Samantha Bender | REALTOR®

07/30/2026

Most of you are here from my days as a TV news reporter, and if you’ve been following along since then, thank you! I’m excited to officially repurpose this page as I begin a new adventure in real estate.

Covering Central Ohio was more than a job. It gave me the opportunity to get to know the people, neighborhoods, and hidden gems that make Columbus such an incredible place to call home.

Now, I’m so excited to share that I’m officially a licensed real estate agent with Street Sotheby's International Realty - Columbus Metro, a globally recognized leader in luxury real estate.

My years in journalism gave me a unique perspective on this city. I didn’t just report the news. I spent years exploring communities, telling people’s stories, and learning what makes each neighborhood special. That local knowledge, combined with a passion for helping people, is what I now bring to every real estate client.

Whether you’re buying your first home, searching for your forever home, or preparing to sell, my goal is to make the process feel personal, thoughtful, and tailored to you. I believe real estate is about so much more than a transaction. It’s about finding the place where your next chapter begins.

At the end of the day, every home has a story and I’d love to help you write yours.

If you’re thinking about buying, selling, or simply have questions about the market, I’d love to be a resource for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’d be honored to be part of your journey! 🏡✨

04/27/2026

Well.. the cat’s officially out of the bag!

I’m incredibly excited to share that I’ve accepted a role as a Sales Account Executive with Optimized IT.

And the best part is I’m not going anywhere. I’ve fallen in love with Columbus too much to leave!

I’m looking forward to helping organizations across Central Ohio and Pittsburgh reduce risk, improve efficiency, and feel confident in their technology.

This is a big transition for me and one I couldn’t be more energized about. After years in broadcast journalism, I’m stepping into a new challenge where I can take the skills I’ve built - asking the right questions, earning trust quickly, and delivering clarity - and use them to help businesses solve real, high-impact problems.

Every once in a while, an opportunity comes along that just clicks and this was one of those moments.

What truly sets Optimized IT apart, and what made this decision so easy, is the people and the culture.

Being part of a family-owned company that prioritizes relationships, accountability, and doing right by its clients is something I’m genuinely proud to be stepping into. This is a team that doesn’t just “manage IT”, it partners with businesses to strengthen, secure, and future-proof how they operate.

If my first week was any indication, there’s a lot of strong momentum and I’m excited for what’s ahead.

If you’re a business owner or leader who is looking for a stronger, more reliable IT strategy, I’d love to connect and see how I can help.

04/17/2026

How do you say goodbye to the job you’ve dreamed of since you were nine?

You don’t. You carry the lessons, the stories, the people with you, and let the dream take on a new form.

Yesterday I closed a chapter that has shaped so much of who I am. It was my last day at NBC4 and as a news reporter altogether.

The past five years have been a masterclass in life. The early mornings, late nights, missed holidays, running on pure adrenaline and deadlines. I worked every shift and just about every role.

People have let me into their homes on their best and worst days. I’ve stood in the middle of heartbreak and hope. I’ve seen broken systems and communities come together to fix them. I’ve witnessed the worst of humanity, but even more than that, the best.

This job gave me a front-row seat to history and a deeper understanding of people, systems, and the truth.

It taught me how to be strong enough to handle hard moments, but still empathetic enough to never lose sight of the people in them.

It also brought this East Coast girl to Ohio. The place that quietly became home. The place where I built a life from scratch that I’m proud of, found my people, and learned who I am when I’m truly on my own.

That’s the funny thing about life. We’re all one decision away from changing everything.

Take a chance on yourself. Dream big.

Now it’s time to explore a new opportunity that excites me. One with a lot of room to learn and grow. I can’t wait to share more on that soon.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to my family, friends, mentors, and viewers for supporting me on this journey. It has meant everything to me.

Here’s to being scared and doing it anyway.

04/17/2026

🚨 Big announcement in my next post 🚨

02/20/2026

NBC4 was the first in Central Ohio yesterday to report the full video was released showing billionaire Les Wexner’s deposition Wednesday before a House Oversight Committee. Wexner testified he was conned by convicted s*x offender Jeffrey Epstein just like everyone else and that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes. For nearly five hours Wexner faced intense questioning from members of Congress.

01/29/2026

Its been a very busy and cold week covering all the snow we got in Central Ohio! ❄️

01/06/2026

New video today from Columbus police shows what they describe as a person of interest in the Dec. 30 murders of Spencer and Monique Tepe. Detectives urge anyone who recognizes the individual to come forward.

We have emotional reaction from a family member in our story on NBC4i.com: https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/columbus-police-release-video-of-person-of-interest-near-home-where-couple-was-killed/

01/06/2026

NEW TODAY: Nearly one week after Spencer and Monique Tepe were murdered inside their Columbus home, police have released new video they believe could help identify the person responsible.

: A newly released video from the Columbus Division of Police shows what they described as a person of interest walking in an alley near a Weinland Park home where a couple was killed. https://nbc4i.co/3YUxPGC?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_NBC4