Life's Learning Curve

Send us Fan Mail

This episode tells the story of what happened one night, to Paul when he chose to relax a bit and sit  by the moonlit sea on the tropical island of St. Maarten. While stargazing just off the Caribbean coast, Paul spots a large glowing object off the far sandbar and deep in the water. As the light reveals itself, he discovers a James Bond-like scuba guy. Emerging from the waters, he soon is surrounded by nigh time boozy bar patrons. The scuba man reveals nothing about the slight of hand con he about to initiate. 

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

What do mile markers and tollbooths have in common? If I told you the answer to this question was… ‘They are a contributing reoccurring part of YOU and your life’s journey’ Mile markers and tollbooths, etc. might alter your perspective on a few things. On this episode, The Story of Last Flight Out is featured. It cannot be measured how many people have been impacted by this one page read, but I would wager a guess…Thousands of people.     Key West entrepreneur, author and Vietnam veteran Clay Greager is featured in a thought filled philosophical ride through not only Key West, but a journey through life itself.   Stories about how WE, became US.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Did you ever have a teacher whose passion and excitement for learning drove you AND your peers to excel? In this episode Paul is in 8th Grade, and his new band teacher is young, fun, talented, interesting, fair and engaging with all of his students. Quelling immature student behavior, Mr. Roush nurtured the band class to exceed expectations. Paul and his classmates slowly begin to understand that a single person can find, and then pull the BEST YOU out of you. At that point in his hife, learning became a passion. Until it happened...

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

This episode delves into the captivating story of Paul's Uncle Russ, who, as a young boy in the 1930s, became enamored with the rugged, untamed wilderness of the American West in the 1880s. Fueled by his love for the thrilling adventures depicted in comic books and B-movie westerns, Uncle Russ became entranced by the legendary stories of the far southwestern United States, including the infamous outlaw Billy the Kid and the historic town of Mesilla. His passion was further ignited by the Eagles' melancholic album "Desperado," which poetically evokes the spirit of the Wild West. Uncle Russ' yearning for adventure and fantasy was intensified by his experiences during the war, ultimately leading him to embark on a quest to explore the last unexplored frontier of America, the Wild West.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

This episode sets us in Savannah Georgia with Paul’s ol’ college buddy, Dentist Tye Hagan. Let’s face it, as engaged and motivated as we all once were to begin our careers back in the day, most of us held tight to our innocence of youth and doing the right thing. Newbie dentist Dr. Tye did just that, and in the process of setting his new practice in Savannah, he became entangled in a drug running operation out of his own office. Don’t miss the slow wrinkled southern charm of Sally-Jo in this episode! Will Tye find his way out of this messy tangled web?  Co starring:The FBI, The DEA, and the Savannah Police Department.  

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

Regional speak, or regional dialects are sometimes my favorite part of Paul’s business day. When he gets a client on the phone, he may ask him how everything is going (insert their state name). Paul often gets a 3 to 5 sentence primer in their regional language, metaphors or slang. PAUL: “Hey Henry. How is Mississippi treating you these days?”  HENRY: “Mah day’s all cattywampus cuz of the fecundating kudzu growing across my office window. If the thermo-bulb keeps going up, we’ll have another tongue wagger on our hands.”        -Sometimes life offers us perks in plain conversation. By the way, the best regional linguistic artists often turn out to be the head honcho; the person at the top. The CEO.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

“You can always be better! You have to learn something every day, and if you don’t, …There’s no place to go.”  This organic inspiration is innate for our guest Bob Tonge. A man with a career in broadcasting, video production, and writing and performing music. Bob Tonge’s drive to build clients’ confidence and trust, has taken him into a one of a kind adventure in life -Here is a story of a  unique journey.  Paul gets a once in a lifetime sit down with communicator Bob Tonge.  

“You got to keep prodding & learning & making adjustments in life. Keep moving forward!” -Bob Tonge  

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

In a world that's always shifting, where time molds us like clay, this episode of Life’s Learning Curve is a tapestry. That intricate dance between growing up, embracing change, and stepping into the shoes of fatherhood. Join Paul on a journey as he revisits the chapters of his life woven together with the threads of fatherly devotion.

In this nostalgic recollection, Paul’s father and he navigate the uncharted waters of DAD-DOM, two souls connected by blood and dreams. Yet, it's the echoes of Paul’s now-grown children, Heidi and Riley, portrayed in their youthful exuberance, that guide us through this narrative.

Tales of yesteryears come alive, as Paul dives into the chronicles of Griff, a chapter where Heidi's dramatic and cringe-worthy boyfriend takes center stage. Laughter and
awkwardness blend, creating a mosaic of memories that still warm my heart.

Then, a tender story unfolds—a memory of lazy Sundays spent scavenging treasures from dumpsters, Paul is side by side with his seven-year-old son. Together, they gather materials to erect a majestic treehouse, an imagined pirate ship soaring amidst the clouds. It's in these moments of shared adventure that the bonds of a father and son are fortified, forever etched in the annals of time.

But life's canvas is vast, and not without its spills. The recollection takes a poignant turn as Paul recounts the time when, at seventeen, he faltered as a camp counselor for a group of eager eleven-year-olds. A crisis mishandled, a lesson learned—the colors of humility and growth painted onto his soul.

As the final strokes of this tale brush across the canvas, we delve into the story of a boy and his father drifting apart, an emotional journey of separation and reconciliation. Through trials and tribulations, the intricate web of love stitches their hearts back together, a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

In the end, as Paulreflects upon this patchwork of narratives, the truth unfolds—how the seemingly inconspicuous fragments of our lives, like soft whispers in the wind, can evolve into profound connections that span a lifetime. Little did we know that within these fleeting moments lie the seeds of love, laughter, and unbreakable bonds. So come, join Paul, as we unravel the tapestry of life—one story at a time.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

While living a mundane existence in the suburbs. Thor Vance aspires to be a hot jazz guitarist . However, Thor is known as a triple-L loser. Although bullied and mocked as a child, he DID HAVE healthy and realistic future dreams. In this episode, procrastinator Thor seeks his dream, but arrives a bit too late and must realize his delay has damaged his destiny.  But not everything in life is unrepairable. A broken man living a broken life, Thor is given a loser nickname that follows him throughout his life. This humorous nonfiction episode ranks among the most existential of the Life’s Learning Curve episodes.

Support the show

Send us Fan Mail

The Adventure! Undertaking danger and unknown risks, Paul leaves the USA to participate in an internship in Costa Rica, This episode brings 1979-style adventures for Paul. Struggling with a language barrier, he and his college roommate Reed vacation for one week at a non existent un-named beach town during spring break. Paul synthesizes with native villagers, and learns their daily routine of work, play, how they handle obsessive heat, and a daily symphony of gasoline generators which all seemed to be running at the same time. Add to that a dictatorial mayor, Mayor James, whose beach house sways with the blowing breeze, Paul and Reed begin an adventure in a Central American town with no name. 

Support the show