Mastering Agility

About Mastering Agility

Why is it that products are so hard to develop and deliver? How can we truly deliver value with so many different variables that can affect the outcome? We are Sander Dur, Ryan Brook, Jim Sammons, and Rich Visotcky, professional consultants and trainers who support organizations in their pursuit of creating valuable products. Passionate about helping the community and practitioners apply the theory that many authors and thought leaders bring to the industry, we started Product Fields make these concepts more accessible. This podcast will change your career and organization. You’ll be entertained while learning about the industry’s leaders and other practitioners, and you’ll feel familiar with the situations discussed as we invite guests over and discuss tools, concepts, models, metrics, leadership, frameworks, and many more elements that help you deliver amazing products. We understand the many struggles, challenges, antipatterns, and dysfunctions many of us face in our daily working lives. We are here to provide actionable advice and strategies for you to create continuous improvement. You will find things that actually work for many organizations, as we and our guests have tried and tested them. You will find a goldmine of actionable information from many fields, including the space industry, Formula 1, psychology, and Silicon Valley’s top entrepreneurs. We break down these complex topics into easily digestible insights that you can start applying in your careers right away. The best part is that you can even join our live recordings to ask your most burning questions and get them answered based on your needs! We dive deep into the world of business agility, product discovery, delivery, validation, product management, and product frameworks like Scrum, Kanban, LeSS, and many more. We’ll explore the benefits of decentralized decision-making, autonomous empowered teams, leadership, and much more. We empower you with the information you need to become the leaders your organization deserve.

Publisher

Sander Dur, Ryan Brook, Jim Sammons, and Rich Visotcky

Category

business · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Mar 2021

Latest episode

11 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

2 of 157 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   11 Sept 2026

   #152 "I Make", Take and Collaborate with Jimmy DiResta

   Jimmy DiResta has spent decades building things other people only imagine. Furniture. TV shows. A life that doesn't sit still. In this episode, we get past the shop tour and into what actually shaped him. We talk New York, the city that built his eye for craft and his tolerance for hustle. We talk Hollywood, and what it's like to make things for an industry built on illusion. We talk about how he approaches a problem, any problem, whether it's a broken hinge or a broken plan. And we get into the parts of his life that don't show up in a highlight reel: his hobbies, friends, family, and picking up pottery as a beginner all over again. This one isn't about tools. It's about how a maker keeps making, decade after decade, without losing the parts of himself that got him here. Most people stop learning new crafts once they've mastered one. Jimmy hasn't. This conversation is a case study in staying a beginner on purpose. What we get into Growing up in and around New York, and how the city and early years shaped his work ethic Hollywood: building for the screen, and what the industry taught him about craft His approach to problem-solving, on set and in the shop Starting pottery as a total beginner, and what it's like to be bad at something new again 00:00 Introduction to Jimmy DiResta 02:34 The Art of Making and Teaching 04:52 Crafts and Changing Times 07:40 Timeless Design Elements 10:32 Manufacturing History and Local Craftsmanship 13:21 Reflections on High School and Early Influences 19:14 From High School to Making Toys 22:04 From Art School to Graphic Design 23:03 Early Experiences in Advertising 23:28 Learning the Craft from Family 24:27 Transitioning to Toy Design 25:47 The Evolution of Problem Solving 28:01 Understanding the Nature of Props and Products 29:59 The Balance of Temporary and Permanent Creations 31:46 The Pressure of Client Work 33:46 Confidence in Problem Solving 37:00 The Joy of Troubleshooting 38:48 Memorable Moments with Howard Stern 41:20 Maker Style F-Marry-Kill 43:31 Collaboration in the Maker Community 46:16 Exploring Pottery as a New Medium 47:22 Embracing Mistakes in Craftsmanship 51:05 The Zen of Pottery and Creative Space 53:23 Gifts from You, Gifts to Me 54:17 The Value of Content as a Legacy 58:16 Interacting with Fans and Community Influence 01:07:24 Parting Thoughts on Positivity and Gratitude Connect with Product Fields: 📢 Follow the podcast for more inspiring stories 💬 Join the conversation on LinkedIn - https://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 it! Connect with our guest: Jimmy DiResta https://www.youtube.com/user/jimmydiresta/ https://www.instagram.com/jimmydiresta/ https://www.instagram.com/makingfunshow/ https://www.joinmakersmob.com/diresta/ https://jimmydiresta.com/ https://imakeny.com/ https://direstaedc.com/ Check out our sponsors: https://www.xebia.com https://www.wiserbees.com https://www.jointinsights.com https://www.productfields.com

2. 

   3 Aug 2026

   #151 Product Economics

   Summary In this episode, Rich Visotcky and Jim Sammons explore the nuances of decision-making, the importance of understanding opportunity costs, and how to effectively manage product development and organizational priorities through early learning, strategic experimentation, and the economics of product development. They discuss strategies for quantifying costs, the impact of delays, and practical approaches to focus and efficiency. Jim and Rich wrap things up with how to make smarter decisions with limited resources, the value of testing assumptions, and the impact of human behavior on business success. Takeaways The cost of delay can significantly erode value if not managed properly. Prioritization should be based on economic impact and opportunity cost. Simplicity and focusing on what matters most can improve organizational agility. Understanding team costs and resource allocation helps in better planning. Early validation and quick learning are crucial to avoid sunk cost fallacies. Early learning and iteration can significantly reduce risk and improve outcomes. Understanding human behavior helps in designing better products and services. Buying time through strategic decisions can lead to better resource allocation. Asking the right questions reveals hidden opportunities and customer needs. Simple frameworks and mental models can make complex decisions more manageable.

3. 

   24 Jun 2026

   #150 YouTube, Products, and Tacos with David Picciuto from Make Something

   In this engaging conversation, Jim Sammons interviews David Picciuto, a content creator and artist with a background in tech. They explore topics like audience building, product creation, the impact of social media, and the future of content in the age of AI, offering valuable insights for creators and entrepreneurs. David's Site - https://makesomething.com/ (https://makesomething.com/) David's YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@MakeSomething (https://www.youtube.com/@MakeSomething) David's art exhibition link - https://www.facebook.com/events/824417793474488/824417800141154/?active_tab=about&rdid=LhU2vlGENfrG7IEA (https://www.facebook.com/events/824417793474488/824417800141154/?active_tab=about&rdid=LhU2vlGENfrG7IEA) Giant Cassette Tape - https://youtu.be/jExRIl7WBPs?si=NNiHBl_RiLA-c89D (https://youtu.be/jExRIl7WBPs?si=NNiHBl_RiLA-c89D)

Inside a recent episode

S07 E08 Cliff Hazel and Chris Stone on Going for Chaos

Published 21 May 2024 · Transcript excerpt

[…] And so you need to use this to advantage, because if you plan incorrectly, it doesn't matter how good the goal is, if you start from the wrong place, and that for me is often, it was the topic that I was going to suggest. I was trying to think how to put it into a nice sentence with how telling the whole story, but this idea of basically, it doesn't matter so much if you know where you're going, if you also don't know where you're starting from. It's a huge amount of variables in that same scenario. I like it there, like, is it to get there quickest? Is it to get there cheapest? Are you trying to enjoy yourself along the way? […]

Who has been a guest on Mastering Agility

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Anna Lavrova
• René de Leijer
• Tobi Mende
• Martijn Versteeg

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

520,591

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

47

Social presence

0

YouTube

86

Engagement

85

Questions about Mastering Agility