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Episode Summary
This week, Paul returns after missing an episode—not because of laziness, but because he was sitting in a deer stand in rural Arkansas trying (and failing) to restock the freezer. Bambi survives another week.
From there, Paul dives into a real conversation he had at work with a younger employee who struggles with punctuality and follow-through. That moment turns into a bigger discussion about something our culture desperately needs again: excellence—the kind Bret “The Hitman” Hart called The Excellence of Execution.
Paul explores why today’s world is struggling with standards, why mentorship is dying, and why Gen X might be the generation uniquely positioned to revive real craftsmanship, reliability, and pride in your work.
If you’re Gen X (or Gen Z looking for guidance), this one hits home.
Intro — Why There Was No Episode Last Week
- Paul was in a deer stand in Arkansas.
- Didn’t shoot anything — squirrels 1, Paul 0.
- Reminder: hunting is cultural, traditional, and yes, the meat feeds families who need it.
- Last year’s deer helped people.
- Therefore: missing a podcast episode for hunting season = justified.
Segment 1 — The Accidental Office Week
- Paul fills in for a co-worker on vacation.
- Forced into office life: cubicles, toner talk, fluorescent lighting—torture.
- But being trapped indoors leads to real conversations, including one that sparks today’s message.
Segment 2 — The Young Worker Who’s a “Good Kid… But”
- Smart, polite, capable… but allergic to being on time.
- Paul gives him a Gen X-style talk:
- Your habits today shape your future self.
- No reset button exists.
- Excellence starts with effort, not talent.
Segment 3 — What’s Missing Today? (It’s Not Intelligence)
- Gen Z isn’t lazy—they’re overwhelmed.
- But many lack:
- Intentionality
- Discipline
- Consistent standards
- Pride in work
- Gen X grew up with “figure it out” culture, which baked independence and resilience into us.
Segment 4 — Bret “The Hitman” Hart: The Original Blueprint
- Paul’s childhood hero wasn’t the loudest or flashiest wrestler.
- Bret Hart won with precision, reliability, and flawless execution.
- His motto: “The best there is, the best there was, and the best there ever will be.”
- Gen X internalized that mindset.
- Today’s generation rarely sees models like that.
Segment 5 — Why Excellence Matters More Now Than Ever
1. Everyone’s distracted
- 2025 Ohio State study: average digital attention span = 47 seconds (down from ~2.5 minutes in the early 2000s).
2. Standards are softer
- Culture praises effort instead of execution.
3. Pressure is higher
- Young workers feel they’re competing with AI, automation, and unrealistic expectations.
4. Mentorship is disappearing
From Big Brothers Big Sisters / Harris Poll (2025):
- 74% of Gen Z say they lack access to real mentors.
- 84% say mentorship opens opportunities they can’t see alone.
- 83% say it bridges the gap between school and real life.
From SHRM:
- 54% of workers say having a mentor motivates them to push through uncertainty.
Without mentorship, excellence doesn’t get modeled, taught, or reinforced.
Segment 6 — What Gen X Has to Teach
Reliability
Showing up—even when you’d rather be hunting.
Independence
