PPP 463 | Transcending AI Fear and Hype: How to Think About the Human-AI Relationship, with author Faisal Hoque
People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast
Release Date: 06/12/2025
PPP 490 | Why Psychology Might Be Hurting Your Team, with Barry Wolfe
People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast
Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Barry Wolfe, author of . Barry is a seasoned HR executive and business leader who has built a reputation as one of the rare “HR guys who actually has a head for business.” In this frank and eye-opening conversation, Barry challenges many of the tools and ideas we’ve come to rely on in leadership and management. Andy and Barry discuss why frameworks like Maslow’s hierarchy may be doing more harm than good, how personality assessments can become limiting narratives, and why our obsession with “fit” often backfires. But this isn’t just a...
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PPP 489 | Blindspots That Derail Project Managers and How To See Them, with author Marty Dubin
People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast
Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Martin Dubin, psychologist, former CEO, executive coach, and author of . Marty brings a rare combination of clinical insight and real-world leadership experience to a topic that affects every project manager and frontline leader: the blindspots that quietly shape our behavior, decisions, and impact. Together, the discussion explores how motives often drive our actions without us realizing it, why strengths can become liabilities when overused, and how emotion acts as one of the most powerful and least discussed forces in leadership. Marty explains his...
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PPP 488 | How to Be a Less Terrible Boss, with Joel Hilchey
People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast
Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Joel Hilchey, speaker, facilitator, and author of . Joel brings humor, honesty, and a refreshing amount of grace to a topic many leaders quietly struggle with: becoming a boss without training, preparation, or a clear roadmap. Andy and Joel explore what it really means to be an “accidental boss” and why most bad bosses are not bad people. They unpack the four quadrants every leader must balance: tasks vs. people and short-term vs. long-term, and why focusing only on tasks can quietly erode trust and engagement. You’ll hear practical ideas for...
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PPP 487 | Why Humor Is a Serious Leadership Skill, with comedian Adam Christing
People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast
Summary In this episode, Andy talks with comedian and corporate emcee Adam Christing, author of . If you have ever hesitated to use humor at work because you were unsure it would land, or worried it might backfire, this conversation offers both encouragement and a practical path forward. Adam shares how his early influences shaped his approach to humor and why he believes every human is also a “humor being.” You will hear why humor is more than chasing chuckles, including how it can build trust, improve learning, and strengthen relationships on teams. Adam introduces the concept of "laugh...
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PPP 486 | How to Solve Some of the Toughest Leadership Problems, with business coach Dr. Katie Best
People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast
Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Katie Best, leadership coach and author of . Drawing on years of coaching leaders across industries, Katie shares practical insights that help you tackle high-stakes leadership moments—especially when a coach isn't available. They explore Katie’s SOLVE framework for problem-solving under pressure, the danger of performative busyness, and how to make better decisions when trade-offs and uncertainty rule the day. You’ll also hear how to unlock authentic influence without manipulation, foster healthy debate on overly “nice” teams, and support...
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PPP 485 | What Project Teams Can Learn From Sketch Comedy, with author John Krewson
People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast
Summary In this episode, Andy talks with John Krewson, co-author of . John’s journey spans software development, acting, and even a stint with Saturday Night Live. He now leads Sketch Development, where he helps teams build products people actually want, faster and with more joy. In this conversation, John explains why project teams should behave more like creative troupes than traditional org charts. You’ll hear how laughter can be a feedback loop, why messy first drafts matter, and how simple tools like sticky notes, Elmo cards, and Lean Coffee can radically improve your team’s...
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PPP 484 | Coping with Digital Overwhelm Without Logging Off, with author Craig Mattson
People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast
Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Dr. Craig Mattson, professor of communication and author of . Rather than encouraging digital detoxing or escaping technology, Craig offers a refreshing way to understand and navigate the pressures of modern work. He introduces the idea of digiwhelm, explains why so much of our stress comes from the communication modes we inhabit, and shows how leaders can respond with intention rather than overload. You will hear Craig describe why email can be more than information transfer, how mode switching differs from context switching, and why one-way...
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PPP 483 | The Future of PMOs, AI’s Impact, and Leadership Lessons with Amireh Amirmazaheri
People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast
Summary In this episode, Andy talks with , CEO of and a leading voice in the global PMO community. From growing up in Iran during a time of war to building a respected consultancy in Australia, Amireh shares how resilience and curiosity shaped her approach to leadership and enabling project success. You’ll hear how PMOs have evolved from administrative hubs to strategic influencers, what it means to truly “speak the language of executives,” and how to recognize when a PMO is at risk of drifting into irrelevance. We also explore how AI is transforming the work of PMOs and what leaders...
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PPP 482 | The PM Readiness Iron Triangle and How It Can Transform Your Career, with Kayla Quijas
People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast
Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Kayla Quijas, founder of . Kayla’s journey from cake decorator to Senior Project Manager at a global law firm is anything but conventional, and it’s that transformation that fuels her work helping others break into and thrive in project management. At the heart of the discussion is Kayla’s signature framework, the PM Readiness Iron Triangle, which focuses on three key pillars: credentials, experience, and network. You’ll hear how to assess your readiness for a PM role, even if you don’t come from a traditional background, and what to do if one...
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PPP 481 | Why Great Managers Add Zero Value and Why That is Good News, with author Matthew Ley
People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast
Summary In this episode, Andy talks with Matt Ley about his new book . Matt challenges the myths and misunderstandings around management, explaining why clarity between contributors, managers, and leaders is key to organizational performance. You’ll hear why he says managers are “multipliers” of value, how to recognize when you’re being overled or overmanaged, and why he believes managers are not “junior leaders.” Matt introduces his EP!C Management model: Environment, Performance, Identity, and Communication. It's a tactical framework designed to help managers activate and...
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In this episode, Andy talks with Faisal Hoque, author of Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI. Faisal brings a unique blend of deep philosophical insight, entrepreneurial experience, and technological expertise to the conversation. They explore how leaders can navigate the fast-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence while staying grounded in what makes us human.
The discussion explores how to think about AI not just as a tool or collaborator, but as a mirror that reflects our biases and decisions. Faisal introduces the OPEN and CARE frameworks as practical ways to innovate while managing risk, making this conversation highly actionable for project managers and leaders. From detaching from digital noise to preparing the next generation for an AI-shaped world, Faisal offers a thoughtful roadmap for embracing technology without losing our agency.
If you're looking for insights on how to thrive in the age of AI with both optimism and responsibility, this episode is for you!
Sound Bites
- “You can be optimistic, but you can also mitigate risk at the same time. One doesn't really work without the other.”
- “Catastrophizing is not doomism, but it's really a risk management practice.”
- "AI is not just a tool or collaborator, it's a mirror."
- “Don't outsource your agency. It's easy to let AI nudge your decisions without even realizing it.”
- “Just like you don't put a 10-year-old in a car to drive... technology can do a lot of good, but it can also be disastrous.”
Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction
- 01:33 Start of Interview
- 02:00 What From Your Background Shaped Your Thinking?
- 03:54 How Philosophy and Systems Thinking Intersect
- 06:00 Introducing the OPEN and CARE Frameworks
- 06:55 What Is the Human Role in an AI World?
- 09:43 How AI Can Subtly Influence Our Choices
- 11:40 Sci-Fi's Influence on AI Perception
- 15:07 What Is an AI Persona and How Do You Use Them?
- 18:13 Why AI Is Also a Mirror of Us
- 22:33 Introducing the OPEN Framework for Individuals
- 25:33 How Emotional Intelligence Applies to AI Partnership
- 27:02 The Role of Catastrophizing in Risk Management
- 28:58 The Value of Detaching and Devoting
- 32:03 How We Can Prepare Our Kids for an AI World
- 35:31 End of Interview
- 36:00 Andy Comments After the Interview
- 40:33 Outtakes
Learn More
You can learn more about Faisal and his work at FaisalHoque.com.
For more learning on this topic, check out:
- Episode 460 with Dr. Joe Sutherland about AI, Data, and Decision Making
- Episode 454 with Dr. Christie Smith about how AI is changing leadership
- Episode 437 with Nada Sanders on her book Humachine (Human + Machine)
Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!
Talent Triangle: Business Acumen
Topics: AI, Leadership, Risk Management, Innovation, Digital Transformation, Emotional Intelligence, Strategic Thinking, Project Management, Decision Making, Organizational Change, Technology Ethics, Future of Work
The following music was used for this episode:
Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Music: Chillhouse by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license