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Send us Fan Mail What can refugees teach us about resilience, gratitude, work, and starting over? This week on Here’s What We Know, we sit down with Dalton T. Sirmans, author of The Refugee Advantage, to talk about the incredible stories of people who were forced to leave their homes and rebuild their lives from almost nothing.  We’ll talk about resilience, entrepreneurship, gratitude, and why many refugees become some of the hardest-working and most committed people in their communities. Dalton also shares stories of refugees creating businesses, becoming valuable employees, supporting others, and finding ways to give back even when they have very little.  The conversation stays out of politics and focuses on real stories, policies that have worked, and the economic and human value refugees bring to the communities that welcome them.  Listen in and let these stories challenge you to reconsider what you see when you look at refugees and what we might learn when we take the time to hear their stories. In This Episode: What does it mean to be a refugee? We explain the difference between refugees and internally displaced people.How many refugees are resettled? Only 1% to 2% worldwide ever get the chance to start over in another country.How does the U.S. Refugee Program work? We look at the 1980 program and its focus on resettlement, integration, and self-sufficiency.Do refugees contribute to the economy? From 2005 to 2019, refugees contributed about $123 billion more in taxes than the cost of their resettlement and integration.What does starting over cost? Refugees in the U.S., Canada, and Australia repay the cost of their travel to their new country.Can refugees build financial independence? Dalton shares how access to credit can help refugees and immigrants build a new financial future.What if refugee aid looked more like investment? Dalton explains why he believes mutual opportunity can be more powerful than charity.Could refugees help businesses find great employees? We look at the connection between refugee employment and the ongoing need for quality workers.  This episode is sponsored by:  Bison Junk Removal  Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)  License #: 679261  Bio: Dalton T. Sirmans is an entrepreneur, investor, and author of The Refugee Advantage: Building Enterprise in the Face of Adversity. He co-founded MainStreet Technologies, growing the company from a rural Georgia startup into a nationally recognized fintech firm. After earning a Master of Liberal Arts in International Relations from Harvard, Dalton turned his attention to refugee entrepreneurship, researching how refugees rebuild their lives and create economic opportunity. He is also the founder of the Sirmans Global Impact Foundation, which supports refugee entrepreneurs and refugee-serving organizations through investment, partnerships, and storytelling. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dalton-t-sirmans-2017833/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dalton.sirmans/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Refugee-Advantage/61573021826766/ Tags: Refugee Advantage, Dalton Sirmans, refugees, refugee stories, refugee resilience, refugee entrepreneurship, starting over, immigration, opportunity, resilience, gratitude, refugee success stories, human potential, humanitarian aid, refugee integration, entrepreneurship, refugee advantage, entrepreneurship, refugee resilience, starting over, immigration, refugee integration, entrepreneurship, resilience, gratitude, humanitarian aid Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail Before she was the First Lady of Country Music, Virginia Wynette Pugh was a little girl picking cotton in Itawamba County, Mississippi, raised by her grandparents while her mama worked in Memphis. Her daddy died before she turned one, leaving her only his instruments and stories told secondhand. Nobody looking at that childhood would have predicted Nashville. But Tammy Wynette's story is proof that talent finds a way out, even when everything else says stay put. This week on Once Around the Country, we trace her path from beauty school and a teenage marriage to the night producer Billy Sherrill, who changed her name and changed her life. We talk about "D-I-V-O-R-C-E," the firestorm around "Stand By Your Man," her marriage to George Jones, and the health struggles that followed her all the way to her death at 55 under circumstances her own family still argues about.  Listen now to her whole story, both the good and the hard parts. Give it a listen and let us know what you think. In This Episode: Her childhood in Itawamba County and the father she never really knewHow an uncle's connection led to her first television auditionThe Billy Sherrill meeting that turned Wynette Bird into Tammy WynetteThe making of "Stand By Your Man" and the backlash that followedHer marriages, including the turbulent years with George JonesThe addiction, the surgeries, and the disputed circumstances of her deathWhat Gary saw backstage that he still thinks about  This episode is sponsored by:  Sterling Oak Cabinetry  Dignity Memorial Bio: Tammy Wynette, born Virginia Wynette Pugh in 1942, grew up on a cotton farm in Mississippi before becoming one of the most recognizable voices in country music. After working as a beautician and raising three children, she moved to Nashville in 1966 and signed with Epic Records. Known as the First Lady of Country Music, Tammy sold more than 30 million records and recorded some of country music’s most enduring songs, including “Stand By Your Man.” Her deeply emotional singing style connected with millions of listeners because she sang about the things they knew firsthand: love, heartbreak, marriage, loneliness, and family. Her life away from the stage was just as eventful. Her seven-year marriage to George Jones became one of country music’s most famous and complicated relationships. She later married songwriter and producer George Richey and continued recording despite years of health problems. Tammy Wynette died in 1998 at her home in Nashville. Later that year, she was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Website: https://tammywynette.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialwynette/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TammyWynettemusic Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TammyWynette/ Tags: Tammy Wynette biography, who was Tammy Wynette, Tammy Wynette life story, Tammy Wynette story, why was Tammy Wynette called the First Lady of Country Music, what happened to Tammy Wynette, Tammy Wynette and George Jones, Tammy Wynette Stand By Your Man, Tammy Wynette legacy, Tammy Wynette country music career, Tammy Wynette songs, Tammy Wynette George Jones, First Lady of Country Music, Stand By Your Man, Tammy Wynette country music, Tammy Wynette Nashville, Tammy Wynette Country Music Hall of Fame, classic country music, country music legends, country music history Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail What happens when a box of old family letters opens a window into one of the most dangerous chapters of World War II? This week on Here’s What We Know, we welcome author Jan Cress Dondi to talk about The Navigator’s Letter, a remarkable story built from letters, family memories, military records, and the lives of three young people whose paths were changed by war.  Listen in as the conversation takes us into the world of B-24 navigators, the deadly Ploesti mission, prisoner-of-war camps, and the emotional reality faced by young men who knew they might not make it home. Jan also shares the deeply personal connection she has to the story through her father, her uncle, and her mother, and how those letters helped bring their personalities and experiences back to life decades later. We’ll also deep dive into what happens when the people who lived through history don't talk about it and what families can discover when they take the time to ask questions and preserve the stories that remain. If you have old letters, photographs, journals, or stories from someone in your family who served, this conversation may make you look at them a little differently. In this episode: The true story behind The Navigator’s LetterWhat WWII letters reveal about the lives of young servicemenThe dangers faced by B-24 crews and navigatorsThe infamous Ploesti mission and "Black Sunday"Life inside a Romanian POW campThe friendship and complicated relationship between Bob, John B., and PollySurvivor's guilt and the emotional cost of warWhy family history matters before the people who lived it are gone   This episode is sponsored by:  Dignity Memorial  Reed Animal Hospital  Bio: Jan Cress Dondi's journey began in Hillsboro, Illinois, where the inspiration for The Navigator’s Letter took root. With thirty years experience in legal writing and research, she learned to trace facts with precision, following threads of the past—across time, language, and continents. Her pursuit was personal—a labor of love of family—a desire to connect historical truth with the human experience. The culmination of which has enriched this narrative with depth and authenticity. Hundreds of letters from two B-24 navigators—John B. and Bob—and a POW diary together with historical documents became the backbone of this book. Clues led Dondi on an emotional search for answers, one that carried her across the globe—to her father’s POW camp in Romania, the military archives in Germany, her uncle’s military base in England—where she pieced together a deeply human story of war, courage and love—one that had waited decades to be told.  Dondi was born in Hillsboro, IL. Raised in Atlanta, she graduated from the University of Georgia; lived years in Anchorage, AK, where she pursued post-graduate studies at the University of Alaska; and built a career as a litigation paralegal. She has spoken about her father's POW experience at the US Embassy in Bucharest, recounted her uncle's mission experience to the 93rd Bombardment Group in Washington, DC, and flown in one of the only B-24 Liberators still operating. The mother of two daughters and grandmother of four, Jan has been married nearly forty years to an aviation enthusiast and hobby pilot whose projects include building a 72% scale all-carbon replica of a P-51 Mustang, the WWII fighter that significantly impacted the war. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Website: https://jancressdondi.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jancressdondi/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thenavigatorsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/b24navigators/ Tags: The Navigator's Letter, Jan Cress Dondi, World War II, WWII, WWII family history, WWII letters, World War II history, WWII veterans, WWII navigator, B-24 Liberator, Ploesti mission, Ploiesti Romania, WWII prisoner of war, WWII POW, military family history, family letters, World War II books, WWII memoir, historical nonfiction, Gary Scott Thomas Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail Our host, Gary Scott Thomas, has spent nearly 50 years in radio, and during that time he has met plenty of artists who went on to become stars. But there was one he never saw coming: Kenny Chesney. This week on Once Around the Country, Gary walks through Kenny's full journey, from a self-produced demo album sold out of the trunk of his car in Johnson City clubs to a publishing deal at the Opryland Music Group to a first record deal that ended when the label shut down to the persistence that finally landed him a deal with BNA Records. Gary also shares a personal memory from a moment in a program director's office, when a young and slightly discouraged Kenny Chesney needed a laugh and a little belief from the people around him. Years later, when Kenny had become a superstar, he returned the favor by being the first big guest on KRTY’s new streaming radio station. This is a story about Kenny Chesney, hard work, humility, timing, and what happens when someone keeps going even when the path ahead isn't obvious. In This Episode: Kenny Chesney's childhood in Luttrell, Tennessee, and his athletic beginningsAttending Gibbs High School, the same school that later produced Morgan WallenDiscovering bluegrass music at East Tennessee StateMeeting Alison Krauss while both were still studentsSelling over a thousand self-produced albums with no promotionMoving to Nashville and playing the Bluebird Cafe and the TurfSigning his first record deal on Capricorn Records in 1994The label closing and what came nextSigning with BNA Records in 1995 and his first top ten hitsThe moment Gary and his radio partner Julie helped Kenny push through self-doubtKenny agreeing to help launch the radio station's move to streamingWhat Kenny Chesney is really like, according to someone who has known him for decades  This episode is sponsored by:  Bison Junk Removal  Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)  License #: 679261  Bio: Kenny Chesney is one of country music’s biggest stars, but his story started far from the stadiums. A Tennessee native and former college baseball and football player, Chesney discovered bluegrass at East Tennessee State before moving to Nashville and building his career one club, song, and fan at a time. Known for hits like “How Forever Feels,” “She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy,” and “That’s Why I’m Here,” Chesney’s career is a story of hard work, persistence, and knowing when to change course. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennychesney/ Tags: Kenny Chesney, Kenny Chesney story, Kenny Chesney career, Kenny Chesney biography, Kenny Chesney early career, Kenny Chesney Nashville, Kenny Chesney country music, Tim McGraw, Gary Scott Thomas, country music stories, country music history, country music radio, Nashville music, Here’s What We Know, Once Around the Country, Kenny Chesney superstar, Kenny Chesney rise to fame Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail Who has the best shot at making the Super Bowl this NFL season? This week on Here’s What We Know, longtime Bay Area sports radio host Mark Willard joins Gary Scott Thomas to talk 49ers, Rams, Chargers, Broncos, and the teams he thinks could make a serious run this season. Mark explains why he has the Rams as his favorite in the NFC, where he sees the 49ers in the NFC West, and why he’s finally willing to take the Chargers seriously. We get into Justin Herbert, Matthew Stafford, quarterback play, injuries, the changing world of college football, NIL, the transfer portal, and what it all means for the game we grew up watching. And yes, they make their Super Bowl predictions. It is a fun, opinionated conversation full of Bay Area sports talk, some good-natured arguing, and a reminder that being a fan is supposed to be fun in the first place. In This Episode: Why local radio is not dying, even when parts of the industry are strugglingWhat it is like to be a fan of a genuinely hated teamGrowing up a Saints fan in South Alabama with no cable televisionWhy criticism online is often a sign you are doing something rightFootball as the last true team sport left in modern athleticsThe NIL era and what it means for the future of college footballNFC West breakdown: Rams, 49ers, Seahawks, and CardinalsMatthew Stafford, Justin Herbert, and the quarterbacks who deserve more creditBaker Mayfield's contract standoff with the BuccaneersWhy the Patriots may take a step back this seasonThe case for the Chargers as a real AFC contenderFinal Super Bowl predictions from both Gary and Mark  This episode is sponsored by:  Bison Junk Removal  Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)  License #: 679261  Bio: Mark Willard is the host of the San Francisco-Bay Area leading drive-time show “Willard & Dibs” on 95.7 The Game and is a nationally syndicated weekend host on FOX Sports Radio. He previously hosted college football Saturdays for Pac-12 Networks and a daily show on ESPNLA with Lakers great Mychal Thompson, as well as the weekly show The Forum. He is the proud father of three teens. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marktwillard/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtwillard/ Tags: NFL predictions 2026, NFL season predictions, 49ers predictions, San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, LA Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, LA Chargers, Denver Broncos, NFC West predictions, Super Bowl predictions, Mark Willard, Mark Willard NFL, Matthew Stafford, Justin Herbert, NFL quarterbacks, college football, sports radio, football podcast, Gary Scott Thomas  Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail What happens when anger becomes funny? Alex Pearlman has built a following by saying the things many people are thinking but cannot always say themselves. His viral Mexican Pizza rant helped put him on the map, but there was a lot of work behind that moment. This week on Here’s What We Know, comedian and TikTok star Alex Pearlman talks about growing up outside Philadelphia, finding his voice through more than two decades of comedy, going viral, and what happens when the internet suddenly decides you're an "overnight success." Alex believes people have lost sight of the fact that there is a real person on the other side of the screen. His Crashing Out Tour is part of his effort to get people out of comment sections and back into real conversations. Listen now. In This Episode: The real story behind Alex's viral "Mexican Pizza Hut rant" and what he learned about timing, monetization, and TikTokWhy Alex calls himself an "anger translator" for people who can't say what they're really thinkingGrowing up in Delco, outside Philadelphia, and how that shaped his comedic voiceThe difference between angry-and-funny and angry-and-jerky, and why so few comedians land on the right side of that lineWhat Alex means by a "25-year overnight success" and the odd jobs that quietly fed his material for decadesWhy his wife became his most trusted editor and what that partnership taught him about egoThe danger of young creators going viral with no life experience to back it upWhy Alex built the Crashing Out Tour around getting people off their phones and back into a room togetherWhat's coming to San Francisco's Palace of Fine Arts on September 11th Catch Alex Pearlman's Crashing Out Tour on September 11. Pick up your tickets here before they sell out!  This episode is sponsored by:  Sterling Oak Cabinetry  Reed Animal Hospital  Bio: Alex Pearlman is a comedian, podcaster, and creator who has been performing stand-up since 2002. A longtime Philadelphia-area resident, Alex has built a following with his sharp, often angry, and always funny takes on everyday life, culture, and politics. His viral videos have introduced him to a much larger audience, but his comedy is rooted in more than two decades of performing and developing his voice. He is also the creator of the Crashing Out Tour, which aims to bring people out of online arguments and back into real conversations with one another. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pearlmania500/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pearlmania500/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pearlmania500 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AlexPearlman2000 Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail We lost the biggest star country music has ever had. This week on Once Around the Country, our host, Gary Scott Thomas, takes you back to a Saturday afternoon in Red Level, Alabama, where an eight-year-old boy stood in a plowed field, fire ants and all, as Porter Wagoner performed on a flatbed trailer and a young Dolly Parton walked onto the stage. Gary had no idea then that he was watching someone who would become one of country music’s biggest stars. In this episode, Gary shares what he remembers about that day, industry insight from his years in country radio, and a heartfelt tribute to a woman who built an empire, stayed true to herself, and never forgot where she came from. Gary also talks about Dolly’s relationship with Porter, her rise from country music star to cultural icon, her marriage to Carl Dean, and the few moments he was lucky enough to speak with her. And at the end, he’ll tell you what happened when he asked Dolly if she remembered that first concert. Listen now. In this episode: Gary's first concert ever, and why it still sticks with him todayThe real story behind Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton's partnership and eventual splitHow "I Will Always Love You" started as a professional goodbye letterDolly's business instincts, including the decision that cost Elvis Presley the song and made Dolly millionsDollywood, her marriage to Carl Dean, and what she was like one-on-oneWhy Gary believes Dolly was country music's first true crossover star This episode is sponsored by:  Sterling Oak Cabinetry  Reed Animal Hospital  Bio: Dolly Parton is a country music legend, singer, songwriter, actress, author, and entrepreneur who rose from a large, poor family in Tennessee to become one of the most recognizable and beloved artists in the world. Known for her distinctive voice, songwriting talent, humor, and business sense, she built a career that crossed from country music into pop culture while remaining proud of her Appalachian roots. Her catalog includes classics such as “Jolene,” “Coat of Many Colors,” and “I Will Always Love You,” and her legacy extends beyond music through Dollywood, philanthropy, and her commitment to literacy and children’s causes. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dollyparton/ Tags: Dolly Parton, Dolly Parton podcast, Dolly Parton story, Dolly Parton first concert, Here’s What We Know, Porter Wagoner, Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner, country music history, country music stories, Dolly Parton career, Dolly Parton legacy, I Will Always Love You, Dollywood, Carl Dean, country music podcast Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail Middle Falls Time Travel series bestselling author Shawn Inmon has been on Here's What We Know twice before, and this conversation might be the most personal one yet.  In this episode, join us for a wide-ranging conversation about writing, love, creativity, and facing cancer. Shawn shares how the idea behind Middle Falls came from wondering whether we could go back in time and change the choices we made, and how that universal idea grew into a bestselling book series. He also talks about expanding the Middle Falls universe to England and Australia, working with other writers, and why he trusts his audiobook narrators so much. Shawn also opens up about how cancer and treatment have affected his ability to write, why he has permitted himself to step away from the keyboard for a while, why he's choosing to be open about it publicly, and what he wants other men to know about catching it early. Listen now. In this episode: How Shawn met his wife at 15, lost her for 30 years, and found her again at a drive-inWhy Shawn calls himself an organic writer and how he builds a book without an outlineThe story behind Michael Hollister, the shortest and most beloved book in the Middle Falls seriesWriting Reggie Blackwell, a character who resists redemption for yearsHow Chuck Burke's storyline tackles hoarding and addiction with honestyExpanding Middle Falls into England with co-writer Kirsten McKenzieBringing a Western Australia storyline into the series with a new collaboratorShawn's prostate cancer diagnosis, his treatment, and why he's sharing his story publiclyWhat's coming next, including fan-favorite character Moondog This episode is sponsored by: Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!) License #: 679261 Bison Junk Removal Bio: Shawn Inmon is a small-town kid who dreamed of being a writer. Today, he is a full-time author who lives in Tumwater, Washington, USA. He worked several dozen jobs - retail, real estate, traveling with the Unlimited Hydroplanes, crabbing in Alaska, morning disc jockey and station manager, and many others he can't remember to list. These jobs gave him a wonderful base to write what he knows because he knows a little about a lot. He achieved his dream of becoming a full-time writer in 2016 and has never looked back. One reviewer called him "The King of Redemption stories." Shawn says he doesn't feel like a king of anything, but he does love a good tale of second chances. He is the author of the ever-growing The Middle Falls Time Travel series, 18 books and counting, and The Alex Hawk Time Travel Adventure series. He is also the author of Feels Like the First Time, a bestselling memoir of growing up in a small town in the seventies, falling in love, and messing everything up. He lives with his high school sweetheart - now wife -Dawn, two happy-go-lucky Chocolate Labs, and a slightly schizo cat named Georgie.  Website: https://www.shawn-inmon.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShawnInmonWriter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawninmon/ X: https://twitter.com/ShawnInmon Tags: Shawn Inmon, Middle Falls, Middle Falls series, bestselling author, Shawn Inmon interview, time travel books, second chances, writing books, author interview, audiobook narration, cancer and creativity, writing through adversity, Who is Shawn Inmon, what is the Middle Falls series, Shawn Inmon books, Shawn Inmon author interview, what is Middle Falls about, Shawn Inmon writing process, Shawn Inmon cancer, Shawn Inmon audiobook, books about second chances, books about time travel, Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail Ronnie Dunn was studying to be a preacher while Kix Brooks was already a working Nashville songwriter with hits on the radio. Neither one planned on becoming half of the biggest duo in country music history, and neither one really wanted to be tied to a partner.  This week on Once Around the Country, our host, Gary Scott Thomas, walks through the real story of Brooks & Dunn, from a Nashville meeting neither man asked for, to three straight number one singles to a farewell tour that didn't stick and the reunion that proved some partnerships are worth fighting to keep. Give it a listen today. We think you'll walk away with a whole new appreciation for the two guys behind "Neon Moon." In This Episode: How Ronnie Dunn and Kix Brooks were introduced by producer Tim DuBoisThe story behind their first single, "Brand New Man," and writing three hits in one sessionWhy Kix Brooks was considered the bigger star when the duo formedThe disagreement over recording "My Maria" and why it became their biggest hitHow "Only in America" ended up as a campaign song for both partiesBrooks & Dunn's first attempted breakup and the record executive who talked them out of itThe Last Rodeo farewell tour and what changed Ronnie Dunn's mindWhy Reboot and Reboot 2 brought a new generation of country stars into their catalogWhat it's really like watching Brooks & Dunn open for Morgan Wallen today This episode is sponsored by: Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)  License #: 679261  Bison Junk Removal Brooks and Dunn: Brooks & Dunn, made up of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, became one of the most successful duos in country music history. They came together in Nashville in the late 1980s and quickly found success with hits like “Brand New Man,” “Neon Moon,” “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” and “My Maria.” Their partnership produced years of awards, chart-topping songs, and unforgettable live performances, even as the two men eventually tried to go their separate ways twice. Somehow, they kept finding their way back to the music that made them one of country’s most beloved duos. Website: https://www.brooks-dunn.com/ Tags: Brooks & Dunn, Ronnie Dunn, Kix Brooks, Brooks and Dunn breakup, Brooks & Dunn history, Brooks & Dunn story, Neon Moon, Brand New Man, My Maria, country music history, country music duos, Nashville music, Last Rodeo, Brooks & Dunn Reboot Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wanted to reach out to someone you admire but talked yourself out of asking? This week on Here’s What We Know, Mark J. Carter has been asking people for their time since he was in college, when he started tracking down CEOs, authors, and other successful people simply because he wanted to learn from them. That curiosity eventually led to his work as an interviewer, the Idea Climbing podcast, and conversations with people like Bo Jackson. Mark shares what he has learned from years of interviewing successful people, including the two questions that can help an interviewer when they don't know what to ask next: How? And why? We also talk about networking, asking for help, finding your personal superpower, building a brand, and figuring out how to turn a big idea into something that can actually make money. In this episode, you'll hear about: How Mark started reaching out to successful people before social media changed networkingWhy asking for someone's time can be much easier than we make itThe importance of genuine curiosityMark's "How and Why" approach to interviewingWhat he learned from interviewing Bo JacksonHow to find your personal superpowerWhy everyone has a personal brandHow to ask for help without feeling like you're imposingTurning a big idea into a businessWhy successful entrepreneurs keep looking for the next challengeHow Mark uses interviews to help coaches, consultants, and speakers tell better stories  This episode is sponsored by:  Dignity Memorial  Sterling Oak Cabinetry  Bio: Mark J. Carter is the founder and host of the Idea Climbing podcast, as well as an interviewer, speaker, author, and entrepreneur. For more than 27 years, his curiosity about how successful people think, solve problems, and turn ideas into action has led him to conversations with entrepreneurs, authors, athletes, and other accomplished people. He is the author of Idea Climbing: How to Create a Support System for Your Next Big Idea, and his upcoming book, Idea Scaling: How to Monetize Your Next Big Idea With Passion and Purpose, draws on interviews with six-, seven-, and eight-figure business owners to offer practical guidance for entrepreneurs. Mark also brings his experience as an improv practitioner to his interviews and presentations, creating conversations that are curious, collaborative and spontaneous. Website: https://www.markjcarter.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjcarter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markjcarter/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mjcarter/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarkJCarter Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail Before Taylor Swift, there was Shania Twain. This week on Once Around the Country, Gary breaks down the real story behind one of the most successful and most underrated careers in music history. Shania Twain grew up as Eileen Edwards in Windsor and Timmins, Ontario, raising money for her family by singing in bars from age 8. She lost both of her parents in a car accident at 21 and stepped in to raise her younger siblings while working six nights a week at a resort. From there, she became Shania Twain and built a career that redefined what a country artist could be, from the record-breaking sales of The Woman in Me and Come On Over to a Super Bowl halftime show and a heartbreak so public it played out like a soap opera. This episode covers her childhood, her early years playing bars for tips, the loss of her parents, her marriage to producer Mutt Lange, the explosion of Come On Over, her Lyme disease diagnosis and vocal struggles, and how she rebuilt her voice and her career on her own terms. In This Episode: Shania Twain's childhood in Windsor and Timmins, OntarioGrowing up with food scarcity and family hardshipSinging in bars at age eight to help support her familyThe loss of her parents and raising her siblingsHow Eileen Edwards became Shania TwainMeeting producer Robert "Mutt" LangeThe Woman in Me and Come On Over album successShania Twain's record-breaking album salesHer Super Bowl halftime performanceHer divorce from Mutt Lange and the story behind itHer Lyme disease diagnosis and vocal cord dysfunctionWhy Shania Twain deserves more credit as a music industry pioneer This episode is sponsored by: Sterling Oak Cabinetry  Dignity Memorial  Bio: Shania Twain is one of the most successful and influential country music crossover artists of all time. Born Eileen Edwards in Ontario, Canada, she began performing as a child and overcame a difficult upbringing before building a career that would take her from small-town bars to the biggest stages in the world. With hits like “Any Man of Mine,” “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” and “From This Moment On,” along with the massive success of The Woman in Me and Come On Over, Shania helped redefine what a country music superstar could be. Her story also includes personal heartbreak, the loss of her singing voice and an extraordinary determination to keep performing and creating. Tags: Tags; Shania Twain, Shania Twain biography, Shania Twain story, Shania Twain career, Shania Twain Come On Over, Shania Twain The Woman in Me, Shania Twain country music, Shania Twain greatest hits, Shania Twain 1990s, Shania Twain biggest star, country music legends, country music history, 90s music, 90s country music, Taylor Swift Shania Twain, women in country music, country music crossover, Shania Twain resilience, Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail What was it like to build a career in radio when every conversation had the power to bring people together? This week on Here's What We Know, we welcome veteran broadcaster George Lindsey, whose remarkable career began at just 15 years old behind a radio microphone.  George shares unforgettable stories from decades in broadcasting, remembers the legendary entertainers he met, and reflects on how radio created friendships that lasted a lifetime. He also opens up about his passion for charity auctions, explaining why helping communities has become one of the most rewarding chapters of his career.  Join us as we explore the lasting value of curiosity, meaningful conversations, and the simple joy of connecting with people. Listen now. In This Episode: How George Lindsey got his start in radio as a teenagerWhat made the golden age of radio so memorableStories about legendary musicians, entertainers, and life behind the microphoneWhy building genuine relationships mattered more than ratingsHow charity auctions became an unexpected callingLessons about service, gratitude, and staying curious throughout lifeWhy authentic conversations continue to matter in every generation This episode is sponsored by:  Dignity Memorial  Reed Animal Hospital  Bio: George Lindsey spent decades behind the microphone as an award-winning radio personality, delivering ratings, results, and memorable moments. Four years ago, after graduating from auction school and earning his auctioneer's license, he traded the studio for the stage, where he now energizes audiences as a professional emcee and benefit auctioneer. Alongside his wife, George also leads unforgettable small-group journeys across Europe's most iconic destinations, helping empty nesters, solo travelers, and reluctant adventurers experience the trip of a lifetime. Whether he's driving excitement at a fundraising auction, guiding travelers through Europe, or sharing stories that connect people, George's passion is creating experiences that matter. Website: https://www.lindsey-adventures.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-lindsey-auctioneer/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/georgelindseyofficial/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/george.lindsey/ Tags: Golden Age of Radio, Radio History, Classic Radio, Broadcasting, Radio Personality, George Lindsey, Gary Scott Thomas, Here's What We Know Podcast, Storytelling, Great Storytelling, Human Connection, Meaningful Conversations, Life Lessons, Career in Radio, Behind the Microphone, Radio Industry, Radio Memories, Communication Skills, Media Careers, Podcast Interview, Broadcast Journalism, Entertainment Industry, Charity Auctions, Community Service, Building Relationships, Personal Growth, Inspiring Stories, Nostalgic Stories, Legendary Entertainers, Music Industry Stories, Radio Legends, Authentic Conversations, Podcast About Radio, History of Radio Broadcasting, Lessons from Broadcasting, Storytelling Podcast, Interview with George Lindsey, Best Radio Stories Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail Long before Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson got credit for starting outlaw country, Johnny Cash was already living it.  This episode of Once Around the Country traces how a poor farm boy from Arkansas, born with only initials for a name, became the man behind one of the most legendary live albums ever recorded. The episode covers Johnny's growing outlaw reputation, his arrests, his drug use, and the empathy he developed for the men he met behind bars. That empathy led to a dream he chased for over a decade: recording a live album inside Folsom State Prison. Record executives thought it was a terrible idea. Johnny thought it might save his career. On January 13, 1968, Johnny Cash walked into Folsom State Prison alongside June Carter, the Statler Brothers, Carl Perkins, and his backing band the Tennessee Three. He recorded a concert that revived his career and became one of Rolling Stone's top 500 albums of all time. In This Episode: Why Johnny Cash wasn't actually born "Johnny"The tragedy that shaped his childhoodHow Sun Records changed his careerThe surprising reason he always wore blackJohnny Cash's arrests and drug strugglesWhy Folsom Prison became his greatest performanceHow Merle Haggard's life changed after seeing Johnny performWhy At Folsom Prison still ranks among the greatest live albums ever made This episode is sponsored by:  Dignity Memorial  Reed Animal Hospital  Bio: Johnny Cash (born J.R. Cash, February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an iconic American singer, songwriter, and musician. Known as "The Man in Black," he blended country, rockabilly, rock and roll, folk, and gospel. He sold over 90 million records, earned 13 Grammy Awards, and was inducted into both the Country Music and Rock and Roll Halls of Fame. Tags: Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison, Folsom Prison Blues, Country Music History, Outlaw Country, Classic Country, Merle Haggard, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, June Carter, Sun Records, Sam Phillips, Tennessee Two, Music History, American Music, Country Legends, Live Albums, Once Around the Country, Gary Scott Thomas, Here's What We Know, Storytelling, Biography, Historical Podcast, Society and Culture, Music Podcast Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail What happens when two old friends reconnect after more than three decades? This week on Here’s What We Know, our host Gary Scott Thomas welcomes longtime Colorado radio personality Dave Jensen for a conversation filled with laughter, memories, and honest reflections about a business they both love. They revisit their days together at TRI 102.5 in Northern Colorado, swap stories that have only gotten better with time, and talk about how a radio career has changed over the years. Gary shares why getting fired became one of the greatest blessings of his life, while Dave reflects on staying in one market long enough to become part of the community's story. This conversation is about friendship, resilience, finding joy in your work, and realizing that the people who cross your path often leave a bigger mark than you ever imagined. Listen now. In This Episode: Reconnecting after more than 30 yearsBehind-the-scenes stories from Colorado radioWhy local radio still mattersHow getting fired changed Gary's life foreverFunny memories from TRI 102.5Dave Jensen's award-winning careerThe future of radio and streamingWhy local, human content still beats syndicated contentWhy relationships outlast careers This episode is sponsored by: Bison Junk Removal Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!) License #: 679261 Bio: Dave Jensen was born in Paterson, New Jersey, but moved to Colorado (in the back window of his parents’ VW 1968) when he was 12 months old and has lived in the area ever since. Dave worked at Runza in Loveland when he was younger and still enjoys stopping now and then for an Original Runza. Dave is currently the longest-tenured employee in the Townsquare Media Northern Colorado office at 600 Main St. in Windsor, having worked here since 1997. Dave was awarded ‘Best Afternoon Show/Major Market’ by the Colorado Broadcasters Association (CBA) in 2025; RETRO 102.5 was awarded ‘Station of the Year’ in 2022. He has family in the area, with his brother living in Fort Collins and a nephew in Eaton. Dave loves movies, disc golf, movies, great TV, the local craft beers around Fort Collins, and all things radio. Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail If radio ever felt personal to you, this episode will bring back a lot of memories. This week on Here's What We Know, we sit down with Chicago radio legend Garry Meier, one half of the iconic Steve and Garry afternoon show that defined a generation of radio listeners.  Garry opens up about how Larry Lujack's sarcasm on WLS first pulled him toward broadcasting, what it was actually like to work alongside his childhood radio hero, and the story that sparked his on-air partnership with Steve Dahl. The conversation moves into the night that made Garry Meier a piece of American pop culture history: Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park, where a stunt built around smashing records grew into a forfeited baseball game and international news coverage. Garry pushes back on how the event has been reframed over the decades and explains what he actually witnessed that summer night in 1979. From there, the two Garys talk about the business side of broadcasting: why big radio companies loaded themselves with debt buying up stations, why hiring managers now care more about a resume than a demo tape, and why podcasting has become the format radio should have evolved into decades ago. If you remember what radio felt like before it became all business and no personality, you're going to enjoy this one. Listen now! In This Episode: How Larry Lujack's WLS show inspired an entire generation of radio hostsThe real story behind meeting a childhood hero and finding out they're humanHow the Steve and Garry partnership started with an offhand comment about gas pricesThe night of Disco Demolition Night and what actually happened at Comiskey ParkWhy the disco backlash has been mischaracterized in the years sinceWhat went wrong with corporate radio consolidation after FCC ownership rules changedWhy podcasting outperforms traditional radio for long-form conversationBehind-the-scenes stories with Sam Kinison, Albert Brooks, Garry Marshall, and Paul McCartneyGarry Meier’s induction into the Radio Hall of Fame This episode is sponsored by: Dignity Memorial Reed Animal Hospital  Bio: Garry Meier is a Radio Hall of Fame inductee and one of Chicago's most celebrated radio personalities. His legendary career includes groundbreaking partnerships with Steve Dahl, multiple No. 1 radio shows, five A.I.R. Awards for Best Afternoon Talk Show, and recognition by Talkers Magazine as one of America's most influential talk show hosts. Today, Garry brings the same sharp wit, curiosity, and engaging storytelling to The Garry Meier Show, where he continues to entertain audiences with thoughtful conversations, humor, and commentary on life and current events. Website: https://garrymeier.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garry-meier-571478187/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGarryMeierShow/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/garrforcelive Connect with Gary: Gary's WebsiteFollow Gary on InstagramGary's TiktokGary's FacebookWatch the episodes on YouTubeAdvertise on the PodcastThank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!