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This week on Here's What We Know, we’re rolling with the laughs—and some heartfelt moments—with the hilarious and down-to-earth Felipe Esparza! Felipe joins us ahead of his sold-out show at the San Jose Civic (May 10!), and we dive into everything from his early days at the San Jose Improv to what it’s like raising a stepson who's enthusiastically trying to embrace his Mexican roots (despite being very white).

Whether you’ve been a Felipe fan for years or you’re just getting to know him, this episode is full of laughs, real talk, and the kind of heart that sticks with you. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• How Felipe transforms personal pain into laugh-out-loud comedy
• Hilarious dating stories featuring “smart women with low standards”
• Lessons from comedy greats like Richard Pryor
• A peek into his hit podcast, What’s Up Fool? and History for Fools
• Behind-the-scenes look at the art of stand-up, comedic timing, and joke crafting

This episode is sponsored by:

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

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

Bio:

Felipe Esparza is a comedian and actor best known for his multiple stand-up specials, winning Last Comic Standing and his recurring roles on “The Eric Andre Show,” “Superstore,” and “Gentefied.” He’s also the host of a popular podcast called “What’s Up Fool?” that has been running for 10 years.

Website: https://felipesworld.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/felipeesparza

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

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

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

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This week on Here's What We Know, we’re sitting down with the incredibly talented Michael Hardy—better known as HARDY. He’s the genre-bending singer-songwriter making waves in both the country and rock scenes, and he’s got stories, heart, and grit to spare. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• How HARDY balances rock grit with country soul
• What it’s like having #1 songs in two genres at once
• The story behind “Jim Bob” and other bold songwriting choices
• Behind-the-scenes of Wait In The Truck and acting alongside Lainey Wilson
• From Charlie Daniels to Brad Paisley, discover the country artists who shaped and inspired him

📌 Catch HARDY live at Shoreline Amphitheatre on June 7! See you there!

This episode is sponsored by:

Tranont

Dignity Memorial

Bio:

Michael Wilson Hardy—known simply as HARDY—is a genre-blending powerhouse in country and rock music. Originally from Mississippi, he started his career as a hit songwriter for artists like Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, and Morgan Wallen before stepping into the spotlight with his own gritty, high-energy sound. With songs like “TRUCK BED” and “One Beer,” HARDY brings bold storytelling, small-town heart, and a rock ‘n’ roll edge to everything he does. Whether he’s on stage or behind the mic, HARDY keeps it honest, loud, and unapologetically real.

Website: https://hardyofficial.com/

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

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

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

YouTube: @HARDYmusic

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This week on Here's What We Know, meet Carrie E. Pierce—an accomplished writer with over 20 years of experience who started her creative career in the film industry, working behind the scenes with makeup and special effects. But her heart always belonged to storytelling, and today, she’s writing children’s books that tackle big emotions with grace, honesty, and a whole lot of Southern charm.

In This Episode:

• Carrie’s journey from film sets to writing
• Why her children’s books tackle big emotions like grief and fear
• The hilarious pitfalls of Southern dialect + voice-to-text (spoiler: bald peanuts)
• A surprisingly thoughtful tangent about lizard people
• What it really takes to get through the hard parts of writing (and life)
• Pulling back the curtain on the darker corners of the entertainment industry, where exploitation often hides in plain sight
• Carrie shares the deeply personal inspiration behind her book Becoming Billie
• Reflections on societal issues—from high-profile scandals shaking up entire industries to the quest for authenticity
• And when it comes to protecting our kids? We get real about the moral responsibility we all share in pushing back against hypersexualization

This episode is sponsored by:

Dignity Memorial

Bio:

Carrie E. Pierce has over 20 years of experience in publishing, radio, & TV. She is a published author and ghostwriter. Her children’s book Abby Apple Tree was named a finalist for an Eric Hoffer Award. She is a partner in Morgan Pierce Media & Publishing. And her subscription service Letters from Elizabeth, delivers thoughtfully penned letters twice a month to women who suddenly find themselves alone after a major life change later in life.

Carrie lives in Idaho, surrounded by good friends, gorgeous scenery, and amazing people. When not writing, she enjoys snowshoeing, gardening, good food and wine, and dancing. When writing, her trusty 20-year-old cat, Bluey, is almost always to be found snoring on a pillow next to Carrie’s desk.

Website: https://morganpiercemediapublishing.com/

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

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

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

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This week on Here’s What We Know, we’re sitting down with one of the most respected legal minds in the country—Stanley M. Brand. Stan is the former General Counsel to Speaker Tip O’Neill and has tackled some of the highest-profile political and public corruption cases, representing figures like George Stephanopoulos, Tony Coelho, and Dan Rostenkowski. Beyond the courtroom, he spent over 30 years as Vice president of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, shaping the future of America’s favorite pastime. Now, as a Distinguished Fellow at Penn State Dickinson Law, he’s sharing all his knowledge with the next generation of lawyers. Tune in now for a conversation full of stories, wisdom, and a few surprises along the way!

In This Episode:

• Defending the Powerful: Go behind the scenes of high-profile political trials and hear how Stan kept his cool under the weight of media scrutiny.
• From the Courtroom to the Classroom: Why did one of Washington’s sharpest legal minds trade trials for teaching? Stan shares how he’s shaping the next generation of lawyers with hands-on, experience-driven learning.
• FBI, DOJ & The Trust Gap: Stan offers bold insights on government overreach and why many Americans are skeptical of federal investigations today. Think you know how the system works? Think again.
• Baseball Meets the Law: 30+ years as VP of Minor League Baseball means Stan has stories—from antitrust showdowns to how economic shifts are reshaping the game.
  Old-School Wisdom Meets Today’s Chaos: What Tip O’Neill taught him about bipartisan leadership—and why that kind of political wisdom is sorely missing in today’s climate.
• A Real-Life Perry Mason Moment: You’ll love the jaw-dropping story where Stan turns a trial on its head—live in court—with a single question.

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

Stanley M. Brand supervises the Semester in Washington internship program. Professor Brand is senior counsel in Akin Gump's litigation practice in Washington, D.C., and has enjoyed success representing corporations, trade associations, labor unions, and individuals in major justice department, grand jury and independent counsel investigations and trial proceedings including Whitewater, HUD, the savings and loan crisis and the campaign finance task force investigations. Earlier in his career, Professor Brand served as general counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives and was the chief legal officer responsible for representing the House, its members, officers, and employees in connection with legal procedures and challenges to the conduct of their official activities. With over thirty years of experience, Professor Brand offers students a particularly sharp insight into federal regulatory and legislative practice in Washington, DC. In addition to his legal work, Professor Brand serves as the Vice-President of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stan-brand-3293501/

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This week on Here’s What We Know, get ready to be inspired by the incredible journey of Anne Montgomery—a woman who’s rewritten the rules more than once and continues to live a life full of passion, purpose, and heart. Anne made history as one of the first women sportscasters on television, and is reported to be the only female high school football referee in the state of Arizona. But her story doesn’t stop there. From breaking barriers in sports broadcasting to shaping young minds in the classroom and becoming a foster mom, Ann’s story is all heart and hustle. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• The Journey of a Trailblazer: How Anne paved the way for women in sports broadcasting
• Curiosity as a Superpower: Why staying curious leads to growth, at any stage of life
• Lessons from the Field: The surprising life skills sports teach us
  Women in Sports: What’s changed—and what still needs to
• Teaching & Transformation: How a shift to education gave Anne a new purpose
• Life’s Twists & Turns: The beauty of embracing the unexpected
• Storytelling with Heart: Anne’s passion for uncovering hidden histories through fiction

This episode is sponsored by:

Tranont 

Reed Animal Hospital

(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)

Bio:

Anne Butler Montgomery has worked as a television sportscaster, newspaper and magazine writer, teacher, author, and amateur sports official. Her first TV job came at WRBL-TV in Columbus, Georgia, and led to positions at WROC-TV in Rochester, New York, KTSP-TV in Phoenix, Arizona, and ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut, where she anchored the Emmy and ACE award-winning SportsCenter. She finished her on-camera broadcasting career with a two-year stint as the studio host for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns. Montgomery was a freelance and/or staff reporter for six publications, writing sports, features, movie reviews, and archeological pieces. Her novels include Your Forgotten Sons, The Castle, A Light in the Desert, Wild Horses on the Salt, The Scent of Rain, and Wolf Catcher. Montgomery taught journalism and communication skills in a Title I high school for 20 years and was an amateur sports official for four decades, a time during which she called baseball, ice hockey, soccer, and basketball games and served as a high school football referee and crew chief. Montgomery is a foster mom to three sons and a daughter. When she can, she indulges in her passions: rock collecting, scuba diving, and playing her guitar. She splits her time between Phoenix, Arizona and St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Website: https://annemontgomerywriter.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-montgomery-1b995b23/

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

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Some superheroes wear capes… but this one delivers hope, joy, and community impact.

This week on Here's What We Know, join us for an extraordinary episode where we dive into the inspiring journey of Timothy Glover, aka Dash Gordon—a man who turned life’s challenges into something truly incredible—a mission of making a real difference. This conversation will inspire you to make a difference—big or small—in your own community. Tune in now!

In This Episode:

• Meet Dash Gordon: How Tim transformed his life and found purpose in unexpected ways.
• The Birth of the Dash Gordon Foundation: What started as a simple DoorDash gig evolved into something much greater.
• From Personal Struggles to Community Hero: From foster care to becoming a local superhero.
• Impactful Initiatives: The Winter Formal & A Night to Remember Pageant—bringing joy to special needs individuals.
• Unwavering Faith & Purpose: How faith and resilience shaped his journey.

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

​Timothy Glover, also known as "Dash Gordon," is a community advocate and founder of the Dash Gordon Foundation, dedicated to uplifting special needs, disabled, and at-risk individuals. In March 2022, Tim began delivering food for DoorDash to fund a vacation for his wife, Natalie, who was battling stage five kidney failure. Seeking to bring joy to his deliveries, he donned a superhero costume and adopted the moniker "Dash Gordon," transforming routine deliveries into moments of delight for his community. 

This initiative quickly evolved into the Dash Gordon Foundation, which creates inclusive events and provides resources for individuals with disabilities and their families. Tim's efforts have garnered widespread recognition, establishing him as a local hero in League City, Texas. Through his foundation, Tim continues to spread joy and foster a sense of belonging, demonstrating the profound impact of compassion and community engagement.​

Website: https://www.thedashgordonfoundation.org/

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dash_gordon2022/

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

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

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This week on Here's What We Know, we sit down with the brilliant Gregg Hurwitz—#1 New York Times internationally bestselling author of 26 thrillers, including the Orphan X series. Gregg takes us behind the scenes of his writing journey, the evolution of Orphan X, and what it takes to craft unforgettable characters. From his early inspirations to the emotional depths of Evan Smoak, he shares the intricacies of his creative process, character development, and even a few surprises about what’s next for Orphan X. Don't miss this fascinating conversation!

In This Episode:

• Gregg’s Writing Journey: How a love for literature (and a deep dive into psychology) shaped his storytelling.
• The Birth of Orphan X: What makes Evan Smoak so addictive to readers—and how he’s grown over ten books.
• The Secret Sauce to Character Development: How psychology, mythology, and a bit of magic help create unforgettable characters.
• Why Nemesis Hits Different: The emotional punch of Book 10 and why it might be the most personal yet.
• Audiobook Alchemy with Scott Brick: How the right narrator can breathe life into a story.
• Orphan X on the Big Screen?: Gregg’s take on Hollywood adaptations, dream casting, and the challenges of bringing Evan Smoak to life on screen.

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

GREGG HURWITZ is the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling author of 26 thrillers including the Orphan X series. His novels have won numerous literary awards and have been published in 33 languages. Gregg currently serves as the Co-President of International Thriller Writers (ITW). Additionally, he’s written screenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks, comics for AWA (including the critically acclaimed anthology NewThink), DC, and Marvel, and poetry. Currently, Gregg is actively working against polarization in politics and culture. To that end, he's penned op-eds for The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Bulwark, Salon, and others, and has produced hundreds of commercials and creative content that have gotten several hundred million views on digital TV platforms. He also helped write the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup.

Website: https://gregghurwitz.net/

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

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

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

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This week on Here's What We Know, we welcome the one and only Rhonda Vincent, the crowned Queen of Bluegrass! She takes us behind the scenes of her incredible journey, from growing up in a bluegrass family to sharing the stage with legends like Dolly Parton, Cody Johnson, and Faith Hill. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• How Rhonda officially became bluegrass royalty after being recognized by The Wall Street Journal and crowned by an Iowa organization.
• Growing up surrounded by music, learning multiple instruments under her father’s guidance, and embracing the deep traditions of bluegrass.
• The incredible story of how a surprise call from Dolly herself led to a magical collaboration. Plus, Rhonda shares heartwarming stories about Dolly’s kindness and generosity.
• From teaming up with Cody Johnson and Faith Hill to reimagining Olivia Newton-John’s "Please Mr. Please" as a bluegrass hit.
• Rhonda’s daughter is making history as the first female lead in the U.S. Navy Band Country Current!
• Rhonda opens up about nerve-wracking moments at Dollywood and the joy of recording American Grandstand with the late Daryl Singletary.

This episode is sponsored by:

Dignity Memorial 

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

Bio:

Rhonda Vincent is a Grammy-winning bluegrass artist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, Grand Ole Opry member, and one of the genre’s most respected musicians. Known as the "Queen of Bluegrass," she blends powerhouse vocals, masterful musicianship, and heartfelt storytelling. With a career spanning decades, Rhonda has earned countless awards and accolades, solidifying her place as a true icon in country and bluegrass music.

Website: https://rhondavincent.com/

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

Youtube: @rhondavincent

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This week on Here's What We Know, Gary welcomes back John Zaller, the brilliant executive producer of Exhibition Hub, who has brought some of the most breathtaking immersive experiences to life—including Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience and Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience.

John takes us deeper into his creative process, sharing stories from his most impactful projects. He explores how immersive environments can reshape our perceptions and reveals why art continues to serve as a sanctuary for so many. Tune in now!

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How immersive exhibitions are designed to make audiences feel like they’re stepping into another world.
• The fascinating story behind Dialogue in the Dark—an exhibition that turns the lights off and shifts perspectives on ability and disability.
• How Claude Monet’s deteriorating eyesight influenced his most famous works.
• Why art has the power to provide comfort, connection, and escape—even in the busiest, most chaotic times.

This episode is sponsored by:

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

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.

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

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

Claude Monet The Immersive Experience: https://monetexpo.com/

Bubble Planet in Denver: https://bubble-planet.com/denver/

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This week on Here's What We Know, Gary sits down with Loreal and Natasha from Arukah Project—an organization dedicated to combating sex trafficking across California—to have a crucial conversation about the realities of this crisis. They uncover the hidden truths of sex trafficking, share real-life stories, and discuss how their organization is working to bring restoration and hope to survivors.

Loreal and Natasha break down common misconceptions, reveal how traffickers exploit vulnerabilities, and emphasize the importance of education and awareness. This episode will not only open your eyes but also inspire you to be part of the solution.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The meaning of 'Arukah'—a Hebrew word for restoration to wholeness—and its significance in shaping their mission
• The shocking reality of how sex trafficking occurs in plain sight.
• How traffickers manipulate personal and economic vulnerabilities to entrap victims
• The critical role of education in prevention and how communities can take action
• Specialized training programs that teach individuals how to identify trafficking signs both online and offline
• Why parental involvement is essential in protecting children and fostering safety conversations

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Habana Cuba (Be sure to use code "Gary20" to get 20% off your order!)

Bio:

Loreal Weitzel graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Santa Cruz, is a Certified Human Trafficking Case Manager in California, and has an MA in Intercultural Studies with a focus on Children at Risk from Fuller Seminary. She founded Arukah Project in 2019 with a passion to restore the lives of sex trafficking survivors from all over California. 

Natasha (last name withheld for privacy) is the Deputy Executive Director of the Arukah Project with over 20 years of experience in the field. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and is deeply committed to making a difference.

Website: https://www.arukahproject.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arukah.project/

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

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