Have a laugh with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Ellison Weist as they talk about the newest novel from Maria Semple, author of the wildly popular 2013 (!) book Where’d You Go, Bernadette. Two of the other novels discussed share a common setting: a cruise ship. The books making a splash:

1. Go Gentle: Maria Semple
2. The Left and the Lucky: Willy Vlautin
3. All the World Can Hold: Jung Yun
4. American Fantasy: Emma Straub

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Feisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Wahoo Kickr Run: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

The 27th Mile Free Events: Head to https://www.manyhappymiles.com/books for more details and to RSVP

Runners at all ages and stages will benefit from listening to this episode: Hillary Allen, a professional trail runner, Trail Society podcast co-host, and author of Out and Back: A Runner’s Story of Survival Against All Odds, shares insight and advice about building resilience and confidence in running (and life!). With hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Amanda Loudin, Hillary details:

• surviving a 150’ fall—and returning to racing a year later
• building your “confidence bank” with little checkpoints
• overcoming the sadness and negativity of a running injury
• best practices for effective self-talk
• how to embrace power hiking

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Feisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Wahoo Kickr Run: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

The 27th Mile Free Events: Head to https://www.manyhappymiles.com/books for more details and to RSVP

Anyone looking to be seen and understood or to add value in their community will really appreciate this episode: Along with host Sarah Bowen Shea, Coach Liz Waterstraat unpacks Mattering: The Secret to a Life of Deep Connection and Purpose, a new book by journalist Jennifer Breheny Wallace.

The hosting duo talks about the importance of seeing the difference one makes in their world, plus what constitutes success. And Coach Liz reveals details about her “impact file.”

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Feisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Wahoo Kickr Run: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

The 27th Mile Free Events: Head to https://www.manyhappymiles.com/books for more details and to RSVP

Whether you’re taking on your first 10K or about to run Boston, this episode offers practical, insightful advice from guest Erin Ayala, Ph.D., a Minneapolis-based sport psychologist and host of Feisty Women’s Performance podcast. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Coach Liz Waterstraat, Erin shares:

• the value of “scary, joyful, and new” challenges;
• real-world suggestions for getting your brain on board w/ training;
• a gut-wrenching tale of a recent race going sideways;
• a 21st-century option for creating a vision board; and,
• the importance of feeling all the feels post-race.

Before Erin hops on around 07:10, Coach Liz and Sarah reveal how they approach workouts while on vacation. Hydration bonus: Chug every time Erin includes a rhyme in a response!

Shop our sponsors:

Wahoo Kickr Run: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

The 27th Mile Free Events: Head to https://www.manyhappymiles.com/books for more details and to RSVP

Episode Resources

Erin Ayala: https://www.skadisportpsychology.com/

Feisty Women’s Performance podcast: https://feisty.co/podcasts/feisty-womens-performance/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/

Feisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

In this episode of Miles of Books, Sarah and Ellison discuss three novels that each explore women’s lives, family roles, and the complicated ways mothers shape their children’s worlds. From the feminist awakening at the center of Meet the Newmans, to the fallout of desire and family upheaval in Lake Effect, to a fresh reimagining of Cinderella in Lady Tremaine, this conversation is full of sharp insights, lively plot setup, and plenty of reasons to add these books to your list.

Books discussed:

• Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven
• Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
• Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser

Wahoo Kickr Run: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

The 27th Mile Free Events: Head to https://www.manyhappymiles.com/books for more details and to RSVP

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/

Feisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Calling all 40+ women: This is a must-listen episode! The guest is Selene Yeager, host of the popular menopause-focused podcast called Hit Play Not Pause. Selene is the longtime health and science journalist who co-authored ROAR and Next Level with Dr. Stacy Sims. Along with hosts Sarah Bowen Shea and Tish Hamilton, Selene discusses:

• why a long run can exacerbate night sweats;
• the in’s and out’s of hormone therapy;
• dietary ways to possibly mitigate menopausal symptoms;
• realistic, actionable ways to strength train; and,
• how to keep running through midlife.

Selene joins the show around 8:25, after Tish talks about her recent “super-secret marathon” and Sarah shares that a 26.2 isn’t going to be part of her 2026. (Psst: This episode kicks off a month of Feisty crossover episodes.)

Get 20% off, plus free shipping, on all IQBAR products by texting AMR to 64-000

Use code AMR for up to 35% off first subscription order at livemomentous.com

Wahoo Kickr Run: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

The 27th Mile Free Events: Head to https://www.manyhappymiles.com/books for more details and to RSVP

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/

Feisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

This week, Sarah Bowen Shea is joined by Coach Liz Waterstraat for a conversation about one nonfiction title: The Way of Excellence by Brad Stulberg. The two talk about how excellence feels more like ease than strain, why values matter, and how curiosity, discipline, and reflection can help athletes, leaders, parents, and anyone else move toward growth.

Liz also shares why this personal-development book stands out from the pack—and why it’s worth the read.

The Way of Excellence by Brad Stulberg

IQBAR - Get 20% off, plus free shipping, on all IQBAR products by texting AMR to 64000

Momentous: Use code AMR for up to 35% off your first subscription order at https://www.livemomentous.com/

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/

Feisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/

Wahoo Kickr Run: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

The 27th Mile Free Events: Head to https://www.manyhappymiles.com/books for more details and to RSVP

Anyone looking to kickstart her running habit—or begin a new one—will appreciate this episode featuring Jennifer Harrison, a veteran endurance coach and accomplished triathlete, and sport psychologist Erin Haugen, Ph.D. Along with the hosting duo of Sarah Bowen Shea and Amanda Loudin, they discuss:

• how adding walks into your run can re-ignite joy
• the natural ebb and flow of exercising
• getting over the fear of re-injury
• ways to shed the dread of a run
• that your “why” doesn’t need to be a deep, meaningful thing

Before Coach Jen joins around 8:40, the hosts also enjoy a quick catch-up on work (Amanda) and family (Sarah).

Shop our sponsors:

Feisty + AMR appreciate your—and their—support!

Use code AMR for up to 35% off first subscription order at livemomentous.com

Get 20% off, plus free shipping, on all IQBAR products by texting AMR to 64-000

Wahoo Kickr Run: Use the code FEISTY2026 to get a free Headwind Smart Fan (value $300) with the purchase of a Wahoo KICKR RUN at https://shorturl.at/WVhdr

The 27th Mile Free Events: Head to https://www.manyhappymiles.com/books for more details and to RSVP

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themotherrunner/

Feisty Fest: Join us from September 18-20, 2026 - https://feisty.co/events/feisty-fest/