Wear Your Cape to Work™

Project Insight

Wear Your Cape to Work is a podcast hosted by Project Insight. We believe that project and program managers truly are the superheroes of every organization.Our guests have poured their lives and talents into driving successful project outcomes for industries across the world. They wear their capes to work every day, and we want to celebrate them. We want you to hear their stories and be inspired to wear your own cape to work.You won't want to miss any of our exciting conversations with PMPs from companies like fairlife, Universal Studios, Activision Blizzard King, PayPal and more.Subscribe and follow on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and other favorite podcast channels. 

  1. A Heart for Helping

    6D AGO

    A Heart for Helping

    In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, Amy Altomare shares how she built a Project Support Center at City of Hope, starting within the nursing department and expanding across the organization. You’ll hear what project work looked like before that support existed, what it takes to earn trust and buy-in in a clinical environment, and the practical steps Amy used to create a model that helps teams lead meaningful projects with the right structure, coaching, and consistency. Episode Breakdown 00:00–01:50 | Meet Amy Altomare and why project support matters in healthcare 01:50–03:00 | City of Hope origins 03:00–04:54 | Mission-driven work and improving how project work gets done 04:54–05:21 | Process improvement as “heart projects” 05:21–06:30 | Imposter syndrome and becoming the expert in how work gets delivered 06:30–08:00 | People notice your superpowers 08:00–09:00 | What it looked like before project management support existed 09:00–10:41 | Making change happen and making it stick 10:41–12:07 | “My tasks were not the most important.” 12:07–15:25 | Starting the Project Support Center and reducing burden for clinicians 15:25–16:29 | Formalizing processes and empowering departments 16:29–17:58 | Expanding support beyond nursing 17:58–20:00 | Getting buy-in through support and empowerment 20:00–22:00 | How to start a Project Support Center for your Orgaization 22:00–26:30 | Pitfalls to avoid: adoption, standardization, internal marketing 26:30–28:00 | Amy’s superpower: leading projects with heart 28:00–End | Flipping “process improvement” into “finding an assist” Connect with Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyea/ Project Insight Website Watch Video Podcast Subscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on: YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts RSS

    30 min
  2. The Introvert Advantage

    FEB 17

    The Introvert Advantage

    What if the qualities you once thought were holding you back were actually your greatest leadership strengths? In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, we sit down with Jorge Alzate, a former analytical chemist turned Digital Program Manager, who discovered that introversion is not a limitation. It is a leadership superpower. From leading complex data separation during a major corporate divestiture to founding ForwardQuest Coaching, Jorge shares how self-awareness, thoughtful communication, and relationship-building transformed his career. If you have ever wondered how to thrive in an extroverted world without changing who you are, this conversation is for you. Episode Breakdown 00:00–03:50 | From Analytical Chemist to Project Leader 03:50–05:00 | The Introvert’s Eye 05:00–06:00 | Going Beyond the PMP 06:00–07:30 | Finding the Dream Role 07:30–09:40 | From Individual Contributor to Leader 09:40–10:20 | Self-Analysis as a Leadership Tool 10:20–14:00 | The Tropicana Divestiture Challenge 14:53–16:00 | Agile Under Constraint 16:00–18:34 | Recruiting Volunteers 18:34–22:00 | The Introvert Super Skill 22:00–23:00 | Leading From Your Strengths 26:00 | The Thoughtful Speaker Superpower 27:00–29:00 | Coaching & What He Loves Most 29:00–34:00 | ForwardQuest Coaching 34:00 | Eliminating Limiting Beliefs Connect with Jorge on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jorgealzate/ Connect with ForwardQuest Coaching: https://forwardquestcoaching.com/ Jorge's Successful Introvert Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/forward-quest-powering-introverts-success/id1857112685 Project Insight Website Watch Video Podcast Subscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on: YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts RSS

    33 min
  3. Managing Mega & Giga Projects

    FEB 3

    Managing Mega & Giga Projects

    This episode is about the leadership superpowers required to run the biggest projects in the world. We’re joined by Tim McManus, a global expert in mega- and giga-project delivery who has led massive construction and infrastructure programs across continents. With experience across energy, transportation, and sports, Tim shares what changes at mega scale and why it demands a different kind of leader. Hear the stories and ask yourself if you have what it takes. 1. 00:00–03:41 | Introduction & Background Tim’s path into mega- and giga-projects and his global career. 2. 03:41–05:00 | Early Leadership Lessons The shift from managing projects to leading people. 3. 05:34–07:00 | Learning From Mentors Why great leaders learn from those around them. 4. 07:12–07:39 | What Are Mega & Gigaprojects? A clear definition across asset classes. 5. 07:52–08:22 | Global Scale & Impact Why these projects exceed expectations worldwide. 6. 09:30 | A Light Moment A humorous take on “mega projects.” 7. 09:50–11:00 | Beyond the Budget Complexity, risk, and long-term impact. 8. 11:58–13:18 | Crossrail Case Study Workforce challenges and strategic vision. 9. 13:23–14:50 | Strategic Project Approach Why planning sets the foundation. 10. 14:57–18:15 | Defining Success Legacy, people, and professional growth. 11. 18:15–19:22 | Industry Outlook Why now is a compelling time in construction. 12. 19:58–22:23 | Favorite Megaproject What made it stand out. 13. 23:36–24:30 | Common Challenges Where mega- and giga-projects struggle. 14. 24:33–25:12 | The Planning Gap Why planning is rushed at great risk. 15. 25:45–26:45 | Lessons Learned The value of experience and insight. 16. 26:46–30:26 | Olympic-Scale Lessons Leadership insights at extreme scale. 17. 30:49–31:00 | Legacy Benefits Delivering lasting value. 18. 31:17–34:00 | Leadership Mindsets Why many large projects lack leadership. 19. 35:00–35:40 | Choosing the Right Leader How leaders are selected. 20. 35:40–37:00 | Leadership Traits Communication, credibility, vision, and risk. 21. 37:23–End | Developing Your Skills Continuing growth through learning and education. Additional Resources PMI Managing Mega-projects: https://bit.ly/4reLYdX PMI Managing Giga-projects: https://bit.ly/4a9IFPr The Art of Project Leadership (McKinsey): https://bit.ly/3ZiTw3z Managing Big Projects – Tim McManus: https://bit.ly/3LSzv0k Columbia Global Leaders in Construction Management: https://www.glcm.info/ Bent Flyvbjerg, How Big Things Get Done: https://www.linkedin.com/in/flyvbjerg/ Project Insight Website Watch Video Podcast Subscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on: YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts RSS

    35 min
  4. 11/04/2025

    Season 2 Recap

    In this special wrap-up episode, Trina and Mathew look back on the standout moments and superpowers from Season 2 of Wear Your Cape to Work.  Together they revisit the insights, stories, and lessons that made this season unforgettable and share what they learned from each inspiring guest. Precision under constraint. The season opened with Jeff Conner, program manager from NASA, who described project management before online tools existed. Paper files, couriers, and in-person signoffs still led to flawless execution. His story showed how precision and accountability were the original super tools. Courage in leadership David Doty’s episode, It Takes Courage, stood out for his transparency and strength. Building a district from scratch under scrutiny, he modeled brave leadership and reminded us to celebrate real wins. Admirable endeavors: global aid when everything changes Lucas King explained how policy shifts or crises can reshape USAID projects overnight, proving adaptability across governments and cultures.  Empowering people’s strengths Project Insight customer Linda Goodrich of CureIS showed how aligning people’s passions with their work improves results through forecasting and a balanced pace. Finding calm thru clarity Lisa Haymes of Rimkus showed how organization creates calm and confidence.Curiosity as a catalyst Renee Clayton of Byte Strategies urged PMs to stay curious, experiment, and use AI thoughtfully to stay adaptable. Grit with generosity Charlene Reynolds, Director at John Wayne Airport, advanced by taking tough projects and shared guidance on leadership, motivation, and mentoring. Reliability that builds trust Fisayo Folarin rebuilt her project management career after moving from Nigeria to Canada, showing how reliability and honesty build trust. Comfortable in conflict Agatha Agbanobi’s passion for HR and DEIB work showed how empathy and courage turn conflict into progress and reminded us to see what teams carry beyond work. Decisive steadiness Sanjiv Bhagat from Amazon explained how a bias for action drives innovation, pairing decisiveness with humility in global logistics. Innovation with integrity Steve West reflected on the shift from faxed spreadsheets to real-time dashboards and the vision for one connected command center giving leaders a complete picture of work. Project Insight Website Watch Video Podcast Subscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on: YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts RSS

    42 min
  5. Innovation with Practicality

    10/21/2025

    Innovation with Practicality

    Steve West has seen project management evolve from the days when building an extranet to share files felt revolutionary to today’s era of AI-driven collaboration. As Product Manager at Project Insight, he’s witnessed every major shift—from desktop tools to browser-based systems to intelligent automation. In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, Trina, Mathew, and Steve talk about the early days of project management software, how teams learned to collaborate online, and why the leap from desktop to browser was such a defining moment for the industry. They explore how the PMP framework and artificial intelligence continue to shape the way Project Insight builds features that empower people—not just projects. Steve’s story is one of innovation, persistence, and belief in connecting people through technology. Episode Highlights What project management looked like before the cloud—and why extranets were considered cutting-edgeThe leap from desktop tools to browser-based platforms and why many resisted at firstHow collaboration and visibility ultimately triumphed over siloed softwareThe evolution of Project Insight and how its product philosophy grew from those early challengesHow the PMP framework continues to guide modern PM practicesThe impact of artificial intelligence on portfolio and resource managementWhy Steve believes project management has always been about people first, technology secondReflections on what’s next for project management and AI🔗 Connect with Steve: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-west-cali/   Project Insight Website Watch Video Podcast Subscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on: YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts RSS

    37 min
  6. Bias Towards Action (PM at Amazon)

    10/07/2025

    Bias Towards Action (PM at Amazon)

    Today on Wear Your Cape to Work, we’re joined by Sanjiv Bhagat, Manager of Program Management at Amazon. Sanjiv shares his journey from technical roles in the public sector to leading global logistics initiatives, how his love of puzzles shapes his prioritization skills, and why every project must start with the problem—not the tool. He also explains Amazon’s leadership principles, including Jeff Bezos’s “two-way vs. one-way door” decision framework, the bias toward action, and the minimum regret lens. Along the way, Sanjiv highlights how leaders can cut through tunnel vision, view their portfolios as a whole, and connect spend to true value delivered. What you’ll take away from this episode: Why projects must begin with the problem before jumping to solutions or toolsHow puzzles and prioritization sharpen decision-making in complex environmentsJeff Bezos’s decision framework: one-way vs. two-way doorsBias toward action and the minimum regret lens as antidotes to analysis paralysisCustomer obsession as the north star for projects at every levelBuilding a PMO that partners with the business, measures value, and stays simpleHelping leaders see the full picture: portfolio alignment, spend vs. outcomes, and strategic valueHumility and continuous learning as hallmarks of strong leadershipProject Insight Website Watch Video Podcast Subscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on: YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts RSS

    34 min
  7. Getting Comfortable in the Fire (CHRO Project Management)

    09/23/2025

    Getting Comfortable in the Fire (CHRO Project Management)

    We’re excited to welcome Agatha Agbanobi, founder and principal consultant of ResonantHR to the WYCTW podcast. With more than 15 years in project and program management and six years in HR leadership, she shares what it’s like to lead initiatives in employee relations, conflict resolution, workforce development, and DEIB. Agatha — unlike most of us — is comfortable being close to the fire. She uses her superpowers of values-based leadership, empathy, and people skills to help resolve conflict, build stronger company cultures, and connect HR initiatives directly to business goals. In this conversation, she talks about the evolving role of HR leaders, why proving ROI matters, and what inspired her upcoming Values-Driven Leadership Podcast. Episode Highlights Starting in education and international development, but always leading projectsFinding her way into HR through DEIB work and expanding into HR leadershipWhy she pursued her PMP and how it strengthens her HR practiceWhat makes HR and DEIB project work uniqueTying HR projects to organization-wide initiatives and eliminating silosWhy today’s CHRO must evolve into a strategic business partnerHer commitment to DEIB and standing up for what she believes inHow empathy, people skills, and hope for resolution guide her leadershipHer “superpower” of being comfortable in high-conflict situationsA preview of her upcoming podcast on values-based leadership🔗 Connect with Agatha: LinkedIn ResonantHR Website Project Insight Website Watch Video Podcast Subscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on: YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts RSS

    33 min
  8. Project Management on a New Continent

    09/09/2025

    Project Management on a New Continent

    Fisayo Folarin has built a reputation for being someone you can count on. Whether leading digital banking projects in Nigeria or driving SaaS implementations in Canada, her superpower is reliability combined with a deep commitment to transparency, communication, and continuous & curious learning. In this episode of Wear Your Cape to Work, Trina and Mathew talk with Fisayo about what it takes to restart your career in a new country, why project managers must be both curious and courageous, and how she helps teams achieve “100% efficiency” by asking the right questions and translating priorities between stakeholders. Fisayo’s story is one of transformation from starting out in customer service to becoming a trusted coach and delivery expert in tech, fintech, and SaaS. Episode Highlights How she went from customer service to project analyst before she even knew how to use ExcelWhat it was like to restart her project management career after moving from Nigeria to CanadaThe four skills she believes every project manager must develop:  • Curiosity to ask why  • Transparency about what you know (and what you don’t)  • Communication that truly lands and is understood  • A willingness to keep growing and scale up your skillsKey differences between project work in credit unions and commercial banksWhat “100% efficiency” really looks like in project delivery and how she helps teams get thereHow she explains scope, priorities, and customizations clearly to clientsWhy emotional intelligence is an essential but often overlooked part of project successHer tips for knowing when to keep what’s working and when to adjust what’s notHow she coaches others to define their own ways of workingHer personal superpowers: reliability, transparency, and helping teams get aligned and deliver🔗 Connect with Fisayo:  LinkedIn Project Insight Website Watch Video Podcast Subscribe to Wear Your Cape to Work Podcast on: YouTube Spotify Apple Podcasts RSS

    33 min

Trailers

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Wear Your Cape to Work is a podcast hosted by Project Insight. We believe that project and program managers truly are the superheroes of every organization.Our guests have poured their lives and talents into driving successful project outcomes for industries across the world. They wear their capes to work every day, and we want to celebrate them. We want you to hear their stories and be inspired to wear your own cape to work.You won't want to miss any of our exciting conversations with PMPs from companies like fairlife, Universal Studios, Activision Blizzard King, PayPal and more.Subscribe and follow on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and other favorite podcast channels.