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The Trailhead

UltraSignup
Trail Running
Ultra Running
Running
UTMB
Leadville 100
Ultrarunning
Barkley Marathons
Hardrock 100
Endurance Sports
Mental Health
Ultrasignup
Community
Climate Change
Courtney Dauwalter
Burnout
Coaching
Trail Running Community
Community Engagement
Tour De Géants
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 monthlyEpisodes99Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RunningHealth & FitnessSports

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Artwork for The Trailhead

Latest Episodes

Heather Hansman is an award-winning outdoor journalist, an Outside columnist, and the author of Downriver and the bestselling Powder Days. Her new book, Fierce Country: The Untold Story of Three Women Who Ignited America's Love for the Wild, is out n... more

Adharanand Finn is an award-winning journalist and the author of Running with the Kenyans, The Way of the Runner, and The Rise of the Ultra Runners, and his forthcoming book The Running Pilgrim chronicles the 1,400 miles he ran around Ireland in 68 d... more

Anastasia Wilde is a Missoula-based adventure photographer who has spent the last five years shooting the country's biggest 200-mile races like Bigfoot, Tahoe, Cocodona, and hiking up to eight miles into the backcountry with thirty pounds of gear to ... more

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

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Heather Hansman
Writer, journalist, and author
Author of Downriver, Powder Days, Fierce Country
Episode: What If the Hero's Journey Is the Wrong Story? With Heather Hansman
Anastasia Wilde
Adventure photographer focusing on ultra trail running
Freelance photographer, Missoula
Episode: Race Photographer Anastasia Wilde on What 200-Milers Really Look Like
Dillon Osleger
Trail steward, author of Trail Work: Restoring the Paths and Stories of America's Public Lands
Trail stewardship around the Western US; author
Episode: Geologist and Pro Athlete Dillon Osleger on the Hidden History Written Into Every Trail
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

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 278 ratings
  • Bonus knowledge

    Did not expect to find my latest music obsession on a trail running podcast! Thanks for the Adam O’Farrill reco, I’m loving the recent guests getting their geek on.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kim Humans
    United Statesa month ago
  • 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 States3 months 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
    Canada4 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 States6 months ago
  • Worth a listen

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Met2026
    United States6 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
#28
United States/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#109
Canada/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#226
United Kingdom/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#108
Australia/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#174
Italy/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#22
United Arab Emirates/Sports/Running

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What If the Hero's Journey Is the Wrong Story? With Heather Hansman
Q: How did you choose the three women to profile, and were there other candidates?
Hansman explains that the three women—Georgie White, Anna Vaiste, and Dolores LaChapelle—felt pivotal through her research and fit a coherent narrative arc; she acknowledges there were other voices but kept the focus tight to maintain a clear throughline.
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.

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

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How many listeners does The Trailhead get?

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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. Crack A Brew With AJW
2. Trail Runner Nation
3. Everyday Ultra
4. Singletrack
5. The Freetrail Podcast with Dylan Bowman

How many episodes of The Trailhead are there?

The Trailhead launched 4 years ago and published 99 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?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Trailhead?

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What guests have appeared on The Trailhead?

Recent guests on The Trailhead include:

1. Heather Hansman
2. Anastasia Wilde
3. Dillon Osleger
4. Nick Tiller
5. Ben Ratliff
6. Emily Balcetis
7. David Raichlen
8. Rochelle Bilow

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.

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