Product Chats Podcast

What does it take to create truly differentiated products in a competitive market?  In this episode, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Todd Bracher, founder of BRACHER and a leader in the world of industrial design and strategic innovation. With over 25 years of experience collaborating with iconic brands like 3M, Georg Jensen, and Issey Miyake, Todd introduces the concept of contextual design—a method that goes beyond aesthetics to consider the broader ecosystem of user needs, market dynamics, and organizational goals.  Todd shares insights from his new book, Design in Context: A Framework for Strategic Differentiation, and discusses how design can serve as a bridge between business objectives and end-user needs. From leveraging tools like the Market Efficacy Index to exploring groundbreaking technologies like UVC germicidal light, Todd demonstrates how design, when rooted in context, becomes a powerful driver of innovation and business success.  Tune in to explore the intersection of design, business, and science and learn how contextual design can transform your approach to product management and innovation.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

Why does storytelling remain the cornerstone of impactful content marketing?  In this episode, Rebecca Kalogeris hosts Rachel Hernandez, Director of Brand Strategy at NextNet Media. Rachel shares her expertise in creating authentic, audience-centered content and the transformative power of storytelling in building lasting brand connections.  From using the Hero’s Journey framework to tailoring B2B marketing strategies, Rachel explores how creativity and authenticity differentiate brands in a crowded marketplace. She also discusses the evolving role of generative AI in content creation, balancing its benefits with the irreplaceable value of human creativity.  Tune in to rediscover the timeless principles of storytelling and learn how to craft content that resonates, builds trust, and drives engagement.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

What does it take to design customer experiences that truly resonate?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Cairo Kenan Marsh, founder and executive partner of Relativ*, to explore the critical role of relationship-driven customer experiences in today’s market. Cairo draws from his extensive experience working with major brands across the U.S. and Asia to explain why understanding customer problems is the foundation of creating impactful experiences.  The conversation uncovers the key differences between customer journeys and customer experiences, emphasizing that every interaction shapes a customer’s perception of a brand. Cairo highlights the need for businesses to design with both the tangible results customers want and the emotions they experience along the way. From blending data and creativity to navigating cultural differences in global markets, Cairo shares practical advice for companies looking to strengthen relationships and deliver meaningful experiences.  Tune in for actionable insights on measuring the ROI of experience investments, leveraging AI to personalize interactions, and navigating the nuances of B2B and B2C customer engagement.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

How do you activate a brand to create authentic connections with your audience?  In this episode, Jim Pietruszynski, CEO of SoulSight, shares the critical process of brand activation—bringing a brand’s identity, values, and messaging to life to deeply engage both B2B and B2C audiences. Soulsight is a brand design agency with over 30 years of experience building iconic brands for global leaders like Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola, and Pfizer.   The discussion highlights the unique challenges of B2B branding, where more human touchpoints exist within an organization, making brand activation tricky. Jim also touches on the importance of aligning a brand’s story with its mission, avoiding shortcuts like influencer reliance, and fostering emotional connections that resonate long-term.  Tune in to discover strategies for communicating your brand, building authentic relationships with your audience, and creating change within even the most risk-averse organizations.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

What’s the secret to setting prices that truly reflect the value you deliver?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris reconnects with pricing expert Mark Stiving for an in-depth look at how understanding value can transform pricing strategies. From Uber’s segmentation strategies to the “good-better-best” approach, Mark shares real-world examples and actionable advice to help you capture more value through strategic pricing.  Learn about the six key areas where you can identify pricing opportunities, and hear Mark’s recommendations on how to overcome the common fears around raising prices.   For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

Wondering how AI fits into the day-to-day work of product managers?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris talks with Dan Corbin, a Pragmatic Institute instructor and expert in AI-driven product management. Dan explores AI's transformative power and shows how PMs can use it as thought partners, problem validators, and data analysts. From market discovery to roadmap prioritization, Dan explains practical ways to leverage AI to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving product landscape.  Learn how AI tools can support you in conducting customer research, validating market problems, optimizing data analysis, and creating a more collaborative development process. Dan shares strategies for using AI to enhance creativity and reduce cognitive load, while emphasizing the importance of retaining the human touch in product management.  Tune in to learn how to integrate AI into your daily work and supercharge your product management skills!  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

How can companies align sales and product marketing through deep market insights?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris chats with Brady Jensen, founder of Clear, about the importance of bridging the trust gap between sales and product marketing teams. Drawing from his experience in tech sales, product marketing, and entrepreneurship, Brady shares how relying solely on internal feedback can erode trust—and why companies must engage directly with the market to validate assumptions.  Brady emphasizes that credibility is the foundation of effective sales enablement, and the key to building that credibility lies in first-party research. From win/loss analysis to persistent market interviews, Brady reveals how gathering actionable insights improves messaging, product differentiation, and collaboration. Tune in for practical advice on harmonizing sales and product marketing to achieve business success.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

What makes some deals a win and others a loss?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Zach Golden, Director at Anova Consulting Group, to explore how win loss analysis can be a game-changer for product managers and business leaders. Zach explains how this powerful tool uncovers customer preferences, competitive dynamics, and product-market fit—helping companies refine their strategies and sharpen their competitive edge.  Learn why qualitative research is essential, how to use storytelling to highlight customer pain points, and how sharing win loss insights across teams can foster collaboration. Zach also offers tips on turning customer feedback into clear, actionable insights that improve both product strategies and customer retention.  Tune in to discover how win loss analysis can help you win more deals and make smarter product decisions.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

Ever wonder how to drive product success when you don’t have direct authority over your teams?  In this episode, host Rebecca Kalogeris chats with Leah Zillner, a product manager at Intellum, about the wild ride that is product management. Leah shares her story of transitioning from program management to product, and how Pragmatic Institute’s courses helped her navigate the journey. From building market insights through client feedback to using tools like UserPilot, Jira, and BigQuery, Leah has tips that will level up your PM game. She also discusses the internal dynamics of product management, where trust and communication are key (especially when you can’t just tell people what to do). Leah talks candidly about learning from mistakes, ditching perfectionism, and building a supportive team culture.  Ready to pick up some insider secrets on how to build relationships, communicate better, and juggle the challenges of product management? This episode has you covered!  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

What’s the secret to building a high-performing product team?  In this replay episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris interviews Amruta Moktali, Chief Product Officer at Skyflow. Amruta shares her journey from tech roles at companies like Microsoft and Salesforce to leading product at Skyflow, where she reimagines data privacy and security.   In this conversation, she reveals her blueprint for building and leading effective product teams, emphasizing the importance of diversity, empathy, and clear communication.  Learn how to define your team's mission, hire for diversity of thought, and motivate your team by aligning their passions with your product’s purpose. Amruta also discusses the importance of transparent communication, empathy among team members, and storytelling as a tool for motivation and collaboration.  Tune in to gain practical insights into creating and sustaining high-functioning product teams.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com.