Productly Speaking: Real Stories for Product Managers

Product Management Stories by Productly Speaking
  • 5.0 (3)
  • MANAGEMENT

Productly Speaking is a product management podcast featuring product managers and builders telling real product stories. We dive into the human side of product work, exploring lessons learned, challenges faced, and how people actually approach product strategy in the real world.

  1. S4E4: AI, Product Failure, and the Skills PMs Need for What’s Next with Dina Atia

    FEB 10

    S4E4: AI, Product Failure, and the Skills PMs Need for What’s Next with Dina Atia

    AI is transforming the way we work, but building great AI products takes more than hype. In this episode of Productly Speaking, Karl Abbott talks with Dina Atia, an AI Product Manager at Microsoft, about how to navigate the noise and focus on what really matters: solving real user problems. Dina shares practical insights on managing expectations, balancing bold visions with incremental progress, and the skills PMs need to thrive in this fast-moving space. From rapid prototyping to aligning metrics with user value, this conversation is your guide to building smarter AI solutions.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  How to identify real user needs in an era of AI hype  Why managing expectations is a PM superpower  The role of rapid prototyping in shaping better products  How to align evaluation metrics with what truly matters to users  What skills will set PMs apart in the next wave of AI  Key Quotes:  “Not understanding the problem is a huge one… especially in the AI space.”  “AI isn’t thinking. It’s predicting the next word.”  “Bring back engineers being lazy! What is the minimum we can do to solve this problem?”  “Nobody achieves anything significant alone.”  Resources & References:  Gartner Hype Cycle: https://www.gartner.com/en/research/methodologies/gartner-hype-cycle   Freytag’s Pyramid: https://writers.com/freytags-pyramid   Tools mentioned:   GitHub Copilot: https://github.com/features/copilot   Lovable: https://lovable.dev/   V0: https://v0.app/   Cursor: https://cursor.com/   Connect with Dina Atia:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaatia/

    33 min
  2. S4E3: Beyond Dogfooding: Balancing Complexity and Market Insight with Jake Bowen-Bate

    FEB 3

    S4E3: Beyond Dogfooding: Balancing Complexity and Market Insight with Jake Bowen-Bate

    Episode Summary  In this episode of Productly Speaking, host Karl Abbott speaks with Jake Bowen‑Bate about the realities of building products in fast-moving environments. Jake shares how dogfooding can sharpen your intuition, but also how it can blind you to key market expectations. His reflections illuminate the balance between internal expertise, competitive awareness, emotional design, and the cultural conditions that enable great product decisions.    What You’ll Learn in This Episode  Why dogfooding is valuable, but sometimes not enough  How using a competitor’s products can uncover hidden blind spots  What it means to design for emotion, not just functionality  How to maintain alignment in complex organizations  Why decision-making speed and clarity matter more than perfection  How culture, curiosity, and communication shape product outcomes    Key Quotes  “We as product managers… should probably be trying to use where we can our own products that we're building… But when I started using our biggest competitor… I suddenly realized a lot of things that I had probably just missed.”  “When they spoke to me about features, it was very easy for me to dismiss those as nice-to-haves… When actually, I quickly realized once I started using them that I got a very strong emotional attachment to them.”  “If the decision is made, communicated, and explained, it can be a pretty mediocre decision because it’s still better than a decision that hasn’t been made, communicated, or explained.”  Resources Mentioned  Inspired — Marty Cagan (https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/dec05575-b75f-4127-b00f-0b44af6f1724)  Crossing the Chasm — Geoffrey Moore (https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/db6bfb5d-0747-4576-a487-47989e928167)   Jake’s website: https://jakebowen-bate.co.uk/   Jake on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakebowenbate/

    33 min
  3. S4E2: Why Lean and Agile Struggle in Chunky Corporates with Katie Tamblin

    JAN 27

    S4E2: Why Lean and Agile Struggle in Chunky Corporates with Katie Tamblin

    Episode Summary:  In this episode of Productly Speaking, host Karl Abbott talks with Katie Tamblin, consultant, trainer, and author of The Lean Agile Dilemma. Katie explains why lean and agile principles, born in startup environments, often fail in large, mature organizations.  From the illusion of agility to the harsh realities of replatforming, Katie shares candid stories and practical lessons learned from decades of experience in product management and data strategy. If you’ve ever wondered why MVPs don’t work when replacing legacy systems, or how internal politics and investor pressure distort product strategy, this conversation is for you.  Featured Quote:  "Lean and Agile were designed for building software for the first time that no one’s using yet. Chunky corporates are managing decades of existing products and data—that’s a completely different beast." – Katie Tamblin  What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  Why lean and agile principles break down in large organizations  The MVP myth in replatforming (and Katie’s “tent in the garden” analogy)  How data migration becomes the biggest gremlin in product transformations  The illusion of agility and why sprints don’t guarantee success  Practical advice for PMs in startups vs. complex enterprises    Resources & Links:  Katie’s Book: The Lean Agile Dilemma (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/979-8-8688-0321-5)  Katie’s Website: www.katietamblin.com  Subscribe to Productly Speaking: www.productlyspeaking.com

    40 min
  4. S4E1: From Failure to Breakthrough: The Product Manager’s Journey with Lee Fischman

    JAN 20

    S4E1: From Failure to Breakthrough: The Product Manager’s Journey with Lee Fischman

    Episode Summary:  In this episode of Productly Speaking, host Karl Abbott sits down with Lee Fischman—seasoned developer, product manager, executive, and author of How to Excel at Digital Product Management. Lee shares decades of experience across industries from fintech to healthcare, and dives deep into what makes a great product manager beyond the usual playbook.  We explore the mindset that drives success, why humility and empathy are non-negotiable, and how overlooked skills like communication and copywriting can make or break your career. Lee also unpacks why so many digital products fail, the hidden costs of customer acquisition, and how strategic pivots can turn failure into a breakthrough. Plus, we talk about the evolving role of AI in product teams and why smaller, faster squads might be the future.  If you’ve ever wondered how to rise above the chaos, collaborate across silos, and build products that truly resonate, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.  What You’ll Learn in This Episode:  Why humility is the cornerstone of effective product management.  The real definition of a product manager’s role—and why it varies so widely.  Common reasons digital products fail (and how to avoid them).  How to pivot when your product isn’t gaining traction.  Why design and marketing are critical skills for PMs.  Practical advice for navigating challenging team dynamics.  How AI is reshaping product teams and what that means for PMs.  Strategic thinking tips without relying on rigid frameworks.  The importance of communication and storytelling in product work.    Key Quotes:  “A product manager’s job is to move her product forward to best serve the interests of its users and the business. Inside the organization, she represents the product.”  “You don’t get paid to manage chaos. You get paid for the skills you bring while facing a chaotic situation.”  “Product management is about people—the people who use your product, the folks you work with, the men and women you report to. If you want to excel, double down on all the ways you work with and value people.”  “You can build your own market, but then some advancement’s going to come in where all of a sudden that’s no longer a need what you service. If you don’t stay ahead and reinvent yourself over and over, you find yourself in a bad spot.”    Resources & Links:  Lee Fischman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lee-fischman/   Lee’s Book: How to Excel at Digital Product Management (https://www.amazon.com/Excel-Digital-Product-Management-comprehensive/dp/B0DPVNX178/)  Lee’s Medium: https://medium.com/@lee.fischman

    37 min

  5. SEASON 4 TRAILER

    Season 4 Introduction

    Welcome to Season 4 of Productly Speaking! In this short kickoff episode, host Karl Abbott introduces the theme for the season: Why do products fail and what can we learn from those failures? We’ll explore the hidden risks, organizational dynamics, and human factors that shape product success or lead to disaster. If you’re a product manager, founder, or anyone building products, this season will challenge your assumptions and help you think differently about success and failure! Subscribe so that you don't miss an episode!

    2 min
  6. S3E5: The Truth About Roadmaps: Why Dates Don't Deliver with Janna Bastow

    08/12/2025

    S3E5: The Truth About Roadmaps: Why Dates Don't Deliver with Janna Bastow

    In this insightful episode, Karl Abbott sits down with Janna Bastow, co-founder of ProdPad and founder of Mind the Product, to explore the evolution of product roadmaps. Janna shares the origin story of the Now-Next-Later Roadmap, a flexible and strategic alternative to traditional date-driven roadmaps. Together, they unpack how this approach empowers product teams to communicate more honestly, prioritize effectively, and adapt to change. Key Topics Discussed The Birth of Now-Next-Later Why Traditional Roadmaps Fail Strategic Communication Balancing Flexibility and Commitment The “So What?” Test Janna’s Journey from PM to CEO AI and the Future of Product Management Key Quotes “Roadmapping is a strategic communication exercise—not a delivery promise.” “If everything on your roadmap has a date, you’re not doing product management—you’re doing project delivery.” “AI won’t replace product managers, but it will replace the grunt work.” “Good product management isn’t just done by a product manager sitting in the corner… it’s their job to surround themselves with people in the team and ask really good questions and be transparent about the direction of the product.” Learn More ProdPad Mind the Product Connect with Janna LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannabastow/

    36 min
  7. S3E4: Open Source, Real Business: Lessons from Mozilla and Microsoft with Reese Gifford

    08/05/2025

    S3E4: Open Source, Real Business: Lessons from Mozilla and Microsoft with Reese Gifford

    In this episode, Karl Abbott sits down with Reese Gifford to explore the complexities and opportunities of managing products in the open-source ecosystem. Drawing from her experience as VP of Product at Mozilla and her current role at Microsoft, Reese shares insights on community engagement, monetization strategies, and the evolving landscape of open-source software in the age of AI and cloud computing. Key Topics Discussed: Reese’s Journey to Mozilla Challenges of Open Source Product Management Revenue Models for Open Source Community Engagement Security & Compliance The Role of AI Future of Open Source Key Quotes: “Open source has gone from a niche grassroots movement to the foundation of modern software development.” “Product management in open source is harder—your stakeholder base is vast and deeply involved.” “The community has a massive influence… decisions have to be driven from a consensus of multiple stakeholders, including external contributors.” Advice for Aspiring Open Source PMs: Embrace the complexity of community-driven development. Communicate clearly with both internal teams and external contributors. Understand that prioritization decisions require diplomacy and transparency. Connect with Reese: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissaponikvar/

    28 min
  8. S3E3: How to Make Pigs Fly (and Other PM Miracles) with Ali Rakhimov

    07/29/2025

    S3E3: How to Make Pigs Fly (and Other PM Miracles) with Ali Rakhimov

    In this insightful and entertaining episode, Karl Abbott sits down with Ali Rakhimov, author of Make Pigs Fly: Product Manager’s Bathroom Book. Ali shares his unconventional journey into product management, his philosophy of “blue-collar product management,” and how storytelling, curiosity, and resilience shape great product leaders. Key Topics Discussed Ali’s Origin Story Blue-Collar Product Management Communication & Storytelling The Power of Idioms Features vs. Outcomes Building Confidence The Role of Humor Product Management Beyond Tech About the Book Title: Make Pigs Fly: Product Manager’s Bathroom Book Where to Buy: Ali’s Website Amazon IngramSpark Key Quotes “I didn’t stumble into product management—I tripped, fell, and landed face-first into it.” “You don’t need to speak louder—you just need to translate better.” “Good PMs ship features. Great PMs ship belief.” “You have to be fearless. You have to be hungry. That’s how you grow.” Connect with Ali LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arakhimov/

    34 min
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Productly Speaking is a product management podcast featuring product managers and builders telling real product stories. We dive into the human side of product work, exploring lessons learned, challenges faced, and how people actually approach product strategy in the real world.

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