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Why do some stories stay with us forever, while others lose their magic?

This week on Here’s What We Know, we welcome screenwriter, author, and game show researcher Steve Abramson for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about storytelling, Hollywood, game shows, and the stories that shape who we are.

Steve shares how a childhood viewing of Star Wars sparked a lifelong love of movies, what it is really like working behind the scenes in television and game shows, and why modern franchises often struggle to recapture the joy and clarity that once made them timeless. We also explore why villains are often more compelling than heroes, how pressure changes performance, and what our favorite stories reveal about our hopes, fears, and curiosity.

This is an honest, curious conversation about creativity, culture, and the simple power of a good story told well. If you love movies, game shows, pop culture, or thoughtful conversations that connect the dots between entertainment and real life, this episode is for you.

In This Episode:

• Why stories matter
• How Star Wars sparked a love for storytelling
• Learning screenwriting before the internet
• Sending a screenplay to Hollywood at 15
• Why movie franchises lose their way
• What Star Wars got right and where it went wrong
• Why villains are more interesting than heroes
• The reality of writing for television today
• Behind the scenes of game shows
• Why game shows are harder than they look
• Knowing the answer vs performing under pressure
• How pressure changes creativity
• Why the stories we consume shape us
• Passing curiosity to the next generation
• Why great stories still matter

This episode is sponsored by:

Reed Animal Hospital

Dignity Memorial

Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!

Bio:

Steve Abramson is a screenwriter, author, and television writer whose creative journey began at fifteen when he wrote his first screenplay and even managed to get someone at Amblin Entertainment to read it. After formally studying Film and Television at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Steve broke into professional television writing with credits including In a Heartbeat for the Disney Channel, story pitching for Star Trek, and writing for Survivor: Cook Islands. His career spans television pilots, network pitching, and extensive work on game shows, including Temptation, Boom, Million Second Quiz, and Funny You Should Ask. Alongside years in post production, Steve continues to create across media through projects like KnowItAllJoe.com and his children’s book The Bear in the Chair.

Website: https://steveabramson.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/knowitalljoe1977/

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What happens when the machines get smarter and we have to get wiser?

This week on Here’s What We Know, we welcome Jeff Burningham, author of The Last Book Written by a Human. We talk about AI, fear, failure, and the power of being present.

Jeff shares how building companies, losing a run for governor, and slowing way down changed how he sees success and identity. This is a human conversation about wisdom, humility, and staying grounded while everything around us speeds up.

If you are curious about AI but even more curious about what it means to be human, this episode is for you.

In This Episode:

• Artificial intelligence and its impact on human identity
• What The Last Book Written by a Human is really about
• Why wisdom matters more than intelligence in the AI age
• Fear, uncertainty, and how people are responding to rapid technological change
• Doing versus being and how success can disconnect us from ourselves
• Public failure and the lessons learned from losing a gubernatorial race
• Leadership, ego, and redefining what success actually means
• Presence, attention, and slowing down in everyday life
• What makes human connection irreplaceable
• How to stay grounded as technology continues to advance
  
  

This episode is sponsored by:

Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)

License #: 679261

Bio:

Jeff has started, run or been an early investor in over 15 companies in tech & real estate valued at over a billion dollars, lost a challenging race for Governor amidst COVID in his home state, is an adjunct professor of entrepreneurship, served on 20+ boards, lived in the Middle East & traveled to over 60 countries while earning two degrees.

He is a Founder and Chairman of Peak Capital Partners, a $5B+ real estate investment firm located in Provo, UT, which was named the 2nd fastest growing company in Utah and one of the 500 fastest privately held companies in the United States by Inc. Magazine. Jeff also launched Peak Ventures, which has three early-stage funds that back the brightest and most inspiring entrepreneurs in Utah and throughout the US. In 2014, Jeff was named The Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the Mountain West Region. 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffburningham/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeff.burningham.252321/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-burningham-15a01a7b/

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This week on Here’s What We Know, we’re ending the year with a bang in this episode of Once Around the Country as we welcome singer-songwriter Will Jones! Join us for a relaxed, honest conversation that wanders through bluegrass roots, songwriting, fatherhood, and the beauty of keeping things simple.

Will shares stories from growing up in Cana, Virginia, playing in a family bluegrass band tucked into the Appalachian Mountains, learning music before most kids learn multiplication tables, and waking his dad up singing gospel songs at six years old. Those early porch-front, small-town moments still shape how he writes and performs today.

We also explore the grind of the road, lessons learned from nearly empty rooms, moments with artists like Josh Turner, Laney Wilson, Ashley McBryde, Jon Pardi, and Zach Brown, and how faith, family, and years of persistence have shaped his perspective.

This episode is funny, reflective, and deeply human. It is about staying rooted, showing up honestly, and finding joy in the journey, even when it is messy.

In This Episode:

• Bluegrass roots and Appalachian beginnings
• Learning music before learning math
• Writing songs from real conversations
• Fatherhood, family, and finding balance
• Fixing old trucks between shows
• Playing live with no tracks, no safety net
• Lessons from empty rooms and long roads
• Why honesty still wins in country music

This episode is sponsored by:

Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)

License #: 679261

Bio:

Will Jones is a country artist raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains and based in Nashville. A seasoned performer and songwriter, he blends mountain grit, soul, and timeless storytelling into a sound all his own.

His sound is a love letter to the past and a firm handshake to the future—carving his own lane in country music.

Website: https://willjonescountry.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willjonesofficial/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillJonesCountry/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@willjonesofficial

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCD_ZJSvhqWmy967s-_iaSg

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This week on Here’s What We Know, we’re joined by Steve Griggs, founder of Steve Griggs Design, who has earned a reputation as one of New York’s most respected landscape designers, known not just for his designs but for how he shows up for the people he serves.

We’ll explore where he came from, how he found his calling, and why the work he does is more art than architecture. We also get into college football rivalries, pricing creative work, learning the hard way, and what it really means to be “the guy” people trust when things get complicated.

This episode is relaxed, funny, honest, and full of those little moments that remind you why experience still matters and why good work always starts with caring. Tune in now.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why creating outdoor spaces is really about people, not projects
• The difference between talent and experience
• The truth about pricing creative work and saying, “it costs what it costs”
• How to think about money when the work is personal
• Why execution matters more than the idea
• What decades of doing the hard jobs teach you
• Becoming the person people trust when things get hard

This episode is sponsored by:

Reed Animal Hospital (Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)

Bio:

Steve Griggs is not your typical landscape designer. He has been getting dirt on his hands since he was 16, cutting grass to earn extra money and learning the value of hard work early on. That work ethic carried him through advanced landscaping studies at Mississippi State University and SUNY Cobleskill College of Environmental Design and Horticulture.

At 25, Steve founded Steve Griggs Design after working alongside his father in the industry, where he absorbed core values that still guide his work today: make no excuses, keep your promises, respect the deadline, and always deliver for the client. When he saw those principles missing in much of the industry, he chose to do things differently.

That commitment to a customer-first approach has earned Steve a reputation as one of New York’s most respected landscape designers, known not just for his designs but for how he shows up for the people he serves.

Website: https://stevegriggsdesign.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevegriggsdesign/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ3rPHh3yC3FgzQ_nw9xenw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/in/stevegriggsdesign/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SteveGriggsDesign

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This week on Here’s What We Know, we sit down with legendary entertainment attorney John Mason for a conversation filled with heart, humor, and jaw-dropping stories from behind the curtain of the music and film industry.

Growing up in the San Fernando Valley alongside the children of Hollywood icons, he followed an unexpected path that led him from law school to jam sessions with the Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, and the musicians who quietly shaped modern music. Along the way, he built a career representing some of the biggest names in entertainment, while never losing sight of the human stories behind the fame.

Drawing from his book Crazy Lucky, John shares intimate moments with Brian Wilson, Olivia Newton-John, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Randy Travis, and more. These are not tabloid stories. They are reflections on genius, vulnerability, perseverance, and the strange way talent and timing collide to shape a life.

This episode is a love letter to creativity, resilience, and the unpredictable paths that lead us exactly where we are meant to be. Tune in now!

In This Episode:

• John Mason’s unexpected path to music
• The magic and pressure of recording sessions with The Wrecking Crew
• Brian Wilson’s musical brilliance and personal struggles
• Olivia Newton-John’s grace, strength, and lasting impact
• Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones creating history together
• Randy Travis and the rebirth of country music

This episode is sponsored by:

Dignity Memorial

Bio:

John Mason is one of the most respected entertainment attorneys in the business, with a career spanning decades across film, television, and music. From representing Academy Award winners to working with artists who have sold over 100 million records, John has been a trusted advocate for some of the biggest names in the industry. A UCLA and UC Berkeley Law graduate with the highest honors, his work has earned national recognition and shaped major moments in entertainment law. Beyond the courtroom, John is deeply committed to the arts, philanthropy, and mentoring the next generation of creators.

Website: https://www.johnmasonlaw.com/

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This week on Here’s What We Know, Gary Scott Thomas sits down with Dan Ashley, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, longtime ABC7 News anchor in San Francisco, and a musician with a true storyteller’s heart.

From political satire and freedom of speech to small-town Southern roots, Dan opens up about his journey through media, music, and the moments that shaped him.

Discover what it means to speak truth with kindness, how good writing drives great journalism, and why music became such a meaningful outlet in Dan’s life. With humor, heart, and plenty of honesty, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at two careers built on curiosity, connection, and a love for people.

In This Episode:

• Why being able to joke about our leaders matters and how it sets America apart from places like Russia or China
• Dan shares unforgettable moments interviewing Presidents Obama and George W. Bush and what he learned from each
• Gary and Dan look back on small-town life, radio mishaps, and the early days that shaped their careers
• Hear how Dan pushed past his fear of singing and stepped into a musical life that changed everything

This episode is sponsored by:

Sterling Oak Cabinetry (Bring your dream cabinet to life!)

Bio:

Dan Ashley has been connected to music his whole life, beginning with childhood guitar and piano lessons in North Carolina and long summer days filled with music on his family’s farm. Today, he leads his own band and has performed alongside artists like REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, Eddie Money, Melissa Etheridge, Dionne Warwick, Neal Schon, and Narada Michael Walden. He is also a frequent National Anthem performer for major sports events across the country.

Outside of music, Dan is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and longtime ABC7 News anchor in San Francisco. He has covered major national and international stories, built strong relationships across the media world, and is known for his communication skills, generosity, and commitment to community work.

Website: https://danashleymusic.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DanAshleyMusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanAshleyABC7/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-ashley-479199185/?skipRedirect=true

Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/DanAshleyABC7/

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This week on Here’s What We Know, Jonathan Kite joins us for a conversation that is equal parts hilarious, heartfelt, and deeply human. You may know him as Oleg from “2 Broke Girls,” but today he pulls the curtain back on the real craft of comedy and the unexpected moments that shaped his journey.

We dig into what it takes to build a stand-up set, how crowd work has changed, and why impressions are more than funny voices. Jonathan shares stories from the road, reflections on early influences like Abbott and Costello, and a beautiful moment involving a phone call from a friend he thought he had lost forever.

We also talk about the energy it takes to perform at a Jim Carrey level, the kindness behind Tom Hanks’s gift of earnestness, and why laughter still feels like one of the most meaningful ways to lift someone’s spirit.

Tune in and enjoy this warm and wonderfully unexpected ride with Jonathan Kite.

In This Episode:
 • How stand-up comedy evolves with every audience
 • The art and heart behind great impressions
 • A life-changing call that arrived at the exact right moment
 • What Jonathan learned from Robin Williams, Norm Macdonald, and others
 • Why laughter matters more than ever

This episode is sponsored by:

Bison Junk Removal (Effortless solution to your junk removal needs!)

Bio:

Jonathan Kite is a versatile actor, comedian, and master impressionist, famous for his role as Oleg the Ukrainian cook on the hit CBS sitcom 2 Broke Girls.

Known for his quick wit and over 250 celebrity impressions, Jonathan has built a diverse career across television, film, voice acting, and stand-up comedy. His notable credits include starring opposite Jamie Foxx in the Netflix series Dad Stop Embarrassing Me and voicing characters in animated films like The Addams Family 2, as well as shows like Family Guy and American Dad.

An alumnus of Second City and The Groundlings, he tours nationally with his stand-up and is currently producing his feature screenwriting debut. Jonathan is celebrated as one of today's most versatile comedic talents.

Website: https://www.jonathankitecomedy.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathankite/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/officialjonathankite/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@thejonathankite

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JONATHANKITECOMEDY

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Radio legend Jungle Doug Griffin joins us back on Here’s What We Know for a fast-moving, heartfelt conversation about life behind the mic, changing technology, and the moments that shaped his story. Doug shares memories from his KRTY years, the rise of his son DJ Garlic, and the communication skills you only learn when all you have is your voice.

He also opens up about his prostate cancer journey and the miracle connections that guided him toward healing. From country music to Christian crossovers, Jelly Roll to Lauren Daigle, this episode blends nostalgia, insight, and a whole lot of heart.

A must-listen for anyone who loves real stories, real people, and real hope.

In This Episode:

• Discover how technology has transformed radio from two guys talking to sticks into a dynamic platform that connects cities
• Hear Doug’s candid stories about his son’s DJ journey and his own powerful fight through prostate cancer
• Get fresh insight on how Christian themes are shaping country music with artists like Jelly Roll and Lauren Daigle
• Learn why local radio is fading, how voice tracking is changing everything, and why real personalities still matter most

This episode is sponsored by:

Bison Junk Removal (Effortless solution to your junk removal needs!)

Bio:

Doug Griffin is a radio veteran with a career spanning over 35 years, best known for his work across the San Francisco Bay Area. His notable roles include "Jungle Doug" on KRTY Country and hosting the syndicated "Doug & Connie / Doug & Karla" morning show. Having also worked with Christian music channels on XM Satellite Radio, Doug's life is guided by his faith. He is married to author Sheryl Griffin and is passionate about helping others move past worry, inspired by his favorite verse, Philippians 4:6-7.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-griffin-065206a/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/djdouggriffin/

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This week on Here’s What We Know, step into the world of pirates and hidden histories with bestselling author Samuel Marquis. In this conversation, we dig into the life of Captain William Kidd and explore where fact meets myth. Samuel shares how his family's connection to Kidd opened the door to a deeper look at piracy, courage, politics, and the stories that shape our understanding of early America.

We talk about the rise of pirate legends, the real struggles sailors faced on the open seas, and the untold strength of Kidd’s wife, Sarah Bradley Cox Kidd. Samuel also gives us a look into his writing process and how he works to honor history while still telling a powerful story.

If you love rich conversations about identity, resilience, and the truth hidden behind old legends, this episode will pull you right in.

In This Episode:

• Samuel Marquis and his unique connection to Captain Kidd
• How real pirate life compares to the stories we tell
• The political tides that changed Captain Kidd’s fate
• The overlooked resilience of Sarah Bradley Cox Kidd
• What early piracy reveals about the birth of American identity
• Why these stories still capture our imagination today

This episode is sponsored by:

Sterling Oak Cabinetry (Bring your dream cabinet to life!)

Dignity Memorial

Bio:

The ninth-great-grandson of legendary privateer Captain William Kidd, Samuel Marquis, M.S., P.G., is a professional hydrogeologist, expert witness, and bestselling, award-winning author of twelve American non-fiction-history, historical-fiction, and suspense books, covering primarily the period from colonial America through WWII. His American history and historical fiction books have been #1 Denver Post bestsellers and received multiple national book awards (Publishers Weekly Starred Review, Kirkus and Foreword Reviews Book of the Year, American Book Fest and USA Best Book, Readers’ Favorite, Beverly Hills, Independent Publisher, Colorado Book Awards). His historical titles have garnered glowing reviews from bestselling authors, colonial American history and maritime historians, U.S. military veterans, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and Foreword Reviews (Starred, 5 Stars).

Website: https://samuelmarquisbooks.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammarquisbooks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuelmarquisbooks/

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The queen of forensic fiction is back!

This week on Here’s What We Know, New York Times bestselling author and forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs is back to celebrate the release of Evil Bones, her 24th Temperance Brennan novel. From balancing grim mysteries with witty moments to revealing how real-life quirks inspired Tempe’s world, Kathy shares stories that remind us why readers keep coming back. You’ll also hear how she keeps up with forensic science, her favorite character dialogue, what sets the books apart from the Bones TV series, and why Birdie the cat will never die.

In This Episode:

• The delicate art of using humor to illuminate dark subjects
• How Kathy’s writing process keeps Tempe Brennan evolving
• The science and heart behind Evil Bones
• Why readers forgive a character’s death, but never a pet’s

"Evil Bones" out November 18th! Pre-order now!

This episode is sponsored by:

Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)

License #: 679261

Bio:

Kathy Reichs’s first novel Déjà Dead catapulted her to fame when it became a New York Times bestseller and won the 1997 Ellis Award for Best First Novel. Her other Temperance Brennan books include Death du Jour, Deadly Decisions, Fatal Voyage, Grave Secrets, Bare Bones, Monday Mourning, Cross Bones, Break No Bones, Bones to Ashes, Devil Bones, 206 Bones, Spider Bones, Flash and Bones, Bones Are Forever, Bones of the Lost, Bones Never Lie, Speaking in Bones and the Temperance Brennan short story collection, The Bone Collection.   In addition, Kathy co-authored the Virals young adult series with her son, Brendan Reichs. The best-selling titles are: Virals, Seizure, Code, Exposure, Terminal, and the novella collection Trace Evidence. The series follows the adventures of Temperance Brennan’s great niece, Tory Brennan.  Dr. Reichs’ latest novel, Two Nights, was released July 11 and features Sunday Night, a tough-talking, scarred heroine.  Dr. Reichs was also a producer of the hit Fox TV series, Bones, which is based on her work and her novels.

Website: https://kathyreichs.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathyreichs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathyreichsbooks/

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