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.

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Derek Dawson, a 38-year-old resident of San Diego, California, who shares a touching story that bridges family memories with game show aspirations. Derek reminisces about his cherished summers spent with his grandparents in Arizona, where evenings were dedicated to watching Wheel of Fortune together, creating a core memory that stayed with him throughout his life. Following the loss of his grandmother 15 years ago, Derek made a promise to honor her memory by competing on the show. Despite the challenge of getting noticed, his persistence paid off on his second attempt, years after his initial application. Derek recounts the surreal moment of receiving the audition email, which he initially doubted, only to find out it was indeed his ticket to the show. His episode, filmed on December 7th, 2019, and aired on January 15th, 2020, saw Derek winning over $20,000 and a dream trip to Europe.

His journey serves as an inspiration, with Derek offering advice to others dreaming of game show glory: "Don't give up, be as energetic as you think you can be, and then add 20% more to that."

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Derek Dawson, a 38-year-old resident of San Diego, California, who shares a touching story that bridges family memories with game show aspirations. Derek reminisces about his cherished summers spent with his grandparents in Arizona, where evenings were dedicated to watching Wheel of Fortune together, creating a core memory that stayed with him throughout his life. Following the loss of his grandmother 15 years ago, Derek made a promise to honor her memory by competing on the show. Despite the challenge of getting noticed, his persistence paid off on his second attempt, years after his initial application. Derek recounts the surreal moment of receiving the audition email, which he initially doubted, only to find out it was indeed his ticket to the show.

His episode, filmed on December 7th, 2019, and aired on January 15th, 2020, saw Derek winning over $20,000 and a dream trip to Europe. His journey serves as an inspiration, with Derek offering advice to others dreaming of game show glory: "Don't give up, be as energetic as you think you can be, and then add 20% more to that."

Janet Stephens is an administrative assistant from Southern California with over 23 years of marriage to her husvand. Janet's story is one of resilience, determination, and a passion for game shows.

As an avid hockey fan and former professional roller derby skater, Janet brings a unique perspective to the table. Her love affair with game shows began in the mid-70s when Chuck Woolery hosted Wheel of Fortune. Janet decided to try her luck. Despite initial setbacks, Janet persisted and eventually secured a spot on the show in 1980, walking away with over $400 in winnings.

But Janet's game show journey didn't stop there. Over the years, she has appeared on over 12 game shows, demonstrating her expertise and love for the genre. Her Wheel of Fortune success continued when she received a call inviting her to participate in the primetime version of the show. Making a triumphant return, she emerged as the big winner of the night, securing over $2000 in prizes.

Tune in to hear Janet's captivating story of perseverance and success on one of America's favorite game shows, and learn more about her incredible journey through the world of game shows.

Robert Santoli, currently residing in Connecticut. Robert's Wheel of Fortune episode aired on March 25th, 2016, marking a memorable moment in his lifelong connection with the show. His earliest memory dates back to 1996 when he watched the Seattle College Week edition with his mother, igniting his passion for the game. Growing up, Robert immersed himself in Wheel of Fortune video games and often dreamed of being a contestant.

As a child, Robert had the extraordinary opportunity to attend a taping of the show, courtesy of his aunt's connection in California. He even had the chance to spin the iconic wheel and had his name, "Robert," featured in the puzzle book, a cherished memory captured in a photograph. Robert's fascination with Wheel of Fortune extended to his artistic endeavors, as he frequently drew scenes from the show.

Although his initial attempt to appear on College Week didn't materialize, Robert persevered and applied again after hearing about upcoming auditions. After multiple attempts, he received the thrilling news that he had been selected to be a contestant on Wheel of Fortune, with a tape date scheduled within the next two years. Robert's determination paid off as he navigated his way to the bonus round, ultimately winning over $70,000.

Tune in to hear Robert's captivating journey from a devoted fan to a successful contestant on Wheel of Fortune, and the unforgettable experiences that unfolded along the way.

In our latest podcast episode, join us as we sit down with Tim Sternberg, a dedicated student education advocate from sunny Florida, just outside Fort Lauderdale. Alongside his wife of 32 years, Tim has carved out a unique niche for himself, buying and selling collectibles on eBay. But there's more to Tim's story than his professional endeavors. A lifelong fan of game shows, his fascination began in the 1980s while watching classics like Wheel of Fortune and The Price Is Right during days home sick from school. He reminisces about the days when Wheel of Fortune contestants would shop with their winnings at the end of each round, sparking his childhood dream of competing on the show.

Tim's journey to Wheel of Fortune is a tale of persistence and enthusiasm. He attended a Wheelmobile event at a local Carmax, where his name was drawn, leading him to dazzle on stage and secure an invitation to a city audition. His mock game performance landed him a spot on the show, which taped on February 10th, 2006, and aired in May of the same year. Reflecting on the experience, Tim views his participation as a pivotal life moment, reinforcing his belief in the power of setting one's mind to achieve anything.

But Tim's game show adventures didn't stop there. He also took his chances on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, 1 vs. 100, and most recently, We Are Family, showcasing his diverse talents and unwavering spirit. Tune in to hear Tim share his insightful journey, highlighting the thrill of game shows and the valuable life lessons they've taught him about determination, ambition, and the importance of chasing one's dreams.