Q&A Q&A with Kate Mackz’s Talent Booker Bella Harkins Interview: Bella Harkins
Company: Central Talent Booking (CTB) Kate has a successful YouTube channel with The Running Interview Show and Post Run High podcast. Can you talk about the two different formats and what guests work best for each one? Bella Harkins: 1) The Short Form: Kate’s short form series, The Running Interview Show is a social-first digital series. It’s casual, energetic, and takes place while she and her guest are moving — whether that’s running, walking, or jogging. Kate tailors the activity to each guest’s comfort level, interests, and any project they may be promoting. It’s an on-the-go conversation that captures the spontaneity and energy of shared movement — and because of its relaxed setting, it often reveals a more human, unscripted side of some of the biggest names, leading to virality often. 2) Post Run High (Podcast): Post Run High is Kate’s long-form podcast. Guests typically join her for a 20–40 minute run for The Running Interview Show (pending how much time they have), followed by a seated, in-depth interview lasting 45 minutes to an hour+. It’s a deeper dive into the guest’s story, creativity, and mindset. This is just a logistical question, but can you talk about the details around booking a show like this. How long do these run sessions and podcasts take to record? What city (or cities) does she film in? Bella Harkins: Kate is New York City-based and records most of her episodes there, but does travel frequently to film her shows in other cities both in the USA and abroad. A taping for The Running Interview Show requires around 20 to 40 minutes of a guest’s time, while Post Run High requires 60 to 90 minutes total for the podcast and run. You’re booking for a show where the host is literally running mid-interview. What makes someone a good fit for that kind of format, beyond just being able to keep up? Bella Harkins: We’re looking for guests with powerful stories — people who’ve taken the long road, made bold moves, or discovered something worth sharing along the way. Whether you're an artist, athlete, founder, creator, or someone who’s simply lived through something extraordinary, we want to hear how you got there. Kate’s format is focused on movement as a basis for connection and mutual understanding, but that doesn’t necessarily mean running. We accommodate all fitness levels and backgrounds on the show, and can tailor each taping to guests’ comfort level and interests. Kate’s had guests from across many different industries – from “White Lotus” star Patrick Schwarzenegger, to the co-founder of Morning Brew, to political candidates like Tim Walz. Are you seeing any themes in who resonates most with her audience? Can you give us examples of some of Kate’s favorite episodes? Bella Harkins: Each guest brings something unique, and she’s truly grateful for everyone who shows up for her and shares their story. What matters most is authenticity. The magic happens when someone trusted in the public eye lets people see a side that doesn’t usually make headlines. Her community loves that blend of movement and meaning — and they’re drawn to stories of reinvention, resilience, and risk. Let’s talk pitching. What’s the best way to pitch your team, and what are the must-includes that help you say yes faster? Bella Harkins: We like pitches with all relevant info, socials, background on any project they are promoting, why you think they are a good fit, and when they will be in town. How important is it for a guest to be comfortable on camera or have some experience with longform interviews? Or are you open to newer voices? Bella Harkins: Kate highlights voices from all walks of life, ranging from local small business owners to public figures and Fortune 500 CEOs. On-camera experience is not a prerequisite by any means, as Kate is a natural at making people feel comfortable both on the move and afterwards on her Post Run High podcast. How do you stay current on pop culture and talent to know who’s trending and who Kate should book? Would love to know the newsletters, YT channels, social, etc that you’re using to keep up. Bella Harkins: We are always reading newsletters, emails, and keeping up on social media. At CTB we are a big team and we share our info so everyone is aware. We also rely on our relationships with reps to keep us in the loop on client projects and trending topics. Has the physical aspect of the show (the run) ever opened up a totally different side of the guest? Bella Harkins: Kate launched her show inspired by personal experiences with a career-ending ACL tear, and the online community she found in the wake of that experience as she navigated recovery. She is a big believer in movement (of any form) as a strong foundation for connection, bridging gaps and building understanding – we see this come to life time and time again on the show. The physical aspect of the interview is naturally disarming and brings something fresh and unexpected for our viewers. Fans love seeing this more laid-back side of our guests. Your show bridges movement and meaning. What advice would you give publicists who want to make their pitch stand out — especially if their client isn’t the obvious “fitness” type? Bella Harkins: The show is not at all exclusive to “fitness” types – if the guest you are pitching has a passion for movement or exercise, or an athletic background, that is always great to highlight in your pitch but we are open to all ideas. Kate is always happy to walk or jog with a guest, or explore another activity altogether–she’s done everything from cooking to shopping to playing pickleball with guests where running was not a fit. We appreciate pitches with a creative concept that ties in to the talent’s passions and interests! Do you see any major trends or shifts in booking talent this year? Bella Harkins: We are definitely seeing a continued increase in booking influencers, reality talent, and founders as opposed to more traditional tv/film talent. On the podcast side, listeners are really looking to learn something new when listening to podcasts – it is not enough to just promote a current project; listeners love conversations that dive deeper or highlight something unexpected. Connect with Bella Kate Mackz Channels | 
