Live in the Salon with Benita and Rita
Live in the Salon with Benita and Rita
Benita Johnson and Rita Ricks
Welcome to Live in the Salon with Benita & Rita—a weekly gathering of honest dialogue, laughter, and life lessons. Think of it as your favorite brunch conversation, where nothing is off limits. From love and relationships to business moves, health, and personal growth, Benita and Rita create a space that feels like home—where you can listen, learn, and lean into your next chapter.
Live in the Salon with Benita and Rita with Guest Peter Jordan of Thee Informal Podcast
On Father's Day, we wanted to talk to a father and we got a Girl Dad! Peter Jordan, our producer and co-host of Thee Informal Podcast. What starts as a conversation about being a dad leads into a conversation about legacy. Join us as well engage is an amazing "family" conversation.
Jul 1
36 min
Live in the Salon with Benita and Rita with Special Guest Carol Reese
What if Artificial Intelligence isn't replacing people… but helping smart people reclaim their time, think better, and work wiser? I recently sat down with tech innovator, speaker, and ecosystem builder Carol Reese on my podcast, and the conversation was eye-opening. Carol shared practical ways AI can help us: • save time • organize ideas • create faster • think more strategically • reduce unnecessary overwhelm And the best part? You do not need to be “techy” to begin using it. Some of the prompts and tools she shared could immediately change how you work, lead, and manage your day. The future is not about working harder. It's about learning how to work differently. Stay tuned...this conversation may shift how you think about AI forever.
May 25
44 min
Live in the Salon with Benita and Rita with Special Guest Earnest Hayes
In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Live in the Salon, Benita sits down with her childhood friend, Earnest Hayes, for an honest conversation about his journey through prostate cancer — from diagnosis to recovery. What begins as a conversation between lifelong friends becomes an important discussion about men's health, fear, faith, vulnerability, and the importance of early detection. Earnest shares the emotional impact of hearing the words “you have cancer,” the decisions he faced during treatment, and the lessons he learned while fighting to reclaim his health and peace of mind. Together, Benita and Earnest reflect on friendship, resilience, and why these conversations must happen openly in our communities — especially among Black men who are often reluctant to discuss health concerns. This episode is heartfelt, educational, and ultimately inspiring — a reminder that survival is possible, support matters, and awareness can save lives.
May 25
44 min
Live in the Salon with Benita and Rita with Special Guest Levar Stoney
NEW EPISODE ALERT | Live at the Salon with Benita & Rita We've watched his leadership. We've heard his policies. We've seen the outcomes. Now… we listen for the heart behind the title. Join Benita & Rita as they sit down with special guest Levar Stoney, former Mayor of Richmond, VA, for an honest and powerful conversation about leadership, purpose, challenges, growth, and the man beyond politics. This is more than an interview — it's a real conversation about impact, community, and legacy. Watch now on YouTube! #LiveAtTheSalon #LevarStoney #RichmondVA #Leadership #BenitaAndRita #CommunityConversations
May 12
45 min
Live in the Salon with Benita and Rita with Special Guest Brian Robertson
Brian Robertson, a Richmond son who has dedicated his career to getting our brands seen and heard, joins us in the salon to talk about his company, Marion Marketing Global. Benita takes him on a wine journey and we end up talking about what it takes to raise successful young men. Get a glass and join the conversation in the salon. #liveinthesalon #brianrobertson #thevinewineclub # RitaRicks #BenitaJohnson
May 2
1 hr 30 min
Live in the Salon with Benita and Rita with Special Guest Navi Johnson
Entrepreneur Navi Johnson joins the Salon to discuss her dynamic journey as a single mom, visionary founder of the RVA Black Farmers Market, and marketing partner at NM Legaci Marketing. This conversation explores purpose-driven entrepreneurship, community impact, and the balancing act of building a legacy while raising a family.
Apr 29
43 min