Think Things Through

View Details

People keep saying we need a "big market" team in the NBA Finals to keep fans interested. But like Shaq said, “Social media is the market now… nobody cares what city you're in anymore.”

OKC is playing high-level ball. San Antonio won 5 rings without NY, LA, or Chicago. in the NFL, Green Bay, KC, and New England built NFL dynasties. The A’s, Reds, Pirates, and Twins all had their runs in MLB.

Meanwhile, the NBA kept pushing:

Lakers – 39 national games

Warriors – 36

Celtics/Knicks – 34

Mavs/Suns – 30

But the best records this year?

Celtics, Thunder, Nuggets, Timberwolves, Bucks.

Only one is a so-called “big market.”

Why does this obsession with "big media markets" still exist when most people outside those cities couldn’t care less? It’s crazy to me that some people still think the world revolves around New York or LA. News flash: that ship sailed decades ago. At this point, do fans really care where a team plays, or are we all just here for great basketball? I'm for the latter.

I’m Clayton Craddock—a father, business owner, musician, and truth-seeker who believes in asking hard questions and thinking independently. I share my thoughts on ‘Deep Cuts’ to challenge the status quo and dig beneath the surface.

If you would like to connect, please get in touch with me at Clayton@claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Clayton Craddock's Deep Cuts at thinkthingsthrough.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

I’m Clayton Craddock—a father, business owner, musician, and truth-seeker who believes in asking hard questions and thinking independently.

I share my thoughts on ‘Deep Cuts’ to challenge the status quo and dig beneath the surface.

If you would like to connect, please get in touch with me at Clayton@claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Clayton Craddock's Deep Cuts at thinkthingsthrough.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Can someone please explain this whole “heaven” thing to me?

So when we die, we reunite with old friends and family—cool. But… which version of them? The vibrant, full-of-life version? Or the barely-there hospice version? Do kids who die young stay kids forever?

Do we all just hang out with Paul Robeson, Michael Jackson, JFK, FDR, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Toussaint Louverture, and Julius Caesar at some heavenly hangout?

And hold on…which Michael Jackson shows up—Off the Wall MJ or post-2000 MJ?

Seriously. I’ve got questions.

Heaven, as described by the legendary Ohio Players:

Get full access to Clayton Craddock's Deep Cuts at thinkthingsthrough.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Problem. Reaction. Solution.

A trick governments, big corporations, whoever holds power turns on people all of the time it seems. The game? First, they create a problem. Then, they sit back and wait for us to freak out. When the panic hits its peak, they come waltzing in with a solution, all polished and ready. But here's the catch: the solution usually fixes nothing. Instead, it tightens their grip.

Think Things Through is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Take New York City's congestion pricing for example. They claim it's to reduce traffic and help the environment. But, for years, they've been narrowing roads, adding bike lanes and pedestrian plazas, and blocking off streets. Traffic got worse. Cars crawled, emissions increased because vehicles are idling longer, and people got frustrated. That's the reaction they wanted. And their solution? Charge drivers more money to use the same congested streets they made worse. It's like setting a fire and then charging people to use the emergency exit.

This isn't just a New York thing. Look at the housing crisis in cities like San Francisco. They put in place zoning laws and building restrictions that make it nearly impossible to build new homes. Surprise, surprise—there's a housing shortage. Rent goes through the roof. People are desperate. What's the solution? Government-subsidized housing and rent control. Sounds helpful, but these fixes often make things worse or add new problems. Meanwhile, the government gains more control over housing.

The 2008 financial crisis? Banks made reckless loans, betting on risky mortgages. The bubble burst. Everyone panicked. The same big banks that caused the crash got bailed out. They got billions, while regular folks lost their homes. Problem. Reaction. Solution. The banks messed up, we paid the price, and they came out stronger.

Think bigger—after 9/11, the government said, "We need to keep you safe." People were scared and angry. The solution? The Patriot Act. It gave the government massive surveillance powers, letting them watch us like hawks. Did it make us safer? Maybe. But it also stripped away a ton of our privacy, and those powers didn't go away when the fear faded.

The pattern is everywhere. They create the mess, we react, and they clean it up in a way that benefits them. It's not about keeping us safe or solving problems. It's about control.

So next time a crisis pops up, don't just ask, "How do we fix this?" Ask, "Who benefits?" Was it avoidable? Why does the solution feel so ready, like they had it waiting in their back pocket? The more we question, the harder it is for them to keep running the same old scam.

Clayton Craddock is a devoted father of two, an accomplished musician, and a thought-provoker dedicated to Socratic questioning, challenging the status quo, and encouraging a deeper contemplation on various issues. Subscribe to Think Things Through HERE, and for inquiries and to connect, email him here: Clayton@claytoncraddock.com.

Get full access to Clayton Craddock's Deep Cuts at thinkthingsthrough.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

A friend of mine brought to my attention a Joe Rogan Podcast episode that aired on July 19, 2024. Joe was speaking with fellow comedian Sam Morril, and about halfway through, the conversation turned serious for about four minutes.

Joe remembered something a firefighter had told him about wildfires and how there would be a disaster one day. The firefighter told him, "One day, it's just gonna be the right wind, and a fire is gonna start in the right place, and it's gonna burn through LA all the way to the ocean, and there's not a f*g thing we can do about it." He continued with, "We get lucky with the wind." "But if the wind hits the wrong way, it's just going to burn straight through L.A., and there’s not gonna be a thing we can do about it."

It sounds like some crazy doomsday warning you hear but don't quite believe will ever come true. But here we are, six months later, watching this nightmare unfold before our eyes.

L.A. is facing one of the worst wildfires in its history. We're seeing entire neighborhoods totally destroyed on the news, lives being turned upside down, and families are left to pick up the pieces. Some of my friends who live out there have been seriously impacted by this, and it's sad to witness so much devastation.

What frustrates me is the instant finger-pointing that happens every time a disaster like this strikes. Blame is thrown at the L.A. mayor, Gavin Newsom, Trump, climate change, Democrats, DEI policies—pick your scapegoat. The reality is this didn't come out of nowhere. The warning signs have been there for years, and the conditions for disaster have been getting worse.

California's wildfire problem is no secret—thousands of them happen every year. Most wildfires are sparked by human activity. Others start through natural causes like lightning, but what can realistically be done to prevent earthquakes or hurricanes?

And it's not just California. Look at Lahaina, Maui—a historic town I visited a few years ago that was pretty much wiped off the map by a devastating fire that claimed lives and destroyed homes. Think about the floods in North Carolina that have left people struggling, and they are still on the road to recovery.

I think about the billions of taxpayer dollars sent overseas to fund wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. I can't help but wonder—why isn't that same level of urgency and funding going to help Americans facing disasters at home? Are there funds outside of FEMA to help Americans?

Some argue we can do both—help abroad and take care of our own—but is that realistic? Is federal funding so limitless that billions can go to foreign wars while communities here struggle to recover? And even if the money exists, why does it feel like so little is reaching places like Lahaina or flood-ravaged parts of the U.S.?

These are hard questions, and I don't have all the answers.

Can we really prevent the wildfires that are destroying L.A. right now? How do we still feel safe in places prone to wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes, or earthquakes? And how do we balance helping others overseas with taking care of our own communities? It's overwhelming, but ignoring the problem clearly isn't working.

After seeing these tragedies, the wildfires in L.A., floods in North Carolina, or the devastation in Lahaina, people often ask, "Why didn't we do more to prevent this?" But what can we really do?

Clayton Craddock is a devoted father of two, an accomplished musician, and a thought-provoker dedicated to Socratic questioning, challenging the status quo, and encouraging a deeper contemplation on various issues. Subscribe to Think Things Through HERE, and for inquiries and to connect, email him here: Clayton@claytoncraddock.com.

Get full access to Clayton Craddock's Deep Cuts at thinkthingsthrough.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

This guy destroyed lives during COVID. He locked down the country, crushed small businesses, separated families, and pushed vaccine mandates that forced people to choose between their jobs and their personal health decisions. He called people “fringe” and demonized anyone who dared to question his authority. And when truckers stood up for their rights, he went full dictator—freezing bank accounts, calling in police, and treating working-class people like criminals.

Justin’s resignation is long overdue, but it’s not enough. Every leader who treated their people like second-class citizens during COVID needs to be held accountable. They can’t just walk away from the damage they caused. People suffered, and it wasn’t “for our safety.” It was about control, plain and simple.

Leaders like Gavin Newsom, Jacinda Ardern, Emmanuel Macron, Andrew Cuomo, Kathy Hochul, and Gretchen Whitmer are all cut from the same cloth. They imposed destructive lockdowns and mandates, wrecked economies, and crushed the lives of everyday people, all while living comfortably above the rules they forced on everyone else.

These clowns abused their power. They locked down schools, caused mental health crises, and destroyed livelihoods under the guise of “keeping people safe.” Meanwhile, they ignored the science they claimed to follow and played politics with our lives.

Think Things Through is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

It wasn’t just about Covid with Trudeau, though. Bari Weiss broke down all his issues in her latest piece in The Free Presstoday. In her piece, she wrote about how Trudeau’s tenure sparked widespread discontent across Canada. It was driven mainly by his horrible economic policies, costly programs, and runaway spending that left Canadians poorer. His carbon tax and ineffective social programs have made things worse for Canadians, and rising youth unemployment and controversial immigration levels have fueled frustration. Violent crime has increased, and his harm reduction approach to justice has drawn criticism for leniency. Under his government, censorship has tightened, antisemitism has grown, and drug and assisted suicide policies have faced backlash for their dire consequences.

We need to remember what they did and make sure it never happens again. Don’t let them rewrite history. Don’t let them off the hook. And don’t ever let fear give politicians a blank check to abuse their power.

Clayton Craddock is a devoted father of two, an accomplished musician, and a thought-provoker dedicated to Socratic questioning, challenging the status quo, and encouraging a deeper contemplation on various issues. Subscribe to Think Things Through HERE, and for inquiries and to connect, email him here: Clayton@claytoncraddock.com.

Get full access to Clayton Craddock's Deep Cuts at thinkthingsthrough.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

"We're going to get rid of fact-checkers and replace them with community notes, similar to X."

"Fact-checkers have just been too politically biased and have destroyed more trust than they've created."

I wonder if all of this change from Zuckerberg would have happened if Kamala Harris had won.

Get full access to Clayton Craddock's Deep Cuts at thinkthingsthrough.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

I remember when the NYC subway wasn’t a total nightmare. I’ve been here long enough to see it go from bad to better, then completely fall apart again. Delays, derailments, overcrowding—they’ve all become the norm. And let’s not forget: people have been getting pushed onto tracks for years, but it’s only gotten worse. Sure, the odds of being attacked on the subway are still slim, but they’re a lot less slim than they used to be.

In 2019, there were 326 felony assaults through November—about one assault for every 5.2 million rides. Fast forward to 2024, and there were 521 assaults in the same period, but with 30% fewer rides. That’s now one assault for every 2.3 million rides.

Would you want to be one of the 521? Why is even one assault acceptable? This isn’t happening in cities all over the world. So why is it happening like this in NYC?

Think Things Through is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

The system has been broken for years, and the MTA has done nothing to prove it can fix it. It has a long history of wasting money and making terrible decisions. Politicians slashed funding and diverted money to their pet projects, leaving the subway to rot. After decades of promises to upgrade, the MTA is still running 1930s technology. Instead of fixing the basics—like signals and tracks—it has blown billions on shiny new stations that didn’t add a single extra train or inch of track.

Now, Kathy Hochul is trying to sell congestion pricing as the solution. Tolls start at $9 but will jump to $12 and hit $15 by 2031. Does anyone honestly believe this money will fix anything? Based on the MTA’s track record, it will disappear into the same black hole of mismanagement.

So here’s the question: What’s the actual goal of this congestion tax? How will this money fix the subway for good? And if things somehow improve, will they ever eliminate the tolls—or is this just another permanent tax on New Yorkers?

From where I stand, it seems to be just another cash grab from an agency that has been failing New Yorkers for decades.

FYI: The video above was from 2018.

Clayton Craddock is a devoted father of two, an accomplished musician, and a thought-provoker dedicated to Socratic questioning, challenging the status quo, and encouraging a deeper contemplation on various issues. Subscribe to Think Things Through HERE, and for inquiries and to connect, email him here: Clayton@claytoncraddock.com.

Get full access to Clayton Craddock's Deep Cuts at thinkthingsthrough.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

People keep telling me, “Clayton, if you move down south, you're going to get lynched! Especially with a white girl! You’re safe here in New York!” Really? I beg to differ.

I mean, have we all been sleeping through the recent news?

Columbia University is right in our backyard with their blatant hatred of Jews on that campus earlier this year, and we're pretending racism only happens below the Mason-Dixon line.

I hate to break it to you, but New York isn’t exactly an anti-racism utopia.

I'm glad racists are finally showing their true selves and not hiding like they usually do up in the Northeast.

Racism is everywhere!

I'd rather deal with it without being cold and stepping over needles and rats (and paying crazy taxes to Kathy Hochul and Eric Adams).

Enjoy your commute!

Original post: https://x.com/onslowroper/status/1831828200315330612?s=46&t=ZLcyv2pjxVmxycJ3udUoHw

Clayton Craddock is a devoted father of two, an accomplished musician, and a thought-provoker dedicated to Socratic questioning, challenging the status quo, and encouraging a deeper contemplation on a range of issues. Subscribe to Think Things Through HERE, and for inquiries and to connect, email him here: Clayton@claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Remember when Dan Quayle's political career tanked because he couldn't spell "potato"? Or when Howard Dean's White House dreams went up in flames because he got a little too excited at a rally? And we have this clow again.

Trump has single-handedly transformed the presidency into a national sideshow, and the world’s watching in disbelief as he somehow edges closer to taking the stage again.

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Do you ever find yourself questioning the media's grasp on reality? Have you ever felt a surge of anger at the sight of unchallenged political fabrications? These 'facts' that are taken for granted can be maddening.

Many people are tuning out of politics entirely, either not voting or picking "none of the above." When they boycott the system or make a pointless choice, it's their way of saying the system is rotten.

I've been getting more cynical because of the conflicting and confusing political news.

Am I the only one who feels this way? What can be done to change this? Can we ever trust the media and political system again, or are we stuck with this mess?

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

They should make the propaganda less obvious.

It's like when they kept saying Biden was "sharp as a tack," the vaccine was "safe and effective," the economy is "booming," and certain policies are "for the greater good."

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Abrain is meant for everyday use.

Do not try Abrain if you're allergic to Abrain.

For more information, visit https://www.tryabrain.com.

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Matt Barnes, who used to play in the NBA, and Sage Steele, a well-known sports journalist, recently talked about their experiences with the COVID vaccine rules. They both mentioned how the information available at the time wasn't clear or reliable.

Steele clarified, “I wasn’t anti-the-shot… I just need more time,” emphasizing her desire for more information before deciding on such an important decision.

Matt echoed this sentiment, stating, “We were the guinea pigs… whatever they put in us, we were the guinea pigs,” questioning the potential long-term effects of the COVID jabs.

Sage said, “I was never a conspiracy theorist. I just want truth. And when I see lies, immediately, then you go, well, what else have you lied to me about?”

In September 2021, Sage Steele spoke on a podcast about feeling "defeated" by having to get a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine to keep her job after her employer, Disney, issued a mandate in July 2021.

In a similar vein, Matt Barnes, a studio analyst for NBC Sports California, shared that he had a similar experience. During an appearance on VladTV, he stated, "I was forced to do it to keep my job."

How would you feel about getting vaccinated if it was a requirement for your job?

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

For those that don’t know what’s going on: Columbia University protests expected for 5th straight day

I’m sure this will end the 3,000 year war in the Middle East:

Check out this video and this thread: https://x.com/shayonimitra/status/1781802553534992836?s=46&t=ZLcyv2pjxVmxycJ3udUoHw

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Think Things Through is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

Migrants are utilizing TikTok for guidance on unauthorized entry into the United States.

It's interesting to see how these people are turning to this platform for advice on crossing into the Unites States. According to 60 Minutes, “The post we found had step-by-step instructions for hiring smugglers and detailed directions to that hole we visited. We were struck by just how orderly and routine it all seemed.”

“Last year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported that 37,000 Chinese citizens were apprehended crossing illegally from Mexico into the U.S. Many of the migrants said they were escaping China’s repressive political climate and sluggish economy.”

What are your thoughts on this and what do you think should be done?

Clayton Craddock is a devoted father of two, an accomplished musician, and a thought-provoker dedicated to Socratic questioning, challenging the status quo, and encouraging a deeper contemplation on a range of issues. Subscribe to Think Things Through HERE:

For inquiries and to connect: Clayton@claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Clayton Craddock is a father, independent thinker, and the founder and publisher of the social and political commentary newsletter Think Things Through and host of the Think Things Through Podcast.

Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or read more on his website: claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

New York State, supposedly one of the most progressive in our nation, has the most conservative approach to divorce and separation. Why is that the case in 2021? New York was one of the first to allow gay and lesbian marriage legally. Why aren’t lawmakers enlightened about the role two parents play in rearing children after divorce?

New shared parenting bills are often introduced to Democratic lawmakers in New York; yet, progressive legislation is often shelved or remains stuck in committees headed by Democratic lawmakers who aren't as pioneering and trailblazing as they proclaim.

The desire to maintain the status quo is strong.

I explain why in today’s podcast.

Read more HERE:

Without joint custody, children are the biggest losers - Shared parenting is best for children and families.

To Live In Peace - My advocacy journey.

Single Fatherhood In New York City -An interview from 2012 about fatherhood and family court.

Do You Have To Pay Child Support? No, You Don't! - You can opt-out

Clayton Craddock is a father, independent thinker, and the founder and publisher of the social and political commentary newsletter Think Things Through and host of the Think Things Through Podcast.

Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or read more on his website: claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Clayton Craddock is a father, independent thinker, and the founder and publisher of the social and political commentary newsletter Think Things Through and host of the Think Things Through Podcast.

Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or read more on his website: claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Read more HERE: https://claytoncraddock.substack.com/p/thinking-for-yourself

Clayton Craddock is a father, independent thinker, and the founder and publisher of the social and political commentary newsletter Think Things Through and host of the Think Things Through Podcast. He's an alumnus of Howard University and is the drummer for the Broadway musical Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times Of The Temptations.

Other musicals include: "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or read more on his website: claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

The Bradley Amendment was named after its sponsor, Democratic Senator Bill Bradley of New Jersey, and was passed as part of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1986. The Bradley Amendment prohibits the retroactive modification of child support arrearages by the state or any other state.

No matter the circumstances, a child-support debt cannot be retroactively reduced or forgiven even if the debtor is unemployed. The same applies if the person is hospitalized, in prison, sent to war, proved not to be the father, never allowed to see his children, or loses his job, or suffers a pay cut.

Show Notes:

Petitioning the Government to Erase State-Owed Child Support Debt

The Bradley Amendment

NBC News. (2015, April 11). Walter Scott had bench warrant for his arrest, court documents show. https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/walter-scott-shooting/walter-scott-shooting-warrant-over-child-support-court-records-show-n339151

Washington, D. (2020, December 16). 6 penalties for parents who fail to pay child support. The Balance Small Business. https://www.thebalancesmb.com/failure-to-pay-child-support-penalties-2997972

Weimer, D. R. (2000, July 27). The Bradley amendment: Prohibition against retroactive modification of child support arrearages. Every CRS Report – EveryCRSReport.com. https://www.everycrsreport.com/reports/RS20642.html

Clayton Craddock is a father, independent thinker, and the founder and publisher of the social and political commentary newsletter Think Things Through and host of the Think Things Through Podcast.

He's an alumnus of Howard University and is the drummer for the Broadway musical Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times Of The Temptations.

Other musicals include: "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or read more on his website: claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

I think everyone should read the Moynihan Report. This document, known then as "The Negro Family: The Case For National Action," held that many of the problems of American blacks resulted from the instability of black urban families. The report was leaked to the media in July 1965, one month before the devastating riots in Watts, and called for more government action to improve the economic prospects of black families.

Daniel Patrick Moynihan was a sociologist and assistant secretary for policy planning and research at the Labor Department. He became a prominent U.S. Senator representing New York and later served as an adviser to President Richard Nixon.

Moynihan urged that the Federal Government adopt a national policy for the reconstruction of the black family. He laid out clear arguments, noting that the real cause of the troubles in the black community was not so much segregation or a lack of voting power. He recognized the structure of the Negro family was highly "unstable and in many urban centers…approaching complete breakdown."

Read more HERE: https://claytoncraddock.substack.com/p/the-moynihan-report-52f

Clayton Craddock is a father, independent thinker, and the founder and publisher of the social and political commentary newsletter Think Things Through and host of the Think Things Through Podcast.

He's an alumnus of Howard University and is the drummer for the Broadway musical Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times Of The Temptations.

Other musicals include: "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or read more on his website: claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

A $900 billion “relief” package was signed into law in December of 2020. Included in that bill was $16 billion for the Save Our Stages Act. Many independent venue owners thought they could breathe easier and figured their eight-month battle to secure financial assistance to stay afloat had finally come to an end. Unfortunately, that never happened.

Show Notes:

Sending Out An S.O.S. For Music Venues

Chicago Venue Owners Still Waiting For Relief Funds From Save Our Stages Act

Clayton Craddock is a father, independent thinker, and the founder and publisher of the social and political commentary newsletter Think Things Through and host of the Think Things Through Podcast.

He's an alumnus of Howard University and is the drummer for the Broadway musical Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times Of The Temptations.

Other musicals include: "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or read more on his website: claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

It’s Freedom Day here in New York State! You can go maskless in the state of New York.

Show Notes:

Juneteenth: http://juneteenth.com/history.htm

A guide to New York's new rules on masks and distancing - https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/us/a-guide-to-new-yorks-new-rules-on-masks-and-distancing/ar-BB1gU3jy

PODCAST - Episode 7 - What's The Point Of Vaccine Passports? - https://claytoncraddock.substack.com/p/podcast-episode-7-whats-the-point

PODCAST: Episode 10 - I Tested Positive For COVID-19. Here's My Story. - https://claytoncraddock.substack.com/p/podcast-episode-10-i-tested-positive

They’re Vaccinated and Keeping Their Masks On, Maybe Forever - Face coverings have been a political flashpoint for more than a year. But now, the backlash is directed at people who don’t plan to take them off.

Don’t throw out that mask yet - https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-masks-must-not-disappear-yet-20210518-r57rppgusbcobn5dd6d3lls5ra-story.html

Washington Post Vaccine Tracker:

Tourism in NYC: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism_in_New_York_City

A "Progressive" Approach To Handling The Coronavirus - OPEN EVERYTHING! - https://claytoncraddock.substack.com/p/a-progresive-approach-to-handling

Take Off That Mask - If you are fully vaccinated, the time to resume normal life is now.

Clayton Craddock is a father, independent thinker, and the founder and publisher of the social and political commentary newsletter Think Things Through and host of the Think Things Through Podcast. Clayton was formerly co-chair of the New York affiliate of National Parents Organization and has written for several online publications.

Clayton is also the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University's School of Business and is a 28 year veteran of the fast-paced New York City music scene.

He has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or read more on his website: claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

In this episode, we continue our discussion about racism and tackle a few new hot-button topics connected to racism in America.

Some think it’s racist to read books that examine racism written by white people. Do you? Should books about racism only be written by those who are affected by it?

If a white person chooses to move to a Black neighborhood knowing that this could be the beginning of gentrification, is this racist?

Is it racist for a white person to laugh at the jokes of a Black comedian whose performance, which is before a Black audience, centers around poking fun at the foibles of Black people? What if it were someone like Bill Burr?

Thought-Provoking Articles:

Children Need Both Parents - A short documentary I participated in to support shared parenting.

Groupthink And Mass Hysteria - Fear is a powerful motivator.

PODCAST - Episode 8 - Single Fatherhood In New York City

The Harm Principle - How much freedom should people be entitled to?

PODCAST - Episode 7 - What's The Point Of Vaccine Passports?

Clayton Craddock is a father, independent thinker, and the founder and publisher of the social and political commentary newsletter Think Things Through and host of the Think Things Through Podcast. Clayton was formerly co-chair of the New York affiliate of National Parents Organization and has written for several online publications.

Clayton is also the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University's School of Business and is a 28 year veteran of the fast-paced New York City music scene.

He has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or read more on his website: claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

In this episode, we tackle a few different hot-button topics connected to racism in America. Josh Blumenthal and I continue our conversation about cultural appropriation. We also talk about whether or not it’s racist to vote for a black candidate over another simply because of their skin tone and discuss if comedians are racist when they make fun of other groups.

Thought-Provoking Articles:

Defund The Police Is "A Snappy Phrase" - Only a small vocal minority of ideologues wants to actually abolish police forces - certainly not the people who need them.

Resmaa Menakem - ‘Notice the Rage; Notice the Silence’

Grade Inflation Is Ruining Education - A recent study conducted at the Naval Academy showed that students learn less from easy teachers. As the researchers state, “Instructors who tend to give out easier subjective grades… dramatically hurt subsequent student performance.”

Expelling Asian Americans from top schools proves NYC education is off the rails. The most serious threat to Asian American New Yorkers is the Department of Education’s ill-disguised effort to eliminate merit test-based admission to the city’s eight highly selective high schools.

When Journalism Blurs Into Activism—A Canadian Case Study - This all began with an imaginary teachers’ manual. It ended with us challenging Canada’s self-described “national newspaper” about a range of stories in which ideologically-driven narratives seemed to trump fact.

Clayton Craddock is a father, independent thinker, and the founder and publisher of the social and political commentary newsletter Think Things Through and host of the Think Things Through Podcast. Clayton was formerly co-chair of the New York affiliate of National Parents Organization and has written for several online publications.

Clayton is also the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University's School of Business and is a 28 year veteran of the fast-paced New York City music scene.

He has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

Follow him on Instagram, Twitter or read more on his website: claytoncraddock.com

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

I tested positive for COVID-19. Here’s my story.

Show Notes:

Herd immunity and COVID-19 (coronavirus): What you need to know

PODCAST - Episode 7 - What's The Point Of Vaccine Passports?

What Is The Point Of Vaccine Passports?- Any documentation that limits individual freedoms on the basis of biology risks becoming a platform for restricting human rights. It threatens, rather than protects, public health.

Clayton Craddock is an independent thinker, father of two beautiful children in New York City. He is the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University's School of Business and is a 28 year veteran of the fast-paced New York City music scene. He has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can also follow me on Instagram and Twitter.

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Is racism the idea that a person’s race determines one’s characteristics, values, or abilities that are superior or inferior to those of another race? Or, is racism discrimination or prejudice based on race?

Anti-racism is a process of actively identifying and opposing racism. Anti-racism aims to challenge racism and actively change the policies, behaviors, and beliefs that perpetuate racist ideas and actions. Anti-racism is rooted in action. It is about taking steps to eliminate racism at the individual, institutional, and structural levels. What do you feel it means to be anti-racist?

These questions and many more are answered in another conversation with my friend/colleague and resident Old White Guy, Josh Blumenthal. It’s an interesting conversation, and I think you’ll find the discussion quite thought-provoking.

Show Notes:

Josh’s OpEd: OPINION - New York’s a disaster for shared parenting

Clayton Craddock is an independent thinker, father of two beautiful children in New York City. He is the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University's School of Business and is a 29 year veteran of the fast-paced New York City music scene. He has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can also follow me on Instagram and Twitter.

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

I often wonder why people today still feel mothers should have more time with children post-separation or divorce than fathers. What makes a mother any more worthy than a father? Who should be the custodial parent when there are two mothers? What if there were two dads raising kids? If both parents are working 10 hours a day and a nanny is caring for the kids all day, who should get custody if the parents want to split?

Why must kids miss out on certain family relationships when parents separate? It's cruel for children, who love both parents, to suddenly lose access to everything they once knew when their parents no longer want to live together. Does a child's love and need for both parents suddenly end when parents decide to separate?

Show Notes:

Clayton Craddock is an independent thinker, father of two beautiful children in New York City. He is the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University's School of Business and is a 29 year veteran of the fast-paced New York City music scene. He has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can also follow me on Instagram and Twitter.

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced The Excelsior Pass. It's an app, developed with I.B.M., and funded by the state, supposedly designed to support the recovery of industries most affected by the pandemic. New Yorkers will soon be able to pull up a code on their smartphone or present a printout proving they've been either recently tested negative or vaccinated against COVID-19. Soon, it will be accepted at dozens of event, arts, and entertainment venues statewide. Will the rest of the United States follow Cuomo's lead?

Newsletter Post: What Is The Point Of Vaccine Passports?

Clayton Craddock is an independent thinker, father of two beautiful children in New York City. He is the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University's School of Business and is a 28 year veteran of the fast-paced New York City music scene. He has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can also follow me on Instagram and Twitter.

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Is this the image you think of when you hear the phrase “old white man”? It’s interesting to see how the old white man is being vilified by so many nowadays. I figured, I go directly to the source and ask one what he thought of current events - specifically the idea of ‘race.’

I’ve known Josh Blumenthal for a few years. We were both involved with National Parents Organization and eventually were co-chairs. We both left before the pandemic hit to focus on other endeavors but stayed connected. We talk on the phone regularly about all kinds of things. I thought I’d try and capture some of our thoughts on a call and share them with my listening audience.

There will be more coming. Hit that subscribe button, so you’ll know when more episodes are published.

In the podcast, I reference this debate: Word Salad – Political Correctness.

Enjoy!

Clayton Craddock is an independent thinker, father of two beautiful children in New York City. He is the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University's School of Business and is a 28 year veteran of the fast-paced New York City music scene. He has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can also follow me on Instagram and Twitter.

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Learned helplessness was first coined in the 1960s by the American psychologists Martin E.P. Seligman and Steven F. Maier. When they were graduate students, they researched animal behavior. When dogs received electrical shocks they couldn't control, they learned that they later showed signs of anxiety and depression. The dogs who learned that they couldn't escape the shock stopped trying in subsequent experiments. This occurred even when the dogs learned they could end the shocks by pressing a lever. Furthermore, the researchers learned that the dogs who received the uncontrollable shocks in the first experiment didn't even try to escape shocks in a later one—even though all they needed to do, was jump a low barrier.

I see this with humans all around me now. As I drive around New York City, I see an entire population affected by post-traumatic stress disorder. It is a sight to behold. 99.9% of people who are walking around outside alone, with no one around them, in masks. Many have even said, at least online, they will continue to do so, even after being fully vaccinated. What will it take to break people out of the fog they are under? People believe that nothing will end their suffering - or maybe they enjoy the conditions they live under.

The idea that even after a full vaccination, people will continue to wear masks, socially distance, and not be around loved ones is perplexing. What are people waiting for?

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Clayton Craddock is a father, independent thinker, and the founder and publisher of the social and political commentary newsletter Think Things Through and host of the Think Things Through Podcast.

Twitter: @claytoncraddock

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

The COVID-19 pandemic has undermined our sense of risk. People are good at weighing risks against rewards, but now, many are confused as to how to proceed. Too many people are experiencing learned helplessness.

But the good news is that the idea of waiting until there is definitive evidence that humanity is completely safe from the coronavirus before returning to normal is becoming untenable. Such evidence may never come. Science is rarely that definitive. With more guidance being handed down from elected officials that seems to make less and less sense, people are choosing to ignore the rules.

A shift in mood is taking place. The fog is being lifted because vaccines are being distributed, and the reason is taking precedent over emotion.

Ignore the CDC, WHO, and Dr. Fauci. The pandemic ends when the public says so.

Clayton Craddock is a father, independent thinker, and the founder and publisher of the social and political commentary newsletter Think Things Through and host of the Think Things Through Podcast.

Twitter: @claytoncraddock

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Part II of my conversation with Dena Tauriello and Rosa Avila. We explore more reasons why they were the only two women drummers working on Broadway and off-broadway prior to the shutdown of all shows in 2020.

Some of the topics we discuss include:

Should broadway have half of the drum chairs be filled by women? If so, why?

Is total equality the goal?

Are they just not interested, or are there more nefarious reasons for the lack of women playing drums?

Is the lack of women drummers working professionally primarily because of sexism and discrimination, or are there other factors?

Finding women subs—what problems have they had with recruitment and/or finding qualified candidates?

Are women reaching out to them for advice on how to do what they do?

What can we do to bring more women into the collective of drummers?

Dena Tauriello began playing drums at the age of eight. For 20 years, she worked with NYC rockers Antigone Rising who toured relentlessly, made numerous TV appearances, and served as cultural ambassadors to Israel, Palestine, and Vietnam. She’s worked with Rob Thomas (from Matchbox 20) as a member of his “RT Quartet.”

She has been featured in Modern Drummer, Drum! and Sticks ‘n’ Skins, a photography book about the drumming community.

Just over two years ago, Dena made the switch to Broadway after landing the chair for Head Over Heels featuring the music of the Go-Gos. Since then, she has also held the chair for Kristin Chenoweth’s For the Girls, Magic Mike and Galileo (reading) and was a sub at The Cher Show.

Before the shutdown, she held the chair for the off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors and was set to sub at Six on Broadway.

Rosa Avila was born in Germany and spent her childhood in Mexico and Austria. She began playing drums at age 16 and completed her education at Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, California.

When she graduated in 1991, Rosa was presented with the Outstanding Student of the Year award and received the Human Relations Award.

Rosa performed with legends like Ann Margret, Debby Boone, The Lennon Sisters, Shari Lewis, Elkie Brooks, Glen Campbell, and Petula Clark. In 1992, she began her association with Andy Williams, with whom she performed until 2009.

In 2018, Rosa had the pleasure of holding the drum chair at Summer-The Donna Summer Musical on Broadway, and in 2019 she played on four shows: Chick Flick, Broadway Bounty Hunter, Love in Hate Nation, and For Colored Girls at the public theater.

Don’t forget to subscribe to my podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, Pocket Casts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Clayton Craddock is an independent thinker, father of two beautiful children in New York City. He is the drummer of the hit broadway musical Ain't Too Proud. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University's School of Business and is a 28 year veteran of the fast-paced New York City music scene. He has played drums in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including "Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, and Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill. Also, Clayton has worked on: Footloose, Motown, The Color Purple, Rent, Little Shop of Horrors, Spongebob Squarepants, The Musical, Evita, Cats, and Avenue Q.

You can also follow me on Instagram and Twitter.

Get full access to Think Things Through at claytoncraddock.substack.com/subscribe

View Details

Today’s podcast takes up the underlying reasons why there are so few women drummers working on Broadway musicals. I spoke to two amazing drummers, Dena Tauriello and Rosa Avila, to find out why they were the only two women drummers working on Broadway and off-broadway prior to the shutdown of all shows last year.

Some of the topics we discuss include:

Their thoughts as to why there weren’t many female drummers during their formative years.

Did they have women drum teachers, and if not, why was that the case?

Should broadway have half of the drum chairs be filled by women? If so, why?

Is total equality the goal? What about other groups of people? Should there be a proportional representation of other groups? (black, Asian, Latino, gay/lesbian, etc.)

Is the lack of women drummers working professionally primarily because of sexism and discrimination, or are there other factors?

What are some of the blatant sexist encounters they’ve experienced over the years and how were they affected?