Go Fact Yourself

Triv, triv, triv, triv…! This episode of Go Fact Yourself will be stuck in your head for days!

Chase Masterson’s fans know her as Leeta from “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.” She’s deeply inspired by the imagined universe of the series – and the fans who embody its values. To that end, Chase works tirelessly at her non-profit aimed at ending bullying: The Heroic Journey.

Jay Mohr had been working in comedy for years when he landed his first movie: Jerry Maguire. But he’s still known for his great work in comedy (“SNL,” “Action”) … and as an impressionist. He’ll tell us about the secret to a great impression and what it was like to work with the celebrity he became famous for impersonating.

Areas of Expertise:

Chase: The best commercial jingles of the 1970s and 1980s, 1980s slang, and Word of the Year winners.

Jay: The Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers album, the TV show “Deadwood,” and 1990s Yankees World Series teams. 

What’s the Difference: Chase and Jay

What’s the difference between to chase and to pursue?

What’s the difference between a bluejay and jaybird?

With Guest Experts:

Linda November: Cleo award-winning singer whose career includes many pop hits and even more popular jingles. 

Jim Beaver: Actor, writer, and film historian whose career includes playing Whitney Ellsworth on “Deadwood.”

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Additional editing by Valerie Moffat.

Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

** Come see us record in New York! January 24 & 26! Tell everyone you know! **

Politics, high fashion, and trivia– it must be Go Fact Yourself!

Ashly Burch is a YouTuber and voice actor, who was a recent guest on episode 177 of Go Fact Yourself. She joins us as guest co-host.

Al Madrigal is an actor and comedian. He’s known for sitcoms like “Lopez vs. Lopez” and his many appearances as Senior Latino Correspondent on “The Daily Show.” He’ll tell us about some of the scrutiny that title came with. Everything he does now is a big step up from one of his first jobs, where he was forced to fire people on a regular basis.

Mary Lynn Rajskub is a comedian and actor, previously seen in “24.” She’ll tell us about the triumphs – and difficulties – of the show. These days, she’s seen on the Netflix series “North of North” – an incredibly important showcase of Inuit culture; and her son says she’s perfect on the show as “the white lady.”

Areas of Expertise:

Al: U.S. Latino politicians, San Francisco’s Mexican restaurants, and Jack Reacher.

Mary Lynn: The city of Iqaluit, Canada, the movie The Florida Project, and Cybill Shepherd's wardrobe in “Moonlighting.”

What’s the Difference: Flying Saucer

What’s the difference between an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) and an Unidentified Anomalous Phenomenon (UAP)?

What’s the difference between gravy and sauce?

With Guest Experts:

Blanca Pacheco: Former mayor, city councilwoman, and current member of the California State Assembly.

Glenn Gordon Caron: Award-winning writer, producer, and director who created the show “Moonlighting.”

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Ashly Burch

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Additional editing by Valerie Moffat.

Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Go Fact Yourself is coming to New York!

On January 24, we’re joined by Jackie Cox and Dorinda Medley at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia theater at Symphony Space.

On January 26th we’re joined by Julie Klausner and Seth Rudetsky at the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. 

Plus, this weekend is our episode with Al Madrigal and Mary Lynn Rajskub – with guest co-host Ashly Burch! We’ll give you a special preview of what’s to come.

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Additional editing by Valerie Moffat.

Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ring in the New Year with trivia on Go Fact Yourself!

Paul Feig is a director of comedies like Bridesmaides and thrillers like the newly released thriller The Housemaid. He’ll tell us why he gets a similar thrill from working in both genres. And we’ll learn more about where his acute sense of fashion comes from. 

Anjali Bhimani is an actor, especially known for her voice work in videogames. She’ll tell us why portraying the character Symmetra for the Overwatch games has been especially meaningful for both her and gamers. Plus: why puppies are the perfect addition to a Dungeons & Dragons campaign. 

Areas of Expertise:

Paul: The 2025 Dodgers starting lineup, the TV show “The Brady Bunch,” and martinis.

Anjali: Late 70s to early 90s musicals (especially Sondheim), the greater human skeletomuscular system, and lines from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

What’s the Difference: Whip it

What’s the difference between beating and whipping (when it comes to cooking)?

What’s the difference between a whip and a lash?

With Guest Experts:

Jon Weidman: Emmy-winning and Tony-nominated writer, whose decades of work include three collaborations with Stephen Sondheim.

Maureen McCormick: Actor, singer and best-selling author who played Marcia Brady on “The Brady Bunch.”

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Additional editing by Valerie Moffat.

Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

This episode of Go Fact Yourself is a real thriller!

Loni Love is an Emmy-winning TV host, known for her over 1000 episodes of the talk show “The Real.” You can see her host The Rose Parade this New Year’s Day. She’s had an interesting career that included a poor-performing stint as an engineer.

Nick Cho has made a name for himself on social media as “Your Korean Dad,” where he gives parental advice and insight to viewers. He’ll tell us about how his kids encouraged him to get into content creation and why he’s something of a coffee bean snob.

Areas of Expertise:

Loni: Michael Jackson, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana, and how to pack for a cruise.

Nick: 1980s arcade games, Asian-Americans in the media from the 1980s to 2000s, and Gen Alpha slang.

What’s the Difference: Advice Column

What’s the difference between getting advice and getting counsel?

What’s the difference between a column and a pillar?

With Guest Experts:

Siedah Garrett: Grammy-winning and two time Oscar-nominated singer and actor, whose career includes hit songs with Michael Jackson.

Gedde Watanabe: Actor, whose career includes roles on Sixteen Candles, Mulan, “ER,” and more.

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Additional editing by Valerie Moffat.

Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Set sail for Trivia on Go Fact Yourself! 

Christine Lakin is best known for her role as Alicia “Al” Lambert on the sitcom “Step By Step.” She’ll tell us about what it was like being the childhood crush of so many men and women. Plus, what it was like to “fall into” her work as an audiobook narrator.

Jon Lovett is the founder of Crooked Media and host of Lovett or Leave It. He’ll tell us how he manages to feel okay despite being so in tune with the world of politics. And we’ll learn more about how he wound up as a speech writer for the Obama administration… after winning a contest (sort of).

Areas of Expertise:

Christine: The TV show “Below Deck,” the TV show “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” making the best mint cookies and cream ice cream in the world. 

Jon: Kazuo Ishiguro novels, the TV show “The Real Housewives of New York City,” and Taco Bell

What’s the Difference: Practically Speaking

What’s the difference between a practical solution and a pragmatic solution?

What’s the difference between your larynx and your pharynx?

With Guest Experts:

Courtland Cox: Longtime executive producer of “Below Deck.”

Captain Lee Rosbach: Captain for ten seasons on “Below Deck.”

Dorinda Medley and Alex McCord: Cast members of“The Real Housewives of New York.”

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Surprised that there’s no new episode of Go Fact Yourself today? Worry not! We’ve got new episodes coming back to back for the next two weeks.

Plus, give the gift of GFY this holiday season! Check out our merch – including a holiday ornament – at MaxFunStore.com. 

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

It’s a home box office of trivia with Go Fact Yourself!

Ashly Burch is a YouTuber and comedian who was a recent guest on episode 177 of Go Fact Yourself. She joins us as co-host. 

Lilan Bowden is an actor, perhaps best known for her role in the Netflix series “Murderville.” She’s had an extensive career across film and TV. But she’s been especially affected by her Disney series “Andi Mack,” and how much the role endeared her to kids.

A Martinez is known by public radio listeners as the host of NPR’s Morning Edition. He’s been a part of public radio for years. But before that, he made his name (literally!) in the world of sports radio. That’s also where he learned some… unique interviewing skills. He’ll explain.

Areas of Expertise:

A: The TV show “Veep,” the movie New Jack City, and the 1980s Los Angeles Lakers

Lilan: The TV show “The Comeback,” the YouTube show “Ms. Rachel,” and The Jim Jones Cult aka “The People’s Temple”

What’s the Difference: Taylor Swift

What’s the difference between a tailor and a seamstress?

What’s the difference between fast and quick?

With Guest Experts:

Damian Young: Actor whose career includes playing Mark Berman on HBO’s “The Comeback”

Laura Silverman: Actor who played Jane Benson on HBO’s “The Comeback”

Matt Walsh: Actor and comedian who founded the Upright Citizens Brigade and received two Emmy nominations for his role as Mike McLintock in the series “Veep”

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Ashly Burch

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

This episode was edited by Valerie Moffat

Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

It’s time to go to the polls with Go Fact Yourself! It’s a collection of some of our favorite trivia segments that feature politicians as experts.

In this episode:

Peter Sagal and Rebecca Makkai from ep. 45.

Helen Zaltzman and Lewis Black from ep. 79.

Antonio Villaraigosa from ep. 164.

Kitty Felde and Charlie Hankin from ep. 51.

Parker Molloy and Kevin Allison from ep. 99.

Matt Rogers and Mimi Rogers from ep. 178.

With Guest Experts:

Gov. Madeleine May Kunin, author, ambassador and three-term governor of Vermont.

Charlie Uhrig, former mayor of Solvang, California

Kermit Roosevelt III, professor at University of Pennsylvania’s Carey Law School.

Senator Barbara Boxer, representing California in the United States Senate from 1993 to 2017.

Rep. Laura Gillen: United States Congresswoman serving New York’s fourth district.

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

After an extensive competition amongst our MaxFun Members, it all culminates in the 2024(ish) Listener Tournament Finals – a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! 

(Do YOU want to be a guest on the show? Make sure to support us in the 2026 MaxFunDrive and stay tuned for our next Listener Tournament!)

Khalil Goodman is a photographer who works in public communications in Barbados. He also loves cosplay and will tell us about some of his favorite characters that he’s encountered – plus, what it would take to get people to cosplay as the hosts of this show.

Kristen Pilotte is a government contractor and aerospace engineer. She’ll tell us about how she’s joining us while she’s on call for very important space-related work. We’ll also learn more about how some of her upcoming projects involve humans in space. And of course, cats!

Areas of Expertise:

Khalil: The animated TV series “X-Men ‘97,” the band Garbage, and the work of Agatha Christie.

Kristen: The “Duck Tales” videogame, the US manned space program, and the TV show “Grey’s Anatomy.”

What’s the Difference: Mind your Manners

What’s the difference between etiquette and manners?

What’s the difference between a cause of death and a manner of death?

With Guest Experts:

Isaac Robinson-Smith, Holly Chou and Alison Sealy-Smith: Voice actors whose work includes playing characters on the series “X-Men ‘97.”

Dr. Don Thomas: Author, engineer, educator, and astronaut.

Hosts: 

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Credits:

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Seeing our next 

live-audience shows

 by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact