PODCAST · technology
Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software
by Mountain Goat Software
Mountain Goat Software's Agile Mentors Podcast is for agilists of all levels. Whether you’re new to agile and Scrum or have years of experience, listen in to find answers to your questions and new ways to succeed with agile.
Episodes
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#187: A Quick Summer Update and a Look at What's Ahead with Brian Milner
The Agile Mentors Podcast is taking a short summer break, but that does not mean the conversation is stopping. In this special update, Brian shares what is ahead for the show and introduces a new podcast exploring one of the biggest questions facing modern teams: what happens when AI becomes part...
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#186: Why Teams Stop Caring About Retrospectives with Cort Sharp
Retrospectives are supposed to help teams improve, but for many teams they slowly become rushed, repetitive, or skipped altogether. In this episode, Brian Milner and Cort Sharp unpack why retrospectives lose their value and what Scrum Masters and leaders can do to make them useful again. Overview...
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#185: The Real ROI of Agile with Scott Dunn
A lot of organizations say they’ve “gone Agile,” but still struggle with missed deadlines, unclear priorities, and teams that feel busy without delivering better outcomes. In this episode, Scott Dunn joins Brian Milner to unpack why Agile ROI is so often misunderstood and what leaders should...
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#184: Scrum in High-Stakes Environments with John Holmes
Many leaders assume Agile breaks down in highly regulated environments. John Holmes has spent years proving the opposite inside aerospace, defense, and space programs where the cost of failure is extremely high. Overview In this episode, Brian Milner talks with Scrum Inc. Fellow John Holmes about...
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#183: How AI Is Reshaping Product Ownership with Lance Dacy
AI can help product owners move faster, but faster is not always better. In this episode, Lance Dacy and Brian Milner explore where AI genuinely improves product work and where teams still need strong judgment, clear priorities, and real customer understanding. Overview As development teams adopt...
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#182: Never Stop Experimenting with Stavros Stavru
In a world changing faster than most teams can keep up with, standing still may be the biggest risk of all. Brian Milner sits down with Stavros Stavru to explore why experimentation is no longer optional and how teams can build a culture that adapts before disruption forces it to. Overview Many...
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#181: How to Start Agile Without Overengineering It with Cort Sharp
Too many teams try to “do Agile” by adding layers of process before they understand the problem they’re trying to solve. In this episode, Brian Milner and Cort Sharp discuss how to start Agile simply, avoid unnecessary complexity, and build practices that actually fit your team. Overview When...
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#180: Why Velocity Is the Wrong Metric for Leadership with Scott Dunn
Velocity can help a team plan, but it creates problems when leaders use it to judge performance. In this episode, Brian Milner and Scott Dunn explain why that shift happens so often and what leaders should pay attention to instead. Overview Velocity is one of the most misunderstood metrics in...
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#179: Leadership Decisions That Quietly Derail Agile with Mike Cohn
Many agile struggles don’t start with the team. They start with leadership decisions that seem reasonable but create friction, confusion, or misalignment over time. In this episode, Mike Cohn outlines the patterns that most often hold organizations back and what leaders can do differently.…
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#178: How AI Is Actually Changing Software Teams with Hunter Hillegas
AI isn’t just speeding up coding. It’s starting to change how teams work, what they build, and even who needs to be involved. In this episode, Brian and Hunter separate real impact from hype and explore what’s already shifting inside teams. Overview AI tools are improving fast, but what does that...
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#177: The 5 Habits of High Learning Teams with Lance Dacy
Most teams say they want to improve. Few actually build the habits that make it happen. In this episode, Brian and Lance break down what separates teams that learn from teams that stall—and what leaders do that quietly gets in the way. Overview What does it really take to become a learning team?…
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#176: Why Most Product Organizations Struggle with Jason Knight
Many product teams are busy, but not necessarily effective. Brian Milner talks with product consultant Jason Knight about why so many organizations struggle with prioritization, customer insight, and measuring success—and what it takes to build a product organization that actually delivers value....
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#175: When AI Makes Agile Teams Worse with Hunter Hillegas
AI can make teams faster. But it can also quietly make them worse. In this episode, Brian Milner and Hunter Hillegas dig into the risks no one wants to talk about—from eroding developer judgment to weakening team communication—and what healthy teams should do about it. Overview AI tools are...
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#174: Why Estimating Still Matters with Mike Cohn
Estimating can bring out strong reactions, and for good reason. Mike Cohn and Brian Milner unpack why it gets misused, what “estimate responsibly” really means, and how to use planning to make better decisions without turning numbers into weapons. Overview In this episode, Brian sits down with…
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#173: Hiring for Agile Roles That Actually Work with Cort Sharp
Hiring for Scrum roles is harder than it looks. Making the wrong call can derail an Agile transformation before it even starts. In this episode, Brian and Cort unpack what to actually look for in Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and Developers—beyond the job title and shiny certifications. Overview...
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#172: The Five Pillars of Agile Transformation with Mike Cohn
Most agile transformations start with energy, and then stall out when things get complex. In this episode, Mike Cohn returns with a practical framework to help teams and leaders spot what’s missing, build lasting momentum, and navigate change with more clarity and intention. Overview Agile isn’t...
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#171: Why Agile Teams Succeed—or Don’t with Colin Fisher
Most teams aren’t broken because of individual incompetence. They’re struggling because the group itself isn’t set up to thrive. In this episode, author and researcher Colin Fisher joins Brian to reframe how we think about team performance, conflict, and psychological safety through the lens of...
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#170: Leadership Lessons from the Marine Corps with Tanner Wortham
What can Agile leaders learn from the Marines? In this episode, Tanner Wortham joins Brian to share how principles of military leadership—like building authority into the trenches, experimenting under pressure, and prioritizing shared mission over ego—map surprisingly well to modern Agile teams....
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#169: Building Practical AI for Agile Teams with Hunter Hillegas
It’s not just about cool tools. Hunter Hillegas (CTO at Mountain Goat Software) joins Brian to unpack what it’s really like to build with AI—from hallucinations and context management to dev workflows, testing strategies, and where the humans still matter most. Overview This episode dives deep…
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#168: Gratitude, Growth, and the Power to Evolve with Brian Milner
It’s not a full episode this week—but it might be the one your heart needs. Brian Milner shares what he’s truly grateful for this year (spoiler: it’s not a new tool or framework), reflects on the human side of agility, and invites you to join him in a quick pause before the final sprint of 2025....
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#167: Running Better Remote Meetings with Evan Unger
Consultant and collaboration expert Evan Unger joins Brian to share practical tactics for leading more engaging, effective meetings that actually get results (and don’t drain everyone’s will to live). Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner welcomes longtime consultant...
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#166: AI Isn’t Coming for Your Job, But It Is Joining Your Team with Dr. Michael Housman
AI is already changing how we work—and how we work together. In this episode, Dr. Michael Housman joins Brian Milner to explore how AI is reshaping team collaboration, decision-making, and the very structure of Agile teams. Overview We keep talking about AI like it’s something that’s coming. But…
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#165: Can Your Product Process Keep Up With AI with Cort Sharp
If AI is speeding up how fast we can ship, what’s slowing teams down now? Brian and returning guest Cort Sharp dig into the emerging friction between AI-assisted development and the still-slow art of product decision-making. Overview With AI accelerating software delivery, it’s no longer the...
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#164: Why Innovation Efforts Fall Flat with Tendayi Viki
Tendayi Viki joins Brian to unpack the difference between doing innovation and delivering value, with practical takeaways for product folks, innovation teams, and anyone who wants to stop spinning their wheels. Overview Innovation theater. Experimentation theater. Value that never quite...
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#163: Should We Go Back to the Office? It Depends. with Lance Dacy
Five years post-COVID, are we any closer to knowing what kind of work environment actually works best? Brian and Lance dig into the real drivers behind return-to-office mandates, remote productivity myths, and why "context beats location" every time. Overview The return-to-office debate isn’t...
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#162: Focus, Flow, Cold Coffee, and the ADHD Developer with Paige Watson
What happens when your brain loves puzzles… but struggles with where to start? Paige Watson shares how ADHD shapes his work as a developer—and how practices like TDD, mob programming, and discovery trees help him stay focused, move forward, and actually enjoy the ride. Overview In this episode of...
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#161: Test-Driven Development in the Age of AI with Clare Sudbery
AI might write your code, but can you trust it to do it well? Clare Sudbery says: not without a safety net. In this episode, she explains how test-driven development is evolving in the age of AI, and why developers need to slow down, not speed up. Overview In this episode, Brian sits down with...
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#160: The Real Work of a Scrum Master with Brian Campbell
What separates a solid Scrum Master from a great one? In this episode, Brian Milner sits down with veteran Scrum Master Brian Campbell to talk about the balance between being empathetic, staying grounded, and knowing when it’s time to move on. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors…
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#159: Is Scrum Really Too Many Meetings? with Lance Dacy
“Too many meetings” is one of the most common complaints in Scrum teams, but is it really the meetings, or what’s (not) happening in them? In this episode, Brian and Lance Dacy dig into the events of Scrum to uncover what works, what doesn’t, and how to make each one actually add value. Overview…
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#158: Should You Skip the Sprint Retrospective? with Mike Cohn
Is your team dreading retrospectives, or skipping them altogether? Mike Cohn joins Brian Milner to unpack what’s really going wrong (and how to fix it) so retros don’t just take up time… they actually make your team better. Overview In this candid conversation, Brian Milner welcomes back Mountain...
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#157: What Teams Are Struggling With Right Now with Cort Sharp
Scrum isn’t new, but the questions teams are asking about it are evolving. In this episode, Brian and Cort Sharp compare notes on what they're hearing in class, in the community, and behind the scenes. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian Milner welcomes Mountain Goat...
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#156: Making Product Ownership Work in Shared Services with Kert Peterson
Shared services teams often wonder: Does product ownership still apply here—or are we the exception to the rule? In this episode, Brian and Kert Peterson explore how Scrum principles hold up when value isn’t always customer-facing and demand never stops. Overview In this episode of the Agile...
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#155: Preparing for Interviews the Agile Way with Tali Shlafer
Even the most capable professionals can struggle in interviews. In this episode, Brian and job interview coach Tali Shlafer break down why, and what to do instead. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian welcomes interview coach Tali Shlafer for a practical, clear-eyed...
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#154: The Underpowered PO with Barnaby Golden
Join Brian and Barnaby Golden as they dig into a surprisingly common roadblock in Agile teams, the underpowered product owner, and how it quietly derails decision-making, flow, and team momentum. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian welcomes Agile coach and community...
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#153: Getting Real Buy-In for Agile Transformation with Scott Dunn
Join Brian and Scott Dunn as they unpack what “buy-in” actually means and what it takes to move from surface-level support to genuine commitment in this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian is joined once again by Scott Dunn to tackle…
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#152: The Five Pillars of Real Agile Improvement with Mike Cohn
Join Brian and Mike Cohn as they unpack the five essential pillars that take Agile from “just the motions” to meaningful, measurable impact. Plus, get a behind-the-scenes look at their revamped course built for real team transformation. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian...
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Pressing Pause: A Summer Break and What’s Coming Next
We’re taking our own advice and hitting pause to recharge this July. While we’re off the mic, revisit past episodes packed with timeless insights and conversations you may have missed. Overview This week, we're pressing pause to model the sustainable pace we teach. Brian shares a quick update…
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#151: What AI Is Really Delivering (and What It’s Not) with Evan Leybourn & Christopher Morales
Is AI underdelivering? Or are we asking the wrong questions? This episode breaks down what actually leads to business ROI with AI (and no, it’s not more automation). Overview What if AI isn’t the silver bullet—yet—but the bottleneck is human, not technical? In this episode, Brian Milner chats…
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#150: What “1 Billion” Scrum Classes Taught Us About Team Culture (and Captain America) with Cort Sharp & Laura Kendrick
Laura Kendrick and Cort Sharp hijack the mic to share what it’s really like behind the scenes at Mountain Goat. From Zoom bloopers to unexpected team bonding, they unpack how a fully remote team built a thriving, human-centered workplace. Overview In this special takeover episode, Laura Kendrick...
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#149: How Agile Action Drives Strategy with Boris Gloger
What does it really mean to have a bias toward action and how do you build that into your culture without skipping strategy? Boris Gloger joins Brian Milner for a deep dive on experimentation, leadership, and the difference between tactical work and true strategic thinking. Overview In this...
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#148: What It Really Takes to Lead Change That Sticks with Sherri Robbins
Can you lead meaningful change without burning people out—or yourself? Sherri Robbins thinks so, and she’s sharing how she’s done it in high-stakes, high-complexity environments (with her sanity intact). Overview In this episode, Sherri Robbins joins Scott Dunn to talk about what it actually…
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#147: The Power of Quiet Influence with Casey Sinnema
How do you lead change when you’re not the boss? Casey Sinnema shares what it takes to build trust, influence outcomes, and make Monday feel a little less dreadful. Overview What happens when you give a self-proclaimed utility player the freedom to poke holes in broken systems and lead...
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#146: Agile Leadership That Actually Works with Brendan Wovchko
What does it look like to lead a 300-person software org inside a 1,000-person company—and still stay focused on people first? Brendan Wovchko shares what he's learned about leadership, agility, and building a culture that actually works. Overview Brendan Wovchko, CTO at Ramsey Solutions, joins...
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#145: How to Lead Without Burning Out (or Burning Bridges) with Ginger Boyll
How do you grow a remote-first team from 30 to over 100 while still being voted a "great place to work"? Ginger Boyll says it’s part Agile mindset, part trust, and part Dungeons & Dragons—and we’re not arguing. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, guest host Scott Dunn sits down...
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#144: How Modern Agile Teams Predict the Unpredictable with Lance Dacy
Real Agile forecasting runs on math, not magic. Brian and Lance dive into Monte Carlo methods, DORA metrics, and how AI is shifting the future of project management. All with a human-first approach that builds better teams, not bigger spreadsheets. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors...
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#143: What Still Makes Teams Work (and Win) with Jim York
What does soccer, soda, and software have in common? According to Jim York—everything. In this episode, he and Brian Milner break down what great teamwork really means, why shared goals matter more than job titles, and how understanding your team’s unique contribution can unlock better flow and...
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#142: Communication Patterns Keeping Your Team Stuck with Marsha Acker
If your team keeps revisiting the same issues over and over again, Groundhog Day-style, this episode is for you. Leadership coach Marsha Acker shares why it happens, how to recognize hidden conversational patterns, and what to do when you feel stuck. Overview In this episode, Brian Milner sits…
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#141: Cooking Up a Killer Retrospective with Brian Milner
Tired of “What went well?” and “What didn’t”? Brian Milner is here to help you cook up retrospectives that actually get your team thinking, collaborating, and improving. From creative themes to actionable frameworks, this is your behind-the-scenes guide to better retros. Overview Do your...
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#140: The Power of Emotional Delight in Product Design with Dr. Nesrine Changuel
What do Spotify, Google Meet, and your expense report tool have in common? They could all delight your users—if you design for more than just function. In this episode, Dr. Nesrine Changuel breaks down the emotional motivators that transform average products into unforgettable ones. Overview What...
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#139: The Retrospective Reset with Cort Sharp
Retrospectives shouldn’t suck the energy out of your team—or get skipped entirely. In this episode, Brian and Cort share how to fix the most common retro fails and announce two brand-new tools to help you run retros that actually work. Overview In this episode of the Agile Mentors Podcast, Brian...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Mountain Goat Software's Agile Mentors Podcast is for agilists of all levels. Whether you’re new to agile and Scrum or have years of experience, listen in to find answers to your questions and new ways to succeed with agile.
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Mountain Goat Software
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How many episodes does Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software have?
Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software currently has 189 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software about?
Mountain Goat Software's Agile Mentors Podcast is for agilists of all levels. Whether you’re new to agile and Scrum or have years of experience, listen in to find answers to your questions and new ways to succeed with agile.
How often does Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software release new episodes?
Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software publishes regularly with 189 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
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Who hosts Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software?
Agile Mentors Podcast from Mountain Goat Software is created and hosted by Mountain Goat Software.
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