Episodes

  • Round 7: Ep. 13 - Rich “The Bull" Gaenzler” — Do the Things that Make you Happy

    Round 7: Ep. 13 - Rich “The Bull" Gaenzler” — Do the Things that Make you Happy
    Apr 1 2025
    Things happen to us on the Back 9. Our health might throw us a curve balls. Our dream career can vanish overnight. Our sense of purpose can become elusive. But in this deeply personal and unexpectedly uplifting episode, Rich “The Bull” Gaenzler opens up about his career loss, his health scares, his resulting identity crisis and how he’s since rebuilt his life by embracing humor, seeking joy and leaning in to vulnerability.

    We dive into the liberating power of asking for help, finding stillness, and how sometimes even the darkest chapters of our life can lead to surprising transformation. So whether you are in mid-pivot, approaching burnout, or just need a reminder that there are others in this with you, you will walk away inspired and maybe even ready to crack open a new book, after this episode of the Back 9.

    Contact Dennis & Josh:
    Instagram:     @Back9_Podcast
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    33 mins
  • Round 7: Ep. 12 - Hockey Coach Blaise MacDonald — The Evolution of Our Ambitions

    Round 7: Ep. 12 - Hockey Coach Blaise MacDonald — The Evolution of Our Ambitions
    Mar 25 2025
    Hockey Coach Blaise MacDonald set his sights high. He won a National Championship as a player. As a coach, he built a Division I program from the bottom up, took that program to the NCAA tournament, and then got hired to lead a team in one of the powerhouse conferences in college hockey. But somewhere along the way, his aspirations mellowed, and he found a true calling in coaching at a smaller school.

    In this episode, Blaise reflects on how he has evolved from being driven by ego and conviction to finding deeper fulfillment just being present for the players in his charge. It’s a powerful narrative about how men resolve their ambitions, woven by a mentor sharing both his insights on leadership and the vulnerability of his own occasional failings as a leader of young men. Time to roll tape on another edition of The Back 9.

    Contact Dennis & Josh:
    Instagram:     @Back9_Podcast
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    36 mins
  • Round 7 : Episode 11 - Greg Schwem, A Second Act on Divorce, Dating & Deep-Dish Pizza

    Round 7 : Episode 11 - Greg Schwem, A Second Act on Divorce, Dating & Deep-Dish Pizza
    Mar 18 2025
    Ladies and Gentlemen, now taking the stage is Comedian Greg Schwem, a guy who is taking the tough lessons of life and spinning them into comedy gold. Greg shares how he has found humor in the unexpected, survived the bewilderment of dating and mid-life, and proved that starting over isn’t just possible, but can also be amusing, hysterical and humbling.

    We'll also get Greg's riffs on Chicago’s legendery pizza scene and the art of making people laugh in corporate America. So if you’re looking to find humor in your everyday existence, and maybe a dating tip or two, pull up a chair for a no-drink minimum on this episode of the Back 9.

    Contact Dennis & Josh:
    Instagram:     @Back9_Podcast
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    43 mins
  • Round 7 : Episode 10 - Former Blockchain Association EVP Dave Grimaldi-A Primer on Crypto Currency

    Round 7 : Episode 10 - Former Blockchain Association EVP Dave Grimaldi-A Primer on Crypto Currency
    Mar 11 2025
    Did you know that you can now buy coffee at a cafe with crypto currency? Do you have a virtual wallet, and is it ready for the digital revolution? In this eye-opening, and season-opening episode of The Back 9, Dave Grimaldi, former EVP of the Blockchain Association, teaches us about Crypto from a 50-thousand foot level. He dissects terms, breaks down the future of crypto, and explains why digital currencies and assets are here to stay. We talk about the challenges of adopting the new money, how to securitize your coins and tokens, and what you need to learn to conduct simple transactions, which may not come easy to us Back Niners.

    So whether you’ve amassed a fortune in Ethereum, or you’re or still stuffing cash under your mattress, Dave's insights will have you preparing for a future that is already here. So press play…as we start season 7…on the Back 9.

    Contact Dennis & Josh:
    Instagram:     @Back9_Podcast
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    37 mins
  • Round 7: Making The Turn - Parenting, Openness, and a Back9 mascot? / A Sneak Peek at Season 7

    Round 7: Making The Turn - Parenting, Openness, and a Back9 mascot? / A Sneak Peek at Season 7
    Mar 4 2025

    On this episode of The Back 9, we weigh all the big questions of the future. How can we model for men to become more open and honest? How do we best parent our adult children? Should The Back 9 get a mascot? We know you are interested in all of these — especially the last one. But it’s not just about mascots—this episode takes a heartfelt turn as we reflect on life’s unpredictability, cherishing every moment, and honoring those we’ve lost. Plus, we spill details on upcoming plans for travel and the big changes for The Back 9 in Season 7. Our goal is to provide more personal stories, deeper conversations, and maybe even a live event near you! So join us for stories, laughs, perspective, and an early preview of what lies ahead, no this edition of the Back 9.

    Contact Dennis & Josh:
    Instagram:     @Back9_Podcast
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    16 mins
  • Round 6: The 19th Hole - Planes, Trains and All of the Feels

    Round 6: The 19th Hole - Planes, Trains and All of the Feels
    Feb 25 2025

    As we wrap up Season 6 on The Back 9, we take you behind the scenes of the journey that made this season special. While we were landing new partners at Podfest, and performing live at Pod-a-pa-looza, we released a season full of memorable episodes that are worth revisiting. We went deep into love, dating and relationships with Brian Howie and Sweet and Spicy. We learned from young adventurers like Matt Atkinson and Keyen Lage. We visited with surprise celebrity guests Dudley Hart and Jay Harris. And we introduced you to two outstanding women we met on planes in Denene Millner and Julie Miles.

    In this episode, we reflect on all we learned from these fabulous guests, we have a spirited debate at the intersection of friendship and politics, and we offer some hints about the exciting this to come.

    So join us with a short pour of Stillwater Rye, and a toast to an epic season on the Back 9.


    Contact Dennis & Josh:
    Instagram:     @Back9_Podcast
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    18 mins
  • Round 6: Ep.18- Jewelry Designer/Cancer Survivor Julie Miles – Act Like You Want to Live

    Round 6: Ep.18- Jewelry Designer/Cancer Survivor Julie Miles – Act Like You Want to Live
    Feb 18 2025

    One minute, Julie Miles thought she had normal stomach pains. The next, she was fighting for her life. Julie is the unstoppable Australian jewelry stylist and fashionista who kicked a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis in the ass, transforming her life into one of passion, purpose, and high-end achievement. Julie shares the story of the pivotal advice that saved her and now has her leading her dream life, running a highly successful luxury jewelry line in five-star hotels and cruise ships around the world. The business success is just one facet of her extraordinary journey…so join us to hear her describe the influence of the power of positivity, her shift in mindset and her commitment to helping the world sparkle. It’s an incredible affirmation of life, on this episode of the Back 9.


    Contact Dennis & Josh:
    Instagram:     @Back9_Podcast
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    40 mins
  • Round 6: Ep 17 - ESPN’S JAY HARRIS: The Significance of Sharing Stories

    Round 6: Ep 17 - ESPN’S JAY HARRIS: The Significance of Sharing Stories
    Feb 11 2025
    In the second half of our secret guest episodes, Josh taps ESPN’s Jay Harris to surprise Dennis, and to share an insightful conversation about the evolution of the power of storytelling, both professional and personal. From his early days in news to becoming a staple behind the desk at ESPN, Jay shares the lessons he’s learned, the impact of his mentors, like the late Stuart Scott, and why authenticity is more important than ever in an era of social media and hot takes. Jay also reflects on work-life balance, and the importance of evolving as a father as our kids grow into adults. Josh and Dennis then build on that during the post-game, with an additional insightful conversation about how we talk to our adult children and help them – and us – accomplish the things we set as objectives in our lives. So come fill our out foursome, on the Back 9.

    Contact Dennis & Josh:
    Instagram:     @Back9_Podcast
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    37 mins