Episodes
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Friends, we recorded this episode the morning after our live anniversary bash, which brought back memories of Vegas benders, sleepless golf trips and other tales of debauchery from our wilder 20-something days. And those stories put into perspective our takes on relationships, personal growth and other reflections on meaningful middle age.
Those pave the way for what’s ahead as we preview Season Six, including some truly thought-provoking episodes on love, dating, adult parenting and other aspects of this time of life. So come take a sleigh ride with us, as we jingle all the way into the Back 9.
Contact Dennis & Josh:
Instagram: @Back9_Podcast -
It’s a party on The Back 9! Broadcasting live from Taco Tuesdays Taqueria in Delray Beach, Florida, as we invite several guests to celebrate our first anniversary, and close Season 5 in style. With our first ever live audience bringing the energy, this episode is packed with heartfelt reflections, hilarious moments, and inspiring stories. We update thoughts on dating after divorce with our first-ever guest, Eric Goodman, and bring in comedians, counselors and other podcasters to help us laugh and thrive in midlife.
So come join us at this fiesta for a celebratory mix of life’s challenges and triumphs, and the unexpected moments that have made it worthwhile during the first year of the Back 9.
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Missing episodes?
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In this powerful episode of The Back 9, Dennis and Josh wrap up Season 5 with an inspiring conversation featuring Matt Gilhooly, creator of the award-winning podcast The Life Shift. Matt takes us on an emotional journey, sharing how a life-altering moment in his childhood shaped his mission to uncover the pivotal moments that define all of us. From personal tragedies to transformative decisions, Matt’s insights reveal how exploring these experiences can lead to healing, growth, and self-awareness.
As Dennis and Josh discuss their own milestones, the discussion touches on how life’s darkest valleys often lead to unexpected highs. It’s a candid conversation that reminds us all to embrace our own turning points, and a fitting finale to season 5 of The Back 9.
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In this very light episode, Dennis and Josh get to know Donna Taylor and Brittany Boo, hosts of the Talk Birdie to Me podcast, for a deep dive into the transformative power of community. Donna shares her story of growing up in a golfing family, burning out as a competitive player, and then deploying other passions – like yoga – to find a new approach to that helped her rediscover her love for the game in a totally different way. By utilizing this unique blend of yoga and golf, she has created a supportive space where women of all ages can learn, connect, and thrive. Brittany adds a fresh perspective as a newer member of this community, and between them they share relatable experiences about starting something new later in life and why creating or being involved in community is at the heart of so much positivity in everything they do.
In the end, it’s a discussion about how reinvention and finding joy in community is a sure path to overcoming burnout, and it’s one we joyfully share, on this episode of the Back 9.
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In this special guest episode of The Back 9, Dennis surprises Josh with legendary tough guy and hockey leader Rob Ray. Razor reflects on his unique career, from scoring his first NHL goal to shaping a legacy that fits the blue-collar spirit of the fans that cheered him on. Beyond the fights and penalty minutes, Ray offers insight into his life after hockey, sharing heartfelt advice on transitioning out of a first career — in his case professional sports — finding purpose beyond the game, and the challenges of balancing family with a demanding career. With humor, unforgettable anecdotes, and reflections on a two-decade second career in broadcasting, Ray’s story reminds us that true fulfillment comes from what we give back. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or simply love a good story, this episode will keep you entertained as we skate through this episode of the back 9.
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Ssssh! It’s a surprise! It’s the first of our secret guest episodes and we are starting with an ACE. It’s a compelling conversation with the GOAT of Ladies Golf, Annika Sorenstam. Annika shares her transformation from childhood tennis prodigy to golfing superstar, as she reflects on her groundbreaking career, the importance of the mentors who guided her, and the moment she decided to step away at her peak to embrace family life.
From this unique perspective, Annika discusses the delicate balance of parenting young athletes, mentoring the next generation through the Annika Foundation, and the enduring passion that drives her in every area of life – as an icon, a chef, and a Mom. Annika’s insights reveal her dedication, humility, and humor. So come play a few holes and be inspired by the resilience, grace, and legacy of a true champion, on a fresh episode of The Back 9.
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Few of us have ever won a National Championship, and fewer still have won something as large as the Super Bowl. On this Episode of the Back 9, we introduce you to Pastor Tim Johnson, someone who has done both of those things, and yet neither stands as his largest accomplishment. Most recently, Tim embedded himself in one of the most violent sections of one of America’s harshest prisons, to execute a mission of redemption to provide hope for some of the inmates, and has a forthcoming documentary that documents that experience.
In this episode you’ll hear how through one encounter from his childhood, Tim discovered the extraordinary impact that can be made from a single conversation. He shares that story and discusses the power he found in dedicating himself to mentorship and faith. It’s an episode full of honesty and humor that invites us to look beyond ourselves to consider the legacies we are building and the difference we can make in the lives of others. So join in for a full plate spirituality on this episode of the Back 9.
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This episode of the Back 9 will stimulate the brain and soothe the ears. We welcome the resonant voice of Nick Warner, a former high-powered lobbyist who made a bold transition to become a successful business consultant. Nick shares his compelling story of how he walked away from a decades-long career influencing California’s political arena, to pivot to a new path focused on helping others thrive through leadership and coaching.
Within the facts of that story, Nick offers the intimate details of the personal and professional challenges that shaped his decision, including the toll of stress, the importance of financial foresight, and how he applied his philosophy of saying ‘no’ to unnecessary pressure. It’s a deep dive into what it takes to redefine success, maintain work-life balance, and approach life with purpose on this episode of The Back 9.
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Class is in session on this episode of the Back 9. Our guest this week is Barbie Boules, aka "The Cognition Dietitian,", and she joins to share her expert insights about how the things we ingest in middle age impact – and potentially impair – our senior years. She offers instruction on how to monitor our metabolic health, and strategies for creating the robust diet that is going to feed our future selves. From practical tips on managing blood sugar to building muscle mass, Barbie gives us a detailed roadmap to thriving in our 40s, 50s, and beyond.
So bring a pen, some paper and an open-mind to a delicious edition, of the Back 9.
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This episode starts with a review of great public bathrooms and secret champagne bars, and only gets better from there. Because we are joined by podcasting star and Boston broadcasting legend Kim Carrigan. Kim opens up about how she maintains friendships through the volatility of life, how she taps into innate curiosity to help keep her life and her podcast relevant, and how she leaned into her own self-awareness to manage her career crossroads. It’s a fantastic journey that offers insights into the intelligence of integrity.
So if you seek that kind of counsel, or desire to know about life well-lived after the spotlight, or you just want a map to some of the best lavatories in the land, you’ll want to join us, as we lift the lid on another episode of the Back 9.
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In this high-energy opener to Season Five of The Back Nine, we sit down with the dynamic and highly accomplished Kraig Kann, who went from being a top sportscaster at the Golf Channel to the Chief Communications Officer of the LPGA, to then founding his own, now-thriving business. His journey is packed with engaging stories – from behind-the-scenes moments with Arnold Palmer, to his latest workshops featuring sports winners like Stacy Lewis, Dan Mullen and Chris Pronger. Kraig’s own story is a masterclass on embracing reinvention, finding your passion, and turning career pivots into success stories.
So whether you're eyeing your next big move or just love stories about people who keep getting up off the mat, this episode will inspire you to take the leap and chart your own path to success!
Contact Dennis & Josh:
Instagram: @Back9_Podcast -
Welcome to Season 5! We are back with renewed energy, as we dive into a season packed with intriguing new topics that populate the Back 9 of life. We start with a moment to reflect on something that has left a lasting impact on one of us, and how it is shaping our focus for the season ahead. We’ll preview some of the topics we’re going to explore, plus we’ll have some announcements about exciting new twists to the podcast. And in this season one of us is getting hitched, so let’s get ready to walk down the aisle…on Season 5…of the Back 9.
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We wrap season 4 with a powerhouse episode that explores how simple acts of kindness can resonate in someone’s life for decades. We dive into the power of vulnerability and uncover how being present and truly listening can leave lasting impressions. We reflect on all the things we learned this season about how we can be better men in our relationships, as partners, as fathers and, most of all, how we can be better men to ourselves.
What we learned this Season 4 is that this level of growth isn’t always easy, and there’s work to do both spiritually and physically, but there’s incredible value in working through discomfort. So join us for an episode that reminds us how paying attention to the small details leads to huge opportunities for joy. It’s a great concept to share as we make our way through the Back 9.
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We close out season four of The Back 9 with an episode that simply could not be more relevant and more important for our time. We visit with author, life coach and old friend Morgan Rich for a thought-provoking conversation on modern masculinity and what it means to be a healthy alpha male. We weigh the balancing act of how to be competitive and assertive with being emotionally grounded. We explore how men can move beyond outdated “tough guy” personas to embrace authenticity, vulnerability and self-awareness in order to discover our true strength within. It’s a conversation that shows us how to incorporate mindfulness into our actions, to improve relationships, to create more intimacy and connection and to be more present in every moment of our lives. So join us for a wonderful inquiry into what it means to be a healthy 21st century man, on this edition of the Back 9.
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On this episode of The Back 9 we host a true virtuoso in Brad Gemeinhardt, Principal French Hornist at the Metropolitan Opera, for a truly introspective conversation about nurturing one’s dreams, making a commitment to one’s craft, and finding one’s true calling. Brad shares his remarkable journey, from discovering his passion and talent for the French horn at a young age, to the work he put in to conquer the fiercely competitive world of professional orchestras. Along the way, we discuss the similarities between elite artists and elite athletes, the importance of resilience, and the joys and challenges of raising children – and nourishing their dreams – from the perspective of a highly accomplished, completely dedicated performer. It’s a refreshing and insightful perspective on what it takes to pursue your passion, wherever it may lead, on this edition of the Back 9.
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It’s not every day that we get to visit with a 9-time Pro Bowler and 4-time All-Pro NFL icon, but even beyond the accolades, Ruben Brown is just a great hang. Ruben played 13 seasons in the NFL, including in a Super Bowl, yet remains as down-to-earth a guy as one could hope to meet. In this episode, Ruben weighs in on the NFL season ahead, but maybe more importantly he details the challenge of redefining life after football. Ruben talks us through the transition from the wonderful camaraderie and intense grind that defines the sport, to finding new passions in retirement, all while staying connected with his roots and embracing the role of a dedicated father. It’s a candid, optimistic look at a superstar’s life after the cheering stops, so whether you're a football fan or simply interested in stories of resilience and reinvention, this conversation with Ruben Brown will leave you inspired and eager for more to explore on the Back 9.
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On this episode of "The Back Nine," we visit with our long-lost friend Mike Schopp, the incredibly sharp and incisive voice of Buffalo sports radio. But Mike’s insights go well beyond Western New York and the usual sports-talk banter. He opens up about the evolution of his career in an extremely relatable way, from the pressures of proving himself in early days to embracing a more authentic approach to career and life-balance. Mike shares personal stories about how fatherhood and life experience have shaped his perspective on his investment in his professional life and his ever-changing role as a husband, father and family guy. And he offers well-considered insights into how to stay passionate and in one’s own integrity, even as the game—and life—changes.
So join us for an episode of guy talk for smart people, on this edition of The Back 9.
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As part of each season, we provide episodes that serve as resources for our Back 9 community, but we’ve never done it like we do on this episode. We visit with Dr. Michael Barber, the Medical Director and Lead Cardiologist at Colorado’s Strata Med, a resort facility dedicated to providing primary health care, rather than primary sick care. Dr. Barber talks about how his unique health issues led him away from a fast-paced career in traditional western medicine to begin incorporating more holistic and eastern medicine into his practice. Through one of our personal stories, we explore the evolving landscape of health care, and how integrative medicine promotes lasting wellness. It’s a provocative episode, and one that could have you rethinking your approach, to life on the Back 9.
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Friends, on this episode of the Back 9 we take a look at how Back Niners can keep their relationships healthy and connected. We’re joined by therapists Colette Fehr and Laura Bowman, the sharp and astute hosts of the "Insights from the Couch" podcast. Together, we take on the emotional hurdles that often accompany midlife relationships, and how partners sometimes create distance between them. Colette and Laura share their expertise on preserving emotional intimacy, navigating midlife changes, and the critical role of clear communication—whether it’s about finances, relationships, or the objectives we have for our shared and individual lives.
It's a conversation that is occasionally uncomfortable, but always relatable, and filled with the humor and thought-provoking moments that you’ve come to expect on the Back 9.
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In this electrifying episode of "The Back 9," we explore the extraordinary life of Danny Heinsohn, a man who turned a devastating diagnosis into a powerful narrative of hope and achievement. At just 23, Danny faced a brain tumor diagnosis that altered his life and threatened to derail his dreams. Instead of surrendering, he leaned in, channeling his energy into finding strength in unexpected places, and reshaping his life’s path toward even larger dreams than he’d had previously.
Danny’s story is not just about survival; it’s about thriving against the backdrop of adversity. Discover how he found solace and strength through cycling and moving meditation. Learn about his passionate work with the nonprofit he created and dedicated to supporting young cancer survivors. And hear how he has challenged himself by lining up 25 epic challenges to celebrate his 25th year of remission. Danny’s tale is a stirring reminder of the power of determination and the human spirit’s capacity for renewal. It’s something we celebrate on this Episode of the Back 9.
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