What if one of the greatest gifts you can give someone isn't your advice... or your time... but your full attention?

In this episode of Trying to Figure This Out, I reflect on what it means to be truly present in a world that constantly competes for our attention. From missing small moments with the people I love to becoming more intentional about how I show up in everyday conversations, I've been learning that attention shapes far more than I ever realized.

This isn't an episode about productivity or eliminating distractions. It's an invitation to consider what our attention reveals, what life might be trying to teach us, and how becoming a student of life begins with simply paying attention.

Maybe the question isn't, "What has my attention?"

Maybe it's...

"What deserves it?

We all have voices that shape us.

Some belong to people we love. Some come from mentors, friends, coworkers, or complete strangers. And sometimes, without even realizing it, we give those voices more influence than they were ever meant to have.

In this episode of Trying to Figure This Out, I reflect on how experience has changed the way I listen, how life has taught me to pay attention, and why not every opinion deserves a seat at the table.

This isn't about shutting people out. It's about learning the difference between being open to wisdom and living at the mercy of everyone else's expectations.

Because in the end, the question isn't just who gets a vote...

How many of the limits in your life are real... and how many are stories you've stopped questioning?

In this episode of Trying to Figure This Out, Clifton explores how experiences become identities, why we often mistake familiar stories for truth, and how a single question can change the way we see ourselves. This isn't about having all the answers—it's about becoming curious enough to question the stories that have quietly shaped our lives.

Why did I start a podcast? In this check-in, I share the story behind Trying to Figure This Out—why I've wanted to do this for years, what finally pushed me to begin, and the kind of community I hope we build together. This isn't a place for perfect answers. It's a place for honest conversations with people who are trying to grow, learn, and make sense of life one conversation at a time. If you've been wondering where this podcast is headed, this episode is for you.

Where do our beliefs come from? More importantly, have we ever stopped to question them? In this episode, I reflect on the ideas we inherit from family, teachers, coaches, and life itself—and how some of those beliefs continue to shape us long after we've outgrown them. This isn't a conversation about changing careers; it's about examining the stories we've been telling ourselves and asking whether they still fit the person we're becoming. Sometimes, one honest question can change the direction of your life.

A trip to New York and music from 25 years ago became a reminder that looking back isn't about living in the past—it's about appreciating how far we've come. What if nostalgia isn't holding us back, but helping us move forward?

The biggest lies aren't always the ones we're told—they're often the beliefs we never stop questioning. In this episode, we explore loyalty, identity, and the courage to examine the blueprint we've been living by. What if honoring your past doesn't mean staying there forever?

Between the longer conversations, I'm sharing what's been on my mind this week. In this first check-in, I explore the fear that keeps us from taking the next step and the simple question that has changed the way I think about growth, purpose, and new beginnings.

What if it does work?

Episode 1: Maybe It's Finally My Turn

What happens when you've spent most of your life doing everything you were supposed to do...and suddenly realize it's time to ask a different question?

In the first episode of Trying to Figure This Out, we explore the moments that shape us, the stories we tell ourselves, and why the questions we ask can change the direction of our lives. Through personal reflections on family, purpose, work, and life's transitions, this conversation is an invitation to pause, reflect, and consider what your next chapter might look like.

Because maybe the most important thing we can do isn't find all the answers...

It's start asking better questions.