Downright Mindful

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....

Season 1: Episode 7...In this episode of Downright Mindful , Matt sits down with Paul and Josh to tackle some of life’s small yet thought-provoking dilemmas. Together, they explore those everyday situations that catch us off guard, like whether to shake hands with an old friend spotted at a restaurant, or how to explain the sight of someone asking for help at a red light to curious kids. The conve...

Season 1: Episode 6...In this engaging episode of Downright Mindful , Paul turns the tables, interviewing Matt and Josh about the iconic Mt. Rushmore and its historical significance. From there, Paul challenges Matt to reimagine a modern Mt. Rushmore with influential leaders of today. Matt’s choices honor a powerful speaker, a groundbreaking music innovator, a lyricist with profound influence, and...

Season 1: Episode 5...In this thought-provoking episode of Downright Mindful , Matt leads a conversation with Paul and Josh on the surprising unreliability of memory, both within the justice system and in our own lives. He shares compelling examples—from people vividly “recalling” hot air balloon rides that never happened to his own reflections on how major events can blur personal memories. Throu...

Season 1: Episode 4 In this episode of Downright Mindful , Paul and Matt bring fresh perspectives to conversations that matter. They begin by exploring the life and legacy of a lesser-known civil rights leader whose impact was undeniable, yet steeped in controversy—a figure whose actions and beliefs continue to spark debate. From there, they shift to the modern world of sports, weighing in on the...

Season 1: Episode 2...In this episode of Downright Mindful , Matt, Paul, and Josh dive into the future of AI and its possible implications for education—exploring both the promises and the challenges it brings to classrooms. They unpack the nuanced differences between equality and fairness, reflecting on how these principles shape education and society at large. The trio also shares personal insig...

Season 1: Episode 3... In this reflective episode of Downright Mindful , Matt, Paul, and Josh kick things off by brainstorming the structure and direction of their podcast, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process. From there, Matt shifts gears, interviewing Paul about his high school years in '94 and '95, a time filled with big dreams, memorable moments, and the journey...

Season 1: Episode 1...Join Matt and Paul as they explore first impressions, non-verbal communication, governance, early policing, the Coal Creek Saga, Brushy Mountain State Penitentiary, and their plans for entering the podcasting world.