Go Fact Yourself Ep. 185.5: GFY in New York! And a Special Preview of Our Next Episode…

Release Date: January 12, 2026
Hosts: J. Keith van Straaten & Helen Hong

Episode Overview

This bonus episode of Go Fact Yourself serves as both an energetic update on upcoming live shows and a tantalizing sneak peek at the next podcast installment. Hosts J. Keith van Straaten and Helen Hong enthusiastically share tour details, future guest lineups, and new broadcasting opportunities. To cap things off, listeners get humorous highlights from their soon-to-release episode, featuring Mary Lynn Ricekub and Al Madrigal, with voice actor Ashley Burch stepping in for co-hosting duties.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Upcoming Live Shows in New York and LA

• New York City Dates:
  • Saturday, Jan 24 at 7pm, Symphony Space
    • Guests: Dorinda Medley (The Traitors, Real Housewives of New York) vs. Jackie Cox (RuPaul’s Drag Race)
  • Monday, Jan 26 at 7pm, the JCC
    • Guests: Seth Rudetsky (Broadway expert) vs. Julie Klausner (Difficult People)

“We have a couple huge shows coming up in New York City. We’d love for you to be there.” — J. Keith van Straaten [00:07]

• Los Angeles Dates:
  • Thursday, Jan 15
    • Guests: Matt Walsh (actor, comedian) and Kali Reis (actor, boxer)
  • Upcoming: Appearances by Dree Hemingway, Drew Lynch, Jordan Carlos, and Tatyana Ali throughout February and March

Tickets and info: gofactorpod.com

“All the latest info and tickets, as always, [are] at gofactorpod.com.” — Helen Hong [00:53]

Expanding to Public Radio

• Go Fact Yourself is now airing on Mississippi Public Broadcasting, Sundays at 11am.
• Listeners are encouraged to contact local public radio programming directors to help syndicate the show further.

“If you’d like to hear us on your local public radio station, look up your station’s programming director and let them know. It really helps.” — Helen Hong [01:10]

Preview: Next Podcast Episode (with Guest Highlights)

• Mary Lynn Ricekub

  • Discusses her role in Netflix’s North of North, a show highlighting Inuit cultures.
  • Comically reflects on being cast as "the white lady" and her son's candid feedback on her ability to play a "Karen" archetype.

    • “I play the white lady on the show... I asked my son, ‘Do you think I can play a Karen type?’ ‘Yep.’ I said, ‘You can think about it for a minute.’” — Mary Lynn Ricekub [01:28–01:39]

• Al Madrigal

  • Shares experiences from his time as “Senior Latino Correspondent” on The Daily Show.
  • Talks about the pressures within Latino communities regarding language and authenticity.

    • “Latinos love taking down other Latinos. So: Why don’t you speak Spanish? Your Spanish isn’t pronounced properly. Like, there’s no winning.” — Al Madrigal [01:45]

• Ashley Burch (guest co-host, filling in for Helen)

  • Describes her “loop group” experience—providing background voice work for animated features.

    • “I basically went in at 9am and screamed for an hour and went home.” — Ashley Burch [02:01–02:14]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Mary Lynn Ricekub:
  “I play the white lady on the show. I asked my son, ‘Do you think I can play a Karen type?’ ‘Yep.’ I said, ‘You can think about it for a minute.’” [01:28–01:39]
• Al Madrigal:
  “Latinos love taking down other Latinos. So: Why don’t you speak Spanish? Your Spanish isn’t pronounced properly. Like, there’s no winning.” [01:45]
• Ashley Burch:
  “I basically went in at 9am and screamed for an hour and went home.” [02:14]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:07: Introduction & announcement of NYC shows
• 00:36: Details on guests & ticket info for LA shows
• 00:59: Show’s new radio syndication and listener call-to-action
• 01:16: Transition to episode preview
• 01:20–01:39: Mary Lynn Ricekub’s preview segment
• 01:39–01:45: Al Madrigal’s segment
• 01:45–02:14: Ashley Burch on voice acting
• 02:14–02:17: Reminders to check out the full episode

Tone & Style

True to their usual form, J. Keith and Helen balance enthusiastic plugs for upcoming events with self-aware humor. Guest previews are light, candid, and rich with personal anecdotes and comic timing—setting expectations for another fun, fact-filled game show episode.

For More

• Visit gofactorpod.com for tickets and information.
• Look out for the next full episode with Mary Lynn Ricekub and Al Madrigal, dropping Friday.

Support podcasts like Go Fact Yourself: “Maximum Fun—a worker owned network of artist-owned shows, supported directly by you.” [02:37]