People. Process. Progress.

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...

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 succ...

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 no...

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 Anx...

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...

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)...

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 other...

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...

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, Subm...

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...

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 -...

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...

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 tool...

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: Cho...

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 Manag...