories. The conversation also touches on the communal aspect of running and the cultural significance within various communities.

I recently sat down with my good friend and frequent podcast guest Simon Freeman, the co-founder, editor, and publisher of my favorite running magazine, Like The Wind, for our first 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 #44 of LtW, which comes out this week. (You can buy a copy or subscribe here.)In this episode we discuss the importance of making time for quiet, creating space for ourselves, and slowing down in both running and in life.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.