Society & Culture Episodes

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…

Recorded live at Edgewood American Legion Post 17, this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett spotlights the incredible work of the 755 Alliance. Founder Bangtam Miller and her leadership team share how a small group of committed volunteers is revitalizing Edgewood and Southern Harford County through action, not talk. From eliminating school lunch debt and preventing evictions to building skate parks, hosting free concerts, and restoring community pride, the 755 Alliance proves that real change starts locally. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who believes communities thrive when people step up and work together. Learn more at https://755alliance.org and see how you can get involved.

Poet and author Laura Dilworth joins Rich Bennett and Wendy Beck for a powerful conversation about heartbreak, healing, and the transformative power of poetry. Laura shares the deeply personal journey behind her poetry collection The Heartbreak Chronicles, including writing through heartbreak, postpartum depression, anger, grief, and self-discovery. Throughout the episode, Laura reads several poems live, offering listeners an intimate look into how words can heal when life feels overwhelming. This episode is raw, honest, emotional, and relatable for anyone who has ever loved deeply, lost painfully, or turned to creativity to survive. If you believe in purpose behind pain and the power of storytelling, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

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.

As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Rich Bennett and cohost Greg Derwart take a deeper look at what America’s Founding Fathers got right and wrong. This episode explores the real stories, leadership decisions, and human flaws behind Ben Franklin, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. From Franklin’s entrepreneurial mindset and inventions, to Washington’s quiet leadership and willingness to step down from power, to Jefferson’s role as philosopher, writer, and dealmaker, this conversation goes far beyond what most of us learned in school. Rich and Greg connect history to modern leadership, business, and civic responsibility, showing why these lessons still matter today. Sponsored by Eco-Cool HVAC, a veteran-owned Harford County business committed to comfort and community.

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.

What if the same techniques used to create iconic TV characters could help you redesign your life? In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with Emmy Award-winning producer Jordan Geary, a former executive at Sesame Workshop and the creative force behind hit shows like Ghostwriter and Mecha Builders. Jordan shares incredible behind-the-scenes stories from Sesame Street, explains why empathy is the most powerful storytelling tool, and reveals how short-form content is changing the way kids and adults consume media. More importantly, Jordan walks us through how you can use storytelling frameworks to become the main character of your own life. From confidence and identity to creativity and purpose, this episode is packed with insight, humor, and heart. Sponsored by Freedom Federal Credit Union.

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

When a business valuer told Australian marketer Wes Towers that his web and SEO agency “wasn’t worth much” because AI was coming for it, he was already in the middle of a divorce and feeling like everything was falling apart. Instead of walking away, Wes decided to confront the disruption head-on and rebuild his business around what AI cannot replace: human trust, clarity, and connection. In this episode, Wes shares how he went from crying under his desk to having his best financial year ever, why “search everywhere optimization” matters for trades and construction brands, and how to use AI as a powerful amplifier instead of a generic content machine. We also dig into the biggest website mistake that quietly kills sales, why you still absolutely need a website even if you are active on social media, and how Wes is changing his own habits as a founder. If you are a business owner, marketer, or trades leader trying to figure out where you fit in an AI-driven world, this conversati…

Jason Clark’s career started in a high school graphic arts program, running printing presses and drawing metal band logos on chalkboards. Today, he is the Chief Marketing Officer at Via Studio, a creative agency that has spent more than 25 years helping mission-driven organizations, nonprofits, and public institutions bring their brands to life. In this conversation, Jason and I get real about what still works in branding and marketing in a world full of AI, algorithms, and endless digital noise. We talk about his early work creating interactive CD-ROM training for GE Appliances, the award-winning rebrand of Kentucky’s Bernheim Forest, and why we might have moved from the “information age” into the “identity age.” Jason shares how to build logos and campaigns that actually mean something, why community feedback is now non-negotiable, and how AI can be a powerful assistant without replacing human creativity. We also have some fun with bourbon, clear ice, and the Mr. Boston Barten…

Former bartender and opiate addict Eric Turney hit multiple rock bottoms, including jail and failed treatment attempts, before a surprise wake up call changed everything. When he and his partner learned they were expecting their first child, Eric decided he was done burning bridges. He got serious about 12 step recovery and took a chance on a new life as an entry level sales rep at a small promotional products company. Today, Eric is the President and Sales and Marketing Director of The Monterey Company, a custom branded merch company founded in 1989 that creates premium challenge coins, lapel pins, belt buckles, hats, apparel, and more for brands like Google, Amazon, Target, Bentley, Lions Clubs, military units, and local organizations. After the founder offered employees the chance to buy the business, Eric and his partners stepped up and took it over. In this conversation, Eric and I dig into his journey through addiction and recovery, how he rebuilt his life and career, and …

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 “…

Mental health is still one of the hardest things for people to talk about, even while more of us are willing to use words like anxiety, depression, and trauma. In this episode, Rich is joined once again by licensed clinical social worker and executive leader Jennifer Redding, founder of Harford Counseling and co-founder of Pebbles Throw Consulting, to dig into what real trauma-informed care looks like in everyday life and at work.  Jennifer breaks down why mental health has long been seen as a “character flaw,” how social media encourages self-diagnosis and labels, and why there is a big difference between a tough season and a clinical condition. She shares the origin story of Harford Counseling, explains how trauma and substance use are intertwined, and talks about the importance of treating people as whole human beings rather than separating “mental health,” “addiction,” and “life problems” into different boxes. The conversation then shifts into the workplace. Jennifer introdu…

What happens when a neurologist spends more than 30 years not just treating the brain, but really listening to the person behind the diagnosis? In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Carolyn Larkin Taylor, a board certified neurologist and author of Whispers of the Mind: A Neurologist’s Memoir. Carolyn shares stories from the exam room and the bedside that will move you, challenge you, and restore some faith in what medicine can look like when compassion leads the way. We talk about her journey from optometrist to neurologist, why MS and Parkinson’s patients hold a special place in her heart, and how treatments for these conditions have changed over the years. Carolyn also opens up about the pressures of corporatized medicine, medical gaslighting, and the burnout many doctors are feeling as insurance and billing rules pull them away from real human connection. One of the most powerful parts of this conversation is the story of Prancer, the golden retriever therapy dog who worke…

Author and recovery advocate Damian Bloss returns to share how much life has changed since he first stepped onto the podcast and broke his silence. His memoir, Breaking the Silence, continues to reach people across the country, and in this conversation Damian opens up about speaking engagements, podcast appearances, and the surprising ways his story has made an impact. Damian also gives a first look at his next book, Recovering Out Loud, a hybrid of storytelling and workbook-style exercises designed to help readers navigate the recovery journey. He explains why Pink Cloud Syndrome needs more attention, how community support shaped his healing, and why he’s now pushing himself into new creative and outreach opportunities. From humor and honesty to deep reflection, this episode highlights the courage it takes to speak openly about recovery and the power of helping just one person at the right moment.

Author Claudine Marcin returns to Conversations with Rich Bennett, and this episode goes places. From real-life ghost encounters that shaped her horror novels to the research behind The Owl Witch, Claudine offers a fascinating look into her storytelling process. We dig into folklore, the craft of building fear, and even how historical journal entries helped bring her characters to life. But that’s only half of it. Claudine also opens up about her adventures in modern online dating—complete with catfishing, red flags, unsolicited photos, and stories wild enough to inspire her upcoming smut/romance novel. With Kayla cohosting, this episode is equal parts spooky, hilarious, and brutally honest. If you enjoy horror, folklore, writing, dating stories, or just great conversation, you’ll love this one. Learn more about Claudine and her books at ClaudineMarcin.com.

What if the real issue isn’t that you’re broken, but that you’ve been convinced you are? In this conversation, psychiatrist and “Undoctor” Dr. Fred Moss challenges everything we’ve been taught about mental health. After nearly 40 years working in hospitals, prisons, clinics, and community settings, Fred came to a bold conclusion: most people don’t need more labels or more medication — they need to be heard, seen, and connected. Fred shares why so many of us cling to diagnoses, how psychiatric labels quietly become identities, and why medications often create the same symptoms they claim to treat. He explains the exhaustion of pretending to be someone else just to fit in, how school systems train us to silence our authentic selves, and why creativity is one of the most powerful healing tools we have. From anxiety and depression to social media overload and the myth of “normal,” this episode dives deep into what it really means to be human in a chaotic world. We also explore Fred’…

Recorded live at Edgewood American Legion Post 17, this special panel conversation brings together mental health professionals, a recovery leader, and a veteran suicide advocate to tackle stigma, access, and the realities facing Harford County residents. Moderator Ronya Nassar leads a raw discussion on youth anxiety, addiction, social media, cultural barriers, and veteran suicide, with practical ideas for how friends, families, and communities can truly “be the one” for someone in crisis. It is a grounded, hopeful conversation that shows listeners they are not alone and that healing is absolutely possible. Sponsored by Harford County Health Department

In this episode, Rich and cohost Kayla Deickman sit down with Donna Thompson and friends to explore the incredible world of monarch butterflies. From spotting eggs on milkweed to releasing fully formed butterflies, these passionate local conservationists share how small backyard efforts can make a big environmental impact. It’s a conversation filled with awe, purpose, and a reminder that nature’s magic often begins right outside your window.  Sponsored by Richardson Farms

Maryland State Senator and IBEW Local 24 leader Cory V. McCray joins Rich and Dan to share how a paid electrical apprenticeship rewired his life—from Baltimore City and the juvenile system to business owner and public service. Cory breaks down how union apprenticeships work, why mentors and discipline matter, and how practical pathways can lift families and entire communities. A grounded, honest guide for anyone who cares about second chances and real opportunity.  Sponsored by Daniel McGhee and the Victory Team

High-school teacher and nonprofit founder Diana Liberto Grove shares how she and her husband began fostering teens—and why she launched Shifting Gears to support youth ages 16–25 as they transition out of care. From Sunday dinners and tutoring to driver’s ed partnerships and a vision for tiny-home communities and an emergency shelter, Diana lays out practical, community-powered solutions anyone can help with. It’s a hopeful, action-oriented conversation about turning compassion into infrastructure.  Sponsored by Freedom Federal Credit Union

Author and recovery advocate Dennis “D.J.” Quinn joins Rich to share a deeply human mentoring journey—from Big Brothers Big Sisters to a 13-year bond with “Mike,” a foster-adopted child whose life was later upended by severe mental illness. Dennis unpacks how “just showing up” can anchor a life, the hard hospital visits, the gratitude that birthed his memoir Stick Figures, and why mentorship and recovery work still matter today.

What happens when addiction talks back—and you answer? Dr. Larry Smith, author of Johnnie and Me: Facing the Voice of Alcohol Within, shares how he personified alcohol as “Johnnie,” survived decades of trauma and dependency, and built a daily plan that’s kept him sober since 1999. He also previews his forthcoming novel 2084: The Neuroxone Conspiracy, a medical-thriller riff on Big Pharma, recovery, and personal freedom—making this a raw, hopeful, and deeply human conversation worth hearing.  Sponsored by Harford County Living