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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 teenager
• What made the golden age of radio so memorable
• Stories about legendary musicians, entertainers, and life behind the microphone
• Why building genuine relationships mattered more than ratings
• How charity auctions became an unexpected calling
• Lessons about service, gratitude, and staying curious throughout life
• Why 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

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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 childhood
• How Sun Records changed his career
• The surprising reason he always wore black
• Johnny Cash's arrests and drug struggles
• Why Folsom Prison became his greatest performance
• How Merle Haggard's life changed after seeing Johnny perform
• Why 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

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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 years
• Behind-the-scenes stories from Colorado radio
• Why local radio still matters
• How getting fired changed Gary's life forever
• Funny memories from TRI 102.5
• Dave Jensen's award-winning career
• The future of radio and streaming
• Why local, human content still beats syndicated content
• Why 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.

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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 hosts
• The real story behind meeting a childhood hero and finding out they're human
• How the Steve and Garry partnership started with an offhand comment about gas prices
• The night of Disco Demolition Night and what actually happened at Comiskey Park
• Why the disco backlash has been mischaracterized in the years since
• What went wrong with corporate radio consolidation after FCC ownership rules changed
• Why podcasting outperforms traditional radio for long-form conversation
• Behind-the-scenes stories with Sam Kinison, Albert Brooks, Garry Marshall, and Paul McCartney
• Garry 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

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What does it take to stay at the top of country music for five decades?

This week on Here's What We Know, country music legend T.G. Sheppard joins us for a heartfelt conversation about the people, moments, and songs that shaped his remarkable career.

T.G. shares unforgettable stories about his friendship with Elvis Presley, including the chance meeting that changed his life forever. He reflects on life on the road, the physical demands of touring, the songs that almost never happened, and why longevity comes down to more than talent.

We’ll also talk about John Denver, Roger Miller, Sonny Throckmorton, Judy Collins, songwriting, record labels, and the magic that happens when the right song finds the right artist.

If you love country music history, behind-the-scenes stories, and conversations that remind us why great songs stay with us for generations, this episode is a must-listen!

In This Episode:

• Life on tour buses and the real cost of the road on a 50-year career
• Why so many artists battle throat and vocal problems
• The night T.G. met Elvis Presley outside a roller rink as a runaway kid
• What Elvis was like as a person, away from the fame
• TG's years as a record executive working with Waylon Jennings and John Denver
• How "I Loved 'Em Every One" sat in a vault for ten years before it became a hit
• Sonny Throckmorton and the songwriters who shaped the sound of country music
• The Roger Miller story behind "Last Cheater's Waltz"
• Recording "Home Again" with Judy Collins
• What it means to have longevity in the music business

This episode is sponsored by:

Bison Junk Removal

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

License #: 679261

Bio:

T.G. Sheppard is one of country music's enduring legends, with 21 number one hits and a career spanning more than 50 years. Known for classics like "Last Cheater's Waltz," "I Loved 'Em Every One," "Party Time," and "Do You Wanna Go to Heaven," he continues to captivate audiences with the same passion that first brought him to Nashville as a teenager. Along the way, he built a close friendship with Elvis Presley, who gave him his first tour bus, helped shape the careers of countless artists as a record executive, and earned his place among country music's top 100 artists of all time. Today, TG is still touring, sharing timeless songs and unforgettable stories with fans across the country.

Website: https://www.tgsheppard.com/

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

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

Tags: TG Sheppard interview, Elvis Presley stories, country music podcast, Last Cheater's Waltz story, TG Sheppard Elvis friendship, country music legends interview,

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If you grew up falling asleep to the radio under your pillow, hoping your parents wouldn't catch you, this one’s for you.

This week on Here's What We Know, we welcome the legendary Mark Thompson of Mark & Brian for a conversation that goes way past the usual radio war stories.

We’ll talk about the moment a program director named Bob Kagan changed Mark's entire approach to broadcasting with six words. The night in Birmingham that led to the partnership with Brian and how a five-dollar raise pushed Mark straight into the arms of Los Angeles radio.

We’ll also talk about the parts of the journey that don't usually make it into an interview: Mark's mother and the words she said to him that carried him through the hardest years, what it costs to build a career while raising a family, and why he still believes credit belongs to whoever earns it.

This one is funny, it's honest, and by the end, you'll understand exactly why Mark Thompson is on Gary's short list of broadcasting legends.

In this episode:

• How a boll weevil statue in Enterprise, Alabama connects two radio careers
• The six words from Bob Kagan that changed Mark's career forever
• How Mark and Brian found their way to Los Angeles almost by accident
• The life-changing advice Mark received from his mother
• Why sharing your real life creates lasting connections with an audience
• The story behind Mark's memoir, Don't Bump the Record, Kid, and why every dollar he earns from the book supports animal rescue

This episode is sponsored by:

Sterling Oak Cabinetry

Reed Animal Hospital

Bio:

Mark Thompson is a legendary radio personality, author, and storyteller best known as one-half of the iconic Mark & Brian Morning Show. Alongside Brian Phelps, he spent 25 years entertaining millions of listeners on Los Angeles' KLOS-FM, helping redefine morning radio with unforgettable comedy, creative stunts, and authentic storytelling. The show's success led to national syndication, television appearances, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1997.

A native of Florence, Alabama, Thompson began his broadcasting career in the South before making the leap to Los Angeles in 1987. Throughout his career, he became known not only for his quick wit and creativity, but also for his ability to connect with listeners through honest, personal stories that made audiences feel like part of the conversation.

In 2022, Thompson released his acclaimed memoir, Don't Bump the Record, Kid: My Adventures with Mark & Brian, offering an honest and entertaining look at his remarkable career, the behind-the-scenes realities of one of America's most successful morning shows, and the personal experiences that shaped his life both on and off the air.

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Most people expect a conversation about death to feel heavy. This one feels surprisingly hopeful.

This week on Here's What We Know, we sit down with Mike Oppenheim, host of the podcast Coffin Talk, for a conversation about fatherhood, grief, faith, forgiveness, and the question every person eventually asks: What happens when we die?

Mike shares the heartbreaking story of losing his son, how he found healing without living in anger, and why spending years with hospice patients changed everything he believed about what matters most.

Whether you share these beliefs or not, you'll find something meaningful in this episode.

In This Episode:

• Growing up in Berkeley and the culture that shaped Mike's early years
• How a spur-of-the-moment college application sent him to the University of Pittsburgh
• The custody battle and international parental child abduction that took his son to Thailand
• Working through the U.S. State Department and the reality of cross-border custody cases
• Volunteering at Hospice of the Valley in Phoenix and choosing the dementia ward
• Why hospice families struggle more than the patients themselves
• The origin story of the Coffin Talk podcast
• America's discomfort with aging and mortality compared to other cultures
• Faith, fear, and why anger never solves anything
• Blended family life, his current wife, and his two young daughters
• The moment his daughter finally got to talk to her brother

This episode is sponsored by:

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

License #: 679261

Bison Junk Removal

Bio:

Mike Oppenheim is an author, speaker, and the creator of the Coffin Talk podcast, where he asks guests one timeless question: What do you think happens when you die? After experiencing profound personal loss, Mike found purpose in hospice volunteering and helping others have honest conversations about life, death, grief, and hope. Through his writing and podcast, he encourages people to live with greater compassion, curiosity, and appreciation for the time we have.

Substack: https://mikeyopp.substack.com/podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeyopp38/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/mikeyopp

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-oppenheim-8a5562186/

Tags: what happens when we die, grief, loss, healing, parental alienation, international child abduction, fatherhood, hospice, end of life, faith, purpose, podcast interview, Coffin Talk Podcast, personal growth, storytelling, meaningful conversations, forgiveness, hope, mortality

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What really happened in the months leading up to the Declaration of Independence?

Most of us learned the broad strokes of the American Revolution in school. Professor Robert G. Parkinson believes the real story is far more interesting and far more human.

In this special episode of Here's What We Know, we sit down with the Binghamton University historian and author to explore the uncertainty, political disagreements, personal conflicts, and difficult decisions that shaped America's founding.

We’ll discuss why independence was never guaranteed, why many colonists remained loyal to Britain, what really happened during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, and how George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and King George III become far more fascinating once you see them as people instead of monuments.

The conversation also explores what we can learn from the nation's earliest struggles, why democracy has always been difficult, and why history still matters 250 years later.

In This Episode

• Why independence was never a sure thing
• The surprising divisions among the colonies
• What Thomas Jefferson was doing while writing the Declaration
• Why George Washington walked away from power
• The role newspapers played in shaping public opinion
• What America might look like if Britain had won
• The lessons the Revolutionary generation still offers today

This special episode is sponsored by:

Dignity Memorial

Sterling Oak Cabinetry

Reed Animal Hospital

Bison Junk Removal

Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter

License #: 679261

Bio:

Robert G. Parkinson is a professor of history at Binghamton University and an award-winning historian specializing in the American Revolution and the nation's founding. He is the author of three acclaimed books, The Common Cause, Thirteen Clocks, and Heart of American Darkness. His research explores the people, politics, and pivotal moments that shaped early America, helping bring the nation's history to life for modern audiences.

Tags: American Revolution, Declaration of Independence, Founding Fathers, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Revolutionary War, American history podcast, Fourth of July history, U.S. history, democracy, Constitution, colonial America, King George III, history interview, July 4th,

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