The Steep Stuff Podcast
Professional trail runner James Lauriello sits down with some of the most interesting athletes, coaches, adventurers, and personalities in the mountain running world to take an inside look at what drives them and what it really takes to chase greatness in the mountains.
With no script and no two conversations quite the same, The Steep Stuff Podcast dives deep into the people, stories, and ideas shaping trail, mountain, and skyrunning. From training and racing to adventure, gear, lifestyle, the highs and lows of competition, and everything in between, James brings an athlete’s perspective and genuine curiosity to every conversation.
Whether it’s sitting down with the world’s best mountain runners, emerging talents, legendary figures, or the people working behind the scenes, The Steep Stuff explores what makes these individuals tick, what they’ve learned along the way, and why they continue to push themselves into the mountains. It’s all things trail, mountain and skyrunning—and the people who make the sport what it is.
The Steep Stuff Podcast
Latest Episodes
#202 - Hunter Macy, Founder & CEO of Rendezvu
A single gear text from a mountain guide sparked a bigger question: why do the most trusted people in the outdoors drive so many purchases and earn nothing from it? We sit down with Hunter Macy, founder and CEO of Rendezvous, to unpack how that...
Hillary Allen - on Career, Worlds, Injury, Cycling, 2025 & 2026 Seasons & the North Bend Trailfest
A last minute race entry. A season stitched together from recovery. A mindset that refuses to let results decide your worth. James L’Oriello sits down with mountain runner and endurance athlete Hillary Allen for a wide ranging conversation that...
Casey Campbell - Pre North Bend Trailfest Interview
Something wild happens when a runner stops chasing “perfect” and starts chasing what they actually love. Casey Campbell is living proof. Casey joins us to unpack his late-season shift toward uphill racing, including a breakout day at the Broken...
Noah Dusseau - Pre North Bend Trailfest Interview
A 47-mile pacing shift on a record attempt would be a season highlight for most runners, and Noah Disot treated it like another valuable day in the mountains. Fresh off crewing and pacing Joe McConaughy on a John Muir Trail (JMT) effort, Noah j...
Dustin Mullaney - Pre North Bend Trailfest Interview
Race week exposes everything: what you’ve built, what you’ve ignored, and what actually holds up when the course turns steep. We’re joined by Dustin Mullaney, defending North Bend Trail Fest champion, to talk through the reality of racing often...
Fan Mail
Hey James my name is Rob Jensen and I just wanted to say that I love your podcast! I heard about you through the pikes peak ascent and marathon. I signed up this year and this is the first ever extreme race for me. I have always been into the outdoors and exercise. I am a pediatric and psychiatric nurse practitioner and tell my patients all the time how important it is to get outside and to move our bodies. There are so many physical and mental benefits of exercise. I hope I can use this experience to be a good example to my patients and my family about the importance of taking care of our brains and bodies. Keep up the good work brother! I will be picking up my bib tomorrow (Friday) between 4-5 and if I see you there I’ll try and say hi 👍
Colorado Springs, Colorado
