Ep. 194: Stacy Keanan & Drew Lynch

Ep. 196: Hrishikesh Hirway & Meaghan Rath

Jul 3, 20261h 7mSummary

In this episode of Go Fact Yourself, hosts Helen Hong and J. Keith van Straaten welcome guests Hrishikesh Hirway and Meaghan Rath for a lively competition of trivia and conversation. Hrishikesh Hirway, an acclaimed podcaster and musician, discusses his latest album, In The Last Hour of Light. He shares how his experience hosting Song Exploder—where he deconstructs the creative process with world-class artists—actually influenced his own songwriting journey, helping him overcome writer's block through collaborative prompts. Meanwhile, actress Meaghan Rath provides insight into her role on the series The Audacity. She describes her character, a tech company’s chief ethics officer, as a nuanced "chameleon" and discusses the collaborative nature of the show’s writing, as well as her own experiences navigating marriage during the pandemic. Beyond their professional work, the guests put their knowledge to the test. During the "What’s the Difference" segment, they tackle tricky geological and legal definitions. Later, Hirway faces a deep-dive challenge on 1990s crime films adapted from Elmore Leonard novels, demonstrating an impressive command of cinematic trivia, from iconic casting choices to the intricacies of Academy Award nominations.

Ep. 195: Timothy Simons & Vic Michaelis

Jun 19, 20261h 7mSummary

In this episode of Go Fact Yourself, host J. Keith van Straaten and moderator Helen Hong welcome actors Vic Michaelis and Timothy Simons for a spirited trivia competition. Known for their work on Dropout TV’s Very Important People and the hit series Veep and Nobody Wants This, respectively, the two guests discuss their careers, the intricacies of improvisational comedy, and the surreal experience of character acting. Beyond their professional accomplishments, the guests dive into their chosen topics of expertise. Michaelis reveals her surprising passion for the 2011 Tony Awards, while Simons brings his knowledge of the acclaimed television drama The Wire, Chicago theater, and the career of Tiger Woods. The episode features the signature "What’s the Difference" round, where the guests attempt to define the nuances between humanistic terms and botanical varieties, leading to humorous debate. The conversation flows from deep dives into theatrical history to lighthearted banter about their personal lives and past projects. It is an engaging look at the intellectual curiosity of two talented performers as they test their knowledge across diverse and eclectic subjects.