Listen and Learn: The 8 Best Project Management Podcasts of 2022
Project management is one of the hottest professions around. The Project Management Institute estimates that employers will need to fill nearly 88 million project management roles by 2027, a 33% increase from 2017. Companies in virtually every sector are seeking talented PMs to lead mission-critical projects and deliver real business value.
To claim these plentiful opportunities, project managers must continuously sharpen their skills and stay current with industry trends. And one of the best (and most enjoyable) ways to do this is by tuning into project management podcasts.
Think about it – you can absorb the latest PM wisdom while commuting to work, doing household chores, or unwinding at the end of the day. Just pop in your earbuds and let the learning come to you. It‘s professional development made incredibly easy and convenient.
But here‘s the challenge – a quick search for "project management podcasts" returns dozens of shows. Which ones are truly worth your valuable time? Which will deliver the most actionable insights and help you become a better PM?
Don‘t worry, I‘ve done the hard work of sorting through them all to uncover the gems. After extensively researching and personally road-testing countless episodes, I‘ve handpicked the 8 best project management podcasts you should be listening to this year.
These shows stood out from the rest due to:
- The deep expertise and experience of the hosts
- The relevance and specificity of the content to PM work
- The quality of the guests and their unique perspectives
- The engaging storytelling and easy-to-digest format
- The volume of positive ratings and reviews from listeners
I‘m confident that adding any of these to your podcast feed will level up your project management skills and keep you energized and inspired on your career journey.
1. Manage This – The Project Management Podcast
Hosts: Andy Crowe (Founder & CEO, Velociteach) and Bill Yates (EVP, Velociteach)
Episode Length: 30-45 minutes
Listen On: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify
Andy Crowe and Bill Yates are bona fide project management royalty. Andy founded Velociteach, one of the top training resources for PMs, and authored the wildly popular book "The PMP Exam: How to Pass on Your First Try". Bill is a 20-year project management veteran who has led major initiatives for Fortune 500 clients.
In short, these guys know their stuff – and it shows in every episode of Manage This. While they cover all aspects of project management, they‘re particularly adept at delving into the human elements like leadership, team dynamics, and stakeholder engagement.
What sets Manage This apart is the instantly actionable advice Andy and Bill dispense. You won‘t find any abstract theorizing or self-indulgent chatter. Every story and example they share comes with concrete strategies you can apply in your work right away.
Their episode on "Managing Conflict on Project Teams" is a must-listen for any PM struggling with unproductive tension and infighting. Andy and Bill walk through their 4-step process for transforming conflict into creative problem-solving, complete with word-for-word scripts and real-world case studies. It‘s a masterclass in emotionally intelligent leadership.
With over 200 episodes and counting, Manage This has amassed nearly 4 million downloads and a perfect 5.0 rating on Apple Podcasts. One enthusiastic reviewer raved: "Andy and Bill strike the perfect balance of expertise and relatability. I feel like I‘m learning from wise mentors who understand my day-to-day PM challenges. Every episode leaves me with a new technique or mindset shift to try out."
2. Project Management Paradise
Host: Johnny Beirne (Co-Founder, Cora Systems)
Episode Length: 20-35 minutes
Listen On: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher
Produced by award-winning software company Cora Systems, Project Management Paradise aims to inspire PMs to achieve project success and advance their careers. Each week, host Johnny Beirne invites a leader in the field to share their journey and hard-won lessons.
What‘s unique about this show is the sheer diversity of the guests and their specialties. One week you may hear from a Silicon Valley startup founder about using agile to accelerate innovation. The next you‘ll learn about building trust with clients from the PM behind some of Dubai‘s most extravagant megaprojects.
Some of the most impactful episodes dive deep into specific project management methodologies and tools. The two-part series on implementing earned value management is basically a free masterclass on this powerful cost-control technique. And the show‘s resident Microsoft Project expert, Eric Uyttewaal, routinely blows listeners‘ minds with his creative hacks and workarounds.
It‘s no wonder Project Management Paradise consistently ranks in the top 5% of all business podcasts globally. Johnny‘s genuine curiosity leads to refreshingly honest and substantive conversations that will shift your perception of what‘s possible as a project manager.
The reviews speak for themselves. Take it from Darragh O.: "I stumbled upon this podcast when studying for my PMP certification and got hooked. It quickly became my go-to resource for keeping up with emerging PM trends and tools. I love how Johnny challenges conventional thinking. He‘s always asking ‘How can we do this better?‘ A must-listen for ambitious, future-focused PMs."
3. Time Limit: A Project Management Podcast
Hosts: Brett Harned (Consultant & Coach) and Rob Harr (CTO, Sparkbox)
Episode Length: 60-75 minutes
Listen On: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify
If you work in a digital agency or consultancy, Time Limit is the PM podcast designed specifically for you. Hosts Brett Harned and Rob Harr have spent their careers leading web development projects for major brands like MTV and PBS. Each episode tackles the unique challenges of delivering complex work on time and on budget.
Brett and Rob aren‘t afraid to go deep into the weeds of project planning, resourcing, scheduling, and client management. You‘ll learn exactly how they structure their documentation, run meetings, and hold teams accountable. It feels like a VIP backstage pass to see how the best agencies operate.
Time Limit also shines in its willingness to get vulnerable. Brett and Rob openly share their past failures and embarrassing mistakes, using them as jumping off points to discuss how PMs can handle the inevitable setbacks and curveballs. Their episode on "When Projects Go Wrong" will make you feel infinitely less alone in your struggles.
As a bonus for the PM community, Brett and Rob regularly drop free templates, scripts, and tutorials to help listeners level up their digital project management game. They walk the walk when it comes to generously sharing their expertise.
With glowing endorsements from industry luminaries like Rachel Gertz, Sam Barnes, and Kim Goodwin, it‘s clear that Time Limit has earned its must-listen status among agency PMs. As one reviewer put it: "This is the only podcast that speaks directly to my world as a digital PM. I constantly find myself pausing episodes to take notes or bookmark resources. So much actionable value in every show."
Pulse Check: 2022 Project Management Podcast Trends
Now that you have my curated shortlist of the best PM podcasts, you may be wondering how to fit them into your schedule. Should you pick one show and binge every episode? Rotate through a few favorites? Only tune in when a topic really grabs you?
There‘s no right or wrong way to go about it. My suggestion is to add all 8 podcasts to your player of choice, then spend a week sampling a few episodes from each. Take note of which hosts and formats resonate most with your learning style and professional interests.
You may find that Manage This is your go-to for real-world leadership advice, while The Digital Project Manager Podcast keeps you current on emerging PM tech and trends. Or you may devour every Projectified interview for the career development gems but only turn to PM Happy Hour when you need a dose of humor and camaraderie.
The key is building a podcast "playlist" that supports your goals, aligns with how you prefer to learn, and keeps you coming back for more. That last part is essential, because the value of podcasts comes from integrating them into your routine so the knowledge can compound over time.
As a project manager, your most precious resource is your time. There will always be a shiny new podcast clamoring for your attention. My aim with this vetted list is to cut through the clutter so you can focus on the shows that will deliver the highest ROI for your career.
I hope you discover a new favorite (or two, or three) to add to your PM toolkit. With every episode, you‘ll be arming yourself with the diverse insights and cutting-edge strategies to lead your projects and teams to success.
Happy listening!
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