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The Digital Project Manager

Galen Low

215 episodes

3 days ago

The AI hype in project management software is real—but is everyone ready for it? In this episode, Galen sits down with returning guest Olivia Montgomery, Associate Principal Analyst at Capterra, to explore the findings from her 2025 Project Management Software Trends Survey. They unpack the real reasons behind the surge in demand for AI-enhanced PM tools and the foundational work teams need to do before expecting AI to deliver real ROI. Together, Galen and Olivia dig into what "AI readiness" ...

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The AI hype in project management software is real—but is everyone ready for it? In this episode, Galen sits down with returning guest Olivia Montgomery, Associate Principal Analyst at Capterra, to explore the findings from her 2025 Project Management Software Trends Survey. They unpack the real reasons behind the surge in demand for AI-enhanced PM tools and the foundational work teams need to do before expecting AI to deliver real ROI. Together, Galen and Olivia dig into what "AI readiness" ...

Show more...

Episodes (20/215)

The Digital Project Manager

Why Automating Everything is The Wrong Move (And What to do Instead)

AI is not eating all the jobs—but the story is more nuanced than the headlines suggest. In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Jim Iyoob (President of ETS Labs, CCO at Etech Global Services) and Manu Dwievedi (AVP at ETS Labs) to cut through the noise around large-scale AI transformation in customer experience. Together, they unpack what’s really happening in call centers worldwide, why AI is more about augmentation than replacement, and how organizations can implement AI without breaking ...

6 days ago

42 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

Are You Tracking the Wrong Metrics? How AI Can De-Risk Delivery

How do you know if you’re tracking the right project metrics—or if you’ve been chasing the wrong numbers all along? In this episode, Galen sits down with Lior Gerson, Co-founder & CEO of TargetBoard.ai, to unpack how AI is reshaping KPI management and why aligning metrics with business strategy is the real game-changer. Together, they explore how project leaders can move beyond legacy metrics like velocity and utilization to focus on measures that truly drive impact. From tackling cultura...

2 weeks ago

40 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

Beyond the Billable Hour: How AI Is Making Time & Materials Irrelevant

In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Brian Kessman of Lodestar Agency Consulting to tackle a big question: is AI finally the deathblow to billable hours? Brian argues yes—and not because AI “broke” the model, but because it’s exposed just how misaligned hourly billing has always been with the real value agencies deliver. Instead of rewarding efficiency and innovation, time-based pricing incentivizes dragging things out and commoditizes expertise. The real shift, Brian says, isn’t just ab...

3 weeks ago

55 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

How Can We Lead Creative Projects Now That AI Has Entered The Chat?

AI is transforming the creative workflow—but not in the ways we first expected. In this conversation with Galen Low, creative and PM leaders Sara Fisher, Sara Doubleday, and Greg Storey talk through the practical and philosophical implications of AI’s growing role in creative work. This isn’t about flashy tools or end-to-end automation. It’s about realigning how teams work, communicate value, and preserve the human essence in their process. From misinformed client expectations to the strategi...

1 month ago

38 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

The Retro: Designing Your PM Career for More Pay and Purpose

Navigating a career in project management today means wrestling with more than just Gantt charts and stakeholder standups—it means making high-stakes decisions about your salary, your specialization, and what brings you meaning at work. In this panel episode, Kelsey Alpaio brings together PM thought leaders Ben Chan, Mackenzie Dysart, and Elizabeth Harrin for a candid conversation on how to design your PM career with both pay and purpose in mind. Together, they unpack fresh data from DPM’s 20...

1 month ago

48 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

The Retro: How to Negotiate a Raise as a PM (And Actually Get It)

When it comes to getting paid what you’re worth, project managers in 2025 are facing a unique challenge: job switching no longer guarantees a big raise, and most PMs are staying put—even if they feel underpaid. So what now? In this episode, Kelsey Alpaio sits down with Mukhtar Kadiri, Pam Butkowski, and Elaina Martinez to talk real strategies for negotiating a raise where you are—with confidence, clarity, and without burning bridges. You’ll hear honest takes on why PMs feel undercompensated, ...

1 month ago

45 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

The Retro: How Great PMs Tackle Interview Curveballs

Navigating job interviews as a project manager can feel like walking through a minefield of unpredictable questions. In this episode of The Retro, Kelsey sits down with Kayla Quijas—a senior PM and certified career coach—to unpack how to tackle curveball questions with poise and purpose. From candy bar hypotheticals to high-stakes stakeholder slip-ups, Kayla shares actionable frameworks that help PMs answer tough questions with clarity, honesty, and a whole lot of confidence. They dive deep i...

2 months ago

30 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

AI Is Amazing. So Why Does It Still Suck for Project Managers?

There’s no shortage of AI tools for project managers these days—and they can be pretty amazing. But using them? Often a frustrating, disjointed experience. In this episode, Galen Low is joined by Devin Mahoney, CEO and Co-founder of QTalo, to unpack why AI can feel more like a burden than a boost in our day-to-day project work, and how to fix that. They dive into how AI can truly serve project leaders: from cutting down on context switching to surfacing what actually matters, and building sys...

2 months ago

19 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

The Retro: Why Time Tracking Sucks (And How to Make it Suck Less)

Why does time tracking suck—and what can we actually do about it? In this lively and deeply honest panel session, Kelsey Alpaio sits down with agency consultant Marcel Petitpas, PMO leader Kelly Vega, and project operations expert Matthew Fox to get to the root of why time tracking feels so broken. Together, they unpack not just the tactical challenges, but the deeper cultural and strategic dynamics that make time tracking feel like a chore (or worse, a surveillance tool). But this isn’t just...

2 months ago

49 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

How to Give Your New AI Tool or Process the Best Chance of Being Adopted

Rolling out a new tool or process sounds simple—until you try it. In this episode, Galen Low sits down with Frances Odera Matthews, founder of The Notion Bar, to unpack why change management is so hard, even with the best intentions and the best tools. From shiny object syndrome to culture gaps, they explore why tool adoption often fails and what project leaders can do to set their teams up for long-term success. Frances shares practical insights from the front lines of Notion implementations...

2 months ago

39 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

The Retro: The AI Skills That Will Future-proof Your Career

In this episode of The Digital Project Manager podcast, Kelsey Alpaio sits down with Oliver Yarbrough—founder of Not Your Father’s AI and a LinkedIn Learning instructor—to talk about the AI-driven future of project management. With automation creeping into every corner of our workflows, PMs are no longer just task managers; they're becoming AI operators, process optimizers, and digital workforce leaders. Oliver breaks down what PMs should be doing today to stay ahead: learning to communicate ...

3 months ago

23 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

How Project Managers Can Thrive In Evolving Agency Models

The agency world is undergoing major shifts, with evolving business models, leaner teams, and new demands on project leaders. While disruption can feel overwhelming, it also presents opportunities for growth—if you know how to adapt. As roles blur and responsibilities pile up, resilience and flexibility have never been more essential. Joining us is Harv Nagra, Head of Brand Communications at Scoro and host of The Handbook: Agency Ops podcast, to break down how operating models are changing an...

3 months ago

42 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

The Retro: How to Pass The PMP Exam Without Burning Out

We’re joined live by Crystal Richards, PMP trainer and founder of MindsparQ, to dive into everything you need to know about passing the challenging Project Management Professional (PMP) exam. With its high failure rate and tough reputation, the PMP remains a highly respected certification that can open significant career doors—but balancing exam prep with work and life can be daunting. Crystal shares practical strategies to help candidates navigate the exam process with clarity and confidence...

3 months ago

31 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

How To Build A Career As A Fractional PM

Fractional remote job opportunities are growing, offering professionals the chance to break free from the traditional rat race and take on multiple roles, be their own boss, and avoid the transactional nature of full-time work. But how do you get started in this new world of fractional work, and what if it doesn’t work out? Michael Gold, a fractional project management expert and founder of The Fractional Hub, discusses the growing trend of fractional project management roles. He shares insig...

3 months ago

51 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

The Retro: How 3 PMs Rebuilt Their Careers After Layoffs

Getting laid off as a project manager can feel like more than just a job loss—it brings up uncertainty, self-doubt, and tough career questions. This episode features a live panel with three PMs who’ve been through it and come out stronger, offering real talk and practical advice for navigating career transitions. Nicolassa Galvez, Thako Harris, and Nadaa Baqui share their personal layoff stories, lessons learned, and what helped them rebuild. From freelancing to career pivots, they offer insi...

4 months ago

21 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

How To Use OKRs In Your Project To Amplify Its Business Impact

When project goals feel disconnected from broader business objectives, it can be challenging to stay motivated and on track. You may find yourself questioning the purpose of your work, only to discover that the strategic objective is simply to "build an app." If you're struggling to link your projects to the bigger organizational picture, this episode is for you. Carsten Ley, an expert in project management and OKRs, shares valuable insights on how to use Objectives and Key Results (OKRs) to ...

4 months ago

46 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

The Retro: How to Negotiate for The Salary You Deserve as a PM

Landing a new project manager role is a huge achievement, but before you accept the offer, don’t skip the crucial step of negotiating your salary. Failing to negotiate can cost you millions over your career, yet many find the process intimidating and awkward. Yonelly Gutierrez, Senior Project Manager at Palo Alto Networks and Founder of Velvet Vision, joins us to share her expert advice on negotiating with confidence. With her experience coaching women into $100K+ project management roles, sh...

4 months ago

11 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

How a Shared AI Mindset Can Drive Real Organizational Transformation

AI projects aren’t just another trend—they’re already reshaping workplaces in ways big and small. From HR to finance, employees are integrating AI into daily tasks, often without formal initiatives. Yet many organizations are still struggling to align teams and create a clear strategy for AI adoption. So, how can companies move from scattered, anxiety-driven adoption to a cohesive, strategic approach? In this episode, host Galen Low sits down with Ron Schmelzer, Global Head of AI Partnerships...

4 months ago

46 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

The Retro: How to Get Promoted and Become a Senior PM

Looking to land a senior project manager role but feeling stuck? You’re not alone. The path to senior PM isn’t always clear, and setbacks can be frustrating. In this episode, we break down what might be holding you back and how to position yourself for that next big opportunity. Host Kelsey Alpaio sits down with Logan Langin, Senior Project Manager at Sanford Health, to discuss the mindset shifts and strategies that helped him make the leap. With experience running the “30 Days to PM” program...

4 months ago

22 minutes

The Digital Project Manager

How to Pivot into Project Management from Any Career Background

Thinking about pivoting into project management but feeling lost in a sea of acronyms and conflicting advice? You’re not alone. The path to becoming a PM can seem unclear, with vague skill requirements and misleading job descriptions making it even harder to break in. Host Galen Low sits down with Barbara Kephart, founder of Projects Pivot, to cut through the confusion. They dive into what it really takes to transition into project management, how to decode industry jargon, and why community ...

5 months ago

45 minutes