The Intentional Product Manager Podcast

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

From EB-1A “Einstein” Visa to Digital Health Leadership with Anu RamakrishnanAnu’s journey is nothing short of inspiring, from immigrant bioengineering student to health tech product leader driving FDA-approved AI products and building connected health ecosystems at Samsung. Along the way, she’s also become a powerful advocate for immigrant success, securing the prestigious EB-1A visa herself.In this candid conversation, Anu shares:How to balance innovation with regulatory and clinical validation requirements Why mindset shifts, like self-advocacy, are critical for career growth The role of empathy, human-centered design, and clarity in leading healthcare innovation Practical advice for PMs looking to enter or grow within digital healthWhether you’re navigating your own career pivot, building healthcare products, or striving to become a more intentional product leader, this episode will give you both inspiration and actionable takeaways.Episode Breakdown00:00 – Welcome to the IPM Podcast00:28 – Meet Anu Ramakrishnan: Health Tech Innovator02:01 – Discovering a passion for product management04:38 – Challenges and misconceptions in digital health04:47 – Building FDA-approved AI health products09:50 – Advice for new product managers in healthcare14:15 – Navigating career growth as an immigrant21:17 – The EB-1A “Einstein Visa”: An immigrant’s journey26:59 – Consumer tech vs. healthcare: lessons learned31:58 – Fun and inspirational insights37:22 – Closing thoughts & takeawaysConnect with Shobhit Chugh https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Anu Ramakrishnan https://www.linkedin.com/in/anupamaram/Work with Anu https://www.allthingsanu.com/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Interview success isn’t luck. It’s control. In this episode, Shobhit Chugh, CEO of Intentional Product Manager, reveals Principle 1 of the Intentional Job Search: The Split Second Principle. Learn how to take back power in your interviews by mastering the first impression, the moment that decides whether you’re seen as a leader or overlooked as just another candidate.Discover why recruiters and hiring managers decide almost instantly whether you’re a strong candidate and what you can do to control that impression. Through real client stories and practical strategies, you’ll learn how to position yourself with clarity, signal leadership right away, and stop “leaking” opportunities in those critical first moments.Whether it’s your resume, LinkedIn headline, or opening lines in an interview, this episode gives you the tools to transform the way people see you, fast.What You’ll LearnThe neuroscience behind why decisions happen in seconds.Why many strong candidates still feel invisible in interviews.How shifting your positioning changes how others see you.Real-world client transformations that led to job offers.Why clarity matters more than charisma in your job search.Simple ways to fix your “first impression” across resume, LinkedIn, and interviews.Episode Breakdown00:00 – Welcome & the path to elevating your product career00:52 – Principle One: The Split Second Principle explained01:26 – How the brain decides before you do02:34 – Why you feel invisible in interviews (and how to fix it)03:22 – Case Study: Sarah’s shift from “safe choice” to multiple offers04:34 – The power of clear positioning in your job search06:08 – Case Study: Akash’s journey from no traction to six interviews a week07:04 – Why clarity beats trying to impress07:28 – Practical steps to fix your first-second signal08:04 – Wrap-up & what’s coming in the next episodeConnect with Shobhit Chugh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/www.intentionalproductmanager.comwww.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Shobhit Chugh reconnects with longtime friend and product leader Sekhar Putcha. Sekhar opens up about a bold, non-linear career path that’s taken him from supply chain roles at Amazon to consulting at McKinsey, and now to leading global supply chain product at Starbucks.But this conversation is more than just a resume walk. Sekhar shares:How optimizing for learning, not titles, shaped his careerWhat most PMs misunderstand about operations and supply chain rolesWhy optionality can help early in your career, but clarity wins laterHow to bring product thinking into legacy organizationsThe real (and not-so-real) impact of generative AI in supply chainWhat McKinsey taught him about sharpening product senseYou'll also hear about Sekhar's homemade gelato hobby, how he uses AI for deep writing, and his advice for managing marriage like a product (yes, really).If you're a product leader navigating career choices, struggling with context switching, or curious how AI is really changing the game, this episode is packed with insights and laughs.Timestamps:00:00 – Welcome and podcast intro00:27 – Meet Sekhar Putcha + Seattle vs Boston, gelato, and marriage as a product03:41 – Sekhar's bold, non-linear path: Amazon → McKinsey → Starbucks10:09 – The PM’s dilemma: Optionality vs specialization15:41 – The truth about operations PMs and why they matter more than you think21:10 – Bringing product mindset to legacy orgs (and project cultures)27:53 – Generative AI in supply chain: real-world use cases (and hype)35:42 – How Sekhar uses AI to accelerate writing and thinking38:50 – The McKinsey effect: Day One Hypotheses and product sense44:20 – Rapid fire: TikTok, The Goal, Starbucks scale, and what AI should take off his plateConnect with Shobhit Chugh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Sekhar Putcha: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sekharputcha/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Most product managers treat the job search like a to-do list and end up overwhelmed, overlooked, or stuck in roles that don’t fit.In this powerful solo episode, Shobhit Chugh, founder of Intentional Product Manager, kicks off a groundbreaking series based on his upcoming audiobook The Principles of a Job Search.He shares the exact system that's helping product managers and leaders land aligned, high-impact roles, without the burnout or guesswork.🎯 You’ll discover:Why traditional job search advice no longer worksThe 7 core principles behind an intentional and effective job searchHow hiring managers actually make decisions and how to influence themWhat’s coming next in this must-listen seriesWhether you're actively job hunting or just starting to explore what’s next, this episode lays the foundation for a smarter, more strategic approach to your product career.Episode Breakdown00:00 – Intro to The Intentional Job Search00:35 – What’s broken about the way most PMs look for jobs01:45 – The shift: from reactive to intentional02:08 – The 7 Principles of a Successful Job Search02:45 – Principle 1: The Split Second Principle03:05 – Principle 2: Optimize a Job for Your Life03:21 – Principle 3: The Business Case Principle03:37 – Principle 4: The Hero’s Principle03:51 – Principle 5: The Politician Principle04:07 – Principle 6: The Energy Transfer Principle04:25 – Principle 7: The Leverage Principle04:40 – What to expect in the rest of the series05:17 – Wrap-up and next stepsConnect with Shobhit Chugh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/www.intentionalproductmanager.com