The Back 9 - Midlife, Best Life.

We close season 8 of The Back 9 with a powerful episode, as we sit down with Owen Marcus, the founder of MELD and a pioneer in men's emotional wellness.  Owen helps us explore the connection between somatic awareness and emotional authenticity.  Owen shares some of his own journey to help us dive deep into why most men have never been taught how to feel, and how nervous system awareness can be the...

What do you get when you mix elite skating, red hair, and a thousand NHL games? A damn good conversation about life -- and hockey -- with former NHL All-Star Brian Campbell.  In this episode of The Back 9 , we welcome the Stanley Cup champion and individual Trophy winner to the mic for a refreshingly honest ride through his career, leadership lessons, and life after hockey. Brian opens up about th...

No prescription needed this week on The Back 9 , as we catch up with the one and only Leon Miller -- aka, "Dr. Painkiller".  Leon is the magnetic force behind the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands. From beach kid to island icon, Leon shares how he has built a lifestyle brand rooted in rum, resilience, and real connection.  Leon doesn't just make the island's...

Kerry Wald is a well-known Las Vegas bartender, storyteller, poet and world-class listener.  In this episode, Kerry shares how his journey behind the bar has allowed him a first-row seat to the pain people carry in silence, until they open up to him, a stranger.  From those raw stories, Kerry learned the value of truly listening and of finding the joy in helping others.  With shocking emotional de...

Kristen Griffin faced unimaginable loss.  She was a young wife, pregnant with her first child, when her husband was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. What followed was a two-decade journey of reframing her life story: from grieving young widow to successful executive, to full-time women's coach.  In this powerful and inspirational conversation, Kristen reveals how she navigated single motherho...

What happens when your million-dollar company crumbles and you're left  with nothing but lessons and grit?  Pam Jordan shares her unfiltered journey that led her to found the Pivot Business Group which helps entrepreneurs finally get real about their numbers. She's part business strategist, part money therapist, and full-blown truth-teller. In this eye-opening episode, we dive into why most entrep...

A few years ago, Josh Gregory saw his reflection in the mirror, and found only darkness staring back.  No love, no hate, just pure emptiness.  In this raw and riveting episode, hear the powerful story of a boy who started drinking at age 11, then spent decades hiding in plain sight as a high-functioning alcoholic, before he finally hit the breaking point that forced him to face the truth.  On this...

What happens when you stop running from the pain? For Suzette Bravo, it was the realization that she'd spent a lifetime avoiding the trauma underneath. In this episode, she shares what happened when she finally faced it head-on, and how that led her to a deeper understanding of masculine and feminine energy—not as stereotypes, but as powerful, complementary forces within all of us. Suzette now wor...

Glen Kuiper was the voice of the Oakland A's for over two decades—until one on-air slip changed everything. In this gripping episode of The Back Nine , Glen tells his side of the story : what really happened during that fateful pregame segment, how corporate pressure forced a rushed apology, and the painful aftermath of being publicly canceled for something he says was a mispronunciation and would...

It's a little musical interlude on the Back 9 as we tee up season 8.  From karaoke showdowns, subway serenades and memories of mixtapes, we hit every note about the role music plays in our lives.  And we talk about how the kids just don't get it — yes, they occasionally listen to Sade, but they don't know how to pronounce her name.   Plus, get a sneak peek at the powerful stories, surprise guests,...

In this raw Season 7 finale, we take on one our most honest and emotional conversations to date, as we discuss how parents often wound their children by airing their own relationship grievances and personal traumas.  It's a candid take on co-parenting, accountability, and the ripple effect of unresolved hurt.  It's a tough but necessary topic for anyone who is co-parenting, even as their children...

What does it really take to decide whether to stay or leave a relationship that no longer feels healthy—or safe? In this powerful conversation with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Janae Lomosky, we explore the emotional toll of staying too long, the real reason many people feel "stuck," and how to begin rebuilding self-worth and mental clarity, even before the relationship ends. Whether you'r...

Talent matters.  Grit may matter more.  On this Surprise Guest episode of The Back 9, we sit down with former NFL wide receiver Drew Haddad — a guy who needed to get every ounce out of his talent to make it in the NFL — for an unforgettable conversation about persistence, growth and the real meaning of success. Drew opens up about how he turned a tiny sliver of opportunity into a breakout performa...

Scott Hanson is an iconic host at the helm of a one-of-a-kind job, and in this unique Surprise Guest episode, he bares all — sharing his story of how chasing his dream nearly cost him everything and how he walked away from his dream life in order to save it.  From calling touchdowns to discovering a deeper calling, Scott reveals how his lowest moment became the turning point that reshaped his spir...

While we battle the vagaries of middle age, some of our grown and nearly-grown children may struggle launching their own adult lives.  When these struggles descend into addiction, every member of the family can be affected.  In this intimate and riveting episode of The Back Nine, we are joined by  Mark Astor, an attorney specializing in addiction and mental health.  Together, we dive headfirst int...

On this episode of The Back 9 , Dennis and Josh sail back into the world of modern romance with professional matchmaker Shira Weitz for a deep dive on how dating has evolved—especially for those re-entering the scene in middle age after divorce. Shira walks us through the entire process of the when and why one should consider a matchmaker, as well as eye-opening advice — and several funny stories...

Things happen to us on the Back 9.  Our health might throw us a curve balls.  Our dream career can vanish overnight.  Our sense of purpose can become elusive.  But in this deeply personal and unexpectedly uplifting episode, Rich "The Bull" Gaenzler opens up about his career loss, his health scares, his resulting identity crisis and how he's since rebuilt his life by embracing humor, seeking joy an...

Hockey Coach Blaise MacDonald set his sights high.   He won a National Championship as a player.  As a coach, he built a Division I program from the bottom up, took that program to the NCAA tournament, and then got hired to lead a team in one of the powerhouse conferences in college hockey.  But somewhere along the way, his aspirations mellowed, and he found a true calling in coaching at a smaller...

Ladies and Gentlemen, now taking the stage is Comedian Greg Schwem, a guy who is taking the tough lessons of life and spinning them into comedy gold.  Greg shares how he has found humor in the unexpected, survived the bewilderment of dating and mid-life, and proved that starting over isn't just possible, but can also be amusing, hysterical and humbling.  We'll also get Greg's riffs on Chicago's le...

Did you know that you can now buy coffee at a cafe with crypto currency?  Do you have a virtual wallet, and is it ready for the digital revolution?  In this eye-opening, and season-opening episode of The Back 9 , Dave Grimaldi, former EVP of the Blockchain Association, teaches us about Crypto from a 50-thousand foot level.  He dissects terms, breaks down the future of crypto, and explains why digi...

On this episode of The Back 9, we weigh all the big questions of the future.  How can we model for men to become more open and honest?  How do we best parent our adult children?  Should The Back 9 get a mascot?    We know you are interested in all of these — especially the last one. But it's not just about mascots—this episode takes a heartfelt turn as we reflect on life's unpredictability, cheris...

As we wrap up Season 6 on The Back 9 , we take you behind the scenes of the journey that made this season special.  While we were landing new partners at Podfest, and performing live at Pod-a-pa-looza, we released a season full of memorable episodes that are worth revisiting.  We went deep into love, dating and relationships with Brian Howie and Sweet and Spicy.   We learned from young adventurers...

One minute, Julie Miles thought she had normal stomach pains. The next, she was fighting for her life. Julie is the unstoppable Australian jewelry stylist and fashionista who kicked a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis in the ass, transforming her life into one of passion, purpose, and high-end achievement.  Julie shares the story of the pivotal advice that saved her and now has her leading her dream life,...

In the second half of our secret guest episodes, Josh taps ESPN's Jay Harris to surprise Dennis, and to share an insightful conversation about the evolution of the power of storytelling, both professional and personal.  From his early days in news to becoming a staple behind the desk at ESPN, Jay shares the lessons he's learned, the impact of his mentors, like the late Stuart Scott, and why authen...

It's the second season of surprise guests on the Back 9, and Dennis has dialed up a winner.  A 2-time winner in fact.  The guest is former PGA tour pro Dudley Hart, a guy who was sneaky good and steady for a long time before devastating injuries derailed his career.  But Dudley has found joy in his second act as a coach – teaching the next generation of golf stars at the University of Florida as m...