Agile Mentors Podcast

Agile Mentors Podcast

Practical advice for making agile work in the real world

The Agile Mentors podcast is for agilists of all levels. Whether you’re new to agile and Scrum or have years of experience, listen in to find answers to your questions and new ways to succeed with agile.

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Brian Milner

About Your Host

Brian Milner is Senior VP of Agile Training at Mountain Goat Software. Each episode features a guest co-host to discuss different aspects of agile as well as address your questions.

Latest Episodes

#126: Mastering the Scrum Master Role with Gary K. Evans

December 04, 2024     35 minutes

What does it take to be an effective Scrum Master? In this episode, Brian Milner and Gary K. Evans, author of The Effective Scrum Master, explore the nuanced role of Scrum Masters, the importance of people skills, and the shift from efficiency to effectiveness.

#125: Embracing Gratitude in Challenging Times with Brian Milner

November 20, 2024     9 minutes

Get ready for a special Thanksgiving episode where Brian Milner shares what he’s most grateful for this year and why a little reflection on gratitude can go a long way. It’s time to embrace the positives and celebrate the connections that keep us growing.

#124: How to Avoid Common Product Team Pitfalls with David Pereira

November 13, 2024     29 minutes

Curious if your product team is caught in common traps that limit success? Join Brian and David Pereira as they explore how to simplify workflows, make smarter bets with prioritization, and shift from output-driven thinking to delivering real value.

#123: Unlocking Team Intelligence with Linda Rising

November 06, 2024     45 minutes

What makes a team intelligent? Brian and Linda Rising explore the surprising factors that foster group intelligence, from psychological safety to diversity, backed by groundbreaking research from MIT and Google.

#122: Empowering Diversity with Nosa Oyegun & Louria Lindauer

October 30, 2024     37 minutes

Join us as we explore how Agile in Color is breaking down barriers in the Agile community and empowering people of color through mentorship, support, and leadership. Learn how you can be an ally and foster a more inclusive environment in your own Agile journey.

#120: Agile in Gaming with Clinton Keith

October 16, 2024     32 minutes

How does Agile fit into the fast-paced, high-stakes world of game development? Clinton Keith, author of Agile Game Development, spills the secrets from his time working with some of the top studios in the industry and explains why adapting Agile to gaming is both a challenge and a game-changer.

#119: Conferences, Connections, and Community with Chris Murman

October 09, 2024     34 minutes

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner chats with Murman about the value of attending Agile conferences, the importance of networking, and the impact of volunteering in the Agile community. They share personal stories, advice on making the most of conference experiences, and insights into how volunteering can open up new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

#118: The Secrets to Agile Success with Mike Cohn

October 02, 2024     34 minutes

In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner and Mike Cohn reveal the keys to achieving lasting success with Agile methodologies. From embracing experimentation and fostering a culture of continuous improvement to improving communication with consistent vocabulary, they offer practical, relatable insights for Agile practitioners at all levels.

#117: How AI and Automation Are Redefining Success for Developers with Lance Dacy

September 25, 2024     36 minutes

In this episode, Brian Milner and Lance Dacy dive into the evolving world of software development, exploring how AI and automation are reshaping the landscape. They discuss the essential skills developers need in this new era, from embracing AI as a tool to mastering emotional intelligence and continuous learning.

#116:  Turning Weird User Actions into Big Wins with Gojko Adzic

September 18, 2024     33 minutes

What do lizards have to do with product growth? In this episode, Gojko Adzic reveals how unusual user behaviors can unlock massive opportunities for product innovation. Discover the four steps to mastering "Lizard Optimization" and learn how you can turn strange user actions into game-changing insights.

#115: Aligning Leadership for Success with Dr. Tess Thompson

September 11, 2024     29 minutes

Join Brian and Dr. Tess Thompson as they delve into the complexities of scaling Agile, highlighting the challenges of aligning leadership priorities, fostering transparency, and applying system-level thinking for successful organizational transformations.

#114: Is Agile Dead? with Scott Dunn

September 04, 2024     40 minutes

Is Agile really dead, or are we just doing it wrong? Tune in as Brian and Scott dive deep into the controversies and misconceptions surrounding Agile practices and what it really takes to make Agile work in today’s organizations.

#113: Influence Without Authority with Christopher DiBella

August 28, 2024     31 minutes

Join Brian Milner as he talks with leadership expert Christopher DiBella about mastering the art of influencing without authority. Learn how to lead with respect, empathy, and compassion to inspire your team, even when you don’t hold the official title.

#112: Exploring Collaboration Styles with Jessica Guistolise

August 21, 2024     33 minutes

Discover how recognizing and accommodating different collaboration styles can transform your Agile team dynamics. Join Brian Milner and Jessica Guistolise as they delve into the key to effective and inclusive collaboration.

#109: Leadership and Culture in DevOps with Claire Clark

July 31, 2024     30 minutes

Join Brian as he chats with DevOps expert Claire Clark about the cultural and mindset shifts needed for successful DevOps adoption, the concept of 'shift left,' and the crucial role of leadership support.

#108: Adaptive Organizations with Ken Rickard

July 24, 2024     20 minutes

Join Brian and Ken Rickard as they delve into why agile transformations get stuck and uncover strategies for creating adaptive, resilient organizations and people.

#106: Innovating Through Economic Downturns with John Barratt

July 10, 2024     35 minutes

Join Brian and John Barratt as they delve into the current state of the agile industry, exploring the impact of economic downturns on agile coaches and Scrum Masters, and discover innovative strategies to navigate these challenging times.

#105: Scrum Conferences & Neurodiversity with Brian Milner

July 03, 2024     25 minutes

Join Brian as he delves into the powerful response to his talk on neurodiversity at the Global Scrum Gathering in New Orleans, which emphasized small but significant changes to make environments more accommodating.

#104: Mastering Product Ownership with Mike Cohn

June 26, 2024     39 minutes

Join Brian and Mike Cohn as they dissect the vital roles and responsibilities of the product owner, from story mapping to stakeholder management. This episode is a treasure trove for anyone looking to sharpen their Agile skills and understand the nuanced demands of a product owner.

#103: Developer Relations and SQLMesh with Marisa Smith

June 19, 2024     29 minutes

Join Brian and Marisa Smith as they dive into the world of developer advocacy, the challenges of agile methodologies in data engineering, and the vital role of open-source communities. Discover how to better support and communicate with your developers in this insightful episode!

#102: Communicating Agile Transformations with McCaul Baggett

June 12, 2024     31 minutes

Join Brian Milner and McCaul Baggett as they explore the power of empathy and storytelling in successful Agile transformations. Learn McCaul's five-step approach to effective communication and discover strategies to overcome common pitfalls in organizational change.