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This week on Here’s What We Know, step into the world of pirates and hidden histories with bestselling author Samuel Marquis. In this conversation, we dig into the life of Captain William Kidd and explore where fact meets myth. Samuel shares how his family's connection to Kidd opened the door to a deeper look at piracy, courage, politics, and the stories that shape our understanding of early America.

We talk about the rise of pirate legends, the real struggles sailors faced on the open seas, and the untold strength of Kidd’s wife, Sarah Bradley Cox Kidd. Samuel also gives us a look into his writing process and how he works to honor history while still telling a powerful story.

If you love rich conversations about identity, resilience, and the truth hidden behind old legends, this episode will pull you right in.

In This Episode:

• Samuel Marquis and his unique connection to Captain Kidd
• How real pirate life compares to the stories we tell
• The political tides that changed Captain Kidd’s fate
• The overlooked resilience of Sarah Bradley Cox Kidd
• What early piracy reveals about the birth of American identity
• Why these stories still capture our imagination today

This episode is sponsored by:

Sterling Oak Cabinetry (Bring your dream cabinet to life!)

Dignity Memorial

Bio:

The ninth-great-grandson of legendary privateer Captain William Kidd, Samuel Marquis, M.S., P.G., is a professional hydrogeologist, expert witness, and bestselling, award-winning author of twelve American non-fiction-history, historical-fiction, and suspense books, covering primarily the period from colonial America through WWII. His American history and historical fiction books have been #1 Denver Post bestsellers and received multiple national book awards (Publishers Weekly Starred Review, Kirkus and Foreword Reviews Book of the Year, American Book Fest and USA Best Book, Readers’ Favorite, Beverly Hills, Independent Publisher, Colorado Book Awards). His historical titles have garnered glowing reviews from bestselling authors, colonial American history and maritime historians, U.S. military veterans, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and Foreword Reviews (Starred, 5 Stars).

Website: https://samuelmarquisbooks.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammarquisbooks/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/samuelmarquisbooks/

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The queen of forensic fiction is back!

This week on Here’s What We Know, New York Times bestselling author and forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs is back to celebrate the release of Evil Bones, her 24th Temperance Brennan novel. From balancing grim mysteries with witty moments to revealing how real-life quirks inspired Tempe’s world, Kathy shares stories that remind us why readers keep coming back. You’ll also hear how she keeps up with forensic science, her favorite character dialogue, what sets the books apart from the Bones TV series, and why Birdie the cat will never die.

In This Episode:

• The delicate art of using humor to illuminate dark subjects
• How Kathy’s writing process keeps Tempe Brennan evolving
• The science and heart behind Evil Bones
• Why readers forgive a character’s death, but never a pet’s

"Evil Bones" out November 18th! Pre-order now!

This episode is sponsored by:

Mike Counsil Plumbing & Rooter (Use code “Gary” to get $89 off any service!)

License #: 679261

Bio:

Kathy Reichs’s first novel Déjà Dead catapulted her to fame when it became a New York Times bestseller and won the 1997 Ellis Award for Best First Novel. Her other Temperance Brennan books include Death du Jour, Deadly Decisions, Fatal Voyage, Grave Secrets, Bare Bones, Monday Mourning, Cross Bones, Break No Bones, Bones to Ashes, Devil Bones, 206 Bones, Spider Bones, Flash and Bones, Bones Are Forever, Bones of the Lost, Bones Never Lie, Speaking in Bones and the Temperance Brennan short story collection, The Bone Collection. In addition, Kathy co-authored the Virals young adult series with her son, Brendan Reichs. The best-selling titles are: Virals, Seizure, Code, Exposure, Terminal, and the novella collection Trace Evidence. The series follows the adventures of Temperance Brennan’s great niece, Tory Brennan. Dr. Reichs’ latest novel, Two Nights, was released July 11 and features Sunday Night, a tough-talking, scarred heroine. Dr. Reichs was also a producer of the hit Fox TV series, Bones, which is based on her work and her novels.

Website: https://kathyreichs.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathyreichs/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathyreichsbooks/

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This week on Here’s What We Know, Grammy-winning songwriter and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Tim Nichols joins us for a heartfelt look at the magic and grit behind nearly four decades in country music.

Tim opens up about four decades in country music, the miracle of songwriting, and what it really takes to build a lasting career in Nashville. From his first publishing deal in 1986 to crafting hits for legends like Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Ronnie Milsap, Tim shares what keeps him passionate about his craft and why he still calls every song “a little miracle.”

You’ll hear the inside story of “Live Like You Were Dying,” how collaboration shapes Nashville’s best songs, and why “writing bad songs” is just part of becoming great. Plus, Tim talks about his next chapter as a keynote speaker, helping people and businesses alike realize they truly belong in the room.

In This Episode:

• The miracle of songwriting and the discipline behind it
• What it really means when a song is “on hold” in Nashville
• Why rejection fuels resilience for artists and athletes alike
• Behind-the-scenes stories with Faith Hill, Ronnie Milsap, and Mark Knopfler
• The making of “Live Like You Were Dying” and its lasting emotional impact
• How Tim’s message “You Belong in the Room” inspires creators everywhere

This episode is sponsored by:

Reed Animal Hospital (Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)

Bio:

Tim Nichols, Grammy-Winning Songwriter & Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Member

With nearly two dozen hit songs, multiple BMI songwriting awards, and a Grammy for Best Country Song, Tim Nichols has earned his place among Nashville’s most respected and enduring songwriters.

In 2004, Tim co-wrote Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” which spent ten consecutive weeks at #1 and broke a thirty-year Billboard record. The song went on to win every major country music award that year, including honors from the CMA, ACM, Billboard, BMI, ASCAP, and the Nashville Songwriters Association International—a feat no other song has ever achieved.

Beyond the charts, Tim is deeply committed to giving back. He’s served on the boards of the Country Music Association, High Hopes Preschool and Pediatric Therapy Clinic, and the Nashville Songwriters Association International, continuing to champion both the craft of songwriting and the community that sustains it.

When he’s not on Music Row writing his next hit or sharing stories from a life in music, Tim brings his passion for creativity and collaboration to keynote stages across the country—helping businesses and teams discover how the same principles that create hit songs can also drive success in any industry.

Website:

https://timnicholskeynotes.com/

https://www.timnicholsofficial.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/timnicholstn/

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• Gary's Website
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Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!