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DENNIS ANYONE? with Dennis Hensley


Welcome to Dennis Anyone, a podcast about making things up and making things happen. I love to talk to creative types about what they do and how they do it. Hope you enjoy my conversations as much as I do. - Dennis H.

Sep 22, 2022

Dennis connects via Zoom with his lifelong friend Michelle Willis who in her three decades plus as a sweepstakes and contest enthusiast has won 787 different prizes, including trips, cash, meet-n-greets with celebrities like Ryan Seacrest and Kelly Ripa, a zero gravity flight experience and an ugly holiday sweater, courtesy of Nutella. Michelle talks about how she first got bit by the contest bug back in her hometown of Holbrook, Arizona, when she and Dennis would listen to the Top 20 Countdown on the local radio station and try to win 45 rpm records, T-shirts and the best prize of all; pizzas from Pizza Hut. Michelle describes her approach to entering contests, how she puts in around 45 minutes a day, how she learns about the different contests, how technology has changed the game, the scams to watch out for and why it’s important to always read the fine print. She also recalls some of the amazing prizes she’s won; from a trip to England for four for the premier of the first Harry Potter film, to a ride on the Orient Express, a Carnival cruise, a trip to LA for the finale of American Idol to multiple trips to Disney World. She also talks about how her winnings have allowed her family to do things they never would be able to do on two teachers’ salaries and why it’s important to be grateful and optimistic. To see photos of some of Michelle’s winnings, visit www.DennisAnyone.net