Shooting It Straight!

In Episode 22 of Shooting It Straight , Randy Black continues the courage series by exploring a deeper dimension of preparation—how it shapes character over time. Preparation isn’t just about performing well in a single moment; it communicates respect for opportunities and for the people around us. When someone consistently prepares, it builds credibility, reliability, and discipline. Over time, t...

In Episode 21 of Shooting It Straight , Randy continues the conversation on how preparation builds courage by taking listeners behind the scenes of bravery. What the world often labels as a “courageous moment” is rarely spontaneous—it’s the visible result of invisible work. From quiet discipline and skill development to character formation and small, consistent decisions, courage is cumulative. It...

In this powerful opening to Part 1 of “Preparation Breeds Courage,” Randy Black and Elizabeth Clayton unpack a simple but life-changing truth: courage is not spontaneous — it is built long before the pressure hits. Drawing from personal stories, classroom experiences, athletics, parenting, and the legacy of Coach Jim Clayton, they explore how preparation quiets panic, reframes fear, and replaces u...

In this episode of Shooting It Straight! , Randy Black and Elizabeth Clayton dive into the theme “Courage Is for the Hard Times,” exploring what courage really looks like when life pushes back. They challenge the common idea that courage means the absence of fear, instead framing it as the decision to move forward despite fear. Through personal stories, reflections, and lessons drawn from Coach Ji...

As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, look back, and get honest about where you’ve been and where you’re headed. In this episode of Shooting It Straight! , Randy Black and Elizabeth Clayton walk listeners through a simple but powerful year-end reflection exercise inspired by Mel Robbins. Instead of rushing into resolutions, this conversation focuses on clarity—what worked,...

In this episode of Shooting It Straight! , Randy Black and Elizabeth Clayton step into an honest and deeply personal conversation about resilience in the face of loss. Drawing from their own recent experiences with grief, they explore what it looks like to keep moving forward when life changes in ways you never expected. Rather than offering easy answers or tidy conclusions, this episode creates s...

Episode 16 is an emotional and heartfelt turning point for Shooting It Straight! —the first full episode recorded after the passing of Coach Jim Clayton. Randy opens the episode by honoring his friend, mentor, and co-host, reflecting on the wisdom, humor, and heart that shaped every moment of the show. This episode marks a new chapter as Jim’s daughter, Elizabeth Clayton , joins as the new co-host...

Shooting It Straight! returns on January 5, 2026 , marking a new season shaped by reflection, loss, and renewed purpose. In this brief announcement, Randy shares updates following the passing of original co-host Coach Jim Clayton and the loss of his father-in-law, while also introducing Elizabeth Clayton—Jim’s daughter—as the show’s new co-host. Together, this next chapter honors the past while lo...

Shooting It Straight! is starting a new chapter after the loss of Coach Clayton. Welcome Elizabeth Clayton, Jim’s daughter, to the show and let’s keep doing what we do best, Shooting It Straight!

In this special memorial episode of Shooting It Straight!, We honor our friend and co-host, Coach Jim Clayton, by sharing a series of heartfelt voicemail tributes from players, parents, coaches, and lifelong friends whose lives he transformed. You’ll hear stories of Jim’s relentless positivity, his gift for building confidence, and the way he blended discipline and joy to help athletes and communi...

In this special remembrance episode of Shooting It Straight, We revisit a 2018 conversation recorded with Randy and Coach Clayton—mentor, educator, motivator, and the heart behind “BAM, son.” We talk about the origins and meaning of BAM (Believe, Achieve, Motivate), why failure is feedback, and how fear, process, and paying the price shape real success. Jim shares timeless lessons from 35 years in...

In this deeply personal and heartfelt episode, I honor my dear friend, colleague, and cohost, Coach Jim Clayton, who passed away on 09/18/2025. I reflect on meeting Jim when I was a teenager, learning from him as a young educator, and growing alongside him as a colleague, coach, and friend. From school hallways to Sports City U, and finally to the 11 episodes we recorded together, Jim’s wisdom, hu...

In this episode of “Shooting It Straight,” host Randy Black dives into the pervasive myth of multitasking and its impact on productivity. With co-host Jim Clayton absent due to a medical situation, Randy takes the reins to explore why multitasking is more about task switching than true efficiency. Drawing on cognitive science research, he explains how our brains are not wired to handle multiple hi...

In this episode of “Shooting It Straight,” hosts Randy Black and Coach Jim Clayton dive into the critical difference between tools and habits, emphasizing that while tools can aid productivity, it’s the habits that truly drive success. Jim shares insights from his coaching experience, highlighting how habits form the foundation of personal growth and achievement. The discussion covers the importan...

In this episode of “Shooting It Straight!,” hosts Randy Black and Jim Clayton delve into the core of productivity, emphasizing the importance of mindset over mere tools and strategies. They explore the concept of fixed versus growth mindsets, highlighting how a growth mindset can transform failures into learning opportunities. The discussion extends to the pitfalls of education systems that often...

In this episode of “Shooting It Straight,” hosts Randy Black and Coach Jim Clayton delve into the crucial difference between being busy and being productive. They explore how activity often masquerades as achievement, leading many to confuse motion with progress. Through engaging anecdotes and practical insights, they emphasize the importance of setting clear goals, prioritizing tasks that deliver...

In this episode of “Shooting It Straight,” hosts Randy Black and Coach Jim Clayton delve into the concept of resilience, exploring how faith and perseverance play crucial roles in overcoming life’s challenges. Broadcasting live from the Sports City Studio in Hurricane, West Virginia, they emphasize that resilience is not about never failing but about always getting back up. Through discussions on...

In this episode of “Shooting It Straight,” hosts Randy Black and Coach Jim Clayton delve into the essence of resilience and perseverance. Broadcasting live from Sports City U studio in Hurricane, West Virginia, they continue their exploration of resilience through powerful quotes from various sources. The discussion kicks off with a Japanese proverb, “Fall seven times, stand up eight,” emphasizing...

In this episode of “Shooting It Straight,” hosts Randy Black and Coach Jim Clayton delve into the theme of resilience, exploring how life lessons from the court translate into real-world success. They discuss the importance of showing up when life gets tough and pushing through adversity. The episode features a deep dive into resilience through powerful quotes from figures like Nelson Mandela, Vin...

In this episode of “Shooting It Straight,” hosts Randy Black and Jim Clayton dive into the theme of resilience with special guest Dr. Brad Miller, host of the “Cancer and Comedy” podcast. Brad shares his inspiring journey of overcoming prostate cancer through humor, faith, and his ACTS plan—Action, Connect, Think, and Serve. The conversation explores the power of laughter in adversity, the importa...

In this episode of “Shooting It Straight,” hosts Randy Black and Coach Jim Clayton delve into a powerful story of resilience and determination. Jim shares his personal journey from a life-threatening accident at the age of 12, where he broke multiple vertebrae and faced the possibility of never walking again, to overcoming the odds and finding a new path in life. This episode is part of a series o...

In this episode of “Shooting It Straight,” hosts Randy Black and Jim Clayton dive deep into the concept of resilience, exploring how it can be taught and developed intentionally. They discuss the common misconceptions about resilience, emphasizing that it’s not an innate trait but a skill that can be cultivated through experience and intentional practice. Jim shares personal anecdotes, including a...

In this episode of “Shooting It Straight,” hosts Randy Black and Jim Clayton delve into the concept of resilience, exploring the “bounce back mentality” that is crucial in both sports and life. Jim shares his personal journey with stage four colon cancer, illustrating how he applied his coaching mindset to tackle the disease head-on. Through candid discussions, Jim emphasizes the importance of hav...

Welcome to the debut episode of “Shooting It Straight,” where hosts Randy Black and Jim Clayton embark on a journey to translate life lessons from the basketball court into real-world success. Jim, a seasoned coach and mentor, shares his extensive background in education and coaching, emphasizing the importance of learning from failure and the power of motivation. Randy, with a rich history in edu...

Shooting It Straight! is a podcast where sports wisdom meets real-life motivation. Hosted by basketball coaching legend Jim Clayton and educator/tech specialist Randy Black , each episode draws practical life lessons from the court and beyond—helping you Believe, Achieve, and Motivate. Whether you’re chasing goals, overcoming obstacles, or just need a straight shot of encouragement, Jim and Randy...