Go Fact Yourself
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Ep. 196: Hrishikesh Hirway & Meaghan Rath
SummaryIn 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.
Updated Jul 3, 2026
TopicsAbout This Episode
The trivia is ready to explode on Go Fact Yourself!
Hrishikesh Hirway is a songwriter. He’s also known for the podcast Song Exploder. He started the show as a way to explore his peers’ creative process and get over his writer’s block. He’ll tell us how years of conversations on the podcast led him to releasing his new album “In the Last Hour of Light.”
Meaghan Rath is an actor who can be seen on the AMC show “The Audacity” as the Chief Ethics Officer. She’ll tell us about how her husband has helped her develop her performance… and why she’s gotten married to him three times.
Areas of Expertise:
Hrishikesh: The 1985-86 Boston Celtics, the best ice cream in Los Angeles, and 1985 caper movies adapted from Elmore Leonard novels.
Meaghan: The movie The Little Mermaid, the TV show “Survivor,” and training a Labradoodle.
What’s the Difference: Deep Fake
What’s the difference between a gorge and a canyon?
What’s the difference between a forgery and a counterfeit?
With Guest Experts:
LisaGay Hamilton: Peabody award-winning actor and director who’s starred in several productions across Broadway, TV and film – including the Elmore Leonard caper movie Jackie Brown.
Zeke Smith: Writer, comedian, and activist who's a two-time contestant on “Survivor.”
Hosts:
Credits:
It’s always a good time to go to maximumfun.org/joingofact to support this show and get monthly bonus episodes.
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!
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Ep. 195: Timothy Simons & Vic Michaelis
SummaryIn 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.
Ep. 194: Stacy Keanan & Drew Lynch
SummaryIn this episode of Go Fact Yourself, hosts J. Keith van Straaten and Helen Hong welcome actor and prosecutor Stacy Keanan and comedian Drew Lynch for a lively round of trivia and personal stories. Keanan, best known for her role in the sitcom Step by Step, discusses her transition from a child actor to her current professional life as a state prosecutor. She offers fascinating insights into how her background in performance has influenced her courtroom presence and debunks some myths about the legal profession. Meanwhile, Drew Lynch, a fan-favorite from America's Got Talent, reflects on his journey in stand-up comedy following a life-altering injury. He shares a deeply moving story about his connection with a fan who suffered a medical emergency during one of his shows, highlighting the empathy and human bond that often form within the comedy community. The conversation balances humor with genuine vulnerability. The guests also compete in a spirited round of trivia, testing their knowledge on topics ranging from space travel terminology to the unique world of reality show recap podcasts and extreme outdoorsy stories.
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