10 Game-Changing Project Management Podcasts for Advanced Leadership and Strategy

Hey there!

Looking to take your project management and leadership skills to the next level? As a fellow PM geek, I‘ve got some great news for you – podcasts are an amazing (and convenient!) way to gain strategic insights from the brightest minds in our field.

In this comprehensive guide, I‘ll be sharing my top 10 game-changing podcasts that will give you advanced strategies, methodologies, tools, and frameworks to master project delivery and team leadership. With over 15 years as a PM, I‘ve found these shows to be an invaluable part of my own professional development, and I hope they will be for you too!

Let‘s dive in…

Why Listen to PM Podcasts?

I don‘t know about you, but I LOVE podcasts! Here are some of the biggest reasons I think you should subscribe and listen to PM podcasts regularly:

• It‘s convenient. You can listen during your commute, workout, chores – podcasts fit learning into a busy life seamlessly.

• Get insider tips.Hosts are often experts who share real-world advice to avoid pitfalls and succeed.

• Stay updated. Podcasts deliver the latest news, trends and best practices as they emerge.

• Grow your network. Many shows build community with listeners, guests and hosts.

• Gain inspiration. Learn from how seasoned PMs have progressed in their careers.

According to a survey from Podcast Insights, some of the top benefits professionals get from business and career-focused podcasts include:

• Learning cutting-edge industry knowledge (89%)
• Hearing new perspectives and ideas (88%)
• Improving leadership skills (85%)
• Advancing their career (84%)

Clearly podcasts have a major impact! Now let‘s explore some of the best out there for project managers like us.

10 Game Changing PM Podcasts

Here are my top 10 go-to podcasts for advanced project management strategies and insights:

1. The Project Management Podcast

As one of the longest running PM podcasts since 2007, The Project Management Podcast by Cornelius Fichtner is a must-listen. With over 800 episodes and 12+ years of experience, Fichtner shares invaluable perspectives on project leadership.

He hosts experts across industries and backgrounds for insightful Q&As on topics like:

• Adopting agile methodologies
• Crisis leadership and change management
• Innovative tools and digital trends
• Strategies for non-technical PMs
• Career development and leadership principles

I love how Cornelius explores real world case studies and actionable tactics in a conversational style. Recent episodes have covered project risk management, influence without authority, mentoring team members and leading through uncertainty.

With 12+ years of episodes, you‘ll never run out of helpful knowledge to apply!

My key takeaways: Staying updated on the latest trends and best practices. Practical tips for technical project management skills.

2. PM Happy Hour

For a fun and relatable take on project management struggles, PM Happy Hour is a favorite. Hosts Kim and Kelly tackle the realities of leading teams and delivering complex projects with humor and wit.

Recent episodes have covered topics like:

• Resolving conflicts on teams without authority
• Running productive virtual meetings
• Managing project scope creep
• Coping with imposter syndrome as a PM
• Leading cross-functional teams and stakeholders

With over 10 years of episodes, they‘ve addressed pretty much every PM challenge imaginable – mismanaged expectations, unclear requirements, unrealistic deadlines and more. I always gain actionable advice for overcoming the types of issues PMs face every day.

Plus, their informal vibe makes for an enjoyable lesson on my commute!

My key takeaways: Troubleshooting common project problems. Building confidence in project leadership abilities.

3. Manage This

If you‘re looking for easily digestible episodes to learn essential PM skills, Manage This is an excellent pick. Hosted by Carl Marzan and Cornelius Fichtner (of The PM Podcast above), each episode clearly breaks down a core project management topic in 15-20 minutes.

Some skills they’ve covered include:

• Developing strategic thinking
• Mastering meeting facilitation
• Growing negotiation, influence and emotional intelligence
• Fostering innovation and creativity in teams
• Building resilience and managing stress

Their conversations are insightful without getting overly complex. With almost 250 episodes and counting since 2020, Manage This makes strengthening fundamental PM capabilities simple and convenient.

My key takeaways: Developing well-rounded leadership abilities beyond technical skills.

4. The Engineering PM Podcast

For project managers from technical backgrounds, The Engineering PM Podcast is incredibly valuable. Created by the Engineering Management Institute, each episode shares specialized wisdom and case studies on managing engineering initiatives.

Recent discussions have covered topics like:

• Adopting scaled agile frameworks
• Building relationships as a technical PM
• Developing technical programs and project portfolios
• Creating effective RACI matrices
• Managing geographically dispersed teams

The hosts are knowledgeable and frequently interview engineering executives, Scrum masters, and technical project leaders with experience to share. With 120+ episodes and counting since 2021, this podcast will greatly expand your technical PM skills.

My key takeaways: Mastering technical PM methodologies. Learning specialized frameworks like SAFe or LeSS.

5. PM Point of View

For an unconventional look at our profession, PM Point of View delivers paradigm-shifting insights. Host Kendall Lott interviews an incredible range of cross-disciplinary guests – from astronauts to researchers, CEOs and race car drivers.

Recent guests have included:

• An NFL coach discussing leadership principles
• A cognitive psychologist on decision-making fallacies
• A startup founder‘s lessons on innovation mindsets
• A philosopher on the ethics of project management

I love hearing new perspectives from outside traditional PM. The interviews uncover lessons that challenge assumptions and push you to think bigger. With 600+ episodes since 2015, Kendall has some of the most fascinating project leadership discussions out there.

My key takeaways: Thinking beyond conventional PM wisdom. Developing innovative leadership approaches.

6. The Everyday PM Podcast

For PM fundamentals explained clearly, The Everyday PM Podcast delivers. Host Praveen Malik structures 25-35 minute episodes to concisely summarize core project management concepts.

Some topics covered include:

• Developing accurate project charters
• Managing change and uncertainty
• Improving time management and productivity
• Building high-performing teams
• Communicating effectively across stakeholders
• Using PM tools like Trello, Asana, and MS Project

I appreciate how Praveen breaks down frameworks like agile and lean methodology in simple terms. With 180+ episodes and counting since 2020, this podcast builds foundational knowledge and skills that every PM needs.

My key takeaways: Strengthening core PM competencies. Learning fundamental best practices.

7. People and Projects Podcast

For an uplifting take on leadership, People and Projects Podcast is amazing. The format highlights individuals leading impactful initiatives in unique contexts – from scientific innovations to social justice projects.

Some of my favorite guests have included:

• An astronomer discussing coordinating the Event Horizon telescope project
• A marine biologist on leading ocean conservation programs
• An urban planner developing sustainable city infrastructure
• A university dean sharing higher ed transformation stories

The interdisciplinary stories provide incredible lessons on purpose-driven leadership, creativity, innovation and design thinking. With 500+ heartwarming episodes since 2008, this show gives me inspiration and renewal as a PM.

My key takeaways: Fostering a purpose-driven mindset. Maintaining passion despite obstacles.

8. Projectified

Created by the Project Management Institute, Projectified examines the future of our profession. Episodes run 15-20 minutes and provide forward-thinking insights from PM thought leaders across industries.

Some topics explored include:

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning in PM
• Leveraging AR/VR for enhanced collaboration
• Promoting sustainability through project delivery
• Developing hybrid and remote PM strategies
• Fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in teams

I always learn about emerging trends that allow me to take a strategic view as a PM. With 150+ episodes since 2018, Projectified helps unlock ideas about the next evolution of techniques and tools.

My key takeaways: Adopting innovative PM technologies. Building future-ready leadership skills.

9. 5 Minutes Podcast with Ricardo Vargas

Need bite-sized PM wisdom from an expert? Subscribe to the 5 Minutes Podcast by Ricardo Vargas. With over 900 micro-episodes since 2011, Ricardo shares concise insights on project leadership.

Some themes he‘s covered include:

• Developing a project manager‘s mindset
• Building ethics and integrity
• Promoting sustainability in PM
• Applying situational leadership models
• Cultivating skills like active listening, strategic thinking, coaching and mentoring

Ricardo is incredibly knowledgeable – he even authored the PMBOK guide! I‘m able to absorb his world-class guidance easily in 5-15 minute bursts during pockets of free time.

My key takeaways: Developing well-rounded leadership capabilities beyond technical expertise.

10. Project Management on the Go

Fit learning into a busy schedule with Project Management On the Go. At around 25 minutes per episode, the show delivers quick and helpful project lessons.

Some topics covered include:

• Developing resilience and managing stress
• Building strategic influence as a PM
• Optimizing time management
• Creating contingency plans and risk mitigation
• Managing stakeholders and team dynamics
• Improving PM soft skills like emotional intelligence and communication

The hosts have great energy and bring discussions to life through real world examples. With 180+ episodes since 2021, this is my go-to for accessible advice during my commute and workout!

My key takeaways: Time-saving tips to strengthen project management and leadership abilities.

Critical Insights on Leadership and Strategy

Across thousands of episodes, these podcasts deliver game-changing insights. Here are some of the most important project leadership strategies I‘ve learned:

• Adopt agile frameworks like Scrum or Kanban to promote adaptability. Give teams more control over execution.

• Develop soft skills like empathy, emotional intelligence, communication etc. Technical expertise isn’t enough.

• Leverage digital tools like Asana, Trello, Smartsheet to enhance team productivity and collaboration.

• Create clear plans and reporting structures so teams and stakeholders have transparency.

• Learn core project management skills like scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk and resource management.

• Cultivate a growth mindset and stay curious. Read, listen and learn continuously.

• Think strategically about how your projects align with company goals and vision.

• Build diverse teams with cross-functional perspectives for enhanced innovation and decision making.

• Balance traditional techniques with emerging trends in AI, AR/VR, automation etc.

• Manage stakeholders effectively by understanding their priorities and nurturing trusted relationships.

• Develop project leadership abilities like strategic influence, motivation, change management and vision. Technical skills aren‘t enough!

The Value of Continuous Learning

Mastering project management is a journey of lifelong learning. Leadership capabilities I have today that enable me to deliver projects successfully have been built over years of reading books, learning from mentors, attending courses and listening to podcasts.

And the learning never stops! The world is changing fast. To stay relevant as project managers and impactful leaders, we need to continuously expand our perspectives, skillsets and toolkits.

That‘s why I‘m so passionate about podcasts. They distill practical wisdom from the brightest minds out there into manageable episodes I can listen to anytime, anywhere. They‘ve made me the project leader I am today.

I hope you‘re able to incorporate one or more of these podcasts into your PM learning journey as well! Let me know if you have any other favorites I should check out.

Wishing you massive success in leadership and project delivery!