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

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

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

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

In This Episode:

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

This episode is sponsored by:

Sterling Oak Cabinetry (Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)

Bio:

Danny Johnson delivers clean stand-up with "Northeast sarcasm and Southern charm," making him a favorite for theaters, corporate events, churches, and community audiences nationwide. A Dry Bar Comedy featured comedian (Apple TV, Amazon & Peacock), he has appeared on Comedy Central, NateLand Live at Zanies, and shared stages with Howie Mandel, Bob Saget, and many others. A Carnival Cruise Line Comedy Challenge winner and 15-year headliner, Danny blends sharp observations, expressive physical comedy, and relatable stories into a show audiences trust and event planners rebook.

Website: https://dannyjohnson.com/

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In This Episode:

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

This episode is sponsored by:

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

License #: 679261

Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In This Episode:

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

This episode is sponsored by:

Reed Animal Hospital

Dignity Memorial

Bio:

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

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

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

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

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

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