Cream City Pacers

Mary Callen has been inspiring runners in Milwaukee for years whether it be through her 162 marathons or coaching for Girls on the Run. Though 162 marathons in a lifetime would be enough reason to have Mary on the show, it becomes immeasurably more impressive when you add that Mary is blind and has to rely on a partner to guide her along the way. Listen in as she shares how it was to lose her longtime life and running partner, Paul, in 2018, and continue to run on in spite of numerous other adversities and obstacles, all with her signature positive attitude and nonstop belief in herself and God.

Heather Deaton, Wealth Advisor at Ellenbecker Investment Group, joins us this week for a wide-ranging conversion about coming back from injury, how to confidently look at your long-term financial wealth, and the impact the State Fair has on our community. Late last summer, Heather went on crutches after discovering she had a stress fracture in her hip. After months of recovery and surgery, Heather is still working her way back to running. Join us as we learn about Heather's mind shift change throughout her road to recovery.

Rick Ruvin, Partner at Falk Ruvin Gallagher Real Estate, joins us to explain how combining meditation and running is the way to start living with intention. As a business owner, mentor, and father we learn how Rick puts the R.E.A.L in Realestate through his leadership style of Reflect, Embrace, and Allow yourself to feel and Let go. Join us as we explore these themes of meditation, gratefulness and daily routines, and how they allow us to live more purposeful and fulfilling lives.

Jill Sommers, a certified performance coach, joins us to discuss how to achieve transformation in sport and life. With more than 30 years of experience, Jill coaches high performers to achieve their ultimate success in life, sport, relationships, and financial freedom. Listen in as we learn how to start building habits and make a positive mindset change that will give you the courage to start living your life with passion.

Joe Vitrano, Wauwatosa East cross country and track coach, joins us this week to talk about the lessons he learned from coaching for over 30 years. Joe has had the opportunity to make an impact on thousands of students and athletes over the years. We take a trip down memory lane to discover what makes student-athletes successful, and the greatest takeaways any runner can apply to their life and running careers.

Lucas Florsheim, WIAA State Cross Country Champion and collegiate athlete, joins us this week to talk about what it's been like navigating his freshman year as a collegiate runner during COVID. Coming off his win at state in the fall of 2019, Lucas missed out on his senior year of track because of the pandemic, which led him to focus on his transition to college. Lucas attends Pomona College in Los Angeles, but, as school is currently remote, he has only met his coach a few times and has had the freedom to train in Oregon and start racing in North Carolina. Join us as we explore Lucas's journey.

Mary Bolich, creative writer and Milwaukee running legend, joins us this week. Mary has competitively run since college but really started hitting her stride after graduation. Since then, she has run over 100 marathons and has finished first place more times than we can count. Mary is not only an accomplished runner but she has also spread the joy of running with her family and through her involvement in the Badgerland Striders.

This week we are joined by new runner, Charonne Ganiere, President, Executive Director, and Founder of OneHope27, a non-profit that provides hope and support to those involved in foster care. Charonne "walks the walk", as she is not only an adopted mother of 3 children (along with 2 biological children), but she is also a foster parent herself (watch her and her family on the 88NINE - Radio Milwaukee documentary "At the Threshold"). In our interview, we talk about her life story, her new love for running, and the foster care system in Milwaukee. We hope you enjoy this interview as much as we did.

This week, we are flipping the mic. CCP host, Alex Moehn, had the opportunity to be on "Money Sense" Radio Show, powered by Ellenbecker Investment Group, early this year and today we are sharing that episode. Alex joined Heather Deaton to talk about starting the podcast, how running can be used to keep your body healthy, expand your social circle and connect you to organizations to reach your charitable giving goals.

We all have something we need to let go of. Whether that thing is a race goal, relationship, or career aim, letting go is never easy. Brian Frain - author, husband to Annie Weiss (FKT holder on the Ice Age Trail), and coach, joins us to say that often, letting go is necessary before achieving our life goals. In 2018 while crewing Annie's FKT attempt, Brian documented the journey in his book See You at the Terminus. We dive deep into why he wrote the book, the lessons learned, and what he wants you to take away from Annie's journey.

What does inspiring the next generation of women look like? Tina Jones, the Executive Director of Girls on the Run, joins us to talk about how Girls on the Run enhances girls’ social, psychological, and physical skills and behaviors so they can successfully navigate life experiences. Locally, the organization has been around since 2007 and currently serves over 2,000 girls per year at over 130 sites. The program is in seven counties including Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth. Tina shares how she got involved with Girls on the Run, her favorite memories, and what we can all learn about ourselves from the program.

If you ran 11 miles a day, how much of Milwaukee could you explore from your front door? Bill Hutchinson, also known as MKEJogWalker on Instagram, joins us to talk about how he has explored 40% of Milwaukee's city streets by simply running. That is a ton of streets, in a ton of neighborhoods, across our entire city. Bill has seen it all and captured it all on his Instagram and Strava pages. We dive into what Bill has learned from his adventures, what he loves to take pictures of, and how he brings a whole new level of fun to running. Also: Enter our Koss Headphones Giveaway! Visit creamcitypacers.com/koss to enter.

This week we take a break from our usual interview format and we talk about YOU, our listeners. We read through letters from many people chronicling what accomplishments they are proud of, whether running related or not. 2020 was a crazy year, but we made it through, and we couldn't ask for better listeners and guests. Thank you and Happy 2021. | Big thanks to this week's sponsor, Koss Headphones. Go wireless on your runs with the Wireless FitClips. These wireless Bluetooth headphones are sweat-resistant and perfect for any distance. We’ve been rocking them during our runs and can’t go without them. Use code CCP20 at checkout to get 20% off your entire order on koss.com. | Enter our Koss Headphones Giveaway! Visit creamcitypacers.com/koss to enter.

Can one event entirely change your perspective on life? Jack Coyne, Filmmaker and YouTuber, joins us this week to talk about how losing his father in 2019 was one of those life-changing events that has given him a newfound perspective on life and focus on work.  From working with top YouTuber, Casey Neistat, to starting his own YouTube channel, creating films is what Jack loves to do.  We learn that running is at the heart of this and the activity that grounds him and fosters his forward movement in work and life.  Thanks to this week's sponsor, Performance Running Outfitters. As winter settles in, stock up on all your winter running needs from trail shoes, running jackets, buffs, wool socks, and more. Use promo code CCP10 at checkout to get 10% off your entire order on performancerunning.com or in stores at one of their five locations in the Milwaukee region.

"Long time listener and first-time caller" Mandela Barnes, Lieutenant Governor of Wisconsin, joins us for a wide-ranging conversation about the impact urban development has on our communities, how FEAR MKE got him into running, and what he’s learned from being Lieutenant Governor. Bonus info, we discover that the pandemic has turned Mandela into a bird watcher and that 2020 will be his highest mileage year ever!  Thanks to this week's sponsor, Performance Running Outfitters. Get the perfect holiday gift for the running companion in your life. Use promo code CCP10 at checkout to get 10% off your entire order on performancerunning.com or in stores at one of their five locations in the Milwaukee region.

There is no better feeling than when life is goodr and today we all get to experience that. Stephen Lease, Co-Founder & CEO of goodr, joins us to talk about how he started the company, and we learn how overcoming fear and taking care of your mental health can be freeing. In 2015, goodr was started to create running sunglasses for people who think running is fun. Since then the company has revolutionized the eyewear industry for runners. Voted best running gear in 2016 and 2018 by Runners World, they are known for their fun, flashy and affordable sunglasses. goodr likes to play by their own rules and that is the same principle Stephen applies to running his business. Thanks to this week's sponsor, Koss Headphones. Go wireless on your runs with the Wireless FitClips. These wireless Bluetooth headphones are sweat-resistant and perfect for any distance. We’ve been rocking them during our runs and can’t go without them. Use code CCP20 at checkout to get 20% off your entire order on koss.com.

Stringing together a 16-week training program to run a marathon is one thing, but stringing together 80,000 words to craft the perfect running novel is another. Paul Maurer, the author of The Unforgiving Line, joins us this week to let us go inside his mind and learn how he wrote his latest novel. The story is about two track runners that are generations apart and from vastly different lives, but share the same drive and love of running. The best part is it takes place right here in Wisconsin. This wide-ranging conversation takes us down the path of understanding how Paul’s life shaped this book, how he develops characters and what goes into creating some of the most relatable running scenes. As Paul puts it, “if you put the running aspect aside, I hope you find salvation and peace in your life after reading this book.”

2020 has been a crazy year and for Mayor Dennis McBride it's been the only way he has known being the Mayor of Wauwatosa. From being elected in April during a pandemic election to recently handling the Mayfair Mall shooting, Dennis's run as mayor has been quite unique. However, running is nothing new to Dennis. He has won events such as the 1972 state championship track & field at Tosa East and twice won the Mayfair Marathon, the predecessor to the Lakefront Marathon. Dennis shares with us how he has handled leading during these times. As you can guess, exercise is at the core.  We learn that mental self-discipline is a key factor for his success. Tune in this week to hear Dennis detail races, his time growing up in Milwaukee, being the mayor of Tosa, how important our parks system is to our community, how he receives inspiration from Lincoln and Kennedy, and more.  And as always make sure you sign up for our Weekly Newsletter and listen to our Pre-Race Pump-Up Song Spotify playlist which contains all of our past guests' answers to one of our rapid-fire questions. 

Ever think about running the entire 1,200 miles of the Ice Age Trail? Earlier this summer, North Face-sponsored athlete Coree Woltering did just that while setting the Fastest Known Time on the trail at 21 days 13 hours and 35 minutes. If this sounds familiar, it's because past guest and friend of the pod, Annie Weiss, had set the previous record. Listen as Coree shares how Annie actually joined alongside him and his crew to help him beat her record!  Additionally, Coree rolled his ankle in the first few days of his run. For most people that would lead to throwing in the towel, but he did not let it stop him from moving forward. As is often the case with successful people, a lot of the failures along the way to glory have been omitted. However, this is not the case with Coree in this interview. We get a chance to hear how a true elite athlete deals with roadblocks, failures, and self-doubt.  And as always Alex and Apostoli talk about the latest in the running world or running in their world. PLUS they have some great news to share (Hint: Alex has been promising this for a while). Sign up for our newsletter at https://www.creamcitypacers.com/newsletter to get news about our current and past guests, updates in the running world, and cool featured content from YOU, our listeners.

Imagine interviewing running greats like Galen Rupp, Shalane Flanagan, Jared Ward and Des Linden. Now imagine being 19 years old and overseas at the Olympics: Usain Bolt is standing in front of you and you get to ask the first question at the press conference. Chris Chavez made all that and more a reality, while also elevating CITIUS Mag, the magazine he founded, into one of the internet's hottest destinations for running news. He joins us to talk about how he started covering running while at Marquette University, how joining a top NYC running group propelled his performance to the next level, and how one of his stories made it on the daily cover of Sports Illustrated. Also, this week we introduce our Email Newsletter. Read up on local running news and updates from past guests and listeners like you. Want to sign up? Sign up on our website or, even better, send us something that you'd like see on next week's newsletter. And as always, Keep on running.