The Back 9

It’s toastin’ time on The Back 9 with this season’s 19th hole. We revisit the conversations that stuck with us most — the very best thoughts from the season about professional reinvention, leadership and how to gracefully come to grips with the end of things.  But the biggest takeaway from Season 9 is about the importance going straight to the source — and that leads to one of the spicier conversations ever on the Podc...

We kick off fall with a little friendly South Florida smack talk, as we welcome the hilarious Rachel Sobel and Dale McLean from the Friends Without Benefits Podcast. Dale, the in-arena host for the Miami Heat, humorously shares his challenges finding steady relationships in his demographic, while Rachel, a much-published writer, offers all kinds of dating advice, and ranks her favorite husbands.  In short, we dig deep ...

On this episode of The Back 9, Dennis and Josh catch up with three time All Star reliever and longtime MLB analyst Dan Plesac for a masterclass on how to fulfill your role — as a professional, a father and a man.  Dan discusses his evolution from ninth inning hammer to matchup specialist, and the difficulty he had accepting his new role in the bullpen pecking order.  He also shares his struggle with reintegrating into ...

In this episode of The Back 9 we catch up with Ray Collins, who spent his first career as a broadcaster before trading in the bright lights of morning TV for a second act in real estate and a richer personal life. Ray walks us through a career shaped by early mentors like Van Miller, the moment he realized it was time for him to leave the newsroom had changed, and how he successfully translated his name recognition and people skill...

On this episode of the Back 9, baseball lifer Jeff Manto joins Dennis and Josh.  Jeff was a prodigious home run hitter who spent the front 9 of his career bouncing between the major leagues and the high minors, including championship runs in the Yankees and Indians organizations.  He shares what he learned about team culture, and how good winning culture creates winning outcomes.  

Jeff also presents a unique perspective on how he ...

Chris “The Bulldog” Parker has been a colleague and friend of ours for over 30 years, and he joins the Back 9 for a conversation about how our perspective changes as we age.  Chris reflects on three decades behind the mic and how, when we become husbands and fathers, our attitude can change towards our jobs and how we approach what matters in life.  In particular, Chris’ son Owen was an elite hockey player, and Chris shares both th...

On this episode of The Back 9, Jamie Seh, Sports Director at the CBS affiliate in Orlando, reflects on her journey of breaking barriers as a woman in sports broadcasting.  She discusses the challenges and triumphs of a decades-long career, and how, as she reaches the Back 9, she has started to search for what’s next.

Spoiler alert: Jamie has found her path by embracing curiosity and taking a very interesting leap of faith, leading ...

This week on The Back 9, we sit down with our good friend Brian Shactman, the former MSNBC anchor, to talk about navigating the twists and turns of our career paths, the hard pivots that come when you don’t get to choose your ending, and the lessons he learned along the way. From way too early mornings in radio to high-profile roles at ESPN, CNBC and MSNBC, Brian shares how he fought through setbacks, protected his family time, and...

Jeff Perera’s story is a masterclass in reinvention.  He’s the founder of Jeff’s Bagel Run, one of the fastest growing brands in the country.  Jeff joins us to share how losing his corporate job at 42 led to a new passion, a thriving franchise, and a lesson in letting go of control. Jeff spreads his secret recipes for success that has led from a cottage industry in his kitchen to over 100 stores in development, and why those secret...

This week on The Back 9, we kick off a new season with a powerful conversation about leadership, culture, and the ripple effect of kindness. Guest Ryan Minton—author, keynote speaker, and former hospitality exec—joins us to share how a single front desk employee changed the way he leads forever.

Ryan reminds us that creating a positive work culture starts with gratitude and the courage to uplift one person at a time. He shares the ...

We kick off Season Nine by exploring what abundance really looks like at this stage of life.  We unpack how ambition shifts, why “more” isn’t always better, and how quieter wins can make us feel wealthier than chasing it all.

Of course, it’s not all serious—we swap stories about getting locked out walking the dog, and the strange comfort we find in remembering our childhood landlines.  Remember those?  And we offer a preview of the...

On this final stop in Season 8, we reflect on the real throughline of the entire season - self power. Whether it's setting boundaries, respecting the ones set for us, or knowing when to stop selling our perspective, this episode dives deep into the emotional shifts that come in our midlife relationships, including the one we have with ourselves.

We revisit our time with some spectacular guests and their journeys of transformation a...

We close season 8 of The Back 9 with a powerful episode, as we sit down with Owen Marcus, the founder of MELD and a pioneer in men's emotional wellness.  Owen helps us explore the connection between somatic awareness and emotional authenticity.  Owen shares some of his own journey to help us dive deep into why most men have never been taught how to feel, and how nervous system awareness can be the key to deeper connection, healing,...

What do you get when you mix elite skating, red hair, and a thousand NHL games? A damn good conversation about life -- and hockey -- with former NHL All-Star Brian Campbell.  In this episode of The Back 9, we welcome the Stanley Cup champion and individual Trophy winner to the mic for a refreshingly honest ride through his career, leadership lessons, and life after hockey.

Brian opens up about the unexpected wisdom that came from h...

No prescription needed this week on The Back 9, as we catch up with the one and only Leon Miller -- aka, “Dr. Painkiller”.  Leon is the magnetic force behind the legendary Soggy Dollar Bar on Jost Van Dyke in the British Virgin Islands. From beach kid to island icon, Leon shares how he has built a lifestyle brand rooted in rum, resilience, and real connection.  Leon doesn't just make the island's most famous drink -- he helps peopl...

Kerry Wald is a well-known Las Vegas bartender, storyteller, poet and world-class listener.  In this episode, Kerry shares how his journey behind the bar has allowed him a first-row seat to the pain people carry in silence, until they open up to him, a stranger.  From those raw stories, Kerry learned the value of truly listening and of finding the joy in helping others.  With shocking emotional depth, Kerry also reveals how that le...

Kristen Griffin faced unimaginable loss.  She was a young wife, pregnant with her first child, when her husband was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. What followed was a two-decade journey of reframing her life story: from grieving young widow to successful executive, to full-time women’s coach.  In this powerful and inspirational conversation, Kristen reveals how she navigated single motherhood and burnout to rediscover her ow...

What happens when your million-dollar company crumbles and you’re left  with nothing but lessons and grit?  Pam Jordan shares her unfiltered journey that led her to found the Pivot Business Group which helps entrepreneurs finally get real about their numbers. She's part business strategist, part money therapist, and full-blown truth-teller.

In this eye-opening episode, we dive into why most entrepreneurs are sabotaging their own su...

A few years ago, Josh Gregory saw his reflection in the mirror, and found only darkness staring back.  No love, no hate, just pure emptiness.  In this raw and riveting episode, hear the powerful story of a boy who started drinking at age 11, then spent decades hiding in plain sight as a high-functioning alcoholic, before he finally hit the breaking point that forced him to face the truth.

 On this episode, Josh guides us through hi...