Life's Learning Curve

Ever been overwhelmed when trying to fall asleep? When this happened to Paul, he felt the old neighborhood was calling out to him. It wanted to be remembered. This type of personification seems odd, but truly happened. From some wonderful positive neighbors, to one possibly from Area 51, this episode centers around those neighbors with whom Paul and his family were blessed AAAAAAND cursed. The gruff ex-marine who was tattooed head to toe and worked on cars, the retired one who called the...

“What you’ve done is so bad I can’t even talk about it! I have 30 negative letters in my drawer about you! I am so angry at you!” Imagine your supervisor exclaiming this to you, pushing at you, poking at you, or threatening you! This happened to several of the best and most effective teachers at a small local school. Why? Paul shares an episode about a new administrator who bullied, lied and eventually seemed to lessen the confidence and effectiveness of his best teachers. Enter lawyers,...

Ever been so passively aggressed that you become JUST PLAIN SPEECHLESS? There no words for some of life’s situations. In part one of this episode, Paul retells stories of being led down a path of stupidity where he learns exactly how NOT to treat other people. From a dull school leader conducting a disconnected interview -which was decided by what Chicago ball team Paul favored, to community leaders that made an effort to con and grift Paul, and an interview for a professional position...

Ever played an instrument? Where did that instrument take you? On this episode, Paul retells stories of where playing drums has taken him. Not every band worked out well. Managing talent, overbearing personalities and inflated egos were new to him. Add to that an angry orchestra teacher, a somewhat fuzzy-headed seller of drum set number 2, and a crying lead singer, and you've got episode 41. Dedicated to a life spent loving music. -Sketchy Drum Stories: Some of them tragic, some of them...

It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, there’s always forgiveness. Guest Mary MacDowell, shares her fictional book based on real life memories of a young woman, Mary Wagner, who was forced to confront the sins of her past, the reckless behavior that almost killed her. And then there was Betsey, the young disabled child who refused to let her go – even after death. Energetic author Mary McDowell shares her process of writing and recalls her whirlwind life from 1967 – 1980. She acknowledges...

Sometimes it’s NOT the journey that makes an adventure, it’s the people you meet along the way that might re-ignite your life’s passions. Paul retells experiential stories of the gruff and angry unsheltered homeless, stories of the dry wit and comedy of FBI Feds, to stories of an arrogant and self-absorbed west coaster. In 2000, Paul migrates from analog editing to digital editing by taking classes from coast to coast. These classes DID help him migrate to a digital world, but as time has...

Alternate title: BURNS MALTS…. Paul remembers being told: ‘It’s a nice day outside. Why don’t you go out & enjoy it?” He heard this phrase throughout his years as a child from local pharmacist Milt Burns. Burns Drugstore made the world’s BEST MALTS and people of all ages flocked there to taste the thick, ice creamy goodness in a tin. Milt Burns seemed to not fully understand or appreciate the money-making power of his soda fountain within his own pharmacy. Also luring people inside were...

In studio 502, join our guest Heidi Hardt and Paul as they weed thru some of the best parts, of arguably, one of the worst tramatic years in US history. From quarantining while working at home, to making creative uses of free time and blogging, Heidi maintains a strong sense of humor as she shares some highs and lows. In our podcast's two year run so far, our purpose has been to use storytelling to help us find and pin down the best us we could be. Today’s episode Found Value: 2020, is...

On this episode: Steve, Paul’s college friend, shares the accomplishment he and his family felt when taking a whitewater rafting excursion overnight in West Virginia. After Steve retells a few rafting adventure stories, Paul and Steve realize that the elements of the rafting trip might easily synthesize into a motivational video from the perspective of living your best life ever. Plans begin for Paul & Steve to return to West Virginia and shoot a video at the same place Steve had his unique...

Same time each year it happens: Paul goes in search of his “other me.” The one from decades earlier that dreams, writes, produces, makes effective use of time, creative projects and self-evaluates. -Many years ago, Paul set a course for himself, his destiny and life goals, but something got in the way…Life. Day to day life happens to all of us and usually steers us off of our desired course. Unwilling to let go of his dreams from decades ago, this podcast shares Paul’s stories about the...

When introduced to ‘drifting,’ -car drifting- in his late teens, Tristen realizes a passion for the sport. On this episode, Tristen, now 21, heads down life’s roads discovering personal & financial responsibilities. Learning never ceases. In Tristen’s world of diverse vehicles, he shares his ongoing dreams, passions & goals & a few great stories. Life’s Learning Curve heads to the southwest in New Mexico to interview & swap stories with guest Tristen Malakowsky. Webcast on you...

Our Guest, Erik Iverson shares stories from his upcoming book titled “If Only I’d Taken Roswell.” NEWS & SPORTS broadcaster Erik shares a few of his television & radio broadcasting experiences in the mid Midwest markets. From a sour station manager to positive qualified mentors, Erik shares his experiences. Note: A creepy & diverse assignment editor asks Erik to spend a few nights in her eerie & mysterious house. Although he feels grateful for a positive career in broadcasting, maybe Erik...

When Paul is asked to shoot a commercial for a local retired millionaire named Hal, things never gelled at all. Easily triggered, Hal is braggy, manipulative, dismissive & constantly dissatisfied with Paul. Teased by a chance to shoot video from a helicopter, Paul begins to understand he is being lured & intimidated by a man with control & bad debt issues. -True story as always. “You can’t write this stuff.” -Ken Nordon Support the show (https://lifeslearningcurve.org)

Why did Paul create THIS podcast -Life's Learning Curve? A combination of things: A former student named Sean, Paul's daughter Heidi, some fast food and a car's satellite radio service all synthesized into LLC. It was as if Paul had been rehearsing it for 35 years! Find out why. LISTEN to this one! 'WHISKEY DOCS' podcast appears on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & almost everywhere podcasts are heard. Thx to Dr. Trace McClintock! Support the show (https://lifeslearningcurve.org)

Freshman year at a downstate university. Paul’s friends told him how lucky he was to be going away and NOT having to go to a local community college. But something happened, things didn’t turn out like he thought they would. It was 1976, and the mid midwest was headed for its most hot and humid fall ever. Life threw Paul several unexpected life-changing learning curves which almost took him out for good. -So Life’s Learning Curve packs up their hotplates & mini fridges & travels downstate...

It was 1976, Paul was proud to attend his freshman year at a university downstate. All Paul’s friends told him how lucky he was to be going away and NOT having to go to a local community college. But something happened, things didn’t turn out like he thought it would. Life threw Paul several unexpected life-changing learning curves which almost took him out for good. -So Life’s Learning Curve packs up their hotplates, mini fridges and travels downstate for freshman year. It’s those...

Explaining Paul’s need for escapism and finding paradise is boldly retold. Driven by films, books and music, finding paradise always seems to be just over there, or just a day’s drive away. But it’s a funny thing, escapism… He discovers that you can go far and wide and can keep moving on and on through places and years, but Paul never escapes his own life. At last Paul locates where his life belongs in a most unusual place. Come along for a little necessary vacation time with Life’s Learning...

What happens when a favor becomes a gift? In this episode we hear how a family’s learning curve evolves again & again. This time a cottage on Geneva Lake in Wisconsin is loaned to Paul’s family in 1969. Some experiences are magic, some are tragic. From ghost stories, to music heroes, to the strain of everyday life in turbulent 60s, they survive & move forward. In the end, the amazing power of memories, a strong family unit, and a day of independence come together for new vistas and horizons...

“If Denny had 20 choices, he always chose the worst one and went with it.” Join video producer Sam as he retells his life’s misadventures working with an idea man / client named Denny, a man whose misguided & unfortunate wisdom made his entertainment business misfunction. -Then along came entrepreneur & financier Ronald. With Ronald’s help, will Denny make a better choice that will finally escalate his business? Support the show (https://lifeslearningcurve.org)

Paul was just 5 years old when his grandpa was age 64, yet they were the best of pals. They frequently spent quality time with one another and often went on adventures into the real world of a small Illinois town. Retired, Paul’s grandpa was going thru a phase in his life where he had time. He had gone through two terrible wars, a financial depression, & supported his nuclear family, as well as his own family. Now it was his time. He invested that time with his young grandson: Steam...