Nick Thompson is the CEO of The Atlantic, elite marathoner running sub-2:30 in his 40s, and author of The Running Ground. We discuss reconciling with a complicated father, setting running records at 50, why AI terrifies this media CEO, and how running reveals our deepest patterns. READ MORE👉🏼http://bit.ly/richroll943 ✌🏼🌱 - Rich This Episode Is Brought To You By… On: High-performance shoes & apparel crafted for comfort and style👉🏼https://bit.ly/ONXRRP2025 Bon Charge: Save 15% on my favorite wellness products👉🏼https://bit.ly/boncharge2025 Squarespace: Use code RichRoll to save 10% off👉🏼https://bit.ly/squarespace2025 Rivian: Electric vehicles that keep the world adventurous forever👉🏼https://www.rivian.com Check out all of the amazing discounts from our Sponsors 👉🏾 https://bit.ly/rrpsponsors LISTEN / SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST Apple Podcasts: http://bit.ly/rrpitunes Spotify: http://bit.ly/rrpspotify Google: http://bit.ly/rrpgooglepods Meal Planner: http://meals.richroll.com Voicing Change Book: http://richroll.com/vc Clips Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/RichRollPodcastClips Newsletter: http://bit.ly/rollcallemail 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:26 Welcome & Setting the Scene 00:02:09 The Simplicity Paradox of Running 00:05:48 Running as Meditation & Self-Transcendence 00:09:03 Ultra Running & Dissociation 00:10:08 Running’s Double-Edged Sword: Obsession vs. Growth 00:17:50 Challenging Age-Related Mindset Limiters 00:21:46 Transition to Ultra Running & New Lessons 00:26:02 Integrating Other Runners’ Stories 00:31:47 Sponsor Break 00:34:13 Balancing Roles & Stress Management 00:35:28 Influence of Upbringing & Father-Son Dynamics 00:39:05 Intergenerational Patterns & Family History 00:40:10 Father’s Rise and Fall 00:45:22 Processing the Family Legacy 00:48:54 Running as Connection & Healing 00:51:38 Early Running Memories & Influences 00:54:30 Running as Metaphor for Family Dynamics 00:55:10 High School & College Running Journey 01:01:46 Sponsor Break 01:04:30 Stanford Years & Athletic Setbacks 01:07:39 Identity, Adulthood, and Busking 01:17:36 Breakthroughs in Journalism & Law School Decision 01:19:11 2005: A Pivotal Year—Career, Marriage, Running, Cancer 01:21:30 Cancer, Recovery, and Post-Traumatic Growth 01:26:20 Professional and Personal Growth in 30s 01:29:50 Lessons from Family History & Biographical Writing 01:32:08 Competitiveness, Career, and Maturity 01:33:47 Building Business Models for Journalism 01:44:23 The Atlantic, Brand Expansion, and AI Threats 01:51:14 AI, Media, and the End of Reality 02:01:34 Parenting in the Age of AI 02:05:21 AI as a Personal and Professional Tool 02:07:43 Core Lessons from Running & Closing Reflections CONNECT WITH RICH ✩ Website - http://richroll.com​ ✩ Rich Roll Podcast - https://richroll.com/all-episodes/ ✩ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/richroll/ ✩ Twitter - https://twitter.com/richroll ✩ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/richrollfans ✩ Strava - https://www.strava.com/athletes/14443?oq=rich ✩ Memoir: Finding Ultra - https://www.richroll.com/shop/books/finding-ultra/ ✩ Meals - http://meals.richroll.com​ ✩ Cook - The Plantpower Way - https://www.richroll.com/shop/books/the-plantpower-way-signed/ ✩ Italian! - The Plantpower Way: Italia - https://www.richroll.com/shop/books/the-plantpower-way-italia-signed/ ✩ Support - https://www.patreon.com/richroll FILMED AND EDITED BY DAN DRAKE https://www.dandrake333.com/ * * * * * NEW TO RICH? Hi I'm Rich Roll. I'm a vegan ultra-endurance athlete, author, podcaster, public speaker & wellness evangelist. But mainly I'm a dad of four. If you want to know more, visit my website or check out these two the NY Times articles: http://bit.ly/otillonyt http://bit.ly/vegansglam I LOVE MAIL! SEND IT HERE: 2630 Conejo Spectrum St. Thousand Oaks, CA 91320 #richroll #richrollpodcast