I Just Want to Understand...

Phil Hawkins

A general interest podcast that delves into a wide variety of topics and guests; politics, economics, education, media, sports, anything interesting. To the best of my ability, episodes will come out every week but maybe more, maybe less depending on what's happening. We strive to avoid foul language; you can listen with your kids in the room.

Episodes

  1. May 6

    Did Chris Webber travel?

    The final 19 seconds of the 1993 NCAA basketball National Championship Game between the North Carolina Tar Heels and the famous Michigan Fab 5 remains one of the most scrutinized endings in college basketball history. Not because of a brilliant final play. Not because of a dramatic, buzzer-beating shot. But because of a moment—one decision—that changed everything. A timeout… that didn’t exist. And the player at the center of it: Chris Webber. I’m Phil Hawkins. For 17 years, I officiated high school basketball, and spent my summers in Vegas calling the Nike, The Big Time and other major recruiting tournaments, where game management, awareness, and split-second judgment aren’t just important—they’re everything. In this episode, we’re going beyond the highlight clip. We’re going to break down the final :19 seconds of this championship game with a forensic, frame-by-frame analysis—from multiple angles—to understand not just what happened… …but why it happened.  Where were the officials positioned?  What did each player see—or fail to see?  How did spacing, pressure, and decision-making collapse in real time?  And what responsibility, if any, lies beyond the player who called the timeout? This isn’t just about a mistake. It’s about situational awareness under pressure, mechanics on the floor, and how a championship can hinge on something as simple—and as devastating—as losing track of one critical detail. Let’s roll the tape.

    12 min

  2. Apr 13

    Cable News Ratings; How it Works and How They Make Money!

    You hear it all the time; so-and-so network ratings are up, or down - if it's your competition - or beating the competition by this much! It never ends.  What does it all mean? And how does that make them money? We'll explain it in simple terms. This will be a short episode as I didn't want to put you to sleep with all the minutiae of media advertising. The basic concept is all you need, so join me and let's look at media advertising!

    6 min

  3. Jan 9

    Leticia James' mistake

    We'll examine exactly what Leticia James is accused of, why it's a big deal and why you should NEVER lie on a mortgage application. Join me with an expert on the mortgage industry who can explain everything.

    7 min

  4. 12/15/2025

    What now for the radio industry?

    Join me and Ron Parker, a 40-year - and counting - veteran of the radio industry as we discuss why AM and FM radio station values have plummeted in recent years. Some stations have actually ceased operations and sold their assets for more than the license is worth. Listenership has declined, and the industry is struggling to remain relevant in a fast-changing tech environment. What will become to the radio station in your city? We'll examine how radio declined and what can be done to revive a 100-year-old technology.

    1h 28m

  5. 12/15/2025

    KTOX-AM; The Most Unusual Radio Station in America.

    Mike Hagwood has been a staple on KTOX-AM, 1,000 watts at 1340am for 7 years, weekdays from 2-5pm. This is not a media facility that anyone, save it's loyal listeners, will recognize. It's located in the most unlikely of places, Needles, California. Say what you want. No topic or issue is off limits. It's a talk format with no rules. There's no call screener. Callers have been known to discuss an issue with the host for over an hour, sometimes going from topic to topic. Regular callers have become personalities in their own right. There's "Kenny" from Yucca with intelligent, positive, measured discussions on current events. "Ed from Needles" will offer his opinion on...well, they never know. And then there's "Billy and Tara" billed as the "Tara-Bill Truth" calling from Louisiana with thick Cajun accents to discuss the latest conspiracy theory and to remind us that the earth is flat. And so it goes! You'll never be able to detox from KTOX! Join us as we examine the history and the future of KTOX-AM.

    43 min

  6. 12/15/2025

    What makes Texas Texas.

    My guest, Brian Hawkins, an Emmy-winning videographer who, for over 35 years, was the staff videographer for the long-running show Texas Country Reporter. Criss-crossing the state over that time meeting people, examining issues and learning the Texas culture has given Brian an unusual perspective on this unusual state, different from any other. We'll examine why Texas is so popular, why folks are moving here in droves. What is it about Texas that makes it so different other than low gas prices and no income tax?  If you've been thinking of moving to Texas, you will not want to miss this incredibly insightful perspective on Brian's assessment of the State of Texas.

    1h 19m
  • 6 Episodes

About

A general interest podcast that delves into a wide variety of topics and guests; politics, economics, education, media, sports, anything interesting. To the best of my ability, episodes will come out every week but maybe more, maybe less depending on what's happening. We strive to avoid foul language; you can listen with your kids in the room.

Information

  • Creator
    Phil Hawkins
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    6
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 I Just Want to Understand...
  • Show Website
    I Just Want to Understand...