Best Scrum Facilitators Podcasts (2025)

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Daily Scrum Demystified: Facilitation That Keeps It Fast, Fun & Focused 31:38

Play Pause

21h ago31:38

31:38

The Daily Scrum is the shortest Scrum event and the most misunderstood. Too many teams turn it into a draggy 30-minute status update instead of the energizing 15-minute sync it’s meant to be. In this episode, Kate & Ryan break down how to facilitate Daily Scrums that actually work. They cover: Why the Daily Scrum is the team’s meeting (not a status…

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OKRs for projects: align teams and results 7:37

10h ago7:37

7:37

Summary:- The episode explains OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) as a tool to align teams and outcomes in projects, emphasizing clarity and measurable progress over simply tracking tasks.- OKRs act as both a compass (objective) and a dashboard (key results). A good OKR set uses 3–4 well-chosen key results that are specific, measurable, and verifiab…

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Operational Leadership: Turning Vision into Results 29:25

2h ago29:25

29:25

In this episode of the Leadership Growth Wheel series, Kate Megaw, Ryan Smith, and Anu Smalley unpack the often-overlooked domain of Operational Leadership. Strategy may set the direction, but without operational leadership, organizations stall. They explore how leaders at every level－whether in the C-suite or on the frontlines－play a role in trans…

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Sprint Planning Unleashed: Facilitation That Fuels Focus & Flow 34:23

9d ago34:23

34:23

Too many Sprint Plannings feel like marathons with no finish line. In this episode, Kate & Ryan show you how to flip the script! They break down practical facilitation moves to keep Sprint Planning crisp, collaborative, and confidence-building. From capacity planning hacks to sprint goals that actually inspire, they share real-world stories, pitfal…

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From Myths to Mastery: The Truth About Facilitation 35:20

25d ago35:20

35:20

Most people think facilitation means running a meeting, keeping time, or taking notes. But true facilitation is so much more - it’s about guiding groups toward purpose-driven outcomes, staying neutral, navigating conflict productively, and creating space for every voice in the room! In this episode, Kate and Ryan bust the biggest myths around facil…

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Scrum Masters Unplugged: Stories, Struggles & Superpowers 34:10

23d ago34:10

34:10

Kate and Ryan are joined by special guest Erin Mullens for a lively, honest conversation about the real world of Scrum Mastery. They explore how each of them found their way into the role, what truly energizes them about the job, and the frustrations they all wrestle with (hello, “gravitational pull of waterfall”!). From building trust with teams t…

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Agility Reimagined: Energy, AI, and Breaking the Rules (Just a Little!) 32:25

29d ago32:25

32:25

Live from the buzz of Agile2025, Kate Megaw, Anu Smalley, and Ryan Smith dive into the energy, insights, and shake-ups that had everyone talking. From the groundbreaking PMI–Agile Alliance partnership, to embracing AI as your co-conspirator, to ditching dogma and speaking the language your teams actually understand—this episode is a celebration of …

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The Bedrock of Great Teams: Trust and Reliability in Action 34:12

1M ago34:12

34:12

Trust isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s the foundation of every high-performing team. In this episode, we explore why trust and reliability are inseparable—and how leaders can intentionally build both. From creating psychological safety to demonstrating authenticity and consistency, we break down practical steps to foster stronger team connections, i…

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The Heart of Team Leadership: Engage, Empower, Elevate 33:00

1M ago33:00

33:00

What does it truly mean to lead a team—without being “the boss”? In this episode, we explore the Team Leadership domain of the Leadership Growth Wheel, diving into three essential skills: engagement, delegation with accountability, and empowerment. Whether you're a Scrum Master, project manager, or informal team lead, this conversation offers pract…

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Pause. Reflect. Realign: Finding Your Personal Vision and Purpose 27:04

2M ago27:04

27:04

In this episode, we explore what it means to truly know where you're headed—and why you're heading there. From career shifts to personal crossroads, many of us operate on autopilot, doing what's needed instead of asking what we truly want. Join us for an honest conversation about finding your personal vision and purpose, the tools that help (like R…

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How artificial intelligence facilitates risk management in projects 5:48

2M ago5:48

5:48

This episode discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming risk management in projects by enabling proactive problem prediction and decision-making. Andrés Díaz explains that project risk management involves identifying, analyzing, and responding to potential issues like delays or budget overruns, a process traditionally challenging in…

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Agile Wisdom from the Homefront: Leadership Lessons from Life and Work 26:22

2M ago26:22

26:22

Agility isn’t just for software teams—it’s a way of thinking, leading, and living. In this heartfelt and insightful episode, we explore real-world lessons in agility from parenting to project management, from sticky notes to strategic pivots. Kate shares her personal journey transitioning from a project manager to a Scrum Master—and from a planning…

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What’s in Your Scrum Toolkit? Mindset, Mastery & Meeting Magic 26:34

2M ago26:34

26:34

In this episode, Kate and Ryan unpack the real Scrum Master’s toolkit—and it’s not just post-it notes and Sharpies. From mindset and agile knowledge to powerful facilitation techniques, they explore what it truly takes to lead effective teams. You’ll hear about the tools they carry (both physical and mental), how they keep retrospectives engaging, …

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Scrum Wisdom: 9 Lessons for Agility in the Real World 30:38

3M ago30:38

30:38

Scrum isn't just a framework—it's a mindset, a way of thinking, and a lens through which we see work, teams, and leadership. In this episode, Kate and Ryan dive into nine bite-sized pieces of wisdom—some from Agile, some from life—that reinforce what it really means to work with agility. From confusing activity with productivity to killing your dar…

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Leadership is a Team Sport: Mastering Relational Leadership Skills 37:11

3M ago37:11

37:11

Join Kate Megaw, Ryan Smith, and returning guest Anu Smalley as they dive deep into relational leadership - one of the eight domains of the Leadership Growth Wheel. Discover why the myth of heroic leadership is holding organizations back and learn the three essential skills every leader needs: emotional intelligence, psychological safety, and confl…

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Artificial intelligence tools for automating reports 5:31

3M ago5:31

5:31

This episode, hosted by Andrés Díaz, explores how AI tools are transforming report automation in project management. These tools leverage machine learning and natural language processing to analyze data and generate clear, accurate reports quickly, saving time and reducing manual effort. They can integrate with platforms like Jira, Trello, or Asana…

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Building Self-Organizing Teams: The Mindset Shift That Makes Agile Work 25:44

3M ago25:44

25:44

Self-organizing teams. It sounds simple. You give the team a goal, you create space for them to figure out how to achieve it, and then you get out of the way. In reality, very few teams achieve this level of autonomy, ownership, and creativity. And many organizations inadvertently sabotage the effort—while believing they’re practicing Agile. True s…

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What You Don’t See Can Hurt Your Team: Uncovering Blind Spots and Bias 31:13

3M ago31:13

31:13

Unconscious bias shows up whether we invite it or not—and it can quietly shape our decisions, conversations, and team dynamics. In this episode, we explore the hidden forces that drive behavior, from blind spots and implicit assumptions to the impact of bias on facilitation, leadership, hiring, and innovation. Learn how to spot the patterns, challe…

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How is artificial intelligence transforming the planning of your projects? 5:45

3M ago5:45

5:45

This episode, hosted by Andrés Díaz, explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming project planning and management. AI is already revolutionizing the field by enhancing efficiency, accuracy, and speed through early risk detection, predictive analysis, and resource optimization. Díaz explains that AI involves machines learning and reason…

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Neutral, Not Robotic: Mastering the Art of Facilitation Without Taking Sides 40:42

4M ago40:42

40:42

In this episode, we dive into one of the most frequently asked—and misunderstood—facilitation challenges: How do you remain neutral without sounding like a robot? Whether you're a Scrum Master, leader, coach, or facilitator, neutrality matters—but it doesn’t mean disengagement. We unpack seven strategies to help you guide teams, encourage innovatio…

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From Order Takers to Innovators: Sparking Ideation Within Scrum Teams 28:17

4M ago28:17

28:17

Too many teams are stuck in execution mode—taking orders and building features exactly as outlined. But what if your developers, designers, and product owners had the psychological safety, ownership, and space to contribute bold new ideas? In this episode, Kate and Ryan dive into the often-overlooked topic of ideation within Scrum teams. They explo…

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Strategic Leadership: Aligning Vision, Values, and Decision-Making 31:50

4M ago31:50

31:50

In this episode of the Arclight Agile podcast, hosts Kate Megaw and Ryan Smith join special guest Anu Smalley to explore the strategic leadership domain of the Leadership Growth Wheel. They discuss how effective leaders align organizational vision and values with daily operations, implement human-centered change management, and develop consistent d…

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Inspecting and Adapting Your Way… Back to Waterfall? 25:55

4M ago25:55

25:55

Agile teams don't usually plan to return to waterfall ways of working — it happens slowly and subtly. In this episode, Kate Megaw and Ryan Smith unpack the signs that a team is sliding back toward waterfall, why it happens, and most importantly, what leaders and teams can do to course-correct. Learn how to stay true to Agile principles even when or…

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Losing Sight of the User: How Teams Drift & How to Re-center 25:47

5M ago25:47

25:47

In this episode, Kate and Ryan Sith dive into a critical (but often overlooked) topic in product development: losing sight of the user. They share real-world experiences of how teams can unintentionally start designing for internal stakeholders instead of external customers, how “shiny object syndrome” from leadership derails sprints, and why stron…

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Own It and Deliver: The Dance Between Accountability & Ownership 28:33

5M ago28:33

28:33

What’s the real difference between accountability and ownership—and why does it matter so much in leadership and teams? In this episode, Kate and Ryan unpack the often-blurred lines between these two powerful concepts. From missed healthcare appointments to product backlog chaos, they share real stories, relatable moments, and practical insights on…

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Start with Yourself: The Power of Self-Leadership in a Changing World 27:16

5M ago27:16

27:16

In this episode of the Team KatAnu podcast, hosts Kate and Ryan sit down with Anu Smalley to unpack the concept of self-leadership—a foundational pillar in their Leadership Growth Wheel framework. With personal stories, practical tips, and thoughtful reflection, the trio explores the power of self-awareness, personal vision, and personal mastery. W…

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The Leadership Growth Wheel: A Continuous Journey to Effective Leadership 38:13

5M ago38:13

38:13

In a world where leadership requirements constantly evolve, having a structured approach to leadership development has never been more crucial. In this podcast Ryan chats with Kate and Anu Smalley (CEO of Capala Consulting), co-founders of Team KatAnu about their Leadership Growth Wheel—a comprehensive framework designed to help leaders at all leve…

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10 Ways Agile Transformations Go Off the Rails — And How to Get Back on Track 28:01

5M ago28:01

28:01

In this candid and experience-rich conversation, Kate and Ryan unpack the most common reasons Agile transformations fail. From lack of purpose and misunderstood roles to cultural resistance and tool obsession, this blog distills their insights into a practical top ten list. Whether you're beginning your Agile journey or mid-transformation, this pod…

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Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand: The Art of Strategic Work Breakdown 25:40

6M ago25:40

25:40

In this insightful exploration of the "big rocks" concept from Stephen Covey's work, Kate and Ryan discuss how breaking down large goals into manageable chunks applies to both leadership and Scrum teams. Learn practical strategies for prioritization, sustainable work pace, and achieving meaningful results through strategic goal-setting.…

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Breaking Down Silos: Building Collaborative Teams in Agile Organizations 29:55

6M ago29:55

29:55

In this episode of the podcast, Kate and Ryan tackle one of the most persistent challenges in modern organizations: teams working in silos. They explore the symptoms of siloed teams, why silos form, and practical strategies for breaking them down to create more collaborative, efficient, and united organizations.…

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The Power of Active Listening 27:13

6M ago27:13

27:13

In this episode, Kate and Ryan explore the importance of active listening and how it transforms communication. They break down the three levels of listening—listening to speak, listening to hear, and listening to understand—highlighting why true engagement requires more than just hearing words. Kate and Ryan share practical techniques like voice mi…

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The Art of Facilitation: Guiding Teams to Success 29:48

6M ago29:48

29:48

In this episode of the Team KatAnu Podcast, Kate Megaw and Ryan Smith dive deep into the role of facilitation in Agile environments. They discuss the misconceptions surrounding facilitation, the importance of neutrality, and techniques for ensuring productive and engaging meetings. From maintaining psychological safety to keeping discussions on tra…

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Meeting Overload: The Hidden Cost of Too Many Meetings 32:37

7M ago32:37

32:37

Meetings are meant to drive collaboration and alignment, but when they take over the calendar, they become a productivity drain. In this episode, Kate Megaw (CEO of Arclight Agile & Co-founder of Team KatAnu) and Ryan Smith (Certified Scrum Professional & Product Owner) dive into the real cost of excessive meetings—from wasted time to diminished mo…

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Firefighting in Organizations: When Every Issue Feels Like an Emergency 30:14

7M ago30:14

30:14

Firefighting is a common issue in many organizations. Teams frequently find themselves pulled into urgent issues that demand immediate attention, often at the expense of planned work. But not every fire is a true emergency. In a recent podcast discussion, Kate Megaw and Ryan Smith explored how constant firefighting affects teams and how organizatio…

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Who’s Responsible? Tackling Accountability, Ownership & Role Clarity in Agile Teams 28:16

7M ago28:16

28:16

In this episode of the Team Katanu podcast, Kate Megaw (Certified Scrum Trainer, Agile Coach, and CEO of Arclight Agile) and Ryan Smith (Certified Product Owner and Scrum Master) dive into a common struggle among Agile teams: lack of accountability, unclear ownership, and role confusion. They explore how natural hierarchies form within teams, why p…

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Bridging The Gaps: Practical Strategies For Hybrid Team Dynamics And Engagement 28:29

7M ago28:29

28:29

Hybrid and remote work are here to stay, but how do leaders and teams ensure strong communication, seamless collaboration, and meaningful engagement across time zones? In this podcast, Kate and Ryan dive into actionable insights for addressing challenges like communication gaps, time zone management, and fostering team engagement in a hybrid enviro…

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Navigating the Complexities of Hybrid and Remote Work: Challenges and Opportunities 31:35

8M ago31:35

31:35

Join Kate and Ryan as they delve into the ever-evolving world of hybrid and remote work. From managing across time zones to fostering team engagement and collaboration, this episode unpacks the unique challenges of today’s workforce and explores actionable strategies for leaders and teams to thrive.By Kate Megaw

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Mastering Prioritization: Proven Techniques for Leaders and Teams 29:23

8M ago29:23

29:23

Prioritization is both an art and a science, influencing success at every level of an organization. In this podcast Kate & Ryan explore actionable techniques such as weighted scoring models, Moscow prioritization, the Eisenhower Matrix, and the Kano Model. They discuss how to align your priorities with corporate goals, avoid vanity projects, and cr…

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Tackling Prioritization Challenges 26:29

8M ago26:29

26:29

In this episode Kate and Ryan tackle one of the most pressing challenges leaders face: prioritization. They delve into the ripple effects of poor prioritization, from context switching that drains productivity to misaligned leadership that derails teams.By Kate Megaw

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As a… The Power of a Well-Defined User Persona 25:58

9M ago25:58

25:58

In this week's podcast, Ryan and Kate delve into the concept of user personas—what they are, why they’re essential, and how to leverage them effectively. They discuss how personas can help teams better understand the mindset and needs of core users. The episode highlights common pitfalls in defining personas and offers practical tips to avoid these…

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Turning Reflection Into Action: Retrospecting 2024, Planning 2025 33:44

9M ago33:44

33:44

Ready to make 2025 your most intentional and fulfilling year yet? In our latest podcast, we discuss how to turn reflection into action. Learn why personal retrospectives matter, how to break your goals into manageable steps with the 'Boulders, Rocks, and Sand' framework, and how to balance work and life for sustained joy and success. Packed with pr…

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Persistent Teams 21:43

9M ago21:43

21:43

Dive into the essentials of building high-performing teams that are persistent, dynamic, and self-organizing. From cross-functionality and the art of team composition to the power of rotation programs and mentorship, we explore how to keep teams fresh, motivated, and continuously evolving. We discuss the balance between disruptive and dynamic behav…

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Zombie Epics 24:46

9M ago24:46

24:46

Epics are large bodies of work too big for a single Sprint. However, some Epics become “Zombie Epics”—unfinished tasks that linger in the backlog, often due to scope creep, hoarding, or lack of clear closure. Epics should be broken into smaller, manageable stories, and teams should avoid having Epics in Sprint Backlogs. The key is to close old Epic…

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Switching up the Retrospective - Tips and Tricks to Maximize Effectiveness of Retrospectives 29:15

10M ago29:15

29:15

Retrospectives are a vital part of Scrum. We discuss how to maximize their effectiveness. Start by setting a positive tone with an engaging opening, such as having team members share a word about their sprint experience or appreciate colleagues. Then, gather data by encouraging everyone to share what worked and what didn’t, followed by a focused di…

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Stakeholders in Scrum 28:56

10M ago28:56

28:56

In our 100th episode, we dive into the vital role of stakeholders in Scrum. We explore who stakeholders are—anyone impacted by the team's work, like customers, internal leaders, or other teams—and why they matter. Weak product ownership can lead to building features that miss stakeholder needs, so we discuss balancing their involvement. While we en…

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Ensuring Psychological Safety in Teams 27:22

10M ago27:22

27:22

In this episode, we discuss the importance of psychological safety. Psychological safety allows team members to take risks, share ideas, make mistakes, and challenge each other without fear of judgment or negative consequences. Teams without this safety often have one dominant voice, avoid disagreements, and lack feedback. Leaders can foster psycho…

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Simplifying Communication 27:13

10M ago27:13

27:13

We discuss how over-communication can drain time and energy in the workplace, as employees often feel compelled to provide excessive information to impress superiors or appear busy. This tendency dilutes messages and hampers meaningful work. To combat this, it’s essential to simplify communication by clearly defining project goals and acceptance cr…

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Overcoming Resistance to Change 31:16

11M ago31:16

31:16

We discuss common resistance to change, and how it can be overcome and embraced as an opportunity for growth. Empowering teams to determine what changes are needed fosters ownership and engagement. A shift from a top-down to a bottom-up approach is crucial; understanding the organizational "why" behind changes enhances buy-in from employees. With c…

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Is Agile Dead? Reviving the True Scrum Master Role 25:31

11M ago25:31

25:31

Misconceptions equate the Scrum Master with a traditional project manager, or an “expensive luxury" rather than essential for Agile success. Many organizations place disempowered individuals in roles, which contribute to the perception that Agile is failing. Those drawn to people-focused work will thrive as Scrum Masters, while strategic thinkers m…

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AI as your Ally: Embracing AI in Product Ownership 26:08

12M ago26:08

26:08

The integration of AI tools, such as the beta version of "Product Owner in a Box," is transforming product ownership by automating up to 80% of traditional tasks. This shift allows product owners to focus on critical thinking and strategy, positioning AI as a valuable 24/7 thought partner. By crafting refined prompts, users can generate meaningful …