Christian sits down with Shreyas Doshi to discuss product leadership. Shreyas has led teams at Stripe, Twitter, Google, and Yahoo, and he has coached 100s of founders and product executives across the industry. Learn why most product problems are product leadership problems, and how to hire the right product leader for your company stage.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
Why nearly every product problem is a product leadership problem
The essence of great product leadership
3 archetypal leadership styles—and how to spot them
The key questions to ask before hiring a product leader
How to hire the right product leader for your company stage
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References:
3 types of product leaders: https://coda.io/@shreyas/3-product-leader-archetypes
The MSN exercise for hiring: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shreyasdoshi_a-job-description-jd-is-the-first-thing-activity-7058964842530934784-4H8F/
SVPG articles on product leadership: https://www.svpg.com/insights/product-leadership-articles/
Switching from creating to editing products: https://x.com/shreyas/status/1284499367383035904
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Shreyas Doshi:
X/Twitter: https://x.com/shreyas
Shreyas’ Product Sense Course (for founders & product leaders): https://maven.com/shreyas-doshi/product-sense
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Episode intro
(00:20) Shreyas’ product leadership philosophy
(07:37) Defining the product leader role
(12:46) Step #1 before hiring a product leader
(15:55) The most important consideration when hiring product leaders
(17:33) A common failure pattern in product leadership hiring
(19:53) The 3 archetypal product leadership styles
(25:35) How to uncover someone’s product leadership style
(31:37) The MSN exercise
(37:13) Before hiring a product leader, ask yourself these questions
(40:39) Closing recap
(42:25) Where to find more from SVPG
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production:
Production by supermix.io
Christian sits down with Marty Cagan to decode team topology: one of the most consequential yet misunderstood levers in product organizations. Learn how great leaders design product teams for maximum autonomy, clarity, and customer impact.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
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References:
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Where to find SVPG:
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Marty Cagan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(0:46) What is team topology?
(1:56) Top-down vs. bottom-up approaches
(3:01) Team topology ≠ org structure
(5:26) Optimizing for outcomes vs. throughput
(10:20) 3 signs you have a topology problem
(15:24) Who should own team topology?
(17:17) The surprising value of platform teams
(18:14) How do you define a product?
(20:36) The first step in a topology project
(22:23) The cost of scaling teams
(24:52) What high-performing topology requires
(25:13) Balancing resources and ratios
(32:36) Rolling out team topology changes
(33:34) Dismantling bureaucratic team bloat
(40:42) Addressing legacy teams and bureaucracy
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production:
Production by supermix.io
Christian sits down with Doug Cullen and Thomas Fredell to recount how the trio transformed Merrill Corporation into Datasite. Learn from the real stories, strategies, and tactics that turned a 50y/o company into a modern product model powerhouse.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
The immense benefits of Datasite’s transformation
The kinds of challenges that arise in a transformation process
How to align stakeholders around a transformation
The all-important interpersonal side of successful transformation
Advice for anyone going through a transformation process
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References:
Changing How You Solve Problems: https://www.svpg.com/changing-how-you-solve-problems/
Cloud Foundry: https://www.cloudfoundry.org/
Datasite (Formerly known as Merrill Corporation): https://www.datasite.com/
Digital Transformations: Datasite: https://www.svpg.com/podcasts/digital-transformations-datasite/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
Good to Great by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996
Microservices Architecture Style: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/architecture/guide/architecture-styles/microservices
MongoDB: https://www.mongodb.com/
SVPG’s Transformation Series: https://www.svpg.com/transformation-series/
Transformation Defined: https://www.svpg.com/transformation-defined/
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Doug Cullen:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Thomas Fredell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredell/
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Timestamps: (to be updated)
(00:00) Intro
(01:02) The results of this transformation
(03:21) Why Doug and Thomas joined the company
(07:07) The company before transformation
(12:17) First steps on the transformation journey
(15:11) Near misses on the road to success
(16:37) How do you pitch transformation to a board?
(18:56) Finding the courage to make difficult changes
(20:24) Uniting teams around transformation
(26:51) The importance of building trust
(31:29) Roadbumps on the transformation journey
(37:18) Transforming the tech foundations
(41:01) The importance of real customer discovery
(45:28) Shifting how choices are made
(49:06) Merrill's key transformation outcomes
(50:08) Closing advice for transformations
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian sits down with SVPG founder Marty Cagan to discuss how AI is changing product management. They lay out why the role is becoming more complicated and more important, and they share practical advice for preparing for that future.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
Examples of AI making product management more complicated
How AI impacts different types of product risk
New dynamics between PM, design, and engineering
What to do if you’re on a feature team or lack a strong product leader
How to future-proof your PM role
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Relevant SVPG Content on AI and Product:
A Vision For Product Teams: https://www.svpg.com/a-vision-for-product-teams/
AI Product Management 2 Years In: https://www.svpg.com/ai-product-management-2-years-in/
Coaching AI – The Impact on Product Teams (podcast): https://open.spotify.com/episode/4SEoYfq6w2EbiQ9LUnNWSB?si=4ca3358af34a4c52
Creating Intelligent Products: https://www.svpg.com/creating-intelligent-products/
Disruption and Denial: https://www.svpg.com/disruption-and-denial/
INSPIRED in the Generative AI Era: https://www.svpg.com/inspired-in-the-generative-ai-era/
Product, Design and AI: https://www.svpg.com/product-design-and-ai/
Team Autonomy and AI: https://www.svpg.com/team-autonomy-and-ai/
The Era of the Product Creator: https://www.svpg.com/the-era-of-the-product-creator/
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References:
Coaching Product Sense (podcast): https://open.spotify.com/episode/7xBsFO7zrZPD4Cj0GdgDuA?si=4df04f177f0c4fe8
The Four Big Risks by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/four-big-risks/
Product Risk Taxonomy by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/product-risk-taxonomies/
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s new book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Marty Cagan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:35) Why AI makes PM more important and complicated
(03:50) Feasibility risks in AI products
(06:29) How collaboration with tech leads is changing
(08:16) New dynamics between PM, design, and engineering
(11:08) Emerging design patterns
(13:08) Who owns trust in AI products?
(14:14) Value risk and the AI label rush
(17:26) How to win customers in a crowded market
(20:21) Viability risks
(22:26) Regulatory compliance challenges
(26:00) The skill that future-proofs your PM role
(28:01) How to build product sense without a strong product leader
(29:36) What to do if you’re a PM within a feature team
(31:05) Closing thoughts
(31:44) Where to learn more from SVPG
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian continues his conversation with SVPG partner Chris Jones about widespread product myths. They explain the flawed assumptions behind 5 common myths, and share what effective teams understand and do differently.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
How process-driven discovery can become a crutch
Common mistakes when structuring product teams
The limits of iteration
Why great product teams don’t treat go-to-market as someone else’s job
The truth (and myth) behind the phrase “PMs are the CEO of their product”
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Part 1 of this conversation:
Coaching Product Myths (Part 1): https://youtu.be/ICpaylkLH1k
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References:
CEO of the Product Revisited by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/ceo-product-revisited/
Discovery – Judgement by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/discovery-judgement/
Planning Product Discovery by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/planning-product-discovery/
The Four Big Risks by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/four-big-risks/
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s new book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Chris Jones:
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Timestamps (will be updated)
(00:00) Intro
(00:35) Myth #1: Product discovery will give us the answer
(08:13) Myth #2: We need to iterate solutions until they succeed
(10:17) Myth #3: Product managers need product owner
(17:40) Myth #4: If you build it they will come
(22:06) Myth #5 PMs are the CEO of their product
(26:05) Where to learn more from SVPG
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production:
Production by supermix.io
Christian Idiodi sits down with executive coach and author Kate Leto to discuss how psychological safety drives high-performing product teams. Through concrete examples, they demystify the concept and show how deliberate acts of trust, candor, and shared accountability unlock real-world results.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
What psychological safety is and why it matters
Signs your team does or does not have psychological safety
The relationship between psychological safety, trust, and accountability
Common misconceptions around this topic
Tactical advice for leaders and team members
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References:
Emotional Self Control Probably Doesn’t Mean What You Think: https://www.kateleto.com/articles/emotional-self-control-probably-doesnt-mean-what-you-think-but-its-an-essential-skill-for-leaders
Google’s Project Aristotle: https://psychsafety.com/googles-project-aristotle/
Hiring Product Managers: Using Product EQ to Go Beyond Culture and Skills: https://www.amazon.com/Hiring-Product-Managers-beyond-culture/dp/B09RFYCGL9
Self-Awareness Revisited: https://www.kateleto.com/articles/what-the-heck-is-self-awareness-and-why-should-you-care-part-2
What is Self-Awareness and Why Should You Care? https://www.kateleto.com/articles/what-is-self-awareness
What People Get Wrong About Psychological Safety: https://hbr.org/2025/05/what-people-get-wrong-about-psychological-safety
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s new book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Kate Leto:
Books and insights: https://www.kateleto.com/books-and-insights
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateleto/
Website: https://www.kateleto.com/
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:42) What is psychological safety
(02:11) Why psychological safety matters in work environments
(03:16) How psychological safety enables diverse perspectives
(05:12) Google's research on high-performing teams
(06:13) Differentiating trust from psychological safety
(08:04) Diagnosing the root cause of low psychological safety
(10:48) How leaders can create psychological safety
(13:04) Overcoming the hero complex as a leader
(16:23) How leaders can share ideas without creating directive
(17:31) Achieving psychological safety and accountability
(19:22) Can you have too much psychological safety?
(23:29) How teams can create psychological safety
(27:00) Modeling vulnerability authentically as a leader
(29:27) Closing thoughts and key takeaways
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy,” it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian Idiodi sits down with SVPG partner Jon Moore to coach product visions. They define what product visions are, why they’re important, and practical steps for creating one for your team. Learn how to drive more clarity and direction by harnessing the power of product visions.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
What a product vision is
Examples of great product visions
The ingredients of a great product vision
How to balance inspiration and realism
What to do if your org lacks a product vision or has too many
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SVPG blog posts relating to product visions:
Product Vision Examples: https://www.svpg.com/examples/
Product Vision FAQ: https://www.svpg.com/product-vision-faq/
Product Vision vs. Mission: https://www.svpg.com/product-vision-vs-mission/
The Power of Visiontypes: https://www.svpg.com/the-power-of-visiontypes/
Vision vs. Strategy: https://www.svpg.com/vision-vs-strategy/
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s new book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Jon Moore:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathonmoore/
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:39) What is a product vision?
(05:05) Common misconceptions when it comes to product visions
(08:42) Who should own product vision?
(10:11) Is it okay to have multiple visions?
(12:28) The ingredients of a great product vision
(14:42) Balancing inspiration and realism
(21:49) How to assess the quality of a product vision
(24:31) What to do if your company lacks a vision
(28:18) It's not a vision if no one knows about it
(34:44) Examples of great product visions
(37:20) Resources for getting better at vision
(38:52) Where to learn more from SVPG
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy,” it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian Idiodi sits down with SVPG founder Marty Cagan to explore how AI is changing product teams. They dive into the relevant context from tech history, what they’re seeing in the industry today, and where they think things could go next.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
How AI could slash delivery workload and shrink team headcount
Product skills that are growing in importance
The challenges AI won’t solve
How product management, engineering, and design are changing
Marty’s biggest hopes and concerns for the future
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References:
AI Engineering by Chip Huyen: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/ai-engineering/9781098166298/
The End of Programming as We Know It by Tim O’Reilly: https://www.oreilly.com/radar/the-end-of-programming-as-we-know-it/
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SVPG blog posts on AI and Product:
A Vision For Product Teams by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/a-vision-for-product-teams/
AI Product Management 2 Years In: https://www.svpg.com/ai-product-management-2-years-in/
INSPIRED in the Generative AI Era by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/inspired-in-the-generative-ai-era/
Product, Design and AI by Marty Cagan and Bob Baxley: https://www.svpg.com/product-design-and-ai/
Team Autonomy and AI by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/team-autonomy-and-ai/
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s new book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Marty Cagan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:17) Some caveats
(05:42) How AI will impact product’s four key challenges
(11:36) Discovery vs delivery: How AI flips the balance
(15:03) Why product management will become more difficult and more essential
(20:37) New must-have skills
(25:50) The role of design
(28:37) How AI changes product leadership
(32:07) Remote work: Can AI tools rebuild collaboration & trust?
(37:45) What excites and worries Marty about AI’s impact
(42:28) Direct advice for product leaders
(44:00) Where to learn more from SVPG
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production:
Production by
In this episode, Christian Idiodi welcomes back SVPG partner Martina Lauchengco to coach decision making. They break down what good decision making looks like in empowered teams and common mistakes that hold people back. Learn how to harness data, gut instinct, and contextual information to make better decisions.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
The role of gut instinct
Where AI can and can’t aid decision making
Being data-informed, not data-driven
The shortcomings of decision frameworks
The link between strategy, priorities, and decisions
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References:
Product Sense Demystified by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/product-sense/
Amazon's “Disagree and Commit” principle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtjBkf8qDW4&ab_channel=InsideAmazon
Garbage Can Model: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garbage_can_model
Consensus vs Collaboration by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/consensus-vs-collaboration/
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s new book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Martina Lauchengco:
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:29) What defines a "good decision"?
(05:50) The role of frameworks in decision making
(07:45) Collaboration vs consensus
(15:37) The role of gut feel
(22:04) How to identify dogmatic or stubborn thinking
(25:06) Why you shouldn't delegate decision making to AI
(29:27) The link between strategy, priorities, and decisions
(31:53) Where to learn more from SVPG
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
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Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian Idiodi is joined by SVPG partner Lea Hickman to break down what it really takes for organizations to navigate change effectively. From shifting mindsets to avoiding common leadership traps, this conversation dives into the human side of transformation—and how to lead through it.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
Why change is about mindset not just process
The biggest anti-pattern in change management
How to decide between incremental change and a “big bang” approach
What makes change so hard (and how to make it easier)
The key role of trust, communication, and proving early success
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References:
Start with Why by Simon Sinek: https://www.amazon.com/Start-Why-Leaders-Inspire-Everyone/dp/1591846447
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Lea Hickman:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahickman/
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Timestamps
(00:00) Intro
(00:33) Why change is hard(04:59) The biggest anti-pattern in change management
(06:35) Big bang vs. incremental change
(10:45) Harnessing the "why" behind change
(14:40) How to build a compelling case for change
(17:27) The silent resistance of middle management
(18:41) The power of pilot teams
(22:46) Measuring success of organizational change
(24:56) Advice for individual contributors reacting to change
(28:48) How leaders can catalyze change
(30:09) Outro
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
–
Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian Idiodi sits down with SVPG partner Chris Jones to unpack some of the most misunderstood ideas in product. Learn how to move beyond surface-level thinking and refine the mindsets, dynamics, and team structures required for exceptional product work.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
Why the best product ideas often come from engineers
What people get wrong about the role of design
The hidden cost of hiring for domain expertise
Why product managers shouldn’t give customers exactly what they ask for
What “true collaboration” looks like in great product teams
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References:
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s new book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
–
Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
–
Where to find Chris Jones:
–
Timestamps:
(00:00) Why product managers shouldn’t own the “what” alone
(03:40) True collaboration starts in the “huddle”
(06:08) Why the best product ideas often come from engineers
(07:35) Debunking the “design is downstream” myth
(09:55) Design as a discovery role
(13:07) Why domain expertise can lead to domain dogma
(15:57) Learning the domain on the job
(18:46) Why customers don’t always know what they want
(22:10) Managing feature requests and “specials”
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Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
–
Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian Idiodi sits down with author and leadership coach Kate Leto to explore the power of emotional intelligence (EQ) in product management. They break down the critical human skills that set great product practitioners apart, and share tactics and strategies to develop them.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
The four key competencies of EQ
How high EQ accelerates a product career
Signs of weak EQ
The critical “inner and outer games”
Building EQ using the “self-awareness trilogy”
Why EQ matters more than ever in the age of AI
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References:
Empathy is (an important) Part of Your Job as a Product Leader
Hiring Product Managers: Using EQ to go beyond culture and skill
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s Newest Book: TRANSFORMED
More SVPG Books & Resources: Books | Articles | Workshops | Videos
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Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Kate Leto:
Books & insights: https://www.kateleto.com/books-and-insights
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateleto/
–
Timestamps:
(00:44) The four key competencies of EQ
(04:18) Signs of weak EQ
(08:01) Starting with self-awareness
(10:33) Managing emotions in the workplace
(14:28) The role of empathy in leadership
(17:03) The link between EQ and influence
(21:19) A simple daily reflection tactic
(24:18) How to use “trusted critics” for growth
(25:24) The value of observational feedback
(27:28) Why you need “growth partners”
(29:10) Why high EQ gives you an edge in the AI era
(31:37) Outro
–
Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
–
Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian Idiodi welcomes back Martina Lauchengco, partner at SVPG and author of “Loved”, to explore the realities of startups. They discuss common challenges and key lessons for startup founders, employees, and investors. Whether you're considering launching your own company or evaluating a job opportunity, this episode offers valuable guidance on understanding and navigating startups.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
What startup success requires (far beyond a good idea)
Cultural differences between startups and enterprises
How to tell if you’re truly ready to start a company
How to assess if a startup is worth joining
The pros and cons of startup life
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References:
Costanoa Ventures: https://costanoa.vc/
MARKET Product Fit: Part 2 by Martina Lauchengco and Jim Wilson: https://costanoa.vc/market-product-fit-part-2/
PMF is dead… it’s MARKET Product Fit by Martina Lauchengco and Jim Wilson: https://costanoa.vc/product-market-fit-pmf-is-dead-for-early-stage-startups-its-market-product-fit/
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s new book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
-
Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
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Where to find Martina Lauchengco:
-
Timestamps:
(00:51) Signs you should start your own company
(2:26) A good idea is not enough
(3:44) How to assess if you’re ready to work in startups
(06:31) The extremely high quality bar for new products
(09:44) Some traits of great founders
(12:25) Finding the right co-founder
(14:27) The first steps to take in a startup
(16:48) What startups should focus on
(18:29) What's scary about startups
(20:44) The upsides of startup life
(22:01) What to look for in startup hire #1
(23:13) How to assess if a startup is worth joining
(25:52) Startup culture vs enterprise culture
(27:17) Leading indicators of startup success vs failure
(29:30) Outro
–
Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
–
Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian Idiodi and fellow SVPG partner, Lea Hickman, discuss remote collaboration. They deconstruct the challenges remote work poses and actionable advice for overcoming them.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
Why remote collaboration is hard
Common anti-patterns within remote teams
The value of debate
Why you should turn “self-view” off on video calls
How to prioritize proximity between teams
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References:
Discovery When Working Remotely by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/discovery-when-working-remotely/
-
Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
-
Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
-
Where to find Lea Hickman:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leahickman/
-
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:36) The advantages of co-location
(04:03) Remote vs in-person tradeoffs
(06:33) How to prioritize proximity between teams
(10:22) The trap of false trust when working remotely
(12:14) The problem with collaborating over artifacts
(14:48) What collaboration really means
(16:59) The best collaboration tool
(19:54) The “always on” technique
(25:39) The value of debate within teams
(29:04) Collaborating across roles and functions
(33:02) The relationship between team structure, accountability, and blame games
(35:29) Incentivizing collaboration between leaders
(38:38) Outro
-
Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
-
Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian Idiodi sits down with SVPG founder Marty Cagan to discuss transformation politics. They break down the delicate organizational dynamics that emerge during product transformations, and practical strategies for navigating them.
-
Today’s discussion unpacks:
Common political dynamics within transformations
The critical “results window”
The role of champions and evangelists
How to leverage pilot teams
The behaviors that build vs lose trust
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References:
Pilot Teams by Chris Jones: https://www.svpg.com/pilot-teams/
The CSPO Pathology by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/the-cspo-pathology/
Transformation as a Project by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/transformation-as-a-project/
Transformation Politics by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/transformation-politics/
-
Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
-
Where to find Christian Idiodi:
-
Where to find Marty Cagan:
-
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:32) Why Marty became interested in this topic
(03:34) Common political dynamics within transformations
(05:54) Who you need to win over
(07:22) The power of pilot teams
(14:11) Utilizing champions
(18:08) Framing a transformation effort to the CEO
(25:00) Setting expectations around outcomes
(30:01) Where teams and leaders lose trust
(35:49) Balancing short-term maintenance with longer-term innovation
(38:45) The politics of picking problems
(42:59) Closing thoughts
-
Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
-
Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian Idiodi swaps from interviewer to interviewee. He breaks down his approach to employee onboarding, prompted by fellow SVPG partner, Chris Jones. Learn about the hidden dynamics in every employee onboarding, and Christian’s day-by-day guide for navigating them. Whether you are actively onboarding talent or need to re-onboard existing staff, this episode will help you set your team up for success.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
Why onboarding time is a rare and precious resource
The hidden dynamics in every onboarding
How to enable trust between new and existing team members
A step-by-step guide to a new hire’s first weeks
Christian’s favorite tactics from years of onboardings
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References:
Coaching Tools - The One on One by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/coaching-tools-the-one-on-one/
New Employee Bootcamp by Christian Idiodi: https://www.svpg.com/new-employee-bootcamp/
Social Comparison Theory: https://dictionary.apa.org/social-comparison-theory
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
-
Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
-
Where to find Chris Jones:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisjonessvpg/
-
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:20) Why onboarding matters
(03:13) Trust dynamics with new hires
(06:57) Onboarding starts before day 1
(12:57) Framing onboarding
(18:07) Onboarding in cohorts
(21:44) Creating a safe initial environment
(23:07) Week 1
(25:39) Week 2
(27:58) Onboarding to a remote team
(31:32) Critical onboarding milestones
(35:22) The first paycheck
(39:07) Creating public wins
(41:14) Closing thoughts
-
Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
-
Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian Idiodi sits down with SVPG founder Marty Cagan to discuss founder-style leadership. Building on themes from Paul Graham’s essay “Founder Mode,” Christian and Marty break down what effective product leadership looks like. Anyone can learn these skills through enough effort and care, whether they are a founder or not.
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Today’s discussion unpacks:
Misconceptions about founder-style leadership
Why you can’t be a good manager without being a good coach
The line between founder-style leadership and micromanagement
How to scale product sense
Lessons from Apple, Google and Amazon’s leadership principles
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References:
Amazon’s Leadership Principles: https://www.amazon.jobs/content/en/our-workplace/leadership-principles
Apple’s Leadership Principles: https://www.apple.com/jobs/pdf/HBR_How_Apple_Is_Organized_For_Innovation-4.pdf
Bill Campbell (Executive Coach): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Campbell_(business_executive)
Coaching Founder Mode by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/coaching-founder-mode/
Founder Mode by Paul Graham https://paulgraham.com/foundermode.html
Founder-Style Leadership by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/founder-style-leadership/
Google’s Leadership Principles: https://www.geeknack.com/2020/07/31/google-leadership-principles-at-a-glance/
Mike Fisher (CEO of MyFitnessPal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-fisher-3317a8/
Pilot Teams by Chris Jones: https://www.svpg.com/pilot-teams/
Product Sense Demystified by Marty Cagan: https://www.svpg.com/product-sense-demystified/
Steve Jobs on Professional Managers (1985): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVKcxK_tVBM&ab_channel=ConsultingComedy
The Coaching Mindset by Chris Jones: https://www.svpg.com/the-coaching-mindset/
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
-
Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
-
Where to find Marty Cagan:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cagan/
-
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(00:44) Initial reactions to "Founder Mode"
(03:46) "Better management" not "less management"
(06:18) Historical examples of founder-style leadership
(10:22) Founder-style leadership in startups
(14:44) Scaling product sense
(23:46) Europe's "People-Only Manager" trend
(26:34) The line between founder-style leadership and micromanagement
(33:00) Shifting a culture toward founder-style leadership
(37:06) Success stories: Apple and Amazon
(40:13) Closing thoughts
-
Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
-
Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian Idiodi and fellow SVPG partner, Chris Jones, discuss time management. Many people in product feel they work long hours yet can’t achieve their goals. They spend so much time in meetings and reacting to what is urgent that they struggle to make space for real product work. These problems can be rooted in team culture or individual skills and habits. Either way, with the right strategies, effective time management is possible.
-
In this discussion we unpack:
Product-specific time management dynamics
How to evaluate where your time really goes
How to avoid the trap of the “urgent”
The link between team culture and time management
Actionable tips for reducing pointless meetings
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References:
Amazon’s 6-page written memos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V32wRmx7kE0&ab_channel=InsideAmazon
Coaching Managing Time: https://www.svpg.com/coaching-managing-time/
Eisenhower Matrix (urgency and importance): https://www.eisenhower.me/eisenhower-matrix/
Parkinson’s Law: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkinson%27s_law
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Where to find SVPG:
SVPG’s newest book, TRANSFORMED: https://www.svpg.com/books/transformed-moving-to-the-product-operating-model/
Other books: https://www.svpg.com/books/
Articles: https://www.svpg.com/articles/
Workshops: https://www.svpg.com/
Videos: https://www.svpg.com/videos/
-
Where to find Christian Idiodi:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cidiodi/
-
Where to find Chris Jones:
-
Timestamps:
(02:22) The Eisenhower Matrix
(05:14) The link between team culture and time management
(06:47) Causes and solutions for "too many meetings"
(14:21) The Pie Chart Exercise
(17:39) Seven tips for better meetings
(21:12) The four types of meetings
(27:10) Making time for discovery work
(30:47) Closing thoughts
-
Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
-
Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian Idiodi and fellow SVPG partner, Martina Lauchengco, discuss product marketing. Martina is a leading mind on the subject and the author of “Loved: How to Rethink Marketing for Tech Products.” Learn what product marketing is, how it fits with other functions, and why it ultimately matters.
-
In this discussion we unpack:
-
References:
-
Where to find SVPG:
-
Where to find Christian Idiodi:
-
Where to find Martina Lauchengco:
-
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Intro
[00:01:37] Product marketing 101
[00:03:24] Which companies need product marketing?
[00:07:30] Structuring product marketing
[00:09:40] How product marketing differs from traditional marketing and sales
[00:10:28] An example of successful product marketing
[00:14:46] Healthy collaboration between product marketing and product management
[00:18:57] How to do product marketing without product marketers
[00:20:52] Making the case for product marketing at your company
[00:24:03] Outro
-
Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
-
Production:
Production by supermix.io
In this episode, Christian Idiodi and fellow SVPG partner, Jon Moore, coach product career advice. In recent years, the level of interest, formality and resourcing around product careers has grown significantly. But there are still many misconceptions about the nature of the discipline, how to break into it, and how to progress in the field. Hear Christian and Jon’s candid thoughts on the different resources available, as well as practical advice for entering product and developing your career.
–
In this discussion we unpack:
–
References:
–
Where to find SVPG:
–
Where to find Christian Idiodi:
–
Where to find Jon Moore:
–
Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro
(01:22) Jon's journey into product
(04:26) Common paths to becoming great at product
(08:50) Advice for people interested in a product career
(11:10) Are formal courses valuable?
(15:29) How John assesses early-career PMs
(17:52) The importance of "human skills”
(24:04) Make a product vision for your product career
(28:48) The importance of humility and patience
(32:18) What people forget about product roles
(36:34) Outro
–
Disclaimer:
While this podcast is named “Product Therapy”, it is not hosted by licensed therapists or mental health professionals, and it is in no way a substitute for professional mental health services. We recognize the importance of mental well-being and encourage anyone facing personal difficulties to seek support from qualified professionals. See https://findahelpline.com/
–
Production:
Production by supermix.io
