Searching For Heroes With Benjamin Hall

Reach Out and Read champions the idea that shared reading is not about performance or perfection, but connection. Dr. Lynette Fraga, CEO of Reach Out and Read, joins Ben for a conversation on the invaluable gift of literature and its impact on young children. She offers practical strategies for fostering a love of reading and shares a word of encouragement for parents: "You are enough." Learn more...

What happens when the life you knew suddenly disappears? US Navy veteran and Paralympic gold medalist Brad Snyder shares how his story of survival inspired his commitment to keep moving forward. He opens up about key lessons from his memoir, Fire in My Eyes, highlighting how fatherhood, community, and resilience have become the unshakeable pillars of his life. Learn more about your ad choices. Vis...

Chief Executive of Maggie's and former cancer nurse Dame Laura Lee highlights her 30-year journey transforming cancer care across the United Kingdom. She shares how the legacy of Maggie Keswick Jencks helped build welcoming support centers designed around nature, community, and human connection rather than stark hospital corridors. Dame Laura reflects on the invaluable lessons she's learned from p...

"Your injury will always be part of your story, but it won't be the definition of you." — Itamar Gilboa Itamar Gilboa is a young Israeli soldier who survived 58 days of intense combat in Gaza following the terror attacks on October 7, 2023. After sustaining near-fatal injuries in a basement firefight and undergoing six months of recovery all while balancing being a caregiver for his mother, Itamar...

Over 95,000 Americans need a new kidney, but early organ failure often shows no signs before it suddenly turns into a critical life or death situation. Father, former marathoner, and patient advocate Mark Whitmore suddenly found himself facing end-stage kidney failure, and now spends 10 hours a night on dialysis while searching for a living donor. Mark shares his diagnosis, his campaign that lande...

Over 16 million people suffer from preventable blindness, but simple surgeries could cure them all permanently. World-renowned eye surgeon and co-founder of the Cure Blindness Project, Dr. Geoff Tabin, shares how his work has restored sight to millions worldwide. He depicts his journey from conquering Mount Everest to running transformative, sight-restoring camps. Dr. Tabin discusses the importanc...

From Dancing With The Stars to the New York Times bestseller list to the Paralympics, Amy Purdy is proof that the sky is not the limit. Benjamin revisits his conversation with Paralympian Amy Purdy as she highlights her book, Bounce Forward. Amy details her journey of losing both legs to meningitis at 19 and later surviving another life-threatening injury, sharing 21 tools to move from survival mo...

"You don't need us until you need us." A cancer diagnosis often brings overwhelming fear and isolation, but knowing what to say or do next can change everything. CEO of Cancer Support Community and a 25-year oncology healthcare veteran, Sally Werner, RN discusses the critical first steps after receiving a diagnosis, how to best support a loved one, and navigating hospice care. She answers common q...

Escaping the 81st floor on September 11, 2001, was only the beginning of Sujo John’s story. Twenty-five years after he and his pregnant wife narrowly survived the terror attacks on the World Trade Center, Sujo opens up about trauma, faith and purpose. He reflects on how his journey of survival influenced his life as a human rights advocate, and how his organization YouCanFreeUs&nbsp...

From surviving a Ukrainian orphanage to becoming a 24-time Paralympic medalist, Oksana Masters embodies raw resilience. Ben revisits his captivating conversation with Oksana as she reveals how maternal love, sports, and a shift in perspective helped turn profound early trauma into an unstoppable drive, proving your past never limits your potential.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...

Ben revisits his captivating conversation with Paralympic gold medalist and ESPN host Victoria Arlen as she shares her raw and triumphant journey of recovery after surviving years "locked in" her own body. Her new book, ⁠The View Is Worth It⁠, serves as a roadmap for anyone who feels stuck, even after overcoming significant barriers. Original air date: May 4, 2026 Learn more about your ad cho...

"We turned a hideous tragedy into something positive—James wasn't saved, but we are able to save thousands of other men in his name."Clare Milford Haven and her son Harry Wentworth-Stanley discuss losing Clare's eldest son James, who took his own life in 2006. Clare has since co-founded James' Place, a charity that provides rapid specialist support for men in suicidal...

Military veteran and urban warfare expert John Spencer discusses his forthcoming book 20 Times I Almost Died: Life Lessons from the Edge of Survival. He explains how facing extreme stress reveals human character, why resilience is about refusing to quit in the face of crisis, and how humility can often be a powerful form of strength in high-stakes environments. John also explores the fine line bet...

After surviving an IED blast in Iraq that caused 80% body burns and an arm amputation, Purple Heart recipient John Chrzanowski and his wife, Catherine, thought physical rehab was their biggest battle. But the hardest hurdle was asking for help when costs stacked up. Ahead of National Purple Heart Day, Benjamin speaks with John and Catherine for a candid conversation about breaking the veteran ment...

"Resilience really is about preparing yourself for difficult moments as well as learning from difficult moments."  Benjamin reflects on a recent health setback that temporarily put him back in a wheelchair and tested his own strength. Drawing from his personal recovery, he explores how unexpected hurdles offer a chance to practice resilience and adapt to new realities. He shares a heartfelt t...

From a Ukrainian orphanage to the top of the global podium, 24-time Paralympic medalist Oksana Masters defines raw resilience. Born with severe radiation-induced birth defects and surviving early childhood trauma, Oksana reveals how a mother’s love and the power of sport transformed her pain into an unparalleled athletic drive. She shares how shifting her perspective allowed her to find...

“Death is going to have to fence me” — Stephenie Rodriguez Tech entrepreneur, global health ambassador, and wheelchair fencer Stephenie Rodriguez lost her feet to a near-fatal battle with malaria, but that is just a fraction of her story. Guided by unwavering purpose, she champions disabled individuals globally and develops technology to protect vulnerable women. Stephenie shares how she made...

What does Independence Day mean to someone who nearly died protecting it? As America marks its historic 250th birthday, host Benjamin Hall sits down with Navy veteran Thomas Henderson to reflect on a very different milestone. For Thomas, the Fourth of July is exactly 16 years since he survived a devastating 50-pound blast in Afghanistan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...

In celebration of America's 250th anniversary, FOX & Friends Weekend co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy shares her new book, All American Patriotism: Celebrating 250 Years of America’s Greatness. She honors America by bringing together powerful stories from fellow patriots and members of the FOX Family to detail what this country means to them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...

This week, Benjamin Hall reflects on Men's Mental Health Month and the challenges many men face in asking for help. Drawing from his own experiences as a war correspondent and his recovery after being wounded in Ukraine, Benjamin shares why vulnerability, resilience, and honest conversations can make all the difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

104 stories. 1,200 climbers. One unstoppable mission. On June 7, 2026, Benjamin Hall conquered One World Trade Center, scaling the iconic tower to raise money for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. He shares his grueling physical journey to the top and explains why he never doubted his ability to finish, knowing exactly who he was climbing for. Benjamin also reveals what this milestone meant for his...

Journalist Nikki Goldstein chronicles her spiritual transformation following a near-death experience, sharing how a rabbi she had never met stood by her ICU bedside, prayed over her, and sparked a miraculous recovery. Nikki and Rabbi Eli Schlanger formed an extraordinary friendship while co-authoring their book, Conversations with My Rabbi:Timeless Teachings for a Fractured World. After Rabbi Eli...

Facing an execution order at just 19 years old, Nick Berg had to make a choice: succumb to the violence of the Iranian regime or risk everything to escape. Author and former US Special Operations soldier Nick Berg shares his extraordinary journey of growing up amidst the chaos of the Iranian Revolution and executing a daring escape to save his life. In his new book, Shadows of Tehran, Nick details...

On this Memorial Day Benjamin sits down with retired Navy SEAL Master Chief Dave Hansen to uncover the silent sacrifices behind the uniform. With over two decades of service, Dave pulls back the curtain on the "nature of the beast"—the immense pressure placed on SEAL families and the difficult transition from the front lines to the home front. But survival isn't just about enduring the war; it's a...

As Memorial Day approaches, Benjamin honors the life of Army Ranger SSG Jeremy Katzenberger, who was killed while serving overseas. His wife, Colleen Katzenberger, reflects on his life and how she preserves his memory through the stories she shares with their son, Everett. She discusses the significance of Memorial Day and the importance of pausing to remember the soldiers who gave their lives for...