How I Tested That

David J Bland
  • 5.0 (4)
  • BUSINESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Testing your ideas against reality can be challenging. Not everything will go as planned. It’s about keeping an open mind, having a clear hypothesis and running multiple tests to see if you have enough directional evidence to keep going. This is the How I Tested That Podcast, where David J Bland connects with entrepreneurs and innovators who had the courage to test their ideas with real people, in the market, with sometimes surprising results. Join us as we explore the ups and downs of experimentation… together.

  1. MAR 4

    Jim Morris | How I Test My Teaching Process

    In this episode I’m joined by Jim Morris.  We chat about the wake-up call that pushed him from building first to testing first. Jim and I discuss loyalty programs no one wanted, roadmaps filled with sequenced risk, AI prototypes that hallucinate and the uncomfortable reality that confidence often replaces evidence. We also dig into something deeper: why smart teams ignore data, why leaders fall in love once an idea hits the roadmap, and why testing isn’t about better UX,  it’s about real value. Jim shares how he even tests his own teaching process for students at Berkeley. Because as he puts it: “We can build stuff. But if people don’t use it, we’re just creating product debt.”Enjoy my conversation with Jim Morris. Takeaways Testing is crucial to ensure product effectiveness and user engagement. Data analysis can reveal the true usage of product features. Mindset plays a significant role in how product ideas are perceived and developed. Not all ideas will succeed; testing helps identify the viable ones. User motivation is key to the success of features and programs. Prototyping tools can enhance the testing process but require careful implementation. Learning from failures in testing is essential for growth and improvement. Roadmaps should be flexible to adapt to changing priorities and evidence. It's important to focus on the core value proposition of a product. Continuous experimentation and adaptation are vital in product management. Guest Links Website: https://productdiscoverygroup.com/ LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmorrisstanford/ If your leadership team is about to make a big strategic bet, the real risk usually isn’t the idea, it’s the assumptions behind it that haven’t been surfaced yet. A Decision Sprint is a focused 6–12 week engagement where we extract, map, and test those risks so leaders can make a clear Commit, Correct, or Cut decision before major capital moves. Learn more or apply at precoil.com.

    39 min

  2. FEB 18

    Dan Olsen | How I Test With Vibe Coding

    Summary In this conversation, David J Bland and Dan Olsen discuss the evolution of product management, the impact of vibe coding, and the importance of cross-functional collaboration. They explore the challenges of prototyping, user research, and the role of AI in product development. The discussion emphasizes the need for strong product management fundamentals and the future of product management in a rapidly changing landscape. Takeaways The awareness of product management has significantly increased over the years.Vibe coding allows for rapid prototyping and testing without heavy technical resources.Cross-functional collaboration is essential for successful product development.User research is becoming more valued in product management.Prototyping should focus on learning rather than just building.AI can assist in generating ideas but lacks judgment in prioritization.The pace of innovation in product tools is accelerating rapidly.Understanding customer problems is crucial for product success.Rushing to high fidelity prototypes can lead to missed opportunities in the problem space.Product management fundamentals will be key in differentiating successful products. Guest Links Website: https://dan-olsen.com/ LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danolsen98/ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/danolsen Lean Product Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/lean-product/  Vibe Coding Product Brief: https://dan-olsen.com/vibe-coding/ Vibe Coding Spectrum: https://dan-olsen.com/vibe-coding/ The Lean Product Playbook: https://amzn.to/1EYCUdP If your leadership team is about to make a big strategic bet, the real risk usually isn’t the idea, it’s the assumptions behind it that haven’t been surfaced yet. A Decision Sprint is a focused 6–12 week engagement where we extract, map, and test those risks so leaders can make a clear Commit, Correct, or Cut decision before major capital moves. Learn more or apply at precoil.com.

    55 min

  3. 12/10/2025

    David Sauers | How I Tested Royal Restrooms

    Summary In this episode we interview David Sauers. He’s the founder of Royal Restrooms, a company that’s redefining what a portable restroom can be.  What started with a frustrating moment at a festival turned into David challenging a fundamental assumption: How can we elevate one of the most overlooked parts of any event? He walks us through why weddings became their breakthrough customer segment and how adapting designs for different event types unlocked growth. This isn’t just about restrooms,  it’s about challenging stigma, listening closely to customer signals, and innovating in overlooked spaces.  David explains how they are testing their way into showers, beverage trailers, and beyond. Guest Links LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsauers/ Royal Restrooms: https://royalrestroomsca.com/ Personal Website: https://www.davidsauers.com/ If your leadership team is about to make a big strategic bet, the real risk usually isn’t the idea, it’s the assumptions behind it that haven’t been surfaced yet. A Decision Sprint is a focused 6–12 week engagement where we extract, map, and test those risks so leaders can make a clear Commit, Correct, or Cut decision before major capital moves. Learn more or apply at precoil.com.

    28 min

  4. 11/19/2025

    Aurora Winter | How I Tested A Publishing Company

    Summary In this episode we interview Aurora Winter. She’s the founder of Same Page Publishing, an innovative publishing company that helps you launch as a thought leader. Aurora shares her journey from the film industry to becoming a successful author and publisher.  We discuss her early assumptions with helping authors through her 'Spoken Author Method' and her testing of new formats like video books.  The conversation highlights the importance of storytelling in business, problem-solving, and the value of micro-testing. Guest Links LinkedIn Profile: https://linkedin.com/in/AuroraWinter Same Page Publishing: https://samepagepublishing.com/ Turn Words Into Wealth: https://turnwordsintowealth.com/ If your leadership team is about to make a big strategic bet, the real risk usually isn’t the idea, it’s the assumptions behind it that haven’t been surfaced yet. A Decision Sprint is a focused 6–12 week engagement where we extract, map, and test those risks so leaders can make a clear Commit, Correct, or Cut decision before major capital moves. Learn more or apply at precoil.com.

    36 min

  5. 11/05/2025

    Scott McLeod | How I Tested A $1B Mattress Company

    Summary In this episode we interview Scott McLeod. Scott is the Chief Brand Officer of Resident, a direct-to-consumer company that designs and sells home furnishings such as mattresses and bedding. They were acquired by Ashley in 2024 for $1 billion. Scott and I chat about his background in design thinking and how it has fueled his passion for experimentation, whether it’s building scrappy MVPs with minimal investment or creating environments where failure is not just accepted, but expected as part of innovation.  He shares how he’s helped scale teams while preserving that test-and-learn mindset, why setting clear success criteria is crucial and how to gracefully let go of ideas that don’t deliver. We also dive into the unique challenges of experimenting with physical products versus digital ones, the role of customer feedback in shaping subjective experiences like comfort, and his optimism for how AI and data-driven decision-making will transform the future of product experimentation. I thoroughly enjoyed reconnecting with Scott since our days back at Neo together, and I’m confident you’ll learn a lot from our conversation in this episode.  Guest Links LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mescottmcleod/Website: https://www.residenthome.com/ If your leadership team is about to make a big strategic bet, the real risk usually isn’t the idea, it’s the assumptions behind it that haven’t been surfaced yet. A Decision Sprint is a focused 6–12 week engagement where we extract, map, and test those risks so leaders can make a clear Commit, Correct, or Cut decision before major capital moves. Learn more or apply at precoil.com.

    40 min

  6. 10/22/2025

    JL Heather | How I Tested Corporate Innovation

    In this episode we interview JL Heather. He’s the Manager Partner at Centered. Centered empowers organizations to innovate by fostering a culture of experimentation. JL and I explore the intricacies of innovation, design sprints, and the importance of leadership in fostering a culture of creativity and experimentation. We discuss the challenges of making innovation stick, the role of customer feedback, and the significance of using the right language to engage teams and leaders. JL emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach to problem-solving and the value of involving customers in the design process. Guest Links LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlheather/ Website: https://centered.work/ If your leadership team is about to make a big strategic bet, the real risk usually isn’t the idea, it’s the assumptions behind it that haven’t been surfaced yet. A Decision Sprint is a focused 6–12 week engagement where we extract, map, and test those risks so leaders can make a clear Commit, Correct, or Cut decision before major capital moves. Learn more or apply at precoil.com.

    37 min

  7. 10/08/2025

    Cathy Nesbitt | How I Tested Worm Composters

    In this episode we interview Cathy Nesbitt. She is the Founder of Cathy’s Crawly Composters, a worm composting business focused on sustainability. Cathy shares her journey into the world of worms, detailing how her business was born when the local landfill was shut down and the city began exporting all of their waste.  We discuss the challenges she faced in testing her business and how she eventually pivoted her approach to education through workshops in schools. As Cathy reflects on her experiences, she emphasizes the importance of awareness in driving action and the impact her work has had on the community.  Guest LinksLinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathynesbitt/ If your leadership team is about to make a big strategic bet, the real risk usually isn’t the idea, it’s the assumptions behind it that haven’t been surfaced yet. A Decision Sprint is a focused 6–12 week engagement where we extract, map, and test those risks so leaders can make a clear Commit, Correct, or Cut decision before major capital moves. Learn more or apply at precoil.com.

    33 min

  8. 09/24/2025

    Michael Leung | How I Tested An Assisted Hearing Device

    In this episode we interview Michael Leung.  Michael, is the CEO and founder of the Flo Group. He’s built his company around a simple mission, which is making hearing solutions accessible, affordable, and life-changing for people of all ages. We discuss how his own personal experiences have shaped his approach to product development and testing. Specifically we dive into how he tested his new, open-ear bone conduction headphones with amplification, before bringing them to market. Michael and I chat about how to test hardware products and the need for affordable and effective hearing solutions. LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-leung-462547298/ Website: https://www.theinnerflo.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theflogroup/ If your leadership team is about to make a big strategic bet, the real risk usually isn’t the idea, it’s the assumptions behind it that haven’t been surfaced yet. A Decision Sprint is a focused 6–12 week engagement where we extract, map, and test those risks so leaders can make a clear Commit, Correct, or Cut decision before major capital moves. Learn more or apply at precoil.com.

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Testing your ideas against reality can be challenging. Not everything will go as planned. It’s about keeping an open mind, having a clear hypothesis and running multiple tests to see if you have enough directional evidence to keep going. This is the How I Tested That Podcast, where David J Bland connects with entrepreneurs and innovators who had the courage to test their ideas with real people, in the market, with sometimes surprising results. Join us as we explore the ups and downs of experimentation… together.

Information

  • Creator
    David J Bland
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024 Precoil, LLC
  • Show Website
    How I Tested That

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