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This week on Here’s What We Know, we’re joined by Steve Griggs, founder of Steve Griggs Design, who has earned a reputation as one of New York’s most respected landscape designers, known not just for his designs but for how he shows up for the people he serves.

We’ll explore where he came from, how he found his calling, and why the work he does is more art than architecture. We also get into college football rivalries, pricing creative work, learning the hard way, and what it really means to be “the guy” people trust when things get complicated.

This episode is relaxed, funny, honest, and full of those little moments that remind you why experience still matters and why good work always starts with caring. Tune in now.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why creating outdoor spaces is really about people, not projects
• The difference between talent and experience
• The truth about pricing creative work and saying, “it costs what it costs”
• How to think about money when the work is personal
• Why execution matters more than the idea
• What decades of doing the hard jobs teach you
• Becoming the person people trust when things get hard

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

Steve Griggs is not your typical landscape designer. He has been getting dirt on his hands since he was 16, cutting grass to earn extra money and learning the value of hard work early on. That work ethic carried him through advanced landscaping studies at Mississippi State University and SUNY Cobleskill College of Environmental Design and Horticulture.

At 25, Steve founded Steve Griggs Design after working alongside his father in the industry, where he absorbed core values that still guide his work today: make no excuses, keep your promises, respect the deadline, and always deliver for the client. When he saw those principles missing in much of the industry, he chose to do things differently.

That commitment to a customer-first approach has earned Steve a reputation as one of New York’s most respected landscape designers, known not just for his designs but for how he shows up for the people he serves.

Website: https://stevegriggsdesign.com/

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZ3rPHh3yC3FgzQ_nw9xenw

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/public-profile/in/stevegriggsdesign/

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

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This week on Here’s What We Know, we sit down with legendary entertainment attorney John Mason for a conversation filled with heart, humor, and jaw-dropping stories from behind the curtain of the music and film industry.

Growing up in the San Fernando Valley alongside the children of Hollywood icons, he followed an unexpected path that led him from law school to jam sessions with the Beach Boys, Frank Sinatra, and the musicians who quietly shaped modern music. Along the way, he built a career representing some of the biggest names in entertainment, while never losing sight of the human stories behind the fame.

Drawing from his book Crazy Lucky, John shares intimate moments with Brian Wilson, Olivia Newton-John, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, Randy Travis, and more. These are not tabloid stories. They are reflections on genius, vulnerability, perseverance, and the strange way talent and timing collide to shape a life.

This episode is a love letter to creativity, resilience, and the unpredictable paths that lead us exactly where we are meant to be. Tune in now!

In This Episode:

• John Mason’s unexpected path to music
• The magic and pressure of recording sessions with The Wrecking Crew
• Brian Wilson’s musical brilliance and personal struggles
• Olivia Newton-John’s grace, strength, and lasting impact
• Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones creating history together
• Randy Travis and the rebirth of country music

This episode is sponsored by:

Dignity Memorial

Bio:

John Mason is one of the most respected entertainment attorneys in the business, with a career spanning decades across film, television, and music. From representing Academy Award winners to working with artists who have sold over 100 million records, John has been a trusted advocate for some of the biggest names in the industry. A UCLA and UC Berkeley Law graduate with the highest honors, his work has earned national recognition and shaped major moments in entertainment law. Beyond the courtroom, John is deeply committed to the arts, philanthropy, and mentoring the next generation of creators.

Website: https://www.johnmasonlaw.com/

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!

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This week on Here’s What We Know, Gary Scott Thomas sits down with Dan Ashley, an Emmy Award-winning journalist, longtime ABC7 News anchor in San Francisco, and a musician with a true storyteller’s heart.

From political satire and freedom of speech to small-town Southern roots, Dan opens up about his journey through media, music, and the moments that shaped him.

Discover what it means to speak truth with kindness, how good writing drives great journalism, and why music became such a meaningful outlet in Dan’s life. With humor, heart, and plenty of honesty, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at two careers built on curiosity, connection, and a love for people.

In This Episode:

• Why being able to joke about our leaders matters and how it sets America apart from places like Russia or China
• Dan shares unforgettable moments interviewing Presidents Obama and George W. Bush and what he learned from each
• Gary and Dan look back on small-town life, radio mishaps, and the early days that shaped their careers
• Hear how Dan pushed past his fear of singing and stepped into a musical life that changed everything

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

Dan Ashley has been connected to music his whole life, beginning with childhood guitar and piano lessons in North Carolina and long summer days filled with music on his family’s farm. Today, he leads his own band and has performed alongside artists like REO Speedwagon, Cheap Trick, Eddie Money, Melissa Etheridge, Dionne Warwick, Neal Schon, and Narada Michael Walden. He is also a frequent National Anthem performer for major sports events across the country.

Outside of music, Dan is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and longtime ABC7 News anchor in San Francisco. He has covered major national and international stories, built strong relationships across the media world, and is known for his communication skills, generosity, and commitment to community work.

Website: https://danashleymusic.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DanAshleyMusic

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DanAshleyABC7/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-ashley-479199185/?skipRedirect=true

Instagram: https://www.facebook.com/DanAshleyABC7/

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!