

Product Thinking
Melissa Perri
Successful product management isn’t just about training the product managers who work side by side with developers everyday to build better products. It’s about taking a step back, approaching the systems within organizations as a whole, and leveling up product leadership to improve these systems. This is the Product Thinking Podcast, where Melissa Perri will connect with industry leading experts in the product management space, AND answer your most pressing questions about everything product. Join us each week to level up your skillset and invest in yourself as a product leader.
Episodes
Mentioned books

23 snips
Aug 6, 2025 • 27min
Episode 235: Inside Product Ops: How Teams Scale Strategy
Quincy Hunte, VP of Digital Products at Cutter Airways, joins industry leaders to discuss the transformative power of Product Operations. They delve into structuring product ops for enhanced efficiency and the importance of aligning technology with business objectives. The conversation highlights how AI can shift focus from administrative tasks to strategic decision-making, aiding product managers. Additionally, they explore innovative planning techniques and the balance between standardization and team autonomy to improve collaboration and customer experiences.

36 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 32min
Episode 234: What Product Leaders Are Saying About AI
Darren Wilson, CPO at Soul Machines, dives into the fascinating realm of AI and its integration in product management. He highlights how AI is revolutionizing strategy, enhancing decision-making, and personalizing customer interactions. The conversation also explores digital humanoids, emphasizing their role in creating empathetic connections and facilitating language learning. With insights on the evolving landscape of AI, Wilson sheds light on its potential to reshape customer experiences and transform product strategies.

55 snips
Jul 23, 2025 • 42min
Episode 233: How Linear Builds Tools Developers Actually Want with Nan Yu
Nan Yu, Head of Product at Linear, is on a mission to redefine project management tools for software development. In a lively chat, she discusses how Linear minimizes friction in workflows, allowing developers to enjoy their craft again. Nan also dives into the evolving role of AI, emphasizing its power to automate tedious tasks and enhance product strategies aligned with company goals. Discover her thoughts on the importance of understanding user needs deeply and the shift towards milestone-based development in Agile environments.

22 snips
Jul 16, 2025 • 48min
Episode 232: The Art and Science of Product Decisions with Jameson Troutman
Jameson Troutman, Head of Product for Small Business at JP Morgan Chase, discusses the fusion of art and science in product management. He emphasizes the importance of a customer-centric approach while leveraging data for impactful decisions. Jameson explores how AI can automate mundane tasks, offering managers more time for strategy. He also shares insights on fostering curiosity within product teams and navigating challenges in adapting to new technologies. Tune in for expert tips on aligning product strategies with genuine customer needs!

50 snips
Jul 9, 2025 • 49min
Episode 231: Laying the Groundwork for Startup Success with Julia Austin
Julia Austin, an author, Harvard Business School lecturer, and founder of Good For Her, emphasizes the importance of laying a strong foundation for startups. She discusses understanding customer pain points and the dynamics between co-founders, stressing the need for alignment in financial attitudes. Julia advocates for outcome-based roadmaps and highlights how AI can streamline product development while maintaining user engagement. Her insights equip first-time product managers with practical strategies for building successful and sustainable startups.

47 snips
Jul 2, 2025 • 45min
Episode 230: Structuring Product Teams Around Outcomes with Jose Quesada
Jose Quesada, VP of Product Management at American Express, brings over 15 years of expertise in digital transformation within finance. He shares insights on creating a culture of safe experimentation, balancing quick wins with long-term strategies, and the importance of soft skills in Product Management. Jose emphasizes the dual-track approach in product development and explores how technology can enhance customer experiences. He also discusses the future integration of AI in financial services, highlighting the significance of data in driving innovation.

45 snips
Jun 25, 2025 • 1h 2min
Episode 229: Navigating Urgency and Strategy in Product Leadership with Oji and Ezinne Udezue
Oji Udezue and Ezinne Udezue, co-authors of 'Building Rocketships' and experienced product leaders, dive into the dynamic world of Product Management. They discuss how PMs must adapt to the AI era, balancing immediate pressures with long-term strategy. Oji shares tips on managing board expectations, while Ezinne distinguishes between companies that embed AI at their core versus those merely using it superficially. The duo emphasizes the importance of communication, execution, and maintaining customer focus in a fast-evolving tech landscape.

16 snips
Jun 18, 2025 • 44min
Episode 228: Shaping the Future of Intent-Based Digital Journeys with Lucie Buisson
In this conversation with Lucie Buisson, Chief Product Officer at Contentsquare, she dives into the transformative power of AI in enhancing digital experiences. Lucie emphasizes the necessity of blending quantitative and qualitative data to create personalized customer interactions. She also discusses the importance of collaboration among teams to ensure a seamless customer journey. Additionally, Lucie predicts that future digital conversations will be heavily driven by AI, advocating for product managers to leverage this technology as a strategic asset for deeper customer insights.

9 snips
Jun 11, 2025 • 45min
Episode 227: Inside LinkedIn’s Product Strategy Culture with Monica Lewis
Monica Lewis, VP of Product at LinkedIn, shares her fascinating journey from engineering to spearheading the AI-driven Sales Solutions team. She discusses how AI is reshaping sales effectiveness by automating time-consuming tasks and providing insights for smarter decision-making. Monica emphasizes the importance of grounding AI solutions in customer needs and highlights the collaborative strategies that foster innovation. Her insights on balancing technology with personal engagement in sales offer a fresh perspective on modern product management.

19 snips
Jun 4, 2025 • 45min
Episode 226: Why Every Product Team Needs a Playtesting Mindset with Christina Wodtke
Join Christina Wodtke, a Stanford professor and game design expert, as she blends creativity with strategy in product management. Christina reveals how game design principles enhance user engagement and drive successful product development. Explore the vital role of continuous feedback in preventing attachment to initial ideas. The discussion also dives into the impact of AI on product management education and the crucial interpersonal skills needed in this evolving field. Discover how balance between emotional engagement and business objectives creates truly meaningful products!