
This week on the Here’s What We Know Podcast, host Gary Scott Thomas had an amazing and fun-filled chat with our special guest, the esteemed veterinarian, Dr. Dave Reed from Reed Animal Hospital, in the Bay Area. With years of experience under his belt and countless pet lives saved, his passion for his profession and dedication to animal welfare are truly inspiring. His journey started on a farm in the Midwest, where he grew up around animals, leading him initially to aspire to be a mixed animal practitioner.
Tune into this engaging conversation filled with personal anecdotes, professional expertise, humor, and heartfelt advice on caring for our furry friends!
This episode is sponsored by:


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In This Episode:
- Being a Vet: Understand the commitment involved in becoming a vet – 8 years of education, including specialization
- Career Highlights: Hear about Dr.Dave’s memorable encounter with famous veterinarian James Herriot and how he decided against large animal practice.
- Fear Free Veterinary Medicine: Learn about ‘fear-free veterinary medicine’ that focuses on creating relaxed environments for pets and their owners.
- Dealing with Pets: Discover how to anticipate dog behavior to avoid bites and understand why cats can be more unpredictable than dogs.
- Pet Health Indicators: Find out when pet lethargy should cause concern and other signs of ill health in pets.
- Communication is Key: Learn how effective communication can address the many concerns of first-time pet owners.
- Changes Over Time: Reflect on the significant advancements in veterinary medicine over the past decades due to increased care levels for pets seen as family members rather than outdoor creatures.
Quotations:
“It’s surprising though, the number of people that ask me, they say, are you going to retire? And I think to myself, no, I don’t think so. You know? I love what I do. ~ Dr. Dave Reed
“Thank you to you, good pet owners. Because, to be honest with you, if we didn’t have good pet owners asking us to do these things, we would’ve been doing it just like we did it 30 years ago”. ~ Dr. Dave Reed
“They’re not our children, but they are a significant member of the family.” ~ Dr. Dave Reed
Guest’s Bio:
Dr. David Reed of Reed Animal Hospital grew up on a farm in Illinois and has loved animals since his childhood. An alumnus of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine, he soon moved to the Bay Area, where he has made the exceptional veterinary care of cats and dogs his professional passion for more than three decades. He enjoys working with the community through low-cost vaccination clinics, speaking at local schools, and working with the Santa Clara County Sheriff K9 Unit. He considers working with the amazing police dogs some of his most rewarding work. Recently, “Dr. Dave” was voted one of the Bay Area’s Best Veterinarians, along with Dr. Dave’s Doggie Daycare as one of the Best Doggie Daycares, in Bay Woof Magazine’s Beast of the Bay Awards. Dr. Reed is highly respected and beloved by his furry patients and their families.
Guest’s Contact Info:
Website: https://www.reedanimalhospital.com/

This week on the Here’s What We Know Podcast, our host Gary Scott Thomas had a fascinating conversation with Hollywood’s comedy sensation, Fortune Feimster. For over two decades, Fortune has been crafting an innovative, inclusive, and unparalleled career. Whether she’s on stage, in the radio studio, or on screen, her contagious and joyous comedy continues to touch lives and bring people together every day. Fortune shared her career journey, starting from humble beginnings in a small town to achieving success in Hollywood through sheer determination, hard work, humor, and a dash of luck. Her continued humility despite her growth is truly inspiring!
Join us in this exciting episode and hear more of Fortune’s story about her comedic techniques and future aspirations. With opportunities rolling in as quickly as punchlines, it’s evident that this determined and unflinching comedian is just beginning her remarkable journey. Indeed, Fortune Feimster is making waves everywhere.
Be sure to check her tour schedule to see if she’s performing in a city near you and experience her extraordinary talent in person!
This episode is sponsored by:

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In This Episode:
- Fotune’s Humble Beginnings
- Career Progression
- Upcoming Events
- Netflix Special Projects
- Acting Techniques
- Future Goals
- The Power of Podcasting
Quotations:
“I was like a kid in a candy store.” ~ Fortune Feimster
“I just couldn’t believe that they were like taking that kind of time with even someone like me who was such a small part of that.” ~ Fortune Feimster
“At this point, I’ll take anything to make whatever part of my body I could use to make people laugh, I’ll use it.” ~ Fortune Feimster
“I think stand-up will always be part of my career just because it’s the one medium that you have complete control over. It’s a way to connect to your audience without any middleman, and I really love that part of my business. And I think it’s the thing that has made people get to know me the most and, uh, understand who I am as a person.” ~ Fortune Feimster
Guest’s Bio:
Fortune Feimster, a stand-up comedian, writer, and actor known for her affable and charismatic presence, wields her unique brand of confessional comedy to unite people from all walks of life. You can catch Fortune across various media platforms, whether through radio broadcasts, appearances on both the big and small screens or during her nationwide stand-up comedy tours. Her first one-hour special, Sweet & Salty, is currently available for streaming on Netflix and earned a well-deserved nomination for Best Comedy Special at the Critics’ Choice Awards. Prior to this, Netflix showcased her talents in a half-hour special as part of The Standups in 2018, which garnered enthusiastic reviews. Fortune has graced late-night television with memorable sets on Conan and Late Night with Seth Meyers. She also boasts another acclaimed half-hour special on Comedy Central. Starting her career in Los Angeles as a member of the esteemed Groundlings Sunday Company, Fortune first gained national recognition as a writer and panelist on E’s popular show Chelsea Lately. This was followed by series regular roles on Hulu’s The Mindy Project and NBC’s Champions. Her versatile talent has led to numerous guest appearances and recurring roles on a variety of TV shows, including Ru Paul’s Drag Race, Dear White People, Drunk History, Claws, 2 Broke Girls, Workaholics, Glee, Idiotsitter, Tales of the City, The L Word: Generation Q, Life in Pieces, and @Midnight.
On the silver screen, Fortune has made her mark in films like Office Christmas Party, Social Animals, Father of the Year, and Yes Day. Her distinctive voice can be recognized in various animated roles, such as Evelyn on The Simpsons, Brenda on Fox’s Bless the Harts, and Ava on Cartoon Network’s Summer Camp. Fortune can be heard alongside Tom Papa on Sirius XM’s channel 93 in their show, What a Joke with Papa and Fortune, every morning. She also co-hosts a weekly podcast with her partner, Jax, aptly named Sincerely Fortune.Her career has continued to flourish with recurring appearances on Lights Out with David Spade on Comedy Central. Currently, she stars alongside David Spade in the new Netflix series, The Netflix Afterparty. You can also catch her playing Pam on NBC’s Kenan or Pinky in the recently released Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar. Not limited to her on-screen endeavors, Fortune’s creative prowess extends to writing. She has co-written and sold two comedy pilots to ABC, with one of them produced by the esteemed Tina Fey. Additionally, she is set to co-write and star in two feature films, Bad Cop Bad Cop and Field Trip, both acquired by Spielberg’s Amblin Pictures.
Guest’s Contact Info:
Website: https://www.fortunefeimster.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fortunefunny/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fortunefeimster/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortunefeimster/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/funnyfortune
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@fortunefeimster/
Merch Website: https://fortunefeimster.merchmadeeasy.com/

This week on the Here’s What We Know Podcast, join us in this enlightening episode as we dive deep into the world of chronic pain with our guest, Dr. Afton Hassett, an experienced pain psychologist and the author of “Chronic Pain Reset”. She offers informative content about how stress and mental health are intertwined with physical discomfort and delves into various aspects of chronic pain—its effects, causes, and potential treatments.
Listen in and discover valuable insights about how your emotions can affect your perception of discomfort, and learn practical strategies for dealing with persistent affliction. And together, let’s unlock the power of positivity in healing!
This episode is sponsored by:


In This Episode:
- The Intersection of Mental and Physical Health
- Resilience in Managing Chronic Pain
- The Power of Social Interaction
- Customizing Treatment Plans
- The Neuroscience Behind Pain
- The Invisible Nature Of Pain
- The Role Of Physical Activity And Sleep In Managing Chronic Pain
- Negative Impact Of Modern Devices On Sleep Quality
- Understanding Chronic Pain
- The Biopsychosocial Aspects of Pain
- Rewiring the Brain
- The Limitations Of Pharmaceuticals
- The Power Of Holistic Methods
- Pain Relief Through Enjoyable Activities
Quotations:
“I think one of the most healing things that we can do is to just kind of step outside of ourselves.” ~ Dr. Afton Hassett
” The coolest evidence we have to date is that our emotions and our mindset can indeed influence our immunity and our ability to fight off a common cold and other viruses.” ~ Dr. Afton Hassett
“People just have to be open to kind of keep trying different things, and that’s what matters is to continue to try.” ~ Dr. Afton Hassett
“My goal is that down the road, I won’t even be helping people with chronic pain. That’ll be cured. But by helping them, I’m leading a life that feels really rich and rewarding.” ~ Dr. Afton Hassett
Guest’s Bio:
Dr. Afton Hassett is a licensed clinical psychologist and an Associate Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at the University of Michigan. She received her BFA from Colorado State University and her doctorate from Alliant International University in San Diego, CA. As a principal investigator at the Chronic Pain & Fatigue Research Center, she conducts interdisciplinary research related to exploring the role of cognitive, affective, and behavioral factors in chronic pain populations. She has published over 100 peer-reviewed articles and is a leader in the field of resilience and pain research. Her work has focused on exploring positive emotions and affective balance in people with pain; health-related quality of life in adult and pediatric rheumatology patients; and novel interventions to promote resilience and self-management for individuals with chronic pain. She is committed to education for individuals at many levels including patients, undergraduate and graduate students, medical residents, postdocs, physicians, and other healthcare providers. Dr. Hassett is the Director of Clinical Pain Research at the Back & Pain Center and the Past President of the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals – a division of the American College of Rheumatology. Current funding sources include National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS), National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the University of Michigan. With over $14M of research funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Afton’s mission is to bring evidence-based strategies from research and academic settings to the people themselves. Her life’s work is dedicated to helping people with chronic pain live lives with less pain, greater happiness, and renewed purpose in life.
Guest’s Contact Info:
Website: https://aftonhassett.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AftonHassett/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aftonhassett/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/afton-hassett-1982b323/