Advertise on podcast: The Intentional Product Manager Podcast

AI didn’t change the Product Management job. It changed the tempo. And most PMs are responding the wrong way.  Producing more artifacts instead of making better decisions. Using AI to look busy instead of getting ruthless about what matters. In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager podcast, Shobhit Chugh sits down with Mick Gupta (Head of Product, GenAI Monetization & Incentives at Scale AI). Mick has led product across Amazon, Microsoft, Airbnb, Meta, SoFi, and Brex, and he breaks down what actually matters for PMs in the AI era: judgment, evals, dogfooding, and stakeholder alignment through vision. You’ll learn: Why AI makes output cheaper, but doesn’t make output judgment freeHow eval-driven development turns “seems good” into “is good”Why dogfooding matters more than ever for AI productsHow to ramp fast in a new company with a repeatable operating systemHow vision becomes the decision framework that drives alignmentHow to protect thinking time and build experimentation into your weekIf you’re a PM trying to break into AI, level up into leadership, or stop drowning in artifacts and start driving decisions, this one is for you. Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:06 Mick's Career Journey and Key Experiences 04:39 Challenges of Embedding in New Organizations 07:33 Product Management Insights and Advice 09:12 AI in Product Management 18:23 Future Trends in AI and Product Management 21:40 Balancing Innovation and Daily Responsibilities 22:19 Balancing Meetings and Mental Health 23:05 Starting Small with Side Projects 23:26 Leveraging AI in Product Management 23:55 Creating Enjoyable Side Projects 28:41 The Importance of Vision in Stakeholder Alignment 32:40 Common Mistakes and Lessons for PMs 38:47 Breaking into AI Product Management 42:38 Fun Questions and Final Thoughts Connect with Mick: X: @mickguptaEmail: [email protected]: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickgupta/Connect with Shobhit: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ www.intentionalproductmanager.com

How do you get your first win fast as a new Product Manager, without betting your credibility on a 6-month project? In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Shobhit Chugh sits down with Kunal Thadani, Senior Director of Product at Houzz to break down how product managers can stand out in their careers by earning trust fast, tying work to business outcomes, and prioritizing speed of execution over perfection.  Kunal shares a repeatable approach for landing early wins, including building a simple revenue equation, dogfooding the product, and focusing on low-lift, high-impact optimizations before building anything new.  They also talk about the Litmus Framework, a prioritization method that combines napkin math, resourcing cost, risk to existing revenue, and executive buy-in to increase decision quality and move faster with confidence.  If you’re looking to win fast, build trust early, and stop betting your credibility on big ideas, this episode is for you. Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:27 Guest Introduction: Kunal Thadani 01:08 Warm-Up Questions and Early Career Advice 02:49 Understanding Product Management Misconceptions 05:15 Effective Product Management Practices 06:50 Achieving Your First Big Win as a Product Manager 12:52 Case Studies: High Impact Wins 22:56 Introducing the Litmus Framework 25:21 Applying the Litmus Framework: Examples and Benefits 33:42 Fun Questions and Contrarian Beliefs 36:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Connect with Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Connect with Kunal Thadani on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kunal-thadani-72a13722/ Follow Kunal's newsletter here: https://www.insidergrowthhq.com/ www.intentionalproductmanager.com

What does it take to build platform products that scale from startup to enterprise? And in an AI-forward world, how do product managers stay relevant and lead? In this episode, Bala Venkatrao joins Shobhit Chugh for a powerful conversation on what it really means to build with intention. Bala has scaled product orgs at every stage from founding his own company to leading Atlassian’s cloud platform and now driving innovation at Harness. His approach to leadership, platform strategy, and AI-first product thinking is grounded, tactical, and proven. Whether you’re growing a new initiative or navigating the executive track, this episode is your blueprint for creating impact that compounds. What You’ll Learn in This Episode What it takes to build scalable platform productsWhy AI-forward platforms are winning and how to lead with data, context, and agents instead of buzzwordsHow to apply the founder mindset in any company, from startup to enterpriseThe CATS Leadership Framework Bala uses to lead with clarity, accountability, and trustWhat separates product managers who stay stuck… from those who step into executive rolesTactical advice on using AI as a real tool, not just a label Highlights 00:00 Introduction  00:29 Guest Introduction: Bala Venkatrao 01:09 Harness: The AI Native SDLC Platform 03:40 Bala's Role at Harness 07:02 Journey at Atlassian 10:24 Entrepreneurial Mindset in Product Management 15:02 The Role of AI in Product Management 18:43 Embracing Change for Continuous Learning 19:22 Practical Tips for Staying Updated 21:43 Leadership Philosophy and Evolution 24:26 The CAT Framework for Effective Leadership 27:33 Advice for Aspiring Leaders 30:59 Final Thoughts and Staying Curious Connect with Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Connect with Bala Venkatrao on LinkedIn here https://www.linkedin.com/in/bvenkatrao/  www.intentionalproductmanager.com

What if you could be mentored by the most powerful product leaders at the best companies in the world? How would their advice change your career trajectory and your earning potential in 2026? Over the past year, we’ve had rare access to exactly that.  We’ve spoken with 40+ elite product leaders from companies like Google, Meta, Netflix, Amazon, and high-growth startups who are shaping the future of product and leadership. And something became very clear. The Product Managers who advance faster, earn more, and step into real leadership roles aren’t just more talented. They’re operating with a different mental model. One that most product managers are never taught. In this solo episode, Shobhit Chugh, CEO and founder of Intentional Product Manager distills the 10 most powerful insights that surfaced repeatedly across these conversations into a clear, actionable framework you can apply immediately. Whether you’re trying to: Land your next Product Manager roleSecure a promotionTransition into senior positionsOr future-proof your career as AI reshapes product…these insights will help you think more strategically, stand out to decision-makers, and move forward with intention in 2026. The themes cover what truly separates top-tier Product Managers: Driving measurable business outcomesUsing storytelling to influence executivesLeading with clarity in ambiguityUnlocking career growth through internal transfersFocusing on problems over solutionsAdopting a true business owner mindsetNavigating AI as a strategic advantageAligning teams early to avoid costly misstepsMaking critical mindset shifts as you level upApplying strategic thinking leaders actually valueThis isn’t generic advice.  It’s condensed mentorship from the world’s most influential product leaders. Highlights: 00:00 Introduction to Intentional Product Manager 00:37 Top Themes from Product Leaders 01:26 Theme 1: Drive Outcomes, Not Outputs 02:28 Theme 2: The Power of Storytelling 03:13 Theme 3: Clarity Over Execution 04:28 Theme 4: Transitioning into Product Management 05:01 Theme 5: Obsess Over the Problem 05:34 Theme 6: Own the Business, Not Just the Product 07:28 Theme 7: AI is Changing Everything 08:09 Theme 8: The Importance of Alignment 08:43 Theme 9: Mindset as a Multiplier 10:37 Theme 10: Strategic Thinking Over Execution 12:18 Conclusion and Recap Follow Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ www.intentionalproductmanager.com

You’ve done everything right. Optimized your resume, followed the roadmap, and kept grinding… Yet you’re still stuck. Still underpaid. Still wondering why others are moving ahead in their careers and you’re not. In this episode, I break down the real reason high-performing Product Managers hit a plateau. And it’s not your resume, your credentials, or even the job market. It’s the state your nervous system is operating from. You’ll discover: Why even the smartest Product Managers stall out in their job search or career climbHow stress, rejection, and “playing not to lose” silently block career and income growthThe 12-minute daily practice that rewires your mindset to operate from clarity and powerCareer-killing mindset traps and how to reset themHow to build the identity, energy, and confidence of a top-earning product leaderIf you’re tired of second-guessing yourself, watching others get promoted, or working beneath your full earning potential, this episode gives you the reset you’ve been looking for. This isn’t fluff. This is performance psychology for ambitious product leaders. Your mindset is your multiplier. Reset it and watch your income and influence grow. Highlights: 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:45 Understanding the Real Issue 01:10 The Importance of Mindset 04:54 Minimum Viable Progress 08:15 Six Mindset Traps 14:21 Conclusion and Next Steps www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Here’s the truth: Everyone is chasing AI. Everyone is updating their resume. But very few candidates are building the kind of narrative and positioning that creates belief, the thing that actually leads to offers. In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Deepak Tiwari, product leader at Meta, Google, Lyft, shared some of the clearest, most actionable insights on: What hiring actually looks like inside Big Tech right now and where AI is creating demand for Product ManagersThe difference between a $600K and $1.2M interview (and how to prepare for each)How to tell the story of your impact instead of just listing titles or tasksThe biggest mistakes senior Product Managers make when applying and how to avoid themWhy data alone isn't enough and how to balance intuition with analysisWhat hiring managers look for in AI/ML Product Managers (hint: it’s not just buzzwords)Signals that a company takes product management seriouslyHow to decide whether ML is the right solution or just tech theaterWhat to include in your resume if you want to be taken seriously in AI rolesWhy writing and reading skills become a strategic advantage as you riseShobhit and Deepak unpack how senior product managers can land executive roles, especially in today’s AI-saturated job market by refining their narrative, building trust before interviews, and making strategic career bets. Highlights: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest 01:05 Deepak's Journey into Product Management 03:48 Lessons from Google 06:45 Current Job Market and Hiring Trends 16:28 Advice for Aspiring Product Managers 19:00 Key Skills and Metrics for Product Managers 28:39 AI and Machine Learning in Product Management 40:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts If you’re a product leader aiming to make your next big move, whether into Big Tech, AI startups, or executive leadership, this episode is for you. Follow Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Follow Deepak Tiwari in LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/detiwari/ www.intentionalproductmanager.com

What does it take to lead and stay relevant through multiple waves of industry disruption? In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Shobhit Chugh sits down with Vik Chaudhary, VP of Product, ex-Meta leader, MIT AI Lab alum, and veteran of three major tech revolutions: → SaaS → Cloud Infrastructure → Enterprise AI Vik has built products, led teams, and influenced strategy through it all. But what makes his perspective unique is how he adapts with clarity, decisiveness, and deep cross-functional thinking. In this conversation, you’ll learn: How to thrive as a Product Manager during major tech shiftsThe difference between strategy and execution, and why knowing your strength matters more than everWhy some of the best Product Managers are now “full-stack” operatorsWhat it means to be indispensable to both product and salesWhy big tech behemoths still matter and how to navigate around (or with) themThe career trap many Product Managers fall into when trying to “climb” to leadershipA candid look at how Vik redefined his career by stepping off the traditional path This episode is packed with timeless lessons, hard-won wisdom, and tactical insights that every product leader needs right now. 00:00 Introduction  00:56 First Big Technology Shift: From Software to SaaS 04:30 Strategic vs. Execution Oriented in Tech Shifts 12:37 Respecting Industry Behemoths 19:43 Adapting to Technological Shifts in Product Management 31:04 Understanding the Technological Shift 32:25 The Role of a Full Stack Product Manager 36:12 Becoming Indispensable in a Technological Shift 40:43 Career Growth and Bold Moves 47:16 Corporate Level Impact and Executive Trajectory 56:54 Final Thoughts and Career Advice Connect with Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Connect with Vik Chaudhary on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikchaudhary/ www.intentionalproductmanager.com

What does true ownership look like in product management, and why do so many teams miss the mark? In this episode of The Intentional Product Manager Podcast, I sit down with Kishore Narra, a product executive who's led high-impact teams at TaskRabbit, Coinbase, Meta, and more. We dive deep into what separates busy teams from effective ones, and how top product leaders drive clarity, impact, and alignment across the organization. We cover: Why reducing user friction isn’t always the right moveHow to structure teams for real ownership and accountabilityThe anti-patterns that stall progress and how to coach your way out of themLessons from building platform, risk, and marketplace products at scaleWhy clarity on metrics and problem space is the foundation of any great teamWhether you’re managing a small squad or leading a large org, this episode is packed with tactical insights and mindset shifts to help you lead with intention. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:23 Guest Introduction: Kishore Narra 01:32 Early Career and First Product 02:53 Lessons from Early Experiences 03:04 Understanding User Friction 04:59 Effective Habits for Product Managers 06:01 Organizing Teams for Success 09:24 Challenges and Anti-Patterns in Team Management 13:43 Product Management Across Different Companies 17:50 Remote Work and Decision-Making at Coinbase 19:14 Differences Between Application and Platform Product Managers 20:29 Skills for Successful Platform Product Management 22:27 Metrics and Promotion for Platform PMs 25:09 Journey into Payments and Risk Management 27:34 Challenges and Strategies in Fraud Prevention 32:11 Lightning Round: Storytelling and Career Growth 34:31 Final Thoughts and Recommendations Follow Shobhit Chugh at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Follow Kishore Narra at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kishorenarra/ www.intentionalproductmanager.com

If you’ve ever wondered what separates good product managers from great ones, the kind who shape technology platforms and drive innovation across entire ecosystems, this conversation will spark new ideas, mindsets, and possibilities. In this week’s of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, host Shobhit Chugh reconnects with Ram Sangireddy, former VP of Product at Salesforce, who brings decades of experience leading in the world of platform and AI product management. This conversation isn’t just about career advice, it’s about understanding how to truly stand out in today’s rapidly evolving product landscape. Ram shares how his journey from engineering to product leadership reshaped the way he thinks about innovation, strategy, and scaling teams. He dives into the critical mindset shifts that helped him succeed after business school, revealing how great product leaders balance vision with disciplined execution. From defining what a technology innovation platform really is to unpacking the emerging world of LLM Ops, Ram offers rare, behind-the-scenes insights into how platform products get built, scaled, and sustained. You’ll hear how he drives project closure across complex organizations, structures product management teams for impact, and empowers engineers to become exceptional Product Managers. Whether you’re an aspiring platform Product Manager or a product leader looking to sharpen your edge, this episode will challenge the way you think about AI platforms, product careers, and innovation at scale. Episode Highlights 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:23 Guest Introduction: Ram Sangireddy 00:59 Ram's Career Journey and Insights 05:37 Defining Platform Product Management 13:21 AI Platforms and LLM Ops 25:58 Career Advice for Platform PMs 39:24 Breaking into Platform Product Management 42:44 Fun Questions and Conclusion Follow Shobhit Chugh at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Follow Ram Sangireddy at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ram-sangireddy/ www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode, Shobhit Chugh and Will Lowrey from Intentional Product Manager pull back the curtain on the exact system our clients use to stand out in a crowded product market and land senior roles faster. What you’ll learn: The state of the PM job market and why companies are still hiring, negotiating, and choosing from strong pipelinesAngle of Mastery positioning, and how it makes you the obvious hire, not just another candidateWhy a narrative-first approach beats resume tweaks and keyword stuffingThe behaviors that move you forward daily without burnoutHow to get “pre-sold” before the interview with the right kind of networking Who this is for: Product managers and product leaders aiming for Director, VP, or C-suite roles who want a clear, repeatable way to differentiate, interview with confidence, and negotiate from strength. Real wins we discuss: Final rounds for multiple executive roles at onceTwo competing offers within 24 hoursExceeding comp goals after one focused week on the right activityAlumni coming back for executive strategy support after landing C-suite rolesEpisode Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction 01:11 – Celebrating Recent Wins 04:39 – Insights on the Current PM Job Market 09:26 – Misconceptions About Job Search 15:12 – Personalizing Job Search Strategies 21:12 – Behind the Scenes at Intentional Product Manager 26:59 – Tailoring Strategies for Senior PMs 30:30 – Client ROI and Success Stories 36:49 – Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways Follow Shobhit Chugh at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Follow Will Lowrey at https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamlowrey/  www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this insightful episode of the Intentional Product Manager podcast, Shobhit from Intentional Product Manager speaks with Gina Pasqua-Abeles, Senior Director of Product Management at Robinhood. They delve into Gina’s career journey from her beginnings in SEO to leading trading products at Robinhood. The conversation covers three key themes: the work habits of top-performing product managers, the use of narrative for alignment, and shifts involved when transitioning from product management to managing product managers.  The episode also touches on practical advice for product managers looking to advance, effective storytelling for stakeholder alignment, and hiring and leadership tips in the product management space.  Gina offers valuable perspectives on continuous learning, low-ego participation, and the importance of contributing beyond one's immediate role.  This episode is a treasure trove of practical wisdom for anyone looking to excel in product management. 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 00:24 Guest Introduction: Gina Pasqua-Abeles 00:58 Gina's Journey into Tech 01:52 First Product Decision and SEO Lessons 03:46 Growth vs. Core Product Management 05:12 Daily Habits for Success 06:13 Career Development and Top PM Traits 09:03 Managing Ambiguity in Product Management 12:04 Transitioning to Leadership Roles 14:18 Coaching Managers of PMs 20:56 Storytelling and Alignment 28:01 Hiring and Leadership Insights 34:03 Lightning Round and Conclusion Connect with Shobhit here https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Connect with Gina here https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginapasqua/ www.intentionalproductmanager.com

What does it take to build a platform that scales, delights customers, and powers entire ecosystems? In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Shobhit sits down with Dilip Poluru, a seasoned platform product leader with experience at Informatica and ActiveCampaign, to unpack the strategies behind successful platform management. Dilip shares actionable insights on: Turning deep customer insights into platform strategyDesigning for extensibility and co-innovationCrafting billing models (like consumption-based and freemium) that fuel growthBalancing agility vs. stability in complex ecosystemsBuilding impactful first-party apps that attract and empower partnersAlong the way, Dilip reflects on his own career journey and offers personal growth lessons for aspiring and experienced product managers alike. Timestamps  00:00 – Introduction  00:29 – Meet Dru: From ActiveCampaign to Informatica  00:46 – What Defines a Platform?  01:21 – Lessons Learned at ActiveCampaign  01:47 – Insights from Building at Informatica  02:14 – Crafting a Platform Playbook  05:52 – Customer Success Stories  06:25 – Metrics & Monitoring Platforms  07:11 – Co-Innovation and Extensibility  09:48 – Balancing Stability with Agility  12:40 – API Management & Policy Design  15:34 – Billing Models: Consumption & Freemium  18:23 – The First “Aha” Moment with Free Offerings  27:30 – Career Growth Lessons for PMs  28:28 – Lightning Round + Closing Connect with Shobhit at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Connect with Dilip at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dilippoluru/ www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode, Shobhit sits down with Saurabh Sharma, Chief Product Officer at You.com, to unpack what it takes to lead in the rapidly evolving world of AI. Saurabh shares his journey from starting out as an engineer at IBM, to building products at Google and OpenSea, and now driving applied AI innovation at You.com. Along the way, he reveals lessons learned from frontier markets like NFTs and AI search, where product–market fit is anything but obvious. This conversation dives deep into: Why evals are the new PRD, UX, and SLA in AI product developmentHow to build AI products users actually trust and adoptThe role of ethics, compliance, and tone in responsible AI designNavigating ambiguity in frontier markets with his “Three E’s framework” (Exploration, Expansion, Engineering)Why product managers can’t delegate listening to customersPersonal lessons on continuous learning, resilience, and intellectual curiosityTimestamps 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 00:33 – Meet Saurabh Sharma 01:06 – From IBM engineer to Google PM: Saurabh’s journey 02:50 – Common threads across Google, OpenSea, and You.com 06:07 – Building AI products: lessons from the frontier 14:54 – The “Three E’s” framework for strategy in ambiguous markets 23:36 – Ethics, compliance, and trust in AI design 25:39 – Personal insights: books, health tech, and definitions of success 29:31 – Closing thoughts & where to connect with Saurabh Connect with Shobhit Chugh here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Connect with Saurabh Sharma here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saurabhs/ Connect with youdotcom here: https://www.linkedin.com/company/youdotcom/ www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, host Shobhit Chugh takes you deeper into Principle Two of the Intentional Job Search system: designing a job that fits your life, rather than squeezing your life into a job. Instead of chasing roles that look good on paper, Shobhit shares eight powerful outcomes that define a truly great job and career. You’ll learn how to spot opportunities that give you: A fulfilling, energizing weekWork that amplifies your natural strengthsGrowth in your career capitalA manager who truly supports youA culture free from drama and politicsCompensation that matches your real valueContinuous learning and developmentA compelling narrative that expands your future optionsThrough real-life success stories, you’ll see how product managers transformed their careers by focusing on these outcomes and how you can do the same. Shobhit also shares practical tools, from the right questions to ask in interviews to the mindset shifts that help you confidently say “no” to the wrong opportunities and “yes” to the right ones. This episode will challenge you to rethink how you approach your job search and career design, so you can make clear, intentional choices that align with the life you want. Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction 00:20 – Why your job should fit your life 01:18 – The 8 outcomes of a truly great job 04:37 – Success stories: how PMs applied this principle 06:21 – The power of saying no 06:45 – Questions to ask in interviews 09:24 – Shifting your self-talk & mindset 11:18 – Takeaways & next steps Connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn www.intentionalproductmanager.com

From EB-1A “Einstein” Visa to Digital Health Leadership with Anu Ramakrishnan Anu’s journey is nothing short of inspiring, from immigrant bioengineering student to health tech product leader driving FDA-approved AI products and building connected health ecosystems at Samsung. Along the way, she’s also become a powerful advocate for immigrant success, securing the prestigious EB-1A visa herself. In this candid conversation, Anu shares: How to balance innovation with regulatory and clinical validation requirements Why mindset shifts, like self-advocacy, are critical for career growth The role of empathy, human-centered design, and clarity in leading healthcare innovation Practical advice for PMs looking to enter or grow within digital healthWhether you’re navigating your own career pivot, building healthcare products, or striving to become a more intentional product leader, this episode will give you both inspiration and actionable takeaways. Episode Breakdown 00:00 – Welcome to the IPM Podcast 00:28 – Meet Anu Ramakrishnan: Health Tech Innovator 02:01 – Discovering a passion for product management 04:38 – Challenges and misconceptions in digital health 04:47 – Building FDA-approved AI health products 09:50 – Advice for new product managers in healthcare 14:15 – Navigating career growth as an immigrant 21:17 – The EB-1A “Einstein Visa”: An immigrant’s journey 26:59 – Consumer tech vs. healthcare: lessons learned 31:58 – Fun and inspirational insights 37:22 – Closing thoughts & takeaways Connect with Shobhit Chugh https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/ Connect with Anu Ramakrishnan https://www.linkedin.com/in/anupamaram/ Work with Anu https://www.allthingsanu.com/ www.intentionalproductmanager.com