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This week on Here's What We Know, our host, Gary Scott Thomas, sits down with Cullen Jones, Olympic gold medalist swimmer, world record holder, and passionate water safety advocate.

Cullen shares the extraordinary story of how a near-drowning at age five ignited his purpose, ultimately driving him to become one of the fastest swimmers in history and a leader in the movement to make swimming accessible to every child.

In This Episode:

• How Cullen’s upbringing influenced his path to greatness
• The mindset and training that fueled Cullen’s record-breaking career
• The surprising way boredom can be a powerful tool for growth
• Personal stories of overcoming setbacks and staying motivated through the highs and lows
• Behind-the-scenes moments from the Olympics, from relay teamwork to celebrations
• Cullen’s mission to reduce drowning rates through initiatives like Make a Splash and Goldfish Swim School
• Insights into the cultural and historical barriers that keep many from learning to swim

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

Cullen Andrew Jones is an Olympic medalist and the first African American male swimmer to hold a world record. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Jones swam on the legendary world-record-setting 4x100  freestyle relay team.

 In 2012, Jones won gold as Team USA’s anchor in the 4x100 medley relay, silver in the 4x100 freestyle relay, and individual silver in the 50m freestyle. In total, Cullen accounts for 13 U.S. medals (seven gold) at major international competitions.

Jones married his wife, Rupi, in 2007, and she gave birth to their son, Ayvn, in 2019.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cullenjones41/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CullenJones41/

X: https://x.com/cullenjones

Website: https://goldfishswimschool.com/

https://www.usaswimming.org/parents/learn-to-swim

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This week on Here's What We Know, join us for an inspiring conversation with Jeremy Wolf, a former professional baseball player who grew up with a bat in his hands and a dream in his heart. From college ball to professional leagues and eventually playing for Team Israel, Jeremy’s story is full of grit and grace.

Today, he’s making an even bigger impact through More Than Baseball, working to improve the lives of minor league players. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• How Jeremy handled the pressure of professional sports
• The story behind co-founding More Than Baseball to improve players’ lives
• His insights on mental health and why it matters more than ever
• Lessons on turning setbacks into stepping stones

This episode is sponsored by:

 Tranont 

Bio:

Jeremy Wolf is a former professional baseball player who spent time in the New York Mets organization after a standout college career at Trinity University in Texas. As an outfielder and first baseman, he represented Team Israel in international competitions, including the World Baseball Classic qualifiers. After stepping away from playing professionally, Jeremy co-founded More Than Baseball, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of minor league players through better pay, housing, and mental health resources. His journey reflects a deep commitment to the game and to making it better for the next generation of athletes.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremywolf123/

Website: https://www.morethanbaseball.org/

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This week on Here's What We Know, join us for a warm and eye-opening episode with Mary Crocker Cook, a licensed therapist and the author of Bad Taste: Self-Care and Financial Planning When You Have Bad Taste in Men and You Don’t Want To Leave, to talk about what it really means to love someone whose life is in chaos. From addiction and criminal behavior to the tangled roots of attachment, Mary offers practical advice and heartfelt stories that feel both reassuring and unflinchingly honest. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• A Therapist’s Journey
• The Generational Impact of Addiction
• When Love Isn’t Enough
• Practical Tools for Staying in Difficult Relationships
• The Psychology of Attachment and Attraction
• Patterns and Awareness: Even Experts Aren’t Immune
• Relationship Red Flags and Lessons Learned
• Protecting Yourself in Relationships and Divorce
• Everyday Relationship Maintenance
• Communication and Being Seen
• Dating, Disappointments, and Letting Go
• Attachment Challenges and Quick Connections
• Humor, Hope, and Continued Growth
  
  

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

Mary Crocker Cook is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and addictions counselor who has been helping individuals and families heal since 1988. She serves as Program Coordinator and full-time faculty for the Alcohol and Drug Studies program at San Jose City College, which she launched in 1990.

An accomplished author, Mary has written several books grounded in both her professional expertise and her personal experience with over 25 years in Al-Anon. Her work resonates with counselors and anyone affected by a loved one’s addiction.

Website: https://www.marycrockercookbooks.com/

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

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This week on Here's What We Know, Gary sits down with the remarkable Devin O’Day, a beloved voice in country music radio whose career has touched countless lives. Together, they reminisce about their early days in small-town stations, swapping stories filled with humor, resilience, and a genuine love for community connection.

Devon opens up about her journey from aspiring careers to becoming a full-time broadcaster, author, audiobook narrator, and hit songwriter. Tune in and discover what it means to honor your passions, no matter where the road takes you.

In This Episode:

• Why local radio is a lifeline for so many communities
• Hear behind-the-scenes stories of radio life and insights into the art of audiobook narration
• Devon’s songwriting successes with George Strait, Trace Adkins, and Lee Ann Womack
• The joys (and mishaps) of early broadcasting in Louisiana and Alabama
• Embracing new media without losing your roots

This episode is sponsored by:

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

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

License #: 679261 

Bio:

Devon O'Day is a storyteller at heart, a seasoned radio personality, speaker, author, voice actor, and champion for creatives. With a career of over 30 years in broadcast, Devon has hosted nationally syndicated shows, voiced thousands of commercials, and written books that inspire and uplift. Beyond the mic, she’s a proud advocate for kindness, purpose-driven living, and the power of faith. Whether sharing her journey or elevating others, Devon brings warmth, grit, and heart to every conversation.

Website: https://devonoday.com/

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

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

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

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This week on Here's What We Know, Meghan Patrick returns to reflect on how her life and her music have evolved over the past few years. Meghan shares what it really takes to stay true in an industry that rewards masks more than authenticity.

We talk about the fatigue behind the spotlight, the courage it takes to walk away from toxic relationships (even when they’re family), and how songwriting helped her process deep personal wounds. Megan opens up about the emotional weight behind songs like “Blood From a Stone” and “Golden Child,” offering listeners comfort, connection, and clarity through her vulnerability. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• Meghan’s evolution as an artist and human
• The power of having a team who gets you
• Choosing authenticity over virality
• Healing through songwriting
• The realities of navigating toxic family dynamics
• Why drudgery is part of the dream

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

Meghan Patrick is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter originally from Ontario, known for blending raw vulnerability with fierce confidence. A two-time CCMA Female Artist of the Year with 19 CMAOntario Awards, Meghan’s music unpacks the grit, grace, and truth of life on her own terms. Her latest album, Golden Child, marks a powerful turning point, diving into personal healing, hard-earned wisdom, and what she now calls Big Sister Country, where strength and intimacy coexist. From bluegrass to funk to country, Meghan’s musical journey defies easy labels, but one thing’s clear: when she tells her story, people listen.

Website: https://www.meghanpatrickmusic.com/

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/MeghanPatrickMusic

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

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This week on Here's What We Know, our host Gary sits down with former NFL fullback Jedidiah “Jed” Collins, now a financial educator, author, and founder of Money Vehicle. From playing with the New Orleans Saints to launching a financial literacy movement, Jed shares what it means to lead with purpose both on and off the field.

​​If you're a football fan or just trying to get smarter with your money, this one's for you.

In This Episode:

• The NFL Days: Stories from Jed's time with the Saints, team culture, and what it was really like to play with legends like Drew Brees.
• The Fullback Mindset: Why the most underrated positions can teach us the most about teamwork and grit.
• Failing Forward: How the NFL taught Jed to embrace failure and channel it into growth.
• Building Legacy Over Lifestyle: Why top athletes and all of us should be thinking about impact, not just income.
• A Saints Fan for Life: Gary shares his childhood fandom and why the Saints always felt like more than just a team.
• Money Vehicle Mission: Jed’s passion project teaching students how to make smart financial decisions early.
• Why Financial Literacy Matters: Especially for athletes entering sudden wealth, real talk on fraud, fame, and responsibility.
• Entrepreneurship & Life After Sports: The parallels between athletics and business, and how resilience shows up in both.

This episode is sponsored by:

 Tranont 

 Dignity Memorial

Bio:

Jedidiah Collins, CFP®, is a former NFL fullback, Amazon best-selling author, adjunct professor, and Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) with a passion for financial education. His journey to financial empowerment didn’t begin with a textbook but with personal experience—after being cut 12 times, he persevered to become the #1 fullback in the NFL.

While living the dream of playing professional football, Jed faced a harsh reality: he was unprepared for the financial opportunities that came with success. Determined to change that, he pursued his CFP® certification while still in the league. After transitioning from football, he gained real-world experience in wealth management but soon realized his true passion wasn’t in helping people end their financial journey—it was in empowering those who had never spoken the language of money to begin theirs.

To fulfill this mission, Jed founded Money Vehicle, an education technology company providing schools and students with a roadmap to financial freedom through an engaging and accessible financial literacy curriculum.

Today, Jed is a passionate advocate for financial awareness, helping professional athletes capture their dreams while also guiding young professionals to start theirs.

Website: https://yourmoneyvehicle.com/

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

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This week on Here's What We Know, be ready for a deeply inspiring conversation as we sit down with Dustin Gutkowski, entrepreneur, family man, and host of The DG Show, who went from being homeless at 14 to building a $100 million business. With a heart as big as Texas and a love for 90s country music, Dustin opens up about what fuels him: storytelling, fatherhood, resilience, and relationships. Give it a listen today!

In This Episode:

• Dustin’s rise from hardship to hope
• Dive into discussions about love for 90s country and artists like Midland, The Cadillac Three, and Post Malone
• Understand how Dustin’s personal struggles inform his parenting philosophy
• Building a people-first business in the roofing industry
• What it means to be your child’s hero

This episode is sponsored by:

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

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

Bio:

Dustin Gutkowski is the founder of Results Roofing, a DFW-based company serving residential, commercial, and multi-family clients. Built on the belief that relationships matter more than transactions, Dustin created a culture rooted in gratitude, service, and kindness, shaped by his own journey from homelessness at 14 to business leadership. A champion for both customers and employees, he ensures every client receives above-and-beyond care, including a complimentary 360° inspection with photo documentation. Dustin is also the host of The DG Show podcast, where he shares real stories of resilience, business, and personal growth.

Website: https://resultsroofing.com/

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

YouTube: @Dustingutkowski

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dustin.gutkowski/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustin-gutkowski-9a8474177/

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This week on Here's What We Know, we’re talking with the incredible Faith Martin, a woman who proves that life doesn’t slow down after 60, it just gets more interesting.

You might know her from her voice on the radio, her music, or her appearance on The Golden Bachelor. Her journey is inspiring, funny, and full of heart. We talk about reinvention, connection, and why saying YES to life is the best move you can make. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• Why her guitar collection means so much (yes, there's a Jimi Hendrix story!)
• How she landed her first radio job with zero experience
• What surprised her most about The Golden Bachelor
• What it’s like broadcasting live from a horse trailer!

This episode is sponsored by: 

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

Bio:

Faith Martin is a vibrant 60-year-old radio host, musician, former high school teacher, and beloved personality from The Golden Bachelor. Born and raised in the mountains of Santa Cruz, California, Faith has spent her life in front of microphones, whether as a radio host, TV news anchor, podcaster, or classroom teacher.

She began her radio career in Provo, Utah, and spent a decade on-air in Salt Lake City before settling in Tri-Cities, Washington, in 1990. Today, she hosts three nationally syndicated radio shows and a lively podcast that dives into the joys and curveballs of modern dating.

Outside the studio, Faith is a thrill-seeker who lives life to the fullest. From diving with sharks and riding motorcycles to horseback adventures in the countryside, she finds freedom in movement and music. A talented singer and guitarist, she’s never far from her instruments, or her animals.

Faith is the proud mother of two sons and adoring grandmother to five grandchildren, who she says are the greatest loves of her life. She also cherishes time with her horses, two dogs, and, of course, her ever-growing guitar collection.

Website: https://www.thefaithmartin.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fmfaithmartin35

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@fmfaithmartin35

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This week on Here's What We Know, Gary shares a pint (and some amazing stories) with Dan Gordon of Gordon Biersch Brewery! From a teen trip to Germany that changed his life to crafting beers for big names like Sammy Hagar, Ryan Reynolds, and Trader Joe’s, Dan’s journey is equal parts inspiring and entertaining.

Plus, they dig into the heart of brewing, why music and beer are surprisingly connected, and how to do Oktoberfest the right way.

Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast or just love a good story about pursuing your passion and inspiration, this episode is for you! Give it a listen, and maybe crack open a cold one while you do!

In This Episode:

• How a 15-year-old’s trip to Germany sparked a lifelong career
• The science behind consistent, quality beer making
• What it’s like brewing for Trader Joe’s, Kirkland, Betty Buzz, and beyond
• How Dan’s music background shapes teamwork and creativity in business
• Tips for Oktoberfest (and what to eat with your beer!)

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

Dan Gordon is the co-founder of Gordon Biersch and one of America’s top brewing engineers. A San Jose native, Dan earned his brewing degree from the prestigious Technical University of Munich in Weihenstephan—becoming the first American in over 40 years to do so. Before that, he studied resource economics at UC Berkeley and gained hands-on experience at Anheuser-Busch and Spaten Brewery.

In 1988, Dan partnered with Dean Biersch to launch their first brewery restaurant in Palo Alto, helping to pioneer the brewpub concept in California. Today, he still oversees operations in San Jose, ensuring every beer follows traditional German purity laws using premium ingredients.

Beyond beer, Dan is also an accomplished jazz trombonist, performing across the Bay Area and recording with artists like Michael Davis and Curtis Campbell. Whether he’s brewing lagers or laying down brass lines, Dan brings heart, discipline, and creativity to everything he does.

Website: https://gordonbiersch.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-gordon-6429916/

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

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

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

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This week on Here's What We Know, we're welcoming back our very first three-time guest, Sam LaCrosse! From Olympic athletes to comedians, we've had some incredible conversations—but Sam always brings fresh, thought-provoking insights.

If you're looking for an honest, down-to-earth conversation about life, business, relationships, and staying true to your values—this episode is for you.

In This Episode:

• The power of consistency in content creation and how it’s helped Sam (and can help you too!) stay ahead.
• His bold leap from corporate life to building the Value Economics Academy—and scaling it with heart.
• A candid chat on modern dating dynamics and the rise of the “passport bros” movement.
• Why Sam believes therapy culture sometimes replaces valuable family conversations, and how self-reliance plays a role.
• Insightful tips for entrepreneurs on building businesses that stay true to personal values.
• A heartfelt look at how parenting is often misunderstood in today’s society as a “burden” instead of a source of fulfillment.

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

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, which makes no money. He is also a board member of Thrive Living Corporation and an ambassador for RallyCap Sports.

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

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/realsamlax/

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

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Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!