Podcasting Episodes

What happens when someone tells a 13-year-old they'll never learn to sing? For Kris Keppeler, it became the motivation that shaped an extraordinary career. In this inspiring episode, Kris shares how determination led her from musical theater to becoming an accomplished audiobook narrator, voice actor, podcaster, and storyteller. Rich and Kris dive into the fascinating world of audiobook narration, voice acting, podcasting, AI, creativity, and why authentic human emotion can never truly be replaced. Whether you're an author, aspiring voice actor, podcaster, or simply someone chasing a dream, this conversation is packed with inspiration and practical insights.

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...

After a brain tumor surgery left one side of his face completely paralyzed, John Kippen spent more than a decade hiding from the world. What began as a painful journey of isolation eventually became a mission to help others embrace their differences and discover their own strength. In this powerful conversation, John shares how magic, storytelling, resilience, and human connection transformed his life. From performing for Alex Trebek and meeting legends like Siegfried & Roy to helping coaching clients overcome adversity, John's story is a reminder that our greatest challenges can become our greatest gifts.

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 storytelling can heal, reconnect, and give life new meaning.

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 explores healing, resilience, podcasting, music, faith, and why sharing your story can help both yourself and others. Listeners will leave inspired by Teresa's courage and reminded that even life's darkest chapters can lead to purpose.

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.

At 69, Ande Lyons is proving that life doesn’t slow down with age, it opens up. In this conversation, she shares how breaking free from limiting beliefs about aging can unlock new purpose, opportunities, and fulfillment. If you’ve ever felt like time is running out, this episode will change your perspective.

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.

Photographer, writer, and podcast host James Walters joins Rich Bennett to discuss how creativity can become a powerful tool for resilience during life's most difficult transitions. After experiencing personal loss, identity shifts, and burnout, James rediscovered purpose through writing, journaling, and storytelling. This conversation explores how creativity helps us rebuild our lives, find meaning, and move forward when everything changes.

Podcasting expert Arielle Nissenblatt joins Rich Bennett to discuss the evolving future of podcasting and why audio-only shows may be more powerful than ever. Arielle shares insights on podcast discovery, audience connection, and why strong storytelling and sound matter more than flashy video. If you are a podcaster or podcast listener wondering where the medium is heading, this conversation offers clarity, encouragement, and practical perspective.

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.

In this heartfelt conversation, Rich sits down with Carter Polakoff, President and CEO of Port Discovery Children’s Museum, to explore why play is essential not just for kids, but for parents, caregivers, and families as a whole. Carter shares her personal journey from intern to CEO, how Port Discovery supports neurodiverse families and military households, and why joy, curiosity, and connection belong at the center of education.

Marine biologist and podcast host Andrew Lewin joins Rich to explore what is really happening beneath the surface of our oceans and how storytelling can inspire action without fear or guilt. From ocean conservation and podcasting longevity to purpose driven work and human impact, this conversation is both eye opening and deeply hopeful. If you care about the planet, meaningful communication, or using your voice to make a difference, this episode is a must listen.

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 does it really take to design learning that works? In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich is joined by instructional designer, professor, and podcast host Jackie Pelegrin, who brings nearly two decades of experience in higher education and curriculum design. Jackie breaks down what instructional design actually is, why so many online courses fail to engage learners, and how education must be built with intention, empathy, and real-world outcomes in mind. The conversation also explores AI in education, adult learning challenges, podcasting as a teaching tool, and how Jackie turned one of her most popular podcast series into a book. Whether you’re an educator, trainer, podcaster, or lifelong learner, this episode delivers practical insights and behind-the-scenes wisdom on designing learning experiences that truly stick.

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…

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.

In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with Dr. Mary Sanders to explore the powerful connection between science, energy, and healing. Dr. Mary shares how chiropractic care, energy medicine, and intuitive awareness help people release burnout, trauma, and imbalance by listening to the body’s innate wisdom.

Alan Katz, the legendary writer and producer behind Tales from the Crypt, joins Rich Bennett for one of the most honest and powerful conversations ever recorded. Alan opens up about Hollywood success, creative betrayal, the disastrous making of Bordello of Blood, and the depression that nearly cost him his life. This episode goes far beyond film and television. Alan shares how healing from trauma transformed him from a writer into a true storyteller and why podcasting has become the ultimate platform for creative freedom. If you care about storytelling, mental health, authenticity, or the future of media, this is an episode you cannot miss.

What happens when a veteran, podcaster, and truth-teller shows up every day for over a decade? In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with Pete A. Turner, host of The Break It Down Show, to talk about what it really takes to build a podcast that matters. Pete shares real, no-nonsense advice on consistency, monetization, evergreen content, guest relationships, and why most people quit before they ever find their voice. From taking his podcast on the road to using PodMatch to build meaningful connections, this conversation is packed with insight for podcasters, creators, and anyone trying to do meaningful work. If you’ve ever thought about starting a podcast or wondered why yours isn’t growing, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

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…

In this solo episode, host Rich Bennett pulls back the curtain on podcast advertising and shares what most businesses and nonprofits never hear before they sponsor a show. He explains why podcasting is such a powerful medium, why downloads do not equal listeners, and what really matters when you are deciding where to invest your marketing dollars. Rich walks through the key questions every smart sponsor should ask a podcaster: How long has the show been active? Who is actually listening? What hosting platform do they use? Does that platform insert its own ads, including possible competitors, right into your paid spot? Is the show a true podcast with an RSS feed, or just a video series calling itself one? He also shares how his own journey from Harford County Living to a podcast heard in more than 125 countries shaped the way he treats sponsors as true partners, not just logo placements. From guest opportunities and category exclusivity to giving sponsors full access to episode f…

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 “…