04/13/22 – Radically Rational

04/13/22

Cam Newton says he doesn’t like women who can’t cook and don’t know when to be quiet. Cam, look in the mirror if you want to ID someone who doesn’t know when to shut up.

Or if you want to see another one, how about Cincinnati Reds’ President Phil Castellini? He got on the radio in Cincy Tuesday and offered up some faux-victim, defensive rationalizations for the fact the Reds have made the playoffs four times in the last 15 years. Told the fans that if they don’t like that, they can go somewhere else. Then he reminded them there’s no other place for them to go. Then he said the rational thing for the team to do would be to move to another market. Seems the fans didn’t like that, if you can believe it. Castellini has since apologized. But that’s a Carole King apology. “It’s too late, Baby…”

I love Philadelphia. Because those folks are as jaded as I am. Monday night Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm committed three errors in front of the home fans. After the second one, a tv camera captured Bohm clearly mouthing the sentence, “I f—ing hate this place.” Meaning Philadelphia. Meaning the Phillies’ ballpark. Fast forward to Tuesday night. You think Bohm got booed? Oh, just hell no. He received a standing ovation from the Philly crowd. I love that f—ing place.

Wow. That appeared to be pretty personal to Patrick Beverley, didn’t it? I’m talking about his Minnesota Timberwolves play-in victory over his former team, the Clippers, who he feels done him dirty. When asked what he gold his former Clippers teammates, Beverley said, “I told them to take they ass home. Long flight to L.A. Take they ass home!” Tears of vengeful joy. I always like tears of vengeful joy, either those of others or mine. Now Beverley and the T-Wolves have to play Memphis. He will soon be crying for another reason.

One more thing. When did Mike Shanahan become the governor of New York?

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Paul's Bio

I clearly have the attention span of your median fruit fly.Look! Airplane!

Sorry. I’m back.

It’s both a curse and a blessing. I’ve never bought this stuff about, “He who dies with the most toys wins.” But I do think that a wide range of life experiences helps us grow as people, and helps us better relate to other people. I’ve been fortunate. And I am beyond grateful.

I show up on time. I go like hell. I’m a good listener. I hold myself accountable. I own my mistakes. And I have a natural and an insatiable curiosity. I’m never afraid to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t. But then I try to find out.

The flip side is I’m a lousy ballroom dancer and my clothes sometimes fit me funny.

Stuff matters to me. I care. But while I take that stuff seriously, I try hard to never take myself seriously. As a result, I have sometimes been told, “Paul, it’s hard to tell when you’re serious and when you’re just having some fun. Which is it? Serious or fun?”

My answer is “yes.” But I think that is a legitimate criticism. I promise I’m going to work on that.

This has been the quickest and strangest half-century I’ve ever experienced. During that period, I’ve been afforded amazing opportunities in news and sports journalism across all platforms. I have taught wonderful students at the high school and collegiate level. Always, I learned more from them than they did from me. I’ve been a high school administrator. I spent ten seasons as a high school varsity football coach. I’ve been an advertising executive. I’ve hosted nationally syndicated television entertainment shows. In maybe the biggest honor I ever received, I was selected by NASA to be “Chet The Astronaut” for the “Land The Shuttle” simulator at Space Center Houston. (All I can say there, is “Do as I say, not as I do.” I put that thing in the Everglades more often than not.) Most recently, I just wrapped up a decade as a television news director, during which time our teams distinguished themselves in holding the powerful accountable, achieving both critical and ratings success.

What does all that mean? It means I am profoundly grateful. It also means I’m ready for “next.” So here we are. Radically Rational. It’s an idea I woke up with in 2017. I scribbled “Radically Rational” on a piece of notebook paper and used a magnet to stick it on our refrigerator. I saw it every day, and it just would not leave me alone.

I am second in charge at Radically Rational, LLC. My wife, Jo (also known as BB), is the president. Clearly, I have failed in my attempt to sleep my way to the top of this organization.

I hope you will learn that I’m loyal as a Labrador. But I will admit that this doggie can bite every now and then. My promise to you? I will show up on time. I will go like hell. I will listen to you earnestly and attentively. I will hold myself accountable. I will never be the least bit hesitant to say, “I don’t know,” when I don’t.

But then I’ll try to find out. Let’s do it.