Go Fact Yourself

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 100.5: Best of Movies Mar 18, 2022

Show notes

Turn the lights down… the show is about to start! It’s the “Best of Movies” special of Go Fact Yourself, featuring new behind-the-scenes commentary!

The movie industry has adapted a lot in the past two years, and so has our show. These clips are back when we recorded with a live audience (something we plan to do again this year!).

You’ll hear from guests like Paul F. Tompkins, Cristela Alonzo, Anthony Rapp, and many more as they discuss films like The Goonies, Jaws and Young Frankenstein.

Roll film!

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Cristela Alonzo guest host from Episode 40

Pamela Ribon from Episode 3

Jason Kravits from Episode 7

Paul F Tompkins from Episode 15

Allie Goertz from Episode 36

Anthony Rapp from Episode 40

With guest experts:

Jeff B. Cohen, Former Goonie and Co-founder of the entertainment law firm Cohen Gardner LLP.

Danny Goldman, Actor who appeared in Young Frankenstein.

Carl Gotlieb, Screenwriter of Jaws and author of The Jaws Log.

Penelope Spheeris, director of films such as The Decline of Western Civilization parts 1, 2 and 3 and Wayne’s World.

Stephen Park, actor who’s known for his performances in the films Fargo and Do the Right Thing.

Helen Hong, comedian and actress who appeared in the film Inside Llewyn Davis and who’s the regular co-host of Go Fact Yourself!

Go Fact Yourself was devised and is produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Supporting hangmanfilm.com by YOU!

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 100: DJ Jazzy Jeff & Faith Salie Mar 04, 2022

Show notes

It’s the freshest podcast on the shelf – the 100th episode of Go Fact Yourself! #GFY100

You can WATCH the unedited archived video of this episode from our livestream with KPCC public radio.

DJ Jazzy Jeff is a DJ legend and hip-hop pioneer. He’s produced tons of hits over the years– including the theme song for the show “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” on which he also played a role as himself. Now the show has been reimagined as “Bel-Air” on Peacock, with another actor playing Jazz. He’ll tell us about what it’s like to see someone play him on screen and how he’s trying to help the next generation of DJs.

Faith Salie is a multiple Emmy-winning contributor to “CBS Sunday Morning.” She’s also a regular panelist on the show “Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me!” where she gets to show off her competitive spirit. She’ll tell us about how her love of winning goes all the way back to trying to win her high school pageant. You can hear Faith on her new podcast “Broadway Revival.”

Our guests join us on our 100th episode to talk about rap, Broadway and the best treats to celebrate a major occasion.

What’s the Difference: Weight-ingTo Exhale

What’s the difference between weight and mass?

What’s the difference between breathing and respiration?

Areas of Expertise:

Jeff: The early days of hip-hop (pre-1985), the ‘82-’83 Philadelphia 76ers NBA championship season, and how to make popcorn.

Faith: The Lincoln Memorial, the musical Sunday in the Park with George and Coca-Cola cake

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

DJ Jazzy Jeff

Faith Salie

With guest experts:

James Lapine, director, playwright, screenwriter and librettist who’s won a Peabody and multiple Tony Awards. Author of the book Putting it Together: How Stephen Sondheim and I Created “Sunday in the Park with George.”

Darryl McDaniels, a founding member of Run DMC and Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame inductee.

Go Fact Yourself was devised and is produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Mask-upgrading by YOU.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 99: Meg Rowley & Wajahat Ali Feb 18, 2022

Show notes

NOTE: We’ve renumbered all of our shows to accurately reflect all of the bonus episodes we’ve done. Look forward to our 100th episode next month!

It’s third down and goal to go for a trivia touchdown on Go Fact Yourself!

Meg Rowley is managing editor of Fangraphs, and a host of the baseball podcast “Effectively Wild.” She’s endeared herself as an authority on all things baseball, from analytics to the bodily functions of the players. In addition to America’s pastime, she’ll tell us more about why she thinks Arizona is a very underrated state.

Wajahat Ali is a columnist for The Daily Beast. He’s just released a new book Go Back to Where You Came From (And Other Helpful Recommendations on How to Become American). He’ll tell us about how the book was inspired by some of the less helpful recommendations he’s gotten over the years. Plus, he’ll explain why being a lawyer isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

Our guests will talk about ball games both on the field and on the diamond.

What’s the Difference: Knot Again!

What’s the difference, when sailing, between a knot and a nautical mile?

What’s the difference between Recurring and Reoccurring?

Areas of Expertise:

Meg: The 2013 Seattle Seahawks football team, The 1999 version of the movie The Mummy, and Nora Ephron.

Wajahat: The 2021 San Francisco 49ers football team, 1980s and 90s Stand-up comedians, and Famous brown people.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Moujan Zolfaghari

Meg Rowley

Wajahat Ali

With guest experts:

Jon Ryan, member of the Super Bowl-winning 2013 Seattle Seahawks football team.

Paula Poundstone, award-winning comedian, best-selling author, and host of the podcast, “Nobody Listens to Paula Poundstone.”

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Mask-upgrading by YOU.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 98: Simon Adler & Sophie Saint Thomas Feb 04, 2022

Show notes

*****
Come see us LIVE (on video) for our 100th show celebration! Livestreamed on Wednesday, February 16 at 6pm PST. Scheduled guests DJ Jazzy Jeff & Faith Salie! Get your FREE tickets at bit.ly/GFY100 and brought to you by public radio station KPCC!
*****

Hey! What a wonderful kind of day! To get along with a new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Simon Adler is senior producer for the hit show Radiolab. He recently wrapped up a documentary series for the show all about cassette tapes – what he says led to some of the earliest examples of on-demand audio throughout the world. Then, he’ll tell us about how to use film techniques when working with sound and the secret to making a great podcast.

Sophie Saint Thomas is a writer, whose pieces about sex and drugs have appeared in publications like GQ, Vice and Forbes. She’ll explain how the first time she pitched an article about sex got her kicked off of her school newspaper. Plus, she’ll tell us more about the magic that is goth karaoke.

Our guests will answer trivia about adult relationships and children’s television.

What’s the Difference: Holy Water!

What’s the difference between “holy” and “sacred?”

What’s the difference between an ocean and a sea?

Areas of Expertise:

Sophie: The movie True Romance, David Bowie’s “Berlin” trilogy, and Ketamine.

Simon: Mario Kart 64, The PBS TV show “Arthur” and the city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Simon Adler

Sophie Saint Thomas

With guest experts:

Saul Rubinek, award-winning actor, writer, producer, and director, whose many credits

include the movie True Romance!

Marc Brown, Author and illustrator of the Arthur book series and executive producer of the PBS television series based on the books.

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Mask-upgrading by YOU.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 97: Hari Kondabolu & Sofie Hagen Jan 21, 2022

Show notes

It’s time to celebrate love, both true and tragic, on a brand new Go Fact Yourself!

Hari Kondabolu is a comedian. He got a lot of attention for his film The Problem with Apu, where he pointed out the issues he had with the character Apu on “The Simpsons.” Even though he also got a lot of expected negative responses to the film, he’ll tell us why some of the reactions left him pretty confused. Hari’s standup special “Warn Your Relatives” is available now on Netflix.

Sofie Hagen is also a comedian who’s worked all over the world. She’ll tell us why behavior that that she learned in Denmark led to her being unintentionally rude when she moved to England. Plus, she breaks down why she’s such a strong advocate for fat liberation (not to be confused with body positivity). Sofie is also the voice behind the podcasts “Who Hurt You?” and “Bad People”

Our guests will answer trivia about foreign languages, foreign audiences and inaccurate portrayals of foreign characters.

What’s the Difference: Upstairs Maid

What’s the difference, when referring to a building, between a story and a floor?

What’s the difference between made of and made from?

Areas of Expertise:

Hari: The film Untamed Heart, the Hindu epic Ramaya, and the band Weezer before the “green album”

Sofie: The Danish film Kærlighed På Film, the musical Phantom of the Opera, and the Irish boyband Westlife

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Hari Kondabolu

Sofie Hagen

With guest experts:

Tony Bill and Tom Sierchio, director and writer of the film Untamed Heart.

Sierra Boggess, Broadway actor and singer, who played Christine in Phantom of the Opera and its sequel.

Charles Hart, Lyricist of the musical “Phantom of the Opera” and its sequel.

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Mask-upgrading by YOU.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 96: Kevin Allison & Parker Molloy Jan 07, 2022

Show notes

Vote YES for a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Kevin Allison is best known as creator and host of the podcast “RISK!” The show is all about encouraging people to tell stories that they never thought they’d share in public. He’ll tell us why people want to share some of their biggest secrets – and how more than one person’s secret involves cannibalism.

Parker Molloy is a writer, whose work has appeared in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, The Daily Beast and more. But she’s also been described as “Everyone’s first Twitter follow.” She’ll tell us where that moniker came from and explain why she has so much love for her life in Chicago.

Our guests will answer questions about princes, new girls and boxers.

What’s the Difference: All Wet

What’s the difference between a liquid and a fluid?

What’s the difference between a submarine and a submersible?

Areas of Expertise:

Kevin: The Tao Te Ching, ADHD, and Prince’s House Party Playlist.

Parker: Musicians on the Saddle Creek Records label, Chicago Cubs baseball from 1991-2021, and U.S. Senate 2000-2021.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Kevin Allison

Parker Molloy

With guest experts:

Dave Finkel, executive producer and show-runner of the TV show “New Girl.”

Steve Welch, editor of the Prince episode of “New Girl.”

Senator Barbara Boxer, representing California in the United States Senate from 1993 to 2017.

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Vaccine-getting by YOU.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 95: Adam Ferrara & Alicia Coppola Dec 17, 2021

Show notes

Stand en pointe and tune up that guitar – it’s a high-art filled episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Alicia Coppola is an actor, seen in shows like “Jericho” and “Why Women Kill.” But her career on camera actually began as part of a game show: MTV’s “Remote Control,” where she learned so much from people like Adam Sandler and Colin Quinn… including some experiences she never thought she’d need to go through. You can hear Alicia Coppola on her podcast “Bootstrap Bitch.”

Alicia is joined by her former on-screen husband from “Why Women Kill,” comedian and actor Adam Ferrara. Alicia has also been a guest on “The Adam Ferrara Podcast,” which Adam says is all about him and his friends trying to be better people. How’s that going? Not so well… but he’ll tell us why he doesn’t think that’s necessarily a bad thing.

Our guests will answer questions about classic dance, classic rock, and the heroes who helped make them happen.

What’s the Difference: Country Bumpkin!

What’s the difference between straw and hay?

What’s the difference between a bump and a lump?

Areas of Expertise:

Alicia: The movie The Turning Point, high-end luxury handbags, and the TV shows “The Real Housewives” of New York and Beverly Hills.

Adam: The Stephen Pressfield book The War of Art, The Who’s album Who’s Next, and The Trans Am from Smokey and the Bandit.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Kitty Felde

Alicia Coppola

Adam Ferrara

With guest experts:

Leslie Browne: dancer, teacher, and actor who earned an Oscar nomination for her

film debut in The Turning Point.

Ethan Russell, legendary rock-and-roll photographer and Glyn Johns, legendary rock-and-roll producer & engineer – both seen in The Beatles Get Back documentary!

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Vaccine-getting by YOU.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 94: Jaret Reddick & Molly Ball Dec 03, 2021

Show notes

A 14-letter phrase for a trivia podcast: It’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Jaret Reddick is best known as the lead singer and songwriter for the band Bowling for Soup. Between his band and the theme song for “Phineas & Ferb,” his music has been a fixture for children -- but so has his iconic role as the voice of Chuck E. Cheese. You can hear more of Jaret’s voice in his podcasts “Jaret Goes to the Movies'' and “Rockstar Dad.”

Jaret’s opponent is Time magazine journalist Molly Ball. She’s known for her political scoops and her book about Nancy Pelosi, but Molly got involved in covering politics almost entirely by accident. Plus, she’ll tell us about what it was like to win big money on the show “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”

Our guests will answer trivia about comedy, crosswords, scents and censorship!

What’s the Difference: Something Stinks!

What’s the difference between a scent and an odor?

What’s the difference between “instinctive” and “instinctual”?

Areas of Expertise:

Jaret: John Hughes movies, The band Mötley Crüe, and comedian George Carlin.

Molly: Crossword puzzles, The life and works of the American poet James Merrill, and The 1990s Colorado Rockies baseball team.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Jaret Reddick

Molly Ball

With guest experts:

Kelly Carlin, writer, performer, producer and radio host and author of the book A Carlin Home Companion,

Will Shortz, founder and director of the American Crossword Puzzle Tournament and

Puzzle Editor of the New York Times since 1993.

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Vaccine-getting by YOU.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 93: Jackson Galaxy & Shalewa Sharpe Nov 19, 2021

Show notes

We’re on our way to where the air is sweet on a new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Jackson Galaxy is the host of the TV show “My Cat From Hell.” On the show, he showcases his skills as an expert on cat behavior to help people better understand their problematic kitties. These days he can’t go into anyone’s home, but he’s learned how to share his special tips over Zoom. Here’s a big one: Don’t stack litter boxes on top of each other!

Jackson’s opponent is comedian Shalewa Sharpe. She’s been seen on Comedy Central, the podcast “2 Dope Queens,” and on a viral video from “The Tonight Show” where she shared her love of the movie Black Panther… before being surprised by an appearance from Chadwick Boseman! You can hear Shalewa on her podcast “The War Report.”

Our guests will answer questions about big cats, big books and Big Bird!

What’s the Difference: Must I?

What’s the difference between odors that are musty and musky?

What’s the difference between “obligated” and “obliged?”

Areas of Expertise:

Jackson: Rock n Roll music from 1974-1977, the TV show “Outlander,” and the upper West Side of New York

Shalewa: The Rock Band “The Breeders,” the TV show “Sesame Street,” and shopping for plus-size clothing online.

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Jackson Galaxy

Shalewa Sharpe

With guest experts:

Diana Gabaldon, author of the award-winning, #1 New York Times-bestselling Outlander novels.

Emilio Delgado, actor, voice artist, and singer, whose many credits include playing Luis on

“Sesame Street” for 44 years!

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Vaccine-getting by YOU.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

Ep. 92: Saladin Ahmed & Talia Lavin Nov 05, 2021

Show notes

Practice that evil laugh -- it’s a brand new episode of Go Fact Yourself!

Saladin Ahmed is an Eisner Award-winning comic book writer who prides himself on showcasing truly lived-in worlds. He says that whether you're writing a story set in the Marvel universe or Detroit, the little details matter. But he’s also helped affect things in our world too -- like when he helped call out some racist art on a box of Corn Pops. You can find Saladin’s creator-owned imprint at copperbottle.net.

Talia Lavin’s writing has appeared in The New Yorker and The Washington Post. But her most well-known work may be the viral joke that she made as a contestant on “Jeopardy.” That wasn’t the only time she took a big risk either; she’ll tell us about the time that she catfished a white supremacist dating site. Talia’s book about that adventure, Culture Warlords, is available now.

Our guests will face off in a trivia battle about timeless nerdy inspirations.

What’s the Difference: Pain in the Butt

What’s the difference between “tortuous” and “torturous?”

What’s the difference in the function of the anus and the rectum?

Areas of Expertise:

Saladin: Mythological monsters, 20th Century American poetry, and action figure cartoons of the 1980s

Talia: The TV show “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” author Terry Pratchett, and the “Monkey Island” video games

Appearing in this episode:

J. Keith van Straaten

Helen Hong

Saladin Ahmed

Talia Lavin

With guest experts:

Alan Oppenheimer, actor, who has appeared in dozens of TV shows and movies for over six decades -- including as Skeletor!

Denise Crosby, actor and producer whose numerous film and television roles include playing

Lieutenant Tasha Yar (and her daughter) on “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”

Go Fact Yourself was devised and produced by Jim Newman and J. Keith van Straaten, in collaboration with Maximum Fun.

Theme Song by Jonathan Green.

Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.

Associate Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.

Vaccine-getting by YOU.

Help support this show and unlock bonus content! Become a member at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact

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