The Rich Roll Podcast

Episode: ROLL ON: American Tiger, Adventures Abroad, & The Art of Showing Up

Date: October 9, 2025
Host: Rich Roll
Co-host: Adam Skolnick

Episode Overview

This “Roll On” episode explores themes of personal growth, the power of storytelling, embracing adventures, and the importance of showing up for oneself and others, especially during challenging family moments. Rich and Adam share personal stories, discuss Adam’s new novel, recap Rich’s whirlwind travels (including the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo), unpack emotional family transitions, and reflect on life, memory, community, and purpose. The episode is rich in real-life anecdotes, insight into the creative process, and commentary on recent events in sports, endurance, and culture.

Key Topics & Highlights

Studio Upgrades & Opening Banter

[02:39-03:28]

• The show opens with friendly banter about the new overhead microphones in the studio, freeing the hosts to have a more conversational and liberating setup.
• Adam jokes: “It could go completely off the rails because we’re going to forget that we’re being recorded.” (03:22)

Power of Story: Roger Owens the Peanut Guy

[03:30-08:26]

• Adam recounts his “fungal” (not viral) Instagram post about Roger Owens, a legendary peanut vendor at Dodgers games who’s been working for over 60 years—even after a stroke last year at age 83.
• Adam celebrates the outpouring of positive memories from fans, illustrating how small acts of joy touch generations.
• Adam: “No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you can make a huge impact. And that’s what this guy has done—amazing life just through doing this thing that brought him joy, bringing other people joy.” (07:20)

Adam’s Big News: Announcing “American Tiger”

[08:40-14:59]

• Adam announces his debut novel American Tiger, out December 2, 2025. The book’s genesis dates back over 20 years but has been his focus since the pandemic.
• The novel’s setting—the wild corners of Southern California—is personally meaningful, making the recording of the audiobook in Rich’s LA studio extra special.
• Adam describes the arduous writing and editing process (“twenty-five, twenty-six drafts”) and the self-doubt that comes with fiction.
• Adam shares pre-order details: americantigerbook.com, and mentions his Substack for behind-the-scenes info.
• Notable quote:
  • “Ever since I got into writing, I’ve wanted to do fiction and nonfiction. All the writers I most admire have done that… So it's taken a while to figure out the pathway to publication, but we found it.” (09:40)

Rich’s Whirlwind Travels: Tokyo and Beyond

[15:10-25:21]

• Rich recaps a packed itinerary: NYC → DC → LA → Tokyo (World Athletics Championships) → NYC → DC → home.
• He details working with On (running apparel brand) in Tokyo, experiencing their massive brand activation and store opening.
• Highlights include:
  • Experiencing urban Japanese culture in Shibuya.
  • Witnessing George Beamish’s gold medal win in the steeplechase, On’s first-ever global gold (“…his kick was so insane—he just literally flicked a switch and passed everyone.” [20:16])
  • Seeing world record pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis in action.
  • Innovations in On’s shoe tech (the “Light Spray” robot-crafted upper).
• Rich describes Japan as “incredibly livable,” praising the culture of respect, dignity, and quality in everyday interactions.

Japanese Adventures with Craig Mod

[25:57-27:52]

• Rich shares a day in Tokyo with celebrated writer Craig Mod, exploring neighborhoods, sampling omakase coffee, and glimpsing authentic local life.
• Adam, himself a travel writer, revels in the prospect: “It would be so amazing just to walk—do one walk with him just through any town in Japan.” (25:21)

Eating Plant-Based in Tokyo

[26:18-27:52]

• Rich notes that plant-based eating options are now abundant in Tokyo, in contrast to previous years.
• He applauds the cultural care for others and pride in all kinds of work: "It was very evident that is a cultural thing we don't have here…" (26:25)

The Art of Showing Up: Family, Dementia, & Healing

[31:49-55:22]

• Rich recounts shifting from book work to confronting a family crisis: helping his mother, who has advanced dementia, move into a Washington, DC, memory-care facility.
• Emotional candor: Rich reflects on the emotional toll, family roles, and the sense of dignity and service in supporting aging parents.
• He examines the impact of his difficult relationship with his mother—her childhood trauma and generational cycles.
• Memorable quotes:
  • “This is what you get to do when you’re sober and you’re clear-minded: you show up for the people in your life that need you.” (34:26)
  • “Part of our job as parents is to interrupt unhealthy generational patterns so that we don’t pass them on to our kids… that’s a really important part of the job.” (39:39)
  • “Can I practice more love, even when all my buttons are pushed—because she installed them?” (51:13)
• Adam shares his own healing journey after childhood abuse, relating it to Rich’s process of internal reckoning over seeking external validation or “closure.”
  • Adam: “You have to… make peace within yourself with the circumstance.” (53:12)

High School Reunions & Revisiting the Past

[61:35-74:29]

• Rich tells a humorous story about accidentally attending the wrong high school reunion while grappling with family responsibilities in DC (“I’m at the wrong… reunion party!” [63:25]).
• Going to the correct gathering proves healing, breaking decades-long narratives about his former classmates.
  • “You show up, and you realize whatever your bullshit story is—I guarantee you it’s unfounded for the most part…” (69:13)
• The broader lesson: Show up even when uncomfortable; connection and resolution come from presence, not avoidance.

Reflections on Community, Identity, & Growth

[71:53-76:33]

• Adam and Rich examine how adolescent identity is shaped by “science experiment” environments and how adulthood brings perspective.
  • “We have almost everything in common with every human being… but let’s focus on that one thing that I remember forty years ago.” (72:53, 72:59)
• They breakdown nostalgia around famous Santa Monica High alumni (e.g., Rob Lowe, Charlie Sheen, Sean Penn, Robert Downey Jr.) and the changing nature of Malibu, LA, and elite schools.

Pop Culture & Endurance: Netflix, Alex Honnold, and Extreme Stunts

[86:22-95:34]

• Discussion of Netflix live-streaming Alex Honnold’s free solo climb of Taiwan’s Taipei 101 skyscraper (“two-hour free solo special”).
  • Adam: “He always says—it’s easier than it looks.” (88:57)
• Comparison to previous high-profile live stunts (Evel Knievel, David Blaine).
• Brief on Colin O’Brady’s forthcoming Antarctica crossing/adventure series on Netflix, touching on the culture, criticism, and evolution of modern adventure storytelling.

Triathlon Heroes & Open Water Feats

[97:01-103:01]

• Recap of Norwegian sweep at Ironman World Championships in Nice, with On-sponsored athletes Gustav Iden, Kristian Blummenfelt, and Casper Stornes.
• Reference to Adam’s reporting on the data-driven approaches of the Norwegian triathlon team.
• Celebration of legendary open-water swimmer Antonio Argüelles’s seventh Catalina Channel crossing, with cameos by Diana Nyad and Hank Wise (Stanford swimmer, Catalina record-holder).

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Adam, reflecting on going “fungal” online with a kind story:
  “A good news story, a heartwarming news story could go fungal.” (06:47)

• Rich on family service and sobriety:
  “This is what you do when you’re a sober person. I feel really good about that and…grateful that I could be of service in that way.” (36:45)

• Rich on conscious compassion:
  “Can I practice this when all of my buttons are getting pushed—because she installed them? Can I be non-reactive and do the contrary action, which is just more love?” (51:04)

• Adam, on overcoming past trauma:
  “The confrontation is within yourself and your relationship to the story…” (53:41)

• Rich, on the value of showing up (reunion):
  “Unless you show up, you can’t be surprised…you show up and realize whatever your bullshit story is, it’s unfounded…” (69:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Studio upgrades & banter: 02:39–03:28
• Dodger peanut legend story: 03:30–08:26
• Adam's book announcement: 08:40–14:59
• Rich's Tokyo & On experience: 15:10–25:21
• Japan, Craig Mod, and plant-based notes: 25:57–27:52
• Family, dementia, and service: 31:49–55:22
• High school reunion & personal healing: 61:35–74:29
• Pop culture and Netflix adventure events: 86:22–95:34
• Triathlon & open water shoutouts: 97:01–103:01

Recurring Themes & Tone

• Empathy & Vulnerability: Both hosts share openly about emotional struggles, family legacies, and generational healing, urging listeners to reflect on their own growth.
• Humor & Storytelling: The episode is imbued with laughter, self-deprecation, and lively stories.
• Curiosity & Purpose: Rich and Adam celebrate creativity, cultural boundary-crossing, the redefining of athletic possibility, and the importance of being present for loved ones.

Final Thoughts

This episode is a mix of deep self-reflection, creative celebration, and cultural commentary. At its heart is the lesson: Show up—whether for family, self, adventure, or community. Strive for connection, face the uncomfortable, and keep telling stories that matter.