As we tee off on our second season, we embrace the sheer joy of anticipation. Our opening round delivered wonderful guests that resonated with each of you, and now we're ready to push our game just a little further. We've listened to your feedback. We've made some minor alterations. So we are eager to provide introspective, often hilarious guests, and to dissect life's complexities in a way that resonates with the soul of our audience. It's a heartfelt invitation to be part of our rapidly expanding family and to share in the conversations that reassure us we're not alone in navigating the twists and turns of our life narratives. Your engagement is our standing ovation—so continue to download, listen, share, follow, and review as we keep the dialogue thriving in Round 2, of the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh: Instagram: @Back9_Podcast
Are you ready to tee up for a second shot at life? That's what we're here for. Welcome to The Back 9, your compass to navigate the complexities of midlife and beyond. We're your Hosts, Dennis Williams, and Josh Mora, we're excited to guide you toward more enriching experiences and deeper connections. Whether you're stepping onto a new career path, or braving the dating scene once more, we've got you covered. We're joined by celebrities, therapists, life and relationship coaches, and everyday individuals who have faced life's challenges - just like you. From healing after a divorce to building self-confidence, we're exploring topics that are real, relatable, and meaningful. Much like the second half of a golf round, we're all about making the turn and starting fresh. Leave the past behind, and join us on this journey toward a better, healthier, and happier life. Follow The Back 9 now on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you listen to your podcasts. 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