Ride Home Rants

Send us Fan Mail What if the roots of a small town could shape the career of a remarkable coach? Alyssa Johnson, a distinguished coach and former soccer player, shares how her hometown of Easton, Pennsylvania, with its rich industrial history and vibrant sports culture, laid the foundation for her journey. From her early days at Lafayette College to her fervent support for Philadelphia's Eagl...

Send us Fan Mail What if the outcome of one game could change the trajectory of two legendary college football programs? Join us for a thrilling National Championship Preview Show as we explore this possibility with an incredible panel of guests: Tony, Coach Amp, Matt, Mister, Jeremy, Bob, and Chris. Our discussion begins with an entertaining debate on the ranking of NFL quarterbacks Steve Young,...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how growing up on the sidelines shapes a future coach? Meet Luke Worrell, son of renowned coach Mike Worrell, as he shares his distinctive upbringing surrounded by the world of college athletics. Luke gives us an insider look at his journey from being a ball boy to carving out his own coaching path, enriched by his academic background in psychology and his experience...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how busy professionals juggle a hectic lifestyle while staying fit and healthy? Our latest episode promises to unlock the secrets behind maintaining a balanced lifestyle as we sit down with an inspiring panel of fitness aficionados. Joining me, Fiddy, as I sub for Mike Bono, are Jason, Byron, Shawn, JJ, Nicole, Jordan, and Josh, each bringing their unique fitness phi...

Send us Fan Mail What if the ultimate action hero showdown from the 80s and 90s could settle the age-old debate: Schwarzenegger or Stallone? Join me, Fiddy, along with our hilarious guests Bob, Collin, and Dave, as we navigate this and more on the Ride Home Rants podcast. We kick off with quirky confessions about our birth months and the animals that make us quiver. Our chat then rolls into fond z...

Send us Fan Mail Discover the hidden intricacies of running a successful collegiate athletic program as we sit down with Kevin Loney, Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Events Management at Bowdoin College. From his remarkable shift from coaching football to orchestrating events for 31 sports teams, Kevin unveils the meticulous planning and teamwork required to ensure flawless sporting...

Send us Fan Mail Charles Bell joins us to share his incredible journey from a high school athlete in Newcomerstown, Ohio, to managing a family-owned business in Lisbon, Ohio. Charles reveals how his dreams of becoming a physical therapist shifted to engineering, all thanks to a chance encounter with college baseball and his future wife. I even share my own twist of fate—a career-ending injury that...

Send us Fan Mail Four years ago, my daily rants on the ride home sparked an idea that blossomed into the Ride Home Rants podcast. Join me, Mike Bono, and our trusty podcast manager, Johnny "Fiddy" Falconi, as we reminisce about our podcasting journey and share the hilarious moments and behind-the-scenes chaos that brought us here. From spontaneous episodes recorded mere days before airin...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what it takes to transition from being a player to a coach, and the rollercoaster journey that follows? Join me, Mike Bono, and a panel of seasoned coaches as we navigate their remarkable career stories across various sports, from high school fields to the electrifying arenas of professional leagues. We kick things off with some amusing small talk—think breakfast bev...

Send us Fan Mail Lucas Hegeman joins us for a fascinating conversation about her dual pursuits in soccer and engineering, and her journey from her sports-centric upbringing in Maryland to becoming a semi-pro soccer player and research engineer. Her story is a testament to resilience and perseverance, as she navigated the competitive landscape of youth soccer, overcame an ACL injury, and ultimately...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how a spontaneous road trip could spark a lifelong interest in the paranormal? Join us as we chat with Lori and Brandon Spicer, who recount their transformative journey to Gettysburg that kindled their passion for ghost hunting. We reminisce about the unexpected start to their supernatural adventures and chuckle over the quirky contact name I have for Brandon in my p...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for a boxing showdown like no other as we gather with special guests Tony, Rusty, Mister, and Matt to discuss the electrifying matchup between the legendary Mike Tyson and the YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. With each guest introducing their own fighting nickname, the conversation quickly turns into a lively debate over movie theater popcorn—will it be butter or just sa...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered which animal you'd be if not a dog? In our latest episode of the Ride Home Rants podcast, we bring that fun question to life with our delightful guests Andrea, Collin, and Jordan. Andrea dreams of waddling as a penguin to Today's Hits, while Colin imagines soaring high as an eagle to the nostalgic beats of the 90s. Jordan takes the road less traveled by exp...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when breakfast classics clash in a Halloween-themed debate? Picture this: pancakes vs. waffles, with JJ Phillips and Jordan DeMarco singing praises of pancake nostalgia, while Rusty Bliss, Brandon Wiley, and Matt "Lando" Landowski argue for waffle superiority with an arsenal of toppings. And just when you think breakfast wars are over, we switch gears to a m...

Send us Fan Mail Is Bill Belichick destined to lead the Cleveland Browns in 2025? Our lively panel—Tony, Fiddy, TJ, and Bill—dive into this provocative question with gusto, bringing their usual mix of humor and insight. We kick things off with a hilarious debate about culinary skills, where Tony defends his penchant for well-done steak, Fiddy flexes his grilling muscles, TJ keeps it real with eggs...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine a world where NBA players debate the legacy of an NFL fullback. Intrigued yet? Our panel of experts kicks off this episode with a passionate discussion on the underrated or overrated status of Mike Alstott. Opinions swing wildly, but that’s just the beginning. We transition seamlessly into an unexpected exploration of life's deeper themes, pondering happiness and fulf...

Send us Fan Mail Transitioning from college sports to life beyond the field is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs. Our panel of inspiring former college athletes, hailing from Bethany College, Eureka College, East Carolina University, and Elizabeth City State, share their unique stories of resilience and growth. From overcoming severe injuries to balancing academic and athletic commitme...

Send us Fan Mail Are penguins the happiest animals on Earth? Buckle up for an amusing and heartwarming discussion as we kick off this episode of Ride Home Rants with our dynamic guests sharing their quirky takes on this question, along with their favorite beverages. From coffee aficionados to those with unique drink concoctions, we set the stage for an engaging exploration of Willoughby, Ohio, and...

Send us Fan Mail What if your high school didn't have a football team? Join us as Jordan Hefner takes us through the unique experience of moving from Kinsman, Ohio, a town without a high school football program, to Mathews High School, where the Friday night lights gleamed brightly. Jordan shares the emotional turbulence of leaving behind a familiar community and forging new friendships amids...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered when fall truly begins? Join us on the Ride Home Rants podcast where we settle this debate with our special guests Brittany, Tony, and Jordan in our All Things Fall episode. We kick things off with a light-hearted introduction to each guest and their favorite fruits—apples and strawberries being the stars of the show. As we transition into the essence of fall, our gu...

Send us Fan Mail Is Dr. Pepper the ultimate soft drink, or is it just overrated hype? Join us on the Ride Home Rants podcast as we kick off a spirited debate with our fantastic guests Andrea, Bill, Collin, Matt, and Chris. Each one brings their own flavor to the table, offering unique perspectives on the fizzy icon. This episode promises plenty of laughs and maybe even a few surprising revelations...

Send us Fan Mail Can the Dallas Cowboys finally break their playoff curse? Join host Mike Bono and an all-star panel featuring Matt Landowski from Bethany College, Bill Stoy from Kent State, and Aaron Frye from Bethany College as we kick off the NFL season with some high-energy discussions. We reminisce about our football backgrounds and share our favorite pregame songs, from ACDC's "Thu...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a former college football coach transitions to a pivotal educational role? Join us on the Ride Home Rants Podcast for a heartfelt and engaging episode with our guest, Bob Niziol. Bob, who once coached at Bethany College and now serves as the Director of Pupil Services at Bentworth School District, takes us through his career evolution. From the highs and lows of...

Send us Fan Mail Madison Olszewski takes us on an extraordinary journey from Elyria, Ohio, through the highs and lows of her collegiate sports career. Listen as she recounts her initial struggles at Cedarville University's strict religious environment, which eventually led her to transfer to Notre Dame College. Madison gives us a closer look at the intense demands and rigorous schedules that...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered what makes Pittsburgh a city worth exploring? Join me, Fiddy, as I fill in for Mike Bono and take you on a tour of Pittsburgh's rich culture, thriving business ventures, and beloved sports teams. This episode features Matt "Lando" Landowski, the mastermind behind Sweet Hand Sports, who will share the inspiring journey of his sports gear company, Scotty...