Society & Culture Episodes

Ben Oofana joins Rich Bennett to explore how childhood wounds can echo through heartbreak, attachment, and recurring relationship patterns. Drawing on his own experiences, traditional healing apprenticeship, and decades of meditation practice, Ben shares his perspective on facing difficult emotions, respecting boundaries, and developing deeper connections.

Julia Capallo of A Marvelous Spark joins Rich Bennett to discuss her journey from art teacher to entrepreneur and why authentic storytelling matters in small business marketing. Their conversation explores branding, website upkeep, concerns about AI-generated graphics, mindfulness, and Julia’s work connecting local families through Macaroni KID. Sponsored by Harford County Living

Author Mia Godfrey joins Rich Bennett to discuss Buried, Not Broken, her memoir about childhood in communist Romania, addiction, grief, faith, and starting over. Through memories of her sister Mona, one unforgettable orange, and a shoebox gift that changed her life, Mia reveals how generosity and honest storytelling can help people feel less alone. Sponsored by Harford County Health Department

Mark Stern returns to Conversations with Rich Bennett for an unexpected round of random questions about living well, trusting yourself, and discovering what you might be capable of achieving. From balancing health, relationships, and business to imagining superpowers and exploring the ocean floor, this conversation shows how a simple question can lead to meaningful self-discovery.

After losing her husband, Stephen “Steve” Thompson, author and performance coach Kym Coco turned to golf, travel, yoga, and meditation to explore what her next chapter could become. She shares how her ongoing 100-course golf adventure helped her reconnect with people, rediscover joy, and honor a love that continues to shape her life. This conversation offers a compassionate perspective on grief, resilience, and giving yourself permission to begin again. Sponsored by Eco-Cool HVAC

Richard Wilmore returns to Conversations with Rich Bennett to explore how storytelling, thoughtful interviews, and genuine connection create lasting impact. From preparing podcast guests to protecting vulnerable stories and recognizing success beyond downloads, this conversation offers practical insights for creators, business owners, and nonprofit leaders. Richard also shares why peace, friendship, meaningful work, and daily laughter shape his definition of a good life. Sponsored by WHFC 91.1 FM

Michele Love and Steven Hofmeister join Rich Bennett to share how Voice of Truth Center’s Hope on Wheels brings prayer, food, essentials, and Christian fellowship directly into communities. Their conversation explores listening to God, putting faith into action, and finding renewed purpose, including Rich’s personal story about why he chose to keep podcasting. Sponsored by Bel Air Window and Door

Emily Adolph joins Rich Bennett to share her experience with suicidal thoughts, the shame that kept her quiet, and the meaningful shift she felt when she opened up to her family. She also discusses her personal wellness practices, photography, and the Healing Arts and Music Festival, bringing artists, musicians, and wellness practitioners together in support of the Maryland Center for the Arts. Sponsored by Eco-Cool HVAC

Samantha Heil joins Rich Bennett to share how Book Fair at Bel Air grew from a conversation at Panera Bread into a literary celebration welcoming more than 2,400 attendees. She reveals plans for year-round workshops, book clubs, outreach, and author support while discussing why every reader deserves access, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. Sponsored by Freedom Federal Credit Union

After 16½ years as a teacher, Tim Markland made a difficult leap into real estate and helped grow The Markland Advantage from a venture with his father into a Bel Air team that includes his wife, Amy. He and Rich discuss what teaching still brings to his work, how he guides buyers and sellers through changing conditions, and why his podcast, The TMA Connection, keeps him close to the stories in his community. Sponsored by Harford’s Heart Magazine

Harford County Health Department’s Hannah Lux and Bonnie Harbin explain how a new pilot program will place 15,000 oral rabies vaccine baits for raccoons. Joined by Ronya Nassar, they discuss where the baits go, why pets still need their own vaccinations, and when residents should call the health department about a wildlife encounter. Sponsored by Harford County Health Department

Kat returns to share how her recovery has evolved into a life built around purpose, authenticity, fitness, motherhood, and service. She discusses launching Simply Serenity Apparel, healing from complex PTSD, using strength training to support her mental health, and creating meaningful connections for people in recovery. Sponsored by Rage Against Addiction

Hannah Dalby returns to explain how exercise, nutrition, sleep, hydration, and nervous system regulation influence the quality of our relationships. She and Rich explore how taking better care of yourself can help you become more patient, present, confident, and connected with your partner.

For Recovery Month, Rich Bennett revisits the unforgettable stories and lessons shared during last year’s Pot-a-thon for Recovery. Through personal accounts of addiction, overdose loss, relapse, sober living, motherhood, accountability, and healing, this episode reminds listeners that recovery is possible and nobody’s story has to end with addiction.

Teresa Leet explains how LovLi Life supports pregnant women who have chosen to carry their babies but may lack housing, resources, encouragement, or a dependable support system. She also shares how her own difficult experiences inspired a faith-based mission centered on practical assistance, mentorship, personal worth, and generational change.

Kaitlyn Hogancamp shares her deeply personal experience of enduring two pregnancy losses, confronting guilt and isolation, and navigating a high-risk pregnancy filled with fear. Joined by Christina O’Mara of the Sea of Hope Foundation, she explains how compassionate support, honest conversation, and meaningful advocacy can help families carry hope alongside their grief. Sponsored by Harford's Heart Magazine

Entrepreneur Dennis “DM” Meador shares how a childhood marked by poverty, years in ministry, business burnout, and decades of marketing experience led him to create The Legal Podcast Network. He explains why businesses benefit more from reaching the right 50 listeners than chasing thousands of downloads, and how authentic conversations build the trust that turns audiences into clients.

After years of severe depression, anxiety, homelessness, and suffering in silence, Dave Mowry discovered an unexpected path forward through a stand-up comedy class for people living with mental illness. Dave explains how turning painful experiences into jokes helped him reclaim his identity, challenge stigma, and empower others to tell their stories. This conversation offers an honest, hopeful look at mental illness while demonstrating that laughter does not erase pain. It can change how we carry it.

Author and Greta Garbo’s great-nephew Scott Reisfield reveals how the legendary actress influenced far more than motion pictures. Drawing from private family letters, archival research, and his personal connection to Garbo, Scott explains how she challenged Hollywood conventions, represented a new kind of female independence, and helped shape the rise of the modern woman.

Recorded during the Book Fair at Bel Air, this special episode introduces ten authors working across a remarkable variety of genres. They discuss where their ideas originate, the realities of publishing and marketing, the excitement of meeting readers, and why aspiring authors must give themselves permission to finish their books.

Former professional Muay Thai fighter Hannah Dalby reveals how grief, addiction, abusive relationships, relentless ambition, and extreme training shaped a life that appeared successful while quietly falling apart. She explains how confronting the emotional and physical patterns beneath her behavior led to Human Integration, The Jungle, and a new way of helping high performers recover without losing their health, relationships, or identity.

Mortgage professional and podcaster Joseph Webb explains why strong businesses are built through trust, personal relationships, and a genuine desire to help others. He also shares how Connected to the Webb allows him to introduce local people, promote their stories, and create meaningful connections throughout the community.

Behavioral threat assessment expert Robert Mahoney explains why targeted violence rarely occurs without warning and how isolation, grievances, behavioral changes, and other concerning developments can form a recognizable pathway. He also introduces community care teams, a coordinated approach that helps schools, law enforcement, mental health providers, businesses, and community organizations support people before a crisis occurs.

Dr. Gary Sprouse returns to explain how behaviors intended to relieve stress can eventually create more stress, forming what he calls a “stress-reducer loop.” He discusses breaking these loops without shame, replacing harmful labels with healthier identities, recovering a sense of control, and finding a happy place rooted in gratitude, connection, hope, and purpose.