The Product Pivot: Real conversations with product people.

TheProductPivot
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The Product Pivot is a podcast by Prodfolio that goes beyond the surface of product management.Through candid conversations with PMs, leaders, and hiring managers, we explore what it actually takes to grow, lead, and navigate the product world — from breaking in to shaping what comes next.Each episode brings honest stories, practical insights, and perspectives you won't find in a textbook. Whether you're early in your PM journey or deep in the craft, there's something here for you.Follow for new episodes, guest announcements, and insights to support your growth in product.https://prodfolio.io/podcast

  1. The Product Pivot | From BDR to Associate PM: Christina Aragon's Non-Linear Path into Product

    APR 7

    The Product Pivot | From BDR to Associate PM: Christina Aragon's Non-Linear Path into Product

    Most PM careers don't go in a straight line. Christina Aragon's went through civil engineering, software, sales, and a seven-month job search before she landed her first associate PM role. In this episode, Christina gets honest about what that non-linear path actually taught her, and why it might make her better at the job than someone who went straight in.  We dig into what the associate PM role really looks (they're rarer than you think), how her engineering and sales background helps her speak both languages, and why imposter syndrome doesn't care how experienced you are. If you're pivoting into product or wondering whether your background counts, this one's for you. Support the show Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn Connect with Meagan: Meagan's LinkedIn Checkout Prodfolio: https://prodfolio.io/

    46 min
  2. The Product Pivot | You're the Product. Your Career Is Too. - Heidi Ram, The Product Recruiter

    MAR 31

    The Product Pivot | You're the Product. Your Career Is Too. - Heidi Ram, The Product Recruiter

    We brought Heidi Ram back, and she came with receipts. Heidi is the Practice Lead of The Product Recruiter and has spent 25 years placing product leaders across North America. She's seen every version of this market: the boom years, the layoffs, the slow rebuilds. And right now, she's watching a lot of talented product people make the same avoidable mistakes. This episode picks up where Part 1 left off, and it gets specific fast. Heidi introduces a concept she's coined called candidate mode, and breaks down what it actually looks like when product people fail to enter it. She talks about the PM who's technically sharp but can't talk to a customer, the candidate who's been interviewing for months without ever doing real discovery on the roles they're pursuing, and the senior leader still hunting for a team to scale in a market that's gone flat. Then she goes deep on resumes - and this part alone is worth the listen.  If you're job searching, sitting on a dusty resume, or just starting to feel the market shift beneath you, this one's worth a listen.  Support the show Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn Connect with Meagan: Meagan's LinkedIn Checkout Prodfolio: https://prodfolio.io/

    46 min
  3. The Product Pivot | Season 3 Kickoff with Santi and Meagan

    MAR 24

    The Product Pivot | Season 3 Kickoff with Santi and Meagan

    The best PMs don't wait for perfect conditions. They build anyway. In Season 3's opener, Meagan and Santi get honest about the past year — gestational diabetes, a toddler, a day job, and somehow still shipping Prodfolio and recording a full podcast season before maternity leave. This episode covers how they ran discovery, why they think low pressure ships more than urgency, and what building a side project actually does for your PM career. But mostly it's proof that "not the right time" is never really the reason. Welcome to Season 3. Support the show Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn Connect with Meagan: Meagan's LinkedIn Checkout Prodfolio: https://prodfolio.io/

    56 min
  4. The Product Pivot | Why AI Should Be Boring — And That’s a Good Thing

    10/15/2025

    The Product Pivot | Why AI Should Be Boring — And That’s a Good Thing

    Everyone’s hyping AI like it’s a magic trick. Aaron Kesler sees it differently — it’s just really good at boring stuff. Now VP of Product at RozieAI, Aaron’s focused on solving the unglamorous problems that make real business impact. But his path to product didn’t start in a boardroom. In college, he built a startup that got acquired. Then he realized he hated coding but loved talking to customers, so he walked away from tech completely and started working at Starbucks. That’s where he learned the skill every great PM needs: listening. That same curiosity pulled him back into tech, through SnapLogic’s biggest launches, and into leading product at RozieAI, proving that the best PMs chase problems worth solving. We cover: → Why AI should be boring (and why that’s a good thing) → The difference between having AI and creating real value → How PMs can use AI to bridge creative and technical gaps → Why you should claim a job title once you’re already doing the work This one’s sharp, honest, and packed with lessons for anyone building in AI or trying to break into product. Aaron’s Links: 🔗 LinkedIn 📖 Newsletter: “Become an AI Product Manager” on LinkedIn Support the show Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn Connect with Meagan: Meagan's LinkedIn Checkout Prodfolio: https://prodfolio.io/

    39 min
  5. The Product Pivot | The Power of Saying Yes (and Figuring It Out Later)

    10/08/2025

    The Product Pivot | The Power of Saying Yes (and Figuring It Out Later)

    Some pivots don’t start with a master plan, they start with saying yes and figuring it out along the way. In this episode, Eduardo (Eddie) Rosenfeld, VP of Applied AI at Lavender 💜🔮, shares how studying philosophy and writing comedy scripts in L.A. somehow led to product ops at one of the fastest-moving AI startups in sales tech. We talk about: → Why curiosity and grit matter more than credentials → The art of “doing whatever it takes” in scrappy startup roles → How to handle feedback without losing your fire → Knowing when to use bandaids vs. surgery in product decisions → Building product through empathy, not ego Eddie’s story is a love letter to the generalists — the ones who fill gaps no one asked them to, learn tools overnight, and somehow turn chaos into progress. Listen in for a reminder that product isn’t about titles or frameworks, it’s about curiosity, feedback, and the nerve to keep building when things get messy. Eduardo’s Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduardorosenfeld/ Support the show Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn Connect with Meagan: Meagan's LinkedIn Checkout Prodfolio: https://prodfolio.io/

    58 min
  6. The Product Pivot | From Incubator to Product Management: Nikhil’s Journey

    09/30/2025

    The Product Pivot | From Incubator to Product Management: Nikhil’s Journey

    Not every career pivot starts with a master plan. Sometimes it starts with curiosity or even a lemonade stand. In this episode, Nikhil Punjabi (PM at Dash Social) shares how working with founders at an incubator sparked his shift into product management, and why small experiments can teach the biggest product lessons. We cover: → The power of transferable skills when moving into product → Why “done” is often better than “perfect” → How to avoid building a plane when your customer just needs a bicycle → Why empathy, humility, and experimentation matter more than shiny metrics What we loved most: Nikhil’s reminder that product management isn’t about titles, it’s about listening deeply, solving real problems, and being brave enough to try new things. If you’re pivoting into product, or navigating the messy middle of your PM career, hit Subscribe for real stories and honest lessons. Drop your takeaways for Nikhil in the comments — we’ll jump in to continue the conversation. Nikhil’s Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhil-punjabi/ Support the show Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn Connect with Meagan: Meagan's LinkedIn Checkout Prodfolio: https://prodfolio.io/

    44 min
  7. The Product Pivot | The Power of Storytelling in Hiring

    09/24/2025

    The Product Pivot | The Power of Storytelling in Hiring

    Santi and Meagan sit down with Heidi Ram, a seasoned product recruiter, to uncover what hiring managers really look for in product candidates. Heidi breaks down: Why storytelling sets great PMs apartHow to optimize LinkedIn and resumes to stand outThe truth about career pivots and internal movesWhy understanding your impact (and your “why”) mattersIf you’re job seeking, pivoting into product, or just want to sharpen your career story, this episode is for you. If you’re pivoting into product, or levelling up where you are, hit Subscribe for honest stories and actionable insights. Connect with Heidi Ram https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiram/ Support the show Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn Connect with Meagan: Meagan's LinkedIn Checkout Prodfolio: https://prodfolio.io/

    51 min
  8. The Evolution of Product Ops: A Deep Dive with Graham Reed

    09/16/2025

    The Evolution of Product Ops: A Deep Dive with Graham Reed

    When’s the right time to hire Product Ops? In this episode of The Product Pivot, hosts Santi and Meagan sit down with Graham Reed, Head of Product Operations at Helios, to unpack the rise of Product Ops and what it really means for growing teams. Graham shares how he “fell into” the role after a decade in product management and why he’s built product ops functions from scratch at multiple companies. We also dig into the messy middle between scrappy and established teams, and why Product Ops is more about change management and influence than tools or processes. You’ll take away: The magic number of employees that signals it’s time to hire Product Ops.Why starting as a team of one works, and how to make it sustainable.The real difference between PMs vs. Product Ops.The critical soft skills that matter more than experience (empathy, listening, influence).How to pivot into Product Ops by spotting and solving problems in your current org.If you’ve ever wondered when (or why) to invest in Product Ops, or how to break into the role yourself, this one’s for you. Graham’s Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamreed/ If you’re pivoting into product, or levelling up where you are, hit Subscribe for honest stories and actionable playbooks. Drop your questions for Graham in the comments and we’ll tackle them in a follow-up. Hosts’ Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meagan-glenn/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiana-brace/ Support the show Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn Connect with Meagan: Meagan's LinkedIn Checkout Prodfolio: https://prodfolio.io/

    50 min
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The Product Pivot is a podcast by Prodfolio that goes beyond the surface of product management.Through candid conversations with PMs, leaders, and hiring managers, we explore what it actually takes to grow, lead, and navigate the product world — from breaking in to shaping what comes next.Each episode brings honest stories, practical insights, and perspectives you won't find in a textbook. Whether you're early in your PM journey or deep in the craft, there's something here for you.Follow for new episodes, guest announcements, and insights to support your growth in product.https://prodfolio.io/podcast

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