Ride Home Rants

"Ride Home Rants" is a podcast brought to you by Comedian Mike "Bono" Bonaventura. The podcast has a different guest each week from a different career field and background talking about what led them into their career and the stops along the way. These guests are your everyday people who provide insight into their own journeys and life goals which we all have. Tune in, check us out, and hear from these great guests!

Nineties Nostalgia, Unpacked

Send us a text Press play and step through a time portal to the 1990s—sports dynasties on every screen, movie tie-ins on your soda cup, sitcoms that rewired comedy, and a Monday night where wrestling made the whole country pick a side. We hand the reins to our manager, Fiddy, and bring a lively panel together to relive the decade that shaped how we watch, listen, and eat. We kick off with the big question: were the 90s the true peak of sports dominance? From Jordan’s Bulls to Gretzky and Lem...

12-13
01:22:00

From Diapers To Decisions: Real Talk On Parenting, Schools, And Growing Up

Send us a text Sleepless nights, impossible choices, and a love that refuses to quit—this roundtable takes you inside the parts of parenting we usually gloss over. We start light with a gum-and-July icebreaker, then drop into the real work: dads confronting fear and balance during the infant stage, moms naming the mental load and default-parent trap, and all of us learning why presence matters more than perfection. Our guests open up about the hardest early moments—sickness, silence, and sec...

12-06
01:10:39

Turkey, Traditions, And Tough Choices

Send us a text Four chairs, one feast, and a lot of opinions. We sat down for our annual Thanksgiving roundtable to tackle the choices that make or break the day: where to spend it, when to eat, which sides survive, and whether the Macy’s Parade is better in person or from the couch. What starts as a friendly debate about gummy bears and toothpaste quickly shifts into a real conversation about how couples and families merge holiday traditions without losing what feels like home. We dig into ...

11-27
48:50

From Slippery Rock To Sidelines: A Coach’s Journey And Work Ethic

Send us a text Forget highlight reels—this conversation lives where the work actually happens. We sit down with coach and former arena pro AJ Saunders for a grounded ride through high school football, family balance, and a hospital IT career that runs on urgency and trust. AJ opens up about a 5–5 season with Plum High School, a wild blocked field goal turned touchdown, and a playoff exit that still taught the right lessons. He maps out the 5A grind—smarter schemes, bigger bodies, recruiting p...

11-19
51:25

Ranking Sly: Rocky, Rambo, Legacy

Send us a text Ready for a heavyweight bout over the legacy of Sylvester Stallone? We gathered a lively panel to rank Sly’s greatest franchises, argue his place among action icons, and unpack the line that still makes crowds cheer. From Rocky’s underdog magic to Rambo’s ferocious lone-wolf mythology and The Expendables’ star-studded mayhem, we break down why the order Rocky > Rambo > Expendables just works—and where we disagree. We go deep on best vs favorite films: Rocky and Rocky II ...

11-12
47:28

From Gym Legend To Global Icon: Ranking Schwarzenegger’s Legacy

Send us a text What makes an icon endure: muscle, myth, or mindset? We gather a lively panel to track Arnold Schwarzenegger’s improbable climb from Austrian bodybuilder to global action star to California governor—and why that exact trajectory may never be possible again. We start by ranking his “big three” careers and quickly find ourselves weighing influence against output: Mr. Olympia titles that mainstreamed bodybuilding, a blockbuster run that minted catchphrases for generations, and a c...

11-08
53:46

From Perfect Halloween Weather To Overrated Costumes: A Spooky Roundtable

Send us a text The air gets cooler, the leaves start to whisper, and our panel is ready to argue about everything that makes Halloween unforgettable. We start where the night really begins: what “feels” like Halloween weather. Is it a hoodie-and-moonlight kind of chill or a rare 70-degree evening that lets you show off your costume without hiding it under a coat? From there, we dive into the joyful chaos of kids’ costumes, couple fits, and the eternal split between simple, clever ideas and fu...

10-31
48:55

Dodgers vs Blue Jays: Who Takes It?

Send us a text A juggernaut from Hollywood meets a nation’s heartbeat under a closed roof. We break down Dodgers vs Blue Jays from every angle: the tactical edges, the noise under the dome, and the human details that tilt a World Series. Our panel calls the series with conviction—some see LA’s depth ending it in five, others ride Toronto’s underdog momentum to a seventh-game win—and we explain exactly what would have to happen on the mound and in the sixth through eighth innings for either sc...

10-24
55:26

Inside The 2025–26 NBA: Coaches, Contenders, And Chaos

Send us a text If you love bold calls and smarter hoops talk, pull up a chair. We’re breaking down the 2025–26 NBA season with a roundtable that isn’t afraid to challenge the consensus: international stars versus U.S. headliners, why culture may beat hype this year, and how one coaching switch could redefine the Knicks’ identity. We get specific on who gains ground in the East, which West team can actually threaten OKC, and whether Denver’s quiet roster shifts leave Jokic carrying too much on...

10-18
01:04:50

What Happens When Laughter Meets Purpose and Education

Send us a text The car is moving, the mics are live, and Big Energy fills the cabin. We welcome Steve from Cleveland’s southeast side—a former class clown turned campus champion—who proves that humor, heart, and hard work can live in the same room. We trade locker room stories and tight five timing, then unpack what makes a great set: reading the crowd, owning the mic, and turning a heckle into momentum. If you’ve ever wondered what the comedy grind really looks like beyond the hour on stage,...

10-08
01:02:31

From Mat to Mentor: Jaleel Richardson on Wrestling, BW Pride, and Building a Life That Lasts

Send us a text A single visit changed everything. Jaleel Richardson walked Baldwin Wallace with his family on a bright day, talked wrestling with Coach Gibbs, spotted a comic shop across the street, and realized the fit was bigger than a roster spot. That decision took him from injured freshman to culture carrier, from athlete to advisor, and today he’s the first call for students trying to figure out where they belong. We dive into the heart of BW wrestling’s rise and what Jacket Tough Ment...

10-01
42:46

Cool Breeze and Autumn Leaves; Why the Fall Season is the Best

Send us a text Our annual All Things Fall episode kicks off with our panel of guests representing greater Northeast Ohio while Mike represents Central Ohio in Columbus. This panel of contributors breaks down their opinions of last falls exceptionally warm weather and how nice a warm fall can be. They dive into deep discussions about pumpkin spice, corn fields, and their thoughts on family pictures in the fall! Make sure you get your notebooks out as the guests break it down on the best fall l...

09-23
49:05

Finding Your Path: From Journalism to Education with Steve Scheidt

Send us a text Ever wonder how your earliest experiences shape your entire worldview? Steve Scheidt knows firsthand. After spending his first five years in Nairobi, Kenya, his return to the United States came with a startling question at the Chicago Zoo: "Why are all the animals behind bars?" Having only known wildlife in their natural habitat, Steve's perspective was forever changed by these formative experiences. From those unique beginnings, Steve shares his journey through athletics, edu...

09-17
01:02:11

Behind the Scenes: Leadership in College Athletics with TJ Shelton

Send us a text Ever wondered who orchestrates the complex symphony of college athletics? In this riveting conversation with TJ Shelton, Director of Athletics and Chair of the Physical Education Department at Case Western Reserve University, we pull back the curtain on collegiate sports administration and discover the invisible architecture that supports student-athletes. TJ brings a wealth of experience to our discussion, having spent 15 years at Ohio State University before taking the helm ...

09-10
46:29

NFL 2025 Season: Coaches on the Hot Seat and Dark Horse Contenders

Send us a text Football season is upon us, and the Ride Home Rants podcast has assembled a passionate panel of fans to break down everything you need to know heading into kickoff. This lively roundtable discussion dives deep into the most compelling storylines across the NFL landscape, from coaching hot seats to championship aspirations. Our panel doesn't hold back when assessing which coaches are feeling the heat this season. Kevin Stefanski finds himself atop the danger list despite his pr...

09-03
01:05:01

High Stakes & Hilarity: Casino Tales from the Pros

Send us a text Three seasoned gamblers pull back the velvet rope on what really happens at casinos across America. From the glittering floors of Las Vegas to regional venues like Erie's Presque Isle and Mountaineer in West Virginia, our guests share unfiltered stories from their collective decades at the tables. Blackjack emerges as the unanimous favorite game, though as Bill admits, "they take all my money most of the time I show up there, and I have a blast doing it." The panel doesn't hol...

08-27
54:38

From Tic-Tac-Toe to Cards Against Humanity: Exploring the Games That Bring Us Together

Send us a text Games reveal who we truly are. In this lively, sometimes heated conversation with guests Matt Landowski and Tony Bogan, we explore the classic pastimes that define our social gatherings and family reunions. The humble board game sparks surprising passion as we debate the merits of simplicity versus strategy. Matt champions tic-tac-toe for its accessibility and Tony confesses his complicated relationship with Monopoly—a game that simultaneously tops his "favorite" and "most hat...

08-20
33:21

The GOAT Debate: Defining Athletic Greatness

Send us a text What makes a truly great athlete? Is it dominance in a single sport, versatility across multiple disciplines, or possessing physical gifts that defy normal human limitations? In this thought-provoking roundtable, our panel of sports experts – Matt, Mike, and TJ – tackle the fascinating question of who deserves recognition as the greatest athletes of all time. The conversation begins with a surprising debate about which professional sports league features the most athletic play...

08-13
01:08:19

Finding Purpose Beyond the Diamond: Logan Bell's Baseball Life

Send us a text Logan Bell's story begins not in a town, but in a village—a one-square-mile dot on the map called Lisbon, Ohio. It's here where his baseball journey took root, nurtured by parents who somehow balanced demanding work schedules with never missing a game. When most people ask where Lisbon is located, he simply references Youngstown, a familiar landmark that anchors his small-town origins in something recognizable. The rhythm of Logan's early life followed the seasons of sports—fo...

08-06
50:44

The Hidden Costs of Homeownership: Real Talk with Real Homeowners

Send us a text Buying a home might be the American dream, but nobody warns you about the secret nightmares lurking beneath those picturesque front yards. In this eye-opening roundtable discussion, three seasoned homeowners pull back the curtain on what really happens after you get those keys. Our special guest host Fiddy welcomes Wendy, a Cleveland-based realtor with dual expertise as both a property professional and homeowner; Collin, whose 1964 house has taught him the true meaning of "fix...

07-30
47:48

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