Project Zero

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Walt Sparling, an author, podcaster, and senior project manager with an international real estate company. Walt shares his journey from working in mechanical, electrical, and architectural design to becoming a project manager. He discusses his transition into project management, the challenges and learning experiences during his career, and his first significant ground-up project. Walt emphasizes the importance of communication, organizational skills, and mentorship in project management. He also touches on his use of AI tools for personal projects and the evolving role of AI in the industry. Walt's story...

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Ed Rios, CEO of Tech Ed Productions, about his journey from being a technical manager at Citibank to a project and program management expert. Ed recounts his initiation into project management during the Y2K readiness projects at Citibank, his transition to ERP management with a focus on SAP and Microsoft Dynamics, and his eventual founding of Tech Ed Productions. He discusses the challenges and lessons learned from managing large-scale projects, the importance of organization and leadership, and the role of AI in future project management. Ed also shares...

In this episode, host Alex Tuck interviews Amervis López Cobb, a transformation architect and expert in psychological safety. Amervis shares her journey from at-risk youth to building and rescuing project management offices, and discusses why psychological safety is the foundation for successful teams. The conversation covers her "I'M Power" framework, the importance of communication, the role of AI in project management, and how leaders can create environments where people feel safe to speak up and contribute. Amervis also opens up about her neurodivergence and advocates for inclusive, bias-free workplaces. 

Episode Timestamps 

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews David Morris, the head of the PMO at Kinetix Technology (one of Tuck Consulting Group’s clients in the IT Professional Services space). David shares his journey from a business analyst and project manager to overseeing the entire projects department at Kinetix. He discusses his early career at Hertz and Smucker's, the importance of communication skills, recent advancements in AI at Kinetix, and his latest certification as a Portfolio Manager Professional. David also reflects on the importance of mentorship, work-life balance, and the evolving role of AI in project ma...

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews John Connolly, a Project Management Trainer at Scaling Strategies. John shares his unique journey from a librarian to a project management leader. He discusses his first major project, the transformation of a small art museum library, and the lessons he learned along the way. Key topics include the importance of communication, critical thinking, and building trust with stakeholders. John also offers insights into the evolving role of project managers in the age of AI and the need for strategic leadership within project management. The conversation emphasizes the human aspects...

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Galanda Brooker, a seasoned project manager with over 20 years of experience in tech, education, and wellness consultation. Galanda shares her career journey from a tech professional to a project manager and wellness consultant. She discusses her initial roles, the transition to project management, and her first major project at the Department of State. The conversation explores the evolution of project management skills, the impact of AI, and the importance of communication and patience. Practical advice for new project managers and insights into the diverse career pathways within project management...

In this episode, Alex Morgan shares a unique and unexpected journey into the field of project management. Moving to New York without a concrete career plan, Alex initially took up various temporary jobs. A chance encounter at Moody's Analytics shortly after the financial crisis led to a suggestion that he explore project management, a concept he was previously unfamiliar with. Starting with administrative work, he rapidly transitioned into managing projects out of necessity within a small plumbing and engineering business. Alex highlights his liberal arts background in film and television studies, which honed his critical thinking and communication skills...

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck introduces a new format featuring live interviews with top Agile project leaders from the Agile 2025 conference. The episode highlights key conference takeaways, including Tricia Broderick's keynote on resilience, a session by Digital Project Manager co-founder Galen Lowe on the future of Agile, and an interactive workshop on removing unnecessary bureaucracy. Special guests Emma from Flagstone and Emma Jacobson from Werfen share their experiences and lessons learned from their first major project management endeavors, known as 'Project Zero.'

00:00 Introduction to Project Zero

00:22 Conference Highlights and Keynotes<...

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Tim Kephart, VP of Strategic Programs at M2 Orthopedics and Founder of KCPM Health. Tim shares his journey into project management, detailing his experiences managing complex healthcare projects, including launching new clinics and implementing electronic medical records. He discusses his first major project in Austin, Texas, the challenges faced, and key takeaways on stakeholder management, communication, and balancing speed with quality. Tim emphasizes the importance of being adaptable, learning from experienced professionals, and effectively communicating with stakeholders to navigate the complexities of large-scale projects. 

00:00 Welcome to Project Z...

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Tanya Boyd, the Director of Creative Collaboration at Project Success Academy. Tanya shares her non-traditional journey into project management, which began with her work on the Road Home Program created after Hurricane Katrina. She discusses how she transitioned from a background in English and journalism to a peer reviewer and eventually recognized her role as a project manager. Tanya also reflects on the importance of communication, adaptability, and learning from failures. The episode delves into her experience with PMI certifications, working in disaster recovery, and the evolving landscape of...

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Amy Marshall-Carney, co-founder of Sage Echelon Consulting, about her journey from being a youthful 'natural project manager' in her personal life and early career to becoming a prominent figure in the project management world. Amy shares insights on transitioning from engineering to project management, the importance of continuous process improvement, and the role of communication and understanding in successful project management. She also offers valuable advice for aspiring project managers and discusses the significance of stakeholder engagement, problem-solving, and maintaining a calm, solution-focused attitude. The conversation delves into Amy's...

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck introduces guest Jacqui Myslinski, founder of Productivity Nerd, a consulting firm. Jacqui shares her journey from sales and marketing to becoming an 'accidental' project manager. The conversation covers her experiences managing a brewery with her father, the challenges she faced, and the skills she developed along the way. Jacqui emphasizes the importance of clear communication, admitting mistakes, and setting clear expectations in project management. She also talks about transitioning from operations to project management and offers advice for aspiring project managers. The episode wraps up with a discussion on balancing...

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Expert Project Manager and Fractional CIO, Dr. Sheila Valante. Dr. Sheila shares her journey from a master scheduler at Ronald Reagan Hospital to rescuing organizations from project failures across multiple industries. She emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, trust, and relationship-building in project management. Dr. Sheila also discusses the evolution of her career into change management and strategy, offering advice for aspiring project managers and highlighting the significance of stakeholder satisfaction and adaptability in the success of projects.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:26 Dr. Sheila's Background and...

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews AJ Castucci, the Senior Manager of Services at Clickup. AJ discusses his career trajectory, starting as a business analyst and consulting in healthcare IT to his roles at Smartsheet and Clickup. They delve into AJ's project management experiences, his views on the evolution of project management tools from Excel to sophisticated platforms like Smartsheet and Clickup, and the differences between these tools. The conversation also covers essential project management skills, the impact of data-driven insights, the value of MBA education, and AJ's perspective on industry certifications.

00:00 Introduction...

In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Jessica Caresse White, founder of J Caresse Consulting. Jessica shares her unexpected journey into project management, moving from studying pre-med to a career in consulting and project management. She discusses her experiences at McKinsey and Hitachi Solutions, highlighting key projects, challenges, and her eventual decision to start her own consulting firm. Jessica emphasizes the importance of curiosity, empathy, and maintaining authority in the field. The episode concludes with advice for new project managers and a discussion on the ideal project management tools and methodologies.

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In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Brutus Segun, the founder of Innovation SGP and a seasoned project manager. Brutus shares his journey from working with technical ecosystems to formally entering the project management field as a titleholder in 2018 with the state of Kansas. He discusses how his background in engineering, software development, and political science has informed his project management approach, particularly in handling complex state government projects like HCBS compliance in Kansas. Brutus emphasizes the importance of humility, technical skills, and delivering sustainable value in project management. He also provides advice for new project...

Project Zero, hosted by Alex Tuck, Founder and Principal of Tuck Consulting Group, delves into the real-life experiences of project managers as they navigate their first significant projects. In this episode, Alex shares insights from his own initial endeavor working on Obamacare in Vermont, emphasizing the challenges and hard-earned lessons that shaped his career. The podcast will focus on real talk from seasoned project leaders, offering practical advice and honest insights for both novice and experienced project managers. With new episodes each week, listeners can expect to gain confidence and knowledge to enhance their project management skills.

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