People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Craig Mattson, professor of communication and author of Digital Overwhelm: A Mid-Career Guide to Coping at Work. Rather than encouraging digital detoxing or escaping technology, Craig offers a refreshing way to understand and navigate the pressures of modern work. He introduces the idea of digiwhelm, explains why so much of our stress comes from the communication modes we inhabit, and shows how leaders can respond with intention rather than overload.

You will hear Craig describe why email can be more than information transfer, how mode switching differs from context switching, and why one-way communication sometimes matters more than dialogue. Craig also shares why signals like silence, gestures, and tone often communicate more than words. Before closing, he draws connections to life at home, offering ideas for families that feel overwhelmed by devices and demands.

If you are looking for practical insights to reduce digital overwhelm, improve communication, and lead with greater clarity and calm, this episode is for you!

• "Instead of digital minimalism, I recommend something like digital flexibility."
• "Humans are essentially users and switchers of modes."
• "What is going to be the defining overwhelm of my life?"
• "You are always overwhelmed by something."
• "Flexibility is the wisdom that my book is urging."
• "Your words do things."
• "Think about the voice of the email."
• "A mode is an approach, it is a posture, it is a way of relating."
• "Is there a way in which this is actually good for me and actually good for other people?"

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:33 Start of Interview
• 01:42 Early Life and Influences
• 02:57 Growing Up with Technology
• 04:11 What is Digiwhelm?
• 06:26 How Does It Compare to Overload?
• 08:35 The Impact of a David Ford Quote
• 10:34 Understanding Mode Switching
• 16:20 A Day in Communication Modes
• 22:04 Email as Conversation
• 24:29 Writing Email Like You Talk
• 27:24 Dissemination in Practice
• 32:00 Signals Leaders Should Notice
• 39:00 Coping with Digiwhelm at Home
• 43:04 End of Interview
• 43:44 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 48:14 Outtakes

You can learn more about Craig and his work at DigitalOverwhelm.com.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 144 with Cal Newport. Craig references Cal's book Deep Work in Digital Overwhelm, making this a great companion conversation.
• Episode 269 with Nir Eyal, about his book Indistractable. Nir shares insights about shaping your day to be less distracted.
• Episode 377 with Cassie Holmes, about her book Happier Hour. It is not only about managing your time but focusing on what really matters.

Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we have a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. It is free and a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I would love to help you get your PMP this year!

I know you want to be a more confident leader. That is why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It is 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it is all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

Topics: Digital Overwhelm, Leadership, Communication, Project Management, Email Effectiveness, Team Culture, Listening Skills, Collaboration, Productivity, Decision Making, Stakeholder Engagement, Psychological Safety

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Energetic Drive Indie Rock by WinnieTheMoog
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this episode, Andy talks with Amireh Amirmazaheri, CEO of PMO Solutions and a leading voice in the global PMO community. From growing up in Iran during a time of war to building a respected consultancy in Australia, Amireh shares how resilience and curiosity shaped her approach to leadership and enabling project success. You'll hear how PMOs have evolved from administrative hubs to strategic influencers, what it means to truly "speak the language of executives," and how to recognize when a PMO is at risk of drifting into irrelevance. We also explore how AI is transforming the work of PMOs and what leaders can do to stay ahead of the curve. Plus, Amireh offers practical advice on leading as a woman in project management and applying PMO principles at home as a parent.

If you're looking for insights on elevating PMO impact, executive communication, and leading through change, this episode is for you!

• "Limitations aren't always bad. They push us into the creativity zone."
• "Executives don't want red or amber. They want to know where the ship is heading."
• "When PMOs chase BAU firefighting, they lose their strategic brain."
• "If PMOs stay educated and ahead of the game, they can influence the AI journey."
• "It's okay to cry. Then think, learn, and lead."
• "Um, should I tell you that my little one has a kanban board?"

• 00:00 Introduction
• 01:31 Start of Interview
• 01:42 Early Life in Iran and Resilience
• 12:56 Lessons About Enablement
• 15:02 How PMOs Have Changed
• 18:55 Speaking the Language of Executives
• 21:22 Failure Clues and PMO Drift
• 25:11 Sponsorship as a Risk Factor
• 26:08 Using AI and Its Near-Term Impact on PMOs
• 32:25 Leading as a Woman
• 37:44 Applying PM and PMO Ideas at Home
• 40:22 PMO Global Alliance Overview
• 42:15 End of Interview
• 42:50 Andy Comments After the Interview
• 46:22 Outtakes

You can learn more about Amireh and her work at PMOSol.com, or connect with her on LinkedIn.

For more learning on this topic, check out:

• Episode 436 with Laura Barnard, about the IMPACT Engine
• Episode 429 with Bill Dow, about PMO insights
• Episode 187 with Peter Taylor, Bill Dow, and others, about the State of PMOs

Join other listeners from around the world who are taking our AI Made Simple course to prepare for an AI-infused future.

Just go to ai.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com. Thanks!

If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you, too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start.

Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP!

I know you want to be a more confident leader—that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Ways of Working

Topics: PMOs, Executive Communication, Leadership, AI in Projects, Change Management, Strategic Thinking, Women in Leadership, Organizational Influence, Resilience, Stakeholder Engagement, Career Growth, Continuous Improvement

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Brooklyn Nights by Tim Kulig
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

In this candid live-stream conversation, Andy chats with content creator and project leader Stuart Taylor, the mind behind the Influential PMO platform and the Stuart Taylor Project YouTube channel. They dig into the difference between influencers and thought leaders, how to choose topics that genuinely help practitioners, and what to do when metrics don't match the effort. Stuart shares practical strategies for building professional visibility on LinkedIn and YouTube, including how to craft resonant messages, handle trolls, and focus on service over self-promotion.

The discussion also explores Stuart's experiment asking whether AI could manage a project. Spoiler: AI is a strong team member for first drafts and research, but a weak project manager. They wrap with career advice for today's shifting job market, including why to think like an internal consultant and how to future-proof your career by learning in public.

If you're looking for insights on personal branding, creator tactics, and AI's real role in project work, this episode is for you!

• Regarding AI: "It cannot be the project manager. It's spineless. It is a weakling leader."
• "There is no such thing as a permanent job anymore."
• "Share what you know and people will be drawn to you for what you are sharing."
• "Learn to make a resonating message. Learn how to share value."
• "I never did this to become internet famous… What problem do I want to solve? That's it."
• "Because you don't understand how the algorithm works. You think your whole network's ignoring you, and in fact, all that's happened is maybe less than 10% of your network has seen the message before the algorithm realized that your message wasn't resonating."
• "It will be the penny pinching execs who want to save a few dollars, who will take your job, and they'll replace it with a machine that can do 50% of your job for a fraction of your price, and they'll live with the 50% they can't do."

• 00:00 Start of Live Stream
• 02:13 Thoughts on Influencers and Thought Leaders
• 05:28 Deciding on Video Content
• 07:34 Views and Metrics
• 14:41 The Creative Process and Challenges
• 18:28 Sharing Knowledge and Building a Community
• 18:49 Navigating Social Media: The Good, The Bad, and The Trolls
• 19:18 Handling Criticism and Building Connections
• 24:37 The Role of AI in Project Management
• 29:10 The Future of Work: AI, Automation, and Adaptation
• 36:24 Staying Curious and Embracing Change

You can learn more about Stuart and his work here:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/skt
• Website: InfluentialPMO.com
• YouTube: Stuart Taylor Project

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Business Acumen

Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Content Strategy, Personal Branding, Career Development, LinkedIn, Artificial Intelligence, Communication, Influence, Stakeholder Engagement, Future Of Work, Creator Economy

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

It's impossible to avoid hearing about AI these days. From those who praise it to those who warn about an impending apocalypse because of it, there is no shortage of opinions or predictions about it. Instead of talking about the pros and cons or capabilities of AI, we're going to try something different in this episode.

Today I'm going to interview an AI!

To my knowledge, this is the first time a podcast focused on project management and leadership has had an AI guest so thank you for joining me on this inaugural experience!

My guest today is PMeLa (PM for Project Management and L for Leadership). PMeLA is an AI persona that I've been developing for a while now. My goal has been to craft a persona with helpful insights into the world of leading and delivering and in this episode, we'll find out how she does!

I think her best moments are actually in the outtakes so stay around until the very end!

What's a question you'd like to pass by PMeLa? Send them to show@peopleandprojectspodcast.com. I'd love to include your questions in a future episode! Thanks!

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed a new e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Lullaby of Light (feat. Cory Friesenhan) by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/11174-lullaby-of-light-feat-cory-friesenhan
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Laughing Children [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10498-laughing-children-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Can you think of situations when you felt stuck? I recently talked with someone who feels stuck in their career. Some of my MBA students feel stuck--unsure about what path to pursue in their career. I have dear friends walking through difficult medical issues and feeling stuck—unsure about what to do next.

Whether it is major situations like those or the smaller ones that confront us as part of life, feeling stuck is a common experience for us, and today I'm excited to introduce you to one of my favorite new books.

Adam Alter joined us back in episode 177 to discuss his book Irresistible. If you haven't listened to that, I highly recommend you go back and check it out--the challenges and the ideas are just as relevant today as they were 5 years ago.

Adam returns in this episode to talk about his new book Anatomy of a Breakthrough: How to Get Unstuck When It Matters Most. this book is packed with practical ideas that can help you with your current challenges and those you'll inevitably encounter in the years ahead.

Learn more about Adam and his book at AdamAlterAuthor.com.

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed a new e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Tropical Vibe by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10446-tropical-vibe
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Energetic & Drive Indie Rock by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10443-energetic-drive-indie-rock
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Interview with Giannis Antetokounmpo available on: SBNation.com

Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with some amazing bosses. One was a woman named Cindy. What made her stand out? She constantly encouraged us to look beyond our day-to-day tasks. As a Vice President, I was under her guidance, and she, a Senior VP, was persistent in pushing us to plan for the future and break free from the firefighting of the present.

This isn't just an issue for me and my colleagues at that time; it's something many of us encounter. Of course, it's important to be present and appreciate the moment, but in various aspects of our lives—be it projects, careers, health, or more—we often fail to look far enough ahead. This preoccupation with the present can hold us back from a better future.

In this episode, I'm joined by Hal Hershfield, author of the insightful new book Your Future Self: How to Make Tomorrow Better Today.

We all want a brighter tomorrow, whether for our projects, careers, relationships, health, or more. But evidence suggests that our relationship with the future can be a bit tricky. Sometimes we need a "Cindy"--someone to help us learn to look further down the road. Hal is that person, and his book is a valuable resource I'm confident you'll benefit from. I'm excited to share our conversation with you!

Learn more about Hal and his book at HalHershfield.com/.

For more episodes on this topic, check out:

• Episode 313, with Brian David Johnson about his book The Future You
• Episode 87, with Cecily Sommers about her book Think Like a Futurist

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed a new e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Time Is Now by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/395-time-is-now
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Time Of Change by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/8915-time-of-change
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Think about some past decisions. Can you recall one that turned out well and another that, in hindsight, didn't go as planned? It's important to analyze these instances - what factors influenced those outcomes?

We all make countless decisions in our daily lives, both personally and professionally. Recognizing the patterns behind our successful and unsuccessful decisions can be a powerful tool in enhancing our decision-making skills.

Jim Loehr joins us in this episode to discuss his new book Wise Decisions: A Science-Based Approach to Making Better Decisions.

It's such a different book than I expected, and I mean that as a compliment. If you take even a couple of ideas from today's discussion and Jim's book, you will be a step ahead on your upcoming decisions. I can't wait to share this discussion with you!

Learn more about Jim and his books at Jim-Loehr.com/books.

For more episodes on this topic, check out:

• Episode 372, with Annie Duke about her book Quit
• Episode 295, with Don Moore about his book Perfectly Confident

With the constant stream of AI news, it's sometimes hard to grasp how these advancements can benefit us as project managers and leaders in our day-to-day work. That's why I developed a new e-learning course: AI Made Simple: A Practical Guide to Using AI in Your Everyday Work.

This self-guided course is specifically designed for project managers and leaders aiming to harness AI's potential to enhance your work, streamline your workflow, and boost your productivity.

Go to ai.i-leadonline.com to learn more and join us. The feedback from the program has been fantastic. Take this opportunity to unlock the potential of AI for your team and projects.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Quantum Sparks [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10996-quantum-sparks-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Energetic & Drive Indie Rock by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10443-energetic-drive-indie-rock
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

I'd like you to think of some examples of divides in your life.

It could be with a friend or relative that has radically different beliefs about politics or social causes. Or it could be someone at work that you just strongly disagree with. The differences have created a divide.

The reason I want you to think about them is because we're having an important discussion today about how to have fearlessly curious conversations in dangerously divided times.

Mónica Guzmán joins us to talk about her deeply insightful book I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times.

If you feel the polarization in culture and in the workplace is just too daunting to do anything about, Mónica's book is packed with practical ideas that you can start implementing right away. This remarkable woman is on a mission to help us address the divides in our life--and she's been making a difference. I consider this a must-read book and can't wait to introduce some of the ideas in today's discussion.

Learn more about Mónica and her work at BraverAngels.org/.

If you've listened for a while, you've heard me talk about our e-learning program entitled Getting Stuff Done: Project Management for Students. The feedback from the program has been fantastic but here's what I want you to know. We radically reduced the price to just $49 US. We want to make it available to as many people as possible. If you have a high school or college-age student in your life and want to invest in their ability to lead and deliver, you can do that now for an even better price. Give them a head start to more confidently lead and deliver. Learn more and get a copy for them at PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com/GettingStuffDone. Thanks!

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

The Gigantic Epic Day After Tomorrow by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/413-the-gigantic-epic-day-after-tomorrow
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Fantastic World by WinnieTheMoog
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/7042-fantastic-world
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

I asked this question to my LinkedIn network recently, and it led to a long thread of responses. The two most mentioned examples were job changes and moving to a new place to live. Maybe one of those might be your answer as well. An opportunity came up, you said Yes, and it turned out to be a great decision.

Yet changes like these are a risk. Even if you don't like your current job, you might land in a worse situation by leaping into a new role. The uncertainty associated with risk is why many people stay stuck in situations that are sucking the life out of them.

Chances are there is a risk you've been considering. Whether it's with risks on your projects at work, with your career, or with something at home, I'm excited to introduce you in this episode to Angie Morgan Witkowski. She's the author of a new book entitled Bet On You: How to Win with Risk. It's a great read that helps us reframe how we look at risk and give us the courage to move forward when faced with uncertainty.

Learn more about Angie and her work at AngieWitkowski/.

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Romantic Interlude [Full version] by MusicLFiles
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/10421-romantic-interlude-full-version
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Whiskey on the Mississippi by Kevin MacLeod
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/4624-whiskey-on-the-mississippi
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

So much of what we do when leading teams and projects comes down to communication. Whether it's written or spoken, with a large audience or an informal conversation or email, much of our success comes down to how effectively we understand others and are understood by them.

I'm joined in this episode by one of the foremost communication coaches in the world. Bill McGowan is hired by corporate leaders, athletes, and other celebrities to prepare them for media interviews and significant presentations. And he's the author of a book we'll discuss in this episode entitled Pitch Perfect: How to Say It Right the First Time, Every Time.

Learn more about Bill and his company at ClarityMediaGroup.com/.

Ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? LEAD52 is your 5-minute weekly pass to leadership intelligence. You get 52 weeks of learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Join us at https://GetLEAD52.com.

Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: One Small Rover by Alexander Nakarada
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/5107-one-small-rover
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Tuesday by Sascha Ende
Free download: https://filmmusic.io/song/2992-tuesday/a>
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license