PITTMAN POINT
We consider it a great honor to offer a space for such a variety of individuals to let their voice be heard. We hope that beyond entertainment, you're learning, growing, considering new perspectives, and overall gaining something every time you tune in. With that in mind, we created the Pittman Point. Each week, Sean leaves listeners with something to consider as they go about their weeks. We invite you to read some of our favorites below.
REMEMBER THE COMMUNITY
June 11, 2023
Consider this quote from the great Jim Brown. “Yardage isn’t the big thing. Having your team win the championship is.” We all have the opportunity to work hard and excel at whatever we’re gifted at, but once we win–once we’ve been consistent enough to make history in our own way, let’s remember the community–Let’s remember the greater good. Jim Brown was extremely unselfish, considerate and inspirational. We have the opportunity to do the same by reaching back and creating a way to propel our community forward.
FATHER'S DAY
June 18, 2023
The third Sunday in June is always designated as the one day in the year where we put all of our energy into celebrating the fellas, so I want to take a moment to acknowledge all the fathers, uncles, stepfathers and loved ones who have been parenting, raising and advising the next generations because it’s FATHER’S DAY! Now, we know there’s nothing like a Mother’s love, but Fathers? We hit different, don’t we? And although we don’t get enough depictions of men, especially Black men, being present and expressing tenderness for our children, we know this isn’t the case. Here’s a few reasons why. Fathers are protective: “Where you at?” “What time are you getting home?” We may get on your nerves, but we’re concerned about your well-being. There’s an inclination in us that wants to make sure your safe. Fathers are providers: And when I say provision, its more than money—it’s wisdom, friendship, counsel, comradery, perspective, insight, and a giving spirit. Even if he doesn’t make that much, he’s still contributing and giving in every way that he knows how. Fathers are promoters: Trust me, we will do everything in our power, in our wisdom, and in our gifting to promote our children. We want them to look good, but above all else, we want them to BE GOOD. We’re also going to be your #1 hype man, and show up to whatever fight life throws at you. Fathers and Father figures will tell you the great things you can become and what you can do. And we’re also going to encourage and remind you that, “You’re better than this,” “This is not the end, get back up and fight again” and “You’re a winner if you don’t quit. You’re gonna make it!” Fatherhood can be a struggle sometimes, but it’s a labor of love and one that should be appreciated. So, the Pittman Point today is to the Fathers and those who are in the Dad role: Thank you for standing by your children in every way possible. We hope you have a great day, and hope you know that you are seen, honored and loved through thick and thin.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
February 5, 2023
We’re 12 days into Black History Month, and I must say—the amount of Black “firsts” and Black “excellence” in progress ABOUNDS. The 2023 theme for Black History Month is Resistance, and it’s pretty apparent to me that as a people, we not only “own” the ability to progress in spite of adversity, frankly—we look good while we’re doing it! Black History is being made every day, ya’ll and the GRAMMYs were full of historic moments. Our former guests, Music Producers Chris “Tricky” Stewart and The-Dream, took home 10 wins—Best Dance Recording for Beyonce’s “Break My Soul” and Best R&B Song, “Cuff it.” Dr. Jamal Bryant also won 2 GRAMMYs with Tennessee State University’s marching band for Best Gospel Roots Album and Best Spoken Word Album of the Year. He also received the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden! In addition, Beyonce broke the record for most GRAMMY award wins in history. Viola Davis joined the EGOT club being the 18th person to ever win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony award. And Lizzo became the 1st Black woman to win ‘Record of the Year’ this century. Two days after the GRAMMYs, LeBron James broke the NBA’s all-time scoring record, and THEN Tallahassee’s very own Attorney Ben Crump received a distinguished honor from St. Thomas University Miami, who named their law school the Benjamin L. Crump College of Law. This is the first law school in the country named after a practicing Black attorney. He is also being featured for his iconic career as a trial lawyer for justice by our local tourism site, Visit Tallahassee. If you didn’t know, Attorney Crump’s roots are right here in the capital city. You can read all about his journey on the Visit Tallahassee website. That was a lot of Black Excellence ya’ll, but we’re not done because today, during the 57th Super Bowl, MORE Black history will be made. Two Black quarterbacks will faceoff for the first time in history—Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles and Patrick Mahomes with the Kansas City Chiefs; Hurts’ agent, Nicole Lynn, is the first Black woman to represent an NFL quarterback in the Super Bowl, Autumn Lockwood is the first Black woman to coach in the Super Bowl and to top it all off, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” will be sung by Sheryl Lee Ralph! There’s not much to say after that ya’ll, so today’s Pittman Point is simple – Keep being great; keep being resisting the urge to quit, keep being twice as good and most of all, keep making Black History! Fathers are protective: “Where you at?” “What time are you getting home?” We may get on your nerves, but we’re concerned about your well-being. There’s an inclination in us that wants to make sure your safe. Fathers are providers: And when I say provision, its more than money—it’s wisdom, friendship, counsel, comradery, perspective, insight, and a giving spirit. Even if he doesn’t make that much, he’s still contributing and giving in every way that he knows how. Fathers are promoters: Trust me, we will do everything in our power, in our wisdom, and in our gifting to promote our children. We want them to look good, but above all else, we want them to BE GOOD. We’re also going to be your #1 hype man, and show up to whatever fight life throws at you. Fathers and Father figures will tell you the great things you can become and what you can do. And we’re also going to encourage and remind you that, “You’re better than this,” “This is not the end, get back up and fight again” and “You’re a winner if you don’t quit. You’re gonna make it!” Fatherhood can be a struggle sometimes, but it’s a labor of love and one that should be appreciated. So, the Pittman Point today is to the Fathers and those who are in the Dad role: Thank you for standing by your children in every way possible. We hope you have a great day, and hope you know that you are seen, honored and loved through thick and thin.
RESTRAINING THE HEARTLESS
April 2, 2023
Two months ago, I asked the question, what is it going to take for some really smart people to come together and do something about gun control—Before another child is senselessly killed in a preventable act of gun violence? Well, here we are. The one-year anniversary of the Uvalde school shooting is closely approaching, and once again, we are mourning more children—more lives lost, all because of gun violence. We’re hurting, we’re heartbroken, and there really are no words to describe what we are we feeling as we mourn those who are no longer with us and remembering those who must go on without them. Pain is pain, and America is hurting right now. Just a few weeks ago (March 14, 2023), President Joe Biden signed an Executive Order with the goal of increasing the number of background checks conducted before firearm sales, and two-weeks later, 28-year-old Audrey Hale killed three children and three staff members at The Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee. What else can be said? I mean, really. As a parent, as a professional who works with others to move our policies forward in such a way that all people are protected under the law, and as a person, I am just astonished as all of you are at the lack of political will to keep our kids safe and to keep all of us safe. We shouldn’t have to worry, nor should our children have to worry about being shot—in the classroom, in the grocery store, on a church pew, at a dancehall—anywhere! “Weapons of war” like the one used in The Covenant School shooting should not be accessible to the American public. There is no excuse. It is unacceptable. Gun violence is the #1 cause of death 1 to 19 in the United States. That’s insane. And data shows that all types of gun violence, from homicide to suicide to mass shootings, are all on an upwards trajectory in the U.S. So, the Pittman Point this week is, as questions of gun control and other efforts to stop schoolhouse and other mass shootings are dominating conversations around the nation, remember that WE are all MUTUALLY RESPONSIBLE for ensuring the wellbeing of our society. We can ALL call on Congress to take common sense measures for the sake of our children. In the words, of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Change doesn’t happen through legislation. It happens through the hearts of people. While it may be true that morality cannot be legislated, behavior can be regulated. It may be true that the law cannot change the heart, but it can restrain the heartless. So there is a need for Executive Orders. There is a need for judicial decrees. There is a need for legislation on the local scale, within states, and on the national scale from the federal government.” Perhaps this week will open the hearts of people across political lines for the change that our country needs right now. And if you care about this issue as much as I do, please let your congressional representative know.
2022 CAPSULE
THANK YOU, WOMEN
March, 2022
March is here, and that means it’s Women’s History Month! All month long, we will honor and celebrate the achievements and struggles American women have endured in the United States. Women’s History Month is a time to lift up the special women in our lives, and show them how much they mean to us. So the Pittman point today is, to all the women in our lives - our wives, mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, neighbors, and friends - thank you for all you do for us. Our nation wouldn’t be where it is today without the significant impacts of women. As we said during Black History Month, we’ve come a long way, but we have a long way still to go. It’s Women’s History Month! And as a man surrounded by beautiful women in my family, it’s a special time for us all. So call the women in your life and tell them thank you. They deserve to hear it.
REMEMBRANCE AND UNITY
September, 2022
I don’t have to tell you what an important weekend this is in the life of our country. Yesterday, we observed 20 years since the attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, and for a lot of us, the memories are as vivid as ever. For most everyone under the sound of my voice, you know where you were on that fateful day. A lot of us can still remember exactly what they were doing and exactly what they were feeling when they heard about the attacks. It was an event that none of us thought we would ever see, and now it’s a day that none of us will ever forget. Yesterday, on September 11, 2021, we all paused to reflect on the incredible tragedy when 2,996 Americans lost their lives at the hands of terrorists. We prayed for their souls, and for their loved ones who still grieve. But as we stand here 20 years removed from an event that United us as Americans, we find ourselves in one of the most divided times in our nation’s history. So, the Pittman Point today is, let’s find that unity again. It shouldn’t take a tragedy or an attack or mass loss of life to bring us together. We need to remember that we are all one American family, and we won’t solve the issues we face, unless we do it together.
2021 CAPSULE
HEALTH IS WEALTH
June 2021
Health is wealth, ya’ll. We talked about fitness and nutrition in a lot of different ways with our guests Eric and Rick, but I want to take it a step further. We are living in crazy times. Death is happening all around us. Some of these instances are out of our control, but prior to the onset of disease, we have the opportunity to be stewards of our body. It’s going to sustain us as well as we maintain it, and that’s it. I don’t know anyone whose waistline wasn’t affected by COVID, but we’re in another season…I think. It’s necessary to do for ourselves what no one else can do for us. We have to care enough not only about our physical appearance, but actually being healthy so that we can be there for our families, our employers, our community and ultimately ourselves. Who can fix a problem that resides in us? Who is going to be there when no one else can? We have to be that person and friend to ourselves first. Didn’t Beyonce say that? Yep, I might know a little something. So, let’s do it, not just for the first two weeks of the new year, and not by using a cheat code with a lose-weight fast scheme. Our lives are a product of 1% motivation and I’m going to say 99% of the habits we continue to do every day. Now that’s heavy, and I’m not saying it will be easy. But if we don’t start exercising some self-control in our lives, we will experience a constant state of chaos, or cycles. And I think that cycles might be the worst. There’s nothing like taking two steps forward and one step back. Or 90-days of progress in the gym just to start eating spicy chicken biscuits from Chic Fil-A every morning. At least not EVERY morning. So, the Pittman Point today is to prioritize self-care. Everyone can’t afford the most expensive gym membership, but we can take a walk down the street, drink our water, and choose baked and grilled items more often than not. It’s about more love and attention to the vessel we’ve been given by the choices we make. Health is wealth, and it’s bound to pay off in every area of your life. You matter enough to do it for you. I accept the challenge and I hope that you do too.
TERRORISTS AT THE CAPITAL
January 2021
Welcome back to the Sean Pittman show, and it’s no secret what we will be talking about for today’s Pittman Point. A dark day for democracy, a dark day for our nation, and a solemn reminder of how fragile our government can be. At least five people lost their lives when terrorists stormed the capital and overtook the heartbeat of America. But these terrorists were not some foreign national group looking to cause harm to the shining city on a hill. These terrorists are Americans. They live in our neighborhoods. They eat at our restaurants. And they are fueled by hatred. The world watched in horror as men and women infiltrated their own government. These individuals, spurred on by Donald Trump, sought to interrupt one of our nation’s founding principles – the peaceful transition of power. Ultimately, they were unsuccessful at derailing Joe Biden‘s confirmation as president. But what these insurrectionists did accomplish, was shedding even more light on the unequal and inequitable treatment of Americans under the law. Because as we all know, had this group of overwhelmingly white individuals been overwhelmingly Black, you can bet they would not have been treated quite so hospitably. In fact, during the Black Lives Matter march in Washington DC earlier this very year, protesters were met with aggression, force, and violence. So the Pittman point today is, it doesn’t end with Trump. This hatred and hostility will outlive his presidency, and his influence. We must work every day to be a more loving, more just, and a more fair society. We must teach our children to be better than us. This is so much bigger than one man, and it will take all of us to fix it. What happened this week was not the end of Trump’s administration, but the beginning of the next part of history. We have seen what we can accomplish when we do it together. Georgia just sent two progressives to the United States Senate who will fight to make this a better nation for all. It can be done. Now it’s up to us.
UGLY REALITIES
November 2021
This week the world was captivated by two court proceedings that seemed to bring the ugly realities of our criminal Justice system into sharp focus. The trials of Kyle Rittenhouse - who traveled across state lines with a semiautomatic rifle and killed two men protesting the murder of Jacob Blake - and the three men who murdered Ahmaud Arbery by chasing him down and shooting him in cold blood, underscore the tendencies of our nation and our criminal Justice system to protect some and vilify others. As soon as Rittenhouse was acquitted, he was seen making the media rounds and even showed up to pay a visit to Donald Trump. This twisted victory lap served as a stark reminder of the realities facing those with means and those without. The hateful man went out of his way looking for trouble and found it. Then he did exactly what he intended to do when he brought the weapon of war with him – he used it. Now he’s some kind of hero? There’s something wrong with that. Then there is the trial of the three men who hunted down Ahmaud Arbery and murdered him - claiming self-defense. While all three of these men were found guilty of murder, the proceedings inside the courtroom were troubling, nevertheless. Black pastors were not allowed into the court room. The defense team made a point to discuss Ahmaud’s toenails. The murder victim was made to seem like the aggressor and that his own murder was his fault. This is a sad reality, but that makes it no less real. So, the Pittman Point today is, VOTE. All of the players in the criminal Justice system can be changed by your vote. Judges, State’s Attorneys, Public Defender’s, Sheriffs, and so on. Go vote for individuals who believe in equal justice under the law and who can make our future better than our present. So, hug your families today. Hold your babies tight. Then register and vote.
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