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