The Intentional Product Manager Podcast

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

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