Episodes

In Discover the Reality of the American Nuclear Energy Sector with George Pannell (Part 2) | KEV Talks #32, George Pannell, an expert in American Nuclear Energy, expertly explains the mechanics of nuclear power plants and the contributing factors to America's nuclear power stagnation and proposes measures to mitigate our dependence on foreign nations for energy.

In Four Reasons Why Hierarchy Matters | Foundations Friday #98 I share why I believe and have seen the benefits of having a hierarchy in organizations and on program and project teams. Basic Points: Shows who's who Tells who is accountable Provides protective umbrella Clarifies Unity of Command

In From the Steel Mill to the Submarine Service with George Pannell (Part 1) | KEV Talks 31, I talk to U.S. Navy Veteran and Nuclear Power pioneer George Pannell about his journey from the steel mills of Pennsylvania to the Silent Service of the U.S. Navy. Stay tuned for Part 2 of our discussion coming next week as Dad and I talk through changes in the Nuclear Power world from the 1970s through today. Thank you all for watching here and for listening to the podcast.

I recently watched A Man Called Otto starring Tom Hanks, Mariana Treviño, and Rachel Keller. I cried. A lot. In addition to the emotional story, A Man Called Otto reminded me that we've all had "Ottos" on our project teams. In How to Support the Otto on Your Project Teams | Foundations Friday #97, I share 5 traits Ottos shares and how we as team leaders can leverage them and support the human behind the gruff and direct personality that Otto displays.

In One Action Can Change Someone's Life | Foundations Friday #96, remind us how Rob from McDojoLife's friend's one act of giving him a card to call a martial arts school after he was beaten by other students changed the course of Rob's life. I also talk about how a single question to Rob during a Jiu-Jitsu class led him to create the McDojoLife movement that now has thousands of followers around the world and will soon put out a documentary supported by leaders from the Martial Arts industry.

Rob's life trajectory was changed by one act from a friend. In our almost two hours discussion, Rob and I talk about: How his friend's suggestion changed his life Rob's martial arts path The question that prompted him to start McDojoLife Balancing tradition with being an adult martial artist Insight into the McDojoLife documentary Life-changing surgeries Operation Smile facilitates correcting smile and cleft conditions Rob's vision of a martial arts convention for all and more! Thank yo...

Feeling entitled is easy when you’re given a title. The challenge is to use your position to clear obstacles for your team, not to use your position to lord over them.

Travis Motl (Moat+L), is a Husband, Father, U.S. Navy Veteran, BJJ Blue Belt, and fellow podcaster. Travis hosts the Elbows Tight podcast where he talks "...to everyone from brand new white belts to well-established black belts to discuss their experiences, challenges, and successes.". In this episode, Travis and I talk about where he's from, and share our U.S. Navy lessons learned, and challenges with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), provide tips for starting a podcast, and discuss the future of the ...

In 5 Lessons from American Revolutionary Leaders to Build a Project Team of Giants | KEV Talks #28 I share 5 lessons I learned from reading Jack Kelly's amazing book, "Band of Giants: The Amateur Soldiers Who Won America's Independence". More specifically, how these lessons can be implemented by Program and Project Managers to establish their own team of giants to increase program and project success. The 5 lessons: Review lessons learned ahead of time Accept the messy beginning Set the tone,...

I share 5 things I do daily that have improved my mental, spiritual, and physical health and that I recommend to each of you. Get up early Get exercise Take a cold shower Fast or eat good food Practice mindfulness

Sharing how both the principles and documents from the Incident Command System work when planning projects, programs, or other events.

I've been traveling lately, and I took my BJJ gear this past trip. It was great to visit the BJJ gym I started at and train with a different group of people. In this episode, I expand on the value of training at other gyms and provide perspective on the diversity of the BJJ community.

I recorded this one in the hotel gym this morning as I reflected on some recent work balancing how our team efforts look with what we're accomplishing. I submit to the listener to consider how many calories to put into the appearance of solid planning and support with providing results-driven outcomes for program and project go-lives and milestones.

As a Program Manager, we need to be ready to jump into any Project level work on behalf of our people or our organization. In Be a Good Project Manager to be an Effective Program Manager | Foundations Friday #91, I share my journey from Status Check-In Recorder to Planning Section Chief and the parallels to becoming a Senior Project Manager and Program Manager in the Healthcare IT space.

As a salty, 49-year-old Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) Blue Belt practicing BJJ for 4.5 years, I like to help folks just starting their BJJ training. When I sweep a white belt, then move to Mount, I often see the "deer in the headlights" look on their face. So, I have often walked them through the arm and leg trap and then bridge escape. Long this theme when a white belt tries a submission, but it's not..umm...good at all; I'll talk them through what I think they were trying to do. But sometimes, I w...

Ted Lasso is one of my favorite streaming shows. It is a show starring Jason Sudeikis as Ted. Ted is an American Football coach who goes to England to coach and lead a Soccer team there. In addition to the humor and lessons in leadership I get from the show, I am also glad the writers highlight how stress and anxiety can negatively affect those who seemingly have no issues. In How to Deal with Anxiety Like Ted Lasso | Foundations Friday #90, I talk about anxiety and re-share interviews I've had...

Five positive life-impacting statements that inspired and encouraged me and continue to give me a kick in the pants I need sometimes. “Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how.'” – Viktor E. Frankl quoting Friedrich Nietzsche in Man’s Search for Meaning “There is no shortcut. There is no hack. There’s only one way. So, get after it.” – Jocko Willink, Discipline Equals Freedom Field Manual. “Well, why don’t you just do it afraid?” – Joyce Meyer quoting a friend of hers. “...

In There's Always Opportunity for Rebirth | Foundations Friday 89, I share how the study of Passover and Easter has reminded me that we always have the opportunity to make changes in our personal and professional lives.

Leading projects is a challenge. Leading programs, and a group of projects, is even more challenging. So, what do we do when we're asked to lead a program of programs? In this week's episode, 6 Considerations When Leading a Program of Programs, I share six things to consider when you're asked to lead at an even higher level than a program. Things to Consider: Take it up a notch (in view altitude) Support your Project Managers to become Program Managers Think even more holistically Embrace d...

There are people that started training Jiu Jitsu that are now better than me. There are people in my professional life that have surpassed me in position and knowledge. As Jocko Willink says, "Good.". Why is this "Good"? In Jiu Jitsu, it's good because, through hardship, we celebrate each other's success. We sharpen each other with each roll because we learn to supplant the ego and celebrate others' wins. In business, this can be a little harder. But when someone advances, and we don't, we can...

Carrying over some Jiu-Jitsu tips for newer BJJ players, focusing on slowing down and making the moves correctly. This is also true in life. Sometimes we must slow down and take time with family, decisions, or more things. Breathe Frame Survive

Sharing lessons I learned while reading Jack Kelly's book Band of Giants. More specifically, George Washington learned NOT to fight by watching the rigid British Military and then went on to adapt and stay dynamic as a leader while fighting for America's independence. Check out Kelly's book at your local library or purchase it at https://www.amazon.com/Band-Giants-Soldiers-Americas-Independence/dp/1466893281

I'm importing episodes 8-25 of the You-Jitsu Podcast, which was discontinued last week. In this Part 2 of 2 this episode compilation, I walk the listener further into the Jiu-Jitsu journey. In this episode: Importance of practicing stand up Giving White Belts some wins How BJJ will call your bluff What makes a Blue Belt? Listener feedback - Focus on Fundamentals Differences between Wrestling, Submission Grappling, and BJJ What if you miss the BJJ class? That there are levels to BJJ Bei...

I talk about how "Extreme Ownership" has become very popular over the past eight years thanks to the incredible book by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin of the same name and the outstanding teachings from the Echelon Front organization. In the episode, I also share how extreme ownership has existed for over 1,000 years and was practiced by Marcus Aurelius, according to Ryan Holiday of "The Daily Stoic." the five barriers we have to accept ownership and the five ways to embrace owning up to mistakes...