Education Episodes

In this heartfelt conversation, Rich sits down with Carter Polakoff, President and CEO of Port Discovery Children’s Museum, to explore why play is essential not just for kids, but for parents, caregivers, and families as a whole. Carter shares her personal journey from intern to CEO, how Port Disco…

In this heartfelt conversation, Rich sits down with Carter Polakoff, President and CEO of Port Discovery Children’s Museum, to explore why play is essential not just for kids, but for parents, caregivers, and families as a whole. Carter shares her personal journey from intern to CEO, how Port Disco…

Marine biologist and podcast host Andrew Lewin joins Rich to explore what is really happening beneath the surface of our oceans and how storytelling can inspire action without fear or guilt. From ocean conservation and podcasting longevity to purpose driven work and human impact, this conversation …

Troy Horne joins Rich Bennett for a powerful conversation about reinvention, resilience, and redefining what midlife truly means. From Broadway and reality TV to bestselling books and fatherhood, Troy shares how embracing change, clarity, and purpose can turn life’s second half into its most meanin…

What does it really take to design learning that works?In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich is joined by instructional designer, professor, and podcast host Jackie Pelegrin, who brings nearly two decades of experience in higher education and curriculum design.Jackie brea…

What if just seven words could change your life?In this powerful episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with award-winning author and publisher Aurora Winter to explore how the right message can transform heartbreak into healing, stories into income, and ideas into lasting i…

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…

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.…

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 r…

From living out of his truck at 27 to generating over $90 million in tech sales, Mark J. Silverman’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and real leadership. In this powerful episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Mark opens up about addiction, long-term sobriety, ADHD, fear, faith, and w…

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 …

What if your next client didn’t just sign a contract, but became a lifelong fan? In this episode, Rich Bennett sits down with Mark Stern, CEO of Custom Box Agency, to break down how physical “box experiences” can transform the customer lifecycle, from acquisition to onboarding to retention. Mark sh…

When a kid pulling golf balls out of ponds grows up to build one of the most influential platforms in podcasting, you know there’s a story worth hearing.In this episode, I’m joined by Alex Sanfilippo, founder of PodMatch and host of Podcasting Made Simple. We talk about his journey from the aer…

In this solo episode, host Rich Bennett pulls back the curtain on podcast advertising and shares what most businesses and nonprofits never hear before they sponsor a show. He explains why podcasting is such a powerful medium, why downloads do not equal listeners, and what really matters when you ar…

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 …

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 Cou…

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. Ca…

In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Rich sits down with Dr. Christiane Schroeter — TEDx speaker, university professor, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and host of the Happy Healthy Hustle podcast. Christiane shares her Petite Practice method and breaks down how small, intentional …

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,…

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 discussio…

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 …

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 discipl…

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 …

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, th…