Entrepreneurship Episodes

Cassian Bellino spent years searching for a conversational resource that could explain Scripture with historical and theological context. When she could not find what she needed, she followed God’s calling and created Biblically Speaking, a podcast that has reached listeners around the world. Cassian joins Rich to discuss learning to hear God, finding respected biblical scholars, building a faith community, growing through uncertainty, and recognizing that meaningful work begins long before the numbers confirm its value.

What happens when life completely changes the path you thought you were meant to follow? Nicole Valan shares her deeply personal journey from battling a rare metabolic disorder that nearly ended her dreams to discovering the healing power of yoga and creating One Love Mind Body in Aberdeen, Maryland. Nicole discusses how mindful movement, breathwork, and community have transformed not only her own life but the lives of countless others. From children's yoga and aerial yoga to chair yoga and sound immersions, this conversation is about far more than exercise. It's about resilience, compassion, and meeting people exactly where they are.

Every successful business, bestselling book, thriving nonprofit, and unforgettable brand begins with one thing: a story. But what if the story you've been hesitant to share is actually your greatest competitive advantage? In this special solo episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich steps away from his usual interview format to share what he's learned after hundreds of conversations with entrepreneurs, authors, veterans, nonprofit leaders, artists, musicians, and professionals from ar...

What separates thriving businesses from those constantly struggling? According to Todd Krause, it isn't just better marketing or smarter systems. It's the people behind the business. Rich sits down with entrepreneur, CPA, and business growth strategist Todd Krause to discuss how creating a positive workplace culture, empowering employees, and implementing effective leadership systems can dramatically increase profits while reducing stress. Whether you're a business owner, manager, or entrepreneur, this episode is filled with practical lessons you can apply immediately.

What does it really take to leave corporate America and build a successful business? In this episode, Rich Potter shares how he transitioned from a successful sales career into entrepreneurship, built multiple companies, invested in franchises, and now helps others find the right path to business ownership. Rich and Rich also dive into common franchise myths, the hidden details most buyers overlook, and why choosing the right business is far more important than chasing a famous brand. Whether you're considering franchising, starting your own company, or simply curious about entrepreneurship, this conversation is packed with practical advice and eye-opening insights.

What if the biggest thing standing between you and your next chapter is simply trusting yourself? In this inspiring conversation, Rich sits down with author, publisher, and storytelling guide Nicolette Halladay to discuss the transformative power of storytelling, self-trust, and finding the courage to share your story with the world. Nicolette shares her entrepreneurial journey, how Inspired Hearts Publishing was born, why so many people struggle with visibility and imposter syndrome, and how writing a book often transforms the author just as much as the reader. This episode is packed with encouragement for aspiring authors, entrepreneurs, and anyone navigating a major life transition.

What does it take for a family business to thrive for more than 218 years? In this heartfelt conversation, Howard McComas IV shares the remarkable history of McComas Funeral Home, one of the oldest family-owned businesses in Harford County and among the oldest family-owned funeral homes in America. Howard opens up about the importance of relationships, community involvement, grief support, honoring veterans, and helping families navigate life's most difficult moments with compassion and dignity.

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 first novel to deep dives into shamanism, reincarnation, and Revolutionary War history, Sam shares how research, curiosity, and determination helped him become an award-winning author. This conversation is packed with inspiration for anyone who's ever put a dream on hold.

Kyle Asperger shares how failure, entrepreneurship, and self-exploration shaped his unconventional approach to marketing and life. From running a marketing agency to reinventing himself as a coach, he breaks down why standing out matters more than ever in an AI-driven world. This episode is a raw, honest conversation about risk, identity, and building something that actually means something.

Anthony Spark shares how true success goes far beyond money, diving into identity, fulfillment, and personal integrity. Drawing from 20 years of experience in business and coaching, he explains why having the right mindset, values, and balance in life matters more than financial wins. This episode is a powerful reminder that success without joy is a losing game.

Gino Barbaro shares his journey from running a restaurant to building a $450 million real estate portfolio, all while redefining what success truly means. This conversation goes beyond business, diving into family, faith, values, and the mindset needed to create lasting wealth and legacy. If you want success without sacrificing what matters most, this is one to hear.

What if the thing you’ve been trying to hide is actually your greatest strength? In this powerful conversation, Willie Blake shares how he transformed his struggle with dyslexia into a competitive advantage. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who has ever felt behind, broken, or unsure of their potential.

Billy Fanshawe shares how a college idea turned into a patented vodka brand that’s shaking up a crowded industry. From navigating intense regulations to building a business from scratch, his journey is a masterclass in persistence and innovation. If you’re an entrepreneur or just curious about what makes a product stand out, this episode is worth your time.

This episode dives into the story behind Harford’s Heart Magazine and the people who keep it thriving. Sandy Kapinos and Debbie Umbarger share how the publication has stayed true to its mission of community, connection, and storytelling for over two decades. It’s a powerful reminder of why local voices and authentic stories still matter.

Irina Shehovsov shares her journey from emotional exhaustion and single motherhood to becoming a bestselling author, speaker, and podcaster. After hitting a breaking point, she chose personal growth over survival mode and rebuilt her life from the inside out. This conversation explores healing unworthiness, breaking free from victim mentality, and discovering the gift within.

In this powerful solo episode, Rich dives into the art of showing up for others even when it costs you time, comfort, or convenience. He shares personal reflections as a Marine Corps veteran, husband, father, and business owner about why real relationships are built in the uncomfortable moments. This episode challenges listeners to choose connection over convenience and lead by example in their families and communities.

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.

Carefree Kitchens is more than a cabinet company. It’s a living example of what the American Dream can look like when it’s built on faith, family, integrity, and service. In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich is joined by cohost Joe Ayler for a powerful conversation with the family behind Carefree Kitchens. What begins as an immigration story quickly unfolds into a decades-long journey of entrepreneurship, resilience, and doing business the right way even when it’s hard. From arriving in the United States with nothing, to surviving economic downturns, to building a multi-generational family business that prioritizes people over profit, this episode is filled with wisdom for business owners, leaders, and anyone chasing a dream bigger than themselves. This is a conversation about legacy, reputation, leadership, and why success means more than money when faith and family lead the way.

Most podcast guests show up, share great insights, and walk away with nothing to show for it. In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, podcast guesting expert Lyndsay Phillips explains why that happens and how to fix it. Lyndsay breaks down how entrepreneurs should treat every podcast appearance like a strategic launch, from choosing the right topic to guiding the conversation and repurposing the content long after the episode goes live. You’ll learn how to avoid common guesting mistakes, create conversations that convert, and turn podcast interviews into visibility, authority, and real business results. If you’ve ever been on a podcast and wondered why it didn’t lead to opportunities, this episode is a must-listen.

What do you do when a simple family outing turns into a disaster? For David Sauers, that moment sparked the creation of Royal Restrooms, a luxury restroom company now operating in over 50 locations nationwide. In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, David shares the unforgettable story that inspired his business, how he left a successful banking career, and why execution matters more than perfection. From weddings and festivals to disaster relief and courthouse events, Royal Restrooms has redefined what people expect from mobile sanitation. This is a candid, funny, and inspiring conversation for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone sitting on an idea they haven’t acted on yet.

Imagine hearing clearly without the stigma, discomfort, or massive price tag of traditional hearing aids. In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich talks with Michael Leung, founder of the Flow Group in Calgary, about Flow True Balance 2.0, an open-ear bone conduction hearing device built for real life conversations, TV, and everyday connection. Michael opens up about his journey from Hong Kong to Canada, losing his mom at 11, living through vision loss and major setbacks, and how those experiences shaped his mission. You’ll hear how Flow differs from typical hearing aids, why seniors are adopting it fast, how it may help reduce tinnitus for some users, and why it is designed to keep you aware of your surroundings. Rich also shares a big idea for Lions Clubs and other community organizations to help more people access better hearing options. Learn more: theinnerflo.ca

What if your next client didn’t just sign a contract, but became a lifelong fan? In this episode, Rich Bennett sits down with Mark Stern, CEO of Custom Box Agency, to break down how physical “box experiences” can transform the customer lifecycle, from acquisition to onboarding to retention. Mark shares how businesses can gamify progress, define success for their customers, and create memorable experiences people actually keep, revisit, and talk about. You’ll hear real examples for online courses, real estate, book launches, and even how physical kits can help guests stand out when pitching podcasts. Sponsor: Daniel McGhee and The Victory Team, victoryteamsells.com Learn more: customboxagency.com

When a kid pulling golf balls out of ponds grows up to build one of the most influential platforms in podcasting, you know there’s a story worth hearing. In this episode, I’m joined by Alex Sanfilippo, founder of PodMatch and host of Podcasting Made Simple. We talk about his journey from the aerospace world to faith-based blogging and podcasting, to launching PodMatch in 2020 and watching it explode just as the world went into lockdown. Alex shares how a simple idea – “like a dating app, but for podcast interviews” – became a global tool that helps hosts find the right guests and guests find the right stages. We also dig into why Alex gives half of PodMatch’s profit back to podcasters through the PodValue initiative, what most hosts get wrong about sharing links to their shows, and how he’s building features like a built-in Workflow and review swaps to help podcasters grow sustainably. If you host a podcast, dream of starting one, or just love a good entrepreneurship story ro…