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Description
From first steps to best practices — stories that shaped project leaders.
Project Zero is a podcast for project managers — and the PM-curious — who want more than frameworks and certifications. Each episode features a project leader, highlighting first projects and the pivotal lessons that shaped their approach to leadership, collaboration, and delivery.
From unexpected missteps to breakthrough moments, these conversations reveal what it really takes to grow into a confident, competent project manager. It’s honest, insightful, and designed to help you lead better — whether you're managing your first task or your hundredth milestone.
31 Episodes
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Host Alex Tuck welcomes healthcare project management consultant Nigisty Lulu to discuss her career at the intersection of public health, healthcare operations, and health technology, and the season’s increased focus on AI. Nigisty shares how she was “thrown into” project management after college at Emory University’s neurology department, supporting healthcare initiatives and a telehealth launch that helped scale what became the Marcus Stroke Network. Her Project Zero centered on heavy stake...
Megan Newman on Building Humanitru, High-Stakes Healthcare Projects, and AI-Driven Customer Support Insights Host Alex Tuck opens season two of Project Zero with Megan Newman, co-founder and COO of Humanitru, to discuss her career shift from healthcare to nonprofit SaaS, the importance of systems and organization, and the evolving impact of AI. Megan explains how fragmented data systems in both EMRs and nonprofit fundraising tools inspired Humanitru’s integrated CRM and shares two “Project Ze...
In this episode of Season 2 Project Zero, host Alex Tuck welcomes Dave Reinhold, founder of Venture CPO, a product management consultancy that helps clients build digital products from zero to one. They discuss why product and project management are often conflated and how the functions complement each other, with Dave framing project management as building things right and product management as building the right things. Dave shares his path from studying MIS and working as a technology audi...
Host Alex Tuck kicks off season two of Project Zero with Stan Ponder, Director of Product Management at Safety National, to explore project leader journeys and AI’s impact on the industry. Stan shares his path from fifth-grade teacher and elementary principal into learning and development, where he unknowingly practiced project management before moving into product management and building a product organization. He recounts two “Project Zero” lessons: overcommitting a team with no buffer (“bu...
From Care Coordination to Health Tech: Jordyn Seri on Project Zero, Process Automation, and AI in Healthcare PM In this episode of Project Zero. Jordyn Seri, PMP is a healthcare Project Manager who turns operational friction into streamlined systems. With a background in public health and a process optimization mindset, Jordyn specializes in bridging the gap between technical developers and frontline clinicians. Known for her successes in improving operational efficiencies and database develo...
In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Russ Parker, founder of Forty-Four Risk PM. Russ shares his unique journey from the Marine Corps to becoming a project manager and risk management expert. He delves into his accidental entry into project management, the influence of his wife’s PMP certification, and his transition to the financial sector. Russ emphasizes the importance of risk management in project planning and the evolving role of AI in simplifying administrative tas...
In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck welcomes Vidura Stich, a healthcare management consultant from Freed Associates. Vidura shares his journey into project management, starting from his early career and the pivotal moments that led him to where he is today. He discusses the importance of structure and people skills in project management, as well as the impact of mentorship on his career. Vidura also provides insights into how AI is transforming the project management landscape, em...
In this season one finale of Project Zero, Alex celebrates the show's success and shares memorable moments and favorite highlights from past episodes. The episode features insightful interviews with project leaders whom Alex met at PMI (Project Management Institute) Global. Guests include Marc Verbist discussing the intersection of music and project management, Tanya Boyd on her gumbo recipe metaphor for business success, Shawn Harris on AI integration in project management, and Alex Monroe o...
In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck speaks with Galanda Brooker, Alex Morgan, and Martin Quatt about business process mapping. The discussion kicks off with introductions and highlights the importance of this method in improving organizational efficiencies. Martin explains the basics of business process mapping, starting from leadership acknowledgment of the need for change to gathering stakeholder input and creating iterative drafts. The guests share their favorite mapping tools ...
In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Alec Jacobson, an ESG consultant and co-founder of AB Power. Alec shares his unique career journey from a freelance journalist and nonprofit founder to his current roles at TetraTech and AB Power. He discusses the skills he developed along the way, including project management as a journalist and leadership lessons learned at Booz Allen. Alec also elaborates on his Project Zero experience, founding a nonprofit news group, and the cruc...
In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Peter Walker, a co-founder of Navigate, about his extensive experience in project management. Pete shares his journey from being an industrial engineer and psychologist to a project manager working on transformation projects and process re-engineering. Highlighting his 'Project Zero'—an ERP transformation at General Dynamics—Pete recounts the challenges and lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of communication and adaptability....
In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck welcomes keynote speaker and upcoming author, Saby Waraich. Saby shares his extensive experience spanning 30 years in technology, currently serving as Chief Information Officer and Chief Information Security Officer at Clackamas Community College. He discusses his journey from software development in India to becoming a PMO manager in the U.S., highlighting key projects, especially a challenging transformation at the City of Portland. Saby intro...
In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Matt Mayabb, Senior Director of Program Management at NeuroFlow. Matt discusses his journey from working at Humana to being part of NeuroFlow through its acquisition of Quartet Health. He details his nonlinear path in project management, sharing experiences from his early career in a call center to leading complex healthcare projects. Matt highlights key skills for project managers, the importance of listening and empathy, and the pot...
In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Walt Sparling, an author, podcaster, and senior project manager with an international real estate company. Walt shares his journey from working in mechanical, electrical, and architectural design to becoming a project manager. He discusses his transition into project management, the challenges and learning experiences during his career, and his first significant ground-up project. Walt emphasizes the importance of communication, organ...
In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Ed Rios, CEO of Tech Ed Productions, about his journey from being a technical manager at Citibank to a project and program management expert. Ed recounts his initiation into project management during the Y2K readiness projects at Citibank, his transition to ERP management with a focus on SAP and Microsoft Dynamics, and his eventual founding of Tech Ed Productions. He discusses the challenges and lessons learned from managing large-sca...
In this episode, host Alex Tuck interviews Amervis López Cobb, a transformation architect and expert in psychological safety. Amervis shares her journey from at-risk youth to building and rescuing project management offices, and discusses why psychological safety is the foundation for successful teams. The conversation covers her "I'M Power" framework, the importance of communication, the role of AI in project management, and how leaders can create environments where people feel safe to speak...
In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews David Morris, the head of the PMO at Kinetics Technology (one of Tuck Consulting Group’s clients in the IT Professional Services space). David shares his journey from a business analyst and project manager to overseeing the entire projects department at Kinetics. He discusses his early career at Hertz and Smucker's, the importance of communication skills, recent advancements in AI at Kinetics, and his latest certification as a Portfol...
In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews John Connolly, a Project Management Trainer at Scaling Strategies. John shares his unique journey from a librarian to a project management leader. He discusses his first major project, the transformation of a small art museum library, and the lessons he learned along the way. Key topics include the importance of communication, critical thinking, and building trust with stakeholders. John also offers insights into the evolving role of ...
In this episode of Project Zero, host Alex Tuck interviews Galanda Brooker, a seasoned project manager with over 20 years of experience in tech, education, and wellness consultation. Galanda shares her career journey from a tech professional to a project manager and wellness consultant. She discusses her initial roles, the transition to project management, and her first major project at the Department of State. The conversation explores the evolution of project management skills, the impact o...
In this episode, Alex Morgan shares a unique and unexpected journey into the field of project management. Moving to New York without a concrete career plan, Alex initially took up various temporary jobs. A chance encounter at Moody's Analytics shortly after the financial crisis led to a suggestion that he explore project management, a concept he was previously unfamiliar with. Starting with administrative work, he rapidly transitioned into managing projects out of necessity within a small plu...
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