The Product Manager – Details, episodes & analysis

AI can solve Olympic-level math problems... and still fumble basic arithmetic. So what gives? According to Dhruv Batra, the answer lies in the “jaggedness” of intelligence—how AI can excel in some areas while completely breaking down in others. Dhruv, co-founder and Chief Scientist at Yutori, joins Hannah Clark to unpack the cognitive dissonance users feel when a model dazzles one moment and disappoints the next.

They explore how user expectations—shaped by decades of intuitive UI patterns and human conversations—often collide with the underlying limits of AI systems. From browser agents and automation to long-term feedback loops and trust-building, this conversation is a candid look at what today’s AI can actually do (and where it’s still bluffing). If you’re building with AI or trying to scope what’s possible, this one will recalibrate your expectations—in a good way.

Resources from this episode:

• Subscribe to The CPO Club newsletter
• Connect with Dhruv on LinkedIn
• Check out Dhruv’s website and Yutori

There’s a lot of smoke and mirrors in product right now—especially when it comes to AI. Shiny tools and slick prototypes are masquerading as production-ready solutions, and teams are feeling the pressure to keep up. But what happens when the hype outpaces the fundamentals?

Hannah sits down with Matt Graney, CPO of Celigo, to talk about bad product plays in disguise—from vibe coding and no-code illusions to AI-fueled shortcuts that chip away at real product rigor. With decades in B2B product and a track record scaling teams, Matt offers a sharp, grounded view on what’s actually changing, what’s staying the same, and how to keep your product sense intact through it all.

Resources from this episode:

• Subscribe to The CPO Club newsletter
• Connect with Matt on LinkedIn
• Check out Celigo

ADHD might be the product trait nobody’s putting on their resume—but maybe they should. In this episode, Hannah sits down with executive coach Frankie Berkoben to unpack the complex intersection of ADHD, executive function, and product leadership. Together, they explore how ADHD traits like systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and comfort with ambiguity make product people exceptional—and why those same strengths often lead to burnout, inconsistency, or shame in traditional work environments.

This conversation doesn’t offer productivity hacks or time-boxed silver bullets. Instead, it’s a candid, deeply validating discussion about how to build careers, teams, and work cultures that actually work for neurodivergent brains. Whether you have a diagnosis, suspect you might, or simply want to lead with more nuance and empathy, this one’s worth a listen.

Resources from this episode:

• Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletter
• Connect with Frankie on LinkedIn
• Check out Frankie’s website

Michael Luchen is joined by Paul Ortchanian, Founder and CEO of Bain Public. A true consultant, coach, and keynote speaker, and author all wrapped up in one. Paul shares his transition out of the corporate world and into starting his own business, Bain Public. Listen to learn how to cultivate momentum at product teams.

Michael Luchen is joined by Chanel Maddox, a Product Manager at Crema. Chanel helps drive the client visions to fruition to create great product solutions that meet the goals of their business. Listen to learn how to use product strategy to make a meaningful impact.

Michael Luchen is joined by Elise Fox, a Senior Product Manager at Chegg, an education technology company striving to improve the overall return on investment in education by helping students learn more in less time and at a lower cost. Listen to learn how to transition into product management.

Michael Luchen is joined by CK Hicks, a Creative Technologist, and Scotty Moon, a Senior Application Developer at Crema. Listen to learn more about future trends in product.

Michael Luchen is joined by Brandon Blackman, a product manager at Crema. He is responsible for product planning, client/team relations, as well as long-term and short-term responsibilities for team members to reach the overarching goals throughout a product lifecycle. Listen to learn how product roadmaps can be best used to create great products.

Michael Luchen is joined by Natalie Mandriko, product manager at GroundTruth. She manages products B2B/B2C by using data and collaborating across departments to deliver valuable and usable experiences for your customers that are viable for your business. Listen to learn how cross-functional collaboration empowers product growth.

Michael Luchen is joined by John Carter, Founder, and Principal of TCGen Inc. He has been a widely respected adviser to technology firms over his career. He has advised some of the most revered technology firms in the world: Abbott, Amazon, Apple, BOSE, Cisco, Fitbit, HP, IBM, and Roche. Listen to learn how to cultivate innovation in products.