Podcast
Go Fact Yourself
Hosted by MaximumFun.org · EN
Twice a month, host J. Keith van Straaten and co-host Helen Hong quiz the smartest celebrities they know to find out why they love what they love! Recorded before a live audience in downtown Los Angeles, this game show features comedians, actors, and musicians answering arcane questions on topics they claim to be experts in. But don't worry; if they slip up, there are real experts on hand to give us the facts!
41episodes
Episodes
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Ep. 184: Loni Love & Nick Cho
Dec 1901:09:04Summary readyThis episode of Go Fact Yourself is a real thriller!Loni Love is an Emmy-winning TV host, known for her over 1000 episodes of the talk show “The Real.” You can see her host The Rose Parade this New Year’s Day. She’s had an interesting career that included a poor-performing stint as an engineer.Nick Cho has made a name for himself on social media as “Your Korean Dad,” where he gives parental advice and insight to viewers. He’ll tell us about how his kids encouraged him to get into content creation and why he’s something of a coffee bean snob.Areas of Expertise:Loni: Michael Jackson, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Diana, and how to pack for a cruise.Nick: 1980s arcade games, Asian-Americans in the media from the 1980s to 2000s, and Gen Alpha slang.What’s the Difference: Advice ColumnWhat’s the difference between getting advice and getting counsel?What’s the difference between a column and a pillar?With Guest Experts:Siedah Garrett: Grammy-winning and two time Oscar-nominated singer and actor, whose career includes hit songs with Michael Jackson.Gedde Watanabe: Actor, whose career includes roles on Sixteen Candles, Mulan, “ER,” and more.Hosts: J. Keith van StraatenHelen HongCredits:Theme Song by Jonathan Green.Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.Additional editing by Valerie Moffat.Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU! Happy MaxFunDrive! Right now is the best time to start a membership to support your favorite shows. Learn more and join at https://maximumfun.org/joingofact
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Ep. 183: Christine Lakin & Jon Lovett
Dec 1201:01:37Summary readySet sail for Trivia on Go Fact Yourself! Christine Lakin is best known for her role as Alicia “Al” Lambert on the sitcom “Step By Step.” She’ll tell us about what it was like being the childhood crush of so many men and women. Plus, what it was like to “fall into” her work as an audiobook narrator.Jon Lovett is the founder of Crooked Media and host of Lovett or Leave It. He’ll tell us how he manages to feel okay despite being so in tune with the world of politics. And we’ll learn more about how he wound up as a speech writer for the Obama administration… after winning a contest (sort of).Areas of Expertise:Christine: The TV show “Below Deck,” the TV show “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills,” making the best mint cookies and cream ice cream in the world. Jon: Kazuo Ishiguro novels, the TV show “The Real Housewives of New York City,” and Taco BellWhat’s the Difference: Practically SpeakingWhat’s the difference between a practical solution and a pragmatic solution?What’s the difference between your larynx and your pharynx?With Guest Experts:Courtland Cox: Longtime executive producer of “Below Deck.”Captain Lee Rosbach: Captain for ten seasons on “Below Deck.”Dorinda Medley and Alex McCord: Cast members of“The Real Housewives of New York.”Hosts: J. Keith van StraatenHelen HongCredits:Theme Song by Jonathan Green.Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!
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Ep. 182.1: A Quick Schedule Update from J. Keith
Dec 500:01:52Summary readySurprised that there’s no new episode of Go Fact Yourself today? Worry not! We’ve got new episodes coming back to back for the next two weeks.Plus, give the gift of GFY this holiday season! Check out our merch – including a holiday ornament – at MaxFunStore.com. Hosts: J. Keith van StraatenCredits:Theme Song by Jonathan Green.Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!
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Ep. 182: Lilan Bowden & A Martinez
Nov 2101:02:46Summary readyIt’s a home box office of trivia with Go Fact Yourself!Ashly Burch is a YouTuber and comedian who was a recent guest on episode 177 of Go Fact Yourself. She joins us as co-host. Lilan Bowden is an actor, perhaps best known for her role in the Netflix series “Murderville.” She’s had an extensive career across film and TV. But she’s been especially affected by her Disney series “Andi Mack,” and how much the role endeared her to kids.A Martinez is known by public radio listeners as the host of NPR’s Morning Edition. He’s been a part of public radio for years. But before that, he made his name (literally!) in the world of sports radio. That’s also where he learned some… unique interviewing skills. He’ll explain.Areas of Expertise:A: The TV show “Veep,” the movie New Jack City, and the 1980s Los Angeles LakersLilan: The TV show “The Comeback,” the YouTube show “Ms. Rachel,” and The Jim Jones Cult aka “The People’s Temple”What’s the Difference: Taylor SwiftWhat’s the difference between a tailor and a seamstress?What’s the difference between fast and quick?With Guest Experts:Damian Young: Actor whose career includes playing Mark Berman on HBO’s “The Comeback”Laura Silverman: Actor who played Jane Benson on HBO’s “The Comeback”Matt Walsh: Actor and comedian who founded the Upright Citizens Brigade and received two Emmy nominations for his role as Mike McLintock in the series “Veep”Hosts: J. Keith van StraatenAshly BurchCredits:Theme Song by Jonathan Green.Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.This episode was edited by Valerie MoffatSeeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!
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Ep. 181.5: The Best of Politics Special
Nov 700:55:08Summary readyIt’s time to go to the polls with Go Fact Yourself! It’s a collection of some of our favorite trivia segments that feature politicians as experts.In this episode:Peter Sagal and Rebecca Makkai from ep. 45.Helen Zaltzman and Lewis Black from ep. 79.Antonio Villaraigosa from ep. 164.Kitty Felde and Charlie Hankin from ep. 51.Parker Molloy and Kevin Allison from ep. 99.Matt Rogers and Mimi Rogers from ep. 178.With Guest Experts:Gov. Madeleine May Kunin, author, ambassador and three-term governor of Vermont.Charlie Uhrig, former mayor of Solvang, CaliforniaKermit Roosevelt III, professor at University of Pennsylvania’s Carey Law School.Senator Barbara Boxer, representing California in the United States Senate from 1993 to 2017.Rep. Laura Gillen: United States Congresswoman serving New York’s fourth district.Hosts: J. Keith van StraatenHelen HongCredits:Theme Song by Jonathan Green.Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!
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Ep. 181: The 2024(ish) Listener Tournament Finals: Khalil Goodman & Kristen Pilotte
Oct 1701:08:08Summary readyAfter an extensive competition amongst our MaxFun Members, it all culminates in the 2024(ish) Listener Tournament Finals – a new episode of Go Fact Yourself! (Do YOU want to be a guest on the show? Make sure to support us in the 2026 MaxFunDrive and stay tuned for our next Listener Tournament!)Khalil Goodman is a photographer who works in public communications in Barbados. He also loves cosplay and will tell us about some of his favorite characters that he’s encountered – plus, what it would take to get people to cosplay as the hosts of this show.Kristen Pilotte is a government contractor and aerospace engineer. She’ll tell us about how she’s joining us while she’s on call for very important space-related work. We’ll also learn more about how some of her upcoming projects involve humans in space. And of course, cats!Areas of Expertise:Khalil: The animated TV series “X-Men ‘97,” the band Garbage, and the work of Agatha Christie.Kristen: The “Duck Tales” videogame, the US manned space program, and the TV show “Grey’s Anatomy.”What’s the Difference: Mind your MannersWhat’s the difference between etiquette and manners?What’s the difference between a cause of death and a manner of death?With Guest Experts:Isaac Robinson-Smith, Holly Chou and Alison Sealy-Smith: Voice actors whose work includes playing characters on the series “X-Men ‘97.”Dr. Don Thomas: Author, engineer, educator, and astronaut.Hosts: J. Keith van StraatenHelen HongCredits:Theme Song by Jonathan Green.Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!
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Ep. 181.5: The Best of Hip-hop Special
Oct 301:02:21Summary readyThe beat is fresh and so is the trivia on the Best of Hip-hop special of Go Fact Yourself! It’s a boxed set of our favorite rap trivia from over the years, including Hall of Fame MCs and DJs as experts.Appearing in this episode:Gina Yashere from ep. 142Evette Dionne from ep. 121Seán Devlin from ep. 87Sarah Jones from ep. 167DJ Jazzy Jeff from ep. 100Marc Evan Jackson from ep. 176Open Mike Eagle from ep. 165With Guest Experts:Ahmad: Hip-Hop artist who earned a Gold Record for his track, “Back in the Day.”Speech: Rapper and founding member of hip-hop group Arrested Development.DJ Jazzy Jeff: Actor, producer and Grammy-winning hip-hop pioneer.Big Daddy Kane: Grammy-winning rapper and producer, known for his groundbreaking rhymes.DJ Spinderella: Grammy-winning DJ, rapper and producer, known for her work as a member of the group Salt-N-Pepa.Candyman: Rapper and producer who co-wrote and performed the hit song “Knockin’ Boots.”Darryl “DMC” McDaniels: Founding member of Run-DMC and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.Hosts: J. Keith van StraatenHelen HongCredits:Theme Song by Jonathan Green.Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!
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Ep. 180: Stephen Tobolowsky & Aparna Nancherla
Sep 1901:03:41Summary readyConsider yourself at home– with trivia on Go Fact Yourself!Stephen Tobolowsky is an actor, writer, and director. He’s perhaps best known for his role as Ned Ryerson from the classic film Groundhog Day. He’ll tell us about what it’s like being part of such an iconic movie – and how its fans keep him humble.Aparna Nancherla is a comedian, who’s also a prolific voice actor. She’ll tell us why voicing the character Moon Tobin on “The Great North” represents a lifelong dream for her. Plus, she’ll workshop some titles for her upcoming stand-up special that will premiere on Dropout TV. Areas of Expertise:Stephen: The work of Charles Dickens, the movie Children of Men, and the Jamaican Switch scam.Aparna: The movie Home Alone, the movie Jurassic Park, and naked mole rats. What’s the Difference: Pay UpWhat’s the difference between a deposit and a down-payment?What’s the difference between extortion and blackmail?Guest Experts:Dr. Rochelle Buffenstein: Distinguished Research Professor at the University of Illinois Chicago, known for her groundbreaking work with naked mole rats. Shani Wallis: Legendary singer and actor who's appeared in dozens of film and stage productions – including the 1968 Oscar-winning Best Picture Oliver!Hosts: J. Keith van StraatenHelen HongCredits:Theme Song by Jonathan Green.Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!
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Ep. 179: Cooper Barnes & Larissa FastHorse
Sep 501:03:19Summary readyIt’s a trivia dream come true on Go Fact Yourself!Cooper Barnes is an actor, best known as the superhero Captain Man in the Nickelodeon “Danger Force” franchise. He’ll tell us what it’s like to have kids as fans, and why portraying a superhero is harder than it looks. (Hint: It rhymes with blandex.)Larissa FastHorse is an award-winning playwright – the first known female Native American to have a play produced on Broadway. She’ll tell us why it earned her a level of fame she didn’t expect. Plus, how she helped update some famous (and infamous) elements of Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Areas of Expertise:Cooper: Comic book artists of the 1990s comic boom, the 1986 Transformers movie, and monkeys.Larissa: The original play and 1954 musical Peter Pan, the movie The Sound of Music, and Pierre, South Dakota.What’s the Difference: That’s FairWhat’s the difference between a carnival and a fair?What’s the difference between just and fair?Guest Experts:Dr. Anne Bryant: Composer and producer of numerous songs for television, film and advertising – including the hit theme to Transformers.Cathy Rigby McCoy: Award-winning actor, producer, and gymnast, who played Peter Pan on stage in thousands of productions around the world.Hosts: J. Keith van StraatenHelen HongCredits:Theme Song by Jonathan Green.Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!
SummaryEp. 168.99 What is GFY? A Public Radio pledge special!
Apr 4, 202500:34:36Summary readyThanks so much for your help during the #MaxFunDrive!J. Keith has some more details on the great things coming that YOU helped make happen!If you’re a member and want to get more podcast pins along and support a great cause, go to maximumfun.org/pinsale.Plus, enjoy a collection of some of our greatest moments from over the years that was recently part of a public radio pledge showcase.Hosts: J. Keith van StraatenHelen HongJim NewmanCredits:Theme Song by Jonathan Green.Maximum Fun's Senior Producer is Laura Swisher.Co-Producer and Editor is Julian Burrell.Seeing our next live-audience shows by YOU!
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