Ever feel your hobby start to feel like homework? We hit episode 150 with a full tank of mojo and a guest who knows how to keep it running. Dr. Paul Budzik joins us on the eve of his retirement after 51 years in dentistry to share a refreshingly honest blueprint for building with joy: protect inspiration, shed obligation, and stop treating your stash like a to‑do list. If finishing every kit has become a guilt trip, this conversation offers the reset you need.

We dig into how small workflow choices can unlock big momentum. Paul explains why returning to simple, durable siphon‑feed airbrushes lets him paint in fast, focused sprints, and how linear building—one solved problem at a time—keeps him in the zone. He talks candidly about giving away kits and tools, the surprising relief that followed, and the fun of re‑engineering gear to fit the way he actually works. The theme is practical and personal: optimize for flow, and the bench becomes a place you can’t wait to sit.

Looking forward, Paul outlines his shift toward 1/350 ship modeling. Rather than chasing every aftermarket add‑on, he focuses on form, history, and design evolution—comparing cruisers, exploring treaty constraints, and building on keel blocks for clean presentation. Along the way, he draws an important line between knowledge and skill: a video can teach a CAD commands, but blade control, masking finesse, and problem‑solving are earned at the bench. His goal on his channel is to teach thinking—how to define the objective, work backward, simplify, and make smarter choices with less effort.

We also share highlights from the Cincinnati show, a stacked listener mailbag (from club table innovations to mirrored vs blurred bases), and quick hits from the release radar with a few buyer caveats to save you time and cash. If your bench feels crowded or your to‑finish list feels heavy, this one will help you reclaim the part of modeling that made you start in the first place.

Enjoyed the conversation? Follow, share with a modeling friend, and leave a rating to help others find the show. Then tell us: what obligation are you dropping this week to build happier?

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Mike and Kentucky Dave thank each and everyone of you for participating on this journey with us.