Ali on the Run Show

"I'm a firm believer that there are more good people than bad. No matter what, I believe that."

Hope Walz is a runner who works the night shift at a homeless shelter in Bozeman, MT. She is also the daughter — and running buddy — of Minnesota governor Tim Walz. This conversation was recorded the day after Governor Walz, Kamala Harris's running mate in the 2024 presidential election, announced that he wouldn't be seeking reelection in Minnesota. Hope talks about what that day (which started with a run, of course) was like from her vantage point. She talks about growing up in a political family and about the role running has played throughout her life, including on the campaign trail with her family in 2024. Plus: a very special guest pops into the Zoom room!

FOLLOW HOPE @hopewalz

SPONSOR: 

• Shokz: Use code ALI for $10 off your next headphone purchase.

In this episode:

• What's making Hope happy today (3:50)
• What it was like running with dad Tim Walz the day he announced he wouldn't be seeking reelection as governor of Minnesota (5:35)
• What Hope's relationship with the news is like, and how she protects her peace online (10:00)
• Hope's role in big family decisions, and her earliest memories of being raised in a political family (12:25)
• How Hope manages public scrutiny toward her family and herself (20:45)
• How Hope found out her dad would be running alongside Kamala Harris as the vice presidential nominee in the 2024 election (22:05)
• "My dad's here if you wanna say hi!" (26:15)
• What it's like when your dad runs for Vice President of the United States (27:45)
• What it's like having a Secret Service detail (34:40)
• On the run on the campaign trail (37:10)
• How Hope maintains hope in an increasingly intense, scary, and divided world (40:30)
• Why running is a privilege, and why Hope wanted to talk about that publicly (43:30)
• Hope's take on the running community, and how running first came into her life (46:15)
• How Hope is feeling after her dad's big announcement (56:40)

Follow Ali:

• Instagram @aliontherun1
• Subscribe to the newsletter
• Join the Facebook group
• Support on Patreon

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"I needed you all to know that I was drowning, and I was scared."

It's tradition: Happy New Year, and welcome to the annual State of the Ali on the Run Show episode! In this solo episode, I'm recapping 2025: the personal highs and lows, the professional highs and lows, and the beauty and chaos in between all of it. 

Last year, the Ali on the Run Show surpassed 25 million downloads. There were 82 episodes of the show with more than 70 guests (32 first-timers, and 38 recurring and returning guests), plus 11 solo episodes and six live shows. (The guest with the most podcast appearances in 2025: Cousin Jackie!)

Thank you for being her for the rollercoaster ride that was 2025, and for sticking around to see what 2026 has in store. This show may have my name in the title, but none of this exists without all of you. Thank you for choosing to be a part of this community.

SPONSOR: 

• Lagoon: Click here to take Lagoon's 2-minute sleep quiz to see which pillow is right for you, and take advantage of Lagoon's holiday sale, happening now!

In this episode:

• The 2025 Ali on the Run Show by the numbers (2:25)
• My 2025 personal and professional highlight reel — and lowlight reel (36:25)
• My key 2025 takeaways (1:05:45)
• Revisiting my 2025 goals (1:18:40)
• Looking forward on the Ali on the Run Show (1:23:35)
• The 2026 Ali on the Run Show mission statement (1:41:30)
• Answering listener questions about the show and beyond (1:44:05)

Follow Ali:

• Instagram @aliontherun1
• Join the Facebook group
• Support on Patreon
• Subscribe to the newsletter

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"I think there are a lot of athletes out there that are just so scared to show who they truly are and what they like because of their teammates and their coaches. And they're trying to get to the next level, and they're like, 'Oh well, if I like this then I'm not gonna get to the next level.' It's actually the opposite. You're probably gonna play better if you show who you truly are, because you're more free."

Everyone loves Jackson Olson. The Savannah Bananas infielder is on a mission to make baseball more fun — and he's doing just that. Jackson has made a name for himself playing Banana Ball, which is like the baseball version of the Harlem Globetrotters. The exhibition-style games include full-on performances with choreography, lip syncing, and walk-ups designed to delight the sold-out stadium crowds. In this conversation, Jackson talks about his road to the Bananas, and his road to becoming a runner. This fall, Jackson ran his first race — the Disney Wine & Dine 5K — and now he's training for a 10K in January while figuring out how running fits into his busy baseball season. Plus, talking Taylor Swift, Disney World, and how Jackson found his voice and his confidence. 

FOLLOW JACKSON @jacksonolson_

SPONSOR: 

• New Balance: Click here to get your hands on the fan favorite Rebel v5!

In this episode:

• On identifying as a runner (2:40)
• Jackson shares the journey to his first 5K, and his impressions of the running community (5:00)
• Why Jackson turned down an offer to go pro out of college (13:55)
• How Jackson learned to embrace his Disney-loving Swiftie side (20:40)
• How Jackson became a Savannah Banana (29:30)
• All about the theatrics behind the Bananas, including how Jackson pulled off his "Life of a Showgirl" walkup the day after The Life of a Showgirl was released (34:45)
• What it was life living out a childhood dream: playing at Yankee Stadium (43:25)
• Taylor Swift talk! (48:30)
• Will we see Jackson on Dancing With the Stars? (58:00)
• How Jackson is feeling heading into this season with the Bananas (1:02:00)

Follow Ali:

• Instagram @aliontherun1
• Join the Facebook group
• Support on Patreon
• Subscribe to the newsletter

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"I felt your hands on my back. And I needed them."

I love you. I appreciate you. In this short solo episode, I'm wishing you the happiest holidays and reflecting a bit. This year, for me, was at times wonderful and filled with joy. But mostly, I will remember 2025 as the year my breast cancer recurred and spread, reentering my life as a Stage IV, incurable diagnosis. Here's where I'm at — and what I wish for you — as we close out this year.

Follow Ali:

• Instagram @aliontherun1
• Join the Facebook group
• Support on Patreon
• Subscribe to the newsletter

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!

"I run with all dogs, any dogs."

Lauren "Fithy" Hunnewell is the North America running events manager for New Balance. She is the New York Road Runners partnership lead, so she works super closely with the NYRR team on events including the New York City Half, the Fifth Avenue Mile, and, of course, the New York City Marathon. So, Lauren has a super fun job. She also does something really amazing every Monday and Friday morning: She runs with shelter dogs. Twice a week, every week, no matter the weather, Lauren goes to her local animal shelter to take the dogs for runs. Over the past two years, Lauren has logged more than 500 miles with dogs who need homes. In 2025 alone, she ran with 33 unique breeds. In this conversation, Lauren, who has run more than 40 marathons, talks about how she became an animal lover, and how she ended up volunteering at the Animal Rescue League down the street. 

FOLLOW LAUREN @fithy07

SPONSORS: 

• Vuori: Click here for 20% off your first Vuori purchase.
• Oofos: The best in recovery footwear! Check out Oofos's 2025 Project Pink collection, where 10% of every purchase is donated to cancer research. 

In this episode:

• All about Lauren's run today — with Atlas the German Shepherd! (2:15)
• How Lauren became a dog lover (6:10)
• How running with the dogs fits into Lauren's training (14:45)
• When and how Lauren became a runner (18:30)
• Lauren's history with the New York City Marathon (26:20)
• What Lauren's days look like at New Balance (34:05)
• Lauren's racing and running goals right now (43:45)
• Why Lauren takes her daughter to the Fifth Avenue Mile every year (46:50)
• Lauren's advice for running with dogs (59:55)

Follow Ali:

• Instagram @aliontherun1
• Join the Facebook group
• Support on Patreon
• Subscribe to the newsletter

SUPPORT the Ali on the Run Show! If you're enjoying the show, please subscribe and leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts. Spread the run love. And if you liked this episode, share it with your friends!