The Product Porch (Ryan Cantwell, Todd Blaquiere, Joe Ghali)

1:07 – Joe kicks off the discussion on useless product management terms.
1:49 – We start the PM Jargon Draft, with Todd winning the #1 pick.
3:04 – Todd and Ryan’s #1 pick: "CEO of the Product."
4:23 – Joe’s #1 pick: "Customer Centric" (he’s salty he couldn’t trade for the #1 pick).
6:07 – Todd discusses how every healthcare company is "patient-first" – shouldn’t we all be patient-first in healthcare?
7:14 – Ryan questions "Productize" – is it a verb? A new word in the English dictionary? The big draft controversy.
9:41 – Todd adds "Gathering Requirements" to his hit list of terrible PM terms. We suggest "Gathering Insights" as a better alternative.
15:00 – Iteration vs. Agile discussion – "We are going to be Agile" drives Joe nuts because it often just means "Can we launch it faster?"
18:20 – Ryan selects a declaration: "We are going to be more innovative." 
21:10 – "Thinking outside the box" is a controversial pick in the draft.
22:25 – Todd explains why he hates the term "Feature Parity"; Joe recommends "Holistic Approach" instead.
30:51 – "Being Product-led" is a steal in the 3rd round for Ryan, who explains what it really means.
36:10 – Undrafted superstar PM Terms (Joe has PTSD from Ryan yelling at him for "fail fast").
40:00 – Todd predicts next year’s draft class, starting with "Outcomes over Outputs," "Product-Market Fit," and "Go-to-Market Enablement."
43:00 – Actionable takeaways.

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Are you worried about how AI might impact your career in product management?

Don’t let uncertainty hold you back. Join us for this special episode of The Product Porch, where we welcome special guest Dean Peters and dive into the AI trends every product manager needs to know. We’ll explore how AI is transforming the role of product managers, from decision-making and prioritization to stakeholder collaboration and strategic planning.

You’ll gain actionable insights on using AI as a tool to enhance your impact, stay relevant, and secure your role in an AI-driven future. Plus, we’ll tackle the tough questions: Is AI a threat to product managers? How can you adapt to these changes and position yourself as a leader in the evolving landscape?

Whether you’re curious, concerned, or both, this episode will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to succeed in the era of AI.

References & Links

Follow Dean at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanpeters/

Dean's Blog | Dean on Delivery: https://www.deanondelivery.com/

What is Agentic AI? https://hbr.org/2024/12/what-is-agentic-ai-and-how-will-it-change-work

Twinery: https://twinery.org/

Show Notes: Episode 15 - AI's Impact on Product Management

[2:00] Welcome to the Podcast
Dean kicks off the discussion with a story that sets the stage for exploring AI and Product Management trends.

[3:20] The End of Product Manager Jobs?
Dean makes a bold claim: the Product Manager role as we know it is disappearing.

[4:11] 2025 Product Management Trends Begin
Dean predicts the biggest changes AI will bring to Product Management in 2025.

[4:48] Prediction #1: Automated Explainer Videos
Dean shares how Artificial Intelligence will revolutionize the creation of explainer videos, making it faster and cheaper.

[7:20] “It’s Already Happening!”
Joe backs up Dean’s prediction with real-world examples of AI automating video production at a low cost.

[8:48] What Does This Mean for PMs?
Todd agrees with Dean but poses the critical question: Is this shift good for Product Managers?

[11:41] The Rise of Storytelling in Product Management
Why being a great storyteller, with empathy and compassion, is a critical skill in an AI-driven future.

[13:54] Problem Statements as Art
Todd compares writing a strong problem statement to creating a masterpiece, emphasizing the artistry involved.

[14:56] Most PMs Struggle with Problem Statements
Todd explains why many Product Managers fall short and how asking the right questions can turn "garbage" into gold.

[16:24] Prediction #2: Agentic and Customizable AI
Dean introduces the rise of AI tools tailored to individual needs. (Check the show notes for a definition.)

[18:54] Better Workflows, Thanks to AI
Dean explains how AI will revolutionize workflows, making them more efficient and adaptive.

[21:30] Introducing “Twinery”
Dean teases a new concept that could reshape how Product Managers approach storytelling. (Details in the show notes.)

[22:43] Prediction #3: Open Source AI Models
Dean highlights the rise of open-source AI and its implications for the Product Management space.

[23:45] Proof of Life for Product Managers
How open-source AI models are creating new opportunities for Product Managers to validate user needs.

[27:00] Todd’s 2025 Prediction: AI in User Testing
AI will revolutionize user behavior analysis, allowing PMs to run customer simulations with unprecedented accuracy.

[28:40] Prediction #4: The Rise of Synthetic Data
Dean predicts synthetic data will allow PMs to simulate user interactions with their products.

[33:00] Prediction #5: Automating the Scrum Master Role
AI could replace the “Jira Slinging Ticket Monkey” function, automating repetitive tasks.

[34:40] 2025 Product Management Wish List
The team shares their hopes and dreams for the future of Product Management.

[35:45] Product Roadmaps: Art Over Science
This is a reminder that creating roadmaps requires creativity and intuition, not just data.

[37:30] Dean’s Wish: Automatic Fine-Tuning
Dean imagines a “Ronco Brain Dump” system for effortless idea refinement.

[38:30] Connect with Dean Peters
Find Dean on social media for more insights on AI and Product Management.

[40:00] Key Takeaways
AI is reshaping Product Management with automation, storytelling, and new tools—adapt now to stay ahead in 2025.

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Is your product losing traction or failing to grow? You might be experiencing product-market drift—the silent killer of product success. In this episode, we are joined by David Nash, who helps us spot the warning signs and shows you how to realign with customer needs, market trends, and evolving technologies. Learn how to stay ahead of the drift with actionable strategies that ensure your product remains relevant and continues to deliver value. Don’t let your hard work go to waste—listen in and discover how to keep your product healthy, adaptable, and ready for growth.

Show Links

Dave Washa- Product Market Drift

https://www.mindtheproduct.com/fighting-product-market-drift-by-dave-wascha/

Find David Nash on Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dnashpdx/

Show Notes for Episode 13: Battling Product-Market Drift

[1:00] Welcome, David Nash!
David joins us to talk about product-market drift and how product managers can stay ahead of it.

[1:30] The Secret to Hiring Great Product Leaders
David shares his knack for building stellar product teams.

[2:06] What Is Product-Market Drift?
We dive into what this sneaky challenge is and why it matters.

[3:50] The 6 Causes of Product-Market Drift
David breaks down the top reasons products lose their way.

[5:30] David’s Big Contributions
How David’s work helps product managers keep their products relevant.

[9:00] When Startups Lose Focus
Ryan explains how a lack of focus leads to failed products.

[10:49] Customers Want More (and They’re Not Waiting)
65% of people expect better services now than just a few years ago.

[12:30] Joe’s Vegas Love Story
What online travel agencies after 9/11 taught us about market evolution.

[15:07] David’s Vegas Adventure
A fun story about a father-daughter trip and customer expectations.

[18:00] Southwest Airlines and Risks of Change
Joe questions Southwest’s decision to tweak its winning formula.

[21:06] Risk: The Biggest Organizational Mistake
David explains why avoiding risk can be deadly for products.

[24:00] AI Projects and Taking Risks
David shares lessons from his team’s first AI project.

[27:10] Todd’s Stakeholder Management Lesson
An unforgettable story about managing tricky stakeholders.

[29:55] Driving Risk Through Red Tape
David introduces his “risk register” to help product managers tackle organizational barriers.

[31:45] Job Description Drift
When roles shift, how do you stay on track?

[32:30] Todd’s Big Epiphany
What makes product managers such a unique and fascinating group?

[35:00] Key Takeaways
Learn how to spot and fix product-market drift before it’s too late.

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Are soft skills the secret weapon of great product managers? In this episode of The Product Porch, hosts Todd Blaquiere and Joe Ghali welcome special guest Claudia Saleh, Lead Product Manager at The Walt Disney Company, to break down the essential soft skills every PM needs—and why they matter.

We explore real-world insights—including how soft skills shape leadership at Disney—and tackle big questions like: Can emotional intelligence be developed? How do great PMs navigate difficult stakeholders? And what role do adaptability and communication play in product success? With expert perspectives and practical takeaways, this episode will help you sharpen the skills that set top product managers apart.

References & Links
Follow Claudia at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claudiasaleh/

Show Notes: Episode 18 - The Hard Things About Soft Skills

[1:04] Welcome Claudia to The Product Porch
Introduction and why soft skills are essential in Product Management

[2:08] Soft skills define a PM’s success
Why stakeholder management, communication, and collaboration are non-negotiable

[4:00] Can PM soft skills be taught?
The role of emotional intelligence and situational awareness

[6:00] Soft skills for career growth
Why mastering influence without authority helps PMs get ahead

[8:00] Joe’s early career story – shoutout to Ray!
A real-world lesson in learning product leadership skills the hard way

[10:00] Essential skills for early-stage Product Managers
How empathy, adaptability, and critical thinking lay the foundation for success

[12:00] Can you teach a PM to be adaptive?
Why PMs must be comfortable with uncertainty and change

[13:09] Bumper sticker wisdom: “Embrace the Grey”
Product Management is rarely black and white—so how do PMs navigate ambiguity?

[14:32] Owning personal growth as a PM
Claudia shares why acknowledging weaknesses is key to improvement

[17:30] Tailoring communication for different audiences
How PMs adjust their messaging between business teams and engineering teams

[20:00] Fun fact: Claudia’s fear of bears 🐻 (yes, this is relevant!)

[21:30] Presentation skills = Product Management superpower
Why strong presentation and storytelling skills are crucial for PMs

[22:42] Claudia’s ultimate mom tip (because life is product management too!)

[23:35] Game time: How different careers build PM soft skills
Todd throws out different job backgrounds—what skills transfer to Product Management?

[26:05] Beyond your career: Where else do PMs develop soft skills?
Coaching, volunteering, parenting—real-world leadership lessons

[27:40] Need travel advice? Claudia has you covered

[29:52] Pop culture moment: Todd drops a Tombstone metaphor
The PM lesson? Play to your strengths!

[30:32] Soft skills for leading Product Managers
What’s different when you go from IC to leading a product team?

[34:15] Leveraging life experiences in Product Management
Some things can’t be learned in a course—it’s about experience and reflection

[36:00] Todd’s story about his new CTO—learning through leadership

[37:30] Is deep focus (aka “being alone and coding”) a soft skill?

[38:00] Claudia’s secret: She spent 10 hours coding the day before this podcast

[40:00] Key Takeaways

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1:22 The fellas discuss their favorite Ken phrase

1:44- Ken tells us what it means to be a product management truth teller

5:16- What can we do as product managers to become more valuable?

8:35- One of the first steps- What goal are you trying to achieve and how can I help you get there?

10:30- Ken tells us why you should spend 20 min a week interviewing a customer

12:55: Todd outlines why experimentation is critical for a product manager

16:45- The team discuss the product management anti-patterns we should watch out for

23:00- How to make yourself an indispensable product person?

26:30- Ken talks about how you can build a quarterly plan to build a strong product management team

28:00- Todd shares his PM secret sauce- Product Framing

29:00- Ryan reminds us to ask the question “So What”

30:56- We share Ken’s favorite PM phrase “Magic Beans”

34:15- What got us here (why are there so many PMs that are unemployed)?

37:40- Is there another domain where the role is defined by someone who doesn’t understand the value of product management?

40:00 Key Takeaways/Wrap-up

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Every product manager hears it: “Go talk to users.” But what if you don’t know how to find them? In this episode of The Product Porch, hosts Todd Blaquiere, Joe Ghali, and Ryan Cantwell tackle the challenge of getting in front of the right users for discovery—without relying on guesswork.

We explore real-world strategies for identifying and connecting with users, whether you’re working in B2B or B2C. How do you leverage customer success and sales teams? What’s the best way to reach users when there’s a gatekeeper in the way? And how can you build a system that ensures continuous access to valuable user insights?

If you’ve ever felt stuck wondering where to start, this episode delivers practical, battle-tested approaches to help you stop assuming and start learning from the right people.

References & Links

- Respondent.io
- Guidepoint
- Continuous Discovery Habits, by Teresa Torres

Time Stamped Notes:

Introduction
[1:00] The Struggle to Find Users – Ryan shares frustrations with finding users for research.
[2:00] Superman & Stats – Over 80% of new products fail—why?

Why Customer Understanding Matters
[4:30] Skipping Discovery? Big Mistake. – The risk of assumptions in product development.

Finding B2C Users
[5:17] Where to Start – Buyer vs. user personas and key differences.
[6:10] No Users? No Problem. – Where to find early users.
[8:40] Recruiting Tactics – Using tools like Respondent.io and direct outreach.

Challenges in B2B Discovery
[9:14] B2B Buyer Personas – Engaging decision-makers in complex sales.
[10:28] Getting Past Gatekeepers – Building trust with sales and success teams.

Overcoming Internal Barriers
[13:57] WIIFM & Sales Buy-in – How to align with sales teams.
[15:00] Prepping Stakeholders – Avoiding risks when bringing others into discovery.

Finding B2B Users
[18:20] Titles Don’t Unlock Access – Trust matters more than job roles.
[20:30] The Power of Listening – Why humility is key to discovery.
[22:30] Building Access Over Time – Joe’s "5-minute" method.

Why Discovery Saves Money
[24:16] The ROI of Discovery – Companies save 20-30% in development costs**.**

Helping Teams Value Product Management
[26:45] Todd’s Intro Formula – "My job is to add value to your life."
[26:54] Sharing Learnings – Why knowledge-sharing strengthens teams.

Finding Competitor’s Customers
[27:54] Tactics for Competitive Research – Engaging users ethically.
[30:02] Where to Look – Reddit, LinkedIn, industry events.
[31:00] Paying for Access – Tools like Guidepoint deliver targeted insights.

Working with Internal Users
[34:25] Internal Customers – Are they easier to reach, or do we get lazy?
[35:56] Risks & Landmines – Pitfalls when engaging internal users.

Lightning Round: Best Interview Questions
[38:07] Go-To Questions – How do you measure success? How painful is this problem on a scale of 1-5?
[40:45] The Uncomfortable Pause – A simple but powerful interviewing technique.

Takeaways
[42:28] Key Lessons – Finding the right users, building internal trust, and making discovery a habit.

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• Ryan’s story - struggle with plastic bags - being environmentally responsible (:58)
• Jobs to be Done is a PM’s superpower (5:00)
• Using the empathy superpower for evil (6:00)
• Using the storytelling for evil (8:14)
• Navigating Righteous Path of Product Management (13:20)
• Using the planning superpower for evil (17:00)
• Avoiding stakeholders that get in your way (20:15)
• Why shouldn't we pursue the dark side of product management (22:00)
• How do you know when your employees are looking for impact but doing it in a self serving way - how to stop it from happening (27:00)
• Balance between short and long term product decisions (31:30)
• Todd’s talks about how the Nintendo Wii is a good example of ethical product management (36:30)
• Key takeaways (38:00)

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• Ryan emphatically explains why you don’t need experience for a PM job (2:11)
• Joe shares why it isn’t a black/white answer (4:20)
• The danger in over-indexing to hiring for experience (8:30)
• The value of mentorships to overcome a lack of industry experience (18:00)
• Ryan walks us through the beginners mindset as a product leader (23:00)
• Find fit for the role - don’t rely on the experience - how long does it take to be great at product discovery (28:00)
• Ryan tell us why he hates the term “fail fast” (31:00)
• The similarities between baseball and product management (35:10)
• A teaser on an upcoming product management podcast (41:00)
• Key Takeaways (45:30)

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Are you struggling to navigate the overlap between Product Management and User Experience roles?

In this episode of The Product Porch, we dig into the common friction between PMs and UX Teams, starting with a question from a listener about role clarity. We explore where the two roles typically overlap—like discovery—and discuss how both contribute unique value to solving problems. You’ll hear about prioritization techniques like the “IFD” method, the importance of team working agreements, and practical steps to align goals and avoid silos.

We also dive into what makes a great UX Designer, share examples of UX antipatterns, and discuss how to foster better collaboration by understanding each other’s strengths. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a stronger partnership with your UX team, this episode will give you ideas you can put into action.

References & Links:

Prioritizing Problems- the IFD model
https://medium.com/management-matters/prioritize-your-problems-now-with-the-intensity-frequency-matrix-481ec156eeca

Todd's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-blaquiere-mba-42a1262b/
Joe's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephghali/
Ryan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryantcantwell/

Show Notes: Episode 16 - What Product Managers Get Wrong About UX

[1:01] Listener Question
A UX friend of the Porch, Holiday, asks if we have ever dealt with the overlap between UX and Product Management responsibilities, highlighting the need for role clarity.

[4:00] Sarcasm from Ryan
Ryan jokingly claims there is "never" any overlap of roles within product management, underscoring the ambiguity in the PM role and UX role.

[4:30] Clarifying Roles
Discussion about the distinctions and clarity between UX and UI roles, emphasizing the role of UX in design and research.

[7:30] Discovery Overlap
Emphasis on discovery as a key area where the role of the product manager and UX roles often overlap, showcasing their shared focus on user needs.

[8:34] The Value of Discovery
Exploring the unique contributions of PM roles and UX roles in the discovery process, with a focus on UX research and market insights.

[11:39] Prioritizing Problems
Todd poses an important question for UX leaders: How do you prioritize problems within the UX design and product framework?

[12:01] Ryan's "IFD" Method
Ryan introduces his favorite "problem" prioritization framework, "IFD." (Details in show notes.) This method is applied to both the PM role and the role of UX in problem-solving.

[14:30] Market and Personas
Todd highlights the value PMs bring to problem discussions through their understanding of market needs and personas, complementing the insights from UX research.

[17:25] Joe's Apology
Joe apologizes to Elise, his best UX friend ever, for any oversight of the vital role of UX in product success.

[18:20] Strengthening Relationships
How to open the door to building a stronger relationship between Product Management and UX roles, focusing on role clarity and mutual respect.

[19:30] What Makes a Great UX Designer
Characteristics and traits of an effective UX designer, highlighting the importance of collaboration with the PM role.

[21:20] Integrating UX into Product Teams
Should UX be fully integrated within the product team? Todd finds it hard to disagree with Joe, noting that aligning the PM role and the UX role can improve outcomes.

[23:00] Aligned Objectives
Todd argues why UX roles should roll up into the same team as Product Management to ensure aligned business objectives and outcomes.

[24:00] Techniques for Alignment
Discussion of strategies for aligning PM and UX roles and helping them better understand each other’s responsibilities and contributions.

[25:45] Team Working Agreements
Joe introduces the concept of Team Working Agreements to set clear expectations and accountabilities, ensuring role clarity and collaboration.

[28:00] Avoiding Silos
Exploring how culture influences the prevention of PM and UX silos, with an emphasis on fostering collaboration between these roles.

[30:00] Advocacy for Roles
Discussion on how PMs and UX teams can effectively advocate for their respective roles and contributions.

[34:17] Lightning Round - UX Antipatterns
A rapid-fire segment on common UX antipatterns to watch out for, focusing on their impact on the UX role and product outcomes.

[35:10] Ideal Team Setups
Todd discusses his "Discovery Squad" concept as an example of an ideal setup between UX and PM roles, emphasizing collaborative discovery.

[37:10] Discovery Backlog
Ryan introduces the idea of a shared "Discovery Backlog" for PMs and UX designers, highlighting its value in aligning priorities and fostering role clarity.

[38:00] Key Takeaways
Building strong relationships between PMs and UX teams starts with making friends, learning each other's strengths, and collaborating effectively, while ensuring clarity in their respective roles.

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2:15 What are the Product Management trends everyone is talking about

4:30- Todd asks the question: Are we focusing on the problem at the expense of the solution? 

7:00- Joe explains why he believes we have over-indexed on some of the common PM themes

10:05- We are getting paid to deliver- reality check for all PMs

11:45- Ryan tells how this is a struggle for Type A personalities 

13:16- Todd walks us through his approach to move to execution (from high-level concepts to delivery)

14:21- Joe’s shares an unpopular opinion about SAFe and its value for Product Leaders

16:08- Todd shares how he uses Ryan and Joe for some very specific product needs- team bonding moment

18:45 Todd admits that SAFe quarterly planning is awesome. Joe and Todd have a moment

22:54- What is the Product Managers Role in Solutioning? Ryan shared his POV

27:12- Todd shares a current situation on what to do with competing perspectives on proposed solutions-

29:09- You need to have confidence and conviction- Ryan Cantwell- this is what a PM needs to do

30:30- Sometimes you just make calculated risks as Product Managers- we discuss as a team

35:03- Todd kicks off a Job title game- problem or solution. Grab your popcorn!

39:01- Todd shares why he loves “defining the problem”

41:04- Key Takeaways- 

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1:22- Joe explains why the role of Product Player Coach role is a cop-out

2:51- Todd uses data to say how it can work and leverages his love of the NBA to demonstrates why

5:34- We discuss what success looks like for a Product Manager Player Coach 

10:02- Ryan walks us through how we resolved the challenges associated with this hybrid role

13:32- Todd walks us through the disadvantages of the hybrid PM/Coach role

16:03- Joe emphatically tells us why Product Managers must be successful at relationships- Product Managers are already “coaches”

20:15- We talk about getting uncomfortable to grow as a product manager

23:30- Joe discusses his affinity for gold stars

26:30- Life lessons from being a player-coach have advantages for career advancement if you want to be a people manager

30:20- What are the negatives of being a player-coach?

32:30- We hear about Todd’s real-life experience as a player-coach. Todd clashes with his peers but learns to turn it around.

34:50- Ryan tells us about his real-life experience as a player-coach. He’s the scapegoat!

37:10- How do relationships change when you become a player-coach?

40:20- Hear a fantastic analogy between player-coach and Spider-man 2

44:25- Words of advice for anyone considering the role of player-coach.

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Ever wonder how to tell if a product leader is actually good—or just good in interviews? In this episode, we talk through what strong product leadership really looks like, how to spot warning signs, and what to do if you’re not getting the support you need. We also cover the questions you should be asking when you're interviewing for a new role and how to make the most of a good leader when you have one.

If you’re thinking about your next move—or just want to get better at working with your current boss—this one’s for you.

Transcript: Episode 21 - Before You Say Yes: Interviewing your Next Boss

Introduction
[0:00] Welcome Back – Kicking off the episode with a hill metaphor and the big question: what makes a great product leader?
[2:00] A Tough Early Experience – A story of receiving poor leadership advice and the fallout with IT.

Weak vs. Strong Leadership
[4:36] Leadership Is Influence – Highlighting the power of cross-functional trust and respect.
[6:00] What Great Leaders Do – Traits that matter: trust, vision, honesty, listening, decisiveness, and more.
[8:26] Anti-Patterns – Indecisiveness, pass-through behavior, and leaders who don’t push back.

When Your Boss Isn’t a Great Leader
[9:25] Taking the Right First Steps – The value of seeking out learning and acting independently.
[11:08] Pushing Change Without Buy-In – The mistake of skipping the “why” when introducing new ways of working.
[13:01] The Importance of Positioning – How to position yourself well when you have a weak leader
[14:09] Show Your Work – Tips for demonstrating your impact in a way your leader will understand and support.

External Pressures on Leaders
[16:00] How Strong Leaders Can Become Weak – How organizational pressure can derail even the strongest leaders.
[18:45] Why It All Matters – Weak leadership affects career growth, team success, and even headcount.

Taking Control of Your Narrative
[20:34] What You Can Control – Focus on your communication, relationships, and personal brand.
[21:37] What Not to Do – Avoid sabotage, complaints, and repeating broken patterns.
[22:08] Find Support Elsewhere – You don’t have to rely on your manager for growth and mentorship.

How to Identify a Strong Leader in an Interview (Role Play)
 [22:30] Role Play: Product Launch – A side-by-side of strong vs. weak leadership responses. 
 [25:23] Spotting the Difference – Look for accountability, clarity, and thoughtful process. 
 [27:01] Role Play: Talent Development – Coaching vs. control and the risk of "mini-me" management. 
 [29:30] Interpreting the Signals – What good answers sound like—and what they reveal. 
 [30:26] Ask About Vision – Great leaders can clearly explain product and team direction.
 [32:20] Accepting Risk – Not every role is perfect, but know what matters most to you.

Selecting a Leader Based on your Career Goals
[34:32] Know What You Need – What motivates you may change over time. 
[35:25] Setting Criteria – Define what you want from a company, role, and manager. 
[36:04] Learning by Example – Good senior leaders model behaviors worth following.

Getting the Most from a Strong Leader
 [37:03] Soak It Up – Watch how they respond and model their soft skills. 
 [38:03] Be Curious – Ask questions to uncover the thinking behind their actions. 
 [39:39] Ask for Feedback – Strong leaders will invest in you—if you’re ready for it. 
 [40:18] Show Initiative – Be proactive and bring your A-game. 
 [40:52] Values and Fit – Great leaders aren’t always a perfect fit—know what you need.

Final Thoughts
 [41:44] No One Is Perfect – Take ownership and learn from what’s in front of you. 
 [42:29] Don’t Take Great Leaders for Granted – The right leader is worth more than just a salary bump.

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• Product Champions: a new title for PMs (1:00)
• Airbnb gets rid of product manager title (3:45)
• Chief No Officer / Head of No / Innovation Sponge / Walking Roadblock / Killer of Dreams, (5:55)
• Superman, Smokey the Bear and Lil Smokies, and User Psychologists (12:15)
• Group Therapist, Anger Manager, and The Negotiator (15:20)
• Outcome Architect and Director of Opinions (19:00)
• Aladdin and Product Genie wishing rules (22:30)
• Provlemologist and Innovation Specialists (27:15)
• The Fortune Teller, Product Facilier, and Product Gambler (29:45)
• Napalm Artist, sports cliches, and The Joker (33:40)
• Value Broker, Risk Mitigator, and Zookeeper (37:40)
• We discuss whether or not the PM title needs a rebrand (39:00)
• Which PM titles are our favorites (41:00)
• Why the Product Manager role needs a brand and marketing department (45:15)
• Key Takeaways (46:40)

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1:42 - Meet Jeff and his big question for product managers: "How can we ensure we have the right understanding from our leaders?"

4:30 - Ryan emphasizes the importance of focusing on outcomes over outputs to clarify product manager responsibilities.

7:35 - Todd jokes about where their "outputs over outcomes" tattoo should go.

9:20 - Ryan urges product managers to seek clarity when they don’t understand the "why" behind a request.

10:30 - Todd shares a story from his LA Times days on asking for clarification from his boss.

15:12 - The group discusses how product managers can overcomplicate unclear requests.

16:00 - Joe suggests playing the "New Guy" card when in doubt.

19:00 - The team highlights that asking questions is a strength for a product manager, not a weakness.

23:35 - Ryan poses the question: Is there ever a time when product managers shouldn't ask for clarification?

24:28 - Joe shares a story about when he had to "bite his tongue" as a product manager.

26:30 - Todd adds that timing is everything; knowing when to ask is part of the product manager job.

30:00 - Joe discusses the role evolution from order-taker to partner for a product manager.

33:26 - Todd revisits Jeff’s story to highlight the importance of avoiding wasted time and resources on misaligned products.

34:30 - Joe shares a product manager tip: develop internal personas to better manage stakeholders and understand their goals.

35:20 - A lightning round on common requests that product managers initially misunderstood.

36:40 - The infamous "JIRA-slinging ticket monkey" term makes an appearance. Shoutout to Dean Peters!

38:46 - Key takeaways (and some friendly teasing of Joe for his wording choices).

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1:30 Ryan ponders what product failure means?

3:37 The true definition of failure is identified

6:33 Todd speaks to the categories of product failure

9:33 Todd assumes the role of therapist and tells Ryan and Joe they didn’t fail 

12:13- We discuss how we turn failure into a learning opportunity

15:06- Joe discusses the most underrated product management skill

19:08- We bring back the Jobs to be done framework when dealing with our co-workers

22:25- Todd shares a tip on how manage friction with a co-workers (brilliant)

25:44- We talk about the temptation to take short-cuts with process

29:00 Todd tells us why he didn’t win any newsroom awards one year

31:00 Ryan comes up with a new PM slogan “It's the scars that make you and not the successes” (Joe thinks it should be on a bumper sticker)

32:34- The “learning” is knowing how we can do it better next time (Hallmark card time)

35:00 - Todd reminds why we shouldn’t never give up when the going gets tough

36:08 - We talk about the fear of using AI to make product management short cuts

37:09 - We all share our product failure war stories

44:30- Wayne’s World reference makes its way into our podcast- Success!

48:00- Thoughts on how you respond to failure drives who you are as a product manager

52:00 Wrap Up

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Episode Description

1:00- Meet Nils Davis

2:47- Nils reminds us that Product Managers are really “Unicorns” in the workforce

7:00- Nils shares his favorite phrase as a Product Manager “Your obvious is your art”

8:47- Nils shares the pros/cons of understanding your “spike”

10:03- We discuss how it's difficult to share our superpower with the people that surround us

12:08- Nils shares the different ways we can discover our PM spike/superpower

15:45- Todd shares the struggle with asking for feedback to identify your PM spike/superpower

17:52- Nils shares one of his PM spikes 

20:15- Todd shares the PM spike he wishes he had

22:12- Todd compares Joe’s PM spike to that of a Golden Retriever 

25:20- A new word is introduced to the Product Porch- “Pragmatic Empathy”

28:15- Todd asks the question of whether or not the PM role has a unique set of capabilities

33:19- We review the stable of “Product” Unicorns- 

36:19- Todd reminds us why he’s against Annual Performance Reviews and not a coder 🙂

39:10- We wrap up with our advice for the PM community struggling to find their “spike” (Nils-leverage Clifton Strengths Finder assessment)- people are the stars of their own movies 

40:18- Todd- Don’t feel guilty for your spike. Find that thing that you love and lean into it

41:30- Joe- Be genuine and true to yourself (not as profound as Todd/Nils)

42:00- Nils ends with a very profound thought- “Product Managers are amazing creatures, yet you would never know it from reading their resume”

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• Ryan tells us how he leveraged PM principles recently for his mulch project ( 0:45)
• Joe shows us how Ryan applied the Jobs to Done framework to Ryan’s approach (3:00)
• We discuss how often we apply PM Principles creep into our life (5:00)
• Todd discusses how Problem Framing can be applied in real-world scenarios (12:00)
• Joe gives us a review of the Broadway Show “Heart of Rock and Roll” (20:00)
• Ryan walks us through dot voting techniques for family (21:00)
• Todd experiments with Tiny Acts of Discovery (23:50) 
• Ryan applies iteration techniques when filling up the dishwasher (26:40)
• Todd discusses success metrics and his neighbor's lawn (31:00)
• We talk about which product principles don’t work in real life (32:27)
• Key takeaways and our recommendations (38:24)

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Are you unsure how your Product Manager responsibilities fit into your team’s dynamics? Struggling to define your Product Manager job or wondering what it takes to thrive in your role? In this episode, we label different product team culture types, explore their anti-patterns, and discuss the types of people who perform best in each environment. Along the way, we break down the Product Manager definition within these settings and highlight essential skills for Product Managers to succeed. Think of this episode as part career guide, part group therapy—it’s packed with insights to help you navigate team dynamics and unlock your full potential.

1:21 - Todd has been thinking a lot about cultures—specifically product team cultures and how they impact Product Manager responsibilities.

2:00 - The Product Culture Name It Game and how to thrive in each culture as part of your Product Manager job.

3:26 - We discuss the different elements of product team cultures and their impact on defining essential skills for Product Managers.

5:52 - “If you build it, they will come”—a classic anti-pattern in product management.

8:29 - A discussion around sales enablement and its role in Product Manager responsibilities.

11:11 - A team that ONLY focuses on metrics/KPIs—aka the “tightwad” product culture, and what this means for the Product Manager job.

14:12 - Good aspects of a data-driven product culture and how it aligns with the Product Manager definition.

16:57 - Todd explains why he would thrive in a “data-thirsty” culture.

19:01 - Tips for how a PM can succeed in a data-driven culture by leveraging essential skills for Product Managers.

21:10 - Is success making all stakeholders happy? Or is it ensuring all departments agree on the right thing to do?

22:39 - The Consensus-Driven Culture—Joe gets the gold star for team alignment!

23:30 - A fun “Truman Show” reference to illustrate consensus-driven decision-making.

25:20 - Ryan shares when a consensus-driven culture isn’t ideal for a Product Manager job.

26:00 - Lightning Round: We share our favorite product culture names!

29:00 - Cool Kids Culture? Todd shares childhood trauma about not being “cool.”

30:52 - The Learners Culture: Why constant learning is an essential skill for Product Managers.

32:40 - Ryan and Todd joke about Joe’s real age—was he born in 1935?

34:04 - The Mission-Driven Culture: Aligning product strategy with purpose.

36:22 - The Fire-Fighter Culture: When every day is crisis management.

38:45 - Joe shares the Customer-Centric Culture: What it means for Product Manager responsibilities.

39:20 - Advantages and disadvantages of customer-centric cultures and their impact on defining essential skills for Product Managers.

41:00 - We share which product cultures each of us would thrive in based on our strengths as PMs.

42:00 - Key Takeaways: Plus, a fun “Jumanji” reference to wrap things up.

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Is your experience with annual performance reviews anxiety-inducing? Stop sweating, and join us for this episode of The Product Porch, where we discuss strategies product managers need to ace their annual performance reviews. From framing your accomplishments to overcoming common review pitfalls, we’ll show you how to turn your review into an opportunity for recognition and growth. You’ll leave with practical tips to effectively communicate your value, align with leadership expectations, and set the stage for success.

We even discuss why the annual review process feels broken and share ideas to make them more meaningful and effective.

References & Links

Nine Lies About Work: A Freethinking Leader's Guide to the Real World | https://store.hbr.org/product/nine-lies-about-work-a-freethinking-leader-s-guide-to-the-real-world/10214?srsltid=AfmBOopQNCeo0kYerQGhXkfI7-3TR1XIXn6seajzp9hW8H8sn1wvqb5O

Show Notes for Episode 14: Ace Your Annual Performance Review

[1:15] Our Feelings on Annual Reviews
Ryan reveals he’d rather mulch than tackle an Annual Review.

[2:54] First Performance Review PTSD
Ryan shares a traumatic Performance Review experience as a Product Manager and the infamous “Be More Like Me” feedback.

[3:52] Why Performance Reviews Don’t Work
Todd lists four flaws: recency bias, diverse value expressions, unreliable ratings, and focus on weaknesses.

[6:40] Judging a Quarter, Not a Year
Why most evaluations in Product Management focus on events from the last 6–8 weeks.

[7:51] The Surprise-Free Review
Joe explains why surprises in Performance Reviews spell trouble.

[10:47] Ideal Evaluations
What’s the best way to evaluate people, and what matters most in a Product Manager’s performance?

[11:50] Measuring a Product Manager’s Impact
How do you fairly assess the breadth and depth of Product Manager responsibilities?

[13:23] Sales Team Backlash
Ryan wonders: Will presenting bad news to sales hurt his Performance Review, even if it’s not his fault?

[14:30] Evil Todd Strikes Again
Todd brings humor to the broken Annual Review process.

[15:21] Gaming the System
Ryan shares how some Product Managers manipulate their Performance Reviews to hit numbers.

[16:10] Recency Bias in Product Management
How recency bias can distort evaluations for Product Managers.

[17:40] Hero Complex in Product Management
Do great Product Managers need to play the hero?

[18:27] Leading Indicators Over Outcomes
Why it’s crucial to sell leading indicators when Performance Reviews don’t account for long-term results.

[20:31] Should we Aim for Well-Rounded or Spikey?
Are the best Product Managers balanced, or should they excel in specific areas?

[23:12] Risks of Focusing on Weaknesses
What happens if you only focus on improving low competencies?

[24:44] Why We Focus on Negatives
Exploring the human tendency to zero in on flaws during Annual Reviews.

[28:14] Evaluating Product Spikes
Todd explains how to measure a Product Manager against their product spikes.

[29:00] Values-Based Reviews
Todd critiques values-based reviews as being too subjective.

[31:36] Perception vs. Reality
Why perception is reality in the Product Management world and how it impacts Performance Reviews.

[34:17] Ditching Annual Reviews
Joe advocates for quarterly reviews over Annual Reviews, drawing parallels to roadmap trends.

[35:40] Fixing Annual Reviews
Todd’s actionable recommendation to improve Annual Performance Reviews.

[38:00] Why Annual Reviews Persist
Examining why companies cling to Annual Review models.

[38:41] 90% Ineffectiveness
Ryan shares that 90% of Annual Reviews fail to deliver results.

[38:59] Manager Dissatisfaction
95% of managers dislike their organizations’ review structures.

[39:54] Fixing Annual Reviews
Strategies to overhaul the Performance Review process.

[41:30] Measuring What Matters
The importance of clear product and organizational metrics in Product Management.

[43:00] Build a Wins Document
Why tracking your wins can help with Annual Reviews and how to get promoted.

[45:56] Crushing the Fourth Quarter
Tips to end the year strong as a Product Manager.

[47:18] Seek Feedback
Proactively gather feedback to excel in Performance Reviews.

[47:30] Key Takeaways
“We are not reliable raters of other people,” but improvements are possible for Product Managers and their teams.

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Should Product Managers and Product Marketing Managers be separate roles or one? In this episode of The Product Porch, we break down their key differences, where they overlap, and how organizations define their responsibilities.

We share real-world examples—including how Airbnb structures these roles—and tackle big questions like: Who owns the buying journey? Where should PMMs report? And how does role clarity drive product success? With fun analogies and practical insights, this episode will help you collaborate more effectively and navigate this ongoing debate.

[2:00] The Big Question
Should we have two separate roles—the Product Manager and the Product Marketing Manager?

[2:30] Defining the PM Role
Product Managers connect customer values to business outcomes.

[3:20] Defining the PMM Role
Product Marketing Managers focus on awareness, messaging, and proof points.

[5:00] Wearing Both Hats
Joe shares his experience working with a dedicated PMM role vs. managing both the PM and PMM responsibilities himself.

[8:15] How Airbnb Does It
A look at how Airbnb structures the PM and PMM roles.

[9:30] Office Space Moment
Todd’s I have people skills reference sparks a discussion on communication in both roles.

[10:20] PMM as Execution?
Are Product Marketing Managers seen as tactical executors rather than strategic partners?

[11:00] The Role of Personas
Ryan shares his perspective on how personas shape PM and PMM responsibilities.

[12:42] Todd’s Cinnabon Confession
A side tangent on Todd’s unexpected connection to Cinnabon.

[16:00] Role Accountability
Why defining clear responsibilities helps delineate the PM and PMM roles.

[18:30] Wizard of Oz Analogy
How Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Lion, and the Scarecrow represent a well-balanced product team.

[20:19] Splitting the Roles
Ryan shares his experience during a past company transformation when the PM role was split.

[21:23] Reporting Structure Debate
Does it matter where the PMM role reports within an organization?

[22:45] Marketing vs. Product Outcomes
Do Product Marketing Managers lose sight of product outcomes when reporting to marketing?

[24:00] Measuring Success
Defining the right success metrics for both the PM role and PMM role.

[26:24] Who Owns It Game
Ryan leads a fun round of Who Owns It—PM or PMM?

[31:00] Sales Enablement Ownership
Who should train the sales team on new products?

[33:00] The Buying Journey Debate
Todd argues that the PMM role should own the buying journey.

[36:10] GTM Strategy
Are Product Marketing Managers truly empowered to lead go-to-market strategy?

[38:23] Key Takeaways
Clear role definition is critical for strong team collaboration and product success.

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AI is transforming product management, but where does it actually fit in your workflow? In this episode of The Product Porch, Zac Hays, Chief Product Officer at Luxury Presence, shares how his team used AI-powered prototyping to cut their design sprint time in half and generate 12 prototypes in a single day.

Ryan, Todd, and Joe dig into what worked, what didn’t, and how AI is changing the product playbook. You’ll learn practical ways to integrate AI into your process, why speed doesn’t mean sacrificing creativity, and which tools can help you iterate faster and test ideas with real users—without waiting on designers or engineering.

References & Links

• Follow Zac Hays at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacthepm/
• Read Zac’s article on AI-Powered Design Sprints: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/ai-powered-design-sprint-playbook-v01-zac-hays-iu1dc/?trackingId=Z%2FCq7FJmQ8O6PgubHhrTng%3D%3D
• V.0 Coding Tool: http://v0.dev/
• Bolt.new Coding Tool: http://bolt.new/
• User Feedback Tool: https://www.usertesting.com/
• Guy Kawasaki’s Remarkable People Podcast: https://guykawasaki.com/remarkable-people/

Show Notes: Episode 19 - How to Prototype 4X Faster with AI

[1:30] Welcome Zac Hays to The Product Porch
Introducing Zac, Chief Product Officer at Luxury Presence, and why AI is shaking up product design.

[2:40] “I don’t know if our playbook is relevant anymore.”
Zac questions if traditional product processes still work in an AI-driven world.

[3:42] Trying out new AI prototyping tools
If a prototype can be built in minutes, how does that change the design sprint process?

[5:51] Show and tell: Rapid-fire prototype demos
Everyone builds and shares a 90-second prototype—what happens next?

[7:10] Was there a lack of originality using AI?
AI prototype tools work like ChatGPT—give a one-sentence prompt and watch the magic happen.

[9:11] Apprehension and pushback: Is AI replacing jobs?
Some skepticism, even from Zac. But every team member saw it through a different lens.

[10:50] Bringing the team up to speed on AI tools
Ryan puts AI to the test—writes two sentences, and Bolt builds an app instantly.

[12:55] What was the real impact of this AI-powered sprint?
Zac breaks down how the new process helped his team move faster and smarter.

[15:15] Fast feedback: Validating and invalidating assumptions quickly
Within a single sprint, the team learned what worked—and what didn’t.

[17:57] The power of quickly invalidating your ideas
Why knowing what won’t work is just as valuable as knowing what will.

[18:37] How explicit were assumptions in this AI-driven process?
Turns out, it was ad hoc—but led to surprisingly valuable prototypes.

[20:40] How often did AI hallucinate?
When does AI “hallucination” turn into real creativity?

[21:18] Unexpected discoveries: AI finds new sources of data
How AI-led insights saved time and uncovered new possibilities.

[23:00] How does this change the role of the product manager?
The lines between PM, design, and engineering are getting blurry.

[25:10] Expanding PM skills and abilities
This new approach makes explaining product vision easier than ever.

[26:30] PM as an executive producer?
Leveraging user video snippets to tell a story—way more powerful than a PRD.

[27:45] The “Code Red” threat—will AI replace PMs?
Zac shares which PM skills will survive (and thrive) in an AI-driven world.

[29:02] Want to start using AI tools? Find a buddy!
Grab a friend, experiment, and debrief. These tools are built for you!

[31:20] Todd’s silly story: Don’t be a dinosaur
At some point, you have to embrace AI—or risk becoming that person.

[32:30] Joe asks: What’s the first step?
Start small—go to bolt.new, type an idea, and see what happens.

[33:30] Todd overachieves with AI
Zac says no need to overdo it. Ryan reminds us—be polite to AI. (Yes, say “thank you.”)

[36:05] Todd goes full caveman—will grunting be the next AI skill?

[36:54] What’s next for Zac?
Limiting the number of people, getting user feedback faster—Prototype on Day 1, feedback on Day 2, refine on Day 3.

[38:19] Where to find Zac? (Hint: LinkedIn!)

[40:00] Key Takeaways

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