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This week on Here's What We Know, we’re sitting down with the incredibly talented Michael Hardy—better known as HARDY. He’s the genre-bending singer-songwriter making waves in both the country and rock scenes, and he’s got stories, heart, and grit to spare. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• How HARDY balances rock grit with country soul
• What it’s like having #1 songs in two genres at once
• The story behind “Jim Bob” and other bold songwriting choices
• Behind-the-scenes of Wait In The Truck and acting alongside Lainey Wilson
• From Charlie Daniels to Brad Paisley, discover the country artists who shaped and inspired him

📌 Catch HARDY live at Shoreline Amphitheatre on June 7! See you there!

This episode is sponsored by:

Tranont

Dignity Memorial

Bio:

Michael Wilson Hardy—known simply as HARDY—is a genre-blending powerhouse in country and rock music. Originally from Mississippi, he started his career as a hit songwriter for artists like Florida Georgia Line, Blake Shelton, and Morgan Wallen before stepping into the spotlight with his own gritty, high-energy sound. With songs like “TRUCK BED” and “One Beer,” HARDY brings bold storytelling, small-town heart, and a rock ‘n’ roll edge to everything he does. Whether he’s on stage or behind the mic, HARDY keeps it honest, loud, and unapologetically real.

Website: https://hardyofficial.com/

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

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

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

YouTube: @HARDYmusic

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This week on Here's What We Know, meet Carrie E. Pierce—an accomplished writer with over 20 years of experience who started her creative career in the film industry, working behind the scenes with makeup and special effects. But her heart always belonged to storytelling, and today, she’s writing children’s books that tackle big emotions with grace, honesty, and a whole lot of Southern charm.

In This Episode:

• Carrie’s journey from film sets to writing
• Why her children’s books tackle big emotions like grief and fear
• The hilarious pitfalls of Southern dialect + voice-to-text (spoiler: bald peanuts)
• A surprisingly thoughtful tangent about lizard people
• What it really takes to get through the hard parts of writing (and life)
• Pulling back the curtain on the darker corners of the entertainment industry, where exploitation often hides in plain sight
• Carrie shares the deeply personal inspiration behind her book Becoming Billie
• Reflections on societal issues—from high-profile scandals shaking up entire industries to the quest for authenticity
• And when it comes to protecting our kids? We get real about the moral responsibility we all share in pushing back against hypersexualization

This episode is sponsored by:

Dignity Memorial

Bio:

Carrie E. Pierce has over 20 years of experience in publishing, radio, & TV. She is a published author and ghostwriter. Her children’s book Abby Apple Tree was named a finalist for an Eric Hoffer Award. She is a partner in Morgan Pierce Media & Publishing. And her subscription service Letters from Elizabeth, delivers thoughtfully penned letters twice a month to women who suddenly find themselves alone after a major life change later in life.

Carrie lives in Idaho, surrounded by good friends, gorgeous scenery, and amazing people. When not writing, she enjoys snowshoeing, gardening, good food and wine, and dancing. When writing, her trusty 20-year-old cat, Bluey, is almost always to be found snoring on a pillow next to Carrie’s desk.

Website: https://morganpiercemediapublishing.com/

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

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

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

Connect with Gary:

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