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ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones

ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones

By: Randall Kenneth Jones
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 ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones delivers smart, funny, and heartfelt conversations with celebrities, innovators, and everyday heroes. More than talk, each episode uncovers insights and stories that leave you entertained, enlightened — and truly in the know. Whether it's laughter, life lessons, or the little truths that stick with you, Jones makes sure every episode leaves you knowing something new — about the world, about others, and maybe even about yourself. Jones and podcast announcer, celebrated voice actor and the original voice of Siri, Susan Bennett, KNOW you deserve more from your podcast. Described by Erin Brockovich as "The best podcast and host ever," ON THE KNOWS is the perfect antidote to today's anxiety-ridden media landscape. Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences
Episodes
  • 213: John Abendshien KNOWS Movies, Healthcare, Curiosity Gone Wild, Human Nature, Kevin McCallister & Home Alone Home Ownership

    213: John Abendshien KNOWS Movies, Healthcare, Curiosity Gone Wild, Human Nature, Kevin McCallister & Home Alone Home Ownership
    Dec 19 2025
    Imagine your home suddenly transformed into a Hollywood icon. That's precisely what happened to John Abendshien, whose real-life house became the star of "Home Alone." More than just a film set, it turned into a character of its own, filled with traps and slapstick chaos that helped make the movie a global hit. Decades later, the house remains legendary. Tourists visit, merchandise abounds—even gingerbread replicas exist. In his new book, "Home But Alone No More," Abendshien shares the fascinating behind-the-scenes story: how the location was chosen, what filming was like, and the surreal experience of having a blockbuster take over his home—and life. Filming lasted five months in 1990, but the impact never ended. What followed was a mix of magic and madness, as the family's home became a permanent tourist attraction. Blending humor and heartfelt reflection, Abendshien draws parallels between himself and young Kevin McCallister, noting the film's deeper themes of family, independence, and resilience. Over time, the house stopped being just his—it became everyone's house. And as he says, when you're part of something this beloved, you're never really home alone. John Abendshien has over 45 years of experience providing consulting services to healthcare organizations in enterprise strategy, clinical services development, organizational design, and mergers and acquisitions. He has played a key role in the planning and development of some of the country's leading healthcare systems and has conducted 400+ consulting engagements across the United States with a broad range of organizations. John is a frequent speaker and lecturer on strategic planning and organizational change management, and is the author of the book "Health Care in the Next Curve: Transforming a Dysfunctional Industry" (CRC Press, 2018). In 2023, John was recognized by Marquis Who's Who for his contributions to the healthcare industry. John holds an M.B.A. and an M.S. degree in Health Services Management from the University of Missouri-Columbia and completed his administrative residency at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington. He also served as an officer in the U.S. Army Medical Services Corps. "ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones" is a podcast that features smart, funny, and heartfelt conversations with celebrities, innovators, and everyday heroes. The show is designed to entertain, enlighten, and offer listeners new insights into the world, others, and themselves. The podcast is hosted by Randall Kenneth Jones, a bestselling author, speaker, and creative communications consultant. The announcer is the celebrated voice actor Susan Bennett, widely known as the original voice of Siri. The podcast offers a unique spin on knowledge and education, emphasizing the importance of conversation, laughter, listening, and critical thinking. It is often described as an "antidote to today's anxiety-ridden media landscape." "ON THE KNOWS" is produced and edited by Kevin Randall Jones. Podcast Highlights: • The only thing John didn't like about the final film was the horrible wallpaper, which didn't match the décor of John's home. • John shared why he waited 35 years to write the book—and John and Randy discuss why that has actually made it a better book. • John's 2nd-favorite memory from the set was time spent behind the scenes learning from production designer John Muto and cinematographer Julio Macat. John ultimately expresses very complimentary sentiments toward John Hughes, Chris Columbus, John Williams, and everyone involved in the movie. • John and Randy discuss their favorite cast members and why they have this honor. John's is Daniel Stern and Randy's is "the great and powerful" Catherine O'Hara. • John describes a childhood in which he was "home alone" much of the time. John and Randy share a hometown in Columbia, Missouri, and are both alums of the University of Missouri-Columbia. John and Randy discuss that neither of them ever "learned how to play." • John shares how his work in healthcare administration relates to his experience with HOME ALONE, both during filming and in the decades following the film's release. • John talks about his wonderful neighbors. • John shares how the film—and the chaos that followed—changed his view of life and how he personally changed over time. Best Quotes: • John Abendshien: "The 'Home Alone' crowd shattered almost every cliché ever said about Tinseltown. Every single person—yes, every last one—was down to earth and surprisingly easy to get along with." • John Abendshien: "We weren't just homeowners anymore; we were unwitting participants in a film production, witnessing the magic of moviemaking firsthand—crazy stunt scenes, a cast and crew who practically moved in, and the utter chaos that came with it all." • John Abendshien: "Kids, left to their own...
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    34 mins
  • 212: Mark Malkoff KNOWS Entertainment, Comedy, Late Night TV, Obsessive Behavior & Johnny Carson

    212: Mark Malkoff KNOWS Entertainment, Comedy, Late Night TV, Obsessive Behavior & Johnny Carson
    Dec 11 2025
    Mark Malkoff is a comedian, writer, and podcast host. He has been featured on Today, Good Morning America, CNN, NPR's Weekend Edition, and for eight years hosted the popular podcast The Carson Podcast. His new book, "Love Johnny Carson," is a wildly entertaining account by one of the world's most obsessed and informed fans of TV icon Johnny Carson, setting the record straight on Carson's legacy and shining a light on the personality behind the legendary comedian and talk show host. Carson aficionado Mark Malkoff has amassed more Carson stories from original sources than anyone in entertainment history, speaking to over four hundred individuals, and now, in "Love Johnny Carson," he sets the record straight in this comprehensive portrait of Carson's life, career, legacy, and character. The book covers the debuts of stand-up comics like David Letterman and Ellen DeGeneres, the never-before-detailed reasons why Johnny stopped talking to Joan Rivers, why he banned guests like William Shatner and Orson Welles, the true origins of Carnac the Magnificent (it wasn't stolen from Steve Allen), the part Johnny played in getting Nixon elected president, the beloved comedian who the Carson writers dreaded guest-hosting, and many other behind-the-scenes stories of the funniest and most beloved Carson moments of all time. "ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones" is a podcast that features smart, funny, and heartfelt conversations with celebrities, innovators, and everyday heroes. The show is designed to entertain, enlighten, and offer listeners new insights into the world, others, and themselves. The podcast is hosted by Randall Kenneth Jones, a bestselling author, speaker, and creative communications consultant. The announcer is the celebrated voice actor Susan Bennett, widely known as the original voice of Siri. The podcast offers a unique spin on knowledge and education, emphasizing the importance of conversation, laughter, listening, and critical thinking. It is often described as an "antidote to today's anxiety-ridden media landscape." Podcast Highlights: • Based on Mark's new book, this episode is an introduction to Mark's outstanding behind-the-scenes look at Johnny Carson's 30 years as leader of The Tonight Show. • Randy introduces a new "game show" entitled "Does Wikipedia Lie?" to introduce Mark and the various comedy stunts he has pulled off with Starbucks, Ikea, Netflix, & AirTran. • Let the name-dropping begin (from both guest and host): David Letterman, Michael J. Fox, Stephen Colbert, Joan Embery, Tiny Tim, Tommy Newsome, Rodney Dangerfield, Merv Griffin, Joey Bishop, Steve Lawrence, Don Rickles, Buddy Hackett, Jennifer Tilly, William Shatner, Diane Carroll, Lola Falana, Redd Foxx, Diana Ross, Gwen Verdon, The Pope, Dick Cavett, Buddy Rich, Steve McQueen, Shirley Jones, Jimmy Stewart, Jack Webb, Jimmy Cagney, Kate Capshaw, Jerry Lewis, Richard Nixon, Joan Rivers, Martin Luther King, Jr., Sammy Davis, Jr., • Mark and Randy both share touching, personal anecdotes about Regis Philbin. • Mark credits Carson's Midwest roots and his "likability" as major contributors to his success. • Randy's take-away from the book: "Carson is a combination of ego, paranoia, compassion, and above all, loyalty." • Mark discusses Carson's pet peeves (being corrected, someone turning their back on him). • The pair discusses the impact of being young white kids and the benefit of being introduced to black entertainers via the show. • The pair discusses their definitions of "star quality." Mark talks about the power of someone's "aura," onstage and offstage. Randy tells his personal story about interviewing Chita Rivera and how she shaped his view of star quality. Best Quotes: • Mark Malkoff: "For thirty years, Carson would become the one man who could calm a nervous nation during those anxious moments between wakefulness and sleep." • Mark Malkoff: He could listen to the guest, anticipate what he wanted to ask next, and, at the same time, scroll through the joke Rolodex in his mind to find the right quip." • Mark Malkoff: "That was Carson's brilliance. He knew what the audience wanted." • Mark Simone: "When you were a little kid growing up, Carson taught you this is how to be an adult. This is how to have a personality. This is how to conduct yourself in life." ON THE KNOWS is produced and edited by Kevin Randall Jones. www.OnTheKnows.com Mark Malkoff: www.MarkMalkoff.com Randall Kenneth Jones: www.RandallKennethJones.com Susan Bennett: www.SusanCBennett.com Kevin Randall Jones: www.KevinRandallJones.com
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    35 mins
  • 211: Robin Hauser KNOWS Documentaries, Egg Freezing, Human Nature & Courageous Women

    211: Robin Hauser KNOWS Documentaries, Egg Freezing, Human Nature & Courageous Women
    Nov 27 2025
    Once a niche medical procedure, egg freezing is now a billion-dollar industry that promises women the ability to pause their biological clocks and extend their reproductive choices. For some, it's a path to empowerment; for others, it's a costly gamble in an unregulated system with no guarantees. Through the experiences of three American women navigating the process, this documentary examines the realities behind the growing trend—who has access, who profits, and what's at stake. With insights from medical experts, ethicists, and industry leaders, the film unpacks the social, economic, and emotional complexities of egg freezing in a world where fertility is increasingly commodified. As more women turn to this technology with hopes of future parenthood, the question remains: What is the real cost—and the real impact—of putting fertility on ice? Robin Hauser is an award-winning director of documentaries, "Thaw," "$avvy," "CODE: Debugging the Gender Gap," "Bias," "Running for Jim," "Tino," at Finish Line Features, LLC. Robin's exploration into implicit gender and racial bias in artificial intelligence led her to present "Can we protect AI from our biases?" on the TED stage. She also presented a widely viewed TEDx talk on "The Likability Dilemma for Women Leaders," which has over 2 million views. Robin is a diplomat for the American Film Showcase; she speaks about fertility, financial literacy, bias, and on behalf of women's rights at The White House, US Embassies, conferences, and corporate headquarters worldwide. She serves on the Advisory Board of Impressia Bank and the Board of Directors of Unleashed Productions. "ON THE KNOWS with Randall Kenneth Jones" is a podcast that features smart, funny, and heartfelt conversations with celebrities, innovators, and everyday heroes. The show is designed to entertain, enlighten, and offer listeners new insights into the world, others, and themselves. The podcast is hosted by Randall Kenneth Jones, a bestselling author, speaker, and creative communications consultant. The announcer is the celebrated voice actor Susan Bennett, widely known as the original voice of Siri. The podcast offers a unique spin on knowledge and education, emphasizing the importance of conversation, laughter, listening, and critical thinking. It is often described as an "antidote to today's anxiety-ridden media landscape." Podcast Highlights: • Randy shared that Robin's film BIAS has had an ongoing impact on how he views his actions and thoughts today. • Robin and Randy share respect for the concept of diversity, equity, and inclusion. • Randy shares how Robin's films have helped him be a better mentor and parent to his own daughter. • The majority of the discussion centers on Robin's new film, THAW, which explores the rising trend of elective egg freezing. • Randy and Robin discuss both of their surprises—hers as part of the production process and his as a viewer of the film. • Robin and Randy discuss their definitions of "biological clock." • Robin describes how we are out-evolving evolution. • Robin shares her belief that OB-GYNs should begin discussions on pregnancy goals in the mid-20s. • Randy gets on his soapbox about the importance of men taking the time to understand women's health issues. Best Quotes: • Robin Hauser: "There's the realization of how precarious fertility really is. It's pretty much a miracle that anybody is born with all the right chromosomes in all the right order." • Robin Hauser: "How do we continue to respect women's choices in terms of career, in terms of education, in terms of not settling for being with someone with whom they don't want to be, and this choice of whether or not they want to be a mother? • Randall Kenneth Jones: "As you age together, you are each other's health care advocate. Men must understand women's health issues and vice versa. Gentlemen, get involved. Understand these issues because she would do it for you." • Robin Hauser: "As women, we spend half of our young adult life trying not to get pregnant. We need to be spoken to about our fertility and the chances of us being able to get pregnant early on, even in our mid-twenties. A lot of us take it for granted that we're going to be able to get pregnant." ON THE KNOWS is produced and edited by Kevin Randall Jones. www.OnTheKnows.com Robin Hauser: www.RobinHauser.com Randall Kenneth Jones: www.RandallKennethJones.com Susan Bennett: www.SusanCBennett.com Kevin Randall Jones: www.KevinRandallJones.com
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    32 mins
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