Episode 244: Thriving as a Platform Product Manager

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1. 

   E249 · 1 Oct 2025 · 44 min

   Episode 249: Moving Beyond Function in Product Management with Nesrine Changuel

   In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri welcomes Nesrine Changuel, a seasoned product coach, trainer, and author, known for her work at Google, Spotify, and Microsoft. Nesrine shares her journey and insights into creating products that users truly love by focusing on emotional connections and the concept of "Product Delight” - the name of her recently launched book. She discusses how understanding both functional and emotional user motivators is crucial in designing tech products that stand out and are memorable. Throughout the conversation, Nesrine explores the…

2. 

   E248 · 26 Sep 2025 · 14 min

   Episode 248: Escaping the Reactive Trap in Product Teams

   How can a product manager handle a backlog of unanswered customer support tickets and enhancement requests while transitioning to a more strategic approach? Addressing a backlog of customer requests requires strategic thinking rather than reactive responses. To manage this, categorize requests into buckets, establish communication rhythms for backlog reviews, and reset stakeholder expectations. Focus on quick wins to build credibility, engage with stakeholders collaboratively, and protect time for strategic discovery. Ultimately, create a framework for product strategy to prioritize feature…

3. 

   E247 · 24 Sep 2025 · 55 min

   Episode 247: Freeing Teams from Operational Overload with John Cutler

   In this episode, Melissa Perri is joined by John Cutler to explore the often overlooked yet crucial role of product operations in driving organizational success. They dive into the balancing act between having the right people and the right processes, emphasizing how both are essential in managing complexity and fostering innovation. The conversation takes a deep dive into strategic planning, discussing flexible frameworks and the balance between simplification and nuance. They also touch upon the potential impact of AI in product operations, addressing the opportunities and challenges it…

4. 

   E246 · 19 Sep 2025 · 7 min

   Episode 246: Rethinking the Role of R&D

   How can a company successfully integrate an R&D department that primarily works with academia within a product management model that emphasizes engineering, design, and business? The discussion emphasizes the role of R&D in product management, questioning its necessity when engineering teams are empowered. R&D can serve as content or market experts but may become disconnected from customer value if not integrated properly. It's important to align R&D efforts with customer needs and business value, especially considering the size of the company and available resources. Episode resources:…

5. 

   E245 · 17 Sep 2025 · 37 min

   Episode 245: Building Product Thinking in Engineering Teams with Matt Watson

   Join Melissa Perri as she sits down with Matt Watson, founder and CEO of Full Scale, to delve into the evolving world of product management and software development. In this insightful conversation, Matt shares his journey from developer to CEO, offering lessons on how to blend engineering expertise with product thinking. Discover how Matt encourages a culture of ownership and courage among teams, and how AI is reshaping the roles of engineers and product managers alike. If you're interested in enhancing your product management skills and understanding the importance of clarity,…

6. 

   E243 · 10 Sep 2025 · 33 min

   Episode 243: Embracing Visual Collaboration in the Age of AI with Elaina O’Mahoney

   In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Melissa Perri sits down with Elaina O'Mahoney, the Chief Product Officer at Mural, to explore the evolving landscape of product operations, the strategic use of AI, and the essential collaboration between product and go-to-market teams. Elaina shares her insights into how organizations can streamline their product operations and effectively integrate AI to enhance user experience without losing the human touch. She also delves into the dynamics of working with go-to-market teams to ensure products are aligned with market needs from the outset.…

7. 

   E242 · 5 Sep 2025 · 10 min

   Episode 242: Why Context Switching Slows You Down

   What advice do you have for a situation where multiple product managers are accessing the same developer team, potentially slowing down delivery? Navigating multiple product managers sharing the same development team can lead to inefficiencies and context switching, which negatively impacts productivity. It's crucial to have dedicated developers for specific areas to improve ownership and accountability. The typical ratio of product managers to developers should be reconsidered, and if the workload is too high, hiring more developers may be necessary. Tracking productivity metrics and…

8. 

   E241 · 3 Sep 2025 · 38 min

   Episode 241: Mastering AI Strategy in Enterprise Teams with Maryam Ashoori

   In this episode of the Product Thinking Podcast, Dr. Maryam Ashoori joins Melissa Perri to explore the transformative impact of AI on product management. Maryam shares her insights into how AI is reshaping roles within the industry, particularly the evolving relationship between product managers and engineers. With AI increasingly influencing design processes, she discusses the shift from traditional UI building to prompt definition. The conversation also delves into the distinct capabilities of AI agents compared to generative AI, highlighting their potential for reasoning and task…

9. 

   E240 · 29 Aug 2025 · 14 min

   Episode 240: Mastering Product Craft as a New VP

   What advice can a new VP of product, with extensive industry experience but limited product management experience, receive to succeed in their role? Advice for a new VP of product with industry experience but limited product management knowledge includes understanding product management as a craft, learning key concepts and methodologies, and leveraging industry expertise to empathize with customers. It's essential to establish a collaborative environment with product managers, focus on defining problems rather than solutions, and continuously engage with users to inform product strategy.…

10. 

    E239 · 27 Aug 2025 · 38 min

    Episode 239: Navigating the AI Shift at Stack Overflow with Jody Bailey

    Jody Bailey, the Chief Product and Technology Officer at Stack Overflow, joins Melissa Perri to discuss the integration of AI and product strategy in one of the world’s largest online communities for technologists. Jody shares insights on how Stack Overflow is navigating the rapid technological advancements and adapting to maintain long-term trust within its community. They delve into the challenges and opportunities AI presents and how it influences product management at Stack Overflow. Curious about how AI is reshaping the product landscape and how Stack Overflow is positioning itself in…