Episodes

I'm importing episodes 1-7 of the You-Jitsu Podcast, which will be discontinued next week. In this Part 1 of 2 episode compilation, I walk the curious through signing up for and attending a trial BJJ class and then share tips for when you sign up and start training regularly. Time Stamps: 00:02:02 - Do the Intro Class 00:03:27 - BJJ Intro Class Prep 00:05:00- So, You Signed Up for BJJ? 00:10:31 - Breathe 00:13:19 - Frame 00:15:00 - Survive 00:15:56 - No Free Grips

Man's Search for Meaning is the most influential book I've read. We learn about Frankl's loss and suffering, but more impactfully, about how he maintained optimism and hope during his agony in the Nazi concentration camps. In this episode, I share quotes from his book on the value of suffering and three key ways we can all use tragic optimism within our lives.

Great sharing wise words from Father Mike of the @hallowap on dealing with Temptation in life. While Father Mike focused on how we approach temptation in our personal lives, I also took the message to reinforce how we can look at fitness in our professional lives. Father Mike's guidance: Expect the trial Eliminate the option Rewrite the script Refer to scripture Learn more about the Hallow App at https://hallow.com/

In this episode, Kim Colegrove and I talk about her growing up in Kansas City, how she learned Meditation at a young age, the loss of her husband David to suicide, and how she and Pause First Academy provide First Responders and U.S. Military Veterans resilience training focusing on holistic wellness and work-life balance. Reach out to Kim directly at kimcolegrove@pausefirst.com Get practical tools by reading Mindfulness for Warriors Learn more about Pause First Academy Kim Colegrove is a vete...

I share my perspective on creating more efficiencies when we teach people core troubleshooting and problem-solving skills like the Foundational Five.

My thesis: "Teaching Hospital and Healthcare personnel the skills and principles of All-Hazards Incident Management pay more positive dividends and develops more well-rounded response skills than teaching the same people how to follow the Hospital Incident Command System (HICS) structures." So, I believe using the standard ICS is more holistic and beneficial than using HICS. Episode takeaways: Choose the most qualified for ICS positions, not the highest ranking Let the situation dictate wha...

I've found that I can raise an issue, whether asking for a critical decision, guidance, or awareness, that sometimes isn't enough. Sometimes, as Project or Program Managers, we can raise awareness, but maybe we don't have the right people assembled. Or, perhaps we have room to improve our communication around the issue. In this week's Foundations Friday, I elaborate a bit more on this.

In How to Produce Powerful Product Solutions with Jillian Funes, I was fortunate to speak with Jillian Funes, Technical Product Manager at Canopy Servicing. During our fun discussion, Jillian shared how she started in the Tech sector after transitioning from Psychology. We also learn how Jillian didn't enjoy Project Management very much, but that led her to a career field she enjoys, Product Management. Essential Product Management Tips: Use the R.I.C.E. +D methodology when working with client...

During my conversation with Chase O'Donnell, Chase mentioned she had extensive training. She also mentioned that the level of formal training she completed is not necessary for acting or comedy. Throughout our conversation, Chase talked about how many times she was able to act, write jokes, and cold open shows. To me, this practical application is more valuable than the training that sets the foundation. This is what I expand on in this brief episode. *Check out Chase's comedy special on YouTub...

Chase O'Donnell is hilarious, and her Instagram series of reels "If Musicals Were Real" is amazingly entertaining. Chase has been in "the biz" for quite some time. Chase grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles, started dancing at a young age, and made appearances on hit shows, including "Judging Amy." As Chase grew, she knew she wanted to make people laugh and pursued a career in standup comedy. Along the way, Chase wrote a play called "Too Blondes," in which she and Savannah Brown starred and recei...

While walking this morning I listened to one of my favorite podcasts, Masters of Scale with Reid Hoffman. This episode from Thursday, January 26, 2023, was part of the Rapid Response series and focused on how Lululemon CEO Calvin McDonald not only kept the doors of Lululemon open during COVID, but grew the business. In the episode, Calvin shares how within your first 100 days as a leader it's important to share experiences for teams to consider, but not necessarily your opinion that may sway pr...

In this week’s episode, we’re lucky to have seasoned Information Technology and Healthcare leader Katie McCullough. During this episode, Katie shares her over 25 years of Healthcare and IT experience as Katie, and I talk through her top 5 tips leaders should consider if they want to start up and maintain high functioning ProjectManagement Office (PMO) for their organization. Connect with Katie on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-mccullough-8a75252a/ Thank you all for listening. It...

Deion Sanders or "Prime Time" is one of the greatest Defensive Backs to ever play in the National Football League (NFL). In fact, he was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2011. In addition to being a professional American Football player, Deion Sanders also put in a respectable career in Major League Baseball (MLB). But that's not why we're here today. Instead, we're going to focus on Deion Sanders' (now Coach Prime) positive impact on Jackson State University and the coaches, staff, and pl...

In November 2014, I was fortunate to meet JD Baker on the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg National Military Park. JD walked my fellow Public Safety and Incident Management Team (IMT) members and me through leadership decisions made on the same grounds 151 years earlier. This event was called a "staff ride" and was part of the L-580 Leadership is Action course. L-580 is designed to teach senior IMT leaders historical leadership lessons that can be applied in the modern era. This staff ride has had...

Sharing the concept of 360-degree feedback as a way to gather objective and anonymous feedback from your teams. Then, you can use this feedback to do continuous improvement on yourself as a leader. Check out this great write-up about 360-feedback from qualtrics at https://www.qualtrics.com/experience-management/employee/360-degree-feedback/ Have a plan Stay informed Get involved Godspeed

Sharing the leadership principles from Unit 2 of the United States Fire Administration (USFA) Type 3 Incident Management Team Training or O-305 course. Take a deep dive and jump on the way back machine with me to hear more on the O-305 course from my 2018 episode at https://kevtalkspod.com/o-305-course-summary/ Listen to the Civil War series on Jocko podcast at https://jockopodcast.com/2022/12/15/363-the-principle-weapon-is-the-mind-read-study-learn-with-jd-baker/ Subscribe to this podcast here...

On January 5, 2023, my wife and I decided to put our dog Gringo down. He fought a good fight against Lyme Disease and old age, but it was time. This is never easy. We've had to make this decision twice before, and each time it broke our hearts. Gringo was a true Alpha Dog. He loved humans and set the tone around other dogs. In this episode, I'm sharing three life lessons I'll carry with me that Gringo taught me. Walk with confidence Control your emotions Keep up the fight Godspeed and RIP G...

In Practical Application of 12 Project Management Principles from the PMBOK 7th Edition, I share my $.02 on applying these helpful principles in the real world of Program and Project Management. The 12 principles listed and detailed in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) 7th Edition provide helpful guardrails for new and seasoned Project and Program Managers. Throughout this episode, I'll list each principle from the PMBOK, then elaborate on how I've seen the principles applied wel...

On this FF78 I’m going to share the top 5 supplements I take every day that I feel help me maintain good health and get better sleep. The Supplements: Krill Oil - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/krill-oil-benefits Glucosamine - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/glucosamine Turmeric - https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-turmeric Whey Protein - https://www.bodybuilding.com/content/your-expert-guide-to-whey-protein.html Creatine - https://www.body...

In How You Can Apply 7 Key Life Lessons I Learned in 2022 I’m sharing 7 of the most impactful lessons I learned and helped teach myself in 2022. More importantly, I’m going to share how you can learn from my challenges and kick off 2023 on the right foot. Read more and listen at https://kevtalkspod.com/how-you-can-apply-7-key-lessons-i-learned-from-2022/

Sharing the summary and focus areas to help improve the overall health of our Emergency Responders. The summary is from a 2020 CrewCare report by ImageTrend. It includes feedback from over 4,100 Emergency Responders. Key takeaways: Responders need each other's and their leadership's support Obesity is a problem in the Emergency Responder community Lack of employer resources was still a problem in 2020 Emergency Responders need to improve their sleep to improve their health Exercise is a be...

On this episode of the KEV Talks Podcast ( @kevtalks ), Host Kevin Pannell and Rhonda Kelly, Executive Director of the All Clear Foundation ( @allclearfdn ), talk about how Emergency Responders can succeed, thrive, and matter using tools provided by the All Clear Foundation. Viewers and listeners will also learn about Rhonda's transition from providing emergency medicine aboard an icebreaker ship through her time on shift as a Firefighter and becoming the Executive Director of the All Clear Foun...

In Lavender Oils for the Win (A Science-Backed Sleep Solution) I share the results of a 2015 scientific study. The study was conducted by Angela Smith Lillehei, Ph.D., Linda L. Halcón, Ph.D., MPH, RN, Kay Savik, MS, and Reilly Reis, MS that included 79 college students that reported difficulty sleeping. Lavender oil patches were used on college students in conjunction with good sleep hygiene habits (see Got Sleep). Alternatively, the other group also practiced good sleep hygiene, but without the...

Whether you're new to Project Management or a seasoned Senior PM leading program-level efforts, there are 7 challenges you will inevitably face. In this episode, I talk through these and provide a path for new or seasoned Program or Project Managers to not only navigate through or around these obstacles but to also excel in the process. The 7 Challenges: Choosing a methodology to implement Selecting a Program/Project Management System (PMS) to use Communicating and leading hybrid program or ...