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The Trailhead

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

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 monthlyEpisodes94Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RunningSportsHealth & Fitness

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Artwork for The Trailhead

Latest Episodes

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

David Raichlen is a professor of biological sciences at the University of Southern California whose research examines how human evolution, physical activity, and brain health are linked across the lifespan. In this conversation, Zoë and Brendan talk ... more

Rochelle Bilow is a romance novelist, food writer, French Culinary Institute graduate, former Bon Appétit editor, and current kitchen gear expert at Serious Eats, and she just came back to ultrarunning after nearly a decade away from the sport. In th... more

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Recent Guests

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)
Brad Stulberg
Author and coach focused on human flourishing
Episode: Brad Stulberg on How to Be Excellent Without Burning Out
Pat Cade
Cross-country track coach and PhD mathematician.
Lake County High School
Episode: What a PhD Mathematician Learned About Running 100 Miles

Hosts

Zoë Rom
Host of The Trailhead, known for her engaging, curious interviewing style and emphasis on people and community.
Brendan Leonard
Co-host known for thoughtful, approachable conversations and a humor-infused perspective on trail running culture.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 268 ratings
  • 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 States4 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
    Canada4 months ago
  • Great interviews!

    Brendan and Zoe are great interviewers that highlight the unique spirit and motivations of endurance athletes. A must-listen for ultra runners or fans of endurance running.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Runner gal79
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the interviews for depth and variety in guests.
Fans appreciate the hosts' curiosity and engaging dynamic.
Audience values authenticity, humor, and inclusive discussion.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#47
United States/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#121
Canada/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#156
United Kingdom/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#110
Italy/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#190
Australia/Sports/Running
Apple Podcasts
#243
France/Sports/Running

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
From Cattle Ranching to 100 Mile Races with "Beef Runner" Ryan Goodman
Q: What skills or mindsets have you brought from ranching that help in ultrarunning?
Ryan highlights the habit of breaking problems into smaller tasks, maintaining endurance through long hours, and staying mentally present during tough sections, which map directly to navigating a 100-mile race.
From Cattle Ranching to 100 Mile Races with "Beef Runner" Ryan Goodman
Q: What are you excited to talk about with Ryan today?
The hosts want to explore how ranching, running, and LGBTQ advocacy intersect, and what lessons from cattle work translate into endurance sports and building inclusive communities.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Trailhead

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

This show centers on the people, stories, and personalities that make trail running unique, blending humor with thoughtful conversations about culture, community, and the sport's broader meaning. Episodes feature runners, coaches, scientists, writers, and creators who illuminate the human side of endurance—travel, resilience, aging in sport, and the amateur-to-elite spectrum. A standout quality is the hosts' ability to pair levity with real curiosity, inviting guests who offer diverse perspectives beyond performance metrics. Listeners often come away inspired by the community ethos, inclusivity, and the inspirational journeys of athletes, organizers, and educators who shape trail running's culture.

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?

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What are the audience demographics for The Trailhead?

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

How many episodes of The Trailhead are there?

The Trailhead launched 4 years ago and published 94 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.

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What guests have appeared on The Trailhead?

Recent guests on The Trailhead include:

1. Emily Balcetis
2. David Raichlen
3. Rochelle Bilow
4. Ryan Goodman
5. C. Thi Nguyen
6. Pavel Cenkl
7. Christie Aschwanden
8. Brad Stulberg

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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