Secretly Sporty

By Sebastian Langdell

What if working out was about more than the workout? Each week, writer and fitness enthusiast Sebastian Langdell talks to an author, musician, comedian, filmmaker, or other creative about the

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FAQs about Secretly Sporty:

How many episodes does Secretly Sporty have?

The podcast currently has 14 episodes available.

Secretly Sporty episodes:

May 18, 2026 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, Jamelle relates his quest to deadlift 500 pounds and reveals which type of music he only listens to in the gym.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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27min
May 11, 2026 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 daughter. She and Sebastian also discuss the 90s UK music scene, the challenges of IVF, and how specializing in craft and design influences her approach to running clothes. Plus, she reveals which half-marathon gives you a lobster roll at the end.

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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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35min
May 07, 2026 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 Swans, Bill Callahan, and Shearwater; he recounts stories of staying fit on the road. Peggy reveals which music can motivate her through even the toughest workouts. Plus, Thor describes the surprising way he solved his knee pain.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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34min
May 04, 2026 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, she reveals the hilarious name for a whale’s butt muscle.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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33min
April 27, 2026 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 shoegaze is perfect running music. He also shares what he hopes to accomplish when he writes about music, what he’s working on right now, and why gratitude is so important to him. Plus, he reveals the real reason he started lifting weights.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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36min
April 20, 2026 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 his physical health, and how he was eventually able to treat it. Plus, he reveals the writing advice President Obama gave him — and explains why he refuses to swim in the ocean!

This episode contains a discussion of a suicidal ideation. 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.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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29min
April 13, 2026 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 inspired her upcoming novel. Plus, she and Sebastian discuss the one exercise they’re surprised they can do.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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29min
April 06, 2026 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 shares the pros and cons of getting shredded for his 40th birthday.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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29min
April 02, 2026 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 discuss how writing is a lot like a long uphill bike ride (in a good way!). They’re also joined by podcast producer and host Liam Billingham, who swaps notes with Halimah on the best Peloton classes.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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37min
March 30, 2026 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. Plus, she reveals the ways in which she’s like a vampire.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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31min

FAQs about Secretly Sporty:

How many episodes does Secretly Sporty have?

The podcast currently has 14 episodes available.