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What’s Really Out There? Strange and Unexplained Mysteries with Cristina Gomez
This week on Here's What We Know, explore the mysteries of the unknown with the incredible Cristina Gomez, UFO and Paranormal Researcher, Podcaster, Journalist, Content Creator with a BA in Communication, and Founder of Strange Paradigm. Cristina shares her fascinating journey from growing up as the “odd kid” and how a kind librarian fueled her passion for the unexplained. She brings her expert knowledge and boundless curiosity to this out-of-this-world discussion, leaving us to wonder: What’s really out there?
In This Episode:
Learn about the shift from UFOs (Unidentified Flying Objects) to UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena).
Cristina sheds light on the complexities of interstellar travel and what advanced civilizations might know that we don’t.
Discover mind-bending concepts like quantum mechanics, exotic matter, and wormholes, which could redefine our understanding of the universe.
Explore how government-released footage and changing media coverage have transformed public views on UFOs and the unexplained.
Peek into Cristina’s rigorous process for investigating UFOs and paranormal phenomena.
Understand the dynamics of government secrecy and how it impacts what we know—or don’t know—about potential extraterrestrial life.
Consider the balance between curiosity and national security when discussing potential alien encounters.
Investigate recurring UFO sightings at nuclear sites worldwide and what this could mean for humanity.
Analyze the possible motivations behind extraterrestrial interest in Earth’s most powerful technologies.
Reflect on the rarity of intelligent life and what makes Earth’s ecosystems so unique.
Theorize why alien civilizations might be observing us—or even intervening.
Discuss how science fiction inspires ideas about alien life forms and the possibilities of their physiology.
Bio: Cristina Gomez is a UFO and Paranormal Researcher, Podcaster, Journalist, and Content Creator with a BA in Communication. She brings a young and fresh perspective to the UFO and Paranormal research fields. She is a proud ‘Gen Z’ Latina, being of Venezuelan heritage. She has produced and presented over 700 shows for her YouTube channel and podcast platform.
This week on Here's What We Know, we’re thrilled to have Jason Cole with us, author of Shut Up, Your Kid is Not That Great. Jason’s book digs into the realities of parenting young athletes and managing those sometimes sky-high expectations. As a sports writer and a dad, Jason brings unique insights and anecdotes on raising kids to follow their dreams—without all the unnecessary pressure.
In This Episode:
Jason shares stories about the unique challenges and pressures faced by children of famous athletes.
Discover the importance of supporting kids’ dreams quietly, letting them shine without feeling the weight of the world’s expectations.
Explore what it’s like for children of sports legends who may not reach the same level of success as their parents—and why that’s perfectly okay.
Hear examples like Jack Nicklaus' sons, who carved their own paths instead of following directly in their dad’s footsteps.
Listen to the story of John Elway’s father, who encouraged his son to choose between football and baseball with no pressure—just options and unwavering support.
Get a look behind the scenes at the sacrifices and pressures pro athletes endure, reminding us that every level of success brings its own unique struggles, where preparation matters as much as talent.
Uncover the value of allowing kids to choose their own paths, guiding them gently along the way, and cheering them on—wherever their journeys may lead.
Bio: Jason Cole has covered or written about pro football since 1992 and has been a selector for the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 2013. He has worked for publications such as Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, The Miami Herald, and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. Cole has authored Elway: a Relentless Life and co-authored six books, including Giant with Plaxico Burress, Heart for the Game with Simon Keith, and Ocho Cinco with Chad Johnson. Prior to covering the NFL, Cole covered the NBA, Major League Baseball, and high school sports in the San Francisco Bay Area. Cole teaches sports writing at the University of Florida and is the father of two Eagle Scouts. He is a graduate of Stanford University, which he attended at the same time as Elway.
This week on Here's What We Know, we're thrilled to welcome the incredibly versatile Don Stuck, a media personality who has truly done it all. From his early days as a musician to his transition into radio as a disc jockey, and now a licensed pilot and rising television actor, Don Stuck is the epitome of someone who never stops chasing his dreams. Get ready for a wild ride of nostalgia, laughter, and unexpected stories in this fascinating conversation you won't want to miss!
In This Episode:
Don takes us on his unconventional journey from being a musician to becoming a renowned radio personality.
Hear about Don’s acting career, including his roles on shows like Chicago PD, where he often portrays intriguing characters like drug dealers and bad guys, and learn how he stood out in thousands of auditions.
Discover the thrilling story of how Don became a licensed pilot.
Join Don and Gary as they take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the thrill, magic, and irreplaceable energy of live radio.
Gain insights into how corporate changes have reshaped the radio landscape, with personal anecdotes from both Gary and Don.
Listen to their admiration for Howard Stern's evolution into one of the greatest interviewers of our time, despite his controversial beginnings.
And don’t miss the story behind Gary’s supposed first radio career debut!
Bio: Don Stuck is a veteran SAG-AFTRA radio/television personality and actor who is heard daily in Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, St Louis, Milwaukee, and SiriusXM. As a licensed pilot, Don Stuck is the "Eye in the Sky" as an airborne traffic reporter and is a reporter for NBC Chicago's Sky 5 helicopter operation. A professional musician since age 16, Don has shared the stage with some of the world's biggest bands.
Josh Bains joined me this week, and his journey is fascinating!!
Ghostwriting is its own form of literary mastery. In his efforts to expand on the profession, Josh Bains invites listeners to consider the stories in their lives. Through vulnerability and open-mindedness, Josh elaborates on his various adventures and those of others that ultimately led to priceless lessons, life-changing morals, and new growth paths.
In this episode:
Bagpipes and a bicycle: A journey to Scotland
Searching for roots in Auschwitz
Hong Kong & the surprise synagogue
India, Thailand, Israel, and California: a search for living Jews
Finding an international family in the Jewish Community
Christian and Jewish Spirituality
Josh Bain’s path into ghostwriting
Finding the Elixir in a story (River Town by Peter Hessler)
Using literary concepts to delve into impactful writing
About Josh: Josh Bains is a New York Times Bestselling Ghostwriter, Author Coach, and World Traveler. A SoCal native, after receiving his journalism degree from the University of Hong Kong, Josh began exploring his Jewish roots--eventually spending three years in Israel, where he reported on the Middle East conflict, as he learned in a traditional yeshiva for Jewish learning in the Old City of Jerusalem. Today, Josh helps people tell their stories and speaks about self-development.
Country artist Tyler Rich has such an incredible connection with his fans, and you'll see why in this episode. Enjoy moments of laughter and meaning as Tyler expands on the work it took to become a world-famous songwriter and country artist.
Also in this episode:
Pumpkin Pie, Salmon, and Quail Eggs; a critique
Radio tour and the challenging yet rewarding experience it is
What’s more intimidating? 15, 50, or 500-person audiences?
Tyler’s various childhood introductions to live music
The many influences that shape Tyler’s music
From the Casino Circuit to Nashville, Tennessee
A dream, a business card, and a lie
6 Hour French lesson produced a Top 10 Billboard Hit
About Tyler: Northern California-raised, Nashville-rooted Tyler Rich found his love of music gathered around a Christmas tree alongside family singing holiday classics and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Fast forward to graduating college with a degree in Economics, Tyler moved to LA to pursue a different game of numbers–music–exploring various genres with songwriting and bands before taking the leap as a solo artist. Since, he has been named a 2018 CMT Listen Up artist, 2019 Pandora Artist and Rolling Stone touted him as “the newest member of country music’s radio-minded incoming class, with a homecoming king’s swagger and a valedictorian’s songwriting smarts. ”Amassing over 394.4M+ total global streams with his debut album TWO THOUSAND MILES (The Valory Music Co.), featuring GOLD-certified “The Difference,” plus subsequent releases “Better Than You’re Used To” and The Cadillac Three’s Jaren Johnston-produced “A Little Bit of You.” With “Thinkin’ We’re In Love,” an English and French duet with one of Canada’s most successful bilingual singer-songwriters, Marie-Mai, Tyler has announced a headline tour of the same name. Tickets are on sale now for his headline THINKIN’ WE’RE IN LOVE TOUR. His music embodies the feelings all people have in common –the need for acceptance, devotion and a place to call their own–and that empathetic spirit extends to animals too. With Rich Rescues, Tyler visits local shelters while out on the road to raise awareness for pet adoption.
It’s always a pleasure to sit across from a friend and chat about your favorite music, let alone a Grammy Award-winning songwriter. Walk down memory lane with Brett James as he shares stories from his past and brings appreciation to the icons of the music industry who have paved the way for future singers and songwriters.
In this episode:
Thoughts on the CMA’s
Med School drop-out twice!
The difficulties of writing a hit song
The benefits and challenges of co-writing
Co-writing with Don Schlitz & other favorite artists
The impact of Garth Brooks on the country music industry
Which artists belong on the “Mount Rushmore” of the music industry?
About Brett: For over a decade, Grammy Award-winning songwriter and producer Brett James has been one of the most prolific and versatile songwriters in Nashville, having had more than three hundred of his songs recorded by major label recording artists. James has become a fixture on the Billboard Country chart with thirteen #1 songs and scores of top 20 singles to his credit.
In 2009, Brett achieved the Music Row “Triple Play,” an award for three #1 songs in a single chart year, not once, but twice! These six #1‘s; ‘It’s America,’ by Rodney Atkins, ‘Out Last Night,’ by Kenny Chesney, ‘Cowboy Cassanova,’ by Carrie Underwood, ‘Summer Nights,’ by Rascal Flatts, ‘The Truth’ by Jason Aldean, and ‘The Man I Want To Be’ Chris Young earned James ASCAP Songwriter of the Year for the second time in October 2010.
A native of Oklahoma City, Brett attended Baylor University, where he completed two years of medical school before moving to Nashville to pursue his dream of becoming a country star. In 1995, Brett James was signed to the Arista subsidiary Career Records and subsequently released his self-titled debut album. Career Records was later dissolved in consolidation, and with it, James’s recording artist aspirations. Brett persevered as a writer at Patrick Joseph Publishing which fostered the relationships that destined him for success.
In the year 2000, James received his first major album cut with the song ‘Love Is A Sweet Thing,’ recorded by Faith Hill, followed by a top 20 single ‘You Won’t Be Lonely Now,’ with Billy Ray Cyrus. It wasn’t long before Brett reached the benchmark that all songwriters and artists alike strive for, the coveted #1 song. In April of 2001, then-break-out artist Jessica Andrews landed James his first #1 with the song ‘Who I Am.’ He returned to the top of the chart in 2002, this time with country superstar Martina McBride and the song ‘Blessed.’
As his chart success continued, Brett appeared on Billboard Magazine’s top-ten country songwriters list for five consecutive years, the only writer to do so, and in 2006 reached yet another musical milestone winning ASCAP Songwriter of the Year. In 2007, Brett received the music industry’s highest honor winning the Grammy Award for Best Country Song ‘Jesus Take The Wheel,’ recorded by Carrie Underwood.
The list of artists that have recorded songs penned by Brett James resembles a who’s wh
In this vulnerable and enlightening conversation, Whitney Miller reveals that she’s just as scared as the rest of us - but she doesn’t let that stop her. From being crowned Miss United States to a Country Music career and becoming an MMA fighter, Whitney Miller shares her secrets on never letting fear get in the way of your dreams.
In this episode:
From evening gloves to boxing gloves - next steps after passing on the crown
Whitney Miller’s biggest fear
The surprising way Whitney started singing (that’s different from most artists!)
What is a walking coach?
A behind-the-scenes look at Whitney Miller’s singer/songwriter career
Turning emotions into art
Miss United State’s best advice on how to face your fears
About Whitney: Former professional athlete, Miss United States 2012, kickboxing commentator, and podcaster Whitney is a Texas-born country rock pop singer-songwriter living in Nashville, TN. Whitney’s roots and deep love to write and perform original country music dates back to being a little girl in South Texas, growing up listening to acts like Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Bonnie Rhiatt, and Johnny Cash from her parents' record collection. Today, her sound is influenced by those early days and early Miranda Lambert and Gretchen Wilson.
Whitney strongly encourages self-empowerment and a fearless take on life. Hearing no is only an opportunity to find a yes. Her overall mission in life is to inspire others to live life out loud! Before her move into her passion for creating music, Whitney specialized in unique relationship and life design. She knows how freeing it is to live life on your own terms, with less fear, and she directly supported hundreds of people, from professional and Olympic athletes and CEOs to stay-at-home parents, as they step into their truth and unleash the life they truly desire.
She joined forces with some of the leading scientists and researchers in the field and co-hosted an extremely popular podcast that debuted at #50 on the overall iTunes charts and now has over 1.5 million downloads.
In true "go for it" Whitney fashion, she has decided to take her biggest leap of faith yet and left her home state of Texas for Nashville, Tennessee, to chase her lifelong dream as a singer-songwriter. Her vast life experience and comfort in the spotlight allow her to not only create feeling through her lyrics and voice but also to inspire her audience. Whitney is currently finishing her debut album, recorded at Orb Recording studios with an all-star cast of guest musicians to be released in 2022. Expect a fun, country rock album filled with vulnerable, real-life stories and lots of attitude!
Sports, sports, sports! Fans of the Golden States Warriors will definitely recognize his voice, but did you know he's also done broadcasting for water polo at the Olympics, boxing and more? Listen to this episode to get an inside look at the fascinating world of sports broadcasting.
In this episode:
How competitive it is to be a sports broadcaster
Alabama football
Stephen Curry
Notre Dame
His thoughts on Brian Kelly leaving to go to LSU
Shifting from accounting to sports
What makes hockey players different
The really competitive thing Michael Jordan did
Calling water polo in the Olympics
Something he hasn’t had the opportunity to call but would love to
About American sports commentator Bob Fitzgerald: One of the most recognizable sports personalities in the Bay Area, Bob Fitzgerald has served as television play-by-play announcer for the Warriors on NBC Sports Bay Area since 1997. He called his first Warrior game on radio, Feb 18, 1993, as the backup radio play-by-play broadcaster and host of the Warriors Roundtable television programs. Since his arrival, the Warriors broadcast team has received 16 nominations and won three Emmy Awards for “Best Live Sports Broadcast,” most recently for NBC Sports Bay Area’s broadcast of the Warriors vs. Kings game during the 2014-15 season that featured Klay Thompson’s NBA-record 37 points in a single quarter. Fitzgerald has received six Emmy nominations for “Best On-Camera” and was awarded the Emmy for “Best On-Camera, Play-by-Play Sports” for Northern California in 2007 and 2014.
On a national basis, Fitzgerald currently calls NFL and college football games for Sports USA Radio and the San Francisco 49ers preseason broadcasts. He has 25 years of experience broadcasting the Olympic games for NBC Sports, and has called the 2021 Tokyo Olympics (Men’s and Women’s Basketball). Additional credits include NBC’s 2012 London Summer Olympics (Men’s and Women’s Basketball), 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics (Men’s and Women’s Water Polo), 2004 Athens Summer Olympics (Men’s and Women’s Basketball), and the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics (Men’s and Women’s Swimming). Fitzgerald was also chosen to call the NBA Playoffs in 2020 for TNT at the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. Fitzgerald has also handled network television NFL broadcasts for NBC and the NBA G League Finals series for Versus in 2010.
In 2019, Fitzgerald finished a 28-year run at KNBR radio in San Francisco, hosting the popular Fitz and Brooks show for 15 years. Fitzgerald was the television and radio voice for the San Jose SaberCats of the Arena Football League for twenty years and spent six years as the play-by-play voice for ESPN’s NBA Basketball video game series. He also wrote a column for the Oakland Tribune and ANG Newspapers for seven years.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Fitzgerald also received his master’s degree in sports management from the Oh
To say Nicolle is a hit songwriter might be an understatement. She has written songs for Lady A, Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, and many others. Galyon has written nine No. 1 hits including "Automatic," Miranda Lambert's chart-topping lead single from her critically-acclaimed album Platinum, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 200 chart and featured five songs by Galyon.
In this episode:
Starting off as a pianist
Giving herself permission to make a record despite not wanting to be a performer
Having three #1 songs in a year
Looking for the next “one”
Where “Disneyworld” came from
Having a very humble beginning
Why she tells her kids “no”
How moving out of Nashville was the catalyst for First Born
Making songs NOT meant for radio
How not winning class President in high school was a gift
Being back in her hometown
How not knowing her biological father shaped some of her music
In this intense yet uplifting conversation, David Taylor-Klaus is open and honest with Gary about his suicide attempt and what he does now to keep himself on track. This episode will make you think while also lifting you up. Also in this episode:
Internal self-awareness
External self-awareness
Being a thought leader
Ticking people off
Whether or not it’s ok for your family to judge you
Attempting suicide
The impact Hurricane Katrina had on him
The problem with the term “Work/Life Balance”
Why you can’t separate work and life
Being in relationship with what you’re doing
About David David’s personal and professional worlds clearly reflect a journey in pursuit of excellence, always with a great deal of humor and heart. He is known for his sharp intellect and incisive ability to see and say what others do not. He balances fierce candor with genuine compassion … aka “an iron fist in a velvet glove.”
Whether working with individuals, teams, or speaking to large groups, David believes that a powerful leader exists in each of us, his goal is to empower others to unearth and unleash their own leadership mastery. From personal experience, he drives home the importance for all professionals to take an active, intentional, and dynamic role in their private and professional lives.
The mission of DTK Coaching is to reintroduce successful business people to their families and the world outside the office.
Through an informed, well-applied process and an inspired approach, David’s clients overcome the overwhelming aspects of succeeding in business and being a part of a family. DTK Coaching helps them create the kind of Life-Work Balance they only dared to imagine was possible, while also achieving dramatic shifts in their performance.
David’s insight and wisdom are built on his three decades as a successful serial entrepreneur.
Prior to establishing DTK Coaching, he was CEO of Digital Positions (DP), an internet strategy and web development firm he co-founded in 1995 and sold in 2009. As a strategist, he worked with C-level executives, senior management teams and boards of directors to broaden their perspective and see how interactive initiatives support corporate visions and values for positive growth.
It was during this time, however, that David realized that his success came from being reactive rather than proactive, and that he wasn’t participating consciously as a husband, father, business partner, or entrepreneur. As he headed toward rock-bottom, David had a significant wake-up call that ultimately resulted in DTK Coaching.
Recent empty-nesters (a status modified due to the pandemic), David and his wife, Elaine, live in the heart of Atlanta with their dogs. A gold-medal rower in the 2004 Georgia State Games, an avid cyclist, and an enthusiastic wine-collector (and drinker), David also enjoys kick-boxing, really great jokes
In this brutally honest conversation, Lynn Abaté-Johnson gets candid about her journey as a caregiver and talks about how she was able to finally care for herself the way she cared for her mom in her final years. We also talked about her recently released book Out of Love where she chronicles her journey and provides resources and systems for caregivers.
In this Episode:
Being a caregiver while juggling her career
Keeping it a secret
Turning her mom’s cancer diagnosis into a “business”
Why she put the book on pause
Removing the hustle mindset
Being a caregiver while juggling being a wife
Changing to a healthier lifestyle
When her mom realized she wasn’t going to beat cancer
Feeding stress with food
Incremental changes
How to squeeze gifts out of hard situations
How the book morphed into being about her
About Lynn: After being a primary caregiver for her mother for over six years, author Lynn Abate-Johnson understands the typhoon of emotions and responsibilities that come with caring for a loved one. However, she discovered how to blossom through (and after) caregiving rather than let it drown her.
By using her natural organizational skills and her solid work ethic, she developed systems and processes to help navigate the difficult journey of caregiving, which allowed her to go from “What am I going to do without my mom?” to “I know I can thrive after she’s gone–just as she would want.”
Like most caregivers, Lynn juggled caregiving duties with a full-time career. In her daily life, she’s a business consultant and global community builder.
She’s been building businesses from the ground up from a young age, with her first business being a network of family roller skating rinks in the Detroit, Michigan metro area. She is currently growing the global community as “the voice” of the Co-Active Training Institute (CTI), one of the world’s most respected leadership development and professional coach training organizations.
As part of her devotion to developing global communities that make a difference by connecting human beings, she speaks with cohorts of caregivers to help them discover they’re not alone, everything’s going to be ok, and there are tools they can use to ease the burdens they might feel as caregivers. Her book Out of Love: A Daughter’s Journey With Her Mom To The End provides care for caregivers by giving them the emotional and practical support they need.
About the Book: Lynn’s words offer a uniquely personal glimpse into her journey as a daughter of a strong mother, along with her own transformation in the aftermath of being a caregiver.
Lynn’s approach removes the stigma of grief, Her expressive and often vulnerable ways of sharing help to normalize what many families may take for granted or miss in their often overwhelming and new experience as caregivers. There will be discomfort, shame, guilt, and layers of conditioning to discover in this book, with the goal of bringing light to the dark and peace to the soul.
These words are also interactive, meaning you will find practical, log
Country artist Ashley Cooke is quickly becoming a favorite and is on her way to becoming a household name. She's already gotten to collaborate with Jimmie Allen and tour with Cole Swindell! In this episode, we talk about her journey to being a Country star and what her audience means to her, and so much more. You're going to appreciate and enjoy how open and authentic she is. Also in this episode:
Getting to work with Jimmie Allen
Why poetry speaks to her
What could possibly cause Taylor Swift to return to Country Music
What makes a song Country
Why she had to move around so much
Why Florida is home
Why she went to school for Marketing & Communications rather than something in music
Being the first non-music major to win the Belmont Showcase
Going on tour with Cole Swindell
Her songwriting process
Her future as an actress
Is she or isn’t she dating the guy from Back in the Saddle
Dating in 2022
Connecting with her audience
About Ashley: Raised between the coasts of California and Florida, Ashley Cooke is an up-and-coming country artist who brings authentic and honest storytelling to her music. The singer/songwriter developed her love of country music as Rascal Flatts, Jason Aldean, and Florida Georgia Line quickly became the soundtrack of high school. Cooke followed her passion for music to Belmont University, where she won the Country Showcase, placing her in an elite class of winners that includes Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line, and more.
In Aug. 2021, Cooke released her debut project, Already Drank That Beer, featuring 8 tracks written by Cooke alongside many of Nashville’s hottest songwriters. Produced by award-winner Jimmy Robbins, the debut project garnered critical acclaim from Rolling Stone, People, Taste of Country, Sounds Like Nashville, Country Now, and more. In April, Cooke enlisted Country megastar Brett Young to feature on standout track “Never Til Now,” which Billboard tapped as a “superb vocal blend,” proving her “bright future ahead within the country music genre” (CMT). Resonating with fans far and wide, the romantic love song prompted Cooke to make her national television debut on ABC’s “The Bachelorette.”
Last year, Cooke hit the road on tour with fellow rising acts BRELAND and Spencer Crandall and spent the first half of 2022 touring alongside Cole Swindell, Brett Young, and Jordan Davis. Cooke will continue to appear at some of the summer’s hottest fairs, and festivals as she gears up to release more new music via Big Loud Records / Back Blocks Music before heading out on Swindell’s Back Down To The Bar Tour in fall 2022.
Chrissy Bernal is quite a character who has led a life full of surprises and things you just can't make up. We talked about light-hearted stuff like sleep eating (yes, eating in her sleep), and talked about heavier topics such as regaining her confidence after escaping domestic violence. Did you know her daughters are Guinness Book record holders? I'm telling you; her story is a movie in the making.
Also in this episode:
Why she carried meatloaf in her purse
Competing in physique competitions
Gary’s son being born dead
What Chrissy has in common with Kurt Warner
Primordial Dwarfism
Throwing up the first time she saw her daughter
Dandy-Walker
The shocking thing her special needs daughter did at camp
The surprising thing that prepared her for having a child with Primordial Dwarfism
Survivor’s guilt
What made Sierra so independent
Having a woman threaten to call CPS
Sleep eating
The time her husband said she was going to kill him
How her daughters' global fame shaped her career
Domestic abuse
What it’s like having kids who don’t want to take normal paths
About Chrissy Bernal After accidentally ending up in the global spotlight for her unique identical twins, author Chrissy Bernal was forced to create & grow a brand on the fly. She knew she needed to harness the power of the publicity they were getting. Fast forward 15 years, and now by combining her formal education with the real-world knowledge gained from her family’s growth toward global brand awareness, she has a deep understanding of how to help brands clearly communicate their stories, increase their influence & reduce the chaos experienced in the journey of being known.
While she works with men and women, she’s particularly passionate about working with women because statistics show that female entrepreneurs make half of what their male counterparts make.
She knows from her own experience that particular events in her life caused her to lose sight of her worth, and she has heard the same thing from other women.
She has had so many wonderful coaches and mentors over the years; she wishes she would have found them earlier in her career. It would have saved her a lot of headaches and lost income.
She remembers always feeling jumbled and constantly operating from a desperation mindset. Now that she’s clear about who she is, what she’s passionate about, and what difference she wants to make, she feels so much more focused.
And she wants to help other women feel the same way.
She believes women should embrace their worth and confidently pursue the success they desire, so she guides them through proven frameworks for Branding, Marketing and Communication and uses strategic PR to help them increase their audience and improve their influence with intention and less stress.
This week on Here's What We Know, our guest is Grace Hawthorne, a multifaceted entrepreneur, innovator, educator, and author of the book “Make Possibilities Happen: How to Transform Ideas into Reality.” As the CEO/Founder of Paper Punk and an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University's renowned Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (aka the d.school), Grace shares her journey through entrepreneurship, education, and scientific research on creativity.
In This Episode:
The Importance of Practicality and Wisdom
The Value of Experience and Appreciating Different Perspectives
The Importance of Putting in the Work
The Duchamp Exercise and Thinking Outside the Box
The See, Start, Do, and Finish Process
The Unlimited Capacity for Creativity
The Role of Vision in the Creative Process
The Journey of Paper Punk
The Importance of Adaptability and Flexibility
The Value of Learning from Others
The Creativity Study and the Role of Curiosity
The Power of Wisdom and Experience
The Significance of Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom
The Value of Listening and Understanding
Appreciating Parent as a Parent
Parenting Challenges
The Pride of Parenting and the Joy of Grandparenting
This episode is sponsored by: Habana Cuba (Be sure to use code "Gary20" to get 20% off your order!) A Flood of Love
Bio: Grace Hawthorne is an entrepreneur, artist, author, and educator. She is the founder and CEO of Paper Punk, an award-winning origami and LEGO mashup, and d.school professor, where she teaches courses on creativity and failure and capacity building, covered by Scientific American and Wired magazine. Previously, she cofounded ReadyMade and co-authored the critically acclaimed book by the same name. Her artwork has been exhibited in several national museums including the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum Triennial. The Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, known as the d.school, was founded at Stanford University in 2005. Each year, nearly a thousand students from all disciplines attend classes, workshops, and programs to learn how the thinking behind design can enrich their own work and unlock their creative potential.
One day he was waiting tables, the next day, he was on his way to aid in the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. Colton R. Smith joined Gary Scott Thomas for a fascinating conversation where he shared his experience including, the time when he came upon a car that had been riddled with bullets by the Russians even though it had been full of children.
Also in this episode:
Why he decided to go to Ukraine even though he was “just an average person”
What kinds of people can make a difference in the world
War tourists
The full human experience
The profound darkness he saw while in Ukraine
His thoughts on Russia’s preparedness to go to war
How amazing the people of Ukraine are
Why they had to relocate their headquarters
Working to help Ukrainian history not be lost
Optimizing humanitarian operations
About Colton: Colton R. Smith is a 25-year-old Californian humanitarian worker who recently returned from serving the humanitarian mission in Poland and Ukraine, where he daily faced the overwhelming crisis created by the Russian Federation’s brutal ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Smith is a graduated UC Santa Cruz European history major who quit his job and dropped everything to travel to Eastern Europe to do everything he could to help in this humanitarian crisis. In eastern Poland near the Ukrainian border, Smith joined a humanitarian aid organization called Help Ukraine Center, where he worked for two months helping to send thousands of tons of humanitarian aid into the war-torn country next door. At Help Ukraine Center, he met numerous incredible people that strengthened both his faith in humanity and his resolve to dedicate himself fully to this crisis. He was then recruited by another organization, called Teleport, specializing in humanitarian optimization to help solve the inevitable problems that organizations face when responding to wartime crises. In July 2022, Teleport Organisation sent Colton into Ukraine as part of a delegation of Teleport representatives to meet in Kyiv with members of the Ukrainian government and a number of heroic Ukrainian humanitarian organizations, to lay the groundwork for Teleport’s new missions inside Ukraine itself. Under the near-daily blare of air raid sirens, Colton and his team forged new bonds in the Ukrainian capital, with massive potential to make a substantial impact in this intense humanitarian crisis. Now, Colton has returned stateside to fundraise for Teleport, which faces a severe shortage of funding. Without the donation support of concerned members of the public, Teleport will be unable to fulfill its role and carry out its various humanitarian missions in Ukraine. Colton and his incredible team hope that through spreading awareness of the realities on the ground and fundraising, Teleport can continue to work every day to provide the critical support that Ukrainian civilians need to successfully ride out the hell of Putin’s onslaught against them.
Visit Teleport’s website below to learn more about their humanitarian work and make a vital direct contribution to enable that work’s continuation:
Country artist Kylie Morgan is simply a delight. She was kind enough to share about her personal life, her career, and what's next.
In this episode:
What inspired her style of music
Why she was bullied
Writing with Walker
Her pride and joy
Getting to work with her dream team
Why she was scared of marriage
Her view on marriage
How quickly she moved in with her fiancé
Keeping up with two musical careers
About Kylie: Exuberant and ethereal, Kylie Morgan is turning heads with her new EP P.S., out everywhere now. Pairing articulate, coming-of-age revelations with fun up-tempo anthems, P.S. features seven tracks each co-written by Kylie, including her debut single to country radio, “If He Wanted To He Would.” P.S. is the anticipated follow-up to her breakout EP, Love, Kylie – a bold introduction that scored the Oklahoma native a place as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country, VEVO’s 2021 DSCVR Artists to Watch, and to CMA’s coveted KixStart program. Already surpassing 100 MILLION global streams, Kylie has been praised for her “powerful voice” (CMT) with “infectious arrangements, irresistibly clever lyrics and a vibrant, empowering energy” (American Songwriter). On the road this summer, she recently wrapped the GOOD TIME TOUR with Niko Moon after previously opening for artists including Dan + Shay, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Kip Moore, Jason Derulo, Gavin DeGraw, Brett Eldredge and Billy Currington. For more information visit kyliemorgan.com, and keep up with her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and
Gary had the distinct honor of having William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys join him for an open conversation, and William was very frank.
In this episode:
What he did during the pandemic
Who taught him to play the guitar
Why he had to leave the Oakridge Boys
His book Behind the Beard
Growing up on a cotton and peanut farm
Why they didn’t sing any new songs during the pandemic
What he thinks about his kids being in the music industry
Which song gives him chills
Taking a stand and being who you are
The insane number of sit-ups he still does at 83
About William Lee Golden: He is one of the most recognized personalities in Country and Gospel music, having garnered the highest accolades as a member of the legendary group The Oak Ridge Boys. Now, the renowned “Mountain Man” is climbing to new heights in the world of fine art.
Doo-wop, Pop, Country
For the first time in a long time, William Lee Golden has a spring in his step. Coming out of a tumultuous period in his life, the iconic baritone vocalist has found the love of his life in his new bride, Simone. He’s also comfortable with his place in the world as part of the Oak Ridge Boys, who are celebrating their 42nd Anniversary together in 2015, while Golden’s celebrating his 50th anniversary since joining the iconic group.
A farmer’s son, Golden spent the early years of his life in rural south Alabama surrounded by music. As he grew up, he started singing at the age of seven and began performing regularly on his grandfather’s weekly radio show along with his sister, Lanette. It was there that his love of harmony came alive, and by his teenage years, Golden grew to appreciate the Country, Gospel, Doo-Wop, and Pop quartets, and sure enough, it wasn’t long before he was joining up with The Oak Ridge Boys.
Nobody back home in Brewton, Alabama, could’ve imagined back then all that Golden would accomplish with The Oak Ridge Boys since joining the band in 1965. While on a break from the quarter, Golden released several solo recordings to considerable success.
But for as much success he has had as a recording artist, Golden’s no one-dimensional act. He’s found considerable success with his paintings, and he’s finding even more success with a new visual medium, photography, where he often focuses on landscape portraits and scenes. Many of his favorite shots can be found on Golden’s official Facebook page.
Family has long held a special meaning to Golden. In addition to his newly found love with his wife, Simone, Golden has four sons in Rusty, Chris, Craig, and Solomon. Golden also has six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Along with his marriage to Simone, he also welcomes his step-daughter Megan, her husband Newton, along with the addition of another grandchild to the fold.
Lifetime Achievements
With over forty million records sold, The Oaks have had more than a dozen Number One singles and over thirty Top Ten hits. Their numerous Gold and Platinum recordings include “Thank God For Kids,” “Ozark Mountain Jubilee,” and the crowd favorite “Elvira.” The Oaks have recei
Have you ever wondered if we're alone in the universe? Are people really able to talk to our loved ones who have passed? This episode is simply fascinating! Psychic Lawyer Mark Anthony joined Gary Scott Thomas for this week's episode, and Mark gave us great insight into what it's like to be a medium. There are several very unexpected moments in this conversation!
In this episode:
His first time in the Andes and the strange thing the locals gave him
Retro rockets
Meeting Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin
MLK Jr.’s impact on Star Trek
Quantum Mechanics
What led him to spontaneously quit practicing law
How spirits can “predict” the future
The different brain wave frequencies
His books
About Mark: Mark Anthony, JD, Psychic Explorer (aka The Psychic Lawyer® Psychic Attorney and Psychic Adventurer), is a world-renowned fourth-generation science-based evidential psychic medium who communicates with spirits. He is the author of the groundbreaking and critically acclaimed spiritual bestsellers The Afterlife Frequency, Evidence of Eternity,and Never Letting Go.
Mark’s credentials and experience are unparalleled in the paranormal world. He is an Oxford-educated trial attorney licensed to practice in Florida, Washington D.C., and before the United States Supreme Court. In England, he studied Mediumship at the prestigious Arthur Findlay College for the Advancement of Psychic Science.
Dr. Gary Schwartz, Professor of Psychology, Medicine, Neurology, Psychiatry, and Surgery at the University of Arizona and Director of the Laboratory for Advances in Consciousness and Health, is one of the foremost experts on the Survival of Consciousness and After Death Communication in the world. Dr. Schwartz studies psychic mediums and has ranked Mark as one of the top mediums in the United States.
Mark is a recurring guest on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX Television, Gaia TV, and on major talk radio shows such as Coast to Coast AM, Darkness Radio, and Sirius XM as a psychic medium, paranormal and after-death communication expert, and legal analyst in high profile cases.
Mark was featured on the covers of OMTimes Magazine, and Best Holistic Life Magazine-which was the top-selling and most popular edition of Best Holistic Life to date.
He has also been featured in The Hollywood Times, The Huffington Post, The New York Post, Publisher’s Weekly, Writer’s Digest, Soeleish Magazines, Authority Magazine, Entrepreneurs Magazine, Conscious Community Magazine, Elephant Journal, LifeStyle Magazine, New Spirit Journal,Horizon’s Magazine, The Inquisitr, Staten Island Today, Sedona Red Rock News, Elite Man Magazine, Natural Awakenings, Verde Independent,Infinity Magazine (Canada), Spirituality Today (UK), Soul & Spirit (UK) and Quest: Journal of the Theosophical Society in America.
A charismatic, intelligent, and humorous accomplished public speaker, Mark headlines at conventions, expos, and spiritual organizations such
In this week's episode, Country Music artist Hailey Whitters (one of Gary's favorites) joined Gary Scott Thomas and shared stories about songwriting sessions, Nashville, and more. You'll be amazed at the courageous thing she did when she first arrived in Nashville! If you like getting to know more about the artists you love, give this episode a listen.
In this episode:
Her first impressions of Nashville
Who gave her her first big break
Writing with Lori McKenna
Which song of hers is her favorite
Being the oldest of 6 children
The catalyst for being able to write happy songs
How she felt about growing up in a small town
What people said about her being from Iowa
This Iowa-born, Nashville-based rising Country star scored her breakthrough moment in 2020 with the release of her self-funded debut album THE DREAM, which was praised as "the year’s deepest country album" (The Washington Post) and went on to appear on more than 15 year-end best of lists including #1 on both Stereogum’s "10 Best Country Albums of 2020" and Garden & Gun’s "Best Southern Albums of 2020" list. The subsequent deluxe album LIVING THE DREAM found Whitters’ self-fulfilling THE DREAM’s prophecy and enlisting her friends and collaborators Brent Cobb, Jordan Davis, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Little Big Town, and Trisha Yearwood to appear on five new songs, leading NPR’s Fresh Air to call her “one of the most interesting voices in country music.” In 2021 alone, Whitters toured with Luke Combs and Midland, was named the inaugural Opry NextStage Artist of the year, scored her first CMT Music Award nomination for “Breakthrough Video of the Year” (“Fillin’ My Cup” feat. Little Big Town) and received her first GRAMMY nomination for Song of the Year for “A Beautiful Noise,” which was written by Ruby Amanfu, Brandi Carlile, Brandy Clark, Alicia Keys, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Linda Perry and Hailey Whitters, and performed by Alicia Keys and Brandi Carlile. On March 18, 2022, Whitters released her third studio album RAISED via Pigasus / Songs & Daughters / Big Loud, followed by her debut headline Heartland Tour and performances at Tortuga Music Festival and Stagecoach Festival. Now boasting over 100 million streams across her catalog, Whitters hit the road all summer with Jon Pardi and Lainey Wilson on his Ain’t Always The Cowboy Tour.
This energizing conversation between a baby boomer and a Gen Zer who is being unapologetically himself is going to make you think, and you'll be excited about exploring all the things that will be bouncing in your head after this conversation.
In this episode:
Making a book with the word “economics” in it interesting
What "Value Economics" actually means
The issue of identity
Why it’s insulting to think America is so bad right now
The death of the spirit
The fallout from being laid off as an air traffic controller in 1981 and how his family held it together
Defining our values
The importance of examining the difficult things
What shaped him
DC Comics
Why he moved to Austin, TX from Ohio
Why he’s not on Twitter
Why he dedicated his book to those who tell the truth
Why he’s having a hard time dating
How values should supersede politics
About Sam:
According to Sam, Sam LaCrosse is a nobody. He hasn't done anything amazing. He is not extraordinary or impressive. He doesn’t even have a Wikipedia entry. He’s just an ordinary guy from Cleveland, Ohio, who now lives an ordinary life in Austin, Texas. But if you want to check him out, he's the author of "Value Economics: The Study of Identity, writes blogs on dontreadthisblog.com, and hosts Don't Listen to This Podcast. Sam is the CEO and founder of Don’t Do This, LLC, a company that makes no money. He is also a board member of Thrive Living Corporation and an ambassador for RallyCap Sports.
You definitely know this guest's songs. He's written songs such as "You're Gonna Miss This" for Trace Adkins, "I Just Wanna Be Mad" by Terri Clark & "Ain't My Fault" by Brother's Osborne. The list of artists he's written for is miles long. In this episode, he joined Gary to share stories about some of his songs, his 30+-year-long marriage, how songwriter's actually get paid, and much more!
In this episode:
How he got a picture with Aaron Rogers
How he met his wife
His thoughts on cliches
How his wife contributes to his music
His thoughts on marrying someone in the music industry
How he’s ruined music for his family
What his 5-year-old daughter did when Brad Paisley came to their door
What his daughter said to TJ Osborne
Behind the song “It Aint My Fault”
How songwriters get paid
His favorite Thomas Rhett song
Possible inspiration for "I Just Wanna Be Mad"
His answer when Gary asked him, “What songs make you cry?”
This history of how songwriters began to get paid
The time a Congressman said to him, “Why would anyone want to do that?”
How you can help songwriters
What he thinks about Chris Stapleton
**This was recorded prior to the new agreement reached in late August '22.
About Lee Thomas Miller: Hometown: Nicholasville, Kentucky Bachelor degree in Music Theory/Composition (Eastern Kentucky University 1990)
FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE NASHVILLE SONGWRITER'S ASSOCIATION (NSAI)
3 Time Grammy Award Nominee: 2003 Grammy nomination : “The Impossible” (Joe Nichols) Country Song of the Year: 2009 Double Grammy nomination : “You’re Gonna Miss This”(Trace Adkins)- Country Song of the Year “In Color” (Jamey Johnson)- Country Song of the Year
Music Row Magazine: Breakthrough Songwriter of the year 2003 Awarded one of NSAI’s ‘Ten Songs I Wish I Had Written’ 2003: “The Impossible” Awarded one of NSAI’s ‘Ten Songs I Wish I Had Written’ 2008: “You’re Gonna Miss This” Song of the Year at the 2008 NSAI awards for “You’re Gonna Miss This” Nominated for Song of the Year at 2008 CMA awards for “You’re Gonna Miss This” 2009 Double ACM Nominee: “You’re Gonna Miss This” and “In Color” for Song of the Year Won Song of the Year at the 2009 ACM awards for “In Color” Won Music Row Magazine’s 2009 Song of the Year for “In Color” Awarded one of NSAI’s ‘Ten Songs I Wish I Had Written’ 2009: “In Color” Won Song of the Year at the 2009 CMA awards for "In Color" Awarded BMI's inaugural "Champion's Award" 2015 Nominated for Song of the Year at the 2018 ACM awards for "Whiskey and You"
You know his music, you just might not know you know his music. If you love Lainey Wilson's "Things a Man Oughta Know," you'll love this episode. Jason wrote that song and many other hits. He joined Gary in this week's episode to share stories behind his songs, stories from when he was growing up, and much more.
In this episode:
"Things a Man Oughta Know"
The song idea that came up during the interview
His new song Mary Wanna
Pushing through fear
Jobs he had on the way up
Sleeping in his car
What songs with minor chords do
Why he never looks at the charts
The best kind of sad song
About Jason: Born in Nashville and raised in South Mississippi, Jason Nix grew up on a blend of his musical father’s Bluegrass and his mother’s love of Motown while introducing his own passion for Classic Rock into the mix. It’s no surprise then that his return to Music City just after high school led to the creation of a sound all his own, driven by his strengths as both a guitar player and a lyricist. 17 years later, having established himself as an award-winning, in-demand songwriter and earning cuts from artists ranging from Keb’ Mo’ to Lainey Wilson (including the recent ACM Song of the Year “Things A Man Oughta Know”), Nix now presents himself as a must-hear artist with brand-new release “Mary Wanna.” Written by Nix together with Driver Williams as the first in a series of concept songs coming soon, the song introduces the free-spirited character of Mary while also introducing Nix himself.
“I had ‘Mary Wanna’ written down as a title for a long time before I pitched it in a write, because I wanted to save it to write with Driver Williams,” notes Nix. “From the word ‘go,’ or in this case, ‘Mary,’ I never wanted the song to be about marijuana. I remember how fast the song fell out, and as I started working on the demo, I didn't want to stop. We wound up using most of the parts I recorded in that 12x12 guest bedroom on the actual record.”
“‘Mary Wanna’ is the song that got my wheels turning again on releasing music as a solo artist. I love the way it makes me feel,” he adds. “I’ve always wanted to a concept album and ‘Mary Wanna’ paints a very clear picture of what Mary’s role will be in this story. She’s a rebel who feels trapped by her parents’ idea of who she should be; she feels smothered by her community’s expectations of how a young woman should act. She is desperately looking for the freedom to find out who she is, even if it means breaking some hearts along the way. This song is the cornerstone for a project I didn’t realize I was starting at the time and was born from a personal experience that I never intended to write about. Mary gave me the opportunity to write about the things I’ve been holding onto for years.”
Calling all Star Trek fans! Chester L. Richards, the co-writer of "The Tholian Web" episode of Star Trek, joins in the conversation, and it's fascinating!! Some of his stories are almost unbelievable like the story about almost being killed by the great potato, the Colorado River, a crocodile, a crazed gunman...
In this episode:
What it was like when a rocket engine blew up
Working with the royalty of the industry
Meeting astronauts
Making something that’s actually space-qualified
What hooked him on science
His UFO encounter
SR71 planes
UFOs or swarms of insects?
How he came up with the Tholian Web
What he thinks of William Shatner
What he thinks about the newer Star Trek
The closest to death he’s come
How his wife’s eulogy affected him
Losing his wife
About Chester: Prior to retirement, Chester L. Richards was an Engineering Fellow at Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems Division. At Raytheon he was Chief Architect for Advanced Concepts and Architectures. Before joining Raytheon Mr. Richards had an engineering consulting business. His diverse technology career spans half a century.
At the beginning of his professional life as a scientist, Mr. Richards invented and patented the first successful automatic focus sensor using real-time image analysis. It was used in aerial reconnaissance cameras.
Subsequently, while at the Ford Aerospace Corporation, Mr. Richards was Chief Engineer for Strategic Systems. At Ford he developed the flight instrumentation for the AGNT space flight and re-entry experiment. Mr. Richards invented and patented the Holographic Optical Element which is widely used in large aperture adaptive optics telescopes. Mr. Richards also invented, and successfully field tested, sub-resolution tracking techniques which improved tracking accuracy by two orders of magnitude.
During part of his career Chester L. Richards served as a System Engineering Technical Assistant (SETA) consultant to the U.S. Government. In this role Mr. Richards developed the modern Space Based Laser architecture for the Strategic Defense Initiative Organization. He was a member of SDIO’s Mission Analysis Working Group and its Innovative Science and Technology group. As SETA he helped define the functional architecture of Schriever Space Force Base and wrote the Statement of Work establishing the requirements for the base.
For the Air Force, Chester L. Richards created the definitive high fidelity sensor model for the DSP satellite series. In addition, he developed high precision target tracking techniques for the Hover Test Facility at Edwards Air Force Base.
At Raytheon one of his most important discoveries was the complete quantitative theory of bistatic radar, which previously had been only partially understood. This led to multiple fielded applications.
The technical interests of Mr. Richards include system architecture, space systems, physical optics, high energy lasers, image processing, radar, ergonomics, and jet and rocket propulsion.
Other activities include: Co-author of “The Tholian Web” s
Get ready, science lovers! (and even non-science lovers) This episode is about to blow your mind. Dr. Thomas Sheahen joined Gary to talk about the relativity of time, how science always points to God, and much more!
Also in this episode:
Consciousness, the higher functions of mankind
Our view of time vs God’s view of time
The comprehension of total time
False gods
How religion and science can both be right
The possible existence of UFOs & aliens
How the moon affects us
There’s a great intelligence behind “coincidences”
Constraints humans impose upon God
Possible realities of different versions of Hell
Quantum Mechanics
You can get Dr. Sheahen's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Everywhen-Symmetry-Dr-Thomas-Sheahen/dp/195671510X
Dr. Thomas P. Sheahen is vice president of the Science and Environment Policy Project (SEPP), Director of the Institute for Theological Encounter with Science and Technology (ITEST), and president/CEO of Western Technology, Inc., an independent consulting firm specializing in energy technology issues with business implications,
From 2005 – 2009, Dr. Sheahen served as a Senior Analyst in the Systems Integration Office of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. From 1993 - 2002 he was a senior scientist in the Energy Systems Group for Science Applications International Corporation, where he led a team of evaluators in selecting renewable energy projects for support by NREL. He previously held positions with Argonne National Laboratory, Energy Research Advisory Board to the Department of Energy, SRI International (Stanford Research Institute), Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, National Bureau of Standards, and Bell Telephone Laboratories.
Dr. Sheahen is the author of Introduction to High-Temperature Superconductivity (Plenum Press: 1994). His research papers have appeared in many peer-reviewed scientific journals, including Physical Review, Applied Optics, Journal of Technology Transfer, Reviews of Modern Physics, Energy the International Journal, Strategic Planning, and Energy Management, and The Science Teacher.
Dr. Sheahen has co-authored numerous reports on topics including rocket re-entry instrumentation (Bell Labs), industrial instrumentation and analysis of measurement economics (Industrial Nucleonics), research program plans (National Bureau of Standards), industrial energy conservation (Office of Technology Assessment), national energy policy planning (DOE), and renewable energy technology (SAIC).
Dr. Sheahen holds B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
This week on Here's What We Know, we are joined by the extraordinary Jeff Bloomfield, CEO of Brain Trust, host of the Driving Change podcast, author, keynote speaker, neuroscientist, cancer survivor, and Papaw’s grandson. Jeff discusses his inspiring backstory, from a 100-acre farm to becoming an expert in communication through neuroscience.
Be sure not to miss out on this heartfelt yet insightful episode filled with stories about overcoming adversity through resilience, faith, and wisdom passed down through generations!
In this Episode:
Upbringing and Influence of Grandfather
Becoming a Communicator and Neuroscientist
The Power of Effective Communication
Jeff’s Experience as a Cancer Survivor
Faith and Science
The Impact of Gratitude on Communication & Health
Expressing Gratitude in Business and Personal Life
Bio: Jeff Bloomfield is a former sales & marketing executive, entrepreneur, author, farm boy, and cancer survivor. From his humble beginnings on a midwest farm in central Ohio, Jeff has taken the life lessons from his storytelling “Papaw” (Grandfather) combined with his corporate career in Biotech and Neuroscience to create programs that allow you to discover how you’re truly wired for greatness and how to communicate in an authentic way to drive positive change in the world around you. After being the first person in his blue-collar family to graduate college straight out of high school, Jeff spent his corporate career in Biotech where he led several product launches for genetic cancer therapies. One of those therapies was for brain cancer. It was here that he discovered the power of neuroscience and the fact that outside of academia, most of corporate America didn’t really understand how the brain actually worked, otherwise, we wouldn’t communicate with customers and employees the way it was currently being done.
From there Jeff set out with a new mission, to teach others what he has learned about the biology, psychology, and physiology of the brain, and how to apply those learnings in a simple and understandable way to be more impactful communicators.
Julie’s back! In this episode, Gary and Julie introduce you to some new artists you'll love and talk about what's changing for women in Country Music.
Also in this episode: 🎙Why Julie gets mad when she deep dives on music 🎙What Julie is excited about for women in Country Music 🎙What made Shania Twain such a big star 🎙Chris Stapleton’s anger at the industry 🎙The Chris Stapleton interview I had to throw out 🎙Why they love Hailey Whitters 🎙Lainey Wilson's style 🎙William Beckmann 🎙Hunter Girl Music 🎙Bailey Zimmerman 🎙Walker Hayes 🎙Drake Milligan 🎙Colter Wall 🎙Morgan Wade 🎙How Covid helped the music industry 🎙The last Country artist to be able to make all their money off record sales
If you love P!NK's song "Love Me Anyway," featuring Chris Stapleton, you're going to find this episode very entertaining. Multiple award-winning music producer Sal Oliveri joined Gary Scott Thomas for an episode where Sal takes us behind the scenes and shows us how hit songs are brought to life. He also talks about being the son of an immigrant who is living out his dreams, including working with Billy Joel.
Also in this episode:
How a band he wasn’t a fan of won him over
How extending grace can produce something amazing
Letting kids find their own way
Starting in music at age 4
The fantasy Sal’s living and Gary wishes he could
How music is a different language
What a producer actually does
Taking a demo and making it fit the artist
Building a studio
Working with Billy Joel
Advice he gives to younger artists
A big skill artists must have
Picking the right song
Women in Country music
How he blended Chris Stapleton & P!NK
Working with Haley & Michaels
How different the world of music is once you’re actually in it
About Sal:
This Nashville based Producer/Writer has played a pivotal role in the careers of artists and songwriters for over a decade. Often behind the scenes, Sal is providing the sound, inspiration and development needed to launch artists’ careers into the forefront of the music industry.
Raised in the shadows of Manhattan, Sal Oliveri developed a diverse musical background. His grandmother, an opera singer, and father, a golden-voiced “crooner”, set the bar high for Sal when it came to execution and musical taste. By age 4, Sal was riveted to pop radio and his upright piano. Before long, Sal was performing as musical director and keyboardist at Harlem’s famous “Cotton Club” and hitting the NJ/NY studio scene. Soon after, Sal relocated to Nashville where his musical efforts quickly earned him a #1 single he co-wrote and a Grammy Nomination for Best Rock Album.
Sal is known for his attention to detail and instinctive gift for bringing out the essence of the Artist and making it extraordinary.
CREDITS
Pop/Rock/Urban: P!NK, Jack Antonoff (FUN, Bleachers), Dan Wilson (Semisonic, Adele), Stan Lynch (of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), Billy Joel, Emily West (America’s Got Talent 2014 #2 finalist), Brooke White (American Idol), David Cook (American Idol), Daniel Powter, John Paul White (of The Civil Wars) Dia Frampton (The Voice), Lucie Silvas, B.Reith, Room for Two, Jaren Johnston of “Cadillac Black”, Andy Davis, Kevin Griffin (of Better Than Ezra) David Hodges (Evanessence)
Country/Americana: Parmalee, Carrie Underwood, Charles Kelly (Lady Antebellum), Kenny Chesney, Brett Eldredge, Sheryl Crow, The Band Perry, John Paul White (The Civil Wars), Garth Brooks, Lee Brice, Kip Moore, Keith Urban, Randy Houser, High Valley, Leigh Nash, Haley & Michaels, Ricky Skaggs, Faith Hill, Jo Dee Messina, Lee Ann Womack, David Nail, Lori McKenna
Awards/Recognitions:
Multiple Billboard & iTunes #1’s in Pop, Country, Soundtrack, CCM/Gospel
If you loved Top Gun, you're going to love this episode! F-14 Fighter Pilot Francesco “Paco” Chierici joins Gary Scott Thomas to get our adrenaline going by taking us through the excitement of a "dog fight." Oh, and did we mention he's an author, trainer, and video game script writer? He's lived quite a life so far!
In this episode:
How he got the name Paco
Being the FNG
What G-force feels like
Dog fights*
How to prevent the air from getting the air sucked out of his lungs
If there’s a fear
The violence in the cockpit
The artistry involved in an aerial dog fight
How many people it takes to carry out the mission
The real legacy of the first female fighter pilot in the U.S. military to die in a crash
How he navigated the geopolitical aspects of the book
His thoughts on drones’ effects on pilots
One of the coolest moments he experienced
Being a fighter pilot trainer
Writing a script for a video game
His book Lions of the Sky
About Paco: During his active duty career in the U.S. Navy, Francesco “Paco” Chierici flew A-6E Intruders and F-14A Tomcats, deployed to conflict zones from Somalia to Iraq and was stationed aboard carriers including the USS Ranger, Nimitz and Kitty Hawk. Throughout his military career, Paco accumulated 3,000 tactical hours, 400 carrier landings, a Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Star, and three Strike/Flight Air Medals. Unable to give up dogfighting, he flew the F-5 Tiger II for a further ten years as a Bandit.
Stephen Joseph is an attorney turned children's book writer. In this episode, he talks with Gary about his interesting take on crankiness, craziness, and more.
In This Episode:
The unusual thing he did after getting diagnosed with COVID
Growing up in the Bronx
Being a “reformed fat person”
Losing 85 pounds quickly
How he stopped being a “garbage can”
The word he prefers over “habit”
The unique way he writes his stories
Running a marathon for his ex-wife
His mother, a Holocaust survivor
His spin on The Wizard of Oz
Pulling yourself out of crankiness
Giving people permission to be crazy
Steven Joseph is an excellent attorney and a remarkable writer. He’s gone from writing comprehensive legal briefs to penning award-winning non-fiction for children and adults.
Being a son of a Holocaust Survivor, Steven recognizes and celebrates his Jewish heritage. Most of his writing is based on the concept of survival, which was ubiquitous in the household he grew up in, and acknowledgment which he learned through his zen practice. As a crankiness expert, Steven can help you manage your emotions, embrace your crankiness, and improve communication with friends and family.
Steven is the author of the Mom’s Choice Award-winning The Last Surviving Dinosaur: The TyrantoCrankaTsuris and The Crankatsuris Method: A Grownup Guide to Effective Crankiness.
You can learn more about Stephen on his site: www.stevenjosephauthor.com
If you love Lady A, you're going to love this episode. Hear behind-the-scenes stories from Lady A's very own Charles Kelley. This episode is so unscripted and authentic; you'll even hear a cameo from someone else in his family.
In this episode:
Who he gets to golf with
How he feels about being a dad
Going from a finance degree to Lady A
Who supported him more--his friends or his parents
Which concert recently blew his mind
How he got an appreciation for his fans
The time he bombed on stage
His favorite live shows
The various roles each person in the band has
Having Boyz II Men open for them
Charles Burgess Kelley (born September 11, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, and lead singer, and founding member of the country music trio Lady A, which was formed in 2006 and signed to Capitol Nashville.
Grab some tissues for this episode! Brian Moran and Gary Scott Thomas went way off course from what they had planned on talking about, and the result was spectacular.
In this episode:
The illusion of security
How Gary has double first cousins
How coming from a big family helps you cut through the BS
Forgiveness
Being courageous in faith
Viktor Frankl’s The Meaning of Life
The lens of gratitude
Practicing gratitude
Running the NY City Marathon
His upcoming book My 5 Conversations with God
The importance of paying attention
Thriving after bankruptcy
How mental health is like trying to explain a TV to a caveman
Helping his son with his mental health battles
How the mountaintop and valley moments are all part of our purpose
Taping into your courage
His advice for parents who are helping their child through a mental health struggle
The importance of no electronics days
Not always offering advice to your children
The gift his daughter reluctantly gave him
“Buddy Days”
The thing that made Gary cry
Writing down what you’re worried about and seeing if it actually happened
Treating everyone with love
How a homeless person affected Brian
An amazing Hindu proverb
The one thing Brian wants people to take away from this episode
Brian is the founder and CEO of Small Business Edge, a global community platform for business owners and entrepreneurs to find answers to their most pressing questions and obstacles that keep them up at night.
Brian's goal with Small Business Edge is to measurably increase the success rate of small businesses both in the United States and around the world!
Before launching Small Business Edge, he spent 20+ years helping America's entrepreneurs realize their dreams. Prior to starting his 3rd company in 2012, he was the Executive Director of Sales Development at the Wall Street Journal overseeing the financial and small business markets across the WSJ franchise.
From 2002-2010, he ran Veracle Media & Moran Media Group--both content companies utilized various media channels to help entrepreneurs manage & grow their companies. Prior to launching these two companies, he was the Associate Publisher at Inc. Magazine, a Publisher and Associate Publisher at Entrepreneur Media, and held management positions at Success Magazine and Medical Economics Magazine.
His specialties include all areas, divisions, and channels within the small to midsize business market.
You can learn more about Brian on his site. https://smallbusinessedge.com
Country artist Alannah McCready joins Gary Scott Thomas for a second time to continue the conversation they had in the last episode and talk about what's new.
Also in this episode:
Her new EP "Back to Me"
How she chooses songs
Writing the songs on her newest EP
Is she dating Will?
The steamy video for "Can I Call?"
When it's too late for a booty call
How this EP was healing
What was a wake-up call
The difference between Alannah McCready today and Alannah McCready 10 years ago
How she ended up in a toxic relationship
The journey from Hockey to Country Music
Leather pants
Her dream collaboration
Hockey and Dierks Bentley
You can get Alannah's new single here: https://music.apple.com/us/album/can-i-call-feat-will-gittens/1608964992?i=1608964993
You know how big of an audiobook fan Gary is, and he knows many of y'all are, too. So, he had to bring Dylan White on the podcast! He's an author, actor, comedian, and even played the Genie in Disney's Aladdin musical! Plus, we're sure you've heard his voice on national commercials.
They talked about a variety of things, including Will Smith and aliens. This conversation was so interesting, it flew by! If you're a fan of Sci-Fi, be sure to listen!
Also in this episode:
Being an odd kid
Knowing your audience
How he came up with the idea for his first book The Orion Abduction.
The art of narration (where he would project his voice from to change the sound for each character)
Why he didn't watch the version of Aladdin with Will Smith in it
Aliens
His writing process
Having a teenage girl's insight
The biggest secret skill a man can use when arguing with a woman
The technicality of comedy
Offending people during comedy shows
Looking at the universe from our limited perspective
If you like true crime podcasts, be sure to download this episode!
Author Luke Jerod Kummer uncovered new evidence about the real-life case that captivated New York during the Gilded Age--Jack the Ripper. In this episode, he shares the new evidence that's completely shifting the thoughts on who committed the murder. It's mind-blowing!
In this episode:
Choosing between being a professional harmonica player or a writer
Problems with the investigation
The conviction of the wrong person
Inspector Thomas F. Byrnes' power
How "Frenchy's" lack of English hurt him
Ameer Ben Ali being tortured yet never giving a confession
The key that was withheld
The research behind his book Takers Mad
Discovering new evidence
The man who turned in the key
Why he chose to make this an audio-only book
How he chose the narrator
Luke Jerod Kummer is a writer and an editor. His work has appeared in the New York Times, the Washington Post, New Republic, the Washingtonian, Bloomberg Businessweek andthe Village Voice. In 2015, he was honored to edit Shanoor Seervai's bestselling nonfiction Kindle Single, Daughters of the Red Light, the story of a Wall Street Journal reporter's return to India and her struggle to chronicle the lives of women and children in Mumbai's red light district. Kummer's 2019 historical novel, The Blue Period, depicts the tragic events that led a young Pablo Picasso to paint somber portraits in nocturnal shades, before Cubism turned the artist into a celebrity. Booklist called it "lush biographical fiction," and the story was featured in American Way, Literary Hub, The Millions, Full Stop magazine and Marie Claire Greece. Takers Mad, Kummer's new Audible Original, picks up the trail of a real-life murder that transfixed New York during the Gilded Age.
You can grab the audiobook here: https://www.audible.com/pd/Takers-Mad-Audiobook/B09F3W99PL
Comedian "Irish Dave" joins Gary Scott Thomas this week to share hilarious stories about being an Irish comedian in America like how he accidentally put some tourists on top of a Tiger Shark.
Also in this episode:
Why he thinks it's weird that Americans introduce themselves with what they do
How Ireland differs from America
How America still uses a term that's technically a racial slur
Going for the laugh no matter what
How he got into comedy
His thoughts on English people
His strong stance on peanut butter and America's obsession with it
Why there are no Irish restaurants
How he and his buddies tricked their neighbor into calling the police on himself
Waking up wrapped up in an Italian flag
Working on a whale-watching boat
About David: David is the author of the best-selling book Do You Talk Funny? and the Founder of FunnyBizz Conference. His work has been featured in Inc., Lifehacker, The Huffington Post, Fast Company, Entrepreneur, Forbes, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, The Irish Independent, TV3, Newstalk, TED, and The Irish Times.
“One of the best speaking coaches out there” according to Forbes.com, David’s program with over 34,000 students has been featured by Prezi as one of the best training courses for presenters. His book remains one of the highest-rated in the world on the (usually not so wildly exciting) topic of public speaking and his content has been read by over one million people.
A sought-after international business speaker, David also performs standup comedy and was the winner of the prestigious 43rd annual San Francisco International Comedy Competition. As a storyteller, he finished runner up in NPR’s the Moth’s largest US storytelling competition. As a lecturer, he has taught at Stanford Graduate Business School, UC Berkeley, University of Oxford, and University College Dublin. (Told you this was random).
A graduate of the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School he calls San Francisco home when immigration officials permit. David was named on the Irish America 100 List, which recognizes the accomplishments of the best and the brightest Irish-American and Irish-born leaders, and the Top 30 Global Guru’s List for communications professionals.
A big fan of travel and languages David has lived and worked in 12 countries and visited 74 and counting.
This week on Here's What We Know, join us as we sit down once again with the multi-talented pianist, composer, and author Barron Ryan. From discussing his early beginnings on the piano to exploring the intricacies of practice and performance, let’s discover insights into what makes music such a powerful form of expression. He also reveals the inspiring yet tragic story of his book, “Honey, If It Wasn’t For You.”
In This Episode:
Discover how Barron's musical journey began at age 4 under his father's tutelage.
Learn about Barron’s approach to practicing, including tackling new pieces and managing extensive rehearsal hours.
Hear about the challenges that come with being a professional musician, including dealing with injuries like tenosynovitis.
Delve into technical aspects of playing piano - from separating hands during practice to maintaining stamina during long sessions without injury.
Uncover why musicians perform and how they connect with their audience through beauty and love expressed in art.
Gain insight into how he articulates his purpose as an artist – "to discover and present the beauty I'm uniquely positioned for."
Discover the beautiful story behind his book “Honey, If It Wasn’t For You.”
Bio: Barron Ryan, the son of two musicians, grew up surrounded by diverse musical influences, from Mozart to Motown. Starting piano at age four under his father's guidance, he excelled in music throughout his education. Though he faced setbacks, including rejection from prestigious music conservatories, a chance win in a piano competition reignited his passion.
Barron has since developed a unique style that blends jazz, classical, and popular music, resulting in albums like Classical with Attitude and The Masters’ Apprentice. In 2019, he composed original works like the “Magic City” Sonata, adding funk, pop, and country flavors to classical music.
In 2021, he was commissioned to compose a piece commemorating the Tulsa Massacre, earning recognition from Smithsonian Magazine as one of Ten Innovators to Watch. Now a published author and composer, Barron continues to push musical boundaries, ensuring that in all his work, Classic Meets Cool.
If you need some encouragement, this episode will do it! Have you heard Walker Hayes' song "Craig?" This is THAT Craig! This story is just so good. Craig shares about the first time he met Walker, how they became friends, and about the book they just wrote together. This episode will definitely lift you up.
Also in this episode:
The first time he realized Walker was a talented artist
What he thought the first time he heard the song
Tearing down the fence between their houses
How Walker encouraged him
How God answered Craig's questions about his purpose
The time he failed as a minister
How he got into ministry
Why Gary has so much Alabama gear
Writing a book with Walker Hayes
You can pre-order his book here: https://www.craigallencooper.com/
This week, Gary spoke with Country Music Artist Jason Michael Carroll, and was it raw! Jason spoke about having an abusive upbringing and the time he thought he had killed his dad.
Also in this episode:
The future of radio
Living in a small town
Being a PK (pastor's kid)
Having an abusive father who was a pastor and how that affected his faith
Getting migraines while trying to write songs
How the Marine Corps was easier than his upbringing
Breaking the cycle of abuse
Having a male-hating mom
Thinking kids would fix a marriage
Reconnecting with his high school sweetheart
His mom taking his ex's side during a messy divorce
It's time to get back to traveling! If you're planning to travel in the near future, definitely listen to this episode before you book anything. In this episode, Gary Scott Thomas is joined by travel agent Susan Lola. She shares the benefits of using a travel agent and talks about some of the opulent trips available. Did you know it doesn't cost you to use a travel agent like Susan, and can actually save you money? Amazing!
Also in this episode:
The different requirements one must meet for entering different countries
The chances of catching COVID on a cruise
How river cruises differ from ocean cruises
The most expensive cruises someone can take
How to get special packages
When to look for non-swimmable beaches
Why you should choose an all-inclusive package for your honeymoon
He had Gary at Booze and Vinyl!! This is probably unlike any other episode you've ever heard. André Darlington has written two books where he pairs great music with a craft cocktail recipe! And he's really done his research on the music so he pairs just the right drink.
In this episode:
How to "slut up" a boring beer
How to make a GREAT martini
Staples you should have in your at-home bar
"Naked & Famous"
Liquors you probably didn't know about from around the world
The place you probably didn't think about getting liquor from, but should be
In this episode, Aaron Siuda with Live Nation Concerts pulls back the curtain and shows us what it's really like to put on a show. He talks about what venues are best suited for which acts, what it's like for the tour crew, and more.
**Trigger warning: Suicide discussed** This episode is definitely one every musician needs to hear. Talent manager Shai Berry offers sage advice about the music business and talks about the importance of paying attention to mental health.
Also in this episode:
The power of music
How music saved her
Red flags when looking for representation
What led to her son's suicide
Survivor's guilt
How parents can help support their children's mental health
Author and award-winning journalist Judy Foreman talks with Gary Scott Thomas on this episode of Here's What We Know. She dives into CRISPR, a technology that can be used to edit genes.
Also in this episode:
The ethical questions behind gene editing
"Curing" Sickle Cell Anemia
The thought of humans living 120 years
How she took real science and turned it into her fiction medical thriller CRISPR'd.
This week on Here's What We Know, join us for a fascinating conversation with John Zaller, Executive Director of the Van Gogh Immersive Experience. As a leading curator and distributor of renowned immersive exhibitions, John brings over 25 years of expertise in production, visual art, and set design to the table. Listen in as we dive deep into Vincent Van Gogh’s life and artistry, discussing his revolutionary impact on painting, his personal struggles, and his enduring legacy. Don’t miss this chance to gain insights into how Van Gogh’s work continues to captivate and influence the art world today.
In This Episode:
John shares insights from his career in immersive experiences and exhibitions.
Discover John’s creative processes, and inspirations behind writing and designing immersive experiences.
Insightful commentary on cultural Americanization affecting name pronunciation (Van Gog vs. Van Go). – Explanation about Dutch pronunciation: [van Khokh].
Delve into Van Gogh’s mental health challenges and how they influenced his work
Find out alternative theories about Van Gogh’s death and pivotal moments in his later years.
Discussion on how Vincent Van Gogh revolutionized classical painting norms with his use of thick brushstrokes, vibrant colors, and depictions of everyday subjects.
A touching look at the relationship between Theo Van Gogh and Vincent—how family support often plays a critical part in nurturing creativity against odds.
Bio: John Zaller is the executive producer of Exhibition Hub, a curator and distributor of world-renowned immersive exhibitions. He has honed his unique skills of production, visual art, and set design for more than 25 years while working in the museum, entertainment, retail, and attractions/theme parks industries through his own immersive design firm, KRE8 360, that specializes in creating story-driven, traveling immersion experiences. He has contributed to creating and overseeing multiple immersive experiential environments including Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition; Jurassic World: The Exhibition; Bodies the Exhibition; Star Trek: The Exhibition; and the Themed Entertainment Association’s Thea award-winning experience at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station. Most recently, Zaller has been credited for his contributions and skillful expertise on Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which was named the 2021 best immersive experience by USA Today and among the 12 best immersive experiences in the world by CNN. He has been working with Exhibition Hub for more than a decade and is responsible for the implementation of all Exhibition Hub properties in the United States.
Do you know which Country artist tried to kill his wife? Gary Scott Thomas and his morning show co-host Julie Stevens share mind-blowing stories about country music legends you probably haven't heard before!!
Also in this episode:
"No Show Jones"
Meeting Johnny and June
Which artist burned through their money because they felt guilty for having it
How labels have changed
The transition of Country Music
Trying to say something on air in less than 7 seconds
Cancel culture
Charley Pride
Sam Hunt
Boyfriend music
Why kids struggle more today than ever before
What Julie wished she would have done differently as a parent
This episode goes deep! (See what we did there.) Laura Corn, NY Times Bestselling Author, Publisher, and Intimacy Innovator, has been helping couples revive their sex life with a renewed passion for over 20 years. Nothing's off-limits in this spicey episode.
In this episode:
Lots and lots of talk about sex
Being a sex expert to celebrities
A specific question you should ask your spouse every day
The art of listening
Working on bringing your own walls down
Overcoming sexual abuse
Removing the thought that you're "too old" for fun sex
By audience demand, Gary Scott Thomas reunites with his former co-host Jungle Doug! This episode will make you laugh, make you think, and make you feel like you made a new friend.