Unsolicited Feedback
Brian Balfour & Fareed Mosavat
Tired of interview podcasts? Us too. That's why we created Unsolicited Feedback - the podcast that should have come out 5 years ago, but we're making it anyway. In this podcast, Brian Balfour (Reforge, HubSpot), Fareed Mosavat (Reforge, Slack) and friends provide unfiltered feedback on the products they actually use, along with key product lessons.Essentially, we're taking the conversations that happen between experts at invite-only happy-hours and delivering them to the podcast platform of your choice.Although no one asked for their opinions, they're sharing them. It's like eating Goodles when you want Kraft Mac n Cheese, or Olipop when you want Pepsi - it feels wrong, yet so right.Each week, they analyze recent announcements, features, and releases across product and growth. The hosts make predictions about where Threads and Twitter will be in a year, and analyze unparalleled growth loops at LinkedIn. They give respect where it's due, but also deliver tear-downs when the writing’s on the wall. Sorry, not sorry!
Episodes
Mentioned books
41 snips
Feb 5, 2024 • 57min
Season 2 Preview: Advancing Your Product Career in an AI World [Live Taping]
The hosts discuss career growth in an AI world, emphasizing the importance of broad and deep skill sets. They explore the role of product strategy and customer insights in the context of advancements in AI. Learning AI and coding through project-based approaches are discussed, as well as transitioning to a leadership role in product management. Unlocking customer insights and the value of data analysis are also highlighted.
13 snips
Jan 3, 2024 • 46min
Andrew Chen (a16z) Unveils Lessons from Gaming: The Power of Community, Creativity, and Storytelling
Andrew Chen, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, discusses lessons from gaming and the power of community, creativity, and storytelling. Topics include emerging growth channels, the significance of organic traffic and brand affinity, and the revitalization of the gaming industry. The podcast also explores trends in marketing channels, the impact of spam and SMS, and the importance of storytelling and company culture in B2B software.
38 snips
Dec 26, 2023 • 42min
Andrew Chen’s (a16z) 2024 Predictions: The Future of Product, Growth, and AI
Andrew Chen, General Partner at Andreessen Horowitz, predicts the future of product, growth, and AI in this Season Finale of Unsolicited Feedback. Topics include the challenges and growth of AI experiences, predictions for 2024 including IPOs and AI breakthroughs, the changing landscape of product management, and the potential of AI companions as new growth channels.
23 snips
Dec 12, 2023 • 1h 1min
Meghan Keaney Anderson (Jasper) & Mary Sheehan (Author) Cut Through the AI Clutter While Contextualizing the Latest From Google’s Gemini
Product marketing experts Meghan Keaney Anderson and Mary Sheehan discuss how to navigate the clutter of AI and contextualize Google's Gemini updates. They explore tackling crowded markets, strategies for standing out in AI chaos, and effective marketing strategies for targeting busy working moms. They also emphasize the importance of employee storytelling and question the attribution of expertise based on social media followings in the marketing industry.
53 snips
Dec 5, 2023 • 1h 46min
Nabeel Hyatt's (Spark Capital) Lessons from His 2023 Wrapped, Midjourney's Unique Growth Loops, and Google's AI Crisis.
Nabeel Hyatt, GP at Spark Capital, reflects on what he looks for in founders. They breakdown Midjouney's unconventional growth model, and discuss the SEO Heist and its implications for Google's future.
6 snips
Nov 28, 2023 • 1h 12min
Chris Savage (Wistia) Analyzes InVision's Downfall, Reviews Humane’s Product Reveal, and Discusses the OpenAI Drama
Chris Savage, Co-Founder & CEO of Wistia, discusses InVision's downfall, critiques Humane's product reveal, and dives into the OpenAI drama. He also shares his excitement for Ro.am, a new product. Topics include competition between InVision and Figma, incorporating AI technology into Wistia's platform, and the advantages of Rome as a virtual headquarters for remote teams.
18 snips
Nov 21, 2023 • 1h 19min
Laura Schaffer (Amplitude) Dissects Cameo's Rise and Fall; Plus New Benchmarks for Companies in 2024
Laura Schaffer, VP of Growth at Amplitude, joins Brian Balfour and Casey Winters to discuss the rise and fall of Cameo. They analyze its violations of marketplace patterns, misattribution of growth, and challenges during the pandemic. They also explore the challenges of layering self-serve into sales-led, personalization in customer experiences, and convergence of public and private company metrics.
27 snips
Nov 14, 2023 • 1h 30min
Cem Kansu (Duolingo) Analyzes the Implications of OpenAI's DevDay and Airbnb's Release Strategy
Cem Kansu, VP of Product at Duolingo, analyzes OpenAI's DevDay and Airbnb's release strategy. They discuss Duolingo's expansion into math and music, the implications of OpenAI's GPT store, and the challenges of customization and monetization in the GPT ecosystem.
13 snips
Nov 9, 2023 • 1h 20min
Austin Hay (Ramp) Examines What's Next for HubSpot's Newest Acquisition, Clearbit; Plus a Defense of Freemium
Renowned marketing technology expert, Austin Hay, discusses HubSpot's acquisition of Clearbit. They delve into the consolidation trend in the industry, challenges of integration, and the potential areas of expansion for HubSpot. They also explore the struggles faced by Clearbit, challenges of data enrichment and AI applications in sales and marketing, the value of proprietary datasets, freemium pricing drawbacks, and considerations for offering a product for free.
49 snips
Nov 2, 2023 • 1h 23min
Darius Contractor (Otter.ai) Joins to Unpack Arc's Viral Loops and Show the Slack Redesign Haters They’re Wrong
Darius Contractor, Chief Growth Officer at Otter.ai, discusses Arc's viral loops and defends the Slack redesign. Arc focuses on virality, benefiting both sender and receiver. Arc's niche audience is the tech enthusiast. The podcast explores browser autocomplete and sharing loops, emphasizing the power of viral loops and user growth. The Slack redesign includes improved navigation and easier customization. Harnessing gravity is discussed for achieving goals.
