
Advertise on podcast: The Intentional Product Manager Podcast
Rating
5from
This podcast has
50 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Shobhit ChughExplicit
No
Date created
2024/10/27
Latest episode
2026/03/18
Average duration
35 min.
Release period
14 days
Description
Are you a high-performing product manager looking to reach the next level of success in your product career? Shobhit Chugh will show you how.Shobhit left a full-time roll at Google to help ambitious product managers position themselves to become product leaders, so they can raise their income as much as 50%, command the respect their hard work deserves, and make an impact they can truly be proud of. To learn more about how to take your product management career talk to us at https://www.intentionalproductmanager.com/apply
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Check latest episodes from The Intentional Product Manager Podcast podcast
Product Leader on How to Switch Domains and Climb the Leadership Ladder
2026/03/18
In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Shobhit Chugh sits down with Matt Moore to unpack a product leadership journey that spans financial services, health tech, executive product roles, and mission-driven innovation.
Matt shares how he broke into product management without fully knowing what the role was, what he had to unlearn as he grew, and why true product leadership has far more to do with business outcomes than shipping features. They dig into the ambiguity of modern product management, what happens when companies reduce PMs to executors, and how strong product leaders use customer data to shift strategy at the highest levels.
The conversation also explores Matt’s move from financial services into health tech, what makes healthcare such a complex and meaningful space to build in, and how mission becomes real when you see the patient impact firsthand. They also cover job search, networking, LinkedIn visibility, and why many product managers struggle not because they lack experience, but because they lack a clear professional narrative.
If you are a product manager trying to grow into real leadership, this episode will give you a lot to think about.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Show Intro And Guest
01:30 Origin Story In Banking
02:42 Becoming A Product Leader
03:46 Unlearning Execution Only
04:56 Why The Role Feels Blurry
07:36 Changing A CEO Led Culture
11:02 Outcome Driven Roadmaps
16:10 Leadership Mistakes To Avoid
19:33 Switching Into Health Tech
22:01 Healthcare Culture Shock
24:24 AI Ambient Scribe Win
26:47 Mission Moment in Healthcare
29:44 Job Search Like Product
32:57 Networking That Works
36:32 LinkedIn Visibility and Brand
39:51 Biggest Job Search Mistake
41:20 Rapid Fire and Wrap Up
Connect with Shobhit Chugh https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/
Connect with Matt Moore https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-e-moore/
www.intentionalproductmanager.com
Leading Product Management Consultant on what CPOs actually care about
2026/02/18
Everyone’s talking about AI in product management. But in Shardul Mehta’s conversations with CPOs and VPs of Product, that’s not what’s keeping leaders up at night. The real shift: product teams are being held accountable for business outcomes, revenue, margin, and return on investment, and many can’t explain why their roadmap deserves continued funding.
In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager podcast, we break down the “translation tax” product leaders are paying, what this means for individual product managers, and why the jump from Senior PM to Director often fails when people try to become a “super PM” instead of building the decision-making system.
In this episode, we cover:
Why product leaders aren’t obsessed with AI (and what they are obsessed with)The credibility gap + “translation tax” inside product orgsThe 5 breakdowns execs keep seeing (goals, money story, exec language, GTM, alignment)
What PMs can do immediately: cost-of-team thinking + ROI narratives (without finance cosplay)Why new Directors drown: the creator → operator shiftIf you’re a product manager trying to grow into leadership, this episode gives you the framing to stop being seen as a delivery person and start being treated like a business operator.
Highlights:
00:24 Meet Shardul Mehta: 30 Years in Product, Startups, and GenAI Launches
01:22 Origin Story: Builder Mindset, Tech Roots, and Entrepreneurship Track
02:56 The ‘Accidental PM’ Wake-Up Call: Credibility, Communication, and the Unlock
07:08 The New Scoreboard: What CPOs Worry About (It’s Not AI)
09:53 The Credibility Gap: 5 Executive Complaints About Product Teams
11:42 Skills vs Comms: Money Stories, Board Questions, and the Translation Tax
14:29 Hot Take: Why ‘Product Owner’ Isn’t Product Management
17:04 What This Means for Individual PMs: Proving ROI and Acting as Fiduciaries
21:06 Do We Really Need More Squads? Making the Revenue Case
21:30 Back-of-the-Napkin Costing: What Does a Sprint Actually Cost?
22:14 Capacity Is Finite: Trade-offs, Opportunity Cost, and Prioritization
23:10 Startups vs Big Tech vs Private Equity: How the ROI Questions Change
25:48 Why Product Directors Fail: The ‘Super PM’ Trap
27:14 Creator → Operator: Building the System, Not Doing All the Details
28:08 Promotion Reality Check: Readiness, Fair Paths, and Not Getting Strung Along
30:12 Mentoring PMs (Korea & Beyond): Cutting Through Noise and Bad Advice
31:12 Commercial Mindset for PMs: Sales Calls, Incentives, and Business Results
33:45 Managing Up Without the ‘Politics’ Hangup
35:15 Fun Wrap-Up: Improv Lessons, Favorite Product, and a Hot Take on PM
Follow Shobhit Chugh at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/
Follow Shardul Mehta at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shardulmehta/
Check out Street Smart Product Manager at https://streetsmartproductmanager.com/
www.intentionalproductmanager.com
From Execution to Influence: Navigating AI, Innovation, and Strategic Product Leadership (with Mick Gupta)
2026/01/28
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
Senior Director of Product Shows You How To Stand Out and Earn Trust as a Product Manager
2026/01/14
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
Scaling Product Organizations with an AI-first Approach
2026/01/07
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
Top Themes from the Intentional Product Manager Podcast - 2025 Edition
2026/01/02
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
The Invisible Traps Blocking Ambitious Product Leaders (and How to Overcome Them)
2025/12/24
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
Landing and Leading AI/ML Product Management Roles in Big Tech
2025/12/10
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
Leading Through Tech Transformations: Career Lessons and Strategic Moves with Vik Chaudhary
2025/12/03
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
From Chaos to Clarity: How Top Product Leaders Drive Real Ownership
2025/11/12
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
What Makes a Great Platform Product Manager? Insights from a Salesforce VP
2025/11/05
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
Inside Product Hiring: Secrets from Those Who’ve Made the Leap
2025/10/28
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
The Secrets of Product Management Career Growth by Robinhood's Senior Director of Product
2025/10/15
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
The Platform Playbook: Secrets to Agility, Ecosystems, and Growth
2025/09/17
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
Trust, UX, and the Future of AI Product Management
2025/09/10
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
Podcast reviews
Read The Intentional Product Manager Podcast podcast reviews
JoshSamBob 2024/10/30
Truly Brilliant!
Shobhit’s insights are deep and cut to the core of how to be a better PM. This show is fantastic - can’t wait for more!
McCormack 2024/10/30
Great insights on advancing in your PM career
This podcast has great advice on ways to stand out as a product manager and advance in your PM career.
CoachWill.L 2024/10/30
Product Manager great listen
Happy to see this get started and looking forward to the actionable insights and conversations from talented product minds!
voland2000 2024/10/30
Be intentional about your career next steps
If you’re looking to be successful in your current Product Manager role or land your first role in a highly desirable Product Management organization ...
Sam Product Manager 2024/10/30
Love the podcast
I loved the first episode with Ravi Mehta - so many insights especially on product management careers and AI
Sales/Crusher 2024/10/30
Insider Secrets
Love hearing great product leaders give us the secret to their success! This can save people so much time if they get lost in having too broad a scope...
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