Since 2007, Ricardo Vargas publishes the 5 Minutes Podcast where he addresses in a quick and practical way the main topics on project, portfolio and risk management.
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Ricardo Vargas Podcasts
Here on my podcast I talk about my journey within my business and my life as well while giving advice to become our best versions of our self
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Podcast by Allan Rocha
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RAMA Blueprints is about the legacy of San Francisco's Real Alternatives Program (RAP), a revolutionary youth service organization who practiced Self-Determination and empowered their generation, community and city. In 1969, Jim Queen co-founded Real Alternatives Program or RAP, a youth advocacy agency with an emphasis on community leadership development for and by San Francisco youth. Since the agency’s opening, they developed generations of community leaders. But eventually the agency clos ...
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In the Eye of the Storm: How to Stay Calm Amid Uncertainty
6:13
6:13
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6:13
In this episode, Ricardo talks about the importance of staying calm when everything seems out of control. He shares eight practical tips for dealing with moments of chaos in projects — from doing a reality check to taking care of your well-being. Ricardo highlights that under pressure, common sense is often the first thing to go, and impulsive deci…
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Not Every Project Has to Be Straight: The Magic of Frank Gehry
2:32
2:32
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In this episode, Ricardo visits the Marqués de Riscal winery, highlighting the hotel designed by Frank Gehry as an example of creativity outside the box. He reflects on how disruptive ideas, like this architectural work made of titanium and stainless steel, often emerge when rigid frameworks are abandoned and “ordered chaos” is explored. Ricardo em…
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The Fear That Sabotages Your Projects — And How to Overcome It
4:42
4:42
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4:42
In this episode, Ricardo discusses the impact of fear on project management and the role of psychological safety in transforming fear into positive and effective actions. Fears such as making mistakes, being judged, or losing your job can silence teams, hindering decisions and innovation. Psychological safety, a concept developed by Amy Edmondson, …
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En este episodio del podcast, conversamos con el Sr. Ricardo Calderón, uno de los fundadores de CARECEN, una organización clave para la comunidad inmigrante en San Francisco. Ricardo nos cuenta su llegada a los Estados Unidos hace 39 años y su exilio forzado desde El Salvador. Nos habla sobre la creación de CARECEN en San Francisco, las necesidades…
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When the Brazilian Way Becomes a Trap: The Risk of Normalizing Improvisation
4:43
4:43
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In this episode, Ricardo discusses the “Jeitinho Brasileiro” — the Brazilian way of solving problems creatively, often with limited resources. While this ingenuity is a strength, it becomes risky when improvisation turns into standard practice. He shares a story of a glass installer who used chewing gum instead of putty, which worked but became a h…
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According to PwC, AI Has Already Changed the Game — And You Can’t Keep Playing in the Past
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5:15
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In this episode, Ricardo discusses insights from PwC’s 2024 AI Jobs Barometer, analyzing 500 million job postings across 15 countries. He shows that AI-exposed sectors like IT and project management see 4.8x higher productivity. Jobs requiring AI skills grow three times faster and offer a 25% wage premium. AI’s biggest impact comes from everyday pr…
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The Cost of Hurry: How Speed Undermines Project Quality
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In this episode, Ricardo discusses the dangers of prioritizing speed over strategy in project management. He says that being agile means adapting and learning quickly, not rushing in blindly. Urgency often leads to missed plans, poor decisions, and costly rework. Teams suffer under pressure, and when delays happen, they are unfairly blamed. Ricardo…
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Why Earned Value Still Matters — Even with AI
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In this episode, Ricardo talks about the ongoing importance of earned value analysis in project management. Despite advancements in AI, real-time dashboards, earned value remains a precise, structured, and effective tool—especially in complex environments. AI can automate data collection and forecasting, but it cannot replace human judgment. Metric…
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In this episode, Ricardo discusses how AI Agents are transforming project management. Unlike traditional tools, these agents are autonomous, understand context, make decisions, and interact with people and systems to deliver value. With the advancement of models like ChatGPT and platforms such as LangChain, Crew AI, and Google NotebookLM, building …
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In this episode, Ricardo discusses the challenge of saying “no” in project management, a struggle for many who aim to help. He warns that each impulsive "yes" may sacrifice scope, schedule, quality, or team well-being. Sharing his experience of overcommitting, he learned that saying “no” is an act of leadership. He uses three guiding questions: 1) …
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The End of Skype and the Life Cycles of Projects
3:59
3:59
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In this episode, Ricardo reflects on the end of Skype's cycle. Created in 2003 in Estonia, the application revolutionized online communication, allowing free voice calls and being essential for families, companies, and project managers. Acquired by eBay in 2005 and by Microsoft in 2011, Skype lost ground to more modern solutions such as Zoom, Whats…
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Stanford’s AI Index Report: 11 Key Takeaways for Project Leaders
10:53
10:53
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The AI Index Report 2025, published annually by Stanford University, is a key global reference that tracks the progress, trends, and impact of artificial intelligence. In this podcast, Ricardo highlights how AI is advancing rapidly, reshaping industries, and demanding new skills from professionals, especially in project management. He emphasizes th…
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In this episode, Ricardo explores the concept of “Risk Lensing”, the idea that risk is shaped by individual perceptions rather than objective data. He uses the example of a child climbing a tree to show how various people can have different perspectives on the same event. Understanding how stakeholders view opportunities and risks is more important…
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eXtra Commentary: Darren J. de Leon and Socorro Gamboa
47:00
47:00
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47:00
In this eXtra Commentary, we delve deep into the creation and intentions behind 'The Last Harvest' episode. Join CARECEN SF's Juan Rivera as he interviews co-producers Darren J. de Leon and Socorro Gamboa about the making of this pivotal episode. Discover the rich history and impactful legacy of the Real Alternatives Program (RAP), a revolutionary …
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Simplicity at Work: John Maeda’s 10 Laws for Project Clarity in 5 Minutes
5:45
5:45
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In this episode of the 5 Minutes Podcast, Ricardo explores John Maeda’s Ten Laws of Simplicity as a guide for project managers seeking focus, flow, and impact. Key principles include reducing non-essential elements, organizing work clearly, using time efficiently, embracing learning and diversity, and linking tasks to purpose. Emotional intelligenc…
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In this episode, Ricardo discusses how to handle stalled negotiations, using the U.S.–China trade tensions as a case study. He highlights that project managers often face deadlocks not due to unsolvable problems, but due to repeated arguments. Instead of pushing harder, Ricardo suggests pausing, reframing the issue, and focusing on interests rather…
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Five Project Tips to Navigate Trade Tariffs and Uncertainty
8:53
8:53
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In this episode, Ricardo discusses the impact of tariffs and global trade tensions on project management. He shares five practical tips: (1) Review international dependencies to assess risks to cost and timelines; (2) Diversify suppliers to reduce vulnerability to specific countries; (3) Update risk analysis to include political and economic uncert…
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My #1 Tip to Spot a Troubled Project Before It's Too Late
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5:54
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In this episode, Ricardo emphasizes the importance of monitoring corporate support in projects. Projects often start with enthusiasm, but as challenges arise, support may wane. Ignoring this decline can lead to failure. Ricardo advises openly addressing the issue with stakeholders, even if it's uncomfortable. Recognizing when support is lost allows…
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How Vibe Coding Will Completely Transform Project Management in Software Development
6:21
6:21
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In this episode, Ricardo discusses the impact of Vibe Coding, an approach where generative AI writes code based on natural language commands. He highlights that this technology could revolutionize software project management, making traditional planning less relevant. With faster execution and instant corrections, the need for documents and process…
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Quantum Computer, Privacy, Biotech Projects, LLM and AGI: The Future Ahead of Us at SXSW 2025 in Austin Part 2/2
9:51
9:51
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In this second episode of the SXSW series, Ricardo shares insights from South by Southwest, highlighting three major trends: (1) the evolution of artificial intelligence, with adaptive models learning in real-time and energy consumption challenges; (2) advances in biotechnology, including projects to resurrect extinct species; and (3) the impact of…
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Biological Computers, AGI, Living Intelligence: The Future Ahead of Us at SXSW 2025 in Austin
8:48
8:48
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Ricardo recorded this special 5 Minutes Podcast from SXSW in Austin, Texas, where he explores AI and technology trends in project management. Key insights include small language models optimized for specific tasks, biotech integrating neuron cells into computing, AI’s influence on human behavior, and vibe coding, which allows users to build softwar…
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Stop Complaining About Your Project: Less Whining, More Winning
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5:36
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In this episode, Ricardo discusses excessive complaining in project management, explaining that it hinders progress. He highlights the need to shift from frustration to action and shares three strategies: Reverse Standups, The Two-Minute Rule, and No-Blame Hackathons. He emphasizes that projects are inherently difficult, requiring methodologies and…
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In this episode, Ricardo discusses the importance of effective feedback in project management, emphasizing that poor feedback can be harmful. He highlights common mistakes like vague, generic, or poorly timed feedback. Ricardo advocates for the SBI technique (Situation, Behavior, Impact) to provide clear and constructive feedback, focusing on the s…
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Managing Projects in Chaos: 5 Practical Tips for Project Leaders
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5:10
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In this episode, Ricardo discusses how to manage projects in chaos, inspired by a conversation with Oleg Konovalov. He highlights how noise distorts reality, making it crucial to see beyond immediate challenges. To navigate the chaos, he shares four key tips: 1) Embrace uncertainty, 2) Prioritize ruthlessly, 3) Stay agile, 4) Overcommunicate, and 5…
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"They Didn't Know We Were Seeds" Tres Generacíones/Three Voices Live
1:10:00
1:10:00
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"They Didn't Know We Were Seeds" is a powerful episode from the RAMA Blueprints Live podcast, "Tres Generaciones/Three Voices." Recorded on February 27th, 2025 at Brava Women for the Arts in San Francisco, this discussion delves into resilience and nonprofit sustainability in challenging times. Host Socorro Gamboa leads a conversation with executiv…
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Why Project Sponsorship is One of The TOP Reasons for Project Failure
5:05
5:05
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In this podcast, Ricardo discusses how many project failures are due not to technical issues, budgets, or deadlines but to weak project sponsorship. A senior sponsor is not enough if they are disengaged or unaware of the project’s progress. Sponsors are crucial to solving complex problems and providing executive support. Changes in sponsorship ofte…
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Using What-if Analysis to Manage Projects in Extremely Volatile Scenarios
6:57
6:57
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In this podcast, Ricardo talks about the importance of what-if analysis in navigating volatile scenarios, such as geopolitical changes or unexpected project disruptions. By anticipating potential challenges—like new taxes, supply chain issues, or key team members leaving—project managers can develop contingency plans to adapt quickly. Ricardo highl…
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