Ride Home Rants

Have you ever taken a stroll down memory lane and found yourself embroiled in the heartwarming tales of a small-town hero? That's exactly what happened when I sat down with coach Matt Altomare, the pulse of Leetonia High School football, whose story is as deeply woven into the fabric of Leetonia, Ohio, as the gridiron itself. Our conversation traverses the cherished corridors of community bonds, Italian heritage, and the legac...

Ever found yourself chuckling at the notion that beard oil could be the pumpkin spice latte of the grooming world? You're not alone. Buddy Holly joins me, and his experiences as a comedian and beard care aficionado manage to tangle humor, life lessons, and self-care into a conversation that's as enlightening as it is entertaining. We traverse from the joys of a well-maintained beard to the realm of laughter that breaks do...

Have you ever wondered what fuels the fire in the belly of a comedian? Get ready to crack open the world of chuckles with Newark's king of comedy, Destin Richardson, as he joins me, Mike Bono, in an unfiltered journey through the highs and lows of comedic life. We're laying it all out there—from the relentless grind of content creation to the saving grace of cargo shorts on a hot day. Destin peels back the layers on his p...

Get courtside seats to the most electrifying basketball conversations of the season as we dissect the NCAA Final Four madness with the likes of Mike Worrell and Mark Richmond, two giants in basketball analysis. Feel the pulse of Alabama's and UConn's high-stakes face-off and get under the hoop for NC State's gritty dance with Purdue. Our panelists, who've walked the walk, regale us with tales from the hardwood w...

When the cozy traditions of Easter weave into conversations, you know it's bound to be a roundtable to remember. Stepping in for Mike Bono, I'm Fiddy, and I was thrilled to host an Easter Roundtable with a dynamic mix of past guests who lit up the discussion with their personal memories and traditions. From the pressures of childhood church speeches to the adaptation of celebrations amidst loss, our panel—JJ Phillips, Bra...

Step up to the plate for a grand slam discussion on the 2024 MLB season! I'm your host, Fiddy, pinch-hitting for Mike Bono this time around, and we've got the bases loaded with insider predictions, player spotlights, and the managerial chess that could define this year's baseball saga. Joined by the heavy-hitting panel of Tony, TJ, and Austin, we look back at the Texas Rangers' sensational World Series win and p...

Crack open a cold one and pull up a seat at our St. Patrick's Day table where the drinks flow as freely as the conversation! I'm your host, Mike Bono, and on today's Ride Home Rants podcast, we're toasting to tradition with a pint of banter, a dash of history, and a spirited panel that includes the likes of Wendy, a wee bit Irish, and Collin, who's half a leprechaun by blood. Together with the rest of our m...

Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, the Friday night lights were more than just a game—they were a rite of passage that sculpted the sinews of our character. That's the backdrop of my heartfelt conversation with college buddy Matt Landowski, as we relive the glory days of high school sports. We tackle the nostalgia head-on, discussing how the camaraderie on the field led to lifelong bonds and left an indelible mark on our pers...

Stepping off the well-trodden path, Austin Dudley joins me to unpack a story woven with dedication and a deep-seated love for Division III college athletics. His leap from the comfort zones of St. Louis to the challenges of Webster University's cross-country terrain exemplifies a tale not just of sports, but of personal evolution. Choosing passion over pragmatism, Austin's shift from environmental sciences to education mi...

Join us on a nostalgic trip down memory lane with Mike Larkin, as we traverse his early years in New Jersey to his defiant track career at The College of New Jersey, and beyond. Mike's leap from his home state to Notre Dame College, peppered with tales of regional food shocks and the bold choices that shaped his future, paints a vivid picture of perseverance and the vital role athletics play in personal growth. Feel the Garden...

From the frosty ballparks of Pickering, Canada, to the coaching box at Notre Dame College, Kyle Espineli's baseball journey embodies the grit and growth of the sport beyond America's borders. In our heartwarming chat, Kyle, the assistant baseball coach, unpacks the cultural exchange of bats and balls between Canada and the U.S. He lays bare the realities Canadian athletes face, where hockey skates often overshadow basebal...

Get ready for a Super Bowl roundup like no other, where  Fiddy and I team up with football's finest minds to unpack the Chiefs versus 49ers mega-clash. From the strategic nous of former student assistants to the seasoned wisdom of high school coaches, media pundits, and football family royalty, this episode is a full-field press of insight. Special guests Chris Marsco, Tony Bogan, Mister Askew, Bob Gavalier, Jordan DeMarco, Bi...

When the whistle blows and the stadium lights ignite, that's when Coach Tim Weaver shines brightest – and I had the pleasure of sitting down with this mastermind behind Brown University's defensive maneuvers. Our conversation is more than just X's and O's; it's a deep dive into the heart of collegiate football, from the strategic recruitment plays to the personal growth of players who have sprinted their wa...

Step off the spectator stands and into the lives of Andy Santiago and Allie Green, as they swing into our latest episode with stories that link the crack of the bat and the thwack of the tennis ball to real-world wins. Cleveland's own athletic achievers peel back the layers of their college sports days, with Andy diving into the nitty-gritty of baseball and accounting, while Allie serves up insights from her journey from tenni...

As the neon lights of Las Vegas faded into the background, Austin Fitch, the inspiring coach from Fort Cherry, PA, joined me to recount the whirlwind of leading his team to the state finals. Journey through the highs and lows of competitive sports with us, where the buzz of New Year's in Vegas sets the stage for a discussion on the city's burgeoning sports scene. From the warm embrace of the Raiders to the triumphs of the...

When an injury benched my dreams of swimming competitively, I understood the weight of saying goodbye to a lifelong passion. Today, Pat Svihlik, a former college soccer standout who's now shaping futures at Notre Dame College, joins me to share that familiar pang of an athlete's career cut short and the resilience needed to craft new dreams. We follow Pat's journey from his rough-and-tumble childhood games with his b...

Unlock the secrets behind the success of college football's elite teams as I sit down with a panel of pros including former players like Johnny "Fiddy" Falconi, Jovon Johnson, brothers Ryan and Drew Barth, Dan Bolson, Mister Askew, Jonas Jackson, and the legendary Hal Mumme. Together, we dissect the brilliance of Nick Saban's Alabama and make our bold predictions for the playoff showdowns ahead. Whether you&apos...

Can you imagine switching from a career in IT to comedy? That's exactly what our guest Mecha Swain, owner and CEO of Slapstik comedy in Columbus, Ohio did! In a fascinating and inspiring journey, Mecha takes us from her broadcasting and journalism studies to the establishment of her own media production company, Mecha Media, and the birth of Slapstik Comedy. She gives us an insight into how a class assignment sparked her passi...

Ever found yourself locked in a spirited debate about the Christmas-ness of Die Hard? We certainly did! I'm your host, Mike Bono, and I'm thrilled to bring you an episode of Ride Home Rants that's as filled with festive cheer as an overflowing cup of eggnog. Join me and a lively panel of guests as we delve into holiday debates, reveal our unique family traditions, and explore how Christmas Eve holds a special place i...