Shows / Randy Unscripted
Randy Unscripted
Hosted by educator and podcaster Randy Black, Randy Unscripted dives into modern culture, technology, news, and occasional matters of faith with curiosity and candor. Listeners can expect a mix of analysis, personal anecdotes, and playful tangents that make complex topics accessible, entertaining, and relevant.
Episodes
Randy UnscriptedWho Gave Kids Their Freedom Back?
In this episode, we explore how childhood independence has changed and whether efforts to protect children may also be limiting their opportunities to develop…
Randy UnscriptedThe Union Without Teeth
What happens when a union loses the one tool that traditionally gives it power? In West Virginia, teachers’ unions operate without collective bargaining…
Randy UnscriptedWhen Shame Changed Sides
What is shameful? It’s a question that seems simple at first, but the answer depends a lot on when—and where—you ask it. Inspired by a thought-provoking quote…
Randy UnscriptedThe Death of Ownership
What does it really mean to own something? For generations, ownership was simple. You bought a book, a record, a movie, or a piece of software, and it was…
Randy UnscriptedThe Next Generation Doesn’t Need More Technology. They Need Better Adults.
Every generation worries about the one coming up behind it. We hear concerns about phones, social media, artificial intelligence, and attention spans almost…
Randy UnscriptedWhat Did God Leave Out of The Bible?
What did God leave out of the Bible? That simple question—shared on a note and discussed on an episode of We Get To Do This with Adam Curry and Pastor Jimmy…
Randy UnscriptedStart with the Outcome, Not the Tool
More than a decade ago, I saved a simple educational technology graphic that made a lasting impression on me. In fact, I liked it so much that I contacted its…
Randy Unscripted7 Lessons Podcasters Can Learn From "Weird Al" Yankovic
For more than four decades, "Weird Al" Yankovic has remained one of the most recognizable and respected creators in entertainment. While many artists have come…
Randy UnscriptedThe Future is Uncertain
Six months ago, Mikey joined me on Randy Unscripted to talk about his senior year, his growing passion for music, and his plans after high school. Now, just…
Randy UnscriptedThe Song Everyone Knows
Why does every graduation ceremony seem to use the same song? In this episode of Randy Unscripted, we explore the surprising history behind “Pomp and…
Randy UnscriptedMore Than a Long Weekend
Episode #43 of Randy Unscripted takes a reflective look at Memorial Day and the meaning many Americans have gradually lost sight of over time. While the…
Randy UnscriptedThat Podcaster IS NOT Your Friend
In this episode, we discuss the psychology of podcasting and why the format can feel especially personal and intimate. We explore parasocial relationships, how…
Randy UnscriptedMain Character Syndrome
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy explores the growing cultural phenomenon known as “Main Character Syndrome” — the mindset that life revolves around…
Randy UnscriptedContinuous Partial Attention
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy explores the concept of Continuous Partial Attention, a term coined by Linda Stone to describe the modern habit of…
Randy UnscriptedWe’re Not as Broken as We Think—But We’re Looking in the Wrong Place
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy reflects on a powerful 60 Minutes segment featuring Scott Pelley interviewing former university president and…
Randy UnscriptedEducation Spending vs Student Performance: What the Data Shows
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy examines public education funding in West Virginia and asks whether the state is seeing meaningful academic results…
Randy UnscriptedRemarkable?
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy reflects on the meaning of the word “remarkable” and why it has been occupying his thoughts lately. Inspired by…
Randy UnscriptedThe Minnesota ICE Shooting: What the Law and the Video Show
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…
Randy UnscriptedSchool Choice in the Mountain State – The Hope Scholarship Debate
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…
Randy UnscriptedThe Top Ten Podcasting Myths Debunked
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…
Randy UnscriptedWhen a 4.0 GPA Doesn’t Mean What We Think It Means
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…
Randy UnscriptedThe Impact of Apostasy on the Modern Christian Church
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…
Randy UnscriptedStill Showing Up - NaPodPoMo 2025 #30
Reflection and Challenges Randy Black reflects on the month of NAPODPOMO 2025, highlighting how the journey tested his discipline and creativity. The month was…
Randy UnscriptedCommitted to the Process - NaPodPoMo 2025 #29
Reflection on NaPodPoMo 2025 Experience: Randy Black reflects on the challenges and lessons learned from completing 30 podcast episodes in 30 days. Initially…
Randy UnscriptedBack to Bethlehem - NaPodPoMo 2025 #28
Randy Black’s Reflection on Christmas Introduction: Randy reflects on the holiday season, focusing on the deeper spiritual meaning of Christmas rather than the…
Randy UnscriptedThe Heart of Thanksgiving - NaPodPoMo 2025 #27
Spiritual Meaning of Thanksgiving The episode discusses the spiritual significance of Thanksgiving, emphasizing it as a command and a posture in the Christian…
Randy UnscriptedThanksgiving as a Moral Compass - NaPodPoMo 2025 #26
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…
Randy UnscriptedThe Constitutional Foundations of Thanksgiving - NaPodPoMo 2025 #25
Randy Black discusses the intersection of Thanksgiving and the U.S. Constitution in a podcast episode. He highlights that while the Constitution doesn’t…
Randy UnscriptedThe Woman Who Made Thanksgiving National - NaPodPoMo 2025 #24
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy Black continues his Thanksgiving series for NaPodPoMo 2025 by exploring the life and legacy of Sarah Josepha Hale…
Randy UnscriptedGratitude in the Middle of a War - NaPodPoMo 2025 #23
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy Black explores one of the most powerful and often overlooked chapters in the history of Thanksgiving — Abraham…
Randy UnscriptedThe Thanksgiving You Never Learned in School - NaPodPoMo 2025 #22
In this opening episode of the Randy Unscripted Thanksgiving series, Randy Black takes listeners beyond the familiar classroom version of Thanksgiving to…
Randy UnscriptedThe Podcast That Saw It Coming - NaPodPoMo 2025 #21
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy Black takes a deep dive into one of the most influential and unconventional podcasts in independent media — No…
Randy UnscriptedThe Empathy Crisis - NaPodPoMo 2025 #20
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy Black explores what he believes is one of the defining social challenges of modern life — the growing empathy crisis…
Randy UnscriptedSpeak Your Ideas Into Existence - NaPodPoMo 2025 #19
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy Black explores how the app Monologue is transforming the creative workflow for podcasters, educators, writers, and…
Randy UnscriptedMomentum Over Motivation - NaPodPoMo 2025 #18
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy Black explores the difference between fleeting motivation and sustainable momentum. While many people wait to “feel…
Randy UnscriptedBehind the Mic - NaPodPoMo 2025 #17
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy Black takes listeners behind the scenes of the podcasting process to share how Randy Unscripted is actually created…
Randy UnscriptedThe Decline of Christianity and the Downfall of America - NaPodPoMo 2025 #16
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy Black examines the growing decline of Christianity in American culture and explores what that shift could mean for…
Randy UnscriptedThe Future is Collaborative - NaPodPoMo 2025 #15
In this continuation of the AI conversation from Episode 15, Randy Unscripted takes a deeper look at the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence…
Randy UnscriptedIf You Can Text, You Can Use AI - NaPodPoMo 2025 #14
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy Black explores one of the biggest conversations shaping the future of creativity, education, and communication…
Randy UnscriptedFailure is Feedback. And Feedback is the Breakfast of Champions. - NaPodPoMo 2025 #13
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy Black reflects on a simple fortune cookie message that unexpectedly carried a powerful life lesson: “Failure is…
Randy UnscriptedThe Democracy Paradox - NaPodPoMo 2025 #12
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy Black dives into one of the most fascinating and unexpected challenges hidden inside modern democracy: the…
Randy UnscriptedThe Cost of Freedom - NaPodPoMo 2025 #11
In this special Veteran’s Day episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy Black reflects on the meaning of service, sacrifice, and the true cost of freedom. Taking time…
Randy UnscriptedWhy I'm Using PodChapters - NaPodPoMo 2025 #10
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy discusses PodChapters, a browser-based podcasting tool created by Daniel J. Lewis that helps podcasters generate…
Randy UnscriptedDisagreement Isn't Censorship - NaPodPoMo 2025 #9
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy reflects on the meaning and limits of free speech while participating in the NAPODPOMO 2025 challenge. He examines…
Randy UnscriptedCan You Legally Parody Something? - NaPodPoMo 2025 #8
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy explores the legal concept of parody and how it connects to fair use under United States copyright law. As part of…
Randy UnscriptedThe Road to PodIndy - NaPodPoMo 2025 #7
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy shares his excitement about attending Pod Indy during his ongoing NAPODPOMO 2025 challenge. He explains the origins…
Randy UnscriptedWikipedia: Brilliant or Broken? - NaPodPoMo 2025 #6
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy takes a closer look at Wikipedia and the enormous impact it has had on the way people access and share information…
Randy UnscriptedTechnology Can't Replace Teachers - NaPodPoMo 2025 #5
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy explores the growing role of artificial intelligence in education as part of his NAPODPOMO 2025 challenge. Drawing…
Randy UnscriptedHow Faith Changed My Reaction - NaPodPoMo 2025 #4
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy reflects on a difficult interaction that occurred while working in education technology and how his response to the…
Randy UnscriptedThe Truth About Online Privacy - NaPodPoMo 2025 #3
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy explores the complicated question of whether Americans truly have a right to privacy online. As part of the…
Randy UnscriptedFather, Son, and Jazz Band - NaPodPoMo 2025 #2
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy is joined by his son Mikey for a relaxed conversation during NAPODPOMO 2025. The two reflect on Mikey’s return to…
Randy Unscripted30 Days. 30 Episodes. Let's Go. - NaPodPoMo 2025 #1
In this episode of Randy Unscripted, Randy discusses his decision to participate in NAPODPOMO, also known as National Podcast Post Month, where creators commit…
Randy UnscriptedHonoring Coach Jim Clayton: A Life of Faith, Service, and Unshakable Encouragement
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…