Regina resident and ultrarunner Jason Burns loves running, podcasts and podcasts about running — and has long been frustrated that he doesn’t hear a lot of Saskatchewan voices on his favourite shows.
So Burns, who formerly worked as a DJ for 91.3FM CJTR Regina Community Radio, is working to change this. He launched The SaskatchewRun Podcast this spring, which features Burns interviewing members of the province’s running community about why they run and how they train. Episodes drop weekly or biweekly.
This week, Burns joins the Brainsport Times to talk about the podcast and why people should tune in.
What do you enjoy most about listening to podcasts about running?
As runners, we naturally enjoy hearing people’s stories of how they get into running and what running adds to their life and the benefits it provides. Even things that might be boring to non-runners, like training plans and stuff, runners are just really interested in hearing about that.
It’s easy to think somebody who’s done a big race or something is superhuman. But often they’re just regular people who have a goal and can be a little disciplined and accomplish big things. I think that inspires people.
What makes you most excited about the SaskatchewRun podcast?
It’s just another way to get to know people.
I’m fairly new to running. I’ve only been in the running scene for five or six years and, when I first started running, I didn’t realize how much work and effort was being done by so many people in the community who put on races and organize events and fundraisers and volunteer at other races.
I like to think I could be a race director, but I don’t think I could handle all the uncertainty around it. So this is my way of contributing to the running community.
Who’s a dream guest for the show?
This spring I interviewed Stuart Chutter, who’d just finished the Arizona Monster 300 miler. He’s fairly high on the podium in terms of accomplished Saskatchewan runners.
(I’d also like to interview) Jeff Pelletier. He’s not from Saskatchewan, but he has some roots in the province and he did a great documentary on the Beaver Flat 50. His content creation also helped inspire me to do this podcast and many people here watch his documentaries.
How are you finding sources for your show?
I have friends in the running community who are helping me. And I have my email address in the show notes for people to email me to nominate themselves or somebody else: jasontburns40@gmail.com.
I want to interview people with all kinds of backgrounds. I want to have a mix: people focused on the roads, ultras and I’ll probably talk to people in triathlon and obstacle course racing. And people who are organizing events. I want to have people from across the province. If there’s someone running in Uranium City or the southwest or southeast I want to hear from them.
What are some of your favourite podcasts?
I’m a big CFL fan, so I really love the 3DownNation Podcast. There’s a guy out of Ontario and a guy from Winnipeg and a guy from Vancouver and they get together and do a weekly hour-and-a-half talkshow and I really like the back and forth and the Canadianity of it all.
I really enjoy the Inspired Soles podcast by Carolyn Coffin out of Winnipeg. She does a good job of having guests with a fairly Manitoba focus. I also like The Hard Way With Joe De Sena Podcast. He’s the founder of the Spartan Race franchise and he does a weekly show.
I’m a big music and humor guy too. I enjoy Conan O’Brien Needs A Friend and 60 Songs That Explain the 90s.
Do you listen to podcasts while you run?
I’m a music guy when I run. Once in a while on a super long run I’ll listen to a podcast, but I do most of my listening at work. My wife and I own a cleaning company and we say we go to work to listen to podcasts.
This interview has been edited and condensed. Find The SaskatchewRun Podcast on Apple Podcasts or your preferred listening app.
