Breaking into project management can feel overwhelming, but the biggest challenge isn’t lack of experience—it’s learning to translate your skills effectively. In this episode, host Kelsey Alpaio speaks with Ogaga Johnson, founder and CEO of Verisult, about how professionals can position themselves for their first PM role. Ogaga emphasizes the importance of a strategic job search, focusing on industries where your background provides a natural entry point. Whether you’re transitioning careers or ...
Apr 01, 2025•22 min
How technical do you really need to be as a technical project manager in 2025? Host Galen Low sits down with Kayla Keizer, Team Lead and Senior Technical PM at Plank, to explore the balance between technical know-how and leadership skills. They discuss how PMs can thrive without mastering every technology their teams use, and how leaders can foster high-impact project managers without requiring a DevOps degree. Tune in for insights on mentoring, growth, and navigating the evolving role of techni...
Mar 25, 2025•30 min
Can playing The Sims help people build career skills? For Kelsey Alpaio, Executive Editor of The Digital Project Manager and new co-host of the DPM Podcast, the answer is yes. In this episode, we introduce Kelsey and discuss how she’s bringing fresh perspectives on industry trends, career navigation, and professional growth to the DPM community. Host Galen Low gives listeners a sneak peek into the exciting new directions for the podcast and beyond. From career storytelling to industry insights, ...
Mar 18, 2025•18 min
Dealing with a toxic client can drain your team, hurt your business, and feel impossible to escape. But what if the problem isn’t you—it’s them? If you’re stuck in a difficult client relationship and unsure what to do next, this episode is for you. Host Galen Low is joined by agency expert Melissa Morris to discuss when and how to fire a client, along with strategies for protecting your team and business. Tune in to learn how to navigate tough client dynamics and set your agency up for success. ...
Mar 11, 2025•32 min
Generative AI is everywhere—transforming industries, dominating conversations, and yet, for many, it’s still just a tool for note-taking and meal planning. If you’re a project professional feeling stuck in a GenAI rut, this episode is for you. Host Galen Low sits down with AI expert Kathleen Walch to explore how project managers can move beyond basic chatbot use, rethink their AI approach, and unlock new career opportunities. Tune in to discover what GenAI truly has to offer beyond prompt engine...
Mar 04, 2025•41 min
Trust isn’t free—especially when you inherit a project that's completely off the rails. But instead of going in guns blazing, what if you could build trust with authenticity and strategic partnership? Galen Low sits down with Melissa Morris, founder of Agency Authority, to discuss practical strategies for establishing trust, improving collaboration, and proving your value as a strategic partner. Whether you’re struggling with client rapport or looking to refine your approach, this conversation w...
Feb 25, 2025•39 min
Presentation day is here, and it’s not going smoothly—slides are being read off, demos are falling flat, and you’re winging it after forgetting your notes. Stakeholders are disengaged, but the project continues, and more presentations are ahead. Galen Low chats with presentation expert Renaud Taburiaux about how project managers can help their teams deliver clear, impactful presentations without wasting time preparing. Tune in to learn how to frame your work for executives and ace your next pres...
Feb 19, 2025•48 min
To some folks, a Project Management Office sounds like a stale concept more than a hotbed of innovation. But in a world where non-PM roles are increasingly expected to deliver projects and emerging tech is aggressively forcing us to change the way we work, the PMO may actually be the key to unlocking the future of project management. Galen Low is joined by Olivia Montgomery (Associate Principal Analyst at Gartner), Bruno Morgante (Board Member at The PMO Leader), and Lauren Selley (Director of P...
Feb 11, 2025•48 min
What sets top-tier project managers apart from everyone else? High-performance project management goes beyond mastering processes and tools; it involves cultivating a blend of adaptability, communication, leadership, and mindset. Galen Low is joined by Ben Willmott—Founder of The PPM Academy—to explore the key traits that differentiate top-tier project managers from the rest. Resources from this episode: Join DPM Membership Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts Conn...
Jan 28, 2025•39 min
What do you do when you top out as a project manager? More and more Senior PMs are turning to coaching and consulting. But what's really driving that trend, and do PMs have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? Galen Low is joined by Stephanie Best—Managing Director at Greannmhar—to delve into the transition from project management to consulting and how ageism and hustle culture are influencing such career choices. Resources from this episode: Join DPM Membership Subscribe to the newsletter to ge...
Jan 21, 2025•43 min
Starting a new role as a project manager can be both exhilarating and daunting, especially in today's unpredictable job market. Galen Low is joined by Mukhtar Kadiri—Program Director, Career Coach, and PM Recruiter at WorkTipsPro—to share how to successfully navigate the initial phase of a new PM job. Resources from this episode: Join DPM Membership Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts Connect with Mukhtar on LinkedIn Check out Mukhtar’s YouTube Channel: WorkTipsPr...
Jan 14, 2025•45 min
Your process documentation sucks. Don't worry — so do most people's. It's because it's tedious and manual to create and takes away from the fun parts of work. But wait — couldn't AI help? Galen Low sat down with Alyson Caffrey (Co-founder of Operations Agency), Gray Mackenzie (Co-founder of ZenPilot), and Brian Kessman (Founder of Lodestar Agency Consulting) to explore whether a healthy culture of AI, automation, and iterative knowledge transfer can get your teams out of process documentation he...
Dec 17, 2024•45 min
Getting teams to understand the vision for your project can feel like a game of telephone. Which could be fine... if that didn't lead to organizational chaos, project failure, and team frustration. So what's the solution? Galen Low chats with Stephanie Best (Managing Director at Greannmhar Consulting) to talk best practices for how executives and project teams can avoid the miscommunications that dilute a project's purpose. Resources from this episode: Join DPM Membership Subscribe to the newsle...
Dec 10, 2024•39 min
Could your teams be dysfunctional without you even knowing it? And if so, is there anything you can do about it as a project or people leader without throwing the baby out with the bathwater and starting from scratch? Galen Low is joined by Greg Storey and Brett Harned—Co-Founders of Same Team Partners—to delve into the nuances of team dysfunction and explore strategies to overcome it. Resources from this episode: Join DPM Membership Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and pod...
Dec 03, 2024•47 min
Asking stakeholders to prioritize project scope can lead to fistfights, bruised egos, and a daunting array of multiple "top priorities". But can it also be a way to foster a culture of collaboration and transparency? Galen Low is joined by James Louttit—Founder and Lead Trainer at Impactful Project Management—to explore the delicate art of prioritization and how to wield it in a way that cuts straight through the politics and directly towards project success. Resources from this episode: Join DP...
Nov 26, 2024•43 min
Let’s face it: we’d all have a little more hair on our heads if resourcing our projects wasn’t a weekly ritual fraught with chaos, conflict, and overwhelm. But could a blend of good data, machine learning, and GenAI make resourcing a walk in the park? Galen Low is joined by Grant Hultgren (Agency Operations Consultant at Parallax), Marcel Petitpas (Co-Founder & CEO at Parakeeto), and Ann Campea (VP of Project Management Operations at TrueSense Marketing) to explore the promises and challenge...
Nov 19, 2024•49 min
When your project teams span multiple work cultures and continents, things can get a little more complicated. But with with so many moving parts and sources of pressure, what's the best way to get your internationally-distributed teams working together to reduce stress instead of adding to it? Galen Low is joined by Yasmina Khelifi (Senior Project Manager) & Mayte Mata Sivera (Head of PMO) to explore some key aspects of effective international collaboration. Resources from this episode: Join...
Nov 12, 2024•33 min
In the fast-paced world of project management, finding balance between professional ambitions and personal well-being is essential. Galen Low is joined by Ken Stewart—Change & Delivery Guide and the Author of “Burn That Project Down”—to offer a roadmap to mastering project management without losing oneself. Resources from this episode: Join DPM Membership Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts Connect with Ken on LinkedIn Check out Ken’s book “ Burn That Project ...
Nov 05, 2024•40 min
Sorry to say this, but as a project manager you can deliver your project on-time, on-budget, and within scope... and still fail. So is the iron triangle still important? And can PMs influence the impact of their projects beyond it? Galen Low is joined by Pam Butkowski (SVP of Delivery Management at Hero Digital) & Stephanie Best (Managing Director at Greannmhar) to unpack the importance of looking beyond conventional metrics to redefine what success means in project management. Resources fro...
Oct 29, 2024•43 min
Volunteering has long been an avenue for individuals to give back to their communities, but its impact on professional development, particularly in project management, is a lesser-known benefit. Galen Low is joined by Yasmina Khelifi (Senior Project Manager) & Mayte Mata Sivera (Head of PMO) to discuss how their volunteer experiences have significantly propelled their careers. Resources from this episode: Join DPM Membership Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts...
Oct 22, 2024•31 min
If your plan is to get the proverbial "gold pen" and retire after putting in 45 years at the same agency, you might find yourself working against the odds. But if that's the case, what does it mean to have job security in the agency world? Galen Low is joined by Max Traylor—The Consultant’s Consultant and Founder of Max Traylor LLC—to delve into the concept of job security and what options are available to agency professionals today. Resources from this episode: Join DPM Membership Subscribe to ...
Oct 15, 2024•24 min
In an era marked by rapid technological evolution, project managers stand at the forefront, uniquely positioned to harness these changes to deliver strategic value. The burgeoning world of generative AI offers both challenges and opportunities. Galen Low is joined by Jean Kang (Founder of Path To PM), Ordonna Sargeant (Director of Data Governance at American Express), Mukhtar Kadiri (Program Director at WorkTipsPro) to explore the current landscape and future directions for project managers. Res...
Oct 09, 2024•46 min
In today's fast-paced market, mastering the complexities of hybrid project management has become a necessity. Hybrid project management, which blends traditional and agile methodologies, allows for more flexible and efficient project delivery. Galen Low is joined by Ann Campea—VP of Operations at TrueSense Marketing & Host of The Everyday PM Podcast—to share her wealth of experience from overseeing iconic toy brands at Hasbro to navigating dynamic tech environments at Amazon and Apple. Resou...
Oct 01, 2024•35 min
In a digital landscape that's constantly evolving, the role of project managers and other agency professionals is being redefined. It's no longer sufficient to simply manage tasks; the expectation now is to adopt a consultant mindset, one that actively seeks to add value at every turn. Galen Low is joined by Max Traylor—The Consultant’s Consultant and Founder of Max Traylor LLC—to explore how shifting your perspective from merely completing projects to becoming a trusted advisor can unlock new o...
Sep 24, 2024•30 min
In the ever-evolving landscape of digital project management, rising through the ranks from individual contributor to a director-level role can seem like a daunting but exhilarating climb. Galen Low is joined by Jessica D'Amato Crosby—Director of Digital Marketing at Vye—to explore her journey and the pivotal lessons she learned along the way. Resources from this episode: Join DPM Membership Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn and ...
Sep 17, 2024•23 min
In today's rapidly evolving digital landscape, the role of project managers is constantly being redefined. As we delve deeper into the age of AI, one might wonder how traditional project management skills can coexist and even thrive alongside these technological advancements. Enter emotional intelligence (EQ), often hailed as a project manager’s secret weapon. Galen Low is joined by Ann Campea—VP of Operations at TrueSense Marketing & Host of The Everyday PM Podcast—to discuss the intersecti...
Sep 10, 2024•30 min
Volunteering has long been a noble endeavor, but did you know it can also be a game-changer for your career, especially in project management? Galen Low is joined by Karl Sakas—Agency Advisor at Sakas & Company—to uncover how volunteer work can set you apart in the competitive field of project management. Resources from this episode: Join DPM Membership Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts Connect with Karl on LinkedIn Check out Sakas & Company VolunteerMat...
Sep 03, 2024•28 min
In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, the success of any digital product hinges not just on the technology behind it but also on the harmonious collaboration among various teams within an organization. Galen Low is joined by Jessica D'Amato Crosby—Director of Digital Marketing at Vye—to delve into the increasingly important trend of breaking down the silos between digital marketing teams, sales teams, customer success teams, and many others, to create a unified and seamless customer ex...
Aug 27, 2024•27 min
In today's rapidly evolving digital world, the ability to effectively facilitate remote and hybrid workshops has become an invaluable skill, particularly for project managers. Galen Low is joined by Theresa Bailey—Founder of Starfish Synergies—to share actionable tips for facilitating engaging and productive workshops in both remote and hybrid settings. Resources from this episode: Join DPM Membership Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts Connect with Theresa on Lin...
Aug 20, 2024•27 min
In today’s fast-paced business environment, project management is more critical than ever. But should you appoint an existing employee to take on the role or hire a dedicated project manager? Galen Low is joined by Karl Sakas—Agency Advisor at Sakas & Company—to explore whether deputizing (or appointing) a project manager is a short-term solution or a long-term strategy. Resources from this episode: Join DPM Membership Subscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcasts Conne...
Aug 14, 2024•31 min
