Project Land Goes to the Movies with Dawn Mahan (Episode 86)

About this episode

Dawn Mahan returns to talk about her latest book, a movie-themed anthology that uses film as a practical way to explain project management lessons. The conversation covers how the book came together, why metaphor makes complex work easier to grasp, and how teams can use movie moments to improve communication, leadership, and delivery.

Dawn also shares what it was like working with co-editor Jerry Manis, why the book includes internationalperspectives, and how AI may support project managers without replacing the human side of the work.

 

Chapters

Get Dawn’s latest book: Project Management Consulting & Training | PMOtraining.com (
https://www.pmotraining.com/)

Here’s the link to the post where you can hear the audiobook trailer (
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/dawnmahan_projectland-goes-to-the-movies-ugcPost-7473409826220572674-C1_V/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAABPAXUBjME-cCWYd6qvEWwpXbd8oRTrqOE)  and Eric’s voice talent…would love to know what you think! 

PMI page where you can find yourlocal chapter to network with project managers in your area: 
https://www.pmi.org/membership/chapters

Video chapters Jump to a moment

1. 0:00 Welcome back and introduction to the new movie-themed project management book ▶
2. 3:16 Why the concept moved from animals to movies ▶
3. 4:00 How the author casting call and contributor selection worked ▶
4. 6:28 Why the book’s chapter structure is designed for the reader ▶
5. 8:10 Using movie metaphors in real project conversations ▶
6. 9:31 How clips can help before, during, and after project pressure points ▶
7. 10:26 Making complex project ideas accessible for non-project managers ▶
8. 12:54 Why the right movie can lighten stress inside a project “pressure cooker” ▶
9. 14:45 Why metaphor is central to Dawn’s work ▶
10. 15:19 Dawn’s early love of metaphor and simplifying complexity ▶
11. 16:43 How the term “Project Land” was created ▶
12. 19:21 Why project management is really about problem solving ▶
13. 20:32 Balancing business, writing, and a year-long editing process ▶
14. 22:50 Working with expert authors and setting clear roles ▶
15. 24:47 How local PMI chapters can help people network and grow ▶
16. 27:13 Sneak peek at Jerry Manis’s next leadership fable ▶
17. 30:19 Dawn’s next possible book for executive sponsors and leaders ▶
18. 31:45 Why the audiobook format may be the strongest version of the book ▶
19. 34:08 Dawn’s view on AI and whether it threatens project managers ▶
20. 36:25 Using AI as a strategic thinking partner rather than a replacement ▶
21. 40:57 Why poor project outcomes are often about people, not process ▶
22. 41:41 Closing thoughts and what’s next ▶