Best Ricardo Vargas Podcasts (2025)

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My First Impressions about the PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition 5:43

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11h ago5:43

5:43

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the new edition of PMBOK 8, which brings important changes more aligned with the real work of project managers. Based on nearly 48,000 data points and two rounds of global feedback, it has become more practical, clear, and value-oriented. The old 12 principles have been condensed into six more focused ones, while …

1
Luck, Probability, and Risk: What Is Really Under Your Control in Projects 5:34

9d ago5:34

5:34

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the role of luck and probability in project management. He explains that while luck can influence outcomes, it favors those who are prepared. Probability, he says, is not a prediction but a decision-making tool that helps manage uncertainty. Effective project managers turn randomness into results through preparati…

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Executives Who Don’t Understand Projects Can’t Deliver Results 3:31

4d ago3:31

3:31

In this episode, Ricardo explains why executives need to understand the logic of project management to make informed strategic decisions. Projects drive organizational changes, such as digital transformation, new products, entry into new markets, and mergers. Without understanding how projects add value and manage risk, leaders may fail to connect …

1
The Invisible Loop: Why Your Schedule Never Balances Out 5:24

26d ago5:24

5:24

In this episode, Ricardo discusses activity loops, which occur when tasks become predecessors and successors to each other, creating cycles that make schedule calculations difficult. Although schedules are designed for linear flows, engineering and innovation projects are often iterative, with constant revisions and feedback. Looping isn't a mistak…

1
The Project Didn’t Fail — It Just Revealed the Truth 4:21

24d ago4:21

4:21

In this episode, Ricardo explains that projects don’t really fail — they reveal the truth about an organization. Projects act as mirrors, exposing hidden cultural flaws like poor alignment, weak leadership, and political decisions. When pressure from deadlines and budgets increases, the organization’s true nature surfaces: silos, egos, and fear rep…

1
The Truth Behind Fake AI Projects: Understanding AI Washing 5:05

25d ago5:05

5:05

In this episode, Ricardo discusses AI washing, a growing trend where organizations falsely claim to use artificial intelligence. Similar to greenwashing, AI washing occurs when companies exaggerate their AI capabilities to attract investors or appear innovative. In reality, many so-called AI systems are just basic automation or rule-based tools. Th…

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The Future Has Arrived: The Second Global Research on AI in Project Management 3:49

1M ago3:49

3:49

In this episode, Ricardo announces the release of the second global research on AI in project management, co-authored with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez. Compared to their first study two years ago, AI has moved from experimentation to mainstream adoption. The 2025 report, based on insights from 870 professionals in 97 countries, shows that AI familiarit…

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The Mega Power of Nano Projects 4:00

2M ago4:00

4:00

In this episode, Ricardo introduces the concept of nano projects: ultra-short, highly focused initiatives lasting just a few days, designed to generate value quickly. Unlike megaprojects, which require months or years, nano projects respond to the need for speed and adaptation in a fast-paced world. Examples include testing a marketing channel in f…

1
Is Agile Still Enough in the Face of AI’s Speed? 3:03

2M ago3:03

3:03

In this episode, Ricardo questions whether Agile is still sufficient in the face of the speed of artificial intelligence. Created in 2001, the Agile Manifesto introduced short iterations and continuous learning to address the unpredictability of software development. However, today, tools become obsolete in days, raising questions about the relevan…

1
AI: Reducing Risks or Creating New Challenges? 5:58

2M ago5:58

5:58

In this week's episode, Ricardo questions whether artificial intelligence (AI) actually reduces project risks or creates new ones. While it helps predict delays, identify flaws, and minimize errors, AI can create invisible risks, such as data bias, which distorts results, and "blind trust," when professionals accept predictions without critical ana…

1
How Many Broken Windows Are You Tolerating in Your Project? 3:32

2M ago3:32

3:32

In this week's episode, Ricardo explains the "broken windows" theory, which originated in criminology, and how it applies to project management. The central idea is that minor signs of disorder, when ignored, lead to bigger problems. In projects, accepting delays or failures without correction sends the message that quality and discipline are unimp…

1
What to Do When Everything in the Project Goes Right and No One Notices 2:49

2M ago2:49

2:49

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the concept of "silent success" in projects. Managers often highlight dramatic stories: impossible deadlines met, small teams overcoming limitations, or difficult clients. These narratives attract attention, but true success can be more discreet: well-managed risks, on-time deliveries, a motivated team, and aligne…

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5 AI Tools for Projects You’ve Probably Never Heard Of 5:57

3M ago5:57

5:57

In this episode, Ricardo introduces five lesser-known AI tools that can transform project management. The first is Study Fetch, which creates personalized tutors from documents, allowing interactive learning and team alignment. The second, Granola, records meetings, generates summaries, and produces prioritized action lists—saving time for project …

1
Ignoring the Signs Is Costly: The Art of Seeing Red Flags in Projects 4:31

3M ago4:31

4:31

In this episode, Ricardo Vargas talks about the importance of recognizing and acting on early warning signs — the famous red flags — before small issues become full-blown crises. He shares practical advice and real examples to help create a culture of active risk awareness and psychological safety in project environments.…

1
Project Delivered, Relevance Lost: When Reality Outpaces Your Scope 3:35

3M ago3:35

3:35

In this episode, Ricardo explores the paradox of projects that were executed with excellence — on time, on budget, and within the original scope — but ultimately fail to deliver real value because the world changed during execution. The pandemic, accelerated digital transformation, new regulations, or even political and social shifts can make what …

1
General-Purpose AI in the Spotlight: What the EU AI Act Means for Your Projects 5:11

4M ago5:11

5:11

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the impact of the AI Act, the European regulation on artificial intelligence (General-Purpose AI models). The law, passed in 2024 and fully in force in 2026, began imposing strict rules on general-purpose AI models such as GPT, Claude, and Gemini on August 2, 2025. Projects using these AIs, even for simple integra…

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Cut the Talk, Keep the Impact: 5 Tips for Better Meetings in the times of AI 5:59

4M ago5:59

5:59

In this episode, Ricardo shares five tips to optimize meetings. First, keep them short and focused—long calls often waste time. Second, ask if a meeting is truly necessary; many decisions can be handled via Slack or email. Third, when a meeting is needed, send a clear agenda and define objectives in advance. Fourth, use AI tools to record and summa…

1
Leadership in Crisis: 3 Lessons for Projects from the Astronomer Case 5:57

4M ago5:57

5:57

In this episode, Ricardo discusses a case involving the CEO of Astronomer, who was caught with a subordinate during a concert, leading to both of their departures from the company. The episode highlights three main lessons: (1) A leader's reputation is a strategic asset, directly linked to the company's image. (2) There is no longer a separation be…

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In the Eye of the Storm: How to Stay Calm Amid Uncertainty 6:13

4M ago6:13

6:13

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the importance of staying calm when everything seems out of control. He shares eight practical tips for dealing with moments of chaos in projects — from doing a reality check to taking care of your well-being. Ricardo highlights that under pressure, common sense is often the first thing to go, and impulsive deci…

1
Not Every Project Has to Be Straight: The Magic of Frank Gehry 2:32

4M ago2:32

2:32

In this episode, Ricardo visits the Marqués de Riscal winery, highlighting the hotel designed by Frank Gehry as an example of creativity outside the box. He reflects on how disruptive ideas, like this architectural work made of titanium and stainless steel, often emerge when rigid frameworks are abandoned and “ordered chaos” is explored. Ricardo em…

1
The Fear That Sabotages Your Projects — And How to Overcome It 4:42

5M ago4:42

4:42

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the impact of fear on project management and the role of psychological safety in transforming fear into positive and effective actions. Fears such as making mistakes, being judged, or losing your job can silence teams, hindering decisions and innovation. Psychological safety, a concept developed by Amy Edmondson, …

1
When the Brazilian Way Becomes a Trap: The Risk of Normalizing Improvisation 4:43

5M ago4:43

4:43

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the “Jeitinho Brasileiro” — the Brazilian way of solving problems creatively, often with limited resources. While this ingenuity is a strength, it becomes risky when improvisation turns into standard practice. He shares a story of a glass installer who used chewing gum instead of putty, which worked but became a h…

1
According to PwC, AI Has Already Changed the Game — And You Can’t Keep Playing in the Past 5:15

5M ago5:15

5:15

In this episode, Ricardo discusses insights from PwC’s 2024 AI Jobs Barometer, analyzing 500 million job postings across 15 countries. He shows that AI-exposed sectors like IT and project management see 4.8x higher productivity. Jobs requiring AI skills grow three times faster and offer a 25% wage premium. AI’s biggest impact comes from everyday pr…

1
The Cost of Hurry: How Speed Undermines Project Quality 3:32

5M ago3:32

3:32

In this episode, Ricardo discusses the dangers of prioritizing speed over strategy in project management. He says that being agile means adapting and learning quickly, not rushing in blindly. Urgency often leads to missed plans, poor decisions, and costly rework. Teams suffer under pressure, and when delays happen, they are unfairly blamed. Ricardo…

1
Why Earned Value Still Matters — Even with AI 3:19

6M ago3:19

3:19

In this episode, Ricardo talks about the ongoing importance of earned value analysis in project management. Despite advancements in AI, real-time dashboards, earned value remains a precise, structured, and effective tool—especially in complex environments. AI can automate data collection and forecasting, but it cannot replace human judgment. Metric…

Ricardo Vargas Podcasts

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5 Minutes Podcast with Ricardo Vargas

Ricardo Viana Vargas

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OfficialNOHA

Ricardo Vargas

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QuickTalk Show

Allan Rocha

1
My First Impressions about the PMBOK® Guide 8th Edition 5:43

1
Luck, Probability, and Risk: What Is Really Under Your Control in Projects 5:34

1
Executives Who Don’t Understand Projects Can’t Deliver Results 3:31

1
The Invisible Loop: Why Your Schedule Never Balances Out 5:24

1
The Project Didn’t Fail — It Just Revealed the Truth 4:21

1
The Truth Behind Fake AI Projects: Understanding AI Washing 5:05

1
The Future Has Arrived: The Second Global Research on AI in Project Management 3:49

1
The Mega Power of Nano Projects 4:00

1
Is Agile Still Enough in the Face of AI’s Speed? 3:03

1
AI: Reducing Risks or Creating New Challenges? 5:58

1
How Many Broken Windows Are You Tolerating in Your Project? 3:32

1
What to Do When Everything in the Project Goes Right and No One Notices 2:49

1
5 AI Tools for Projects You’ve Probably Never Heard Of 5:57

1
Ignoring the Signs Is Costly: The Art of Seeing Red Flags in Projects 4:31

1
Project Delivered, Relevance Lost: When Reality Outpaces Your Scope 3:35

1
General-Purpose AI in the Spotlight: What the EU AI Act Means for Your Projects 5:11

1
Cut the Talk, Keep the Impact: 5 Tips for Better Meetings in the times of AI 5:59

1
Leadership in Crisis: 3 Lessons for Projects from the Astronomer Case 5:57

1
In the Eye of the Storm: How to Stay Calm Amid Uncertainty 6:13

1
Not Every Project Has to Be Straight: The Magic of Frank Gehry 2:32

1
The Fear That Sabotages Your Projects — And How to Overcome It 4:42

1
When the Brazilian Way Becomes a Trap: The Risk of Normalizing Improvisation 4:43

1
According to PwC, AI Has Already Changed the Game — And You Can’t Keep Playing in the Past 5:15

1
The Cost of Hurry: How Speed Undermines Project Quality 3:32

1
Why Earned Value Still Matters — Even with AI 3:19