Brad Benson
  • Actor
    • Videos
    • #BRADpacking
  • Professional
  • Writer
  • Traveler
  • Runner
  • Advocate
  • Minister

Brad Thomas Benson

Current New Yorker. Former Pittsburgher. Digital Marketer. Actor. Avid Reader. Marathoner. Traveler. Amateur Cook. Moon/SAS/Pitt Alumnus. Optimist. Lover of Life. Lover of Beer.
Contact
Picture

The Legion Trivia Truck brought excitement to PAX West in celebration of Intel®️ Gamer Days

The Legion Trivia Truck picked up gamers around the City for a live-streamed trivia show in celebration of Intel®️ Gamer Days. Hosted by Twitch streamer Curvyllama, hundreds of PAX attendees rose to the challenge, showcasing their gaming savvy and winning great prizes courtesy of Lenovo Legion.
PC Gamer, September 2019

Picture

Celebrate Intel®️ Gamer Days with the Legion Trivia Truck at PAX West

From August 30 through September 2, use your PAX badge to hail a ride between the Washington Convention Center (pick-up: 1430 1st Ave, next to the Showbox Theater) and Pike’s Place Market, and test your knowledge of all things gaming and tech in a live trivia game!
Tech Radar, August 2019

Picture

The Best 5 Restaurants in Greece

.Greece is understandably high on the list of must-visit foodie destinations. It’s a country rich in history, varied in topography, and high on life; it’s no wonder that traditional Greek cuisine is as rich, varied, and vivacious as the Country from which it hails! As you plan your trip through Greece, it’s good to know ahead-of-time the top spots to guide your culinary journey. Here’s an introduction to the five top-rated restaurants and spots in Greece.
Olegana Travel Boutique, March 2019

Picture

#BRADpacking Germany

My one-man show, #BRADpacking, is now a library of nearly 90 minutes worth of anecdotes, but it started as a single story profiled during a writing elective led by Melanie Hoopes at Camp Magnet in 2014. It is a vulnerable story about a challenging moment, and elicited one of the most powerful reactions by an audience I’ve felt as a performer.
Personal Blog, March 2019

Picture

I’ve Logged 1,000+ RunKeeper Activities, including 2,770+ Miles!

After about 9 years I‘ve logged my 1,000th activity on Runkeeper. I genuinely consider my fitness accomplishments to be one of the most extraordinary things about me, not because of the physical results (which I honestly believe are average, at best), but because fitness was never a core component of my identity until relatively recently. I’m just a normal dude who made a decision and stuck with it ...through an astonishing 3,574+ running miles ...and counting!
Personal Blog, February 2019

Picture

What to Pack for an Unforgettable Winter Trip to Iceland

Reykjavík sits at the termination of the Atlantic Current, making the City’s climate much more temperate and misty than expected. Beyond the City’s limits, however, weather can be quite unpredictable and downright frigid, with sudden snow squalls and fierce storms known to limit passage, so you’ll want to check out our packing tips to ensure you’re warm and safely prepared.
Olegana Travel Boutique, January 2019

Picture

Brad, the Monologist… Yet Again!

The Armando Diaz Experience is an improv show -originally created in 1995 at the iO Theater in Chicago- produced in New York City by Magnet Theater. On Saturday, January 5, 2019, I was the monologist that inspired the improvised scenes, and shared stories about (1) My 100-Day Trip Around the World on Semester at Sea, (2) A Family Secret Revealed via DNA Results, & (3) the Dark History Behind my Second NYC Apartment.
Magnet Theater, January 2019

Picture

Top 3 Can’t Miss Winter Festivals in Europe

Winter vacation ideas – the best winter festivals in Europe:
  *Grindlewald, Switzerland, World Snow Festival
  *Venice, Italy – Venice Carnival
  *Dublin, Ireland – St. Patrick’s Festival
Olegana Travel Boutique, January 2019

Picture

Best Places To Celebrate New Years Around The World

New Year’s Eve is the party-of-all-parties …but that means the pressure is on to make the night memorable, festive, and accommodating to all involved. What if New Year’s Eve was used as a jump-off to a longer, more indulgent trip? Many locations will still be decked-out for the holidays, have unique celebrations already planned, and the arrival of a new year at midnight is sure to elicit fond memories you won’t soon forget.
Olegana Travel Boutique, December 2018

Picture

10 Tips On How To Save Money When Traveling To Iceland

It’s as inexpensive as ever to get to Iceland but the Country's high prices are notorious among travelers; however, an Icelandic vacation doesn’t have to be cost-prohibitive. Here are a few tricks I’ve used to save money without compromising an authentic and exhilarating adventure.
Olegana Travel Boutique, November 2018

Picture

Brad, the Monologist… AGAIN!

The Armando Diaz Experience is an improv show -originally created in 1995 at the iO Theater in Chicago- produced in New York City by Magnet Theater. On Saturday, August 11, 2018, I was the monologist that inspired the improvised scenes, and shared stories about (1) My ill-fated 2012 Philadelphia Marathon run, (2) A Harrowing Experience I had in 2016 while #BRADpacking in Argentina, & (3) I’m a Registered Minister and Wedding Officiant.
Magnet Theater, August 2018

Picture

Where To Spend Your Spring Break Off-The-Beaten Path

A week-long escape called “Spring Break” is on the horizon – and is just what you need to get you through the final stretch before the summer is here. But don’t settle for the same-ole-same-ole Spring Break destination. Here are a few alternative spots that’ll add a lil’ extra spring to your break!
Olegana Travel Boutique, March 2018

Picture

​At 36, I Downsized and Got a Roommate. It's a Huge Life Upgrade.

​At 36, this New Yorker downsized from his luxe new building apartment to a walk-up with a roommate, and he couldn't be happier.
Streeteasy, January 2018

Picture

The Year(s) Of Travel: A Fun Way Of Showcasing Your Experiences

​If as the year is wrapping up you are reflecting on your travels & wondering how to showcase your experiences in a meaningful way, then this blog is for you!
Olegana Travel Boutique, December 2017 

Picture

Brad, the Monologist​

The Armando Diaz Experience is an improv show -originally created in 1995 at the iO Theater in Chicago- produced in New York City by Magnet Theater. On Saturday, October 7, 2017, I was the monologist that inspired the improvised scenes, and shared stories about (1) Growing-Up on an Old Golf Course Outside of Pittsburgh, (2) Taking a Man-cation to the Riviera Maya, & (3) My First Job in NYC -at the Food Network.
Magnet Theater, October 2017 

Picture

10 Small Travel Items That Make a Big Difference

Packing tips – these items aren’t necessities, but they create an exponentially more enriching travel experience (and they’re easy to fit!)
Olegana Travel Boutique, June 2017 

Picture

3 Finger Licking Foodie Experiences in Stockholm and Copenhagen

Our culinary journey through the Scandinavian cuisine – from restaurants to street food – your must try spots.
Olegana Travel Boutique, June 2017 ​

Picture

BRADpacking

Introducing #BRADpacking: A series of blogs sharing personal anecdotes, practical advice, and an assortment of other goodies to inspire the travel bug in you! 
Olegana Travel Boutique, May 2017 ​

Picture

Be Visible. Be an advocate.

Thank You For Coming Out celebrates the LGBTQ community with improv and storytelling from performers of all experience levels. It features an amazing, rotating cast and I was honored to be a featured storyteller on December 12, 2016. 
Magnet Theater, December 2015

Picture

Sunday, May 15, 2016 was my 10yr Improv-ersary

What started in 2006 as a way to go-with-the-flow, reduce the need to feel so rehearsed in a professional setting, and spend (most of) my first legitimate tax return has grown into an invaluable outlet for expression, a springboard to creative pursuits, and a passion that has consumed a huge portion of my time and energy. 
​Personal Blog, May 2016

Picture

Today is My Ten-Year New York-iversary

On March 19th, 2005, I moved from Pittsburgh (Moon Township) to New York City. I didn’t have a job. I didn’t have friends. I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. Now, ten years later, it’s a very different story.
Personal Blog, March 2015

Picture

A Recap of my 2014 Resolution: A Dinner-Party-A-Month

In 2014, my New Year’s resolution was to research, plan, cook, and host a dinner party each month, challenging myself to explore recipes and cuisines beyond my comfort zone. In tandem, I aimed to bring together a unique and diverse group of friends each time. Twelve months later, I’ve achieved my goal through what affectionately became known as BRADinners.
Personal Blog, January 2015

Picture

My Advice to Fellow Runners

When I started running about 6yrs ago, I “hated” running. Now, I’ve got 6 Ragnars, 5 Half-Marathons, 3 Marathons under my (running) belt! A friend of mine asked if I had any advice as he starts up a ½-marathon training program… of course I do! ​
Personal Blog, October 2014

Picture

The Marathon that Wasn’t

I wrote this in hopes that it offers insight into the mindset of a native runner following the cancellation of the 2012 ING NYC Marathon.
Personal Blog, November 2014

Brad @ Magnet Theater
The B-Sides Improv
Brad on FitBit
Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Actor
    • Videos
    • #BRADpacking
  • Professional
  • Writer
  • Traveler
  • Runner
  • Advocate
  • Minister