Build Well: Women Shaping Health Technology

Kelly Scherer, Alex Tong, Kristi Lui

This podcast is a conversation-driven exploration of product management through the lens of digital health—a field where the stakes are higher, the users are more vulnerable, and the path to building great products is uniquely complex. Hosted by three women who began their journey together at a health tech company and have since branched into distinct corners of the industry, this podcast blends diverse real-world perspectives into one cohesive mission: To build better, more inclusive health technology through thoughtful, experience-informed product strategy. Each episode will unpack hard-earned lessons, navigate real-time product challenges, and explore what it takes to lead with impact in one of the most critical and nuanced sectors of tech.

Episodes

  1. JAN 13

    Managing Up — Communicating Product Value to Senior Leadership

    What does it actually mean to manage up—and why is it such a critical skill for product managers, especially women in health and tech? In this episode of Build Well, Kelly, Alex, and Kristi break down managing up as more than just status updates. We talk about advocating for the work you want to do, translating execution into business outcomes leaders care about, and building visibility without feeling like you’re bragging. The conversation gets practical and honest: navigating feedback, tracking your impact throughout the year, preparing for year-end reviews, and framing success differently in foundational versus scaling years. We also explore the emotional side of managing up—why women are often conditioned to wait to be recognized, how that impacts promotions and confidence, and what great management actually looks like. Along the way, we share lessons from managers who shaped our careers and highlight leadership traits that create trust, growth, and real advocacy. In this episode, we cover: What managing up really means in product rolesAdvocating for your career goals and areas of interestManaging up as negotiation and alignmentCreating visibility and communicating impactAsking for and using feedback effectivelyPreparing for year-end reviews without the scrambleFoundational vs. scaling years and how to measure successIdentifying strong managers—and knowing when to move onResources mentioned: Anchor Outcomes — Health Outcomes Researchhttps://www.anchoroutcomes.com/home Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Managing Up 02:51 Defining Managing Up 05:37 Gender Dynamics in Managing Up 08:13 The Importance of Clear Communication 10:59 Visibility and Self-Promotion 13:44 Feedback and Performance Reviews 16:28 Navigating Ambiguity in Product Management 19:17 Learning from Failures 22:16 Building Trust with Managers 25:02 Celebrating Good Management 27:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    48 min

  2. 12/15/2025

    Burnout, Boundaries, and Building in Health Tech

    In this episode, hosts Kelly Scherer, Alex Tong, and Kristi Lui unpack burnout in digital health product management and why it hits differently in healthcare than in traditional tech. From mission-driven pressure and regulatory slowdowns to stakeholder skepticism, AI anxiety, and constant emotional labor, this conversation gets honest about what burnout really looks like—and how to spot it before it takes over. In this episode, we cover:The difference between being tired and truly burnt outWhy mission vs. revenue tension is uniquely exhausting in health techHow regulation, compliance, and privacy can quietly kill momentumThe emotional role PMs play as the “absorber” of feedback and frustrationEarly warning signs of burnout (cynicism, disengagement, negativity)Practical ways to reset: boundaries, nature, community, and reconnecting to your personal missionThis episode is for product managers, designers, engineers, and operators in digital health who want to build meaningful technology without sacrificing their mental health. 🎧 New to Build Well? Start with this episode to understand the realities of building healthcare products—and how to build a career that’s sustainable, human, and impactful. Resources mentioned:Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a live volunteer Crisis Counselor. You don’t have to go through it alone. 00:00 Introduction to Burnout in Healthcare Product Management 02:27 Understanding Burnout vs. Tiredness 06:09 Unique Pressures in Health Tech 10:29 Mission-Driven Work vs. Business Reality 14:35 Navigating Regulations and Compliance 18:08 Measuring Success and Mental Health 21:01 Navigating Metrics and Measurement in Product Management 26:21 Recognizing Signs of Burnout 31:42 Strategies to Combat Burnout 38:11 The Importance of Community and Connection

    40 min

  3. 10/30/2025

    Building AI-Driven Health Products That Clinicians and Consumers Can Trust

    Episode: Building AI-Driven Health Products That Clinicians and Consumers Can TrustGuest: Cazandra Aporbo, MS – Head of Data, FoXX Health SummaryIn this episode, Kelly, Kristi, and Alex sit down with Cazandra Aporbo, Head of Data from FoXX Health to talk about what it actually takes to build AI for healthcare that people trust. They dig into the “diagnostic odyssey” for women (why it can take 7–10 years to get a diagnosis), how fragmented and biased health data really is, and why the answer isn’t to pretend bias doesn’t exist—but to make it visible and explainable. Cazandra walks through how FoXX is co-building an AI-powered women’s health companion app that supports clearer health insights for women. What you’ll hear about Why AI in health has higher stakes than other industriesThe gap FoXX is trying to close: consumer data ➜ clinical decision supportMaking biased, fragmented data transparent instead of hiding itValidating AI models for different use cases (clinical vs consumer)Designing AI outputs people can actually understand and act onWhy “your normal” matters more than population averages Key quotes “We can’t collect data that doesn’t exist—so we make the bias visible.”“Validation isn’t a checkbox, it’s a continuous relationship with the data.”“The goal is for women to understand their normal, not the average woman.”Who it’s forProduct leaders in digital health, AI/ML folks working with clinical or patient-generated data, founders building women’s health apps, and clinicians trying to make sense of all the ‘AI in healthcare’ noise. Links/mentions FoXX Health (women’s health companion app + community “The Den”)Concepts: diagnostic odyssey, ethical AI, model monitoring, consumer-to-clinical data bridgeLength: ~40 minutes

    43 min

  4. 09/29/2025

    Building with Empathy: Designing for Patients and Providers

    In this episode of Build Well: Women Shaping Health Technology, the hosts unpack what it really means to design with empathy in health tech—where patients, providers, and caregivers face uniquely vulnerable and high-stakes situations. OverviewThey explore the challenges of understanding user needs, especially in crisis situations, and the complexities of measuring success beyond traditional metrics. The conversation emphasizes the need for trust and transparency in technology, the role of user research, and the potential of AI to enhance personalized care. Ultimately, the episode highlights the balance between user experience and business needs, advocating for a human-centered approach in design. 💡 Key TakeawaysEmpathy = Human-first design: Consider emotional states, vulnerability, and agency—not just personas.Multiple end users matter: Patients, providers, caregivers, and researchers all experience products differently.Technology isn’t always the answer: Sometimes empathy means reducing tech or rethinking workflows.Measuring impact takes time: Success in health tech often emerges months or years later—patience and persistence are required.User trust is everything: Clear communication, transparency, and intuitive design build lasting credibility.Bias check: PMs must acknowledge their own assumptions and continuously validate decisions with real users.Get close to the user: Shadowing, advisory boards, and even AI-based simulations can ground product choices in real-world needs. 🔗 References & MentionsCrisis Text Line – Free 24/7 crisis support via trained volunteers.Pine Park Health – Provider-led care model for older adults.Evidation Health – Example of patient advisory groups and user research.Oura Ring – Wearable app praised for trust and user-centric design.Epic / MyChart – Highlighted as both widely adopted and challenging for usability/trust.Wearables – Fitbit and the culture of step tracking as a long-tail impact of early digital health tech. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Building with Empathy 02:41 Understanding Human-Centered Design 05:25 Empathy in Health Tech: A Deeper Dive 08:09 Building for Vulnerable Populations 10:51 Measuring Success in Crisis Situations 13:33 Balancing Multiple User Experiences 16:04 Technology vs. Human Interaction in Health Care 19:02 Trust and Autonomy in Health Apps 26:17 Navigating Healthcare Communication Challenges 29:08 The Role of AI in Personalized Healthcare 32:08 Designing with Empathy in Health Tech 36:09 User Engagement and Feedback Loops 39:31 Balancing Business Needs with Patient-Centric Design 45:47 Reflecting on Purpose in Health Tech Development

    45 min

  5. 08/25/2025

    What Kind of PM Are You? Breaking Down Product Manager Archetypes

    Summary In this episode of the Build Well podcast, hosts Kelly Scherer, Alex Tong, and Kristi Lui delve into the various archetypes of product managers, discussing how roles have evolved over time and the importance of understanding one's PM style. They explore the diverse types of product managers, the challenges they face, and the significance of knowing your PM type in relation to company needs. The conversation also touches on the skills necessary for growth in product management, the impact of AI on the field, and the importance of decisive thinking in decision-making processes. Takeaways Understanding your PM type is crucial for career growth.Product management roles are evolving with technology.Being adaptable is key in product management.AI is reshaping the landscape of product management.Decisive thinking is essential for effective PMs.User research can be time-consuming but is necessary.Different types of PMs address various business needs.Navigating ambiguity is a common challenge for PMs.Collaboration with technical teams enhances product outcomes.The future of product management will involve more AI integration. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Technical Difficulties and PM Roles 11:42 Understanding Different Types of Product Managers 14:13 The Evolution of Product Management with AI 17:13 The Importance of Technical Partnerships in PM 20:09 Defining Your PM Type and Its Relevance 22:54 Exploring Product Management Skills 25:51 Navigating AI Workflows and User Experience 28:11 Decisive Thinking in Product Management 30:54 The Role of AI in Product Management Resources LA Health Tech Hang

    34 min

  6. 08/12/2025

    Build Well Begins: Our Stories and Why Representation Matters

    Summary: Welcome to Build Well: Women Shaping Health Technology, a podcast about product strategy, leadership, and building meaningful health tech—told from the perspective of women doing the work. In this pilot episode, Kelly, Alex, and Kristie introduce themselves and share their journeys into product management, their motivation for launching the podcast, and why representation in health tech matters now more than ever. From navigating ethical challenges to building with empathy, this episode sets the tone for a thoughtful and fun season ahead. Key Takeaways 1. Building health tech requires emotional intelligence and ethical responsibility. Creating digital health products means designing for people at their most vulnerable—so empathy, trust, and thoughtful compliance must be at the core. 2. There’s no one path to product management—especially in health tech. The hosts bring clinical research, psychology, and care delivery backgrounds, proving diverse experiences enrich the product process. 3. Women belong in the room—and at the head of the table. Female representation in health tech is still limited, especially in leadership roles. This podcast is a space to elevate those voices and share real stories from the field. References & Mentions 1. Evidation – The company where the hosts met and began working in health tech. 2. Women In Product (San Diego Chapter) – Mentioned as a key part of Kelly’s mentorship experience and podcast inspiration.

    37 min
  • 6 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

This podcast is a conversation-driven exploration of product management through the lens of digital health—a field where the stakes are higher, the users are more vulnerable, and the path to building great products is uniquely complex. Hosted by three women who began their journey together at a health tech company and have since branched into distinct corners of the industry, this podcast blends diverse real-world perspectives into one cohesive mission: To build better, more inclusive health technology through thoughtful, experience-informed product strategy. Each episode will unpack hard-earned lessons, navigate real-time product challenges, and explore what it takes to lead with impact in one of the most critical and nuanced sectors of tech.

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