Product For Humans | Learning AI out loud, one product at a time.

Christa Hill & Renee Matsalla | Co-Founders of Tacit Edge Product Leadership
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Product for Humans is the podcast where AI meets real life. Hosted by Christa Hill and Renee Matsalla, co-founders of Tacit Edge, the show is part deep conversation with people doing remarkable work in AI, ethics, and leadership, and part honest processing of what we're seeing on the ground every single week. Some episodes feature guests who are challenging how we think about everything from decolonizing AI to workforce transformation. Others are just us, talking through what we're learning, what surprised us, and what we got wrong. This is not a hype show. There are no predictions about the singularity. No breathless takes on the latest model release. This is a show about what it actually looks like to lead, build, and make decisions when the tools are changing faster than the playbook. We talk about AI literacy, product thinking, organizational design, trust, bias, and what it means to adopt responsibly when there is no instruction manual. If you are a leader, a founder, someone navigating AI for your team or your career, or just a curious human trying to make sense of all of this, you are in the right place. New episodes drop regularly. Find us at pfh.riverside.com.

  1. MAY 5

    Debug Your Source Code - Understanding Decolonized AI

    What if the biggest bug in AI isn't in the algorithm? What if it's in us? In this episode, I sit down with Christian Ortiz, Afro-Indigenous decolonial social scientist, technologist, and creator of Justice A.I. GPT, the first AI system built on a decolonial framework. We go deep on what decolonization actually means (explained like you're five), why AI is essentially a mirror of our inherited biases, and how tools like Justice AI are turning that mirror into a feedback loop that helps us do better. Christian's story is wild. From growing up in LA and New Jersey, to walking out of a corporate discrimination case, to beta testing ChatGPT in 2022 and immediately spotting the bias problem, to building his own AI that doesn't just flag what's wrong but walks you through how to fix it with empathy and emotional intelligence. We talk about what bias is actually costing organizations (hint: it's millions), why HR teams need tools like this more than ever, and why "ethical AI" and "decolonized AI" might just be the same conversation. Plus, we play Smash or Pass with AI tools. Christian has opinions. Strong ones. This one is heavy, hopeful, and deeply human. If your last episode was "We Built This Mess," this one is about what we do about it. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Christian Ortiz16:52 Decolonization and Its Impact28:00 The Role of Bias in AI33:30 Ethical AI and Its Impact49:35 AI Tools and Their Impact54:50 Accessing and Working with AI LINKS: Justice AI Website: justiceaigpt.ca Christian Ortiz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/modatlasmedia/ Mod Atlas Media: https://justiceaigpt.ca/modatlasmedia ABOUT YOUR HOST: Christa Hill is the founder of Tacit Edge Inc. and creator of Product for Humans. She teaches product management as a leadership discipline and helps organizations adopt AI with confidence, not fear. Learn more at tacit-edge.com. CONNECT: Website: tacit-edge.com Email: info@tacit-edge.ca LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christahill

    50 min

  2. FEB 13

    We Built This Mess: AI, Power, and the Human Cost of Moving Fast With Katrina German

    AI is changing everything, but the real crisis is trust, and leaders are not measuring the human cost. In this 2026 episode of Product for Humans, Christa Hill goes deep with Katrina German, one of Canada’s clearest voices on ethical digital leadership. They start with what sparked Katrina’s recent media coverage: AI-enabled harassment and the rise of synthetic sexualized imagery used to silence women online. From there, the conversation zooms out to a bigger question: how did we go from early internet guardrails to today’s “terms of service as consent” reality, and what does that mean for Canadians trying to lead through platform power, misinformation, and fragile digital infrastructure? Then they shift to the human side. Katrina names the thing many leaders feel but cannot articulate: technostress. They talk boundaries, organizational clarity, and why leaders in 2026 have one job above all else: rebuilding trust. They wrap with a fast, fun “Smash or Pass” round on AI self-regulation, unenforced principles, and the myth that we are “too early” to govern. What we coverWhy AI-generated sexualized imagery is being used to silence women online, and why platforms cannot shrug it off as “user responsibility”The media problem: whose voices get airtime, and what it costs when expert women get clipped to one sentenceA practical solution for journalists and experts: Informed Perspectives, a network that helps match media with expert womenRegulation memory loss: what Canadians already regulated well (and why we stopped pushing for the same accountability in social platforms)Platform power vs public interest: why commercial incentives are not the same as societal stewardshipCanada’s opportunity moment: and why “building our own” is back on the tableThe human cost of constant change: technostress, burnout signals, and what leaders are asking people to carryWhat leaders must prioritize in 2026: trust as a strategic pillar, not a brand valueSmash or Pass lightning round: self-regulation, terms of service, “responsible AI” without enforcement, and leadership literacy GuestKatrina German is the Founder and CEO of Ethical Digital. Her work focuses on ethical digital leadership, trust, and helping organizations build human-centered digital strategy with real accountability. https://www.katrinagerman.com/ https://www.ethicaldigital.ca/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinagerman/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of the Conversation 07:27 The Mess We Built: Regulation and Technology 26:00 The Human Cost of Not Measuring 26:58 Navigating Emotional Responses in a Digital World 28:29 The Importance of Self-Care in Tech 30:19 Understanding Techno Stress and Burnout 32:35 Strategies for Managing Tech Overload 36:49 The Future of AI: Integration or Opt-Out? 39:13 Building Trust in the Age of Technology 44:14 The Role of Ethics in AI Development

    48 min

  3. 12/24/2025

    2025 Holiday AI Wrap with Renee & Christa

    Send us a text In this final episode of 'Product for Humans', Christa Hill and Renee Matsalla reflect on their journey throughout the year, discussing the impact of AI on their business and personal lives. They explore the challenges and successes they've faced, the importance of community engagement, and the lessons learned from navigating the AI hype cycle. The conversation emphasizes the need for continuous learning and collective action in the face of technological advancements, while also sharing insights on various AI tools and their effectiveness. As they look ahead to 2026, they encourage listeners to embrace education and empowerment in their own journeys. Don't miss the unforgettable AI Tool "Smash or Pass" segment! 20 tools rapid fire! Hosted by: Renee Matsalla & Christa Hill Tacit Edge: Website: tacit-edge.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tacitedge Instagram: instagram.com/tacit.edge YouTube: youtube.com/@TacitEdge Find Christa Hill on social: Instagram: instagram.com/christa.hill.ai/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christajhill/

    1h 9m

  4. 07/31/2025

    Hot Girl AI Summer: Why You Need to Go AI-First — Now

    Send us a text In this energizing mid-year check-in, Christa and Renée dive into the accelerating pace of AI and why 2025 is the year to stop watching from the sidelines. From Canada’s shockingly low AI adoption stats to what it really means to build AI-first businesses, they break down the urgency for leaders, teams, and individuals to level up—fast.  💡 They cover:  What “AI-first” means (and why “AI-last” is a risk) Why technical literacy is the new leadership currency The myth of AI replacing humans—and what’s actually happening in real companies Real-world use cases built for less than $5 (!) How strategic people (not just technical folks) are leading the AI charge Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or already in the mix, this is your moment to get in the game.  🔥 It’s not just an AI moment. It’s a movement.  👉 Join us online for a free Hands on "Zero to One AI" lesson you can do over your lunch break:  Sign Up Here    👉 Register for our next AI Business Leader webinar:  Sign Up Here   Hosted by: Renee Matsalla & Christa Hill Tacit Edge: Website: tacit-edge.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tacitedge Instagram: instagram.com/tacit.edge YouTube: youtube.com/@TacitEdge Find Christa Hill on social: Instagram: instagram.com/christa.hill.ai/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christajhill/

    42 min

  5. 06/18/2025

    The Future of Sport: Where Data Meets Grit

    Send us a text In this episode of Product for Humans, we dive into the exhilarating—and urgent—intersection of sport, technology, and AI. Join hosts Christa Hill and Renee Matsalla as they sit down with longtime friend Dr. Taylor McKee from Brock University's Centre for Sport Capacity to explore how data, ethics, and innovation are reshaping the future of sport.  From predictive analytics and injury prevention to safe sport and cultural reform, we unpack:  The opportunities and risks in sport tech adoption  Why nonprofit sport organizations are drowning in sensitive data—and what to do about it  How a product mindset can help teams move from overwhelmed to empowered  The untapped potential of AI to make sport safer, more inclusive, and more equitable  How young professionals can break into sport leadership without a famous last name  Whether you’re a sport executive, a volunteer board member, or a student trying to build a career in sport—this one’s for you.  🧠 Data is already in the game. The question is: are we ready to use it for good?  🔗 Resources, links, and how to connect with Dr. Taylor McKee are in the show notes.  Hosted by: Renee Matsalla & Christa Hill Tacit Edge: Website: tacit-edge.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tacitedge Instagram: instagram.com/tacit.edge YouTube: youtube.com/@TacitEdge Find Christa Hill on social: Instagram: instagram.com/christa.hill.ai/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christajhill/

    50 min

  6. 05/09/2025

    PFH015:The Antidote to “Discovery Theatre"

    Send us a text Tired of pretending you're doing discovery when really, you're just guessing? In this episode, we step into The Product Experiment Garage with Chantal Botana and Maurice McGinley for a real talk on what discovery actually means — and why it’s so often misunderstood. This isn’t about running a full-blown design sprint on day one. It's about finding the next right step in your product practice — and doing it in a low-stakes environment where you can observe, experiment, and learn. 💡 You’ll hear: Why “Discovery Theatre” is holding your team backHow to challenge assumptions with users, not in a vacuumThe value of practicing product outside your daily workA better way to onboard your team into true discovery habitsProduct is a practice. It’s a team sport. And you don’t need permission to get better at your job — just a garage, some guidance, and a willingness to try. Want to try this for yourself? Sign up for a session here: https://product-garage.eventbrite.com  Want to connect with Chantal and Maurice: https://www.linkedin.com/company/product-evangelist/     https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpath/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/cbotana/ Hosted by: Renee Matsalla & Christa Hill Tacit Edge: Website: tacit-edge.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tacitedge Instagram: instagram.com/tacit.edge YouTube: youtube.com/@TacitEdge Find Christa Hill on social: Instagram: instagram.com/christa.hill.ai/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christajhill/

    38 min

  7. 12/11/2024

    PFH014: Standing Up for What's Right in Tech with Frances Haugen

    Send us a text Frances became a household name in 2021 when she blew the whistle on Facebook for the prioritization of profits over user safety.    And guess what... she is a PRODUCT MANAGER!    We got to ask her about her pathway into Product Management, what it was like working at Facebook when these practices were happening, and how she got the courage to speak up for what is right.    We also got to talk about the future of AI and how we can be at the forefront of it.    This is a MUST WATCH for anyone who is interested in the future of technology and how it can be created ethically.  Want a discount on AI Product Management Education? Join our Info Session! https://courses.tacitedge.ca/ai-product-management-apply-now-page  Hosted by: Renee Matsalla & Christa Hill Tacit Edge: Website: tacit-edge.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tacitedge Instagram: instagram.com/tacit.edge YouTube: youtube.com/@TacitEdge Find Christa Hill on social: Instagram: instagram.com/christa.hill.ai/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christajhill/

    52 min

  8. 10/11/2024

    PFH013: How Product Management Powers a $10 Billion Tourism Industry

    Send us a text Tired of your job and want to pivot? Well, it isn’t as hard as you might think! Don’t just take our word for it—hear from recent Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) grad Jillian Hale, who transitioned from marketing to become a Group Product Manager at Travel Alberta. Join Christa Hill and Renee Matsalla tomorrow to learn how Jill made her successful pivot into Product Management and how you can too! Hosted by: Renee Matsalla & Christa Hill Tacit Edge: Website: tacit-edge.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tacitedge Instagram: instagram.com/tacit.edge YouTube: youtube.com/@TacitEdge Find Christa Hill on social: Instagram: instagram.com/christa.hill.ai/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/christajhill/

    46 min
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About

Product for Humans is the podcast where AI meets real life. Hosted by Christa Hill and Renee Matsalla, co-founders of Tacit Edge, the show is part deep conversation with people doing remarkable work in AI, ethics, and leadership, and part honest processing of what we're seeing on the ground every single week. Some episodes feature guests who are challenging how we think about everything from decolonizing AI to workforce transformation. Others are just us, talking through what we're learning, what surprised us, and what we got wrong. This is not a hype show. There are no predictions about the singularity. No breathless takes on the latest model release. This is a show about what it actually looks like to lead, build, and make decisions when the tools are changing faster than the playbook. We talk about AI literacy, product thinking, organizational design, trust, bias, and what it means to adopt responsibly when there is no instruction manual. If you are a leader, a founder, someone navigating AI for your team or your career, or just a curious human trying to make sense of all of this, you are in the right place. New episodes drop regularly. Find us at pfh.riverside.com.

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