Between the Slides

On this Foundations Friday, How to Speak the Same Risk Language, we break down how project managers and emergency leaders can align around a shared risk language. Whether you're using a THIRA or a risk register, the goal is the same: identify what could go wrong, how bad it might be, and what to do about it. Real teamwork starts when everyone sees risk through the same lens.

Warren Buffett said it best: “Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing.” On today's episode, How to Combine Project Risk Tools with Emergency Planning, we're focusing on how project managers and public safety leaders can speak the same language when it comes to risk. The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, created the Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment—also known as THIRA—to help communities anticipate and plan for the unknown. In the same way, project risk registers help uncover obstacles before they become blockers. Today, we'll connect the dots between THIRA, stakeholder maps, and integrated risk matrices—so your team can prepare, prioritize, and progress, no matter the scenario.

In this Foundations Friday, Structure Before Action, we explore the importance of applying project structure to any event or initiative. Whether you're planning a community gathering, a training workshop, or a major deployment, structure is your best friend. Learn two quick strategies to lead with clarity and avoid chaos.What You'll Learn:Why structure should come before actionHow to define your event like a project charterTwo simple ways to build a planning foundationA reminder that leadership starts with preparationPaired Full Episode:

Planning a public event without structure is a risk you can't afford. In this episode, Why You Should Treat the Planned Event Like a Project, Kevin Pannell shares how to apply project management principles and ICS tools, like RACI matrices, project phases, SMART goals, and SitReps, to plan safer, smoother public safety events. Whether you're leading a 5K, a drill, or a community gathering, treat the event like a project—and lead with purpose.Topics Covered: event planning, project phases, stakeholder roles, ICS, SMART goals, emergency management, public safety leadership

This week, we apply an EMT's trauma checklist to project leadership. Using the DCAP-BTLS framework, we explore how to scan your project for failure symptoms—before they spiral.Key focus areas:• Spotting early signs of project breakdown• Clarifying roles and responsibilities• Responding with intention, not reactionCall to Action: Identify one “injury” in your project—like burnout, misalignment, or scope creep—and treat it today.People first. Combined process. Progress together.

Welcome to the second full episode in our All-Hazards Project Management series, What EMTs can Teach Us about Failing Projects. In this episode, we apply a trauma checklist used in emergency medicine—DCAP-BTLS—to assess and stabilize failing projects.Strategies shared include:Weekly workload balancingStakeholder alignment checkpointsRACI ownership clarificationsReal-world triage questions for team check-insPeople first. Combined process. Progress together.

This week's Foundations Friday, Start with One AI Use Case, is a bit of a reset and reminder. If you're in public safety or project management, you don't need to become a coder. But you do need to understand where AI can help you lead smarter and deliver faster.

In this episode, Can AI Revolutionize Public Safety and Project Management? We explore how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping how we plan, respond, and lead in complex environments.Key takeaways:How to get your PEOPLE ready with an AI readiness assessmentWhere to fit AI into your organization's PROCESSWhen to measure PROGRESS with an AI impact dashboardPeople first. Process aligned. Progress together.

Welcome to the 20-episode run of the All-Hazards Project Management series of the People, Process, Progress podcast.Since I was seventeen, I've been involved in public safety, emergency medicine, and planning events or incident responses. Across all these roles, one truth has stood out: effective planning connects them all. In public safety, it's about saving lives and protecting property—but that only works when teams share a process and operate efficiently. In emergency medicine, triage and crisis standards guide us to do the greatest good for the greatest number. And in project management, it's about turning an idea into reality.In every one of these fields, people are the constant. To stay safe, deliver care, and get results, those people must work a shared process. The progress we make depends on both.That's where this All-Hazards Project Management series comes in.This series is built from the field and the front lines. I've used elements of what you'll hear in these episodes to train fire department leaders in project management and to share public safety insights with members of the Project Management Institute (PMI). These are the practical lessons that bridge emergency response and organizational execution.Each episode blends:People – who we lead and how we support them,Process – the systems and structures that keep us aligned,Progress – the measurable outcomes that prove we're moving forward.We'll connect project management frameworks to the Incident Command System (ICS), highlight real-world parallels, and provide tools you can apply immediately. You'll also get a clear call to action in every episode to drive results, not just reflection.If you're ready to lead in uncertainty, plan with precision, and deliver under pressure—this series is for you.Let's lead with clarity, operate with purpose, and progress together. I'll see you next week.

In this episode, Tackling Scope Creep: People, Process, & Courage, we're diving into how to protect our projects, keep our sanity, and build stronger teams in the process.Episode outlineIntroCore conceptsThe People Side: Assertiveness and Stakeholder Boundaries The Process Side: Change Control Systems (Hard Skills/PM Tools)The Progress Side: Leading with Clarity Under Pressure Summary & ClosingGodspeed y'all,Kevin

This episode is an audiobook-like version of the 7 Pillars Field Guide. This 7 Pillars Field Guide distills the key, actionable tools and techniques from The Stability Equation into one-page summaries of each of the seven pillars: ownership, mindfulness, movement, boundaries, connection, sleep, and faith.Godspeed y'all,Kevin

Welcome back to the People, Process, Progress podcast, the podcast dedicated to fostering pragmatic optimism in your professional world. Today, we're tackling a universal challenge: the art of the good project handoff.Whether you're a healthcare professional transitioning patient care, a software developer handing off a project, or simply passing the baton in any collaborative effort, a smooth handoff is crucial for success. So, let's dive in and explore some key elements for both providing and receiving a stellar handoff.Godspeed y'all,Kevin

In Lessons in Project Management from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, I share how the choices made in the virtual fantasy world of Skyrim parallel the strategic decisions Portfolio Managers and leaders must make when planning, resourcing, and executing projects within their organizations' portfolios.Episode focus areas:Effective resource allocation and prioritizationEffective stakeholder managementEffective risk managementEffective progress tracking and benefit realizationGodpseed y'all,Kevin

Restarting the Fix It Friday series with the March 2024 episode from the Hope is NOT a Plan podcast. This episode delves into the crucial skill of asking objective questions to drive clarity and problem-solving. We explore how unbiased inquiries can empower teams and improve processes by drawing parallels to the host's diverse podcasting journey and the principles in his book The Stability Equation. Learn practical techniques to formulate effective objective questions and unlock better organizational outcomes.How to ask:Focus on "who," "what," "when," "where," and "how" questionsAvoid leading questions that suggest an answerPhrase questions neutrally, without judgmentEncourage elaboration with open-ended questionsGodspeed y'all,Kevin

Hey everyone!I'm excited to officially announce the launch of my book, The Stability Equation: 7 Pillars for a More Balanced Life! This subreddit was created to discuss the principles and practices outlined in the book, and I'm so grateful to have you all here.This book is deeply personal, born from my struggles with anxiety, trauma, and the journey to find lasting mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. It shares the roadmap I developed – the 7 Pillars – that helped me reclaim my balance.This book can serve as a practical resource, and this subreddit can become a supportive community where we can explore these pillars together, share our experiences, and encourage each other on our paths to greater stability.If you're interested in learning more, you can find the book on Amazon here:https://a.co/d/1V1tpGII look forward to engaging with you and building a supportive community around The Stability Equation. Let's work towards a more balanced life together.Godspeed y'all,Kevin

Today's episode, The Stability Equation: 7 Pillars for a More Balanced Life, is all about building a balanced life, a life that honors the miracle you are while acknowledging the human imperfections that come along with the ride. We're talking about the seven pillars that, when stacked carefully, create a life that's not just planned – it's thriving.

Welcome back to People, Process, Progress podcast. Today, on Five Benefits of Family Time Off, I'm diving into something I believe is essential for well-being and something that often gets pushed down the priority list amidst our busy schedules: family vacations.The benefits:Stress reductionFamily bonding and connectionEnhanced problem-solving skillsPositive impact on physical healthCreating memories togetherGodspeed.

Episode Objectives:Historical overview of political manipulation tactics used throughout America's historyFive key examples of manipulation spanning different erasSix actionable strategies for navigating today's complex political landscapeGodspeed y'all.

In this episode, The People, Process, & Progress of Public Health, I talk about what public health is, why it matters, and why it's crucial to protect it from political whiplash, ensuring that the critical work of keeping communities healthy continues regardless of who's in office. 

Hello everyone and welcome back to The People, Process, & Progress Podcast, I'm your host Kevin Pannell. On today's episode, How Technical Should Project Managers Really Be? | S4Ep17 I'm speaking to Project Managers, aspiring PMs, team leads, and anyone involved in software or technical projects. My goal is to talk through the optimal level of technical understanding for project managers, emphasizing the value of technical literacy without overstepping into solution design, and balancing tactical involvement with strategic oversight.

As a Project Manager I'm always seeking new knowledge, skills, and abilities to help me empower my team members and project partners. In Five Focus Areas for Project Managers in 2025, I'm sharing focus areas I will be diving deeper into and that I've gotten questions about from my teams and the internet.

On today's episode, How we Should Reform the Federal Emergency Management Agency, I'll examine the critical role of FEMA in disaster relief and explore strategies to improving its effectivenessHow we can improve FEMA:Thorough After-Action Report/Improvement Plans (AAR/IPs)Direct engagement with FEMA employees and the publicStreamline Local and State assistance processesEnhance pre-disaster collaboration at all levelsGodspeed y'al

In this audio from my video, I share lessons learned from the book Extreme Ownership written by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin and from my completion of the Echelon Front course Extreme Ownership Framework and how Project Managers can apply them when leading teams.Find a course and sign up at https://academy.echelonfront.com/

Over the past few years, I've pulled together seven focus areas for my life that I call the “7 Pillars”, of ownership, mindfulness, movement, boundaries, connection, sleep, and faith. Today on Seven Powerful Quotes to Help You Balance Your Life in 2025, I'm sharing quotes from seven of the most influential people I've heard speak, read books from, and worked with and how I apply these concepts in my life.Quotes from:Jocko WillinkAndy PuddicombeEmma McAdamJackson BaynardJohan HarriMatthew WalkerThe HospitalerGodspeed y'all.

The Challenger disaster serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous risk assessment and the potential consequences of ignoring or downplaying warnings. In Risk Management Lessons from the Challenger Disaster, I'm paralleling takeaways from the Challenger disaster with how Project Managers can reduce project risk through effective risk management.Godspeed to the Challenger Astronauts Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Michael J. Smith, Judith A. Resnik, Ronald E. McNair, Ellison S. Onizuka, and Gregory B. Jarvis

The Challenger disaster serves as a stark reminder of the importance of rigorous risk assessment and the potential consequences of ignoring or downplaying warnings. In Risk Management Lessons from the Challenger Disaster, I'm paralleling takeaways from the Challenger disaster with how Project Managers can reduce project risk through effective risk management.Godspeed to the Challenger Astronauts Sharon Christa McAuliffe, Michael J. Smith, Judith A. Resnik, Ronald E. McNair, Ellison S. Onizuka, and Gregory B. Jarvis

In Moving Past Paralysis During Analysis I'm sharing five considerations for leaders who need to move their teams to a decision point and out of an analysis rut whether planning a disaster response or a technology project.

On today's Framework Friday, Eight Steps to Effective Strategic Communication, I'm going to share the National Incident Management System (NIMS) 8-step process that many Public Information Officers (PIO) use to effectively communicate before, during, and after disasters.Reference: page 20 of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Basic Guidance for Public Information Officers (PIOs)

In this episode, How NOT to Brief the Public After a Disaster, I'll share insight from my time on an All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT) on what not to do when briefing the public and press after a critical incident and proposed solutions to improve crisis communication in the future.Lessons learned:Not overcrowding the roomNot using basic mannersNot being honest with the publicNot letting Operations speakNot briefing leaders ahead of timeNot showing a Unified Command presenceGodspeed y'all,Kevin

In Breathing, Framing, and Surviving in Jiu-Jitsu and in Life, I'm speaking about the importance of breathing, placing physical and metaphorical frames in your life, and surviving. I'm speaking to you folks facing challenging times, Jiu-Jitsu practitioners, fitness enthusiasts, anyone interested in self-improvement, …in other words. All humans. In this episode:Breathing in BJJWim Hof and 2-to-1 breathing techniquesSetting mental and physical frames in BJJ and lifeSurviving by balancing your "7 pillars"Godspeed y'all,Kevin

In Lessons Learned from 2024 and Tools I'm Doubling Down On in 2025, I'm sharing a roundup of non-family and friend influential people, products, exercises, mindsets, and tools I found helpful in 2024 and that I'll build on going into 2025.

My Dad passed away in April of this year and this is my first Christmas without him. So I'm trying to find a way to honor my Father's memory, to acknowledge the pain, and perhaps, to find some peace. I wrote a poem, When You Miss Someone at Christmas, and I'd like to share it with you.Merry Christmas and Godspeed y'all,Kevin

Today, on Framework Friday episode one, How to Craft Impactful User Stories for Improved Outcomes, we're diving into a powerful tool for defining "what done looks like": user stories.People:Users, customers, and ourselvesProcess:Crafting user storiesUsing the MoSCoW prioritization methodProgress:Defining "what done looks like." more effectivelyGodspeed y'all,Kevin

In this episode I'm helping listeners not be too rigid with their processes through examples from Taiichi Ohno and my own lessons learned as an Emergency Medical Technician, Planning Section Chief, and Project Manager.People: "Let the flow manage the processes, and not let management manage the flow." - Taiichi OhonProcess:Evaluating what done looks likeLetting the team determine the best way to get thereGauging the team's capabilitiesChoosing the right tools from the process toolboxProgress:Helping listeners not be too rigid with their processes so that their teams have autonomy and collaborative outcomes are encouraged

In Welcome to the Re-launch of the People, Process, Progress Podcast, Host Kevin Pannell reunites himself with listeners after a one-year detour. Kevin shares why he stepped away, why he's back, and what listeners can expect from him and his guests in the future.“Sooner or later, everything old is new again.” - Stephen KingFuture focus:Leadership and managementTeam building and collaborationPersonal development and growthInnovation and creativityand more!more at peopleprocessprogress.com

Getting out of shape doesn't happen overnight. Gaining weight isn't an instant occurrence. So, what's to be done? Hit play and let's improve together.

I originally recorded "You're a Project Manager and You Don't Even Know It" in October 2020. I'm re-releasing it based on a message I received on Reddit from a Teacher looking to transition into Project Management.Find the Project Management Experience Tracker on my website at https://hopeisnotaplan.org/tools/

Hey there, friend. It's Kevin. Welcome back to the Hope is NOT a Plan podcast. Today, I want to have a little check-in with you. It's like a virtual wellness consult, just you and me.And if you're looking for some resources to help you work through any challenges you might be facing, head over to our website at hopeisnotaplan.org. We've got a whole toolkit of tips, tricks, and inspiration to keep you moving forward. Want to check in directly? Follow me and the show on @hopesnotaplan on X and Instagram. View workouts, cold plunge, and Jiu Jitsu videos on the Hope is NOT a Plan YouTube channel.

"For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted…" - Ecclesiastes 3:1-8It is said that Ecclesiastes was written by King Solomon in response to Proverbs in the Bible. In it, King Solomon's point is that life is not so simple as to fear God and choose wisdom. While important, it is also vital for us to go through journeys, hardships, and seasons, if you will.In this episode, we'll discuss the importance of understanding and embracing these seasons and provide actionable tips for navigating them effectively.Accept and acknowledge what season of life we are inEmbrace that season without too much harsh self-judgementGet to planning and prepare for the next seasonThank you all for listening, subscribing, and sharing the podcast with someone you think this may help.Stay safe, accept, and move through your seasons of life with hope as fuel and action as a transformative force, and I wish you all Godspeed.

Often, it feels like we don't have time to exercise. We have to get the kids ready for school, or we have an early meeting, or maybe we're traveling early. On today's Fitness Friday, Five Workouts You Can Knock Out in 10 Minutes or Less, I'm sharing five quick and effective workouts you can squeeze in in ten minutes or less.Tabata100 burpeesHigh-rep resistance bandsRun 1 mile for time10 minutes of mindfulnessLearn more about how to build your body, mind, and spirit at hopeisnotaplan.org, follow me on IG and X @hopesnotaplan, and visit the Hope is NOT a Plan YouTube channel for fitness, Jiu Jitsu, and cold plunge videos.Thanks again and remember to get up, get after it each day, and I wish you all, Godspeed.

Hello and welcome, I'm Kevin Pannell with this episode of the Hope is NOT a Plan podcast, Thriving After Cancer: A Journey of Post-Traumatic Growth. In today's episode I'll share what post-traumatic growth is, how it differs from resiliency, and more specifically, how cancer survivors and their families can take actionable steps to turn adversity into opportunity and emerge stronger than ever. Embrace your emotionsBuild your support networkSet meaningful goalsPractice gratitudeEmbrace lifelong learningStay safe, embrace a growth mindset, and Godspeed,Kevin

Marcus Aurelius said, "It is not death that a man should fear, but rather he should fear never beginning to live."So, how are you living? Are you living in total comfort? Is that comfort preparing you for tough times that may come? I submit it is not. I submit to you that making yourself get up and get after it in some form, whether Yoga, weights, Jiu Jitsu, etc., will prepare your mind, body, and spirit for challenges life WILL throw are you.Get upGet after itGodspeedKevin

So, in my early incident management career as a Planning Section Chief, I'd go with other people after disasters, help find missing people, or plan big sporting events. I was super rigid in the methodology and the tools we used, and I had to hit every step. I was wrong. Fortunately, good friends of mine helped me realize that sometimes we don't need to work on the whole process; we need to meet the needs of those in front of us. This is where Sometimes People Just Need Pizza and Port-o-Johns comes in.In this episode, I share how to:Focus on relationships firstAlign the team on outcomes secondCombine and align processes thirdWork together on the how fourthLastly, set the team loose to get shit doneUntil next time...- Stay safe- Focus on relationships, then outcomes, then on the shared process- And Godspeed y'allKevin

In Lessons from the Roman Mob and for Project Stakeholders I talk about how around 52BC, the Roman mob was comprised of Plebeians as they were called or working class people. Individually they weren't that powerful, but together, they created a mob that changed the Roman empire. In projects, our stakeholders can start to sew dissent like the Roman mob did.So, how do we address the mob mentality we see building in project teams and redirect that energy into efficient and collaborative work?Listen to hear the mobDetermine where there are truths and where there is false informationAddress rudeness and unprofessionalism earlyEscalate if neededRe-baseline the team and move onJust as Pompey in ancient Rome quelled the mob, so too can modern project leaders restore order and ensure the project's ultimate success.

I'm Kevin Pannell, Host of the Hope is NOT a Plan podcast. I am an IT Healthcare Project Management Office leader with a background in Public Safety, Special Event planning, and Incident Management and disaster response. In this episode, Hurricane Helene SITREP as of 06OCT2024, I'm providing a numerical snapshot of the impact of Hurricane Helene, the importance of shifting operations and mindset from rescue to recovery mode, and three opportunities for improvement I've observed from afar as a former Planning Section Chief on an All-Hazards Incident Management Team (AHIMT).How you can help:General GuidanceContact the State Emergency Management agencyCash is kingShelf stable foodWaterVolunteerState Emergency Management ContactsNorth Carolina: https://www.ncdps.gov/how-to-donateSouth Carolina: https://www.scemd.org/news/hurricane-helene-cleanup-in-south-carolina/ Georgia: https://gema.georgia.gov/hurricane-helene Florida: https://www.floridadisaster.org/disaster-updates/storm-updates/ Tennessee: https://www.tn.gov/tema/updates/hurricane-helene.html Virginia: https://www.vaemergency.gov/recover/hurricane-helene Thank you to all those that stepped up and stepped into harm's way to help their fellow Americans. Godspeed to the survivors and the fallen. God bless America.

In What You Need to Know About Disaster Response, I provide my insight as a former Firefighter-EMT and Incident Management Team (IMT) member on the early impact of Hurricane Helene, what should be happening on the ground in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia, and how listeners can help those affected by Hurricane Helene.Focus areas:Search and Rescue (SAR)Public Safety and Environmental HazardsMass Care and ShelteringInfrastructure Assessment and RepairCommunication and Coordination“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:89 Stay safe people of TN, NC, and VA, don't give up and help each other, and Godspeed, Kevin

Have you ever wondered what superheroes and project managers have in common? While they may seem worlds apart, there are surprising parallels between the challenges they face and the strategies they employ. In this episode, Parallels Between Comic Book Superheroes and Project Managers, we'll explore five key areas where comic book heroes and project managers share similarities, from problem-solving and leadership to resource management and communication. By understanding these parallels, we can gain valuable insights into effective project management techniques and the qualities that make great leaders.more at hopeisnotaplan.orgStay safe, leverage your inner superhero, and Godspeed,Kevin

This week, I was fortunate to hear from a leader who innovates in changing social determinants of health to social drivers of health. In Thought from the Road: How to Convert Fitness Determinants into Motivational Drivers, I take this guidance to heart and see that it directly applies to ourselves in our fitness and wellness areas.more at hopeisnotaplan.org

“Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that's related to seasonal changes. SAD typically begins in the fall and ends in the spring. Symptoms of SAD may include feeling sad, having low energy, overeating, and sleeping too much.” - National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) In this episode, How to Prepare for and Push Through Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), we will discuss the importance of hope and action to prepare for and overcome seasonal depression.Episode outline:Importance of sunlightValue of exerciseCleaner dietSocial connectionsTalking to othersStay safe, prepare to be less SAD, and Godspeed,KevinMore at hopeisnotaplan.org

If you want to Lower your risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes, improve bone health, and have an overall better quality of life, you'll make regular fitness part of your life. Join me on How to Fit Fitness into a Busy Schedule as I share three tips to help you make fitness part of who you are, not just something you do.Prioritize exercise like you do the DentistIncorporate activity throughout your dayFind exercise movements you enjoy doingGet up, get after it, and Godspeed,KevinMore at hopeisnotaplan.org

In How to Solve the Resource Allocation Riddle, I share three planning elements that will help Program Managers, Project Managers, and Team Leaders more effectively plan for, coordinate, and support the resources on their projects.Conduct thorough resource planning and forecastingOptimize resource utilization through effective time management and prioritizationDevelop a contingency plan for resource shortagesStay safe, take care of your resources, and Godspeed.More at hopeisnotaplan.org