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!

In This Episode:

• 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.

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

Stanley M. Brand supervises the Semester in Washington internship program. Professor Brand is senior counsel in Akin Gump's litigation practice in Washington, D.C., and has enjoyed success representing corporations, trade associations, labor unions, and individuals in major justice department, grand jury and independent counsel investigations and trial proceedings including Whitewater, HUD, the savings and loan crisis and the campaign finance task force investigations. Earlier in his career, Professor Brand served as general counsel to the U.S. House of Representatives and was the chief legal officer responsible for representing the House, its members, officers, and employees in connection with legal procedures and challenges to the conduct of their official activities. With over thirty years of experience, Professor Brand offers students a particularly sharp insight into federal regulatory and legislative practice in Washington, DC. In addition to his legal work, Professor Brand serves as the Vice-President of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stan-brand-3293501/

Connect with Gary:

• Gary's Website
• Follow Gary on Instagram
• Gary's Tiktok
• Gary's Facebook
• Watch the episodes on YouTube
• Advertise on the Podcast

Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

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!

In This Episode:

• 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

This episode is sponsored by:

Tranont

Reed Animal Hospital

(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)

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.

Website: https://annemontgomerywriter.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anne-montgomery-1b995b23/

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

Connect with Gary:

• Gary's Website
• Follow Gary on Instagram
• Gary's Tiktok
• Gary's Facebook
• Watch the episodes on YouTube
• Advertise on the Podcast

Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Some superheroes wear capes… but this one delivers hope, joy, and community impact.

This week on Here's What We Know, join us for an extraordinary episode where we dive into the inspiring journey of Timothy Glover, aka Dash Gordon—a man who turned life’s challenges into something truly incredible—a mission of making a real difference. This conversation will inspire you to make a difference—big or small—in your own community. Tune in now!

In This Episode:

• Meet Dash Gordon: How Tim transformed his life and found purpose in unexpected ways.
• The Birth of the Dash Gordon Foundation: What started as a simple DoorDash gig evolved into something much greater.
• From Personal Struggles to Community Hero: From foster care to becoming a local superhero.
• Impactful Initiatives: The Winter Formal & A Night to Remember Pageant—bringing joy to special needs individuals.
• Unwavering Faith & Purpose: How faith and resilience shaped his journey.

This episode is sponsored by:

Bison Junk Removal (Effortless solution to your junk removal needs!)

Bio:

​Timothy Glover, also known as "Dash Gordon," is a community advocate and founder of the Dash Gordon Foundation, dedicated to uplifting special needs, disabled, and at-risk individuals. In March 2022, Tim began delivering food for DoorDash to fund a vacation for his wife, Natalie, who was battling stage five kidney failure. Seeking to bring joy to his deliveries, he donned a superhero costume and adopted the moniker "Dash Gordon," transforming routine deliveries into moments of delight for his community.

This initiative quickly evolved into the Dash Gordon Foundation, which creates inclusive events and provides resources for individuals with disabilities and their families. Tim's efforts have garnered widespread recognition, establishing him as a local hero in League City, Texas. Through his foundation, Tim continues to spread joy and foster a sense of belonging, demonstrating the profound impact of compassion and community engagement.​

Website: https://www.thedashgordonfoundation.org/

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

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dash_gordon2022/

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

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

Connect with Gary:

• Gary's Website
• Follow Gary on Instagram
• Gary's Tiktok
• Gary's Facebook
• Watch the episodes on YouTube
• Advertise on the Podcast

Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

This week on Here's What We Know, we sit down with the brilliant Gregg Hurwitz—#1 New York Times internationally bestselling author of 26 thrillers, including the Orphan X series. Gregg takes us behind the scenes of his writing journey, the evolution of Orphan X, and what it takes to craft unforgettable characters. From his early inspirations to the emotional depths of Evan Smoak, he shares the intricacies of his creative process, character development, and even a few surprises about what’s next for Orphan X. Don't miss this fascinating conversation!

In This Episode:

• Gregg’s Writing Journey: How a love for literature (and a deep dive into psychology) shaped his storytelling.
• The Birth of Orphan X: What makes Evan Smoak so addictive to readers—and how he’s grown over ten books.
• The Secret Sauce to Character Development: How psychology, mythology, and a bit of magic help create unforgettable characters.
• Why Nemesis Hits Different: The emotional punch of Book 10 and why it might be the most personal yet.
• Audiobook Alchemy with Scott Brick: How the right narrator can breathe life into a story.
• Orphan X on the Big Screen?: Gregg’s take on Hollywood adaptations, dream casting, and the challenges of bringing Evan Smoak to life on screen.

This episode is sponsored by:

Sterling Oak Cabinetry (Bring your dream cabinet to life!)

Bio:

GREGG HURWITZ is the New York Times #1 internationally bestselling author of 26 thrillers including the Orphan X series. His novels have won numerous literary awards and have been published in 33 languages. Gregg currently serves as the Co-President of International Thriller Writers (ITW). Additionally, he’s written screenplays and television scripts for many of the major studios and networks, comics for AWA (including the critically acclaimed anthology NewThink), DC, and Marvel, and poetry. Currently, Gregg is actively working against polarization in politics and culture. To that end, he's penned op-eds for The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, The Bulwark, Salon, and others, and has produced hundreds of commercials and creative content that have gotten several hundred million views on digital TV platforms. He also helped write the opening ceremony of the 2022 World Cup.

Website: https://gregghurwitz.net/

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

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

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

Connect with Gary:

• Gary's Website
• Follow Gary on Instagram
• Gary's Tiktok
• Gary's Facebook
• Watch the episodes on YouTube
• Advertise on the Podcast

Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

This week on Here's What We Know, we welcome the one and only Rhonda Vincent, the crowned Queen of Bluegrass! She takes us behind the scenes of her incredible journey, from growing up in a bluegrass family to sharing the stage with legends like Dolly Parton, Cody Johnson, and Faith Hill. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• How Rhonda officially became bluegrass royalty after being recognized by The Wall Street Journal and crowned by an Iowa organization.
• Growing up surrounded by music, learning multiple instruments under her father’s guidance, and embracing the deep traditions of bluegrass.
• The incredible story of how a surprise call from Dolly herself led to a magical collaboration. Plus, Rhonda shares heartwarming stories about Dolly’s kindness and generosity.
• From teaming up with Cody Johnson and Faith Hill to reimagining Olivia Newton-John’s "Please Mr. Please" as a bluegrass hit.
• Rhonda’s daughter is making history as the first female lead in the U.S. Navy Band Country Current!
• Rhonda opens up about nerve-wracking moments at Dollywood and the joy of recording American Grandstand with the late Daryl Singletary.

This episode is sponsored by:

Dignity Memorial

Sterling Oak Cabinetry (Bring your dream cabinet to life!)

Bio:

Rhonda Vincent is a Grammy-winning bluegrass artist, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, Grand Ole Opry member, and one of the genre’s most respected musicians. Known as the "Queen of Bluegrass," she blends powerhouse vocals, masterful musicianship, and heartfelt storytelling. With a career spanning decades, Rhonda has earned countless awards and accolades, solidifying her place as a true icon in country and bluegrass music.

Website: https://rhondavincent.com/

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

Youtube: @rhondavincent

Connect with Gary:

• Gary's Website
• Follow Gary on Instagram
• Gary's Tiktok
• Gary's Facebook
• Watch the episodes on YouTube
• Advertise on the Podcast

Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

This week on Here's What We Know, Gary welcomes back John Zaller, the brilliant executive producer of Exhibition Hub, who has brought some of the most breathtaking immersive experiences to life—including Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience and Claude Monet: The Immersive Experience.

John takes us deeper into his creative process, sharing stories from his most impactful projects. He explores how immersive environments can reshape our perceptions and reveals why art continues to serve as a sanctuary for so many. Tune in now!

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How immersive exhibitions are designed to make audiences feel like they’re stepping into another world.
• The fascinating story behind Dialogue in the Dark—an exhibition that turns the lights off and shifts perspectives on ability and disability.
• How Claude Monet’s deteriorating eyesight influenced his most famous works.
• Why art has the power to provide comfort, connection, and escape—even in the busiest, most chaotic times.

This episode is sponsored by:

Bison Junk Removal (Effortless solution to your junk removal needs!)

Bio:

John Zaller is the executive producer of Exhibition Hub, a curator and distributor of world-renowned immersive exhibitions. He has honed his unique skills of production, visual art, and set design for more than 25 years while working in the museum, entertainment, retail, and attractions/theme parks industries through his own immersive design firm, KRE8 360, that specializes in creating story-driven, traveling immersion experiences. He has contributed to creating and overseeing multiple immersive experiential environments, including Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition; Jurassic World: The Exhibition; Bodies the Exhibition; Star Trek: The Exhibition; and the Themed Entertainment Association’s Thea award-winning experience at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station. Most recently, Zaller has been credited for his contributions and skillful expertise on Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience, which was named the 2021 best immersive experience by USA Today and among the 12 best immersive experiences in the world by CNN. He has been working with Exhibition Hub for more than a decade and is responsible for the implementation of all Exhibition Hub properties in the United States.

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

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

Claude Monet The Immersive Experience: https://monetexpo.com/

Bubble Planet in Denver: https://bubble-planet.com/denver/

Connect with Gary:

• Gary's Website
• Follow Gary on Instagram
• Gary's Tiktok
• Gary's Facebook
• Watch the episodes on YouTube
• Advertise on the Podcast

Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

This week on Here's What We Know, Gary sits down with Loreal and Natasha from Arukah Project—an organization dedicated to combating sex trafficking across California—to have a crucial conversation about the realities of this crisis. They uncover the hidden truths of sex trafficking, share real-life stories, and discuss how their organization is working to bring restoration and hope to survivors.

Loreal and Natasha break down common misconceptions, reveal how traffickers exploit vulnerabilities, and emphasize the importance of education and awareness. This episode will not only open your eyes but also inspire you to be part of the solution.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The meaning of 'Arukah'—a Hebrew word for restoration to wholeness—and its significance in shaping their mission
• The shocking reality of how sex trafficking occurs in plain sight.
• How traffickers manipulate personal and economic vulnerabilities to entrap victims
• The critical role of education in prevention and how communities can take action
• Specialized training programs that teach individuals how to identify trafficking signs both online and offline
• Why parental involvement is essential in protecting children and fostering safety conversations

This episode is sponsored by:

Bison Junk Removal (Effortless solution to your junk removal needs!)

Habana Cuba (Be sure to use code "Gary20" to get 20% off your order!)

Bio:

Loreal Weitzel graduated with a BA in Psychology from the University of Santa Cruz, is a Certified Human Trafficking Case Manager in California, and has an MA in Intercultural Studies with a focus on Children at Risk from Fuller Seminary. She founded Arukah Project in 2019 with a passion to restore the lives of sex trafficking survivors from all over California.

Natasha (last name withheld for privacy) is the Deputy Executive Director of the Arukah Project with over 20 years of experience in the field. She holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and is deeply committed to making a difference.

Website: https://www.arukahproject.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arukah.project/

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

Connect with Gary:

• Gary's Website
• Follow Gary on Instagram
• Gary's Tiktok
• Gary's Facebook
• Watch the episodes on YouTube
• Advertise on the Podcast

Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

This week on Here's What We Know, we’ve got the perfect episode to inspire you—just in time for International Women’s Day! Meet Chia-Lin Simmons, CEO of a NASDAQ company, AI startup founder, licensed New York State attorney, and all-around powerhouse. From dreaming of a publishing career to leading at Google, Audible (Amazon), and Harman, her journey proves that success isn’t always a straight line—and that’s more than okay.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, unsure, or just needed a reminder that your path is yours to create, this episode is for you!

In this episode, we dive into:

• Taking unexpected career turns (and why they often lead to the best opportunities)
• Why soft skills—like adaptability and resilience—are just as important as hard skills
• AI, creativity, and why human innovation still matters
• The future of work and why treating employees like adults is the way forward
• The power of finding your people and learning from every step of the journey

This episode is sponsored by:

Reed Animal Hospital (Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)

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

License #: 679261

Bio:

Chia-Lin Simmons is the CEO of LookyLoo, a technology startup that brings together social, big data and machine learning AI to help identify fit in apparel, increase conversion, increase customer confidence and drive down return rates for apparel and online retailers. Chia-Lin is active in the automotive, transportation, digital media ande-commerce technology space as a consultant and advisory board member for a number of companies in the space. Her interest and expertise in the automotive technology space stems from her role as the former VP of Marketing & Content for Harman International’s (NASDAQ: HAR, now a Samsung business) Connected Car business. Chia-Lin helped build and launch Harman’s Connected Car service Aha which is featured in Honda, Subaru, Porsche and other automotive partners and availability in millions of vehicles and more than 50+ countries worldwide. Prior to her starting her own company, Chia-Lin was an executive at a number of high visibility technology companies. Chia-Lin serves on the Board of Directors for Servco Pacific, a $1.3B global automotive / goods company, and recently gave presentations on Autonomous Vehicles and legal concerns to more than 400+ autonomous car experts in Silicon Valley. In her free time, Chia-Lin founded the #bindersproject, which helps connected women tech founders with global funders looking to accelerate female founded startups. Chia-Lin graduated Magna cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa from U.C. San Diego and received her MBA from Cornell University, where she was a Park Leadership Fellow. Chia-Lin is a licensed New York State attorney and earned her JD from George Mason University School of Law.

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

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

Connect with Gary:

• Gary's Website
• Follow Gary on Instagram
• Gary's Tiktok
• Gary's Facebook
• Watch the episodes on YouTube
• Advertise on the Podcast

Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!