The Product Porch

Ryan Cantwell, Todd Blaquiere, Joe Ghali
  • 5.0 (6)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

On The Product Porch, every topic is a product topic. Dive into casual conversations on product management and career growth, woven with pop culture and real-life insights. Each episode offers actionable takeaways as the hosts tackle pressing questions and challenges in the product field. Settle in with Joe Ghali, Ryan Cantwell, and Todd Blaquiere!

  1. 2D AGO

    Moving Beyond “Perfect on Paper”: Landing a PM Job Today

    Why are so many product managers saying, “I’m a perfect fit on paper… so why am I not getting interviews?” In this episode, we sit down with veteran product recruiter Heidi Ram to talk about what’s really happening in product management hiring right now. Since the 2022 correction, the market has shifted. There are more smart, credentialed PMs than ever… but hiring leaders are no longer optimizing for buzzwords. They’re optimizing for proof. Have you done the exact hard thing they need done? Heidi breaks down the four questions every employer is silently asking when they open your resume, why your ability to talk about anything can actually hurt you in candidate mode, and how to run your job search like a real go-to-market strategy. We also dig into compensation hype versus reality, what recruiters can and can’t do for you, and how to think clearly about money, learning, and long-term career value without getting pulled into social-media FOMO. If you’ve been hearing crickets after tailoring your resume or wondering how to actually stand out in today’s product management hiring market, pull up a chair, and join us on the porch.  Time Stamped Notes:Introduction and Guest Welcome [00:00] Perfect on paper tension – Why PMs feel like strong candidates but aren’t getting interviews [00:36] Market reality check – Heidi joins to unpack what’s changed in product hiring [01:41] Recruiter perspective – 25 years of hiring across startups and scale-ups Heidi’s Background and Market Shift Since 2022 [02:57] Recruiting is about people – Why hiring is still human despite optimization [05:32] PM celebrity era – When money was cheap and hiring was aggressive [07:00] Market correction impact – Oversupply of PMs without shipped outcomes [08:30] Smart but unproven – Why credentials and soft skills aren’t enough anymore What Hiring Leaders Actually Care About [10:48] Proven over potential – Employers want someone who has done the hard thing before [13:46] The four resume questions – Where you worked, what you built, why you were hired, what you achieved [15:56] Solve a problem or realize an opportunity – Why companies truly hire PMs [23:14] Candidate mode shift – You can’t tell every story; pick the one that matters Running Your Job Search Like a Go-To-Market Strategy [24:30] Build your target list – Start with companies where you understand the business [25:30] Define your ICP – Identify the leader who would actually hire you [26:30] “Not-a-candidate” outreach – Tie your wins directly to their public goals [28:00] Train the algorithm – Use LinkedIn intentionally to increase visibility Recruiters, Discovery Mode, and Better Conversations [21:54] Ask this question – “What about my profile made you reach out?” [29:16] Recruiter reality – They can only place you if they have a live mandate [30:30] Tell your up-and-to-the-right story – Show business growth, not adjectives [33:57] Ship something – Outcomes are the new currency Compensation Hype vs. Career Strategy [35:00] Million-dollar myth – Why big-tech comp distorts expectations [36:49] What PMs really prioritize – Problem to solve and people to work with [37:00] Who will you become? – Thinking long-term beyond salary [40:24] Real-world tradeoffs – Cash today versus growth tomorrow Employer Perspective: Why Hiring Feels So Hard [44:00] Recruiting requires presence – Leaders must actively sell the vision [45:30] Resume friction – Why keyword-heavy resumes fail with business leaders [46:00] Mission-critical hires – Companies want rapid ROI from external PMs Key Takeaways and Closing Reflections [47:18] Power of story – Clear, focused narratives win [48:00] Always in discovery – Treat your career like a product [49:03] Curiosity as a superpower – What makes PMs valuable in any market Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at https://www.patreon.com/TheProductPorch Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com

    51 min

  2. FEB 3

    Becoming a VP & CPO: Leading Product at the Executive Level (Part 2)

    Ever feel torn between wanting the impact and scope of a VP or CPO role and worrying about what you might lose along the way? If you’ve been reading job descriptions, Reddit threads, or career advice that all seem to contradict each other, you’re not alone. In part two of our product management career progression series, we get honest about what actually changes as you start aiming for executive product leadership. We welcome back special guest David Nash to unpack the real work behind VP and CPO titles, and the parts no one puts on the career ladder diagram. We dig into how success gets measured differently, why influence matters more than authority, and what it really means to trade hands-on product work for organizational, financial, and people decisions. We also talk about how to prepare without rushing. What skills matter, how to spot roles that are set up to succeed, and how to stay grounded when the politics and ambiguity show up. If you’re considering the VP or CPO path and want clarity instead of hype, pull up a chair on the porch. Learn from the scars, shortcut some hard lessons, and leave with a clearer sense of what to build toward next and whether this path is truly right for you. Time Stamped Notes:Introduction and Episode Overview [00:00] framing part two of the product management career progression series [01:30] why moving up is less about leveling up mindset and more about changing orientation and scope Guest Introduction and Personal Context [02:37] David Nash’s background as a multi-time CPO and why lived experience matters at this level [03:50] personal milestones and rapport that ground the conversation in real leadership journeys Transitioning from Director to VP [04:26] the myth of empowerment and why more senior titles do not remove constraints [06:46] the three Ps framework: product, practice, and people, with people becoming the dominant focus [07:41] staying close enough to the work without drowning as the scope expands Challenges and Strategies in Executive Product Leadership [08:53] legacy products, uncomfortable trade-offs, and why old platforms often fund innovation [10:40] unwritten strategy, executive subtext, and navigating ambiguity that is never documented [17:41] balancing short-term delivery with long-term outcomes that executives and boards care about [19:33] building alliances across the executive team to survive competing priorities Leadership Trade-offs and Organizational Reality [21:58] sacrificing product purity without losing intent as responsibility shifts toward the business [26:49] the CPO mindset shift from product-first thinking to business-first accountability [29:51] dysfunction at the executive level and why maturity does not magically appear with title Personal Growth, Mentorship, and Meaning [41:10] why mentoring and developing people becomes the most fulfilling part of leadership [43:59] reflections on impact, legacy, and staying connected to why the work matters Closing Reflections and Takeaways [46:11] one-word takeaways capturing growth, trust, discomfort, and people [47:26] final thoughts on preparation, clarity, and choosing the VP or CPO path intentionally Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at https://www.patreon.com/TheProductPorch Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com

    48 min

  3. JAN 20

    From Product Manager to Director: How to Make the Shift (Part 1)

    What do they never tell you about becoming a product leader? In this episode, we talk about the parts of moving from PM to Director that catch most people off guard. The quiet loss of being the hero. The awkward shift from working alongside peers to managing them. The moment when shipping features stops being the job and making decisions, saying no, and setting direction becomes the work. We share real stories about what surprised us, what we got wrong early on, and what actually helped once the role changed. We also break down the difference between Principal and Director paths, what “executive presence” looks like in plain terms, and how to start preparing for leadership while you are still a PM. If you are thinking about stepping into product leadership and want to know the parts no one puts in the job description, pull up a chair on the porch, listen closely, and learn before you leap. Time Stamped Notes:Introduction and Podcast Overview [00:00] episode framing - why PM vs Director thinking matters right now [00:24] leadership context - setting expectations for role and identity shift Defining Product Management Roles [01:20] CEO myth - why PMs do not actually have authority [02:11] decision limits - where PM influence really starts and stops Product Manager and Director Role Differences [03:23] altitude analogy - low vs high altitude product thinking [03:46] horizon shift - short-term execution vs long-term strategy [05:21] restaurant metaphor - waiter vs operator responsibilities Transitioning from Product Manager to Director [08:06] letting go - reduced customer closeness and hero work [09:26] hero syndrome - why doing too much hurts directors [10:23] recognition drop - fewer high fives, more responsibility Leadership Challenges and Lessons Learned [13:03] managing peers - boundaries change when friends become directs [14:35] portfolio reality - deciding what does not get funded [16:30] one-on-ones shift - talking systems, not just features Director vs Principal Product Manager [25:41] career fork - IC mastery vs people leadership [29:18] money myth - similar comp, very different work [30:17] principal role - scope without people management Shifting Focus and New Perspectives [31:10] persona change - users to buyers and executives [33:16] politics reality - learning to play the game without being toxic [36:07] motivation shift - finding joy in others’ success Key Takeaways and Closing Remarks [37:30] experience matters - no shortcut to leadership readiness [38:38] incentives check - understanding what your company rewards [39:45] humility required - growth demands changing how you think Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at https://www.patreon.com/TheProductPorch Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com

    41 min

  4. JAN 6

    How to Show Business Impact and Increase Your Value as a PM

    Product managers don’t just bring new products into the world. They move the needle on the business. In this episode, Todd Blaquiere and Ryan Cantwell sit down with multi-time Chief Product Officer David Nash to unpack what “moving the needle on the business” really means. They cover how to connect product work to financial outcomes like ARR, EBITDA, and net revenue retention, why empathy is the secret to executive trust, and how to find business impact in the least glamorous places. David shares a story about retiring old on-prem software that saved his company $150 million, proving that the unsexy work might just be the most valuable. If you’re trying to influence without authority or want your next roadmap conversation to land with the CFO, this episode will help you think, talk, and act in business terms that get results. Pull up a chair on the porch, and learn how to turn product decisions into measurable business results. Time Stamped Notes:Introduction and Setup [00:00] Todd and Ryan introduce guest David Nash, a multi-time Chief Product Officer. [00:57] David outlines the theme: how PMs can “move the needle” by linking product work to business results. What It Means to Move the Needle [01:55] Why product teams must focus on outcomes that matter to CEOs and investors. [05:18] The question every executive asks: how does each dollar in R&D create revenue or profit? From Product Metrics to Business Metrics [06:39] Understanding the difference between product metrics (adoption, UX) and business metrics (ARR, churn, EBITDA). [09:30] How to translate “product-speak” into “business-speak.” Learning to Speak Finance [10:40] Why every PM should understand basic financial metrics. [12:33] David’s advice for learning the language of finance and knowing what “good” looks like. The $150 Million Lesson [15:55] David’s ADP story: retiring old software that saved $150 million. [16:30] Why unglamorous work can have the biggest business impact. Building Trust and Influence [17:30] How empathy helps PMs earn executive trust. [25:00] The power of sharing business goals with your team. [31:00] Building cross-functional partnerships that drive results. Final Takeaways [34:30] Celebrate measurable wins and make impact visible. [35:42] “Demand to know your business outcomes” — David’s closing advice. [37:30] Todd and Ryan reflect on how they’ll apply the lessons. Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at https://www.patreon.com/TheProductPorch Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com

    39 min

  5. 12/23/2025

    A CEO’s Take: Seeing Product Management from the Top

    If you could see product management through a CEO’s eyes, would it change the way you lead? In this episode of the Product Porch, Todd Blaquiere and Joe Ghali sit down with Ben Clarke, former CEO of BetterRX, to explore what executive leaders look for in top-tier product managers. Ben shares his journey from KPMG to Amazon to leading BetterRX through a product-led transformation. He opens up about why product management is the beating heart of an organization, how product managers can build trust and alignment with executives, and what it means to truly put the product team in a position to drive growth. Whether you’re looking to build credibility at the leadership table or just trying to speak the CEO’s language, this conversation is packed with insight you can use right away. Listen now to understand how executives think, and how to make your work matter to them. So pull up a chair, we can’t wait to see on the porch! Time Stamped Notes:Introduction and Opening Remarks [00:00] Episode intro – Joe and Todd introduce the discussion on seeing product management through a CEO’s eyes while welcoming guest, Ben Clarke, former CEO of BetterRX. [00:25] CEO mindset – Ben explains that a CEO’s main job is growth and why PMs need to understand that. Evolution of Product Management at BetterRx [01:31] Early challenges – Ben shares how BetterRx operated without formal product management in its early days. [02:38] Building a function – Ben describes the shift toward a data-driven, product-led organization. [04:37] Failing fast – Ben talks about learning to iterate quickly and embed experimentation into culture. Becoming a Product-Led Company [05:42] Cultural shift – Ben reflects on the company value “there’s always a better way” and how it encouraged innovation. [08:06] Product first – Ben outlines how product decisions guided marketing, sales, and customer experience. [10:01] Reinforcing mindset – Todd recalls how daily routines and metrics kept the product-led culture strong. Hiring and Leadership Lessons [10:56] Finding leaders – Ben explains what he looked for when hiring the first VP of Product. [12:52] Performance and values – Ben highlights why consistent results and cultural fit mattered most. [15:11] Product drives growth – Ben positions product as central to strategy and revenue creation. Building Executive Trust [16:41] Expert alignment – Ben shares why CEOs rely on leaders who are experts in their domains. [19:10] Healthy pushback – Ben encourages PMs to challenge decisions respectfully to find better answers. [22:20] Trust through transparency – Ben advises staying open, sharing progress, and communicating results. [23:34] Stay ahead – Ben urges PMs to anticipate needs and bring ideas before they’re asked. Emotional Jobs to Be Done [28:00] Understanding the CEO – Ben explains that CEOs want partners who help them grow the business. [28:45] Speaking the language – Todd connects this to communicating strategy and aligning priorities effectively. Key Takeaways and Closing Reflections [30:30] Acting like a leader – Joe reminds PMs to propose solutions and lead with confidence. [32:10] Building trust – Ben emphasizes that mutual respect and open dialogue make work faster and more rewarding. [33:27] Final thoughts – Todd and Joe close by encouraging PMs to view their work through the CEO’s perspective. Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at https://www.patreon.com/TheProductPorch Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com

    34 min

  6. 12/09/2025

    Where Do Great Product Ideas Really Start?

    Ever find yourself wondering if great product ideas really start with a problem… or if sometimes the solution shows up first and you just have to make sense of it? In this episode, Ryan and Joe dig into the messy middle of product discovery, where ideas aren’t magic and where PMs are constantly juggling customer discovery, internal requests, and the pressure to move fast. They share examples like Juicero and Google Glass, explore what actually makes an idea worth validating, and unpack how product managers can avoid falling in love with a solution too early. You’ll hear what to do when stakeholders hand you fully baked ideas, how to test assumptions quickly, and why continuous discovery matters no matter where the idea came from. If you’re tired of playing referee between problem-first and solution-first thinking, pull up a chair on the porch and let this conversation help you figure out your next move, spark a better debate with your team, or rethink how you approach your own backlog. Time Stamped Notes:Introduction and Opening Remarks [00:00] Episode intro – Sets up the core debate around where great product ideas begin. [00:24] Framing the question – Introduces the tension between problem-first and solution-first thinking. Caffeine and Product Camp Insights [00:40] Problem-space reminder – Highlights why products fail when teams skip understanding the real problem. [01:17] Jumping to solutions – Explains risks of moving too quickly into solution mode without customer insight. The Chicken or the Egg Debate [02:38] Origin of ideas – Argues that ideas form from observing frustration or unmet needs. [03:17] Two development paths – Defines problem-first vs. solution-first approaches. [05:14] Juicero example – Shows how solutions fail when they don’t solve a meaningful problem. [06:19] Desire-driven products – Notes that some successful products satisfy wants, not problems. Advice for Product Managers [07:52] Testing assumptions – Encourages validating ideas instead of committing too early. [11:07] Avoid solution bias – Emphasizes staying curious before investing in any one idea. [13:04] Share context early – Recommends involving cross-functional partners throughout discovery. [13:45] Balanced backlogs – Suggests mixing new ideas with solution requests that need validation. Product Lifecycle and Strategy [14:47] Start with problems – Advises beginning net-new work with discovery to reduce risk. [19:57] Competing in growth – Warns against copying competitors without understanding customer needs. [25:48] Responding to shifts – Describes adapting to market changes through broader exploration. [27:34] Spotting signals – Highlights listening for emerging customer and market cues. [29:38] Embracing ambiguity – Explains why navigating the messy middle matters more than choosing a side. [30:09] Balancing inputs – Reinforces that both problems and solutions can be valid starting points. Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at https://www.patreon.com/TheProductPorch Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com

    32 min

  7. 11/25/2025

    Storytelling Made Simple: Building an Essential Skill

    Every product manager knows the feeling: standing in front of a slide deck that’s full of facts but empty of feeling. You’ve got the data, the details, the deadlines — yet somehow, your message still misses the mark. The roadmap reads right, but no one’s moved by it. That’s where your journey begins. You’ve been the quiet architect — building, balancing, and bridging ideas — but now it’s time to become the storyteller. The one who doesn’t just ship features, but shapes futures. The one who can make people care. This episode is your call to adventure. Todd and Ryan are the porch-side mentors who hand you the torch — the tools and tales to help you turn dry updates into vivid narratives. You’ll learn how to trade metrics for meaning, and roadmaps for revelations. Through story frameworks, laughter, and lived experience, they show you how to move hearts before you move numbers. Because great products don’t just solve problems — they tell stories people believe in. By the end, you’ll start to see it: every backlog is a plotline, every sprint is a scene, and every user is a character waiting for you to lead them to something better. Your product isn't just a plan. It’s a journey. And you’re the hero holding the pen. So pull up a chair on the porch. This is where your next great story begins. Time Stamped Notes:Chapter 1: The Monsters Inc. Story [00:00] A playful start — monsters, laughter, and why stories stick.[00:41] The theme: storytelling as a must-have product skill.Chapter 2: The Prince Story [02:00] A lesson in audience — the wrong story at the wrong time.[03:21] How a good story can turn insight into impact.Chapter 3: Facts vs. Stories [05:16] Turning facts into meaning and connection.[07:00] Why adults still learn best through story.Chapter 4: Storytelling for Product Managers [07:51] Using stories to motivate without authority.[08:40] Real use cases: vision, empathy, and change management.Chapter 5: Empathy and Emotion [12:00] How stories build connection across teams.[13:14] Storytelling isn’t a soft skill—it’s a learnable craft.Chapter 6: Storytelling Frameworks [17:04] The Hero’s Journey and the “three Cs.”[25:23] The “What Is vs. What Could Be” structure.[27:00] The Story Spine and other storytelling models.Chapter 7: Practice and Presence [31:00] The difference between designing and delivering a story.[33:00] Practice, pacing, and reading the room.[35:41] Enthusiasm is contagious—model the energy you want.Chapter 8: Go Tell Stories [38:23] Pick a framework and start small.[39:53] The only way to learn storytelling is by doing it.[40:08] Closing reminder: stories are fun—enjoy the process. Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at https://www.patreon.com/TheProductPorch Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com

    41 min

  8. 11/11/2025

    Managing Up: The Product Management Career Skill No One Teaches You

    Ever been caught between wanting to show your boss you’ve got it handled and realizing later you probably should have checked in sooner? In this episode, the Porch crew dives into the often-overlooked skill of managing up. Joe, Ryan, and Todd share stories about times they got it wrong, what they learned from it, and how managing up is not about politics. It is about clarity, trust, and communication. They unpack how to balance initiative with alignment, how to navigate difficult managers (and their managers), and why humility might be the most underrated leadership skill of all. If you want to build better relationships with leadership or make your boss look good without feeling like a sellout, we can’t wait for you to join the conversation on the porch. Time Stamped NotesIntroduction and Opening Remarks [00:00] Humility and grit – The crew opens with humor and sets the stage for the theme of managing up. Why Managing Up Matters [01:56] Joe’s early career lesson – A failed project teaches him that not engaging leadership can erode trust. [03:00] Defining “managing up” – It’s more than updates; it’s about aligning expectations and maintaining visibility. Common Missteps [07:19] The “yes person” trap – Blindly following direction without alignment leads to frustration and missed goals. [09:00] Balancing confidence and humility – How to ask for feedback without seeming weak. How to Manage Up Effectively [10:30] Communication rules – Ask questions instead of making assumptions. [11:30] Bottom-line-up-front approach – How to check alignment and communicate clearly with your boss. [12:30] One-on-ones done right – Use them to look forward, not backward. [13:36] Write things down – Use documentation to confirm goals, deadlines, and assumptions. Dealing with Difficult Managers [15:00] When your boss isn’t great – How to set expectations and coach upward. [17:30] Push for clarity – Encourage managers to align on goals and outcomes even when they don’t naturally do it. Managing Up Across the Organization [20:26] Beyond your boss – Managing up means managing across departments and leadership tiers. [22:49] “Make your boss the hero” – How supporting leadership can help your own career. Recovering from Mistakes [25:31] How to rebuild trust – Admit errors early and commit to doing better. [26:41] Humility and grit – Why these two traits matter more than almost anything else. Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts [27:30] Align expectations to avoid frustration. [36:08] Final reflections – Managing up as an essential skill for every product professional. Help keep the Product Porch lights on by giving at https://www.patreon.com/TheProductPorch Join our email list and never miss an episode at theproductporch.com

    39 min
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About

On The Product Porch, every topic is a product topic. Dive into casual conversations on product management and career growth, woven with pop culture and real-life insights. Each episode offers actionable takeaways as the hosts tackle pressing questions and challenges in the product field. Settle in with Joe Ghali, Ryan Cantwell, and Todd Blaquiere!

Information

  • Creator
    Ryan Cantwell, Todd Blaquiere, Joe Ghali
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Product Porch