Have you ever felt that your background doesn’t quite “fit” the traditional PM mold?

In this episode of PM Therapy, Mukhtar Kadiri speaks with Melissa Chapman Magee, who made a successful transition from teaching and NGO work into project management. Melissa shares her unique journey, insights into industry-switching, and the mindset shifts required to overcome imposter syndrome during major career pivots.

If you’re considering a career shift, feel stuck or struggling with self-doubt as you transition into PM, this episode is for you!

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How to successfully pivot from teaching or nonprofit work to project management

• The hardest part of transitioning into PM and how to overcome self-doubt

• Key strategies to present yourself as an “industry-agnostic” PM

• The challenges of switching industries once you’re already a PM

• How coaching can help PMs overcome common career strugglesAnd so much more!
  

📉 Need help landing a 100–300K PM role? Book a free strategy call with us!

Join our coaching program and get personalized support to achieve your PM goals! Book a call through our coaching waitlist today: https://tally.so/r/3la956

🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms:

• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kuSAv0ItNewDqAh64PTph

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pmtherapypod

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pm-therapy/id1812039614

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pmtherapypod

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pmtherapypod/
  

👱🏻‍♀️Want to check out Melissa’s free resources? Follow her on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissachappy/

🤓 Want to join live for the next episode? Follow Mukhtar on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=m-kadir

❤️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on project management, career growth, and leadership!

#ProjectManagement #CareerTransition #PMLeadership #TeachingToPM #IndustrySwitching #CoachingForPMs

Have you ever wondered how skills from unexpected careers can shape a successful PM journey? In this episode of PM Therapy, I sat down with John Connolly, who went from managing books in a library to coaching project managers and teams across industries. John’s journey proves that project management isn’t about the tools you use—it’s about how well your team communicates, collaborates, and grows together.If you’ve ever felt unsure about your path into PM, doubted your non-traditional background, or struggled to lead teams effectively, this conversation is packed with practical insights and inspiring stories. John shares lessons from his own pivots, hard challenges, and how he turned those experiences into a career coaching PMs to thrive in diverse environments.🎯 What You'll Learn in This Episode:🔹How skills from unexpected backgrounds, like librarianship, can set you up for PM success🔹Practical strategies for leading teams and improving communication when tools aren’t enough🔹Lessons from challenging projects and how to overcome them without burning out🔹Insights into PMP certifications, common pitfalls, and what really matters in project management🔹How to translate PM skills across industries and grow your career.And much more!📉 Need help landing a 100–300K PM role? Book a free strategy call with us! Join our coaching program and get personalized support to achieve your PM goals! Book a call through our coaching waitlist today: https://tally.so/r/3la956🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms:🔹Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6kuSAv0ItNewDqAh64PTph🔹YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@pmtherapypod🔹Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pm-therapy/id1812039614🔹TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@pmtherapypod🔹Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/pmtherapypod/👨🏻 Follow John Conolly on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/johnconnolly058/🤓 Want to join live for the next episode? Follow Mukhtar on LinkedIn:http://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=m-kadir❤️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on project management, career growth, and leadership! #ProjectManagement #Leadership #CareerGrowth #PMCoach #NonTraditionalPM #PMInsights

Ever felt like your authority isn’t being recognized, even when you’re in charge? In this episode of PM Therapy, Mukhtar sits down with Aina Aliieva, a former electrical engineer who became the youngest person to run a power plant at 24, navigate leadership in male-dominated industries, and eventually become an Agile thought leader, CEO, and LinkedIn Top Voice.

If you’ve struggled with being underestimated, leading without authority, or rebuilding your career in a new environment, this conversation is packed with actionable insights, mindset shifts, and real-world strategies to help you gain credibility, influence, and resilience as a PM. Aina shares her journey through burnout, career pivots, immigration challenges, and how she rebuilt her professional life from scratch.

🎯 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How to build credibility when you’re underestimated or leading without formal authority

• Practical strategies for avoiding and recovering from burnout

• How to navigate career transitions and thrive as an immigrant PM

• Insights on leveraging Agile and thought leadership to advance your career

• Tools, habits, and resources every PM should know, including ChatGPT, PMBOK, and more
  And so much more!
  

📉 Need help landing a 100-300K PM role? Book a free strategy call with us!

Join our coaching program and get personalized support to achieve your PM goals! Book a call through our coaching waitlist today: https://tally.so/r/3la956

🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!

• Spotify:⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/6kuSAv0ItNewDqAh64PTph?si=AyjVp9OZR9yURtUEiu80Vw⁠

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pmtherapypod⁠

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pm-therapy/id1812039614

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pmtherapypod⁠

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pmtherapypod/
  

🤓 Want to join live for the next episode? Follow Mukhtar on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=m-kadir

👩🏻Want to keep up with Aina? Follow her on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aina-alive/

❤️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on project management, leadership, and career growth!

#ProjectManagement #Leadership #CareerGrowth #BurnoutRecovery #AgileLeadership #InfluenceWithoutAuthority

Ever wondered how to monetize your project management skills beyond the corporate 9–5?

In this episode of PM Therapy, I sat down with Mehnaz Tabassum, a multipotentialite entrepreneur & PM who left a stable government job to build multiple ventures, including She-Leads, NL Eats, and CognicoAI. We dive into how she leveraged PM skills, mindset shifts, and modern tools like AI to scale her work, diversify income, and design a life she loves.

If you’ve been feeling stuck in your PM career, unsure how to grow your sources of income, your impact or unsure of how to start a side venture, this episode is packed with practical insights, mindset strategies, and actionable advice. Mehnaz shares her journey of starting from scratch, managing multiple projects, and using PM as a life skill, not just a career tool.

🎯 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How to leverage your PM skills to create additional income streams

• The concept of multipotentiality and why having diverse skills is a strength

• How AI can help you automate, scale, and manage multiple projects at once

• Mindset shifts required to transition from a secure job to entrepreneurial ventures

• Practical tips on balancing work, life, and multiple projects without burning out
  

And so much more!

📉 Need help landing a 100–300K PM role? Book a free strategy call with us!

Join our coaching program and get personalized support to achieve your PM goals! Book a call through our coaching waitlist today: ⁠https://tally.so/r/3la956

🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms:

• Spotify:⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/6kuSAv0ItNewDqAh64PTph?si=AyjVp9OZR9yURtUEiu80Vw⁠

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pmtherapypod⁠

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pm-therapy/id1812039614

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pmtherapypod⁠

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pmtherapypod/
  

👧🏽Want to reach out to Mehnaz? 

🔹LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mehnazcareer/

🔹Website: 

www.mehnaztabassum.com

🤓 Want to join live for the next episode? Follow Mukhtar on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=m-kadir

❤️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on project management, career growth, and building multiple streams of income!

#ProjectManagement #CareerGrowth #Multipotentialite #PMforLife #SideHustlePM #AIMastery

Is project management being buried under buzzwords, bureaucracy, and bloated frameworks? In this bold and brutally honest episode, Mukhtar sits down with Tom Kirkman—LinkedIn power poster, seasoned project leader, and unfiltered truth-teller—to challenge the status quo of modern PM practices. Together, they unpack why certifications like PMP might be more about profit than performance, and why managing people (not just processes) is the true heart of the job.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the complexity of PMI’s frameworks, questioned whether a certification is worth the investment, or struggled to stay authentic in a world of “thought leadership theater,” this episode is your permission slip to do things differently. Real talk, real experience, and a roadmap for succeeding without selling out.

🎯 What You'll Hear in This Episode:

• Why PMI’s complex systems might be hurting, not helping, project managers

• The truth about PMP certification—and why Tom refuses to get one

• Why people skills matter more than process checklists in real-world PM

• How to simplify your PM approach without sacrificing results

• What it takes to build a strong, authentic presence on LinkedIn

…and so much more!

📉 Need help landing a 100–300K PM role? Book a free strategy call with us!

Join our coaching program and get personalized support to achieve your PM goals! Book a call through our coaching waitlist today:⁠ ⁠https://tally.so/r/3la956⁠

👨🏻‍🦳Want to keep up with Tom? Follow him on LinkedIn below

⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tomkirkman/⁠

🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!

• Spotify:⁠⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/6kuSAv0ItNewDqAh64PTph?si=AyjVp9OZR9yURtUEiu80Vw⁠⁠

• YouTube:⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@pmtherapypod⁠⁠

• Apple:⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pm-therapy/id1812039614⁠

• TikTok:⁠ https://www.tiktok.com/@pmtherapypod⁠⁠

  Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/pmtherapypod/⁠

🤓 Want to join live for the next episode? Follow Mukhtar on LinkedIn⁠ http://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=m-kadir⁠

❤️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on project management, PMP certification debates, and career growth!

#ProjectManagement #PMI #PMPDebate #ProjectLeadership #CareerWithoutCerts #AuthenticPM

What does it look like to build a project management career from the very beginning—and rise all the way to VP? 

In this episode of PM Therapy, we sit down with Alahna Anderson, a powerhouse PM leader whose career began as an admin assistant and evolved into executive-level leadership at top firms. She didn’t take the traditional path, and that’s exactly why her story resonates.

If you've ever doubted whether your unconventional background could lead to senior roles—or struggled with how to transition from “doing the work” to leading the work—this episode will give you the roadmap. Alahna opens up about what it was like to work on digital strategy before it was trendy, how she navigated tough career gaps, and what really changes when you step into leadership. It’s inspiring, honest, and packed with practical takeaways.

🎯 What You'll Learn in This Series:

• How to grow your career from administrative roles into PM leadership

• The mindset shifts required to move from execution to strategy

• How to manage gaps or unconventional transitions with confidence

• What leadership really looks like behind the scenes

• Real stories about managing early digital, SEO, and client-facing projects

📉 Need help landing a 100-300K PM role? Book a free strategy call with us!

Join our coaching program and get personalized support to achieve your PM goals! Book a call through our coaching waitlist today: ⁠https://tally.so/r/3la956

🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!

• Spotify:⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/6kuSAv0ItNewDqAh64PTph?si=AyjVp9OZR9yURtUEiu80Vw⁠
  

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pmtherapypod⁠
  

• Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pm-therapy/id1812039614
  

• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pmtherapypod⁠
  

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pmtherapypod/
  

👩🏻 Keep up with Alahna

https://www.linkedin.com/in/alahna-anderson-66383a27/

🤓 Want to join live for the next episode? Follow Mukhtar on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=m-kadir

❤️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on project management, career transitions, and career growth!

I can’t believe we’ve officially wrapped up Season 1 of PM Therapy!

Thank you so much for tuning in, sharing, and supporting the podcast—it truly means the world to me.

My team and I are already working on Season Two (and trust me, it’s going to be good 👀). We’ll be back in just a few weeks with deeper convos, new guests, and more real talk on life and leadership as a PM.

👉 In the meantime, if you’ve enjoyed the show, I’d love for you to rate PM Therapy on Apple or Spotify—it helps more folks discover us, and feel free to give us your feedback on any of out episodes in the comments below!

And don’t forget to stay connected with me here on LinkedIn for updates and behind-the-scenes peeks.

Wishing you a restful, joy-filled summer ☀️

See you very soon!

Join us for a live session of the PM Therapy podcast with your hosts Mukhtar and PM career coach Bunmi Oluwasade. In this episode, we dive into the impact of AI on the job search process, from tailoring resumes to interview prep and applications.

Learn how to leverage AI while maintaining a human touch in your job hunt, and get strategic advice on building your professional brand and networking effectively. Whether you're a job seeker or an employer, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving role of AI in recruitment.

🎞️ Shownotes & Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to PM Therapy Podcast Live

00:13 Meet Boomi: The Exceptional PM Career Coach

01:11 Balancing Professional and Personal Life as a PM

02:32 Introduction to Today's Topic: AI and the Job Search

04:01 AI's Role in Tailoring Resumes

06:51 Efficient Resume Tailoring Techniques

13:28 AI in Job Applications: Pros and Cons

16:55 Using AI for Interview Preparation

18:31 AI in Live Interviews and Screening Calls

23:07 AI Bias in Candidate Screening

24:35 Balancing AI and Human Judgment

25:28 Concerns About AI in Hiring

📉 Need help landing a 100-300K PM role? Book a free strategy call with us!

Join our coaching program and get personalized support to achieve your PM goals! Book a call through our coaching waitlist today: ⁠⁠https://tally.so/r/3la956⁠

🙋🏽‍♀️Want to learn more from Bunmi? Follow her on LinkedIn linkedin.com/bunmi-oluwasade

🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!

🔹Spotify:⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/6kuSAv0ItNewDqAh64PTph?si=AyjVp9OZR9yURtUEiu80Vw⁠

🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pmtherapypod

🔹Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pm-therapy/id1812039614

🤓 Want to join live for the next episode? Follow Mukhtar on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=m-kadir

❤️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on project management, leadership, and career growth!

What does it really take to grow from a first-time project manager to a trusted executive leader? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Fola Alabi, CIO and Strategic Project Leader, to unpack her incredible career evolution—from starting out unsure about her direction, to leading multimillion-dollar initiatives across continents.If you've ever felt stuck, questioned your progress, or wondered how to level up from “just doing the job” to becoming a transformational leader, this one’s for you. Fola shares real, raw stories from every chapter of her journey—before PM, as a rising professional in the UK and U.S., and finally as an influential voice in the PM leadership space. It's honest. It's tactical. And it’s exactly the kind of wisdom you wish you heard earlier in your career.🎯 What You'll Learn in This Series:🔹How to navigate the 3 key stages of a PM career: Before PM, PM, and PM Leadership🔹The real mindset shifts required to lead high-impact projects and teams🔹What it takes to bounce back from tough moments and setbacks🔹How to lead with authenticity and grow influence over time🔹The worst PM advice Fola’s ever gotten—and what to do insteadand so much more!📉 Need help landing a 100-300K PM role? Book a free strategy call with us!Join our coaching program and get personalized support to achieve your PM goals! Book a call through our coaching waitlist today: https://tally.so/r/3la956👩🏽Follow Fola via LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/folafalabi/🎙️Check out Fola’s podcast, The Strategic Leaderhttps://strategicprojectleader.com/🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!🔹Spotify:⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/6kuSAv0ItNewDqAh64PTph?si=AyjVp9OZR9yURtUEiu80Vw⁠🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pmtherapypod⁠🔹Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pm-therapy/id1812039614🤓 Want to join live for the next episode? Follow Mukhtar on LinkedIn http://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=m-kadir❤️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on project management, career transitions, and leadership growth!#ProjectManagement #CareerGrowth #PMLeadership #WomenInTech #AuthenticLeadership #PMTherapyPod

What’s going on in the world of project management right now? In this week’s episode of PM Therapy, we react to some of the most talked-about trends in the PM space—from companies removing middle management to the rise of AI job interviews and deepfake candidates. It’s part news breakdown, part therapy session.

We explore what it means when titles don’t reflect your impact, when layoffs target the “doers,” and when PMs are expected to lead while quietly fearing for their own jobs. If you’ve been scrolling headlines wondering, “What does this mean for me?”—this episode is your chance to unpack it all with us.

🎯 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

🔹What’s really driving the trend toward flatter organizations

🔹How AI hiring tools are changing the job search (and what’s getting lost in translation)

🔹The rise of fake candidates and “proof of human” job applications

🔹The role of job titles in today’s market—and whether they still matter

🔹How Gen Z is pushing back on traditional career paths in project management

and so much more!

📉 Need help landing a 100-300K PM role? Book a free strategy call with us!

Join our coaching program and get personalized support to achieve your PM goals! Book a call through our coaching waitlist today:

⁠https://tally.so/r/3la956

👨🏻Connect with Benjamin Chan via LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/pmcoachben/

🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!

🔹Spotify:⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/6kuSAv0ItNewDqAh64PTph?si=AyjVp9OZR9yURtUEiu80Vw⁠

🔹YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pmtherapypod⁠

🔹Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pm-therapy/id1812039614

🔹TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pmtherapypod⁠

🔹Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pmtherapypod/

🤓 Want to join live for the next episode? Follow Mukhtar on LinkedIn:

http://www.linkedin.com/comm/mynetwork/discovery-see-all?usecase=PEOPLE_FOLLOWS&followMember=m-kadir

❤️ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more expert advice on project management, industry trends, and career growth!

#projectmanagement #futureofwork #orgdesign #AIinrecruiting