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podcast

Sep 25
Love13

Scott Brick

By Podcast No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, we’re thrilled to bring you a fascinating conversation with an award-winning audiobook narrator! Our guest is the incredibly talented Scott Brick. Scott shares how he continues navigating his successful career from his journey through 1,100 audiobooks to overcoming health challenges and working on notable titles like Jurassic Park from Michael Crichton’s collection, Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz, and many more!

Tune in and discover how his dedication shines through every project, whether it be new releases or classic retellings!

This episode is sponsored by:

(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)


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

In this Episode:

  • Career Milestones: From Michael Crichton’s Jurassic Park to its sequel, The Lost World, discover how Scott got these iconic gigs.
  • Health Challenges: Hear about Scott’s journey through diabetes and thyroid cancer and how it shaped his career.
  • Character Voices: Learn about the delicate balance between staying true to characters without mimicking previous performances.
  • Audiobook Narration Techniques and Insights: Uncover Scott’s approach to vocal training and balancing originality with audience expectations
  • Emotional Depths: Feel the passion as Scott recounts breaking into tears while narrating an Orphan X book.
  • Preparation & Dedication: Discover how thorough preparations like listening to previous series’ narrators have helped him excel—such as for Shawn Inmon’s Middel Falls Time Travel series.

Quotations:

“I can’t tell you what it means to me when somebody trusts me with their work.” ~ Scott Brick

“ I’m thinking about it from the fan’s perspective I’m a book fan first and foremost So I’m like, what are the fans going to want.” ~ Scott Brick

“I am a geek when it comes to Hollywood history, specifically the history of the silent film era.” ~ Scott Brick

Bio:

Actor, writer, and award-winning audiobook narrator Scott Brick certainly knows how to tell a story, in a way that keeps publishers, best-selling and award-winning authors, critics, and the public at large begging for more. Hailed by Audible in 2012 as their most prolific narrator, Brick has narrated almost 900 audiobooks including titles such as Jurassic Park, the Jack Reacher series, Alexander Hamilton, the Hunt For Red October, The Passage trilogy, In Cold Blood, the Bourne trilogy, Atlas Shrugged, Helter Skelter, Fahrenheit 451 and the Dune series.

Born on January 30, 1966, in Santa Barbara, California, Brick studied both acting and writing at UCLA and joined the ranks of working professionals upon leaving school in 1989. Lauded by critics for his stage work, Brick spent ten years with the LA-based traveling Shakespeare troupe, Will & Company, appearing in productions of Cyrano, Hamlet, Macbeth, and many others, and went on to appear in films such as Hit Parade, written and directed by comic book writer and co-Ben 10 creator, Joe Casey.

During this time, Brick continued writing.  Having written hundreds of articles in a variety of genre publications such as WIZARD MAGAZINE, TOYFARE, COMICS BUYER’S GUIDE, and CREATIVE SCREENWRITING, Brick was then hired by Morgan Freeman and Revelations Entertainment in 2000 to write the screen adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke’s Rendezvous with Rama, with David Fincher attached to direct.  In 2005, he collaborated with author Orson Scott Card to adapt a collection of the author’s short stories for the stage in a production titled (and printed in hardcover as) Posing as People.  

Having just celebrated his 25th Audioversary, Brick’s venture into audiobooks is now considered legendary. To date he’s won over 65 Earphones Awards for his narrating skills, as well as five Audie Awards, five SOVAS Awards for voiceover, and a Grammy nomination for the multi-cast recording of The Mark of Zorro (2011). After recording 250 titles in his first five years, AUDIOFILE MAGAZINE named Brick “one of the fastest-rising stars in the audiobook galaxy,” and proclaimed him a Golden Voice, but it was the WALL STREET JOURNAL that sealed the moniker with a front-page article in November, 2004.  PUBLISHERS WEEKLY then honored Brick as Narrator of the Year in both 2007 and 2011.  That honor was followed up with another feature in the WSJ in 2019 and a recent appearance on the CBS Sunday Morning news show.  And the ultimate distinction – being inducted into the Audible Narrator’s Hall of Fame in 2018.  Having now recorded over 1,000 audiobooks, Brick has no intention of slowing down. He obviously won’t be happy until he’s recorded every book ever published.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://scottbrick.com/

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

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

X: https://x.com/ScottBrick

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-brick-06ba3b15b/

Sep 18
Love12

Ganesh Venkataramanan

By Author, Faith, Podcast, Science No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, we’re joined by Ganesh Venkataramanan, an accomplished engineer, Vice President at a leading software technology company, and author of the book Let Me Into Heaven. In this insightful and thought-provoking conversation, Ganesh shares his remarkable journey from growing up in a Hindu household, becoming an atheist, and ultimately finding faith in Christ through his interactions with influential entrepreneurs.

Prepare for an engaging dive into big questions about the intersection of science and faith, the mysteries of the universe, and how Ganesh’s intellectual exploration led him to rediscover a belief in God.

This episode is sponsored by:

(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you so you can save 20%!)

In this Episode:

  • Ganesh’s path from Hinduism to atheism and his embrace of Christianity
  • The intersection of science and faith in understanding the universe
  • The Big Bang and what it reveals about the existence of a Creator
  • The rarity of life and the intricate design of the universe
  • The importance of truth, honesty, and integrity in science
  • How faith can transform lives, bringing joy, peace, and purpose
  • The existence of evil and the human longing for a heavenly home
  • Insights from Ganesh’s book Let Me Into Heaven

Quotations:

“I was surrounded by atheists. I think a lot of professionals, a lot of analytical people, it’s very easy for them to be an atheist because the world of faith doesn’t seem to interact or intersect with the world of science as they see it.” ~ Ganesh Venkataramanan

“Faith is actually a hard word for me because it’s very hard to step out without knowing why I’m stepping out.”  ~ Ganesh Venkataramanan

“If the universe had a beginning, it had to have a beginner, somebody who started it.”  ~ Ganesh Venkataramanan

“The thing which struck me as a scientist and engineer was He’s (God the Creator)  really smart, He could solve a lot of differential equations in his head and get this going.”  ~ Ganesh Venkataramanan

“We can understand this Person (God) by reading the Bible. That’s one way. But you can understand God also by looking at His creation.”  ~ Ganesh Venkataramanan

“I’m not saying random things cannot happen, but it’s not an explanation on which you can base your science.”  ~ Ganesh Venkataramanan

“Our calling is to have Christ as the center of our life, not us, right? It’s a cause to sacrifice, right? Which sounds like a bad idea until one lives there and then says, you know, actually, this is a lot more fun than being focused on me, me the whole time.”  ~ Ganesh Venkataramanan

“I’m just saying something is fundamentally wrong in science today, that we’ve forgotten the fact that it’s a pursuit of truth.”  ~ Ganesh Venkataramanan

“I’d been a Christian for five years and 10 years and say, you know, this walk with Christ has totally changed everything about me.”  ~ Ganesh Venkataramanan

“When I walk the walk with Jesus, I know that what it led to was joy and peace in my life.”  ~ Ganesh Venkataramanan

“None of us want to die, but we have this craving for heaven. It is because that’s really our home, let’s say, embedded in our hearts.”  ~ Ganesh Venkataramanan

Bio:

Ganesh Venkataramanan, pen-named Geeves, is a graduate from the prestigous Indian Institute of Technology.

He works as Vice President at a Software Technology company. With his background in science and experience in working with highly analytical teams, Geeves found that scientific explanations, while fine in themselves, lacked depth and human meaning. In his attempts to better understand life, Geeves stumbles across religion and then Jesus. Thanks to his mentors, Bill and Paul, Geeves learned about living a meaningful life that spans eternity.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://www.letmeintoheaven.com/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GEEVESOFFICIAL

Sep 11
Love11

Don Stuck

By Booze, Film, Music, Podcast, TV No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, we’re thrilled to welcome the incredibly versatile Don Stuck, a media personality who has truly done it all. From his early days as a musician to his transition into radio as a disc jockey, and now a licensed pilot and rising television actor, Don Stuck is the epitome of someone who never stops chasing his dreams. Get ready for a wild ride of nostalgia, laughter, and unexpected stories in this fascinating conversation you won’t want to miss!

This episode is sponsored by:

(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you to receive free extra treatment!)

In this Episode:

  • Don takes us on his unconventional journey from being a musician to becoming a renowned radio personality.
  • Hear about Don’s acting career, including his roles on shows like Chicago PD, where he often portrays intriguing characters like drug dealers and bad guys, and learn how he stood out in thousands of auditions.
  • Discover the thrilling story of how Don became a licensed pilot.
  • Join Don and Gary as they take a trip down memory lane, reminiscing about the thrill, magic, and irreplaceable energy of live radio.
  • Gain insights into how corporate changes have reshaped the radio landscape, with personal anecdotes from both Gary and Don.
  • Listen to their admiration for Howard Stern’s evolution into one of the greatest interviewers of our time, despite his controversial beginnings.
  • And don’t miss the story behind Gary’s supposed first radio career debut!

Quotations:

“​​I think that comedians and jocks have a very similar problem. We kind of got to watch every syllable.” ~ Don Stuck

“There’s just something about live radio that can never be replaced.”  ~ Don Stuck

“If you’re not out living your life, if you’re not out doing stuff, if you’re sitting at the studio, you do mornings and you’re still sitting there at three in the afternoon, you’re not doing them any favors. The show is the most important thing and you got to go out and live your life and have fun things happen to you and then talk about them on the air.”  ~ Don Stuck

“Anybody can do just about anything they want to do if they’re going to try.”  ~ Don Stuck

“It keeps you straight trying to keep them straight.”  ~ Don Stuck

“You can’t be worried about rejections. Don’t worry about failing.”  ~ Don Stuck

“No matter how bad you want it and how, how great, you know, it’s going to be. If it doesn’t work out for some reason, you gotta just go with it. You can’t dwell on it. You gotta go with it because, you know, that like the door is closed. Here comes the other one. We’ll see what happens.”  ~ Don Stuck

Bio:

Don Stuck is a veteran SAG-AFTRA radio/television personality and actor who is heard daily in Chicago, Detroit, Minneapolis, Indianapolis, St Louis, Milwaukee, and SiriusXM. As a licensed pilot, Don Stuck is the “Eye in the Sky” as an airborne traffic reporter and is a reporter for NBC Chicago’s Sky 5 helicopter operation. A professional musician since age 16, Don has shared the stage with some of the world’s biggest bands.

Guest Contact Info:

Website: https://donstuck.com/

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

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

X: https://x.com/donstuck

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-stuck-ii-4aa63348/

Sep 04
Love12

Grace Hawthorne

By Art, Author, Education, Podcast, Science No Comments

This week on Here’s What We Know, our guest is Grace Hawthorne, a multifaceted entrepreneur, innovator, educator, and author of the book “Make Possibilities Happen: How to Transform Ideas into Reality.” As the CEO/Founder of Paper Punk and an Adjunct Professor at Stanford University’s renowned Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (aka the d.school), Grace shares her journey through entrepreneurship, education, and scientific research on creativity.

This episode is sponsored by:

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

In this Episode:

  • The Importance of Practicality and Wisdom
  • The Value of Experience and Appreciating Different Perspectives
  • The Importance of Putting in the Work
  • The Duchamp Exercise and Thinking Outside the Box
  • The See, Start, Do, and Finish Process
  • The Unlimited Capacity for Creativity
  • The Role of Vision in the Creative Process
  • The Journey of Paper Punk
  • The Importance of Adaptability and Flexibilty
  • The Value of Learning from Others
  • The Creativity Study and the Role of Curiosity
  • The Power of Wisdom and Experience
  • The Significance of Information, Knowledge, and Wisdom
  • The Value of Listening and Understanding
  • Appreciating Parent as a Parent
  • Parenting Challenges
  • The Pride of Parenting and the Joy of Grandparenting

Quotations:

“The whole mission of the D School at Stanford is that it’s a place of innovation. And when we say design, it’s not a matter of aesthetics. It’s a matter of problem-solving. So we’re there trying to transform students. to have this ability to solve the world’s messy problem.” ~ Grace Hawthorne

“You don’t know until you know.” ~ Grace Hawthorne

“So what we know is biased. We’re biased to what we know. And what we know is based on our contacts, our experiences, everything that’s happened to us.” ~ Grace Hawthorne

“So we kind of have to let go a little bit of what we know to open our lens to more possibilities.” ~ Grace Hawthorne

“Technically, we all have unlimited gas for our brain. If you use creativity, if creativity is the gas to our brain, we all have an unlimited supply.” ~ Grace Hawthorne

“We all have a thousand amazing ideas, but what creates real value is when the rubber meets the road and the person who actually does something about that idea to try to make it happen.” ~ Grace Hawthorne

“It’s everything large and small and you’ve gotta start somewhere.” ~ Grace Hawthorne

“We have this vision of where we want to go. Don’t hang on to it so tightly, because something might happen along the way that might be here. And it might lead you to something even more incredible than what you would imagine for yourself.” ~ Grace Hawthorne

“I think these days people think that information is knowledge. It’s not!” ~ Grace Hawthorne

“Life is stranger than fiction.” ~ Grace Hawthorne

Bio:

Grace Hawthorne is an entrepreneur, artist, author, and educator. She is the founder and CEO of Paper Punk, an award-winning origami and LEGO mashup, and d.school professor, where she teaches courses on creativity and failure and capacity building, covered by Scientific American and Wired magazine. Previously, she cofounded ReadyMade and co-authored the critically acclaimed book by the same name. Her artwork has been exhibited in several national museums, including the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum Triennial. The Hasso Plattner Institute of Design, known as the d.school, was founded at Stanford University in 2005. Each year, nearly a thousand students from all disciplines attend classes, workshops, and programs to learn how the thinking behind design can enrich their own work and unlock their creative potential.

Guest Contact Info:

Paperpunk Website: https://paperpunk.com/

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

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