Business Episodes

Owner/operator Brittany Russin Smith shares how she turned a love of baking and community into The Hive at Rumsey—Harford County’s collaborative commissary kitchen—and The Honey Loft upstairs venue. She walks through vendor partnerships, micro-weddings, BYO alcohol logistics, and what it takes to r…

Licensed psychotherapist and author Dr. Foojan Zeine joins Rich to unpack Awareness Integration Theory (AIT)—a practical framework that helps you observe your inner world, reality-check assumptions, integrate past parts, and choose your next best action. She shares concrete ways to reduce anxiety, …

John Carter’s life reads like a movie: teenage enforcer, shot in the head and left for dead, spiraling into addiction, and then a decade-long prison sentence. In this raw, uplifting conversation, John shares the plan that saved him, the people who didn’t give up on him, and how fitness, service dog…

Business leader and mentor Irina Alexander joins Rich to unpack a neuroscience-rooted framework for staying regulated under pressure—especially in high-stress fields like first response and frontline leadership. She explains her C.A.R.E.S.™ approach (Communication, Awareness, Resilience, Emotional …

Rich sits down with award-winning author and nationally recognized financial educator Matt Paradise to explore “whole-health wealth”—the blend of practical money skills, mindset, and healing. Matt shares his path from homelessness and addiction to 20 years in nonprofit credit counseling, his battle…

Elizabeth Kipp spent 40 years in chronic pain and 31 years on prescribed opioids and benzodiazepines—including fentanyl—until a pain-management track at the Betty Ford Center in 2013 catalyzed a complete turnaround. In this conversation, she unpacks the mind-body nature of chronic pain, the practic…

Rich sits down with Greg Derwart, Chris Coleman, and Robyn Burke to unpack what a true mastermind is—and what it isn’t. Using Napoleon Hill, Ben Franklin’s Junto, and real community examples, they show how purpose, harmony, and structure turn brainstorming into outcomes for businesses, nonprofits, …

Speech‑language pathologist James Burden, founder of Stuttering Blueprint, shares a compassionate, research‑backed path to speaking with confidence—whether or not fluency is the outcome. He explains why techniques like the Camperdown Method must be paired with Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT),…

ENT surgeon Dr. Brett Cordes shares his extraordinary arc from surviving Non‑Hodgkin lymphoma at 19 to building a thriving surgical career—then spiraling into a hidden opioid addiction that cost him everything. He opens up about rehab during COVID, the true causes of physician burnout, and how he r…

Sponsored by Harford County Chamber of Commerce What happens when your world collapses and you're left with nothing but a bottle of whiskey and broken dreams? For Ben Albert, it became the turning point. In this energizing and heartfelt episode, Ben shares how he rose from being furloughed during…

In this thought-provoking solo episode, Rich Bennett dives deep into the destructive power of rumors—how they spread, why they take hold, and the devastation they cause to individuals, businesses, and entire communities. Through real-world examples and a heartfelt call to integrity, Rich explores h…

Sponsored by Tar Heel Construction Group  In this engaging roundtable, Rich Bennett sits down with nonprofit consultant Katie Ramirez, alongside co-hosts Greg Derwart and Robyn Burke, for a candid discussion on the realities of nonprofit work. They dive into the importance of strong boards, smar…

Send us a text Sponsored by American Auto Repair In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett , Michael V. Morgan shares how intentional networking transformed his career trajectory—from Penn State and a fraternity brot...

Sponsored by Chesapeake Podcast Network  In this candid and insightful episode, Rich Bennett chats with Seth Goldstein, a former journalist turned digital marketing expert and podcast coach. Seth shares how his career in journalism led to burnout and PTSD, and how he rebuilt himself through web …

In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, marketing powerhouse Julie Matzen joins Rich and co-host Michelle Hayes to share how her innovative platform, Boarderline, is transforming the way small and mid-sized businesses access expert marketing advice. Julie explains how AI, strategic plan…

Sponsored by CleverCat Marketing  In this eye-opening episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Meridee Hlokoff shares her powerful story of starting smoking at age 11, battling addiction for years, and finally quitting through a unique method: Cold Laser Therapy. But her journey didn’t end th…

Sponsored by Harford County Living After being fired from her federal government job, Megan Ewing didn’t crumble; she transformed. In this powerful episode, Megan shares her deeply personal journey of rebuilding her life and redefining success. From overcoming imposter syndrome to launching two …

Sponsored by Tar Heel Construction Group In this inspiring episode, Martin Grams shares the journey of founding The Screaming Bean, a community-driven coffee shop in Aberdeen, Maryland. Martin discusses how the café goes beyond serving exceptional coffee by actively supporting local charities, f…

Sponsored by Freedom Federal Credit Union Amanda Hickman, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Harford County, and longtime team member Erin Long join Rich and cohost Michelle Hayes to discuss the life-saving work happening behind the scenes at the shelter. From the challenges of open-adm…

Sponsored by Eco-Cool HVAC What if one simple act of kindness could spark a global movement? In this powerful episode, Rich Bennett talks with Luke Mickelson, founder of Sleep in Heavenly Peace , who left behind a successful sales career to build beds for children in need. What began in his gara…

Sponsored by Four Seasons Landscape & Construction Services In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with Maria Chapman, a remarkable entrepreneur and advocate. Despite battling rare neuromuscular conditions, Maria rebuilt her life through writing and founded Connected …

Sponsored by Living Well Healthcare In this inspiring episode, Rich Bennett sits down with members of the Amputee Friends Group and Real Life Prosthetics to discuss their journeys of resilience, recovery, and community. Through humor, honesty, and mutual support, they share how they’ve turned pe…

Sponsored by WHFC 91.1 FM Amanda Kenderes joins Rich Bennett to reveal the transformative power of her "Talk Types" model—a revolutionary framework developed over 35 years that breaks down the three core reasons humans communicate. From interpersonal growth to corporate dynamics and AI therapy,…

Sponsored by Living Well Healthcare Ready to scale your business the smart way? In this episode, Tracy Beavers shares how she transitioned from corporate burnout to building a thriving coaching empire by mastering list growth and online visibility. If you’re serious about creating consistent inc…