Conversations with Rich Bennett

What happens when life takes away the voice you built your career on, and then gives you a completely new way to use it? In this powerful episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett , Rich talks with bestselling author Laura Van Wormer , who published 14 novels with major publishers before a devastating head-on collision with a drunk driver changed everything. After years of struggling with traumat...

What if the most painful chapter of your life became the very thing that helped someone else keep going? In this powerful episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with Teresa Blaes, entrepreneur, podcaster, author, certified Kingdom Life Coach, and founder of Kadosh Media. Teresa shares her remarkable journey through childhood trauma, family tragedy, blindness, loss, addiction, h...

What if your greatest chapter begins after your life falls apart? In this inspiring episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, author Lee Ann Walling shares the story behind her debut novel, The Salt and Light Express , a moving journey through grief, faith, friendship, healing, and second chances. After reinventing herself multiple times throughout her career, Lee Ann returned to school in her l...

What if the pain you've experienced in life became the very thing that helped save others? In this powerful episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich and co-host Robyn Burke sit down with Linda Aluoch, founder of HopeWorks Global, to discuss her extraordinary journey from growing up in poverty in Kenya to becoming a leading advocate against human trafficking. Linda shares deeply person...

What happens when a dream refuses to let go? In this inspiring episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with award-winning author Sam Polakoff, a retired business executive who spent decades building a successful company while quietly holding onto a lifelong dream of becoming a novelist. That dream eventually became reality. Sam shares the fascinating story behind his first novel...

What is it about small towns that Americans can’t stop romanticizing? In this solo episode of the America Explained series, Rich Bennett dives into America’s deep emotional connection to small towns and why they continue to represent community, belonging, and authenticity in today’s fast-paced world. From classic TV shows and Hallmark movies to Main Street diners, local festivals, and Friday night...

What if the most powerful part of a theater performance happens after the curtain closes? In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with Jessie Fahay, founder of Ripple Effect Artists, a nonprofit theater company using storytelling to spark conversations around social justice, mental health, racism, human trafficking, and other important issues facing society today. Jessie...

What happens when a former police officer turns his life experience into a mission to help others build financial freedom and peace of mind? In this powerful episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with Paul Applegate, Financial Advisor with Edward Jones, to talk about budgeting, retirement planning, investing, emergency funds, and the emotional side of money. Paul shares his de...

What happens when a retired police K9 becomes a symbol of hope for thousands battling cancer, grief, and impossible odds? In this emotional episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett , Rich sits down with law enforcement leader Chris Bingham to share the incredible story of his retired K9 partner, Tambo. What began as a difficult partnership turned into a life-changing bond built on trust, loyalty...

What if the emotional meltdowns kids experience are not bad behavior, but their brains trying to protect them? In this powerful episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich welcomes back school psychologist and author Jessica Hackmann to discuss her new children’s book, You Are Brave, Amy G. Through storytelling, neuroscience, and real-world experiences working with children, Jessica helps exp...

What does true wellness really look like? In this powerful episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Marine veteran and wellness coach Matthew Merryman joins Rich for an honest and eye-opening conversation about mindset, healing, self-love, meditation, nutrition, and personal growth. What starts as a discussion about fitness quickly transforms into a deeper exploration of trauma, purpose, behavi...

What happens when a teenager becomes so obsessed with music that she sneaks into orchestra concerts just to experience it again? In this unforgettable episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett , Rich talks with author, broadcaster, and music historian Nancy Shear about her remarkable memoir I Knew a Man Who Knew Brahms . Nancy shares how a free ticket to the Philadelphia Orchestra changed the cou...

What happens when a former Olympian, 9/11 survivor, and financial expert walks away from success to help wounded veterans heal through flight? In this powerful episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with Lyubim Kogan, founder of Wings4Heroes, to discuss an extraordinary mission helping amputee and deaf veterans rediscover purpose, confidence, and hope through rehabilitation, ad...

What does it really take to run a successful pet care business while adapting to changing client needs, staffing challenges, and even snowstorms? In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Nicole Wilson returns to the show to share the story behind the rebranding of her business from Your Pet Au Pair to Sits & Wiggles Pet Care. Nicole opens up about why she decided to step away from p...

Recovery is not just about quitting something. It is about rebuilding your life, understanding your habits, and finding the courage to face the reasons behind them. In this powerful episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett , Rich and co-host Wendy Beck sit down with Derek Diem, who shares his honest journey through addiction recovery, gambling, food struggles, weight loss, heartbreak, and learni...

What if one of the most fascinating parts of American history was never taught in school? In this episode, Rich sits down with author Melora Fern to uncover the forgotten world of concert whistlers and the Chautauqua movement that once reached millions across the country. Melora shares how a simple box of her grandmother’s mementos led her to write Whistling Women and Crowing Hens , a novel that s...

What if everything you’ve been told about marketing is wrong? In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with Kyle Asperger, a marketing coach and founder of Anarchy for a Day, who’s on a mission to help people stop blending in and start standing out. Kyle shares his journey from running a traditional marketing agency to completely reinventing his approach in a world being...

What if doing the right thing for someone you love could cost you everything? In this gripping episode, Rich sits down with Rachel Waters, a caregiver who was shockingly charged with murder after her mother’s hospice death. Her story reveals the frightening gaps in the system that every family should know about before facing end-of-life care. Rachel Waters is an advocate for caregiver protections...

What if creativity could change someone’s entire future? In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with Diane Strand, an award-winning entrepreneur and founder of JDS Creative Academy, to explore how the arts are opening doors for foster youth, at-risk teens, and neurodiverse adults. Diane shares her journey from working on major productions like General Hospital and Frien...

Marriage is one of the biggest commitments you’ll ever make… but what does it really take to make it last? In this special solo episode, Rich Bennett shares heartfelt, real-life marriage advice inspired by his nephew’s wedding day and his own 29-year journey. This isn’t the typical fairytale talk. It’s honest, practical, and grounded in real experience. Rich opens up about the truth behind marriag...

Bourbon isn’t just a drink. It’s a story rooted in American history, innovation, and survival. In this solo episode, Rich Bennett takes you on a journey through the origins of bourbon, breaking down how it started with early settlers and evolved into one of the most iconic spirits in the world. Along the way, he clears up some of the biggest myths and misconceptions that people still believe today...

What if success isn’t really about money? In this episode, Rich sits down with Anthony Spark, entrepreneur and success coach, to break down what truly matters when it comes to building a meaningful life. With over two decades of experience, Anthony shares how identity, values, and fulfillment play a bigger role in success than most people realize. Anthony Spark is a seasoned entrepreneur and coach...

What if success wasn’t just about money, but about building a life you’re proud of? In this episode, Rich sits down with Gino Barbaro, a real estate investor who scaled from running a restaurant to managing over $450 million in assets. But this conversation goes far beyond business. Gino shares how his definition of success evolved to focus on family, faith, and creating a meaningful legacy. Gino...

What if dyslexia wasn’t a limitation but a hidden advantage waiting to be unlocked? In this eye-opening episode, Rich sits down with Russell Van Brocklen, a dyslexia researcher who went from a first-grade reading level to developing a system that helps students achieve graduate-level writing skills in less than a year. Russell shares the exact methods he uses to transform struggling learners into...

What if the diagnosis you were given wasn’t the end of your story? In this powerful episode, Rich sits down with Daniel Esposito, a former NFL player who was told he would need multiple joint replacements and live with chronic pain for the rest of his life. Instead of accepting that fate, Daniel spent years researching, experimenting, and ultimately transforming his health in ways doctors said wer...