Downright Mindful

In Episode 40 of Downright Mindful , Matt and Paul are back in the studio and catching up. From Paul’s family reunion and Lucy the dog’s run-in with dark chocolate, to the story of Jackie Mitchell striking out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig , to moments in American history that happened on July 13th, we cover a lot. Along the way, we wander into conversations about culture, current events, and why it’s...

In Episode 39 of Downright Mindful , Matt flies solo while Paul is out of town, taking time for a mid-year reflection on where we’ve been, where we’re going, and the unseen ways grief, faith, and memory shape the path forward. Matt shares a deeply personal story tied to the hymn It Is Well with My Soul , weaving in the loss of his niece, Addison, and the journey of his family through grief, anger,...

In Episode 38 of Downright Mindful , we sit down with Ben Berry , owner of Berry Engineers in Cleveland, TN, inside the historic Fillauer House—now home to his business and a fitting place for a conversation about what makes a community thrive. Ben grew up here, and as an engineer and business owner, he’s spent years watching how people and places shape each other—from how we build our neighborhoo...

In Episode 37 of Downright Mindful , we sit down with Braden Davis—an online entrepreneur, former high school athlete, and digital marketing powerhouse. At just 23 years old, Braden has built multiple faceless social media accounts totaling over 1.2 million followers , grown a career in dropshipping and affiliate marketing , and cultivated a mindset of wisdom, faith, and humility . We explore how...

Episode 36...In this episode, we sit down with Adam Ferguson, principal of Oak Grove Elementary School—and former frontman of more than one Christian rock band. The conversation begins with stories from Adam’s youth: life on stage, music with a mission, and the tug of purpose that eventually led him into the classroom. We follow his path from student to teacher to school leader, stopping along the...

Episode 35...In this episode, we sit down on the campus of Lee University with Dr. Bill Estes…a respected educator, community leader, and member of the Cleveland City Council. From stories about his personal life to reflections on local government, education reform, and the future of our city, Dr. Estes brings both wisdom and warmth to the table. Paul and Matt ask about the lessons he’s learned th...

In Episode 34 of Downright Mindful , Paul interviews Matt about the many "weapons" he's carried — and not all of them come from a duty belt. Drawing from Matt’s real-world experience as a sheriff’s deputy, this episode explores the use (and misuse) of firearms, tasers, pepper spray… and yes, even a lamp. But this isn’t just a conversation about force — it’s about choices. Paul then s...

Season 1: Episode 32...In this riverside episode of Downright Mindful , Matt and Paul settle in on the banks of the Hiwassee River in Charleston, TN to reflect on the final days of the school year and the kinds of relationships that form in the classroom when you're truly paying attention. They swap stories about hosting European exchange students, the lessons they brought into the room, and t...

Season 1: Episode 33...In this spontaneous audio-only episode, Matt and Paul hit record while driving home from witnessing the Walker Valley Lady Mustangs win their first-ever state softball championship 🥎🏆. Fueled by pride and a little bit of road-trip energy, they work through a list of personality traits—discussing which ones fit, which ones don’t, and how they each show up in different scena...

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...