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 while still in school—until he met his wife and moved into married housing on campus.

Matt admits he never thought he’d be a teacher, and tells some raw stories about being an unmotivated student—the kind who got paddled in school more than once. Now? He’s teaching and leading classrooms of his own.

This episode is about the unexpected turns, the people who shape us, and the moments that change everything—even the ones we said would never happen.

✨ Streaming now on all major podcast platforms! ✨

#DownrightMindful #NeverSayNever #PodcastEpisode #PersonalGrowth #LifeLessons #UnexpectedJourney #BecomingATeacher #MarriageInCollege #TransformationStories #PodcastCommunity #NewEpisode

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 get on
– Don’t wear white to someone else’s wedding

But it’s not just about manners—it’s about meaning.
Matt asks Paul if he’s ever broken one of these rules and “frozen the room,” leading to a quiet, powerful story from Paul’s time as a church deacon.

The episode closes with a dive into nostalgia:
What do we miss from “the way things used to be”?
And what are we glad to leave behind?

✨ Available now on all major podcast platforms ✨

#DownrightMindful #UnwrittenRules #PodcastEpisode #SocialNorms #AwkwardMoments #ChurchStory #NostalgiaFeels #PodcastCommunity #NewEpisode

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 reflection, and plenty of laughs as they unpack how these moral frameworks show up in real life, relationships, classrooms, and leadership.

This episode challenges you to think about how you treat others—and how you want to be treated—in a world that’s anything but simple.

📌 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

#GoldenRule #Ethics #Leadership #MoralPrinciples #Podcast #DoUntoOthers #LifeLessons #DownrightMindful #PlatinumRule #PersonalGrowth #SelfReflection #TeacherTalk #LifeEthics #MindfulLiving

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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 almost wasn’t one at all.

To wrap things up, Matt gives a brief breakdown of three high-profile true crime cases:
🔎 Gabby Petito
🔎 The Idaho College Murders
🔎 The Murdaugh Murders
And an honorable mention to Up and Vanished for true crime fans.

A little chaos, a little crime, and a lot of stories you won’t want to miss.

✨ Now streaming on all major podcast platforms! ✨

#DownrightMindful #PodcastEpisode #TrueCrime #GabbyPetito #IdahoMurders #MurdaughMurders #UpAndVanished #UndercoverStories #LawEnforcement #PodcastCommunity #NewEpisode

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 wouldn’t want to watch with your mom? But that’s just the beginning.

From awkward moments to who sets unspoken social rules, when (if ever) they change, and why some boundaries seem to last forever, this episode unpacks the silent forces shaping how we navigate the world.

Are these norms personal, generational, or something bigger? And what happens when you’re the one who doesn’t fit inside the lines?

✨ Streaming now on all major podcast platforms! ✨

#DownrightMindful #PodcastEpisode #SocialNorms #UnwrittenRules #AwkwardMoments #CulturalBoundaries #DoLinesEverBlur #ChangingPerspectives #PodcastCommunity #NewEpisode

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 accept it?

But the conversation doesn’t stop there—Paul flips the script, exploring ethical dilemmas teachers face in their relationships with students, colleagues, and even in staff meetings. The discussion expands into teacher collaboration and the fine line between professional integrity and personal convenience.

Matt also shares a frustrating firsthand experience of an off-duty officer flashing a badge to gain free entry into a basketball game without a word—no payment, no explanation. Was it an abuse of power, or just a harmless shortcut?

Join us as we navigate the gray areas of ethics in law enforcement and education. 🚔🍎

📌 New episodes every week! Subscribe for more deep dives into history, justice, and the human experience.

#PoliceEthics #TeacherEthics #LawEnforcement #Education #EthicalDilemmas #DownrightMindful #Podcast #Leadership

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 Matt, Seth, and Paul break down the brilliance of comics like Dave Chappelle, Jeff Foxworthy, Nate Bargatze, and Shane Gillis.

But that’s not all—before the conversation wraps, the trio dives into the digital age, discussing Twitch streamers, YouTube culture, mobile gaming, and how technology is shaping the way we connect and consume entertainment.

This one’s got books, laughs, and a look at the future—don’t miss it!

✨ Available now on all major podcast platforms! ✨

#DownrightMindful #PodcastEpisode #StandUpComedy #DaveChappelle #NateBargatze #ShaneGillis #YouTubeCulture #TwitchStreamers #TechAndSociety #PodcastCommunity #NewEpisode

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 Derrick Kinsey. It’s not about feeling down—it’s about understanding the power of music to connect, comfort, and challenge us.

This isn’t a sad episode. It’s a thoughtful celebration of music’s ability to make us feel more alive.

✨ Available now on all major podcast platforms! ✨

#DownrightMindful #PodcastEpisode #SadSongs #MusicAndEmpathy #DianeWarren #DerrickKinsey #Songwriting #PodcastCommunity #NewEpisode