Best Product Backlog Podcasts (2025)

1
Bye Bye Backlog Hijacker 22:31

Play Pause

21h ago22:31

22:31

One thing lots of agile or scrum teams have in common is that they experience carry over work. Sometimes, we can do it and still survive and meet our goals. But if carry over work becomes the norm and we are unable to get out of the trend, it is problematic for us. There are several different culprits that lead to carry over work, but none is worse…

1
Why "Working Myself Out of a Job" Is Wrong for Scrum Masters | Terry Haayema 15:44

3h ago15:44

15:44

Terry Haayema: Why "Working Myself Out of a Job" Is Wrong for Scrum Masters Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. "Success for a Scrum Master is to do myself out of a job... which I don't buy into at all, be…

1
When Consensus Becomes Paralysis—The Nemawashi Challenge For Agile Software Development | Terry Haayema 17:31

3h ago17:31

17:31

Terry Haayema: When Consensus Becomes Paralysis—The Nemawashi Challenge For Agile Software Development Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. "The problem I'm facing is 'too much consensus'... we talk, bounce…

1
Creating a private AI assistant in Thunderbird 53:08

1d ago53:08

53:08

In this episode, Daniel and Chris are joined by Chris Aquino, software engineer at Thunderbird to hear the story of how they developed a privacy-preserving AI executive assistant. They discuss various design decisions including remote (but confidential) inference, local encryption, and model selection. Chris A. does an amazing job describing the jo…

1
The High Cost of Unsafe Agile Retrospectives | Terry Haayema 18:44

23h ago18:44

18:44

Terry Haayema: The High Cost of Unsafe Agile Retrospectives Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. "She was kind of like the mum for the team... she was actually the glue that held the team together." Terry t…

1
Episode 479: Contractors to the rescue and dinged for delay 34:57

2d ago34:57

34:57

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Hey skillet nation, long time skilletee first time skilleter here. I started at a scale up about 6 months ago and recently, I was asked to help with a project that was greatly behind schedule. The folks responsible for the original system are no longer at the company, and the team currently …

1
When Scrum Practices Aren't Enough - Learning to Sense the System | Terry Haayema 14:22

2d ago14:22

14:22

Terry Haayema: When Scrum Practices Aren't Enough - Learning to Sense the System Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. "I didn't know how to 'sense' the system. I was focused on the scrum practices, I though…

1
BONUS: Building High-Performing Engineering Teams | Jochen Issing 53:26

4d ago53:26

53:26

BONUS: Jochen Issing on Building High-Performing Engineering Teams In this BONUS episode, we explore the fascinating journey of Jochen Issing, an engineering leader who brings unique insights from his background as a handball player and band member to building exceptional software development teams. From sports courts and music stages to engineerin…

1
Beyond Product Knowledge—The Hidden Skills Every Product Owner Needs | Shawn Dsouza 15:11

5d ago15:11

15:11

Shawn Dsouza: Beyond Product Knowledge—The Hidden Skills Every Product Owner Needs Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Shawn explores both ends of the Product Owner spectrum through real experiences. On on…

1
The Marathon Mindset—Building Agile Teams That Last Beyond Sprint Deadlines | Shawn Dsouza 13:51

6d ago13:51

13:51

Shawn Dsouza: The Marathon Mindset—Building Agile Teams That Last Beyond Sprint Deadlines Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Shawn defines himself as a "people-first Scrum Master" who measures success not…

1
From AI Anxiety to AI Advantage: A Scrum Master's Experimental Approach | Shawn Dsouza 13:29

7d ago13:29

13:29

Shawn Dsouza: From AI Anxiety to AI Advantage: A Scrum Master's Experimental Approach Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Shawn faces the massive AI transformation currently reshaping the tech industry, ac…

1
The Database Migration Disaster— Why Software Development Teams Need Psychological Safety | Shawn Dsouza 13:10

8d ago13:10

13:10

Shawn Dsouza: The Database Migration Disaster— Why Software Development Teams Need Psychological Safety Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Shawn worked with a skilled team migrating a database from local …

1
Episode 478: Can you coach self-awareness and my boss is an llm 38:18

9d ago38:18

38:18

In this episode, Dave and Jamison answer these questions: Can you coach self-awareness? I manage someone who seems to believe their skill set is on par with their teammates, regardless of their constant PR feedback regarding the same issues over and over, the extra attention they are regularly given to help them overcome coding challenges, and the …

1
When Scrum Masters Forget to Listen - A Team Trust Crisis in Agile Implementation | Shawn Dsouza 14:09

9d ago14:09

14:09

Shawn Dsouza: When Scrum Masters Forget to Listen - A Team Trust Crisis in Agile Implementation Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Shawn shares a powerful lesson about the importance of listening before i…

1
Problems vs. Solutions: The Great Product Owner Distinction | Bernie Maloney 19:33

12d ago19:33

19:33

Bernie Maloney: Problems vs. Solutions: The Great Product Owner Distinction Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. The Great Product Owner: The Strategic Problem Solver Bernie describes an exemplary Product O…

1
Cracking the code of failed AI pilots 46:44

14d ago46:44

46:44

In this Fully Connected episode, we dig into the recent MIT report revealing that 95% of AI pilots fail before reaching production and explore what it actually takes to succeed with AI solutions. We dive into the importance of AI model integration, asking the right questions when adopting new technologies, and why simply accessing a powerful model …

1
From Permission-Seeking to Forgiveness-Begging—Agile Team Evolution in Self-Management | Bernie Maloney 14:00

13d ago14:00

14:00

Bernie Maloney: From Permission-Seeking to Forgiveness-Begging—Agile Team Evolution in Self-Management Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Bernie defines success for Scrum Masters as creating teams that ca…

1
Mastering Complexity Through Systems Thinking and NLP Coaching | Bernie Maloney 18:56

14d ago18:56

18:56

Bernie Maloney: Mastering Complexity Through Systems Thinking and NLP Coaching Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Bernie addresses the constant challenge of mid-sprint changes by asking the crucial questi…

1
The Triangulation Technique—Coaching Agile Teams Through Challenges | Bernie Maloney 16:32

15d ago16:32

16:32

Bernie Maloney: The Triangulation Technique—Coaching Agile Teams Through Challenges Read the full Show Notes and search through the world's largest audio library on Agile and Scrum directly on the Scrum Master Toolbox Podcast website: http://bit.ly/SMTP_ShowNotes. Bernie identifies critical patterns that cause teams to self-destruct, with lack of c…

1
Episode 99 — Flow Optimization: Using Metrics to Improve Throughput 33:18

17d ago33:18

33:18

This episode concludes the series by exploring flow optimization as the capstone of agile delivery. Learners discover how metrics such as cycle time, throughput, and flow efficiency reveal opportunities to improve performance. The session emphasizes that optimization is about increasing finished value per unit of time without sacrificing quality. E…

1
Episode 98 — Team Interfaces: Shielding the Team from Interruptions 31:35

17d ago31:35

31:35

This episode explores how teams manage interfaces with stakeholders and the broader organization to protect focus and flow. Learners examine practices such as designated product owners, communication protocols, and boundary-setting. The session emphasizes that shielding does not mean isolation but ensuring that input flows through the right channel…

1
Episode 97 — WIP Limits: Constraining Work at Every Level 33:26

17d ago33:26

33:26

This episode introduces the concept of work-in-progress (WIP) limits as a tool for improving flow and reducing multitasking. Learners discover how limiting concurrent work prevents bottlenecks, shortens cycle time, and improves predictability. The session explains that WIP limits apply at multiple levels, from individual contributors to teams and p…

1
Episode 96 — Collaboration: Strengthening Customer–Team Interaction 32:37

17d ago32:37

32:37

This episode reviews how collaboration between customers and teams sustains alignment and value delivery. Learners explore practices such as joint backlog refinement, co-creation workshops, and regular demos. The session highlights that collaboration reduces misunderstandings, builds trust, and accelerates learning. Examples show how PMI exam scena…

1
Episode 95 — Acceptance: Validating Deliverables Against Criteria 32:25

17d ago32:25

32:25

This episode highlights the role of acceptance in confirming that deliverables meet defined criteria. Learners explore how clear acceptance criteria guide development, testing, and validation. The discussion emphasizes that acceptance ensures both quality and alignment with stakeholder expectations. Examples illustrate PMI exam scenarios where inco…

1
Episode 94 — Customer Analysis: Identifying Users and Needs 32:59

17d ago32:59

32:59

This episode explores how agile teams perform customer analysis to ensure products address the right problems. Learners examine techniques such as interviews, personas, and journey mapping to identify user groups and their needs. The session emphasizes that customer analysis is not a one-time task but an ongoing process as markets and users evolve.…

1
Episode 93 — Effectiveness: Evaluating Process Changes 32:57

17d ago32:57

32:57

This episode reviews how agile teams evaluate the effectiveness of process changes after implementation. Learners are introduced to methods such as pilot testing, A/B comparisons, and retrospective reviews to determine whether improvements achieved their intended outcomes. The session emphasizes that evaluation is essential to refining practices an…

1
Episode 92 — Implementation: Executing Improvement Actions 31:17

17d ago31:17

31:17

This episode focuses on how agile teams translate improvement insights into concrete actions. Learners explore how to plan, prioritize, and execute changes within the flow of delivery. The discussion emphasizes embedding improvements in the backlog, assigning ownership, and measuring impact. Examples highlight PMI exam scenarios where improvements …

1
Episode 91 — Evidence-Driven Improvement: Metrics and Feedback 34:34

17d ago34:34

34:34

This episode emphasizes the role of evidence in guiding continuous improvement. Learners discover how teams use metrics such as throughput, cycle time, and defect rates alongside stakeholder feedback to inform changes. The session explains that improvement should be anchored in data, not opinions, ensuring credibility and accountability. Examples i…

1
Episode 90 — Iteration: Repeating Identification and Reduction Cycles 32:37

17d ago32:37

32:37

This episode emphasizes how iteration sustains continuous improvement. Learners discover how repeating cycles of waste identification, reduction, and reassessment ensures that improvements compound over time. The discussion explains that iteration is not limited to product development but also applies to processes and practices. Examples illustrate…

1
Episode 89 — Waste Reduction: Prioritizing and Executing Improvements 33:08

17d ago33:08

33:08

This episode builds on waste detection by focusing on reduction strategies. Learners explore how to prioritize which wastes to eliminate first, based on impact and feasibility. The discussion emphasizes incremental execution of improvements to avoid overwhelming the team. Examples highlight PMI exam scenarios where waste persists because teams fail…

1
Episode 88 — Waste Detection: Metrics, Tools, and Feedback Loops 32:32

17d ago32:32

32:32

This session examines how agile teams detect waste that slows value delivery. Learners explore categories of waste, such as handoffs, waiting, rework, and overproduction, and how tools like cumulative flow diagrams reveal inefficiencies. Feedback loops are emphasized as critical to identifying and reducing waste. Examples show how PMI exam scenario…

1
Episode 87 — Value Stream: Visualizing End-to-End Flow 32:19

17d ago32:19

32:19

This episode introduces the concept of value streams, which map the flow of value from customer request to delivery. Learners explore how visualizing value streams reveals bottlenecks, handoffs, and delays that constrain throughput. The session emphasizes that understanding flow end-to-end enables teams to focus on systemic improvement. Examples hi…

1
Episode 86 — Learning Loops: Preventing Recurrence with Lessons Learned 31:57

17d ago31:57

31:57

This session highlights how agile teams use learning loops to prevent recurrence of issues and embed knowledge into practice. Learners are introduced to methods such as after-action reviews, root cause follow-ups, and retrospective-driven experiments. The emphasis is on turning lessons into sustainable improvements. Examples show how PMI exam scena…

1
Episode 85 — Monitoring and Control: Tracking Risks and Impediments 31:11

17d ago31:11

31:11

This episode focuses on how agile teams monitor and control risks and impediments once they are identified. Learners explore techniques such as risk boards, burndown charts, and regular reviews to track exposure and progress. The emphasis is on visibility, ownership, and adaptation. Examples show how PMI exam scenarios may present risks that disapp…

1
Episode 84 — Prioritization: Sequencing Mitigation and Removal Work 32:40

17d ago32:40

32:40

This session dives into prioritizing work related to risk mitigation and impediment removal. Learners explore how to balance delivery of features with the necessity of addressing items that threaten flow and quality. The discussion emphasizes that prioritization must account for both value creation and risk reduction. Examples highlight PMI exam sc…

1
Episode 83 — Team Engagement: Co-Creating the Best Course of Action 30:44

17d ago30:44

30:44

This episode explores how agile leaders engage teams by involving them directly in problem-solving and decision-making. Candidates learn how co-creation builds ownership, improves motivation, and strengthens outcomes. The discussion highlights practices such as collaborative workshops, consensus-building, and shared prioritization. Examples show ho…

1
Episode 82 — Risk and Impediment Identification: Proactive Discovery 30:34

17d ago30:34

30:34

This session highlights the importance of identifying risks and impediments early before they escalate into major issues. Learners explore proactive techniques such as risk workshops, backlog reviews, and daily standups to surface concerns quickly. The episode explains how agile favors prevention and early discovery over reactive crisis management.…