Downright Mindful

Downright Mindful Media

Real conversations. Real people. Real life. Hosted by Matt Parris and Paul Sausville, Downright Mindful is a long-form podcast that blends humor, reflection, and storytelling. From small-town life and teaching to fatherhood, faith, and the human condition — every episode aims to slow things down and think a little deeper. Produced by Downright Mindful Media in Cleveland, Tennessee.

  1. 6d ago

    Relationships First: Danny Coggin's Formula for Success | Ep. 87

    For nearly everyone who knows Danny Coggin, there's one image that immediately comes to mind: A pencil tucked behind his ear. In Episode 87, Matt Parris and Paul Sausville sit down with the founding principal of Walker Valley High School to discuss a life devoted to music, education, leadership, and relationships. Along the way, Mr. Coggin shares the story behind the pencil—a habit that began in the eighth grade and has stayed with him ever since. Born and raised in Goodlettsville, Tennessee, Danny attended Tennessee Tech University and played in the marching band before landing a dream job as a drummer with the Shabooms at Opryland USA. During those years, he even found himself sharing a stage with country music legend Roy Acuff. Eventually, education called. Danny accepted a position as assistant band director at Bradley Central High School, later becoming head band director and serving in that role for twelve years. But as he watched students struggle to reach graduation, he became interested in school administration and the opportunity to make a broader impact. That opportunity arrived in the form of a school that didn't yet exist. Before a single brick was laid, Danny Coggin was selected to become the first principal of Walker Valley High School. He helped hire the staff, shape the culture, and establish the vision for a school that would become one of Bradley County's great success stories. Ask Mr. Coggin what made it work, and his answer is simple: Relationships. As Walker Valley celebrates its 25th year, Danny reflects on the people, decisions, and moments that helped transform a construction site into a community. This is more than the story of a school. It's the story of a man whose influence can still be measured in the lives of thousands of students. 🎙 Hosted by Matt Parris & Paul Sausville Listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/3sANbCaTFQag9nMCnR01N7?si=d4a1f013aab04481 Listen on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/downright-mindful/id1776503597 Watch on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@downrightmindful Contact the Show:downrightmindful@gmail.com

    2h 39m

  2. May 31

    Which Events Changed America the Most? | Downright Mindful Ep. 86

    Episode 86 of Downright Mindful starts in familiar fashion—with a few unexpected detours. Matt and Paul begin by discussing everything from late-night Krystal runs to the recent deaths of Kyle Busch and Joe Lee Johnson, the former owner of Cleveland Speedway and NASCAR champion. The conversation also touches on Tennessee’s recent execution of Byron Black Caruthers and broader questions surrounding capital punishment. From there, Paul introduces a much bigger question. With several major anniversaries approaching—including America’s 250th birthday, Tennessee’s 230th anniversary, Walker Valley High School’s 25th anniversary, and Bradley County’s 190th anniversary—Paul challenges Matt to think through some of the most significant periods in American and Tennessee history. The discussion explores major events from different eras, including: The Civil WarThe 14th AmendmentThe Spanish-American WarThe World WarsThe Assembly LineThe Development of Nuclear WeaponsThe Trail of TearsThe Second Great AwakeningThe Rise of MemphisAlong the way, Matt and Paul debate which events had the greatest impact, how history shapes the present, and what future generations may look back on as defining moments of our time. Like many episodes of Downright Mindful, the conversation moves between local stories, historical reflection, and the bigger questions that shape how we see the world. Listen on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3sANbCaTFQag9nMCnR01N7?si=d4a1f013aab04481 Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/downright-mindful/id1776503597 Watch on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@downrightmindful Contact the showdownrightmindful@gmail.com

    1h 14m

  3. May 24

    The Voice of Cleveland Radio | Steve Hartline | Downright Mindful Ep. 85

    Episode 85 of Downright Mindful features a conversation with Steve Hartline, longtime local radio personality and owner of several stations serving the Cleveland and Bradley County area, including Mix 104.1 WCLE, ESPN Cleveland 101.3 “The Buzz,” Fiesta Radio 99.1, and WCLE AM 1570. Steve has spent most of his life in local radio and has become a staple in the community along the way. In this conversation, Matt and Paul explore the people and relationships that shaped him early on, especially the influence of his grandfather, Reverend M.E. Littlefield. Steve reflects on Littlefield’s friendships and connections with figures like former Cleveland Mayor Tom Rowland, Norvel Hayes, and John Osteen. The conversation also moves through Steve’s experiences interviewing political leaders and public figures over the years, including Bill Lee, Marsha Blackburn, Bo Jackson, and Jack Nicklaus. One of the standout stories involves Steve’s interview with Tom Griscom and the discussion surrounding the famous “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall” speech from the Reagan era. Along the way, Steve shares stories from decades in broadcasting, the changes he has seen in local media, and the one interview he still hopes to land someday. It’s a conversation about radio, relationships, local history, storytelling, and the people behind the microphone. Listen on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3sANbCaTFQag9nMCnR01N7?si=d4a1f013aab04481 Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/downright-mindful/id1776503597 Watch on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@downrightmindful Contact the showdownrightmindful@gmail.com

    1h 34m

  4. May 17

    What Does Your ZIP Code Say About You? | Downright Mindful Ep. 84

    Episode 84 of Downright Mindful starts with a conversation about something most people rarely think about — area codes and ZIP codes. Paul continues one of his recurring ideas that “geography is biography,” leading into a discussion about a Harvard study suggesting that a person’s ZIP code may predict more about their future than their genetic code. That idea opens the door to stories about local communities, neighborhoods, and the experiences tied to different places around Cleveland and Bradley County. Matt and Paul reflect on the identities and histories connected to local ZIP codes, the assumptions people make about certain areas, and how where we grow up can shape opportunities, perspective, and even relationships. Paul also shares stories from a recent local history walking tour he led for his students, describing some of the places, stories, and forgotten details that helped bring the area’s history to life. Like many episodes of Downright Mindful, the conversation moves between humor, storytelling, local history, and bigger questions about identity and place. Listen on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3sANbCaTFQag9nMCnR01N7?si=d4a1f013aab04481 Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/downright-mindful/id1776503597 Watch on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@downrightmindful Contact the showdownrightmindful@gmail.com

    1h 13m

  5. May 10

    The 5 Levels of Why | Downright Mindful Ep. 83

    Episode 83 of Downright Mindful starts with a simple question: Why? Paul introduces the idea that in engineering and problem solving, there are often multiple layers beneath a decision or behavior — sometimes five levels deep before you reach the real answer. Using that idea as a framework, he begins interviewing Matt about the deeper reasons behind some of the things he loves, values, and spends his time doing. The conversation moves through Matt’s love of music, how he unexpectedly found his way into teaching, and the experiences that shaped some of the decisions he’s made throughout life. Along the way, the two reflect on how often people stop at surface-level explanations without ever digging into the deeper “why” underneath them. Like many episodes of Downright Mindful, the conversation moves naturally between storytelling, humor, reflection, and curiosity. Listen on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3sANbCaTFQag9nMCnR01N7?si=d4a1f013aab04481 Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/downright-mindful/id1776503597 Watch on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@downrightmindful Contact the showdownrightmindful@gmail.com

    59 min

  6. May 3

    36 Years in the Jail and Still Laughing | Allan Walsh | Downright Mindful Ep. 82

    Episode 82 of Downright Mindful features a conversation between Matt and Allan Walsh, a longtime leader in corrections who spent 36 years with the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office. Allan started in 1983 and went on to serve as a Captain, spending many years as the jail administrator. During his career, he played a major role in the transformation of the county’s jail system, helping guide the move from a small linear jail to a much larger 408-bed direct supervision facility. He later helped facilitate the addition of a 100-bed workhouse within the same complex. But more than anything, Allan is a storyteller. The conversation moves through memories of working inside the jail, transporting prisoners across the country, and the kinds of moments you only get from years on the job. Allan brings humor, perspective, and a personality that makes it hard not to laugh along with him. If you’ve ever wondered what life inside a jail really looks like from the people who worked there, this episode offers a firsthand look. Listen on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3sANbCaTFQag9nMCnR01N7?si=d4a1f013aab04481 Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/downright-mindful/id1776503597 Watch on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@downrightmindful Contact the showdownrightmindful@gmail.com

    1h 41m

  7. Apr 26

    Low Voter Turnout… Does It Even Matter? | Downright Mindful Ep. 81

    Episode 81 of Downright Mindful dives into local politics, civic engagement, and the impact of decisions made closer to home than most people realize. Matt and Paul talk through the reality of low voter turnout in local elections and what that says about engagement at the community level. The conversation explores how local policy decisions affect everyday life and why those decisions often receive far less attention than national politics. Matt shares a strong perspective, explaining that while he doesn’t necessarily sympathize with the frustration people express about low voter turnout, he does feel a sense of concern over the lack of deeper engagement in local policymaking and civic involvement. Paul pushes back, leading to a more direct and honest disagreement between the two. The result is a candid conversation about responsibility, participation, and what it really means to be involved in your community. Listen on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3sANbCaTFQag9nMCnR01N7?si=d4a1f013aab04481 Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/downright-mindful/id1776503597 Watch on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@downrightmindful Contact the showdownrightmindful@gmail.com

    55 min

  8. Apr 19

    What Actually Makes Students Workplace Ready? | Downright Mindful Ep. 80

    Episode 80 of Downright Mindful focuses on the skills that matter beyond the classroom. Matt shares a recent project he designed for his Criminal Justice students — a scavenger hunt with a breakout-style format that challenged students to work together, solve problems, and think on their feet. The activity was built around the SkillsUSA framework, emphasizing workplace-ready skills like teamwork, adaptability, integrity, and communication. The conversation moves beyond the activity itself and into a broader discussion about what students actually need as they prepare for the real world. What does teamwork really look like? Can integrity be taught? How do students respond when they’re forced to adapt in real time? Paul also shares more about recent conversations happening in his classroom with local leaders, including Gary Davis, Steve Lawson, Andrew Morgan, and Denny Collins. These moments continue to reinforce the idea that real leadership is often closer and more accessible than people think. This episode is about preparing students for more than a test — it’s about preparing them for life. Listen on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/3sANbCaTFQag9nMCnR01N7?si=d4a1f013aab04481 Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/downright-mindful/id1776503597 Watch on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@downrightmindful Contact the showdownrightmindful@gmail.com

    56 min
See All (88)

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Real conversations. Real people. Real life. Hosted by Matt Parris and Paul Sausville, Downright Mindful is a long-form podcast that blends humor, reflection, and storytelling. From small-town life and teaching to fatherhood, faith, and the human condition — every episode aims to slow things down and think a little deeper. Produced by Downright Mindful Media in Cleveland, Tennessee.

Information

  • Creator
    Downright Mindful Media
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Downright Mindful Media
  • Show Website
    Downright Mindful

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