Stay Ahead with Daily Product Management & Growth Insights
- by Teresa TorresListen to this episode on: Spotify | Apple PodcastsWe built the internet. We championed social media. We're now building AI. But what if, looking back, we made things worse?In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, Teresa and Petra wrestle with a question that's hard to ask
- by Teresa TorresAudio Version ($)Every morning I wake up and Claude has already added several tasks to my to-do list.If I have a podcast recording on the calendar, my podcast-manager agent (powered by Claude) prepares a podcast-interview-prep task with a summary of who I'm interviewing and what they are
- by Teresa TorresListen to this episode on: Spotify | Apple PodcastsWhat happens when a product leader accidentally becomes an AI engineer? In this episode, Teresa Torres shares how she went from occasional tinkerer to spending 60% of her time doing real engineering work — building AI-powered tools for continuous discovery, forming a
- by Teresa TorresI have two events I want to share with you.We will be doing another round of Claude Code: Show and Tell on May 26th at 9am PDT. These events are super fun. We take turns sharing our favorite Claude Code workflows with each other. Invites will go out to
- by Teresa TorresListen to this episode on: Spotify | Apple PodcastsOnly 10% of the plastic we manufacture gets recycled. We've been trying to solve this for a hundred years using the same mechanical and chemical tools that created the problem. What if biology—specifically, engineered enzymes—is the
- by Teresa TorresAudio Version ($)I just finished an all-out engineering sprint. That sounds weird to me.I've been writing code on and off for several years. But I wouldn't call myself an engineer. I'm a product manager. And I used to be a designer. It'
- by Teresa TorresListen to this episode on: Spotify | Apple PodcastsIs the "product builder" trend the future of product management—or just the latest thing everyone thinks you should be doing?In this episode, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres push back on the hype. They dig into whether product
- by Teresa TorresListen to this episode on: Spotify | Apple PodcastsIs "taste" the must-have skill of the AI era — or just the latest tech buzzword? In this episode, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres unpack the growing hype around taste as a differentiating human trait in a world where AI
- by Teresa TorresContinuous Discovery Habits turns five this year. And to celebrate we are reading the book together.Each month, I am releasing an in-depth reading guide that includes:The chapters we will be readingA preview of the most important concepts we'll be learning aboutShort videos you can
- by Teresa TorresListen to this episode on: Spotify | Apple PodcastsWhat does it take to build an AI that can take a food order over WhatsApp — correctly, every time, fast enough that customers can't tell it's not a person? That's the core challenge Santi Marchiori
- by Teresa TorresListen to this episode on: Spotify | Apple PodcastsWhen things feel uncertain, many companies default to command-and-control leadership. It feels faster, safer, and more decisive. But is it actually effective?In this episode, Teresa Torres and Petra Wille unpack the real role of command and control in modern product organizations.
- by Teresa TorresListen to this episode on: Spotify | Apple PodcastsAI headlines are everywhere—and many claim they know exactly what’s coming next.In this episode, Teresa Torres and Petra Wille push back on that certainty. They explain why people are bad at predicting the future and why betting
- by Teresa TorresListen to this episode on: Spotify | Apple PodcastsHow do you turn a rambling stream of consciousness into a clean task list — while the person is still talking? That's the core challenge Doist solved with Ramble, a voice-to-task feature inside Todoist that uses live audio AI to
- by Teresa TorresAudio Version ($)I've been hosting Claude Code office hours for the past few months and by far the most common questions I get are around sharing context and skills.I'm hearing from a lot of people who are leading AI adoption in their companies. They'
- by Teresa TorresListen to this episode on: Spotify | Apple PodcastsAs AI makes it easier than ever to generate ideas and build products, some people are asking: Do we still need product managers?In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres argue that the real work of product
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- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode of Practical Product Management, hosts Leah Farmer and Marilyn McDonald sit down with Ryan Dew, CPO at Thredd, a global issuing processor based in London, to explore what innovation really means when you're operating at the foundation of the payments ecosystem.Ryan explains how Thredd approaches innovation as a "slow burn" in a heavily regulated industry — building guardrails first, earning trust before shipping features, and letting their fintech and program manager customers build the flashy user experiences on top. The conversation covers the emergence of trust-as-a-service as a critical pillar for AI and agentic commerce, how the […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode of Practical Product Management, hosts Leah Farmer and Marilyn McDonald sit down with Evan J. Schwartz, Chief Innovation Officer at AMCS Group, to explore what innovation really looks like inside a large, mature SaaS organization.Evan explains how his role works as a separate innovation track — taking high-risk bets on AI and emerging technology, running lean matrixed teams, and handing proven concepts back to the product organization once they've reached critical mass. The conversation covers how to structure innovation without creating resentment among product and engineering teams, the difference between technical innovation and product innovation, and why […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn the Season 3 premiere of Practical Product Management, hosts Leah Farmer and Marilyn McDonald ditch the traditional PM reading list and get personal — sharing the books outside of product management that have most shaped their careers, their leadership, and how they show up as humans at work.From Brené Brown's case for vulnerability and clear communication, to Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication and the surprisingly violent language baked into everyday tech culture, to Susan Cain's exploration of introversion and what it means to make space for quieter voices — the conversation covers a remarkable amount of ground. They also dig […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn the Season 2 finale of Practical Product Management, Leah and Marilyn close the year with an honest and deeply human conversation. They revisit the idea of being the CEO of your own life, choosing who gets a seat at your personal board table, and why your job doesn’t deserve a vote in your identity. They explore the hard parts of product leadership and reflect on the importance of having a strong spine as a team. They also share the joyful, real-life practices that keep them grounded, from baking to moon rituals to community building, ending the season with a […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this second Best Of episode, Leah and Marilyn revisit Episodes 11–20 — a set of conversations that explored burnout as data, the importance of communication, and the courage it takes to build meaningful products. Featuring guests like Charity, Sunny, Greg, Ryan, Steve, and Ali, this collection highlights the deeply human side of product work. It’s a reminder that great product leadership comes from curiosity, clarity, and the willingness to challenge old patterns.Key Takeaways1. Burnout Is Data, Not DramaWhen energy fades or creativity dips, it’s not failure — it’s a signal worth paying attention to.2. People Build Software — Communication […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this special Best Of episode, Leah and Marilyn look back at the first ten episodes of Season 2 — a lively mix of conversations that capture the depth, humor, and humanity of product work. From fractional leadership and accessibility to GovTech, AI, and personal growth, these highlights reveal just how dynamic the product world has become.Featuring guests like Peter Collingridge, Mike Paciello, Rob Monroe, Sam Zebarjadi, Jen Bloom, and more, this compilation explores the edges of product practice — where leadership meets curiosity, where bureaucracy becomes a design challenge, and where learning never stops.As they wrap up this half […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode of Practical Product Management, hosts Leah Farmer and Marilyn McDonald sit down with Sunny Lee, Experience Design Director at EA’s Full Circle Studio, to explore the intersection of design, empathy, and play. Sunny’s career spans from building AAA games at EA Sports to shaping purpose-driven experiences in health tech — and back again to lead design for Skate, EA’s newly relaunched open-world game. She shares how thoughtful design can empower players, foster inclusion, and build real human connection in digital spaces. The conversation moves from the craft of experience design to the ethics of monetization, from diversity […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode of Practical Product Management, hosts Leah Farmer and Marilyn McDonald are joined by Steve Brieloff, a seasoned product leader from Expedia Group, for a conversation about what truly defines great product management. Steve shares insights from his years leading teams across Expedia’s product suite, highlighting how getting the fundamentals right—from crafting precise problem statements to choosing meaningful success metrics—sets the foundation for success. The trio dives deep into the importance of language, the evolution of confidence and conviction in product decisions, and how bravery shows up at every level of a PM’s career. From building trust through […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode of Practical Product Management, Leah and Marilyn sit down with Ali Rakhimov, Senior Product Leader, fintech founder, and author of Make Pigs Fly. Ali shares his unconventional path into product management as a self-taught immigrant, the lessons learned from scaling fintech for underserved schools, and leading $10M+ initiatives at Macy’s and T-Mobile. The conversation ranges from the value of asking “stupid” questions in technical meetings, to translating empathy into reliable systems, to the balance between directness and tact in communication. Ali also draws parallels between raising four kids and managing teams—emphasizing adaptability, humility, and listening as core […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode of Practical Product Management, hosts Leah Farmer and Marilyn McDonald welcome back returning guests Alesha Cronie and Geno White for a candid conversation about iteration. Together, they unpack why iteration is more than a process—it’s a mindset centered on learning, courage, and embracing discomfort. The discussion explores the “courage gap” that often holds organizations back, the tension between incentives and innovation, and why MVPs so often miss the mark. The group also debates the evolving balance of product and engineering roles in the age of AI, and the importance of curiosity in solving real customer problems. It’s […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode, Leah and Marilyn sit down with Mike Maynard, Chairman at Napier B2B PR & Marketing, to unpack why B2B is far from boring. Mike shares why complex buying committees make B2B uniquely challenging, how synthetic personas can help but never replace real conversations, and why respect for the problem (not just the proposed solution) is essential. Along the way, they dig into the pitfalls of surveys, the role of product-led growth in long development cycles, and what it takes to move products from “nerds” to “norms.”Key TakeawaysB2B decisions are complex and committee-driven — success means understanding multiple […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this candid conversation, hosts Leah and Marilyn talk with product leader Charity about ambition, burnout, and the elusive art of slowing down. From unexpected career starts to the relentless pursuit of the next goal, they explore how high-achievers push themselves (sometimes too far) and what it takes to recognize when it’s time to rest. The episode offers a mix of personal stories, leadership insights, and practical reflections on sustaining both success and well-being.3 Key TakeawaysAmbition can be double-edged. The same drive that fuels achievement can also lead to exhaustion if left unchecked.Rest rarely happens by accident. True downtime often […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode of Practical Product Management, Leah and Marilyn are joined by Greg Weinger—SVP of Product at SheerID and founder of the Powerful Introvert podcast and newsletter. Greg shares his journey from engineer to product leader, revealing how introversion and deep self-reflection became the unexpected keys to his leadership success. Together, the trio explores what it takes to scale product in growth-stage startups, the push-pull between customer success and product strategy, and how to work with enterprise clients without losing your soul (or your roadmap). They also dive into why companies often overlook quiet leadership and how to build […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode of Practical Product Management, Leah and Marilyn are joined by Alesha Cronie, a seasoned engineering leader with a talent for bringing cross-functional teams into alignment.The trio dives into what true collaboration looks like—beyond roles, titles, or processes. They explore how product managers and engineers can build trust, navigate ambiguity, and influence one another without ego. Alesha shares how she works with strong personalities, deals with vague vision statements, and why transparency and storytelling are essential leadership tools.With laughs, real talk, and some hard-earned lessons, this episode is a must-listen for anyone trying to build better software—and better […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode of Practical Product Management, Marilyn and Leah talk with Ryan Scott, Head of Product: AI and Innovation at DNA Behavior.Ryan shares how learning his own behavioral style has shaped the way he leads, communicates, and builds product strategy. They explore how self-knowledge supports better collaboration, why it’s worth investing in shared language across teams, and how great leaders make space for diverse thinking styles.A thoughtful and practical conversation about the inner work of great product leadership.3 Key TakeawaysSelf-Knowledge Is a Leadership Advantage Understanding your own behavioral style—how you communicate, process, and respond—helps you lead with clarity and […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this special anniversary episode of Practical Product Management, Leah and Marilyn celebrate one year (and 33 episodes!) of no-fluff, real-talk product leadership. They reflect on what it’s taken to stick with the podcast, why they started it in the first place, and what it’s meant to have each other through the ups and downs of careers in tech.They dive into some of their favorite guests and episodes, what makes a conversation great (and what doesn’t), and share honest thoughts about growth, AI, agency waste, and why roadmaps are mostly fiction. At its core, this episode is about friendship, longevity, […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode of Practical Product Management, Marilyn and Leah sit down with newly retired product leader Steve Jasper to explore the human side of product leadership. With decades of experience in payments at companies from startups to Big Tech, Steve brings deep insight into how great leaders grow, not just themselves, but the people around them. This conversation goes beyond frameworks and roadmaps. Marilyn and Leah talk with Steve about the power of mentorship and sponsorship, the art of giving meaningful feedback, and the importance of building trust within teams. They also dig into the realities of burnout, why […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode of Practical Product Management, Marilyn McDonald and Leah Farmer welcome their longtime friend and former colleague Geno White, founder of Dockett Ellis Consulting and a seasoned technology strategist with a career spanning Microsoft, Amazon, Expedia, Moderna, and more. Together, they explore what it means to bring real product leadership into complex environments. Geno shares hard-earned lessons from his years building software systems and leading change at scale: how to cut through misalignment with simple questions, why so many companies misunderstand what it means to be “product-led,” and how to coach executives and teams toward shared understanding and […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode of Practical Product Management, Marilyn and Leah are joined by Brad Jefferson, immersive product leader and filmmaker, to talk about what it really means to build for augmented, virtual, and mixed reality. From medical simulations to interactive storytelling, Brad shares how “immersive product management” expands the way we think about users, environments, emotions, and agency. They explore how AR/VR is reshaping high-stakes industries like healthcare, law enforcement, and manufacturing—and why embodied UX is more than a buzzword. Brad also shares his journey into interactive AI filmmaking, how AI is transforming accessibility, and why storytelling is still the […]
- by Leah Farmer & Marilyn McDonaldIn this episode of Practical Product Management, Marilyn and Leah interview Jen Bloom, a seasoned product leader and fintech expert with a background in global payments, compliance, and partnerships. Jen shares her journey from accounting to product management at Microsoft, Amazon, and Stripe, and how her curiosity and domain expertise helped her thrive in the fast-paced world of tech. They discuss real-world examples of launching products in international markets, including payment localization challenges in Turkey, trust-driven design in Germany, and mobile-first experiences across regions. Jen also opens up about the power of mentorship, women supporting women in tech, and the […]
