Podcast Episodes

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 constant responsiveness to multiple stimuli disrupts our ability to engage…

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. We often neglect the importance of our immediate relationships while…

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. From West Virginia’s rankings in the U.S. to global comparisons,…

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 — this reflection examines how something can be memorable for both…

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 about use of deadly force. We review the publicly available…

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 episode breaks down what the Hope Scholarship is, how it…

In this episode of Randy Unscripted, we explore the top ten myths about podcasting that can hold creators back before they even hit record. From the pressure to include video, to fears about gear, downloads, and consistency, we examine the most common misconceptions and why they aren’t always true. This episode is designed to help both new and experienced podcasters…

In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy reflects on a thought-provoking opinion article published by Fox News that challenges a long-held assumption in education: that a 4.0 GPA automatically signals academic mastery. Drawing from the article and his own experience as an educator, Randy explores how grades have increasingly come to represent effort, compliance, and system navigation rather than true…

In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy takes an unfiltered look at apostasy and its growing impact on the modern Christian Church. Drawing from Scripture and cultural observation, the conversation defines apostasy as a “falling away” from biblical truth and explores how this spiritual drift is not a distant theological concept, but a present and visible reality within today’s faith…

Reflection and Challenges Randy Black reflects on the month of NAPODPOMO 2025, highlighting how the journey tested his discipline and creativity. The month was particularly challenging due to a personal loss when his father-in-law passed away on day 24. Despite this setback, Randy realized that the routine and focus cultivated through NAPODPOMO provided a lifeline, helping him maintain purpose and…