Technically Lit

Technically Lit

We’re sharing how top product leaders and practitioners approach collaboration, with a special emphasis on technical literacy, so you can learn how to make smarter technical decisions, build better products, and collaborate more effectively.

Episodes

  1. OCT 16

    You Don’t Need to Code, But You Must Think in Code - Josh Armantrout

    In this conversation, Josh Armantrout shares his unique journey into the design field, emphasizing the importance of coding knowledge for designers and how it enhances collaboration with developers. He discusses the evolution of his workflow in different organizational contexts, the significance of learning from past collaboration mistakes, and the value of embracing various design disciplines beyond traditional product design. Josh also reflects on his current projects and aspirations in the rapidly changing landscape of design, particularly with the integration of AI.Chapters00:24 Josh's Design Journey06:00 The Importance of Coding Knowledge for Designers12:37 Fostering Collaboration with Developers21:04 Navigating Different Organizational Contexts26:20 Current Workflow and Feature Development26:47 Evolving Design and Engineering Collaboration30:24 AI Integration in Design Workflows36:33 Learning Through Diverse Design Experiences49:17 The Joy of Being a Versatile Designer💻⚡️Become a product designer who codes with confidence.🌐 https://technicallylit.com📨 Want fewer bottlenecks, better handoffs, and smoother releases? Join the Technically Lit newsletter for practical coding lessons & tips for product designers: https://technicallylit.beehiiv.com/subscribeConnect with Nick:🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/nick-basile.com👨‍💼 https://linkedin.com/in/nickbasile/🆇 https://x.com/nickjbasile

    50 min

  2. SEP 30

    Balancing execution, strategy, and AI: the expanding role of product designers - Sylvia Nguyen Dang

    In this conversation, Sylvia Nguyen Dang, a Principal Product Designer at DIG, shares insights into her daily responsibilities, the evolving skill set required in product design, and the integration of AI in healthcare. She discusses the importance of collaboration between designers and engineers, the challenges of user research, and the balance between business goals and user needs. Sylvia also offers advice for aspiring designers and highlights the significance of community in the design field.Chapters00:46 A Day in the Life of a Principal Product Designer03:12 Navigating Skills and Learning in Product Design05:11 The Role of AI in Product Design07:10 Technical Literacy and Collaboration with Engineers09:01 Building Tools for Clinical Workers11:17 Collaborative Design Processes12:20 Team Structure and Roles14:32 Balancing User Research and Design15:52 Collaborative Dynamics with Product Managers18:42 Effective Developer Collaboration20:18 Adapting Collaboration Styles21:55 Empathy in Collaboration23:19 AI's Impact on Design Work24:33 Exploring AI in Design Systems28:40 Navigating User Research with AI30:47 Trust and Transparency in AI Applications35:23 Balancing Innovation and Compliance in Healthcare40:41 Collaboration Between Product and Design43:36 Advice for Aspiring Product Designers💻⚡️Become a product designer who codes with confidence.🌐 https://technicallylit.com📨 Want fewer bottlenecks, better handoffs, and smoother releases? Join the Technically Lit newsletter for practical coding lessons & tips for product designers: https://technicallylit.beehiiv.com/subscribeConnect with Nick:🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/nick-basile.com👨‍💼 https://linkedin.com/in/nickbasile/🆇 https://x.com/nickjbasile

    47 min

  3. SEP 2

    Selling optimism and other lessons from being a Microsoft product manager - Adam Wilson

    In this conversation, Adam Wilson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-wilson-canada/), a Senior Product Manager at Microsoft, shares insights into his daily responsibilities, contrasting experiences between working at a large tech company and a startup, and the importance of user research and customer feedback. He discusses the dynamics of product teams, the challenges of managing developer productivity, and the significance of building trust within engineering teams. Adam emphasizes the need for technical literacy, the value of optimism in product management, and the necessity of knowledge sharing within organizations. He also offers advice for new product managers on navigating their careers effectively.Chapters00:31 A Day in the Life of a Senior Product Manager03:49 Contrasting Startup and Corporate Product Management06:46 User Research and Customer Feedback10:47 Team Dynamics and Developer Productivity17:41 Navigating Large Initiatives and Coordination20:45 The Art of Selling Ideas and Generating Buy-In28:12 The Journey of a Product Manager31:59 Learning to Code: A Practical Approach34:05 Navigating the Microsoft Way35:58 Cultivating Visibility in a Large Organization38:13 Maximizing Developer Productivity45:30 Creating an Ideal Product Environment47:44 The Evolution of a Tech Career50:36 Advice for Aspiring Product Managers📨 Want fewer bottlenecks, better handoffs, and smoother releases?Join the Technically Lit newsletter for weekly insights on product collaboration:https://technicallylit.beehiiv.com/subscribe💻⚡️ Become your dev team's favorite collaborator, without learning to code🌐 https://technicallylit.comConnect with Nick:🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/nick-basile.com👨‍💼 https://linkedin.com/in/nickbasile/🆇 https://x.com/nickjbasile

    55 min

  4. SEP 2

    Why Good Code Isn’t Enough for a Good Product - James Pacheco

    In this conversation, James Pacheco (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesrpacheco/) shares his unique career journey from finance to technology, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and continuous learning in the tech industry. He discusses the differences between agency life and in-house work, the transition to product management, and the significance of fostering a collaborative culture within teams. James also addresses the challenges of client relationships, the common underestimations in product development, and the need for cross-functional teams. He reflects on how his perspective on what constitutes a good product has evolved over time, highlighting the balance between visionary ideas and user needs.Chapters00:23 James' Career Journey02:37 The Importance of Technology06:23 Learning New Technologies09:29 Advice for Junior Developers13:02 Agency Life vs In-House Work13:53 Transitioning to Product Management16:51 Building Trust in Teams24:22 Cultivating Company Culture28:00 Coaching Startups on Product Development31:52 Building In-House Product Teams33:10 Underestimating Product Development Challenges35:01 The Importance of Iteration in Product Design37:15 Friction Between Product, Design, and Engineering40:18 Creating Cross-Functional Teams42:30 Evolving Perspectives on Good Product46:19 Negotiating Client Expectations50:48 Reconciling Visionary Ideas with User Needs54:19 Wishing for a Magic Wand in Client Relationships📨 Want fewer bottlenecks, better handoffs, and smoother releases?Join the Technically Lit newsletter for weekly insights on product collaboration:https://technicallylit.beehiiv.com/subscribe💻⚡️ Become your dev team's favorite collaborator, without learning to code🌐 https://technicallylit.comConnect with Nick:🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/nick-basile.com👨‍💼 https://linkedin.com/in/nickbasile/🆇 https://x.com/nickjbasile

    1 hr

  5. AUG 5

    Why Most Product Teams Get Culture Completely Wrong - Ryan Holdaway

    In this conversation, Holdy (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rholdy/) shares his unique journey from a music background to a successful career in technology. He emphasizes the importance of mentorship, overcoming fear in learning, and building effective collaboration among developers. The discussion also covers the role of product management, fostering a culture of experimentation, and the balance between process and flexibility in engineering teams. Holdy highlights the need for system-level thinking and effective communication within engineering, ultimately advocating for a culture that encourages innovation and collaboration.Chapters00:00 Intro03:24 The Importance of Mentorship in Tech06:25 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Learning09:16 Building Effective Developer Collaboration12:15 The Role of Engineers in Product Development15:17 Creating a Culture of Inquiry and Feedback18:21 Navigating Early Career Challenges21:10 The Power of Relationships in Engineering24:03 Collaboration Across Teams: Product, Design, and Engineering28:19 The Power of Accountability in Team Dynamics31:47 Creating a Safe Space for Ideas32:51 Encouraging Experimentation and Learning35:45 Incentivizing Innovation in Product Teams39:29 Understanding Process vs. Culture40:46 Quality Control in Rapid Growth44:54 Bridging the Gap Between Engineering and Non-Technical Teams📨 Want fewer bottlenecks, better handoffs, and smoother releases? Join the Technically Lit newsletter for weekly insights on product collaboration: https://technicallylit.beehiiv.com/subscribe💻⚡️ Become your dev team's favorite collaborator, without learning to code🌐 https://technicallylit.comConnect with Nick:🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/nick-basile.com👨‍💼 https://linkedin.com/in/nickbasile/🆇 https://x.com/nickjbasile

    53 min

  6. JUL 22

    Why Great Marketing Can’t Save a Bad Product - Alex Mann

    In this conversation, Alex Mann (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextmann) shares his extensive career journey in marketing and technology, emphasizing the importance of adapting to technological advancements, particularly AI. He discusses the evolving roles of marketing and product teams, the significance of effective communication, and the art of storytelling in marketing. Alex also highlights the challenges of bridging the gap between marketing and product, and the need for a strong product-market fit. He concludes with insights on the impact of AI in marketing and the importance of understanding the customer.Chapters:00:00 Intro03:12 The Importance of Technology in Marketing06:19 AI's Impact on Marketing and Recruitment09:07 Bridging the Gap Between Marketing and Product15:16 Aligning Marketing and Product Strategies21:22 The Role of Communication in Product Launches28:03 The Discipline of Consistency29:03 Building Effective Product Teams29:46 Customer-Centric Leadership32:10 Navigating Product Challenges35:31 The Importance of Communication40:04 The Art of Persuasion in Product Management43:46 Leveraging AI in Marketing49:39 Understanding the Marketing-Product Relationship💻⚡️ Become your dev team's favorite collaborator, without learning to code🌐 https://technicallylit.com📨 Want fewer bottlenecks, better handoffs, and smoother releases? Join the Technically Lit newsletter for weekly insights on product collaboration: https://technicallylit.beehiiv.com/subscribeConnect with Nick:🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/nick-basile.com👨‍💼 https://linkedin.com/in/nickbasile/🆇 https://x.com/nickjbasile

    54 min

  7. JUL 8

    How small product teams build big impact - Jason Chen

    In this conversation, Jason Chen (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jsnchn/) shares his insights on product development, emphasizing the importance of user-centric collaboration and empathy for the target audience. He reflects on his career journey, highlighting the lessons learned from early mistakes and the significance of communication in product management. The discussion also touches on the evolving role of AI in product development and the critical nature of team cohesion for successful outcomes.Chapters00:26 The Importance of User-Centric Collaboration03:17 Jason's Journey in Product Development06:32 Learning from Early Career Mistakes09:26 The Role of Communication in Product Management12:09 Navigating AI in Product Development15:29 Cohesion in Product Teams18:03 The Future of AI and Product Development💻⚡️ Become your dev team's favorite collaborator, without learning to code🌐 https://technicallylit.com📨 Want fewer bottlenecks, better handoffs, and smoother releases? Join the Technically Lit newsletter for weekly insights on product collaboration: https://technicallylit.beehiiv.com/subscribeConnect with Nick:🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/nick-basile.com👨‍💼 https://linkedin.com/in/nickbasile/🆇 https://x.com/nickjbasile

    53 min

  8. JUN 24

    How great products actually win users - Dee Knell

    In this conversation, Dee Knell (https://www.linkedin.com/in/dee-knell-4b7a0417/) shares her journey from law to tech, detailing how she became a Salesforce developer and why empathy and communication are central to her work. She reflects on navigating career pivots, collaborating with PMs, and building user-centric solutions through iteration and feedback. Dee also talks about managing change in resource-limited environments, integrating AI in the workplace, and the importance of getting more women into tech.Chapters00:00 Getting Started02:07 Early Tech Exposure04:10 Legal Tech Transition08:43 Tech Career Pivot11:30 Discovering Salesforce14:41 First Salesforce Role18:19 Joining Tricordia26:41 Internal Tools Strategy33:08 Team Communication45:24 Embracing AI51:30 Encouraging Women in Tech💻⚡️ Become your dev team's favorite collaborator, without learning to code🌐 https://technicallylit.com📨 Want fewer bottlenecks, better handoffs, and smoother releases? Join the Technically Lit newsletter for weekly insights on product collaboration: https://technicallylit.beehiiv.com/subscribeConnect with Nick:🦋 https://bsky.app/profile/nick-basile.com👨‍💼 https://linkedin.com/in/nickbasile/🆇 https://x.com/nickjbasile

    53 min

  9. JUN 10

    Jason McCarty - The art of product alignment

    In this conversation, Nick sits down with Jason McCarty (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-mccarty-solution/) to learn from from Jason’s extensive experience in product management. Jason shares hard-won lessons from years of building and leading product teams of all sizes, from implementing Scrum in the real world to aligning people around a shared vision (without endless meetings). They also get into the challenges product owners face in technical environments, and how AI is starting to shift the landscape. Lots of practical wisdom in this one.

    53 min

  10. MAY 27

    Emiliano Villarreal - Smell your users: why distance kills good product thinking

    In this conversation, Nick and Emiliano (https://x.com/tipthefuture) explore the evolving landscape of AI, the importance of understanding customer needs, and the balance between speed and user-centric design. They discuss the ideal composition of a product team, the challenges of teaching design principles to students, and the critical role of iteration and prototyping in product development. The conversation emphasizes the need for visibility and collaboration within teams, and the ultimate goal of creating products that genuinely improve users' lives. Emiliano highlights the need for humility among founders and the dynamics of collaboration in established teams. He also addresses the role of empathy between product and engineering teams and the impact of AI on design and development.

    51 min

  11. MAY 27

    Mitchell Wright - Why every marketer should think like a product team

    In this conversation, Mitchell Wright (https://x.com/mitchellbwright), the head of marketing at StackBlitz, shares his unique career journey that blends marketing and technical expertise. He discusses the importance of data literacy across teams, the balance between qualitative and quantitative data in product decisions, and the role of AI in enhancing product insights. Mitchell emphasizes the need for collaboration across disciplines and the significance of understanding customer needs in product development. In this conversation, Mitchell discusses the evolution of workflow automation, emphasizing the shift towards AI-driven solutions and the importance of guiding users in prompt engineering. He highlights the empowerment of non-technical stakeholders in product development and the collaborative potential of AI tools within organizations. The discussion also touches on the challenges of managing AI outputs and the need for educational resources to enhance user experience.

    50 min

  12. MAY 21

    Josh Knell - Why great developers don't just write code

    In this conversation, the one and only Josh Knell (https://x.com/TheBigKnell) shares his journey from neighborhood computer repair kid to technology leader, reflecting on the moments that shaped his path into both programming and leadership. He emphasizes the value of translating between technical and non-technical teams, building relationships, and using storytelling to foster career growth. We also touch on technical literacy, the role of AI in education, and the importance of mindfulness and intentional engagement in a digital world.

    55 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

We’re sharing how top product leaders and practitioners approach collaboration, with a special emphasis on technical literacy, so you can learn how to make smarter technical decisions, build better products, and collaborate more effectively.

Information

  • Creator
    Technically Lit
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Technically Lit
  • Show Website
    Technically Lit