Kevin Pannell, PMP, CSM, Prosci

People. Process. Progress.

A Management , Business and Careers podcast Explicit

About the show

People, Process, Progress with Kevin Pannell Plans fall apart. Deadlines compress. Unexpected obstacles hit. What matters is how you lead, how you adapt, and how you get back up. Good project management is not about red tape or drowning teams in rigid checklists. It is about people: giving teams clarity, building enough practical structure to make complex work visible and predictable, and cultivating the resilience needed to push meaningful outcomes across the finish line. Hosted by Kevin Pannell, PMP, CSM: Director of an IT Project Management Office, former healthcare PMO leader, and veteran with over twenty five years of experience across emergency management, public safety, healthcare, and military service; People, Process, Progress blends tactical PMO strategy with real world leadership and life resilience. Whether navigating enterprise portfolio delivery, leading through a crisis, or finding the mental discipline to dust off and keep moving forward; this show dives into the real world execution behind what works: People: Lead with empathy, build unwavering trust, communicate with clear intent, and empower teams to win. Process: Build pragmatic, adaptive frameworks that serve the mission without letting the process become the obstacle. Progress: Embrace the Get Up mindset. Execute, learn from the hits, adapt under pressure, and drive relentless forward momentum. The goal is not perfection; it is visibility, predictability, and the confidence to deliver when stakes are high. If you lead projects, PMOs, portfolios, or the people doing the hard work on the ground; and you believe leadership is as much about character and resilience as it is about milestones; welcome to the show. Leadership • Project Management • Resilience • Execution

Newest episodes

What Should a Good PMO Actually Do?

Aug 28, 2026 11 min

What should a good Project Management Office actually do? A PMO can create standards, dashboards, governance, meetings, and reporting, but those are tools, not outcomes. In this episode of People, Process, Progress, Kevin Pannell explores three outcomes a good PMO should help create: Visibility, Predictability, and Confidence. Drawing from a recent PMI Southwest Virginia presentation, Kevin connects practical project and portfolio management to concepts including the Common Operating Picture, PACE planning, John Boyd’s OODA loop, PMO pit crews, project guardrails, and governance as a safety rail rather than red tape. The episode comes back to three questions every PMO and project organization can ask: Can we see the body of work?Do we know what happens next?Do we trust our ability to execute? Because good project management isn’t about adding process for the sake of process. It’s about helping people execute important work. People. Process. Progress. Leadership • Project Management • Execution

Episode 430: New Year. New Intent.

Jul 13, 2026 16 min

Welcome to Episode 430 of People, Process, Progress. For many organizations, July marks the beginning of a new fiscal year. Budgets reset, priorities shift, and new initiatives begin. It's an exciting time, but it's also the perfect opportunity to pause before rushing into more work. In this episode, Kevin Pannell shares why every successful year should begin with leadership intent rather than simply launching new projects. Drawing from more than three decades of experience in the military, emergency management, healthcare, public safety, information technology, and higher education, Kevin explores how clear intent helps leaders align teams, improve governance, prioritize meaningful work, and create better outcomes. In this episode, you'll learn: Why a new fiscal year should be part portfolio reset and part previous year re-evaluationWhat leadership intent is, and what it isn'tWhy people-centered problems require people-centered leadershipHow listening during your first 90 days builds trust and improves decisionsWhy governance should improve decision quality instead of creating bureaucracyHow portfolio management is really about investing in better human outcomesWhy lessons learned without improvement plans rarely lead to meaningful change Whether you're leading a project, a PMO, a department, or an entire organization, this episode will help you begin the fiscal year with greater clarity, stronger alignment, and practical leadership principles you can put into practice immediately. Thank you for listening. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who is committed to leading people, improving processes, and making meaningful progress.

Be Like Water: Leadership Lessons for Your First 90 Days in a New Role

Jul 2, 2026 9 min

What should you do during your first days as a leader? Many new managers and executives feel pressure to prove themselves by introducing new processes, reorganizing teams, or making immediate changes. But what if the best first move is something different? Inspired by Bruce Lee's famous advice to "be like water," Kevin Pannell explores why effective leadership begins with observation, curiosity, and trust before transformation. Drawing on lessons from the U.S. Navy, emergency management, healthcare IT, and years spent leading Project Management Offices, Kevin shares how experienced leaders can balance confidence with humility as they step into a new organization. In this episode, you'll learn: Why experience should help you ask better questions before providing better answers.How to avoid solving the wrong problem during your first 90 days.Why every process has a story worth understanding.A practical leadership framework: Observe. Orient. Optimize.How People. Process. Progress. creates sustainable organizational change. Whether you're a PMO leader, project manager, executive, supervisor, entrepreneur, or simply beginning a new chapter in your career, this episode offers practical leadership advice you can apply immediately. Mentioned in this Episode Bruce Lee's "Be Like Water" philosophyBuilding situational awareness before making changeLeadership transitionsPMO leadershipOrganizational change managementTrust and stakeholder engagement Connect with Kevin: ???? peopleprocessprogress.com |???? Instagram & X: @thekevinpannell | ???? YouTube: Own, Move, Anchor If You Enjoyed This Episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone beginning a new leadership role. Your support helps more leaders discover practical conversations about people, process, and progress.

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All episodes

The newest 50 of 300 episodes

What Should a Good PMO Actually Do?

Aug 28, 2026 11 min

Episode 430: New Year. New Intent.

Jul 13, 2026 16 min

Be Like Water: Leadership Lessons for Your First 90 Days in a New Role

Jul 2, 2026 9 min

4 Project Health Metrics Your Software Isn't Tracking

Jun 22, 2026 9 min

The traditional project management Big Three of Scope, Schedule, and Cost are foundational. They are not going anywhere, and they should not. However, those metrics primarily measure the process. If you only look at data on a digital dashboard, you are missing the human element that determines whether a project succeeds or fails. In this episode, we break down how to augment your traditional constraints with four people-focused vital signs that provide a real-time, accurate picture of your team and project health. Alignment: Is everyone actually pulling in the same direction, or are they just checking boxes?Confidence: Does the team genuinely believe the objectives are achievable?Direction to Done: Is the path forward completely clear, or is the finish line a moving target?Stability: Is the operational environment steady, or are shifting priorities causing burnout? By tracking these human indicators alongside your standard constraints, you bridge the gap between software dashboards and real-world execution. Key Takeaways The Process vs. People Gap: Why on-time and under-budget projects can still fail if the team is completely misaligned.Augmenting the Big Three: How to layer qualitative human metrics on top of quantitative scope, schedule, and cost data.The 4 Vital Signs Explained: A deep dive into Alignment, Confidence, Direction to Done, and Stability, and how to spot when one is slipping.Leading with Clarity: Practical ways for PMO leaders to pulse check these metrics through direct communication rather than software tracking. Resources Mentioned Connect with the Show: peopleprocessprogress.comKeep the Conversation Going: @thekevinpannell on X and InstagramFitness and BJJ Content: Own. Move. Anchor. on YouTubeRead the Book: The Stability Equation: 7 Pillars for a More Balanced Life Godspeed y'all, Kevin

Visibility vs. Alignment: Why Green Dashboards Lie

Jun 18, 2026 9 min

A project is marked green on the tracker, the meetings are happening, and the status reports look perfect. Then, the delivery day arrives, and the end users are completely unprepared. What happened? In this premiere episode of People. Process. Progress., veteran IT PMO Director Kevin Pannell breaks down the metric trap of green dashboards and explains why your tracking tools might be hiding massive execution risks. We explore the critical gap between visibility and true human alignment, drawing on historical engineering lessons such as the Challenger disaster and applying them directly to modern white-collar leadership. You will learn why methodology cannot solve human misalignment, why data points are just proxies for reality, and how to use the weekly Stand Up audit to check your unverified assumptions. Stop confusing activity with progress. It is time to double down on the fundamentals of your people, your process, and your outcomes. Key Takeaways The Metric Trap: Why a green dashboard only tells you that tasks are being checked, not that your team is actually aligned on the objective.Proxies vs. Reality: Software tools show you the work; real human connection and honest conversations move the work.The Stand Up Audit: How to strip away documentation theater and test whether your stakeholders are actually ready for deployment. The Core Lesson: Visibility is what we see on a screen. Alignment is what happens when real people understand the mission, trust the process, and execute horizontal communication. Never mistake a green status slide for a successful outcome. Connect and Share: If you found value in this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share this link with a leader who needs to audit their corporate dashboards this week.

Trailer. The Shift Back to People. Process. Progress.

Jun 18, 2026 2 min

Welcome to the relaunch of the podcast. Host Kevin Pannell announces the official pivot back to the foundational framework: People. Process. Progress. In this brief trailer, we are stripping away the corporate fluff, trendy management fads, and endless debates over methodology to focus on how real work gets done. If you are tired of counting checkboxes, hiding behind software proxies, and watching green dashboards lie to you, this show is your new weekly resource for raw, real-world operational execution. Subscribe now and look for Episode 1 dropping alongside this trailer to start moving the needle.

Fighting for the Gray Matter | Men's Mental Health Month 2026

Jun 5, 2026 9 min

At 52 years old, Kevin Pannell could absolutely kick his 30-year-old self’s ass, both physically and mentally. In this premier episode of Season 11, Kevin strips away the tough-guy illusions of midlife and confronts the male mental health crisis. Drawing from his own experiences with enterprise work burnout, anxiety, and grief, Kevin delivers an operational briefing on how to proactively train your mind, optimize your life portfolio, and build a foundation that lasts. This is a tactical breakdown of how to weaponize midlife friction using proven psychological frameworks, deliberate physical recovery protocols, and radical accountability. Key Takeaways Post-Traumatic Growth: How to use extreme stress, burnout, or grief as the ultimate catalyst to restructure your life portfolio.Cognitive Reframing: A proven CBT technique to dismantle automatic negative thoughts and view challenges as simple operational constraints.Fatherhood as Coaching: Moving from an authoritarian stance to an active coaching role that builds self-reflection in young teenage men.The Math of Recovery: Kevin’s exact protocol for a 52-year-old garage gym athlete, including three rounds of Wim Hof breathing and cold plunge down-regulation.Professional Superpowers: Shifting from executive authority to trust-based leadership through coordination and partnership. If this episode challenged you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it. Stop reacting to your days, execute your strategy, and build a foundation that lasts. Get after it this week.

The Hardest Leadership Skill: Letting Go

Jun 1, 2026 6 min

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-managing creates bottlenecks, and how to transition to solutions by exception.MOVE: Embracing the grind of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Understanding the "Breathe, Frame, Survive" framework and using the Seven Pillars to get back to center when heavy emotions break through.ANCHOR: Building "2 AM" friendships by exception, grounding yourself in faith, and learning the ultimate power of presence during my father's final months. Connect with the Show: Share this episode with a leader, parent, or friend who needs it today.Rate and review us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!

Why So Many People Feel Off Right Now

May 26, 2026 10 min

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 stay connected are leaving many people anxious, distracted, and disconnected from the things that actually ground them. This episode explores: Something feels off.The dashboard indicators of lifeMost people are trying to find stability in a very noisy world.Technology has become some people’s belief system.Not everything deserves access to your attention.Thank you for being who you are. Kevin also shares personal reflections on family, leadership, fitness, Jiu-Jitsu, project management, faith, and listener feedback that continues to reinforce the importance of helping real people through real struggles. If life has felt “off” lately, this episode is a reminder to simplify, reconnect, and return to the things that truly steady us. Website: https://ownmoveanchor.com/ Instagram & X: @thekevinpannell That is who I am, thank you for being who you are, and remember each day to own your mind, move your body, and anchor your spirit. Godspeed y'all, Kevin

What a Billion-Dollar Coach Can Teach Project Leaders

May 22, 2026 4 min

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 repeatable systems. Topics include: • Why project leadership is more than timelines and metrics • How “magic” creates momentum, culture, and belief • Why “logic” builds scalability, trust, and consistency • The importance of understanding the “why” behind the work • Leadership lessons from Simon Sinek and Viktor Frankl • How portfolio and project leaders can build stronger, healthier teams Strong organizations need both structure and humanity. This episode discusses how leaders can bring both together to improve delivery, engagement, and long-term success. References: Master's of Scale: How Coach scaled from a single store into a global icon Website: ownmoveanchor.com Instagram and X: @thekevinpannell That is who I am, thank you for being who you are, and remember each day to own your mind, move your body, and anchor your spirit. Godspeed y'all, Kevin

What Matt Serra Taught Me About Building Great Teams

May 19, 2026 9 min

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: • onboarding and organizational culture • confidence through repetition • balancing accountability with support • psychological safety and leadership • progressive exposure versus overwhelming people • lessons from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Incident Management Teams A central theme throughout the episode: “New people do not need to be tested immediately. They need to be developed.” Own your mind. Move your body. Anchor your spirit. Godspeed, y’all.

The Internet Lied to You About Success

May 15, 2026 1 min

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 work. Own your mind. Move your body. Anchor your spirit. ⌚️Get up ????????Give thanks ???????? Get after it ???? Godspeed #OwnMoveAnchor #Mindset #Consistency #MensMentalHealth #Leadership

Busy Isn't Productive: Organized Urgency vs. Wasted Effort

May 12, 2026 9 min

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 garage gym. The conversation focuses on the repeatable systems and leadership principles that help people stay steady under pressure: • repeatable processes • organized urgency • clarity and communication • mastering basics • letting others lead • movement as maintenance • anchoring through faith, gratitude, and purpose A key theme throughout the episode: “Organized urgency is focused power. Chaotic urgency is wasted calories.” This is not a motivational talk about becoming unstoppable. It is a grounded conversation about sustainable readiness, leadership, and becoming the kind of person people can trust during difficult moments. Key themes from the episode: • Calm is contagious • Projects are incidents without sirens • Organized urgency is focused power • Chaotic urgency is wasted calories • Leadership follows you home • Movement is maintenance • The environments change. The leadership lessons don’t. Reflection prompts from the episode: What was your happiest moment this week?What was your hardest physical effort this month?What made you feel anchored this year? OWN your mind. MOVE your body. ANCHOR your spirit. Breathe, frame, keep showing up, survive. Godspeed y’all.

A Great Project Manager Doesn't Need Fancy Tools

May 8, 2026 6 min

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 forward with clarity. In this episode:Why dashboards do not tell the full storyHow passive communication creates uncertaintyThe difference between managing tools and leading peopleWhy calm communication matters under pressureHow experienced leaders create alignment without overcomplicating the work

The Skills That Matter When Everything Falls Apart

May 6, 2026 5 min

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:Lessons from The Pitt and mass casualty responseWhy firefighters needed whiteboards and pizza before planning meetingsHow strong project managers lead without relying on dashboardsWhy fundamentals matter more than flashy techniques in BJJ and leadership If you want to improve your ability to lead, adapt, and stay steady under pressure, this episode focuses on the skills that actually hold when things get difficult.

Every Yes Costs You Something

May 1, 2026 3 min

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 progressHow attention and capacity affect outcomes at work and in lifePractical 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 (And That's the Point)

Apr 28, 2026 7 min

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 commitmentsThe difference between activity and real outcomesHow to make better decisions about what to start, stop, and prioritize If you’re managing portfolios, programs, projects, or just your own time, this will feel familiar. If this helps, share it with someone who’s trying to do too much.

Why the Toughest People Break Down Later

Apr 24, 2026 3 min

Why Caregivers and First Responders Feel It After You’ve carried others through their worst days. Now do the work so you can carry yourself through yours. In this episode: Why caregiver stress and first responder burnout often show up after the momentThe impact of adrenaline, cortisol, and staying “on” too longA simple reset to manage stress and stay steady If you’re the one people rely on in emergencies, at work or at home, this will feel familiar. If this reminds you of someone, send it to them.

When Everyone Relies on You: How to Show Up Without Burning Out

Apr 21, 2026 11 min

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 hits you years after the crisis is over.Medical Realities at Home: Navigating post-surgery recovery and high-stakes heart monitoring (V-Tach).The Oxygen Mask Principle: Why sleep, diet, and training are requirements for quality care, not rewards.Skills Over Pills: Transitioning from just "surviving" to building a mindset that sustains the load. The Takeaway: Being a provider is an identity, not just a job. Whether you are professional medical staff or a family member stepping up, this conversation provides the tools to manage the silent pressure and the physical stress that stays in your body long after the work is done. Connect & Share Know an "anchor" who is carrying more than they let on? Send this episode to them. Subscribe for more direct, practical conversations on resilience and being ready for when it counts.

Three Strength Standards Every Man Over 40 Should Know

Apr 17, 2026 4 min

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-Jitsu (BJJ) at 44. Now a 52-year-old purple belt, he explains how to use the "Prescribed Burn"—a physical stress-management tactic—to incinerate mental anxiety and decision fatigue before they turn into a wildfire at home or work. What you’ll learn in 5 minutes: Tier 1: A Little Dad Bod Action – The absolute "floor" for foundational strength and situational awareness.Tier 2: Do You Workout? – Developing musculature and why combat sports like BJJ are the ultimate mental anchor.Tier 3: The Athletic Guy – The elite 50+ standard for bodyweight strength, explosive agility, and total readiness.The Prescribed Burn – How to use heavy lifts and hard rounds to clear mental "brush" and lead with a quiet mind. Connect, follow, and share at https://ownmoveanchor.com/

Why Movement Is No Longer Optional

Apr 10, 2026 3 min

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 from this episode: Why strength is a visible and practical signal, not vanityHow training builds your response to stress and pressureThe connection between movement and better decision makingA simple standard to remove decision fatigue and stay consistent Call to Action: Today or this weekend, do something physically challenging. Notice how your mind responds, then carry that into the rest of your life.

Move Your Body: From Optional to Non-Negotiable

Apr 7, 2026 7 min

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 52, Kevin shares how consistent training, strength, endurance, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu have helped him stay capable, focused, and grounded through real life challenges. This is not about complex programs. It is about building a non-negotiable standard. What you’ll take from this episode: Why identity beats motivationHow movement improves clarity and stress responseThe link between training and handling pressureA simple baseline to assess where you are Baseline Fitness Test: Walk 1 mile1 minute push-ups, max repsRest 2 minutes1 minute air squats, max repsRest 2 minutesPull-ups, max repsRest 5 minutesRun 1 mile for time Train for life, and the results will follow. Own your mind. Move your body. Anchor your spirit. Social prompt: Where are you starting from, or where did you land on the baseline test?

The Only Thing You Truly Control

Apr 3, 2026 5 min

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 it, and a simple breathing tool to help you stay composed when it counts. This is about building the reps to respond with intention, at home, at work, and everywhere in between.

The Most Important Lesson Viktor Frankl Taught Me

Mar 31, 2026 7 min

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 builds; you fall back to the systems you’ve built. In this episode, you’ll learn: The Frankl Framework: Why "The Space Between" is a survival tool, not just a philosophy.Reaction vs. Response: How to identify the "fast" triggers in your day—from high-stakes meetings to traffic—that cause you to drift.Training for Mental Control: Why physical stress (BJJ, hard workouts) is essential for teaching your mind to "stay" when things get difficult.The Micro-Ownership Practice: A simple, one-breath habit to pause and choose a better response today. Own your mind. Move your body. Anchor your spirit. Resources: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

Beyond 100%: Why Full Capacity Breaks Teams and What to Do Instead

Mar 23, 2026 5 min

Most teams plan to 100% capacity and call it efficiency. In reality, that’s where things start to break. In this episode, I walk through a better way to think about capacity, not as a percentage on a heatmap, but as a balance between people, workload, and real-world unpredictability. You’ll hear how experienced and developing project managers handle workload differently, why not all work should be treated as a project, and how shifting repeatable work back to operational teams can free up meaningful capacity. I also break down the difference between planning for what you know, like PTO, training, and admin work, versus creating space for what you don’t know, like escalations and unexpected priorities that derail even the best plans. This isn’t about tools or systems. It’s about awareness, leadership, and better conversations. If you’re leading projects, programs, or teams, this episode will help you move from tracking utilization to actually improving performance.

The First 30 Days Will Make or Break Your Project

Mar 10, 2026 11 min

Many projects struggle not because of poor execution, but because alignment was never built at the start. In this episode, The First 30 Days Will Make or Break Your Project, Kevin Pannell shares practical leadership lessons on why the first 30 days of a project matter most. Drawing from experience in healthcare IT, emergency management, and cross-organizational initiatives, he explains how clear intent, open communication, and shared expectations set the tone for successful work. If you lead projects, teams, or initiatives, these early conversations can determine whether your work moves forward smoothly or spends months correcting avoidable problems.

Why Feeling Behind Is Killing Your Progress

Feb 26, 2026 5 min

A lot of young people feel like they are already late. Late to choose the right major, late to land the right job, late to make real money, late to figure life out. In this episode, Why Feeling Behind Is Killing Your Progress, I share the long arc of my own path, from joining the Navy at 19 to working IT support at 25, going back to college at 29, graduating at 32 with a newborn at home, serving in public health and emergency management through my late 30s, becoming an EMS Captain at 41, and eventually leading an enterprise IT PMO. Along the way, I also built strength in my 40s, earned my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt, and continued to grow in faith and discipline. This conversation is a reminder that your twenties are not a deadline; they are a runway. You are not behind, you are building.

From the GWOT to Giving Back: How Clay Surratt Builds Others Through Martial Arts

Feb 14, 2026 1 hr 30 min

In this episode of People, Process, Progress, From the GWOT to Giving Back: How Clay Surratt Builds Others Through Martial Arts, host Kevin Pannell sits down with Clay Surratt, the founder of Guerrilla ATX. Together, they explore the transition from military service to civilian life and how the "mission" doesn't end when the uniform comes off—it just changes shape. Clay opens up about his journey from joining the Army in the wake of 9/11 to finding a new calling in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). He shares how he uses martial arts as a restorative practice to build men up physically, mentally, and spiritually, creating a community where veterans and civilians alike can sharpen one another. Resources mentioned: Connect with Clay Surratt: Website: Guerrilla ATXInstagram: @conscious.claySupport the Mission: Curtis Bartlett Fitness: Learn MoreVeteran Bushido Brotherhood: Support Veterans

What Grief Teaches You About Strength

Feb 4, 2026 8 min

This week’s episode, What Grief Teaches You About Strength, is about the weight of losing brothers and sisters in public safety, the responsibility of planning line of duty death services, and how to move through grief in a healthier way. I break it down using a simple framework: Own where you are.Move through the weight together.Anchor what comes next with connection and support. This one is for those who have carried the flag, stood watch, or covered a shift so others could grieve. Godspeed y'all, Kevin

Real Lessons From Building Something That Matters

Jan 23, 2026 3 min

In this Faith in Action Friday episod, Real Lessons From Building Something That Matters, I follow up on my recent conversation with Jennifer Prevette, founder of The Burg Box, and reflect on what Own. Move. Anchor. really means in everyday life. I share how owning your mind is about learning to handle stress and regulate emotions, how moving your body is simple but powerful medicine for mental and physical health, and how anchoring your spirit helps keep the weight of decisions and expectations from becoming overwhelming. Jennifer’s approach to business, family, mental health, movement, and faith is a practical example of how these ideas can show up together without extremes or hype, just steady practices that support clarity, consistency, and perspective.

The Burg Box Began Here | Jennifer's Prevette's Path to Success in Blacksburg, Virginia

Jan 22, 2026 49 min

In this episode of People, Process, Progress of the New River Valley, I sit down with Jennifer Prevette, founder of The Burg Box, a locally rooted gift box company built around community, craftsmanship, and care. Jennifer shares her journey from studying architecture at Virginia Tech to working in marketing, to becoming a full-time mom, and eventually building a business that connects people through thoughtfully curated boxes featuring local makers. We talk about faith, intention, and what it really looks like to build something meaningful and sustainable, one box at a time. Connect with Jennifer and The Burg Box: Start with the website to explore current boxes and local makers: https://www.theburgbox.com/ Follow on Instagram for new releases and behind-the-scenes updates: https://www.instagram.com/the_burg_box/?hl=en Connect on Facebook for community updates and gifting ideas: https://www.facebook.com/theburgbox/ More conversations highlighting the people, process, and progress shaping the New River Valley at https://peopleprocessprogress.com

Why DRiVE Still Matters in Leadership

Jan 16, 2026 5 min

This short bridge episode, Why DRiVE Still Matters in Leadership, revisits key leadership lessons from Drive by Daniel Pink. The focus is on why autonomy, mastery, and purpose continue to shape motivation, engagement, and performance in modern organizations, especially in complex and remote environments. This episode also connects recent reflections with an upcoming conversation with Jennifer Prevette, Founder and Owner of The Burg Box. Episode Highlights: Autonomy without trust leads to isolationMastery stalls when growth paths are unclearPurpose fades when communication declinesRemote work amplifies existing leadership gapsMotivation often declines before performance does

7 Books to Start 2026 Strong

Jan 1, 2026 10 min

In this episode, I share seven books I read, or returned to, in 2025 that helped me stay disciplined, grounded, and clear-headed heading into 2026. These aren’t trend-driven recommendations. They’re books focused on hardship, meaning, faith, resilience, and personal responsibility. Some pushed me physically, others reshaped how I think about suffering and connection. All of them helped me show up better in my life and leadership. Books Discussed in This Episode The Stability EquationDiscipline Equals Freedom Field ManualThe Wim Hof MethodWhat Doesn’t Kill UsMan’s Search for MeaningLost ConnectionsThe Amplified Bible Read the full post and resources: https://peopleprocessprogress.com/2026/01/01/7-books-to-start-2026-strong/ Own your mind. Move your body. Anchor your spirit.

Most People Drift Into the New Year, Don’t

Dec 21, 2025 4 min

As of the end of 2025, Most People Drift Into the New Year, Don’t, People, Process, Progress has reached listeners and viewers around the world. The audio podcast has generated approximately 78,000 total listens across 324 episodes and has been heard in 138 countries. Across the full catalog, the show maintains an average episode engagement of over 80%, meaning most listeners who start an episode stay with it. That matters because it signals relevance and trust, not just reach. On YouTube, content across the channel has generated over 848,000 total views, reaching viewers in 128 countries. The data reinforces a clear direction moving forward. Episodes built around clear problems, practical frameworks, and lived experience consistently resonate more deeply than generic motivation or surface-level commentary. In 2026, the show will move into a steady rotation, alternating between short, structured solo episodes and conversations with leaders and business owners from the New River Valley who are quietly building, serving, and leading in their communities. Same values. Clearer focus. More grounded conversations. Godspeed y'all.

Discipline Is What Makes Faith Real

Dec 19, 2025 4 min

In this Faith in Action Friday episode, Discipline Is What Makes Faith Real, I reflect on my recent conversation with Adam, a police officer, jiu jitsu black belt, and gym owner. His story highlights how faith is often lived out through consistent action, structure, and service, not loud words or perfect belief. Faith doesn’t always show up as certainty or comfort. Sometimes it shows up as discipline, restraint, and choosing to do the right thing when it would be easier to shut down. We explore Psalm 34:19 and what it really means to walk through hardship without becoming hardened by it. This episode is about resilience, accountability, and faith expressed through daily choices. Key Themes: Faith lived through action, not slogansDiscipline as a form of faithPsalm 34:19 and realistic resilienceStructure, service, and consistency Call to Action: Listen to the full interview with Adam and share this episode with someone who needs structure more than motivation.

Turning Pain Into Purpose, Policing, Trauma, and Jiu Jitsu with Adam at Blue Gorilla BJJ

Dec 18, 2025 1 hr 2 min

In this episode of People, Process, Progress, I talk with Adam, a police officer, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, gym owner, and MBA graduate, about leadership shaped by real-life experience. Adam shares how growing up with instability and the impact of a compassionate police officer early in life set him on a path into law enforcement. We discuss his journey from the jails to patrol and SWAT, the weight of critical incidents, and responding to the death of a close friend. We also explore how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu became a foundation for discipline, humility, and resilience, ultimately leading Adam to open Blue Gorilla BJJ and build a community rooted in accountability and respect. This episode launches the People, Process, Progress of the New River Valley series, focused on the people doing meaningful work in our region. Watch the full video interview on the People, Process, Progress YouTube channel, or listen on your favorite podcast platform. For more interviews and insights, visit peopleprocessprogress.com. People first, process aligned, progress together.

Why Patience Beats Force Every Time

Dec 12, 2025 3 min

Growth can’t be rushed. In this Faith in Action Friday episode, Why Patience Beats Force Every Time, Kevin reflects on a lesson drawn from farming and from life experience: you can do the right work and still harm the outcome if you try to force progress. Using Psalm 126:5–6, this episode explores the difference between sowing well and harvesting too early, and what patience, consistency, and faith look like in 2025.

The People, Process, and Progress of the New River Valley

Dec 8, 2025 3 min

Life in the New River Valley has shaped me in ways I never expected. In this Season 9 opener, I share how the move, the mountains, the community, and the challenges along the way changed my approach to family, leadership, health, and resilience. This season, I will be talking with people across the region and sharing my own reflections as we explore the real stories and steady progress happening here.

One Pause Can Save You From This

Dec 5, 2025 2 min

In a world accelerated by AI, leadership still comes down to human judgment. Today’s episode, One Pause Can Save You From This, looks at how President Kennedy used quiet moments during the Cuban Missile Crisis to think clearly and choose restraint, and how we can do the same. This week’s tool from The Stability Equation is The Mental Stop Sign a simple way to slow down, breathe, and make decisions from calm rather than pressure. Takeaways • A pause can shift an entire day • The Mental Stop Sign settles your mind fast • Prayer and mindfulness strengthen leadership • AI can inform us, but wisdom guides us One pause, one breath, one clear decision.

AI Is Changing Leadership, Here’s What Matters

Dec 1, 2025 6 min

AI is no longer just an operational tool. It’s becoming one of the most important strategic lenses healthcare leaders can use. In this episode, AI Is Changing Leadership, Here’s What Matters, Kevin explains how AI can sharpen decision-making, strengthen business cases, highlight opportunities you can’t see from the boardroom, and help leaders measure progress with smarter, predictive metrics. You’ll hear how executives can use AI to guide portfolio decisions, forecast ROI, identify gaps across the system, and build KPIs that actually show future impact. Kevin also shares how governance and a focused analytics team can turn AI into a leadership advantage rather than a scattered set of tech projects. If you want to bring more clarity to complex decisions and lead with greater purpose, this episode is for you.

When You Feel Off, Do This

Nov 28, 2025 6 min

Today, in When You Feel Off, Do This, I’m talking about what it means to step up when life hits you harder than you planned for. I’ll share a moment where I felt worn down, what helped me regroup, and the simple steps you can take to steady your mind and move forward. We’ll look at this through people, process, and purpose so you can respond with clarity instead of frustration. By the end, you’ll have one action you can use today to get back on track.

How to Set Expectations so “Done” Actually Gets Done

Nov 24, 2025 10 min

Most teams think “done” means the same thing until a deadline hits. Then you find out it doesn’t. In this episode I break down why “done” falls apart on teams and how you can fix it with clear expectations and steady communication. I’ll share a moment where my own project drifted because I assumed everyone shared the same definition. We’ll walk through how to line people up, how to simplify the process, and how to follow through without micromanaging. This is a practical episode you can put to work today.

How to Trust the Right People When You Feel Unsteady

Nov 21, 2025 4 min

When life shakes you, trusting the right people can be the difference between staying stuck and stepping forward. This is an episode about leaning on the people who show up when it matters. I share a personal moment when I needed support and how one steady voice made all the difference. Through the lens of people, process, and purpose, we’ll talk about how to recognize who’s truly in your corner, how to let them help, and how faith plays a part in keeping you grounded.

Your Team Isn’t the Problem, This Is

Nov 17, 2025 12 min

Today in, Your Team Isn’t the Problem, This Is, we dig into why progress slows when the right people aren’t part of the conversation. I’ll share a moment where a project stalled because the wrong voices were leading, and what happened when we finally aligned the room. You’ll learn how to choose the right stakeholders, how to guide tough conversations, and how to move teams from confusion to action.

What Viktor Frankl Taught Me About Faith in Hard Seasons

Nov 14, 2025 4 min

Some lessons hit you years after you read them. Frankl’s did that for me. In this episode I reflect on a lesson from Viktor Frankl that changed the way I view faith, purpose, and suffering. I’ll share how it helped me during a tough season and how it can help you hold steady when life feels heavy. We’ll talk about meaning, resilience, and the inner posture that keeps you from getting swept away by the moment.

Don’t Lose Your Team Trying to Fix the Project

Nov 10, 2025 8 min

Today in Don’t Lose Your Team Trying to Fix the Project, we dig into how to pull a project back from the edge without burning out the people doing the work. I’ll share a moment where tension was high, trust was low, and what it took to turn things around. You’ll learn how to reset intent, create calm, and give your team a path forward that feels doable and honest.

What the Greatest Night in Pop Teaches About Leadership

Nov 4, 2025 6 min

This episode, What the Greatest Night in Pop Teaches About Leadership, breaks down what made that night work, how big personalities stayed aligned, and what leaders today can take from it. We talk vision, humility, coordination, and how to rally people toward something bigger than themselves.

Get the Right People on the Bus Before You Start the Journey

Oct 31, 2025 4 min

You can’t move toward progress if the wrong people are sitting in the front seat. In this episode I talk about why choosing the right people matters more than choosing the direction. I share a moment when I learned this the hard way and how it changed the way I build and lead teams. We look at trust, readiness, talent, and the quiet signals that tell you whether someone is the right fit.

Stop Forcing Change, Build Where People Already Move

Oct 27, 2025 8 min

This episode, Stop Forcing Change, Build Where People Already Move, focuses on designing processes and solutions that match the natural flow of how people work. I share a moment where following human patterns, not idealized ones, turned a project around. You will learn how to observe behavior, simplify decisions, and build systems that actually stick.

Simple Tools to Reset Your Intent and Move Forward

Oct 24, 2025 8 min

A small reset can change the direction of your entire day. Here I walk through a few grounded tools that help you reset your intent when things feel off. These are practices I use in my own life when the week gets noisy or I start drifting. We talk grounding, clarity, and momentum, and you will leave with one small shift you can use today.

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Podcast details

Created by: Kevin Pannell, PMP, CSM, Prosci
Status: Inactive
Latest episode: Aug 28, 2026
Episodes: 300
Release period: Several times a week
Avg. episode length: 14 min
Explicit: Yes
Language: English

Links

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