Society & Culture Episodes

Madison shares a raw, hopeful journey from early mental-health struggles and a fast-progressing opioid addiction to a total life turnaround—sparked by accountability, treatment, and the Harford County Drug Court. Now clean since March 5, 2021, she leads at Pyramid Healthcare and pours her energy in…

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…

In this powerful “12 Days of Hope” conversation, Mallory traces her journey from early family turmoil and teen substance use to a heroin “aha” moment, intimate partner violence, and the hard climb back—culminating in nearly 12 years of sobriety (since Nov 23, 2013). Now working in behavioral health…

Karen, a self-described “not-the-typical addict,” shares how a neck injury and prescribed opioids spiraled into secrecy, debt, and withdrawal—until she chose help, called her doctor, and walked into her first NA meeting. She explains how control, trauma, sponsors, and step work shaped 21 years pill…

Sarah opens up about starting opioids at 20, a rapid slide to heroin, pregnancy on methadone, jail, and the drug court program that helped her turn it around. After a later Xanax relapse during COVID, she did the work—therapy, structure, and service—and is now certified and working as a counselor a…

Shelby shares a raw, unfiltered recovery story—how workaholism, untreated mental health, and an old pain-pill pathway led to relapse after four clean years, and how community and structure helped her rebuild. She walks us through Daughters House, intense anxiety, and eventually stepping up to help …

In this Podathon for Recovery episode, Rich and co-host Wendy Beck talk with Kat Leonard Scott—a Harford County native, mom of two, and treatment professional—about her winding path through early success, trauma, addiction, a brief relapse after eight years clean, and the hard reset that followed. …

In this Podathon For Recovery episode, Evie shares an extraordinary 44-year sobriety story—beginning with childhood trauma in post-war Austria, prescription drug misuse after a 1973 car accident, and the moment a newspaper listing led her to AA and a new life. She later sought help for sex addictio…

Kayla shares a raw, resilient journey from childhood trauma and early addiction to a terrifying DUI wake-up call—and the decision to fight for her life and for her daughter. With support from Rage Against Addiction’s Sister’s House and Daughters’ House, she embraced meetings, structure, and service…

In this Podathon for Recovery episode, co-hosted with Wendy Beck, Kayla G shares how an emotional plea—“try harder”—and a brutal bottom pushed her to choose recovery, detox at home during COVID, and rebuild her life through Narcotics Anonymous. Now five years clean, a mom and a certified peer recov…

In this National Recovery Month special, co-host Wendy Beck and program director Rachel share how Rage Against Addiction (RAA) went from a mother’s mission to a three-home sober living program for women, emphasizing that “healing begins with safe housing.” They walk through RAA’s structure—from 30-…

In this kickoff to the 12 Days of Hope Podathon, Rich Bennett sits down with Wendy Beck, founder and executive director of Rage Against Addiction. Wendy shares the deeply personal story behind starting the nonprofit and how it now operates three sober-living homes for women, providing safe housing,…

On Overdose Awareness Day, Rich Bennett and co-host Wendy Beck sit down with Mandolyne Eleazar for a courageous conversation about the life and loss of her 18-year-old son, Jovanni, to fentanyl toxicity. Mandolyne shares what helped, what didn’t, and why harm reduction, family therapy, and speaking…

Licensed mental health counselor and certified digital addiction specialist Mary Catherine Liscinski joins Rich to unpack how excessive screen time rewires our brains, fuels anxiety and depression, and strains families—and what we can do to reverse it. She breaks down the neuroscience (limbic syste…

Musician/author Brad Cox joins Rich and Dan Bennett for a fast, funny deep-dive into how songs change meaning over time—from CCR and Springsteen to Sex Pistols and System of a Down—plus why some “big name” guests don’t always drive podcast plays. They swap practical editing tips (Hindenburg, Descri…

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, …

Former IT consultant Ron Kinscherf shares how a backyard moment with his grandson sparked a rich universe of ant characters—and an 11‑book run in just four years. We dig into his newest book “Adorable,” the craft choices that keep parents engaged, and the quiet life lessons his stories deliver for …

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),…

Since this episode was recorded, it is with great sadness that I found out that Dan Steffensen passed away on July 26, 2025. Obituary information for Dan Steffensen Award-winning author and professor A.J. Otjen joins Rich to unpack “Burned Over,” the true story of Montana firefighter Dan Steffen…

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…

Marine Corps combat veteran and former police officer Joe Smarro shares his powerful journey from the battlefield to the forefront of mental health advocacy. Known for his role in the Emmy Award–winning documentary Ernie and Joe: Crisis Cops, Joe opens up about childhood trauma, military service, a…

Award-winning family musician, children’s author, and Navy veteran Greg Lato joins Rich Bennett to share the story behind his heartfelt new album, Dandelion: Songs Inspired by Military Kids and Families. Blending his own military experience with personal stories from real military children, Greg cr…

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…