The Pursuit of Progress Podcast

Hosted by Adam Lang and Benjamin Adams

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140

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Aug 2026

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About the show

Hosted by Adam Lang and Benjamin Adams, The Pursuit of Progress is a Denver-based personal growth and financial education podcast focused on real estate, wealth building, mindset, and smarter decision-making. Adam Lang is a Denver real estate agent, educator, and published author known for helping aspiring homeowners and investors build long-term financial confidence.

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September 11, 2026Episode 3521 min

Your Car Is Keeping You Broke: The $1,000 Payment Nobody Questions

A $700 car payment feels normal. An $800 payment feels normal. Two vehicles costing a household $1,500+ every month? Somehow, we've normalized that too. But what is that car actually costing your future? In Season 3, Episode 35 of The Pursuit of Progress, Adam Lang and Benjamin Adams challenge the way we think about one of the biggest expenses in the average household: our vehicles. This isn't about telling everyone to drive an old beater forever. It's about understanding the difference between being able to make a payment and truly being able to afford the purchase. We break down: • Why shopping based on monthly payment can be a financial trap • The true cost of owning a vehicle beyond the payment • How long auto loans and negative equity can keep you stuck • The massive opportunity cost of an extra $300–$500 every month • How car debt can affect your ability to qualify for a home • Looking wealthy vs. actually building wealth • How to turn an old car payment into a wealth-building payment There's nothing wrong with eventually buying the dream car. But build the wealth first. Let the lifestyle follow. Before buying your next vehicle, ask a different question: “What is this vehicle costing my future?” 🎙 The Pursuit of Progress — Season 3, Episode 35

September 4, 2026Episode 3425 min

The 61-Year-Old Farmer Who Beat the World’s Best Runners

What can a 61-year-old potato farmer teach us about success? A lot more than you might think. In 1983, Cliff Young showed up to compete in a grueling 544-mile ultramarathon from Sydney to Melbourne. He didn't look like an elite runner. He didn't run like one either. He shuffled. Yet five days later, Cliff crossed the finish line ahead of the competition. In Season 3, Episode 34 of The Pursuit of Progress, Adam Lang and Benjamin Adams unpack the incredible story of Cliff Young—and the lessons it can teach us about business, money, personal growth, and staying in the race when everyone else seems to be moving faster. We talk about: • Why looking less qualified doesn't mean you don't belong • How your perceived weakness can become an advantage • Why consistency can beat short bursts of intensity • The danger of assuming there's only one "right" way to succeed • Why comparing your progress to someone else's can make you quit too early • The incredible power of simply refusing to stop You don't need to be the fastest. You don't need to have everything figured out. Sometimes you just need to keep shuffling. 🎙 The Pursuit of Progress — Season 3, Episode 34

August 28, 2026Episode 3312 min

Stop Negotiating With Yourself: The Discipline to Do What You Already Decided

How many times have you made a decision… only to talk yourself out of it later? You’re going to wake up early. Work out. Save more money. Make the calls. Start the business. Finally take that next step. Then the moment arrives—and suddenly, the negotiation begins. In Season 3, Episode 33 of The Pursuit of Progress, Adam Lang breaks down why some of our most convincing excuses don’t sound like excuses at all—and how constantly renegotiating with ourselves can quietly destroy discipline, confidence, and momentum. In this episode, we cover: • Why excuses often sound completely logical • The difference between motivation and discipline • How to create a few powerful non-negotiables • Why keeping promises to yourself builds real confidence • How making a decision once can eliminate daily mental battles • Why one bad day doesn't have to become one bad week The challenge is simple: pick ONE thing you've been negotiating with yourself about and make it non-negotiable for the next seven days. When the excuses start, remind y ourself: “I already decided this.” Because progress doesn't require perfection. It requires learning to trust yourself to do what you said you would do. 🎙 The Pursuit of Progress — Season 3, Episode 33

August 21, 2026Episode 3218 min

Ships Don’t Sink From the Water Around Them

“Ships don’t sink because of the water around them. They sink because of the water that gets inside them.” That idea from Ed Mylett is the starting point for this episode of The Pursuit of Progress . Because there will always be “water” around us. Criticism. Rejection. Failure. Stress. Comparison. Other people’s opinions. Somebody doubting you. A business idea that doesn’t work. A relationship that struggles. The question is: How much of it are you letting inside? In this episode, Adam and Ben dig into self-talk, self-belief, and what it actually takes to build real confidence. We talk about: • How other people’s voices can slowly become our own • Why negative self-talk can turn temporary setbacks into permanent identities • The difference between “I failed” and “I’m a failure” • Why confidence is built by keeping promises to yourself • The idea of a “confidence bank account” • How small actions can rebuild trust in yourself It’s being able to say: “Even if I fail, I’ll be okay. I’ll learn. I’ll adjust. And I’ll keep going.” There will always be water around the ship. The goal is to stop letting it inside. 🎙️ The Pursuit of Progress — Season 3, Episode 32

August 14, 2026Episode 3120 min

You’re One Decision Away From a Different Life

What if the biggest change in your life doesn’t require a perfect plan? What if it starts with just one decision? In this episode of The Pursuit of Progress , Adam and Ben explore the idea that one choice can become the first domino that changes everything that follows. A new job. A move. Starting a business. Buying your first home. Getting serious about your health. Making the phone call you’ve been putting off. Walking away from something that isn’t working anymore. The problem is, we often wait because we think we need to have the entire path figured out before taking the first step. But you don’t need the whole map. You just need to make the next decision. In this episode, we talk about: • How one small decision can create a domino effect • Why you don’t need to know the next 20 steps • The hidden cost of avoiding a decision • How decisions can change the way you see yourself • The difference between strategically waiting and simply being afraid to act • One question that might reveal exactly where you’re stuck And we’ll leave you with a challenge: What’s one decision you’ve been putting off that could change the direction of your life? You don’t have to change everything today. Just find your first domino — and knock it over. 🎙️ The Pursuit of Progress — Season 3, Episode 31

August 7, 2026Episode 3043 min

When Success Isn’t Enough: How to Build a Life That Actually Feels Like Yours | Chris Palasz

What happens when you've built a life that looks successful on the outside…but something still doesn't feel right on the inside? In Season 3, Episode 30 of The Pursuit of Progress, Adam sits down with longtime friend Chris Palasz , founder of Peak State, for a conversation about success, identity, relationships, purpose, and learning how to become the author of your own life. Adam and Chris first met years ago while they were both living in Aspen, Colorado. Since then, Chris has built a coaching practice focused on helping high-performing professionals around the world, who have achieved many of the things they thought they wanted—but still feel like something is missing. Chris believes the answer isn't another productivity hack, a bigger goal, or simply working harder. It's developing what he calls “internal authority” —learning to trust yourself, understand what you actually want, and stop allowing outside expectations to write your story for you. In this episode, Adam and Chris dive into: • Why external success doesn't always create internal fulfillment • How expectations from family, society, and other people can quietly shape our lives • What “internal authority” means—and why it matters • The connection between identity, relationships, and personal growth • Why high performers can struggle even when everything looks great on paper • How to reconnect with what YOU actually want • What it means to become the author of your own story • Practical ways to start building a life that feels as good as it looks If you've ever checked the boxes, achieved the goals, and still wondered, “Is this really the life I want?” —this conversation is for you. 🎙️ Connect with Chris Palasz & Peak State Email: chris@peakstate.coach Website: www.peakstate.coach Instagram: @Chris_Palasz 🎧 The Pursuit of Progress Podcast Real conversations about personal growth, business, relationships, mindset, and becoming a better version of yourself—one step at a time. If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who might need to hear it, and make sure to follow The Pursuit of Progress so you don't miss the next episode.

July 31, 2026Episode 2911 min

Your Attitude, Not Your Aptitude, Determines Your Altitude

We've all met people who seemed to have every natural advantage—yet never reached their potential. We've also seen ordinary people accomplish extraordinary things through perseverance and determination. What's the difference? In this episode of The Pursuit of Progress , Adam explores one of Zig Ziglar's most enduring principles: "Your attitude, not your aptitude, determines your altitude." You'll discover what aptitude really is, why attitude is one of the greatest predictors of long-term success, and how your response to adversity can shape your future more than your circumstances ever will. In this episode, we discuss: The difference between attitude and aptitude Why talent alone isn't enough The power of resilience and perseverance Real-world examples of people who refused to give up Simple daily habits to cultivate a winning mindset No matter where you are on your journey, this episode is a reminder that while you can't always control your circumstances, you can always control how you respond—and that choice can make all the difference.

July 24, 2026Episode 2813 min

The 5 People You Need in Your Life to Reach Your Potential

Success isn't just about working harder or learning more—it's about surrounding yourself with the right people. In this episode of The Pursuit of Progress , I share the five types of people that have had the biggest impact on my own growth in business, real estate, investing, and life. From mentors who shorten the learning curve to coaches who hold you accountable, peers who push you forward, people you can teach, and those rare individuals who love you enough to tell you the truth—each plays a unique role in helping you become the best version of yourself. You'll learn why no single person can fill every role, how to identify what's missing in your own circle, and practical ways to build relationships that accelerate your personal and professional growth. In this episode you'll learn: Why relationships matter more than information The difference between a mentor and a coach Why high performers intentionally build their inner circle How teaching others accelerates your own growth Why honest feedback is one of the greatest gifts you can receive A simple exercise to identify who's shaping your future The next breakthrough in your life may not come from another book, podcast, or course—it may come from one conversation with the right person.

July 17, 2026Episode 278 min

One Shot: What Penalty Kicks Can Teach Us About Performing Under Pressure

When the 2022 FIFA World Cup Final came down to penalty kicks, billions of people watched as years of preparation came down to a single moment. But champions aren't made in the spotlight—they're revealed by the work they've done long before anyone is watching. In this episode of The Pursuit of Progress , Adam explores what one of the greatest sporting moments in history can teach us about handling pressure in everyday life. Whether you're preparing for a job interview, buying your first home, launching a business, giving a presentation, or facing a difficult conversation, the biggest moments in life often come down to how well you've prepared. In this episode, you'll learn: Why you don't rise to the occasion—you fall to the level of your preparation. How pressure is often a sign you're pursuing something meaningful. Why confidence is built through action, not born into a select few. How the small habits you practice today prepare you for tomorrow's biggest opportunities. Your defining moment probably isn't today—but it's being built today. If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow The Pursuit of Progress , leave a review, and share it with someone who's preparing for their own big moment.

July 10, 2026Episode 2620 min

Who's Really Buying Homes in 2026? The Surprising Generational Shift Nobody Is Talking About

For years, we've heard that Millennials were taking over the housing market and Gen Z was right behind them. But the latest National Association of REALTORS® Generational Trends Report tells a very different story. Baby Boomers now make up the largest group of home buyers in America, while first-time home buyers have fallen to the lowest level ever recorded. So what does that mean if you're hoping to buy your first home in Denver—or anywhere else—in 2026? In this episode of The Pursuit of Progress , Adam and Ben break down the surprising data behind today's housing market, why so many younger buyers feel left behind, and, most importantly, what you can do to put yourself in a position to succeed. This isn't just an episode about real estate. It's about preparation, long-term thinking, and creating opportunities instead of waiting for the "perfect" market. In this episode: • Why Baby Boomers are now the largest group of home buyers • The surprising age of today's average first-time buyer • The biggest mistake many aspiring homeowners are making • Why preparation beats trying to time the market • Practical steps Denver buyers can take today to become purchase-ready The market may be changing—but the opportunity to build long-term wealth through homeownership is still alive for those who prepare for it. 🎧 Subscribe to The Pursuit of Progress for weekly conversations about personal growth, financial success, real estate, and building a better future.