In Episode 68, Matt and Paul talk books.

Matt shares how he has been thrift shopping for books and building his reading stack in a more intentional way. From there, the conversation moves through favorite reads, reading habits, and the kinds of books that tend to stick with us over time.

Paul then leads Matt into a more imaginative question. If you could interview fictional characters, who would you choose and why?

What follows is a thoughtful and fun conversation that blends literature, curiosity, and reflection. It’s less about rankings or recommendations and more about why stories matter and how characters can shape the way we think.

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In this episode of Downright Mindful, Matt and Paul talk journaling.

Paul is a daily writer, which makes him the right person to have this conversation with. Writing has long been one of the ways he processes ideas, reflects, and thinks clearly. Matt catches Paul up on how his own journaling has changed in 2026.

Instead of scattered notes and half-filled notebooks, Matt now follows daily routines using a few simple journaling strategies across dedicated notebooks. This is not about productivity hacks or aesthetic journals. It is about consistency, clarity, and building habits that last.

If you have tried journaling before and struggled to stick with it, or if you are looking for a realistic daily writing routine, this conversation is for you.

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Apple Podcasts
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Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/3sANbCaTFQag9nMCnR01N7

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downrightmindful@gmail.com

In Episode 66, Paul and Matt slow things down and take a wide look at time.

Paul walks Matt through three simple questions. What was life like a year ago? What does the present look like right now? And what might January of 2027 hold?

The conversation is reflective without being heavy and honest without trying to solve anything. It’s about noticing growth, naming change, and admitting what still feels unfinished.

This episode also sets the stage for next week’s conversation, where Matt catches listeners up on journaling and the inner work it creates.

A quiet episode. A thoughtful one. And a reminder that reflection does not require answers to be valuable.

You can find Downright Mindful on Spotify Apple Podcasts YouTube

In Episode 65, Paul and Matt sit down with Richard Jackson and Katie DelBonis, two educators whose work often happens quietly but makes a lasting impact.

Richard, a former school counselor turned career coach for Bradley County Schools, shares how he now helps students explore career paths as early as middle school and even fifth grade. His work opens doors to CTE opportunities, workforce training, and real-world decision making long before students are asked to choose what comes next.

Katie, a school counselor at Walker Valley High School, talks about a powerful student-led project where teens identify real needs in their own peer community and step in to help. From coordinating anonymous giving to delivering Christmas support to families, Katie plays the role of protector, organizer, and sometimes Santa Claus all at once.

Along the way, Richard and Katie share hometown stories, Lee University connections, and what it really means to walk alongside students during the most formative years of their lives.

This episode is about guidance, dignity, and showing up in ways most people never see.

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In Episode 64 of Downright Mindful, Paul and Matt sit down with Valanna White, a teacher at Walker Valley High School, for a fun, lighthearted conversation.

Paul leads the episode with a series of “Would You Rather” questions that spark laughter, stories, and a few unexpected moments—including Valanna sharing her beautiful singing voice. The conversation offers a relaxed preview of Valanna as a future guest, giving listeners a chance to get to know her personality, humor, and creativity.

This episode is easygoing, conversational, and a reminder that sometimes the best conversations happen when there’s no agenda—just good questions and good company.

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In Episode 63, Paul and Matt compare notes from two recent conferences. Paul shares highlights from a social studies conference in Washington, D.C., while Matt reflects on his time at the ACTE conference in Nashville.

They talk about what stood out, what felt familiar, and what’s clearly changing in education right now. AI comes up — not because it’s the only topic, but because it’s hard to avoid at teacher conferences these days. The conversation stays grounded in real experiences, real classrooms, and what teachers are actually dealing with.

This episode is less about predictions and more about perspective — what educators are seeing, hearing, and quietly sorting through as the profession keeps evolving.

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In Episode 62, Paul and Matt are back with Christian Mann, but this time he brings along two fellow members of his band, Monday Night Social.

The conversation centers on creativity, collaboration, and what it looks like for three highly capable adults to navigate artistry with intention and professionalism. They talk openly about their creative process, how decisions are made as both individuals and a collective, and the discipline required to keep a band healthy and moving forward.

The episode also features a three-song acoustic preview of their upcoming album, Chasing Light, giving listeners a raw, stripped-down look at the music before its release.

This is a thoughtful, honest conversation about making art, honoring each voice at the table, and doing creative work the right way — together.

Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/downright-mindful/id1776503597

Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/3sANbCaTFQag9nMCnR01N7

📩 Contact downrightmindful@gmail.com

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💿 Support the Album “Chasing Light” Kickstarter Vinyl Campaign https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mondaynightsocial/the-vinyl-countdown-pressing-a-double-lp?fbclid=IwY2xjawOpToRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEekqdmemmMe2-Nm8uf3TLGCXlKjAFqfxmj5R2BQAsqelgG22yr03KGjX-EN08_aem_AiOjL82KmPNuOZOSWisoiQ

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In Episode 61 of Downright Mindful, Matt sits down with Josh Morris—innovation specialist for Bradley County Schools, co-creator and former producer of Downright Mindful, and host of the EdTech podcast The Tech Flush.

They open with a look back at the early days of Downright Mindful: how a simple idea turned into a growing creative outlet, the lessons learned in the first recordings, and how podcasting has influenced both of their roles in education. Josh shares the hilarious (and surprisingly meaningful) origin story behind The Tech Flush, including why every episode includes a toilet flush.

Then the conversation shifts to Christmas. When does Josh start the music? When does his family decorate? What’s his desert island Christmas song? And how did he turn into a full-on Clark Griswold, competing with his neighbors over Christmas lights?

Josh opens up about nostalgic holiday memories and the sensory “snapshots” that make Christmas timeless. Matt closes with a teaser for Episode 62—an interview with the band Monday Night Social, including an acoustic preview of their new January album.

A fun, nostalgic episode full of memories, creative beginnings, and Christmas energy.

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/downright-mindful/id1776503597

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3sANbCaTFQag9nMCnR01N7?si=0950bd8497ee47ad

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DownrightMindful

🎧 LISTEN TO DOWNRIGHT MINDFUL🎙️ Listen to Josh’s Podcast – The Tech Flushhttps://open.spotify.com/show/5EVDCVH4NB4C3Ws1IX66I8?si=924a6878434c4096