Writer and activities director Josh Urban believes in the transformative power of starting small to achieve big creative goals. "The idea is harnessing the power of short form projects," Urban explains, noting that "if you start with a little bit you segment your improvement you put it out to get a quick turnaround time." Rather than diving into massive undertakings like novels, Urban advocates for building creative muscles through shorter works: "if I can spend 10 minutes here and 20 minutes there and I can write an article I can write an essay and write a poem then you can put those together so it takes away that excuse for not starting." His approach proved successful when he authored "Cities on a Hill," a collection documenting life in nursing homes during COVID lockdowns, after a resident told him in a dream "we wrote a book and we sold a million copies." Urban's philosophy extends beyond writing to any creative or business endeavor: "if you see a problem and you can use your particular talents and skills to solve it that's a good path to pursue." Through his blog, published three times weekly, and his community work, Urban demonstrates how consistent short-form content can build meaningful connections and create lasting impact. Ready to transform your creative process?

Visit joshurban.com to discover more insights on turning small projects into significant achievements.

Thank you to Mill Mountain Coffee and Tea in downtown Roanoke, Virginia for lighting us record in your coffee shop!

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Harvard graduate and Goldman Sachs alum Injil Muhammad Jr. is revolutionizing how Gen Z professionals navigate early career challenges through his company Budtle. After experiencing firsthand the disconnect between academic preparation and workplace reality, Muhammad recognized that "there's so many aspects that just have nothing to do with your academic preparation or expertise because it's just a different environment." His solution addresses three critical soft skills often overlooked in traditional education: self-advocacy ("You have to actually advocate for yourself and make sure that you have the visibility"), strategic networking, and time management. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z entered the workforce during unprecedented times—experiencing remote work as the norm rather than a perk, and facing AI automation of traditional entry-level tasks. Muhammad's framework distinguishes between coaches (peers 2-4 years ahead), mentors (advisory relationships), and sponsors (advocates who "speak for you when you're not in the room"), providing a systematic approach to professional relationship building. For Gen Z professionals struggling with workplace transition or companies looking to better engage their junior talent, Muhammad's active LinkedIn presence offers valuable insights five times per week, and comprehensive resources are available at buddleplatform.com.dearbusinesscoachpodcast.com/subscribe

Allen Evitts, a seasoned project manager with nearly three decades in technology, recently shared insights from his extensive career spanning telecommunications, business analysis, and education on the Dear Business Coach podcast. "I'm a project manager have been a project manager for nearly 30 years in technology," Evitts explained, describing his journey from theater production to corporate project management. His unique background includes working on groundbreaking projects like the original iPhone launch, which he revealed "was originally launched by AT&T... we called it Project Bob."

Drawing parallels between his early theater work and project management, Evitts noted that "when you're producing directing theater live theater it's very close to the same skill set as a project manager because you have a concrete deliverable that you're trying to accomplish you have a time frame and a deadline." Now transitioning into education and instruction, Evitts emphasizes a fundamental principle for project professionals: "every day when I get up... as a project manager trying to get things done you look at it as you know am I organizing more... or is it communicate... or is it leadership." His philosophy centers on embracing the process rather than just focusing on outcomes, stating "you have to find the small victories along the way and if you're trying to do something you really do have to enjoy getting up in the morning and doing the work." With a book in development focusing on his "organization communication leadership kind of triad," Evitts encourages interested professionals to connect with him, saying "if you reach out and say that you saw me here um I will definitely take your call and call you back and or text you back."

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