The Intentional Product Manager Podcast

You’ve done everything right. Optimized your resume, followed the roadmap, and kept grinding…Yet you’re still stuck. Still underpaid. Still wondering why others are moving ahead in their careers and you’re not.In this episode, I break down the real reason high-performing Product Managers hit a plateau. And it’s not your resume, your credentials, or even the job market.It’s the state your nervous system is operating from.You’ll discover:Why even the smartest Product Managers stall out in their job search or career climbHow stress, rejection, and “playing not to lose” silently block career and income growthThe 12-minute daily practice that rewires your mindset to operate from clarity and powerCareer-killing mindset traps and how to reset themHow to build the identity, energy, and confidence of a top-earning product leaderIf you’re tired of second-guessing yourself, watching others get promoted, or working beneath your full earning potential, this episode gives you the reset you’ve been looking for.This isn’t fluff. This is performance psychology for ambitious product leaders.Your mindset is your multiplier. Reset it and watch your income and influence grow.Highlights:00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:45 Understanding the Real Issue01:10 The Importance of Mindset04:54 Minimum Viable Progress08:15 Six Mindset Traps14:21 Conclusion and Next Stepswww.intentionalproductmanager.com

Here’s the truth:Everyone is chasing AI.Everyone is updating their resume.But very few candidates are building the kind of narrative and positioning that creates belief, the thing that actually leads to offers.In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Deepak Tiwari, product leader at Meta, Google, Lyft, shared some of the clearest, most actionable insights on:What hiring actually looks like inside Big Tech right now and where AI is creating demand for Product ManagersThe difference between a $600K and $1.2M interview (and how to prepare for each)How to tell the story of your impact instead of just listing titles or tasksThe biggest mistakes senior Product Managers make when applying and how to avoid themWhy data alone isn't enough and how to balance intuition with analysisWhat hiring managers look for in AI/ML Product Managers (hint: it’s not just buzzwords)Signals that a company takes product management seriouslyHow to decide whether ML is the right solution or just tech theaterWhat to include in your resume if you want to be taken seriously in AI rolesWhy writing and reading skills become a strategic advantage as you riseShobhit and Deepak unpack how senior product managers can land executive roles, especially in today’s AI-saturated job market by refining their narrative, building trust before interviews, and making strategic career bets.Highlights:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest01:05 Deepak's Journey into Product Management03:48 Lessons from Google06:45 Current Job Market and Hiring Trends16:28 Advice for Aspiring Product Managers19:00 Key Skills and Metrics for Product Managers28:39 AI and Machine Learning in Product Management40:29 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsIf you’re a product leader aiming to make your next big move, whether into Big Tech, AI startups, or executive leadership, this episode is for you.Follow Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Follow Deepak Tiwari in LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/detiwari/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

What does it take to lead and stay relevant through multiple waves of industry disruption?In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Shobhit Chugh sits down with Vik Chaudhary, VP of Product, ex-Meta leader, MIT AI Lab alum, and veteran of three major tech revolutions:→ SaaS→ Cloud Infrastructure→ Enterprise AIVik has built products, led teams, and influenced strategy through it all.But what makes his perspective unique is how he adapts with clarity, decisiveness, and deep cross-functional thinking.In this conversation, you’ll learn:How to thrive as a Product Manager during major tech shiftsThe difference between strategy and execution, and why knowing your strength matters more than everWhy some of the best Product Managers are now “full-stack” operatorsWhat it means to be indispensable to both product and salesWhy big tech behemoths still matter and how to navigate around (or with) themThe career trap many Product Managers fall into when trying to “climb” to leadershipA candid look at how Vik redefined his career by stepping off the traditional pathThis episode is packed with timeless lessons, hard-won wisdom, and tactical insights that every product leader needs right now.00:00 Introduction 00:56 First Big Technology Shift: From Software to SaaS04:30 Strategic vs. Execution Oriented in Tech Shifts12:37 Respecting Industry Behemoths19:43 Adapting to Technological Shifts in Product Management31:04 Understanding the Technological Shift32:25 The Role of a Full Stack Product Manager36:12 Becoming Indispensable in a Technological Shift40:43 Career Growth and Bold Moves47:16 Corporate Level Impact and Executive Trajectory56:54 Final Thoughts and Career AdviceConnect with Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Vik Chaudhary on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikchaudhary/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

What does true ownership look like in product management, and why do so many teams miss the mark?In this episode of The Intentional Product Manager Podcast, I sit down with Kishore Narra, a product executive who's led high-impact teams at TaskRabbit, Coinbase, Meta, and more. We dive deep into what separates busy teams from effective ones, and how top product leaders drive clarity, impact, and alignment across the organization.We cover:Why reducing user friction isn’t always the right moveHow to structure teams for real ownership and accountabilityThe anti-patterns that stall progress and how to coach your way out of themLessons from building platform, risk, and marketplace products at scaleWhy clarity on metrics and problem space is the foundation of any great teamWhether you’re managing a small squad or leading a large org, this episode is packed with tactical insights and mindset shifts to help you lead with intention.Episode Highlights:00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:23 Guest Introduction: Kishore Narra01:32 Early Career and First Product02:53 Lessons from Early Experiences03:04 Understanding User Friction04:59 Effective Habits for Product Managers06:01 Organizing Teams for Success09:24 Challenges and Anti-Patterns in Team Management13:43 Product Management Across Different Companies17:50 Remote Work and Decision-Making at Coinbase19:14 Differences Between Application and Platform Product Managers20:29 Skills for Successful Platform Product Management22:27 Metrics and Promotion for Platform PMs25:09 Journey into Payments and Risk Management27:34 Challenges and Strategies in Fraud Prevention32:11 Lightning Round: Storytelling and Career Growth34:31 Final Thoughts and RecommendationsFollow Shobhit Chugh at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Follow Kishore Narra at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kishorenarra/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Ram Sangireddy, former VP of Product at Salesforce, shares insights from his journey as a leader in platform and AI product management. He debunks the myth that platform products are solely engineering-driven, emphasizing the importance of strong product management involvement. Ram defines technology innovation platforms and discusses critical health metrics like security and scalability. He also explores LLM ops, the importance of AI ROI, and essential skills for aspiring product managers. Plus, he reflects on the dynamics of product leadership at home.

In this episode, Shobhit Chugh and Will Lowrey from Intentional Product Manager pull back the curtain on the exact system our clients use to stand out in a crowded product market and land senior roles faster.What you’ll learn:The state of the PM job market and why companies are still hiring, negotiating, and choosing from strong pipelinesAngle of Mastery positioning, and how it makes you the obvious hire, not just another candidateWhy a narrative-first approach beats resume tweaks and keyword stuffingThe behaviors that move you forward daily without burnoutHow to get “pre-sold” before the interview with the right kind of networkingWho this is for:Product managers and product leaders aiming for Director, VP, or C-suite roles who want a clear, repeatable way to differentiate, interview with confidence, and negotiate from strength.Real wins we discuss:Final rounds for multiple executive roles at onceTwo competing offers within 24 hoursExceeding comp goals after one focused week on the right activityAlumni coming back for executive strategy support after landing C-suite rolesEpisode Highlights:00:00 – Introduction01:11 – Celebrating Recent Wins04:39 – Insights on the Current PM Job Market09:26 – Misconceptions About Job Search15:12 – Personalizing Job Search Strategies21:12 – Behind the Scenes at Intentional Product Manager26:59 – Tailoring Strategies for Senior PMs30:30 – Client ROI and Success Stories36:49 – Final Thoughts and Key TakeawaysFollow Shobhit Chugh at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Follow Will Lowrey at https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamlowrey/ www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this insightful episode of the Intentional Product Manager podcast, Shobhit from Intentional Product Manager speaks with Gina Pasqua-Abeles, Senior Director of Product Management at Robinhood. They delve into Gina’s career journey from her beginnings in SEO to leading trading products at Robinhood. The conversation covers three key themes: the work habits of top-performing product managers, the use of narrative for alignment, and shifts involved when transitioning from product management to managing product managers. The episode also touches on practical advice for product managers looking to advance, effective storytelling for stakeholder alignment, and hiring and leadership tips in the product management space. Gina offers valuable perspectives on continuous learning, low-ego participation, and the importance of contributing beyond one's immediate role. This episode is a treasure trove of practical wisdom for anyone looking to excel in product management.00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview00:24 Guest Introduction: Gina Pasqua-Abeles00:58 Gina's Journey into Tech01:52 First Product Decision and SEO Lessons03:46 Growth vs. Core Product Management05:12 Daily Habits for Success06:13 Career Development and Top PM Traits09:03 Managing Ambiguity in Product Management12:04 Transitioning to Leadership Roles14:18 Coaching Managers of PMs20:56 Storytelling and Alignment28:01 Hiring and Leadership Insights34:03 Lightning Round and ConclusionConnect with Shobhit here https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Gina here https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginapasqua/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

What does it take to build a platform that scales, delights customers, and powers entire ecosystems?In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Shobhit sits down with Dilip Poluru, a seasoned platform product leader with experience at Informatica and ActiveCampaign, to unpack the strategies behind successful platform management.Dilip shares actionable insights on:Turning deep customer insights into platform strategyDesigning for extensibility and co-innovationCrafting billing models (like consumption-based and freemium) that fuel growthBalancing agility vs. stability in complex ecosystemsBuilding impactful first-party apps that attract and empower partnersAlong the way, Dilip reflects on his own career journey and offers personal growth lessons for aspiring and experienced product managers alike.Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction 00:29 – Meet Dru: From ActiveCampaign to Informatica 00:46 – What Defines a Platform? 01:21 – Lessons Learned at ActiveCampaign 01:47 – Insights from Building at Informatica 02:14 – Crafting a Platform Playbook 05:52 – Customer Success Stories 06:25 – Metrics & Monitoring Platforms 07:11 – Co-Innovation and Extensibility 09:48 – Balancing Stability with Agility 12:40 – API Management & Policy Design 15:34 – Billing Models: Consumption & Freemium 18:23 – The First “Aha” Moment with Free Offerings 27:30 – Career Growth Lessons for PMs 28:28 – Lightning Round + ClosingConnect with Shobhit at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Dilip at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dilippoluru/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode, Shobhit sits down with Saurabh Sharma, Chief Product Officer at You.com, to unpack what it takes to lead in the rapidly evolving world of AI.Saurabh shares his journey from starting out as an engineer at IBM, to building products at Google and OpenSea, and now driving applied AI innovation at You.com. Along the way, he reveals lessons learned from frontier markets like NFTs and AI search, where product–market fit is anything but obvious.This conversation dives deep into:Why evals are the new PRD, UX, and SLA in AI product developmentHow to build AI products users actually trust and adoptThe role of ethics, compliance, and tone in responsible AI designNavigating ambiguity in frontier markets with his “Three E’s framework” (Exploration, Expansion, Engineering)Why product managers can’t delegate listening to customersPersonal lessons on continuous learning, resilience, and intellectual curiosityTimestamps00:00 – Welcome & Introduction00:33 – Meet Saurabh Sharma01:06 – From IBM engineer to Google PM: Saurabh’s journey02:50 – Common threads across Google, OpenSea, and You.com06:07 – Building AI products: lessons from the frontier14:54 – The “Three E’s” framework for strategy in ambiguous markets23:36 – Ethics, compliance, and trust in AI design25:39 – Personal insights: books, health tech, and definitions of success29:31 – Closing thoughts & where to connect with SaurabhConnect with Shobhit Chugh here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Saurabh Sharma here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saurabhs/Connect with youdotcom here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/youdotcom/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, host Shobhit Chugh takes you deeper into Principle Two of the Intentional Job Search system: designing a job that fits your life, rather than squeezing your life into a job.Instead of chasing roles that look good on paper, Shobhit shares eight powerful outcomes that define a truly great job and career. You’ll learn how to spot opportunities that give you:A fulfilling, energizing weekWork that amplifies your natural strengthsGrowth in your career capitalA manager who truly supports youA culture free from drama and politicsCompensation that matches your real valueContinuous learning and developmentA compelling narrative that expands your future optionsThrough real-life success stories, you’ll see how product managers transformed their careers by focusing on these outcomes and how you can do the same. Shobhit also shares practical tools, from the right questions to ask in interviews to the mindset shifts that help you confidently say “no” to the wrong opportunities and “yes” to the right ones.This episode will challenge you to rethink how you approach your job search and career design, so you can make clear, intentional choices that align with the life you want.Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 00:20 – Why your job should fit your life 01:18 – The 8 outcomes of a truly great job 04:37 – Success stories: how PMs applied this principle 06:21 – The power of saying no 06:45 – Questions to ask in interviews 09:24 – Shifting your self-talk & mindset 11:18 – Takeaways & next stepsConnect with Shobhit on LinkedInwww.intentionalproductmanager.com