Tag

podcast

Apr 22
Love22

Danny Johnson

By Comedian, Podcast No Comments

You ever get into one of those conversations where you think you know the subject… and then suddenly you’re ten layers deeper than you ever expected to go? That’s what happened here.

This week on Here’s What We Know, we’re joined by Danny Johnson, a stand-up comedian making his mark in the world of clean comedy. We start by talking about the craft, how a joke is built, why timing matters more than the words, and how comedians actually think.

And then we keep going, because comedy is more than just about being funny anymore.

Now it’s social media, followers, clips, going viral, and pressure. The conversation gets more and more fascinating, as one question keeps coming up: If being funny isn’t enough anymore… then what is?

This episode is sponsored by:

In This Episode:

  • The rise of clean comedy and why it’s finding a bigger audience
  • How comedians actually write and build material
  • The pressure of social media and why it changes everything
  • The difference between being funny and being successful
  • What it really means to “make it” in comedy today
  • And why some of the funniest people you’ve ever seen might still be figuring it out

Quotations:

“My mind doesn’t stop thinking of the stuff of what I think is funny stuff.” ~ Danny Johnson

“You almost like interrogate your idea like a detective, who does this impact? Why does it impact them? How many people are doing it? How many people know about it? What do they feel about it? What does your family feel about you? Just kind of fire these questions at this idea and flesh it out.” ~ Danny Johnson

“Politics strikes me as more sad than anything.” ~ Danny Johnson

“There’s nothing I get a bigger kick out of than putting a smile on someone’s face. So, if I could do that, that’s success to me.” ~ Danny Johnson

Bio:

Danny Johnson’s hilarious, clean stand-up has entertained audiences in comedy clubs, corporate events, and churches nationwide for over 15 years. Danny’s work as a stand-up comedian has been humbly compared to Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin James, and Jackie Gleason, blending his original material with his now renowned facial expressions. Danny’s show is relatable, entertaining, and always evolving. Danny has starred in numerous TV commercials, Comedy Central’s Laugh Riots, Florida’s Funniest Comedian Top 10 Finalist, Winner-Carnival Cruise line Comedy Challenge, Finalist in Search for the One Christian Comedy contest, has a wildly popular Dry Bar Comedy Special (now available on Apple TV, Amazon, & Peacock), and has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with Chris Rock, Damon Wayans, Bob Saget, Billy Gardell, Richard Lewis, Rickey Smiley, Norm McDonald, Howie Mandel,  and a variety of others.

Danny had the privilege of filming NateLand Live at the famous Zanies Comedy Club in Nashville, TN.  NateLand Live is the brainchild of Nate Bargatze and features some of the best clean comedians touring today.

Danny’s latest comedy special, “Everything Bothers Me,” has taken YouTube by storm with over 100k views in its first month and still climbing!

His North Florida footprint is well known, calling the Comedy Zone his home club for almost two decades, performed at Murray Hill Theatre, The Florida Theatre and Ponte Vedra Concert Hall. Locally, you may have also seen Danny on his many appearances on the News4Jax Morning Show, Jacksonville’s River City Live, or his extremely brief/ distant appearance on season 4 of Netflix’s Cobra Kai (don’t blink).

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://dannyjohnson.com/

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/comediandanny

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

Apr 15
Love26

Jerry Flowers

By Music, Podcast No Comments

There’s what people see on stage, and then there’s everything else.

This week on Here’s What We Know, we welcome back Jerry Flowers, a seasoned bassist, an accomplished songwriter, and music industry veteran, best known for his longtime role as Keith Urban’s bass player and bandleader. 

We’ll talk about what life on tour is really like, from playing in front of 80,000 people at major concerts to walking into a room of 50 where no one knows who you are. It’s a side of the music industry most people never see.

Jerry shares what it takes to connect with a live audience, why some artists succeed while others struggle, and how the best performers learn to win over any crowd, whether it’s a stadium or a small private event.

We also get into the realities of touring as a musician, the highs and lows of the road, and the difference between the spotlight and the moments that happen behind the scenes.

This is a conversation about stories. The ones you remember, the ones that shape you, and the ones that don’t seem important at the time… until years later, when you realize they meant everything.

This episode is sponsored by:


(Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)

License #: 679261

In This Episode:

  • What Life on Tour Is Really Like
  • Jerry Flowers on Touring with Keith Urban
  • The Best Concert Experience: 80,000 Fans in Quebec City
  • The Reality of Life After a Big Show
  • From Stadiums to Small Rooms: The Truth About Touring
  • How Great Artists Win Over Any Crowd
  • Early Days on Tour: Bars, Vans, and the Grind
  • Learning Storytelling as a Songwriter and Performer
  • Music Industry Stories: Jack Black, Hugh Jackman, and More
  • Why Storytelling Matters in Music and Life
  • Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean, and Artist Development
  • American Idol vs Real-World Experience in Music
  • Why Some Artists Make It and Others Don’t
  • Great Songs That Never Became Hits
  • The Stories You Carry With You

Bio:

Jerry Flowers is a seasoned bassist, songwriter, and music industry veteran, best known for his longtime role as Keith Urban’s bass player and band leader. With a career spanning decades, Jerry has toured the world, shared the stage with music legends, and played a pivotal role in crafting chart-topping hits both on and off the road.

Originally from Pinch, West Virginia, Jerry’s musical journey began at just 12 years old, fueled by a passion for bass guitar. His talent and dedication took him from small-town gigs to global stages, touring with The Chicks, Counting Crows, and more.

Beyond performing, Jerry is an accomplished songwriter, earning #1 hits with Billy Currington, Jason Aldean, Sam Hunt, and Ryan Hurd. His musicality and creativity continue to inspire every session he’s in, making him a sought-after collaborator in Nashville’s thriving music scene.

Guest Contact Info:

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

Apr 08
Love41

Neal K. Shah

By Caregiving, Podcast No Comments

Some conversations make you lean in… and some conversations make you uncomfortable because you realize just how much you don’t know, and this is one of those.

This week on Here’s What We Know, we welcome Neal K. Shah, who went from a successful career as a $250 million hedge fund manager in New York to becoming a caregiver for loved ones facing dementia and cancer, and ended up uncovering just how broken parts of our healthcare system really are.

We’ll talk about what happens when healthcare says “no” in real life. Real people, real families, and real consequences. 

We get into the rising number of denied claims, the strain on families who are already stretched thin, and the uncomfortable truth that the system we depend on is not always built to take care of us the way we expect.

This episode is about paying attention, asking better questions, and understanding that you have more power than you think, especially when you’re willing to fight for it.

If you’ve ever assumed the system would work when you needed it… this episode might change the way you see things.

This episode is sponsored by:

(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)

In this episode:

  • How Caregiving Changes Your Perspective on Life and Work
  • The Hidden Reality of Dementia, Cancer, and Family Impact
  • Healthspan vs lifespan and the growing aging population crisis
  • The Future of Healthcare Costs and Insurance Pressure
  • Why the Healthcare System Feels Broken
  • Health Insurance Explained: Where Your Money Really Goes
  • Understanding premiums, subsidies, and the illusion of “free” healthcare
  • The Rise of Claim Denials in Healthcare
  • Is There a Better Way? Direct Pay Healthcare Explained
  • Free Market vs Government Healthcare Debate
  • Why Most People Don’t Appeal Denied Claims
  • Using AI to Fight Insurance Denials (Counterforce Health)
  • Real Story: Beating a $40,000 Denial
  • Why We Must Pay Attention to Healthcare Now

Quotations:

“I think when major life experiences happen to you, it really makes you question, why am I doing what I’m doing?” – Neal K. Shah

“I think dementia and cancer, both, you know, I’ve gone through these experiences. People think it just strikes the patient, but I think, like, the whole family gets dementia. When that one diagnosis happens, it’s going to change everyone’s life. Same with cancer, you know, like somebody gets cancer, their whole family is now going to be dealing with it.” – Neal K. Shah

Bio:

Neal K. Shah is a healthcare innovator, entrepreneur, and former hedge fund manager who turned personal caregiving experiences into a mission to improve the healthcare system. After supporting family members through dementia and cancer, he founded CareYaya, a fast-growing platform connecting healthcare students with families in need of care, and Counterforce Health, which uses AI to help patients fight denied insurance claims. Neal’s work sits at the intersection of caregiving, technology, and healthcare reform, with a focus on empowering patients and improving access to care.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://www.careyaya.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neal-shah-careyaya/

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@wearecareyaya

Apr 01
Love26

Pete A Turner

By Podcast No Comments

There are people who know a little about a lot. And then there are people like Pete A. Turner.

This week on Here’s What We Know, we sit down with a former Army counterintelligence agent who turned a life of asking hard questions into something unexpected: a podcast built on curiosity, connection, and listening.

What starts as a conversation about baseball and sports turns into something much deeper. We’ll talk about what it really means to pay attention. Not just hearing words, but understanding what’s underneath them.

Pete also shares how his time as a spy shaped the way he sees the world. How he builds trust, how he gets people to open up, and why the best conversations rarely go the way you planned.

And if you’ve ever wondered why some conversations stay with you long after they’re over, this episode might give you a few answers.

This episode is sponsored by:

Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!

In This Episode:

  • Why This Conversation Goes Off Script Fast
  • Baseball, Obsession, and How Smart Minds Stay Engaged
  • Why Sports Are More Than Games
  • Why He Walked Away from Football
  • The Problem With “Greatest of All Time” Debates
  • What Makes Elite Athletes Different
  • F1, Precision, and the Psychology of High Performance
  • From Podcasting to 2,000 Episodes: How Pete Built His Show
  • “I Was a Spy”: Pete Turner’s Counterintelligence Background
  • Fear, Growth, and Why You Should Say Yes to Hard Things
  • Near-Death Experiences and What Happens at the Edge of Life
  • How a Spy Becomes a Great Podcast Host
  • The Secret to Getting People to Open Up
  • How to Ask Better Questions (And Get Better Answers)

Quotations:

“We don’t root against anybody. I love that about sport: you can just genuinely care about all 20 athletes and root for them. I think it’s neat.” – Pete A. Turner

“When you get to do these things, things that are scary to regular people are just normal for me. I don’t let fear dictate what I do. And if anything’s scary, I do it.” – Pete A. Turner

“I’m guilty of talking too much all the time, but when I get it right and I sit in the back seat, I let those guys ask each other those great questions.” – Pete A. Turner

“And I know how to be a great guest. That’s a spy thing. And so when you allow someone to be a great host, they’re a great host. And when you are a good guest, they want to be an even better host.” – Pete A. Turner

“I can always bring it because I’m the boss. I can always bring them back. I can always bring them over this way or rain them over that way. But I want to go where they’re excited to go.” – Pete A. Turner

Bio:

Pete A. Turner is a former U.S. Army counterintelligence agent turned podcast host and storyteller. As the executive producer and host of The Break It Down Show, Pete has led more than 2,000 conversations with a wide range of guests, from Nobel Prize winners to everyday people with extraordinary stories.

His background in espionage and global deployments across Afghanistan, Iraq, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Egypt, and Germany shaped the way he listens, asks questions, and connects with people. That same approach now defines his work behind the microphone.

Whether he’s exploring geopolitics, personal resilience, or the human stories behind the headlines, Pete creates space for conversations that go deeper than most.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://www.breakitdownshow.com/

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

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/peteaturner