Product Academy Tough Stuff

Product Academy

Product Academy Tough Stuff is tackling the toughest challenges in product management. Each episode features experienced product leaders who address one tough question with actionable insights—no fluff, no filler. Condensed for your busy schedule. Join your hosts, Tanja Lau and Francesca Cortesi, as they engage in honest, no-nonsense conversations with inspiring guests. In less than 30 minutes they share practical, proven advice and provide you with a fresh angle on one specific topic. Let's dive in!

  1. #26: How do I make my high performance sustainable? - with Mareike Müller (Leadership coach and mentor focused on resilience)

    1d ago

    #26: How do I make my high performance sustainable? - with Mareike Müller (Leadership coach and mentor focused on resilience)

    In this episode, Mareike Müller shares with Francesca Cortesi about her insights on maintaining high performance sustainably. Topics include assessing your current state, balancing work and private life, listening to your body, and practical tips for resilience and long-term success. CHAPTERS 00:46 Sustaining High Performance: The Challenge 06:11 Defining Balance: A Personal Perspective 12:31 Mind-Body Connection: Listening to Your Body   16:51 Rewiring Expectations and Self-Compassion 26:29  Navigating External Pressures and Meeting Demands 31:45 Long-Term Strategies for Sustainable Performance OUR GUEST Mareike Müller, Leadership coach and mentor focused on resilience https://www.linkedin.com/in/mareikemuller/ Mareike Müller is a certified leadership coach and mentor, working with founders and senior leaders in VC-backed tech companies to help them navigate the pressure, pace, and increasing team size of fast-growing startups. Drawing on her experience as a Head of People, management team member, and communication expert, her work focuses on leadership, clarity, and high performance, helping her clients lead consistently at a high level, rather than "keep pushing through" and hoping for the best. Her approach enables leaders shift from constant urgency and exhaustion into the confident, strategic leadership their stage demands, so they can delegate effectively, make clear decisions, and drive growth rather than slow it down. When she's not working, you'll find Mareike training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (five years and counting), trying new recipes in the kitchen, exploring coffee shops around Barcelona or wherever she's traveling, or out on a long walk with Machete, her French Bulldog. COOK WHILE LISTENING Mareike’s favourite Khao Soi, Thai coconut noodle soup

    44 min
  2. #25: How do I price my products? - with Iulia Jacobsson (Product Coach & Advisor)

    May 7

    #25: How do I price my products? - with Iulia Jacobsson (Product Coach & Advisor)

    OUR GUEST Iulia Jacobsson is a product advisor and coach with 10+ years of experience leading product teams at scale — including as VP Product at Beekeeper and Head of Product at FIFA. She advises scale-up founders on product strategy and pricing, and brings a rare combination of hands-on operator experience and investor-fluent strategic thinking. Based in Zürich. EPISODE In this episode of Product Academy Tough Stuff, we explore the complexities of pricing, how to navigate internal and external factors, and share insights from Iulia Jacobsson’s experience leading a major pricing overhaul at Beekeeper. Whether you're refining your current strategy or starting from scratch, learn how to approach pricing with confidence. Key topics: Why pricing is one of the most consequential product decisions The multidisciplinary nature of pricing involving finance, psychology, and market insights Who should own the pricing process within an organization Lessons learned from Beekeeper’s complete pricing strategy overhaul The role of beta programs and customer co-design in understanding value and willingness to pay Pricing models for new features, modules, and the impact of AI on pricing How to continuously adapt prices in fast-changing markets and technologies The importance of having a clear decision-making framework and ownership for price evolution Balancing short-term wins versus long-term customer targeting in pricing strategies Connect with Iulia Jacobsson: LinkedIn SHOWNOTES PricingSaaS - is a great way to keep updated on trends and individual case studies  Their most recent report is a great source. It has the data that backs up what I’ve anecdotally seen with the companies I’m advising:https://pricingsaas.com/reports/plg-slg-2025-2026-analysis What's working in SaaS pricing right now The Alternative: How to Build a Just Economy - Nick Romeo The Alternative by Nick Romeo review – moral substitutes for the free market model | Economics | The Guardian Lessons from Lovable: Pricing for AI - Elena Verna Issue tracking is dead – Linear - “Issue tracking is dead” ENJOY THIS EPISODE WITH IULIA’S RECIPE Swedish Waffles: Ingredients: 400 ml wheat flour 1 teaspoon baking powder: A pinch of salt Optional: 1-2 vanilla sugar or just a bit of vanilla  500 ml milk 100g butter, melted 2 eggs Instructions: Mix together the dry ingredients first Add milk and melted butter Add eggs Mix together (make sure there’s no lumps) Let rest for 30 minutes Pro-tip: double the batch if you have neighborhood kids coming around, like our house (the waffles may be to “blame”) :)

    31 min
  3. #24: How do I build up my confidence? - with Parveen Downer (Career Coach, PM instructor, Speaker, Stand-up Comedian)

    12/27/2025

    #24: How do I build up my confidence? - with Parveen Downer (Career Coach, PM instructor, Speaker, Stand-up Comedian)

    In this episode, Francesca Cortesi and Parveen Downer explore the concept of confidence, emphasizing that it is a skill that can be developed rather than an innate trait.  They discuss the importance of taking action to build confidence, the role of mindset in overcoming inner criticism, and practical strategies such as rejection therapy and creating a confidence playlist. The conversation highlights the significance of consistency and preparation in cultivating a confident mindset, encouraging listeners to take small steps towards building their confidence. CHAPTERS 00:46 Understanding Confidence: A Skill, Not a Trait 03:43 The Confidence Loop: Action, Competence, and Growth  06:41 Overcoming Inner Criticism: Strategies for Speaking Up 09:44 The Role of Mindset and Preparation in Confidence  12:53 Building Confidence Through Small Steps 15:44 Rejection Therapy: Embracing No for Growth  18:35 Practical Tips for Cultivating Confidence 21:34 Consistency is Key: The Path to Lasting Confidence 24:47 Final Thoughts: Small Actions Lead to Big Changes OUR GUEST Parveen Downer, Career Coach, PM instructor, Speaker, Stand-up Comedian Parveen Downer is a product manager turned confidence coach with a distinctly portfolio-shaped career. After building her reputation in tech — across operations, regulated industries, and highly technical product roles — she now coaches ambitious professionals to speak up, get noticed, and lead with impact. She teaches product management, designs a circular fashion line celebrating cultural heritage, and occasionally tests her own confidence on stage as a stand-up comedian. Blending evidence-based coaching with real-world product experience (and a healthy dose of humour), Parveen helps quietly brilliant people show the world what they’re capable of. SHOWNOTES Mark Manson on confidence: https://markmanson.net/how-to-be-confident The Quietly Confident club: https://www.consultwithparveen.com/the-quietly-confident-club/ Rejection therapy: https://www.rejectiontherapy.com/100-days-of-rejection-therapy Parveen’s confidence playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6OtMyKLk7vj2izFiWpZM9M?si=12b56610943448d5 COOK WHILE LISTENING Parvee’s go-to pancakes, worth watching the entire video to get all the best tips: https://www.epicurious.com/video/watch/epicurious-101-the-best-way-to-make-perfect-pancakes

    34 min
  4. #23: Is it worth switching to Shape Up? - with Stéphane Turquay (Principal Product Manager at Smallpdf)

    11/20/2025

    #23: Is it worth switching to Shape Up? - with Stéphane Turquay (Principal Product Manager at Smallpdf)

    In this conversation, Tanja Lau and Stéphane Turquay discuss the Shape Up methodology, a product development framework that emphasizes fixed timelines with variable scopes. Stéphane shares insights on the shaping and building phases, the challenges faced during implementation at SmallPDF, and the importance of team dynamics. They explore how Shape Up allows for greater ownership among teams and the need for a mature product and skilled team members for successful adoption. Chapters 00:00    Introduction to Shape Up 01:17      Understanding the Shape Up Methodology 01:56     The Shaping and Building Phases 05:08    Real-World Application of Shape Up 06:05    The Pitch Process in Shape Up 10:43     The Betting Table and Team Dynamics 15:52      Introducing Shape Up at SmallPDF 21:14      Benefits and Challenges of Shape Up 22:57     Recommendations and Pitfalls for Implementation OUR GUEST Stéphane Turquay is a Principal Product Manager at Smallpdf, one of the world’s most popular platforms for PDFs and document management. With a decade of experience in SaaS growth and monetization, he helps build products that delight millions of users worldwide. Based in Zurich, Stéphane has worked across international organizations, corporate spin-ups, and startups, driven by curiosity, clarity, and impact. USEFUL RESOURCES https://basecamp.com/shapeup https://www.houseful.blog/posts/2023/shape-up-at-zoopla/ https://techblog.beefree.io/one-year-of-shape-up-part-2-why-it-works-for-us-bb9413b497ab#32d3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoCGibVonBE https://marmelab.com/blog/2024/09/26/shape-up.html  COOK WHILE LISTENING Warm Tuna Sashimi with Rucola, Parmesan & Rice Noodles

    28 min
  5. #22 How do I avoid feeling like an imposter when I’ve been promoted? - with Caroline Clark (Leadership Consultant and Coach)

    11/06/2025

    #22 How do I avoid feeling like an imposter when I’ve been promoted? - with Caroline Clark (Leadership Consultant and Coach)

    In this episode, Francesca Cortesi and Caroline Clark talk about the complexities of imposter feelings, exploring their prevalence, the impact of perfectionism, and the importance of language in framing these experiences. They discuss strategies for overcoming feelings of inadequacy, emphasizing the significance of connection and belonging in professional environments. Caroline shares insights from her research on imposter feelings among product professionals, revealing that these feelings are common across various levels of experience. The conversation concludes with practical tips for navigating imposter feelings in career growth and the importance of recognizing that these feelings are a shared human experience. CHAPTERS 00:46 Introduction to Imposter Feelings 03:49 Understanding Imposter Feelings  06:32 The Role of Perfectionism   09:52 The Language of Imposter Feelings 12:31  Overcoming Isolation 15:52 Creating a Sense of Belonging 21:51 Survey Insights on Imposter Feelings 24:44  Navigating Imposter Feelings in Career Growth 27:41 Final Thoughts and Takeaways OUR GUEST Caroline Clark, Leadership consultant and coach Caroline Clark is a leadership consultant and coach specialising in performance psychology for leaders in tech and space. As an ex-Product Director with more than 12 years in Product, she understands the unique pressures facing product teams. Her work equips product leaders with evidence-based tools to transform leadership potential into performance - and achieve the impossible. COOK WHILE LISTENING Caroline’s Lentil dahl - this hearty and fragrant dish is perfect for the colder nights closing in, you can make it as hot or mild to your taste by adjusting the amount of chilli! Ingredients: 1 tbsp cooking oil 1 onion 2-3 cloves of garlic 1cm piece of fresh ginger, grated Spices: 1 tsp dried birdseye chillies, 1 tsp turmeric, 2.5 tsp garam masala 150g dried red lentils 750ml vegetable stock 1x can coconut milk 1 tbsp soy sauce or coconut aminos whole courgette, grated bag of spinach To make: Dice the onion, crush the garlic and grate the ginger, then combine in pan over medium heat, turning until onion browns (a few minutes) Add the spice mix and stir in well Add the lentils and dry stir until coated in oil and spices Add stock slowly, stirring into lentils Add coconut milk and soy sauce or coconut aminos, stirring in Leave to simmer for 5 minutes until liquid starts to reduce, then add courgette and stir well Leave to simmer for 20 minutes, then add spinach and stir well Leave to simmer for 5 mins - then it's ready to serve! Serve with rice or naan bread and enjoy!

    30 min
  6. #21: How do I navigate cultural and value differences at work? -with Alena Ipanova (Cultural Intelligence Expert and Trainer)

    10/02/2025

    #21: How do I navigate cultural and value differences at work? -with Alena Ipanova (Cultural Intelligence Expert and Trainer)

    In this conversation, Francesca Cortesi and Alena Ipanova dig into the complexities of navigating cultural differences in the workplace, especially for expats. They discuss the importance of understanding both personal and national cultures, the significance of effective communication, and the challenges of aligning personal values with company culture. Alena emphasizes the need for self-awareness and the willingness to explore unfamiliar cultural interactions to foster better relationships and collaboration in diverse environments. CHAPTERS 00:46 Navigating Cultural Differences at Work 09:01 Understanding Personal and National Culture 16:06 Improving Communication Across Cultures  19:40 Bridging Company Culture Gaps  26:13 Exploring Unfamiliarity in Cultural Interactions  OUR GUEST Alena Ipanova, Cultural Intelligence Expert and Trainer https://www.linkedin.com/in/ialena/ Alena is a cultural intelligence expert, trainer, and coach who helps global leaders and teams work better across differences. With a background in psychology, communication, and intercultural leadership - and over 15 years of experience across various industries - she’s trained thousands of professionals to build trust, communicate clearly, and create inclusive, high-performing teams. She specializes in helping organizations identify and bridge the hidden gaps between cultures, expectations, and mindsets - turning potential friction into stronger collaboration and smarter decisions. Alena is also a mom of three, living a nomadic life - moving to a new country every year with her family and turning each new culture into a learning adventure. COOK WHILE LISTENING Alena’s go-to dessert for surprise guests or impatient kids who want it now : https://scandinaviansimpleeating.com/2019/03/29/crumble-pie-with-summer-berries-smulpaj/

    30 min
  7. #20: How do I manage my time better? - with Todd Birzer (Product Management Leader)

    09/11/2025

    #20: How do I manage my time better? - with Todd Birzer (Product Management Leader)

    Dive into the latest episode of Product Acaemy Tough Stuff Season 3, where Francesca and Todd Birzer tackle one of the most challenging questions in the professional world: "How do I manage my time better?" . Discover why traditional time management techniques might not work for product managers and learn about strategic focus and strategic neglect. Todd shares insights from his career, including the importance of setting boundaries and leaving time for relationships. Tune in for practical tips and a fresh perspective on balancing priorities. CHAPTERS 00:46 The challenges of traditional time management techniques 05:47 Strategic focus and neglect 10:47 Balancing priorities 15:47 Practical tools and techniques to manage your time 20:47 Setting boundaries and building relationships 25:47 Final tips OUR GUEST Todd Birzer, Product Management Leader https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddbirzer/ Todd Birzer has over 25 years of experience in product management—leading product teams in the US and Canada and consulting with teams worldwide. Todd is a lecturer at Temple University, an instructor partner at Udemy, and author of the book The Three-Minute Product Manager. Todd’s latest course: https://www.udemy.com/course/new-manager-make-an-impact/?referralCode=2F6FD10589F611C481F5 COOK WHILE LISTENING Tod’s favorite corn bread: Warm corn bread, with butter and honey, ahhh…glorious  1 cup cornmeal ¾ cup flour 3 Tablespoons sugar 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder ½ teaspoon salt 1 cup milk 2 eggs ¼ cup butter, melted 1. Preheat oven to 205 degrees C or 400 degrees F 2. Mixed dry ingredients in a big bowl 3. In a small bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, and butter 4. Pour the milk / egg / butter mixture into the cornmeal mixture, stir gently (until just moistened) 5. Pour entire mixture into a greased baking pan 6. Bake for 20 minutes For myself, I usually don’t use milk but instead mix three big spoons of natural yogurt with enough water to make one cup. The trick for this recipe: find nice quality cornmeal! Look for cornmeal with both the “germ” and the “bran” – which are the source of nice flavor and texture. I use Bob’s Red Mill Medium Grind Cornmeal. Enjoy!

    34 min
  8. #19: How do I do discovery in hardware? -with Kai Stevens (Product Leader & Discovery Coach)

    06/05/2025

    #19: How do I do discovery in hardware? -with Kai Stevens (Product Leader & Discovery Coach)

    Francesca Cortesi and Kai Stevens discuss the complexities of conducting discovery in hardware. They explore the unique challenges faced in hardware development, including long timelines, irreversible decisions, and the need for robust usability testing.  Kai shares insights on balancing discovery with development, innovative approaches to user feedback, and the importance of collaborative decision-making among stakeholders. The discussion emphasizes the need for a strategic approach to discovery that accommodates the specific demands of hardware while remaining agile and responsive to user needs. CHAPTERS 00:46 Introduction to Hardware Discovery Challenges 02:47 The Context of Hardware Product Management 05:15 Understanding the Risks in Hardware Development 08:58 Balancing Discovery and Development Timelines 12:38 Innovative Approaches to User Feedback 15:18 Usability Testing in Hardware 17:10 Decision-Making in Hardware Development 19:57 Optimizing Discovery Processes 23:41 Collaborative Decision-Making for Product Viability 26:29 Final Thoughts on Balancing Discovery and Execution OUR GUEST Kai Stevens, Product Leader & discovery coach https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaistevens/ Kai Stevens is the founder of Discovery Doctors, a training and consultancy company dedicated to helping product teams master continuous discovery. As a former Group Product Manager at tado°, Kai led a group of cross-functional teams to develop and launch the next-generation smart thermostats of tado° in May 2024. His hands-on experience applying continuous discovery in the connected hardware space inspired him to support other product teams in building better products through a discovery-driven approach." COOK WHILE LISTENING Kai’s favorite vietnamese spring rolls:  https://www.hungryhuy.com/how-to-make-goi-cuon-vietnamese-spring-rolls/

    31 min
See All (26)

About

Product Academy Tough Stuff is tackling the toughest challenges in product management. Each episode features experienced product leaders who address one tough question with actionable insights—no fluff, no filler. Condensed for your busy schedule. Join your hosts, Tanja Lau and Francesca Cortesi, as they engage in honest, no-nonsense conversations with inspiring guests. In less than 30 minutes they share practical, proven advice and provide you with a fresh angle on one specific topic. Let's dive in!

Information

  • Creator
    Product Academy
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    26
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Product Academy
  • Show Website
    Product Academy Tough Stuff