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!

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

The Last Hurrah: Bachelor Party Culture Revealed

Send us a text What makes the perfect bachelor or bachelorette party? Is it the exotic destination, the outrageous activities, or simply gathering your closest friends for one last pre-wedding celebration? Our panel of diverse guests tackles these questions and more in this entertaining deep dive into pre-wedding festivities. From the classic Vegas blowout to underrated gems like Bristol, Tennessee, and Erie, Pennsylvania, our guests share candidly about their experiences across the country....

07-23
58:08

Soccer, Finance, and Finding Your Path in Your 20s

Send us a text Ever wondered what happens when the final whistle blows on your college athletic career? Quinn Flaspohler takes us on his journey from Oxford, Ohio to Cleveland as he navigates the transition from student-athlete to young professional. Growing up in a family of academics – with his father teaching psychology at Miami University and grandfather teaching statistics at Xavier – Quinn carved his own path playing soccer at DePauw University before pursuing a Master of Finance at Ca...

07-16
59:32

Remote Control Wars: The Shows We Love, Hate, and Can't Stop Talking About

Send us a text Six passionate fans of television gather around the virtual table for a hilarious, nostalgic journey through decades of TV history. Host Fiddy guides this roundtable exploration of what makes certain shows endure in our collective memory while others fade away despite critical acclaim. The conversation opens with a playful debate about Monopoly versus Scrabble before diving into the shows that defined different eras. Miste reminisces about 80s classics like "A Different ...

07-09
45:46

Breaking Barriers: Small Town Roots to College Football Dreams

Send us a text Former college football player Luke Secrist takes us on a journey from the steel mill town of Follansbee, West Virginia, to his decision to hang up his cleats and chart a new course. Growing up in a tight-knit community of just 1,500 people, Luke shares how small-town life shaped him—where "everyone knows everyone and everything about everybody," making it impossible to get away with much mischief but creating bonds that last a lifetime. The conversation weaves through Luke's ...

07-02
01:08:02

Beyond the Punchline: Life, Loyalty, and Sports

Send us a text What does true loyalty look like in today's world? Whether it's sticking with your heartbreaking hometown sports teams or staying at the same company for over three decades, John Middleton embodies a steadfast commitment that feels increasingly rare in our current culture. In this engaging conversation with host Mike Bono, John shares the emotional rollercoaster of being a Cleveland sports fan—from the gut-wrenching "Drive" and "Fumble" eras through the Baker Mayfield years to...

06-25
01:01:10

Bison Reunion: Tales from the Bethany Football Field

Send us a text A special gathering of Bethany College football legends spans two decades of program history in this nostalgic and often hilarious reunion episode. Former players and coaches from the early 2000's through 2021 come together to share the untold stories that defined their college football experience at this small but mighty program. The conversation quickly reveals the deep connections formed through shared hardships and triumphs. Program-defining victories take center stage as ...

06-18
48:18

Inside the Octagon: Building Champions at Upgraded Industries

Send us a text When DJ Jacobucci resigned from his firefighting career and dumped his pension into opening Upgraded Industries, it wasn't just a business decision—it was a leap of faith into a lifelong passion. "That's betting on yourself," he explains on the Ride Home Rants podcast. "That's either saying I'm going to be poor or this is going to work." This all-or-nothing mentality has shaped Upgraded Industries into what DJ lovingly describes as a "dysfunctional family that you can't help b...

06-11
43:22

Roofing with Purpose: Blake Burkhart's Mission to Serve

Send us a text What does it truly mean to serve others in today's disconnected world? Blake Burkhart is redefining success through authentic service and community impact in Northeast Ohio. From walking onto his college football team despite doubters telling him he was "too small" to now transforming lives through his work at Royalty Roofing, Blake embodies the underdog spirit that refuses to quit. His approach to business goes far beyond transactions—offering free repairs to those in need an...

06-04
39:11

Summer is coming, and these grill enthusiasts have all the secrets you need

Send us a text Fire up your imagination as we dive deep into the soul of summer with our special grilling roundtable! I've assembled a passionate panel of backyard BBQ enthusiasts who share their hard-earned wisdom about everything from equipment choices to flavor techniques. The conversation sizzles with personality as we explore the great debates of grilling culture: charcoal versus propane, the perfect wood for smoking, and the ideal doneness for a steak (which sparks some hilarious disag...

05-28
52:08

Links, Laughs, and Life Lessons: A Golfer's Roundtable

Send us a text Grab your clubs and join us for a laid-back journey through the world of golf with host Mike Bono and a lively roundtable of enthusiasts who share their passion, opinions, and occasional wild tangents about the sport that connects generations. The conversation tees off with lighthearted icebreakers about preferred shower soaps and whether fighting angry deer or a coyote presents the better survival story—setting the relaxed, humorous tone that carries throughout. Matt Landowsk...

05-21
45:07

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