Downright Mindful

Season 1: Episode 31...Matt and Paul sit down again to share tales from the streets of Cleveland and Bradley County, Tennessee. This time, Matt recalls: A high-speed police chase that took a hard turn A childhood trip to a local dairy farm, just to get milk for churning And what it was like bagging groceries at 15 (and what he learned about people doing it) As always, the roads we remember take us...

Season 1: Episode 30...In this episode of Downright Mindful , Matt and Paul begin a new local history series focused on the places that shaped life in Cleveland and Bradley County, Tennessee —starting with the roads we grew up on. From Paul Huff Parkway and Keith Street to APD-40 and I-75 , we share personal stories, moments, and memories connected to the streets that have become part of the local...

Season 1: Episode 29…If your life could be packed into a single box—just a few objects left behind to tell your story—what would people find? And more importantly… what would they assume about you? In this episode of Downright Mindful , Matt and Paul take turns filling their metaphorical box—sharing items that represent character, belief, regret, laughter, and growth. It’s reflective, it’s honest,...

Season 1: Episode 28...Imagine being stranded—no phones, no internet, no second chances. Just you, a meadow by the river, and 12 choices to carry you through. In this episode of Downright Mindful , Paul throws Matt into the ultimate nostalgia survival test : 🎶 4 Cassette Tapes from the 80s 📀 4 DVDs from the 80s or 90s 📚 4 Books on a solar-powered Kindle 🧸 3 Childhood Keepsakes AND... 👤 One li...

Season 1: Episode 27... In this episode of Downright Mindful , Matt kicks things off by asking Paul: 🎥 If your life were a movie... what genre would it be? 🎶 What would the soundtrack sound like? 🎭 And who would play you? But it doesn’t stop there. The conversation shifts into something deeper— a real look at life as a timeline . Where are you right now in your story? How do you define the begi...

Season 1: Episode 26...How many times have you said, “I’ll never…” —only to end up doing exactly that? In this episode of Downright Mindful , Paul leads us into the theme of Never Say Never , and things get real. He shares how he once said he’d never attend a certain college… then spent four of the most formative years of his life there playing basketball. He also swore he’d never get married whil...

Season 1: Episode 25...Some rules don’t live in handbooks—they live in the looks people give you when you break them. In this episode of Downright Mindful , Matt and Paul unpack the unwritten rules of life: – Don’t talk to someone with headphones on – Step to the side of the hallway if you’re going to chat – Don’t stand right beside someone at the urinal – Let people off the elevator before you ge...

Season 1: Episode 24...In this episode of Downright Mindful , Paul returns with a powerful and personal exploration of the Golden Rule : Do unto others as you would have them do unto you . But he doesn’t stop there—Paul introduces a whole spectrum of ethical principles , including the Silver, Bronze, Iron, Platinum , and even Titanium Rule 🪙⚖️💬 Matt and Paul weave in personal stories, honest ref...

Season 1: Episode 23...This week, Matt is flying solo while Paul takes care of some things—but don’t worry, he’ll be back next episode! In the meantime, we’re diving into listener comments and some wild stories from Matt’s days as an investigator. First up: the time he was undercover and sort of ran from the police (but not really). Then, the slowest foot chase in history —a pursuit so slow it alm...

Season 1: Episode 22...There are some things you just don’t do —or at least, that’s what we’ve been told. But who decides what’s “appropriate,” and why do some social norms feel unshakable? In this episode of Downright Mindful , Matt and Paul take the conversation outside—literally. The microphones might be cheap, but the discussion runs deep. It starts with a simple question: Are there movies you...

Season 1: Episode 21... In this episode of Downright Mindful, Matt and Paul tackle the tough questions surrounding police and teacher ethics. Matt puts Paul in the hot seat with real-world ethical dilemmas straight out of police training: If you see another officer doing something dishonest, what do you do? If a gas station clerk insists you take free coffee because you're a cop, should you ac...

Season 1: Episode 20...In this episode of Downright Mindful , Paul brings in a special guest—his oldest son, Seth—for a conversation that jumps from literature to stand-up comedy to the ever-changing world of technology. Paul kicks things off by sharing what he’s been reading lately, mentioning authors like Rob Bell and Mort Sahl . Then, the discussion shifts to the art of stand-up comedy , as Mat...

Season 1: Episode 19...Why does sad music move us, even when we’re not sad? In this episode of Downright Mindful , Matt and Paul explore the artistry behind melancholic songs—the kind that cut deep, not to wound, but to make us think. They discuss how legendary songwriter Diane Warren crafts heartache into unforgettable ballads and reflect on the quiet empathy found in the work of local songwriter...

Season 1: Episode 18...Life, like crime scenes (and yes, even ogres and onions), is built in layers. In this episode of Downright Mindful , Paul challenges Matt to connect something layered to his own skills—leading to a conversation about SkillsUSA Crime Scene competitions , forensic investigations, and how experience builds upon itself over time. The episode kicks off with Matt’s wild story abou...

Season 1: Episode 17...In this episode of Downright Mindful , Matt and Paul kick things off with a conversation about popular TV series, including Breaking Bad , Ted Lasso , and American Primeval . They reflect on the recent cold weather and the start of a new school semester before diving into an important legal discussion: probable cause vs. reasonable suspicion . Paul challenges Matt from the p...

Season 1: Episode 16...In this episode of Downright Mindful , Paul takes Matt on a journey through history using the power of music. He explores how legendary artists—Bruce Springsteen ( Born in the USA ), Billy Joel ( We Didn’t Start the Fire ), Bob Marley ( Buffalo Soldier ), and Billie Holiday ( Strange Fruit )—each, at the height of their influence, chose to use their voice to tell someone els...

Season 1: Episode 15... In this engaging episode of Downright Mindful , TN State Senator J. Adam Lowe joins Matt and Paul for a dynamic conversation that bridges personal stories and big ideas. Matt recalls an awkward but memorable encounter with Senator Lowe during a stakeout from his time as a drug detective, setting the tone for a thoughtful and reflective discussion. Together, they explore rug...

Season 1: Episode 14...In this powerful episode of Downright Mindful , Matt and Paul welcome their first guest, Zech Pike, whose career spans from detective work with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office to his current role as the Safety and Security Coordinator for Bradley County Schools. Zech and Matt find common ground as they reflect on their shared experience of being supervised by Sgt. Bill C...

Season 1: Episode 13...In this timeless reflection on the art of teaching, Matt and Paul delve into the philosophies that guide those who shape minds and lives. Paul, a teacher of teachers in his own right, shares his framework of Inspire, Instruct, Empower , while Matt highlights “The 3 E’s” loosely attributed to Walt Disney… Entertain, Educate, and Enlighten . Together, they unravel the essence...

Season 1: Episode 12...In this episode of Downright Mindful , Paul presents Matt with a series of thought-provoking questions drawn from iconic songs and movies: “If you work for a living, then why do you kill yourself working?” “Do you want the truth?” “Why so serious?” “Who’ll stop the rain?” “Does anybody really know what time it is?” and “How do you heal a broken heart?” The discussion ebbs an...

Season 1: Episode 11...In this episode of Downright Mindful , Matt sits down with Paul to explore four powerful questions: “Have you ever been hungry? Cold? Lucky? Afraid?” What follows is a deeply personal and relatable conversation as both share stories of moments when they’ve faced these feelings. From unexpected blessings to life’s challenges, this episode dives into the raw human experiences...

Season 1: Episode 10 Part 1...In the first installment of this two-part Christmas episode, Paul interviews Matt about his extensive law enforcement career. From working as a corrections officer and prisoner transport agent to serving as a patrolman, SRO, Narcotics detective, and Property crimes detective, Matt shares stories and insights from his time behind the badge. As the episode wraps up, Pau...

Season 1: Episode 10 Part 2...In the second half of this two-part Christmas episode, Paul continues the conversation by asking a challenging question: “How much grace should we give a police officer who breaks the law?” The discussion shifts seamlessly into reflections on grace, justice, and the profound themes of the holiday season. Paul explores the legacy of the real St. Nicholas, the story of...

Season 1: Episode 9...In the debut recording at their new studio with crisp, clean sound, Matt interviews Paul about the different seasons of life, especially the joys and challenges of raising a family. Together, they explore the significance of holiday traditions and reflect on the roles we play in shaping family memories that last a lifetime. The conversation takes an unexpected turn, connectin...

Season 1: Episode 8... In the final episode recorded at the PIE Innovation Center, Downright Mindful takes a reflective turn as Paul interviews Matt, asking him to choose between life’s little dilemmas: sweet or salty, banjo or mandolin, mountains or beach, vanilla or chocolate. But as the conversation unfolds, Paul shares a thoughtful realization—he doesn’t want to choose anymore; he wants both....