The Progress Report

Jessica Curtis & Rob Semerano
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The Progress Report is where optimism meets action. Hosted by Jessica Curtis and Rob Semerano, this weekly podcast shines a light on the people, ideas, and innovations moving America forward. From unsung heroes to household names, each episode dives into personal stories of resilience, leadership, creativity, and grit. It’s not about politics—it’s about progress. Whether it's a high school wrestler overcoming the odds, a local business changing lives, or a national figure sharing lessons from the frontlines, The Progress Report celebrates the spirit that keeps this country going. Tune in, get inspired, and be reminded: the American story is still being written—and it’s far from over.

  1. 1 de jul.

    Get Up Eight Times: Rob Semerano on Baseball, Faith & the Comeback Nobody Saw Coming

    He was drafted by the Oakland A's, heard his name called while a picnic table sat waiting to be painted, and spent the next two decades fighting through Tommy John surgery, a knee replacement, a hip replacement, a divorce, and the quiet question of whether the dream still had a pulse. Jessica Curtis turns the mic on her partner Rob Semerano — former professional pitcher, father, and founder of Big League Talent — for a conversation about what baseball taught him about life, why God had him in the basement before his earthly father came down the stairs with good news, and what it means to still be throwing in your mid-forties because something keeps telling you not to stop.  Support the show

  2. 24 de jun.

    Dr. John Bell on Character, Community & the Umpire's Code

    Three words have anchored Dr. John Bell's graduation speech for decades: dream big, make a plan, work like a dog. In Part 2, the Port Jervis superintendent and Little League World Series umpire connects the dots between the diamond and real life — why kids need to get hosed by a bad call sometimes, what helicopter parents are actually taking away from their children, and how a thick skin and a friendly handshake make you a better umpire and a better leader. Plus: the Bell family legacy of community service that spans four generations and counting.  Support the show

  3. 17 de jun.

    Dr. John Bell on Family, Little League & the 20-Year Road to Williamsport

    He applied for 13 straight years. He got rejected every single time. And then, out of 10,000 applicants, Dr. John Bell was one of 16 umpires selected to work the Little League World Series in Williamsport. In Part 1, Port Jervis superintendent and lifelong umpire John Bell talks about what it means to chase a dream the slow way — laying groundwork, climbing ladders, and never mailing it in — and why growing up in a town like Port Jervis gave him the toughness to keep going when it would have been easier to quit.   Support the show

  4. 10 de jun.

    Tony Perkins on Prostate Cancer, Podcasting & What Still Gets Him Up at 2:30 AM

    The career is impressive. The person behind it is even more so. In Part 2, Tony Perkins gets personal — sharing his prostate cancer diagnosis, why he decided to go public with it, and how that decision led to countless men getting tested who otherwise wouldn't have. He also talks about the future of media, the reboot of his comedy podcast You Gotta Be Kidding Me with longtime producer Gary Stein, and the screenplay he's currently trying to sell. Plus his advice for anyone trying to break in today: forget the traditional mold and lead with your passion.  Support the show

  5. 3 de jun.

    Tony Perkins on Comedy, Craft & the Carson Standard

    He grabbed a hairbrush as a kid and pretended it was a microphone. Decades later, Tony Perkins has anchored major newscasts, co-hosted Good Morning America alongside Diane Sawyer and Robin Roberts, and made audiences laugh from comedy club stages to the NBC4 anchor desk. In Part 1, Tony talks with Rob and Jess about what stand-up comedy taught him about reading a room, the phone call that changed everything, and why it took him two full months at a network show to remember: they hired me because of me. Plus — the moment he stood in a corner trying to collect himself after hugging a Beatle. Support the show

  6. 27 de mai.

    Andrew Marotta on Burnout, Balance & the Formula for Leading Well

    Airtight compartments, Belgian beer in Brussels, and a 9 p.m. bedtime — Andrew Marotta's approach to avoiding burnout is as practical as it is intentional. In Part 2, Andrew breaks down the leadership formulas from his latest book, including the five SWs and E+R=O, shares how he handled a rash of knives in school without a single parent complaint, and drops the one piece of advice he wishes he'd had early in his career: enjoy the journey. Plus, the Port Jervis Alumni Association is launching — and they want to hear from you.  Support the show

  7. 20 de mai.

    Small Actions, Big Impact: Andrew Marotta on Leading with Positivity

    What happens when a Staten Island kid chasing small-town living lands in Port Jervis on the day of the flood — and never leaves? Andrew Marotta, educator, author, and the driving force behind Port Jervis City School District's communications renaissance, joins Rob and Jess for a conversation about what drew him to teaching, what's kept him there for nearly three decades, and why looking for the positive isn't naive — it's a leadership strategy. Plus: the veteran teacher who stormed into his office angry and left with the wind back in her sails.  Support the show

  8. 13 de mai.

    Steve Overmyer: The Stories Behind the Scoreboard

    What does it feel like to be standing on the field when Dan Marino hits a touchdown pass in front of 80,000 screaming fans — and think the whole stadium is cheering for you? That's the kind of moment that turns a young broadcaster into a lifer. Steve Overmyer has spent decades telling sports stories at the highest levels — from CNN to CBS News New York — and in Part 2 of our conversation, he breaks down what makes sports the last great unifier in a divided culture, why the best broadcasters learn to get out of the story's way, and what a dancing crossing guard has to do with the most important lesson in journalism. Plus: Patriots fans in New Jersey, Buffalo Bills loyalists who don't think the Jets count as New York, and the moment Steve accidentally became part of a college football game. Support the show

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Sobre

The Progress Report is where optimism meets action. Hosted by Jessica Curtis and Rob Semerano, this weekly podcast shines a light on the people, ideas, and innovations moving America forward. From unsung heroes to household names, each episode dives into personal stories of resilience, leadership, creativity, and grit. It’s not about politics—it’s about progress. Whether it's a high school wrestler overcoming the odds, a local business changing lives, or a national figure sharing lessons from the frontlines, The Progress Report celebrates the spirit that keeps this country going. Tune in, get inspired, and be reminded: the American story is still being written—and it’s far from over.

Informações

  • Criado por
    Jessica Curtis & Rob Semerano
  • Anos de atividade
    2025 - 2026
  • Episódios
    41
  • Classificação
    Livre
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Think American News
  • Site do podcast
    The Progress Report