The Disgruntled PM

In this episode, Guest Justin J. MacBale strips away the corporate theater of enterprise project management to expose what actually drives business value. Justin breaks down the systemic dysfunctions of M&A integrations, the fatal flaw of treating PMs like glorified administrators, and why forcing arbitrary personal expectations onto a burned-out team is a guaranteed career killer. We skip the...

Most project professionals treat HR like the corporate principal's office, that we place we all try to avoid until someone makes a bad joke or a hire falls through. In reality, abdicating your talent management to a siloed department is the fastest way to doom your deliverables. Former Sazerac CHRO Joe Bongiovi drops in to explain why positional authority is a complete joke if you lack the influen...

This week, Kayla Quijas tears down the romanticized idea that your experience "Speaks for itself." We get into the trenches of project management in a law firm, where buzzwords die fast and effectively managing highly skeptical stakeholders is the only metric that matters. If you're tired of screaming into the ATS void while tweaking your resume with AI to match every generic job description, you...

In this episode, Conversation Designer Jake McKee breaks down why surviving on secondhand insights from your sales or support teams is the fastest way to build features nobody wants. We strip away the corporate theater of treating users like data points to mitigate risk, and dive into Jake's Conversation Compass. We expose the conversation debt teams accumulate when they prioritize risk abatement...

In a corporate world obsessed with suffocating projects under layers of administrative bloat and toxic positivity, William Stewart wants to strip project management down to its bare, functional bones. Drawing from decades of aerospace engineering and rescuing doomed initiatives, Stewart dismantles the illusion of the solo Project Manager and exposes the absurdity of demanding solutions for every p...

Corporate bureaucracy is where good ideas go to die, suffocated by endless red tape and managers terrified of making a decision. In this episode, Freedom Fitness Equipment owner Ashton Ferrazzo breaks down exactly why he abandoned the Fortune 100 grind to build a physical business where executing action actually trumps endless consulting and planning. He exposes the toxic reality of corporate egos...

We’ve all seen the corporate disaster of tossing a technical expert into a leadership role they aren't equipped for, only to watch them micromanage the code and crush their team. In this episode, former military helicopter pilot and current founder of Spec-C Technologies, Casey Sprague, exposes why trying to be the smartest person in the room is a guaranteed path to project failure. We tear apart...

Martin Ilumin joins the show to strip away the vanity of "Visibility" and expose the soul-crushing reality of modern PMOs. We stop pretending that a flashy status deck is actual work and address the behavioral rot where "alignment" is just a code word for executives who can’t agree on a single direction. From the 50% capacity lie to the danger of turning every subject matter expert into a part-tim...

Ditch the 300-line spreadsheet and start diagnosing the actual behavioral dysfunction destroying your projects. Kate Breed drops in to expose why the corporate obsession with "consulting everyone" leads to massive project paralysis and how you can calculate the bleeding cost of your bloated calendar. It's time to cut the fluff, weaponize the word "informed" to protect your time, and stop letting p...

Trevor Greenberg has an insightful conversation with Lee Lambert, a project management veteran and creator of the PMP certification. They explore the evolution of project management, the impact of AI, certification standards, and the future of the profession. Connect with Lee: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lelambert/ Like, Follow, and Subscribe LinkedIn Show Page:https://www.linkedin.com/c...

In this episode of The Disgruntled PM, host Trevor Greenberg and guest Russ Parker dissect the realities of risk management. They explore the fundamentals of risk management, sharing personal stories, debunking myths, and practical strategies for managing uncertainty in projects and life. Russ's uses his military background to move the conversation past theoretical frameworks helping teams address...

In this episode, Jake Jaworski shares the journey of creating Home Gym Con, a niche trade show for the home gym industry. Discover how he built the event from scratch, managed logistics, grew vendor and attendee numbers, and his vision for its future impact on the industry. Connect with Jake: Youtube: https://youtube.com/@garagegymradio?si=TZtPL598te291lG5 Instagram: @garagegymexperiment Instagram...

In this episode, Trevor Greenberg talks with Christine DeVol, CEO of Willow Path Advisory Group, about the nuances of managing PMOs, healthcare project management, and leadership insights. They explore definitions, best practices, and the importance of mentorship and communication in project management. Connect with Christine: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinedevol/ Website: www.chri...

In this insightful conversation, Dennis Wong shares his extensive experience in IT and project management, offering practical advice on how to improve project delivery, communicate effectively with executives, and leverage knowledge for success. Discover real-world stories, strategic tips, and the importance of storytelling in project management. Connect with Dennis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin...

In this engaging interview, agile expert Simina Fodor busts common myths about Agile practices, discusses the complexities of story points, velocity, and planning, and shares insights on managing international teams and cultural differences. Discover practical advice for navigating Agile transformations and maintaining sanity in the fast-paced world of project delivery. Connect with Simina: Linked...

In this conversation, Trevor Greenberg and Ryan Jenkins delve into the intersection of economics and project management. They explore fundamental economic concepts such as supply and demand, the implications of inflation, and how these principles apply to managing projects effectively. Ryan shares insights from his extensive experience in Department of Defense as a contractor, emphasizing the impo...

In this engaging conversation, Trevor Greenberg and Mike Lavway explore the essential elements of project management, emphasizing the importance of communication, trust, and understanding within teams. They delve into the nuances of physical security, the significance of certifications, and the impact of effective leadership. Mike highlights the four D's of security and the critical role of planni...

Join Trevor Greenberg and guest John Sullivan as they explore the fascinating world of project management, from building islands and managing cruise ships to leveraging AI and managing change. Discover insights, stories, and practical tips that highlight the creativity and complexity of project management beyond the traditional scope. This episode is all about highlighting that project management...

In this engaging conversation,, Cass Whittaker, a seasoned copywriter and marketing expert from Australia, shares insights on the power of writing in strategy, content creation, and personal branding. Discover how to craft compelling messages, avoid common pitfalls, and leverage storytelling to build authority and grow your business. Connect with Cass: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/casswhit...

In this engaging conversation, Trevor Greenberg sits down with best selling author Darryl Hobson, a project manager and retired fighter pilot, discussing various themes including Agile methodologies, the role of project managers, the importance of critical thinking, and the impact of AI on project management. Darrell shares his unique experiences, insights on the Agile Manifesto, and the significa...

In this conversation, Trevor Greenberg speaks with audio engineer Andrew Berger, who shares insights into the world of audio engineering, sound design, and project management in film production. Andrew discusses the nuances of dialogue, sound effects, and the collaborative nature of film projects, emphasizing the importance of creativity, realism, and effective communication within teams. He also...

In this episode, Trevor sits down with Senior Project Manager and change management expert Bernard Agrest to tear down the corporate facade of "Influence without authority." They dive deep into why projects fail despite perfect technical rollouts, the "Messy" emotional side of leading change, and why your most important stakeholders might be the ones you aren’t talking to. Connect with Bernard: Li...

In this conversation, Trevor Greenberg and Stephanie Reichman explore the journey from engineering to project management, discussing the challenges and skills involved in this transition. Stephanie shares her experiences in construction management, the importance of problem solving, and the value of lessons learned in professional growth. They also touch on the significance of personality in the w...

In this episode of The Disgruntled PM, host Trevor Greenberg sits down with PMP trainer Gabor Stramb to deconstruct the upcoming transition to PMBOK 8 and the reality of project management certifications in 2026. Gabor offers a provocative look at the industry, arguing that Agile was strictly built for software efficiency and that hybrid project management remains a theoretical concept lacking a t...

In this episode of The Disgruntled PM Podcast, behavior and leadership expert Christi Dickey joins Trevor Greenberg to debunk the "burnout badge" of corporate busyness and reveal how behavior science can transform project management. Christi challenges the traditional performance of leadership, urging professionals to ditch the mask for radical authenticity to build genuine influence and trust wit...