Books Episodes

Laura Van Wormer shares her powerful journey from bestselling novelist to traumatic brain injury survivor after a devastating head-on collision with a drunk driver. After years of silence and struggle, she found a new creative voice through her serialized audio drama, The Class of ’74, proving that…

Teresa Blaes shares an extraordinary story of survival, loss, faith, and redemption. From childhood trauma and the tragic loss of family members to losing her eyesight and walking away from God for five years, Teresa opens up about the experiences that shaped her life.This powerful conversation…

What happens when life forces you to start over? In this heartfelt conversation, Lee Ann Walling shares the inspiration behind her debut novel, The Salt and Light Express, a story about grief, healing, friendship, faith, and finding hope after devastating loss.Lee Ann opens up about reinventing…

What happens when a lifelong dream refuses to fade away? In this episode, Rich talks with author and retired business executive Sam Polakoff about finally pursuing his passion for storytelling after decades spent leading a successful supply chain company.From recurring dreams that inspired his …

Chris Bingham shares the deeply personal story of his journey in law enforcement, the loss of former K9 partners, and the unexpected bond he built with retired police dog Tambo. What began as a difficult partnership turned into an unbreakable connection that helped both of them heal through trauma,…

In this heartfelt episode, Rich sits down with school psychologist and author Jessica Hackmann to discuss her new children’s book, You Are Brave, Amy G. Jessica explains how understanding the brain, especially the amygdala and emotional responses, can help children better navigate anxiety, stress, …

Nancy Shear shares the extraordinary story of how a teenage girl sneaking into Philadelphia Orchestra concerts became part of one of the most legendary musical worlds in history. From working alongside Leopold Stokowski to discovering how music can unite people across every background, Nancy offers…

Rich sits down with Melora Fern to explore the fascinating, largely forgotten world of concert whistling and the Chautauqua movement of the 1920s. Inspired by her grandmother’s real-life story, Melora shares how she uncovered hidden history and turned it into a powerful novel about women finding th…

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. Th…

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-l…

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 …

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 boo…

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 percepti…

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 …

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 h…

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…

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, post…

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 hi…

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. Ca…

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, po…

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 b…

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,…

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 discipl…

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 expla…