The Back 9 - Midlife, Best Life.

Most people think culture just happens. But it doesn't.  This week on The Back 9, we sit down with Herbie Lopez, GM of Toyota of Hollywood, to talk about how he's built one of the top-performing dealerships in the country—and why the numbers aren't the point. Herbie shares how he got into the business after losing his father at 19, the influence of his uncle Tony, and what he's learned about leading a thousand-person operation. We get into what it really takes to change a culture, keep it intact, and measure success in ways that go beyond sales. The conversation turns when he talks about hitting the same age his father was when he passed. That's where things started to shift—health, time, and how he looks at the work. If you're leading people, building something, or starting to think about what all of it adds up to, this one will resonate… on The Back 9.

The hardest part after a divorce isn't always the divorce.  This week on the Back 9, we sit down with Dr. Barbark Kelly to talk about co-parenting, and why it's often the part of divorce that lingers the longest.  We get into what happens when youand your ex don't agree on what's best for your kids, how communication breaks down, and why a more structured approach can help steady things.  But more than anything, this is how you show up for your kids in the middle of it.  We also make it personal.  With big milestones ahead, we're both dedicated to handling these moments in the right way, and we explore how to do just that.  Your kids are paying attention.(paragraph). If you're in it now, or just trying to do it better, this one will resonate...on the Back 9.   Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

Great leaders don't rely on talk. They just show up. This week on The Back 9, we sit down with Coach Mark Soto — longtime football coach, mentor, and leader — to talk about what leadership actually looks like in real life, at home and on the field. Coach Soto shares lessons from decades of coaching and raising kids, including what it means to lead with humility, set the standard through your actions, and guide young men into strong, grounded masculinity.  From players who exceeded every expectation to his own sons who chose the hardest possible path in service, Mark's perspective is steady, honest, and earned. If you're a father, coach, or anyone trying to lead better, this one finds the fairway...on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

Most marriages don't fail because of surprises. They fail because we ignore the early signs. This week on The Back 9, we sit down with Kevin Thompson, marriage and life pastor at California's Bayside Church, to break down the real reasons relationships struggle, and how we can fix them before it's too late. Kevin dives into attachment styles, love patterns, communication breakdowns, and why the problems couples fight about years into marriage are usually there long before the wedding. He explains the predictable stages of marriage stress and why most couples wait until they're near the end to get help. If last week was about toxic relationships and missed red flags, this one is about awareness, growth, and building a relationship that can make it to the finish line. So if you're dating, married, divorced, or just willing to try again, this is one you need… on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

Four marriages led to four divorces. You'd think a successful, well-known international life coach would know the signs. But when he met a former supermodel, he walked straight into a relationship he couldn't control, couldn't fix, and couldn't leave. Stephen Paul Edwards tells a story that's as seductive as it is destructive. His attraction was instant. The warning signs were obvious. The chaos kept increasing.  Yet he still stayed. Because when you're the fly in the trap, it doesn't feel like a trap. It feels like connection. Like passion. Like something you don't want to lose. We've been there.  We get why so many men stay in toxic relationships.  And in this episode we hear the details of this story when intensity masks dysfunction, and how even self-aware, successful people ignore what they know deep down. It's about recognizing the pattern, owning your role in it, and finding the strength to finally break free…on The Back 9. Connect with Stephen Website: https://vft23.com/ Link to Free Chapters: https://vft23.com/bonus/ Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

Dr. Achim Zinggrebe spent his life treating cancer—until he became the cancer patient. After being diagnosed with lymphoma, everything changed. Not just his own situation, but also how he saw medicine and how he viewed life. He realized that even in the middle of cancer, most of his body was still working for him.   That became the mantra of his practice.  Our conversation explores life after cancer, remission, and what it really means to heal the body, mind, spirit, and soul. Achim shares how his experience reshaped the way he practices medicine and how patients can move from surviving to truly thriving. This is a conversation about perspective, resilience, and learning how to live fully again…on The Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

What if the hardest things you've been through weren't holding you back, but are instead shaping your strength? Author and Advocate Misty Carson joins us to kick off season 12, by challenging one of the most common beliefs around trauma: that it's something to "get over." Instead, she shares how trauma, adversity, and early instability can become the foundation for resilience, perspective, and purpose. Misty defines the moment when one decides whether your past will define you or drive you.  We go through the steps of how it takes intention, accountability, and sometimes creating distance from the patterns and people that shaped you, even if they love you.  Even if they mean well. This is an inspirational conversation about how we turn pain into purpose when we realize that the difficulties we go through can be the very things that moves us forward…on The Back 9. Pre-order your copy of Misty's book, The Unbreakable Advantage, here. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

We have spent years learning what it really takes to rebuild our lives —and find love again—after divorce. As Season 12 of The Back 9 begins, we reflect on why these conversations matter. After more than 100 episodes exploring all aspects of midlife transitions, one theme that keeps resurfacing is that divorce can shake a man's identity to the core. It's also the question shaping the book we're currently writing—about how men heal, rebuild, and eventually find love again. We talk about the real work behind that process: learning to be alone, facing disappointment, and doing the personal work before stepping into a healthy second relationship. Because love after divorce is less about the comeback story, than it is about becoming the man who's ready for it…on The Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

Have you noticed the moment when the Back 9 of life stops being a metaphor and starts feeling real? As Season 11 of The Back 9 wraps, we reflect on the shifts that come with midlife. Our daughters are grown. Our health and longevity feel personal. Time carries more weight. This season we explored fatherhood, friendship, identity, reinvention, and building the next chapter. In this 19th Hole, we turn the conversation inward. We talk about mortality, letting go of roles that no longer fit, and the clarity that comes when we realize time matters more than ever. Because while none of us knows how many holes are left—but we can choose how we play them…on The Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

What happens when the dream ends before you're ready? Heavyweight contender Joe Mesi once carried the pride of his hometown on his back.  They packed arenas, he had the Olympics within reach, and the path seemed clear—until a brain injury ended his boxing career overnight. Joe joins us to talk about the identity crisis that can follow when athletes lose the one thing they were built to do. We explore life after sports, rebuilding purpose after career loss, and how reinvention often begins in the hardest moments. From the spotlight of professional boxing to marriage, fatherhood, and a new career, Joe shares what it really takes to move forward when the first dream disappears. It's a conversation about valuing fulfillment over fame…on The Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

40 years of marriage. Three sons raised into men. This is the long game of fatherhood. Veteran sportscaster Vince Cellini joins The Back 9 for a steady, practical conversation about  healthy masculinity in fatherhood, long-term marriage and evolving identity in midlife. We talk about raising sons into capable men, balancing career ambition with presence at home, and staying consistent when work never really turns off. Vince shares how his blue-collar roots shaped his leadership as a husband and father and what changes when your children become adults. It's a grounded discussion about how consistency becomes our most important stat…on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast  

What happens when you achieve the life you planned… and realize you're still not happy? Kee Kee Buckley had the Hollywood executive title, the resume, the access, but she felt she had lost her identity.  When she got laid off she packed her Prius, grabbed her rescue dog Yoda, and drove across the country searching for Shama — the Sanskrit word for inner peace. On this episode of The Back 9, we talk with Kee Kee about identity loss, career pivots, spiritual awakening, and the courage to leave a life that looks successful but doesn't feel aligned. From spiritual communities to long stretches of silence on the open road, Kee Kee shares what it really takes to reset your life in mid-chapter. This is a conversation about burnout, red flags in relationships, reinvention, and why inner peace isn't a destination — it's a daily practice, and it's one that's never too late to undertake...on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

Men need strong friendships.  Few of us are lucky enough to keep them for decades. On this episode of The Back 9, we sit down with Jim Brock Jr. — a 30+ year friend — to talk about the rare power of long-term adult male friendship and what it takes to stay connected through the peaks and valleys of life. What makes a friendship survive decades? What allows two men to be instantly available for each other no matter the circumstances. How can you pick up the phone after years and feel like no time has passed? Jim shares what it was like coming out as a gay man later in life, navigating sexual identity in a polarized political culture, and how real friendship holds steady even when beliefs and identities shift. We talk about emotional trust, loyalty, and adult male connection, and why those bonds become more meaningful as life moves forward. It's an episode that explores true masculinity through the kind of friendship that lasts a lifetime...on the Back 9 Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

What do you do when your industry shifts — and your 21-year run suddenly ends? This week, we sit down with longtime ESPN producer Gus Ramsey to talk about career pivots, layoffs, reinvention, mentorship, and retirement planning on the Back 9. After producing SportsCenter's most important shows during its peak, Gus was forced to recalibrate. Instead of chasing relevance, he focused on usefulness — launching a coaching practice, leading the prestigious Dan Patrick School of Sportscasting, and mentoring the next generation of broadcasters. Now, at 59½ — emphasis on the half -- he's made another intentional pivot: retiring, relocating, and redesigning life on purpose. This episode is about reading the signals, protecting your integrity, and making bold midlife career moves without losing yourself…on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

Most relationships don't end because of one big blowup.  They end because too much goes unsaid. This week on The Back 9, therapist and author Colette Fehr returns to the show to talk about her new book, The Cost of Quiet, and why avoiding conflict can quietly push couples toward distance, disconnection, and divorce. The three of us dig into how "keeping the peace" turns into resentment, how intimacy fades when hard conversations don't happen, and why this pattern shows up so often in midlife relationships and second marriages. If you've ever stayed quiet to avoid a fight — and wondered later how things slipped so far — this conversation will hit home.  It's a topic worth shouting about, on The Back 9. Contact Colette Preorder The Cost of Quiet: How to Have the Hard Conversations That Create Secure, Lasting Love https://www.colettejanefehr.com/new-book Website https://www.colettejanefehr.com Instagram and TikTok @colettejanefehr Substack https://colettejanefehr.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips TEDx Talk, "Secrets from a Couples Therapist" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tSUOB2yEd0 Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

What does it actually take to design a life you want? And do you earn your way to that clarity by going through the harder chapters first? We're joined by someone who can answer those questions.  Expat business coach and former federal criminal defense attorney Linda Perry has created a life that is a perfect model of what it looks like to build with intention. Linda shares how a 17-year career in law, a difficult ex-husband, and the work of self-reflection all shaped her understanding of who she really was and what she wanted next.  Linda brings both lived experience and professional insight as a mediator and coach, offering perspective on how people break patterns and move forward with integrity. Then we shift into the bold choice she made to live abroad. Linda walks us through life in Portugal, touching on both the process (residency options, language, bureaucracy) and how joyful daily life can be when you choose to start over in another country. It's an episode about earning clarity, choosing courage, and deciding to design your life instead of living by default….on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

On this episode we give you some bang for your buck, as we sit down with financial advisor Mike Gyzl of Cetera Investors to talk about a topic most families avoid until it becomes urgent: money. Mike explains the "retirement red zone," how to think about replacing a paycheck after work ends, and why the coming wealth transfer makes family planning more important than ever. We also dig into how to bring kids and young adults into the conversation, why they often tune out their parents but will listen to a trusted third party, and how to use simple tools to keep the transfer of wealth simple and clear. And we wrap by exploring the emotional side of money, market noise, investing trends, and that big Back 9 question: what kind of life do you actually want, and how do you build a plan that can grow and adapt as life changes on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast Disclosure: Cetera Investors is a marketing name of Cetera Investment Services. Securities and Insurance Products are offered through Cetera Investment Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services are offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC. REITs are subject to various risks such as illiquidity and property devaluations based on adverse economic and real estate market conditions and may not be suitable for all investors. A prospectus that discloses all risks, fees and expenses may be obtained from the REIT company. Read the prospectus carefully before investing. This is not a solicitation or offering which can only be made in conjunction with a copy of the prospectus.

We kick off the new season with our Wellness episode. Joyce Feldman, the leader of South Florida's Big Children's Foundation, which focuses on teens in foster care.  Our discussion focuses on the importance of mentorship from men, and how early support, consistency, and real relationships matter more than quick fixes.  Joyce is also a long-time health and fitness expert, and she leans into that expertise to share tips on how we can keep our fitness resolutions heading into the new year.  It's a conversation about showing up, building habits that last, and how physical health, mental wellness, and purpose all connect on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

Kick off the new year with The Back 9 as we take you inside what's ahead in Season 11 to preview all our new elements of the show — including an updated format designed to help you quickly find the conversations that matter most to your life during midlife. We are emphasizing the topics our beloved listeners ask for most: parenting, modern masculinity, health and wellness, friendship, purpose, and legacy. Along the way, we look back at holiday travel chaos, laugh about over-cologned Uber drivers, and share what's changed behind the scenes.  So let's make turn into 2026 with gratitude, clarity, momentum, and a great list of upcoming guests…on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

In this season and year-end wrap-up of The Back 9, we  reflect on the conversations, moments, and themes that defined Season 10. From a viral clip with Kerri Ballinger to powerful discussions on wellness, early detection, loss, and personal reinvention, this season delivered big moments of depth, honesty, and perspective at every turn. We share the insights from guests including Sean Springman, Ross Deutsch, and Sheryl Campbell, and take a personal look at our recurring themes of setting boundaries, healing, and building healthier relationships.  Some of this comes from our own lives as we dive into the next chapter with greater clarity and intention. So join us in toasting the Old Year past, the New Year Present, and our commitment to creating our best future, on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

On this episode of The Back 9, we sit down with integrative wellness leader Judy Mackey to explore a smarter, whole-person approach to healing and cap a season devoted in large part to wellness. In facing her own health crisis, Judy discovered the power of Eastern medicine and integrative care — a journey that ultimately led her to help build StrataMed at Garden of the Gods. She explains how integrative approaches help uncover illness, and why trauma, behavior, and mindset often matter just as much as labs and scans.  Judy also shares the beautiful moments when skeptical patients finally find answers and real transformation. If you're resolved to look at wellness in a new way in the New Year, come sit by the fire with the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

Okay, maybe not how to drink healthy, but how to drink healthiER! On this episode of The Back 9, we sit down with Chase Glick, founder of Chay Spirits, to talk about personal reinvention, massive weight loss, and building a better-for-you alcohol brand from scratch. After losing more than 150 pounds, Chase rethought his relationship with alcohol — and set out to create an alcohol brand  that actually fit a healthy lifestyle. He breaks down how keto changed his life, why ingredients matter, and how Chay delivers smooth flavor without the burn. The conversation also dives into entrepreneurship in your 20s, learning a tough industry the hard way, and what it takes to build something people didn't know they needed. Its the perfect cocktail of health, weight loss, and drinking smarter, so belly up to this episode of the Back 9.   Follow Chay at chayspirits.com and @drinkchay Contact Dennis & Josh: Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

We're celebrating two years of The Back 9 with our Second Anniversary Show, recorded live. We revisit the conversations that shaped our biggest episodes of the past year — from modern masculinity and leadership to healing, reinvention, and emotional resilience.   Kerri Ballinger returns to complete the story behind her viral clip, sharing what EXACTLY was in her bath, and the rest of her journey through chronic illness. And Suzette Bravo joins us to break down what aspects of masculinity women genuinely find attractive, and why self-awareness matter more than performance. It's a warm, honest look at two years of what it means to grow on the Back Nine. Contact Dennis & Josh: Instagram: @Back9_Podcast    

We sit down with author and Adirondack 46er Sheryl Campbell, whose powerful back-nine journey includes surviving breast cancer, navigating divorce, and losing her business during COVID. Sheryl shares how a single winter hike in the Adirondacks sparked her mission to climb all 46 high peaks, helping her quiet the noise, reclaim her identity, and finally let go of the past. Her story — including how losing a treasured object helped her find something far more meaningful — is an inspiring reminder that healing, purpose, and strength often begin with one unexpected step forward on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

On this week's Back 9, we sit down with Jim Coghlin and Tricia Laursen, the leaders of Detect Together, a nonprofit teaching people how to recognize subtle health changes and act early. Jim shares the personal loss that inspired the mission, and Tricia explains t a simple way to know your baseline, spot persistent changes, and communicate clearly with your doctor. Together, they break down why half of all cancers are diagnosed late, how small symptoms get dismissed, and why self-advocacy is one of the most important tools you have. You'll hear real stories where early action saved lives — and where waiting had devastating consequences.  It's a conversation will change the way you think about early detection, and a way to avoid all the hazards, on The Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh: Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

This week on The Back 9, we sit down with entrepreneur Tom Kubiniec, a former touring guitarist whose life took a hard left turn after an injury ended his music career. What followed  was a masterclass in learning how to figure it out when life blows up your plan. Tom shares the story of landing his first major contract in an industry he barely understood, the lessons he learned while making money, losing money, and rebuilding again, and the surprising truth he discovered along the way: success isn't defined by dollars — it's defined by finding joy in what you do.  Today, as the founder of SecureIt Tactical and the creator of the CradleGrid system, Tom uses the skills he earned the hard way to solve the very injury that changed his life in the first place. It's a conversation is for anyone navigating reinvention, rebuilding their identity, or starting over in the second half of life, and a reminder that the most important thing on the Back 9 isn't having all the answers — it's trusting that you can figure it out. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

This week on The Back 9, we sit down with Kerri Ballinger.  She's a practitioner of NAET, a holistic approach that uses energy balancing and muscle testing to reduce allergic reactions and restore wellness. Kerri shares her jaw-dropping story of overcoming a near-death chronic illness and helping her son heal from severe allergies through integrative methods. Together, we explore how Western medicine and holistic healing can work in harmony and the courage it takes to look beyond conventional answers.  It's an eye-opening conversation about what happens when we stop masking symptoms and start listening to the wisdom of our bodies. So if you've ever wanted to go beyond modern medicine to find additional pathways to health, we prescribe the next episode of the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh: Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

This week on The Back 9, Dennis and Josh welcome high school basketball coach Ross Deutsch for a powerful and inspiring conversation about healing, resilience, and purpose after loss. Ross opens up about the unimaginable loss of his son Rory, and how that tragedy inspired the creation of the Rory David Deutsch Foundation, a beacon of hope for families facing pediatric cancer. He shares how his family — wife Mindy, sons Robbie and Rickey, and daughters Reggie and Rosie — showed him why giving your time more life matters more than giving your life more time. Ross's story is a moving exploration of grief, family, fatherhood, faith, and finding strength through community — and a reminder that even after unimaginable tragedy, we can rediscover purpose, live with gratitude, and thrive on the Back Nine. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

Dennis and Josh welcome entrepreneur Sean Springman into the studio to talk about how one can step around the corporate ceiling to find personal success.  Sean talks about the mindset and self-belief it takes to strike out on your own, start a business, and then scale a company from early scrappy deals to meaningful growth. Sean also opens up about how his personal life shapes that professional journey;  he's a guy parenting two college athletes, navigating profound family loss, and discovering how living with self-focused intention is actually not selfish at all.  We're pulling out all the clubs in our bag, as we start season 10 of the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

Ninety-nine episodes ago, the Back 9 started with two men in midlife, a couple of microphones, and a resolve to ask better, more pointed questions about the second half of life, with the belief that people out there needed the same kind of conversation. Turns out, a lot of you did. To mark the milestone of our 100th episode, our producer, Janine Stella, puts us in the hot seat. No prep. No polish. Just an honest, unscripted look at what The Back 9 has become, and where it's headed next. We revisit the moments that changed us — the laughter that disarmed the pain, the confessions that came out of nowhere, the stories that reminded us we're all capable of healing and hope. It's now way more than a podcast. It's a community. This episode is really about you — middle aged men and the women who love them — people who've shown up, leaned in, and proven that real strength lives in vulnerability, curiosity, and connection. And we talk about the next hundred: deeper stories, live gatherings, a book for men finding their way to relationships, and a growing community built on friendship, purpose, because our best chapters aren't behind us — they're here for us right now. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast  

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 Podcast, with a very satisfying ending.  So grab a glass and pull up a chair for the 99th episode…of The Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 into this 3-decade platonic relationship to discuss the nature of inter-gender friendships, how to keep them respectful of their separate romances, and the importance of investing in friendship.  It's an episode that will keep you in stitches…on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 domestic life both after each season and after his career, and how that struggle ultimately led to his divorce.  But you'll be uplifted by the attitude that helped him rebuild his relationship with his daughters and grandchildren. And there's some other fun along the way — Dan relays the unforgettable story of his lone big league hit and previews baseball's playoffs, while we all bond over our woes around the green.  Get your pencils and scorecards ready…for another fantastic episode of The Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 skills into becoming a top performer in his second career.  We also dig into the emotional side of reinvention. Ray was a longtime bachelor before settling down on the Back 9.  He reflects on why he waited, his own shortcomings in previous relationships, how meeting his wife reset his priorities, and what it feels like to finally find joy off the air.  It's an episode about patience, persistence, and the success we can earn in our second acts, on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 knew when it was time to move on to the rest of his life, and how we can all make that decision easier on ourselves.  Along the way he pays tribute to his mentors, reflects on how to be free of regret, and leaves us with timeless lessons on leadership, transition and purpose.  So step into the batters' box with us, on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 the pain of watching Owen have to step away from the game and the pride he feels in watching him follow in his footsteps into media.  It's an emotional journey worth taking. We also spend some time talking about learning to appreciate all the little things in life, like golf, the start of the NFL season, and taking care of our health.  Chris proves that old friends are the best friends — and the best guests! — on this episode of the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 her to what has become her simple and powerful mantra: Allow yourself to surprise yourself!  It's shockingly good advice that you can find this week, on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh:  Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 found purpose in creating meaningful conversations. We also dive into what might just be the skill we all need most as we navigate this stage of our professional lives. So rise and shine with us, on this episode of the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh:  Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 secrets are achievable for just about anyone thinking about going it on their own. So whether you are already in your own Back 9 business, or just thinking about pivoting in your career, this episode is packed with practical advice and inspiration.  And it's hot out of the oven, on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh: Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 mind-blowing story that led him to leave the corporate world to follow his purpose, and how he learned that every interaction has the power to add air to someone' balloon. If you want to lead with heart, or just add to the positivity in your life, this episode is a reminder that your best game awaits…on the back nine. Contact Dennis & Josh:Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 season ahead.  It's laughter, perspective, and a fresh look at what it means to have "enough" , as we make the turn to Season 9 on the Back Nine. Contact Dennis & Josh:Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 and resilience, as well as those who provide escapes from all that.  Then we cap it off with a BIG birthday celebration.  So make our wish come true...and join us as we put the wraps on Season 8...on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh:Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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, and lasting transformation.  Owen explains how vulnerability, safety and embodiment can reshape how men navigate stress and relationship -- both professional and personal -- in our everyday lives.    Whether you're navigating partnership, burnout or your own inner disconnect, this conversation unlocks the tools so many men are missing, and offers a raw and accessible path to become more connected from the inside out.  So take the leap, with the Back 9.   Contact Dennis & Josh:Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 his dad on a long car ride, and how he now mentors the next generation of players with empathy and edge.  He not only shares his best advice, but also reveals something truly SHOCKING about the team with which he won the Cup.  Soup's on...with this episode of the Back 9! Contact Dennis & Josh: Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 people make memories and find meaning by serving up all those good tropical vibes. So whether you've been to Jost, or you dream daily of a toes-in-the-sand escape, you'll find your personal dose of sunshine -- and the original Painkiller recipe -- on this episode of the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh: Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 led him to writing as a way to reflect, connect, and ultimately heal for himself.  The episode offers advice from a bartender that doubles as life wisdom. With a compelling mix of humor and heart, and a handful of stories about Old Vegas, Kerry details how empathy and storytelling can change lives — one quiet conversation at a time. If you've ever felt stuck, unseen, or unsure how to begin healing, this episode is for you, on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh: Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 own truth. But Kristen's story isn't just about resilience—it's about rewriting her entire identity. Kristen shares how she finally moved through a narrative that had kept her stuck, and how the universe opened up a second chapter on the Back 9  that she had always believed was waiting.  If you've ever wondered how to rise from loss, love again, or break free from the chains that bind you, this episode is for you, on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh: Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 success, how money trauma silently kills growth, and why med spas, side hustlers, and even doctors are leaving thousands on the table. Along the way, she shares how we can build our own empires and how we can help our kids learn how to grow wealth.  It's a conversation that will change your relationship with money, legacy and success…on this episode of the Back 9.  Contact Dennis & Josh: Instagram: @Back9_Podcast

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 his journey of addiction and denial with brutal honesty, ultimately sharing how that honesty led him down a pathway to sobriety and redemption.  If you've ever struggled with substances, know someone else who has, or merely wondered what it really takes to change your life—his story doesn't hold back.  It's an episode that deserves your full attention, on the Back 9.

What happens when you stop running from the pain? For Suzette Bravo, it was the realization that she'd spent a lifetime avoiding the trauma underneath. In this episode, she shares what happened when she finally faced it head-on, and how that led her to a deeper understanding of masculine and feminine energy—not as stereotypes, but as powerful, complementary forces within all of us.Suzette now works with young women and men—teaching them how to stand confidently in both their strength and their vulnerability.   It's an invitation to step into presence, purpose and emotional clarity because Suzette provides a roadmap to integrity self-trust and the kind of masculinity that makes everyone around you feel safer.  So if you are a father, a brother, a partner, or a woman who loves one, this is a must, must listen of the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh: Instagram: @Back9_Podcast