In this gripping episode, Sander and Jim sit down with Arjan Erkel, who shares his harrowing experience of being kidnapped and held hostage for 607 days in Dagestan. Arjan walks us through the terrifying moment of his abduction, the psychological battles he faced in captivity, and the resilience that helped him survive. He also discusses his remarkable mindset shift, the unexpected relationships he built with his captors, and how he reclaimed his life after being freed.Beyond his personal story, Arjan sheds light on his work with Free a Girl, an organization dedicated to rescuing children from sexual exploitation. We also dive into what businesses and individuals can learn from his experiences—resilience, adaptability, and the power of taking small steps in difficult situations.Support Free a Girl!The Free a Girl foundation, has already rescued over 8,000 children from sexual exploitation. Join the mission by donating, spreading awareness, or supporting the Paperclip Challenge to raise $100K.🌍 Learn more & donate: Free a Girl💡 Support the Paperclip Challenge: Help us trade up from a guitar and amplifier to $100K to support this cause. You have something to trade? Reach out to us via paperclipchallenge@optilearn.co.uk!Connect with Arjan📖 Book: Held Hostage – [Available on Amazon]🌐 Website: ArjanErkel.com🌐 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arjanerkel/Connect with Mastering Agility📢 Follow the podcast for more inspiring stories💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/mastering-agility📩 Contact us for trades or sponsorships👉 If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear this inspiring story!Check out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Tammy Gretz, an Agile and Design Thinking coach from Central Ohio, shares her insights on coaching, curiosity, and the intricate connection between agile practices and design thinking. She discusses the importance of fostering a culture of experimentation over compliance in business. The conversation takes a delightful turn as Tammy uses sourdough baking as a metaphor for patience and teamwork, highlighting how baking parallels the iterative nature of agile. Listeners will also enjoy her humorous take on pottery and the joys of learning through trial and error.

💡 Description:In this thought-provoking episode of Mastering Agility, Jim and Marge sit down with Phil Agnew, host of the UK’s #1 marketing podcast, Nudge. Together, they explore the fascinating world of behavioral science, revealing how subtle nudges shape our decisions, from marketing campaigns to everyday life.Discover the psychology behind why we choose one option over another, the ethical considerations of influence, and how businesses (and individuals) can apply these principles for positive change. Whether it’s anchoring on menus, using loss aversion to boost performance, or avoiding the pitfalls of overused marketing tricks, this episode is packed with actionable insights and real-world examples.🔑 What You’ll Learn:The role of behavioral science in marketing and decision-making.Why ethical influence is more critical than ever.How businesses and individuals can use nudges to drive behavior.The power of anchoring, loss aversion, and social proof.Surprising examples of influence—from handwritten notes to painted flies on urinals!Connect with Phill on LinkedIn: (10) Phill Agnew | LinkedInCheck out Phill's podcast Nudge: Nudge PodcastCheck out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgScanAgile 2025 - ScanAgileHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this reflective and inspiring year-end episode of Mastering Agility, hosts Sander Dur and Jim Sammons are joined by "Solving For Value" co-author and "evil twin" Ryan Brook, along with editor extraordinaire Marge Scheuerer, for a conversation about leadership, agility, and the ever-elusive definition of success.From personal growth in 2024 to the challenges of balancing work and personal satisfaction - this episode dives deep into what it means to be a leader, a consultant, and, above all, human. With topics ranging from the over-certification of Scrum Masters to giving back through charitable work, this episode is packed with humor, introspection, and actionable insights for leaders and agile practitioners alike.Why not all Scrum Masters are created equal.The importance of balancing career ambitions with personal fulfillment.What it means to be a leader versus a manager.The evolving definition of “enough” in life and work.Pro bono work and giving back to the community.How to create personalized approaches to learning and leadership.The joys of being authentic—and the challenges it brings.Check out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgScanAgile 2025 - ScanAgileConnect with Ryan:Optilearn | Scrum Training That You Can Trust(9) Ryan Brook | LinkedInGet Solving For Value:Solving for Value - Mastering AgilityHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Description:In this episode, Sander and Jim dive deep into the art and science of feedback. Joined by James De Mulder, they explore the nuances of giving and receiving feedback, its role in personal and team growth, and the challenges that come with it. Learn how principles from Nonviolent Communication (NVC) can transform feedback into a powerful tool for connection and collaboration. Plus, discover how AI tools like ChatGPT can help you refine your feedback skills.💡 What You'll Learn:Why feedback is about connection, not criticism.How to use the four components of Nonviolent Communication in feedback.Tips for delivering feedback that resonates and empowers.The importance of timing and context in feedback conversations.How managers can foster psychological safety and trust within teams.Practical applications of AI for practicing and improving feedback deliveryConnect with James on LinkedIn: (9) James De Mulder | LinkedInCheck out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this conversation, Jim talks to Sander, and Ryan about their book 'Solving for Value', exploring its motivations, tone, and the importance of authenticity and empathy in consultancy. They delve into the complexities of work relationships, the significance of critical thinking, and the shared struggles many face in their professional lives. The discussion also touches on the challenges of measuring success beyond monetary ROI and the personal reflections that come with being business owners, culminating in a light-hearted exchange about their favorite holiday movies. In this engaging conversation, Jim, Sander and Ryan discuss a variety of themes ranging from holiday movie favorites to the impact of social media and nostalgia. They discuss the allure of big cities, the dangers of apathy in the workplace, and the importance of critical thinking. The conversation wraps up with reading recommendations and reflections on the writing process. Check out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

"Refinement is about gathering enough information to get started, not pre-cooking the entire task."In this episode of Mastering Agility, Jim and Sander explore the concept of Refinement in agile teams, discussing its purpose in creating shared understanding, adding details, and aligning on goals. Refinement isn’t about perfect planning but ensuring teams have enough information to start effectively. The hosts highlight the evolving role of the product owner, the importance of continuous communication, and practical strategies to avoid common pitfalls like over-refinement and meeting overload. Their key advice: focus on the five W’s and the how, empower teams to take ownership, and maintain flexibility in the refinement process.If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!Check out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this podcast episode, Jim and Sander discuss the final stages of Sander and Ryan Brooks's upcoming book, Solving for Value: A Journey of Ambition and Stupidity. Sander shares his excitement around the book's December 1st release and the launch event. The book, originally focused on Scrum, evolved to address broader challenges around creating value in product management beyond just following frameworks.Jim and Sander explore shifts in the industry toward product-centric models, noting the risks of adopting frameworks like Scrum without considering organizational context and the tendency for companies to prematurely abandon or restructure teams when products fail, disregarding the team’s accumulated knowledge and cohesion. They discuss the rising use of AI in product management and workforce reductions tied to AI, cautioning that while AI has potential, it also brings significant ethical and operational risks. Jim and Sander question whether AI advancements could meet needs without fully replacing human roles and the broader impacts on industry and society.The conversation touches on the potential impact of technologies like Neuralink and AI on future work and human life, noting ethical, social, and economic implications, including the challenges of accessibility to these advancements. They wrap up by promoting the book's storytelling approach, which mixes a business fable with real-life insights, aiming to deliver practical, relatable learning for those in product development and management.Check out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this podcast episode, Jim and Sander discuss the final stages of Sander and Ryan Brooks's upcoming book, Solving for Value: A Journey of Ambition and Stupidity. Sander shares his excitement around the book's December 1st release and the launch event. The book, originally focused on Scrum, evolved to address broader challenges around creating value in product management beyond just following frameworks.Jim and Sander explore shifts in the industry toward product-centric models, noting the risks of adopting frameworks like Scrum without considering organizational context and the tendency for companies to prematurely abandon or restructure teams when products fail, disregarding the team’s accumulated knowledge and cohesion. They discuss the rising use of AI in product management and workforce reductions tied to AI, cautioning that while AI has potential, it also brings significant ethical and operational risks. Jim and Sander question whether AI advancements could meet needs without fully replacing human roles and the broader impacts on industry and society.The conversation touches on the potential impact of technologies like Neuralink and AI on future work and human life, noting ethical, social, and economic implications, including the challenges of accessibility to these advancements. They wrap up by promoting the book's storytelling approach, which mixes a business fable with real-life insights, aiming to deliver practical, relatable learning for those in product development and management.Check out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

summary In this conversation, Sander Dur and Anita Kalmane-Boot explore the concept of neurodivergence, discussing its implications in personal and professional settings. They delve into the definitions of neurodiversity and neurodivergent conditions, share personal experiences, and highlight the importance of understanding and accommodating neurodivergent individuals in team environments. The discussion also touches on the challenges faced by neurodivergent people, the process of diagnosis, and the need for open conversations about mental health in the workplace. Sander and Anita discusse the complexities of neurodiversity, the challenges of social interactions, and the dynamics of remote work. They reflect on personal experiences and emphasize the importance of self-acceptance and creating supportive environments for neurodivergent individuals. The discussion also touches on parenting, confidence versus arrogance, and the need for understanding in team dynamics.takeawaysNeurodiversity encompasses a range of brain wiring differences.Neurodivergent individuals may experience unique challenges in social settings.Understanding neurodivergence can enhance team dynamics and productivity.Open conversations about neurodivergence can reduce stigma.Diagnosis can provide clarity and self-acceptance for neurodivergent individuals.Different neurodivergent conditions can affect individuals in various ways.Accommodating neurodivergent individuals requires understanding their unique needs.Not all neurodivergent individuals are the same; diversity exists within the spectrum.Creating inclusive environments benefits everyone, not just neurodivergent individuals.Awareness and education about neurodiversity are crucial for fostering acceptance. Remote work can alleviate social anxiety for neurodivergent individuals.Observing team dynamics in person is crucial for effective Scrum Mastering.Planning ahead can reduce stress and improve decision-making.Self-acceptance is a vital yet challenging journey for many.Creating confident environments is essential for personal and team growth.Neurodiversity encompasses a range of conditions that require understanding.Confidence should be nurtured without crossing into arrogance.Parenting plays a significant role in developing children's self-esteem.Engaging in open conversations can foster better team dynamics.Understanding neurodiversity is an ongoing learning process for society.Check out our sponsor:www.xebia.comwww.scrummatch.comwww.wiserbees.comwww.masteringagility.orgHosted by Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.