Product with Sai

Sai Bhavana Akkineni
  • 5.0 (1)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This is a space where I explore what it really means to build a life, not just a career. Through honest reflections and real-life experiences, I talk about navigating uncertainty, making intentional decisions, and building something meaningful alongside the life you already have. If you’re someone who wants more, but can’t just walk away from where you are, you’re in the right place.

  1. 4D AGO

    Episode 2: I Knew Something Was Wrong Before I Had Words for It

    Have you ever known something was wrong before you had the words for it? That's where this episode starts. I was sitting on my bed recently, in tears, holding my phone, not knowing why I felt the way I did. When I traced it back, it was the scrolling. The algorithm had quietly walked me through years of old pain - and shown me none of the times I got back up. That moment sent me down a rabbit hole of questions I've been sitting with for a while. Why do we lead with pain online? Why do we assume people won't pay attention unless we're suffering? And what does it actually mean when someone says "this too shall pass" - are we finding comfort in that, or are we giving ourselves permission to wait? This is a personal one. No frameworks, no step-by-step. Just an honest conversation about what it looks like to stop scrolling through your past and start building your present. Season 2 of Product with Sai is about exactly that - designing a life that actually works, within the constraints you actually have. This episode is a real example of what that looks like in practice. Come sit with this one.

    9 min

  2. MAR 30

    Episode 1: When Your Constraints Become Your Clarity

    I felt relieved the day I was laid off. Not panic. Relief.And that feeling told me everything I needed to know. This is the story of two years, going from minus 2.0 to2.0. The job that wasn't mine, the confidence I lost, and the quiet experiments that brought me back. No frameworks. No five steps. Just what actually happened,and what I learned about building a life inside real constraints.

    7 min

  3. SEASON 2 TRAILER

    Episode 0: Why Everything Is Changing

    This is Episode 0 of Season Two - a 6-minute conversation about why Product with Sai is evolving. What happened at two back-to-back events that cracked something open in me. And the moment I realized I'd been giving a scripted answer to a question about my own life. Season Two is about designing a life, not just a career. Identity. Becoming. Building under real constraints. Honest reflections, not frameworks. If you've been here from the beginning - thank you. This one's for you. If you're new here - welcome. I think you'll feel at home.

    7 min

  4. MAR 9

    The Loneliness of Career Transitions (And How to Deal With It)

    Today's episode is different. It's not about PM tactics or frameworks or skills. Today, we're talking about something nobody really talks about but everyone feels: the loneliness of career transitions. I need to be honest with you - I feel this constantly. Some days, I feel so alone in this journey. Like I'm the only one who wants this. Like I'm the only one willing to risk what I'm risking. And I know I'm not actually alone. I know there are thousands of you out there going through the same thing. But knowing that intellectually doesn't always make the loneliness go away. So today, I want to talk about it. The real, messy, hard parts of changing careers that nobody warns you about. You'll hear about: - When the loneliness hits hardest (choosing non-traditional paths, feeling stuck while others move forward, networking with people who've already made it) - What people say that makes it worse ("Why don't you just stay in your stable job?" "You're going against our advice") - Feeling lonely even when surrounded by people (at work, social events, imposter syndrome) - Being alone vs being lonely (the critical difference that changed everything for me) - Wanting to give up million times (and what pulls me through - my why, regret being worse than failure) - What I wish people understood (the goals list keeps getting longer, you'll never feel "done") - How I cope: Asking for help (not validation), people who actually listen, reaching out to those who made it, sharing vulnerabilities, building in public - Every "no" is a redirection, not a rejection - Feeling lonely in my ambition (constantly asking "why can't I choose something easy?") - The power of "me too" moments Real, vulnerable talk about: - Why I can't just "be content" with a stable BA job - Feeling like I'm going against everyone's advice - My best friend who just listens without giving advice - Why I keep chasing the next goal (US → Big Tech → BA → PM - I never stop) - Building imaginary noise-canceling headphones to tune out external voices This isn't about tactics. This is about the human side of career change. The loneliness is real. But you're not alone in feeling it. 15 minutes. Raw and honest. How are YOU dealing with the loneliness of your transition? DM me @productwithsai - let's remind each other we're not alone. Connect: Instagram @productwithsai | LinkedIn: Sai Bhavana Akkineni

    13 min

  5. MAR 2

    Building Your PM Portfolio (Do You Even Need One?)

    Last week we talked about how competitive the PM job market is. When the market is that tough, you need to stand out. Which brings us to today's question: Do you need a PM portfolio? And my answer is: Yes. Especially if you're transitioning from a non-PM role. Think about how you hire a photographer. You don't hire them based on a resume saying "I'm good at photography." You look at their portfolio. You see their work. You see their style. Same thing with PMs when you don't have PM experience yet. In this episode, I share what I'm learning about PM portfolios—what works, what doesn't, and what I'm actually doing myself. You'll learn: - Do you need a portfolio? Yes—it's proof you can do PM work (photographer analogy) - What should be in it: Case studies, mock PRDs, product teardowns, current work, side projects, community building - Pick unpopular apps (not generic Netflix/Spotify case studies—stand out!) - Your podcast/community = portfolio (shows PM thinking, user understanding, building in public) - Dealing with confidentiality (my TxDOT work is government/confidential—how to showcase thinking without sharing proprietary info) - Format options: Personal website, Notion, Google Doc, PDF, LinkedIn - Content > aesthetics (start simple, make it pretty later) - Do portfolios actually help? Yes—they show initiative and get you interviews, but bigger value is building YOUR skills - Common mistakes: Too comprehensive, generic case studies, academic vs practical, never updating, focusing on design over thinking - Make it a fun project (if it feels like a chore, it'll show) - How to start: Pick one product, use a framework, write it down, share somewhere, iterate - Portfolio needs regular updates (every 3 months) My honest reality: I'm building mine right now. It's not perfect. It's taking longer than I'd like. But I'm okay with it being a work in progress. 12 minutes. Practical and real. You don't need perfect. You just need to start. Are you building a PM portfolio? What are you including? DM me @productwithsai Connect: Instagram @productwithsai | LinkedIn: Sai Bhavana Akkineni

    12 min

  6. FEB 23

    The PM Job Market Right Now (2026 Reality Check)

    Let me be honest: the PM job market in 2026 is tough. I'm not saying this to discourage you. I'm saying it because pretending things are easy when they're not doesn't help anyone. I'm in this market myself. I'm researching companies, looking at job postings, talking to PMs and recruiters. And the reality? It's more competitive than it was a few years ago. But that doesn't mean it's impossible. It just means we need to be strategic, patient, and realistic about what we're up against. In this episode, I'm sharing what I'm actually seeing in the market, what the data shows, and what this means for your PM transition. You'll learn: - The honest truth: competition is intense, companies are pickier, transitions are harder - The numbers: 6,000+ PM openings globally (up 53% from 2023 bottom, but still competitive) - Senior vs junior roles: Companies hiring aggressively for senior/mid-level, pulling back on junior - AI PM roles are growing (opportunity if you have AI fluency) - Industries hiring most: Fintech, healthcare tech, B2B SaaS - PM salaries holding steady ($92K-$139K mid-level, $150K-$180K+ senior) - Work visa realities: Big tech still sponsors H1Bs, small/mid often don't - My personal situation: Wait and watch mode (visa constraints + market conditions) - What hiring managers want: Domain expertise, technical fluency, data literacy, proven execution - Timeline reality: 6-12 months more realistic than 3 months - Strategic advice: Build skills in current role, network > cold applications, quality > quantity No sugar-coating. No unrealistic hope. Just real talk. The market sucks. But it's not impossible. It requires patience, strategy, and persistence. 12 minutes of honest assessment from someone in the trenches with you. How's the job market feeling for you? DM me @productwithsai Next episode: Building Your PM Portfolio (Do You Even Need One?) Connect: Instagram @productwithsai | LinkedIn: Sai Bhavana Akkineni

    12 min

  7. FEB 16

    Building PM Skills in Your Current Role (Even If It's Not a PM Job)

    Here's something strategic that most people miss when transitioning to Product Management: Your current job - whatever it is right now - is actually your best training ground for building PM skills. Everyone's focused on side projects, online courses, networking outside their company. And all of that matters. But you're at your current job 40 hours a week. You have real projects. Real stakeholders. Real problems to solve. Why not use that environment to build the exact skills you need? In this episode, I share how I'm leveraging my BA role at TxDOT to build PM skills - even though TxDOT doesn't have Product Manager positions. You'll learn: - Why your current job is your training ground (real context, trust, ability to experiment) - My reality at TxDOT (working with Product Owners, reframing my BA work through PM lens) - If your company HAS PM roles (advantages of internal transitions, how to position yourself) - If your company DOESN'T have PM roles (still leverage it - skills are portable) - 7 practical ways to build PM skills in your current role - The Month 2 framework (building proof of work where you are) - How to reframe your work through a PM lens (WHY, WHO, what problem, bigger picture) - Volunteering strategically for projects that stretch you - Building relationships across your organization - Documenting your PM work for future opportunities This applies whether your company has PM roles or not. Whether you plan to stay long-term or eventually move. Whether you're a BA, engineer, designer, or in a completely different field. The skills you build are portable. They go with you wherever you go. Real examples from my TxDOT experience - what I'm doing, what's working, how I'm growing. 12 minutes. Strategic and practical. You're there 40 hours a week anyway. Use it to grow. Are you leveraging your current role to build PM skills? DM me @productwithsai - I'd love to hear what you're doing. Next episode: How to Talk About Your PM Transition in Networking and Interviews Connect: Instagram @productwithsai | LinkedIn: Sai Bhavana Akkineni

    12 min

  8. FEB 9

    How I Actually Manage Everything (The Real, Messy Truth)

    "Sai, how do you do it all?" I get this question constantly. People see the full-time BA job, the weekly podcast, the Instagram content, the networking, the learning PM on the side - and they think I have it all figured out. But here's the truth: I don't. Some weeks I'm on fire. Other weeks I do nothing and feel guilty. And honestly, the past few months I've been burnt out - like, really burnt out. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain. No tactics. No frameworks. Just real talk about how I'm managing everything without completely falling apart. You'll hear: - My actual daily routine (5:30am wake-ups, what I do before work, evenings, weekends) - What's working (early mornings, systems, boundaries, 14 years of journaling) - What's NOT working (rest, managing multiple platforms, guilt) - The burnout story (and what I learned from it) - Daily negotiations I make (rest vs content, friends vs sleep, hustle vs peace) - My philosophy: Systems over hustle culture - Boundaries I protect (sleep, mornings, quality time with friends) - What I'm changing in 2026 (more rest, better boundaries, grace for myself) - If you're overwhelmed right now (what you actually need) This episode is different. It's not educational content. It's just... life. The real, messy truth. I'm not teaching you time management. I'm just sharing what I'm learning as I figure this out. Because here's what I've realized: if you don't treat YOUR life as a product - if you don't manage your time, energy, and health with care - none of the PM tactics matter. You can't make it through a career transition if you're burnt out. 13 minutes. Real talk. Like talking to a friend over coffee. How do YOU manage everything? DM me @productwithsai - I'd love to hear your story. Next episode: Back to PM tactics - How to Demonstrate PM Skills in Your Current Role Connect: Instagram @productwithsai | LinkedIn: Sai Bhavana Akkineni

    13 min
See All (18)

Trailer

About

This is a space where I explore what it really means to build a life, not just a career. Through honest reflections and real-life experiences, I talk about navigating uncertainty, making intentional decisions, and building something meaningful alongside the life you already have. If you’re someone who wants more, but can’t just walk away from where you are, you’re in the right place.

Information

  • Creator
    Sai Bhavana Akkineni
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sai Bhavana Akkineni
  • Show Website
    Product with Sai