Shooting It Straight!

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 looking forward to continued honest, meaningful conversations. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe and find follow links at shootingitstraight.com/follow so they don’t miss the first episode of the new season.

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 communities believe bigger, achieve louder, and motivate stronger. From locker rooms to chemo chairs, Jim showed up with passion, consistency, care, and a contagious optimism that made everyone around him better.

After the tributes, Rand...

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 education and decades in coaching: building relationships, setting high expectations, learning students’ names, and making every learner feel seen and capable. He opens up about turning passion into profession, trailblazing individualized basketball training, and the second chance that res...

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, humility, and relentless encouragement shaped my life and the lives of countless students, athletes, and listeners. His legacy—rooted in faith, kindness, integrity, and service—continues to resonate in every story, lesson, and la...

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 high-level tasks simultaneously, leading to decreased effectiveness and increased mistakes. Randy offers practical strategies such as single-tasking, time blocking, and the Pomodoro technique to help listeners regain focus and productivity.

Randy emphasizes the impo...

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 importance of consistency, the pitfalls of relying too heavily on tools, and the need for a strong system of habits to support any tool’s effectiveness. They also explore how habits shape identity and provide motivation, using examples from sports a...

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 promote a fixed mindset, and how real-world success requires thinking outside the box and embracing one’s unique strengths.

The conversation shifts to procrastination, debunking the myth that it’s a sign of laziness. Instead, they explain it as a...

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 results, and eliminating distractions to truly achieve productivity. Coach Clayton shares his wisdom on how to focus on outcomes rather than just filling time, using sports analogies to illustrate how practice and preparation can lead to real success both on and off...

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 various scriptures, they highlight the importance of trusting in God’s strength and hope to endure hardships, drawing connections to previous episodes where faith was identified as a foundational element of resilience.

Randy and Jim also sha...

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 the importance of persistence and emotional endurance. The hosts explore how perseverance is a habit developed over time, not just a momentary response. They stress the significance of small victories and the compounding effect of habits that lead to success...

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, Vince Lombardi, Maya Angelou, JK Rowling, and Elizabeth Edwards. Each quote is unpacked to reveal insights into enduring, adapting, and overcoming challenges.

Randy and Jim emphasize the significance of learning from failures and the necessity of r...

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 importance of maintaining a positive mindset, and the role of spirituality and community in healing. Brad’s story is a testament to the strength found in embracing life’s challenges with grace and humor.

Listeners are...

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 on resilience, focusing on the mindset, grit, and faith required to bounce back from adversity. Jim’s story is not just about physical recovery but also about the mental strength and perseverance that s...

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 recent PET scan experience, to illustrate how resilience is about bouncing back stronger from setbacks. The hosts also highlight the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, focusing on productivity over activity, and the significance of self-reflection and solitu...

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 having a game plan, staying active, and maintaining a positive attitude, even in the face of adversity. His story is a testament to the power of resilience and the belief that tough times don’t last, but tough...

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 education and podcasting, joins Jim to explore how these lessons can be applied beyond sports, aiming to inspire listeners to believe in themselves and achieve greatness.

In this episode, Jim and Randy introduce them...

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 bring authentic insights, powerful stories, and occasional expert guests to keep you inspired.

Subscribe now and start Shooting It Straight!