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
Oct 8, 2025 • 38min
Episode 251: From CERN to FemTech Innovation with Magda Armbruster
Dr. Magda Armbruster, Head of Product at Natural Cycles, brings a unique perspective with her background in particle physics from CERN. In the discussion, she shares how scientific rigor informs her approach to developing the first FDA-cleared birth control app. Magda dives into balancing user feedback with data privacy and compliance, essential for building trust. She also discusses expanding into perimenopause and the integration of AI and wearables for personalized health solutions, all aimed at innovating women's health technology.
26 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 13min
Episode 250: Building Smart: Clarity Over Perfection
Discover how product managers can effectively gauge when a feature is ready for delivery. The conversation emphasizes the importance of collaboration with developers and flexible specifications. Learn about the two crucial gates—validation and specification—and how to assess risks for each feature. Melissa shares various validation methods and the significance of establishing clear success criteria before shipping. Plus, insights on avoiding common pitfalls like analysis paralysis and ensuring teams adapt through iterative processes.
11 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 44min
Episode 249: Moving Beyond Function in Product Management with Nesrine Changuel
Nesrine Changuel, a product coach and author with experience at Google, Spotify, and Microsoft, discusses her insights on creating emotionally engaging tech products. She highlights the three pillars of Product Delight: removing friction, anticipating needs, and exceeding expectations, using examples like Revolut. The conversation delves into addressing Zoom fatigue with innovative Google Meet features, the importance of inclusivity in design, and the need for balancing emotional and functional motivators in product development to truly delight users.
40 snips
Sep 26, 2025 • 14min
Episode 248: Escaping the Reactive Trap in Product Teams
Navigating a backlog of customer requests can be overwhelming for product teams. Strategic thinking is key, as categorizing requests and establishing regular review rhythms helps prioritize effectively. Emphasizing quick wins can rebuild credibility, while resetting stakeholder expectations ensures collaboration. Protecting time for discovery and building a solid framework for product strategy are vital for long-term success. Training customer support to triage effectively also enhances the process, ensuring a more strategic approach to product management.
82 snips
Sep 24, 2025 • 55min
Episode 247: Freeing Teams from Operational Overload with John Cutler
John Cutler, a product operations and enablement expert, shares insights from his rich career at Toast and Amplitude, now leading product at DotWork. He delves into how the tension between people and processes shapes product teams. John emphasizes the need for a blend of simplification and nuance in operational models. The conversation also explores the role of AI in enhancing product operations, streamlining processes, and reducing manual tasks, all while addressing challenges in today’s fast-paced tech landscape.
24 snips
Sep 19, 2025 • 7min
Episode 246: Rethinking the Role of R&D
The podcast dives into the intriguing dynamics of integrating R&D within product management. It highlights different roles of R&D, such as market experts and technical teams, using healthcare and education as real-world examples. The discussion warns against R&D drifting into academic territory, stressing the importance of aligning efforts with customer needs and business value. The presenters emphasize treating technical R&D as a platform team to enhance its impact and relevance within the organization.
35 snips
Sep 17, 2025 • 37min
Episode 245: Building Product Thinking in Engineering Teams with Matt Watson
In this engaging discussion, Matt Watson, Founder and CEO of Full Scale, shares his transformative journey from developer to CEO. He highlights the importance of engineers embracing product thinking and seeing their role as part of a larger vision. Matt emphasizes the need for clear communication and ownership in tech teams, advocating for a culture that supports innovation. He also explores how AI is reshaping engineering roles, pushing teams to balance technical skills with business insights to deliver real value to customers.
19 snips
Sep 12, 2025 • 10min
Episode 244: Thriving as a Platform Product Manager
Discover what it takes to shift from end-user product management to platform product management. Learn how understanding internal users and technical workflows is crucial for success. The discussion emphasizes the importance of collaboration with engineering teams and mastering skills like APIs and DevOps. Plus, find out how to align platform strategies with business goals while ensuring scalability and a positive internal user experience. With a rising demand for platform product managers, this is a must-listen for aspiring professionals!
67 snips
Sep 10, 2025 • 33min
Episode 243: Embracing Visual Collaboration in the Age of AI with Elaina O’Mahoney
In this conversation, Elaina O’Mahoney, Chief Product Officer at Mural, shares her expertise in product operations and the integration of AI into collaborative tools. She emphasizes the power of visual collaboration in enhancing decision-making and streamlining processes. Elaina discusses the importance of aligning product management with go-to-market strategies and enhancing customer experiences without sacrificing the human touch. Listeners gain valuable insights on fostering a collaborative culture while adapting to changing market needs.
23 snips
Sep 5, 2025 • 10min
Episode 242: Why Context Switching Slows You Down
Discover the challenges of multiple product managers accessing a single development team and how it can slow down delivery. Explore the negative impacts of context switching on productivity, especially for small and growing companies. Learn about the importance of having dedicated developers to boost ownership and accountability. The discussion emphasizes rethinking the typical product manager to developer ratio and the necessity of tracking metrics for informed decision-making.
