What happens when a seasoned PM leader opens up about the moments they felt completely out of their depth? In this episode, Steven J. Smith gets real about the invisible struggles behind the title. From executive-level uncertainty to leading a PMO in a company that builds tools for PMs, Steven unpacks what it truly means to grow in this field—mentally, emotionally, and strategically.

If you're an ambitious project manager striving for leadership—or feeling like you're faking it till you make it—this conversation will resonate. Steven shares the hard-won lessons no one prepares you for, alongside actionable strategies to lead with clarity, navigate ambiguity, and grow with confidence.

🎯 What You'll Learn in This Series:

• How to transition from IC to executive leadership (and what to unlearn along the way)

• Mental models for making decisions in high-stakes, ambiguous situations

• How senior PMs deal with imposter syndrome, loneliness, and fear of failure

• What separates good PMs from truly great leaders

• The future of PM tools and how AI will shape your workflow

• 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 connect with Steven Smith?

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

🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!

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

• 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, executive leadership, and career growth!

#projectmanagement #careergrowth #pmleadership #executivemindset #futureofwork #pmpodcast

Job hunting as a Project Manager can feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to navigate it alone. In this special AMA session, PM career coach, Bunmi Oluwasade, joins us to answer your biggest questions about landing a high-paying PM role.

We cover everything from standing out in a crowded job market to preparing for interviews, making career transitions, and overcoming common job search struggles. Whether you're applying to your first PM role or looking to level up to a six-figure position, this episode is packed with practical advice and insights to help you take the next step in your career.

🎯 We dive into questions like:

✅How do you explain gaps without sounding defensive?

✅What’s the biggest mistake PMs make when negotiating salary?

✅How do you lead when you’re the least experienced in the room?

✅Should you apply when you're only 50% qualified?

Plus:

• How to network into $100K+ roles

• The sneaky unwritten rules that can make or break your PM career

• Our predictions for the PM job market in 2025

• And how to avoid burnout while still performing like a beast.

📉 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

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

• 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, leadership, and career growth!

#jobsearch #interviewtips #resumetips #howtogetajob #PMjobsearch #jobsearchstruggles

AI is here—but it's not replacing project managers. In this episode, Galen Low (co-founder of The Digital Project Manager) joins Mukhtar to unpack how PMs can adapt and thrive in an AI-driven world. This is not a tech demo—it’s a real talk about strategy, skill, and staying relevant when the ground keeps shifting.If you're feeling unsure about where you fit in a world of ChatGPT prompts, automated dashboards, and digital transformation buzzwords, this episode will help you cut through the noise. Galen shares sharp insights into how PMs are using GenAI right now and what human-centered skills matter more than ever. You’ll walk away with clarity, confidence, and practical tools to future-proof your career.🎯 What You'll Learn in This Series:• Why AI isn't taking your job—but poor alignment might• What PMs are doing with GenAI today that actually works• The underrated PM skill that’s becoming a superpower• How to communicate your value in a noisy, automated world• Ways to stay relevant without learning how to codeand 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

👨🏻Keep up with Galen Low via LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/galen-low-digital-transformation-advisor/

👩🏻‍🤝‍👨🏻Join the DPM Community here

https://thedigitalprojectmanager.com/🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!• Spotify:⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/6kuSAv0ItNewDqAh64PTph?si=AyjVp9OZR9yURtUEiu80Vw⁠• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pmtherapypod⁠• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pmtherapypod⁠• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pmtherapypod/🤓 Want to join live for the next episode? Follow Mukhtar on LinkedInhttp://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, AI tools for PMs, and career growth!#projectmanagement #artificialintelligence #futureofwork #pmcareercoaching #genaiinpm #digitalprojectmanager

Ever wonder why some PMOs fail before they even start? Or why PMs in startups are still overlooked despite drowning in chaos? In this candid episode of PM Therapy, Mukhtar sits down with Hussain B—PMO expert, coach, and organizational strategist—to uncover the real talk behind PM leadership today.

Whether you're trying to scale a PMO, navigate company politics, or step into a leadership role, this episode offers hard-earned wisdom and tactical steps. We also unpack why the term “PMO” carries baggage, what execs are really thinking, and how PMs can break into startup environments that don’t even know they need them. This is a must-listen for PMs feeling stuck, undervalued, or ready for the next level.

🎯 What You'll Learn in This Series:

• The surprising reason PMOs face resistance—and how to overcome it

• What startup execs really think about hiring PMs

• A behind-the-scenes look at how PMs get sidelined (and how to avoid it)

• The biggest leadership struggles PMs face but rarely talk about

• Real coaching advice for launching or scaling a PMO from scratch

…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

• 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

🧔🏽‍♂️Contact Hussain via

• Email: [email protected]

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hussainbandukwala/

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

#ProjectManagement #PMLeadership #PMOcoaching #StartupExecution #CareerGrowthTips #RealTalkPM

Ever wonder what it really takes to go from managing projects to managing people—and thriving while doing it? In this raw and honest episode of PM Therapy, Julia Kranjac takes us through the messy middle of career pivots, self-doubt, and leadership at the highest level. From recruiting to PM to leading teams at Shopify, she’s seen it all—and she’s here to share the lessons that don’t make it into job descriptions or LinkedIn posts.

This conversation is a lifeline for any aspiring or current PM dealing with imposter syndrome, burnout, or the pressure to have all the answers. Julia gets real about what it’s like to be the person everyone turns to during chaos, how she unlearned what made her successful as a PM to grow as a leader, and why emotional resilience is the skill no one talks about—but everyone needs. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re cut out for leadership, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone—and you’re probably more ready than you think.

🎯 What You'll Learn in This Series:

• How to navigate the pivot from PM to PM leadership

• What unlearning looks like when stepping into a leadership role

• Real strategies for managing impostor syndrome in high-stakes environments

• The emotional weight of leadership—and how to carry it with support

• Why failure might be the most powerful teacher on your path

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

👧 Keep up with Julia on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-kranjac-pmp-5817972/

🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!

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

• YouTube:

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

• 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, PM leadership development, and career growth!

#projectmanagement #leadershipjourney #pmleadership #impostorsyndrome #careertransition #mentalhealthintech

Ever feel like project management is more about people than projects? You’re not wrong—and this episode proves it. We sit down with Elizabeth Harrin, founder of Rebel’s Guide to Project Management, to explore the truth behind the PM grind, from dealing with burnout to navigating tough stakeholders and owning your career path.

Elizabeth shares personal stories from her journey—including moving countries, working part-time after becoming a mom, and managing high-stakes projects in healthcare. If you’ve ever questioned your confidence as a PM or felt invisible at work, this episode will give you the mindset shifts and tools to push forward. It’s honest, unfiltered, and packed with value for PMs at any stage.

🎯 What You'll Learn in This Series:

• How to overcome imposter syndrome in technical or unfamiliar projects

• The underrated skills that separate high-performing PMs from the rest

• Why you need to take full ownership of your career trajectory

• How to troubleshoot stuck projects using frameworks like the 5 Whys

• What “Sticky 3” is—and why it’s Elizabeth’s go-to productivity hack

• …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 out Elizabeth's blog

https://rebelsguidetopm.com/

👩‍🦰Follow Elizabeth on LinkedIn

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

🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!

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

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

• 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, stakeholder engagement, and career growth!

#ProjectManagementLife #CareerGrowth #ImposterSyndromePM #StakeholderManagement #WomenInPM #RebelsGuidePM

How do you go from being a translator to leading global programs? In this episode of PM Therapy, we sit down with Raquel Narvajas, a Global Program Director, to explore her unconventional career journey. Raquel shares the pivotal moments that shaped her path, the challenges she faced climbing the PM ladder, and the invisible struggles that come with leadership.From imposter syndrome to navigating burnout, Raquel opens up about what it takes to stay resilient in project management. Plus, she reveals her favorite mental models, decision-making frameworks, and secret weapons for influencing without authority.If you've ever questioned your career path, felt like an outsider, or struggled to make your voice heard, this conversation is for you.🎯 What You'll Learn in This Series:• How Raquel transitioned from translation to project management• The toughest moments in her career and how she overcame them• Strategies for handling imposter syndrome and career uncertainty• The role of language and cultural fluency in PM leadership• Raquel's favorite mental models and decision-making frameworks• Practical advice for PMs dealing with burnout and self-doubt📉 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 Raquel Narvajas here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquelnarvajas/🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!• Spotify:⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/6kuSAv0ItNewDqAh64PTph?si=AyjVp9OZR9yURtUEiu80Vw⁠• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pmtherapypod⁠• Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@pmtherapypod⁠• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pmtherapypod/🤓 Want to join live for the next episode? Follow Mukhtar on LinkedInhttp://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 and career growth!#ProjectManagement #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #ImposterSyndrome #PMCommunity #WomenInLeadership

Ever wonder why your application gets rejected within minutes? Or what recruiters actually look for in a resume? In this episode of PM Therapy, we pull back the curtain on the hiring process with Lindsay Cohen, an experienced recruiter who shares insider knowledge on what really happens behind the scenes.

From navigating job applications to nailing interviews and salary negotiations, Lindsay breaks down the common mistakes that hold job seekers back—and what top candidates do differently. If you’re tired of guessing what works and want real, no-nonsense advice on landing your next PM role, this episode is for you!

🎯 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why some applications get rejected instantly (and how to avoid it)

• The biggest resume mistakes and how to make yours stand out

• How recruiters really evaluate candidates and what they don’t tell you

• Winning interview strategies that successful candidates use

• How to confidently negotiate your salary like a pro

• …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

🦸🏻‍♀️Reach out to Lindsay for more questions via LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-cohen-93912770/

 🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!

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

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

• 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, job searching, and career growth!

#ProjectManagement #JobSearch #CareerAdvice #InterviewTips #PMCoaching #SalaryNegotiation

AI is changing the game in project management—but should PMs be worried or excited? In this episode of PM Therapy, we sit down with Lloyd Skinner to explore how AI is reshaping the PM landscape. From automating tasks to providing better decision-making insights, AI has the potential to enhance productivity—but it also raises big questions about job security and the future of the role.

If you’ve been wondering how to stay ahead in an AI-driven world, this episode is for you. We’ll break down the real opportunities and risks AI presents for PMs, share practical ways to integrate AI into your workflow, and discuss how to gain AI experience even if your company isn’t fully embracing it yet. Tune in for an insightful conversation packed with career strategies, tools, and expert advice to help you future-proof your PM career.

🎯 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The truth about AI’s impact on project management—threat or opportunity?

• How AI can help PMs work smarter (and where it falls short)

• The best AI tools for PMs to increase efficiency today

• Strategies to gain AI experience without waiting for your company to catch up

• Where the future of AI and project management is headed

and so much more!

📉 Need help landing a $100K-$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

👨🏻Reach out to Lloyd Skinner via

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-j-skinner-6654b11/
• Email: [email protected]

🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!

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

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@pmtherapypod⁠
• 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, leadership strategies, and career growth!
#AIinPM  #ProjectManagement #ProgramManagement #FutureOfWork #AIandPM #Leadership

Transitioning from a project management role to an executive position can feel like an uphill battle. How do you break through career ceilings, build influence, and navigate challenges like burnout and imposter syndrome? And for PM moms, how do you balance career growth with family responsibilities? 

In this episode, we sit down with Samantha Wallace, Director at AstraZeneca and Founder of reMom, to unpack her journey from administrative assistant to executive leader. Whether you're feeling stuck in your career or looking for strategies to level up, this conversation is packed with actionable insights to help you thrive.

🎯 What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• How Samantha went from an admin assistant to a Director at AstraZeneca

• Breaking through career ceilings and overcoming plateaus

• Managing burnout and maintaining resilience in project management

• Leading without authority: How to build influence as a PM

• Unique challenges faced by PM moms and how to navigate them

And so much more!

📉 Need help landing a $100K-$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

💌Reach out to Samantha Wallace via

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casinowallace/

Email: [email protected]

🚀 Check us out on your other favorite platforms!

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

YouTube:

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

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, leadership strategies, and career growth!

#projectmanagement #careercoach #leadershipdevelopment #womeninleadership #careeradvancement #burnoutrecovery #workingmoms