The Trust Paradox & the Comedy of Misheard Words

Question and Thought for the Day March 6, 2025

Question of the Day: What is something you’ve hilariously misheard?

Thought of the Day: He who believes in nobody knows that he himself is not to be trusted. Red Auerbach

Trust is one of those things we like to believe is earned, but if we’re being honest, it’s mostly given—or withheld—based on our own experiences and, more importantly, our own character.

Red Auerbach, the legendary coach who built the Boston Celtics dynasty, wasn’t just talking about basketball when he said, “He who believes in nobody knows that he himself is not to be trusted.” He was pointing out a truth that runs through every part of life: The way we see others is often a reflection of ourselves.

If you walk around assuming everyone is dishonest, unreliable, or out to get you, it’s probably not because the world is full of liars—it’s because you know, deep down, how easy it is to deceive.

The Mirror of Trust

Think about it: The people who trust no one are usually the same ones you shouldn’t trust with anything. They assume others will betray them because that’s exactly what they would do in the same situation. It’s a self-fulfilling cycle of suspicion, where distrust breeds more distrust.

And on the flip side, the people who see the best in others? They tend to be trustworthy themselves. They recognize that, sure, people make mistakes, but most folks are doing the best they can. They trust—not because they’re naïve—but because they understand that relationships, whether in business, sports, or life, are built on faith in one another.

Auerbach’s Celtics and the Power of Trust

Red Auerbach didn’t build a dynasty by micromanaging his players or assuming they would fail. He built it by trusting them. He gave them freedom. He let Bill Russell lead on the court. He empowered his players to make decisions, to hold each other accountable, and to believe in the system.

That trust wasn’t blind—it was earned. But it started with the assumption that people were capable, not that they were out to fail him.

The result? Nine championships in ten years. Because trust, when given wisely, creates loyalty, effort, and success.

So… What About You?

If you struggle to trust people, it might be worth asking: Is it really them? Or is it me?

Are you expecting people to betray you because that’s what they’ve done in the past? Or because, deep down, you haven’t been fully honest with yourself?

Trust is a two-way street. But it starts with you. Can you trust yourself? The things you see and hear. Maybe, maybe not.

Who is Mike Pilner?

Well, nobody. Not really. But he lived rent-free in my head for a long time.

You ever mishear something so completely that it takes on a life of its own? That’s what happened to me. Someone once said, “I feel like a pill nurse,” and instead of processing that like a normal person, my brain converted it into “Mike Pilner.”

Now, I don’t know why. Maybe my subconscious wanted to invent a character. Maybe my ears were on strike that day. But for years, I had this vague sense that somewhere, somehow, a guy named Mike Pilner existed. Like a shadowy figure in my mind—a man I was supposed to know but couldn’t quite place.

Eventually, I figured it out. There was no Mike Pilner. Just my brain, filling in the gaps like a bad AI.

The Brain is a Terrible Court Reporter

This isn’t just a me thing, right? We all have these moments. We hear a song lyric wrong and never question it. We misinterpret a phrase and repeat it with absolute confidence. And sometimes, we even convince ourselves of memories that never happened.

Psychologists have a term for this: “mondegreens.” It’s when our brains take a word or phrase and mangle it into something new. The most famous example? “Excuse me while I kiss this guy” (instead of Jimi Hendrix’s actual lyric: “Excuse me while I kiss the sky”).

Some of us grew up thinking it was “Hold me closer, Tony Danza.” Others thought people were talking about “self-phone towers” instead of cell phone towers.

And some of us spent a solid portion of our lives wondering, Who the hell is Mike Pilner?

Can We Even Trust Ourselves?

Here’s where it gets deep. If our own brains are willing to trick us like this—turning “pill nurse” into “Mike Pilner”—how much else are we getting wrong?

Red Auerbach had a point: If you believe in nobody, maybe you’re the one who shouldn’t be trusted. But maybe the real kicker is that we’re all unreliable narrators in our own lives.

And honestly? That’s hilarious.

What’s the Funniest Thing You’ve Ever Misheard?

I know I’m not alone in this. What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever misheard? A song lyric? A phrase? Someone’s name? Let’s hear them. Drop your best mondegreens in the comments!

Because if I have to live with Mike Pilner in my head, I’m taking all of you down with me.

What Do You Think?

Do you agree with Red Auerbach? Have you ever misjudged someone because of your own baggage? And, just for fun, what’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve ever misheard?

Drop your thoughts in the comments! Let’s talk trust—and maybe laugh at a few Mike Pilners along the way.