Curveball with Scott Reich

On today’s episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich welcomes Maria Trusa—author, entrepreneur, human rights advocate, and survivor. At just nine years old, Maria experienced profound trauma that nearly destroyed her, both physically and emotionally. In this moving conversation, Maria shares how she endured and ultimately forgave the perpetrator of her abuse, embodying her hallmark phrase: forgive to...

Welcome back to Curveball. In this powerful episode, Scott Reich sits down with keynote speaker, lawyer, and author, Judd Shaw, whose life took a dramatic turn behind the glittering facade of professional success. Judd opens up about his battle with drug addiction, burnout, and the deep loneliness that almost destroyed him—all while he was running a thriving law firm and enjoying every outward sig...

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Australian real estate powerhouse Mat Steinwede, whose incredible journey from addiction, homelessness, and the underworld to personal redemption is as dramatic as it is inspiring. In a deeply honest and raw conversation, Mat shares how a single act of mercy from a judge gave him a second chance—and how he rebuilt his life, step by step...

Welcome to Curveball, a podcast that explores how we handle life’s most unimaginable challenges—and how some manage to turn adversity into hope. In this episode, host Scott Reich sits down with Liz Scott, co-founder of Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, and shares the remarkable story of her daughter, Alex Scott. Diagnosed with cancer just before her first birthday, Alex’s idea to set up a simple l...

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich is joined by Caryn Hirshleifer and her daughter, Jenn Goldman, who share their extraordinary story of resilience in the face of life-altering trauma. Just before turning 31, Jenn suffered a massive brain bleed that left her comatose and on the brink of death—sending her family into an unimaginable world of uncertainty. Together, Jenn and Caryn recount...

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Dr. Brent Fields, CEO of Morgan’s—a groundbreaking nonprofit championing inclusion for the disability community. In an incredibly candid and moving conversation, Brent opens up about his journey as a nonprofit leader and, more intimately, as the father of Chloe, his teenage daughter who lives with an ultra-rare genetic disease. Together...

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich welcomes Linda Beigel Schulman, a mother who has transformed personal tragedy into lifelong purpose and advocacy. Linda’s son, Scott Beigel, was a beloved teacher and cross country coach who gave his life to save 31 students during the Parkland school shooting on February 14, 2018. Through powerful storytelling, Linda shares Scott’s journey—from his f...

Welcome to another episode of Curveball, where host Scott Reich explores how we handle life’s unexpected challenges through the real stories of people who have overcome unimaginable obstacles. In today’s episode, Steph Wagner joins Scott Reich to share her remarkable journey. A former Wall Street investment banker and private equity professional, Steph Wagner stepped away from a high-powered caree...

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich welcomes Guillermo Söhnlein, co-founder of OceanGate and a trailblazer in extreme exploration. In the aftermath of the tragic Titan submersible disaster—which claimed five lives during a daring dive to the Titanic—headlines focused on blame and controversy. A U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation later concluded that OceanGate’s safety proced...

Welcome to Curveball, where we dive deep into life's unexpected challenges and discover how to build resilience through real-life stories. In this episode, host Scott Reich sits down with Dave Aizer—television host, public speaking coach, writer, TEDx speaker, and survivor of stage three melanoma. Beyond his on-screen career, Dave Aizer shares the raw and transformative journey that cancer threw h...

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich welcomes Danielle Moss—mom of three, creative entrepreneur, and inspiring storyteller—for a powerful and deeply personal conversation. Danielle takes us back to spring 2020, when, in the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, and just weeks away from giving birth to her second child, her oldest daughter Margot was diagnosed with leukemia. Danielle opens up...

Welcome back to Curveball, the podcast where life’s toughest challenges meet profound stories of resilience. In this episode, host Scott Reich sits down with motivational speaker Corey Warren, whose remarkable journey through addiction, loss, and ultimately recovery offers a powerful lens into the human spirit’s capacity to reinvent itself. From a childhood shaped by family turbulence and a quest...

On today’s episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich welcomes Baratunde Thurston: best-selling author, comedian, and host of the podcast “How to Citizen.” Baratunde brings his signature blend of humor, honesty, and depth to conversations about race, democracy, and belonging, making tough topics feel both personal and urgent. Together, Scott and Baratunde dive into the transformative power of humor, t...

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Adam Greenberg, the former Major League Baseball player whose unforgettable journey redefines what it means to persevere through life’s biggest challenges. Adam shares his story growing up as one of five kids in Connecticut, dreaming of one day making it to the big leagues—and the pivotal moments that shaped his path, from competing at...

On this episode of Curveball, we’re joined by Wendy Sachs, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, and filmmaker whose life and career took a dramatic turn after the October 7th, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks in Israel. As the world grappled with the tragic events and their aftermath, Wendy witnessed not only unimaginable violence, but also a disturbing surge in antisemitism across the United St...

Welcome back to Curveball. In this episode, host Scott Reich sits down with Denise Woodard, the remarkable founder and CEO of Partake Foods—the company known for its delicious, allergy-friendly cookies and snacks found in stores nationwide. Denise, who became the first Black woman to raise over $1 million for a consumer packaged goods startup, opens up about the personal and professional journey t...

Life is full of the unexpected—and building resilience is key to navigating it all. On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Dr. Andrew Shatté, renowned psychologist, resilience expert, and co-author of "The Resilience Factor." Dr. Shatté shares his fascinating journey from philosophy major in Australia to one of the leading voices in resilience training for everyone from Fort...

In this thought-provoking episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Dr. Aimie Apigian, a physician, trauma specialist, and author, to dive deep into the intersection of trauma and biology. Dr. Apigian brings her unique perspective—rooted in personal experience as a foster and adoptive parent, her Armenian heritage, and years of medical practice—to explore how trauma isn’t just somethin...

Welcome to another episode of Curveball, where life’s toughest challenges are met head-on by those who refuse to give up. In this episode, host Scott Reich sits down for a heartfelt conversation with Kerry Kennedy—human rights advocate, author, and president of RFK Human Rights. As the seventh child of Ethel and Robert F. Kennedy, Kerry offers a rare glimpse into what it was like to come of age in...

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Lisa Sedlar, the visionary CEO and self-described “food justice warrior.” Lisa shares her remarkable journey—from leaving a comfortable CEO position at New Seasons Market, to founding Green Zebra Grocery, a healthy convenience store chain aiming to rethink how communities access food. But when COVID-19 and a cascade of personal crises h...

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Austin Hatch, whose story defies every imaginable odd. Once a rising basketball star from Indiana, Austin survived not one, but two tragic plane crashes—claiming the lives of his parents and both of his siblings. But Austin’s journey is about so much more than survival. In this gripping conversation, he opens up about profound loss, the...

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Shirin Behzadi, whose extraordinary life journey is nothing short of cinematic. As a teenager, Shirin fled post-revolution Iran alone, narrowly escaping imprisonment and persecution before arriving in the US with virtually nothing. Her early days were spent working at a gas station, but she held tight to a bold vision: to one day become...

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich sits down with Carlin Isles, the man widely regarded as the fastest player in the history of rugby. But Carlin’s journey to the world stage is about so much more than speed. Growing up in Ohio, Carlin was confronted with unthinkable hardships: torn from his family at only six years old by law enforcement, he and his twin sister endured years in the fo...

In this special two-part episode, host Scott Reich sits down with the remarkable Aaron Lazar, a Broadway, film, and television star whose artistry and resilience have inspired countless fans. But beyond his career as an acclaimed performer, Aaron offers a deeply personal look at his journey living with ALS, opening up about loss, ambition, family, and the transformative power of vulnerability. Tog...

On this episode of Curveball, host Scott Reich talks with Paralympic gold medalist and six-time world champion racer, Josh George. At just four years old, Josh survived a harrowing 12-story fall that left him paralyzed from the waist down—an unimaginable curveball that instantly changed his life. In their heartfelt conversation, Josh shares how his resilient mindset, his parents’ unwavering suppor...