Practical Product Management

In 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 hopeful reminder: if your life doesn’t feel the way you want it to, you get to choose again. Key Takeaways 1. You Are the CEO of Your Life - You choose who gets a seat on your personal board of directors...and your job, your boss, and your company don’t get a vote. The people who guide you should care about your joy, humanity, and long-term well-being, not your output.  2. Courage + Clarity Are Non-Negotiable - Whether it’s prioritization, layoffs, financial decisions, or leadership accountability, most organizational pain stems from avoiding the hard conversations. Teams need spine, honesty, and transparency to make real progress.  3. Humanity vs Frameworks - No org chart, process, or framework can fix a team that’s running on fear. Creativity and problem-solving only happen when people feel safe, trusted, and able to tell the truth. Product is fundamentally human work and leaders must “human” before anything else.

In 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 Takeaways 1. Burnout Is Data, Not Drama When energy fades or creativity dips, it’s not failure — it’s a signal worth paying attention to. 2. People Build Software — Communication Is the Real Glue Most product challenges stem from communication breakdowns, not technical ones. Trust and clarity are foundational. 3. Curiosity + Courage > Predictability + Roadmaps Experimentation, iteration, and informed risk-taking are essential — not chaotic — parts of modern product craft.

In 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 of the season, Leah and Marilyn reflect on the themes that have stayed with them: focus over frenzy, context over theory, and the courage to do less but do it better. Key Takeaways Context is EverythingProduct theory only matters when it meets reality. Success comes from understanding your environment — and adapting accordingly. Focus Over FrenzyIn an AI-driven world, clarity beats speed. Being essential in the moments that matter is more powerful than doing more, faster. Practice Like You PlayLeadership is a daily practice. Show up, even when it’s messy. Repetition builds confidence and muscle memory for when it counts. Do Less, BetterImpact matters more than activity. Prioritize the work that truly moves your product — and your people — forward.

In 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 in game culture to the importance of making failure fun. Whether you’re building software or skate parks, this episode is a reminder that great design — like great leadership — is about creating spaces where people feel seen, confident, and free to explore. Key Takeaways 1. Design Is More Than Pixels — It’s About Human Connection. Great design balances usability, emotion, and purpose. Sunny emphasizes that creating for humans means understanding both what they say and how they actually behave. 2. Make Failure Fun - From learning new tricks in Skate to building new products, progress comes through iteration. Embrace experimentation and treat failure as part of play, not proof of defeat. 3. Diversity Makes Better Products — and Communities. “Games look like the people who make them.” Diverse creators lead to richer, more inclusive experiences. Representation isn’t just ethical — it’s essential for designing products that truly connect.

In 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 vulnerability to balancing open debate with decisive action, this episode explores how mastering the basics and leading with courage can transform teams, culture, and products alike. Key Takeaways 1. Master the Fundamentals — and the Words You Choose Matter. Great product work starts with writing a precise problem statement and choosing the right success metrics. One misplaced word can send a team in the wrong direction. 2. Bravery is a Core Product Skill. Whether it’s voicing dissent, standing behind a decision, or leading culture change, bravery shows up at every level of product work — from junior PMs to execs. 3. Build Trust Through Vulnerability and Debate. Encourage disagreement, listen deeply, and be transparent — but also know when the debate is over. Leadership is about hearing others, making the call, and moving forward together.

In 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 product skills. Key Takeaways Curiosity over credibility: Asking the “stupid” questions is often how you uncover blind spots, learn fast, and earn trust. Empathy into action: Observing real users and solving their core problems matters more than shipping flashy features. Adaptability is leadership: Whether managing teams or parenting, effective product leaders flex their style to the audience and context.

In 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 a lively and unfiltered look at what it truly means to “fuck around and find out” in product development. Key Takeaways Iteration is about learning, not perfection – moving fast matters less than learning fast, and that requires comfort with uncertainty. Courage and trust are critical – organizations often get stuck not because the data isn’t there, but because leaders lack the courage to pivot or empower teams. MVPs are often meaningless – reframing them as learning vehicles (or prototypes) keeps teams focused on outcomes instead of excuses.

In 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 Takeaways B2B decisions are complex and committee-driven — success means understanding multiple perspectives (engineers, CEOs, finance, InfoSec) and tailoring your approach accordingly. Surveys often mislead — synthetic personas and data can support you, but nothing replaces real conversations with customers in context. Respect the problem, not just the solution — product managers must look beyond what customers ask for, uncover the root issue, and bring all stakeholders’ voices into the room.

In 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 Takeaways Ambition 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 requires intentional boundaries and self-awareness — and sometimes the courage to walk away. Leaders set the tone. Your energy impacts your team; burnout in leadership can ripple outward in ways you might not realize until later.

In 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 inclusive teams that surface better ideas. Key Takeaways 1.Introverts can be exceptional leaders—but the workplace must create space for them. Leaders don’t have to be loud. Influence often grows from reflection, calm, and clarity. 2. Customer success and product must partner—not compete—for priority. When enterprise customers make asks, product teams must balance strategic focus with relationship value. 3. Scaling a product doesn’t mean scaling chaos. Greg breaks down how enduring product-market fit, clarity of purpose, and good customer success can drive scale without losing your soul.

In 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 teams. Key Takeaways Trust is built through context and transparency. Frame your questions, share your intent, and give people space to bring their expertise to the table. Iteration isn’t just “breaking things into smaller pieces.” It’s about delivering real value sooner—and requires collaboration between product and engineering on how to slice the work. Stay in your lane—but know when to blur the lines. PMs shouldn’t be committing code, and engineers shouldn’t be solving business problems in isolation. Collaboration thrives when everyone plays their part—while staying connected to the whole.

In 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 Takeaways Self-Knowledge Is a Leadership Advantage Understanding your own behavioral style—how you communicate, process, and respond—helps you lead with clarity and consistency. Shared Language Builds Stronger Teams Behavioral tools can give product and engineering teams a shared framework for understanding one another and reducing friction. Good Leaders Ask Curious Questions Ryan emphasizes the importance of inquiry over certainty, especially in roles that span strategy, innovation, and cross-functional leadership.

In 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, and the love of building things that matter—with the people who matter. Key Takeaways There’s Power in Sticking With It Many women leave tech mid-career—and product leadership can be lonely. This podcast started as a way for two friends to stay connected and talk about real problems. A year later, it’s still about that (and it still matters). Frameworks Don’t Build Products—People Do Marilyn and Leah have worked across industries, teams, and countries—and the lesson is always the same: theory is great, but nothing replaces curiosity, experimentation, and showing up with integrity. Product Work Is Changing—And It Should From the AI hype cycle to shifting DEI conversations to the breakdown of “growth” as a silo, the future of product management demands new thinking. Real innovation will come from those brave enough to question how things have always been done.

In 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 it’s so common among product leaders, and what it actually looks like to lead with intention instead of exhaustion. Warm, thoughtful, and full of real-world wisdom, this episode is a must-listen for anyone building teams, navigating career growth, or trying to be a better human at work. Key Takeaways Mentorship and Sponsorship Are Not the Same - Mentorship is guidance. Sponsorship is action. Steve shares how real career growth often hinges on having someone who will speak your name when you’re not in the room—and how to pay that forward. Feedback Is a Gift (If You Give It That Way) - Great product leaders give clear, kind feedback—even when it’s hard. Steve talks about how honest coaching can unlock growth and how teams thrive when trust runs both ways. Your Team Doesn't Need a Superhero, They Need a Human - Burnout happens when leaders confuse value with volume. Steve reminds us that showing up with curiosity, presence, and vulnerability is far more powerful than working 80-hour weeks. Leave your comments or show ideas here...or go to our website at practicalpmpodcast.com

In 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 lasting results. The conversation is full of warmth, humor, and sharp insights—plus practical advice on managing conflict, building cross-functional alignment, and knowing when (and when not) to raise your hand. Key Takeaways 1. Rigor Isn’t a Buzzword—It’s a Commitment Everyone wants to “build like Amazon” until they realize how much discipline and accountability that really requires. Geno reminds us that frameworks don’t fix culture. Rigor does. 2. Clarity Beats Complexity Complex systems are solvable. Complicated BS is not. Geno breaks down how asking simple (and persistent) questions exposes misalignment—and builds shared understanding. 3. You Were Hired for a Reason—Act Like It One of Geno’s most famous pieces of advice? Don’t raise your hand too early. You don’t need to prove your worth by doing everything. Wait until you know how to win, then go all in. Leave comments here or visit the "Ask Us" page on PracticalPMPodcast.com

In 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 ultimate product skill. Key Takeaways Immersive Product Management Starts with Embodied UX: AR/VR product work requires a new lens on design—where the user is not just clicking, but moving, reacting, feeling. Body awareness, presence, and perception are central to experience design. VR is Transforming Training in High-Risk Environments: Whether it’s heart surgery, law enforcement, or ladder safety, Brad explains how immersive simulations allow users to train safely, gain confidence, and even experience emotional responses—without real-world risk. Product Work is Still Psychology Work: Rage clicks, cognitive overload, user panic—it’s all part of how people interact with products. Whether you’re building for AR or apps, understanding the chemical and emotional experience of your user is essential. AI Is a Creative Partner (and a Wacky One): Brad’s foray into AI filmmaking reveals the promise (and weirdness) of generative tools. Prompts become spells. Models argue about frogs with beards. And yet, the output—done well—is pure magic. Leave us a comment here or visit practicalpmpodcast.com for more ways to connect.

In 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 life-long value of learning how to negotiate effectively. This episode is packed with insights for product managers, fintech professionals, and women navigating leadership in the tech industry. Key Takeaways Product Management Doesn’t Have One Path - Jen’s journey from accounting to tech to product shows that many PMs don’t start out with the title—and that’s okay. What matters is curiosity, learning in context, and growing with mentors (and sometimes, friends). Domain Expertise is a Superpower - Jen's deep knowledge of payments has helped her build trust across partnerships, legal, and product teams. T-shaped skills are important—but that deep vertical knowledge can be your differentiator. Global Products Need Local Wisdom - What works in one market can backfire in another. The team shares stories from launching payments in Turkey, Germany, and India—where even removing friction can reduce trust. Negotiation is a Life Skill, Not Just a Job Skill - From moving countries to vendor contracts, the team discusses how to ask for what you need, build win-win outcomes, and develop a negotiation muscle—especially as women in tech. Keywords: product management, global payments, fintech, negotiation, women in tech, mentorship, localization, partnerships, tech careers, product leadership Share questions here or go to our website for more: practicalpmpodcast.com

In this episode of Practical Product Management, Leah and Marilyn sit down with Sam Zebarjadi, a product leader with deep experience at the intersection of healthcare, tech, and regulation—including roles at Amazon, Moderna, and multiple startups. Together, they dig into what it means to drive innovation in highly regulated industries, the power of “dumb” questions, and how to partner with compliance and legal to build great (and safe) products. Sam also shares what makes a great PM today—and why staying practical, curious, and adaptable is more important than ever. Key Takeaways 1. Regulation Isn’t the Enemy of Innovation - Sam flips the script on the typical tech vs. regulation narrative. Instead of viewing regulation as a blocker, the best product teams use it as a framework that forces better, more sustainable innovation. 2. Ask Better Questions—Especially the Dumb Ones “Help me understand why…” can be the most powerful phrase in a PM’s toolbox. Dumb questions often reveal flawed assumptions or outdated procedures that are ripe for change. 3. Tech Should Fade Into the Background - In healthcare and fintech, user delight isn’t about flash—it's about making tech disappear so patients, providers, and users can do what they need to do. Familiarity and trust matter more than novelty. 4. Great PMs Are Translators and Empaths - Sam reminds us that PMs succeed when they deeply understand their customers, collaborate across domains, and sit in the hard stuff—whether it’s a compliance meeting or a 2am production outage. Leave us comments here or check out our website at practicalpmpodcast.com

In this episode of Practical Product Management, Leah and Marilyn are joined by Rob Monroe, to explore the real-world complexity of product management in high-stakes environments like GovTech. Rob shares how he has built outcome-driven product practices across defense, finance, and internal systems by shifting the focus from flashy features to mission-critical impact. Together, they discuss the tension between output and outcome, how to lead transformation without ego, and what it means to help users and teams unlearn old patterns in order to adopt better ways of working. With deep insights into leadership, systems thinking, and practical experimentation, Rob challenges product managers to focus on what really matters. These include behavioral change, continuous delivery, and aligning product work with the actual mission, whether you're building a military system or an internal analytics tool. Key Takeaways: 1. Start with the first experiment by shipping something safely to production. In any organization, establishing a working path to production, even for a low-risk "Hello World" app, is essential for building trust and laying the foundation for continuous delivery. 2. Behavior change is the real outcome. Features alone do not equal success. True impact comes from changing user behavior, team habits, or decision-making processes in ways that align with strategic goals. 3. Context matters more than frameworks. There is no one-size-fits-all playbook. Effective product managers adapt their language, tools, and measurement to fit the risk profile, industry, and cultural environment they are working within. Check out the resource guide on practicalpmpodcast.com for a list of all the books Rob mentions.

In this episode of Practical Product Management, Leah and Marilyn sit down with accessibility pioneer Mike Paciello to discuss how accessibility is evolving beyond compliance—and why product managers need to think bigger. For too long, accessibility has been treated as a checkbox, driven by legal requirements rather than user needs. But with the rise of AI, automation, and personalization, the possibilities are expanding. Mike shares how AI agents could reshape assistive technology, why accessibility should be woven into product strategy rather than treated as a last-minute fix, and how the best user experiences adapt to individuals instead of forcing users to conform. Throughout the conversation, Leah and Marilyn explore practical steps that product managers can take to make accessibility a competitive advantage rather than just a legal obligation. Key Takeaways: 1. Accessibility is a Personalization Challenge, Not a Compliance Burden. The best products don’t just check the boxes—they adapt to the user. AI and automation are making it possible to create truly personalized digital experiences that work for all users, not just those who fit traditional design molds. 2. AI Agents Could Revolutionize Assistive Technology. We’re on the brink of a shift where AI-powered interfaces will interpret needs in real-time, eliminating the need for users to adapt to rigid digital experiences. Instead, products will adjust themselves to the user’s abilities and preferences. 3. Product Managers Need to Own Accessibility as Part of Strategy. The industry has been stuck in a compliance-first mindset, but serving a broader audience is a business advantage, not just a legal requirement. PMs who invest in accessibility will unlock new markets and opportunities instead of just avoiding lawsuits. Leave us comments here or go to our website Ask Us Page for comments, questions or show suggestions. practicalpmpodcast.com