In this episode of the UWaterloo Product Management Podcast, Rodolfo, a seasoned product leader whose work has shaped the way millions experience music, creativity, and connection. With an impressive track record at Meta, Reddit, Cameo, and Spotify, Rodolfo brings a rare blend of strategic rigor, cultural sensitivity, and creative experimentation to everything he builds. We explore the journey from Harvard Business School to product leadership, unpacking how to stay anchored in product fundamentals while building for the edge of culture. Here’s what you’ll take away: A behind-the-scenes look at the creation of hits like Spotify Daylist, Jam, and Referrals — and what it takes to build products that feel personal without chasing virality How to move from individual contributor to product leader, and what changes in mindset, execution, and influence along the way Why AI is more than a tool — it’s a co-creator, and how it’s transforming the way PMs ideate, ship, and learn Rodolfo’s personal frameworks like the Tree Diagram and Diamond Method for navigating prioritization and ambiguity Hard-won lessons from big tech vs. startup life — from scale to scrappiness How to bring your personal passions into your product work, and why it matters His honest take on the PM + MBA question, what he would tell his younger self, and the one mindset shift that changed everything A vulnerable reflection on self-doubt, failure, and the importance of staying connected to our creative inner child that first led us to build Plus: one final “assignment” to elevate your product thinking this week Love Rodolfo’s insights? Dive deeper by subscribing to his newsletter RodolfoDays — where he breaks down product thinking, frameworks, and life lessons at the intersection of tech, creativity, and culture.
