Rephonic
Artwork for The Trailhead

The Trailhead

UltraSignup
Trail Running
Ultra Running
Running
UTMB
Leadville 100
Ultrarunning
Barkley Marathons
Hardrock 100
Endurance Sports
Mental Health
Ultrasignup
Climate Change
Community
Courtney Dauwalter
Burnout
Coaching
Trail Running Community
Community Engagement
Excellence
Lake County High School

The Trailhead isn't your typical trail running podcast—we're not dissecting splits or debating race strategies. Instead, hosts Zoë Rom and Brendan Leonard take you straight to the heart (and funny bone) of the sport, celebrating the people, stories, and quirks that make trail running so special. With a mix of humor, heart, and a little irreverence, we explore the personalities, people, artists, an... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes96Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RunningSportsHealth & Fitness

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Trailhead

Latest Episodes

Dillon Osleger is a geologist, professional mountain biker, and longtime trail steward whose debut book, Trail Work: Restoring the Paths and Stories of America's Public Lands, uncovers the buried history beneath the trails we run, ride, and take for... more

Dr. Nick Tiller is an exercise scientist at the Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA, a two-decade ultrarunner, and the author of The Skeptic's Guide to Sports Science and the new The Health and Wellness Lie.

In this conversation: why ultrarunning i... more

Ben Ratliff is a former New York Times music critic, a writing professor at NYU, and the author of Run the Song: Writing About Running About Listening, longlisted for the National Book Award and named a finalist for the PEN/Diamonstein-Spielvogel Aw... more

When you hit the wall at mile 19 of a marathon (or mile 80 of a 100-miler) it feels like your body is the problem. Your legs are concrete, your stomach is in revolt, and the finish line might as well be on the moon. But what if the wall is mostly in ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Crack A Brew With AJW
Crack A Brew With AJWAndy Jones-Wilkins
Trail Runner Nation
Trail Runner NationTrail Runner Nation
Everyday Ultra
Everyday UltraJoe Corcione
The Trail Network Podcast
The Trail Network PodcastThe Trail Network Podcast

Recent Guests

Nick Tiller
Research associate, Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center; ultra running physiology researcher
Lundquist Institute / Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
Episode: How to Spot Fitness and Wellness BS with Exercise Scientist Nick Tiller, PhD
Ben Ratliff
Music critic and professor of writing at New York University
New York Times (former); NYU
Episode: A Longtime New York Times Music Critic on How Running Changed the Way He Listens
Emily Balcetis
Associate Professor of Psychology at New York University and author
New York University
Episode: Social Psychologist Emily Balcetis on Why the Wall Is Mental, Not Physical
David Raichlen
Evolutionary biologist; Professor of Biological Sciences at USC
University of Southern California
Episode: Why Your Brain Needs You to Run with Evolutionary Biologist David Raichlen
Rochelle Bilow
Food writer and runner known for Call of the Farm and work at Serious Eats
Serious Eats; Cookbook author
Episode: Rochelle Bilow on Food, Running, and Romance Novels
Ryan Goodman
Beef rancher, ultra runner, LGBTQ advocate, works at a university in beef operations
Washington State University
Episode: From Cattle Ranching to 100 Mile Races with "Beef Runner" Ryan Goodman
C. Thi Nguyen
Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Utah; author on philosophy of games and The Score
University of Utah
Episode: Philosopher C. Thi Nguyen on Why Ultrarunning Is a Game, and Maybe the Meaning of Life
Pavel Cenkl
Climate writer, endurance runner, Dean of Academics at Prescott College
Prescott College
Episode: What Running 150 Miles Across Iceland Taught Pavel Cenkl About the Planet
Christie Aschwanden
Freelance journalist, podcaster, author, and speaker.
Grand Mesa Nordic Council
Episode: Science Journalist Christie Aschwanden on What Actually Works for Recovery (And What Doesn't)

Hosts

Zoë Rom
Host focusing on storytelling, culture, and community in trail running.
Brendan Leonard
Co-host, brings humor, curiosity, and perspectives on running culture.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 273 ratings
  • Great hosts

    Both of the hosts are great writers. They’re also both really articulate, smart, and very funny. You’ll probably have them if you’re dumb.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gleebelo
    United Statesa month ago
  • Not a running show anymore

    I used to really enjoy this show, but when the hosts changed over it was no longer a running show. The content is interesting enough but it focuses so much on writing and writers that happen to run. Running always comes up but almost as a tangent. It seems they book guests promoting a book and justify it by asking only a few running questions and diving in deep to the books and writing topics. I want to hear about their running and if writing or other hobbies are a tangent then fine.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Mr Jeffrey8644
    Canada2 months ago
  • Excellent Interviews

    Humans are cool. This podcast gives some behind the scenes of people doing rad things out in the dirt. I’ve really enjoyed this!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    megwendy2.0
    United States4 months ago
  • Worth a listen

    Great interviews that expand beyond trail running in a good way!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Met2026
    United States5 months ago
  • Great hosts!

    Chatty, upbeat, interesting stories! I’m always intrigued to see who they’ll speak with and they ask really good questions!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Heathervdh
    Canada5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and topics are varied, often expanding beyond pure performance to culture and philosophy.
Listeners value the hosts' blend of smarts, humor, and relatable storytelling.
Some listeners note changes in format or focus over time but many praise the depth and authenticity of conversations.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#34
United States/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#122
Canada/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#196
United Kingdom/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#131
Italy/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#177
Germany/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#197
Australia/Sports/Running

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How to Spot Fitness and Wellness BS with Exercise Scientist Nick Tiller, PhD
Q: How should listeners approach new wellness trends without losing their skepticism?
Approach trends with neutral curiosity, check for evidence, beware of influencers who lack credentials, and consider the risk–benefit trade-offs and potential biases in studies; use critical thinking as a continuous practice rather than a one-off test.
How to Spot Fitness and Wellness BS with Exercise Scientist Nick Tiller, PhD
Q: What are some signs that trip off your bullshit detector in 2026?
Nick emphasizes red flags like rapid claims of shortcuts, claims based on popularity rather than robust evidence, and the use of logical fallacies; he also advises verifying with qualified professionals and looking for independent research rather than manufacturer-funded studies.
Why Your Brain Needs You to Run with Evolutionary Biologist David Raichlen
Q: What's the biggest misconception about exercise in the public mindset?
That there is one universal 'right way' to run or train; in reality, moving your body in a way you enjoy and can sustain is what matters most.
Why Your Brain Needs You to Run with Evolutionary Biologist David Raichlen
Q: Has a specific finding changed how you think about exercising or cognition?
Yes. I've seen evidence that physical activity and cognitive engagement together yield greater cognitive benefits than either alone, supporting a foraging-like approach that combines movement with mental challenge.
Rochelle Bilow on Food, Running, and Romance Novels
Q: What was your typical day of writing like before you started ultra running, and how did that evolve with running more seriously?
She described writing in bursts, starting at a desk and shifting to more scattered, later-day work as deadlines and race training required. The balance became about fitting writing into a schedule around training and travel, with adaptation over time.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Trailhead

What is The Trailhead about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A trail-running conversation hub that blends personal stories, humor, and thoughtful inquiry into the people behind endurance sports. Episodes frequently explore psychology, evolution, philosophy, climate and place, recovery, and culture, often via guests who live at the intersection of athletics, science, writing, and community. The two hosts mix curiosity with warmth, inviting guests to share practical mindset tools, life experiences, and the social worlds that shape why people run long distances. A notable strength is its ability to connect deep topics—from perception and brain health to ethics and play—with accessible, character-driven storytelling and behind-the-scenes perspectives on the running world. The show tends to attract listen... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Trailhead?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Trailhead. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Trailhead and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Trailhead get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Trailhead, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Trailhead?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Trailhead, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does The Trailhead have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Trailhead has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Trailhead?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Trailhead:

1. Between Two Pines
2. Crack A Brew With AJW
3. Trail Runner Nation
4. Everyday Ultra
5. The Trail Network Podcast

How many episodes of The Trailhead are there?

The Trailhead launched 4 years ago and published 96 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Trailhead?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Trailhead?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Trailhead from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Trailhead?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Trailhead. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Trailhead?

Recent guests on The Trailhead include:

1. Nick Tiller
2. Ben Ratliff
3. Emily Balcetis
4. David Raichlen
5. Rochelle Bilow
6. Ryan Goodman
7. C. Thi Nguyen
8. Pavel Cenkl

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days