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 reshaped his life after a devastating childhood injury.

We also dig into what makes great teachers and teams—consistency, intentionality, humility, and being “mission over position.” Jim reflects on influences who believed in him, the power of positive culture, and the simple, daily practice of adding value to others. He closes with what he wanted to be remembered for: passion, positivity, and giving 100% every day. BAM, son.

If you have any memories of Coach Clayton to share with his family and the podcast, please call us at (304) 691-0075 and leave a voicemail message of remembrance.

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 laugh we shared.

I share the memory of our final recording night, a moment marked by his embrace and the words “I love you,” and offer love and comfort to his cherished family: his wife Anne, his children Elizabeth and Wes (and Kayla), his granddaughters Vera and Heidi, and his loyal companion, Alfie. Jim fought the good fight, kept the faith, and lived a life that called us all to believe bigger, achieve louder, and motivate stronger. May we honor him by carrying forward the values he lived by and the lives he inspired.

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 importance of creating distraction-free environments and setting boundaries to protect focus. He discusses the balance between being responsive and maintaining deep work, suggesting methods like setting office hours and managing digital notifications. The episode also features "Jimmy's Wisdom of the Week," where Randy shares an insightful quote from Jim Clayton about the necessity of change for progress. Listeners are encouraged to implement one focus strategy and share their experiences on the podcast's website. The episode concludes with a teaser for the next topic on the hidden costs of constant partial attention.