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 initially came to America to chaperone younger high school students but eventually came to America permanently and has lived in the St. Louis area for over twenty years.  If you would like to learn more about Edna and her passion for running, family, friends and life, stay turned to this month’s episode of Real Friends – you won’t be disappointed. Don’t let the cicadas in the background distract you!  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Website:  www.therobertharrison.com Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/

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 passions and interest outside of running.  If you are a fan of wisdom and insight and would like to hear more of Alison and Andy’s story, stay turned to this month’s episode of Real Friends – you won’t be disappointed.    Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Website:  www.therobertharrison.com Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/   Resources: Big River Running Company - www.bigriverrunning.com Espresso Yourself Coffee & Cafe - 5351 Devonshire Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109 www.espressoyourselfcafe.com Sisters Sandwich Shoppe - 5353 Devonshire Ave, St. Louis, MO 63109 https://sisterssandwichshoppe.com/menu/

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 celebrates these three essentials to not only a meaningful holiday season, but to a meaningful life.  I hope you enjoy it; I know I did.  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Resources: Thank you to my “Podcast Posse”: Ellie, Josie, Ava, Micah, Sam, Isaac  Website:  www.therobertharrison.com  Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com  Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music

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 season of life filled with both challenges and rewards.       In part one of this two-part series podcast, we discuss many of the topics that high school students often face including high school FADs, social media, the highs and lows of high school, and dating during your high school years.  We even discuss the personal growth and transformation that often does take place during the high school years.      Have you ever wondered how the next generation thinks?  Or if they are equipped to tackle some of the challenges we face as a nation?  If so, listen to these six students and discover for yourself. Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Resources: Thank you to my “Podcast Posse”: Ellie, Josie, Ava, Micah, Sam, Isaac  Website:  www.therobertharrison.com  Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com  Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music

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 friends - Leah, Sidi, and Gretchen - share their experiences and their insights regarding what they love most and what they find most challenging about running.  Enjoy.  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Website:  www.therobertharrison.com  Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com  Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music  Resources: Thank you to my “Podcast Posse”: Leah, Sidi, Gretchen Big River Running Company - www.bigriverrunning.com Kirkwood Park - www.kirkwoodparksandrec.org/places-to-go/parks Zettl Photography

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” and see how friends draft their fantasy football teams.    I hope you enjoy it.   Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Fantasy Football site: https://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com Send questions or comments to realfriendsstl@gmail.com Visit my website at www.therobertharrison.com Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/

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 these girls share a natural chemistry with each other, but they also share honest conversation regarding some of the challenges that women face not only with athletics, but in other areas like work-life balance, raising a family, safely training alone and developing new and healthy friendships.  If any of these topics sound familiar or pique your interest, check out this month's episode of Real Friends.  You'll be glad you did. Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Website:  www.therobertharrison.com  Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com  Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/  Resources: Thank you to my “Podcast Posse”: Kim, Kara, & Shannon Big River Running Company - www.bigriverrunning.com Fenton City Park - www.fentonmo.org/862/Fenton-City-Park

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 many runners, Mike started his running career in high school.  But due to setbacks and surgeries during those years, Mike literally “knelt down and kissed his high school track goodbye” at his final practice as a senior.    So, what inspired Mike to get back into running and eventually join a running company like Big River Running Company?  Listen to this month’s episode and discover for yourself.  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Website:  www.therobertharrison.com  Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com  Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/  mike.flynn@bigriverrunning.com www.bigriverrunning.com | www.bigriverracing.com

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 Endurance.  Both women are full-time moms and full-time wives.  How do they do it?  Listen to this month’s episode of Real Friends and discover for yourself.  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. For more information regarding Filla Endurance or to contact Laura Filla refer to the links below: https://www.fillaendurance.com https://www.facebook.com/FillaEndurance https://www.instagram.com/fillaendurance Website:  www.therobertharrison.com  Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com  Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music

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 runners.  If you are interested in more of John’s story, including his dream to one day potentially make it as a successful wide receiver, listen to this month’s episode and discover for yourself. Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”.   Website:  www.therobertharrison.com Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/

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 2-part series, I resume my conversation with Ian Breckenridge as he shares how he left a good paying job in the technology industry and pursued his passion to get a degree in counseling.  A degree which ultimately allowed Ian to serve others as a counselor in the unique field of Equine Therapy.   What’s holding you back from pursuing your dreams and passions in life?   Listen to my friend, Ian Breckenridge, as he shares his inspirational story and discover for yourself.  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Check out my website at www.therobertharrison.com  Send questions or comments to realfriendsstl@gmail.com  Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/

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, Ian has experienced his own unique set of challenges in life – both financial, relational, and spiritual. How do rebound from these struggles to develop a greater sense of empathy for the people you love and serve?  Or how do you use the challenges you’ve experienced in life to provide hope for people wrestling with hopelessness?  Listen to my friend, Ian Breckenridge, as he shares his open, honest story and discover for yourself.  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Check out my website at www.therobertharrison.com  Send questions or comments to realfriendsstl@gmail.com  Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/

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 – Maddie’s mom.  Finally, Jake shares his current state in life and both the joys and challenges of being a husband, a father, and a Christ-follower.   And how his faith life and walk with Christ has been an integral part of his story over the past few years.   f you enjoyed the first part of Jake’s story, I think you will enjoy the second part even more.  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Check out my website at www.therobertharrison.com  Send questions or comments to realfriendsstl@gmail.com  Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/

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 you combine all these elements and a young college student is also given the opportunity to test or even cross many of the boundaries he initially learned and valued while growing up? Have you ever been there?  Have you ever been in a similar situation where you flirted with or crossed boundaries you knew were designed to protect you and keep you safe?  How did that work out?  Listen to my friend, Jake Goessling, as he shares his candid and redemptive story and discover for yourself.       Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Check out my website at www.therobertharrison.com  Send questions or comments to realfriendsstl@gmail.com  Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/

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 navigate both the joys and the challenges of the holiday season. Thank you for listening.  This is a special edition of “Real Friends”. Website:  www.therobertharrison.com Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com Music: Christmas (by Asepirawan20): https://pixabay.com/music/christmas-christmas-12025 Thank you to my “Podcast Ensemble”: Teenagers – Taylor, Elle, Eva, Josie, Isaac, & Sam 20 Somethings – Carson, Abby, Taylor, Brennan, & Christine Others Members – Justin, Kristen, Mary, Steve, Bil, & Michelle

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 stories and insights about running.  Listen to members from the 12:00 minute pace group as they laugh and share their stories and see if any of their stories resonate with you.  I think you will find the 12:00 minute pace group both entertaining and insightful.  I know I did.  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Website:  www.therobertharrison.com Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/ Resources: Thank you to my “Podcast Posse”: Liz McBrady, Ellen Adamo, Vicky, Mark Koors, Alyssa Taylor, Tabatha, Michael Bryant Big River Running Company - www.bigriverrunning.com Route 66 State Park – www.mostateparks.com/park/route-66-state-park

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 like most about recording podcasts with different pace groups is that it allows me to relive some of their greatest or most challenging experiences, to enjoy the laughter as stories are shared and to briefly peak into each runner’s unique personality.  You get all of that with the 12:30 minute pace group. Still debating whether or not “running is the right sport for you?”  Or whether a local running community like Big River Training Team right for you?  Listen to members of the 12:30 minute pace group and discover for yourself. Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Website:  www.therobertharrison.com Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/ Resources: Thank you to my “Podcast Posse”: Jen Koitzer, Dan Palasky, Diana Van Buren, Carolyn Aylward Dolan Big River Running Company - www.bigriverrunning.com Tower Grove Park - www.towergrovepark.org

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 kids or even your favorite pet.  In similar fashion, you are invited to attend our 2022 fantasy football draft.  We did this last year when half a dozen of us got together for our draft and enjoyed it.  It’s silly and filled with a lot of meaningless sports talk but it’s still a good time and allows you to “peak behind the curtain” and see how guys behave crafting their fantasy football teams. I hope you enjoy it.  Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Fantasy Football site: https://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/ Send questions or comments to realfriendsstl@gmail.com Visit my website at www.therobertharrison.com Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/

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; their faith journey – we even discuss a few extra topics.  If you still ponder how the next generation thinks?  Or if they are equipped to tackle some of the challenges we face as a nation?  Listen to these three young ladies and discover for yourself.  I think you’ll be impressed. Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Website:  www.therobertharrison.com  Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com  Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/  Resources: Thank you to my “Podcast Posse”: Chloe, Ellie, Maddie

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 intersects with real life.  Have you ever wondered how the next generation thinks?  Or if they are equipped to tackle some of the challenges we face as a nation?  Listen to these three young men and discover for yourself. Thank you for listening.  This is “Real Friends”. Website:  www.therobertharrison.com  Questions or comments: realfriendsstl@gmail.com  Music: https://audiotrimmer.com/royalty-free-music/  Resources: Thank you to my “Podcast Posse”: Cade, Jackson, & Cooper