Spin and Win: The Podcast

Meet Ryan Vickers from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada—a school teacher by day and the charismatic host of Reach for the Top, Canada’s beloved academic quiz show once helmed by Alex Trebek. Growing up, Ryan wasn’t a fan of Wheel of Fortune during its "shopping era," but today, he enjoys revisiting those classic episodes. In the fall of 1996, during his senior year of high school, everything changed whe...

In this exciting new episode of our podcast, we dive into the life of Erica, a lifelong Wheel of Fortune enthusiast currently residing in the Seattle, Washington area. As a talented makeup artist and fragrance specialist, Erica juggles her career with being a dedicated wife of eleven years and a loving mother to two children. Growing up, family nights were all about watching Wheel of Fortune toget...

Join us for an exciting new episode featuring Hanna, a dedicated first-grade teacher from Houston! Recently, Hanna appeared on the "Wheel of Fortune" during the special Girls' Getaway episode, teaming up with a friend for an unforgettable experience. Although she's not a seasoned "Wheel of Fortune" fan, her love for game shows inspired her to prepare for the big moment. Influenced by our past podc...

In this episode, we chat with Bev, a retired admin assistant from Colorado who has been a lifelong Wheel of Fortune fan. Bev recalls watching the show as a young girl, back when viewers had to send in postcards to get on the show. She received her first postcard from the show in 1990, never missing an episode—recording it on her VCR if she wasn’t home. Bev’s dedication led her to attend Wheelmobil...

On this episode of Spin and Win: The Podcast, we chat with Tammi Barker, a wife and mom from Northern California who describes her hometown as straight out of a Hallmark movie. Coming from a large family, Tammy has been a Wheel of Fortune fan for as long as she can remember. Some of her earliest memories involve sitting on her great-grandmother’s carpet, watching contestants shop the iconic showro...

In this episode, we’re featuring Mel, a Bay Area native from San Jose, California. By day, he works as an analyst for a tech company, but by night, he’s a DJ, a passion he’s pursued for over 20 years. Mel is also the co-founder and executive director of Freestyle Takeover, an E-sports community. A true gaming enthusiast, he owns more than 11 gaming systems. Mel's love for Wheel of Fortune began ba...

In this episode of Spin and Win: The Podcast, we sit down with Terah, whose journey from the classroom to the Wheel of Fortune stage is nothing short of remarkable. After teaching for 20 years, Terah transitioned to a new career at Trader Joe's during the pandemic, eventually working her way up to the corporate office. Encouraged by her late husband, she decided to audition for Wheel of Fortune an...

In our latest podcast episode, we feature Mansour Chaya, a dedicated personal injury and workers' comp lawyer. As a first-generation American with parents from Lebanon, Mansour has a strong sense of community, which he demonstrates through his volunteer work feeding the homeless in Boston. Growing up, Mansour and his family were avid Wheel of Fortune fans, often solving puzzles together before the...

Jesse Rebhan, from sunny Miami, Florida. Formerly a math teacher turned Activities Director, Jesse's love for Wheel of Fortune runs deep. Growing up in a family of game show enthusiasts, she fondly recalls bonding moments spent watching game shows with her loved ones. It was a memorable day in 2019 when she watched Wheel of Fortune with her grandmother, igniting her passion for the show. Inspired...

Ilene Knebel, a devoted wife and mother hailing from Upstate New York. Ilene's journey is one of resilience and determination, rooted in her passion for acting and entertainment. After college, she embarked on a cross-country adventure to California to pursue her acting dreams, appearing in several movies along the way. However, it was her fascination with game shows that truly ignited her spirit....

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Derek Dawson, a 38-year-old resident of San Diego, California, who shares a touching story that bridges family memories with game show aspirations. Derek reminisces about his cherished summers spent with his grandparents in Arizona, where evenings were dedicated to watching Wheel of Fortune together, creating a core memory that stayed with him throughout...

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Derek Dawson, a 38-year-old resident of San Diego, California, who shares a touching story that bridges family memories with game show aspirations. Derek reminisces about his cherished summers spent with his grandparents in Arizona, where evenings were dedicated to watching Wheel of Fortune together, creating a core memory that stayed with him throughout...

Janet Stephens is an administrative assistant from Southern California with over 23 years of marriage to her husvand. Janet's story is one of resilience, determination, and a passion for game shows. As an avid hockey fan and former professional roller derby skater, Janet brings a unique perspective to the table. Her love affair with game shows began in the mid-70s when Chuck Woolery hosted Wheel o...

Robert Santoli, currently residing in Connecticut. Robert's Wheel of Fortune episode aired on March 25th, 2016, marking a memorable moment in his lifelong connection with the show. His earliest memory dates back to 1996 when he watched the Seattle College Week edition with his mother, igniting his passion for the game. Growing up, Robert immersed himself in Wheel of Fortune video games and often d...

In our latest podcast episode, join us as we sit down with Tim Sternberg, a dedicated student education advocate from sunny Florida, just outside Fort Lauderdale. Alongside his wife of 32 years, Tim has carved out a unique niche for himself, buying and selling collectibles on eBay. But there's more to Tim's story than his professional endeavors. A lifelong fan of game shows, his fascination began...

In our latest podcast episode, join us as we sit down with Tim Sternberg, a dedicated student education advocate from sunny Florida, just outside Fort Lauderdale. Alongside his wife of 32 years, Tim has carved out a unique niche for himself, buying and selling collectibles on eBay. But there's more to Tim's story than his professional endeavors. A lifelong fan of game shows, his fascination began...

Join us in our latest podcast episode as we unravel the remarkable journey of Cesar Redaja, guided by none other than fan-favorite guest host Christian Dixie! Cesar, a pharmacist from Tampa, Florida, originally from the Philippines, shares his captivating story. From childhood TV nights with Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and Survivor, to unexpectedly auditioning for Wheel of Fortune during the COVID...

Join us in our latest podcast episode as we unravel the remarkable journey of Cesar Redaja, guided by none other than fan-favorite guest host Christian Dixie! Cesar, a pharmacist from Tampa, Florida, originally from the Philippines, shares his captivating story. From childhood TV nights with Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, and Survivor, to unexpectedly auditioning for Wheel of Fortune during the COVID...

In the second episode of "Spin and Win: The Podcast," we delve further into the incredible Wheel of Fortune journey of former contestant Preston Leslie. With an extensive background as a gymnastics coach spanning over 20 years and fluent in Spanish, Preston's story is a fascinating tapestry of skills and experiences. This episode takes us deeper into Preston's astounding win on the "Bust A Move" b...

Erika McCall, originally from Chicago but raised in a small town just an hour away, is a dynamic figure now based in Los Angeles. With her roots in Illinois State, she's deeply immersed in the non-profit sector, spearheading the "Go for Yours Foundation." Additionally, she's a prolific author with three published books to her name. One of her notable works, "Don't Wait Create," emphasizes seizing...

Erika McCall, originally from Chicago but raised in a small town just an hour away, is a dynamic figure now based in Los Angeles. With her roots in Illinois State, she's deeply immersed in the non-profit sector, spearheading the "Go for Yours Foundation." Additionally, she's a prolific author with three published books to her name. One of her notable works, "Don't Wait Create," emphasizes seizing...

Jill Prince, is a dedicated 3rd-grade teacher residing in Allegany, NY. A lifelong Wheel of Fortune enthusiast, Jill's love for the show traces back to her childhood, where she watched alongside her family. After a moment of encouragement from a friend, Jill decided to apply for the show, despite having applied unsuccessfully 20 years prior. To her delight, she received a callback and underwent a...

Chuck Kraus, a proud native of St. Louis, Missouri, and a passionate hockey enthusiast. Despite his musical pursuits after high school, including signing a record deal and touring America, Chuck eventually found his calling as a police officer. It was a simple suggestion from his girlfriend at the time that sparked his journey to the Wheel of Fortune. In June 2015, he took a chance and applied for...

Chuck Kraus, a proud native of St. Louis, Missouri, and a passionate hockey enthusiast. Despite his musical pursuits after high school, including signing a record deal and touring America, Chuck eventually found his calling as a police officer. It was a simple suggestion from his girlfriend at the time that sparked his journey to the Wheel of Fortune. In June 2015, he took a chance and applied for...

Brian Schwartz, hailing from Philadelphia and known for hosting the YouTube show "Game Show Junkie." Airing on February 9th, 2018, Brian shares his journey of persistence through three final auditions over a seven-year period before finally making it onto "Wheel of Fortune." Enduring a waiting period of over two years, Brian's commitment paid off, despite missing the Eagles parade due to his appea...