Trivia Thursday, the August 2024 Edition today! Guys v the Gals. Who...wins?...

Find out answers to scintillating questions like:
* Which state joined the Union in August 1959? (it was the 50th and final one to do so)
* Delaware, Pennsylvania & New Jersey were the first three states in U.S. history. Which were the final five (each becoming part of the Union after 1900)?
* August 26 each year is International / National Cat? Dog? Fish? Ferret??? Day... (which animal?)
* Which national icon passed away on August 16, 1977 (when Tim was 9 years old :))?

In between questions, Tim shares about his daughter Victoria Joy's recent back surgery, eBay shopping thoughts, and his favorite Christmas album, with producer Victoria chiming in including a special tidbit about the August 16, 1977 trivia question.

(If you're thinking, "Sounds good...but isn't Trivia Thursday the second Thursday of the month??" You would be completely--correct! However, occasionally certain circumstances preclude that from happening, and if so, we reschedule to whenever it's possible to do so)

Thanks also to Bryner Chevrolet in Jenkintown PA (www.brynerchevy.com) for the gift cards to WaWa we gave to each Trivia Thursday participant!

Sports audio:
Rob Thomson (Philadelphia Phillies manager) (courtesy of MLB.com)

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Dr. Danny Huerta, Vice President, Parenting & Youth with Focus on the Family kicks off the show today. Dr. Huerta is a bilingual psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, and author of 7 Traits of Effective Parenting. His work involves providing practical, Biblically-based, and research-based parenting advice on topics ranging from media discernment, discipline, and communication to conflict resolution and healthy sexuality. He shares also about Focus' Launch Into the Teen Years, a resource to help parents prepare their children for adolescence, two podcasts he co-hosts ("Practice Makes Parent" with Rebecca St. James and "Focus on Parenting" with John Fuller) and Focus' Age & Stage parenting resource materials. More information is available at www.focusonparenting.com and www.mykidsage.com. 

Gerry Cooney gets in the ring with us today too :). The two-time heavyweight championship contender was 25-0 before losing an epic match with Larry Holmes in the 13th round on June 11, 1982. After several more victories, Cooney concluded his boxing career with losses to Michael Spinks and George Foreman (who shared on David Letterman that Cooney was the hardest puncher he ever faced). Cooney's book Gentleman Gerry--A Contender in the Ring, A Champion in Recovery details his boxing career, the challenges of his upbringing (including a father who battled alcohol), self-esteem, Gerry's own struggles with alcohol, drugs, and fame...and his current desire to use his platform to benefit others.

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Lisa Anderson, Director of Boundless and Young Adults at Focus on the Family, joins the show with conversation different from her usual area of expertise, sharing insight and tips gleaned from her experience caring for her mother with dementia. Lisa is always a great guest at sharing openly and honestly in a very fun yet serious way at the same time. She hosts "The Boundless Show" heard Saturdays at 830pm on WFIL. FInd out more at www.boundless.org.

Author Chris Epting checks in as well regarding his new book, Where One Hears The Rain: Finding Your Voice and Crafting Your Story, from Inspiration to Publication. Epting, whose mentor was American novelist John Cheever, offers tools to help you overcome writer's block, develop your writing skills, and gain the confidence you need to tell your story and share it with a broader audience. He has written 46 travel/history books including John Oates' (Hall & Oates) memoir Change of Seasons and Lost Landmarks of Orange County (which he discussed with us on the program back in May '24).

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Chris Raymond, author of Men In White--The Gutsy, Against-All-Odds Return of Penn State Football, shares the story of the young athletes who defied all odds and rescued Penn State's football program in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. On November 5, 2011, news came out that Sandusky--a longtime assistant football coach at Penn State--had been charged with several dozen counts of child molestation, rocking the university including unseating Penn State's president, athletic director, and Coach Joe Paterno, as well as casting the future of Penn State football in serious jeopardy. The book recounts the saga of the student athletes who elected to stay and rebuild the program in the years that followed. It's a football book but also contains storylines beyond the field itself and themes of perseverance, sacrifice, and leadership.

Jeanette Lee also joins the show today! Aka "The Black Widow," Lee achieved legendary billiards status when she became the top-ranked female pool player in the world in the 1990s, winning over 30 national and international titles. Lee typically dressed in black from head-to-toe as she racked up win after win and was later featured in an ESPN 30-for-30 documentary. Her new book Black Widow: A Memoir takes a look at her career, lifelong struggle with scoliosis, her Stage 4 cancer, and her faith in the Lord. You can find out more at www.caromsports.com.

Now THAT'S Punny caps off the program with special sound effects sidekick (and Tim's f_vorite daughter :)) Theodora DeMoss.

Clips:
* J. Jackson, lead singer of Apologetix
* Pastor Terry Davis (host of "We're Better Together", new program on WFIL, heard weekdays at 2pm)
* Academy Award-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr

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Dr. Matthew Flannery (CEO of 21st Century Cyber Charter School) kicks off the program today. Dr. Flannery shares "the what" and "the why" about the school (which has students from 300 school districts across Pennsylvania) and how your son or daughter can benefit. 21st Century Cyber Charter School is fully-accredited with tuition covered by the district where you live. More information is available at www.21cccs.org :)

ESPN's Sarah Spain, an Emmy and Peabody-Award winning sports journalist, joins the show to talk about "Good Game"--a new daily podcast covering women's sports. Edgy at times, the podcast is designed to tackle the headlines of the day while incorporating interviews and opportunities to interact.

Fab Morvan of Milli Vanilli also jumps on the program with thoughts on the new biopic, "Girl You Know It's True." Morvan and the other half of Milli Vanilli--Rob Pilatus (who passed away in 1998)--became global stars in the late 80s/early 90s with songs like “Baby, Don’t Forget My Number,” “Blame It On the Rain” and “Girl I’m Gonna Miss You,” all of which went to #1 in the U.S.

Meanwhile, a small circle of insiders knew that the Rob & Fab were not actually singing but rather lip-syncing to the voices of two other artists. At the height of their fame, Milli Vanilli won a Grammy Award, but the situation behind the scenes escalated, and the pressure on Rob and Fab grew. When the truth was revealed, they found themselves engulfed in one of the biggest scandals in music history.

A recurring part of the biopic is how Rob & Fab did want to sing on their songs and not lip sync…but for different reasons the idea was squashed or delayed and never happened. Maybe things would’ve turned out a lot differently if they’d been able to do so.

There’s some language, suggestive content and the band’s battle with drugs & alcohol, though those things are part of the Milli Vanilli story (not for gratuitiousness). “Girl You Know It’s True” and also deals with themes of self-worth, fake (and true) friendship, and justice.

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Adam Holz (Director of Plugged In, Focus on the Family's entertainment & technology review site) kicks off the program today. Plugged In's goal is to give information and insight on movies, TV shows, music, games, books and more regarding positive & negative elements and themes from a Christian world view. He speaks primarily to the new "Deadpool v Wolverine" film (rated R) starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. Find out more at www.pluggedin.com.

Admiral Bob Harward served 40 years in the military including war-fighting experience in Bosnia, Panama, Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq & Yemen. He never lost a single man under his command. His latest adventure involved setting a world record for parachuting onto Mount Everest. We discuss his new book The Gouge: How To Be Smarter Than the Situation You Are In.

Garry "G" Cobb, former NFL linebacker (including several seasons with the Eagles) and longtime sports talk host in Philadelphia, caps off the show with comments on the Eagles, his work with the incarcerated, and his go-go-go grandson (who turns 3 next month :)). Cobb will be at Gloucester County Community Church in Sewell, NJ at 11am on Saturday 8/3 along with several other former players, sharing their testimonies and how the gospel comes into play in everyday life. All are welcome to attend!

Sports clip: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles QB (courtesy of philadelphiaeagles.com)

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Jack Hibbs, pastor of Calvary Chapel (Chino Hills, CA) and heard weekdays at 9am on "Real Life Radio with Jack Hibbs" on WFIL, joins the show for the first time ever :)! We cover a lot of ground, from his testimony to unlikely start as a pastor, with thoughts on boldness, political responsibility, his book Living In The Daze of Deception, and the greatest prayer he has found to pray for others (and wishes to be prayed for him). Pastor Hibbs is also very excited about the recently-formed Real Life Network (www.reallifenetwork.com) featuring Christian teaching & programming 24/7/365, offered free.

On a related note, "Real Life Radio" is WFIL's "Ministry of the Month" for August. Receive a free download titled "Countdown: All Eyes on God's Ultimate Endgame" with an opportunity at other prizes on our home page at www.wfil.com. :)

Dr. Sharen Ford (Director, Foster Care & Adoption with Focus on the Family) also checks in to share about Focus' "Suitcase Bundle" program that has provided thousands of children with a 30-inch duffel bag (on wheels). Inside are three special items that serve as practical support & a constant reminder of each child's value to God even as their life circumstances may be in flux. We also talk a bit about the film Sound of Hope: the Story of Possum Trot (based on the book Small Town, Big Miracle published by Focus on the Family in 2007). More information (including how you and your church can be involved) is available at www.waitnomore.org.

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I (Tim) have known Tammy Trent for 25 years, beginning with spinning her songs on WFIL's sister station AM 990 WZZD (now WNTP) on the "Z Morning Show" in the '90s & 2000s. "Your Love Is 4 Always," "Everybody Move With It" (w DJ Maj of dcTalk/tobyMac) and "Welcome Home" were staples on the playlist back in the day, with a number of #1 and Top 10 singles in her career. Tammy's vibrant personality and Janet Jackson-esque grooves were always a welcome addition to the program, and in 2001, WZZD teamed up with Tammy for a concert in Montgomery County (PA).

Several months later--on September 10, 2001--Tammy and her husband Trent (from who she took her stage last name) were on a short vacation after a missions trip overseas when Trent passed away in a tragic diving accident. She has traveled a long road since then--a road involving much pain and sadness, healing, restoration and ministry opportunities including with Women of Faith conferences, The Revolve Tour for teen girls, her "Sunny Days" album (in 2013) and her book Learning To Breathe Again.

Currently Tammy is co-host of LIFE Today TV and is available for Women's Ministry Conferences and Retreats, Young Girls Events, fun & high-energy Kickoff or Closing Concert sets, and speaking engagements. Find out more at www.tammytrent.com.

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In March of 2019, we had the privilege of Pat Williams joining the Tim DeMoss Show for the full hour. At the time, he had just released a new book (something he'd done 100+ times in his life :)) entitled Character Carved in Stone: The 12 Core Values of West Point That Build Leaders And Produce Success.

In light of Mr. Williams' passing yesterday, on the program today (4pm-5pm) we feature much of that interview, covering ground from his days with the Phillies and 76ers (and in basketball in general), his appreciation for the Greater Philadelphia area (having grown up in Wilmington DE), certainly about leadership, and the biggest decision of his life which took place in February 1968--deciding to follow Jesus Christ.

Mr. Williams shares, "The first thing that hit me as a new Christian was I'm going to take my hands off my life and let the Lord lead through all of this. I was tired of trying to promote myself and climb the ladder. So I just relaxed and said, 'Lord, I'm in your hands.'" Several months later, he received a call from Dr. Jack Ramsay (then the 76ers GM and about to move into the team's head coaching position) asking Mr. Williams to run the team's front office, opening what turned into 50+ years in the NBA and a truly incredible life of friendships, accomplishments, ministry and service.

Pat tells the story about that call from Dr. Ramsay, plus others involving Moses Malone, Coach K, Dick Vermeil, Fergie Jenkins, Pistol Pete Maravich, Wilt Chamberlain and many more.

Find out more about Pat's life, work and legacy at www.patwilliams.com.

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Becky Brown, president of New Life Ministries and host of New Life Live! with Steve Arterburn joins the show today. Becky has served with the ministry over 20 years and shares with energy and joy the heart of New Life's work, of her appreciation for founder Steve Arterburn (who recently has stepped back in part due to health reasons), and regarding the various resources you can win this month (as New Life Live! is WFIL's Ministry of the Month for July).

John Ford Coley, of the Grammy-nominated duo England Dan & John Ford Coley (which featured 6 Top 20 songs including "I'd Really Love To See You Tonight" and "Love Is The Answer") checks in too. Coley released "Sketches Volume 1"--a collection of songs he recorded over the years but had never previously released--in 2021, and now that collection is available via streaming for the first time. He discusses the band, work with other artists, touring (including a date in PA this October) and more.

We also hand out a batch of Rita's gift cards, courtesy of Bryner Chevrolet in Jenkintown, PA.

Sports clip: Rob Thomson (Philadelphia Phillies manager) (from MLB.com)

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