Send us a text

By popular demand, UFO researcher and Strange Paradigms host Christina Gomez returns to Here’s What We Know. Known for her creative reels and comedic alter egos, Christina has a knack for making the mysterious both accessible and unforgettable.

From the grind of researching cases while juggling three jobs to unpacking the fine line between skepticism and open-mindedness, this conversation dives deep. We explore Project Blue Book and its modern counterpart AARO, NASA’s lukewarm approach to UAPs, and why Bigelow Aerospace’s ties to Skinwalker Ranch still raise eyebrows.

We’re talking global sightings over nuclear sites, mysterious “drones” that defy easy explanation, and the tug-of-war between debunkers and truth seekers. Buckle up, the search for answers just got a whole lot more interesting.

In This Episode:

• Why “UFO” became “UAP” and how that shapes the conversation
• Congressional hearings, NASA briefings, and the private sector’s role in secrecy
• Historical sightings that predate modern technology
• The fine line between skepticism and open-minded inquiry
• Skinwalker Ranch phenomena and high strangeness connections

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

Cristina Gomez is a UFO and Paranormal Researcher, Podcaster, Journalist, and Content Creator with a BA in Communication. She brings a young and fresh perspective to the UFO and Paranormal research fields. She is a proud ‘Gen Z’ Latina, being of Venezuelan heritage. She has produced and presented over 700 shows for her YouTube channel and podcast platform.

In 2021 the show, ‘Shifting the Paradigm’ became a regular weekly feature on KUNX Radio. Cristina interviews researchers, witnesses, and enthusiasts of the UFO and Paranormal topics. Notable guests have joined Cristina on her show, such as Harvard Professor Avi Loeb, Former DoD Director of the Government UFO program AATIP – Luis Elizondo, and the owner of Skinwalker Ranch Brandon Fugal, among many others.

Cristina presents several other weekly shows, including ‘Mysteries with a History’, co-hosted by veteran radio host Jimmy Church of Fade to Black Radio. Each week they examine a different theme related to unusual mysteries that have a distinct history. And each Friday, Cristina presents ‘Strangest News of the Week’, which focuses on covering recent news items related to the strange, mysterious, and paranormal.

Cristina Gomez has appeared on many talk shows and podcasts, such as Attwood Unleashed with Shaun Attwood, Need to Know with Ross Coulthart & Bryce Zabel, the Paranormal Podcast with Jim Harold, The Martin Willis Show, The Micah Hanks Program, and Fade To Black Radio with Jimmy Church, among many others.

Website: https://strangeparadigms.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!

Send us a text

What does it really take to raise strong, grounded kids in a world full of noise and pressure?

This week on Here's What We Know, join us for a much-needed conversation with Richard R. Ramos, founder of Parents on a Mission, mentor to at-risk youth, and champion of family reconciliation. We explore what it means to lead with love, humility, and emotional maturity as a parent.

Richard shares practical tools for breaking generational cycles, rebuilding trust, and guiding your children with confidence. If you're a parent, educator, or someone who works with families, this episode will leave you encouraged and equipped.

In This Episode:

• Why healing your own past is the key to becoming a stronger parent
• How to earn your child’s loyalty in a world full of distractions
• The quiet power of humility and modeling accountability
• What “preparation for separation” really means and why it matters
• Simple ways to build a lasting family legacy, starting today

This episode is sponsored by:

Dignity Memorial

Bio:

Richard is an author, speaker, and parent coach with over thirty years of experience in leadership development, family dynamics, and community building. He has made a significant national and international impact through his work with high-risk youth, parents, and families, creating safe, supportive environments for personal growth and community transformation. Richard has trained over 2,000 parent mentors through his innovative leadership curriculum and has authored several books, including Parents on a Mission and From the Margins to the Mainstream—Preparing Latino Youth for Leadership in the Twenty-First Century.

As a recognized expert in preventing community violence and fostering positive family environments, Richard brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional insight to his work. His passion for helping families navigate the challenges of stepparenting and build meaningful connections within their homes has reached communities across the globe. Through his coaching, training, and writing, Richard empowers individuals to lead with confidence and create lasting change in both their families and communities. His mission is clear: to help families not just survive but thrive in a world that demands resilience and connection.

Website: https://www.richardrramos.com/

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

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!

Send us a text

This week on Here's What We Know, join us for a captivating conversation with author Beth Castrodale to explore the creative life. Beth shares how her roots in journalism shaped her storytelling style, why ghost stories have always fascinated her, and what it really takes to finish a book.

Listen in as we go down the rabbit hole from haunted houses, World War I soldier journals, and audiobooks to cemetery lore and the bittersweet feeling of saying goodbye to beloved characters. Tune in now; you’re gonna love it!

In This Episode:

• The Path to Writing
• The Relationship Between Reading and Writing
• Running, Audiobooks, and Podcasts: Creative Consumption
• Beth Castrodale’s Books and the Audiobook Experience
• Crafting Character Voices: Writing and Narrating Multiple Points of View
• The Writing Process: Plotting, Pantsing, and Outlining
• Finding Endings and Letting Go
• Receiving Critique and the Role of Ego
• The Solitary Nature of Novel Writing
• Literary Influences and Early Reading Memories
• The Allure of Standalone Novels and Avoiding Sequels
• Research in Writing: Bringing Authenticity to Fiction
• Ghost Stories, the Paranormal, and the Challenge of Creepy
• The Process of Writing "The Inhabitants"
• The Winchester Mystery House
• Publicity, Promotion, and the Writer’s Life

This episode is sponsored by:

Dignity Memorial

Bio:

Beth Castrodale worked as a newspaper reporter until her love of books led her to the publishing field. She was a senior editor at Bedford/St. Martin’s and is the founding editor of the book-review website Small Press Picks. Her most recent novel, The Inhabitants, won the Horror categories of the Independent Publisher Book Awards, the National Indie Excellence Awards, and the Best Book Awards. It was a finalist in the Horror category of the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.

An excerpt from her second novel, In This Ground, was a shortlist finalist for a William Faulkner – William Wisdom Creative Writing Award. Her début novel, Marion Hatley, was a finalist for a Nilsen Prize for a First Novel from Southeast Missouri State University Press. Castrodale also received an artist grant from the Mass Cultural Council. Her stories and essays have appeared in multiple publications, including CrimeReads, Ars Medica, The Writing Disorder, and Writing and Wellness.

If you sign up for Beth’s monthly email newsletter, you’ll get a free copy of her novel Gold River.

Website: https://www.bethcastrodale.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-castrodale-a667b81/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beth.castrodale

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!

Send us a text

This week on Here's What We Know, our host, Gary Scott Thomas, sits down with Cullen Jones, Olympic gold medalist swimmer, world record holder, and passionate water safety advocate.

Cullen shares the extraordinary story of how a near-drowning at age five ignited his purpose, ultimately driving him to become one of the fastest swimmers in history and a leader in the movement to make swimming accessible to every child.

In This Episode:

• How Cullen’s upbringing influenced his path to greatness
• The mindset and training that fueled Cullen’s record-breaking career
• The surprising way boredom can be a powerful tool for growth
• Personal stories of overcoming setbacks and staying motivated through the highs and lows
• Behind-the-scenes moments from the Olympics, from relay teamwork to celebrations
• Cullen’s mission to reduce drowning rates through initiatives like Make a Splash and Goldfish Swim School
• Insights into the cultural and historical barriers that keep many from learning to swim

This episode is sponsored by:

Bison Junk Removal (Effortless solution to your junk removal needs!)

Bio:

Cullen Andrew Jones is an Olympic medalist and the first African American male swimmer to hold a world record. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Jones swam on the legendary world-record-setting 4x100 freestyle relay team.

In 2012, Jones won gold as Team USA’s anchor in the 4x100 medley relay, silver in the 4x100 freestyle relay, and individual silver in the 50m freestyle. In total, Cullen accounts for 13 U.S. medals (seven gold) at major international competitions.

Jones married his wife, Rupi, in 2007, and she gave birth to their son, Ayvn, in 2019.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cullenjones41/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CullenJones41/

X: https://x.com/cullenjones

Website: https://goldfishswimschool.com/

https://www.usaswimming.org/parents/learn-to-swim

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!

Send us a text

This week on Here's What We Know, join us for an inspiring conversation with Jeremy Wolf, a former professional baseball player who grew up with a bat in his hands and a dream in his heart. From college ball to professional leagues and eventually playing for Team Israel, Jeremy’s story is full of grit and grace.

Today, he’s making an even bigger impact through More Than Baseball, working to improve the lives of minor league players. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• How Jeremy handled the pressure of professional sports
• The story behind co-founding More Than Baseball to improve players’ lives
• His insights on mental health and why it matters more than ever
• Lessons on turning setbacks into stepping stones

This episode is sponsored by:

Tranont

Bio:

Jeremy Wolf is a former professional baseball player who spent time in the New York Mets organization after a standout college career at Trinity University in Texas. As an outfielder and first baseman, he represented Team Israel in international competitions, including the World Baseball Classic qualifiers. After stepping away from playing professionally, Jeremy co-founded More Than Baseball, a nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of minor league players through better pay, housing, and mental health resources. His journey reflects a deep commitment to the game and to making it better for the next generation of athletes.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremywolf123/

Website: https://www.morethanbaseball.org/

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!

Send us a text

This week on Here's What We Know, join us for a warm and eye-opening episode with Mary Crocker Cook, a licensed therapist and the author of Bad Taste: Self-Care and Financial Planning When You Have Bad Taste in Men and You Don’t Want To Leave, to talk about what it really means to love someone whose life is in chaos. From addiction and criminal behavior to the tangled roots of attachment, Mary offers practical advice and heartfelt stories that feel both reassuring and unflinchingly honest. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• A Therapist’s Journey
• The Generational Impact of Addiction
• When Love Isn’t Enough
• Practical Tools for Staying in Difficult Relationships
• The Psychology of Attachment and Attraction
• Patterns and Awareness: Even Experts Aren’t Immune
• Relationship Red Flags and Lessons Learned
• Protecting Yourself in Relationships and Divorce
• Everyday Relationship Maintenance
• Communication and Being Seen
• Dating, Disappointments, and Letting Go
• Attachment Challenges and Quick Connections
• Humor, Hope, and Continued Growth
  
  

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

Mary Crocker Cook is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and addictions counselor who has been helping individuals and families heal since 1988. She serves as Program Coordinator and full-time faculty for the Alcohol and Drug Studies program at San Jose City College, which she launched in 1990.

An accomplished author, Mary has written several books grounded in both her professional expertise and her personal experience with over 25 years in Al-Anon. Her work resonates with counselors and anyone affected by a loved one’s addiction.

Website: https://www.marycrockercookbooks.com/

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

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!

Send us a text

This week on Here's What We Know, Gary sits down with the remarkable Devin O’Day, a beloved voice in country music radio whose career has touched countless lives. Together, they reminisce about their early days in small-town stations, swapping stories filled with humor, resilience, and a genuine love for community connection.

Devon opens up about her journey from aspiring careers to becoming a full-time broadcaster, author, audiobook narrator, and hit songwriter. Tune in and discover what it means to honor your passions, no matter where the road takes you.

In This Episode:

• Why local radio is a lifeline for so many communities
• Hear behind-the-scenes stories of radio life and insights into the art of audiobook narration
• Devon’s songwriting successes with George Strait, Trace Adkins, and Lee Ann Womack
• The joys (and mishaps) of early broadcasting in Louisiana and Alabama
• Embracing new media without losing your roots

This episode is sponsored by:

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

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

License #: 679261

Bio:

Devon O'Day is a storyteller at heart, a seasoned radio personality, speaker, author, voice actor, and champion for creatives. With a career of over 30 years in broadcast, Devon has hosted nationally syndicated shows, voiced thousands of commercials, and written books that inspire and uplift. Beyond the mic, she’s a proud advocate for kindness, purpose-driven living, and the power of faith. Whether sharing her journey or elevating others, Devon brings warmth, grit, and heart to every conversation.

Website: https://devonoday.com/

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

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

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

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!

Send us a text

This week on Here's What We Know, Meghan Patrick returns to reflect on how her life and her music have evolved over the past few years. Meghan shares what it really takes to stay true in an industry that rewards masks more than authenticity.

We talk about the fatigue behind the spotlight, the courage it takes to walk away from toxic relationships (even when they’re family), and how songwriting helped her process deep personal wounds. Megan opens up about the emotional weight behind songs like “Blood From a Stone” and “Golden Child,” offering listeners comfort, connection, and clarity through her vulnerability. Listen now!

In This Episode:

• Meghan’s evolution as an artist and human
• The power of having a team who gets you
• Choosing authenticity over virality
• Healing through songwriting
• The realities of navigating toxic family dynamics
• Why drudgery is part of the dream

This episode is sponsored by:

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

Bio:

Meghan Patrick is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter originally from Ontario, known for blending raw vulnerability with fierce confidence. A two-time CCMA Female Artist of the Year with 19 CMAOntario Awards, Meghan’s music unpacks the grit, grace, and truth of life on her own terms. Her latest album, Golden Child, marks a powerful turning point, diving into personal healing, hard-earned wisdom, and what she now calls Big Sister Country, where strength and intimacy coexist. From bluegrass to funk to country, Meghan’s musical journey defies easy labels, but one thing’s clear: when she tells her story, people listen.

Website: https://www.meghanpatrickmusic.com/

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

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

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

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

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!