Local Legends with Jess: Arizona Edition

This episode is pure heart, laughter, and that sweet in-between moment of growing up. Jess sits down with two soon to be high schoolers who are standing right at the edge of something new. Fresh off eighth grade, they open up about what it really feels like to leave behind the place that raised them and step into a world that is bigger, unknown, and honestly kind of exciting. There is something so...

Welcome back to the show where real life Local Legends have real conversations and today’s episode is exactly that. Jess is holding it down solo while her co-host is away, and she is joined by someone very special. Not just a colleague, but a true partner in the real estate world. Lisa Reyes. What starts as a casual conversation between friends quickly turns into something much bigger. A powerful...

What if the biggest mistakes we make in caring for our aging loved ones happen long before a crisis begins In this deeply human conversation, we sit down with Heather Harvey, a true local legend whose presence alone shifts the energy in every room she enters. But beyond her warmth is something even more impactful, a mission to transform how families navigate aging, independence, and care. With nea...

What does it really take to build confidence from the inside out? This week on Local Legends with Jess: Arizona Edition , we sit down with Marisa Dulan, nurse practitioner, aesthetic expert, and co-founder of Mode Aesthetics & Wellness. With over a decade of experience as a nurse injector, Marisa has mastered the balance between medical precision and artistic vision—helping clients achieve nat...

“Today’s guest is Juston Lisk, a State Farm agent with an engineering background who made a big life shift in pursuit of something more important—family. Originally from Iowa and now calling Arizona home for the past five years, Juston made the leap when he became a dad, determined to build a career that allowed him to be home every night while still doing meaningful work. Since then, he’s built J...

This episode brings a mix of nostalgia, friendship, and inspiration as the hosts sit down with longtime friend and standout athlete Jerry Hug. From his days as a two-time All-American football player alongside legends to the bonds built over decades, the conversation starts with stories that highlight not just talent but the character, discipline, and experiences that shaped his journey. What begi...

In this episode of Local Legends with Jess and Jason , we sit down with a true rising star—Kennedy Rettew, the creative force behind Kicks by Kenna . What started as a simple project at just 16 years old quickly turned into a thriving business built on passion, creativity, and word-of-mouth. From drawing as a child to picking up her first pair of paint markers at Home Depot, Kennedy shares how she...

This episode of Local Legends with Jess – Arizona Edition brings the energy, the laughs, and the realness with Nina and Sheer in a fun, unfiltered “slumber party” style conversation. From building authentic connections in real estate to the unexpected power of social media (yes, even TikTok), this episode dives into how genuine relationships—not sales tactics—are what truly drive success. You’ll h...

In this episode of Local Legends with Jess , host Jessica Benevento sits down with Alicia Sweezer, founder of Who Knew Healing, for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional ideas about healing, intuition, and human potential. Alicia shares her unexpected journey from wildlife biologist working with endangered species to intuitive healer, and how her path evolved into helping p...

What happens when you stop talking about ideas… and actually start bringing them to life? In this episode of Local Legends with Jess , Jessica Benevento sits down once again with returning guest Jason Cocuzza for a conversation that feels less like an interview and more like a real-life brainstorm session you wish you were part of. There’s laughter, a little chaos, and a lot of vision. From reflec...

In this episode of Local Legends with Jess – Arizona Edition , Jessica Benevento sits down with Morgan Hawes, also known as Mrs. Wrighthouse, a dynamic force in Arizona real estate whose journey started at just 18. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a passion. Morgan shares how real estate felt less like work and more like a game—one where she could create, transform, and design spaces th...

In this episode of Local Legends , Jess reconnects with Brennan Taylor Forster for a full-circle conversation that starts back when he was in 8th grade and turns into a powerful story about choosing your own path. Brennan shares what it was like growing up, including his early connection with Jess and his experience in a small high school where he never quite felt like he fit in. After graduating,...

This week Jess sits down with a guest whose story leaves a lasting impression. Margaret Anderson shares the deeply personal journey that led her to the work she does today—helping others through grief, loss, and the emotional process surrounding death. Margaret’s story begins with unimaginable loss after the passing of her son. In the midst of her own grief, she began to see how powerful meaningfu...

The inspiration level jumps fast in this episode featuring entrepreneur Jaclyn Tromo . From the moment Jess discovered Jaclyn on social media, she was captivated. One connection quickly turned into a yes to the opportunity Jaclyn was promoting — proving that sometimes success simply starts with taking action. Jaclyn’s entrepreneurial spirit started young. At just five years old she wanted a cash r...

In this episode of Local Legends with Jess, meet Craig Matthew — a dynamic leader whose journey spans elite athletics, music, entrepreneurship, film, and now finance. Craig made history at The Ohio State University as the first golfer to earn both Athletic All-American and Academic All-American honors in consecutive years. He went on to compete professionally, becoming a champion on the PGA Tour’s...

In this special episode of Local Legends with Jess, the spotlight turns to the original legend herself — Jess, the Mortgage Matchmaker. From start to finish, this conversation centers around one powerful message: buying a home doesn’t have to be overwhelming, confusing, or out of reach. Jess breaks down common misconceptions about the mortgage process — especially the belief that you need more mon...

Ryan & Whitney Cole officially join the Local Legends lineup, and their story is one built on grit, heart, and lived experience. This husband-and-wife real estate team didn’t start in property — they started in people. Whitney’s background in social work and as a correctional officer gave her a front-row seat to the realities families face during their hardest seasons. Supporting others throug...

In this episode of Local Legends with Jess , the roles reverse—and Jess takes the hot seat. Jason, a seasoned mortgage professional with over 25 years in the industry, steps in as interviewer to have a candid, thoughtful conversation with the original Local Legend herself. Known as a true connector and rainmaker, Jess opens up about what it really took to grow into the industry—admitting it took n...

In this special and personal episode, Jess sits down with her husband, Jason—her favorite human, the love of her life, and the one person she can love hard and challenge hard all within minutes. What starts as a conversation about dreams quickly unfolds into a real, unfiltered discussion about marriage, purpose, responsibility, and the unexpected turns life brings. Together, they explore what it r...

Meet Pop , also known as Truman and lovingly referred to as Poppy Chuloo —a retired college football coach , self-proclaimed True National Legend , and full-time Arizona snowbird who has officially mastered the art of saying whatever he wants… because he can. Pop lives by one very simple rule:  👉 If you’re a 7 or lower, you’re not worth his time. Dead serious. Zero apologies. In this episode, Jes...

Sophia: my favorite daughter. A real old soul  9yrs old and legit gets me through life everyday with wisdom and calmness.  Doesn’t take shit.  Episode: Sophia — My Favorite Daughter (Yeah that’s right) Meet Sophia—my favorite daughter (yes, we said it), a 9-year-old old soul, and quite possibly the calmest, wisest human in the room… even when surrounded by adults who should know better. Sophia is...

In this extra special episode of Local Legends, Jess sits down with the youngest (and cutest) guest yet, her daughter, Sophia Cocuzza, and the real star of the show: her pet hedgehog, Boba T. 🦔💬Get ready for giggles, animal facts, and heartwarming moments as Sophia shares what it’s like to care for a hedgehog, why she named him Boba T, and what being a kid in a creative, entrepreneurial family i...

In this episode of Local Legends: Arizona Edition, I sit down with my Jersey girl turned Arizona queen, Alex “Rock” Murphy, aka Blondie. We laugh, reflect, and get real about everything from her booming hair business to getting married, raising kids, and navigating the raw, unfiltered reality of postpartum life. It’s heart, hustle, and a whole lot of laughs. Don’t miss it! These are the local lege...

Mike Santini (Personal and athletic trainer here is Scottsdale AZ) joins Local Legends to share how his “machine mentality” transforms athletes into unstoppable forces and how setting positive intentions fuels success in sports, business, and life. We also hear real testimonials from some of Mike’s current and past clients who share how his training changed their performance and mindset.  @localle...

Join us for a sneak‑peek with Luis Gonzalez, he went from dreaming in the stands to stepping onto an MLB diamond. Hear how he turned what millions imagine into his everyday reality, and discover the grit, belief, and unexpected moments that made it possible. These are the local legends shaping our communities. Real stories, real talk, and powerful conversations. Local Legends with Jess — where Ari...