Randy Unscripted

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 landscape.

The episode examines how apostasy manifests through moral relativism, cultural pressure, doctrinal compromise, and declining commitment to biblical teaching and church life. Randy connects these trends to their consequences—spiritual confusion, weakened Christian witness, and moral de...

Duration: 00:08:44

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 control during chaotic times.

Role of Faith and Routine

Randy emphasizes the central role of faith in overcoming personal trials. His faith enabled him to support his family while continuing with his podcast goals. He...

Duration: 00:06:32

Reflection on NaPodPoMo 2025 Experience:

Randy Black reflects on the challenges and lessons learned from completing 30 podcast episodes in 30 days. Initially expecting the endeavor to be incredibly difficult, Randy faced worries about creativity, inspiration, and burnout. However, he discovered that commitment to the process led to personal growth and resilience.

Challenges and Adaptations:

Creative Pressure: Maintaining fresh content daily was challenging. Fear of Burnout: Concerns about creative fatigue and burnout by day 10 or 15. Adaptation: Learned to adapt and grow despite initial fears.

Routine and Discipline:

Consistent Schedule: The daily rhythm became a source...

Duration: 00:06:30

Randy Black’s Reflection on Christmas

Introduction:

Randy reflects on the holiday season, focusing on the deeper spiritual meaning of Christmas rather than the commercialism often associated with it.

The Commercialization of Christmas:

Randy notes the overwhelming commercialism during the holiday season, with advertisements for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other sales inundating people. He emphasizes the importance of remembering that Christmas did not begin with retail stores but in Bethlehem in a manger.

The True Meaning of Christmas:

Randy highlights that the real meaning of Christmas is rooted in th...

Duration: 00:08:38

Spiritual Meaning of Thanksgiving

The episode discusses the spiritual significance of Thanksgiving, emphasizing it as a command and a posture in the Christian faith rather than just a holiday. It highlights how thanksgiving involves remembering God’s faithfulness, trusting in His sovereignty, and aligning our spiritual center with God’s goodness.

Scripture References

The episode references several Bible verses:

Psalm 100:4 – Encourages entering God’s presence with thanksgiving and praise. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – Instructs believers to give thanks in all circumstances, reflecting God’s will. Philippians 4:6-7 – Promises peace through prayer and thanksgiving, shifting focus from lack to G...

Duration: 00:08:43

On this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy presents an episode focused on the character of a nation, using Thanksgiving as a moral compass. He emphasizes the importance of understanding a nation through its values rather than just its timeline.

The Role of Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is highlighted as a reminder of virtues like humility, responsibility, generosity, and empathy. Gratitude is seen as foundational to these virtues, acknowledging that blessings come from external sources.

Historical and Biblical Perspectives

Thanksgiving is linked to historical actions promoting gratitude, serving, and sacrifice. Founders understood that a grateful populace is...

Duration: 00:08:31

Randy Black discusses the intersection of Thanksgiving and the U.S. Constitution in a podcast episode. He highlights that while the Constitution doesn’t mention Thanksgiving, it provides the framework for national observances through presidential proclamations and legislative actions.

Key Points and Main Ideas:

Constitutional Foundation: Thanksgiving became a legal and national observance due to the constitutional framework, enabling presidents to issue proclamations and legislatures to set holidays. Early Thanksgiving Proclamations: George Washington, the first president, issued a proclamation encouraging national gratitude and acknowledging God’s providence. John Adams continued the tradition, emphasizing civic virtue and grat...

Duration: 00:09:28

In this episode of Randy Unscripted, I share the story of Sarah Josepha Hale, the woman whose decades-long advocacy helped Abraham Lincoln establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863. From her role as editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book to her persistent appeals to presidents and governors, Hale believed that a shared day of gratitude could strengthen families and unite the nation. Her story reminds us that quiet, faithful effort can leave a lasting mark and that gratitude is both a personal and cultural practice.

Duration: 00:04:51

In this episode, I explore how America’s understanding of Thanksgiving evolved from scattered regional observances to a unified national holiday. Drawing from my background as a history educator, I look at how presidents like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln used Thanksgiving proclamations to encourage national unity, humility, and reflection—especially in times of crisis. By weaving together history and faith, the episode highlights how gratitude has served as a stabilizing force in the American story and why the call to give thanks continues to hold spiritual and civic significance today.

Duration: 00:07:20

In this opening episode of my Thanksgiving series, I use my background as a former history teacher to take listeners beyond the familiar textbook version of the holiday and into the deeper historical realities that shaped it. I explore the context of the 1621 gathering, the complex relationship between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, and the ways early American thanksgivings were shaped by hardship, faith, and survival. This episode lays the foundation for the rest of the series by asking what it really means to give thanks, both historically and spiritually, and how the early expressions of gratitude in America...

Duration: 00:08:34

In this episode of Randy Unscripted, I take a break from my usual reflections to share a podcast that I believe offers tremendous value for anyone interested in media literacy: No Agenda, hosted by former MTV VJ Adam Curry and veteran media analyst John C. Dvorak. After more than eighteen years of breaking down news clips, political messaging, and cultural narratives, they’ve developed a unique approach to deconstructing the media and revealing the framing and biases often hidden beneath the surface. I talk about why their method of analysis is useful—even if you don’t agree with all of...

Duration: 00:06:06

In Episode 20 of Randy Unscripted, Randy explores the growing empathy crisis in America, expanding on the ideas he first shared in his blog post, “Empathy: A Crisis in America Today” ( https://randallblack.com/blog/empathy-a-crisis-in-america-today/). He examines how empathy is declining across culture, education, and our technology-driven world, and offers practical steps listeners can take to rebuild genuine understanding and human connection. Grounded in biblical perspective and real-world experience, this episode challenges listeners to slow down, listen deeply, and choose empathy as an intentional practice that can strengthen relationships and communities.

Duration: 00:10:09

In this episode of Randy Unscripted (NaPodPoMo 2025 episode 19, overall episode 20), we explore the power of voice-to-text dictation tools and how they can transform your workflow as a podcaster, blogger, or educator. I dive into how the Mac app Monologue lets you dictate your ideas directly into any application, complete with smart formatting, privacy-focused transcription, and customizable modes for different types of content. We also cover tips for getting the most out of dictation, alternative tools, and practical ways to use these technologies to save time, capture ideas, and keep your creativity flowing.

Try Monologue for yourself and...

Duration: 00:09:15

In this episode, I dive into the idea of micro-challenges—small, simple, and repeatable actions that help build momentum, confidence, and personal growth. Instead of relying on motivation or trying to tackle overwhelming goals, I share how micro-challenges offer an accessible way to make consistent progress through tiny, intentional steps. I explain what micro-challenges are, why they work, and how they’ve been showing up in my own life, and I offer several practical examples you can try right away. I also connect the idea to the spirit of NaPodPoMo, reflecting on how showing up daily—one episode at a time...

Duration: 00:07:52

In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy walks listeners through his real, day-to-day podcast production workflow as part of his NaPodPoMo challenge. He explains how he records on the Zoom H6, edits and cleans up audio in Audacity, then masters the file through Auphonic for leveling and polish. From there, he uploads the finished MP3 to PodChapters to add titles, metadata, and his favorite feature—chapter markers that improve the listener experience. It’s a straightforward, behind-the-scenes look at how each episode goes from raw recording to a complete, listener-ready product.

Duration: 00:09:57

In this episode of Randy Unscripted, I reflect on the decline of Christianity in America and the consequences that come when a nation drifts from its spiritual foundations. Drawing from my blog post “The Decline of Christianity and the Downfall of America,” we explore how faith shapes culture, the moral and societal effects of turning from God, and what Scripture (NASB) teaches about hope, responsibility, and renewal. This solo episode is part of my NaPodPoMo 2025 series, offering practical insight and encouragement for believers seeking to live boldly in today’s world.

Duration: 00:08:38

Continuing my coverage of Dr. Craig Vanslyke’s PodIndy 2025 workshop, this episode dives into what he called the “gold” of AI — meta-prompting. I share Craig’s live demonstration of how asking AI to write its own prompts can generate powerful results, including his now-famous deep-research example that produced a 22-page, footnoted report in minutes. Craig also reminded creators to verify their results, to use AI for scaffolding ideas rather than replacing creativity, and to keep experimenting. I reflect on how these lessons reshape the way we plan, research, and build podcasts in an AI-driven world.

My blog post on th...

Duration: 00:07:49

In this episode of Randy Unscripted, I share insights from Dr. Craig Vanslyke’s PodIndy 2025 presentation on how creators can work with artificial intelligence without losing their humanity. Craig reminded us that “AI isn’t hard — it’s human,” and that learning to think clearly about what we want to create is more important than mastering technical details. He explored how curiosity, experimentation, and reflection are the keys to using AI well, encouraging us to see the technology as a creative partner rather than a threat. I reflect on the wisdom he offered and what it means for those of us balanc...

Duration: 00:08:47

In episode 13 for NaPodPoMo of Randy Unscripted, Randy reflects on an unexpected source of wisdom — a fortune cookie that read, “Failure is feedback, and feedback is the breakfast of champions.” Building from a clip from his other show Shooting It Straight, he explores how failure fuels growth and learning. Drawing on his experiences as an educator, podcaster, and technology specialist, Randy shares how missteps in the classroom, studio, or IT projects often become the best teachers. This episode reminds listeners that embracing feedback and learning from setbacks is what turns ordinary effort into lasting improvement — both personally and professionally.

Duration: 00:06:42

In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy explores Veritasium’s video “Why Democracy Is Mathematically Impossible” (YouTube link) and breaks down how voting systems, no matter how well designed, can’t be perfectly fair. He reflects on what this means for democracy in the United States, where each state controls its own elections — making any national shift to systems like ranked-choice voting nearly impossible. It’s a thought-provoking look at how math, structure, and human nature all intersect in the democratic process.

Duration: 00:07:10

In this special Veterans Day episode of Randy Unscripted, part of NaPodPoMo (National Podcast Post Month), we explore the history and significance of Veterans Day, from its origins as Armistice Day to its modern meaning honoring all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. We reflect on the freedoms veterans protect and the responsibilities that come with those freedoms in our daily lives. Join Randy as he shares insights, personal reflections, and ways listeners can honor and support veterans beyond just one day.

Duration: 00:06:06

Episode 10 of my NaPodPoMo series dives into PodChapters, a powerful tool that helps podcasters create chapter markers, transcripts, and organized show notes with ease. I share how PodChapters has streamlined my workflow, saved hours of editing time, and improved the listening experience for my audience. Whether you’re a seasoned podcaster or just getting started, this episode offers practical insights on making your episodes more structured, accessible, and professional.

Duration: 00:08:12

In this episode of Randy Unscripted, I unpack the often-misunderstood idea of the “spirit” of the First Amendment. Many people invoke it when their speech faces criticism, but the amendment’s true purpose is to protect citizens from government interference — not public disagreement. Join me as I explore why understanding that distinction is key to preserving real free speech in the digital age. This episode is based on a blog post found on my website: https://randallblack.com/blog/the-myth-of-the-spirit-of-the-first-amendment/.

Duration: 00:05:30

On this episode for NaPodPoMo I’m discussing the ideas of parody and fair use. Does parody require a license? Can you be sued and held liable for creating a parody? We’ll be talking about that today. The content of this episode is based on a blog post available on my website at https://randallblack.com/blog/does-a-parody-require-a-license-understanding-fair-use-and-recent-developments/.

Duration: 00:07:19

We’ve made it to day 7 for NaPodPoMo and I am having the time of my life!

In this episode of Randy Unscripted, I share my excitement about attending PodIndy, a grassroots podcasting event that celebrates independent creators and community connection. I talk about being personally invited by Dr. Brad Miller, a past guest on Shooting It Straight!, to join a panel discussion on AI in podcasting. Plus, I look forward to meeting Dave Jackson from The School of Podcasting in person for the first time after years of connecting online.

Duration: 00:06:02

In this NaPodPoMo episode of Randy Unscripted, I explore what Wikipedia truly is and how it became the world’s reference desk. I examine both its strengths and weaknesses—its openness, accessibility, and pitfalls in reliability and bias. The episode also reflects on how Wikipedia has transformed how we learn, share, and think about knowledge in the digital age.

Duration: 00:09:12

On today’s episode for NaPodPoMo I do a quick overview of Artificial Intelligence and the impact it is, and could be having, on education today. The podcast episode is based on information available in a blog post on my website: https://randallblack.com/blog/the-rise-of-artificial-intelligence-in-education-opportunities-for-teachers-students-and-administrators/.

Duration: 00:07:11

On this episode for NaPodPoMo I share about an experience I had at work and how I handled it. I also discuss why I was able to handle it the way in which I did due to my faith.

Duration: 00:08:51

On this third episode for NaPodPoMo, I talked about the idea of online privacy in the United States of America today. This podcast episode is based on a blog post available on my website: https://randallblack.com/blog/do-you-have-a-right-to-privacy-online-in-the-united-states/.

Duration: 00:10:35

On this second episode for NaPodPoMo, I talk with my son Mikey about some things going on this school year and his plans for the future.

Duration: 00:15:14

Join me as we take this journey of NaPodPoMo (National Podcast Posting Month) and try to post a new episode every day of the month of November.

Duration: 00:05:05

In this deeply personal episode, I honor my dear friend, colleague, co-host, and mentor, Coach Jim Clayton, who passed away on September 18, 2025. I share how Jim first impacted me as a teenager, how our friendship grew through years of teaching together, and what I learned from his everyday example—his integrity, humility, encouragement, and relentless commitment to helping others win at life. From lunches at Huntington High to collaborating at Cabell Midland, to praying with him at center court at Sports City U, and finally launching this podcast together on July 1, our conversations became some of the most meaningful of...

Duration: 00:13:22

In this deeply personal episode, I honor my dear friend, colleague, co-host, and mentor, Coach Jim Clayton, who passed away on September 18, 2025. I share how Jim first impacted me as a teenager, how our friendship grew through years of teaching together, and what I learned from his everyday example—his integrity, humility, encouragement, and relentless commitment to helping others win at life. From lunches at Huntington High to collaborating at Cabell Midland, to praying with him at center court at Sports City U, and finally launching this podcast together on July 1, our conversations became some of the most meaningful of...

Duration: 00:13:22