The Intentional Product Manager Podcast

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

The CPTO model is on the rise — but what does it really take to succeed when you're leading both product and engineering?In this episode, Shobhit Chugh chats with Shobhit Jain, a seasoned Chief Product & Technology Officer, about how unifying these two functions unlocks innovation, accelerates delivery, and drives smarter AI-native strategy.From shaping strategic roadmaps to scaling cross-functional teams, this conversation is packed with insights for PMs and tech leaders ready to grow into more strategic, high-impact roles.You’ll learn:Why the CPTO model is gaining momentum — and what makes it workHow to go from tactical PM to strategic, executive-minded leaderHow to align product and tech teams around systems, not silosWhat visionary leadership actually looks like in a fast-moving tech orgThe most common leadership traps — and how to avoid themHow to level up your storytelling, stakeholder management, and influenceWhat PMs need to understand about AI (and where most get it wrong)Episode Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro 00:27 – Why the CPTO model matters 00:51 – Meet Shobhit Jain 02:13 – AI’s impact on product and tech 04:03 – System-thinking in team building 08:15 – Driving vision and shared goals 11:24 – Scaling strategy beyond the roadmap 13:24 – Short-term vs long-term tradeoffs 16:06 – Earning stakeholder trust 19:36 – Building your leadership narrative 22:51 – Lightning round: fun & reflective questions 29:26 – Wrap-up and takeawaysListen if you want to:✅ Step into more senior product or tech roles ✅ Become a more strategic cross-functional leader ✅ Learn how to drive outcomes—not just outputConnect with Shobhit Chugh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Shobhit Jain: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jshobhit/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode, Shobhit speaks with Jyothi Nookula, Director of Product Management at Netflix and a seasoned AI product leader whose career spans Amazon Web Services, Facebook AI, and Etsy. Jyothi is also the creator of the “Next Generation Product Manager Course” which helps product managers remain current in a rapidly evolving world. Together, they explore what it truly means to build AI-native products and why AI demands a fundamentally different approach to product management.Key TakeawaysAI-native products are defined by dependence on AI: If you remove the model and the product falls apart, it’s AI-native. Otherwise, it’s just AI-adjacent.Confidence ≠ Competence: Like AI systems, PMs must balance confidence with self-awareness. Overconfidence creates blind spots.Start with the user, not the model: Technical metrics mean little if they don’t map to user experience.Model evaluation is continuous: Feedback loops, test suites, and data drift monitoring must be designed into the product from day one.Leadership is about creating conditions for others to thrive, not driving every decision.Episode Timestamps00:00 – Welcome to the Show00:25 – Meet Jyothi Nookula, Netflix Director of Product01:13 – From Biotech to Big Tech: Jyothi’s Unconventional Path02:58 – What Makes a Product Truly AI-Native?06:58 – The Most Common Mistakes in AI Product Development11:56 – Rethinking Success: How to Measure AI 18:22 – Getting Teams Aligned on ‘What Good Looks Like’20:09 – Leading the Shift: From IC to Director in AI Product25:46 – Lightning Round: Books, Tools & Advice for Aspiring AI PMsConnect with Shobhit on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Jyothi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyothinookula/Become a Next Gen Product Manager: https://nextgenproductmanager.com/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

What do most PMs get wrong about pricing?Why do so many teams struggle to turn vision into action?And how do you build buy-in across the org when you're changing something as sensitive as price?In this episode, Alo Mukerji  SVP of Product at U.S. Bank sits down with Shobhit to break down the real mechanics of product leadership, from high-stakes pricing decisions to translating customer insight into roadmap power.Whether you’re working on a SaaS product, exploring new monetization strategies, or leading a team through ambiguity—this episode gives you the mental models and mindset shifts that actually work.What You’ll Learn:How to align pricing strategy with customer segments and company goalsHow to use qualitative + quantitative data to drive high-conviction decisionsWhy “leadership through storytelling” beats raw logic in tough conversationsHow to build trust with stakeholders when you're recommending bold changesEssential skills PMs need to master beyond frameworks and featuresAlo’s biggest career lessons—and what she wishes she knew earlier00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:29 Meet Our Guest: Alo Mukerji 01:12 Icebreaker Questions03:58 The Importance of Pricing Strategy07:47 Aligning Pricing with Customer Segments10:21 Gaining Stakeholder Buy-In for Pricing Changes12:38 Using Data and Customer Insights17:39 Translating Vision into Strategy23:03 Rapid Fire Questions24:32 Conclusion and FarewellConnect with Alo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alo-mukerji-9a7154/Connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Even if you love your job — you should always be interviewing.Not because you're planning to leave. But because staying sharp, visible, and connected is part of leading well.In this episode, Shobhit sits down with Jennifer Moore — Chief Product Officer of Strategies that Spark consulting services — to unpack what it really means to lead with clarity in a messy, AI-shifting, emotionally charged environment.This isn’t just about job strategy. It’s about protecting your leverage, knowing your value, and not waiting until you're burned out to explore what's next. In This Conversation:Why “always be interviewing” is a leadership strategy — not a job search tipHow to build internal clarity by having external conversationsWhat it looks like when product becomes the silent bottleneckHow Jennifer disarms boardroom tension and brings teams into alignmentWhy visibility, repetition, and emotional resilience are non-negotiable skills in AI-era leadershipWhat she asks herself regularly: “If I were replaced tomorrow, what’s the first thing the new person would fix?”Whether you're actively job searching or just leading through noise, this episode will reframe how you think about career momentum — and what it really means to be ready.00:00 Introduction to the Podcast00:26 Meet Jennifer Moore: Product Strategy Expert00:59 The Magic of Product Management01:18 Quickfire Questions with Jennifer04:49 Navigating Product Alignment07:28 Managing Stakeholder Communication13:39 Creative Communication Strategies15:11 The Importance of Empathy in Product Management16:40 Balancing Data and Human Stories18:56 Handling Loud Customers vs. Meaningful Signals21:31 Building Empathy Within Product Teams24:35 The Future of Product Management with AI27:04 Essential Skills for Product Leaders29:05 The Role of Community in Product Management30:17 Creating an AI-Proof Career Plan34:39 Rapid Fire Questions37:05 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsConnect with Shobhit on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/Connect with Jennifer on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-r-moore/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Join Shobhit, founder of Intentional Product Manager, as he sits down with Karan M Gupta, CEO of Alice AI, to explore what it takes to lead and innovate in the age of AI.In this candid and insight-rich conversation, Karan shares lessons from his journey through multiple IPOs, global product leadership, and founding a cutting-edge AI startup. You’ll hear his take on building product orgs that scale, hiring and coaching high-performing PMs, and why talking to customers is still the most important skill in the AI era.Whether you're a rising PM or an experienced product leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights on navigating fast-moving tech, scaling AI-native products, and leading with clarity in a complex world.You’ll Learn:How to stand out in your product career—especially in AI-first environmentsThe biggest hiring mistake PM leaders make (and how to avoid it)Why voice AI is still misunderstood—and how Alice AI is changing thatKaran’s unique coaching approach for growing strategic PMsPractical advice on building privacy-first products for enterpriseHow to adapt (and thrive) as technology evolves at breakneck speedEpisode Breakdown:00:00 – Welcome + Introduction00:30 – Meet Karan M Gupta, CEO of Alice AI00:59 – Rapid-fire icebreakers01:55 – Leading across cultures and continents05:08 – How AI is shaping our daily lives06:46 – Karan’s journey from engineering to product leadership10:27 – The story behind founding Alice AI13:59 – Common myths in voice intelligence16:32 – Earning trust with large enterprise clients18:23 – Building privacy into product DNA9:04 – What Karan looks for when hiring PMs21:10 – Coaching product managers for long-term growth23:31 – AI’s accelerating role in product management25:44 – Staying adaptive in a rapidly changing tech landscape31:07 – Lightning round: leadership lessons & tools33:25 – Final thoughts + Shobhit’s closing takeawaysConnect with Shobhit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Connect with Karan M Gupta: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karanmg/www.intentionalproductmanager.com

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