Society & Culture Episodes

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

Rapper, producer, and entrepreneur Robert “B-Cide” Cardillo joins Rich to share the raw story behind his memoir, Myelin My Shoes—from underground tours and handing out mixtapes to launching a streetwear brand from a wheelchair after an MS diagnosis at 28. He breaks down how creativity became therapy, what the music business really teaches you, and why he refuses to let chronic illness define the art—or the hustle. If you need proof that purpose outlasts pain, this one’s for you.  Sponsored by Daniel McGhee and the Victory Team

Retired FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gina L. Osborn takes us from Cold War counterintelligence in Europe to leading one of the largest FBI cyber & counterterrorism programs in Los Angeles—including the response to the 2014 Sony Pictures hack. She shares how “Maverick moves” and servant leadership shaped her teams, why she blew the whistle at LA Metro, and what it really takes to break barriers in male-dominated fields. If you want real-world lessons on courage, culture, and leading through crisis, this one delivers.  Sponsored by American Auto Repair

Owner/operator Brittany Russin Smith shares how she turned a love of baking and community into The Hive at Rumsey—Harford County’s collaborative commissary kitchen—and The Honey Loft upstairs venue. She walks through vendor partnerships, micro-weddings, BYO alcohol logistics, and what it takes to run a flexible event space on the water in Joppatowne. If you care about local entrepreneurship, food businesses, and community-powered growth, this one’s packed with practical insights.  Sponsored by Four Seasons Landscape & Construction Services

Live from Edgewood American Legion Post 17, Rich celebrates 10 years and 750+ episodes with special guests Kristy Breslin, Sensei Sydney Brackins, and the Delbridge family who helped launch the show’s in-person era. They swap origin stories, community wins, and wild ideas (hello, “Santa Smackdown”), then the co-hosts take the mics for a candid Q&A on growth, recovery impact, and what’s next. Sponsors and local shout-outs abound—this one’s a love letter to Harford County and beyond.  Sponsored by Freedom Federal Credit Union, Daniel McGhee & the Victory Team, and Eco-Cool HVAC

Coach, speaker, and medical intuitive Hanna Kok joins Rich to explore how unresolved emotions—especially unforgiveness—can disrupt hormones, immunity, and overall health. She explains why forgiveness is a biological act, not just a spiritual one, and shares tools for releasing “emotional toxins” so the body can self-repair. If you’ve felt stuck despite diets, diagnoses, and protocols, this conversation reframes healing from the inside out.  Sponsored by Harford County Living

Licensed professional counselor and Clear Fork Academy founder Austin Davis joins Rich to talk about rescuing teens from addiction and mental-health crises with clinically rigorous, Christ-centered residential care. He explains why 90-day programs, family-systems work, and even nightly dinners can change outcomes—and what warning signs parents miss most. They also discuss his book, My Kid, My Crisis, a plain-language guide for overwhelmed families.  Sponsored by Maryland Pickers

Rich sits down with coach and recovery advocate Jennifer Chase, whose life spans both sides of addiction—as the daughter of an alcoholic, a woman in long-term recovery, and the mother of a recovering addict. She shares how trauma, chronic pain, and over-prescription pulled her into dependency, and how connection, forgiveness, and firm, loving boundaries rebuilt her family. Listeners will learn practical ways families can stop enabling, set clear limits, and find peace—no matter where their loved one is on the recovery path.  Sponsored by Living Well Healthcare

Author and researcher D. H. Morris reveals the gripping true story behind her historical novel The Girl of Many Crowns, following Princess Judith of Francia and Baldwin “Iron Arm.” We dig into how Deborah turned medieval annals, songs, and court records into a vivid, faith-infused saga of love, power, and defiance—plus the surprising family link that started it all. If you love stories where history breathes and the stakes are royal, this one’s for you.  Sponsored by Daniel McGhee & the Victory Team