Feeling like diving into summer with some engaging reads? Listen to this episode in which hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Ellison Weist jump into two books set in and around water—one is a debut that Ellison quite enjoyed, while the other is a dystopian tale. Ellison has praise for the historical war-and-love story in the episode’s mix, while the hosting duo is divided over the new novel by the Pulitzer-prize-winning author of Less and Less Is Lost. Sarah is enamored with the “dear” protagonist and his adventures, while Ellison finds the characters too precious and predictable. The novels they discuss:Under Water: Tara MenonUnderlake: Erin L. McCoyChildren of the Wild: Kevin PowersVilla Coco: Andrew Sean GreerFeisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Momentous: Use code AMR for up to 35% off your first order at https://www.livemomentous.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Let’s not kid ourselves: Everyone needs to listen to this episode because extreme weather is coming, if it hasn’t arrived already. Hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Coach Liz Waterstraat (a hot-weather racing warrior!) welcome Christopher Minson, Ph.D., a professor of Human Physiology at University of Oregon, where he is also co-director of the Exercise and Environmental Physiology Labs, to strategize about running and cycling in hot weather. Dr. Chris shares:-some fascinating science re: sweat + thermoregulation-reasons to run outside instead of in a climate-controlled enviro-somewhat-surprising advice for what to wear when running in the heat-the importance of other success-producing factors, like rest + hydration-why your heat training should start mid-winter!Before the heat-expert joins around 10:10, Coach Liz talks about making peace with her family’s summer schedule (including her teen son’s late-night second dinners).Watch on YouTubeFeisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Momentous: Use code AMR for up to 35% off your first order at https://www.livemomentous.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Anyone feeling rundown or overburdened owes it to herself to listen to this episode about a brand-new book called The Art of Pacing: A Guide to Balancing Short-Term Demands with Long-Term Thriving by Elizabeth Svoboda. A big fan of this 188-page book, Coach Liz Waterstraat details lessons learned from it, including the importance of choosing to rest (couched in the term, “principled dissent”) and why a “struggle phase” when starting a run or kicking off a work project is natural and normal. Discover what it means to “re-story”—and why it can provide clarity and energy.Feisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Momentous: Use code AMR for up to 35% off your first order at https://www.livemomentous.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

In this bonus episode, Selene welcomes longtime friend, cyclist, and women’s sports powerhouse Kate Veronneau to the show for a preview of the first-ever FeistyFest in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania.For Kate, the location is personal: The Valley Preferred Cycling Center is where she first fell in love with bike racing, found her cycling community, and eventually launched a career in the sport. She shares how a casual Friday night trip to watch track racing turned into an entry-level “try the track” class, a relocation to the Lehigh Valley, and years immersed in one of the most magical cycling communities around.Selene and Kate talk about what makes the Lehigh Valley so special: quiet roads, covered bridges, gravel before gravel was “gravel,” beautiful trails, and a deep community of people who love to ride, run, explore, and support one another.They also dig into what attendees can expect at FeistyFest: track riding, gravel, trail running, lifting, swimming, pickleball, community, laughter, and the kind of grown-up summer camp energy that reminds women how good it feels to try new things.Kate also shares why women-only spaces can be so powerful, especially when women feel safe, supported, and encouraged to step outside their comfort zones. Whether you’re a seasoned athlete or brand new to an activity, there is something magical that happens when women come together, lift each other up, and give each other permission to live a little bigger.Learn more and register for FeistyFest

For every mother worried she might have to forgo athletic goals due to parenting demands, this episode is for you! In this heartwarming, inspiring episode, hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton talk with two mothers who were able to pursue their marathon goals thanks, in part, to a generous grant from For All Mothers+. (Psst, the application deadline is June 10!) One momma completed her first marathon, while the other guest qualified for the Olympic Marathon Trials (!). In the episode:-both runners detail how their marathon dreams became reality-one mom’s journey from watching the Olympic Marathon Trials on TV to qualifying for them-the importance of the word “and” for women-how running became therapy for a single mom-the sweet finish-line surprise that awaited the first-time marathonerBefore the first guest joins around 12:25, the co-hosts gab about a recent sporty getaway.Watch the episode on YouTubeFeisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Momentous: Use code AMR for up to 35% off your first order at https://www.livemomentous.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Attention Anglophiles (and lovers of clever, engrossing books): This episode is for you! Hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Ellison Weist explore the themes of four new novels all set in or around England’s capital city. Buckle up: Two are riveting, contemporary page-turners, including the latest from the author of 2012’s Capital. The other two are period pieces laced with mystery and romance. The hosts delve into the perception of reality and seeing it through a media lens. The novels discussed:Look What You Made Me Do: John LanchesterThe Kindness of Strangers: Emma GarmanFive: Ilona BannisterA Perfect Hand: Ayelet Waldman

No matter what speed your forward motion is, you need to listen to this enlightening episode featuring Milica McDowell, DPT, co-author of Walk: Rediscover the Most Natural Way to Boost Your Health and Longevity―One Step at a Time. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Molly Williams, Dr. Milica details:the true sweet spot of daily steps (pssst: It’s less than 10,000!)the remarkable powers of a 5-minute walk and walking backwardposture tips and walking drillswhy you might want to ditch your weighted vestthe myriad benefits runners can gain by adding walks to their daily routineThe co-hosting duo talk about recent swimming and hiking adventures before Dr. Milica joins around 08:50.Watch on YouTubeFeisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Momentous: Use code AMR for up to 35% off your first order at https://www.livemomentous.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

Anyone who believes limited time, options, or resources are holding them back needs to listen to this intriguing episode. Coach Liz Waterstraat shares surprising lessons learned from the hot-off-the-presses book Inside the Box: How Constraints Make Us Better by David Epstein. Realize why more freedom doesn’t equal more possibility—or more productive workouts or better race outcomes! Learn how to minimize distractions during workouts to boost focus. And discover if you are a “satisficer” like Sarah or more of a maximizer/satisficer hybrid like Coach Liz.Feisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Momentous: Use code AMR for up to 35% off your first order at https://www.livemomentous.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

No matter what age you were when you became an athlete, you’ll enjoy these insightful conversations with three women who didn’t discover their sporty side until their 40s. With hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton, they share:their “origin” stories of becoming a runner or triathletethe joy of discovering the power of “dirty therapy” (read: trail running)how one runner cut an hour off her marathon finish timeways becoming an athlete changed how they interact in the worlda hilarious—and apt—analogy between running and tooth brushing!Before the first late-bloomer runner hops on around 14:13, Sarah details a recent humbling walk down a marathon-related Memory Lane.Watch on YouTubeFeisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Momentous: Use code AMR for up to 35% off your first order at https://www.livemomentous.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/

If you’ve been eagerly awaiting the latest from the authors of The Help or The Guncle, this is a don’t-miss episode! Host Ellison Weist weighs in on Kathryn Stockett’s long-awaited novel, and Sarah Bowen Shea details Steven Rowley’s new set-in-Palm-Springs book. Ellison also raves about the latest Oprah’s Book Club pick. And Sarah goes wild for a novel adaptation on Netflix! The books discussed:The Calamity Club: Kathryn StockettA Deadly Episode: Anthony HorowitzJohn of John: Douglas StuartTake Me with You: Steven RowleyFeisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/Momentous: Use code AMR for up to 35% off your first order at https://www.livemomentous.com/Currex: Use code AMR15 for 15% off at https://currex.com/Tifosi Optics: Use code FEISTY2026 for 20% off at https://tifosioptics.com/