The Product Manager

Every product manager obsesses over leadership styles, onboarding flows, and GTM strategies—but what if the biggest differentiator of success comes down to something much simpler? Learning. In this episode, Hannah Clark sits down with Maxine Anderson, Co-Founder and CPO of Arist, a text-based learning platform that flips traditional corporate education on its head.Maxine started her career in rural Oregon classrooms, where she saw firsthand how inaccessible and ineffective most learning environments were. That experience sparked the idea behind Arist: meeting people where they already are, through tools like SMS, Slack, and Teams. What follows is a candid conversation about why more content doesn’t equal more learning, the real barriers that keep employees from growing, and how AI is reshaping not just education—but how organizations function.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The CPO Club newsletterConnect with Maxine on LinkedInCheck out Arist

Jean Castanon, Vice President of Digital Product at American Express, shares his insights from over a decade at the company. He reveals how his team quadrupled testing velocity, emphasizing an always-on approach to experimentation. Jean discusses redefining success metrics, building a dedicated experimentation team, and the importance of aligning teams towards a common goal. He also dives into Amex's innovative referral program and the role of AI in personalizing customer experiences and enhancing productivity, offering invaluable lessons for product leaders.

In this engaging conversation, Matt Wensing, Head of Product and Design at Customer.io, shares his insights on navigating the complexities of scaling organizations. He compares the challenges of startups to the tumultuous teenage years, emphasizing that this awkward phase is crucial for growth. Matt discusses the need for emotional intelligence in leadership, the importance of clear communication, and how to harness team potential through collaboration. He also introduces the OODA loop for better decision-making, encouraging a shift from founder-driven to distributed methods.

Megan O'Rourke, Executive Director of Product at Metalab, unpacks the crucial role of empathy in the product development landscape. She likens AI to the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz, explaining how while it can mimic empathy, it lacks authentic human connection. Their discussion covers the importance of storytelling in AI teams and highlights the ethical dimensions of product design. Megan also shares practical strategies for leaders to embed empathy within their teams, ensuring products resonate on a human level and foster genuine connections.

Maryam Ashoori, VP of Product and Engineering at IBM Watsonx, brings two decades of AI expertise to the conversation. She discusses how AI is not just changing tools but redefining the role of product managers. Topics include the necessity of evolving skills, the importance of a collaborative team dynamic, and the ethical implications of AI in product management. Maryam emphasizes a problem-first approach and encourages professionals to adapt to the new landscape of product management where balancing human expertise and technology is crucial.

When AI was just a sci-fi footnote and “product transformation” sounded like a buzzword, Michael Luchen was already in the trenches. In this episode, Hannah sits down with the original host of The Product Manager Podcast to unpack three years of change—from his early missteps to building scalable systems and navigating the AI tidal wave with nuance and strategy.Michael, now a self-described "Product Transformation Architect," brings candor and depth as he reflects on what it really takes to shift product culture, orchestrate cross-org alignment, and keep your teams (and kids) curious. Whether you’re wrangling a roadmap or sketching ideas on construction paper, this one’s for you.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Michael on LinkedInCheck out Michael’s website

If you’ve heard the buzz about Vibe Coding but aren’t quite sure what’s real and what’s hype, this episode is your shortcut to clarity. Recorded live at our hands-on Vibe Coding Workshop, this 30-minute seminar with Drew Falkman (Principal at Moves The Needle) unpacks what Vibe Coding actually is, where it fits in the product lifecycle, and how non-technical folks are already using it to ship tools and prototypes—without writing a line of code.Joined by co-host Katie Sanders, Hannah leads a myth-busting session that tackles common misconceptions (spoiler: engineers aren’t going anywhere), showcases real-world use cases from Reddit and their own team, and offers tactical advice for PMs who want to explore this fast-evolving space responsibly.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Drew on LinkedInCheck out Moves The Needle

Frankie Berkoben is an executive coach specializing in helping ADHD leaders in tech overcome challenges to unlock their full potential. In this insightful conversation, they delve into how ADHD traits can enhance skills like systems thinking and emotional intelligence, making neurodivergent individuals exceptional in product leadership. Frankie emphasizes the importance of reframing self-perception and creating inclusive work environments that celebrate unique strengths. This approach not only fosters personal growth but also enhances team performance by embracing diverse perspectives.

Margaret-Ann Seger, Head of Product at Statsig, is a powerhouse in product development. She discusses how AI is revolutionizing go-to-market strategies and the critical need for effective distribution in today's fast-paced landscape. Margaret-Ann emphasizes the importance of speed, feedback loops, and a human touch in product differentiation. She shares insights on engaging with customers for authentic feedback and the innovative use of prototype videos. The conversation highlights the necessity of collaboration and empathy throughout the product development cycle.

Sheryl Cababa, author of *Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers* and founder of Optimistic Design, dives into the complexities of problem-solving. She discusses the importance of taking a systems approach before rushing to solutions. The conversation explores navigating change with AI, the role of designers as facilitators, and the ethical responsibilities of product leaders. With insights on mapping stakeholder dynamics and anticipating consequences, Sheryl encourages rethinking how decisions impact the broader organizational landscape.