The Growth Podcast

Colin Matthews, an AI product builder and prototyping expert, joins to discuss the future of ChatGPT apps. He explains how these apps could revolutionize user interaction by embedding branded solutions directly into chats. Colin highlights the benefits of integrated distribution compared to traditional app stores and explores various consumer use cases, from to-do lists to healthcare tools. He also emphasizes the importance of app testing, metadata optimization, and team structure for success in this emerging landscape.

Hamel Husain and Shreya Shankar, experienced instructors in AI evals, share their expertise on building reliable production AI. They discuss the critical importance of systematic evaluations over simple demos, emphasizing real-world error analysis. Listeners learn about analyzing real traces, identifying UX failures, and refining categories for actionable insights. The duo highlights the need for tailored evaluations and proper validations, advocating for structured methodologies that prioritize high-impact issues. This engaging tutorial is a must for aspiring PMs in AI.

Carl Vellotti, a seasoned product manager and AI practitioner, shares insights from his daily use of Claude Code, which recently reached a groundbreaking $1 billion ARR in just six months. He explains how Model Context Protocols (MCPs) can seamlessly connect Claude to various tools like Google Workspace and Slack. Carl emphasizes the importance of building reusable workflows and the power of automation to enhance productivity. He also discusses how to create and manage tasks effectively, making every interaction in Claude more impactful.

Marily Nika, an AI product manager at Google with over a decade of experience, shares her essential toolkit for aspiring AIPMs. Discover her six must-have tools, including Google AI Studio for rapid prototyping and Opal for quick mini apps. She emphasizes the importance of prototyping before writing PRDs and reveals tips for using custom GPTs effectively. Marily also discusses interview red flags for candidates and the evolving role of AI in product management, highlighting the necessity of AI literacy for future PMs.

Pawel Huryn, a leading expert in product and AI workflow automation, returns to share his insights on the powerful tool, n8n. He discusses its unique ability to combine traditional automation with AI agent creation. Pawel details practical applications, from chatbots to advanced competitor monitoring workflows, demonstrating real-time builds and cost-effective setups. He emphasizes best practices, the importance of choosing between workflows and agents, and shares top automation tips for product managers. It's a treasure trove of knowledge for enhancing productivity!

Laura Burkhauser, former IC product manager turned CEO of Descript, shares her remarkable journey in AI product development. She reveals how she mapped user pain points to innovate AI features like Remove Retakes. Laura emphasizes the importance of prepackaged tools over blank chat interfaces for user reliability. She discusses using real customer data for evaluations and how export rates signal feature success. Her advice on building relationships and trust with founders is equally insightful as she reflects on her rapid career ascent.

This discussion features Carl Vellotti, a full-stack product manager and prototyping expert with a knack for developer tooling. He dives into the potent capabilities of ChatGPT Codex versus Claude Code. Carl breaks down how non-technical PMs can get started with Codex CLI and offers practical tips on using it for documentation, meetings, and prototyping. He shares hands-on demonstrations of integrating Codex in IDEs and how to streamline workflows using templates, voice dictation, and Socratic questioning for effective PRDs.

Todd Olson, Founder and CEO of Pendo, shares insights on transitioning from core PM to AI PM, emphasizing the rising demand and salary for these roles, which require real-world production experience. He outlines a five-layer technical pyramid necessary for success, from AI fundamentals to strategic leadership. Todd discusses the importance of using AI for prototyping and daily tasks while cautioning against mislabeling expertise. He stresses that experimentation is crucial and urges PMs to focus on optimizing challenging workflows over superficial features.

Rachel Wolan, Chief Product Officer at Webflow, dives into AI product leadership, sharing insights from her journey in shaping AI-native features. She highlights the importance of self-serve tools for leaders and demonstrates how her calendar and email agents streamline productivity. Rachel also discusses practical strategies for rolling out AI in organizations, adjusting career ladders to incorporate AI skills, and emphasizes robust evaluation processes to support impactful launches. Her expertise offers a glimpse into the future of product management.

Xiankun Wu, founder of Kuse, shares his remarkable journey to achieving $10M ARR in just 60 days with no VC funding. He dives into the power of context engineering, explaining how deep understanding—much like a mother knows her child—can significantly enhance AI performance. Xiankun discusses his innovative growth strategies, including a unique Threads hack that generated organic traffic, and emphasizes prioritizing minimal viable outputs over traditional MVPs. His insights on avoiding FOMO in AI and the importance of focus in product development are invaluable for aspiring founders.