The Back 9 - Midlife, Best Life.

TB9, S12, E17: Ryan Vesce — Beyond Broken

Ryan Vesce played professional hockey in six countries. He also went through back surgery, hip surgery, chronic pain and the kind of physical wear that ends a lot of careers early. What changed everything? Frustration. And then desperation. We talk with Ryan about hitting a point where "manage it" stopped being a good enough answer. So he and his strength coach started pulling best-in-practice ideas from practitioners in all the different countries he playeid in, just to keep him on the ice. That mindset eventually became Matterhorn Fit and his post-playing passion. This episode isn't about hockey. It's about refusing to accept that broken is permanent on a new episode of The Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast [https://instagram.com/Back9_Podcast]

TB9, S12, E16: Herbie Lopez — Culture Doesn't Build Itself

Most people think culture just happens. But it doesn't. This week on The Back 9, we sit down with Herbie Lopez, GM of Toyota of Hollywood, to talk about how he's built one of the top-performing dealerships in the country—and why the numbers aren't the point. Herbie shares how he got into the business after losing his father at 19, the influence of his uncle Tony, and what he's learned about leading a thousand-person operation. We get into what it really takes to change a culture, keep it intact, and measure success in ways that go beyond sales. The conversation turns when he talks about hitting the same age his father was when he passed. That's where things started to shift—health, time, and how he looks at the work. If you're leading people, building something, or starting to think about what all of it adds up to, this one will resonate… on The Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast [https://instagram.com/Back9_Podcast]

TB9, S12, E15 — Family Therapist Dr. Barbara Kelly: Your Kids Are Watching How You Handle This

The hardest part after a divorce isn't always the divorce. This week on the Back 9, we sit down with Dr. Barbark Kelly to talk about co-parenting, and why it's often the part of divorce that lingers the longest. We get into what happens when youand your ex don't agree on what's best for your kids, how communication breaks down, and why a more structured approach can help steady things. But more than anything, this is how you show up for your kids in the middle of it. We also make it personal. With big milestones ahead, we're both dedicated to handling these moments in the right way, and we explore how to do just that. Your kids are paying attention.(paragraph). If you're in it now, or just trying to do it better, this one will resonate...on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast [https://instagram.com/Back9_Podcast]

TB9, S12, E14: Coach Mark Soto — How Great Leaders Show Up

Great leaders don't rely on talk. They just show up. This week on The Back 9, we sit down with Coach Mark Soto — longtime football coach, mentor, and leader — to talk about what leadership actually looks like in real life, at home and on the field. Coach Soto shares lessons from decades of coaching and raising kids, including what it means to lead with humility, set the standard through your actions, and guide young men into strong, grounded masculinity. From players who exceeded every expectation to his own sons who chose the hardest possible path in service, Mark's perspective is steady, honest, and earned. If you're a father, coach, or anyone trying to lead better, this one finds the fairway...on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast [https://instagram.com/Back9_Podcast]

TB9, S12, E13: Pastor Kevin Thompson — What No One Tells You Before You Say "I Do" (Marriage, Red Flags, Attachment Styles)

Most marriages don't fail because of surprises. They fail because we ignore the early signs. This week on The Back 9, we sit down with Kevin Thompson, marriage and life pastor at California's Bayside Church, to break down the real reasons relationships struggle, and how we can fix them before it's too late. Kevin dives into attachment styles, love patterns, communication breakdowns, and why the problems couples fight about years into marriage are usually there long before the wedding. He explains the predictable stages of marriage stress and why most couples wait until they're near the end to get help. If last week was about toxic relationships and missed red flags, this one is about awareness, growth, and building a relationship that can make it to the finish line. So if you're dating, married, divorced, or just willing to try again, this is one you need… on the Back 9. Contact Dennis & Josh Instagram: @Back9_Podcast [https://instagram.com/Back9_Podcast]