On The Fly

Patrick Ball

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SELF-IMPROVEMENT
UPDATED WEEKLY

A smidgen of history, a dash of culture - a minute dedicated to making you smile.

1D AGO

Stop Buying Rory's Ball

Golfers, unless you have the rotational speed of a centrifuge, that "Tour" ball is costing you 5 strokes a round. I’m turning 70 this year, and I finally learned that gravity doesn't care about brand loyalty. Here is my guide to the best low-compression balls for the rest of us. ⛳️

8 min
FEB 15

The Language of Home

This episode is for anyone trying to find their footing in a new place—whether it’s a new city, a new job, or a new country. A tribute to my Mom.

7 min
FEB 14

Why Is the Sky Blue

It's the question we outgrew. Do you remember being five years old, lying on your back on a warm afternoon, squinting into a cloudless sky, and asking, “Why is the sky blue?”

5 min
FEB 7 · BONUS

Remarkable Ronnie

Happy birthday to my brother, Ronnie! Enjoy your special day!

2 min
FEB 4

Taking Flight–Moving

In this 500th episode, we’re moving to a new home. Here’s why—and what’s staying the same. Since April 2012, On the Fly has been on Blogger. Now, join me on Substack.

5 min
FEB 3

Life OS: Version 2026

Why Your Mind Feel Like It Has 47 Tabs Open? In 2017, I described the mind as a blank slate at birth—clean and ready for coding. If your Life OS feels slow or buggy, don’t wait for a hardware upgrade; you have full admin privileges. This week, instead of seeking miracles, look for glitches.

8 min
FEB 1 · BONUS

Chasing 70

They say golf is a game of misses. My first round at Rancho Carlsbad was a masterclass in missing. I turn 70 in August, and as part of my Great Un-Working Lifestyle, I want to shoot my age by my birthday.

6 min
JAN 31 · BONUS

Fear Becomes the Default

Early Sunday morning, I cycled past a veterans' park in San Marcos. The air was still, streets nearly empty. On one corner, a woman held a sign: "Be ANGRY. ICE agents are murdering people.”

5 min

TRAILER

The Silent Grid

In the tranquil town of Greenwood, a quiet revolution is brewing as an unassuming smartphone from the future slowly infiltrates its residents' minds–introduction.

S5, E40

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2 min
TRAILER

On the Fly - Promo

People ask me all the time, "So, what's your podcast about?" My response, A smidgen of history, a dash of culture - a minute dedicated to making you smile. "It's whatever comes to mind - really!"

S2

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2 min

5

out of 5

2 Ratings

A smidgen of history, a dash of culture - a minute dedicated to making you smile.

Creator

Patrick Ball
Years Active

2020 - 2026
Episodes

375
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Patrick Ball
Show Website

On The Fly