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My Favorite Things Episode 2: Hilary Oliver

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

5 November 2025 at 15:00

My Favorite Things Episode 2: Hilary Oliver — For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 2 is Hilary Oliver, a writer and editor (who I happen to be married to). Hilary’s favorite things are:

1. Paul Simon, Graceland (album)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgD_2-Ds0_gpHnMOnyYpuVCdAJ_9Olkv-
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/graceland/529574560
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/4WoQ94qzwQj28n3nlSOVLB?si=ueQOJVGLR6WxoxI0KDl5gw

2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Publisher: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/charlotte-bronte/jane-eyre/9781454957027/
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/4216/9781454957027
Amazon: https://amzn.to/43cuN36

3. Daft Punk, Alive (album)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B38CY-4Rd6s
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/alive-2007/717067737
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/7u6zL7kqpgLPISZYXNTgYk?si=hXEm6j7yRm6BFSzGklwMWA

4. Mark Rothko, Untitled (1968): https://yaledailynews.com/blog/2024/02/09/feature-sort-of-blue/

5. 20th Century Women: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JnFaltqnAY

Attempting the Express Tour du Mont Blanc

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

12 November 2025 at 22:00

Attempting the Express Tour du Mont Blanc — My friend Doug asked if I'd like to try a Run the Alps running tour this year, and I said, "Sure, how about the Tour du Mont Blanc in five days with a guy I barely know?" Here's how it turned out.

The tour: https://www.runthealps.com/tour/express-tour-du-mont-blanc-self-guided

Run the Alps website: https://www.runthealps.com/

Majell's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/majellb/

Michel Poletti's trail running race: https://montblanc.utmb.world/

Music clearance through Musicbed
Tracks:
Floating Action - Dutronc
Floating Action - Burst of Ordinary Light (Instrumental)
Floating Action - Something So Blue (Instrumental)
Floating Action - Moving in A Perfect Arc (Instrumental)
Floating Action - Still a Part of Me (Instrumental)
Chavigrande - Completely Instrumental
Evan Hutchings - In A Hurry
Evan Hutchings - Make It Quick
Sonny Cleveland - You Got Me Running In Circles Instrumental
Jamie Drake - New Girl Instrumental
Human Pyramids - Cafe Hawelka

Attempting the Express Tour du Mont Blanc — teaser

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

13 November 2025 at 14:01

Attempting the Express Tour du Mont Blanc — teaser — full video on YouTube now

My Favorite Things Episode 3: Ed Roberson

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

19 November 2025 at 19:00

My Favorite Things Episode 3: Ed Roberson — For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 2 is Ed Roberson (https://mountainandprairie.com/ ). Ed’s favorite things are:

1. Liner notes from Jimmy Buffett’s 1990s albums

2. The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt by Edmund Morris
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/117457/the-rise-of-theodore-roosevelt-by-edmund-morris/
https://bookshop.org/a/4216/9781400069651
https://amzn.to/43ephgm

3. The Gulf Stream by Winslow Homer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gulf_Stream_(painting)

4. Tribe by Sebastian Junger
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/sebastian-junger/tribe/9781455566389/
https://bookshop.org/a/4216/9781455566389
https://amzn.to/3WGVfhM

5. Road House: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YH3BMICpXyA

Other things we mentioned:

Jack Johnson's cover of Jimmy Buffet’s A Pirate Looks at Forty: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBTeRecIUVY

The Rewatchables Road House episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bubCT1t3aJc

New coffee mug design

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

25 November 2025 at 21:07

New coffee mug design — Mug available here: https://store.dftba.com/products/semi-rad-please-do-not-question-my-creative-process-coffee-mug

My Favorite Things Episode 4: Kris Hampton

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

3 December 2025 at 22:01

My Favorite Things Episode 4: Kris Hampton — For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 4 is Kris Hampton, a podcaster, writer, artist, and climbing coach. Kris's favorite things are:

1. The Show by Doug E. Fresh
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-show/1729865987?i=1729866516
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6OLz2O9z6XuquoHtujWCOy?si=f443ac81d1a243c7
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDkqz5C62SM

2. Check the Rhime by A Tribe Called Quest
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/check-the-rhime/278911460?i=278911473
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4HfxDJ0uLHTLe0fZrx0MbQ?si=3eac5ae07fb34de3
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QWEPdgS3As

3. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Publisher's page: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/to-kill-a-mockingbird-harper-leeharper-lee?variant=41143510368290
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/4216/9780060935467
Amazon: https://amzn.to/482OOuD
To Kill A Mockingbird (movie trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR7loA_oziY

4. Nighthawks by Edward Hopper: https://www.artic.edu/artworks/111628/nighthawks

5. No Kings by Doomtree
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/no-kings/1504590550
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0U49dlX8NX7jZGwB52Ko99?si=NzIW7JkfQ6m8IKBhrGP50w
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_ksR6udgqa1R2tZAo44yGz5LT6EydJGTdA&si=T8Nah6IieLcioKVm

Other things we mentioned:
The Day Todd Skinner Fell To Earth, Men's Journal: https://www.mensjournal.com/travel/todd-skinner-the-man-who-fell-to-earth-20130821

My Favorite Things Episode 5: Anya Miller Berg

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

17 December 2025 at 22:00

My Favorite Things Episode 5: Anya Miller Berg — For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 5 is Anya Miller Berg, brand creative director at Mountain Hardwear, climber, mountain biker, former architect, and cat mom. Anya’s favorite things are:

1. Teenagers in Their Bedrooms by Adrienne Salinger
Publisher’s Page: https://www.artbook.com/9781942884804.html
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/4216/9781942884804
https://amzn.to/3KAD22S

2. Bobo Choses: https://bobochoses.com/en-us

3. Les Others Magazine: https://www.lesothers.com/

4. Barking at the Knot by Seamus Foster: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIr-lrtLxnc

5 (Large scale art):

Echoes of the Infinite by Alex Proba: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ-MMcCkm99/

Souvenir by Kathleen Ryan: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQe2BiAgDKy/?img_index=1

The Red Popsicle by Catherine Mayer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Red_Popsicle

My Favorite Things Episode 6: Mario Fraioli

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

31 December 2025 at 23:00

My Favorite Things Episode 6: Mario Fraioli — For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 6 is running coach, podcaster, writer, and runner Mario Fraioli (https://themorningshakeout.substack.com/). Mario’s favorite things are:

1. The Beatles — Here Comes The Sun
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/song/here-comes-the-sun/1441164589
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/6dGnYIeXmHdcikdzNNDMm2?si=4a28d2619e5a4e34
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQetemT1sWc

2. Hunter S. Thompson’s letter to Hume Logan: https://fs.blog/hunter-s-thompson-to-hume-logan/

3. On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
Publisher’s Page: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/On-Writing/Stephen-King/9781982159375
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/4216/9781982159375
Amazon: https://amzn.to/48c1mzV

4. John Gruber’s Daring Fireball: https://daringfireball.net/

5. The White Stripes — Little Room
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/song/little-room/1533513637
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/1ltf1XEP18QMCMRRQtFbAl?si=ad5f975684c048b4
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6RRsU-P_kk

6. Seth Godin’s blog: https://seths.blog/

7. The church at the end of Mario’s street

Other things we mentioned:It Might Get Loud (trailer): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YvNVqf2at0
Jimmy Page scene in It Might Get Loud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoIHoDg-cqM

My Favorite Things Episode 7: Andy Pearson

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

14 January 2026 at 22:01

My Favorite Things Episode 7: Andy Pearson — For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 7 is Andy Pearson, VP of creative at Liquid Death, dad of two kids, ultramarathon runner, and co-host of the Between Two Pines podcast. [https://betweentwopinespodcast.com/ ] Andy’s favorite things are:

1. Back to the Future Part II
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdENmefJRpw

2. Calvin and Hobbes
https://www.gocomics.com/calvinandhobbes

3. I Get Wet by Andrew WK
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-get-wet/1440920293
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6BQMUDC55fjjnApdWtZYZM?si=lcM0zwP6Qd2duvNRXZhn_w
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLy1F0NPv5gqF6gPNX26G33G6d7AIQ_Uj&si=AOPK3HRauv7ZuEkj

4. On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Publisher’s Page: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/300451/on-the-road-by-jack-kerouac/
Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/a/4216/9780143129509
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Z72Wif

5. Boys and Girls in America by The Hold Steady
Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/boys-and-girls-in-america/1716342434
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0XyAIILYTaoBec479GZTQG?si=LKeAntGZRUGlVeZtagn6ng
YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLd6bD3oE99FKbgsLacUTQqq1vBNm_WXFk&si=qst2Oom0snpQjP1d

Other things we talked about:
- The Curse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CLrmN3ly5g

Andy talks about discovering Andrew WK

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

20 January 2026 at 20:44

Andy talks about discovering Andrew WK — In Episode 7 of My Favorite Things, Andy talks about his first time hearing Andrew WK

Sometimes You Just Gotta Cut Up Some Wood

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

22 January 2026 at 00:26

Sometimes You Just Gotta Cut Up Some Wood — My 2026 writing + trail running workshop: https://freeflowinstitute.com/product/running-to-stand-still/

Music clearance through Musicbed
Song: Magnetic (Slow Version) - Instrumental by Tim Mann

My Favorite Things Episode 8: Chandra Brown

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

28 January 2026 at 17:00

My Favorite Things Episode 8: Chandra Brown — For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 8 is Chandra Brown, writer, educator, raft guide, and founder of the Freeflow Institute [ https://freeflowinstitute.com/]. Chandra’s favorite things are:

1. Island of the Blue Dolphins, Scott O’Dell
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/island-of-the-blue-dolphins-scott-odell?variant=39934568923170
https://bookshop.org/a/4216/9780547328614
https://amzn.to/46gHJGz

2. My Morning Jacket, At Dawn (album)
https://music.apple.com/us/album/at-dawn/275248367
https://open.spotify.com/album/6rBoR8YN4VvCfCSadNqdiX?si=0aZ3VZGrT8mHdeqjBao8Wg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqLsdp2k5gA

3. American Windows, Marc Chagall, Art Institute of Chicago
https://www.artic.edu/artworks/109439/america-windows

4. Sturgill Simpson concert at the Wilma in Missoula, November 8, 2016
https://sturgillsimpson.com/

5. Her dad’s Micromet weather data collection units, early 1990s to present

Running To Stand Still 2026: Webinar and Q&A

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

12 February 2026 at 03:22

Running To Stand Still 2026: Webinar and Q&A — A brief presentation about my June 2026 Running to Stand Still trail running + writing workshop, followed by a Q&A session. Starts at 6:00 p.m. MST

My Favorite Things Episode 9: Mike Sowden

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

12 February 2026 at 14:41

My Favorite Things Episode 9: Mike Sowden — For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 9 is Mike Sowden, creator of the immensely popular Substack, Everything Is Amazing (I’m a paid subscriber): https://everythingisamazing.substack.com/

Mike’s favorite things are:
https://everythingisamazing.substack.com/

1
Halloumi
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloumi

2
The soundtrack to Raise the Titanic, by John Williams
Main theme:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAl8dO9tdlE&list=RDJAl8dO9tdlE

Re-recordings of the soundtrack by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra:

Apple Music
https://music.apple.com/us/album/raise-the-titanic/1657194567

Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/album/5kZOaO6hiEu3OI3Z6REevL?si=cGOq1nGRQwC-t1ZS3lYN2w
Y
ouTube
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkAUJkbhd-RjwshNdGUZNqiyJqXuPBGft&si=1SaGdfs4Pxzi6w4L

3
Microadventures by Alastair Humphreys

Publisher’s page
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/microadventures-alastair-humphreys?variant=42826223386658

Bookshop
https://bookshop.org/a/4216/9780007548033

Amazon
https://amzn.to/4aqBjGa

4
Electric blankets

5
Distant lights seen at night

Freeflow Institute Running To Stand Still 2026: Webinar and Q&A

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

20 February 2026 at 01:57

Freeflow Institute Running To Stand Still 2026: Webinar and Q&A — Link to apply: https://freeflowinstitute.com/product/running-to-stand-still/

A brief presentation about my June 2026 Running to Stand Still trail running + writing workshop, followed by a Q&A session. Starts at 6:00 p.m. MST

My Favorite Things Episode 10: Kurt Wikel

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

25 February 2026 at 20:00

My Favorite Things Episode 10: Kurt Wikel — For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 10 is Kurt Wikel, geophysicist, dad, and brewery co-owner (https://highlinebrewing.com/ )
Kurt’s favorite things are:

1. The Simpsons
https://simpsons.fandom.com/wiki/The_Simpsons

2. Daft Punk — Homework

Apple Music:
https://music.apple.com/us/album/homework/696884422

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/album/5uRdvUR7xCnHmUW8n64n9y?si=4zvW86o_QcSkkIhv6kgRtw

YouTube:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLSdoVPM5Wnne3Q2AxosemsThywhraJ0su&si=sF_bNNvo4OXnPout

3. Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert W. Pirsig

Publisher’s Page
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/zen-and-the-art-of-motorcycle-maintenance-robert-m-pirsig?variant=40827304509474

Bookshop
https://bookshop.org/a/4216/9780063342330

Amazon
https://amzn.to/4rJsqia

4. A Coconut Named Bob

Publisher’s Page
https://www.welcometotheislands.com/A-Coconut-Named-Bob-11104/d/MDRUH/11104

Amazon
https://amzn.to/4kuuyHV

5. Dune by Frank Herbert
Publisher’s Page
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/352036/dune-movie-tie-in-by-frank-herbert/

Bookshop
https://bookshop.org/a/4216/9780441013593

Amazon
https://amzn.to/4r4lLPu

Movie trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9xhJrPXop4

Homer Simpson as a role model #podcast #myfavoritethings

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

26 February 2026 at 18:58

Homer Simpson as a role model #podcast #myfavoritethings — a snippet from Kurt's interview on My Favorite Things, in which we talk about Daft Punk, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, A Coconut Named Bob, Dune, and of course, The Simpsons

Some Questions About Our Writing Workshop

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

3 March 2026 at 15:01

Some Questions About Our Writing Workshop — Running To Stand Still, June 7-12 2026: https://freeflowinstitute.com/product/running-to-stand-still/

FAQ: Do I have to write at the writing workshop?

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

3 March 2026 at 15:02

FAQ: Do I have to write at the writing workshop? — more info here: https://freeflowinstitute.com/product/running-to-stand-still/

My Favorite Things Episode 11 Zoe Rom

Brendan Leonard

By: Brendan Leonard

11 March 2026 at 19:00

My Favorite Things Episode 11 Zoe Rom — For My Favorite Things, I’m interviewing people about the books, movies, music, art, and other creative works that have helped shape their lives. My guest for Episode 11 is Zoë Rom, journalist, podcaster (Your Diet Sucks https://www.yourdietsuckspodcast.com/ and The Trailhead https://podlink.com/1640142466 ), running coach, elite ultrarunner, and stand-up comedian.

Zoë’s favorite things are:

Blalock’s Indie Rock Playlist
https://birp.fm/

About a Mountain by John D’Agata
Publisher’s Page
https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393339017
Bookshop
https://bookshop.org/a/4216/9780393339017
Amazon
https://amzn.to/4qvclLR

Ways of Hearing
https://www.radiotopia.fm/showcase/ways-of-hearing

Nathaniel Russell’s Art
http://nathanielrussell.com/

Lady Bird
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNi_HC839Wo

Other things we mentioned:

“Temptation” by Jukebox the Ghost
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVFo7pXzQqA

“Welcome Home” byRadical Face
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8a4iiOnzsc

The Lifespan of a Fact by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal
https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393340730

The Things We Carried by Tim O’Brien
harpercollins.com/products/the-things-they-carried-tim-obrien

The Perfect Storm
https://wwnorton.com/books/The-Perfect-Storm/

Into the Raging Sea by Rachel Slade
https://www.harpercollins.com/products/into-the-raging-sea-rachel-slade?variant=32207635087394