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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