Why Feeling Behind Is Killing Your Progress

Why Feeling Behind Is Killing Your Progress

Author: Kevin Pannell February 26, 2026 Duration: 5:34

A lot of young people feel like they are already late. Late to choose the right major, late to land the right job, late to make real money, late to figure life out. In this episode, Why Feeling Behind Is Killing Your Progress, I share the long arc of my own path, from joining the Navy at 19 to working IT support at 25, going back to college at 29, graduating at 32 with a newborn at home, serving in public health and emergency management through my late 30s, becoming an EMS Captain at 41, and eventually leading an enterprise IT PMO.

Along the way, I also built strength in my 40s, earned my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt, and continued to grow in faith and discipline. This conversation is a reminder that your twenties are not a deadline; they are a runway. You are not behind, you are building.


Kevin Pannell has operated in environments where a single decision carries immense weight. As a former Navy Hospital Corpsman in critical care, a Firefighter/EMT, and now an Enterprise IT PMO leader, he’s learned that meticulous plans are only as good as the moment they fall apart. His People, Process, Progress podcast explores what happens next. This isn't theoretical management advice; it's a deep dive into the frameworks that actually function under pressure. Each episode draws direct lines between the sterile intensity of an ICU, the unpredictable chaos of a 911 call, and the complex political landscapes of modern corporate projects. You'll hear concrete stories and dissected strategies about guiding teams through uncertainty, adapting processes in real time, and finding a path forward when the expected one vanishes. The conversations are built on a simple, powerful premise: true progress isn't about avoiding failure, but about mastering your response to it. For anyone leading teams, managing careers, or simply interested in the mechanics of decisive action, this podcast offers a rare, grounded perspective. Tune in for honest discussions on resilience, leadership, and the practical tools that turn breakdowns into breakthroughs.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Own. Move. Anchor. with Kevin Pannell
Podcast Episodes
Breathing, Framing, and Surviving in Jiu-Jitsu and in Life | S4Ep7 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:43
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 challe…
When You Miss Someone at Christmas | S4Ep5 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:43
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…
How to Craft Impactful User Stories for Improved Outcomes | S4Ep4 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:02
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 ourselve…
When Processes Should Adapt | S4Ep3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:29
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.Pe…
The Power of Proactivity | Foundations Friday #105 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:49
Being proactive is a power. It enables us to prepare our minds for hardship better, and proactive Public Safety leaders and Project Managers can provide better contingency plans. In the realm of Public Safety, taking pro…