Episodes

There is a fine line between helping someone and stealing their growth. On this episode of the Own, Move, Anchor podcast, we dive into the discipline of stepping back so the people we lead, mentor, and parent can find their own grit. From the battlefields of Glory to the BJJ mats, the boardroom, and the limits of medical intervention in EMS, we break down why true leadership means letting go of control. Key Takeaways: OWN: Redefining fatherhood boundaries and corporate leadership. Why over-man...

In this episode of OWN. MOVE. ANCHOR., Kevin Pannell reflects on why so many people feel mentally overloaded, emotionally fragmented, physically disconnected, and spiritually exhausted right now. After standing at attention with his family before completing Memorial Day Murph, Kevin began thinking about the contrast between real human experiences and the nonstop noise of modern life. Constant scrolling, outrage culture, comparison, divisiveness, endless notifications, and the pressure to always...

Magic and Logic: What Project Leaders Can Learn from Coach’s Billion Dollar Growth In this episode of OWN. MOVE. ANCHOR., Kevin explores the balance between “magic” and “logic” in leadership, project management, and organizational growth. Inspired by a story shared on Masters of Scale episode featuring Lew Frankfort and the rise of Coach from a $6 million company into a global public brand, this episode breaks down what leaders can learn from combining people, purpose, momentum, standards, and...

What can PMO leaders, healthcare IT teams, and organizational leaders learn from UFC Hall of Famer Matt Serra’s approach to onboarding new Brazilian Jiu Jitsu students? Quite a bit. In this episode, What Matt Serra Taught Me About Onboarding Teams, Kevin Pannell reflects on lessons from BJJ, emergency management, healthcare IT, and PMO leadership to explore why new employees are basically white belts and why good onboarding matters more than most organizations realize. The conversation covers...

Most real progress is not flashy. The internet sells nonstop motivation, hacks, shortcuts, and perfect routines. Real life usually looks different. This morning my phone died overnight. I overslept, missed Jiu Jitsu, and missed my workout. That happens. The goal is not perfection. The goal is resetting before one bad morning becomes a bad week. Real progress is often boring: sleep, movement, consistency, hard conversations, discipline, faith, and showing up again tomorrow. The basics still...

What do ICU medicine, Incident Management Teams, PMO leadership, coaching soccer, fatherhood, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and fitness all have in common? More than most people think. In this episode, Systems Under Pressure | Organized Urgency vs. Wasted Calories, Kevin Pannell reflects on lessons learned from serving as a U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman in critical care, working in EMS and emergency management, leading PMO teams, coaching youth sports, raising sons, and training on the mats and in the ga...

What happens when the dashboards, templates, and systems are no longer enough? This Five Minute Friday focuses on the difference between visibility and true alignment, and on why strong project managers lead people through communication, ownership, and calm decision-making rather than relying solely on tools and methodologies. Drawing from project leadership, emergency response, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kevin Pannell shares why the best leaders simplify under pressure and help teams move forwa...

When the System Fails, Your Skill Shows If technology, dashboards, and systems disappeared tomorrow, could you still do your job? This episode explores why core skills, communication, and fundamentals matter more than tools when pressure is high. Drawing from emergency response, critical care medicine, project leadership, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Kevin Pannell shares why strong professionals fall back on training, assessment, and clear decision-making when systems fail. In this episode:Lesson...

What You Say Yes To Trying to do everything spreads your attention thin. This episode focuses on choosing the right things to say yes to so your time, energy, and effort actually lead to results. In this episode: Why doing too much leads to less real progress How attention and capacity affect outcomes at work and in life Practical ways to choose what deserves your focus If you feel busy but not effective, this will help you reset your priorities.

You Can’t Do It All, So Do What Matters We commit to too much, then wonder why nothing moves the way it should. This episode is about being honest about capacity and making better decisions so the right work actually gets delivered. In this episode: Why portfolios fail when capacity doesn’t match commitments The difference between activity and real outcomes How to make better decisions about what to start, stop, and prioritize If you’re managing portfolios, programs, projects, or just your...

This episode is for the "anchors"; those in scrubs, uniforms, or family living rooms who step in when it gets real. From navigating a cancer diagnosis in the family to managing sudden cardiac emergencies at home, we discuss the "invisible toll" of being the person everyone looks to. Learn how to stay steady, process the stress that lives in your body, and ensure you don’t become the next person who needs a rescue. Key Discussion Points: The Weight of the Anchor: Why the emotional toll often hi...

Are you a physical liability or a protector for your family? In this high-speed "Five Minute Friday" episode, Kevin Pannell breaks down the objective strength and agility standards every man in his 40s and 50s needs to meet to stay capable and dangerous. We move beyond vanity and focus on functional fitness for men, longevity, and the discipline required to lead your home with composure. Kevin shares his personal journey of re-starting his fitness lifestyle at 40 and beginning Brazilian Jiu-Jit...

The Discipline of Daily Movement  Movement is not about motivation, it is about identity and standard. In this Foundations Friday episode, Kevin focuses on why men, especially fathers and leaders, need to stop treating exercise as optional and start using it as a tool to build strength, resilience, and clarity. This episode connects physical training to real life pressure, showing how pushing your body prepares your mind to handle stress at work, at home, and in leadership. What you’ll take...

Move Your Body: From Optional to Non-Negotiable Building fitness into who you are will always outperform trying to motivate yourself every day. In this episode of Own. Move. Anchor., Kevin breaks down how movement shifted from survival and identity to something many treat as optional, and why that needs to change. From ancient culture to modern convenience, this episode connects movement to clarity, stress management, and how you show up in life and leadership. Drawing from his experience at 5...

This Foundation Friday, Control Your Reactions Before They Control You, builds on the concept of the space between reaction and response and brings it into real life. Through a simple but relatable moment at home, Kevin walks through how quickly reaction can take over and how a brief pause can completely change the outcome. He connects this to leadership, meetings, and high-pressure situations where tone, control, and clarity matter most. You’ll learn how to recognize that space, how to use i...

Stop reacting and start responding. In the premiere of the rebranded Own. Move. Anchor., Kevin Pannell explores the life-changing power of "The Space Between"—the split-second where you reclaim control, even when circumstances feel overwhelming. Drawing on the profound survival insights of psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, this episode breaks down why we default to "automatic" reactions and how that cycle shapes our leadership, relationships, and results. You don’t rise to your plan when pressure bui...