Bench To Bold with Alisa Hood and Marnie Schneider
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...
Ep 10 | The Courage to Start Over: Redefining Success and Living in Alignment
In this inspiring episode of Bench to Bold, life coach Kristy Kuhl joins Marnie and Alisa to share her journey from chasing success to finding true alignment.
She opens up about walking away from a six-figure corporate career, the courage it takes to start over, and how to build a life that feels as good as it looks.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or out of alignment with your goals — this conversation will give you the mindset shift you’ve been waiting for.
Timestamps (Chapters)
00:00 – Welcome...
Ep 9 | Fit vs. Healthy: Finding Balance, Discipline & Dessert
What does it really mean to be healthy? In this week’s Bench to Bold, Marnie and Elisa dive into fitness, food, discipline, and the little indulgences that make life sweet. From bodybuilding to biking, marathon running to mindful eating, Elisa shares how her relationship with health has evolved — and Marnie opens up about finding balance without losing joy (or ice cream 🍦).
Whether you’re resetting your wellness goals or just trying to stay consistent, this episode will remind you that health isn’t perfection — it’s progress.
👉 Subscribe for more honest conversations about life, wellness, and woma...
Ep 8 | Rucker Roots: How Sisters Turned Passion into a National Brand
What does it really take to turn a kitchen idea into a national brand?
In this episode, sisters Ellen Rucker Sellers and Ione Rucker Jamison share the story behind Rucker Roots, their plant-powered haircare line now found in major retailers like Walmart, Target, Sally Beauty, and JCPenney.
You’ll hear:
The early days of formulating products in Ellen’s kitchenHow they went from reality TV to trade shows to big-box shelvesThe real pros and cons of entrepreneurship (including being the last one paid!)Why legacy, family, and community fuel...Ep 7 | Your Best Skin Yet: Simple, Science-Backed Skincare That Works
What if your skincare routine could be simple and effective? In this episode of Bench to Bold, we sit down with Katie Sullivan, Licensed Medical Esthetician at Infinity Med Spa and Wellness, to talk about how to take the guesswork out of skincare.
Katie breaks down:
Why prevention is the biggest beauty trend right nowThe three products she recommends everyone invest inHow to avoid common skincare mistakes (like chasing every trend)Treatments worth considering at different stages of lifeHer honest take on what really works — and what doesn’tWhether you’re curious about...
Ep 6 | What It Really Takes to Launch a Luxury Fashion Brand
What does it actually take to turn a bold idea into a luxury fashion brand? In this episode of Bench to Bold, Alisa and Marnie sit down with Adrienne Kronovet, the founder of Ameliora, to hear how she transformed her passion and family legacy into a thriving fashion line.
Adrienne shares the real story of building her brand—from discovering a game-changing fabric, to navigating the challenges of limited marketing budgets, to creating shirts that combine style, function, and luxury.
✨ In this conversation, you’ll learn:
How Adrienne turned her backgr...Ep 5 | From Setbacks to Comebacks: Mindset Shifts That Change Everything
How do you actually break barriers—at work, at home, and within yourself? In this candid conversation, Alisa and Marnie swap real stories from male-dominated rooms, medical sales, the NFL world, and life after big pivots. They dig into the mindset shifts that help you thrive, the power of boundaries, why flexibility creates opportunity, and how “failure as feedback” moves you forward. Plus: discipline, wellness, and why friendship is a success strategy.
In this episode:
Ep 4 | Beyond Football - Thomas Davis on Faith, Family & Finding Purpose After the NFL
What happens when the final whistle blows and the stadium lights go dark? For Thomas Davis, three-time Pro Bowler and longtime Carolina Panther, that moment wasn’t the end — it was the start of something new.
In this inspiring conversation, Thomas opens up about his 16 seasons in the NFL, his battles back from three ACL tears, and the lessons of resilience that shaped his career. But he doesn’t stop there. Thomas shares how he’s redefining life after football — from building the Defending Dreams Foundation to investing in Charlotte’s community through business and mentorship.
Join Alisa...
Ep 2 | Dream Bigger, Do Bigger: Denise Cubbedge on Leadership and the Ronald McDonald House
What does it mean to dream bigger and do bigger? In this episode of Bench to Bold, hosts Alisa Hood and Marnie Schneider sit down with Denise Cubbedge, President & CEO of Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, to talk about her inspiring journey in nonprofit leadership.
Denise shares how she found her calling in philanthropy, why fundraising is really about building authentic relationships, and how she leads with both business acumen and heart. She also opens up about the mission of the Ronald McDonald House and what it takes to create lasting impact in the community.
...
Ep 3 | Brushes, Business & Bold Moves: Caitlyn Dominic on What It Takes to Be a Makeup Artist
From a side hustle at 22 to a thriving career as a sought-after pro, Caitlyn Dominic has built a business around her artistry, her personality, and her bold moves. In this episode of Bench to Bold, hosts Alisa Hood and Marnie Schneider talk with Caitlyn about her journey from art and dance to destination weddings, celebrity clients, and teaching makeup lessons to women across the Carolinas.
Caitlyn opens up about the realities of life as a makeup artist—what it really costs to build your kit, why social media and even AI ar...
Ep 1 | How to Live a Bold Life – What It Really Means with Marnie and Alisa
Welcome to the very first episode of Bench to Bold!
In this premiere episode, hosts Alisa and Marnie open up about what it truly means to live boldly. From personal stories of friendship and life changes to embracing your own definition of “bold,” they share laughs, lessons, and real talk about stepping off the bench and into your best life.
💬 What does “bold” mean to you? For some, it’s taking big risks. For others, it’s living with gratitude, confidence, and kindness. Alisa and Marnie explore all the ways boldness can show up in your every...
Trailer: Welcome to Bench to Bold from Alisa Hood
Alisa, known as AChicAlisa, is bringing her energy, style, and perspective to the Bench to Bold podcast! In this short trailer, she shares why she’s excited to co-host alongside Marnie Schneider and what listeners can expect from the show.
From fashion and lifestyle to bold conversations with inspiring guests, Bench to Bold is all about living authentically and taking your place in the spotlight. Follow @benchtobold on social media, and tune in on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
👉 Follow Alisa: @aschicalisa
👉 Follow Marnie: @marnieschneider1
Trailer: Welcome to Bench to Bold from Marnie Schneider
Hosts Marnie and Alisa are so excited to launch Bench to Bold — a podcast where bold stories, inspiring conversations, and real-life lessons take center stage. From sports and business to style, confidence, and community, this show is all about living life off the sidelines and into the spotlight.
In this short trailer, Marnie shares why she’s excited about the show and what listeners can expect. Subscribe now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen — and get ready to live bold!
👉 Follow us: @benchtobold