Secretly Sporty
Each week, writer and fitness enthusiast Sebastian Langdell talks to authors, musicians, comedians, filmmakers, and other creatives about their exercise routines, athletic passions, and approach to nutrition. The podcast explores how fitness practices fuel artistic practices, covering topics like boxing, bouldering, and long bike rides. Listeners are inspired to both hit the gym and pursue their creative projects.
Episodes
Ben Ratliff Runs to the Choir of Chaos
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
Laura Veirs: Lifting Pulse, Tempo Rides, and Temple Songs
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
Matt Bird’s Epic Elliptical Ride
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 routi
Paul Yoon and the Magical Mile Six
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
Joe Goodkin’s Ultramarathon Odyssey
Award-winning musician Joe Goodkin speaks with Sebastian about his life as a modern day Homeric bard, touring the world performing music inspired by The Odyssey and The Iliad, and how he evolved from a moderate runner into an ultramarathoner, running races 50 and 100 miles long. He reveals which distance he thinks is the hardest - it’s not the one you’d think! - why he doesn’t listen to music
Felicia Day and the Guild of the Weighted Vest & Walking Desk
Actor-writer-producer Felicia Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Supernatural, The Magicians) joins Sebastian to discuss how a walking desk is key to maintaining her fitness while plotting the 20th anniversary movie for her groundbreaking webseries The Guild. She also shares the inspiration for her graphic novel The Lost Daughter of Sparta, reveals why foreign language classes are the best thing
Eileen Myles Does Yoga with the Dead
Legendary author and poet Eileen Myles shares with Sebastian how they fell in love with yoga during the pandemic through Yoga with Adriene, and how it changed their relationship with their own breath. They share their long history of running and the counterintuitive accessory they used to bring to the track, and how they’re attempting a return to running now, using an entirely new method. The
Doree Shafrir Serves Aces and Saves the Cat
Doree Shafrir - author of Startup and Thanks for Waiting, and co-host of the Forever35 Podcast - shares with Sebastian her newfound love of tennis, how training for a marathon helped her tackle her first novel, and the joy of seeing your kid be proud of you. The two also discuss the role of plot in novels, and go deep on the acclaimed writing template detailed in Save the Cat. Plus, she
Fan Favorite: Alison Bechdel’s Superhuman Strength
In honor of our New York Times debut and our 4-month anniversary, we're rereleasing our pilot episode with Alison Bechdel!Legendary cartoonist Alison Bechdel, author of Fun Home and Spent, shares with Sebastian the weightlifting routine she’s been doing for over 20 years and discusses the magic of long bike rides and cross country skiing. The two go deep on Bechdel’s book The Secret to Superhuman
Carolina A. Miranda’s Aesthetically Pleasing Aerobic Adventure
In this month’s episode of Rest Day Radio, award-winning arts writer Carolina A. Miranda joins Sebastian to discuss her recent tour of 1980s exercise videos, including Buns of Steel and Jane Fonda’s Workouts. She details the history of those franchises and analyses what drove their aesthetics versus the starker aesthetics more common today. She also goes into how she became an arts wri
Sondre Lerche Flips the Running Order & Lands New Love
Acclaimed singer-songwriter Sondre Lerche joins Sebastian to discuss his new album Acrobats, his journey to a sub-three hour marathon, and how starting to run in his 30s expanded his approach to music & boosted his performances. He shares why he’s taking a new, lower-key approach to running these days, but also why he’ll never give it up. Plus, he reveals the connection between Acr
Isaac Butler’s Perfect Moment for Pilates
Award-winning writer Isaac Butler — author of The Method: How the Twentieth Century Learned to Act; and The Perfect Moment: God, Sex, Art and the Birth of America’s Culture Wars — shares with Sebastian how Pilates unlocked a consistent exercise habit for the first time in his life, why he’s learning the bass, and what the culture wars of the 80s and 90s can tell us about the way society views the
Greg Marshall and the Speed Bike to Nowhere
Greg Marshall, author of the acclaimed memoir Leg: The Story of a Limb & the Boy Who Grew From It, joins Sebastian to discuss why Peloton classes give him the same sense of peace as a well-lit department store, how learning he had cerebral palsy at 30 affected his exercise routine, and why he thinks about optimization differently than his husband Lucas Schaefer (last week’s guest). Plus,
Lucas Schaefer Slips into the Ring
Author Lucas Schaefer shares with Sebastian how Lord’s Boxing Gym in Austin changed his relationship with fitness and inspired his award-winning debut novel The Slip. He also dishes on his current pet peeve in the fitness industry, reflects on the parallels between writing and working out, and explains how having his first child has impacted his approach to exercise and food. Plus: he goes d
Lisa B. Thompson Strides to the Next Act
Celebrated playwright and co-host of KUT’s Black Austin Matters Lisa B.Thompson talks to Sebastian about her Sunday ritual of walking while listening to gospel music, why she considers meditation a part of working out, and how she went from hating ab exercises to loving them. She also discusses the origin of Black Austin Matters, previews her new play opening this fall, and extends an invite
Maya Lau Salsas through Mexico City
In this month’s edition of Rest Day Radio, Sebastian is joined by his college friend Maya Lau, the host of Other People’s Pockets, to talk about her life-long passion for dance, her move to Mexico City, and why she thinks exercise should be enjoyable, not punishing. She and Sebastian also analyze the way the elementary-school set approaches music, and they make plans for a flash mob. P
Kelly Ramsey Runs Toward Fire
Former wildland firefighter and author of Wildfire Days Kelly Ramsey talks to Sebastian about the rigorous physical training she undertook to fight some of the most intense fires in the world. She shares how she increased her running pace — and what form of exercise helps her most when she’s stuck on a writing project. She also tells Sebastian how becoming a mother has changed her relationship to
Brendan Bradley Deep Dives for the Part
Actor Brendan Bradley, with over 100 credits in movies, TV shows, video games, and commercials — including 9-1-1, NCIS, & Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas — talks with Sebastian about his swimming practice, how getting ultra-ripped challenged his self-identity, and why journaling has become an essential activity for him. He goes in-depth into how he changed his fitness routine to
Jamelle Bouie Lifts for The ‘Fit
Acclaimed New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie joins Sebastian for a wide-ranging conversation about his lifting practice, his love of the mid-twentieth century aesthetic, and how his sense of style is one of his biggest motivators to hit the weights. They also have an in-depth discussion about the depiction of masculinity in The Matrix, Fight Club, American Psycho, and Mad Men. Plus,
Michelle Millar Fisher and The Secret Marathon
Michelle Millar Fisher -- Curator of Decorative Arts at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston -- talks to Sebastian about turning to running during a period of intense grief, following the deaths of her mother and her former partner (Scott Hutchison of Frightened Rabbit). She shares how running then became an essential part of her routine, and what it’s like to come back to it after giving birth to her
Thor Harris and Peggy Ghorbani: Joy in Repetition
In our second episode of Rest Day Radio, musicians Thor Harris and Peggy Ghorbani (of Thor & Friends) share with Sebastian how their long-running exercise routines aid them in songwriting, energize them on tour and off, and keep them healthy in body and mind. They also reflect on how Thor & Friends evolved in step with their relationship. Thor has recorded and toured with artists like Swan
Bonnie Tsui Hangs Ten with Dolphins
Award-winning journalist Bonnie Tsui, author of Why We Swim and On Muscle, joins Sebastian to discuss why she loves surfing in cold water, the swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco, and why she opts out of music in the gym. She also reflects on how writing Why We Swim changed her own swimming practice, and she discusses the community she’s found while surfing — animals included! Plus, sh
Hanif Abdurraqib Runs the Memory Palace
Essayist and poet Hanif Abdurraqib, author of They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us and Go Ahead in the Rain: Notes to A Tribe Called Quest, discusses how running transports him through time and space, and how it helps him manage anxiety and depression. He goes in depth on his running playlist, and details what types of songs work for what mile of your run—and he and Sebastian bond over why s
Jason Kander Swings for the Fences
Former politician Jason Kander, author of Invisible Storm and host of the podcast Majority 54, joins Sebastian to discuss playing high-level baseball (not softball!). He shares how joining the team changed his relationship to fitness, made him a more empathetic father, and opened up community in his life. He also goes in depth on his experience living with untreated PTSD, how that affected hi
Laura van den Berg Packs a Punch
Celebrated author Laura van den Berg, writer of The Third Hotel and State of Paradise, discusses how she became a competitive boxer — and the intense training regimen she maintains to be ready to get in the ring at a moment’s notice. She shares with Sebastian the ways in which competing helps her manage her anxiety, how being a writer makes her a better boxer, and how partaking in the sport has in
Dano Cerny Hikes to the Beat
VMA-award-winning music video director Dano Cerny speaks with Sebastian about his journey from being an artsy kid who hated sports to someone who prioritizes physical activity, and he reflects on what he wishes he’d understood about fitness earlier. He describes how he found the inspiration for the Sia x Kylie Minogue collab video “Dance Alone” (on one of his daily hikes). Plus, he sha
Halimah Marcus Rides on the Level (with Liam Billingham)
The first Thursday of each month, Secretly Sporty takes a recovery day and releases an episode of Rest Day Radio. And in our first edition, Electric Lit editor and author Halimah Marcus comes on the show to talk about her love for cycling and horseback riding. She and Sebastian reminisce about their time in college together, trade stories of traumatic moments involving horses, and disc
R.O. Kwon’s Midnight Climbs
Acclaimed writer R.O. Kwon, author of The Incendiaries and Exhibit, tells Sebastian about her love for bouldering, why she stopped, and what brought her back. She also talks about her passion for powerlifting, and how those two activities are the best antidote to anxiety she’s found to date. She also shares her approach to revisions and the precise metric she uses to know when a novel is finished.
Soman Chainani Gets Deadlift Drunk
Internationally bestselling author Soman Chainani, writer of The School for Good and Evil series and the forthcoming Young World, talks to Sebastian about his weightlifting practice and tennis game. He discusses how getting what he calls “deadlift drunk”’ helped him through a rough year and how the joy of playing tennis with college students keeps him young. He tells Sebastian that it was only by
Alison Bechdel’s Superhuman Strength
Legendary cartoonist Alison Bechdel, author of Fun Home and Spent, shares with Sebastian the weightlifting routine she’s been doing for over 20 years and discusses the magic of long bike rides and cross country skiing. The two go deep on Bechdel’s book The Secret to Superhuman Strength and bond over their mutual love of rollerblading. Plus, she outlines her tried and true tip for making sure she g
Chris Duffy has Seven Minutes to Work Out
Comedian Chris Duffy, host of TED’s How to Be a Better Human podcast and author of Humor Me, speaks with Sebastian about his years-long devotion to the scientific Seven Minute Workout, his love of swimming in community pools, and how comedy and laughter are an essential element of good health. He also fills Sebastian in on a war raging among the world’s demographers, and explains why he alwa
Introducing: Secretly Sporty - An Arts & Fitness Podcast
Host Sebastian Langdell interviews a wide variety of creatives about their fitness routines. In each episode, an accomplished artist goes deep into what they do in the gym, their fitness goals, and the way exercise impacts their creative work. Emphasizing the mind-body connection, these interviews will have you thinking about exercise in a whole new way. New episodes weekly, s
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