Shows
The Digital Project ManagerThe Retro: Designing Your PM Career for More Pay and PurposeNavigating a career in project management today means wrestling with more than just Gantt charts and stakeholder standups—it means making high-stakes decisions about your salary, your specialization, and what brings you meaning at work. In this panel episode, Kelsey Alpaio brings together PM thought leaders Ben Chan, Mackenzie Dysart, and Elizabeth Harrin for a candid conversation on how to design your PM career with both pay and purpose in mind.Together, they unpack fresh data from DPM’s 2025 Salary Guide and tackle some of the most pressing questions PMs are facing right now: Should you specialize or s...2025-07-2448 min
The Digital Project ManagerThe Retro: How to Negotiate a Raise as a PM (And Actually Get It)When it comes to getting paid what you’re worth, project managers in 2025 are facing a unique challenge: job switching no longer guarantees a big raise, and most PMs are staying put—even if they feel underpaid. So what now? In this episode, Kelsey Alpaio sits down with Mukhtar Kadiri, Pam Butkowski, and Elaina Martinez to talk real strategies for negotiating a raise where you are—with confidence, clarity, and without burning bridges.You’ll hear honest takes on why PMs feel undercompensated, how the market has shifted, and what leaders actually want to hear in raise conversa...2025-07-1545 min
The Digital Project ManagerThe Retro: Why Time Tracking Sucks (And How to Make it Suck Less)Why does time tracking suck—and what can we actually do about it? In this lively and deeply honest panel session, Kelsey Alpaio sits down with agency consultant Marcel Petitpas, PMO leader Kelly Vega, and project operations expert Matthew Fox to get to the root of why time tracking feels so broken. Together, they unpack not just the tactical challenges, but the deeper cultural and strategic dynamics that make time tracking feel like a chore (or worse, a surveillance tool). But this isn’t just a vent session—our panel brings clarity, practical advice, and a few hard truths to hel...2025-06-2449 min
The Digital Project ManagerThe Retro: The AI Skills That Will Future-proof Your CareerIn this episode of The Digital Project Manager podcast, Kelsey Alpaio sits down with Oliver Yarbrough—founder of Not Your Father’s AI and a LinkedIn Learning instructor—to talk about the AI-driven future of project management. With automation creeping into every corner of our workflows, PMs are no longer just task managers; they're becoming AI operators, process optimizers, and digital workforce leaders.Oliver breaks down what PMs should be doing today to stay ahead: learning to communicate effectively with AI tools, mastering process optimization, and strengthening foundational PM skills. Whether you're just starting to explore AI tools...2025-06-1023 min
The Digital Project ManagerThe Retro: How to Get Promoted and Become a Senior PMLooking to land a senior project manager role but feeling stuck? You’re not alone. The path to senior PM isn’t always clear, and setbacks can be frustrating. In this episode, we break down what might be holding you back and how to position yourself for that next big opportunity.Host Kelsey Alpaio sits down with Logan Langin, Senior Project Manager at Sanford Health, to discuss the mindset shifts and strategies that helped him make the leap. With experience running the “30 Days to PM” program, Logan shares practical insights to help you level up your career....2025-04-1522 min
The Digital Project ManagerThe Retro: How to Transition into a Project Management RoleBreaking 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 formalizing your PM skills, this episode provides actionable steps to land your first role.Resources from this episode:Jo...2025-04-0121 min
The Digital Project ManagerWhat’s Coming Up for The Digital Project Manager and The DPM PodcastCan 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, get ready for a revamped DPM experience with Kelsey on board!Resources from this ep...2025-03-1817 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow To Help Project Teams Embrace And Ace Project PresentationsPresentation 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 presentation!Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get ou...2025-02-1947 min
The Digital Project ManagerThe New Purpose of the PMO & Why Your Org Still Needs OneTo 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 Program Management at Code and Theory) to delve into the challenges faced by PMOs...2025-02-1147 min
The Digital Project ManagerTop Traits of High-Performing Project Managers & How to Cultivate ThemWhat 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 MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Ben on LinkedInCheck out The PPM Academy2025-01-2838 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow To Transition From Project Management To Consulting (And Alternatives)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 MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Stephanie on Link...2025-01-2142 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow to Win at Your First 90 Days in a New PM RoleStarting 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 MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Mukhtar on LinkedInCheck out Mukhtar’s YouTube Channel: WorkTipsPro2025-01-1445 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow to Get Your Team Out Of Process Documentation Hell Using AI & AutomationYour 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 hell.Resources from this episode:Fill out our 2025 salary surveyJoin DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to g...2024-12-1744 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow To Maintain The Strategic Vision At The Project LevelGetting 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 MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Stephanie on LinkedInCheck out Greannmhar2024-12-1038 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow To Identify & Fix Project Team Dysfuntion Using TeamangleCould 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 MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Brett and Greg on LinkedInCheck out Same...2024-12-0346 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow to Reduce Project Stress Through Better Prioritization and Stakeholder HonestyAsking 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 DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and p...2024-11-2642 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow to Unlock Predictable Growth with Data-Driven, GenAI-Enabled Resource ManagementLet’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 challenges of incorporating data and AI into resource management.Resources from this e...2024-11-1948 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow to Foster Collaboration Across Cultures in Distributed Project TeamsWhen 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 DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsCheck out this episode’s...2024-11-1232 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow To Set Boundaries & Establish Balance For Success As A Project ManagerIn 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 MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Ken on LinkedInCheck out Ken’s book “Burn That Project Down”2024-11-0539 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow to Measure the True Impact of Your ProjectsSorry 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 from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles...2024-10-2942 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow to Choose the Right Volunteer Opportunity to Grow in Your PM CareerVolunteering 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 MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Mayte and Yasmina on LinkedInGet 15% off Mayte & Yasmina's book The Volunteering Journey to Project Leadership2024-10-2231 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow To Reframe Job Security As An Agency ProfessionalIf 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 MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest...2024-10-1523 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow PM's Can Deliver More Strategic Value In A GenAI WorldIn 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.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Jean...2024-10-0945 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow I Deliver Programs That Span The Digital And The PhysicalIn 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.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Ann on L...2024-10-0134 min
The Digital Project ManagerDo Project Managers Make Good Consultants?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 opportunities, enhance client retention, and significantly grow your career.Resources from this episode:...2024-09-2429 min
The Digital Project ManagerWhat I Wish I Knew Before I Took My First Director-Level Agency RoleIn 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 MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Jessica on LinkedIn and XCheck out Vye2024-09-1722 min
The Digital Project ManagerWhy EQ Is The Key To Successful AI-Enabled ProjectsIn 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 intersection of AI and EQ in the realm of project management.Resources from this episode:Join DPM Me...2024-09-1030 min
The Digital Project ManagerWhy Volunteering Matters To Me (And Why It Should Matter To You, Too)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 MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Karl on LinkedInCheck out Sakas & CompanyVolunteerMatch (directory for finding volunteer opportunities)Idealist.org (volunteer listings, in additional to full-time jobs)Pro bono mark...2024-09-0327 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow PMs Can Unify Marketing, Sales, & Customer Success to Deliver Impactful ProjectsIn 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 experience.Resources from this episode:Join DPM MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest arti...2024-08-2726 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow To Facilitate Remote Workshops With Physical PropsIn 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 MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Theresa on LinkedInCheck out Starfish Synergies2024-08-2026 min
The Digital Project ManagerHow to Identify & Support Your Best Accidental Project ManagersIn 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 MembershipSubscribe to the newsletter to get our latest articles and podcastsConnect with Karl on LinkedInCheck out Sakas & CompanyDon't hire "reluctant employees" at your agencyUnsung heroes: 42 ways your P...2024-08-1430 min