The Product Manager

ADHD might be the product trait nobody’s putting on their resume—but maybe they should. In this episode, Hannah sits down with executive coach Frankie Berkoben to unpack the complex intersection of ADHD, executive function, and product leadership. Together, they explore how ADHD traits like systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and comfort with ambiguity make product people exceptional—and why those same strengths often lead to burnout, inconsistency, or shame in traditional work environments.This conversation doesn’t offer productivity hacks or time-boxed silver bullets. Instead, it’s a candid, deeply validating discussion about how to build careers, teams, and work cultures that actually work for neurodivergent brains. Whether you have a diagnosis, suspect you might, or simply want to lead with more nuance and empathy, this one’s worth a listen.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Frankie on LinkedInCheck out Frankie’s website

Product-market fit isn’t enough anymore. In an age where AI is making it easier for anyone to ship a half-decent product, the real battleground is distribution. Margaret-Ann Seger (Head of Product at Statsig) joins Hannah Clark to talk about how AI is reshaping go-to-market strategy, why speed and feedback loops are becoming product differentiators, and how her team at Statsig is baking collaboration and empathy into every part of their product dev cycle.From lo-fi GTM experiments to the power of doing support as a PM, this episode is packed with practical ways to ship smarter—and more human—products, faster.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Margaret on LinkedInCheck out Statsig

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.

The “AI is coming for your job” headlines have been exhausting—especially if you're a software engineer. But as Cortex.io founder Anish Dhar explains, engineering isn’t dying; it's evolving. In this episode, Hannah sits down with Anish to unpack what engineering excellence actually means in 2025, why measuring developer productivity is still wildly misunderstood, and where AI coding tools fit into the real world of production-scale systems. Spoiler: you can’t vibe-code your way to a million users.Anish draws from his time at Uber and Cortex to break down how engineering leaders can better align technical initiatives to business outcomes, adopt AI without sacrificing code quality, and avoid getting swept up in hype cycles that don’t serve the organization.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Anish on LinkedIn and XCheck out Cortex.ioIDPCON — in-person event dedicated to Internal Developer Portals

What does passion really look like on a product team? In this episode, Hannah sits down with Norma Løvhaugen, VP Strategy at Neat, to unpack how passion fuels team collaboration, customer empathy, and a culture of innovation. They explore the difference between building products with passion versus simply shipping features—and why that distinction matters more than ever in an age of generative AI.Norma shares how Neat channels passion into a uniquely cohesive product experience, from obsessing over fabric swatches to translating human nuance into video conferencing. It’s a conversation about ownership, trust, and the magic that happens when design and engineering speak the same language (and respect each other's craft).Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Norma on LinkedInCheck out Neat

Expanding internationally is more complex than ever, with economic uncertainty, shifting regulations, and unpredictable tariffs creating constant challenges. While overseas opportunities can be tempting, businesses must navigate a landscape full of blind spots and evolving risks that demand careful planning and adaptability.Simone Tamussin, SVP of Product Management at Mastercard Gateway, shares valuable insights from his experience working with companies facing these hurdles. He discusses common pitfalls growth-focused leaders encounter, proactive strategies for entering new markets safely, and practical tips for managing the overwhelming paperwork that comes with global expansion.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Simone on LinkedInCheck out Mastercard

Carolyn Dolezal, COO at ASUG, and Kate Leto, a seasoned executive coach, dive into the nuances of executive leadership. They unravel the myths of leadership while stressing the importance of authenticity and relationship-building. The duo shares strategies for empowering teams and overcoming leadership missteps. They highlight how personal branding and effective communication can bolster trust and influence, especially for minority leaders. With practical advice, they guide listeners on cultivating strong stakeholder relationships to achieve project success.

Becoming a parent profoundly changes how you approach product leadership, blending personal and professional challenges in unexpected ways. Anuj Jhunjhunwala, Director of Product at Merge, shares how parenting teaches lessons in influence without authority, clear communication, and time management that directly apply to leading products.Anuj offers candid insights on how managing toddlers parallels managing stakeholders, why career growth feels more like navigating a mountain than climbing a ladder, and the paradoxes that trip up many product managers today. This conversation reveals the surprising overlaps between parenting and product leadership, offering fresh perspectives for anyone balancing both worlds.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Anuj on LinkedInCheck out Merge

Andrew Saxe, VP of Product at Smartling, shares insights from his journey in transforming manual translation services into AI-driven workflows. He explores the ethical dilemmas and challenges posed by AI adoption, detailing strategies to balance efficiency with quality in translation. Saxe discusses the evolving demand for new skills in the workplace and the importance of addressing the AI hype cycle. He also highlights innovative concepts like five coding that enhance team collaboration, showcasing a future where technology and human oversight go hand in hand.

What's holding you back from reaching your next level? For many, the biggest obstacle is often a mental one, not a physical one. By shifting your perspective and zooming out, you can find pathways around the challenges that seem insurmountable. Uma Subramanian, founder of Limitless Leaders and former Microsoft leader, shares her journey of achieving extraordinary success by adopting a limitless mindset.Uma explains how she overcame limiting beliefs, reframed her mindset, and transformed her career, even in the early stages. Her story reveals the power of believing in yourself and tackling seemingly impossible constraints—spoiler alert, they’re usually not as impossible as they seem.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Uma on LinkedInCheck out the Limitless Leaders