Author: Randy Black
Episode #43 of Randy Unscripted takes a reflective look at Memorial Day and the meaning many Americans have gradually lost sight of over time. While the holiday has become widely associated with cookouts, travel, sales, and the unofficial beginning of summer, this episode gently revisits the original purpose behind Memorial…
In this episode, we discuss the psychology of podcasting and why the format can feel especially personal and intimate. We explore parasocial relationships, how repeated listening and familiar voices can make creators feel like part of a listener’s social world, and how the microphone can shape what we emphasize and…
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy explores the growing cultural phenomenon known as “Main Character Syndrome” — the mindset that life revolves around us and everyone else exists as supporting characters in our personal story. From social media and performance culture to identity, validation, anxiety, and loneliness, this episode…
In this episode, I examine the concept of continuous partial attention and its detrimental effects on productivity and mental wellbeing. I reflect on personal experiences of feeling busy yet unaccomplished, realizing that our challenges arise more from attention deficiencies than time constraints. Drawing upon Linda Stone’s insights, I discuss how…
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, I explore deep themes raised during my conversation with Ben Sasse, focusing on our values and priorities in the face of mortality. Sasse’s reflections highlight the relational nature of our societal challenges, emphasizing that despite material wealth, we suffer from spiritual and communal disconnection….
In this episode, we take a close look at education funding in West Virginia and explore how it compares both nationally and internationally. We break down per-pupil spending, examine student performance on standardized tests like NAEP and PISA, and uncover surprising insights about the relationship between money and learning outcomes….
What does it really mean to be “remarkable”? In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy explores the true definition of the word and challenges the assumption that remarkable always means admirable. Sparked by conversations in the podcasting world — including thoughts from Dave Jackson of the School of Podcasting —…
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, we examine the fatal shooting of a woman in Minnesota by a federal ICE officer. Many discussions around this incident have focused on emotion, politics, or selective interpretations of video footage. Here, we cut through the noise and analyze what Minnesota law actually says…
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy Black takes a thoughtful, even-handed look at the growing school choice movement in West Virginia, with a particular focus on the Hope Scholarship Program. As the program expands toward universal eligibility, it has sparked intense debate among parents, educators, policymakers, and taxpayers. This…