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The Rich Roll Podcast · July 23, 2026 · 1h 15m

Malcolm Gladwell & Chris Chavez Think We're Selling Running All Wrong

Chris Chavez, Malcolm Gladwell
YouTubeShow Notes

For episode 1,000, Rich Roll sits down with Malcolm Gladwell (New Yorker staff writer, bestselling author) and Chris Chavez (journalist, founder of CITIUS MAG) for an unscripted conversation about the state of running, how America dominates some sports while failing at others, the craft of interviewing, and how to build an audience with integrity. No agenda, no notes—just three podcasters thinking out loud.

This summary was generated from show notes and public descriptions, not from a full transcript review. Details may contain inaccuracies.

Highlights

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Why America Loses at the Sports It Should Dominate
A discussion of the paradox that the United States excels at some sports (basketball, football) but underperforms at others (distance running, soccer) despite having resources and cultural reach.
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Editorial

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The Interview as Craft
Rich Roll, Malcolm Gladwell, and Chris Chavez discuss the mechanics of conducting a good interview—what makes some conversations compelling and others fall flat.
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Farming Attention With Integrity
The group explores how to build and maintain an audience without compromising editorial integrity or resorting to sensationalism.
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We're Selling Running Wrong
The episode title suggests a critique of how the running industry markets the sport—potentially overemphasizing elite performance, gear, or exclusivity in ways that alienate potential participants.
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The Milestone Moment: Rethinking the Podcast
Rich Roll uses episode 1,000 as an occasion to reflect on what he wants the show to become and how he wants it to feel.
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Misc

✧Episode 1,000 milestone — Rich Roll reflects on what he wants the podcast to feel like going forward
✧Unscripted format: three podcasters, no prepared notes, rolling with whatever emerges
✧Discussion spans running culture, sports dominance gaps, and the craft of long-form conversation
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