Meta-Cast

In this episode, Josh and Bob challenge the growing obsession with artificial intelligence and mechanical leadership “frameworks” by reminding us what matters: leading humans like a human. They unpack what authentic high-performance leadership looks like and how showing genuine care for people is still the most powerful management tool you have. Instead of passing leadership responsibilities on to checklists or algorithms, the hosts lay out a bold reminder — real leadership comes from connection, courage, and empathy. Stay Connected and Informed with Our NewslettersJosh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse"Dive deeper into the world of Agile leadership and management with Josh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse." This bi-weekly newsletter offers insights, tips, and personal stories to help you navigate the complexities of leadership in today's fast-paced tech environment. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, you'll find valuable guidance and practical advice to enhance your leadership skills. Subscribe to "Leadership Lighthouse" for the latest articles and exclusive content right to your inbox.Subscribe hereBob Galen's "Agile Moose"Bob Galen's "Agile Moose" is a must-read for anyone interested in Agile practices, team dynamics, and personal growth within the tech industry. The newsletter features in-depth analysis, case studies, and actionable tips to help you excel in your Agile journey. Bob brings his extensive experience and thoughtful perspectives directly to you, covering everything from foundational Agile concepts to advanced techniques. Join a community of Agile enthusiasts and practitioners by subscribing to "Agile Moose."Subscribe hereDo More Than Listen:We publish video versions of every episode and post them on our YouTube page.Help Us Spread The Word: Love our content? Help us out by sharing on social media, rating our podcast/episodes on iTunes, or by giving to our Patreon campaign. Every time you give, in any way, you empower our mission of helping as many agilists as possible. Thanks for sharing!

What does great leadership look like?In this episode, Josh and Bob unpack their personal, hard-earned list of what truly defines a great leader — beyond the metrics, beyond the titles, and way beyond the fluff. From building resilient, high-performing teams to owning mistakes, speaking truth to power, and knowing when to be patient (and when to push), this is a no-BS breakdown of how to measure leadership that matters.This isn’t theory. It’s lived experience — the stuff you feel when you’re around a real leader… and the gaps you notice when one’s missing.Whether you’re trying to grow into a leadership role, assess your own growth, or just want to build something better — this episode gives you the unfiltered playbook. Stay Connected and Informed with Our NewslettersJosh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse"Dive deeper into the world of Agile leadership and management with Josh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse." This bi-weekly newsletter offers insights, tips, and personal stories to help you navigate the complexities of leadership in today's fast-paced tech environment. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, you'll find valuable guidance and practical advice to enhance your leadership skills. Subscribe to "Leadership Lighthouse" for the latest articles and exclusive content right to your inbox.Subscribe hereBob Galen's "Agile Moose"Bob Galen's "Agile Moose" is a must-read for anyone interested in Agile practices, team dynamics, and personal growth within the tech industry. The newsletter features in-depth analysis, case studies, and actionable tips to help you excel in your Agile journey. Bob brings his extensive experience and thoughtful perspectives directly to you, covering everything from foundational Agile concepts to advanced techniques. Join a community of Agile enthusiasts and practitioners by subscribing to "Agile Moose."Subscribe hereDo More Than Listen:We publish video versions of every episode and post them on our YouTube page.Help Us Spread The Word: Love our content? Help us out by sharing on social media, rating our podcast/episodes on iTunes, or by giving to our Patreon campaign. Every time you give, in any way, you empower our mission of helping as many agilists as possible. Thanks for sharing!

In this powerful episode, Josh and Bob go all-in on the responsibility of leadership—especially when it’s uncomfortable. Prompted by listener feedback questioning whether it’s “worth it” to speak truth to power, they deliver a no-nonsense masterclass on the cost and courage of real leadership.This conversation is blunt, passionate, and grounded in decades of lived experience. From promotions earned by speaking uncomfortable truths to the burden of responsibility great leaders carry, this is not a theoretical chat—it’s a challenge. If you’re hiding, coasting, or waiting for it to get easier, this episode is your wake-up call. Stay Connected and Informed with Our NewslettersJosh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse"Dive deeper into the world of Agile leadership and management with Josh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse." This bi-weekly newsletter offers insights, tips, and personal stories to help you navigate the complexities of leadership in today's fast-paced tech environment. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, you'll find valuable guidance and practical advice to enhance your leadership skills. Subscribe to "Leadership Lighthouse" for the latest articles and exclusive content right to your inbox.Subscribe hereBob Galen's "Agile Moose"Bob Galen's "Agile Moose" is a must-read for anyone interested in Agile practices, team dynamics, and personal growth within the tech industry. The newsletter features in-depth analysis, case studies, and actionable tips to help you excel in your Agile journey. Bob brings his extensive experience and thoughtful perspectives directly to you, covering everything from foundational Agile concepts to advanced techniques. Join a community of Agile enthusiasts and practitioners by subscribing to "Agile Moose."Subscribe hereDo More Than Listen:We publish video versions of every episode and post them on our YouTube page.Help Us Spread The Word: Love our content? Help us out by sharing on social media, rating our podcast/episodes on iTunes, or by giving to our Patreon campaign. Every time you give, in any way, you empower our mission of helping as many agilists as possible. Thanks for sharing!

In this episode, Josh and Bob dive deep into Colin Powell’s 18 Principles of Leadership, but with a Meta-Cast twist. They each bring their top five principles to the table and unpack them—not as motivational posters, but as real-world lessons earned in the trenches. The discussion spans hard truths about pissing people off as a leader, the danger of falling in love with the "expert" class, why perpetual optimism actually moves teams forward, and how fun and humility are underrated superpowers. As always, the conversation is grounded, unfiltered, and full of personal stories from decades of leadership experience. This is a masterclass in modern, practical leadership thinking.🔴 Join Josh's CTO Office HoursNeed help with your technology leadership challenges? Join Josh every Thursday at 11AM ET for live problem-solving sessions. Bring your scaling issues, team challenges, or technical decisions - get real answers from 25+ years in the trenches.Free advice, zero sales pitch.Watch live: Twitch/YouTubeMore info: kazi.io Stay Connected and Informed with Our NewslettersJosh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse"Dive deeper into the world of Agile leadership and management with Josh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse." This bi-weekly newsletter offers insights, tips, and personal stories to help you navigate the complexities of leadership in today's fast-paced tech environment. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, you'll find valuable guidance and practical advice to enhance your leadership skills. Subscribe to "Leadership Lighthouse" for the latest articles and exclusive content right to your inbox.Subscribe hereBob Galen's "Agile Moose"Bob Galen's "Agile Moose" is a must-read for anyone interested in Agile practices, team dynamics, and personal growth within the tech industry. The newsletter features in-depth analysis, case studies, and actionable tips to help you excel in your Agile journey. Bob brings his extensive experience and thoughtful perspectives directly to you, covering everything from foundational Agile concepts to advanced techniques. Join a community of Agile enthusiasts and practitioners by subscribing to "Agile Moose."Subscribe hereDo More Than Listen:We publish video versions of every episode and post them on our YouTube page.Help Us Spread The Word: Love our content? Help us out by sharing on social media, rating our podcast/episodes on iTunes, or by giving to our Patreon campaign. Every time you give, in any way, you empower our mission of helping as many agilists as possible. Thanks for sharing!

Silence is compliance. That’s the raw truth at the heart of this episode.Josh Anderson and Bob Galen dive into what it really means to speak truth to power — and why so many teams and leaders fail to do it. They unpack the fear, politeness, and avoidance that keep people quiet, and share hard-won advice on building a culture where truth-telling is not just encouraged but expected.Through real stories, role-playing, and honest debate, they challenge leaders (title or not) to step up, put the uncomfortable truth on the table, and make it normal to question, disagree, and align on what’s real. This episode isn’t about being reckless with words — it’s about building trust, courage, and clarity, even when it’s uncomfortable.🔴 Join Josh's CTO Office HoursNeed help with your technology leadership challenges? Join Josh every Thursday at 11AM ET for live problem-solving sessions. Bring your scaling issues, team challenges, or technical decisions - get real answers from 25+ years in the trenches.Free advice, zero sales pitch.Watch live: Twitch/YouTubeMore info: kazi.io

Curiosity isn’t optional. It’s a leadership superpower — and most leaders don’t use it nearly enough.In this episode, Josh Anderson and Bob Galen unpack what real curiosity looks like in leadership. They explore how fake curiosity shows up (leading questions, hidden agendas, performative listening), and how authentic curiosity creates space for collaboration, innovation, and trust.You’ll learn practical ways to assess your own curiosity, how to reawaken it in your team, and why the ability to say “I don’t know” might be your most powerful leadership tool. It’s not about having the answers — it’s about creating space to find them, together.🔴 Join Josh's CTO Office HoursNeed help with your technology leadership challenges? Join Josh every Thursday at 11AM ET for live problem-solving sessions. Bring your scaling issues, team challenges, or technical decisions - get real answers from 25+ years in the trenches.Free advice, zero sales pitch.Watch live: Twitch/YouTubeMore info: kazi.io

In this future-facing episode, Josh Anderson and Bob Galen make the case that great product leadership is more important than ever—especially in a world of AI-driven development, vibe coding, and accelerating speed. They argue that no matter how fast you can build, if you’re not building the right things for the right reasons, you’re setting yourself up for failure.Josh shares lessons from his own real-time experience building a product with AI, discovering that clear context, product thinking, and human leadership remain the key unlocks for success. Together, they explore how to maximize the value of every line of code, why clarity is the real differentiator, and how product leadership is everyone's job—not just people with the title.🔴 Join Josh's CTO Office HoursNeed help with your technology leadership challenges? Join Josh every Thursday at 11AM ET for live problem-solving sessions. Bring your scaling issues, team challenges, or technical decisions - get real answers from 25+ years in the trenches.Free advice, zero sales pitch.Watch live: Twitch/YouTubeMore info: kazi.io

Storytelling isn’t a soft skill — it’s a leadership superpower.In this jam-packed and practical episode, Josh Anderson and Bob Galen unpack what great storytelling actually looks like in leadership. They explore the difference between rambling and landing, and share how leaders can create clarity, shape culture, and inspire action with stories that actually stick.You’ll learn how to mine your own experiences for powerful “nuggets,” avoid common traps like over-explaining or name-dropping, and test your storytelling in the wild. Whether you’re leading a team, presenting to the board, or just trying to communicate better — this episode gives you a full blueprint for telling stories that change people, not just fill airtime. Stay Connected and Informed with Our NewslettersJosh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse"Dive deeper into the world of Agile leadership and management with Josh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse." This bi-weekly newsletter offers insights, tips, and personal stories to help you navigate the complexities of leadership in today's fast-paced tech environment. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, you'll find valuable guidance and practical advice to enhance your leadership skills. Subscribe to "Leadership Lighthouse" for the latest articles and exclusive content right to your inbox.Subscribe hereBob Galen's "Agile Moose"Bob Galen's "Agile Moose" is a must-read for anyone interested in Agile practices, team dynamics, and personal growth within the tech industry. The newsletter features in-depth analysis, case studies, and actionable tips to help you excel in your Agile journey. Bob brings his extensive experience and thoughtful perspectives directly to you, covering everything from foundational Agile concepts to advanced techniques. Join a community of Agile enthusiasts and practitioners by subscribing to "Agile Moose."Subscribe hereDo More Than Listen:We publish video versions of every episode and post them on our YouTube page.Help Us Spread The Word: Love our content? Help us out by sharing on social media, rating our podcast/episodes on iTunes, or by giving to our Patreon campaign. Every time you give, in any way, you empower our mission of helping as many agilists as possible. Thanks for sharing!

Transparency sounds simple — until you actually have to live it.In this raw and deeply honest episode, Josh Anderson and Bob Galen explore what real transparency in leadership looks like, why so many leaders avoid it, and how fear, ego, and storytelling get in the way. From sharing hard truths to navigating organizational risk, they unpack why transparency isn't just about honesty — it's about trust, respect, and the courage to stop filtering.They challenge leaders to stop underestimating their teams and start leading with context, vulnerability, and clarity — even when it's uncomfortable. Because if you want people to act like adults, you have to treat them like adults. Stay Connected and Informed with Our NewslettersJosh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse"Dive deeper into the world of Agile leadership and management with Josh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse." This bi-weekly newsletter offers insights, tips, and personal stories to help you navigate the complexities of leadership in today's fast-paced tech environment. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, you'll find valuable guidance and practical advice to enhance your leadership skills. Subscribe to "Leadership Lighthouse" for the latest articles and exclusive content right to your inbox.Subscribe hereBob Galen's "Agile Moose"Bob Galen's "Agile Moose" is a must-read for anyone interested in Agile practices, team dynamics, and personal growth within the tech industry. The newsletter features in-depth analysis, case studies, and actionable tips to help you excel in your Agile journey. Bob brings his extensive experience and thoughtful perspectives directly to you, covering everything from foundational Agile concepts to advanced techniques. Join a community of Agile enthusiasts and practitioners by subscribing to "Agile Moose."Subscribe hereDo More Than Listen:We publish video versions of every episode and post them on our YouTube page.Help Us Spread The Word: Love our content? Help us out by sharing on social media, rating our podcast/episodes on iTunes, or by giving to our Patreon campaign. Every time you give, in any way, you empower our mission of helping as many agilists as possible. Thanks for sharing!

In this fast-paced and practical episode, Josh Anderson and Bob Galen run through 10 essential “hats” every leader must learn to wear — even the ones that feel uncomfortable or counterintuitive. From truth-teller to listener, follower to guide, each role represents a different kind of leadership presence and responsibility.They challenge the myth that leaders should always have the answers, instead offering a more grounded view of modern leadership: one rooted in humility, honesty, coaching, detachment, and constant growth. Whether you're managing a team or shaping a culture, this is your crash course in leading with intention and impact. Stay Connected and Informed with Our NewslettersJosh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse"Dive deeper into the world of Agile leadership and management with Josh Anderson's "Leadership Lighthouse." This bi-weekly newsletter offers insights, tips, and personal stories to help you navigate the complexities of leadership in today's fast-paced tech environment. Whether you're a new manager or a seasoned leader, you'll find valuable guidance and practical advice to enhance your leadership skills. Subscribe to "Leadership Lighthouse" for the latest articles and exclusive content right to your inbox.Subscribe hereBob Galen's "Agile Moose"Bob Galen's "Agile Moose" is a must-read for anyone interested in Agile practices, team dynamics, and personal growth within the tech industry. The newsletter features in-depth analysis, case studies, and actionable tips to help you excel in your Agile journey. Bob brings his extensive experience and thoughtful perspectives directly to you, covering everything from foundational Agile concepts to advanced techniques. Join a community of Agile enthusiasts and practitioners by subscribing to "Agile Moose."Subscribe hereDo More Than Listen:We publish video versions of every episode and post them on our YouTube page.Help Us Spread The Word: Love our content? Help us out by sharing on social media, rating our podcast/episodes on iTunes, or by giving to our Patreon campaign. Every time you give, in any way, you empower our mission of helping as many agilists as possible. Thanks for sharing!