Send us Fan Mail

What happens when the thing you love most becomes the thing you can never completely walk away from?

This week on Here's What We Know, conductor and pianist Robert Emery returns for a conversation about creativity, music, and the curious ways our minds work. From practice rooms to Abbey Road Studios, Robert shares what life is really like for a professional musician, why creative people often struggle to switch off, and what he's learned from spending a lifetime immersed in music.

Gary and Robert also trade stories about family, parenting, travel, questionable hotel experiences, and the challenges that come with building a career around passion. They explore the lives of Mozart, Franz Liszt, and Berlioz, uncovering the very human struggles, quirks, and triumphs behind some of history's most celebrated composers.

Robert also shares the story behind Orchestral Meditations, his latest project featuring meditation music recorded at Abbey Road Studios with a full symphony orchestra and choir.

In This Episode:

• Why musicians never really leave work behind
• The truth about practicing and mastering a craft
• What Mozart and Michael Jackson may have had in common
• How creativity affects everyday life
• Stories from Abbey Road Studios
• The fascinating history of Franz Liszt and musical celebrity
• Why travel helps reset the mind

This episode is sponsored by:

Reed Animal Hospital

Bio:

Robert Emery is a conductor, pianist, and serial entrepreneur. He is lucky enough to travel the world; ranging from performances in London's Royal Albert Hall, through to the Sydney Opera House, Robert has seen them all.

Besides music, he is the Founder & Director of The Arts Group, one of the most diverse entertainment companies in the UK. Within the portfolio is a national music tuition agency, symphony orchestra, choir, artist agency, record label, and production company.

Aside from that, he lives in London and Cambridge, has a wife (Mrs. E), a toddler (Master T), a baby (Master A), and 4 cats.

Website: https://robertemery.com/

Orchestral Meditation: http://orchestralmeditation.com

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/robertemeryofficial/

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

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

Tags: Robert Emery, Creativity, Classical Music, Professional Musician, Music Career, Mozart, Franz Liszt, Music History, Conducting, Pianist, Abbey Road Studios, Orchestral Meditations, Creative Process, Creative Life, Music Industry, Composers, Arts & Culture, Creativity and Purpose, Work-Life Balance, Performing Arts, Creative Careers, Music Education,

Connect with Gary:

• Gary's Website
• Follow Gary on Instagram
• Gary's Tiktok
• Gary's Facebook
• Watch the episodes on YouTube
• Advertise on the Podcast

Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail

Why are people willing to spend thousands of dollars on concert tickets?

Why do fans sit in online queues for hours, refreshing browsers and hoping they get lucky?

And why do live experiences still matter so much when we can almost stream everything?

This week on Here’s What We Know, Michael Dodsworth, CEO and founder of Fanfare, joins us for a conversation that starts with ticketing and eventually reveals something much deeper about human nature.

We talk about Taylor Swift, Formula 1, English soccer fandom, sneaker culture, bad actors, live events, and the psychology behind why people care so deeply about the things they love.

We explore scarcity, obsession, loyalty, competition, and the strange human need to be part of something shared.

Honestly, it’s one of my favorite rabbit-hole conversations we’ve had in a while.

In This Episode:

• Why concert ticketing feels so broken
• The psychology behind scarcity and demand
• How Taylor Swift changed the live event business
• Why Formula 1 has exploded in popularity
• The difference between loyal fans and casual audiences
• What sports fandom looks like in England vs. America
• How “bad actors” manipulate systems
• Why sneaker culture feels like a secret club
• The hidden emotional power of shared experiences

This episode is sponsored by:

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

License #: 679261

Bison Junk Removal

Bio:

Michael Dodsworth is the founder and CEO of Fanfare, a platform that turns product launches, events, and brand collaborations into seamless, memorable experiences—helping brands build lasting customer loyalty and capture actionable insights from every interaction. With a background in infrastructure and high-demand digital systems, Michael combines deep technical expertise with a passion for culture, community, and brand storytelling. His work focuses on helping brands create meaningful customer moments that build loyalty and lasting connections.

Website: https://fanfare.io/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-dodsworth/

Tags: Michael Dodsworth, live events, concert tickets, Taylor Swift tickets, Formula 1 fandom, sports psychology, customer experience, ticketing industry, event management, fandom culture, sneaker culture, English soccer fans, Gary Scott Thomas, Here’s What We Know podcast, scarcity psychology, live entertainment, Formula One, Taylor Swift concert

Connect with Gary:

• Gary's Website
• Follow Gary on Instagram
• Gary's Tiktok
• Gary's Facebook
• Watch the episodes on YouTube
• Advertise on the Podcast

Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!

Send us Fan Mail

Some people play golf for fun. Joseph Bronson turned it into something deeper.

This week on Here’s What We Know, we sit down with the award-winning author, longtime business executive, world traveler, and passionate golfer for a conversation that starts with golf… but doesn’t stay there for long.

Joseph has played 93 of the world’s most iconic golf courses, teed it up with legends like Arnold Palmer, and spent decades chasing mastery in a game that never fully lets you catch it.

And maybe that’s the point.

We talk about competition, discipline, aging, perspective, and why the mental side of golf has so much to teach us about life itself.

There’s a moment in this conversation where we land on something that felt bigger than golf: Most people aren’t thinking about your mistakes nearly as much as you think they are.

Honestly, that might be one of the healthiest things any of us could remember.

In This Episode:

• What it’s like playing Augusta, Pebble Beach, and St. Andrews
• Why golf is almost entirely a mental game
• The difference between elite athletes and everyone else
• What Arnold Palmer was really like off the course
• Why Joseph walked away from golf for a season
• How First Tee of Silicon Valley helps shape young people through golf
• The surprising connection between golf and personal growth

This episode is sponsored by:

Dignity Memorial

Sterling Oak Cabinetry

(Be sure to tell them Gary sent you!)

Bio:

Joseph “Joe” Bronson is a longtime business executive, world traveler, and passionate golfer whose career has taken him across the globe and onto some of the most prestigious golf courses in the world. A member of renowned clubs including Monterey Peninsula Country Club, CordeValle, and Boulder Ridge Golf Club, Joe has played 93 of America’s Top 100 golf courses, along with legendary courses throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Middle East.

Joe is also the award-winning author of Pardon Me, Golf Chronicles, and Through the Green, three books inspired by the stories, traditions, humor, and human moments that make golf more than just a game. His writing blends personal experience, thoughtful observation, and a deep appreciation for the culture and character of golf.

Website: https://www.josephbronson.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-bronson/

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

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

Tags: golf, golf podcast, Joseph Bronson, golf mindset, mental game, life lessons, personal growth, Arnold Palmer, Pebble Beach, Augusta National, St. Andrews, golf psychology, discipline, resilience, competition, sports and life, First Tee Silicon Valley, sports culture, leadership, perseverance, curiosity, mindset, golf stories, athlete mentality, overcoming failure,

Connect with Gary:

• Gary's Website
• Follow Gary on Instagram
• Gary's Tiktok
• Gary's Facebook
• Watch the episodes on YouTube
• Advertise on the Podcast

Thank you for listening. Let us know what you think about this episode. Leave us a review!