Damian Bloss on Healing, Mentorship, and His Next Big Mission

Wendy & Rich 0:00
Hey, everyone is Rich Bennett. Can you believe it? The show is turning 10 this year. I am so grateful for each and every one of you who've tuned in, shared a episode, or even joined the conversation over the years. You're the reason that this podcast has grown into what it is today. Together, we've shared laughs, tears, and moments that truly matter. So I want to thank you for being part of this journey. Let's make the next 10 years even better. Coming to you from the Freedom Federal Credit Union Studios Harford County Living Presence conversations with Rich Bennett. 

No no no no no, it's who is. 

Rich Bennett 1:00
All right, so this young gentleman, I had actually I had him and his wife on. I think it was Wendy and I spoke with you a 

Damian Bloss 1:08
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 1:08
while ago. He wrote a book. This time I have just him on because I didn't want to talk to his wife. No joke it. I'm joking. God if Alicia hears this, she's going to strangle 

Damian Bloss 1:20
You got it coming 

Rich Bennett 1:20
me. 

Damian Bloss 1:21
man. 

Rich Bennett 1:23
But I when I first met him and he came on talked about his book and everything he's been through. And I have to admit I am so proud of this man. Everything that he's been doing, I want to say you probably stepped out of your comfort zone. to 

Damian Bloss 1:42
Oh 

Rich Bennett 1:42
do a lot of things if I'm not mistaken, 

Damian Bloss 1:46
big 

Rich Bennett 1:46
big time. I 

Damian Bloss 1:46
time, 

Rich Bennett 1:47
have Damien Bloss on again. He wrote the book breaking the silence. And he's got a second book coming at which we'll talk about in a little bit. So I'm just amazed because we're recording this virtually. I wanted to do it virtual instead of in person because I wanted it for some shorts and everything. And now I'm jealous because behind him he's got all of these comic books. And I forget the name of the little...they're not Bible heads. 

Damian Bloss 2:15
The Funko Pops. 

Rich Bennett 2:18
Funko Pops. 

Damian Bloss 2:19
Funko Pops. Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 2:19
Man first I'm a fan of that thing. I think it was for my son. Those things are huge. 

Damian Bloss 2:24
Yeah they are. They are. I'm 

Rich Bennett 2:26
like I can't you get a maid of yourself as well? 

Damian Bloss 2:30
You can. Yeah. If you go right to the Funko website, you can get a pop yourself as well. It's called. 

Rich Bennett 2:37
If I did that for me, I probably put the company out of business. It probably break all the machines. All right so first of all, 

Damian Bloss 2:45
first 

Rich Bennett 2:46
get me welcome. And I want you just introduce yourself. I hate saying that. I don't even know if I've ever said that before. Usually I'll do like a long intro. But tell everybody about yourself. Well why not go back and tell them how we meant and everything. If you remember that. You're 

Damian Bloss 3:07
Oh 

Rich Bennett 3:08
the 

Damian Bloss 3:08
that's. 

Rich Bennett 3:08
young one. I'm the old one. I forget these things, but I remember that. 

Damian Bloss 3:11
ehm, yeah, ehm, yeah, ehm, yeah. So, um, when we first met, I remember, uh, Alicia had posted something on, uh, one of this, one of the Facebook, uh, pages, I think it 

Rich Bennett 3:22
Yep. 

Damian Bloss 3:22
was Harper and Happening sort of something, and you would reach out to her, and it was like, hey, I'd love to have you guys on, uh, on my podcast. 

Rich Bennett 3:40
Cork. 

Damian Bloss 3:42
huh well let's let's try it I've never done anything like this and and at that point I had just started going out and speaking in rehabs and and stuff and I had just gotten the partnership with the Hartford County Sheriff's Department and I'm like I'm doing these things little by little I'm talking about it bringing awareness and I'm like but now I'm gonna go on this podcast and talk to a bunch of people that I have never spoken to and and who I am you know in in my personal thing was that I'm gonna be judged and all this stuff that's why I used to keep it to only people who who were in that that space that recovery space and I'm like now I'm gonna have to I'm gonna tell all these people and and what's gonna happen and that got the ball rolling so I am I'm incredibly grateful for you for meeting you for your friendship it was you helped me break out of that comfort zone so to speak and it was so amazing and and I love the way that that our camaraderie is anytime we see each other and and you know at the expo over the summer and the walk and with rage against the addiction and dude you've just helped me out so much you you truly do not understand how much you helped me 

Rich Bennett 5:05
Oh. 

Damian Bloss 5:06
get out of that and be able to speak on my own 

Rich Bennett 5:09
all right damn dude yeah you got to make me start tearing up 

Damian Bloss 5:13
I 

Rich Bennett 5:13
hell 

Damian Bloss 5:14
got 

Rich Bennett 5:14
it's 

Damian Bloss 5:14
a 

Rich Bennett 5:15
hey the thing is when especially in the recovery world I I think it's very important for people to get the word out to tell their stories and there are people are still listening to that first episode with you 

Damian Bloss 5:29
that 

Rich Bennett 5:29
and it's amazing how many people that you and others that are in recovery are helping because you're you're telling your story and you're not just keeping it local anymore because since you came on my podcast you've been on other podcasts and I oh my god I can't remember the guy's name with the cowboy hat 

Damian Bloss 5:54
a couple of nooks his name was 

Rich Bennett 5:57
yes 

Damian Bloss 5:57
mr. Whiskey yep 

Rich Bennett 5:59
yes mr. Whiskey so I mean I think you've been on his once or twice and at least he's been on once right 

Damian Bloss 6:06
I was on once and then he had at least on a couple weeks later yep 

Rich Bennett 6:11
okay I got to get him on here but when I saw that it's like okay he is getting on all these different podcasts and it makes a difference because you're just spreading the word through I throughout the world 

Damian Bloss 6:25
yeah basically yeah because 

Rich Bennett 6:26
it is important 

Damian Bloss 6:28
yeah it really is and you know and I never thought I always wanted to be able to do that to reach outside of our community and you know what what better way than across the airwaves where anybody can listen to it if they have an internet connection you know or or if they have Apple Apple podcast or anything like 

Rich Bennett 6:48
like 

Damian Bloss 6:49
that I'm 

Rich Bennett 6:49
yeah they can listen to it on their phone anytime 

Damian Bloss 6:51
yeah so it's it's incredible the the way you know sometimes technology is it doesn't go our way all the time but for 

Rich Bennett 7:00
right 

Damian Bloss 7:01
stuff like this like it's just amazing man 

Rich Bennett 7:05
that's one of the reasons I don't live stream because 

Damian Bloss 7:07
yeah 

Rich Bennett 7:08
the last thing you want to be doing is halfway through and you're about to talk about something very important and all of a sudden you just lose internet 

Damian Bloss 7:16
right 

Rich Bennett 7:16
or the camera grows out 

Damian Bloss 7:18
it's 

Rich Bennett 7:18
or 

people have been asking me to do it it's like yeah I don't know 

Damian Bloss 7:25
yeah 

Rich Bennett 7:26
I don't know about that all so with you going on all these other different podcasts has the dad help with the cell of your first book break in the silence you think 

Damian Bloss 7:35
I do believe so. I did see an uptick in sales and things, you know, not enough to--and going into this, uh, it was never about like I'm going to be able to quit my nine to five or, you know, anything 

Rich Bennett 7:48
right 

Damian Bloss 7:48
like that. But I have seen an uptick in sales because of the podcast. And, you know, that it's not about the, the, the couple bucks that I might make because all the money that I really do bring in, it just goes back to the printer to print more books so I can get them out to jails and, and things like that and rehabs. But, um, you know, it, it, it has helped a lot. And, um, it, it's just so, so awesome that the people are supporting this and, and actually listening and, and sharing in this awareness, um, it's so awesome, uh, it's so awesome for everyone. 

Rich Bennett 8:28
You didn't think it was going to take off the way that it has, did you? 

Damian Bloss 8:31
No, not at all. Not one bit. And it, it's, it's so awesome to be able to, to look at that and be like, wow, like little old me can, can actually make, make a difference. And even if it's only one person, that's all, that's 

Rich Bennett 8:47
Yeah. 

Damian Bloss 8:47
all we need. That's all I strive for is, is one person that hears it at that exact moment and that's all we need. And because, you know, in reality, we're not going to be able to, unfortunately, save everyone. Um, but just that one, that one person is all we need. 

Rich Bennett 9:05
And now, here's a tricky question for you. 

Damian Bloss 9:07
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 9:07
Do you, do you know how many podcasts you have been on so far? 

Damian Bloss 9:12
Um, I know that there are at least 15, um, but I know there was a more than that because they weren't, they weren't, uh, they were like, either doubled up or, you know, we did, we matched on pod match, but we didn't, um, you know, do certain things. But so I would say probably around 20. 

Rich Bennett 9:36
So far. 

Damian Bloss 9:37
So far, yeah. 

Rich Bennett 9:38
Are you, do you still have other like podcast host reaching at you and you reaching at the other podcast host as well? 

Damian Bloss 9:45
Yeah, what's crazy about that is that a majority of these podcasts are those reaching out to me and not vice versa. Um, which is, which is also crazy to me because they're reaching out to me instead of me saying, Hey, I want to be on your, on your show and they're saying, Hey, I want you to be on my show and it's like, wow, this is, 

Rich Bennett 10:07
tell you that was going happen. 

Damian Bloss 10:09
You, you did and then, and I was like, you know, I was optimistic and, uh, and I was like, yeah, it'll probably happen, but we're probably not, but it is. And I'm like, holy crap. 

Rich Bennett 10:21
Well, and, and the other thing with that too and, and I've said this before, you make friendships. 

Damian Bloss 10:27
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 10:27
By doing that and you're building your network, 

Damian Bloss 10:29
mm-hmm, 

Rich Bennett 10:30
even more, and yeah. Oh, yeah. It's a big difference. All right. So tell everybody about the first book breaking the silence. Just a 

Damian Bloss 10:38
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 10:38
recap of it. 

Damian Bloss 10:40
Yeah. Yeah. Sure. So, yeah, breaking the silence my journey from addiction to healing was my story in a nutshell. Um, it was, it was, you know, from the bottom to where I'm at now. And, um, you know, it was, it was hell. I through, I went through hell by, by my own hands. Um, and, you know, to, to break free and break out of that. Um, the countless times that I tried to, and then I finally was able to, and then continue on this journey of recovery, um, has just been, you know, amazing. And the book was just that. It was just my story and like anyone else's story, but, um, you know, I, I used it and it was very therapeutic for me to, to be able to write, you know, and I'll still reflect back on those, on my early writings, um, just to, just for a reminder, 'cause I never, I never want to forget where I came from, you know, 'cause if I, if I do, it could be detrimental. And, um, so I, I'd reflect on that a lot. And, yeah, it, it, definitely if you're, if you're in recovery, or you're, you're thinking about taking that step, you want, um, you want something to read, you know, for hope and, and faith and, and things like that. Definitely pick it up. It's online. 

Rich Bennett 12:07
Well, the other thing is Damien. It's, it's not, I believe it's not just for people in recovery. Is 

Damian Bloss 12:12
No. 

Rich Bennett 12:12
for anybody, because even those that, and, and let's face it, everybody knows somebody that's either in recovery or should be in recovery. And I'm telling you, everybody listen. You read the book. It's, it's going to open your eyes, first of all. And. Why not give it to somebody else that's in recovery? Let me rephrase that after you read it by a copy for somebody else that's in recovery. Alright, so, and actually, Alicia hasn't written a book yet, has she? 

Damian Bloss 12:47
She has not. The thought is there, she wants to. But, uh, I think she's enjoying going on these podcasts, being able to tell her story that way. Uhm, 

Rich Bennett 12:57
she 

Damian Bloss 12:57
and 

Rich Bennett 12:57
hasn't come on, she hasn't come on by herself yet on mine, I'm just saying. 

Damian Bloss 13:00
Oh, oh, she's... trust me. You got this. 

Rich Bennett 13:04
got this. Oh, 

Damian Bloss 13:04
You 

Rich Bennett 13:04
well, she was supposed to schedule. She has a, so yeah, Alicia, I'm calling your ass out. I mean... Just, I understand. You don't let me anymore. You're waiting for Wendy to get her own show, because you'd rather talk to her. You know, but that's okay. Go find the canopy 

Damian Bloss 13:18
something. 

Rich Bennett 13:18
or [laughing] Those people who listen like, "What the hell is he talking about?" 

Damian Bloss 13:28
That's a love blow. [laughing] But it was perfect. 

Rich Bennett 13:33
I have to tell the story, so... 

Damian Bloss 13:35
Tell it, 

Rich Bennett 13:36
tell it. Day, Damien, our lines club had a festival and Damien came to set up him and his wife, Alicia. 

Damian Bloss 13:47
[laughing] 

Rich Bennett 13:48
And 

they're set up, and Alicia just looked like... I don't even, how do you explain it? Uhm, the look on her face was one of total disc... 

Damian Bloss 14:07
[laughing] 

Rich Bennett 14:07
To really... It looked like the devil was there. I mean, the horns were coming down, like, "Uh-oh, what's wrong? I'm not talking to him." What do you mean you're not talking... What did you 

Damian Bloss 14:19
say? 

Rich Bennett 14:21
He lost the canopy top for the canopy to sit over the table. I'm like... He lost it. It's not here. So luckily I had another one in our clubhouse and I was able to pull it out and he used that. And sure enough, where was it, Damien? 

Damian Bloss 14:42
Oh, it was in my basement. Right next to the Dam canopy itself, the frame went, went, I went back. When we came home that day, I'm like, "Holy crap, it was sitting right there. I picked up the canopy and it's bagged. The canopy itself was right underneath. Couldn't believe it. Couldn't believe it!" 

Rich Bennett 15:05
[laughing] That's why I always keep mine 

Damian Bloss 15:08
the... 

Rich Bennett 15:08
attached to 

Damian Bloss 15:08
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 15:09
[laughing] But you got to admit, when you got home, how long did it take before it reached the start of talking 

Damian Bloss 15:15
again? 

Rich Bennett 15:15
to you 

Damian Bloss 15:17
Well, 

Rich Bennett 15:17
probably right away, right? 

Damian Bloss 15:19
It was right away but, you know, she had that look like... I freaking told 

Rich Bennett 15:26
you. 

Damian Bloss 15:26
You are a dumb ass. That was pretty much it and then I think that's all she wanted to get out was that I'm a dumb ass and that was her revenge. [laughing] 

Rich Bennett 15:39
Alicia, we still love you though. 

Damian Bloss 15:41
We do. We do. 

Rich Bennett 15:42
You know what those, you watch. She's... Nevermind. I better not. Yeah. She's gonna forget something. She's gonna do something wrong. You know what? Nevermind, Damian. If she does... 

Damian Bloss 15:56
[laughing] 

Rich Bennett 15:57
Don't let her know because yeah, it'll just come back and bite you in the ass. 

Damian Bloss 16:01
[laughing] 

Rich Bennett 16:01
On that one, forget the... nevermind. I did not tell you that. All right, so the second book. What's the second book about and what's the title of it? 

Damian Bloss 16:11
Yeah, so I'm super excited for this because I didn't think about doing anything, writing another book and I was like, 

Rich Bennett 16:17
Mm-hmm. 

Damian Bloss 16:17
"How am I gonna write another book?" I'm not gonna put myself and do a sequel, you know what I mean? I'm not gonna do that because that would be hard. How would I even go about this? So I'm like, you know, in my speaking engagements and doing this mentorship and things like that, How about I incorporate my, you know, parts of my story in with a self-help book? Basically, going down the things that either helped me get, you know, in recovery or that is continuing to help me, how I took that journey or took that step from addiction to recovery and talking about certain things that we go through in our recovery. And then at the end of each chapter, my goal is to have an exercise for the reader to keep them more engaged and it's a personalized workbook to where you read the chapter, you get to it, and there's a bunch of things that they can write out there, you know, feelings. You know, it has certain questions and, you know, jot down five things that help you blah, blah, blah. You know? 

Rich Bennett 17:34
Right, 

Damian Bloss 17:34
So, 

Rich Bennett 17:34
smart. 

Damian Bloss 17:35
yeah, so I want to keep them engaged but I want them to also read because it does have some information that I feel there's definitely two chapters that I feel are very important in the book. And one of them is, you know, the pink cloud syndrome, I feel like that is not talked about enough. 

Rich Bennett 17:58
Pink cloud syndrome? 

Damian Bloss 18:00
Yeah, and it's basically, it's talked about a lot through AA and things like that, but it can be used for, for, you know, no matter what you are addicted to. Basically, what it is, it's most commonly happens within the first two weeks of recovery, but it can happen at any time. And I've had to happen to me throughout my recovery too, but it's really heavy in the first two weeks. And basically what it is, is it's an overwhelmingly, you've forked feeling that you get, that it's telling you, your addiction is telling you, you've beat this. Let your guard down, go on about your business because right now, is the best time, or the best feeling you're ever going to have in recovery. And, you know, it gets you start to think and like, Hey, I got this. I don't need to continue, whether it be meetings or counseling or therapy, or if you're on the cusp of going to rehab, I don't need to go to rehab. You know, things like that, it's, and it's a false feeling 

that you have. And I go, yeah, and I go in a detail about it, but basically, it's that time where you're like, I got this and nothing else, I don't need to do anything else. I've beat it. And that is far from the truth. But you can have that feeling and it is good to have that feeling because it is a very, it's a very positive and encouraging feeling that you have, you know, but don't let it fool you and don't let your guard down. 

Rich Bennett 19:52
Huh, so, well, if you're, since this is gonna be a workbook as well, you can't, you can't do it in audible form, right? 

Damian Bloss 20:01
Right, right, yeah, um, possibly the chapters itself, you can do 

Rich Bennett 20:06
Yeah. 

Damian Bloss 20:06
an audio form, but um, you won't get the same feeling as, you know, the physical book in your hand. 

Rich Bennett 20:14
Now is this finished yet? 

Damian Bloss 20:16
It's not, it's, yeah, I'm still working on it. It's about, it's a little over halfway done. You know, so I'm just, once I get it complete, then I'll go through the editing phase and, you know, make some minor tweaks and things and then I'll send it off to, to the publisher. 

Rich Bennett 20:35
I was gonna say, did the publisher give you a deadline? 

Damian Bloss 20:37
They did not, no. I've reached out and I was like, hey, I'm gonna do this and he's like, awesome. When do you wanna do it? I'm like, well, I'm working on it now. I wanna have it done by April of 2026 and he was like, let's do it. So that is my goal, but if I don't meet that April 2026 deadline, it's not gonna hurt me. I can do it 

Rich Bennett 21:01
Right. 

Damian Bloss 21:01
whenever, but that is my personal goal. 

Rich Bennett 21:05
Which, I knew you, you'll make it by then. 

Damian Bloss 21:08
Yeah, 

Rich Bennett 21:09
Now. 

Damian Bloss 21:09
yeah. 

Rich Bennett 21:10
You're listening to the conversations with Rich Bennett. We'll be right back. 

We've got piecast in every genre from comedy to health interviews to news. There's something for everyone and for all you piecasters out there, it's free to join. Plus, we're more than just a network. We host monthly virtual networking meetings where you can connect, collaborate and grow with creators. Sign up today at ChesapeakePycastNetwork.com and get ready to join a global community. Breaking the silence with self-published, wasn't 

Damian Bloss 22:00
It was self-published through a publishing company called Palmetto Publishing 

Rich Bennett 22:06
it? 

Damian Bloss 22:07
down in Carolina. 

heard you're 

Rich Bennett 22:22
I 

Damian Bloss 22:22
using for the second book as well. Actually, 

Rich Bennett 22:25
with the first book breaking the silence, did you do that in audio form? 

Damian Bloss 22:29
I did. I'm still working with the publishing company because they were supposed to have it as an audio book as well. That was included in everything. Still working with them to try and get that taken care of. You're 

Rich Bennett 22:45
doing the audio yourself, right? 

Damian Bloss 22:47
I want to do the audio myself. They want to try to use somebody else. If they go that route, I can't let somebody else read my book. 

Rich Bennett 22:57
No. 

Damian Bloss 22:57
It just wouldn't feel there. If I have to, I'll go somewhere else and do it because it's mine. I can do that. I'm not restricted by them. 

Rich Bennett 23:10
Well, I'm sure they probably. If you get somebody else, you're going to have to pay that person to do it as well. 

Damian Bloss 23:17
Absolutely. 

Rich Bennett 23:17
I mean, breaking the silence is basically a memoir, so it only makes sense for you to do it. 

Damian Bloss 23:25
Yeah, yeah, exactly. 

Rich Bennett 23:27
I think that would definitely get more people to purchase it. However, audible works, 

Damian Bloss 23:34
right? 

Rich Bennett 23:35
Yeah, people purchase it, right? 

Damian Bloss 23:38
Yeah, 

Rich Bennett 23:39
Okay. 

Damian Bloss 23:39
yeah. Yeah, they would purchase it. 

Rich Bennett 23:41
The second book is coming out in April because I'm going to make you stick to that deadline. Which means you're going to have to get on more podcasts even push that. 

Damian Bloss 23:52
Right. 

Rich Bennett 23:52
But have you had any of this issue before? I think I may've asked you when we were at the memory walk. Have you thought about starting your room podcast? 

Damian Bloss 24:03
I have. 

Rich Bennett 24:05
Okay. 

Damian Bloss 24:05
I have. And that is still wanting. I'm still wanting that to happen. 

Rich Bennett 24:11
Right. 

Damian Bloss 24:12
You know, would 

Rich Bennett 24:13
to 

Damian Bloss 24:13
I want 

Rich Bennett 24:13
take your time? Don't rush it, man. 

Damian Bloss 24:15
Yeah, exactly. And that's what I don't want to rush it and make some terrible product. In fact, you know, I may be hitting you up because, you know, helping 

Rich Bennett 24:27
me out. Wow, what I do. 

Hey, I had. Look, I mentor other podcasters. I told you before, brother, whatever you need, you let me know, 

Damian Bloss 24:38
Absolutely. 

Rich Bennett 24:38
you know, because you, you have no problem doing this. 

Damian Bloss 24:42
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 24:43
You know, and just talking to people like when you spoke of the rage walk, yeah, the rage against addiction memory, memory walk. You made an impact on people. I don't know if you knew that or not, but you 

Damian Bloss 24:55
No. 

Rich Bennett 24:55
made an impact and all these other podcasts are getting on you're making an impact. Yeah. And it's just, oh, those of you listening, make sure you, and I'll have the link to the other episode that him and Alicia were on. But you got to go, go back and listen to it because, man, your story is powerful. And how is because you still have the group at the church, right? 

Damian Bloss 25:17
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 25:18
Yeah. How's that going? 

Damian Bloss 25:19
That's going really good. You know, we still will have, you know, members coming in and out. And, you know, that's, and it's not like a mandatory thing you have to come every week. It's come when you, when you feel that you need to. And, you know, sometimes we'll have 12, you know, members come in. And when I say members, I don't mean members of the church. I just mean members of, you know, recovery 

Rich Bennett 25:42
community. Right. 

Damian Bloss 25:43
And the mental health community as well, because we do both mental health and addiction. And, you know, and then sometimes it will just be two or three of us. And then the next week, it'll be 15, you know, it's so, it's so good. I love what we're doing with this group. And, you know, being able to as well do it via Zoom. So people that aren't 

Rich Bennett 26:03
Yeah. 

Damian Bloss 26:04
in our community here can jump on. And it's so awesome. And the church is so, you know, they're so with us, with this. And, you know, supportive. I couldn't ask for a better, you know, a better place to be able to hold that. 

Rich Bennett 26:21
And the whole idea of you doing it zoom your reaching people and not just in other towns but other states other countries. 

Damian Bloss 26:30
Yeah, 

Rich Bennett 26:30
you know, which makes a big difference. Now I'm gonna yell at you though. Are you ready for this? 

Damian Bloss 26:36
I am. 

Rich Bennett 26:37
You're sure because I'm gonna chew your ass out. 

Damian Bloss 26:40
Let me get a drink of water. Something 

Rich Bennett 26:44
you're missing, and I may have told you this when you're on before. When the hell are you getting a website? 

Damian Bloss 26:50
Oh, yes. Yes. 

You know, I definitely need one because, you know, we have the Facebook and Instagram groups, and we now have a TikTok channel. And, you know, we got everything except the website. So, 

Rich Bennett 27:07
you need one page. 

Damian Bloss 27:09
Right, 

Rich Bennett 27:09
right. That's all you really need. 

Damian Bloss 27:10
Right. So, I am gonna eventually get into that. I just got to find out the logistics of it and, you know, what is going to cost it? Is it going to cost? Do I need somebody to maintain it and things like that? Or can I do it myself? All 

Rich Bennett 27:27
right. You and I will, we'll meet for call fee and sit down and talk. 

Damian Bloss 27:33
I would love 

Rich Bennett 27:34
that. Easy, man. It, look, if I can do it, you can do 

Damian Bloss 27:37
it. If 

Rich Bennett 27:37
I can do it, anybody can do it. I mean. No, it's because it's It's definitely gonna help with book sales. 

Damian Bloss 27:45
right. 

Rich Bennett 27:45
But you aren't you need is really a landing page sort of like your link tree lane. But your website just needs to be landed. Page because have it and people can click on from there. Your TikTok, your YouTube, once you start that, if you haven't done that yet, the links to purchase your books. But you also want them to be able to purchase the books directly from your website because if they want to autograph copy. 

Damian Bloss 28:14
Oh, yes. I never thought about that. Okay. 

Rich Bennett 28:16
See that? 

Damian Bloss 28:19
All right. 

Rich Bennett 28:19
I'm, I'm, I'm hooking you up here, Damien. 

Damian Bloss 28:22
I 

Rich Bennett 28:22
I'm ho-- 

Damian Bloss 28:22
like it. 

Rich Bennett 28:24
I like it. All right. So what's the next big thing before all the homework I gave you? What's the next big thing for Damien boss? 

Damian Bloss 28:33
So the next big thing is, you know, I've realized with this. You know, doing the books and speaking and things like that. It's just like, especially with the books, I tend to not plan. I want to do whatever I can, honestly. 

Rich Bennett 28:55
Right. 

Damian Bloss 28:56
So, you know, I would love to do partner with someone to do some charity work and things because I've done that before. I want to partner with, you know, and do some, some things like that, some outreach, and just some, some local charities for the community and things like that. So, I, I definitely wanted to get into that space a little bit as well. I'm busy, you know, writing the book, but I'm not busy enough to where I can't do any of that. 

Rich Bennett 29:26
Then, will you say community outreach you talking about on the recovery part, or mental health part, or both? 

Damian Bloss 29:31
I would, you know, down to do either one or both at the same time. Just being able to give back, I really want, you know, doing the podcast and everything. And doing everything that I do, of course, that, that is awesome. But I definitely, you know, I want to get out there more. I want to do more for, for everyone and, you know, just helping that one person. 

Rich Bennett 29:57
Hmm, I may have something for you. 

Damian Bloss 30:00
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 30:00
When we're finished, I'll, I'll run an idea by 

Damian Bloss 30:04
you. Sure. 

Rich Bennett 30:05
Uh, that I think you might like, I think it's, and it would definitely do, help you do what you want to do. 

Damian Bloss 30:10
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 30:11
Yeah. All right. So, before I get to my last question, would you have no idea what the hell it's going to be. Anything you want to add. 

Damian Bloss 30:19
I do. So, um, I forgot to actually mention the name of the book, because I actually... 

Rich Bennett 30:24
Oh, 

Damian Bloss 30:25
hell. 

Rich Bennett 30:26
Damn. We're, we'll blame that on Alicia. 

Damian Bloss 30:30
Yeah. Yeah. We can do that because she can't, she can't defend herself right now. 

Rich Bennett 30:34
Right. Exactly. 

Damian Bloss 30:35
Um, 

Rich Bennett 30:36
and I can always edit that part out. 

But you know I would. 

Damian Bloss 30:41
Right. 

Rich Bennett 30:44
Oh, sorry, go ahead. 

Damian Bloss 30:45
Oh no, you're good. Um, so I'm going to, it's going to be called recovering out loud. So it's basically, you know, uh, following the footsteps of breaking the silence and recovering out loud. Uh, it's kind of like the, you know, the same, but different. But I like it because it's short, and it's, it's exactly what I'm doing. It's recovering out loud, uh, for those struggling in silence. 

Rich Bennett 31:09
I like that. And, in fact, I even have a name for the third book for you. 

Damian Bloss 31:14
Let me hear it. Let me hear it. 

Rich Bennett 31:17
hell I broke 

Damian Bloss 31:20
silence. It's in the ... hahahaha, yeah, I love it. But you're not getting 

Rich Bennett 31:22
the 

Damian Bloss 31:23
... right, right. 

Rich Bennett 31:25
because 

Damian Bloss 31:25
Now 

Rich Bennett 31:25
you're still 

Damian Bloss 31:25
... 

Rich Bennett 31:26
breaking the silence. 

Damian Bloss 31:28
Right. And now, now, because if I use that, I'm gonna have to pay you, which is fine, I guess. 

Rich Bennett 31:43
But it doesn't matter because you know who's gonna take all the credit, right. 

Damian Bloss 31:47
Oh, yeah. Yeah. She definitely is. She's upstairs. Probably 

Rich Bennett 31:49
Yeah, 

Damian Bloss 31:49
take. 

Rich Bennett 31:50
yeah. For those of you listening, yes, we're talking about Alicia again. She'll take all the credit. Alright, so I started something new. 

Damian Bloss 31:59
Alright. Uhm, 

Rich Bennett 32:01
and somehow another, I want to say probably 90% of the people, the number they have picked, the question has aligned with what we've been talking about. So pick a number between one and 100 

Damian Bloss 32:18
and 

Rich Bennett 32:18
as I'm looking for the question, tell me why you picked that number. 

Damian Bloss 32:22
Hmm, I am going to say 

eight. 

Rich Bennett 32:32
Oh damn, I went all the way to 100. Why 

Damian Bloss 32:34
eight. 

Rich Bennett 32:34
number 

Damian Bloss 32:34
Ha-ha-ha. Well, so number eight is actually special to me. Not only is it, you know, Kaverickens number, but it was also my number in when I played baseball. And I played shortstop. I also pitched and played third base, but my main was shortstop. And you know, cowl, brick, and also was my idol growing up. And I wanted to be like him playing shortstop and things. And that is why I picked the number eight. It's always been special to me. 

Rich Bennett 33:10
Well, management, you mentioned that skill with baseball and everything. And now you're an author. Pranore and speaker, motivate with everything else, I think this question goes well with So take your time to think about this one. 

Damian Bloss 33:29
it. Okay. 

Rich Bennett 33:30
If you could instantly acquire one new skill or talent, what would it be? And how would you use it? 

Damian Bloss 33:40
Ooh, new skill 

Rich Bennett 33:44
talent. 

Damian Bloss 33:44
or 

Rich Bennett 33:44
Really loving these questions, 

Damian Bloss 33:46
man. Ha-ha-ha-ha. Oh, man. That is a good one. 

I'm going to say that, 

you know, I kind of wish I could sing. 

Rich Bennett 34:07
Ooh, 

Damian Bloss 34:08
I 

Rich Bennett 34:08
damn. 

Damian Bloss 34:08
kind of wish I could sing. Because I love music, I 

Rich Bennett 34:13
Right. 

Damian Bloss 34:14
cannot sing. And, you know, some of those songs, though, you know, they'll hit you. They make you want to sing. And I'm like, I back off. I'm like, yeah, that's not happening. I can't do it. I'll just pretend and I'll sing in my head, you know, but I would love to be able to actually sing. 

Rich Bennett 34:33
Well, you know, you can always take singing lessons. 

Damian Bloss 34:37
I could. I could. But I feel like, I 

Rich Bennett 34:41
know. Alright, 

Damian Bloss 34:41
don't 

Rich Bennett 34:42
I'm going to say it this way. There are some singers out there that should not be singing. And they sell a ton of records. 

Damian Bloss 34:52
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 34:53
So what the hell? Why not try it? 

Damian Bloss 34:56
Try 

Rich Bennett 34:56
it by yourself first in the shower. That's where a lot of people like to sing or in the car. And then try it in front of Alicia. If she tells you to shut the hell up, then... 

Damian Bloss 35:09
[laughter] 

Rich Bennett 35:12
You know what? You got to try it. I mean, I did it year. Well, when I was younger, I could not hold a note. 

Damian Bloss 35:21
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 35:22
In fact, it kicked me out of the bay and I was at bay. I mean, I still was. I'll be in the car and I'm just singing away. Depending 

Damian Bloss 35:29
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 35:30
on when I'm listening to it too. You know, it scares the birds away when I. [laughter] 

Damian Bloss 35:38
know 

Rich Bennett 35:38
I 

Damian Bloss 35:39
that feeling. 

Rich Bennett 35:39
And here's the thing too. Because if you start singing, well, even if you don't sing, you like music, right? 

Damian Bloss 35:50
Hmm. 

Rich Bennett 35:51
You're an author. So you may see where I'm going here. 

Damian Bloss 35:56
I think I do. 

Rich Bennett 35:57
Why not... You know, you've written... You've written the first book, you're working on the second book. Have you ever wrote poetry or anything like that? 

Damian Bloss 36:07
I've dabbled. 

Rich Bennett 36:09
So why not think about writing songs? Just the lyrics. 

Damian Bloss 36:14
Hmm. 

Rich Bennett 36:14
And then you could always find another local musician, which I know several. They could put the lyrics and then put music behind it. And you have... Most of you, look, most of your artists don't write their own songs. 

Damian Bloss 36:27
True. True. They have songwriters, yeah. 

Rich Bennett 36:29
And some of the- and some of the artists do write songs but they don't record their songs. 

Damian Bloss 36:35
Right. 

Rich Bennett 36:36
I mean, if Bob- 

Damian Bloss 36:37
can 

Rich Bennett 36:38
sing- lemme rephrase that. If Bob Dylan sings his 

then, you know, uh- and other people's music, you can do it. 

Damian Bloss 36:49
is- 

Rich Bennett 36:50
And 

Damian Bloss 36:50
? 

Rich Bennett 36:50
who 

Damian Bloss 36:50
I like- 

Rich Bennett 36:52
go ahead. 

Damian Bloss 36:53
I was gonna say I like that idea. Writing the songs. I think I could 

Rich Bennett 36:57
Oh. 

Damian Bloss 36:57
do that. I- definitely think I could do that instead of the singing part. And still, I be- in the music, you know, I'll be

Rich Bennett 37:03
Yeah. 

Damian Bloss 37:04
yeah. 

Rich Bennett 37:04
I- I mean, I did it for a long time. I still have all my- all the songs I've written. Uh, so I think my daughter might have them now. But I- I think I- I definitely loved writing more than I did singing. 

Damian Bloss 37:20
Hmm. 

Rich Bennett 37:22
Yeah. 

Damian Bloss 37:22
And I loved the right too. 

Rich Bennett 37:23
But I- just the lyrics. I could not write- I had the music in my head. But I could not write it down. 

Damian Bloss 37:31
Ah, I gotcha. 

Rich Bennett 37:32
So, yeah, in my- my father even had- gotta go back a time ago. But I should- there was a local band and I should have some of my music, which was a big mistake because they actually stole one of them. 

Damian Bloss 37:44
Oh. 

Rich Bennett 37:45
Yeah. 

Damian Bloss 37:45
No. 

Rich Bennett 37:46
That's all right, they did make a hit with it. 

Damian Bloss 37:48
Oh, that's good. And good. 

Rich Bennett 37:50
I should- those of you listening, get break in the silence. After you read it, make sure you leave a full review, whether it be on good reads, Amazon, Barnes, wherever you can leave reviews, purchase copies for your friends. Those of you that own a business, purchase several copies and donate them to either a recovery home. The- the- the Harvard Kennedy attention set- or actually any prison system by you. 

Damian Bloss 38:23
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 38:24
Um, it- it trust me, you're gonna help more people out. And then once the new book comes out, I'll have the link for that in the show notes and hopefully a link for Damien's website. 

Damian Bloss 38:38
That's- 

Rich Bennett 38:39
well, if not, it'll just be the- the link for his link tree. 

Damian Bloss 38:42
Yeah. 

Rich Bennett 38:43
Yeah. Yeah. But Damien, I want to thank you so much, brothers, always great seeing you and talking to you. And actually, I gotta mention something to you after we're done here, too. And, um, uh, yeah, tell, tell- tell- tell me, you should've said, "Hi, and I'm 

Damian Bloss 38:57
still man. I'm 

Rich Bennett 38:58
on it." 

Damian Bloss 38:59
I would definitely do that. I would definitely- thanks- 

Rich Bennett 39:04
take care, brother. 

Damian Bloss 39:05
Thanks again for having me, oh man. It was- it's such a pleasure to always see you and talk with you, so thank you again. 

Rich Bennett 39:11
And you know the door's always open. For you. 

Damian Bloss 39:14
Yeah. I'm rated. 

Rich Bennett 39:17
Thank you for listening to the conversations with Rich Bennett. I hope you enjoyed today's episode and learned something from it as I did. If you'd like to hear more conversations like this, be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. And if you have a moment, I'd love it if you could leave a review. It helps us reach more listeners and share more incredible stories. Don't forget to connect with us on social media or visit our website at ConversationsWithRitchBenet.com for updates, giveaways, and more. Until next time, take care, be kind, and keep the conversations going. You know, it takes a lot to put a podcast together. together, And my sponsors help add a lot, but I also have some supporters that actually help me when it comes to the editing software, the hosting, and so forth. There's a lot that goes into putting this together. So I want to thank them. And if you can please, please visit their websites, visit their businesses, support them. However you can. So please visit the following Full full circle boards. Nobody does charcuterie like full circle boards, visit them at fullcircleboards.com, Sincerely, Sincerely sincerely, so your photography, live in the moment, they'll capture it. Visit them at sincerelysoyer.com. The Joppatan Lions Club, serving the community since 1965, visit them at joppatonlinesclub. org, and don't forget the E at the end of Joppatan because they're extraordinary.