On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes into studio Rachel Bambrick, a local ultrarunner, community member, and co-founder of Why We Run Crew.    Rachel recently completed the Cocadona 250 - an extraordinary, life changing 250 mile race that meanders up down and all around the scenic deserts and mountains of Arizona.    Take delight as Rachel waxes poetic about the duality of glitter and grit in her life and in the world at large. She expounds this psychology and explains how her mindset has facilitated her to tackle many larger than life challenges, such as running ..read more

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes Valentina Viana and Aaron Nixon into the studio for a spirited discussion centered around the word "Equilibrium," or the idea of using movement to stay balanced.    Equilibrium is also the title of a new mural prominently featuring Valentina & Aaron - two cherished members of Philly's vibrant running community.      Valentina emigrated from Valencia, Venezuela, at age 23, due to overwhelming social and political issues. She left behind her family and friends to pursue the American dream. Valentina is 30 now and has ma ..read more

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz is joined in studio by friend and listener favorite, Eddie Gieda, along with ultrarunner and bearded wiseman, Michael Koehler.    The trio dissect the cosmic forces that brought them together and ultimately led them to partake in the Howl Ultrarun, a 93-mile spiritual odyssey through NJ & NYC that celebrated the life and legacy of American poet and counterculture icon, Allen Ginsberg.   Later in the conversation, Gagz updates the listeners with a few announcements that you won't want to miss!   Michael is a local photography teache ..read more

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes into the studio local Endurance Athlete and Ultrarunner, Nate Dirvin. For 2 years in a row Nate has completed the Triple Crown of 200s - plus Badwater 135 both years, Cocadona 250, Drift 100, and a slew of other graduate level 100 milers!  Nate is a devoted father, member of the Coast Guard Reserves, 20+ year Ocean Lifeguard and Guidance Counselor who has spent most of his adult life in service to others.  Nate runs to set an example for his son, help motivate others, and pays it forward through charitable acts. Since 2020 he has routin ..read more

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes local powerhouse couple, Kellen and Cass Matthews, into the studio for a heartfelt discussion about the pitfalls of addiction and the slippery slope of recovery.   Kellen is a standout hybrid athlete on the precipice of solidifying his reputation in the Philly area and beyond. He is joined in studio by his wife, Cass - better known as Cass and the City to her followers on social media and her viewers on Fox 29's "The 215."   Slippery Slopes takes a raw, honest, and personal look at the prevalence of prescription opioids while placing an ..read more

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz is joined in studio by the 2022 King of The PA Triple Crown of Mountain Running, Dr. Kevin Scott. A robust conversation ensues as the duo discuss Kevin's guiding mantra - Passion Over Performance - and how that mindset helped him become the newest member of the exclusive PA Blacklist Club.    Kevin is a standout local runner who dutifully balances his roles as husband, father, and Emergency Room Doctor and Educator at Penn Hospital. Yet somehow, despite limited training time and nontraditional work hours, he has managed to amass a stout resume w ..read more

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes his new mate, Tom Batrouney, into the studio for a laid-back conversation about his unique interpretation of environmentalism and life in the land Down Under as an Eco Runner.    Tom resides in Sydney, Australia, but his work with the Seabin Project - a groundbreaking global initiative aimed at cleaning our oceans one marina at a time - brought him to Philadelphia late last spring for a few weeks.    When Tom is not working to rid our oceans of micro-plastics and save the environment, he is a trail runner and sponsored Salomon ..read more

On this special episode of Running Times, Gagz is joined in studio by well-known Philly artist, Rita Carroll, and COO of Legacy of Hope, Gina Mancuso. Together, the trio unveil a unique fundraising effort that took root with Gagz and his summer spent on the iconic Ben Franklin Bridge.  This fundraiser will directly benefit local families in need and support the RTWG Podcast; and this conversation is as much a celebration as it is a call to action for a one-of-a-kind opportunity that you won’t want to miss. Rita is the owner-operator of Out&Back Creative – a studio that specializes in ..read more

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz welcomes friend and local Ultrarunner, Michelle Goldberg, into the studio for a lively exchange centered around her breakout 2022 season and long-term trajectory in the sport.  Michelle's abounding gratitude and positivity, butrressed by intellect and determination, have allowed her to carve a home for herself in the Ultra community.    Michelle has the resume of a seasoned vet with numerous podiums, a course record, an FKT, and multiple sub-24-hour 100-mile finishes. But in reality her first ultra was a virtual 50k in early 2020. Prior to ..read more

On this episode of Running Times, Gagz is joined in studio by accomplished Trail and Ultrarunner, Sophorn Choup. Sophorn has quietly amassed a stout resume tackling some of Ultrarunning's most prestigious and grueling races, including Western States and HURT 100. Sophorn was born in Cambodia but fled the country with her family in the late 70s. By the mid 80s all had settled in Central, PA - but this harrowing experience is more than a footnote in Sophorn's story. Rather, it has become the root of her strength, the source of her power, and the opening lines to The Legend of Sophorn. Whether sh ..read more