The Deep Cut 006: Spark

For a while, the fire just wasn’t there.
Coaching work slowed. Clients ghosted. The election happened. And I—like a lot of you—started wondering what the hell is next?

But sometimes all it takes is one spark.

A good project.
A great team (hi, ICS 💛).
A LinkedIn post that reminds you people are listening.

Lately, I’ve felt something shift.
I’m creating again. Writing again.
Talking about project management not just as a process, but as a craft.
Diving into AI—not as a trend, but as a tool.
And showing up as myself in ways I haven’t before.

I won’t say too much, but let’s just say: it’s more than work that’s shifting.
Feels like alignment. Feels like me.

Here’s what’s been fueling the spark lately:

📝 Writing

Smarter AI Prompts for PMs
I'm treating AI like a robot intern—and it's saving me hours. If you’re curious (or skeptical), come along for the ride. And while you’re at it, please like/comment on this Linkedin carousel I made if the old-school robot art gives you life too (thanks, AI!)

The Real Working Dogs of PM
Project managers get called “taskmasters,” but they’re actually the emotional support animals of most teams. This one came straight from the heart—and my brain, which is basically a golden retriever with a clipboard.

🎧 Listening

Lorde – “What Was That"
Tender, weird, confident—this song sounds like someone figuring themselves out out loud. Yes, I relate.

10,000 Maniacs – Our Time in Eden
Revisiting this album made me realize: I was basically 16 going on 42. Adult contemporary before I even had a debit card. My friend Nicole just told me Natalie Merchant is touring and now we’re contemplating that walk down memory lane.

📺 Watching

Tina on Good Hang with Amy Poehler
(and so many other SNL personalities!)
Amy Poehler’s new podcast kicks off with Tina Fey, and it’s already a sparkfest. Smart, funny, chaotic. Dratch showing up? A dream. The laughing is contagious!

📚 Reading

I see drunk people
Haley Joel Osment's quiet honesty about addiction, therapy, and recovery is surprisingly moving.

A new kind of Roller Derby
I cannot explain this article. You just have to read it.

HBR on executive denial
If I had a nickel for every time I watched someone frame burnout as a “people problem” instead of a leadership failure, I could fund an entire HR department.

TL;DR
The past year felt slow and uncertain, but something shifted. A good project, a viral LinkedIn post, and a burst of creative energy sparked new momentum. I'm writing, coaching, exploring AI, and finally showing up as my whole self. The spark is back, and it’s just the beginning.