As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to pause, look back, and get honest about where you’ve been and where you’re headed. In this episode of Shooting It Straight!, Randy Black and Elizabeth Clayton walk listeners through a simple but powerful year-end reflection exercise inspired by Mel Robbins. Instead of rushing into resolutions, this conversation focuses on clarity—what worked, what didn’t, and what really matters moving forward.

Using seven intentional reflection questions, Randy and Elizabeth share personal insights and straight talk about highlights, challenges, lessons learned, and the habits worth stopping, starting, and continuing. This episode isn’t about perfection or pressure—it’s about honest self-assessment and making room for meaningful growth in the year ahead.

To help you put these ideas into practice, we’ve created a free downloadable Year-End Reflection Worksheet you can use to journal your way through the questions at your own pace. Whether you’re planning your next goals or simply trying to gain perspective, this episode and worksheet are designed to help you step into the new year with clarity, purpose, and confidence.

Shooting It Straight has always been about honest, down-to-earth conversations that challenge, encourage, and inspire. With Elizabeth joining me in this new season of the show, we’re excited to keep growing and reaching more people—and we’d love your help in making that happen.

We’ve set up a few ways you can support the show each month, starting at just a couple of dollars. Whether you’re a Listener, a Friend of the Show, a Partner, a Champion, or one of our Legacy supporters, every level comes with its own set of perks—from bonus episodes and shoutouts to exclusive hangouts with Elizabeth and me.

And right now, for a limited time, new supporters will get 50% off for an entire year—no matter which level you choose. It’s our way of saying thanks for helping us relaunch and continue what Jim and I started.

You can learn more and sign up today at shootingitstraightpodcast.com/support.

Episode 16 is an emotional and heartfelt turning point for Shooting It Straight!—the first full episode recorded after the passing of Coach Jim Clayton. Randy opens the episode by honoring his friend, mentor, and co-host, reflecting on the wisdom, humor, and heart that shaped every moment of the show. This episode marks a new chapter as Jim’s daughter, Elizabeth Clayton, joins as the new co-host. Together, Randy and Elizabeth revisit stories about Jim, share memories from his final weeks, and highlight the legacy he built through decades of coaching, mentoring, and inspiring others. They reflect on his handwritten notes, his “Jimmy-isms,” his relentless desire to help people become better, and the impact he had on everyone around him.

The episode also looks ahead. Randy and Elizabeth openly discuss the future of the podcast—how it will evolve, how they will honor Jim’s foundational vision, and how they plan to carry his mission forward: sharing encouragement, motivation, and practical wisdom to help others grow. With Elizabeth’s perspective and Randy’s continued commitment, Shooting It Straight! begins its next season with purpose, gratitude, and the same drive Jim lived out every day: show up, do the work, and make someone better.

Shooting It Straight has always been about honest, down-to-earth conversations that challenge, encourage, and inspire. With Elizabeth joining me in this new season of the show, we’re excited to keep growing and reaching more people—and we’d love your help in making that happen.

We’ve set up a few ways you can support the show each month, starting at just a couple of dollars. Whether you’re a Listener, a Friend of the Show, a Partner, a Champion, or one of our Legacy supporters, every level comes with its own set of perks—from bonus episodes and shoutouts to exclusive hangouts with Elizabeth and me.

And right now, for a limited time, new supporters will get 50% off for an entire year—no matter which level you choose. It’s our way of saying thanks for helping us relaunch and continue what Jim and I started.

You can learn more and sign up today at shootingitstraightpodcast.com/support.

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, Randy shares reflections from Jim’s service on September 27, revisiting the four words he wanted to be remembered by—passionate, consistent, caring, positive—and the scriptures that framed how he lived them daily. He also offers a brief update on the show’s future as we work to carry his legacy forward, inviting listeners to stay tuned, subscribe, and keep living the BAM philosophy in their own lives. BAM, Son!

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 share it via the contact page on our website (https://shootingitstraight.com/contact/).

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.