Supra Insider

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben sat down with Yue Zhao, a former product leader at Thumbtack, Instagram, Meta, and Fuzzy, who now thrives as an executive coach and author. Yue shares her story of moving to Barcelona, exploring new career paths, and writing a book that reshaped her outlook on work and leadership. They dive into key topics like navigating career pivots, staying energized through curiosity, and learning to reframe limiting beliefs.Whether you’re a product leader considering new career paths or someone seeking actionable tips for personal growth, this conversation is packed with insights.All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇To support the podcast, please check out the links below:* Supra just launched its first Product Leadership compensation & tools benchmarks report. The report covers comp trends across different seniority tiers, work settings, and reporting structures. Want to get access to the full report? Please fill out this form to get your exclusive copy.* Preparing for a PM interview with tech companies like Meta and Google? Check out Ben's course for Product Sense and Analytical Thinking PM interviews (selected by Lenny Rachitsky as a Top Course in Product on Maven 🔥) and the standalone AI Copilot for practice. Supra Insider listeners get 10% off the course with promo code “suprainsider”. Next cohort runs March 4-16.In this episode, we covered the following topics:* Why Yue decided to leave Silicon Valley and move to Barcelona* Her journey from Chief Product Officer to executive coach* How she explored various career paths and learned to follow her curiosity* The mindset shift that helped her write and publish her book in just four months* Reframing limiting beliefs and breaking free from self-imposed constraints* The common challenges product leaders face and how coaching can help* Strategies for building trust, improving team dynamics, and reducing burnout* And much more!If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:Links:* The Uncommon Executive: https://news.yuezhao.coach/* Yue Zhao: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yuezhao/* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:And here are some less recent favorites: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben sat down with Irene Yu, founder and CEO of Skiplevel, professional training designed to teach PMs how to become more technical without learning to code. In this conversation, they explored Irene’s journey from Amazon engineer to entrepreneur, the communication challenges between PMs and engineers, and how Skiplevel is helping mitigate those challenges. They also discussed the rise of AI features in product development, exploring how PMs can handle edge cases, learn critical AI concepts, and avoid the dreaded "demo trap." Irene also revealed how she used AI to build a personalized therapist and life coach. This episode is packed with valuable takeaways for PMs, engineers, and product leaders looking to level up their collaboration and technical skills.All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇To support the podcast, please check out the links below:* Preparing for a PM interview with tech companies like Meta and Google? Check out Ben's course for Product Sense and Analytical Thinking PM interviews (selected by Lenny Rachitsky as a Top Course in Product on Maven 🔥) and the standalone AI Copilot for practice. Supra Insider listeners get 10% off the course with promo code “suprainsider”. Upcoming cohorts: February 4-16, March 4-16.* Want to connect with product leaders like you? Check out Supra, an invite-only community with 350+ product leaders. You'll get matched with a group of 6-8 carefully vetted individuals and participate in a monthly session facilitated by a world-class coach. Last year, members reported solving their top product challenges 3x faster through these sessions. Plus, tap into our vibrant Slack community for "behind closed doors" topics, join exclusive speaker events with industry pioneers, and connect at intimate roundtables and in-person meetups.In this episode, we covered the following topics:* Irene’s motivation for founding Skip Level and her experiences onboarding PMs at Amazon* The communication breakdowns that often occur between PMs and engineers* Why technical onboarding is crucial for effective product teams* Irene's FAIR framework for approaching technical discussions with engineering teams (Feasibility, Alternate Solutions, Impact, Risk Mitigation)* The rise of AI features in product development and their implications on PM responsibilities* Fun insights into using AI for personal growth, including personalized therapy and coaching* And much more!If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:Links:* Irene Yu: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamireneyu/* Skiplevel: https://www.skiplevel.co/* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:And here are some less recent favorites: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Tal Raviv, a product expert, and Joshua Herzig-Marx, known for building innovative tools on Replit, dive into the transformative world of AI in product development. They discuss how AI-driven tools are revolutionizing prototyping and reshaping product management. The conversation highlights the emerging AI-native companies and the evolving roles within product teams. They also tackle the balance between speed and thoroughness, the need for adaptability, and how understanding user interaction is critical for innovation in an AI-centric landscape.

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben take a moment to reflect on their journey after reaching 40 episodes. They share their evolution - from starting the podcast as a fun experiment to crafting the art of genuine conversation that defines their podcast format today.The conversation flows naturally into their aspirations for the new year, exploring exciting trends like AI-powered prototyping and the changing landscape of IC career paths, while sharing practical wisdom on setting expectations and building momentum in both work and life.This episode is packed with actionable insights for anyone looking to refine their workflows, explore new opportunities, or simply hear candid thoughts on how to sustain creative projects over the long haul.All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇To support the podcast, please check out the links below:* Preparing for a PM interview with tech companies like Meta, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI? Check out Ben's Maven bootcamp for Product Sense and Analytical Thinking PM interviews. Supra Insider listeners get 10% off with promo code “suprainsider”. Two cohorts are open for enrollment: February 4-16 and March 4-16.* Want to connect with product leaders like you? Check out Supra, an invite-only community with 350+ product leaders. You'll get matched with a group of 6-8 carefully vetted individuals and participate in a monthly session facilitated by a world-class coach. Last year, members reported solving their top product challenges 3x faster through these sessions. Plus, tap into our vibrant Slack community for "behind closed doors" topics, join exclusive speaker events with industry pioneers, and connect at intimate roundtables and in-person meetups.In this episode, we covered the following topics:* Reflections on the first 40 episodes: lessons learned and favorite moments* Evolving the podcast from an interview format to conversational storytelling* Productivity unlocks, including using AI tools, dictation, and time-blocking* Personal growth: reframing problems, making tough decisions, and simplifying workflows* Trends we're excited about: AI-powered prototyping, PM productivity, and IC career paths* Goals for the new year, including scaling personal projects and refining focus* And much more!If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:Links:* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:And here are some less recent favorites: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben sat down with Brenton Sellati, VP of Product at Pie Insurance, and Joshua Herzig-Marx as the honorary co-host for this episode to dive into the transformational journey of implementing the product operating model at Pie Insurance.Brenton shares how he overhauled Pie’s product strategy, slashing 66% of the roadmap to focus on high-ROI initiatives, aligning leadership, and fostering a product-led culture. With insights from Joshua throughout the discussion, the episode explores the challenges and successes of introducing a problem-first mindset, building cross-functional collaboration, and creating a transparent prioritization system.This episode is packed with actionable advice for product leaders and executives looking to drive organizational change and implement sustainable product practices.All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇To support the podcast, please check out the links below:* Preparing for a PM interview with tech companies like Meta, Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI? Check out Ben's Maven bootcamp for Product Sense and Analytical Thinking PM interviews. Supra Insider listeners get 10% off with promo code “suprainsider”.* Want to connect with product leaders like you? Check out Supra, an invite-only community with 350+ product leaders. You'll get matched with a group of 6-8 carefully vetted individuals and participate in a monthly session facilitated by a world-class coach. Last year, members reported solving their top product challenges 3x faster through these sessions. Plus, tap into our vibrant Slack community for "behind closed doors" topics, join exclusive speaker events with industry pioneers, and connect at intimate roundtables and in-person meetups.In this episode, we covered the following topics:* How Brenton implemented the product operating model to transform Pie Insurance’s product strategy* The decision-making process behind slashing 66% of the roadmap and refocusing on high-ROI initiatives* The importance of transparency and a data-driven approach to prioritization* Challenges of transitioning to a problem-first mindset and how Pie Insurance’s leadership aligned to support the change* Practical advice for empowering cross-functional teams and building a culture of continuous improvement* Insights on fostering alignment and navigating organizational change* And much more!If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:Links:* Brenton Sellati: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentonsellati/* Joshua Herzig-Marx: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaherzigmarx/* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:And here are some less recent favorites: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta, dives into the changing landscape of product management compensation. He reveals modest salary shifts and a decline in equity compensation since 2022. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping industry roles and altering hiring patterns. Peter also discusses the tricky terrain of equity exercise risks and why many employees hesitate to cash in on options. With insights on navigating the competitive job market, Walker's expertise sheds light on the future dynamics of the startup ecosystem.

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben sat down with Alvaro Morales, CEO and co-founder of Orb, a company revolutionizing modern billing infrastructure with notable customers like Vercel, Perplexity, and Replit. Alvaro shared his journey from being an engineering manager at Asana to launching Orb after encountering challenges with pricing iterations.He also discussed the evolving role of pricing in product strategy and the rise of usage-based and outcome-based pricing models. Additionally, he shared his insights into the psychology behind pricing decisions, the importance of building customer trust, and how Orb's platform enables cross-functional teams to refine pricing with the same speed and efficiency as their product updates.If you're a product, engineering, or finance leader curious about transforming your pricing strategy or building more agile processes, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇In this episode, we covered the following topics:* How Alvaro’s experiences at Asana inspired the creation of Orb* The challenges modern teams face with pricing* The psychology of pricing and how customer trust plays a pivotal role* Outcome-based pricing as the “holy grail” and why it’s so difficult to achieve* How Orb helps companies make pricing a dynamic, strategic advantage* Alvaro’s journey with early design partners to refine Orb’s pricing* Key trends in freemium, reverse trials, and usage-based pricing* And much more!If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:Links:* Alvaro Morales: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvaro-morales/* Alvaro Morales X: https://x.com/alvaromorales* Orb: https://www.withorb.com/* Alvaro Morales Email: alvaro@withorb.com* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:And here are some less recent favorites: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben sat down with Teresa Torres, author of Continuous Discovery Habits, to explore the role of AI in modern product discovery. Teresa shared why customer empathy remains irreplaceable, the common pitfalls teams face when misusing AI in research, and practical strategies for integrating AI effectively—without losing sight of the human touch.She also offered her insights on how AI can empower product teams to build skills, enhance customer interviews, and streamline discovery workflows, all while staying firmly rooted in authentic customer understanding. If you're passionate about truly knowing your customers and using AI as a tool—not a crutch—this episode is brimming with valuable takeaways!All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇In this episode, we covered the following topics:* Why AI can enhance but never replace human-driven customer research* The pitfalls of relying on synthetic users and autogenerated personas* How to use AI as a “team member” to synthesize interviews and uncover insights* Importance to building curiosity and empathy into product teams* Practical use cases for AI in discovery, including feedback analysis and research repositories* Exciting experiments Teresa is running with AI to help PMs hone their interviewing skills* The importance of owning your audience and the challenges of modern social media platforms* And more!If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:Links:* Teresa Torres: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresatorres/* Teresa Torres X: https://x.com/ttorres* Product Talk: https://www.producttalk.org/* Product Talk Daily Substack: https://producttalkdaily.substack.com/* Product Talk Videos: https://videos.producttalk.org/* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:And here are some less recent favorites: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben sat down with Tal Raviv, an experienced product manager and AI enthusiast, to explore the intersection of AI and productivity in product management. Tal shares insights from his career, including his time as the first PM at Riverside and his work building generative AI features.We dove deep into the myths surrounding AI's role in product management, the power of context when working with tools like Claude and ChatGPT, and practical use cases for both co-pilots and agents. Tal also shared tips on creating a personal productivity system and how product managers can use AI to become more effective and impactful in their roles. Whether you're new to AI or looking to level up your approach, this episode has something for you.All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇In this episode, we covered the following topics:* The myths surrounding AI in product management and its potential to reshape workflows* The distinction between AI co-pilots and agents and their applications in work* Practical use cases for leveraging AI tools like Claude to enhance productivity* Building a personal productivity system to manage tasks, time, and stress effectively* How foundational productivity skills amplify the effectiveness of AI tools* Exploring the balance between offloading routine tasks and improving strategic thinking* Insights into career transitions, solopreneurship, and redefining personal success* Predictions for the future of AI's role in product management* Inspiration and practical advice for professionals at all levels* And more!If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:Links:* Tal Raviv: https://www.linkedin.com/in/talsraviv/* Tal’s Maven Course: https://maven.com/tal-raviv/product-manager-productivity-system* Claude: https://www.claude.ai* Reflect: https://reflect.app/* Granola: https://www.granola.ai/* Grain: https://grain.com/* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:And here are some less recent favorites: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben sat down with Sunil (Sunny) Chaudhary, a former product leader turned recruitment director at Riviera Partners, one of the top recruiting firms in tech. Sunny shares his journey from leading product teams to helping companies hire the right product leaders, offering a unique perspective from both sides of the hiring table.In this episode, Sunny also dives deep into how the product leadership market is evolving, from the rising demand for AI expertise to the increasing focus on doers over managers. He shares actionable advice for candidates on standing out in competitive hiring processes, breaking into AI roles, and navigating compensation trends for super senior ICs and managers.Whether you’re a product leader looking to land your next role or a founder hiring for a critical product position, Sunny’s insights into market trends, recruiter dynamics, and interview best practices are invaluable.All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇In this episode, we covered the following topics:* How hiring priorities are changing and the rise of specialized product roles* What companies are looking for in AI product leaders and how candidates without AI experience can position themselves* Key strategies and traits of the top 1% of candidates in product leadership* How senior IC roles are catching up with or surpassing managerial positions in pay and equity* The current state of workplace flexibility and its impact on hiring* And more!If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:Links:* Sunil (Sunny) Chaudhary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunilchaudhary/* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:And here are some less recent favorites: This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com