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1:1 with Casandra Minichiello - Agile is NOT dead, it’s just evolving
01:10:35|Casandra Minichiello–Agile Coaching Senior Advisor for Cigna–joins us for this episode of The 1:1 Podcast.We talk about the emotional roots of the Agile Manifesto, how Agile has been misapplied, and what it looks like when Agile coaching is done right. We also reminisce about the joy of using a physical Kanban board.0:00 - Intro2:50 - Where Agility started for Casandra (reminiscing about 2005 WebMD)11:37 - Agile is NOT a project management methodology14:13 - PMI / Scrum Alliance merger15:48 - How upper management can support Agile teams20:38 - The joys of a physical Kanban board 24:44 - Some Agile history / terminology 33:14 - Evolving Agile to work better in hybrid and remote environments43:15 - Signs a company isn’t really Agile45:47 - Doing Agile vs. being Agile52:32 - Why Casandra prefers Kanban over Scrum 56:48 - Agile pet peeves1:03:27 - One small change a leader can make to foster more agility1:08:32 - Final thoughtsTakeaways:* Agile is NOT dead, contrary to what you might have read on LinkedIn. But it is evolving to adapt to a software industry which has undergone many changes since the Agile Manifesto was written in 2001.* Agile is NOT a project management framework, which makes the Scrum Alliance merger with PMI confusing and frustrating* Kanban is the best Agile methodology for most people (sorry Scrum)
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4. 1:1 with Natascha Thomas - finding passion, channeling anxiety into risk management
38:12||Season 2, Ep. 4Natascha Thomas–Regional Director, Operations Leadership with Sparq–joins us for this episode of The 1:1 Podcast.She shares her unconventional career journey, transitioning from life sciences to the gaming industry and eventually into consulting, where she now leads developers and multiple PMOs.Takeaways:* Follow your passion, but stay adaptable. Each of Natascha’s career transitions were driven by curiosity and a willingness to embrace new challenges.* Stay curious and continuously upskill, whether through formal education, side projects, or hands-on experience.* Career risks can pay off if they align with your skills, interests, and market trends.0:00 - Intro1:10 - Natascha’s career journey from life sciences to gaming5:45 - Becoming a producer8:45 - Moving into consulting and leadership13:00 - Eye-openers when moving to a new industry13:53 - Speaking to experience when changing industries15:21 - Handling engineers making video games vs. engineers in consulting17:04 - Dealing with difficult people18:28 - Do you ever miss the gaming industry?19:44 - Finding passion in your current position22:57 - Is there anything you wish you’d done differently?25:45 - Leading a PMO28:30 - Key skills to lead a PMO30:14 - Applying skills from life sciences in her current career33:16 - Channeling anxiety into risk management34:17 - What’s next?36:28 - Final thoughts1:1 with Alex Bruce - demystifying the sales process for engineers
57:11|Alex Bruce–a Go-to-Market and Revenue Growth Leader and Advisor–joins us for the newest episode of The 1:1 Podcast.We discuss the mindset and driving forces behind sellers, how engineers can make a difference in sales pursuits, and share strategies for effectively engaging with and empowering sales teams.Takeaways:* Engineers who engage in sales processes not only help the company win business but also increase their own visibility within the organization, which can lead to career advancement.* When sales and engineering teams collaborate closely, it reduces the blame game and fosters a culture of shared responsibility.* Software engineers who understand how their company’s products are positioned in the market are more valuable and better equipped to grow their careers.0:00 - Intro1:34 - Demystifying the sales process for engineers7:40 - Curiosity and problem solving in sales10:08 - Aligning sales and development teams14:50 - Benefits of engineers participating in sales pursuits19:28 - Breaking down misconceptions of salespeople24:09 - Example of an engineer making an impact on sales (shout out to Jackson Stakeman)32:53 - How to engage and support sales efforts40:53 - Torturing a metaphor44:28 - Alex’s career journey and final thoughts2. 1:1 with Erin Scott Adams - balancing work and school, packaging professional experience, AI tools
52:35||Season 2, Ep. 2Erin Scott Adams–Senior User Interface Software Engineer–joins us for this episode of The 1:1 Podcast.We talk about juggling grad school with a full time job, packaging professional experience, and AI tooling.0:00 - Intro1:57 - Balancing full time work with grad school6:13 - Time management tricks8:47 - What's next?11:04 - Pursuing engineering management 14:09 - Packaging transferrable skills15:20 - Maintaining technical skills as an engineering manager18:50 - Whack-a-mole!20:17 - Deciding whether to take a non-technical role23:02 - Keeping a brag sheet23:54 - About Computer Human Interaction28:55 - How does AI impact a Computer Human Interaction career?30:53 - Bresdin and Rusty's takes on Generative AI33:40 - ChatGPT productivity tips35:36 - AI resource usage37:47 - Favorite things from community involvement46:22 - Networking tips48:00 - Self-actualization advice49:47 - Final thoughts1. 1:1 with Jackson Stakeman - solution engineering, giving customers what they need (not just what they want)
50:56||Season 2, Ep. 1Jackson Stakeman–Director of Solution Engineering at Sparq–joins us for this episode of The 1:1 Podcast.We talk about what happens when you pass ‘peak developer,’ how to transition into solution engineering, and the fine art of giving customers what they actually need—not just what they ask for.0:00 - Intro1:12 - Passing "peak developer" (changes in our industry)3:17 - Becoming a solution engineer8:38 - The worst screenplay Jackson read as a script reader10:42 - Entrepreneurial schemes (a.k.a. the vending machine story)14:57 - From vending machines to solution engineering21:58 - When giving customers what they want doesn't solve their problem24:59 - Tough sales calls29:16 - Where creative solutions come from34:02 - Tricking our brains42:14 - Final thoughts10. 1:1 with Michael Edvalson - influencing change as an engineer
54:40||Season 1, Ep. 10Michael Edvalson–former Vice President of Engineering at Loyal Health–joins us for this episode of The 1:1 Podcast.We talk about ways engineers can influence change.00:00 - Intro02:02 - Managing up28:14 - Showing that we care about outcomes38:37 - Demonstrating competence and flexibility, not dogma40:53 - Getting on board when it's time to get on board48:35 - Advice for someone looking to influence52:14 - Final thoughts9. 1:1 with Mike Armijo - mental health, the value of QA, trying new things, paying it forward
46:36||Season 1, Ep. 9Mike Armijo–a quality assurance specialist–joins us for this episode of The 1:1 Podcast.We talk about mental health, the value of QA, trying new things, and paying it forward.00:00 - Intro00:53 - Becoming a QA tester04:41 - Exploring other industries13:18 - Mike’s experience on the job market22:01 - Mental health28:32 - Trying new things40:26 - Paying it forward44:24 - Final thoughts