Running It Your Way: Healing Miles, Bandera Chaos, and Burritos

After a month-long hiatus and plenty of concerned messages, HappyCast is officially back — and no, Andrew and Stephanie did not break up. In this Season 5 kickoff, the two dive straight into the chaos with candid catch-ups, unfiltered humor, and a surprisingly deep conversation about loneliness, dopamine hits, and why witty banter might actually be a mental health necessity. From AI-suggested “safe flirty texts” to starting arguments on Facebook just to feel something, Stephanie explains how being too quiet for too long can lead to… questionable choices.

On the running side, Andrew recaps his current “waitlist surfing” era, the rise of the Burrito League (yes, burritos are a legitimate training incentive), and a wild Bandera weekend filled with heckling, aid station chaos, unexpected celebrities, and some truly elite volunteer moments. Bandera stories range from Molly Seidel’s historic performance to lei-wearing confusion at a small-town Texas bar, proving once again that trail running culture is equal parts grit and absurdity.

The episode closes with reflection, reset energy, and a handoff to the rest of Season 5 — a season focused less on rankings and more on longevity, healing, and running races the way they’re meant to be run. DNFs are discussed without shame, big goals are still on the horizon, and both hosts agree on one thing: this podcast keeps them grounded. Welcome back to HappyCast — the banter is back, the miles are messy, and we’re just getting started.

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