Meet Ryan Vickers from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada—a school teacher by day and the charismatic host of Reach for the Top, Canada’s beloved academic quiz show once helmed by Alex Trebek. Growing up, Ryan wasn’t a fan of Wheel of Fortune during its "shopping era," but today, he enjoys revisiting those classic episodes. In the fall of 1996, during his senior year of high school, everything changed when tryouts for Wheel of Fortune were announced. After sending in a postcard, Ryan received life-changing news a few weeks later: he was invited to audition. Six months after tryouts, Ryan and his mom traveled to Los Angeles for the taping. Tune in as Ryan shares the excitement, challenges, and unforgettable moments of his journey on Wheel of Fortune. Don't miss how he fared on the iconic game show!

In this exciting new episode of our podcast, we dive into the life of Erica, a lifelong Wheel of Fortune enthusiast currently residing in the Seattle, Washington area. As a talented makeup artist and fragrance specialist, Erica juggles her career with being a dedicated wife of eleven years and a loving mother to two children. Growing up, family nights were all about watching Wheel of Fortune together, and Erica cherished the glitz and glamour of the show, which also sparked her love for vocabulary. In 2014-2015, Erica took a shot at her dream by attending a Wheelmobile event, but fate had other plans. Undeterred, she vowed to send in an audition tape and in 2020, she created a vision board that prominently featured Wheel of Fortune. On February 22, 2022, she finally sent in her tape, and the rest, as they say, is history! She received a life-changing call on January 23, 2023, and she believed that the numbers held a special significance. When she arrived for the show, Erica experienced a magical moment seeing a double rainbow, a true sign that her dreams were coming true. Competing during XL Week, she not only won a brand-new BMW SUV but also so much more. Tune in to hear more about Erica's incredible journey and the memorable moments that led her to fulfill her lifelong dream!

Join us for an exciting new episode featuring Hanna, a dedicated first-grade teacher from Houston! Recently, Hanna appeared on the "Wheel of Fortune" during the special Girls' Getaway episode, teaming up with a friend for an unforgettable experience. Although she's not a seasoned "Wheel of Fortune" fan, her love for game shows inspired her to prepare for the big moment. Influenced by our past podcast guest Eugene, a notable contestant on the show, Hanna jumped into action by playing the game on her phone, tuning into episodes, and even practicing on her Nintendo Switch! In this episode, we celebrate Hanna as the first contestant from the Ryan Seacrest era of "Wheel of Fortune" to join our podcast. Listen in as she shares her journey, including her amazing wins—a luxurious trip to Antigua and over $20,000 in cash! Don’t miss her inspiring story and insights into life as a game show contestant!

In this episode, we chat with Bev, a retired admin assistant from Colorado who has been a lifelong Wheel of Fortune fan. Bev recalls watching the show as a young girl, back when viewers had to send in postcards to get on the show. She received her first postcard from the show in 1990, never missing an episode—recording it on her VCR if she wasn’t home. Bev’s dedication led her to attend Wheelmobile events, first in 2008 and again in 2015. Though she didn’t get called back at first, she promised herself to send in a video audition every year. Her persistence paid off in January 2018 when she got a call for an audition, and in 2019, she was told she'd be on the show within 18 months. To prepare, Bev watched 15 episodes a week, and her dream finally came true in October of that year. On the show, she won big—taking home a car, over $11,000 in cash, and totaling over $50,000 in prizes, though she opted out of the vacation. Bev’s journey is a testament to chasing your dreams and never giving up, and we’re thrilled to share her story with you.

On this episode of Spin and Win: The Podcast, we chat with Tammi Barker, a wife and mom from Northern California who describes her hometown as straight out of a Hallmark movie. Coming from a large family, Tammy has been a Wheel of Fortune fan for as long as she can remember. Some of her earliest memories involve sitting on her great-grandmother’s carpet, watching contestants shop the iconic showroom. One day, after watching an episode, she saw a commercial encouraging viewers to apply for the show. On a whim, Tammi made a short video and sent it in, then forgot about it. To her surprise, she got a call for an audition while standing in line at Disneyland with her kids! She ended up auditioning right there in the park. Tammi’s journey didn’t stop there—she went on to appear in Pat Sajak’s final episode, winning a trip to Barbados and over $8,000 in cash. Listen in as she shares her unforgettable Wheel of Fortune experience!

In this episode, we’re featuring Mel, a Bay Area native from San Jose, California. By day, he works as an analyst for a tech company, but by night, he’s a DJ, a passion he’s pursued for over 20 years. Mel is also the co-founder and executive director of Freestyle Takeover, an E-sports community. A true gaming enthusiast, he owns more than 11 gaming systems. Mel's love for Wheel of Fortune began back in the 80s, when he realized he had a knack for quick processing, math, and spelling. His talents led him to win multiple spelling bees at the county, district, and state levels. In the mid-90s, Mel’s skills earned him a spot on Wheel of Fortune during College Week, where he represented San Jose State University. He not only made it to the Bonus Round but solved the puzzle "Pumpkin Pie," winning over $20,000 and a brand-new convertible. And in a moment of pure excitement, Pat Sajak spun Mel around in celebration, something he had never done before. Tune in to hear Mel's amazing story!

In this episode of Spin and Win: The Podcast, we sit down with Terah, whose journey from the classroom to the Wheel of Fortune stage is nothing short of remarkable. After teaching for 20 years, Terah transitioned to a new career at Trader Joe's during the pandemic, eventually working her way up to the corporate office. Encouraged by her late husband, she decided to audition for Wheel of Fortune and filmed her tryout video in a Dave & Buster's parking lot. Although she initially received a call to participate during Teacher's Week, she had already left teaching and declined. But fate had other plans—just two weeks later, Terah was invited back for the Road Trip Special. Filming during the COVID-19 pandemic brought its own challenges, with contestants separated and masks worn at all times except on camera. In the end, Terah’s persistence paid off as she walked away with over $72,000 in winnings! Tune in to hear her full story.

In our latest podcast episode, we feature Mansour Chaya, a dedicated personal injury and workers' comp lawyer. As a first-generation American with parents from Lebanon, Mansour has a strong sense of community, which he demonstrates through his volunteer work feeding the homeless in Boston. Growing up, Mansour and his family were avid Wheel of Fortune fans, often solving puzzles together before the contestants. Mansour's father auditioned for the show seven years before him and appeared in 2011, taking home $1,000 after taping in Boston. Inspired by his father's experience, Mansour applied to the show at 18. He received an email for a final audition and, a week after turning 21, secured his tape date. Mansour initially appeared during College Week, where he advanced to the bonus round and won over $40,000. In addition to his Wheel of Fortune success, Mansour and his family also competed on Family Feud with Steve Harvey. This week, Mansour returns to Wheel of Fortune as a fan favorite, teaming up with his father for a special episode airing on May 21st. Tune in to hear Mansour's journey from watching the show with his family to becoming a game show star himself.

Jesse Rebhan, from sunny Miami, Florida. Formerly a math teacher turned Activities Director, Jesse's love for Wheel of Fortune runs deep. Growing up in a family of game show enthusiasts, she fondly recalls bonding moments spent watching game shows with her loved ones. It was a memorable day in 2019 when she watched Wheel of Fortune with her grandmother, igniting her passion for the show. Inspired by an ad for the Wheelmobile near her hometown, Jesse embarked on a journey to audition, initially missing her chance but eventually receiving a callback that changed everything. Fast forward to 2020, amidst a faculty meeting, Jesse received the news of her selection for the show, eliciting a joyous outburst that couldn't be contained. Her Wheel of Fortune journey began, leading to an unforgettable appearance in May 2023 as a fan favorite. Jesse's infectious enthusiasm caught the attention of the internet, propelling her to viral fame with appearances on Good Morning America and Comcast. Her initial triumph on the show resulted in a substantial cash prize of over $50,000, followed by another impressive win totaling over $8,000. But Jesse's game show adventures don't end there. She also showcased her skills on Family Feud and The $100,000 Pyramid, adding to her impressive repertoire of game show accomplishments. Join us as we delve into Jesse's remarkable journey from math teacher to game show sensation, filled with excitement, triumphs, and unforgettable moments on and off the screen.

Ilene Knebel, a devoted wife and mother hailing from Upstate New York. Ilene's journey is one of resilience and determination, rooted in her passion for acting and entertainment. After college, she embarked on a cross-country adventure to California to pursue her acting dreams, appearing in several movies along the way. However, it was her fascination with game shows that truly ignited her spirit. Nearly 30 years ago, Ilene made the bold decision to transition from acting to a career in city government, where she has dedicated herself to serving the community of Beverly Hills. Yet, her dream of appearing on Wheel of Fortune never waned. Inspired by her cousin's successful appearance on the show in 1988 and a coworker's encouragement, Ilene remained steadfast in her pursuit. After numerous attempts, including auditions for other game shows, Ilene's determination finally paid off when she received a call from Wheel of Fortune in December 2021. Despite initially being an alternate, she seized her opportunity and appeared on the show in January 2022, emerging victorious with over $112,000 in winnings. Ilene's story serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges. Her advice to aspiring contestants is simple yet profound: never give up on your dreams and always aim for the stars. Tune in to hear more about Ilene's inspiring journey and her remarkable experience on Wheel of Fortune.