Product Confidential: The reality of PM life!

From Pandemic Setback to Google PM: Gabor’s Playbook for Career ComebacksIn this inspiring episode of Product Confidential, Michael Palmer sits down with Gabor Mayer, a Google product manager and career coach, to unpack his incredible journey from pandemic-era unemployment to landing a coveted role at Google. Gabor shares real talk on job hunting, why LinkedIn visibility matters more than ever, and powerful tips to stand out in today’s crowded market. Whether you're job hunting, pivoting careers, or just feeling stuck, this episode is packed with honest advice, CV hacks, and motivation to keep going. Your next big break might be closer than you think.Perfect for: Aspiring PMs, career changers, and anyone navigating the job search grind.Chapters00:00 Navigating Career Challenges During COVID-1907:46 Lessons Learned from Unemployment15:17 Current Job Market Insights and Trends27:24 Mastering the Interview Process39:53 Future Projects and Resources for Job SeekersFind Gabor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayergabor/

Is Your Team Truly Agile or Just Faking It?In this energising episode, Evie Brockwell and Michael Palmer sits down with renowned author and consultant Johanna Rothman to unpack what real agility looks like in project management. They dive into the tell-tale signs of "fake agile," why collaboration beats rigid frameworks every time, and how feedback loops can supercharge your team’s effectiveness. Johanna brings her trademark clarity and practical wisdom, offering up actionable strategies for building self-organising teams that still deliver on big-picture goals. If you're tired of buzzwords and ready for meaningful agility, this one’s for you.Chapters00:00 Understanding Fake Agility07:18 The Essence of True Agility10:57 Balancing Team Autonomy and Organizational Direction20:37 The Importance of Feedback Loops35:36 Strategies for Overcoming Resource ChallengesBook: https://www.jrothman.com/books/project-lifecycles-how-to-reduce-risks-release-successful-products-and-increase-agility/More of Johanna's work:https://www.jrothman.com/mpd/2019/04/product-roles-part-1-product-managers-product-owners-business-analysts/https://www.jrothman.com/mpd/2017/09/alternatives-for-agile-and-lean-roadmapping-part-5-the-product-value-team/https://www.jrothman.com/mpd/2023/09/integrate-product-owners-into-many-teams-to-create-good-product-goals-part-3/https://www.jrothman.com/mpd/2023/09/how-scrum-masters-use-facilitative-leadership-especially-when-planning-part-4/https://www.jrothman.com/mpd/2017/08/alternatives-for-agile-and-lean-roadmapping-part-1-think-in-feature-sets/Follow Johanna Rothman on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannarothman/And don’t miss the chance to see Evie, one of your Product Confidential hosts, speak at an upcoming event! Get your tickets now and use the code productconfidential20 to score a 20% discount. Grab yours before they sell out!Link to the event: https://ti.to/sequel-media/product-led-summit-amsterdam-2025/discount/productconfidential20

What happens when machines get smarter… and leaders forget to stay human? In this thought-provoking episode, Arne Kittler unpacks the seismic shift AI is bringing to product management—and why empathy, curiosity, and trust are more crucial than ever. We get real about the risks of blindly chasing efficiency, the messy reality of integrating AI tools, and how today’s product leaders can future-proof their teams without becoming robots themselves. If you care about the soul of product work in an AI-powered world, this one’s for you.Follow Arne on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arnekittler/Want more conversations like this? Check out Product at Heart—the conference Arne organises for product people who care deeply about the craft.

In this episode of Product Confidential, we sit down with Debbie McMahon, Chief Product Officer at the Financial Times, for a candid conversation about leadership, innovation, and career growth. Debbie breaks down what it really takes to step into a senior leadership role, from navigating company politics to making high-stakes decisions. She shares how the FT is leveraging AI to enhance storytelling, the challenges of shifting company culture, and what product leaders should focus on to drive real impact. If you want unfiltered insights on managing teams, measuring success, and staying ahead in the ever-evolving media landscape, this episode is a must-listen.Follow Debbie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmcmahon/And don’t miss the chance to see Evie, one of your Product Confidential hosts, speak at an upcoming event! Get your tickets now and use the code productconfidential20 to score a 20% discount. Grab yours before they sell out!Link to the event: https://ti.to/sequel-media/product-led-summit-amsterdam-2025/discount/productconfidential20

What separates successful products from those that flop? In this insightful episode, Evie Brockwell and Michael Palmer sit down with Teresa Torres, a leading expert in product discovery, to uncover the secrets behind building products that truly resonate.They dive into:🚀 Why products fail and how to prevent it🔍 The power of assumption testing in product strategy👥 Engaging stakeholders to drive better decisions🌍 How culture impacts product discovery🔄 The continuous discovery mindset and why iteration is keyTeresa shares practical frameworks for testing assumptions, defining outcomes, and keeping customer needs at the heart of product development. If you're a product manager, designer, or founder looking to build smarter, more impactful products, this episode is a must-listen!Links mentioned in the episode:✔️ Story mapping: https://jpattonassociates.com/story-mapping/✔️ Testing business ideas: https://www.amazon.es/Testing-Business-Ideas-David-Bland/dp/1119551447✔️ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Continuous-Discovery-Habits-Discover-Products/dp/1736633309Teresa's Website: https://www.producttalk.org/Workshops: https://learn.producttalk.org/Link to their podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6ke77wqSgstk3nd048oIGoAnd don’t miss the chance to see Evie, one of your Product Confidential hosts, speak at an upcoming event! Get your tickets now and use the code productconfidential20 to score a 20% discount. Grab yours before they sell out!Link to the event: https://ti.to/sequel-media/product-led-summit-amsterdam-2025/discount/productconfidential20

Buzzwords and trends dominate the product world, but how much of it is just noise? In this episode, Evie Brockwell & Michael Palmer sit down with Mirela Mus to cut through the hype and uncover what truly drives product success. They dive into the risks of blindly following trends, the dangers of over-hiring, and why cultural sensitivity can make or break a product strategy.From understanding local markets to leveraging external consultants for fresh perspectives, this conversation is packed with insights for product teams looking to create real impact. Whether you're a product leader or just starting out, this episode will challenge the way you think about innovation, strategy, and value creation.🎧 Tune in to learn how to focus on what really matters and avoid the common pitfalls in product management.Follow Mirela Mus on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mirelamus/Website: https://www.getproductpeople.com/

Great product decisions don’t just happen, they’re crafted with careful thought and strategy. In this episode of Product Confidential, Phil Hornby, a seasoned product leader, dives into the critical aspects of product management, with a focus on decision-making and how AI is reshaping these processes. He reflects on the evolution of his book and the importance of thoughtful decision-making that balances data, evidence, and intuition. Phil also highlights the role of human accountability in decision-making, even as AI tools become more prevalent. He discusses the shift from feature-based to problem-based roadmaps, the need for tailored roadmaps to meet diverse audience needs, and the efficiency of streamlined roadmapping processes. Additionally, Phil emphasizes the value of discovery roadmaps in managing uncertainty and ensuring clarity throughout product development.Takeaways✅ Making a good product requires extensive discovery and research.✅ AI will become a standard tool in product management, but human decision-making remains crucial.✅ High-quality decisions are more important than labeling decisions as good or bad.✅ Data alone does not inform decisions; it must be interpreted alongside evidence and intuition.✅ Reflection on past decisions is key to improving decision-making skills.✅ Different organizations may prioritise intuition or data differently in their decision-making processes.✅ Combining data, anecdotes, and intuition leads to better decision-making outcomes.✅ The role of product managers will evolve as AI tools enhance productivity. Understanding your own emotions versus intuition is crucial.✅ Explicit thinking helps in making informed decisions.✅ Roadmaps should evolve from features to problems.✅ Tailoring roadmaps for different audiences enhances communication.✅ Efficient roadmapping should not consume excessive time.✅ Discovery roadmaps help clarify the unknowns in product development.✅ Visual storytelling can improve roadmap engagement.✅ Different views of roadmaps cater to various stakeholders.✅ Aligning roadmaps with strategic goals is essential for success.✅ Choosing the right tools for the conversation is key. Books mentioned:✨ Clear Thinking by Shane Parrish: https://a.co/d/fqtrIO1✨ Data Story by Nancy Duarte: https://a.co/d/cI22QNSFind Phil Hornby here:Website: https://www.forproductpeople.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philhornby/Read Phil's book:It Depends: https://www.forproductpeople.com/content/books/it-dependsIf you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps others discover Product Confidential! 🎧✨

Feeling overwhelmed by the constant juggle of work, parenting, and life’s demands? In this episode of Product Confidential, hosts Evie Brockwell and Michael Palmer are joined by Hannah Clark. They explore the challenges of maintaining balance amidst the chaos. They discuss the early warning signs of burnout, the power of routine in managing ADHD, and the importance of self-compassion when things don’t go to plan. Hannah shares her personal journey, offering practical strategies for reducing decision fatigue, staying resilient, and finding joy in small wins. Throughout the conversation, they highlight how mindset and self-awareness can help you navigate life’s ups and downs and ultimately thrive—both at work and at home. Takeaways:✔ Spotting burnout early can prevent bigger problems down the line.✔ Routines are essential for managing ADHD and maintaining stability.✔ Structured habits help reduce decision fatigue.✔ Self-compassion is key when life feels overwhelming.✔ Mindset and self-awareness play a huge role in overcoming challenges.✔ Burnout can distort your sense of self-worth, but small wins can rebuild confidence. Join us for this insightful discussion on creating balance in a demanding world. If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps others discover Product Confidential! 🎧✨

Join Karl Abbott, a seasoned product manager at Microsoft with a rich background in open source from Red Hat, as he shares his insights on navigating the world of open source software. Discover how Microsoft's relationship with open source has evolved, the challenges of collaboration in these communities, and the nuances of managing open source products. Karl also discusses strategies for monetizing open source without compromising community trust, along with practical advice for those looking to enter this exciting field!

In a reflective solo dive, the host unpacks the alarming prevalence of burnout in product management, revealing that 92% of professionals are affected. Personal anecdotes intertwine with insightful research, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and ownership over one’s well-being. Listeners are encouraged to identify personal stressors and implement small, impactful changes. The conversation highlights mindset shifts as vital to overcoming burnout, offering a kickstart for setting up for success in the new year.