Backlog refinement (formerly “grooming”) isn’t a Scrum event: it’s an activity. That’s exactly why so many teams either skip it, cram it in at the end of the sprint, or turn it into a rabbit hole of solutioning. In this episode we unpack a practical, facilitator-friendly approach: what “ready” really means, how much work to keep refined, a simple REFINED mnemonic you can teach your team, and concrete ways to keep voices balanced, estimates honest, and discussion moving. Expe...
Retrospectives are one of the most powerful opportunities a team has to improve. Yet far too often, they’re skipped because “we don’t have time,” rushed through as an afterthought, or treated as a dull box-checking exercise. Even worse, sometimes they turn into blame sessions that leave people feeling drained rather than energized. It doesn’t have to be that way. A well-facilitated retrospective can be the most valuable hour of your team’s sprint: the time where psychological safe...
The Sprint Review shouldn’t be a sleepy status update, it’s a high-leverage inspection-and-adaptation event that shapes what happens next. In this episode, we break down what a great Sprint Review looks like, why developers should demo working product (not PPT slides), and how Product Owners and Scrum Masters can co-facilitate to keep it tight, focused, and valuable. Hear practical tips: crafting a clear agenda, inviting the right stakeholders, handling “over-talkers,” using parki...
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 translating bold visions into reliable, measurable results. Together they dive into the three pillars of operational leadership: Process Optimizat...
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 check for the Scrum Master or Product Owner!)Alternatives to the “three questions” and how to keep things outcome-focusedTricks like the...
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, pitfalls to avoid, and energizing techniques you can steal for your own teams. Whether you’re a Scrum Master, Product Owner, or dev...
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 facilitation - from the false belief that conflict is failure, to the misconception that the facilitator must “own” the decisions. Together, they unpack...
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 to navigating tricky leadership dynamics, they share what it takes to create the “air a team can breathe.” Listeners will hear stories, lessons lear...
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 agility’s fresh new vibe. With Ryan keeping the conversation sharp (and occasionally steering it back on track), it’s an energizing dose of o...
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, improve engagement, and boost results. Whether you’re leading a Scrum team or guiding cross-functional projects, these insights will hel...
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 practical insights on how to ignite motivation, encourage ownership, and build resilient, self-managing teams. Discover what gets in t...
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 Remember the Future and Ikigai), and why taking time to reflect may be the most powerful move you make.
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-every-minute parent to a supportive, servant leader. Along the way, she reveals six (and then some!) timeless lessons: Letting go of controlRetros...
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, and why mindset matters more than mechanics. Whether you're a new Scrum Master or a seasoned agile coach, this episode offers pra...
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 darlings, from sustainable pace to the danger of “we’ve always done it this way,” each insight connects back to values that drive high-performing, res...
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 conflict management. From Viktor Frankl's wisdom about the space between stimulus and response to practical tips on building authentic relat...
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 self-organization isn’t a default setting. It requires a deliberate culture shift, leadership behaviors that reinforce team empowerment, and a commi...
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, challenge the defaults, and build awareness that leads to better outcomes for teams and organizations.
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 innovation, and create space for diverse perspectives—all while keeping your humanity (and your humor).
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 explore what it takes to shift from passive delivery to active co-creation, sharing real-world examples of how empowered teams improve both product outc...