Life's Learning Curve

Paul Hardt
  • 5.0 (10)
  • PERSONAL JOURNALS
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Storytelling: How we became us! We take a look backward & find ourselves negotiating our LIFE EXPERIENCES, discovering life's various tones -comedy, drama, and nostalgia. Our podcast offers imagery of a documentary recreation, but for audio. Life happens in a heartbeat. Let's learn, thrive and love from our experiences while we're here. Cheers!

  1. My First Summer Job

    OCT 21

    My First Summer Job

    Send us a text When you’re sixteen, the right summer job can feel like hitting the jackpot. For Paul, it was working on a school district’s grounds crew—sun on his back, cash in his pocket, and a cast of unforgettable coworkers: Shorty, Sarge, Birdman, and Mr. Excitement. It wasn’t just mowing fields—it was growing up. Support the show

    37 min
  2. Mr. Feature Creep: Just One More Change

    SEP 22

    Mr. Feature Creep: Just One More Change

    Send us a text Ever had a media video client ask for “just one more thing”? Welcome to the world of Feature Creep—where a simple three-minute video spirals into CGI mascots, helicopter shots, courtroom drama, and toddlers dictating color palettes. From a newsroom commercial gone wild in 1990, to the Fast & Furious of plant nursery training videos, Paul Hardt shares hilarious (and painful) true stories of edits that never ended. Learn why chasing “perfect” can turn into ego management, how to stop projects before they become hostages, and the one rule every creator should live by: export at version twelve—before you lose your mind. Order in the court—this is Mr. Feature Creep: Just One More Thing. Support the show

    27 min
  3. That Fish Had More Paperwork Than Our Boat

    AUG 31

    That Fish Had More Paperwork Than Our Boat

    Send us a text Meet Ernest “Skip” Wilson—Florida Keys legend, part-time adventurer, full-time excuse machine. In this episode, Skip, Chug, and Ricky Two-Toes haul in a monster grouper… only to realize it’s tagged by marine scientists and comes with more paperwork than their boat. From shady bars to busted skiffs, and with the marine patrol closing in, Skip’s only weapon is his charm—and maybe one legendary fib about “Principal Finnegan” the noble fish. A sunburnt comedy of errors, packed with laughs, close calls, and just enough truth to keep you guessing. Support the show

    17 min
  4. You're Someone's Barstool Now

    JUL 8

    You're Someone's Barstool Now

    Send us a text What happens when a man who's spent his whole life dodging expectations finally… sticks around? In this episode, we meet Ernest “Skip” Wilson—ex-adventurer, ex-romantic, and full-time Keys philosopher with a caffeine addiction and a rusted mailbox full of stories. From fishing scams and love lost, to the kind of porchside wisdom you can only earn after three decades of sunburn and bad decisions, Skip serves up laughs, longing, and a few lessons that sting just the right amount. Come for the seashell wind chimes and Slim Jim economics—stay for the moment a busted old mailbox becomes a badge of belonging. This one’s not just a goodbye. It’s a barstool-level promotion.  Support the show

    29 min
  5. Callan Lee & The Legend of Grandaddy Pal

    JUN 13

    Callan Lee & The Legend of Grandaddy Pal

    Send us a text Time doesn’t just pass—it dances. Meet Callan Lee, a spirited two-year-old boy from Austin, Texas, seen through the eyes of his grandfather—and Callan’s own future ten-year-old self. What unfolds is a playful and poignant ride through memory, imagination, and legacy. Told as if young Callan himself is narrating, this story zips between superhero dreams on Illinois ranches, cowboy wisdom under Texas stars, and a garage Batcave packed with burritos, rubber chickens, and homemade label makers. Along the way, Grandaddy Pal shares lessons learned from war, storytelling, and simply showing up. It's a tale that proves love between generations doesn’t just echo from the past—it lights the way forward. Saddle up, press play, and ride into a story full of laughter, wisdom, and a little boy’s big dreams. No bunny. Support the show

    18 min
  6. Technicolor Teenager 1972

    MAY 21

    Technicolor Teenager 1972

    Send us a text It's 1972. Polyester clung. Adidas squeaked. And one 14-year-old kid believed that walking thirty miles might fix his whole personality. This isn’t just a story about a charity hike. It’s about awkward adolescence, Kool-Aid commercial dreams, abandoned comedy writers, and discovering the kind of strength that doesn’t brag—it just limps quietly and keeps going. Full of 70s nostalgia, bittersweet laughs, and one brutally earned life lesson, this episode walks the line between who we want to be… and who we become when no one shows up but us. 👟 Tune in. Tie your laces. And remember to pack extra socks. Life’s Learning Curve – Streaming now. Support the show

    32 min
  7. Because of Mr. Benson: A Teacher's Farewell

    APR 4

    Because of Mr. Benson: A Teacher's Farewell

    Send us a text Today’s episode isn’t about a celebrity. It’s not about a bestselling author or a viral filmmaker. It’s about a guy who forgets where he parked, wears mismatched socks, and once left his coffee on the roof of his car. But behind the clumsy charm? He holds something powerful: the ability to tell a story that stays with you. From childhood, Mr. Benson didn’t just write stories—he saw them. And he taught others to see them too. He helped generations of students turn everyday life into something unforgettable… but in doing so, he discovered a haunting truth: 👉 The moment you share your story… it’s no longer just yours. This is a story about letting go of what you create, watching it take flight, and realizing that the most powerful legacies don’t have your name on them—they have your fingerprints all over someone else’s heart. From chalkboards to camera lenses, from classroom whispers to standing ovations… this is the story of a storyteller who taught the world how to notice. ✨ Stay with us. Because this one? It’s not just a story. It’s a thank you letter… to the teachers, the mentors, the invisible magic-makers. Support the show

    25 min
  8. Childhood County

    MAR 18

    Childhood County

    Send us a text In this episode of Life’s Learning Curve, we journey back to Childhood County—a place where laughter was law, imagination ruled, and every cloud sparked a new story. But what happens when the games start to feel smaller and the bridge to Adulthood looms ahead? Join us as we reflect on the magic we left behind, the courage it took to cross that bridge, and the pieces of Childhood we can still carry with us today. Childhood County, where we know that while we all must grow up, the wonder doesn’t have to fade. Support the show

    20 min
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5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Storytelling: How we became us! We take a look backward & find ourselves negotiating our LIFE EXPERIENCES, discovering life's various tones -comedy, drama, and nostalgia. Our podcast offers imagery of a documentary recreation, but for audio. Life happens in a heartbeat. Let's learn, thrive and love from our experiences while we're here. Cheers!

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Hardt
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Life's Learning Curve
  • Show Website
    Life's Learning Curve