The Kentucky Dude | 10.1.25

Edition 47

Happy hump day, Dudes. It’s Wednesday, October 1st, and we’re delivering you this week’s roundup, designed to make you a more interesting Kentucky dude. First time reading? Join over 3,100 intellectually curious Kentuckians. Sign up here.

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@listitliveit25 (Frankfort, KY)

Dad Joke of the Week

Wanna hear a dad joke about paper?

(scroll to the end for the answer)  

Oliver’s Questions

Turns out, my main source of inspiration for many articles is a pint-sized, 10-year-old dude (my son) who thinks he's got all the answers, forcing me into a constant state of fact-checking.

Through that fact-checking chaos, we turn his “dad, did you know…” moments into bite-sized wisdom you can actually use, or at least laugh at over a beer.

How a Deaf Quarterback Changed the Game of Football

Kentucky Dude Original, 1-minute read

Every football team uses the huddle, but almost no one knows it was invented by a deaf quarterback whose opponents were literally stealing his signals. This is the incredible, contrarian story of Paul D. Hubbard, whose greatest obstacle forced him to create the permanent fix that changed the game forever.

Why You Have Bigger Balls on Vacation

Kentucky Dude Original, 1-minute read

You take risks on vacation you'd never take at home…signing up for zip-lining, ordering the soup of the day, or even talking to strangers. The secret isn't a lack of cell service; it's a mental trick that lets you see your own home state of Kentucky with the same wild courage you use in a rental car.

Man on the Move

Go First. Stay Positive. Stay Consistent.

Dudes, you’ve probably noticed it, walk into a room with a scowl, and suddenly the air feels heavier. People pull back. Conversations get clipped. But walk in with a smile, some warmth in your voice, and watch how quickly the room shifts. The world reflects the energy you put out.

The trick isn’t waiting for others to set the tone. The trick is going first.

Your energy sets the temperature; choose wisely.

Every interaction, whether with coworkers, family, or total strangers, carries a chance to push things up or drag them down. Staying positive doesn’t mean ignoring challenges, it means refusing to let frustration, cynicism, or bitterness take the lead. The consistency part? That’s what makes it stick. Anyone can be upbeat for a day. But being the one who shows up, again and again, with steady optimism and kindness…that’s rare, and people notice.

Here's the Move: Next time you’re in a tense meeting or tough conversation, don’t wait for someone else to thaw the ice. Be the first to acknowledge effort, share encouragement, or crack a small smile. If your team is grinding through deadlines, show up with a positive word or gesture, even if it’s just gratitude. When things feel stuck, bring consistency by staying level instead of reacting to every shift in the room.

Why bother? Because energy compounds. Positivity builds trust, lowers defenses, and creates momentum. Consistency builds reliability, people know they can count on you to show up the same way today as yesterday. And when you go first, you give others permission to follow. That’s how environments shift. That’s how cultures are built.

Going first doesn’t make you naive. It makes you a leader. And over time, the world really does mirror back what you give.

So, are you ready to go first?

Health, Fitness, Outdoors

Oh Shit, The CWD Outbreak in Kentucky

Kentucky Dude Original, 2-minute read

Forget "don't feed the bears" in Kentucky, the deer are now giving us homework. CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) is officially here, and the new rules mean you might need a chainsaw and a hazmat suit just to process your buck.

Bourbon, Brews, & THC

The Lottery Was Rigged. Wait, Not Rigged. It Was Bought.

Kentucky Dude Original, 1-minute read

You were promised a fair lottery for Kentucky's medical cannabis licenses, but it turns out the game wasn't rigged, it was just open to anyone with millions to spend on lottery tickets. While local farmers got shut out, a massive Chicago corporation bought its way to the biggest prize, proving that in Kentucky's new cannabis market, scale beats spirit.

Dad Joke of the Week: Answer

Never mind—it’s tearable. 😂

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