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Local Legends with Jess: Arizona Edition
Local Legends: Arizona Edition is a podcast that shines a spotlight on the incredible individuals making waves across the Grand Canyon State. Hosted by a passionate local connector and community advocate, each episode features candid, heartfelt, and often humorous conversations with Arizona’s most inspiring entrepreneurs, nonprofit leaders, creatives, and community changemakers. From real estate rockstars to nonprofit heroes, magicians to mentors—we’re bringing you the stories that make Arizona legendary. Tune in to be inspired, entertained, and reminded of the power of local connection.
Episodes
26 episodes
Help Aging Parents Stay Independent Without Waiting for a Crisis
What if the biggest mistakes we make in caring for our aging loved ones happen long before a crisis beginsIn this deeply human conversation, we sit down with Heather Harvey, a true local legend whose presence alone shifts the energy in e...
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Injectables, Aesthetics, and the Real Secret to Feeling Turned On
What does it really take to build confidence from the inside out?This week on Local Legends with Jess: Arizona Edition, we sit down with Marisa Dulan, nurse practitioner, aesthetic expert, and co-founder of Mode Aesthetics &...
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From Engineer to Top Agent: How Juston Lisk Built a Business Around Family First
“Today’s guest is Juston Lisk, a State Farm agent with an engineering background who made a big life shift in pursuit of something more important—family. Originally from Iowa and now calling Arizona home for the past five years, Juston made the...
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Just Like Old School
This episode brings a mix of nostalgia, friendship, and inspiration as the hosts sit down with longtime friend and standout athlete Jerry Hug. From his days as a two-time All-American football player alongside legends to the bonds built ...
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Local Legend Spotlight: Kicks by Kenna’s Journey from $20 Shoes to the NFL
In this episode of Local Legends with Jess and Jason, we sit down with a true rising star—Kennedy Rettew, the creative force behind Kicks by Kenna.What started as a simple project at just 16 years old quickly turned into ...
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Closing Day… But in Pajamas?
This episode of Local Legends with Jess – Arizona Edition brings the energy, the laughs, and the realness with Nina and Sheer in a fun, unfiltered “slumber party” style conversation. From building authentic connections in real estate t...
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Energy, Intuition, and Healing: How Alicia Sweezer Changes Lives
In this episode of Local Legends with Jess, host Jessica Benevento sits down with Alicia Sweezer, founder of Who Knew Healing, for a thought-provoking conversation that challenges conventional ideas about healing, intuition, and human ...
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From “What If” to “Let’s Do It” with Jason Cocuzza
What happens when you stop talking about ideas… and actually start bringing them to life?In this episode of Local Legends with Jess, Jessica Benevento sits down once again with returning guest Jason Cocuzza for a conversation th...
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Turning Real Estate Into a Paradise Lifestyle Game the “Mrs. Wrighthouse Way”
In this episode of Local Legends with Jess – Arizona Edition, Jessica Benevento sits down with Morgan Hawes, also known as Mrs. Wrighthouse, a dynamic force in Arizona real estate whose journey started at just 18.What began as c...
Success and Happiness Doesn’t Always Come from the Expected Path
In this episode of Local Legends, Jess reconnects with Brennan Taylor Forster for a full-circle conversation that starts back when he was in 8th grade and turns into a powerful story about choosing your own path.Brennan s...
Love Doesn’t End: Understanding Grief with a Death Doula
This week Jess sits down with a guest whose story leaves a lasting impression. Margaret Anderson shares the deeply personal journey that led her to the work she does today—helping others through grief, loss, and the emotional process sur...
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Jaclyn Tromo — From Makeup Artist to Personal Branding Powerhouse
The inspiration level jumps fast in this episode featuring entrepreneur Jaclyn Tromo. From the moment Jess discovered Jaclyn on social media, she was captivated. One connection quickly turned into a yes to the opportunity Jaclyn was prom...
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From Fairways to Film to Finance and More: The Evolution of Craig Matthew
In this episode of Local Legends with Jess, meet Craig Matthew — a dynamic leader whose journey spans elite athletics, music, entrepreneurship, film, and now finance.Craig made history at The Ohio State University as the first golfer to...
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The Original Legend Herself: Jess The Mortgage Matchmaker - Buying a Home is Easier Than You Think
In this special episode of Local Legends with Jess, the spotlight turns to the original legend herself — Jess, the Mortgage Matchmaker.From start to finish, this conversation centers around one powerful message: buying a home doesn’t hav...
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From Service to Sold — Building a Real Estate Legacy Together
Ryan & Whitney Cole officially join the Local Legends lineup, and their story is one built on grit, heart, and lived experience.This husband-and-wife real estate team didn’t start in property — they started in people. Whitney’s backgrou...
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Flipping the Script: Jess is in the Hot Seat the OG Local Legend Mortgage Matchmaker and Husband Jason
In this episode of Local Legends with Jess, the roles reverse—and Jess takes the hot seat.Jason, a seasoned mortgage professional with over 25 years in the industry, steps in as interviewer to have a candid, thoughtful conversatio...
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Jess and Jason Living the Dream While Showing Up for Family
In this special and personal episode, Jess sits down with her husband, Jason—her favorite human, the love of her life, and the one person she can love hard and challenge hard all within minutes. What starts as a conversation about dreams quickl...
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Local Legends with Jessica Benevento Episode: Pop — AKA Truman, AKA Poppy Chuloo (Yes… THAT Pop)
Meet Pop, also known as Truman and lovingly referred to as Poppy Chuloo—a retired college football coach, self-proclaimed True National Legend, and full-time Arizona snowbird who has officially mast...
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Jess & Sophia — My Favorite Daughter (Yeah that’s right)
Sophia: my favorite daughter. A real old soul 9yrs old and legit gets me through life everyday with wisdom and calmness. Doesn’t take shit. Episode: Sophia — My Favorite Daughter (Yeah that’s right)Meet Sophia...
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The Hedgehog Diaries: Sophia & Boba T Take the Mic
In this extra special episode of Local Legends, Jess sits down with the youngest (and cutest) guest yet, her daughter, Sophia Cocuzza, and the real star of the show: her pet hedgehog, Boba T. 🦔💬Get ready for giggles, animal facts, and heartwarm...
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Episode 4: Big Hair, Bigger Stories: Blondie Gets Real
In this episode of Local Legends: Arizona Edition, I sit down with my Jersey girl turned Arizona queen, Alex “Rock” Murphy, aka Blondie. We laugh, reflect, and get real about everything from her booming hair business to getting married, raising...
Training Legends: Mike Santini's Formula for Mental and Physical Domination
Mike Santini (Personal and athletic trainer here is Scottsdale AZ) joins Local Legends to share how his “machine mentality” transforms athletes into unstoppable forces and how setting positive intentions fuels success in sports, business, and l...
No Puffery: Just Pure Gonzo
Join us for a sneak‑peek with Luis Gonzalez, he went from dreaming in the stands to stepping onto an MLB diamond. Hear how he turned what millions imagine into his everyday reality, and discover the grit, belief, and unexpected moments that mad...
Turning Trauma into Triumph: Brandi Powell's Vision for VOTV
Welcome to the debut episode of our podcast! In this short video, we’re excited to introduce our very first guest, Brandi Powell, the heart and soul behind Village of the Valley. Brandi shares her powerful journey, the vision that led to the cr...
Luis Gonzalez: Champion On an Off the Field
In this episode of Local Legends: Arizona Series, we sit down with Arizona Diamondbacks legend Luis Gonzalez, not just to talk baseball, but to explore the heart behind the hero. From his unforgettable game-winning hit in the 2001 World Series ...