The Feisty Project Podcast

In the latest season of their podcast, hosts Amber and Martin reflect on the evolving narrative of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Amidst pushbacks and challenges, they discuss the necessity of moving beyond acronyms and politicized language to foster genuine understanding and respect. Amber shares personal experiences of anonymous criticism, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and...

Hosts Amber and Martin announce the conclusion of The Feisty Project's first season. Over 28 episodes, the podcast has explored a variety of topics, and now they're shifting gears. For the next two months, listeners can join live sessions on November 5th and December 3rd, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM PST. These interactive video sessions aim to bridge the gap until season two launches in 2026, providing a...

In this enlightening podcast episode, the hosts delve into the impact of colonial language and outdated terms in project management and professional settings. They discuss how terms like 'stakeholder' and 'execution' carry historical baggage that can affect modern communication and relationships. The conversation emphasizes the importance of critically evaluating the words we use and encourages li...

In this enlightening discussion, Amber introduces Martin to the world of LinkedIn, helping him transition from reluctance to acceptance of social media’s professional potential. This episode explores the notion of digital legitimacy, unveiling the challenges and opportunities LinkedIn presents for professionals striving to balance personal authenticity with their online persona. Through concept of...

Martin and Amber delve into the concept of project mortality, discussing how the end of a project can evoke a range of emotions from celebration to grief. They differentiate between project closure—where objectives are completed as planned—and project endings that occur unexpectedly. Martin shares his personal journey transitioning from military service, highlighting the three phases he experience...

In this podcast episode, the hosts delve into the significance of conferences, particularly in the realm of project management. They explore how these gatherings offer more than just professional networking, emphasizing the importance of being present and open to learning. Personal growth is also highlighted, noting the transition from being a newcomer to becoming an integral part of a professiona...

In this podcast episode, hosts Amber and Martin delve into the evolving concept of leadership, with Amber sharing her personal insights from both life and teaching experiences. They explore how leadership has transitioned from a traditional patriarchal model to one rooted in service, collaboration, and curiosity. By making abstract concepts relatable, Amber discusses how she engages her project ma...

The podcast explores the concept of living intelligence and Amy Webb's research on technological change, emphasizing the rapid pace of innovation. Amber highlights the ADKAR model, which stands for Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement, to explain how individuals and organizations can effectively manage change. This model helps in understanding personal and professional reaction...

In this podcast transcript, Amber shares her compelling journey to contributing a chapter in the book 'Cracking the Rich Code,' which became a number-one international bestseller. Raised by entrepreneurial parents, she explores the concept of richness beyond monetary wealth, emphasizing intrinsic worth. Her epiphany during a conversation with her partner highlighted the significance of self-worth,...

In this episode, Amber and Martin delve into the intersections between personal and project wellness. They critique the traditional project management metrics of time, cost, and scope, suggesting that these overlook the intangible aspects such as collaboration, innovation, and personal engagement. Amber argues that both personal and project wellness should not be measured solely by traditional met...

In this episode, the hosts dive into exploring the Agile methodology. They discuss the differences between traditional predictive (waterfall) project management and Agile approaches. They illustrate how Agile helps in identifying and fixing project issues early, avoiding costly corrections. The conversation emphasizes the importance of being adaptive and learning iteratively, especially in the com...

The episode delves into the burgeoning field of 'Living Intelligence', a term coined by futurist Amy Webb to describe the evolving relationship between humans and technology. They examine how technology and humankind are becoming increasingly intertwined, exploring the implications of this integration. The conversation also touches on the changing landscape of education in the face of AI advanceme...

In this episode of 'Feisty Projects', the hosts, Martin and Amber, delve into the complexities of persuasion within project management. They discuss the ideas presented in Robert Cialdini's work on persuasion, exploring the fine line between influence and manipulation. The conversation highlights how attempts at persuasion can backfire, increasing workload and damaging trust. By contrasting persua...

Martin and Amber explore the often misunderstood realm of hypnosis in their latest podcast episode. They illuminate Martin’s personal path with hypnosis and neuro-linguistic programming, tracing back to his martial arts roots. Beyond the common misconceptions, Martin explains hypnosis as a form of communication, vital for personal growth and coaching. Emphasizing control over one's unconscious min...

In this episode, Amber and Martin delve into the nuances of impactful communication, emphasizing the importance of humanization and presence over control. They discuss creating 'wow moments' through spontaneous and genuine dialogue, highlighting the power of intuitive interactions in fostering trust and respect. This approach contrasts traditional command and control methods, advocating for influe...

In this podcast hosts Amber and Martin delve into the evolution of the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), discussing its transformation from a physical book into a digital, AI-driven resource. By examining its history, the episode sheds light on the collaborative roots of PMBOK in the 1960s, its ongoing development through global professional contributions, and PMI's strides in integrat...

In this episode Amber and Martin revisit their earlier discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), given recent developments. They explore the shift from DEI being seen as progressive to it becoming a controversial topic. Amber shares her insights on how inclusion should be prioritized in DEI conversations to ensure diverse voices contribute meaningfully. The hosts also delve into the im...

The podcast delves into the intricacies of human communication, revealing that 93% is non-verbal and para-verbal, which challenges the word-centric approach in business. Miscommunication is identified as a top factor in project failures, prompting a discussion on understanding personal communication styles and adapting to others. The hosts advocate for strategic, empathetic communication planning,...

In this engaging podcast episode, Amber and Martin delve into the often chaotic nature of project management and the profound impact of time as a solution. Amber recounts a challenging project marked by anxiety and looming failure, while Martin emphasizes the importance of perspective and patience. Through a relatable anecdote about his granddaughter, Martin shows how sometimes, waiting can be the...

This episode delves into the power of positive disruption and the role of feistiness in navigating change. Amber shares her experiences of being naturally curious and confident, emphasizing how these traits have fueled her desire to challenge norms. Through personal anecdotes, she illustrates the benefits of adopting a mindset that sees fear and uncertainty as catalysts for identifying new possibi...

In a lively discussion, Amber and Martin explore the themes of teamwork, motivation, and engagement, particularly in the context of volunteering. Insights from the Disney Institute are shared to illustrate the benefits of looking beyond traditional HR models to foster genuine relationships within workspaces. This relationship-focused approach not only supports sustained engagement but also transfo...

In this podcast episode, Amber and Martin delve into the less tangible aspects of project management, specifically intuition and instinct. They discuss how intuition often plays a vital role in project success, especially when data is insufficient. The conversation highlights the importance of fostering a project culture where team members feel safe expressing their gut feelings and emotional insi...

In this podcast episode, Amber and Martin discuss the power of networking and the journey to authenticity in professional settings. Amber shares her personal experiences, including overcoming the challenges of being an introverted networker and her traumatic experience of abuse in a professional setting. This traumatic incident forced Amber to shed her inauthentic exoskeleton and embrace her true...

In this engaging podcast episode, the hosts delve into the nuances of conversation styles, emphasizing the difference between small talk and deep dialogue. They explore how small talk helps identify tribal connections, informed by Trevor Noah's insights. The conversation also touches on personal experiences with cults, with an emphasis on the importance of understanding and shared beliefs. The hos...

In this podcast episode, Amber, known as the Feisty PM, and Martin discuss the challenging balance between certainty and uncertainty, particularly in project management. Amber shares her personal journey of embracing uncertainty as a guiding principle in her life, emphasizing that true certainty originates from self-awareness. Through personal stories and professional insights, she highlights the...