Secretly Sporty

Acclaimed author Emily Nemens discusses her recent essay “The Back Meets the Nose”, which chronicles her harrowing experience with a debilitating back injury & its effects on her running life.  She catches us up on her recovery process, and details how devastating it was to lose her ability to run, sharing what it meant to be a runner for so long.  She also delves into her baseball novel The Cactus League, talks Nikolai Gogol, and shares some of her favorite baseball narratives of all time.  Plus, she offers a critique of Murakami’s What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. 

Author Michael Copperman discusses his new book Seeking Kenny: A Wrestler’s Journey, reveals why he loves bouldering, and reflects on the ways that his days as an elite high school wrestler still impact his approach to fitness and nutrition today.  He also speaks about his experience being raised by two Aikido masters and what techniques he still uses from the martial art.   Plus, he shares underrated aspects of climbing gyms.

Award-winning music critic Ben Ratliff joins Sebastian to discuss his book Run the Song, which was longlisted for the 2025 National Book Award, and how running helps him think about music in unpredictable ways. He also shares how he started running in 40s, why he never tracks his mileage or sets goals, and how he used his daily runs to navigate leaving his job at the New York Times after 20 years. Plus, he reveals his favorite trail running shoe. 

Celebrated singer-songwriter Laura Veirs discusses her new album Temple Songs and how the production process was a milestone in her career.  She delves into why she loves group fitness classes and how long bike rides helped her process her divorce.  She also pushes back against the myth that an artist needs to feel tortured and unhealthy to make great work, and explains why, for her, the best songs come from when she feels healthy and stable.  Plus, she asks Sebastian for tips from past guests about how to maintain a workout schedule while touring.

For this month’s Rest Day Radio, we break out the popcorn! Story guru Matt Bird, author of The Secrets of Story and The Secrets of Character and co-host of the podcast A Good Story Well Told, joins Sebastian to dive into the world of sports movies. Austen gets in on the fun as co-host, and the three of them discuss and debate their favorites.  Matt also breaks down the fitness routine he’s done every weekday since 1998, and reveals the cinematic way he’s kept himself motivated all these years.  Plus, Austen has a surprising reaction to one of her long-time favorite films.

Acclaimed author Paul Yoon (and husband of our previous guest Laura van den Berg) joins Sebastian to discuss his new novel Etna - inspired by his dog Oscar. He shares why he was initially reluctant to join a gym, and why he now loves it.  He also reveals why post-Mile 6 is where the running magic happens for him, and he goes deep on his unique writing process  —  writing in his head, like a dancer memorizing a sequence, before ever putting words to the page.  Plus, he and Sebastian delve into their experiences with pet psychics. This episode contains a discussion of a suicide.  If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to https://speakingofsuicide.com/resources/ for a list of additional resources.