How do you take a free language app and turn it into a multi billion juggernaut that users are literally addicted to?
In this episode of TruthWorks, Jessica and Patty sit down with Cem Kansu, the Chief Product Officer at Duolingo. Cem has spent nearly a decade architecting the product strategy that grew Duolingo from a struggling startup into the world’s #1 education app.
This isn’t just a conversation about "product-market fit." It’s a raw look at the operational culture required to run thousands of A/B tests a year without losing your soul. Cem pulls back the curtain on Duolingo’s famous "unhinged" marketing, the reality of managing a "freemium" model that actually makes money, and why they decided to make their AI mascot, Lily, a depressed teenager.
Key topics discussed include:
- The "Mini-CEO" Mindset: Why Duolingo empowers product managers to run their own P&Ls and how that changes the culture of accountability.
- Monetization vs. Mission: The hard conversations and trade-offs involved in making money while keeping the core product free for millions.
- The Truth About Gamification: How to use streaks, leaderboards, and "passive-aggressive" notifications to drive retention without burning out your team (or your users).
- Hiring for Taste: Why data is critical, but product intuition is what actually builds a brand people love.
- Navigating the AI Shift: How Duolingo is integrating GenAI to teach effectively, not just efficiently.
Whether you are scaling a product team or trying to build a culture that embraces experimentation, Cem offers a transparent look at the machinery behind the owl.
