The Good PM Life Podcast

Sandy Lawler
  • 5.0 (7)
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  • Updated Weekly

Are you aspiring to become a successful project manager or looking to elevate your existing PM skills? Welcome to The Good PM Life, the ultimate podcast dedicated to all things project management! Hosted by seasoned project management consultant and author Sandy Lawler, this podcast offers insightful discussions, expert advice, and practical tips to help you navigate the dynamic world of project management. Join us every week for new episodes and start mastering the art of effective project management today!

  1. 5d ago

    S3E6 - Bob Is Why We Can't Have Nice Projects

    Every project has a Bob. You know Bob. He doesn't answer emails, misses important meetings, and sits on approvals for two weeks. But the minute your project falls behind schedule, guess who's suddenly available and wants to know what went wrong? BOB! In this episode of The Good PM Life, we're talking about one of the most frustrating—and important—parts of project management: dealing with people. From disappearing stakeholders and last-minute executive requests to conflicting priorities and those lovely people who agree with everything in meetings but complain afterward, we're getting into the messy reality of stakeholder management. Through relatable stories, a little humor, and practical advice, Sandy shares how to navigate difficult personalities, manage expectations, and keep your projects moving without losing your mind. Because sometimes the biggest obstacle to delivering a successful project isn't the budget, the timeline, or the technology. It's Bob.

    S3E6 - Bob Is Why We Can't Have Nice Projects

  2. Sep 16

    S3E5 - Stop Rejecting Yourself Before They Do!

    Stop Rejecting Yourself Before They Do Have you ever found the perfect project management job—then decided not to apply because you hadn’t used the exact software listed? In this episode, Sandy explains why knowing a specific tool isn’t the same as knowing how to manage a project. You’ll learn how to recognize transferable software skills, answer interview questions about unfamiliar platforms, choose the right tools to learn, and stop eliminating yourself from opportunities before the employer even sees your résumé.

    S3E5 - Stop Rejecting Yourself Before They Do!

  3. Sep 2

    S3E4 - AI Is Coming For Your Project Management Job - Now What!?

    AI is changing project management—and fast. In this episode of The Good PM Life, we tackle the big question: Is AI coming for your project management job? We’ll look at which PM tasks are likely to be automated, why that doesn’t mean project managers are going away, and where PMs need to start adding more value. From embracing AI tools to strengthening leadership, business knowledge, stakeholder management, and decision-making skills, this episode is about preparing now for what’s next.

    S3E4 - AI Is Coming For Your Project Management Job - Now What!?

  4. Aug 20

    S3E3 - This Meeting Could Have Been an Email

    This Meeting Could Have Been an Email We’ve all been there: sitting in a meeting, watching the clock, and wondering, “Why am I here?” Meetings aren’t the problem. Bad meetings are. In this episode of The Good PM Life, Sandy takes on one of the most universally frustrating parts of the workday—the unnecessary meeting. Whether you’re a project manager, team leader, business owner, or simply someone whose calendar is packed with invitations, this episode is about being more intentional with one of our most valuable resources: time. We’ll talk about why meetings have become the default solution for almost everything, when an email really is the better choice, and when getting people together for an actual conversation can save hours of back-and-forth. In This Episode Why a one-hour meeting with 10 people actually consumes 10 hours of organizational timeThe difference between sharing information and actually needing collaborationWhen you should skip the meeting and send the emailWhen you should stop emailing and get everyone togetherWhy vague meetings like “Project Discussion” are a red flagHow to decide who really needs to attend—and who simply needs the outcomeWhy every meeting doesn't need to be 30 or 60 minutesThe dreaded “meeting after the meeting” and what it tells youThree questions to ask before sending your next meeting invitation🎙️ The Good PM Life Real-world lessons about projects, people, leadership, and getting things done—whether “Project Manager” is in your title or not.

    S3E3 - This Meeting Could Have Been an Email

  5. Aug 19

    S3E2 - Busy All Day. Accomplished Nothing.

    Ever finish a workday completely exhausted…only to wonder what you actually accomplished? For project managers, it’s incredibly easy to spend the entire day answering emails, responding to Teams messages, sitting in meetings, chasing updates, and handling everyone else’s “urgent” requests—without actually moving the project forward. In this episode of The Good PM Life, I’m talking about the difference between being busy and being productive, and why your biggest challenge may not be time management at all. It may be priority management. In this episode, we’ll talk about: Why project managers are especially vulnerable to the “busy trap”How your inbox and Teams messages can quietly start running your dayWhy urgent doesn’t always mean importantHow to identify the work that actually moves your project forwardThe danger of letting the loudest stakeholder determine your prioritiesWhy PMs need protected thinking timeThe simple Big Three strategy you can start using tomorrow🎧 Listen now and start taking control of your workday instead of letting your workday control you. The Good PM Life — practical conversations about project management, leadership, careers, and making life as a PM a little bit better.

    S3E2 - Busy All Day. Accomplished Nothing.

  6. Jun 24

    S3E1 - GOOOAAALLLL! 6 World Cup Lessons Every Project Manager Needs

    What can project managers learn from the world's biggest sporting event? In this episode of The Good PM Life, Sandy Lawler explores the surprising parallels between project management and the FIFA World Cup. From years of preparation before kickoff to leadership under pressure, stakeholder alignment, risk management, adaptability, and team culture, the World Cup provides a masterclass in the fundamentals that drive successful projects. Whether you're leading a technology implementation, business transformation, or organizational initiative, the same principles that help teams win championships can help you deliver successful projects.

    S3E1 - GOOOAAALLLL! 6 World Cup Lessons Every Project Manager Needs

  7. 06/04/2025

    S2E12 - From YouTube to CEO: What Project Managers Can Learn from Amy Landino

    In this inspiring episode of The Good PM Life, host Sandy Lawler sits down with none other than Amy Landino—renowned YouTube creator, keynote speaker, coach, and author of Good Morning, Good Life. Amy opens up about her journey from launching videos in 2007 to building an internationally recognized personal brand. But what does all this have to do with project management? Everything. Amy and Sandy dive into the often-overlooked truth: many aspiring project managers already have the skills—they just haven’t given themselves the credit yet. Amy shares powerful advice on taking the leap before you feel fully ready, embracing your past experiences, and managing self-doubt along the way. ***To get exclusive access to the Extraordinary Action Framework Amy mentioned during today's episode, follow Amy on Instagram and send her a direct message with the text "Good PM"*** 🔑 In This Episode You’ll Learn: How creating content can teach you project management principlesWhy courage often comes before clarity in your career journeyHow to reframe “I’m not ready” into action and growthThe parallels between managing a brand and managing projectsWhy sharing your voice publicly (like on LinkedIn or YouTube) builds confidence and community💬 Notable Quotes: 🗣️ “You learn so much by putting yourself out there.” — Amy Landino 🗣️ “If you’ve ever planned, organized, scoped, or solved a problem—you’ve practiced project management.” — Sandy Lawler 📚 Mentioned in the Episode: Good Morning, Good Life by Amy LandinoAmy’s YouTube channel: AmyTVConnect with Amy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/schmittastic/?hl=en🌟 Who Should Listen: Aspiring project managers questioning if they’re “ready”Creatives looking to turn passion into processAnyone navigating a career leap with fear and excitement🙌 Connect with Sandy: LinkedIn: Sandy LawlerWebsite: The Good PM Life

    S2E12 - From YouTube to CEO: What Project Managers Can Learn from Amy Landino

  8. 05/21/2025

    S2E11 - From Task Manager to True Leader: How Project Managers Level Up

    Are you stuck in task-mode as a project manager and wondering what it takes to truly lead? In this episode of The Good PM Life, host Sandy Lawler shares the game-changing mindset shift from simply managing tasks to becoming a confident, people-first leader. Sandy gets personal with real-world stories and practical tips from her 25+ years of experience managing projects across tech, infrastructure, and enterprise environments. You’ll learn the difference between being a task chaser and a team anchor—and how leadership can be quiet, consistent, and deeply impactful. Whether you’re new to project management or looking to grow into a more strategic role, this episode gives you the roadmap. www.thegoodpmlife.com

    S2E11 - From Task Manager to True Leader: How Project Managers Level Up
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Ratings & Reviews

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7 Ratings

About

Are you aspiring to become a successful project manager or looking to elevate your existing PM skills? Welcome to The Good PM Life, the ultimate podcast dedicated to all things project management! Hosted by seasoned project management consultant and author Sandy Lawler, this podcast offers insightful discussions, expert advice, and practical tips to help you navigate the dynamic world of project management. Join us every week for new episodes and start mastering the art of effective project management today!

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