PODCAST · society
Real Friends
by harrisrob4
Real Friends is a podcast dedicated to sharing some of the stories of my “real friends”. Its open, honest conversations about the highs and lows of real life with the belief that sharing who we are allows us to be better known and also allows us the opportunity to be truly loved for who we really are.
Episodes
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Running – Tom Mroczkowski
This month I chat with a friend of mine, Tom Mroczkowski. Tom is a native of St. Louis, very familiar with the local running scene, and a passionate pet owner. Tom enjoys both paved and trail running and has also enjoyed running and exploring with his first dog, Gibby, and now his current dog…
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2026 Fantasy Football Draft
This year you are invited to attend our 2026 fantasy football draft. It’s our 18th year of playing fantasy football together and the draft is one of my favorite things to attend each year. It’s normally an evening of meaningless sports conversation between fantasy football coaches but this time…
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Running – Erika Garner
This month after a trail run at the beautiful Don Robinson State Park, I enjoy a conversation with Erika Garner. Erika is both a guide and one of the leads for Big River’s “Unpaved” offering. Erika has been an active runner for most of her life but really loves trail running and its unique...
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Running - Roger Lintner
This month I have a really fun conversation at Central Park Chesterfield with both a friend and fellow runner – Roger Lintner. I met Roger several years ago when we were both part of our beloved 8:30 pace group and we have been friends ever since - as is the case with many of the members from…
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Running - Peter Eppler
This month I have the pleasure of chatting with both a friend and a running teammate – Pete Eppler. Not only is Pete a runner, but he is also a physical education teacher in the Rockwood School District where many years ago he actually taught a student very familiar to most of us in the St. Louis...
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Running - Michelle and Maggie
This month I have the pleasure of chatting with two of the pacers from Big River Training Team’s 12-minute pace group - Michelle and Maggie. Both of them have been runners for a while and share some of the same highs and lows experienced by many runners, but they also have unique experiences and...
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Running - Don and Michael
This month I have the opportunity to chat with not only two runners from the St. Louis area but they are also Co-Pace Coordinators for Big River Training Team, Don Albert and Michael Dorris. Both of them have been runners for a while, but they are new to their role as Co-Pace Coordinators. What’s...
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2025 Fantasy Football Draft
This year you are invited to attend our 2025 fantasy football draft. It’s our 17th year of playing fantasy football together and the draft is one of my favorite things to attend each year. It’s an evening of meaningless sports conversation between multiple fantasy football coaches but it’s still…
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Running - Kaitlyn and Haley
This month I have the honor and pleasure of chatting with two twenty-something athletes; well, one of them is twenty-something and the other one has actually turned the big “3-0”. But that is close enough to twenty-something for me. These girls actually competed against each other at the…
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Running - Shannon and Jason
This month I have a fun conversation with two members from Mark Spewak’s Training Team – Shannon and Jason. Both took up running early in life, then took an extended break from the running scene, only to take up running once again on a more serious and intentional basis during their current…
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Running - BRTT - Jenine and Shelly
This month I have the honor and pleasure of speaking with two athletes from Big River Training Team’s Walker Group – Jenine and Shelly. One of the things that I love about Big River and its training team offerings is they really do try to offer a pace group to match most skill sets. Whether you…
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Running – Michelle and Stephanie
This month I have the special opportunity to chat with not only two well know runners in the St Louis running community but also two very special friends of mine, Michelle Dillon and Stephanie Hussman. I met both of them close to ten years ago when I started training with Big River Training Team...
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Running - Bob Alexander
This month I get to chat with a special friend of mine, Bob Alexander. I met Bob the first year I started running with Big River Training Teams and even got to be part of his support team on an ultra-run. Bob eventually moved to Florida several years ago to accept a new job opportunity. If you…
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Runners - David Johnston and Terry Raterman
This month I get the opportunity to chat with an old friend and running buddy of mine, Terry Raterman, and his running friend, David Johnston. David is an accomplished runner whose specialty is “ultra” distances. While a lot of runners focus on 5k, 10k, and marathon distances, David focuses ultra...
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Running - BRTT – Chester and Diahann
Every once and a while, I get an opportunity to chat with couples, like Chester and Diahann, who train at the same sport or activity. Normally, I interview individuals to learn how running or walking impacts them individually, but how does a shared activity or passion like running or walking…
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Running - BRTT - Adam and Brandon
For 2025, I thought we would kick things off by chatting with several of Big River Training Team’s “Unpaved” pacers – Adam and Brandon. What is “Unpaved” you ask? Unpaved is a series of running adventures offered through Big River Training Team which focuses on “trail running” and many of the...
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2024 Fantasy Football Draft
This year you are invited to attend our 2024 fantasy football draft. It’s our 16th year of playing fantasy football together and the draft is one of my favorite things to attend each year. It’s an evening of meaningless sports conversation between multiple fantasy football coaches but it’s still…
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Running - BRTT - Cassie and Kasay
This episode we get to chat with the dynamic duo of Cassie and Kasay – both pacers for BRTT 8:30 pace group. I’ve developed some really special friendships through running and its fun to witness when the same thing happens with other people. That’s part of the fun of this month’s episode. Not…
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Running - BRTT - Gabe, Kali, Tabitha
One of the things that I love about hosting a podcast is getting the opportunity to know a little bit about some of our runners. While the questions are similar, no two podcasts are the same because no two runners exactly the same. Today's podcast with Gabe, Kali, and Tabitha is a perfect…
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Running – Edna Rodriguez
This month I chat with a special friend of mine – Edna Rodriguez. Amidst the background of chirping birds and the constant song of the Cicada (yes, 2024 is the year of the Cicada), Edna and I have a delightful conversation at Shaw Park in Clayton, Missouri. The youngest of six children, Edna...
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Running – BRTT Run-Walk - Andy & Alison Bourey
This month we chat with several friends of mine – Alison and Andy Bourey. Many people recognize Alison and Andy as the colorful, warm and friendly couple who run with the Run-Walk group at Big River Training Team. But Alison and Andy are more than runners. They are also married and have many...
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High School Seniors – 2023 (Part 2 of 2)
In part two of this two-part series podcast, we revisit the topic of dating then pivot and discuss some of the other topics that high school students often face including faith, friendships and family. I can’t think of a better way to enter the holiday season than sharing a podcast that…
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High School Seniors – 2023 (Part 1 of 2)
Back in August, I had the honor and pleasure of sitting down with six of my favorite high school students and chatting with them about their high school years. Most of them were seniors and would soon be headed off to college or transitioning into their next season in life. It’s an exciting…
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Running – BRTT 10:00 Group – Gretchen, Sidi, Leah
Have you ever viewed running as a punishment? If so, why would you choose to run later life? And what happens if you run several hours or dozens of miles each week with the same people? Those are just some of the questions and topics we cover in this month's episode of “Real Friends” as three...
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Fantasy Football Draft – 2023 – Just For Fun
This year you are invited to attend our 2023 fantasy football draft. It’s our 15th anniversary of playing together and the draft is one of the highlights each year. It’s silly, meaningless sports conversation but it’s still a good time between friends and allows you to “peak behind the curtain”…
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BRTT 11:00 min Pace Group - Kim, Kara, & Shannon
This month I have a really fun conversation with several of the athletes from Big River Training Team’s 11:00 minute pace group - Kim, Kara, and Shannon. If you like honest conversation, great insights and lots of laughter, you're going to enjoy this month's episode of Real Friends. Not only do...
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Mike Flynn - One-on-One
This month we continue chatting with friends of mine from our local running community. This month’s guest is Mike Flynn. Many people know Mike as the Program Director at Big River Running Company or you may have potentially bought a pair of shoes from Mike at his store in University City. Like…
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Running - Sadie Smith and Laura Filla
This month I chat with two women well known and well respected in the St. Louis running community – Sadie Smith and Laura Filla. Sadie is a master’s class athlete with a long list of awards and accomplishments. Laura is also a respected runner and owner of her own fitness company – Filla…
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John Kertz - One-on-One
This month we chat with both a friend and runny buddy of mine – John Kertz. Many people recognize John as the high-energy, high-octane person who kicks off early morning runs during the spring and fall for Big River Training Team. But John is also a devoted husband, dad, and coach of high school...
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Ian Breckenridge - Part 2 of 2
What would you do if you had the opportunity to pursue a new career later in life? You had spent all your life in one field or profession, but your heart yearned for something different. Would you follow your heart? Follow your passion? Even if it meant going back to school? Today in part 2 of a...
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Ian Breckenridge - Part 1 of 2
If you live long enough, you are bound to experience challenges in life. Some major, some minor; some self-inflicted while others totally out of your control. Truth is, we all experience challenges in life. Today, I share a conversation with a friend of mine, Ian Breckenridge. Like each of us…
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Jake Goessling - Part 2 of 2
We pick back up with Jake’s story as he shares how he ultimately proposed to his then girlfriend, now wife, Maddie. And then shares the bittersweet story of the joy associated with planning a wedding while at the same time he and Maddie mourned the tragic and unexpected loss of a loved one –...
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Jake Goessling - Part 1 of 2
The transition from living at home full time to living on your own for the first time can be a challenging experience. Do you remember? Especially when that experience includes going away for college, the collegiate party environment, and your first serious dating relationship. What happens when...
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The Holiday Hustle
The Holiday Hustle - Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s. It’s a time of the year that can be both joyful and stressful. How do different age groups deal with these challenges? This month we chat with a group of teens, 20-sometings, and others in an effort to explore how different age groups...
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Running - BRTT 12:00 Minute Pace Group - Liz
As this year’s training season winds down, I thought it would be fun to chat with Big River Training Team’s (BRTT) 12:00 minute pace group. On a beautiful, brisk Sunday morning, after completing our run through Route 66 Park, eight of us gathered around a picnic bench in Lion’s Park to share...
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Running – BRTT 12:30 Pace Group - Jen
This month we chat with another one of Big River Training Team’s (BRTT) pace groups – the 12:30 minute pace group. If you hear a little wind noise in the background it’s because we recorded our podcast on a beautiful, but windy Sunday morning in beautiful Tower Grove Park. One of the things I…
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Fantasy Football Draft - 2022 - Just for fun
Hi, my name is Rob and I’m the host of Real Friends. You know, it’s fun to share some of the real-life stories of my real friends, but every once and a while it’s equally as fun to do something silly or something light hearted. Like posting pictures of a favorite meal or posting pictures of your...
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High School Seniors - The Girls
Last month we chatted with three of my favorite high school senior guys. This month we chat with three of my favorite high school senior girls; Chloe, Ellie, and Maddie. We discuss many of the same topics I discussed with the guys last month including high school, college, dating, the future…
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High School Seniors - The Guys
Today, I have a conversation with three of my favorite high school seniors; Cade, Jackson, and Cooper. Young men that I’ve had the honor and privilege of getting to know much better over the past year. We discuss high school, college, dating, the future; we even discuss their faith and how it...
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Running - BRTT 8:30 Pace Group - Tim
This month we continue last month’s “running theme” and chat with one of my favorite pace groups at Big River Training Team (BRTT) – the 8:30 pace group. I’ve had the honor and privilege of training with the 8:30 pace group since 2015. Not only has it made me a better, wiser runner, but I’ve also...
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Running – BRTT 8:00 Pace Group - Brian
This week we switch things up a bit and chat with one of the fastest pace groups at Big River Training Team (BRTT); that is, the 8-minute pace group. How would you spend the perfect spring morning? This morning I got to spend it by running a loop in one of our favorite parks, Forest Park, with…
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Wedding Stories - Part 2
Do you remember your wedding day? After all the planning and hard work, what do you remember the most? Or do you remember anything at all from your “Big Day”? Today, our two couples – Zach and Amanda and Jake and Maddie – conclude their stories and share insights, lessons learned and offer advice...
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Wedding Stories - Part 1
Do you remember your wedding day? Better yet, do you remember all the details leading up to your “Big Day”? Including details like “how you met, the proposal, the wedding planning and the actual wedding itself”? Today, I share an enjoyable conversation with two great couples – Zach and Amanda and...
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Dad’s Rountable
Today I have the honor and privilege of chatting with 4 of my favorite dads – Ryan, Kyle, Garet and Caleb. Not only are these guys full time dads, they are also full time husbands, and have full time careers. Similar to the conversation I had with some of my favorite moms last year, I ask these...
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Real Friends - Sarah Moss - Part 2
Surrender. What do you think of when you hear the word surrender? Are they positive connotations? Negative ones? Or maybe a mix of both? And what does it look like to be a young woman trying to surrender your life to God on a daily basis? Is that even possible in today’s highly secular world?…
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Real Friends - Sarah Moss - Part 1
Surrender. What do you think of when you hear the word "surrender"? Are they positive connotations? Negative ones? Or maybe a mix of both? And what does it look like to be a young woman trying to surrender your life to God on a daily basis? Is that even possible in today’s highly secular world?...
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Real Friends - Lucas Garza - Part2
Do you remember your first serious relationship? Whether it was a high school sweetheart, a college sweetheart, or something totally different, most of us remember our first serious relationship. Especially when those relationships don’t work out and someone’s heart gets broken. Today in part 2…
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Real Friends - Lucas Garza - Part 1
Do you remember your first serious relationship? Whether it was a high school sweetheart, a college sweetheart, or something totally different, most of us remember our first serious relationship. Especially when those relationships don’t work out and someone’s heart gets broken. Today in part 1…
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Real Friends -What does Christmas mean to you?
What does Christmas mean to you? And what is your favorite Christmas story or Christmas memory? Do you have one? Maybe it’s a childhood memory or something more recent. Maybe it involves a special gift you either gave or received from someone. Maybe it involves a dinner, or worship service, or...
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Running – BRTT 9:00 Pace Group - JoAnna
This week we switch things up a bit and talk about one of my favorite passions – running! And we discuss it with one of my favorite running groups – Big River Training Team’s (BRTT) 9 minute pace group. Are all runners created equal? Obviously not. And if you have never run before, how do you…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Real Friends is a podcast dedicated to sharing some of the stories of my “real friends”. Its open, honest conversations about the highs and lows of real life with the belief that sharing who we are allows us to be better known and also allows us the opportunity to be truly loved for who we really are.
HOSTED BY
harrisrob4
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Real Friends have?
Real Friends currently has 74 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Real Friends about?
Real Friends is a podcast dedicated to sharing some of the stories of my “real friends”. Its open, honest conversations about the highs and lows of real life with the belief that sharing who we are allows us to be better known and also allows us the opportunity to be truly loved for who we really...
How often does Real Friends release new episodes?
Real Friends has 74 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Real Friends?
You can listen to Real Friends on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Real Friends?
Real Friends is created and hosted by harrisrob4.
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