The Product Manager

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

Research has often suffered from shortcuts, assumptions, and poorly conducted user interviews, long before AI entered the picture. While there are concerns about AI exacerbating these issues, today we’re exploring how AI can actually improve research practices by standardizing and democratizing good research at scale.Cori Widen, User Research Lead at Photoroom, joins us to share how AI is being leveraged to transform research practices at her company. She discusses the cultural mindset that encourages innovation and provides practical insights on how teams can use AI to elevate the quality and impact of their research.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Cori on LinkedInCheck out Photoroom

A seedling and a tree may share the same DNA, but their roles in the ecosystem are vastly different—just like junior and executive product leaders. As leaders climb the ranks, their focus shifts from producing features to providing structure and support that allow teams to thrive.Debbie McMahon, Chief Product Officer at the Financial Times, reflects on this evolution and how her approach to leadership has matured over time. From managing complex internal and external relationships to knowing when not to follow popular advice, Debbie offers practical wisdom on staying grounded, building trust, and leading with intention at the executive level.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Debbie on LinkedInCheck out The Financial Times