Shooting It Straight!

Resilience After Loss: Walking Through Grief Together

---------------------------------------- In this episode of Shooting It Straight!, Randy Black and Elizabeth Clayton step into an honest and deeply personal conversation about resilience in the face of loss. Drawing from their own recent experiences with grief, they explore what it looks like to keep moving forward when life changes in ways you never expected. Rather than offering easy answers or tidy conclusions, this episode creates space for real reflection on what grief actually feels like and how it reshapes our understanding of strength. Randy shares his perspective on losing Jim Clayton—not only a close friend, but a co-host who helped build the foundation of the show—as well as the loss of his father-in-law shortly thereafter. Elizabeth speaks from the heart about navigating life after the loss of her father, and the unique challenges of grieving both privately and publicly. Together, they discuss how resilience looks different when it’s lived rather than taught, and how grief often requires patience, honesty, and grace. This episode also offers encouragement for listeners who may be walking through their own season of loss. Practical reflections, shared insights, and a reminder that grief has no timeline help reinforce one central message: you don’t have to carry loss alone. A curated list of grief support resources is included in the show notes for anyone seeking additional help, along with a Wisdom of the Week reflection centered on choosing hope even when it’s hard to see. ---------------------------------------- GRIEF RESOURCES: NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS & SUPPORT LINES * GriefShare * Grief recovery support groups across the U.S. * Website:https://www.griefshare.org [https://www.griefshare.org] * The Compassionate Friends * Support for families grieving the death of a child (any age). * Website:https://www.compassionatefriends.org [https://www.compassionatefriends.org] * Phone: (630) 990-0010 * Crisis Text Line * Immediate text-based emotional support. * Text HOME to 741741 * Website:https://www.crisistextline.org [https://www.crisistextline.org] FAITH-BASED RESOURCES * GriefShare Daily Emails (“A Season of Grief”) * 365 short daily messages of encouragement. * Website:https://www.griefshare.org/dailyemails [https://www.griefshare.org/dailyemails] * “Through a Season of Grief” Devotional Book * Daily devotions for processing grief from a Christian perspective. * Publisher link: * https://www.griefshare.org/books [https://www.griefshare.org/books]  BOOKS ON GRIEF * “A Grief Observed” by C.S. Lewis * A raw personal reflection on grief. * Publisher page: * https://www.harpercollins.com/products/a-grief-observed-c-s-lewis [https://www.harpercollins.com/products/a-grief-observed-c-s-lewis]  * “It’s OK That You’re Not OK” by Megan Devine * Honest guidance for living through deep loss. * Author website: https://refugeingrief.com/book [https://refugeingrief.com/book]  * “Bearing the Unbearable” by Joanne Cacciatore * A highly respected guide for those experiencing intense grief. * Publisher page: * https://wisdomexperience.org/product/bearing-unbearable/ [https://wisdomexperience.org/product/bearing-unbearable/] ONLINE GRIEF RESOURCES * What’s Your Grief * Articles, guides, courses, and coping tools. * Website:https://whatsyourgrief.com [https://whatsyourgrief.com] * Refuge in Grief (Megan Devine) * Grief support, writing prompts, and online community. * Website:https://refugeingrief.com [https://refugeingrief.com] * The Grief Coach Podcast * Practical discussion about managing grief. * Website: https://grief.coach/podcast [https://grief.coach/podcast](or search via podcast apps) ---------------------------------------- SUPPORT THE SHOW Shooting It Straight has always been about honest, down-to-earth conversations that challenge, encourage, and inspire. With Elizabeth joining me in this new season of the show, we’re excited to keep growing and reaching more people—and we’d love your help in making that happen. We’ve set up a few ways you can support the show each month, starting at just a couple of dollars. Whether you’re a Listener, a Friend of the Show, a Partner, a Champion, or one of our Legacy supporters, every level comes with its own set of perks—from bonus episodes and shoutouts to exclusive hangouts with Elizabeth and me. And right now, for a limited time, new supporters will get 50% off for an entire year—no matter which level you choose. It’s our way of saying thanks for helping us relaunch and continue what Jim and I started. You can learn more and sign up today at shootingitstraightpodcast.com/support [https://shootingitstraightpodcast.com/support/].

What’s Next for Shooting It Straight!?

---------------------------------------- Episode 16 is an emotional and heartfelt turning point for Shooting It Straight!—the first full episode recorded after the passing of Coach Jim Clayton. Randy opens the episode by honoring his friend, mentor, and co-host, reflecting on the wisdom, humor, and heart that shaped every moment of the show. This episode marks a new chapter as Jim’s daughter, Elizabeth Clayton, joins as the new co-host. Together, Randy and Elizabeth revisit stories about Jim, share memories from his final weeks, and highlight the legacy he built through decades of coaching, mentoring, and inspiring others. They reflect on his handwritten notes, his “Jimmy-isms,” his relentless desire to help people become better, and the impact he had on everyone around him. The episode also looks ahead. Randy and Elizabeth openly discuss the future of the podcast—how it will evolve, how they will honor Jim’s foundational vision, and how they plan to carry his mission forward: sharing encouragement, motivation, and practical wisdom to help others grow. With Elizabeth’s perspective and Randy’s continued commitment, Shooting It Straight! begins its next season with purpose, gratitude, and the same drive Jim lived out every day: show up, do the work, and make someone better. ---------------------------------------- SUPPORT THE SHOW Shooting It Straight has always been about honest, down-to-earth conversations that challenge, encourage, and inspire. With Elizabeth joining me in this new season of the show, we’re excited to keep growing and reaching more people—and we’d love your help in making that happen. We’ve set up a few ways you can support the show each month, starting at just a couple of dollars. Whether you’re a Listener, a Friend of the Show, a Partner, a Champion, or one of our Legacy supporters, every level comes with its own set of perks—from bonus episodes and shoutouts to exclusive hangouts with Elizabeth and me. And right now, for a limited time, new supporters will get 50% off for an entire year—no matter which level you choose. It’s our way of saying thanks for helping us relaunch and continue what Jim and I started. You can learn more and sign up today at shootingitstraightpodcast.com/support [https://shootingitstraightpodcast.com/support/].

Shooting It Straight! is Coming Back on January 5, 2026

---------------------------------------- Shooting It Straight! returns on January 5, 2026, marking a new season shaped by reflection, loss, and renewed purpose. In this brief announcement, Randy shares updates following the passing of original co-host Coach Jim Clayton and the loss of his father-in-law, while also introducing Elizabeth Clayton—Jim’s daughter—as the show’s new co-host. Together, this next chapter honors the past while looking forward to continued honest, meaningful conversations. Listeners are encouraged to subscribe and find follow links at shootingitstraight.com/follow [https://shootingitstraightpodcast.com/follow/] so they don’t miss the first episode of the new season. ----------------------------------------

Trailer (New)

---------------------------------------- Shooting It Straight! is starting a new chapter after the loss of Coach Clayton. Welcome Elizabeth Clayton, Jim’s daughter, to the show and let’s keep doing what we do best, Shooting It Straight! ----------------------------------------

Tributes to a Coach: Believe Bigger, Achieve Louder, Motivate Stronger

In this special memorial episode of Shooting It Straight!, We honor our friend and co-host, Coach Jim Clayton, by sharing a series of heartfelt voicemail tributes from players, parents, coaches, and lifelong friends whose lives he transformed. You’ll hear stories of Jim’s relentless positivity, his gift for building confidence, and the way he blended discipline and joy to help athletes and communities believe bigger, achieve louder, and motivate stronger. From locker rooms to chemo chairs, Jim showed up with passion, consistency, care, and a contagious optimism that made everyone around him better. After the tributes, Randy shares reflections from Jim’s service on September 27, revisiting the four words he wanted to be remembered by—passionate, consistent, caring, positive—and the scriptures that framed how he lived them daily. He also offers a brief update on the show’s future as we work to carry his legacy forward, inviting listeners to stay tuned, subscribe, and keep living the BAM philosophy in their own lives. BAM, Son!