Ever feel like you’re sprinting through life but not getting anywhere? In this episode, Joe and Curt explore the counterintuitive truth that slowing down can actually speed you up. From Navy SEAL tactics to Agile software principles, from the tortoise and the hare to portable air conditioners—yep, we went there—the Dudes dive into how doing fewer things well and pacing yourself with purpose leads to greater productivity, less burnout, and more joy. Whether you’re stuck in rush-mode or just need permission to take a breather, this episode will help you find power in pause.

• Slow Down to Speed Up: Whether you're building a grill, remodeling a bathroom, or leading a mission, going slow avoids rework and actually saves time.
• Einstein Time is Real: You create time by how you use your attention. Being fully present stretches time—and your effectiveness.
• Single-Tasking Beats Multitasking: Focus on one thing at a time. Study after study proves it’s how the best work gets done.
• Slowing Down = Strategic Advantage: From Toyota’s stop-the-line quality controls to the Navy SEALs’ “slow is smooth, smooth is fast,” smart organizations and leaders go slow to win.

• Win: Appeared on The Cliff Ravenscraft Show and navigated a live, introspective exercise about imagination and future goals—even if it felt awkward in the moment.
• Resource: Apple AirPods 4 (with noise cancellation) – A perfect blend of comfort, clarity, and awareness control. Great for walks or dodging honey-do lists.
• Quote: “Slow and steady wins the race.” — Aesop

• Win: Hosted Camp Grampy Joe—Kings Island, water parks, fishing at 5 a.m., and fearless grandkids. Memory-making at its finest.
• Resource: Black + Decker Portable Air Conditioner – A $230 lifesaver that made upstairs rooms livable again without tearing into ductwork. https://amzn.to/4eKV8d3
• Quote: “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” — Lao Tzu

Slowing down isn’t lazy—it’s wise. It’s how we avoid mistakes, get more clarity, reduce burnout, and maybe even enjoy the ride. Go ahead, pause. Breathe. Choose the more deliberate pace. As Joe says: “Slow is fast.” Make progress, not perfection—and keep moving forward.

Website: dudesinprogress.com
Email: dudes@dudesinprogress.com

P.S. Want a free copy of Effortless or The Big Leap? Be one of the first to email us!

You can support the show by visiting dudesinprogress.com/support. Visit our Facebook page HERE and our Twitter page HERE

In this episode, Curtis and Joe open up about life’s unexpected changes, inspired by the book Who Moved My Cheese?. Through honest stories of job loss and reinvention, they explore how fear, hope, and courage shape our paths. It’s a reminder that embracing change—rather than resisting it—can lead to surprising growth and new beginnings.

• Theme: Exploring the power of adapting to change, inspired by Who Moved My Cheese by Dr. Spencer Johnson.
• Personal Stories: Curtis and Joe share real-life experiences of navigating career and life changes.
• Core Lessons: Emphasis on overcoming fear, taking proactive steps, and building resilience.
• Practical Advice: Tips for managing uncertainty and embracing change with a positive outlook.
• Additional Resources: Mention of the book Phish as a related tool for growth and mindset.
• Encouragement: Listeners are urged to face change with courage, flexibility, and hope.

Win for the Week: 6 podcast recordings; 3 episode produced/scheduled in 2 weeks prepping for vacation Resource, Tip or Hack: “Who Moved My Cheese” - Quote: “If you don’t like change, you’re going to like irrelevance even less.” — General Eric Shinseki

Win for the week: Hired a sales resource for my NA regions. - 9 months Resource: Fish! A Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results - Seattle Fish Market By: Stephen C. Lundin, Harry Paul, and John Christensen Quote: “Change is the law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are certain to miss the future.” - John F. Kennedy

In this episode, Curtis and Joe dive into the lessons of Who Moved My Cheese, sharing personal stories and insights on how to navigate life’s inevitable changes. They explore themes like overcoming fear, taking action, and staying resilient, offering practical advice for facing uncertainty with courage. Along the way, they highlight related resources and encourage listeners to embrace change as a path to growth.

Website: dudesinprogress.comEmail: dudes@dudesinprogress.com You can support the show by visiting dudesinprogress.com/support. Visit our Facebook page HERE and our Twitter page HERE

Feeling stuck, burnt out, or just disconnected? You're not alone—and neither are the people around you. In this episode, Joe and Curt discuss the power of encouragement and how small acts of kindness can spark big changes. Whether it's a quick text, active listening, or just being present, the Dudes explore how encouraging others lifts everyone up, including yourself. Get ready for a heartfelt, practical chat with real-life examples, Disney detours, and a few mic-worthy quotes.

• Start with Empathy: Before you encourage someone, take the time to truly listen—active listening can be more uplifting than the perfect words.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Not everything needs a parade, but a fist bump for showing up can go a long way.
• Encourage with Specifics: “Great job” is fine, but saying why something was great hits harder and lasts longer.
• Allow Yourself to Be Encouraged: Receiving praise with grace isn't weak—it's an act of connection and humility.

• Win: Tackled the intimidating world of video editing using Final Cut Pro for a new project, Ask the Chimney Sweep. Took a frustrating learning curve and turned it into a shiny finished product.
• Resource: Suno.com – AI-generated music creation that blew Curt’s mind. Full songs, full voices, and genre options. Scary good.
• Quote: “Be an encourager. The world has enough critics already.” — Dave Willis

• Win: Spent a rare, relaxing day at Kings Island alone with his wife—just the two of them, some thrill rides, a good movie, and zero kid-related negotiation.
• Resource: Mission Impossible: Final Reckoning – Action-packed and everything you'd expect from a Tom Cruise finale. Catch part one (Dead Reckoning) first.
• Quote: “Our chief want is someone who will inspire us to be what we know we could be.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Encouragement doesn’t need a stage—it needs intention. Start small. Start now. A kind word, a listening ear, or a moment of honest praise can change the course of someone’s day—or their life. Be the person who sees, hears, and lifts others. Progress isn't about perfect words or timing—it’s about showing up and keeping each other moving forward.

Website: dudesinprogress.com
Email: dudes@dudesinprogress.com

You can support the show by visiting dudesinprogress.com/support. Visit our Facebook page HERE and our Twitter page HERE

In this episode, we explore the power of play, curiosity, and imagination in adult life—drawing inspiration from the concept of Neoteny, which refers to retaining youthful traits like fearlessness, energy, and wonder. Through humorous stories and personal reflections—from fidget spinner bets at work to playful parenting moments—they illustrate how embracing childlike qualities can reduce stress, boost creativity, and strengthen relationships. This uplifting conversation invites listeners to reconnect with their inner child and live more fully.

Key Takeaways:

• Rediscovering the joy of play
• Embracing playfulness in adulthood
• The importance of curiosity
• Learning and growing at any age
• Overcoming the fear of judgment
• Nurturing warmth in relationships
• The benefits of staying active
• Embracing childlike energy
• Fostering creativity and imagination
• Seeing the world through fresh eyes
• Balancing seriousness with lightheartedness
• Inspiring Neoteny in others

Joe’s Stuff: Win for the week: Daughter’s college graduation ceremony. Bachelors in Psychology

Resource: VRBO Vacation Rental

Quote: "We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing."

• George Bernard Shaw

Curt’s Stuff: Win for the Week: Handling of a family crisis with a happy ending

Resource, Tip or Hack: AI Video Maker by Descript - Discovered on Mother’s day and I created a video celebrating Moms in my Disney World community

Quote: "You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation." — Plato

Website: dudesinprogress.com Email: dudes@dudesinprogress.com

You can support the show by visiting dudesinprogress.com/support. Visit our Facebook page HERE and our Twitter page HERE

Ever feel like you’re just not the “creative type”? This episode is here to bust that myth wide open. Joe and Curt dive into what it really means to be an artist—spoiler: it's not just about painting or writing music. From overcoming childhood labels to using tools like ChatGPT for creative momentum, they break down how everyone can tap into their inner artist. Whether you’re crafting with wood, telling dad jokes, or experimenting with AI-generated songs, this episode shows how creativity is everywhere—and how to get yours flowing.

Key Takeaways Creativity Is a Muscle, Not a Gift: Artistic ability isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you practice. Everyone has it, and everyone can develop it.

Start Sloppy, Start Now: Whether you’re drawing, writing, or building, the most important thing is to begin. Progress happens through action.

Capture Ideas in the Moment: Use relaxed times—like walks or showers—to let your brain wander and spark ideas. Keep a “dumb idea notebook” to jot them down.

Use AI as a Creative Tool: AI can help defeat the blank page and spark new directions, but your input still matters. It’s a paintbrush, not the painter.

Curt’s Stuff for the Week Win: Enjoyed an incredible family weekend celebrating his grandson’s baptism—complete with brisket, ribs, and a side of walking like Clyde the orangutan.

Resource: YouTube Summary Chrome Extension – Transcribe any YouTube video with a click, perfect for learning, content building, or studying your favorite creators.

Quote: “You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” — Maya Angelou

Joe’s Stuff for the Week Win: Took his grandson to Kings Island for the season’s first visit—rediscovering joy and roller coasters through a kid’s evolving eyes.

Resource: Effortless by Greg McKeown – A book on simplifying your work and life to make meaningful progress. Joe even offered to send a copy to the first two listeners who email!

Quote: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” — Pablo Picasso

Creativity isn’t reserved for painters, poets, or musicians—it’s in your jokes, your furniture builds, your parenting, and your problem-solving. The blank page isn’t scary if you know how to fill it—so start. Start ugly, start messy, just start. Because progress is better than perfection. Keep moving forward, Dudes.

Website: dudesinprogress.com Email: dudes@dudesinprogress.com

You can support the show by visiting dudesinprogress.com/support. Visit our Facebook page HERE and our Twitter page HERE

Introduction: In this special episode recorded on Good Friday, Curt and Joe reflect on the life of Jesus through the lens of Holy Week. Exploring the historical Jesus, they unpack 11 powerful traits—like compassion, resilience, and servant leadership—that offer timeless wisdom and practical guidance for modern life. Through personal stories, research, and heartfelt conversation, the guys share how Jesus’ example can help us all live more meaningful, grounded, and impactful lives.

🗝️ Key Takeaways:

• Compassion: Empathy and small acts of kindness improve well-being and bring people together.
• Servant Leadership: Leading with humility, like Jesus washing the disciples' feet, builds trust and connection.
• Forgiveness: Forgiveness frees us emotionally—even if others never ask for it.
• Courage: Acting despite fear defines bravery; Jesus’ courage inspired his followers.
• Integrity: Staying true to your values, even under pressure, cultivates credibility.
• Inclusivity: Jesus welcomed outcasts and challenged bias—so should we.
• Wisdom: His parables offer timeless guidance on decision-making and understanding.
• Peacefulness: Calm in chaos is strength; true peace often requires mindful presence.
• Purpose-Driven Life: Jesus stayed on mission despite hardship—a model for intentional living.
• Resiliency: Trials build character; Jesus' perseverance through rejection and betrayal inspires us to bounce back.
• Love: The foundation of it all—sacrificial, unconditional, transformational.

Joe’s Stuff This Week:

• Wrapped up a work campaign that brought in over $1 million in revenue—his proudest win yet.
• Reflected on servant leadership and forgiveness in fatherhood, including heartfelt conversations with his kids.
• Shared a hack for Facebook Marketplace: use Google Image Search to price-check items and avoid overpaying.
• Quote of the Week : “The Jesus I read about in the Bible was fun, free, and wild. He loved to party and he always hung out with the non-religious folk. The only people he ever got angry with were the overly religious.” – Bear Grylls

Curt’s Stuff This Week:

• Finally solved persistent tech issues and got a new Mac Mini, Roadcaster Duo, and Final Cut Pro—streamlining his podcast workflow.
• Inspired by resilience and the peace that comes from preparation and reliability in tech.
• Told a powerful story about standing up to a bully on the bus, exemplifying real-world courage and peaceful strength.
• Quote of the Week (Curt): “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – Jesus (John 14:27)

Through honest conversation and personal reflection, Joe and Curt explore how Jesus’ timeless traits can guide us toward living with more compassion, courage, and purpose.

You can support the show by visiting dudesinprogress.com/support. Visit our Facebook page HERE and our Twitter page HERE

Have you ever felt torn between chasing goals and staying true to your core values?

Well, today we're diving into how aligning small actionable milestones with your deepest values can lead to a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life. Let's explore this transformative approach together. I'm Joe, and my pal over there writing his to-do list, he's Curt, and we are Dudes in Progress.

• Goals Without Values Fall Flat: Chasing goals for the sake of achievement won’t lead to fulfillment unless they support what truly matters to you.
• Small Milestones Matter: You don’t need huge, audacious goals. Tiny next steps toward your values can build real momentum and create clarity.
• Systems Support Your Values: James Clear said it best—“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.”
• Flexibility Is Growth: Changing your mind or refining your process isn’t failure—it’s maturity and progress, even in your fifties.

• Win: Enjoyed a full weekend of grandkid adventures—baseball, archery, hockey, and a lot of sugar. Realized that joy in the moment matters more than sticking to strict diets.
• Resource: Brown Noise – A deeper, richer sound that boosts focus and sleep. Great for folks with wandering minds or looking for some zen.
• Quote: “A goal is not always meant to be reached. It often serves simply as something to aim at.” — Bruce Lee

• Win: Came in 3rd place in a travel agency sales contest, thanks largely to his podcast community. Bonus win—11 years of podcasting!
• Resource: SCORE.org – A treasure trove of free mentoring and resources from retired executives. Perfect for entrepreneurs and side-hustlers alike.
• Quote: “When your values are clear to you, making decisions becomes easier.” — Roy E. Disney

Values don’t work without action, and goals feel hollow without meaning. The magic happens when you align both and build systems to support them. As Joe and Curt remind us, you don’t serve your goals—your goals should serve you.

Website: dudesinprogress.com
Email: dudes@dudesinprogress.com

You can support the show by visiting dudesinprogress.com/support. Visit our Facebook page HERE and our Twitter page HERE

Explore the wonders of everyday miracles sprinkled throughout our lives like hidden treasures. In this enlightening episode of "Dudes in Progress," Curtis and Joe take you on a journey through natural marvels that prove nature’s unparalleled genius. From the cosmic guardians that protect us to the intricate biological processes keeping us alive, these phenomena are far from ordinary—they're miraculous in every sense.

• Cosmic Harmony: The Earth’s position in the "Goldilocks Zone" is a remarkable balance protecting life from extreme environments. Its perfect distance from the sun ensures our survival.
• Magnetic Shield: Earth’s magnetic field acts as an invisible shield, safeguarding life by fending off harmful solar winds and cosmic radiation.
• Water’s Magic: H2O not only quenches our thirst but stabilizes global temperatures and nurtures life through its unique properties, ensuring continuity and balance.
• All Hail Jupiter: With its gravitational might, Jupiter acts as Earth’s protective big brother, deflecting potential asteroid catastrophes from our path.
• Incredible Biodiversity: From bees’ essential role in pollination to the marvelous migration patterns of monarch butterflies, each species plays a part in sustaining ecological harmony.

• Win: Leading a successful new sales initiative at work, focusing on the vital few over the trivial many to hit challenging targets.
• Resource: Exploring ChatGPT’s advanced image generation capabilities, seeing it as a revolutionary tool for creativity and project design.
• Quote: “Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature.” — St. Augustine

• Win: Sprucing up his grilling skills with new accessories, inspiring outdoor culinary adventures.
• Resource: A new book, A Million Little Miracles by Mark Batterson, reading that combines scientific insight with spiritual wisdom.
• Quote: “There are only two ways to live your life: one is as though nothing is a miracle, and the other is as though everything is a miracle.” — Albert Einstein

Embrace the miracles around you, those weaved into the fabric of our existence, waiting for us to notice and appreciate them. Let the fascination with everyday wonders enrich your perspective and ignite a sense of gratitude and awareness in your daily life.

Website: dudesinprogress.com

Email: dudes@dudesinprogress.com

Explore more about our journey and join the conversation. Whether you're curious about natural phenomenons or seeking practical advice on making progress, we're here to inspire the miracle of forward movement.