The Intentional Product Manager Podcast

In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Shobhit Chugh sits down with Ajit Thupil, a seasoned product leader whose journey spans Amazon, McKinsey, and several high-growth startups—most recently as Chief Product Officer.Ajit shares a refreshingly honest look into what it really takes to scale product with precision, whether you’re operating inside a tech giant or leading growth at a startup. He unpacks the frameworks, mindset shifts, and hard-won lessons that helped him evolve from an engineer to a product executive—and what aspiring PM leaders often get wrong when chasing their next role.You’ll learn:What Amazon taught Ajit about focus, metrics, and decision-makingHow to align product, go-to-market, and revenue in fast-paced environmentsWhy storytelling and strategic communication matter more as you growHow to navigate the leap from IC to product executive—and avoid common trapsAdvice for PMs who want to stand out and lead with impactEpisode Breakdown:00:00 – Introduction to Ajit Thupil 00:59 – Thoughts on remote vs. in-office work in a post-pandemic world02:48 – Lessons from stepping into the CPO role for the first time03:57 – Ajit’s winding career path and the inflection points that shaped it05:53 – Moving from business development to product management11:17 – Key takeaways from working at Amazon15:41 – How to connect product strategy with go-to-market and revenue19:13 – Advice for aspiring product leaders: what to build, how to grow27:21 – Rapid-fire questions and wrap-upConnect with Shobhit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Ajit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajitthupil/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Toxic bosses. Gaslighting. Shattered confidence.If you’ve been there — you’re not alone. And more importantly: you can bounce back stronger.In this powerful episode, Shobhit Chugh (Intentional Product Manager) sits down with Sarah K. Ramsey — high performance coach and author of Becoming Toxic Person Proof — to unpack how product managers can rebuild after difficult work environments and get back to thriving.Together, they explore:The long-tail impact of toxic workplaces on confidenceHow to spot red flags early in future interviewsStrategies to rebuild self-trust and regain your voiceTools like the “Brag Book” to reframe your narrativeWhy healing means solving better problems — not staying stuck in old onesWhether you're recovering from a toxic boss or just want to future-proof your career, this conversation is full of clarity, validation, and next steps.Episode Guide:00:00 – Introduction00:21 – Understanding the impact of a toxic boss00:45 – Meet Sarah K. Ramsey01:35 – How toxic environments erode confidence04:16 – Spotting red flags at work06:15 – Practical steps to rebuild confidence16:38 – Daily habits that create momentum18:49 – Re-entering the job search with intention22:16 – Interview tips for spotting better managers25:46 – Final thoughts26:29 – Wrap-up & call to actionConnect with Shobhit https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Sarah https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-k-ramsey-m-s-n-l-p-0912ba97/Learn to become Toxic Person Proof here. https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Toxic-Person-Proof-Ramsey/dp/1641845961www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Join Shobhit Chugh from Intentional Product Manager as he hosts Shub Agarwal, Senior Vice President of AI at US Bank, professor at USC, and author of the new book Successful AI Product Creation: A Framework for Turning Research into Real-World Value, on the Intentional Product Manager Podcast.In this episode, dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of AI product management — exploring major shifts in AI technology, the unique challenges of deploying AI solutions, and the frameworks that drive real success. Shub shares insights from his new book, including his proven nine-step methodology for bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI research and tangible, impactful products.Discover key lessons learned from years leading AI initiatives, understand why AI is reshaping the very definition of user experience, and learn what skills future AI product managers will need to thrive.Episode Highlights: 00:00 — Introduction to the Podcast 00:27 — Meet the AI Expert: Shub Agarwal 01:20 — Major Shifts in AI Product Development 02:40 — AI as the New UX 04:15 — How AI Product Management Differs from Traditional Product Management 07:18 — The Nine-Step Framework for AI Product Creation 17:08 — Critical Skills for Future AI Product Managers 21:31 — Lessons from the Frontlines of AI Product Leadership 25:11 — Final Takeaways and Book InformationConnect with Shobhit on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Shub on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shub/Get Shub’s book. https://www.amazon.com/Successful-AI-Product-Creation-Framework/dp/1394337841www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Join Shobhit Chugh, founder of Intentional Product Manager, in a powerful conversation with BJ Hillabush — a seasoned product leader and career coach — as they break down the most common mistakes product managers make during their job search… and how to avoid them.From unclear positioning to “silver medal syndrome,” BJ shares practical strategies to help you stand out in a competitive market. You'll learn how to:Craft a resume that clearly shows your impactCustomize your applications without wasting timeAvoid the “spray and pray” trapNetwork more effectively and authenticallyPrepare for interviews with intentionHandle rejections with resilienceNegotiate compensation like a proAnd most importantly: take full ownership of your job searchEpisode Breakdown:00:00 – Intro00:22 – Meet BJ Hillabush00:52 – The most common job search mistakes01:38 – Why positioning matters more than you think02:51 – Resume pitfalls and how to avoid them05:44 – What’s wrong with “spray and pray”09:19 – A better way to prep for interviews15:53 – How to actually network effectively20:18 – Compensation and negotiation tips26:52 – Owning your job search process30:46 – Final thoughtsConnect with Shobhit on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, host Shobhit talks with Rahul Nath, Chief Product Officer at Accel, about his unconventional path through the product world—from McKinsey to Google, scaling fintech at Drip Capital, and now driving innovation at the intersection of venture capital and technology.Rahul shares candid reflections on what it takes to succeed across vastly different environments—consulting, Big Tech, startups, and now VC. You’ll hear how he adapted his product mindset at each stage, the challenges he didn’t expect when leaving Google, and how product leadership can be a force multiplier inside a VC firm.Whether you're navigating a job transition, exploring startup roles, or thinking long-term about your impact as a product leader, this episode is packed with grounded insights and tactical advice.Episode Highlights00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast00:28 – Meet Rahul Nath: Career Journey02:13 – Transitioning from Google to Startups06:53 – Product Leadership in Venture Capital17:44 – Navigating Job Search in a Tough Market21:48 – The Future of Product Management25:32 – Rapid Fire Questions + ConclusionTune in for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about product strategy, career growth, and how technology is reshaping venture capital.Connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Rahul on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulnath18/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Shobhit sits down with Shishir Narula—seasoned product leader and now a highly respected product coach—to explore the mindset traps that hold PMs back in their job search and career growth.Shishir shares the pivotal moments that shaped his transition from big tech to coaching, and dives deep into how mental clarity, self-awareness, and intentional action make all the difference—especially in a tough market.Whether you're burned out from final-round rejections, second-guessing your skills, or wondering what is next, then this is a must listen. Episode Timestamps00:00 – Intro to the Podcast00:26 – Meet Shishir Narula: From Big Tech to Coaching01:06 – Career-Defining Moments and Shifts03:06 – Why Mindset is the Game-Changer in PM Careers05:33 – What Makes a High-Impact PM06:00 – Growth Mindset: What It Really Means14:32 – Navigating Mindset During the Job Search18:50 – Building Confidence That Lasts20:52 – Dealing with Imposter Syndrome in Product21:15 – The Mentor's Dilemma: Why Even Top PMs Get Stuck23:55 – The Traits of Truly Successful Product Managers32:14 – Visualization & Meditation as Career Tools34:08 – Confident Networking (Even if You're Introverted)36:06 – Final Thoughts and Takeaways🎧 Listen now to learn how to take back control of your job search, rebuild your confidence, and approach your career with intention.Connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Shishir on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shishir-narula/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager podcast, Shobhit Chugh sits down with Aindra Misra, Director of Product for Data, AI, and Cloud Platforms at Bill, to explore the world of platform product management.They break down what makes platform PM different from traditional PM, the importance of horizontal thinking, and why scalability and cross-functional collaboration are critical to success. Aindra offers valuable insights into AI’s role in enterprise tech, the unique challenges platform PMs face, and what engineers need to know when transitioning into product roles.Packed with real-world examples and actionable advice, this conversation is essential listening for anyone aiming to grow as a product leader.Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction00:22 – What makes platform PM unique01:58 – Building scalable, foundational systems03:43 – Driving collaboration across teams05:05 – Why horizontal thinking matters05:46 – Real-world examples from Aindra’s work at Bill13:23 – Navigating common platform PM challenges17:23 – How AI is reshaping enterprise tech25:16 – Tips for transitioning from engineering to product29:48 – Aindra’s career journey and key advice33:40 – Wrap-up and how to connectShobhit Chugh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Aindra Misra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aindra-misra/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Job searching can feel overwhelming, but what if you could make every step easier? In this episode, Shobhit from Intentional Product Manager sits down with Aniket Vaidya, a product leader at Atlassian and former Group PM at Google, to break down exactly how to streamline your job search. From building genuine connections that lead to opportunities to positioning yourself as the obvious choice in interviews, Aniket shares practical strategies to eliminate friction in the hiring process—just like a great product manager would.Discover how to leverage your network effectively, make recruiters your allies, and gain insider knowledge to tailor your approach. Learn why practicing mock interviews, understanding the hiring manager’s mindset, and following up strategically can significantly boost your chances. If you're looking to land a top PM role or level up your career, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you navigate the competitive job market with ease.Key Takeaways:✅ Mastering Networking – How to build genuine connections, make it easy for others to help you, and direct you toward the right opportunities.✅ Cracking the Interview Process – Why deep research, leveraging recruiters, and insider knowledge can be game-changers.✅ The Power of Mock Interviews – How early feedback can transform your preparation and make interviews feel effortless.✅ Understanding Hiring Manager Mindsets – Insights from Aniket’s experience reviewing resumes and selecting top candidates.✅ Post-Interview Best Practices – Why following up, staying connected, and adding value after the interview can give you a competitive edge.Aniket also shares candid stories from his own career, including how a failed mock interview opened his eyes to what it really takes to succeed. His advice goes beyond generic tips—it's a blueprint for standing out in a competitive job market.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:22 Meet Aniket Vaidya: Product Leader at Atlassian01:01 Journey to Group Product Manager at Google01:31 Building Real Identity Infrastructure at Google02:33 Transitioning to Product Management at Google03:05 Navigating the Ladder Transfer Process14:51 Key Projects and Missions at Google18:43 Transition to Head of Product AI at Atlassian19:25 Positioning Yourself for AI Roles26:28 Mindset of Hiring Managers30:13 Interview Advice for Product Managers35:56 Conclusion and How to Connect with AniketFind out more about Intentional Product Manager and connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn.Connect with Aniket on LinkedIn.   www.intentionalproductmanager.com

How Top Executives Land Their Next Big RoleWant to break into executive product leadership or transition into venture capital? This episode is packed with insider strategies from Alex Klein, founder of Nucleus Talent, a leader in executive search and recruiting.Join Shobhit from Intentional Product Manager as he and Alex break down:🔍 The hidden job market for senior executives—why top roles are rarely posted online🚀 How to position yourself for high-impact leadership roles🤝 Executive hiring strategies—what companies really look for in top-tier product leaders📈 How venture capital hiring is evolving—and why product leaders are making the leap into VC🔑 Networking & career acceleration tips to land your next executive roleWhether you're an experienced product leader, a startup founder, or an aspiring VC, this episode will give you the tools to stand out and move up.Episode Breakdown00:00 – Introduction: Product leadership & executive recruiting 00:26 – Meet Alex Klein: His journey from TrueSearch to founding Nucleus Talent 01:04 – The Hidden Job Market: Why top executive roles require a different strategy 04:11 – Common Job Search Mistakes: How to navigate executive search and avoid costly errors 06:57 – Executive Search 101: Key differences at the leadership level 07:56 – Contingency vs. Retained Search: Which is right for you? 09:27 – Alex’s Early Career & Transition to Executive Search: Lessons from building teams and leading practices 16:23 – Insights from TrueSearch: The key differences in executive search across industries 19:12 – Winning Leadership Strategies: How to accelerate your career with the right people and mindset 23:51 – The Evolution of Venture Capital Hiring: The shift toward technical, entrepreneurial leaders 27:55 – Breaking into VC: Ideal candidate profiles, networking, and insider tips 30:11 – How to Leverage Your Network in VC: School connections, prior experience, and social media 31:50 – Choosing the Right First Company: Why working at world-class startups accelerates success 35:01 – Fast-Tracking Your Career Through Startups: How high-growth environments propel leaders 36:38 – Hiring the Best PMs Today: What companies look for in product leaders 38:17 – How to Become a Top Product Leader: The skills that make a difference 39:30 – Staying Relevant in Venture Capital: Learning from investors and industry trends 43:13 – The Role of Scout Programs in VC: How to get exposure to deal-making and advisory networks 48:19 – Final Thoughts & Connecting with Industry Leaders🎧 Tune in to learn how to navigate executive hiring, product leadership, and the venture capital world!Connect with Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn and find out more about Intentional Product Manager here. Connect with Alex Klein on LinkedIn here. www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Want to be hired as an AI Product Manager? This might be the most valuable 40 minutes you spend this week!Join Shobhit from Intentional Product Manager as he sits down with Mahesh Yadav, an AI Product Manager at Google with 17+ years of experience in AI, including roles at Amazon and Meta. Mahesh has worked at the forefront of AI innovation, from building intelligent systems at top tech companies to shaping the future of AI. Mahesh also runs an amazing course teaching product managers about how to use AI responsibly. This episode covers:How to position yourself so companies come looking for youThe fundamentals of AI agents and how they power real-world productsA deep dive into what hiring managers are looking for in AI PMsThe biggest challenges in AI product development and how to solve themHow to build responsible AI products while managing risk and complianceThe technical skills that will set you apart as an AI PMHow AI is reshaping product management—and what you must do to stay relevantEpisode Breakdown00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast  00:39 – Meet Mahesh Yadav: AI Specialist at Google – Experience at Google, Amazon, and Meta  03:06 – Mahesh’s career journey in AI: How he navigated roles at top tech companies  06:09 – How to get companies to come looking for you: Staying ahead of AI trends and making yourself the talent they seek  07:40 – AI Agents 101: What they are, how they work, and how they “think”  09:38 – How to get hired as an AI PM: What hiring managers actually look for  14:24 – The roadmap to becoming a top AI PM: Key experiences, interview strategies, and storytelling  19:07 – Understanding evaluations  20:34 – When AI goes wrong: The hilarious (and frustrating) side of AI failures  21:36 – Challenges in shipping AI products: Moving from subjective to objective evaluation  22:30 – The AI Act: What PMs need to know about compliance and accountability  23:12 – Building responsible AI: Avoiding risks, clear communication, and PMs as the last line of defense  26:35 – The accountability checklist: What every AI PM must showcase in interviews  28:32 – How AI is reshaping product management: More technical, more hands-on, more customer trust  31:28 – The must-have technical skills for AI PMs: System diagrams, model recommendations, and prompt engineering  33:29 – What’s possible with AI: Selling your ideas to engineers and staying ahead of the competition  34:52 – Adoption challenges and real-world AI product examples  36:38 – AI’s impact on major tech companies: Why understanding AI is now non-negotiable  39:17 – Conclusion & final takeaways  Connect with Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn and find out more about Intentional Product Manager here. Connect with Mahesh on LinkedIn and find out more about his course on responsible AI. www.intentionalproductmanager.com