Conversations with Rich Bennett

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 

Guest Bio:  

Diana Liberto Grove is the co-founder of Shifting Gears, a Maryland-based nonprofit focused on helping foster youth (16–25) build independence through life skills, education, employment, housing support, and community. A longtime Harford County high-school teacher and foster/adoptive mom, Diana creates safe spaces and trusted relationships that carry teens into adulthood—with programs like tutoring, Sunday dinners, creative outlets, and career readiness.  

Main Topics: 

·         Diana’s path into fostering teens and adopting (why teens need homes, trust, and consistency) 

·         The birth of Shifting Gears and its focus on ages 16–25 (in-care to independence) 

·         Current programs: Sunday dinners, book club, tutoring, driver’s ed partnership, creative/skills shop plans 

·         The big vision: tiny-home community, adult “boys & girls club” space, and an emergency shelter 

·         Fundraising and volunteers: board needs, background checks, care closet, and in-kind skills (plumbing, design, tutoring, etc.) 

·         Hard realities & hope: outcomes after aging out, mental health, trafficking risk, and how community changes the story  

Resources mentioned: 

·         Shifting Gears website: shiftinggearsmd.org (donate button on site)

·         Email: [email protected] 

·         Social: Facebook “Shifting Gears, Inc”; Instagram “shifting_gears_md” (spoken as “shifting underscore gears underscore MD”)

·         Local partners & orgs referenced: Arrow girls group home; CASA (court-appointed special advocates); Premier Driving School (Bel Air); St. Francis de Sales (Abingdon) youth group (back-to-school packing)

·         Episode Sponsor: Freedom Federal Credit Union

·         Supporter: Full Circle Boards

·         Supporter: Sincerely Sawyer Photography 

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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.

Guest Bio:  

Dennis “D.J.” Quinn is an author, longtime mentor, and recovery advocate. Raised in Montana and a former Northwest Airlines flight attendant for 26 years, he has spent decades volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters and bringing recovery meetings into juvenile detention centers. He lives in Gig Harbor, Washington, and is the author of Stick Figures, a memoir honoring his 13-year mentoring journey with Mike. 

Main Topics: 

·         Growing up in Montana: big family values, faith, and community

·         26 years as a flight attendant: exposure to diverse lives and cultures

·         Big Brothers Big Sisters: first match, what real mentorship looks like

·         Meeting Mike: foster care, disability, progress—and the onset of mental illness

·         Hospitalizations and hard days: “ministry of presence” and boundaries

·         Writing Stick Figures: the calendar drawings that became a memoir

·         Inclusion in mentoring: local BBBS policy change and why it mattered

·         Recovery work with incarcerated teens: hope, honesty, and resources

·         Gratitude and “a lucky life”: what Mike taught Dennis (and us)

·         How to start mentoring or volunteering—time, commitment, payoff 

Resources mentioned: 

·         Dennis “D.J.” Quinn — Website: djquinnauthor.com (signed copies available)

·         Dennis “D.J.” Quinn — Books: Stick Figures (also on Amazon)

·         Big Brothers Big Sisters (one-to-one youth mentoring)

·         Boys & Girls Club (youth development, group-based)

·         Places/notes referenced: Northwest Airlines, Disneyland, juvenile detention programming

·         Supporter: Full Circle Boards

·         Supporter: Sincerely Sawyer Photography 

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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 

Guest Bio:  

Dr. Larry Smith is a Canadian chiropractor, author, and recovery advocate who has been sober since September 22, 1999. His memoir Johnnie and Me personifies alcohol as “Johnnie,” the voice that misled him from age 11 until recovery, while his earlier book Embracing the Journey of Recovery opened doors for public speaking and community outreach. A former Ironman triathlete, Larry now writes, speaks, and mentors others in long-term recovery; his upcoming medical-thriller, 2084: The Neuroxone Conspiracy, explores addiction, industry, and choice. 

Main Topics: 

·         Personifying addiction as “Johnnie” and why naming the voice matters

·         First drunk at age 11; secrecy, trauma, and trust

·         Relapse risk and the “daily plan” for long-term recovery (journaling, meditation, meals, exercise, connection, honest feedback)

·         Meetings and connection: why frequency can change, but community matters

·         Alcohol plus pills (opiates/benzos): compounding risks and lucky survival

·         12 Steps in plain language and alternatives beyond 12-step frameworks

·         Faith, surrender, and releasing attachment to outcomes

·         Writing as healing; moving from hiding to radical honesty

·         Johnnie and Me and Embracing the Journey of Recovery: messages of hope

·         Preview of 2084: The Neuroxone Conspiracy—a dystopian medical-thriller about recovery, pharma, and mandated treatments 

Resources mentioned: 

·         Books by guest:

·         Johnnie and Me: Facing the Voice of Alcohol Within (memoir)

·         Embracing the Journey of Recovery (earlier book)

·         2084: The Neuroxone Conspiracy (upcoming novel)

·         Guest website (signed copies): DrLarrySmithAuthor.com

·         Publisher: Morgan James Publishing (New York)

·         12-step & recovery references: AA/NA; Cochrane Collaboration meta-evidence (mentioned)

·         Meditation reference: Wayne Dyer, Getting in the Gap

·         Medications discussed: Suboxone; general discussion of MAT

·         Places referenced: East Hastings & Main, Vancouver (drug scene context)

·         Film/book sidebar reference: Nuremberg (film); The Nazi and the Psychiatrist (historical book mentioned via Larry’s author coach)

·    &nb

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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 

Guest Bio:  

Robert “B-Cide” Cardillo is a New York–based rapper, producer, and entrepreneur known for his gritty underground catalog, collaborations with cult-favorite acts tied to the Insane Clown Posse scene, and his 55 Strong streetwear brand. Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at 28, he chronicles the journey in his memoir Myelin My Shoes and continues creating—releasing new music, narrating his audiobook, and building businesses that turn resilience into a platform. 

Main Topics: 

·         Early underground days: mixtapes, DIY touring, and creative freedom

·         MS at 28: symptoms, diagnosis, and navigating good vs. poor care

·         Music as therapy: writing through anger, grief, and isolation

·         From stage heat to new rules: adapting performance and goals with MS

·         Branding & entrepreneurship: 55 Strong origin and product design

·         Bookmaking with AI help: editing workflow and audiobook narration

·         Industry realities: politics in music, why authenticity matters

·         New ventures with his father: helping businesses avoid political pitfalls

·         Advice for dreamers facing fear or chronic illness: “Do it—don’t wait.” 

Resources mentioned: 

·         Robert’s site & merch: b-cide.com

·         Book: Myelin My Shoes (audiobook narrated by Robert)

·         Music: B-Cide on Spotify/major DSPs

·         Tracks referenced: “The World That I Live In,” “My Life’s F***ed Up,” “Y’all Came Here to Party with B-Cide”

·         55 Strong (streetwear/label)

·         Project Born; Insane Clown Posse; Violent J; Faygo (scene references)

·         Green Day (dream collab)

·         National MS Society (MS support groups)

·         University of Rochester MS Center

·         Griffiss Air Force Base (environmental discussion)

·         New Orleans museums: WWII Museum; Katrina Museum (travel chat)

·         Episode Sponsor: Daniel McGhee and the Victory Team

·         Supporter: Full Circle Boards

·         Supporter: Sincerely Sawyer Photography 

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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 

Guest Bio:  

Gina L. Osborn is a retired FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge and former U.S. Army counterintelligence special agent. She led major organized crime, counterterrorism, and cyber operations in Southern California (including the Sony hack response), later serving as Chief Safety & Security Officer at LA Metro. Gina is a TEDx speaker, leadership mentor, and host of the Making Maverick Moves podcast, where she champions bold, authentic leadership.

Main Topics: 

·         Cold War origins: Army counterintelligence, undercover work across Europe

·         Transition to the FBI: Little Saigon organized crime → post-9/11 counterterrorism

·         Building/leading cyber squads; responding to the Sony Pictures (2014) attack

·         Evolving from “lead from the front” to servant leadership for technical teams

·         LA Metro chapter: contracts, accountability, getting fired—then public advocacy that sparked change

·         Defining “Maverick moves”: the door metaphor, deciding which hills are worth it

·         Women in leadership: rewriting the stories we tell ourselves; ignoring “they”

·         Public speaking/TEDx: preparation, constraints (memorization, “stay on the X”), and takeaways

·         Rebranding a show: Lead Like a Lady → Making Maverick Moves and audience shifts

·         Mentorship legacy; longevity and caring for the future you (shout-out to Gina’s mom) 

Resources mentioned: 

·         Making Maverick Moves (podcast) — rebranded from Lead Like a Lady

·         GinaLOsborn.com (stated as “Gina L Osborn dot com” in the show)

·         Gina on LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok (per guest plug)

·         Sony Pictures hack (2014) — case context referenced

·         LA Metro (security, policing discussion)

·         Episode Sponsor: American Auto Repair

·         Supporter: Full Circle Boards

·         Supporter: Sincerely Sawyer Photography 

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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 

Guest Bio:  

Brittany Russin Smith is the founder of The Hive at Rumsey (a licensed commissary kitchen and event space) and co-owner of The Honey Loft, an upstairs waterfront venue in Joppatowne, MD. A former government contractor and Maryland State Police employee, she pivoted during 2020 from hot cocoa bombs and cottage-food baking into running a multi-vendor kitchen that supports caterers, food trucks, and pop-up events—all with a mission to help small businesses thrive. 

Main Topics: 

·         What a commissary kitchen is and why Harford County needed one

·         Brittany’s path: government contracting → state police → entrepreneurship

·         2020 cottage-food beginnings (hot cocoa bombs) and spark to build The Hive

·         Launching The Honey Loft: micro-wedding giveaway → full venue

·         Capacity & layout: indoor/outdoor options, lawn by the water, roundtables

·         Vendor ecosystem & collaboration (caterers, food trucks, charcuterie, desserts)

·         BYO alcohol rules at private events; staffing bartenders vs. liquor license

·         Social media hurdles for local businesses and group-posting limits

·         Future vision: expand kitchen/prep and storage downstairs; events upstairs

·         Community mentors, family support (shoutout to “Queen Bee” mom) and tattoos that tell the story 

Resources mentioned: 

·         The Hive At Rumsey Creative Kitchen & Events – Joppatowne, MD 

·         Honey Loft Suite (upstairs venue at Rumsey Towers) – Joppatowne, MD 

·         Full Circle Boards – charcuterie; cohost Tammie Wingrove 

·         Creative Chef / Creative Chef Mobile (Ben) – catering & food truck 

·         410 Empanadas – launched in the kitchen previously mentioned 

·         Boards by Dana – Bel Air brick-and-mortar charcuterie 

·         Lean Kitchen (Bel Air, owner Jason) – meal prep retail using commissary kitchen 

·         Purely Prepped Meals (Shelby) – clean eating meal prep, partners with Creative Chef 

·         Rave Regina – Haitian cuisine (new vendor) 

·         Blind Tiger (Erica) – mobile bar service at events 

·         Lagniappe (prior restaurant at space; Teres &

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Life coach and 25-year real estate pro Michelle Taylor shares how she healed deep trauma and transformed it into a movement she calls Repurposed Rising—a global vision to help women do their inner work and lead with purpose. She breaks down coaching vs. therapy, daily rituals, meditation insights, and why forgiveness is her superpower. Co-host Wendy Beck jumps in with powerful reflections and resources you can use today.

Sponsored by Harford County Living 

Guest Bio:  

Michelle Taylor is a Baltimore/Harford/Cecil-based life coach and 25-year full-time real estate agent on a mission to help women heal from the inside out. A co-author of the anthology Unstoppable Three, Michelle is launching Repurposed Rising, a movement for women’s inner healing, mentorship, and leadership. 

Main Topics: 

·         Coaching vs. therapy: action, results, and getting to the root (inner-child work) 

·         Morning & evening routines, journaling, intentions, gratitude, and self-love practices 

·         Meditation visions, motivational speaking, TEDx goals 

·         Five-year vision: Repurposed Rising as a global movement for women 

·         Collaboration & mentorship (Megan; vision boards; Lennox Lewis boxing camp) 

·         Positivity, The Secret, law of attraction, and surrounding yourself well 

·         Forgiveness, boundaries, and “what you allow is what will continue” 

·         Serving girls in schools to build self-love and mental-health resilience early  

Resources mentioned: 

·         The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron (morning pages, artist dates) 

·         Napoleon Hill (Rich’s classic he’s rereading) 

·         The Secret / Rhonda Byrne (film → book; attraction, mindset) 

·         Unstoppable Three (anthology Michelle co-authored) 

·         TEDx / goal to organize or speak at one locally 

·         Megan (author of Think Big, Act Bold; vision boards in schools; Jamaica; Lennox Lewis camp)

·         Episode Sponsor: Harford County Living

·         Supporter: Full Circle Boards

·         Supporter: Sincerely Sawyer Photography 

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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 

Guest Bios:  

·         Kristy Breslin – Longtime local media personality and nonprofit amplifier; host with Harford TV/Harford MagaScene who urged Rich to go global and coined “Conversations with Rich Bennett.” 

·         Sensei Sydney Brackins – Head instructor at Empire Dojo; teaches Japanese Jiu-Jitsu with a real-world self-defense focus and “stress inoculation” training; youth leadership mentor. 

·         Brad, Larry & Linda Delbridge – Former owners of Towne Grill & Pub (the original in-person recording hub for the show); community builders who still host paint nights and stayed close to Rich and his family.  

Main Topics: 

·         How the show started, broke a camera, then became a podcast at Towne Grill & Pub. 

·         Kristy Breslin’s pivotal rebrand advice and nonprofit storytelling mission. 

·         10-year milestones: top 3% globally, 110+ countries; rarity of hitting 750 episodes. 

·         Sensei Sydney’s Japanese Jiu-Jitsu approach, real-life “SIT” drills, and building inner peace & discipline. 

·         “Santa Smackdown” fundraiser idea and playful taser-knife ribbing. 

·         Delbridge family memories: vegan meatball switcheroo, restaurant margins, and why that side room mattered. 

·         Co-host roundtable: addiction series impact, favorite moments, embarrassing on-air detours, dream guests.  

Resources mentioned: 

·         Sponsors & Local Businesses: Maryland Pickers; Serenity Salt Spa; Four Seasons Landscape & Construction Services; Harford County Chamber of Commerce; Living Well Healthcare; Real Life Prosthetics; Clever Cat Marketing; American Auto Repair; Rage Against Addiction; WHFC 91.1 FM; Bel Air Window & Door (Window Depot); Harford County Health Department; Eco-Cool HVAC; Daniel McGhee & The Victory Team; Tar Heel Construction Group. 

·         People & Orgs: Kristy Breslin; Joe Ayler; Wendy Beck (Rage Talk segment); Jennifer Hathaway; Michelle Hayes (CleverCat Marketing); Kayla Deickman; Tammie Wingrove (Full Circle Boards); Empire Dojo; Sheriff Jeff Gahler; Roofers in Recovery; Barry Glassman; Dick Slutzky; Jelly Roll; Danny Trejo. 

·         Episode Sponsors: 

§  Freedom Federal Credit Union

§  Daniel McGhee & the Victory Team

§  Eco-Cool HVAC

·         Supporter: Full Circle Boards

·         Supporter:

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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 

Guest Bio:  

Hanna Kok is a coach, speaker, author, and medical intuitive with 30+ years working at the intersection of body, mind, and spirit. Trained in Educational Kinesiology/Brain Gym and allergy re-education, she helps clients resolve emotional roots of physical distress—often improving hormones, immunity, and resilience without medications, restrictive diets, or lifestyle overhauls. 

Main Topics: 

·         How emotions imprint the body (“emotional toxins”) and affect hormones and immunity

·         Educational Kinesiology/Brain Gym: creating subconscious shifts through movement

·         Medical intuition and reading patterns behind gut, skin, and other issues

·         “Unforgiveness is the silent poison”: why holding grudges harms health

·         Meridians & mindset: how thought patterns constrict or open energy flow

·         Practical forgiveness: common misconceptions and step-by-step reframing

·         Case stories: menstrual pain relief, reduced meds, faster recovery after treatment

·         Allergies and “re-education” (with important safety disclaimers)

·         Trauma, relationships, and addiction: resolving roots to change outcomes

·         Daily self-talk, self-respect, and simple practices to reconnect with the body 

Resources mentioned: 

·         Hanna’s offerings mentioned: a web app referred to as “iThrive/iDrive” with audio tracks for releasing emotions and support for hormones, addictions, allergies, etc. (heard as “iThrive.zone” / “iDrive.zone” in the conversation)

·         Hanna’s website mentioned several times as HannaKok.com 

·         Book (in revision): Happy Ever After: Make Your Relationships Flourish (2nd edition forthcoming)

·         Book: My Kid, My Crisis by Austin Davis

·         Episode Sponsor: Harford County Living

·         Supporter: Full Circle Boards

·         Supporter: Sincerely Sawyer Photography 

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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 

Guest Bio:  

Austin Davis, LPC-S, is the founder and CEO of Clear Fork Academy, one of Texas’s largest Christ-centered residential treatment programs for teens. Since 2017, his team has helped rehabilitate more than 5,000 adolescents struggling with substance use and mental-health disorders. He’s the author of My Kid, My Crisis, blending real family stories with practical tools parents can use right away.  

Main Topics: 

·         The post-COVID surge in teen mental-health and substance-use challenges

·         Why Clear Fork’s model is clinically based and Christ-centered (not either/or)

·         90-day residential care, plus outpatient and step-down options

·         Family-systems intensives and why “if the family doesn’t get better, the kid won’t”

·         Charter-school academics on campus; getting teens back on track to graduate

·         Early warning signs parents miss: changes in people, places, and things

·         Social media’s dopamine loop and permanent online consequences

·         Everyday rituals that heal: tech-free family dinner, shoulder-to-shoulder talks

·         What to do before the ER: seek help early; you’re not alone

·         Stories of transformation and the role of faith, service, fitness, and fun in recovery  

Resources mentioned: 

·         Clear Fork Academy — admissions & info: clearforkacademy.com (ages 13–17; boys & girls campuses; 90-day track; family intensives; charter-school academics; Texas-based outpatient/virtual within TX). 

·         Book: My Kid, My Crisis by Austin Davis

·         Episode Sponsor: Maryland Pickers

·         Supporter: Full Circle Boards

·         Supporter: Sincerely Sawyer Photography 

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