Stories I Tell on Dates | Podcast on Podbay

Stories I Tell on Dates

Paul Shirley

Paul Shirley traveled the world chasing a basketball career that landed him on 17 different teams. He played in Spain, Greece, Russia, and the NBA. But Paul isn't just a basketball player; he's also a kid, from a small town in Kansas, who's searching for love just like all the rest of us. In Stories I Tell On Dates, Paul shares the stories he tells his dates: about being vulnerable at middle school dances, being embarrassed in Sex Ed class, being mocked by national media, and about having his heart (and spleen) broken.

Disneyland (and Death)

The final chapter of our adventure has Paul on a road trip to Yosemite - sharing a tale about his first trip California - and how it was almost derailed by a stomach bug and the realization that everyone he knew was eventually going to die.

Aug 3, 2020

25 min

Ruptured Kidney, Ruptured Spleen (Ruptured NBA Career)

Paul's in love (real love this time) and shares the story about the time he almost died while playing for the Chicago Bulls.

Aug 3, 2020

44 min

You Can Take the Boy Out of Kansas (In Your Face Roy)

After being told by legendary coach, Roy Williams, he would never play basketball in the Big 12 Conference, Paul gets his shot at redemption.

Aug 3, 2020

50 min

When You Care Enough (to Punch Someone in the Face)

Before basketball, Paul spent a lot of his time competing in Spelling Bees. One particular contest actually resulted in the first and only punch Paul has ever thrown.

Aug 3, 2020

30 min

In a Hundred Years (Will it Really Matter?)

Paul's mind is blown when he encounters his first ever crush. Some masterful advice from his dad inspires Paul to try and make a move at the middle school dance. It's a moment we've all lived through in one way or the other. Will Paul succeed? Will he even actually make the move? Listen and learn.

Aug 3, 2020

34 min

Love, Basketball and Failure (in Spain)

The highs and lows. First, Paul meets the most beautiful woman he's ever seen and then is forced to face his longtime arch-nemesis, Marcus Fizer, in a what becomes a career defining moment.

Aug 3, 2020

25 min

What Goes Around Comes Around (But Sometimes Takes a While)

A painful incident in 3rd grade leads Paul to plot sweet childhood revenge. But, as we all know, things don't always go according to plan.

Aug 3, 2020

24 min

Double Heartbreak (March Madness quickly becomes March Sadness)

Paul is seconds away from living out his childhood dream of playing in the Final Four, in an NCAA Elite Eight game vs. Michigan State. Then, in a flash, everything changes and his euphoria is transformed into a humiliating scene viewed by the whole world.

Aug 3, 2020

31 min

MC Hammer's Fist Bump and the Crappy First Job (Life's Little Surprises)

A surprise encounter with MC Hammer, leads Paul to share the tale of how his crappy first job taught him two important lessons - How to "Go with the flow," and that the only future job he wanted was being an NBA basketball player.

Aug 3, 2020

39 min

Love at First Night (The Virginity Chronicles)

This is a story of firsts. Paul gets drunk for the very first time, He falls in love for the first time. Which leads to another first time for him. Any guesses?

Aug 3, 2020

32 min