The Moment You Knew

The Moment You Knew is proud to welcome in Ike Reilly, an American singer-songwriter, musician, and writer as well as frontman and founder of the rock band the Ike Reilly Assassination. From his hometown of Libertyville, Illinois, Ike joins Josh to discuss the seamless transition of his three boys joining his band on a recent Midwest tour, his new album “Because the Angels” and being more present on stage and in life.

You won’t get a better bar room story as Goose Island brewer Quinn Fuechsl joins Josh in the studio to talk about the moment he knew his passion for home brewing would lead to a dream job, and how his thirst for travel led him to get married over and over and over to the love of his life. Draw yourself a cold one and listen in.

Self-described relentless optimist Maggie Rimnac joins Josh in the studio to talk about the moment(s) she knew life can change in an instant, and how building deep and meaningful connections through social media - the medium of which she is an expert - can bring people closer together.

Professional photographer Kelly Fitzgerald joins Josh in the studio to discuss her extraordinary process for creating modern portraits designed to look perfect in your home and what it takes to capture lifelong memories from behind her lens.

Singer-songwriter-guitarist Phil Circle returns to The Moment You Knew to chat with Josh about his new music school, his wife’s West Coast ascent, and what it takes to dedicate yourself to your craft. Welcome back, Phil, it’s great to have you with us.

Episode #31 (Part 2) is the conclusion of Josh sitting down with John Wiedeman, play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Blackhawks on WGN Radio. In this special two-part episode, find out about The Moment John Knew he loved hockey, The Moment He Knew he wasn’t ready for college, The Moment He Knew he wanted to be in broadcasting and The Moment He Knew he’d made it to the big time. With so many moments, it had to be two parts!

Episode #31 (Part 1) has Josh sitting down with John Wiedeman, play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Blackhawks on WGN Radio. In this special two-part episode, find out about The Moment John Knew he loved hockey, The Moment He Knew he wasn’t ready for college, The Moment He Knew he wanted to be in broadcasting and The Moment He Knew he’d made it to the big time. With so many moments, it had to be two parts! Enjoy Part 1, and join us for Part 2.

Jean Draper joins Josh to share her inspirational story of triumph over tragedy, of power and perseverance, and what it took to overcome an unimaginable injury with the support of her family, friends, and World-Class athletes by her side.

David Cox joins Josh for a story of darkness and light, of overcoming an unfathomable experience with strength, perseverance, and the desire to make his life and other’s lives better. David’s narrative is a uniquely enigmatic one - unlike one you have ever heard - as he reveals The Moment He Knew he would be OK. Settle in; share in his strength and believe in our universal need for love.

Recording artist and concert singer Jeremy Stolle, currently starring in the Broadway production of The Phantom of the Opera, joins Josh to recall The Moment He Knew that his voice would carry him to the heights of the musical theater world. With over 13 years in Phantom and countless theater credits (The Hunchback of Notre Dame, A Tale of Two Cities, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and as Gaston in Beauty and the Beast and more), Jeremy also tours to sold out performing arts centers the U.S. and China with his amazing Broadway Band "The Unreachable Stars” and in his solo show “No More Talk of Darkness” featuring music from his solo album, “In the Moment.” Enjoy this captivating conversation about the power of music when the momentum and the moment are in rhyme.

In an impromptu post-Father's Day episode, John joins Josh as his guest to talk about fathers, fatherhood, and The Moment He Knew that he and his wife would add to their family through adoption.

Writer, book lover, educator, performer, and creative renaissance man Michael Leali joins Josh to discuss The Moment He Knew he would be a writer and what it feels like to have his life reflected on the page in his first book THE CIVIL WAR OF AMOS ABERNATHY (HarperCollins 2022). With a Masters in Fine Arts focused exclusively on writing for young readers, Michael teaches English I, ACT/SAT Prep, and Creative Writing at his alma mater Oswego High School (Illinois), and gives our listeners a lesson in life, love, and the importance of being seen. Class is in session.

Kelly Lowman joins Josh in the studio to discuss The Moment She Knew she would take control over her weight and the issues that surrounded it. In a deeply inspiring and revealing conversation, Kelly shares how the path leading to bariatric surgery was paved in difficulty, and that it was the right decision for her; forever changing her life and the lives of those around her.

18-year-old Hannah Alcaro joins Josh on Episode 24 for a funny, heartwarming, and insightful conversation about The Moment She Knew she wanted to become a teacher. Hannah is the first guest to ask to be on TMYK, and Josh is glad she did. Get ready to smile and laugh a lot. Years from now, some lucky elementary students will be doing the same.

Under a new single-host format, Josh welcomes in a blast from the past in the form of Chris Gutierrez as he discusses his days on the road with Arma Angelus, a Chicago-based hardcore punk band. Seemingly never at a loss for words, Chris brings you into his world of scraping by, playing his heart out and discovering his starting point for bigger things ahead.

The end of a rough week finds Stapes in the studio with Josh chatting about family visits, daughters and their birthdays, and getting Mom high. Grab a glass of coffee and enjoy this brief episode whose length felt right for The Moment. After all, there's a lot to be said for brevity.

In Episode #21, Jon and Josh talk with Joe Bryant, founder, and owner of the groundbreaking fantasy football information website, Footballguys.com, co-founder of Bryant Boats, and founder and owner of Black Eyed Joe's BBQ. Joe discusses the formation and continued transformation of Footballguys.com, a site with over 500,000 subscribers. He also leans in about Texas and Tennessee barbeque and how he and a vast group of selfless volunteers help those in need at Knoxville's Lost Sheep Ministry, meeting people at their humanity while embodying the power and grace of giving back. Oh, and they sneak in a bit about The Avett Brothers for good measure. Enjoy!

Episode 20 of The Moment You Knew is a fascinating look into the life and teachings of singer/songwriter/guitarist, award-winning author, music coach, and founder of GBA Records, Phil Circle. Phil shares his deeply insightful stories of gratitude, his unique way of communicating through music, and his ongoing efforts to making the world a better place. A big thank you to TMYK subscriber Dan Kirsten for introducing us to Phil, his vocal teacher. We’re so grateful you sent Phil our way. With that, TMKY is happy to award Dan 1 million internet points for making a momentous connection. Congratulations, Dan!

Sometimes, you just need a break. Josh and Jon welcome in Jennifer Reinecke to The Moment You knew to talk about the time in her life where she needed to “pause to live” as she embarked on a solo journey across Europe to recharge her mind and spirit. We likely all want to do something like this, so enjoy hearing from someone who actually did.

Pop a wheelie or pop a cold one; either way, ride along with Josh and Jon as they welcome in Robb Zbierski to talk about The Moment He Knew he would start his amazing side hustle, Beers For Gears. Beers For Gears is a home-based bicycle repair shop where you can make part of your payment to the master bike tech with your favorite adult beverage. Climb aboard, clip in and gear up for an intoxicating episode of The Moment You Knew.