Category

Fun

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:

(Be sure to use code “Gary20” to get 20% off your order!)

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

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/

Oct 25
Love10

Dr. Dave Reed

By Caregiving, Fun, Personal Growth, Science No Comments

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:

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

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/

Oct 18
Love10

Fortune Feimster

By Comedian, Film, Fun, Movies, Personal Growth, TV No Comments

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:

(Use my promo code “GST” on their website and enjoy an exclusive 10% discount on your favorite shoes!)

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/

Sep 20
Love9

Barry Dean

By Fun, Music, Personal Growth, TV No Comments

This week on the Here’s What We Know Podcast, we’re again shining a spotlight on a remarkable figure in the music industry, the exceptionally talented songwriter Barry Dean. Listen in and hear more of his incredible story as he shares his reflections on his past experiences and the power of collaboration and friendship in his musical journey. Barry believes success isn’t merely about individual achievement but rather collective growth, camaraderie, innovation, and resilience against the odds.

This episode is sponsored by:

Winchester Western Wear is offering 20% off to the GST community! Be sure to tell them Gary sent you.

In This Episode:

  • The Grammy Experience
  • Celebrating Talents
  • Unveiling Personalities
  • Admiration for Stalwarts
  • Natural Talent Vs Effort
  • Networking and Interaction at Awards Shows
  • Beyond Music: Industry Engagement  
  • Nostalgic Musical Discussions  
  • Business Side Of Music  
  • Reinterpretations in Music
  • The Nashville Scene
  • Radio Influence
  • Appreciating Professionals

Quotations:

“I just wish you could select to watch the crowd the whole time. I don’t have any interest in the stage. I just want to watch all those people working the room and their interactions. That’s the part I’m most interested in.” ~ Barry Dean

“They work and you know this because you do it. And also, you know, these artists do it. They work so much more than I think.” ~ Barry Dean

“The same 400 songs. And you don’t know what you want. There is a delight that comes from when you do that. You curate it and you say, this is how it feels today at, at three o’clock or whatever. Even when you’re sitting in at your desk with all the CDs or I am with all the stuff. I don’t know what to do. You know, and so there is something to that for me, at least it’s magical. ” ~ Barry Dean

Guest’s Bio:

Barry Dean is a highly accomplished songwriter in both country and pop music genres based in Nashville, Tennessee. Barry’s remarkable talents have earned him a Grammy nomination in the category of Best Country Song for his work on Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools”. Barry remains filled with awe every time he hears one of his songs playing on the radio. When you consider his journey, it’s astonishing to think that he once thought he might end up working a 9-to-5 job in Kansas. His portfolio boasts an impressive array of chart-topping hits, including two No. 1 singles for Little Big Town (“Pontoon” and “Day Drinkin'”), “Think a Little Less,” which dominated the charts for Michael Ray, “Heartache Medication,” the most recent #1 hit for Jon Pardi, Ingrid Michaelson’s Top 40 sensation “Girls Chase Boys,” and an ever-expanding list of country and pop hits. These accomplishments underscore that Barry Dean is undeniably living out his true calling.

Guest’s Contact Info:

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

Website: https://www.creativenationmusic.com/