Best Rob Dietz Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 130 - Expanding the Choral Sound with Contemporary Music - Rob Dietz 57:19

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16d ago57:19

57:19

“I love the way that contemporary a cappella engages singers who might not necessarily see themselves as ‘choral singers’ to be able to sing together and maybe discover a love of more traditional choral music. For me, it’s all about engaging more singers. Group singing is such a beautiful community, and I’ve seen the ways it can really change lives…

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Theo Murdaugh's Run It Up Revolution: Making Running Accessible to Black Communities 46:29

1d ago46:29

46:29

In this powerful conversation, Chris Detzel sits down with Theo Murdaugh, founder of Run It Up Dallas, to explore how one man's vision transformed the running landscape for Black and brown communities in Dallas. Starting with just 30-40 runners in March 2023, Theo's movement exploded to 200-300 participants after a single viral video, forcing the g…

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Ep. 132 - Expanding Singers' Tone Color Palette - Francis Cathlina 45:30

2h ago45:30

45:30

“I ask them to sing with maximum efficiency, accessing their singer’s formant, and from there, we’ll ask for specific sounds. Sometimes conductors get stuck asking them to blend, to listen. When we do that, it’s like giving them an 8-pack of Crayola and asking them to color. Instead, we start the rehearsal with a 64-pack and then throughout the reh…

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Breaking Down to Break Through: How Julie Rembold Overcame 4 Years of Health Issues to Return to Elite Running 1:00:55

5d ago1:00:55

1:00:55

In this compelling episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with Julie Rembold for an in-depth look at one of the most remarkable running journeys you'll ever hear. Julie's story begins at age 37 when she started marathon training with virtually no running background, quickly dropping from a 3:47 debut at Houston Marathon to a 2:51 …

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Hard-Easy Every Day: How Jim Dietz Maintains 1:20 Half Marathon Times in His 60s 46:56

11d ago46:56

46:56

Meet Jim Dietz, a 65-year-old retired TI engineer who's been defying age-group expectations with sub-1:20 half marathon times and consistent sub-18-minute 5Ks. In this conversation, Jim takes us back to the golden era of corporate running in the 1980s, when Texas Instruments funded a legendary distance running program that attracted All-Americans a…

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Et Tu, Bhutan? Cryptocurrency and Late-Stage Capitalism 36:08

1h ago36:08

36:08

Maximize profits, exploit nature, hoard money, and, like Buzz Lightyear, grow the economy to infinity and beyond! That’s the modern economic playbook. But for decades, one renegade country has taken a contrarian stance that actually cares about people’s wellbeing and environmental health: the Himalayan nation of Bhutan. When Bhutan embraced “Gross …

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Ep. 131 - Building Community Through Music in Worship - Jennaya Robison 48:22

9d ago48:22

48:22

"In my third year of teaching, I started to have vocal problems. I was taking voice lessons. I was singing professionally. It was feeling great. Suddenly my voice was gone, and I couldn't get it back. I took a leave of absence to get some speech language therapy. That's why I'm so passionate about using our voices in the choral ensemble in an effec…

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Four 100-Milers in Ten Weeks: Alison Miller's Ultimate Test 36:38

15d ago36:38

36:38

Join host Chris Detzel for an extraordinary conversation with Alison Miller, a 46-year-old physical therapist and endurance athlete attempting one of ultra running's most grueling challenges: the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. This rare feat requires completing four iconic 100-mile races—Western States, Vermont 100, Leadville 100, and Wasatch 100—all …

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RISE RACING: Rob Goyen's Big Comeback to Texas Trail Racing 55:33

21d ago55:33

55:33

After three years away from race directing, legendary Texas trail running organizer Rob Goyen is officially back with the launch of Rise Racing Co. In this candid conversation with Chris Detzel on DFW Running Talk, Rob opens up about his journey from stepping away in 2022 to his current role as a contractor with Ultra Signup, and why the pull to re…

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Episode 19 - Middle and High School A Cappella 1:00:15

10d ago1:00:15

1:00:15

This week we're joined by an incredible panel of music educators, including: Cindy Ellis - Miami Arts Studio (BellArmonia) Dr. J.D. Frizzell - Briarcrest Christian School (OneVoice) Kelsey Burkett - Hilliard Memorial Middle School (Blue Notes, Shades of Blue)By Counterpoint with Deke and Dietz

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Mark Olateju the Picture Guy: How One Runner's Camera Became White Rock Lake's Memory Keeper 42:04

24d ago42:04

42:04

In this captivating episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with Mark Olateju (affectionately known as "Mark O" to those who struggle with his last name), the beloved photographer who has been documenting the Dallas running community for over two decades. Mark's journey from a reluctant 8K participant lured by free breakfast to a s…

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Artifacts of Collapse: Touring the Crazy Town Museum 1:02:50

13d ago1:02:50

1:02:50

In this episode we travel in time to the year 2125, to visit the Crazy Town museum, which showcases today’s world of wanton consumption and profligate waste. How will humans in 2125 – if there are any of us left – judge the things everyone sees as normal today? Jason, Rob, and Asher take turns serving as expert curators of this future museum, nomin…

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Ep. 129 - Making a Difference Through Choral Music - Joy Hirokawa 48:10

27d ago48:10

48:10

“We were all asking ourselves, ‘what can we do to counter this, what’s happening in the world? How can I help my singers understand and navigate what is happening in our country right now?’ I made this huge shift in my thinking about what choral music should be and why we should be doing it. It's not just ‘what are you singing and is it gorgeous?’ …

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Why We Never Run Alone: The White Rock Running Co-op Experience 43:36

1M ago43:36

43:36

What happens when strangers become family through the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other? In this heartwarming episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with the leadership team of White Rock Running Co-op (WRRC) to explore how a free running club in Dallas has transformed lives and built an incredible community. Me…

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Crazy Town Classics - Net Energy and Sustainability, or… the Story of the Overstuffed Strongman 1:26:55

27d ago1:26:55

1:26:55

All of humanity’s feats, whether a record-setting deadlift by the world’s strongest man or the construction of a gleaming city by a technologically advanced economy, originate from a single hidden source: positive net energy. Having surplus energy in the form of thirteen pounds of food per day enables a very big man, Hafthor Bjornsson, to lift very…

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Episode 18 - Touring: Success On The Road 1:06:34

28d ago1:06:34

1:06:34

This week's discussion is all about touring! We're joined by an amazing panel of road warriors, including: Claude McKnight of Take 6 Freedom Young of Straight No Chaser, The Exchange, and Freedom's Boombox Trist Curless of The Manhattan Transfer and m-pactBy Counterpoint with Deke and Dietz

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From 232 Pounds to 2:46 Marathon: Greg Rankin's Incredible Transformation 29:58

1M ago29:58

29:58

Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Greg Rankin, a cornerstone of the Dallas-Fort Worth running community whose journey proves it's never too late for a comeback. From earning a pink fourth-place ribbon in his first high school track meet to running a 2:46 marathon, Greg's story is one of resilience, reinvention, and the power…

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Ep. 128 - Building Emotional Intelligence Through Choral Singing - Jeremy Brown 47:33

1M ago47:33

47:33

“My mantra for my teaching is: I want to create good humans while also creating good musicians. I tell every ensemble that on the first day of school. What they care about is 'Does Mr. Brown see me? Does he value me? Does he care for me?' Then they'll start singing. I care more about the human heart than I care about the perfection of the music. Ye…

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Chris & Anne Barnwell: Creating Texas Trail Community 45:56

2M ago45:56

45:56

Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Chris and Anne Barnwell, the husband-and-wife team behind Blaze Trails Running, one of Texas's most beloved trail racing organizations. Discover how Chris transformed from a 245-pound tech worker to an ultra-runner whose first 100-miler was the legendary Western States, and how Anne found he…

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Just One Word: Microplastics, with Matt Simon 53:16

2M ago53:16

53:16

Put on your best polyester pants, grab a bunch of gleaming mylar balloons, and crack open a case of bottled water. In today's episode, we're entering the plastic world of plastic pollution in all its glorious plasticity. We're on the hunt for microplastics – and we won’t have to go very far, as they're present everywhere – in the soil, in the water…

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31 Marathons and Counting: Farrell Hedrick's Journey from Beginner to Coach 46:19

2M ago46:19

46:19

Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Richardson native Farrell Hedrick, whose remarkable running journey embodies the power of transformation and perseverance. What started as a simple goal to lose 50 pounds after college has evolved into an incredible story of athletic achievement and career reinvention. Farrell shares his pro…

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Ep. 127 - Reconsidering Pedagogy to Support Neurodivergent Singers - Peter Allen Haley 43:02

2M ago43:02

43:02

“Start with the way that you structure your rehearsal, your classroom, your feedback. In terms of feedback, we talk about not giving people more than three pieces of information to work on. Working memory is affected by ADHD in particular. ‘Here's what you're doing well, here's what you can improve on, here's how you can improve it.’ That structure…

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Phillip Paris Leaves Colin Hamilton Hanging: The 4AM Houston Marathon Text 52:56

2M ago52:56

52:56

What do you get when you mix a guy who got hit by a car at 14, another who abandoned his marathon buddy via 4AM text, and enough curry paste to feed a small army? This episode of DFW Running Talk. Join Chris as he sits down with Colin Hamilton and Philip Paris, two runners whose friendship was forged through shared miles, questionable life choices,…

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Crazy Town Classics - Lord of the Swans: The Tragedy of the Enclosure of the Commons 57:02

2M ago57:02

57:02

The “tragedy of the commons” is an idea that has so thoroughly seeped into culture and law that it seems normal for people and corporations to own land, water, and even whole ecosystems. But there’s a BIG problem: the “tragedy” part of it has been debunked – it really should be the triumph of the commons. Learn the origin story of privatization and…

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Ep. 126 - Balancing the Needs of Our Singers and Our Institutions - Kristina Ploeger-Hekmatpanah 47:29

2M ago47:29

47:29

“We’re often put in positions that make us uncomfortable with the inner struggle of how to keep our job and have our program recognized enough to get support versus how to carry out our true mission with students. If I’m trying to continue to fall in love with the choral art, I think the way to do that is looking for literature that will balance th…

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Matthew Barron: From 3:25 Plateau to 2:38 Marathon Through Consistency and Community 37:17

2M ago37:17

37:17

Join host Chris Detzel as he sits down with Matt Barron, whose incredible marathon journey spans over a decade of ups, downs, and breakthrough moments. Matt shares his transformation from struggling with 3:25 marathons to running a stunning 2:38 at Houston Marathon. In this episode, you'll discover: How Matt went from "couch to Dallas Marathon" tra…

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Season 5 Wrap-Up 15:56

2M ago15:56

15:56

Thank you for listening to our show this season!! Here are the favorite choral pieces from our guests in the fifth season: Christmas Oratorio, Johann Sebastian Bach Mass in B Minor, Johann Sebastian Bach (x2) Trois Chansons Bretonnes, Henk Badings The Sweetheart of the Sun, Eric William Barnum Ein Deutsches Requiem, Johannes Brahms The Music Makers…

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Ep. 125 - Inspiring Choral Skills Through International Competition - Mark Anthony Carpio 51:14

2M ago51:14

51:14

“More competitions are being organized, and it has become a way for these conductors and choirs to work on their skills. By joining these competitions, the rate of their progress accelerated. People join choirs for different reasons. For most of us, we started only because we loved singing, because we found a place where we can share our voice with…

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16 Consecutive Boston Marathons: Amanda Hicks on Sub-3:01 Training & Racing 45:00

3M ago45:00

45:00

Marathon training at 7,000 feet elevation: Amanda Hicks shares how she's run 16 consecutive Boston Marathons with a 3:01 PR while living in Flagstaff, Arizona. From Dallas Morning News reporter to elite altitude runner, discover her 70-mile weekly training routine, White Rock Lake heat training origins, nutrition strategies for long runs, and race …

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Will Trump's Tariffs Fuel or Foil the Degrowth Movement? 47:52

2M ago47:52

47:52

As Trump’s tariffs kick in, the Republican party is suddenly spouting anti-consumerist rhetoric that would make the Lorax smile. Should we cheer on this accidental experiment in economic shrinkage, or will this ham-fisted set of trade policies cause a backlash against the proponents of degrowth? As political confusion reigns, we offer eco-localism …

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Rebecca Roush: From College Injuries to 2:57 Marathon - Smart Training After Motherhood 40:06

3M ago40:06

40:06

Dallas runner Rebecca Roush shares her journey from college injuries to running a 2:57 marathon as a new mom. Discover her low-mileage training approach, cross-training secrets, and how she overcame multiple stress fractures and ACL surgery to achieve consistent marathon PRs. Rebecca reveals why high-mileage training didn't work for her body, how s…

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Ep. 124 - Exploring the Fusion of Choral and Commercial Music - MaryAnne Muglia 46:43

3M ago46:43

46:43

“We had 10 sopranos, 4 altos, 2 tenors, and 1 bass, and they were all volunteers. We were spending hours trying to learn this music that we didn’t have the numbers for, so I ended up writing almost 100 church arrangements, and I made the voice leading very stepwise. Being that close to the music made me a better writer because I’m not just writing …

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Athletic Trainer Turned Marathon Mom: Amy Lyles on Bone Density, Peloton & PRs 59:41

3M ago59:41

59:41

From devastating stress fractures to a 3:14 marathon PR - athletic trainer and mom Amy Lyles shares her incredible running comeback story with host Chris Detzel. After being sidelined for a full year with pubic bone injuries following her first pregnancy, Amy rebuilt from zero with just 5-minute run/walk intervals. In this episode, Chris and Amy di…

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Episode 17 - Careers In A Cappella 1:01:20

3M ago1:01:20

1:01:20

Deke and Dietz are back with a brand new panel discussion format! This week's topic: How to build a career in a cappella. Featuring: Angela Ugolini - Producer/Engineer of Aurum Productions and Singer with Musae Chrissy Aloisio - NYC-based Voice Teacher and Singer/Choreographer of Backtrack Vocals Layne Stein - Arranger, Writer, Creator, and Perform…

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Matt Campbell's Race Day Formula: Control, Flow, and Commitment 45:05

3M ago45:05

45:05

In this compelling follow-up episode, Matt Campbell returns to share his evolved approach to racing and the mindset shifts that have transformed his competitive strategy. From his dominant performance at the Velvet Hammer 5K to his ambitious sub-2:30 marathon goals, Matt breaks down how he's learned to race the competition rather than chase times. …

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Blinded by the Light - Facing Reality with Renewable Energy 56:39

3M ago56:39

56:39

Solar panels and other modern energy technologies can be really useful, but the belief that we can technologize our way to a bigger and better society powered by clean energy is tragically flawed. Asher, Rob, and Jason dig into the up-and-down story of the Ivanpah concentrated solar power plant, review the Harry Potteresque thinking behind complex,…

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Michael Mazzara: CEO of Rogue Expeditions on Running Travel 41:49

3M ago41:49

41:49

Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Michael Mazzara, CEO of Rogue Expeditions, who's revolutionizing how runners think about their sport. After signing up for 20 marathons and only finishing 3 due to constant injuries, Michael discovered there's more to running than chasing PRs and collecting race medals. From his early days a…

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Ep. 123 - Improving Ensemble Intonation and Listening Skills - Albert Pinsonneault 50:22

3M ago50:22

50:22

“We ended up forming a new string orchestra at the high school, and I led every rehearsal and conducted every concert. I remember the very first day. I looked at my teacher and said, ‘how do you start them? Do I breathe?’ I tried something, and it didn’t work. Then I did the sniff, and everyone came in. Now I teach conducting, and what I want to gi…

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First Marathon, Sub-3:10 Finish: How Ski Bum Kevin Hebert Shocked Everyone (Including Himself) 50:22

3M ago50:22

50:22

What happens when a former ski bum who used to hide in pickup trucks to avoid running decides to chase a Boston qualifier in his very first marathon? You get one of the most inspiring transformation stories we've ever featured on DFW Running Talk. Host Chris Detzel interviews Kevin Hebert, a 46-year-old who went from running just twice a week with …

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Ep. 122 - Music and Mission in LGBTQ+ and Senescent Choruses - Tim Seelig 55:11

3M ago55:11

55:11

“Everything changed for the gay choral movement because they had twins: music and mission. They weren’t just there for the music, and they weren’t just there for the mission. I’ve been feeding my twins every day, and I feed them equally. Audiences that are interested in just music for music making are dying out. There are a lot more reasons to get …

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The Luke's Locker Legend: 30 Years of Fitting Shoes and Why Duncan Cragg Stopped Racing to Find His True Running Purpose 37:25

4M ago37:25

37:25

In this captivating episode of DFW Running Talk, host Chris Detzel sits down with Duncan Cragg, the legendary store manager at Luke's Locker and a cornerstone of the Dallas-Fort Worth running community for over three decades. Duncan's story is nothing short of extraordinary. Growing up in apartheid-era South Africa, he discovered his passion for di…

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Who Can Fix the Housing Crisis - NYT Pundits, German Shepherds, or Bilbo Baggins? 51:46

4M ago51:46

51:46

Jason, Rob, and Asher are taking out a huge, unaffordable mortgage on the housing crisis. What’s behind the shortage in housing? Why is it that no one, except canine Tik Tok influencers with billion-dollar bank accounts, can afford to own a home? While mainstream pundits press for an energy-blind buildout of desert sprawl and gleaming towers of gla…

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Ep. 121 - Choral Collaboration with the Choir Guys: Daniel Gutierrez and Blake Richter 50:36

4M ago50:36

50:36

"I start every morning at the junior high, and we co-teach together. It's great for alignment in the program, for familiarity with the students and getting to know them and hopefully continuing in choir. Our students see that we collaborate. I like that they can see that because it shows them how to go about relationships. People need be modeled ho…

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From 4:28 to 2:52: Traci Duty's 20-Year Marathon Journey 57:21

4M ago57:21

57:21

Join host Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Traci Duty, whose 23-year running journey proves that breakthrough performances can happen at any age. From her first cotton-clad marathon disaster in college (4:28) to becoming a sub-3:00 marathoner at 45 (2:52), Traci's story is a masterclass in persistence, community, and smart training. …

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Ray Nicholas: Building Running Community in North Dallas 49:16

4M ago49:16

49:16

Join Chris Detzel for an inspiring conversation with Ray Nicholas, the founder of RTC (Ray's Track Club) and one of DFW's most influential runners. Ray shares his incredible three-chapter running journey - from high school cross country star running 15:32 for 5K in California, through a 15-year hiatus filled with basketball, weightlifting, and othe…

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When Runners Get Hurt: Travis Dowd on Tibial Stress Reactions and Cross-Training 31:36

4M ago31:36

31:36

In this compelling follow-up episode, Chris Detzel welcomes back Travis Dowd, the talented runner who made headlines by winning his very first marathon at the Dallas Marathon. But this time, Travis shares a different side of the running experience - dealing with injury and the long road back to racing. Fresh off his breakthrough marathon victory, T…

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Bunkers, Bazookas, and Bespoke Moats: How to Be Safe in an Unsafe World 42:13

4M ago42:13

42:13

The world has gone bunking mad. The bespoke security industry is burying bunkers stocked with arsenals of automatic rifles and surrounded by flaming moats. Is there a better way to prepare for the polycrisis, the zombie apocalypse, or whatever hard times are on the horizon? Jason, Rob, and Asher have some fun at the expense of the bunker builders b…

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Ep. 120 - Unlocking Humanity and Vulnerability Through Choral Singing - Chris Maunu 51:07

4M ago51:07

51:07

“I think during my formative years, shying away from my true self – my authentic self – that's definitely shaped how I approach being in front of choirs, using choir as a platform to really encourage kids to be themselves. I think there's a vulnerability to singing where it really is an avenue to accessing the truest parts of ourselves, and so that…

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Elite Marathon Strategies: How Four Top DFW Runners Approached Boston and London 2025 under 2:38 52:55

4M ago52:55

52:55

This engaging episode of DFW Running Talk features host Chris Detzel interviewing four exceptional marathon runners who recently competed in the Boston and London Marathons. The conversation provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of elite marathon running from local DFW athletes. Aaron Pearson discusses his Boston Marathon PR of 2:37:13, sha…

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Beyond the Unicorn: DFW's Fastest Female Marathoners Take on Boston 1:08:50

5M ago1:08:50

1:08:50

In this inspiring episode, host Chris Detzel brings together five remarkable women runners from the Dallas-Fort Worth area who recently completed the 2025 Boston Marathon. Julie Rembold (2:56), Liz Northern (sub-3:00), Rebecca Roush (3:11), Maddie Stier (2:55), and Jill Wolf (2:54) share their personal journeys to Boston and experiences on the icon…