Conversations with Rich Bennett

by Rich Bennett

Introduce yourself.

I'm a Marine Corps Veteran, Professional DJ, Entrepreneur and Professional Podcaster. In the past I had gone through anxiety, depression and attempted suicide. I thought I was fine until my wife and I found out our first daughter was stillborn. Friends, family and the book "The Secret" helped me at that time and ever since. I became a professional podcaster in 2015 when I launched my first podcast "Harford County Living" with a Sponsor signed on before I recorded the first episode. Since that time, I've had 20+ Sponsors and have rebranded the podcast as "Conversations with Rich Bennett"

“If It Is To Be, It Is Up To Me”

- Rich Bennett

Share an experience that has shaped who you are today.

A lesson I learned from my father when I was 17 has stuck with me all of my life, and I'm not sure if my father actually realized that he taught me this. I quit high school in my Senior year and decided to join the Navy. My father served in the Navy and he and my mother said they would sign for me to join because at 17, your parents needed to sign and at the time, you didn't have to be a High School Grad or have a GED. Here's where the life lesson came in - after taking the test for the Navy, a friend took me to the Recruiters to get the papers and bring back for my parents to sign. My friend introduced me to a Marine Corps Recruiter and I came home with papers for my parents to sign so I could join the Marines. My father went off and refused to sign and made a comment that stuck with me all of my life, he said "You'll never make it in the Marines, you won't even get through Boot Camp." Being told that I can't do something made me work harder and I was in the Marine Corps from 1981 and was Honorably Discharged in 1987. To this day, if someone tells me that I can't do certain things, I'm going to prove them wrong and it shows with my podcast and business.

Tell us about your podcast audience.

My audience is Worldwide and they play a very important part of the podcast. Before I rebranded my podcast, I actually asked my listeners for their suggestions and they voted on what to name the podcast. I believe they keep coming back because cover so many topics such as mental health, addiction and business, but I'll also have on Authors, Musicians, Politicians and anyone that wants to come on and tell their story or talk about a subject.

What makes your podcast unique?

My podcast, Conversations with Rich Bennett, is a podcast where you'll hear stories and conversations with people from all walks of life and from different areas of the World. I speak with different guests about business, art, addiction, and so many other interesting things. I'm also joined at times by different co-hosts that make the conversations even more interesting.

Sponsored by CleverCat Marketing

What do toilet paper, jazz, and brand loyalty have in common? In this episode of Conversations with Rich Bennett, Ethan Decker reveals the surprising science behind how brands grow—and why small businesses struggle more than they think. From the Double Jeopardy Law to marketing myths that refuse to die, this is a must-listen for anyone who wants to build a brand that actually sticks.

Guest: Ethan Decker

Ethan Decker, Ph.D., is a brand strategist, marketing scientist, and founder of Applied Brand Science. With a background in urban ecology and complexity theory, Ethan brings a rare mix of scientific rigor and creative flair to the world of branding. He’s worked with global giants like Nike, Discovery Channel, and Gillette, helping them uncover what really drives customer behavior.

Main Topics:

· Ethan Decker’s transition from urban ecologist to marketing scientist

· The concept and implications of the Double Jeopardy Law in branding

· Why small brands often struggle with loyalty and repeat purchases

· Common marketing myths, including the cost of acquiring vs. retaining customers

· The importance of simplicity, memorability, and constant brand exposure

· Real-world examples of brand strategy done right (e.g., Discovery Channel, Charmin)

· Tips for small businesses to effectively grow and market their brand

· The role of humor, personal connection, and distinctiveness in brand identity

Resources mentioned:

Send us a text

Emily Adolph and Ona Crow are the co-creators of Nourish & Connect, an event designed to foster meaningful connections in a supportive and empowering environment. NOURISH & CONNECT – The Soul Lift