TruthWorks

Marty Cagan, a veteran product leader and founder of the Silicon Valley Product Group, sheds light on how traditional business practices stifle innovation. He discusses the 'Feature Factory' trap that most companies fall into and shares why hiring the right kind of talent is crucial. Learn about Apple and Netflix's success strategies, emphasizing empowerment over control. Marty argues for humility, the importance of coaching, and creating a product culture that values experimentation. This insight is vital for anyone looking to drive meaningful change in their organization.

How do you take a free language app and turn it into a multi billion juggernaut that users are literally addicted to?In this episode of TruthWorks, Jessica and Patty sit down with Cem Kansu, the Chief Product Officer at Duolingo. Cem has spent nearly a decade architecting the product strategy that grew Duolingo from a struggling startup into the world’s #1 education app.This isn’t just a conversation about "product-market fit." It’s a raw look at the operational culture required to run thousands of A/B tests a year without losing your soul. Cem pulls back the curtain on Duolingo’s famous "unhinged" marketing, the reality of managing a "freemium" model that actually makes money, and why they decided to make their AI mascot, Lily, a depressed teenager.Key topics discussed include:The "Mini-CEO" Mindset: Why Duolingo empowers product managers to run their own P&Ls and how that changes the culture of accountability.Monetization vs. Mission: The hard conversations and trade-offs involved in making money while keeping the core product free for millions.The Truth About Gamification: How to use streaks, leaderboards, and "passive-aggressive" notifications to drive retention without burning out your team (or your users).Hiring for Taste: Why data is critical, but product intuition is what actually builds a brand people love.Navigating the AI Shift: How Duolingo is integrating GenAI to teach effectively, not just efficiently.Whether you are scaling a product team or trying to build a culture that embraces experimentation, Cem offers a transparent look at the machinery behind the owl.

In this episode of Truthworks, Jessica sits down with Guillaume Moubeche, the founder and CEO of Lempire and the creator of Lemlist. Known for building one of the fastest-growing SaaS companies in the world, Guillaume joins the show to unpack the operational and strategic realities of scaling a business from an idea to a global enterprise.Moving beyond financial headlines, this conversation explores the practical mechanics of growth. Guillaume shares his unique approach to B2B sales, the power of community-led growth, and how modern founders can leverage personal branding to drive tangible business results.Key topics discussed include:The "Community-First" Strategy: How to build a loyal user base that acts as your marketing team.Redefining B2B Outreach: Why traditional sales tactics are failing and how to personalize at scale.Operational Excellence: The challenges of managing a rapidly growing team and maintaining company culture.Founder Evolution: Transitioning from a hands-on builder to a strategic CEO.Whether you are an early-stage founder or a seasoned executive, this episode offers a transparent look at what it takes to build a sustainable, high-growth technology company in today’s market.

Dr. Ellen Langer, Harvard psychologist and 'Mother of Mindfulness', shares groundbreaking insights on reversing aging through mindset. She discusses her Counterclockwise study, where elderly men improved their health by adopting youthful habits. Langer reveals how the mindset of hotel maids led to weight loss, proving that belief in exercise matters. She emphasizes the power of 'active noticing' for health, the illusion of absolutes, and practical tips to manage stress. Get ready to rethink your approach to aging and well-being!

In this insightful discussion, Eric Charran, a tech executive and author, dives into the dark corners of leadership with his expertise on dysfunctional workplace archetypes. He reveals the nine types of toxic bosses, like the 'Attack Sub' who sabotages from the shadows and the 'Firefighter' who thrives on crises. Eric shares practical strategies for managing up and transforming your relationship with your boss. He also highlights the importance of fostering a growth mindset to combat workplace dysfunction and offers valuable advice for employees and leaders alike.

Jeff Seibert is the CEO of Digits and the creator of Crashlytics, known for revolutionizing mobile crash reporting. He shares insights on transitioning from a startup in chaos to building AI-native accounting solutions. Jeff reveals why traditional accounting is broken and discusses the power of AI in automating tedious tasks. He emphasizes creating intuitive designs to reduce cognitive load, the importance of visionary leadership in tech, and how to leverage AI for problem-solving rather than final solutions. His experiences provide valuable lessons for innovators.

Suneel Gupta, an author, entrepreneur, and Harvard faculty member known for his focus on leadership and resilience, challenges the belief that we need to be 'ready' to succeed. He discusses how failure fueled his journey from being the 'poster child for failure' in The New York Times to a successful health-tech founder. Suneel emphasizes the importance of managing energy over time, the 'game of now' philosophy, and how fear is a necessary companion on the path to courage. He also shares insights on integrating rest into daily life for lasting well-being.

In a thought-provoking conversation, Anna Lundström, Spotify's CHRO, shares her journey through the evolving landscape of HR in the AI era. She emphasizes the importance of humanizing AI and preparing employees for a future intertwined with technology. Anna discusses Spotify's successful cross-functional AI strategy, which led to nearly universal adoption. She also reveals the company's new cultural anchors—'One Team,' 'Make It Happen,' and 'Use Human Judgment,' reflecting a shift needed as Spotify scales and adapts.

Dr. Rebecca Heiss, a stress physiologist and author, unpacks the surprising truth about stress and fear, advocating for a shift in perspective. She reveals that stress isn't the enemy but can be transformed into a powerful performance tool. The conversation highlights the misconceptions around burnout, the pitfalls of social media, and how vulnerability can build trust in the workplace. Rebecca shares her 'fearless formula' to turn anxiety into excitement, emphasizing that life's most meaningful moments often come with stress.

In a captivating discussion, Alex Pentland, a distinguished data scientist from MIT, delves into the intricate dynamics of trust and collaboration within organizations. He explains how trust shapes company performance and the cultural stories that build it. Pentland shares insights from his research on how AI can facilitate human connection rather than dictate interactions. He emphasizes the need for humility and the importance of shared wisdom in fostering cultural evolution. With promising findings, he showcases the potential for AI to enhance decision-making and promote better collaboration.