HappyCast

Happy Endings Trail Productions
  • 4.9 (34)
  • Running
  • Updated Weekly

From the folks who bring you Happy Endings Trail Crew. Dylan, Stephanie and Andrew talk about how they started Happy Endings and the vision they have for building the community around trail running even stronger.

  1. Aug 12

    A DNF, a Mountain Lion, and 100 Miles of Redemption with Jenny Arnzen

    Stephanie set out for an ambitious summer challenge: take on the brutal Maah Daah Hey 100 in North Dakota and, just one week later, line up for another 100 miles at Lean Horse in South Dakota. But before she even reached the starting line, routine bloodwork finally gave her an explanation for months of struggling to regain her speed—extremely low ferritin. With only days to address it, she headed north anyway, determined to find out what her body could do. Joined by American record holder Jenny Arnzen, Stephanie breaks down just how unforgiving Maah Daah Hey became: triple-digit temperatures, huge stretches without aid, hot water baking in the sun, a shoe swallowed by mud, runners being rescued for heat-related issues, and the realization that she had badly underestimated a race that demanded more respect—and more crew support—than she had planned for. With time still on the clock, Stephanie made the decision to stop at 100K, preserving enough of herself to attempt South Dakota a week later. For once, the DNF didn't feel like failure. It felt like the right decision. After several days of recovery, Stephanie lined up at Lean Horse with nothing to prove and a little redemption on her mind. She ran smart from the beginning, embraced the rolling climbs and long descents, survived another round of heat, spotted a mountain lion along the way, and finished in 26:35—her fastest 100-miler in more than a year. Stephanie and Jenny talk about knowing when to push and when to stop, the importance of crew and community, why runners shouldn't project their own limitations onto someone else's goals, and why even a failed attempt can be something worth celebrating. Sometimes showing up brave means finishing. Sometimes it means making the call to come back another day. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org

    A DNF, a Mountain Lion, and 100 Miles of Redemption with Jenny Arnzen

  2. Jul 15

    Chasing Records Through the Burn Scar with Aaron Kubala

    Aaron Kubala returns to the HappyCast after winning the Tahoe 200 and setting a new course record in 48 hours and 9 minutes. Aaron takes Andrew and Stephanie inside his preparation for the race, including unconventional training in Austin, weeks spent sleeping in a hypoxic tent, and the ambitious plan that originally had his crew targeting a 45-hour finish. He also explains how Tahoe fits into his larger pursuit of the 200-mile Triple Crown record as he prepares to take on Bigfoot and Moab. The race itself delivered everything a 200-miler could: a competitive field, battered quads, Tahoe lung, thorns buried in Aaron’s feet, and an infamous burn-scar section capable of bringing even elite runners to a crawl. Aaron recounts moving through the field, staying focused for nearly two straight days, and managing a frightening episode of blood in his urine without losing sight of the finish. He also shares what it was like racing in memory of his mother, who passed away from metastatic breast cancer only a few months before Tahoe. The conversation eventually wanders in true HappyCast fashion, with updates on Stephanie’s upcoming back-to-back 100-milers, Andrew’s abrupt move to Colorado, and the questionable decisions that led him to drive through the night before his first day at a new job. The group closes with a discussion about the financial realities of professional ultrarunning, the complicated relationship between athletes and sponsors, and whether Andrew’s increasingly expensive race bets qualify him as an official patron of the sport. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org

  3. Jul 7

    A 100-Mile Loop Around New York City

    Stephanie is joined by Sam Stiles for a chaotic, funny, and heartfelt recap of the Great New York 100, a grassroots 100-mile loop around New York City. After meeting during the Connecticut 123, where they shared roughly 40 miles together, Stephanie reached out to Sam with a huge ask: come pace her through the night in New York, help navigate the city, and make sure she did not accidentally turn the race into what her friends lovingly called “the Murder Race.” Sam answered the call, commuting from Connecticut by car, train, and subway before jumping in for a 36-mile overnight pacing adventure.   Together, Stephanie and Sam break down what makes this race so unique: the 5:00 AM start in Times Square, the route through parks, boardwalks, bridges, and city streets, the grassroots race logistics, the lack of bathrooms, the importance of headlamps, and the constant need to watch for course markings, traffic, bikes, and, yes, rats. From counting 11 oversized New York rats to flying down the Brooklyn Bridge with three miles to go, they share the details that made the race both ridiculous and unforgettable.   The episode also zooms out into the bigger picture of ultra-running community. Stephanie reflects on the way Sam showed up for her in New York, then how she turned around days later to course mark and volunteer at Copper Kings in Montana. Sam shares what is next for him, including running in Colombia and future race possibilities, while Stephanie talks through recovery, upcoming back-to-back 100-milers, and the logistics that still have her nervous. At the heart of the episode is the reminder that ultra-running is full of wild ideas, generous people, and the kind of stories that only happen when someone says yes to doing something stupid with you. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org

    A 100-Mile Loop Around New York City

  4. Jun 15

    Building Trails, Building Community: Mindy Coolman and the GOATZ Story

    Stephanie sits down with Mindy Coolman, race director of Crown of the Crest and a key member of GOATZ (Greater Omaha Area Trail Runners), to explore what goes into creating memorable trail running experiences. From local 5Ks to challenging 100-mile events, Mindy shares the story behind GOATZ, the evolution of their race lineup, and the passion that fuels Nebraska’s growing trail running community. The conversation dives into the often-unseen side of race directing: recruiting volunteers, designing runner experiences, balancing logistics, and fostering the welcoming atmosphere that keeps athletes coming back year after year. Stephanie reflects on her recent experience at Crown of the Crest, while Mindy offers insight into what makes a race feel special long after runners cross the finish line. Along the way, they swap stories about ultra-running culture, race-day fueling, recovery, injuries, and the lessons that come from spending countless hours on the trail. From ambitious future race goals to the surprising appeal of sweaty pocket Oreos, this episode is a fun and honest look at the people, challenges, and community that make endurance sports so rewarding. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org

    Building Trails, Building Community: Mindy Coolman and the GOATZ Story

  5. Jun 1

    We're Still Here: Life, Running, and the Chaos In Between

    After nearly two months apart, Andrew and Stephanie finally sit down behind the microphones again for one of the most personal and unscripted episodes of HappyCast yet. Between moves, injuries, career changes, dating adventures, and life simply getting in the way, the crew reflects on why the podcast went quiet and what they've been navigating away from the trails. Dylan may be off racing Possums 56K, but he's still very much part of the conversation as the hosts catch up on everything that's happened since Grasslands. The discussion dives into something many runners eventually face: what happens when running can no longer be the center of your world? Andrew and Stephanie talk candidly about identity, mental health, healing after setbacks, finding community outside of running, and learning to build a life that's bigger than race calendars and Strava segments. Along the way, Stephanie shares stories about fishing, golf cart adventures, dating outside the running community, and discovering new sources of joy and dopamine beyond ultrarunning. Of course, the conversation eventually finds its way back to the trails, including Andrew's wild Cocodona 250 crewing experience, a last-minute rescue mission involving Gus Rodriguez, shout-outs to friends tackling races around the country, and reflections on the pressure, perseverance, and vulnerability that make the ultrarunning community so unique. It's messy, honest, occasionally hilarious, and exactly the kind of conversation that happens when friends finally have time to catch up. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org

    We're Still Here: Life, Running, and the Chaos In Between

  6. May 13

    Grasslands, Grit,and Women WhoKeep Showing Up with Lindsey Duffield

    This week on Happy Endings, Stephanie Stonebraker hosts guest, Lindsey Duffield for an episode full of big feelings, big miles, and a whole lot of women doing badass things. Before diving into Grasslands, Stephanie and Lindsey reflect on the heaviness surrounding Cocodona, while also celebrating Rachel Entrekin’s historic overall win and the powerful reminder that women are showing up, leading races, breaking records, and redefining what’s possible in ultrarunning. Lindsey shares her journey from losing 100 pounds and running her first road race in 2020 to discovering trail running, tackling her first 50-miler, completing the Lone Star Slam, earning a sub-24-hour 100-mile finish, and eventually taking on tough mountain races like Bear, Kettle Moraine, and Silamoo. She also revisits her first Grasslands 100, the muddy year that tested her to the core, and the people who helped get her to the finish when quitting felt close. The conversation centers on Lindsey’s most recent Grasslands finish, where extreme heat, disciplined fueling, friendship, pacers, and a little bit of scheming all came together. Lindsey talks about running most of the race with Sarah, recruiting Ashley to pace her final 50K, and realizing that her pacer was strong enough to almost drop her. The episode wraps with a reminder to chase the scary goals anyway, as Lindsey looks ahead to attempting the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org

    Grasslands, Grit,and Women WhoKeep Showing Up with Lindsey Duffield

  7. Apr 16

    Running Across Connecticut

    This week, Stephanie is holding it down solo and sitting down with Connecticut’s own Evan Titus. Andrew’s working, Dylan’s tied up, but the show rolls on—and honestly, this one feels like a classic “how did we get here?” kind of episode in the best way. Evan’s story is anything but traditional. From years of playing rugby to signing up for a random 10K in college, he walks through how one decision snowballed into marathons, 50 milers, and eventually 100Ks. It’s the kind of progression that doesn’t come from a perfectly mapped-out plan—it comes from curiosity, consistency, and just not putting the running shoes back down. The conversation dives into what it looks like to figure things out as you go, building fitness on the fly, and embracing the unknown as you step deeper into the ultra world. If you’ve ever felt like you don’t have the “perfect” background to get into endurance running, Evan’s story is a great reminder—you really just have to start. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org

    Running Across Connecticut

  8. Mar 25

    Chasing Cutoffs and Finding Yourself in Kentucky

    HappyCast is back with a new episode at what can only be described as “the speed of slug”—with a raw, unfiltered catch-up episode full of trail chaos, life updates, and a whole lot of honesty. Stephanie dives deep into her recent races, including LOViT and a tough DNF at a brutal Kentucky course, sharing what it’s like to chase cutoffs, navigate technical terrain, and show up completely solo. From sleeping in her car to learning she doesn’t need a crew or pacer, this episode is packed with hard-earned lessons and real growth.   The conversation doesn’t shy away from the mental side of ultrarunning either—what it feels like to be proud and disappointed at the same time, how DNFs can humble you, and the ongoing internal battle between “I belong here” and “I have work to do.” Stephanie opens up about pushing into harder races, figuring out whether getting faster actually matters, and continuing to show up in spaces that feel uncomfortable—all while trying to inspire others to do the same.   Andrew brings his signature humor and perspective, recapping the chaos of Sam’s Last Stand, a fat-ass-style race full of DNFs, unexpected wins, and unforgettable moments (including a runner pacing with a random dog). Together, they reflect on how far they’ve come—from running races together to navigating life, racing, and everything in between. It’s messy, hilarious, a little unhinged—and exactly what you’d expect from a HappyCast comeback episode. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, and we always appreciate you leaving a good rate and review. Join the Facebook Group and follow us on Instagram and check out our website for the more episodes, posts and merchandise coming soon. Have a topic you'd like to hear discussed in depth, or a guest you'd like to nominate? Email us at info@happyendingstc.org

    Chasing Cutoffs and Finding Yourself in Kentucky
See All (192)

4.9
out of 5
34 Ratings

About

From the folks who bring you Happy Endings Trail Crew. Dylan, Stephanie and Andrew talk about how they started Happy Endings and the vision they have for building the community around trail running even stronger.

Information

  • Creator
    Happy Endings Trail Productions
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    192
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 HappyCast
  • Show Website
    HappyCast

You Might Also Like