KatAnu Connect Podcast

Too many Sprint Plannings feel like marathons with no finish line.  In this episode, Kate & Ryan show you how to flip the script!  They break down practical facilitation moves to keep Sprint Planning crisp, collaborative, and confidence-building.

From capacity planning hacks to sprint goals that actually inspire, they share real-world stories, pitfalls to avoid, and energizing techniques you can steal for your own teams.  Whether you’re a Scrum Master, Product Owner, or developer, you’ll walk away ready to lead Sprint Planning like a pro—no more chaos, just clarity and momentum!

Most people think facilitation means running a meeting, keeping time, or taking notes. But true facilitation is so much more - it’s about guiding groups toward purpose-driven outcomes, staying neutral, navigating conflict productively, and creating space for every voice in the room!

In this episode, Kate and Ryan bust the biggest myths around facilitation - from the false belief that conflict is failure, to the misconception that the facilitator must “own” the decisions. Together, they unpack why neutrality matters, why planning goes far beyond an agenda, and why facilitation is a skill that everyone needs!

Whether you’re a Scrum Master, Project Manager or simply someone tired of unproductive meetings, this conversation will give you fresh insights, practical tips, and a new appreciation for the power of facilitation!

Kate and Ryan are joined by special guest Erin Mullens for a lively, honest conversation about the real world of Scrum Mastery. They explore how each of them found their way into the role, what truly energizes them about the job, and the frustrations they all wrestle with (hello, “gravitational pull of waterfall”!).

From building trust with teams to navigating tricky leadership dynamics, they share what it takes to create the “air a team can breathe.” Listeners will hear stories, lessons learned the hard way, and practical tips they can put into play right away, whether they’re brand new to the Scrum Master role or seasoned pros.

Expect laughs, a few “oh, that’s me” moments, and a healthy dose of honesty about the challenges, changes, and the future of the role. This isn’t theory, this is Scrum Mastery in action!

Live from the buzz of Agile2025, Kate Megaw, Anu Smalley, and Ryan Smith dive into the energy, insights, and shake-ups that had everyone talking. From the groundbreaking PMI–Agile Alliance partnership, to embracing AI as your co-conspirator, to ditching dogma and speaking the language your teams actually understand—this episode is a celebration of agility’s fresh new vibe.  With Ryan keeping the conversation sharp (and occasionally steering it back on track), it’s an energizing dose of optimism, straight talk, and a few Friday-afternoon giggles.

Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation of every high-performing team. In this episode, we explore why trust and reliability are inseparable—and how leaders can intentionally build both.  From creating psychological safety to demonstrating authenticity and consistency, we break down practical steps to foster stronger team connections, improve engagement, and boost results.  Whether you’re leading a Scrum team or guiding cross-functional projects, these insights will help you transform relationships and elevate performance.

What does it truly mean to lead a team—without being “the boss”?  In this episode, we explore the Team Leadership domain of the Leadership Growth Wheel, diving into three essential skills: engagement, delegation with accountability, and empowerment.  Whether you're a Scrum Master, project manager, or informal team lead, this conversation offers practical insights on how to ignite motivation, encourage ownership, and build resilient, self-managing teams.  Discover what gets in the way of trust, how to avoid the trap of micromanagement, and why psychological safety and empathy are the bedrock of empowered teams.

In this episode, we explore what it means to truly know where you're headed—and why you're heading there. From career shifts to personal crossroads, many of us operate on autopilot, doing what's needed instead of asking what we truly want. Join us for an honest conversation about finding your personal vision and purpose, the tools that help (like Remember the Future and Ikigai), and why taking time to reflect may be the most powerful move you make.

Agility isn’t just for software teams—it’s a way of thinking, leading, and living. In this heartfelt and insightful episode, we explore real-world lessons in agility from parenting to project management, from sticky notes to strategic pivots.

Kate shares her personal journey transitioning from a project manager to a Scrum Master—and from a planning-every-minute parent to a supportive, servant leader. Along the way, she reveals six (and then some!) timeless lessons:

• Letting go of control
• Retrospecting anything with anyone
• Kanban boards for the win
• Embracing “done is better than perfect”
• Making failure safe and productive
• Listening without fixing

We also dive into bonus wisdom on the power of adaptability, embracing messiness, and remembering that true agility isn’t about tools—it's about mindset. Whether you’re leading a team or organizing a family holiday, these lessons apply.

Tune in for an episode full of reflection, laughter, and takeaways that blend leadership, agility, and real life.

In this episode, Kate and Ryan unpack the real Scrum Master’s toolkit—and it’s not just post-it notes and Sharpies.  From mindset and agile knowledge to powerful facilitation techniques, they explore what it truly takes to lead effective teams.  You’ll hear about the tools they carry (both physical and mental), how they keep retrospectives engaging, and why mindset matters more than mechanics.  Whether you're a new Scrum Master or a seasoned agile coach, this episode offers practical insights－and a few Elmo’s－to help you serve your team with confidence, clarity, and a little creativity!

Scrum isn't just a framework—it's a mindset, a way of thinking, and a lens through which we see work, teams, and leadership. In this episode, Kate and Ryan dive into nine bite-sized pieces of wisdom—some from Agile, some from life—that reinforce what it really means to work with agility.

From confusing activity with productivity to killing your darlings, from sustainable pace to the danger of “we’ve always done it this way,” each insight connects back to values that drive high-performing, resilient, and human-centered teams. 

Whether you're a Scrum Master, Product Owner, or just someone trying to lead with more intention, this conversation offers practical reminders and fresh energy.

And yes… there’s even a M*A*S*H story you won’t want to miss.