Third Years A Charm

In this episode, Third Years A Charm . . .

Welcome to Episode 207 of On the Fly. You may not believe this, but we went live on the Anchor platform (Spotify for Podcasters) three years ago today!

Lately, people ask, "So, how many listeners do you have?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure; I don't pay attention to the numbers."

"Why not?"

Well, On the Fly is a creative adventure. I'm committed to developing my artistic ability, imaginative writing, music education, and digital editing skills. When this all started, I challenged myself; I said, "Self, what do you think? Can you merge the skills you've developed and deliver an entertaining weekly program? And offer educational content for an audience?"

You see, creativity is about developing a habit of taking what seems - at the time - to be a wild idea and experimenting with ways to deliver a story through the medium of on-demand audio. We've dabbled with video, but as you may recall from the 200th episode - Earl Nightingale - my model is the 1950s radio program Our Changing World. I'm proud to say; that this podcast is the "vehicle to the future" to share my experiences and document my adventures; maybe we should call it My Changing World.

Yes, I can deliver! You be the judge - we're approaching over 12,000 downloads. And I've discovered it's possible to produce a podcast without an entire studio. If you missed it - check out The Bakersfield Sound and Yosemite Stories, two episodes written, recorded, and creatively produced during our October vacation to Yosemite National Park.

Is it fun? Absolutely! Preparing a weekly production keeps me experimenting, learning, and growing and encourages me to explore who I'm becoming. Yet another example is last week's episode, My First Piano, a new musical venture.

My listening friends, I challenge you to go back and troll the many archived episodes. One of my favorites is Episode 14, Captain Fantastic; what's yours? The easiest way to do that is to follow me on Spotify, then select the option - "play unplayed episodes." You will be enlightened and inspired to begin your creative journey. If I can do it, so can you.

On the Fly is entirely free of those annoying Ads!

I'm Patrick Ball; thanks for listening. I'll see you in the next episode.

Comments

A Heart Full of Thanks

Oh, the thanks I could think, and the thanks I could say! For the wonderful people who brightened my day. The first one is Lori, my wife, sweet and true, Who knows just the thing and knows just what to do. She whipped up a feast with a smile and a sigh, With corn on the cob and a steak cooked “On the Fly!” My neighbor, Steve, with a mischievous gleam, Said, “No fence work today! No work, it would seem! You’ll paint with some water, some colors so bright, And sign your new painting with all of your might!" I laughed and I said, “But I don’t know that skill! I’ll slap on some paint and see what sticks still!” Then there’s my friends on the Facebook machine, The best group of readers that ever was seen! They read all my blogs and they hear my podcasts, They send all their cheer that's built to last! And Billy and Linda. A Snoopy card in the mail. A wonderful surprise that was sure to prevail! From very good friends, a delightful new tale ! But the thanks didn't stop, no, not...

History Isn’t a Museum

✨ In this episode, History Isn't a Museum—It's a River . . . History isn't a museum—it's a river, and like it or not, we're already swimming in it. Its waters carry timeless lessons forward, flowing through each generation, waiting to be rediscovered . This profound realization struck me while reading Marcus Aurelius's Meditations . Imagine: a Roman emperor and philosopher two thousand years ago, writing notes that sound like advice from a modern mindfulness coach. When he says, "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength," it feels like he's speaking directly to us. The water may change, but the river is the same. Examining this writing with a fresh, childlike perspective and a wealth of experience, I realize how consistent human nature remains over time. Every generation faces familiar challenges, marked by frustration, peace, courage, faith, baseball, and the search for meaning across the ages...

Lessons from 1872

In this episode, Lessons from 1872: Travel in the Age of No-WiFi . . . Imagine having 80 days to explore the world, with no smartphones, no jet planes, and no money concerns. A thrilling thought, right? That’s the fantasy Jules Verne implies in his classic adventure, Around the World in 80 Days , and it's a question I've been pondering from my easy chair in Vista, California. This week’s On the Fly , we're traveling back in time with one of the most thrilling literary adventures ever written. Early on, it’s clear this is Phileas Fogg’s story—a man of clocks and calculations, whose every move is measured. His journey isn’t about discovery, but a bet—a mathematical challenge involving money, schedules, and perfect timing. But when you think he’s the engine of the story, someone else quietly steals the show. Meet Passepartout: The Heart of the Journey. Jean Passepartout, Fogg’s new valet, is Fogg’s complete opposite. A former circus acrobat seeking a quiet life, he joins Fo...

You're Not Stuck

✨ In this episode, You’re not Stuck—you’re in a habit you forgot you built. One bad moment can ruin your day, but one habit can change your life. In this episode of On the Fly , discover how small, daily actions can rewire your mindset, replace negativity with possibilities, and even lift the people around you. Your 7-day challenge starts now. You’re Not Stuck—You’re Just in a Habit. Yes, a single bad moment, a rough headline, or a tense conversation can throw off your entire day. Before you know it, your thoughts are spinning in a hamster wheel of frustration and negativity. Here’s the reality: you don’t have to stay on that wheel. The secret isn’t a lightning bolt of motivation—it’s something quieter but far more powerful: habit. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle. Mindset doesn’t change through grand gestures—it changes through small, repeatable actions . Your brain is constantly building pathways—tiny roads tha...

On The Fly

Search This Blog