Monthly Archives

November 2023

Nov 29
Love10

Jeff Dwoskin

By Comedian, Film, Fun, Movies No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, host Gary Scott Thomas had an engaging conversation filled with nostalgic moments and hidden gems from the past. Our guest is Jeff Dwoskin, an award-winning comedian known for Laughs, Detroit International Comedy Festival, and Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show. Listen to hear incredible stories from throughout his career, providing unique insights into his journey. Persistence, passion, and identity were key themes explored in this conversation–truly inspiring for anyone pursuing their dreams! Remember, each ‘no’ today could potentially turn into a ‘yes’ tomorrow! 

Join us as we continue exploring engaging conversations with individuals who’ve left an indelible mark on popular culture over decades!

This episode is sponsored by:

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In This Episode:

  • The Birth of Classic Conversation: Discover how the podcast evolved from a concept about social media named ‘Viral Intentions’ to its current form, focusing on pop culture nostalgia.
  • Guests Galore: Learn about the variety of personalities that have graced his show.
  • Interviewing Process and Preparation: Gain insights into how potential guests are approached and what goes into preparing for each interview.
  • Memorable Moments and Surprises: Hear fascinating anecdotes involving unexpected phone calls leading to impromptu interviews with comedians Robert Klein and Bernie Kopell, among others.
  • Special Highlight: Al Jean Interview: Don’t miss out on hearing about one of our most interesting guests, Al Jean, executive director and showrunner for The Simpsons!
  • Insightful Conversations: Tune in as we discuss intriguing topics stumbled upon during interviews.
  • Persistence Pays Off: Understand why persistence is key when reaching out for interviews despite initial rejections or ignored requests.

Quotations:

“When they know that you know them, then they’ll start telling you more stuff and they’ll open up to you and you’ll get a better interview because they start to trust you.”: ~ Jeff Dwoskin

“You can go back and ask again, just cause someone said no. At one point, the timing might have been wrong. I, you know, so it’s always worth it to kind of go back to that.”  ~ Jeff Dwoskin

“Some of these folks have dedicated their lives and do things that are so much cooler than the pop culture and nostalgia thing that we love.”  ~ Jeff Dwoskin

“You can tell the people that are timeless and amazing and really put the time in. It  definitely, uh, it definitely shows.”  ~ Jeff Dwoskin

“ I like finding stuff that I like. That people do that, um, that they don’t necessarily usually talk about.”  ~ Jeff Dwoskin

Guest’s Bio:

Jeff Dwoskin is a tech entrepreneur, podcaster, and award-winning comedian. Born in the suburbs of Detroit, he grew up in Farmington Hills, Michigan. Jeff is known for Laughs (2014) and Detroit International Comedy Festival (2010). He was the prestigious winner of the Dick Purtan Comedy Showcase and has appeared in numerous festivals.  As the host of Live from Detroit: The Jeff Dwoskin Show (2020), he fuses his passions for comedy, trending topics, pop culture, and all things social media into an ear-pleasing show with amazing guests from the worlds of comedy, acting, and social media.

He started his journey in the tech industry back in 1997, Jeff founded his own website development company, which quickly became one of the pioneering forces in the country. Amidst his tech endeavors, his comedic talents blossomed, beckoning him to the stage as a professional stand-up comedian. Additionally, Jeff is renowned for his significant contributions to social media. He founded Hashtag Roundup, a platform that facilitates over 8,000 top 10 USA trends on Twitter, showcasing his knack for understanding and engaging online audiences. Recognizing the power of platforms like Instagram, Jeff established Stampede Social, aimed at assisting creators in driving traffic to their content through innovative means beyond traditional links in bios.

Jeff Dwoskin’s versatile journey, seamlessly melding tech entrepreneurship and comedy, stands as a testament to his creative ingenuity and unyielding passion for both fields.

Guest’s Contact Info:

Website: https://jeffisfunny.com/

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

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

X: https://twitter.com/bigmacher

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheJeffDwoskinShow

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ph/bigmacher/the-jeff-dwoskin-show/

Jeff Dwoskin Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeffdwoskinshow/

Nov 22
Love12

Michael Ray

By Music No Comments

This week on the Here’s What We Know Podcast, host Gary Scott Thomas had the pleasure of sitting down with a talented country artist with four No. 1 hits under his belt, none other than Michael Ray. Join us as he shares his journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of country music’s top artists. This unique conversation explores not just the glitz and glamour but also reveals what happens behind the scenes in creating his unforgettable music. He also highlights his new album, the art of staying true to your style, and the grind behind success in music.

Listen to this episode filled with laughter and nostalgia as we dive deep into the world of country music!

This episode is sponsored by:

Tell them Gary sent you so you can save 20%!

In This Episode:

  • New Music Ventures: Learn about his exciting collaboration with producer Michael Knott as they take a fresh approach to crafting new music.
  • Musical Influences: Discover how traditional country musicians like top and modern-day singers have shaped his musical tastes.
  • The Journey to Artistic Identity: Hear about the challenges artists face in finding their true identity amidst industry trends and public opinions.
  • Country Music and Personal Experiences
  • Best Voices in Country Music History: Naming some of the best voices in country music history based not on popularity but pure vocal talent

Quotations:

“You have to be very okay with people liking you and not liking you. And people have an opinion that don’t even know you, you know, good and bad. And so really knowing who you are at the core is, it takes time, man, you know, and it takes time to have that confidence to stand up, go, here’s who I am, here’s what I’m singing, or here’s what I’m acting or doing, or, you know, whatever, here’s my business, here’s what we are.” ~ Michael Ray

“It’s all about the journey and the process  to get to where you’re going.” ~ Michael Ray

Guest’s Bio:

Michael Ray is an American country music singer known for his soulful voice, engaging stage presence, and chart-topping hits. Born in Eustis, Florida, he developed a passion for music at a young age and began performing in local venues as a teenager. Ray’s career took off after he won the reality TV singing competition “The Next: Fame Is at Your Doorstep” in 2012. This victory helped him secure a recording contract, and he released his self-titled debut album in 2015, featuring hit singles like “Kiss You in the Morning” and “Think a Little Less.” His music draws from traditional country roots while incorporating a modern edge, making him a favorite among both country purists and contemporary country music fans. Ray’s energetic and heartfelt performances have endeared him to a wide audience, and he has continued to release successful albums, including “Amos” (2018) and “Higher Education” (2021). Throughout his career, Michael Ray has earned critical acclaim and numerous award nominations, cementing his status as a prominent figure in the country music industry. He remains an artist to watch for future chart-topping hits and captivating live performances, solidifying his place in the world of American country music.

Guest’s Contact Info:

Website: https://www.michaelraymusic.com/spiritsanddemons

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

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

X: https://twitter.com/Michaelraymusic

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSbgR_d3CJkhvulX2kgt_YQ

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6ghiFYcwn2Vzl6K50U0UPz

Nov 15
Love10

Stephanie Clifford

By Author No Comments

This week on the Here’s What We Know Podcast, host Gary Scott Thomas had a wonderful conversation with an award-winning investigative journalist and a best-selling novelist, Stephanie Clifford. In this episode, they dive deep into the world of her latest novel, “The Farewell Tour,” inspired by the American West. It is a story about Lilian Waters, a strong-willed woman navigating her way through 1920s Washington State and stepping into the music industry in the ’50s. Listen in to hear more of Stephanie’s journey about how writing this novel has been a labor of love filled with challenges and discoveries along the way.

This episode is sponsored by:

(Use code “GST” to enjoy an exclusive 10% off on your favorite shoes!)

In This Episode:

  • Consider keeping your initial ideas for a project private to allow creativity to flow without outside interference.
  • Research the historical context of your story’s setting and time, as this can provide unique plot points and deepen the storyline.
  • Draw inspiration from unexpected sources, such as obituaries or historical documents.
  • Accurately portray significant figures in your work to respect their influence and impact on history.
  • Reflect on how societal norms have changed, particularly regarding gender roles within specific industries like music.
  • Incorporate personal growth and development into character arcs, showing that they learn valuable lessons throughout their journey.
  • Persist with developing skills even when faced with setbacks or discouragement due to societal expectations.
  • Recognize the emotional intensity that can be conveyed through voice.
  • Be open to changes in industry standards over time.
  • Respect fans’ support because it’s essential for success; never insult them under any circumstance
  • Remain true to yourself despite what industry pressures might push you towards; authenticity is key to maintaining integrity both professionally and personally.

Quotations:

“Struggles with alcohol and struggles with pills. I think that’s what happens when people don’t deal with this when they’re not allowed to talk about it, face it, or acknowledge it. And I think you saw that in a lot of people from that generation where, as you said, the idea was like, Nope, don’t talk about it, move on. But your body knows what happened. Your brain knows what happened, and it holds onto that and it comes out in some way.” ~ Stephanie Clifford

“You’ve got to respect all those musicians who are out there touring, like, their little hearts out.” ~ Stephanie Clifford

“ I don’t like to have endings that are so cut and dry. I want to leave a little bit of room for the reader to come. It’s almost like looking at a piece of art and they’re going to bring their perspective and their thoughts on what it should be.” ~ Stephanie Clifford

Guest’s Bio:

Stephanie Clifford is an award-winning investigative journalist and a bestselling novelist. As a New York Times reporter for almost a decade, she covered law and business. She now writes long-form investigations about criminal justice and business for the Times, The New Yorker, The Economist, The Atlantic, Wired, Elle, Marie Claire, Bloomberg Businessweek, and other publications. Her accolades include the Loeb Award in investigative reporting; the Deborah Howell Award for Writing Excellence from the News Leaders Association; the Society of American Business Editors and Writers in explanatory reporting; the Deadline Club Award in Magazine Profiles; and others. Her magazine articles are frequently adapted for film, TV, and streaming, including for Netflix, Lifetime, and other media companies. “Everybody Rise”, her first book, was a New York Times bestseller and New York Times Book Review editors’ choice. She grew up in Seattle and lives in Brooklyn with her family.

In March 2023, Stephanie Clifford released her latest novel, “The Farewell Tour,” published by Harper. This novel has received critical acclaim, with the New York Times calling it “Breathtaking” and describing it as a “shimmering paean to the deeply flawed American West.”

Guest’s Contact Info:

Website: http://www.stephanieclifford.net/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-clifford-846b2933/

Nov 12
Love0

Mike Counsil Plumbing

By Sponsor

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