Stellar Work
Work is broken. Not in a LinkedIn-thought-leader way. In a "we spent 18 months on a transformation and nothing changed" way. Ben unpacks what actually moves the needle with practitioners, engineers, and leaders who've been through it. New episodes every two weeks.
Episodes
#60 Benjamin Igna - The substitutes for real work
Every industry has invented a substitute for the actualwork, and the best practitioners have quietly stopped using it. Sixty episodes in, Ben spends a solo episode tracing onepattern that showed up across 40-plus practitioners in five countries. The"sticker in the drawer" wears different clothes everywhere. Sometimesit's a sprint ceremony, sometimes an AI pilot with no measurable out
#59 Carsten Kraus - Industrial AI, keep the data in-house
Carsten Kraus's pitch for the German Mittelstand isn't to build foundation models. It's to keep the data in-house and let other people's models run on it.Kraus has founded 12 companies and is opening the 13th. He sold a programming language to Atari at 17, built FactFinder (similarity search two years before Google's "Did you mean"), and Casablanca.ai, a face foundation model that hit 88% AUC on s
The Psychology of AI-Driven UX
AI tools increase time-on-task by 20 to 40%. That's not a bug report, that's a UX research finding.Sophie is a UX Researcher at Citigroup with a background in Chemical Engineering. She has built and scaled research practices in both start-ups and large organisations, embedding human-centred ways of working that drive real business impact. At the crossroads of design, technology and strateg
Engineering Management In The Age Of AI
Most engineering teams using AI are about 2x faster. Not 10x. The bottleneck moved, but nobody optimized the rest.Jeff Lee-Chan spent 10 years at Google working on YouTube, then seven years at Snapchat. He went from IC to staff engineer to engineering manager. Now he spends 20 to 30 extra hours a week experimenting with AI tools outside his day job.In this conversation, you'll hear:Why a 30-mi
#56 Derek Borthwick On The Psychology of Selling
SummaryIn this episode, Ben sits down with Derek Borthwick — sales expert, bestselling author, and founder of Power2Mind — to talk about what actually makes people buy. Spoiler: it's not your pitch deck.Derek dismantles the classic "sales playbook" approach and explains why scripts, product dumps, and logical arguments consistently fail to persuade. Drawing from neuroscience, NLP, an
#55 Allen Holub About The Evolution Of Agility And Its AI Future
SummaryAgility was supposed to change everything. And it did — just not always in the way we hoped. In this episode, Ben sits down with Allen Holub to talk about how agile methodology shaped the software industry, where it went off the rails, and why AI might be repeating the same mistakes. From the original promise of the Agile Manifesto to the certification industrial complex, and from developer
#54 Matas Rastenis On Augmenting Engineers At Uber
SummaryIn this episode, Ben talks with Matas Rastenis, Senior Staff Engineer at Uber's Developer Platforms team, about what it actually looks like to bring AI tools to one of the world's largest engineering organizations not as a flashy demo, but as production-grade infrastructure that delivers measurable impact. Matas shares how Uber approaches AI augmentation for its engineers: evaluati
#53 Matthias Wagner From Flux On AI For Hardware Engineers
In this episode, Ben sits down with Matthias Wagner, founder and CEO of Flux AI, to explore how artificial intelligence is finally making its way into hardware engineering — a field where design tools have barely changed in decades. While software development has seen wave after wave of innovation, hardware engineers have been stuck with legacy tooling that hasn't kept up. Matthias explains ho
#52 Harry Max On Managing Priorities
SummaryIn this episode, I sit down with Harry Max, author of Managing Priorities, to explore why prioritization is one of the most critical — yet frustratingly difficult — skills in work and life. We unpack what makes managing priorities so challenging, and how the game changes as you move from the personal level to teams and entire organizations. Harry shares practical tips and frameworks for get
#50 Sander Hoogendoorn on what it takes to run tech teams at iBood
SummaryIn this episode, Benjamin interviews Stuart Munton, CIO at AND Digital, discussing the transformative impact of AI on the consulting industry and software development. They explore how generative AI is reshaping business models, the importance of adapting to new technologies, and the challenges organizations face in integrating AI into their workflows. Stuart shares insights from his experi
#49 Stuart Munton on the adoption of AI
In this episode, Benjamin interviews Stuart Munton, CIO at AND Digital, discussing the transformative impact of AI on the consulting industry and software development. They explore how generative AI is reshaping business models, the importance of adapting to new technologies, and the challenges organizations face in integrating AI into their workflows. Stuart shares insights from his experience at
#48 Darja Smite on the evolution of remote work
In this conversation, Benjamin and Darja Smite explore the evolution of remote and hybrid work over the past five years, particularly in light of the pandemic. They discuss cultural differences in work practices, the impact of remote work on team dynamics and productivity, and the challenges of onboarding in a fully remote environment. The conversation also touches on the importance of social conn
#47 Magnus Östberg on The Heartbeat of Automotive Innovation
This episode features Magnus Östberg, Chief Software Officer at Mercedes-Benz, discussing how the company is transforming its approach to software and innovation. Magnus explains the development of MB.OS, their custom software platform, and how Mercedes is syncing hardware and software teams with agile methods like the ‘heartbeat.’ The conversation covers balancing tradition with fast-paced delive
#46 Dr. Karen Eilers and Christiaan Verwjis on researching team effectiveness
This episode dives into the substance behind “agile mindset,” stripping away jargon to uncover what really makes teams effective in complex, fast-moving environments. Karen and Christiaan share findings from their ongoing research, revealing four shared dimensions of agility within teams. Listeners gain insight into how mindsets shift — both individually and collectively — and why this matters for
#45 Marcelo Lopez on critical thinking in business
SummaryThis episode features a conversation between Marcelo Lopez and Benjamin, exploring themes of professional growth, the impact of AI, and the importance of critical thinking. Marcelo shares his journey as a Certified Scrum Trainer and his experiences in the tech industry, emphasizing the value of giving back and helping others. The discussion delves into the challenges of maintaining critical
#44 Philipp Guth - Transforming R&D at Rittal
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Philipp Guth, the CTO of Rittal, about the company's transformation journey. Rittal, a leader in electrical enclosures and cooling solutions, is evolving from a product-centric to a solution-oriented company. Philipp discusses the need for transformation in response to increasing complexity in customer requirements and competition. H
#43 Henrik Kniberg - Agentifying Software Development
SummaryIn this episode Henrik shares his journey from software development to AI, discussing the evolution of coding practices and the impact of AI on the software industry. He delves into the Spotify model, the importance of Agile methodologies, and how AI is transforming coding and software development. Henrik also addresses hiring practices in the age of AI, the role of junior developers, and t
#42 Philipp Raasch - The Autopreneur
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Philipp Raasch, a prominent automotive newsletter podcaster. They discuss the current transformations in the automotive industry, including the shift from combustion engines to electric vehicles, the challenges faced by legacy automakers, and the dynamics of cost-cutting in a competitive market. Philipp shares insights on regional tr
#41 Gitte Klitgaard - Beyond the spreadsheet- Humanizing Large Organizations
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Gitte Klitgaard, an agile coach, discusses the importance of human behavior in organizations, the role of emotional intelligence in professionalism, and the challenges managers face in creating safe and engaging work environments. She emphasizes the need for diversity in teams, the impact of leadership on company culture, and the significance of measuri
#40 Timm Richter - Managing The Paradox
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin and Timm delve into the complexities of systemic paradox management within organizations. Timm shares insights from his experiences and his book, discussing how paradoxes are inherent in decision-making processes and how organizations can better manage these challenges. The conversation explores the role of context, the impact of AI on decision
#39 Eva PenzeyMoog on designing safe products
DescriptionIn this episode of the Stellar World Podcast, Benjamin interviews Eva PenzeyMoog, author of 'Design for Safety'. They discuss the various ways technology can be weaponized for interpersonal harm, particularly in the context of domestic violence and abuse. Eva shares insights on how tech can be misused in relationships, the importance of designing products with safety in mind, an
#38 Stefan Roock - Scrum Guide Expansion Pack
DescriptionIn this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin and Stefan Roock discuss the recently published Scrum Guide Expansion Pack. They explore its key features, challenges, and the implications of AI in Scrum practices. The conversation delves into the complexity of the expansion pack, the evolving role of stakeholders, and the future of AI in agile methodologies. Stefan shares his insi
#37 Alisa Stolze - 20 Habits for Leading Teams
In this episode of the Stellarwork Podcast, Benjamin interviews Alisa Stolze, a Scrum at Scale trainer and author, discussing practical leadership tips, the importance of habits in team dynamics, and effective time management strategies. Alisa emphasizes the need for transparency in teams and how small changes can lead to significant improvements in productivity and team morale.Alisa Stolze:Alisa
#36 Nicolas Brown - Real World Agility
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, host Benjamin and agility consultant Nick Brown discuss the practical application of agile methodologies in real-world contexts. They explore the importance of understanding organizational dynamics, the significance of context in agile practices, and the challenges faced by agile coaches. Nick shares insights from his experiences, emphasizing the need f
#35 Andrei Savine on agentifying Consulting and Management
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Andrei Savine, a transformation leader with over 20 years of experience. They discuss the challenges of digital transformations, the importance of data in decision-making, and how AI can enhance management practices. Andrei shares insights on his platform, CapabiliSense, which aims to streamline transformation processes by analyzing
#34 Christian Piechnick - Building Tech Companies in Europe
In this episode, Christian Pichnick, co-founder and CEO of Wandelbots, discusses the future of robotics and automation, the challenges and opportunities for tech startups in Europe, and the impact of AI on manufacturing. He emphasizes the need for a shift in mindset towards innovation and the importance of having a clear vision for the future. The conversation also touches on the macroeconomic cha
#33 Holger Heinze - The Drama Free Workplace
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Holger Heinze, a management consultant and author of 'Drama Free Workplace.' They explore how to create a less stressful and more empowering work environment by understanding the drama triangle, the connection between mindset and drama, and practical strategies to avoid drama in the workplace. Holger shares insights on the importance
#32 Solo - 1 Year Stellar Work Podcast
In this solo episode, Benjamin reflects on the past year of the Stellar Work podcast, discussing key insights and lessons learned about organizational transformation. He emphasizes the importance of leadership commitment, effective strategies, and understanding organizational dynamics to drive successful change. Benjamin also shares his journey of podcasting, highlighting the learning experiences
#31 Tom Soderstrom II - Bringing NASA JPL up to speed
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Tom Soderstrom, former CTO at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. They discuss the intricacies of working at NASA, the creative processes behind space missions, the search for extraterrestrial life, and the differences between government and commercial space industries. Tom shares insights on fostering a culture of innovation, the import
#30 Tom Soderstrom Tech Transformation Learnings from NASA JPL and AWS
In this episode, Tom Soderstrom shares insights from his extensive experience in technology transformation at NASA and AWS. He emphasizes the importance of focusing on the mission, making informed decisions, and fostering a culture of experimentation. Tom discusses the critical role of AI and data in driving business success and highlights the need for collaboration between IT and business units.
#29 Leah Tharin - Product Led Growth and Sales
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Leah Tharin, an expert in product-led growth. They discuss the differences between product-led and sales-led growth, the importance of understanding customer needs, and the challenges of transitioning from one model to another. Leah shares insights on cultural differences in sales approaches, metrics for measuring growth, and valuabl
#28 Markus Andrezak - Product -Management and -Strategy
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Markus Andrezak, a product management expert, discussing the intricacies of product management and strategy. They explore Markus's career journey, the importance of a clear business model, the evolution of tech companies in Europe, and the challenges faced by product managers. The conversation delves into the role of product managers
#27 Al Shalloway - Future of Agile Training and Coaching
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Al Shalloway, a prominent figure in the Agile community. They discuss Al's extensive journey in Agile, the challenges of training and education in the field, and the importance of integrating coaching with Agile practices. Al emphasizes the need for a new type of training that is affordable and ongoing, addressing the capability gap
#26 Anja Hendel - Transforming the Automotive Industry
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Anja Hendel, a seasoned expert in digital transformation within the automotive industry. Anja shares her journey from studying computer science to leading digital initiatives at major companies like Porsche and Volkswagen. The conversation delves into the challenges faced by hardware-focused organizations in adapting to software-driv
#25 Niels Pfläging - Organize for Complexity
In this episode, Benjamin engages with Niels Pfläging, a thought leader in management and organizational transformation. They discuss the challenges of conventional management practices, the importance of understanding complexity in organizational problems, and the role of consultants in facilitating change. Niels emphasizes the need for effective change management strategies and the significance
#24 Adriana & Eduardo - Helping Law Firms through Kanban
In this episode, Benjamin interviews Adriana and Eduardo, experts in Kanban and agile methodologies, focusing on their application in the legal industry in Brazil. They discuss the challenges faced by law firms, the need for agile practices, and how Kanban can transform traditional legal workflows. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the legal context, the cultural barriers
#23 Damian Boeselager - Fixing the EU!
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Damian Boeselager, a member of the European Parliament and co-founder of Volt, a pan-European political party. They discuss the importance of progressive politics in Europe, the challenges posed by right-wing populism, and the need for a unified European approach to economic competitiveness and innovation. Damian emphasizes the role
#18 Luke Hohmann - Software Profit Streams™
In this episode, Benjamin interviews Luke Hohmann, a prominent figure in the Agile product development community and author of 'Software Profit Streams™'. They discuss the critical link between value and profit, emphasizing the importance of understanding profitability within Agile practices. Luke shares insights on how Agile coaches and practitioners can contribute to a company's profitability an
#22 Santa and Rudolph at the Kata Conference
In this festive episode of the Stellar wWork Podcast, recorded live from Sweden, Benjamin and his guests discuss the future of organizational structures, the impact of AI, and the importance of visualization in decision-making. They explore the balance between autonomy and direction in the workplace, customer-centric approaches in the automotive industry, and the cultural shifts in management. The
#17 Jurgen Appelo - The Unfix Model
In this episode, Jurgen Appelo discusses his journey from software engineer to agile management expert, emphasizing the importance of pattern libraries over rigid frameworks in organizational development. He explains how organizations can benefit from adopting flexible patterns that allow for adaptability and innovation. Through case studies, he illustrates the successful implementation of these p
#16 Marc Sniukas - The better Strategy OS
In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews strategy advisor Marc Sniukas, who shares insights on modern strategic planning and the Better Strategy OS framework. They discuss the challenges of traditional strategy, the importance of defining strategy in terms of challenges and ambitions, and the need for a structured approach to strategy that includes testing options and stake
#19 Klaus Leopold - Flight Levels Case Study
In this episode of the Stellarwork Podcast, Klaus Leopold discusses the concept of Flight Levels, a framework designed to optimize agility across multiple teams and levels of an organization. He explains the three levels of Flight Levels—operational, coordination, and strategy—and emphasizes the importance of visualizing work and creating focus. The conversation also covers practical steps for sta
#21 Martin Wanitschke - Wandelbots NOVA
In this conversation, Martin Wanitschke discusses his role at Wandelbots and the company's mission to democratize robotics. He explains the evolution of robot programming, the introduction of the TracePen, and the challenges faced in product development. The discussion highlights the shift towards a software-focused approach with the upcoming launch of Wandelbots Nova, a hardware-agnostic operatin
#20 Steffen Stammel - Dynamic Shared Ownership at Bayer
Disclaimer: The views and opinions shared by Steffen are based on his personal reflections and experiences. He is not representing the company's stance or policies.In this episode of the Stellar Work Podcast, Benjamin interviews Steffen Stammel, Global IT Strategy Director at Bayer, who shares his personal reflections on the company’s ongoing transformation amidst various challenges. They explore
#15 Rijon Erickson - Riffing with Rijon
In this conversation, Benjamin and Rijon "Ryan" Erickson explore a variety of themes ranging from personal experiences and reflections on life to discussions about vacations, childhood memories, and aspirations for the future. They delve into the influence of parents on their lives and the importance of work-life balance, while also touching on the significance of giving back to the community.Rijo
#14 Dimitar Bakardzhiev - Measuring the Knowledge Gap
In this conversation, Dimitar Bakardzhiev discusses his extensive experience in software development and the concept of knowledge work. He introduces KEDEHub, a tool designed to bridge knowledge gaps in software development teams. The discussion covers the importance of understanding knowledge work, the state of flow, and how to measure and manage knowledge gaps within organizations. Dimitar empha
#13 Simon Wardley - Wardley Mapping
In this episode, host Benjamin welcomes Simon Wardley, the creator of Wardley Mapping, to discuss his innovative framework for understanding competitive landscapes. Simon shares the story behind Wardley Mapping, explaining how it started as a personal tool and evolved into a widely used method for strategy development. He also touches on his background in building companies, working in open source
#12 Mark Poppenborg - Future Leadership
Benjamin Igna and Mark Poppenborg, founder of Intrinsify, discuss the need for a better world of work and the challenges faced in achieving it. Mark highlights the importance of understanding the root cause of problems within companies and the need for external references to drive change. He also emphasizes the value of theories over frameworks and the need to focus on adapting to a changing envir
#11 Ivett Ördog - Lean Poker
In this episode, Ivett shared her journey of bringing continuous deployment practices to engineering teams and how she developed Lean Poker as a workshop to practice CD. Lean Poker is a game where participants develop poker-playing bots and deploy them continuously to compete against each other. Ivett emphasized the importance of immediate feedback and the mindset of continuous learning in softwar
#9 Mike Lyons - Fixing the Scrum Master Crisis
In this conversation, Benjamin and Mike discuss the current state of the agile community, particularly the layoffs and job market for Scrum Masters and Agile Coaches. They emphasize the importance of understanding project management and how it relates to agile ways of working. Mike suggests that Scrum Masters should focus on showing value by increasing top-line revenue and decreasing bottom-line c
#8 Sophie Seiwald Hojer & Matthias Patzak - All Hands on Tech
The conversation Sophie, Matthias and Benjamin discuss the the need for a pragmatic approach to evolve, and the importance of understanding the specific pain points in an organization. They also discuss the role of methodologies and frameworks in driving change and the need to focus on value creation rather than just process execution. They highlight the importance of understanding the purpose beh
#7 Alex Smith - Strategy
In this conversation, Benjamin interviews strategy expert Alex Smith. They discuss the concept of strategy and its importance in business. Alex emphasizes the need for businesses to focus on delivering unique value rather than competing for market share. They also touch on the strategic approaches of companies like Apple and Tesla. Alex provides insights into his book and shares resources for furt
#6 Jose Casal - Kanban and future of Agile
In this conversation, Benjamin and Jose discuss the future of agility and the challenges it faces. They touch on the role of certifications in the Agile space and the potential impact of AI on Agile practices. They caution against overreliance on AI and emphasize the importance of independent thinking and creativity in the knowledge work domain. In this conversation, Benjamin and Jose discuss the
#5 Joe Justice - Operating like a Musk Company
In this conversation, Benjamin and Joe Justice discuss the importance of having a clear goal and key performance indicators (KPIs) for companies to drive innovation. They emphasize the need for a thousand-year goal that motivates employees and creates a mission-driven workforce. They also highlight the concept of the Justice Board, which helps identify bottlenecks and child KPIs to drive innovatio
#4 Sonya Siderova - Flow Kanban Dashboards (getNave)
Benjamin Igna and Sonya Siderova, the founder and CEO of NAVE, discuss the importance of data-driven decision making in improving workflows and delivering better products faster. She emphasizes the need for solutions tailored to each team's specific problems, rather than blindly following processes. Sonja explains how NAVE's Kanban Analytics suite helps teams optimize their processes and make reli
#3 Peter Stevens - Working like Tesla with AI
In this conversation, Benjamin and Peter discuss the principles and practices that companies like Tesla and SpaceX use to achieve speed and innovation. They explore the challenges faced by traditional automobile manufacturers in adapting to the fast-paced innovation of companies like Tesla. They also touch on the challenges of applying these principles to legacy companies. The conversation explore
#2 Chris Jones - Product Operating Model
Chris Jones, partner at Silicon Valley Product Group, discusses the concept of a product operating model and how it helps companies align with modern product practices. He explains that being product-driven or product-led is more than just a power structure within the company, and it involves principles, competencies, and roles beyond product management. Chris highlights the importance of empoweri
#1 Paolo Sammichelli - Agile Hardware
Paolo Sammicheli, a Scrum trainer, discusses the application of Scrum in hardware development projects. He highlights the importance of visualizing and challenging the decisions made during the development process. He emphasizes that every project, regardless of the domain, involves making and embedding decisions. Paolo shares examples of hardware projects he has worked on, including IoT platforms
Trailer
Hey everyone, welcome to Stellar Work. The podcast that explores the art of creating exceptional products and services that not only inspire their customers but also ignite the passion of the developers behind them. Each episode, we shine a spotlight on incredible individuals who are pushing the boundaries and reshaping the landscape of product development. From groundbreaking strategies to innova
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