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!
📌 Catch HARDY live at Shoreline Amphitheatre on June 7! See you there!
This episode is sponsored by:
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
Quotations:
“ It’s been a really fun ride. I grew up a rock and roll kid, but I also love country music. I grew up in a small town, and I got to live the best of both worlds. And now I get to sort of portray that with my music. So, I’m really thankful. ~ Hardy
“I gotta step up my game.” ~ Hardy
“ I was born in 1990. I could say like Charlie Daniels and some of that stuff because my dad was playing a lot of that. But if it was something from my era, something a little more like that was on the radio, that came out, that was new. That happened while I was alive, I would say that I’m Gonna Miss Her by Brad Paisley was one of my first ones. If I had any spare time when I was a kid, I was fishing around, like that song just hit me right in the chest. And also the writing, that’s what sparked my interest in writing was the craft and just all that stuff that was a big song for me.” ~ Hardy
“I don’t know how to write a rock lyric; the only lyric I know how to write is just what I know. And that’s just country.” ~ Hardy
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.
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.
This episode is sponsored by:
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 Billy
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
Quotations:
“I knew I wanted to be a writer, so I would carry little books around with me that I couldn’t read, but I loved books.” ~ Carrie E. Pierce
“I dreamed of being a writer, and I knew it was a near impossible feat to pull off and that it took years and years of honing your craft and tons of misery, and it just seemed impossible, but I just knew that’s what I was supposed to do. Didn’t know the first thing about how to make it happen. And it was a process of just evolving through the course of my life.” ~ Carrie E. Pierce
“There are a lot of ways to still write a book that doesn’t have you sitting alone in your house giving birth to a veil of barbed wire.” ~ Carrie E. Pierce
“I use big words, and I don’t talk down to children because I want to trigger conversation between the child and the parent or the child and the grandparent, whoever is there helping them read the book on their own or reading it to them. I want the adult in the room to having to read my book as a bedtime story. I want them to look forward to it as well.” ~ Carrie E. Pierce
“My children’s books, especially, are kept wholesome and based on the importance of family and family values.” ~ Carrie E. Pierce
“When you have a good handle on language and when you are well-read,. And when you speak well, you don’t have to be pretentious in your vocabulary or any of those things. But when you speak well and when you respect words, it opens doors for you.” ~ Carrie E. Pierce
“I think people are turning away from their blue screens. I think they are turning back to the printed word. I talk to a lot of people, adults and young people, who are wanting books again. They are hungry for the actual book. And to me, that means there’s hope for us yet because a book is just magic. You can make it your own. You can write in it if you own it.” ~ Carrie E. Pierce
“God grows you in the process so that you can handle it and serve. So if things are happening overwhelmingly fast and all of that, in my way of thinking, I step back and I think, how much of this is Satan, how much of this is darkness, because am I really growing along to be able to handle this, or is this being used as a weapon to pull me off track? Is this being used as a hook to lure me away from the light and from true service? And God is generous and loving and wants us to prosper and be successful and serve others and have productive lives. He wants all that for us.” ~ Carrie E. Pierce
Bio:
Carrie E. Pierce has written professionally for more than 20 years, most of those spent writing acclaimed Health & Wellness articles and books for Midlife readers.
While catering to this mature audience, Carrie discovered there was a real need for quality children’s literature that could be enjoyed by parents and grandparents, too, as they read aloud to the youngsters in their lives.
Eager to fill this niche, she began crafting quality stories that contain important life lessons, written in a style that doesn’t talk ‘down’ to children but, instead, encourages them to learn new words and ask deep questions as they gain important tools for overcoming fear, pushing past loss and accepting themselves just as they are.
Carrie always speaks from experience, with an honest voice that holds nothing back. A red-headed, freckle-faced girl, born in New Orleans and raised in Texas, Carrie found herself looking over fences, gazing at horizons, and wondering what was to be had ‘over there.’ What adventures were there, just beyond her reach, to be discovered?
And she longed and wondered. And then, after much faith, overcoming and effort, she discovered.
And felt the urge to share, with young and old, alike.
During the course of her life, Carrie has known great highs – and very deep lows. She’s attained her dream of working in the Film and TV industry. She’s been published many times and has also co-hosted two acclaimed, internationally syndicated radio shows.
She’s seen dreams come true – and has also walked through very dark times of tragedy and heartbreak.
She walked with her dad as he bravely fought Lewy Body dementia – and lost. And just recently, her beloved Mom -and very best friend- succumbed to cancer, dying in Carrie’s arms.
Awful as these events were, they’ve provided Carrie with an even richer insight into the human heart and spirit, giving her wisdom and gentleness often lacking in today’s world. These qualities are found throughout her books and articles- and are also evident in personal interactions with her.
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.
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!
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.
Quotations:
“Law school for me was kind of a grind. I wasn’t particularly turned on by law school. I found it was too abstract and theoretical. But when I got into the real world and I had actual clients and issues to research and litigate over, I was turned on. And that’s where I really, that’s really where I really was able to launch myself into the legal profession.” ~ Stanley M. Brand
“The only thing I knew about a lawyer was watching Perry Mason. And that didn’t really appeal to me. It wasn’t until I began to work in Washington as a young legislative aide to Tip O’Neill that I realized that the law degree was an avenue to a broader array of opportunities.” ~ Stanley M. Brand
“Don’t go to law school just because you have nothing else to do. Go to law school because you want to broaden your horizons. You have a passion for the law or you see it as some way that it will enhance what you’re interested in doing in life.” ~ Stanley M. Brand
“It’s harder to represent high-profile public people because they’re surrounded with posse’s, political consultants, media experts, and sometimes the legal advice is completely contrary to the political advice. And so there have been times where I’ve said to clients, look, you need to make a choice.” ~ Stanley M. Brand
“People think that the Constitution was, you know, like the Ten Commandments, divinely created and unanimously approved by the Constitutional Convention. If you read the ratification debates or if you read Hamilton, these people were at each other’s throats. They each believed their theory of government should prevail and that the other person’s theory was anathema.” ~ Stanley M. Brand
Bio:
Stanley M. Brand graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in 1970 and earned his J.D. from Georgetown University Law School in 1974. From 1976 to 1983, Stan served as general counsel to the US House of Representatives under Speaker Thomas P. “ Tip’ O’Neill, Jr., and was the House’s chief legal officer responsible for representing the House, its members, officers, and employees in connection with legal procedures and litigation arising from the conduct of their official activities. Since leaving the House of Representatives and founding a Washington, D.C.-based law firm in 1983, Stan has had a succession of high-profile political and public corruption cases and clients, including former White House aide George Stephanopoulos in the Whitewater investigation, former Congressman and Gore 2000 campaign manager Tony Coelho, former House Majority Whip Bill Gray, and Congressmen Dan Rostenkowski and Joe McDade. Since 1992, Stan also has served as vice president of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, the governing body of minor league baseball. In that capacity, he was responsible for representing minor league baseball during congressional consideration of baseball’s antitrust exemption and is responsible for minor league baseball’s government relations at the state and local level. He has testified, written, and lectured extensively on antitrust, labor, and contract law issues affecting baseball. In 2005, Stan represented Major League Baseball in connection with the congressional investigation into MLB’s steroid policies. Stan was featured in Washingtonian magazine’s 2002 survey of the 75 best lawyers in Washington and has appeared widely on network, public, and cable television, including ABC News, ABC’s Nightline, NBC News, CBS News, Fox News, NPR’s All Things Considered, CNN’s Lou Dobbs Tonight, MSNBC’s Hardball, John McLaughlin’s One on One, and ESPN’s Sports Center.
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!
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
Quotations:
”I defend New Jersey all the time. I grew up in woods and streams and brooks and nature. And it was New Jersey. And nobody believes me. So I will defend New Jersey till I’m dead.” ~ Anne Montgomery
“I got the curiosity gene, and I’m so grateful because curiosity makes life so fascinating. You know, I wanted no answers to everything all the time, and I wanted to try new things and do new things.” ~ Anne Montgomery
“If I wasn’t curious about things, I’d be bored to tears.” ~ Anne Montgomery
“I had this little light bulb go off in my head that there are other teams on campus. There’s wrestling and archery and hockey and swimming and gymnastics, and no one ever pays attention to all these teams. I interviewed them. They were thrilled.” ~ Anne Montgomery
“I didn’t retire from officiating till 2019. I officiated for 40 years. I don’t miss TV; I don’t miss teaching, but I miss Friday night football. I really do.” ~ Anne Montgomery
“Even 40 years later, some men wouldn’t work with me. Some coaches wouldn’t have me on their field. But there were plenty of people who would.” ~ Anne Montgomery
“I am not impressed necessarily with a kid who catches the touchdown pass that wins the state championship. I’m impressed with a kid who drops that ball and then ends up back at practice early to get better. That’s the kid I hire. We don’t learn anything from success. We learn from failure. Let’s let the kids go out there and fail.” ~ Anne Montgomery
“I think as adults, we forget to keep trying new things. I think that’s very sad because life offers us a whole bunch of opportunities and we get stuck in our ways.” ~ Anne Montgomery
“When I first became a teacher, I thought, I’ll get right back into TV. And one year went by, and two years went by, 20 years went by. And by then I didn’t care about TV anymore. And it’s funny, you can plan your life, it never goes the way you planned.” ~ Anne Montgomery
“I think we all believe that we can dictate what our lives will look like, but we can’t.” ~ Anne Montgomery “One of the few things I regret is the couple of years I wasted. feeling sorry for me and hiding from people. I’m like, that was so silly. And I’m grateful for the people I’ve run into that kind of casually, gently pointed me in a different direction.” ~ Anne Montgomery
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.
