Bench To Bold with Alisa Hood and Marnie Schneider

Bench to Bold with Alisa and Marnie
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Life isn’t a spectator sport—and this podcast is your invitation to get off the bench and into the game. Welcome to Bench to Bold—a show for anyone who's ready to stop sitting on the sidelines and start living life like they mean it. Hosted by dynamic duo Alisa Hood, fashion and lifestyle entrepreneur, and Marnie Schneider, author, speaker, and football legacy, the podcast brings together inspiring guests, bold conversations, and a sprinkle of sports energy to help you own your moment—on your terms. Each episode features real, unfiltered stories from bold individuals across industries—leaders, founders, creatives, and changemakers. Whether they were born bold or had to grow into it, these are people living with intention, taking risks, and showing up fully in their lives. With Alisa’s polished edge and Marnie’s infectious energy, Bench to Bold is equal parts motivational and relatable. Grounded in their personal love of sports (Alisa is a competitive tennis player; Marnie is the granddaughter of former Philadelphia Eagles owner Leonard Tose), the show uses a sports metaphor as a powerful lens for personal growth. Because life isn’t about watching from the sidelines—it’s about becoming the main character and making bold moves, whatever that looks like for you. From the sidelines to center court—this is Bench to Bold.

  1. 1D AGO

    S2 Ep9: From the Eagles to the Panthers | Leslie Stephenson Matz | Bench to Bold

    Send us Fan Mail She graduated from UNC Chapel Hill with a French degree, moved to Philadelphia, and told her new boss she'd stay exactly one year. Thirty-plus years in the NFL later, Leslie Stephenson Matz is the woman who built the Carolina Panthers' TopCats cheerleading program from scratch, and is now being considered for the NFL's first-ever cheerleading Hall of Fame. In this deeply personal episode of Bench to Bold, Marnie sits down with her longtime family friend to trace the whole arc: working under Susan Fletcher, the first female GM in the NFL, during the Eagles' transformation from hobby operation to real business; surviving three ownership transitions including returning from maternity leave with a three-week-old; arriving in Charlotte in 1994 to build an expansion team with no players, no coaches, and no stadium yet built; and what it means to have spent a career doing something so subtle it's easy to miss — building friendships that last decades and showing the next generation of women what it looks like to be built up instead of torn down. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:07 — Introduction — Family, the Eagles, and a French Major Who Changed Everything 01:15 — Fresh Out of Chapel Hill — The Job She Didn't Want  Leslie 03:46 — What It Was Like to Work for Susan Fletcher 06:26 — Women Supporting Women 09:29 — The NFL as a Startup 12:41 — Ownership Transitions 15:56 — Coming to Charlotte — Building the Panthers From Scratch  17:37 — How Sir Purr and the TopCats Got Their Names 18:52 — The NFCAA Nomination 23:37 — Legacy ABOUT LESLIE STEPHENSON MATZ: Leslie Stephenson Matz is a 30-year NFL veteran who served as Director of Special Events and Entertainment for the Carolina Panthers and, before that, spent 12 years with the Philadelphia Eagles under Susan Fletcher, the first female GM in NFL history. At the Panthers, Leslie founded the TopCats cheerleading program in 1996 and oversaw the mascot, cheerleading, pregame, halftime, and major organizational events for the franchise's first decade. A native North Carolinian and UNC Chapel Hill graduate, she is a member of the Carolina Professional Football Cheerleader Alumni Association and has been nominated for national recognition by the National Football Cheerleaders Alumni Organization (NFCAA), which is working toward establishing a dedicated Hall of Fame in Canton for cheerleader directors, coaches, and choreographers. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenchtoBold Follow Bench to Bold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobold

    32 min

  2. APR 29

    S2 Ep8: Swipe Right on Yourself | Heather Anderson | Bench to Bold

    Send us Fan Mail Fashion, dating, healing, and showing up fully — Heather Anderson joins Marnie and Alisa for a conversation that goes well beyond style tips. In this episode of Bench to Bold, the founder of So Heather shares how a decade-plus career in fashion influencing evolved into something far more personal: helping women over 40 navigate divorce, dating, and the kind of inner work that actually changes your life. There are stories about leaving a toxic marriage, a week-long emotional healing retreat in California, swiping right on a guy she almost passed over, and why a chance encounter on a tennis court a year earlier made all the difference. Plus: the case for in-person dating events, why energy can't be captured in a profile photo, and what it means to be "so Heather." Consider this the episode where style becomes the starting point for something much deeper. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:07 — Welcome to Bench to Bold: Introducing Heather Anderson 02:04 — How It Started: From Stylist to Influencer in 2012 04:09 — The Shift to Video and Building a YouTube Audience 05:05 — Going Vulnerable: Sharing the Real Stuff On Camera 05:18 — The Hoffman Process & Healing Before Divorce 06:47 — Dating Over 50: What It's Actually Teaching Her 07:21 — Red Flags, Green Flags & Learning to Read the Room 23:02 — What's Next: Podcast Ideas & In-Person Dating Events 24:35 — The Tennis Court Story & Why You Can't Judge Energy From a Photo 25:06 — Hot Yoga, Dolce the Shiatsu & Family Moments in the Kitchen 26:00 — Meet Hezi — and Baby Cal Coming Soon ABOUT HEATHER ANDERSON: Heather Anderson is a fashion and lifestyle influencer helping women over 40 look modern, feel confident, and truly love the way they show up in the world. With over 250,000 followers across YouTube and Instagram and more than a decade of experience, she's built a trusted platform — So Heather — rooted in real, wearable style and refreshingly honest storytelling. Heather is also known for her candid take on dating over 50, sharing real-life experiences and hard-won wisdom to help women navigate relationships with confidence and self-respect. Find her on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/soheatherblog/ On YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/c/HeatherAndersonFashionOver40 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenchtoBold Follow Bench to Bold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobold

    27 min

  3. APR 22

    S2 Ep7: Fireballs, Ben Franklin & No-Guest | Marnie & Alisa | Bench to Bold

    Send us Fan Mail No guest. No agenda. Just Marnie and Alisa taking over the show to let listeners finally get to know them. In this Season 2 solo episode of Bench to Bold, the co-hosts go deep on the things that actually matter: favorite flowers, candy dealbreakers, the people they'd most want to have dinner with, their complicated relationships with heights and bridges, and the TV shows Alisa has somehow never seen a single episode of. There are Prince stories, a Ben Franklin monologue, a dentist-mandated crown from chewing fireballs, and a genuine debate about whether airlines are intentionally disabling seat charging ports. Consider this the episode where Bench to Bold gets personal. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:07 — No Guest, No Rules 04:33 — Fresh Flowers, Hotel Lobbies & Why Presentation Is Everything 06:42 — Candy Wars 10:08 — Cookies vs. Cake 13:03 — Dinner With Anyone 15:00 — Prince at Paisley Park, Purple Rain Tour & a Victoria's Secret Story 19:19 — The Jetsons Were Right 21:34 — Bridges, Heights & the Grand Canyon Glass Walk 26:49 — Top Gun ABOUT YOUR HOSTS: Bench to Bold is co-hosted by Marnie Schneider — author, speaker, and football legacy (granddaughter of former Philadelphia Eagles owner Leonard Tose) — and Alisa Hood, fashion and lifestyle entrepreneur and founder of Alisa Lux Beauty. Together they bring bold conversations, real stories, and a lot of laughs to a show built around the simple idea that life isn't a spectator sport. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenchtoBold Follow Bench to Bold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobold

    31 min

  4. APR 15

    S2 Ep 6: Mabel's Misfits: The Pig That Started a Movement | Rebecca Lobb | Bench to Bold

    Send us Fan Mail It started with a phone call: a friend leaving town in 45 minutes with a pig she didn't know what to do with. Rebecca Lobb said yes — and that single moment became the spark for Mabel's Misfits, a Waxhaw, NC-based nonprofit built around the animals everyone else overlooks. In this episode of Bench to Bold, Marnie and Alisa sit down with Rebecca to hear the whole story: a summer spent building a hobbit house for two rescue pigs by hand, a wildflower seed campaign getting kids and families back into nature, Boy Scouts building bat boxes to replace mosquito spray, and a lifelong love of animals rooted in early mornings with her grandfather watching dragonflies hatch from Surrey ponds at 4am. Rebecca's vision for Mabel's Misfits goes far beyond rescue — it's about teaching empathy, rebuilding the human connection to nature, and proving that every misfit, animal or otherwise, is worthy of love. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00:46 — What Is Mabel's Misfits?  00:02:54 — A Life Built Around Animals 00:05:27 — The Pig, the Pen, the Friends With Pallets 00:07:57 — From Mabel to a Full Menagerie 00:12:32 — Fundraising, the Seed Campaign & Becoming a Misfit Member  Rebecca's 00:17:14 — The Grandfather Who Woke Her Up at 4am to Watch Dragonflies Hatch  00:21:06 — Bats, Bat Boxes & Why You Don't Need Mosquito Spray 00:25:53 — The Science of Animals and Healing 00:28:23 — Taking Animals Into Schools, Scout Groups & Churches 00:31:25 — Why the Overlooked Animals Need a Champion ABOUT REBECCA LOBB & MABEL'S MISFITS: Rebecca Lobb is the founder of Mabel's Misfits, a community-based nonprofit in Waxhaw, NC focused on rescuing, rehabilitating, and rehoming the animals most people overlook — rabbits, reptiles, small animals, and the occasional pig. Originally from Surrey, England, Rebecca brings a deep background in wildlife conservation and a lifelong connection to nature to everything she builds. By day she runs a dog grooming business from home; by 5am she's feeding 23 chickens, two pigs, rabbits, and fish before anyone else is awake. Mabel's Misfits is built around three pillars: animal rescue and adoption, wildlife education for children and communities, and environmental stewardship through programs like the "It Started with a Seed" wildflower campaign. Rebecca volunteers alongside South Charlotte Dog Rescue and is actively partnering with local schools, Scout troops, and community organizations to bring hands-on animal education to the next generation. Follow Mabel's Misfits on Facebook and Instagram, or visit mabelsmisfits.com to donate, volunteer, or become a Misfit Member. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenchtoBold Follow Bench to Bold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobold

    39 min

  5. APR 8

    S2 Ep 5: Viral in a Dad Outfit With Monopoly Money | Carolina MiC

    Send us Fan Mail He's a tech worker from Minnesota, a Marine Corps veteran, a Camden, South Carolina native, a lifelong Carolina Panthers superfan — and, as of July 4th, 2025, one of the most infectious viral sensations in NFL history. In this episode of Bench to Bold, Marnie and Alisa sit down with Michael Malloy, known to the world as Carolina MiC, the man behind the impossible earworm "If I Had $150,000." Carolina MiC walks through the whole story: karaoke roots, the accidental outfit, the money toss, the second verse that sent everything into orbit, performing at Bank of America Stadium, getting shouted out on The Manningcast by Kevin Hart and Kenan Thompson, opening for Nelly, taking the stage with EDM duo Cherub — and somehow staying the same "regular dude" through all of it. He also talks about the cause closest to his heart: partnering with Cool Kids Clubhouse, a Charlotte-area nonprofit supporting kids fighting cancer and their families. One of the most genuinely joyful guests the show has ever had. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:02:03 — How It All Started 00:03:34 — The Name Behind the Legend 00:06:49 — Musical Roots 00:08:41 — Thank You for Your Service 00:13:26 — Cherub, Raleigh, and His First Green Room  EDM duo Cherub started playing his song before their tour sets 00:15:07 — Kevin Hart, Kenan Thompson & The Manningcast Shoutout  Kevin Hart gave him a hard time on air 00:15:47 — Cool Kids Clubhouse 00:23:40 — Legacy, Fatherhood & Spreading Positivity 00:24:44 — Bench to Bold — Brick Walls, Self-Talk & Keeping Going ABOUT CAROLINA MiC: Carolina MiC is the stage name of Michael Malloy, a 51-year-old Camden, South Carolina native, Marine Corps veteran, and self-described tech nerd currently based in Maple Grove, Minnesota. After serving four years in the Marine Corps Band, Malloy moved to Minneapolis in 1998 chasing a music career — doing karaoke, releasing original music, and building a following one song at a time. His viral breakthrough came in July 2025 when a video of him dancing to a one-verse song called "If I Had $150,000" — filmed in his driveway, in his regular clothes, tossing Monopoly money — exploded on TikTok and Instagram and crossed 3 million views. Since then, he has performed at Bank of America Stadium, appeared on ESPN's Manningcast, been featured on NFL Today with Nate Burleson, performed alongside EDM duo Cherub on their national tour, and opened for Nelly. His latest single, "Maple Sirup," is available on all streaming platforms. Follow Carolina MiC on Instagram at @carolina_mic (Carolina underscore MiC). He is currently partnering with Cool Kids Clubhouse, a nonprofit supporting children fighting cancer and their families, on a campaign to raise $150,000 — a number that means something a little more now. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenchtoBold Follow Bench to Bold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobold

    36 min

  6. APR 1

    S2 Ep 4: The Cancer Conversation Nobody Else Is Having | Dr. Chadi Nabhan | Bench to Bold

    Send us Fan Mail What happens in the room when a doctor delivers a cancer diagnosis — and what should happen next? In this episode of Bench to Bold, Marnie and Alisa sit down with Dr. Chadi Nabhan, internationally recognized hematologist, medical oncologist, author, and host of the Healthcare Unfiltered podcast. Dr. Nabhan walks through his new book The Cancer Journey, published by Johns Hopkins University Press, explaining why cancer hits psychologically different than any other diagnosis, how to build the right medical team, why second opinions are never offensive, and what AI is doing right now to speed up clinical trials and get life-saving therapies to patients sooner. Marnie also shares the deeply personal story of her son Jonathan's neuroblastoma diagnosis at nine months old — and how she learned to put together a team worthy of the fight. This one is equal parts medical clarity and emotional depth. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:01:43 — The Book That Started It All  00:02:43 — Why He Wrote The Cancer Journey  00:07:12 — What Drew Him to Oncology  00:11:25 — We Win More Than We Lose 00:14:46 — Marnie's Son, Neuroblastoma & the Armageddon Analogy 00:21:11 — AI in Cancer Care 00:24:42 — Environmental Toxins, Roundup & the Cancer Nobody Talks About  Pesticides 00:27:21 — Practical Wellness 00:34:12 — The Power of an Advocate ABOUT DR. CHADI NABHAN: Dr. Chadi Nabhan, MD, MBA, FACP, is a board-certified hematologist and medical oncologist with over two decades of clinical experience treating cancer patients at Northwestern University's Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, the University of Chicago, and Advocate Health. He has authored or co-authored over 300 peer-reviewed manuscripts and abstracts, and currently serves as Chief Medical Officer of RYGHT AI, an artificial intelligence company focused on accelerating clinical trials. Dr. Nabhan is the author of two books published by Johns Hopkins University Press: The Cancer Journey: Understanding Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, and Prevention (2024) and Toxic Exposure: The True Story behind the Monsanto Trials and the Search for Justice (2023) — the latter drawing on his experience as an expert witness in the landmark Roundup litigation linking glyphosate to non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He is the creator and host of the weekly Healthcare Unfiltered podcast, a sought-after speaker on global oncology stages, and a member of the editorial board of JAMA Oncology. His website is chadinabhan.com. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenchtoBold Follow Bench to Bold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobold

    43 min

  7. MAR 25

    S2 Ep 3: She Survived the Miracle on the Hudson — and She's Still Fighting for You | Denise Lockie

    Send us Fan Mail On January 15, 2009, Denise Lockie boarded US Airways Flight 1549 at LaGuardia Airport — a routine Thursday afternoon trip home. What happened next would become one of the most remarkable survival stories in aviation history. In this episode of Bench to Bold, Denise joins Marnie and Alisa to walk through every moment: the hostile corporate merger that put her on that flight, the thunderous noise at 3,200 feet, her eerie calm while the cabin erupted in panic, the upside-down evacuation slide, pulling strangers from the icy Hudson, and a Today Show appearance she did in fireman's pants with no luggage, no ID, and no lipstick. More than a survival story, this is a masterclass in grace under pressure — and why Denise has spent the 17 years since fighting to make aviation safer for everyone. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00:07 — Meet Denise Lockie  Marnie 00:01:00 — Corporate Career & The Merger  Denise describes her high-flying sales career 00:05:34 — Seat 2C  Denise boards as the first passenger 00:07:34 — 3,200 Feet Over New York 00:10:52 — Mentally calculating whether she could survive in the water and what it would take 00:14:09 — Prepared for Death  Denise reaches a moment of total acceptance 00:18:05 — Down the Slide Into the Hudson 00:21:25 — Calling Her Sister From the Raft 00:28:34 — The Today Show, No Lipstick, and Fireman's Pants 00:42:20 — Closing Message ABOUT DENISE LOCKIE: Denise Lockie is a Charlotte, NC-based survivor of US Airways Flight 1549 — the "Miracle on the Hudson" — and one of the most active aviation safety advocates to emerge from that flight. Seated in 2C on January 15, 2009, she was among the 155 passengers and crew who survived after Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger executed an emergency water landing on the Hudson River following a catastrophic dual engine failure caused by a bird strike. In the years since, Denise has channeled that experience into tireless advocacy: she is the only woman currently working in aviation safety at her level, she is working with the FAA on ARC reauthorization, and she serves on the boards of multiple aviation safety organizations. She is a regular speaker at the Sullenberger Aviation Museum in Charlotte — where she appears in the museum's video and has donated personal artifacts from the flight — and is a member of the National Air Disaster Alliance. Most recently, Denise joined the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) in opposing FAA-approved cuts to minimum flight attendant staffing on widebody aircraft. She also mentors emerging professionals and continues to fly regularly — always in natural fibers, always paying attention to the exits. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenchtoBold Follow Bench to Bold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobold

    48 min

  8. MAR 18

    S2 Ep 2: The First Woman in the Dallas Cowboys Locker Room | Marjorie Herrera Lewis | Bench to Bold

    Send us Fan Mail Marjorie Herrera Lewis is a trailblazing sports journalist who became the first female beat writer to cover the Dallas Cowboys, and she brought her incredible energy and stories to Bench to Bold. From growing up in a sports-obsessed family in Santa Fe to accidentally almost becoming the next J.Lo (seriously!), Marjorie's journey is pure gold. She dives deep into her groundbreaking work covering the Cowboys during the Tom Landry era, her friendship with tennis legend Martina Navratilova, and how a random conversation at her allergy doctor's office led to her award-winning novel "When the Men Were Gone." Now she's launching the Global Pro Flag Football League as commissioner, because apparently breaking one glass ceiling wasn't enough. Plus, she reveals her latest obsession: bowling (and she's really good at it). This episode is packed with laughs, real talk, and the kind of stories that remind you why live sports hit different. GUEST BIO: Marjorie Herrera Lewis is the author of "When the Men Were Gone," a powerful novel based on the true story of a woman who coached football in Texas during World War II. The book was selected by Sports Illustrated as one of the best sports books of 2018 and has been optioned for film. At age 60, she made history again by coaching defensive backs at Texas Wesleyan University, making her the only female college football coach at any level that year. During her journalism career, she covered the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, Wimbledon, and the Davis Cup. She's now the commissioner of the Global Pro Flag Football League set to launch in spring 2026. Marjorie co-hosts "Journey Through Sports and Life," a weekly television show streaming on DBTV. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 01:22 --- Sports DNA Deep Dive Marjorie talks about her sports-obsessed parents and how athletics shaped her life from day one 03:00 --- College Dreams & Career Moves From Arizona State broadcast journalism to making the bold decision to move to Dallas at 12 years old 05:11 --- Breaking Barriers The story of how she became the first female Dallas Cowboys beat writer and what that moment felt like 06:51 --- Tom Landry's Leadership How Coach Landry held a 15-minute team meeting about respecting the first woman in their locker room 07:32 --- Hall of Fame Era Being there during the transition from Tom Landry to Jimmy Johnson and covering future Hall of Famers 09:16 --- Coach Landry's Personal Side The surprising phone call from Tom Landry when Marjorie's daughter was born 09:45 --- When the Men Were Gone How a random comment at her allergy doctor led to discovering an incredible World War II story 13:28 --- Flag Ball Revolution Why Marjorie prefers "flag ball" over "flag football" and her vision for the sport's future 17:28 --- Summit Bowl Dreams The championship game vision for the Women's Flag Ball League 21:11 --- Life's Mission Discovered How sports became her life's work and why she never expected to be a league commissioner 22:29 --- The J.Lo Connection The incredible story of how neck surgery cost her a shot at the career Jennifer Lopez built 25:02 --- Bowling Obsession From tennis to pickleball to her current fanatical love affair with bowling 28:03 --- Tennis World Access Stories from covering Wimbledon and her friendship with Martina Navratilova 32:14 --- Women's Flag Ball League Where to find updates and how to get involved in the movement 34:24 --- Live Sports Magic Why sports create emotional connections that movies and Broadway shows can't match Learn more about Marjorie: Official Website: https://marjorieherreralewis.com/ Twitter: https://x.com/WhenMenGone Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BenchtoBold Follow Bench to Bold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobold

    37 min
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About

Life isn’t a spectator sport—and this podcast is your invitation to get off the bench and into the game. Welcome to Bench to Bold—a show for anyone who's ready to stop sitting on the sidelines and start living life like they mean it. Hosted by dynamic duo Alisa Hood, fashion and lifestyle entrepreneur, and Marnie Schneider, author, speaker, and football legacy, the podcast brings together inspiring guests, bold conversations, and a sprinkle of sports energy to help you own your moment—on your terms. Each episode features real, unfiltered stories from bold individuals across industries—leaders, founders, creatives, and changemakers. Whether they were born bold or had to grow into it, these are people living with intention, taking risks, and showing up fully in their lives. With Alisa’s polished edge and Marnie’s infectious energy, Bench to Bold is equal parts motivational and relatable. Grounded in their personal love of sports (Alisa is a competitive tennis player; Marnie is the granddaughter of former Philadelphia Eagles owner Leonard Tose), the show uses a sports metaphor as a powerful lens for personal growth. Because life isn’t about watching from the sidelines—it’s about becoming the main character and making bold moves, whatever that looks like for you. From the sidelines to center court—this is Bench to Bold.

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