Bench To Bold with Alisa Hood and Marnie Schneider

Bench to Bold with Alisa and Marnie
  • 5.0 (19)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS

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. 1H AGO

    S2 Ep6: 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. LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bench-to-bold-with-alisa-hood-and-marnie-schneider/id1833955403 Follow Bench to Bold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobold

    39 min

  2. 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. LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bench-to-bold-with-alisa-hood-and-marnie-schneider/id1833955403 Follow Bench to Bold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobold

    36 min

  3. 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. LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bench-to-bold-with-alisa-hood-and-marnie-schneider/id1833955403 Follow Bench to Bold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobold

    43 min

  4. 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. LISTEN ON APPLE PODCASTS: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bench-to-bold-with-alisa-hood-and-marnie-schneider/id1833955403 Follow Bench to Bold on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benchtobold

    48 min

  5. 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 Listen to Bench to Bold on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bench-to-bold-with-alisa-hood-and-marnie-schneider/id18339554

    37 min

  6. MAR 11

    S2 Ep 1: New Studio, New Season & The Real Work Nobody Sees | Marnie & Alisa | Bench to Bold

    Send us Fan Mail Season two of Bench to Bold is officially here — and Marnie and Alisa are back with a brand new studio, a lot more to say, and zero plans to slow down. In this season premiere, the co-hosts reflect on a whirlwind trip to Super Bowl Media Row (yes, Cam Newton recognized them), share major updates on Marnie's MLB licensing deal and upcoming Baseball Billy books, and pull back the curtain on what it actually looks like to build something from scratch — from Alisa hand-writing labels in her car to Marnie lugging books to the post office every Tuesday. They also talk about how they met through the Ronald McDonald House, why giving back changes everything, and what "Bench to Bold" really means when life gets messy. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: 00:00 — Welcome to Season 2 & the New EVRYBDY Studio  Season 2 launch and what's new for Bench to Bold03:00 — Super Bowl Media Row: Celebrity Petting Zoo & Cam Newton  Behind the scenes at Super Bowl Media Row — and how Cam Newton recognized Marnie06:00 — NFL Off the Field Wives Event, Ashanti & Raising Real Money  An inside look at the NFL Off the Field Wives' 25th year event and the power of women supporting women07:00 — How Marnie & Alisa Met: The Ronald McDonald House Story  The event neither of them wanted to attend — and how it changed everything10:30 — Marnie's MLB Deal: Baseball Billy & the Yankees and Phillies Books  Marnie's Major League Baseball licensing deal and the Baseball Billy book series launching end of March14:00 — Women's Flag Ball League Plans  Plans for an affordable, family-friendly women's flag ball league15:30 — Alisa Lux Beauty: Launching a Full Makeup Line in Three Months  What it actually takes to build a product business solo — from the bedroom distribution center to handwriting labels in the car19:00 — The Real Back Office: Entrepreneurship Isn't Glamorous  The unglamorous back office reality every entrepreneur knows but rarely talks about22:00 — Scorekeeping, Partnerships & What Makes Relationships Work  Why scorekeeping is the enemy of great relationships — in business and in life24:00 — Giving Courtside Seats Away & Why Generosity Pays Off  Giving courtside Hornets seats to Ronald McDonald House families and why giving back changes the dynamic of everything28:00 — Season 2 Goals & What "Bench to Bold" Really Means  What being on the bench really

    37 min

  7. MAR 5

    Ep 28 - Stop Talking to Yourself Like That: From Self-Doubt to Self-Compassion — with Colleen Odegaard

    Send us Fan Mail Episode Description There’s a voice most of us carry around all day. It comments on what we eat, how we look, what we said in that meeting last week. It’s constant. It’s cruel. And most of the time — we don’t even notice we’re doing it. Colleen Odegaard has spent 30 years on live television, interviewing A-list celebrities and Charlotte’s most compelling stories. But behind the camera, she’s been doing a very different kind of work — the kind that doesn’t show up on a highlight reel. In this episode, she opens up about the unexpected divorce that blindsided her after 23 years, the self-compassion practice that carried her through, and why she believes the way we talk to ourselves is the most important thing we’ll ever change. She and Alisa and Marnie get into radical acceptance, the comparison trap, letting go of control with adult kids, and the ego she caught running the show — even at 55, when she bought her first solo home. This one is honest, warm, and full of moments you’ll want to sit with. Show Notes — Key Timestamps (Approximate) 00:00 — Welcome + Meet Colleen Odegaard01:30 — The real reason she got into broadcast journalism (it wasn’t noble)08:30 — Feeling benched in a cutthroat industry11:00 — Why growth isn’t about age — it’s about what you do with the time13:00 — The divorce she didn’t see coming after 23 years15:30 — How she got through it: therapy, dharma talks, nature, and friends17:00 — Radical acceptance: what it actually means vs. resignation18:30 — Letting go of control — especially with adult kids25:00 — Self-compassion vs. self-esteem: why compassion has to come first27:30 — Buying her own condo at 55 and the ego check that came with it40:00 — The self-talk we normalize without realizing it41:30 — Why doing something kind for someone else is actually self-care

    44 min

  8. MAR 5

    Ep 27: Love Without Borders: Patty Shropshire on Adoption, Faith & Building a Multicultural Family

    Send us Fan Mail What does it look like to open your heart and your home to children from across the world? In this deeply moving episode of Bench to Bold, Alisa and Marnie sit down with Patty Shropshire, a teacher-turned-realtor, adoptive mother of two, and one of the most quietly bold women we've ever had on the show. Patty's adoption story is actually two stories and they couldn't be more different. First, the miraculous journey that brought five-month-old Kaya home from Korea, complete with a divine sign from the neighbors next door. Then, the unexpected path to adopting 14-year-old Josh from Ethiopia a trip that started as a missions visit and ended with a family. In this episode, we cover: • How Patty felt called to adopt long before she was married — and how that calling eventually became reality • The Korean neighbors who appeared in her front yard on the exact day the agency called — and why their names changed everything • What it's really like to adopt a 14-year-old with trauma — and the two years of counseling that helped Patty become the parent Josh needed • The beauty and challenge of raising a multicultural, multiracial family • Identity, abandonment, and the emotional layers adopted children carry — and how to meet them with love • Seven trips to Ethiopia, reconnecting with Josh's birth family, and why Patty keeps going back • Patty's second bold act: leaving 30 years of teaching to become a top realtor with Ivester Jackson | Christie's International • What she'd say to anyone considering adoption: just do it — but go in with open eyes Whether you've thought about adoption, are in the middle of a bold reinvention of your own, or just need to be reminded that love is bigger than borders — this episode is for you. Connect with Patty: • Instagram: @pattyshropshirerealty • Facebook: @shropshirerealty • Brokerage: Ivester Jackson | Christie's International Real Estate 🎧 Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe to Bench to Bold on Apple Podcasts, leave us a review, and share this episode with a friend who needs to hear it.

    29 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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