Explore every episode of the podcast Productly Speaking: Real Stories for Product Managers
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| S3E5: The Truth About Roadmaps: Why Dates Don't Deliver with Janna Bastow | 12 Aug 2025 | 00:35:41 | |
In this insightful episode, Karl Abbott sits down with Janna Bastow, co-founder of ProdPad and founder of Mind the Product, to explore the evolution of product roadmaps. Janna shares the origin story of the Now-Next-Later Roadmap, a flexible and strategic alternative to traditional date-driven roadmaps. Together, they unpack how this approach empowers product teams to communicate more honestly, prioritize effectively, and adapt to change. Key Topics Discussed
Key Quotes
Learn More Connect with Janna LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jannabastow/ | |||
| S3E4: Open Source, Real Business: Lessons from Mozilla and Microsoft with Reese Gifford | 05 Aug 2025 | 00:28:16 | |
In this episode, Karl Abbott sits down with Reese Gifford to explore the complexities and opportunities of managing products in the open-source ecosystem. Drawing from her experience as VP of Product at Mozilla and her current role at Microsoft, Reese shares insights on community engagement, monetization strategies, and the evolving landscape of open-source software in the age of AI and cloud computing. Key Topics Discussed:
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Advice for Aspiring Open Source PMs:
Connect with Reese: | |||
| S1E8: And Then I Went Ice Skating | 23 Apr 2024 | 00:36:11 | |
In the Season 1 Finale of “Productly Speaking”, we talk about what happened when Karl went ice skating for the first (and last) time and how this became lived experience that led to truly understanding the importance of accessibility in product design. This type of lived experience and a strong desire to tinker are key to product management. After this discussion, we delve into empathy, contrasting emotional empathy with empathic concern and addressing the challenges of burnout. We discuss the criticality of having a healthy work-life balance and the need to value self-empathy and avoid self-gaslighting. We highlight some of our favourite learnings from the season, including understanding customer feedback, picking the right customers, and figuring out how to achieve product market fit. We then touch on imposter syndrome and the importance of authenticity in leadership. We also talk about teamwork, remote work, and using the two-hour design sprint to help bring people together. If that weren't enough, we also talk about the ever-present but elusive inspiration and readiness required for product managers to seize opportunities. Lastly, we discuss the critical role that product managers play in understanding the jobs to be done and bringing value to the table. Enjoy this whirlwind journey as we look back on Season 1 of "Productly Speaking". | |||
| S1E7: The Triad of Design, Engineering, and Product with Johannes Marbach and Callum Upfield | 16 Apr 2024 | 00:38:40 | |
In this episode of “Productly Speaking”, we discuss the relationships between product management, engineering, and design. Joined by Johannes Marbach, an engineer, and Callum Upfield, a designer, we delve into several key aspects such as feedback dynamics, role definitions, communication, PRDs, team structure and effective collaboration. The insights surfaced on this podcast episode come from much learned experience and represent valuable perspectives from the world of product development. While there is no coffee talk in this episode, we do discuss Fig Jam, which is a critical ingredient in Fig Cakes. | |||
| S1E6: The 2 Hour Design Sprint | 09 Apr 2024 | 00:37:08 | |
In this episode of “Productly Speaking”, Teresa Cain shares her insights on her creation of the 2 Hour design sprint. We explore how design thinking benefits product managers and how Teresa's condensed two-hour design sprints can be an excellent implementation of design thinking. Despite the shorter timeframe, participants can achieve meaningful outcomes by preparing beforehand. Teresa also discusses fostering an inclusive organizational culture, compares two-hour sprints with the traditional five-day format, and highlights the importance of customer empathy. Additionally, she addresses challenges related to remote or hybrid teams and provides strategies for driving alignment. We also discuss the origin of the two-hour design sprint and Teresa's journey from writer to product manager. | |||
| S1E5: Navigating the Beautiful Mess with John Cutler | 02 Apr 2024 | 00:40:34 | |
In this episode of “Productly Speaking”, we discuss John Cutler's journey into product management, his contributions to the product management community through The Beautiful Mess, and his thoughts on self-gaslighting and the doubt loop. We also talk about his audience, where he finds his inspiration from, his thoughts on getting started creating content for the PM community, and the different voices that are already out there. This is an exciting discussion that's like drinking a large cup of bulletproof coffee with a side of wisdom, resilience, and a dash of humour. Show Notes: https://www.productlyspeaking.com/2024/04/02/episode-5-navigating-the-beautiful-mess-with-john-cutler/ | |||
| S1E4: Driving Success in Your Startup | 26 Mar 2024 | 00:35:53 | |
In this episode, we explore the journey of becoming a successful product manager through Adam’s career transition from technical support to product management. Key insights include the necessity of embracing ambiguity, understanding people, and the significance of customer feedback, especially from those who are constructively critical. The discussion highlights the art of building products from scratch and the delicate balance of feature prioritization. Adam reflects on the lessons learned from prioritizing features that didn’t resonate with the market and emphasizes the importance of talking to less satisfied customers to gain valuable insights. The episode also delves into the strategic aspects of defining an ideal customer profile, the risks and rewards of joining a startup, and the complexities of transitioning from a single product to a multi-product company. Additionally, it covers the importance of storytelling and communication in product management, concluding with final thoughts on the subject. | |||
| Customer Success Helps Focus Product Direction | 19 Mar 2024 | 00:30:30 | |
In this episode of “Productly Speaking”, we discuss how customer success teams can help a company understand customer needs and how these match the reality of a company’s products. We also discuss working to determine what the jobs to be done for a customer are and then how to address those as a whole company. We are joined by Amy Taylor Mitchell and Trevor Mishler, who are both customer success executives and together lead Real Success International. Amy Taylor Mitchell is a highly experienced SaaS executive and customer success thought leader with 15 years in the IT industry and 25 years of leadership experience. Amy serves as the CEO of Real Success International and was previously the Director of Customer Success Americas at Juniper Networks. Amy is passionate about the customer experience and continous learning. Trevor Mishler is an accomplished professional with over 20 years of experience in engineering, technology, financial services, sales, and military environments. He is the Chief Customer Officer at Real Success International and was previously the Director of Global Support at Element and before that a Senior Manager at Red Hat. Trevor is passionate about the customer experience and leadership. | |||
| Navigating the Challenge of Product Market Fit | 12 Mar 2024 | 00:42:03 | |
In this episode, Karl and Danielle explore the challenge of product market fit with Bob Handlin. They talk about the difficulties that you can have breaking into an existing market and how you really have to understand the end user's problems to have a chance. They also talk about the importance of primary research, the say/do gap, and how to best decide what's important when you have limited resources and runway. Bob Handlin's product management career started at Prominet and then had him move into the Systems Storage Group at Sun Microsystems. He was at Sun during the time that Oracle bought Sun and he continued at Oracle for just over 7 years. After Oracle, he moved on to Red Hat where he is a product manager for Red Hat Enterprise Linux covering in-place upgrades, conversions, and live patching. His breadth of experience on industry leading products makes him a valuable asset to Red Hat and brings a unique perspective on product market fit to the table. | |||
| The Art of Revealing Customer Needs | 05 Mar 2024 | 00:41:59 | |
In our inaugural episode of the season, Karl and Danielle talk to Jennifer Scalf about how to cut through noise to get to the signal. You often get feedback from customers on what they’d like to see done differently in a product, but this raises questions such as do they want it or need it and is this feedback indicative of one person or many different people. With Jennifer’s help, we explore how to start answering these questions. Jennifer Scalf is a senior manager of technical account managers working with telecommunications customers at Red Hat. She has the unique skill of being able to listen to what a customer says they want and to then ask the right questions and lead the right conversation to understand if that’s what they truly need. | |||
| Product Manager as Coach | 30 Jan 2024 | 00:39:42 | |
In this final episode of the season, Karl and Danielle explore the idea of a product manager being like a coach. But being divided by a common language, this idea hits differently depending on which side of the pond you’re on! This conversation covers the role of a product manager, the importance of taking care of your teams, the importance of nuance and whether or not we’ve lost that as a society, and finally, how you can use story to ensure that you’re conveying the important nuances in your communications. | |||
| Zizzer-Zoof Seeds and Product Market Fit | 23 Jan 2024 | 00:36:31 | |
In this third episode, Karl and Danielle discuss what is going wrong with Zizzer Zoof seeds in Dr. Seuss’ Vale of Va Vode. Product market fit is elusive to achieve and isn’t guaranteed to stay once you obtain it! But before you even get to product market fit, you need to make sure that you at least have problem solution fit. Have a listen as we discuss this difficult issue. There are no silver bullets here, just a lot of food for thought and cake for dessert! | |||
| S3E3: How to Make Pigs Fly (and Other PM Miracles) with Ali Rakhimov | 29 Jul 2025 | 00:34:11 | |
In this insightful and entertaining episode, Karl Abbott sits down with Ali Rakhimov, author of Make Pigs Fly: Product Manager’s Bathroom Book. Ali shares his unconventional journey into product management, his philosophy of “blue-collar product management,” and how storytelling, curiosity, and resilience shape great product leaders. Key Topics Discussed
About the Book
Key Quotes
Connect with Ali LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arakhimov/ | |||
| The Pickle Jar | 16 Jan 2024 | 00:32:18 | |
In this second episode, Karl and Danielle discuss why they started Productly Speaking. They also discuss the different stages of a product’s lifecycle and how different skills are needed for each stage. They also introduce the pickle jar. Further points of discussion include the difficulty of making an impact seven levels down in a large organisation. | |||
| What Does It Mean To Be a Product Manager? | 09 Jan 2024 | 00:40:20 | |
In this inaugural episode, Karl and Danielle introduce themselves and discuss how they both “fell” into product management. Then the discussion moves into why product management isn’t taught in schools, why reading Marty Cagan isn’t going to make you a product manager, how there are no silver bullet answers, and finally a discussion of how artistic pursuits apply to product management. As a bonus, we also talk about that most important fuel to keep product managers going — coffee! | |||
| Show Trailer | 07 Dec 2023 | 00:03:59 | |
In this show trailer, Karl Abbott and Danielle Kirkwood introduce themselves and what you can expect from their upcoming podcast about product management or something, Productly Speaking. | |||
| S3E2: Remote Realities: Product Management in a Hybrid World with Flora Taagen | 22 Jul 2025 | 00:40:16 | |
In this insightful episode, Karl Abbott sits down with Flora Taagen, a product manager on the Azure Linux team at Microsoft. Flora shares her unconventional journey into product management, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and her perspective on the evolving nature of work and technology in 2025. Topics Covered
Key Quotes
Resources Mentioned
Connect with Flora LinkedIn – Flora Taagen -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/florataagen/ | |||
| S3E1: Teaching Product Through Real World Experiences: A Conversation with Adil Hussain | 15 Jul 2025 | 00:37:40 | |
In this episode of Productly Speaking, Karl Abbott chats with Adil Hussain, a product manager at the Financial Times, about his unconventional path into product management, the lessons he's learned from working across public and private sectors, and his passion for mentoring aspiring PMs. They explore how AI is reshaping the role, the importance of community and real-world learning, and how the UK’s Government Digital Service (GDS) offers a global model for accessible, user-centered design. Topics Covered
Resources Mentioned
Key Quotes
Connect with Adil Interested in Adil’s bootcamp or mentorship? Reach out to him on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/adilh1/ | |||
| S2E5: Dealing with High Stress Environments with Kevin Bailey | 18 Mar 2025 | 00:29:55 | |
In this episode of Productly Speaking, we dive into the challenges of high-stress environments and how to avoid negativity and burnout. Our guest, Kevin Bailey, founder and CEO of DreamFuel Coaching, shares his journey from leading Indiana's fastest-growing tech startup to founding a company focused on mental performance coaching. Kevin discusses the importance of mental health, the concept of perceived stress, and practical tools to maintain peak performance. Key Topics Covered:
Quotes: "The vast majority of our stress is perceived stress. If you're, you know, on a bench press or something trying to put up your max weight, that's going to be real stress in the moment. But the vast majority of our stress is fear of the future, rumination on the past." "In order to be able to get into flow state, you have to be able to recognize what pulls you out of flow state." Guest Information:
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| S2E4: Navigating the Intersection of Product and Sales with Richard Cawkill | 11 Mar 2025 | 00:33:39 | |
In this episode, Karl and Richard Cawkill delve into the critical intersection of sales and product management. They discuss the challenges and synergies between these two roles, emphasizing the importance of collaboration for business growth. Richard shares his unique insights from his dual roles at ProdPad and the Sustainable Watch Company, offering valuable perspectives on how sales and product teams can work together more effectively. Key Topics Discussed:
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| S2E3: Navigating the Intersection of Product and Marketing with Austin Fuller | 04 Mar 2025 | 00:37:33 | |
In this episode, we dive into the vital relationship between product marketing and product management. Our guest, Austin Fuller, a go-to-market expert with over a decade of experience in technology, shares his insights on how these two disciplines intersect and why getting this relationship right is crucial for business success. Key Topics Discussed:
Memorable Quotes from Austin Fuller: "Product marketing is taking your understanding of the product and the magic of the product and taking an understanding of the market and connecting the two." "A lack of alignment with product and marketing creates a lot of dysfunction for the customer. Expectations for the customer become misaligned with what you can deliver, which results in churn." "It becomes difficult to launch products and features when product and marketing aren't working well together." Call to Action: Follow Austin Fuller on LinkedIn. | |||
| S2E2: Managing Stress and Influence Without Authority with Keith Allen Johns | 25 Feb 2025 | 00:41:51 | |
Episode Summary: In this episode of Productly Speaking, Karl sits down with Keith Allen Johns, a seasoned career, business, and life coach. Keith shares his journey from climbing the corporate ladder to the C-suite and eventually transitioning to coaching. The conversation delves into the challenges of product management, focusing on handling stress and influencing without authority. Keith offers valuable insights and practical tools for becoming more self-aware, managing stress, and effectively influencing others. Key Topics Discussed:
Memorable Quotes from Keith Allen Johns:
Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to connect with Keith Allen Johns on LinkedIn or visit his website at www.keithallenjohns.com to learn more about his coaching programs and upcoming events. | |||
| S2E1: Mastering the Craft of Product Management with Michael Palmer and Evie Brockwell | 18 Feb 2025 | 00:43:17 | |
In this episode of Productly Speaking, Karl sits down with Michael Palmer and Evie Brockwell, hosts of the Product Confidential Podcast, to discuss various aspects of product management. The conversation covers stakeholder management, product market fit, career growth, and the role of AI in product management. Key Topics:
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| S4E4: AI, Product Failure, and the Skills PMs Need for What’s Next with Dina Atia | 10 Feb 2026 | 00:32:56 | |
AI is transforming the way we work, but building great AI products takes more than hype. In this episode of Productly Speaking, Karl Abbott talks with Dina Atia, an AI Product Manager at Microsoft, about how to navigate the noise and focus on what really matters: solving real user problems. Dina shares practical insights on managing expectations, balancing bold visions with incremental progress, and the skills PMs need to thrive in this fast-moving space. From rapid prototyping to aligning metrics with user value, this conversation is your guide to building smarter AI solutions. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
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Connect with Dina Atia: | |||
| S4E3: Beyond Dogfooding: Balancing Complexity and Market Insight with Jake Bowen-Bate | 03 Feb 2026 | 00:33:16 | |
Episode Summary In this episode of Productly Speaking, host Karl Abbott speaks with Jake Bowen‑Bate about the realities of building products in fast-moving environments. Jake shares how dogfooding can sharpen your intuition, but also how it can blind you to key market expectations. His reflections illuminate the balance between internal expertise, competitive awareness, emotional design, and the cultural conditions that enable great product decisions.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode
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| S4E2: Why Lean and Agile Struggle in Chunky Corporates with Katie Tamblin | 27 Jan 2026 | 00:40:06 | |
Episode Summary: In this episode of Productly Speaking, host Karl Abbott talks with Katie Tamblin, consultant, trainer, and author of The Lean Agile Dilemma. Katie explains why lean and agile principles, born in startup environments, often fail in large, mature organizations. From the illusion of agility to the harsh realities of replatforming, Katie shares candid stories and practical lessons learned from decades of experience in product management and data strategy. If you’ve ever wondered why MVPs don’t work when replacing legacy systems, or how internal politics and investor pressure distort product strategy, this conversation is for you. Featured Quote: "Lean and Agile were designed for building software for the first time that no one’s using yet. Chunky corporates are managing decades of existing products and data—that’s a completely different beast." – Katie Tamblin What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
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| S4E1: From Failure to Breakthrough: The Product Manager’s Journey with Lee Fischman | 20 Jan 2026 | 00:37:03 | |
Episode Summary: In this episode of Productly Speaking, host Karl Abbott sits down with Lee Fischman—seasoned developer, product manager, executive, and author of How to Excel at Digital Product Management. Lee shares decades of experience across industries from fintech to healthcare, and dives deep into what makes a great product manager beyond the usual playbook. We explore the mindset that drives success, why humility and empathy are non-negotiable, and how overlooked skills like communication and copywriting can make or break your career. Lee also unpacks why so many digital products fail, the hidden costs of customer acquisition, and how strategic pivots can turn failure into a breakthrough. Plus, we talk about the evolving role of AI in product teams and why smaller, faster squads might be the future. If you’ve ever wondered how to rise above the chaos, collaborate across silos, and build products that truly resonate, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
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| Season 4 Introduction | 13 Jan 2026 | 00:01:39 | |
Welcome to Season 4 of Productly Speaking! In this short kickoff episode, host Karl Abbott introduces the theme for the season: Why do products fail and what can we learn from those failures? We’ll explore the hidden risks, organizational dynamics, and human factors that shape product success or lead to disaster. If you’re a product manager, founder, or anyone building products, this season will challenge your assumptions and help you think differently about success and failure! Subscribe so that you don't miss an episode! | |||