Authors Episodes

Graham Robinson shares his powerful journey of overcoming childhood trauma and the long-lasting impact it had on his life, relationships, and identity. Through personal experience and professional insight, he explains how unresolved pain can shape behavior and why healing is possible at any age. This episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to confront the past and take the first step toward emotional freedom.

Tory Gates shares his journey from decades in radio broadcasting to becoming an award-winning author, revealing how storytelling connects both worlds. He dives into character creation, the emotional depth behind his books, and how real-life struggles shape powerful fiction. This episode is a must-listen for writers, creatives, and anyone who believes stories can truly change lives.

Amy Dickens shares her powerful journey from social anxiety, burnout, and fear into a life driven by joy, play, and purpose. Through van life, global travel, and bold personal growth, she discovered that joy isn’t something you wait for—it’s something you practice. This episode will inspire you to take small, courageous steps toward a more authentic and joyful life.

Dr. Rochelin Herold joins Rich Bennett to challenge the way we think about healthcare and personal responsibility. Drawing from nearly two decades as a chiropractor and public health advocate, he explains why many people are stuck managing symptoms instead of building true wellness. Through his book Dare 2 Live Well, Dr. Herold encourages listeners to take ownership of their health, build a healthcare dream team, and create generational habits that lead to longer, healthier lives.

Author John David joins Rich Bennett to discuss his debut mystery thriller The Bystander, a gripping story about a reporter whose camera captures an active shooter incident that launches his career and a dangerous mystery. Inspired by real events, John explains how media narratives, public perception, and unanswered questions shaped the story. This conversation dives into writing, storytelling, and the fascinating intersection between truth, headlines, and fiction.

Reed Davis, founder of Functional Diagnostic Nutrition, joins Rich Bennett to explain why most health systems chase symptoms instead of addressing root causes. Drawing from decades of experience and thousands of lab analyses, Reed shares his frameworks for identifying hidden health stressors and rebuilding wellness through lifestyle changes. If you have ever felt like your symptoms are being managed instead of solved, this episode offers a new way to think about healing.

What happens when a marriage looks perfect on the outside but intimacy quietly disappears? Xanet Pailet shares her journey from a 26-year sexless marriage to becoming a leading intimacy and emotional safety coach. This honest, eye-opening conversation dives into communication, emotional connection, desire gaps, and how couples can repair and reignite passion before it’s too late.

Melissa Roos shares her journey from growing up seven miles outside a small Iowa town to becoming a six-book mystery romance author. She opens up about overcoming shyness, embracing indie publishing, revealing secrets one page at a time, and why reader feedback fuels her creative fire. If you love strong female leads, emotional depth, and suspense that keeps you guessing, this conversation will inspire you.

Jenny C. Cohen shares an unforgettable journey of resilience—surviving breast cancer, navigating family trauma, and using dance as a powerful path to healing and embodiment. From elite performance stages to the hardest moments of motherhood, Jenny reveals how reconnecting to your body can restore hope, confidence, and purpose. This is a raw, inspiring conversation about visibility, truth, and turning pain into power.

Tony DeMaio, founder of Helping Heroes USA, joins Rich Bennett for a deeply moving conversation about veteran suicide prevention, compassion, and the power of human connection. Tony shares real warning signs, practical ways anyone can help, and the incredible role his service dog Coco Bear plays in bringing comfort to veterans and seniors. This is an episode every listener should hear and share.

Troy Horne joins Rich Bennett for a powerful conversation about reinvention, resilience, and redefining what midlife truly means. From Broadway and reality TV to bestselling books and fatherhood, Troy shares how embracing change, clarity, and purpose can turn life’s second half into its most meaningful chapter yet. This episode is a must-listen for anyone questioning what’s next or feeling called to start again. Sponsored by Financial Advisor Paul Applegate – Edward Jones

What if just seven words could change your life? In this powerful episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with award-winning author and publisher Aurora Winter to explore how the right message can transform heartbreak into healing, stories into income, and ideas into lasting impact. Aurora shares deeply personal experiences of loss, resilience, and reinvention, along with practical insights on why most authors fail to market their books and how entrepreneurs can build real brands through storytelling. From grief recovery to publishing strategy, video marketing, and AI tools, this conversation is packed with wisdom for anyone ready to share their story and make it matter. Listen in and discover how your words can work for you 24/7.

Screens are everywhere, but at what cost to our families, our kids, and our joy? In this powerful conversation, Rich Bennett sits down with S. S. Coulter to explore how families can reclaim heart, mind, and joy in a screen-filled world. S. S. Coulter is an author, joy coach, and the creator of Planet FASSA, a playful ecosystem designed to help children unplug from screens and reconnect with imagination, creativity, and real human connection. From her FASSA Tales children’s book series to her upcoming Planet FASSA app, she shares practical, compassionate tools for parents who want to raise emotionally healthy, resilient kids without shaming or guilt. This episode dives deep into how screen time is reshaping childhood, why imagination is a muscle that must be exercised, and how play, presence, and conversation help families thrive. Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, educator, or simply someone concerned about the future of our kids, this is a conversation that will change how…

Poet and author Laura Dilworth joins Rich Bennett and Wendy Beck for a powerful conversation about heartbreak, healing, and the transformative power of poetry. Laura shares the deeply personal journey behind her poetry collection The Heartbreak Chronicles, including writing through heartbreak, postpartum depression, anger, grief, and self-discovery. Throughout the episode, Laura reads several poems live, offering listeners an intimate look into how words can heal when life feels overwhelming. This episode is raw, honest, emotional, and relatable for anyone who has ever loved deeply, lost painfully, or turned to creativity to survive. If you believe in purpose behind pain and the power of storytelling, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

Author and artist Lara Luna never planned on becoming the “angel number lady” in her Florida 55+ trailer park. After years of painting and working as a mobile home agent, she hit a breaking point and started asking bigger questions about why she was here and what she was meant to do. A trip into hidden caves in Lecanto, Florida, where she found 444 and 111 spray painted on the walls, sent her down a rabbit hole of synchronicities, angel numbers, and a full-on spiritual awakening. In this episode, Lara joins Rich to talk about her memoir Trailer Park Angel and the podcast of the same name, where trailer park drama, spiritual signs, and everyday humor collide. She shares how numbers like 444, 555, 666, and 11:11 helped her move out of a fear-based belief system, how her book helped a depressed neighbor feel less alone and protected, and why she believes we never really die. You will also hear hilarious stories about gnome-filled lawns, Captain Crunch the one-eyed alligator, and the “…

What happens when a neurologist spends more than 30 years not just treating the brain, but really listening to the person behind the diagnosis? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Carolyn Larkin Taylor, a board certified neurologist and author of Whispers of the Mind: A Neurologist’s Memoir. Carolyn shares stories from the exam room and the bedside that will move you, challenge you, and restore some faith in what medicine can look like when compassion leads the way. We talk about her journey from optometrist to neurologist, why MS and Parkinson’s patients hold a special place in her heart, and how treatments for these conditions have changed over the years. Carolyn also opens up about the pressures of corporatized medicine, medical gaslighting, and the burnout many doctors are feeling as insurance and billing rules pull them away from real human connection. One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is the story of Prancer, the golden retriever therapy dog who worke…

Author and recovery advocate Damian Bloss returns to share how much life has changed since he first stepped onto the podcast and broke his silence. His memoir, Breaking the Silence, continues to reach people across the country, and in this conversation Damian opens up about speaking engagements, podcast appearances, and the surprising ways his story has made an impact. Damian also gives a first look at his next book, Recovering Out Loud, a hybrid of storytelling and workbook-style exercises designed to help readers navigate the recovery journey. He explains why Pink Cloud Syndrome needs more attention, how community support shaped his healing, and why he’s now pushing himself into new creative and outreach opportunities. From humor and honesty to deep reflection, this episode highlights the courage it takes to speak openly about recovery and the power of helping just one person at the right moment.

Author Claudine Marcin returns to Conversations with Rich Bennett, and this episode goes places. From real-life ghost encounters that shaped her horror novels to the research behind The Owl Witch, Claudine offers a fascinating look into her storytelling process. We dig into folklore, the craft of building fear, and even how historical journal entries helped bring her characters to life. But that’s only half of it. Claudine also opens up about her adventures in modern online dating—complete with catfishing, red flags, unsolicited photos, and stories wild enough to inspire her upcoming smut/romance novel. With Kayla cohosting, this episode is equal parts spooky, hilarious, and brutally honest. If you enjoy horror, folklore, writing, dating stories, or just great conversation, you’ll love this one. Learn more about Claudine and her books at ClaudineMarcin.com.

In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with Dr. Christiane Schroeter — TEDx speaker, university professor, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and host of the Happy Healthy Hustle podcast. Christiane shares her Petite Practice method and breaks down how small, intentional steps can create massive personal and professional change. Rich and Christiane dive into confidence, clarity, mindset, and the realities of building a business without feeding the overwhelm. From teaching more than 10,000 students to launching a top-ranked podcast, Christiane brings humor, heart, and practical strategy that entrepreneurs, creators, and dreamers can put into action immediately. They also explore cultural stories, cookies, German baking, vulnerability, TEDx insights, and why consistency is the real engine behind long-term success. Whether you're starting a business, launching a podcast, or simply trying to grow with more intention, this episode offers tools, perspective,…

What if the real issue isn’t that you’re broken, but that you’ve been convinced you are? In this conversation, psychiatrist and “Undoctor” Dr. Fred Moss challenges everything we’ve been taught about mental health. After nearly 40 years working in hospitals, prisons, clinics, and community settings, Fred came to a bold conclusion: most people don’t need more labels or more medication — they need to be heard, seen, and connected. Fred shares why so many of us cling to diagnoses, how psychiatric labels quietly become identities, and why medications often create the same symptoms they claim to treat. He explains the exhaustion of pretending to be someone else just to fit in, how school systems train us to silence our authentic selves, and why creativity is one of the most powerful healing tools we have. From anxiety and depression to social media overload and the myth of “normal,” this episode dives deep into what it really means to be human in a chaotic world. We also explore Fred’…

Maryland State Senator and IBEW Local 24 leader Cory V. McCray joins Rich and Dan to share how a paid electrical apprenticeship rewired his life—from Baltimore City and the juvenile system to business owner and public service. Cory breaks down how union apprenticeships work, why mentors and discipline matter, and how practical pathways can lift families and entire communities. A grounded, honest guide for anyone who cares about second chances and real opportunity.  Sponsored by Daniel McGhee and the Victory Team

Energy healer and spiritual teacher Cheryl Stelte joins Rich to unpack why so many high-achieving women feel stuck even when life looks “successful” on the outside. From her Vancouver Island spiritual awakening to her Azarius Energy Healing method and “receive what’s offered” practice, Cheryl explains how early-rooted wounds, especially around the throat chakra, block fulfillment—and how to release them. You’ll hear practical tools, powerful stories, and a life-changing exercise to make better decisions now by asking what will matter on your deathbed.  Sponsored by Harford County Health Department

Author and recovery advocate Dennis “D.J.” Quinn joins Rich to share a deeply human mentoring journey—from Big Brothers Big Sisters to a 13-year bond with “Mike,” a foster-adopted child whose life was later upended by severe mental illness. Dennis unpacks how “just showing up” can anchor a life, the hard hospital visits, the gratitude that birthed his memoir Stick Figures, and why mentorship and recovery work still matter today.

What happens when addiction talks back—and you answer? Dr. Larry Smith, author of Johnnie and Me: Facing the Voice of Alcohol Within, shares how he personified alcohol as “Johnnie,” survived decades of trauma and dependency, and built a daily plan that’s kept him sober since 1999. He also previews his forthcoming novel 2084: The Neuroxone Conspiracy, a medical-thriller riff on Big Pharma, recovery, and personal freedom—making this a raw, hopeful, and deeply human conversation worth hearing.  Sponsored by Harford County Living