Explore every episode of the podcast The Product Pivot: Real conversations with product people.
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Product Pivot | Season 3 Kickoff with Santi and Meagan | 24 Mar 2026 | 00:56:28 | |
The best PMs don't wait for perfect conditions. They build anyway. In Season 3's opener, Meagan and Santi get honest about the past year — gestational diabetes, a toddler, a day job, and somehow still shipping Prodfolio and recording a full podcast season before maternity leave. This episode covers how they ran discovery, why they think low pressure ships more than urgency, and what building a side project actually does for your PM career. But mostly it's proof that "not the right time" is never really the reason. Welcome to Season 3. Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Product Pivot | Why AI Should Be Boring — And That’s a Good Thing | 15 Oct 2025 | 00:39:14 | |
Everyone’s hyping AI like it’s a magic trick. Aaron Kesler sees it differently — it’s just really good at boring stuff. Now VP of Product at RozieAI, Aaron’s focused on solving the unglamorous problems that make real business impact. But his path to product didn’t start in a boardroom. In college, he built a startup that got acquired. Then he realized he hated coding but loved talking to customers, so he walked away from tech completely and started working at Starbucks. That’s where he learned the skill every great PM needs: listening. That same curiosity pulled him back into tech, through SnapLogic’s biggest launches, and into leading product at RozieAI, proving that the best PMs chase problems worth solving. We cover: → Why AI should be boring (and why that’s a good thing) → The difference between having AI and creating real value → How PMs can use AI to bridge creative and technical gaps → Why you should claim a job title once you’re already doing the work This one’s sharp, honest, and packed with lessons for anyone building in AI or trying to break into product. Aaron’s Links: 📖 Newsletter: “Become an AI Product Manager” on LinkedIn Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Product Pivot | Is Product Management Evolving or Disappearing | 18 Mar 2025 | 00:50:14 | |
In this episode of The Product Pivot, we sit down with Brody Clemmer, Lead Product Manager at Little Otter, to discuss the future of product management and how the role is evolving. Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Product Pivot | Big Tech Myths - A PM’s Journey to Microsoft | 11 Mar 2025 | 00:44:40 | |
In this episode of The Product Pivot, Santi and Meagan sit down with Varsh, a Senior Product Manager at Microsoft, to discuss her journey from solutions engineering to building Gen AI products like Copilot. She debunks myths about breaking into big tech, shares actionable advice for aspiring PMs, and highlights the power of transferable skills. Whether you're looking to pivot into product management or grow your career, this episode is full of insights, strategies, and real-world advice to help you navigate the job market and stand out as a PM. Key insights include:
Resources Mentioned:
Connect with Varshine: LinkedIn Listen now and don’t forget to follow for more product management insights! Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Meet Varshine 02:00 – How Varshine Pivoted into Product Management 06:00 – Myths About Breaking Into Big Tech 12:00 – The Role of AI in Product Management 20:00 – Dealing with Rejection & Career Growth 24:00 – Advice for Aspiring Product Managers 35:00 – Networking & Building a PM Brand 41:00 – Fun Q&A & Closing Thoughts Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Product Pivot | From Marketing to Product Management | 04 Mar 2025 | 00:40:01 | |
From Marketing to Product Management – Tyler Johnson, Product Manager at Nectar, shares how he made the leap from customer and product marketing into a PM role. In this episode of The Product Pivot, hosts Santi and Meagan sit down with Tyler to discuss:
Whether you're pivoting into product management or want to sharpen your skills, this episode is packed with insights and career tips! Connect with our guest and hosts: Tyler Johnson: LinkedIn Santi: LinkedIn Meagan: LinkedIn Subscribe for more PM career stories & insights! Timestamps: 00:00 – Introductions 01:05 – Tyler’s Journey from Marketing to Product Management 04:15 – Transferable Skills & Customer Obsession 15:30 – Overcoming Challenges as a First-Time PM 22:40 – Advice for Aspiring Product Managers 31:00 – Building Strong Relationships with Engineers 35:00 – Fun Questions & Closing Thoughts Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Product Pivot | Meet Your Hosts | 20 Feb 2025 | 00:39:40 | |
Welcome to another episode of The Product Pivot! In this episode, hosts Santi and Meagan share their personal journeys pivoting from customer support to product management. They also answer the lingering question: how did The Product Pivot get started? What you'll learn in this episode:
Whether you're pivoting into product management, searching for your first PM role, or just love hearing about career transitions, this episode is packed with insights, humor, and real talk. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell us what topics you'd love to hear next! Follow us:
Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Product Pivot | From PI to PM | 11 Feb 2025 | 00:29:01 | |
In this episode, co-hosts Santi and Meagan chat with Rachel, a Product Manager at Liferaft, about her unique journey from private investigator to PM. They dive into the power of transferable skills, breaking into product without prior experience, and overcoming challenges like perfectionism and learning on the fly. Plus, Rachel shares insights on the "Product Management is Dead" debate and some fun, unexpected facts - including her controversial food opinion! Follow us:
Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Product Pivot | Creativity in Product Management | 11 Feb 2025 | 00:31:44 | |
In this episode, hosts Santi and Meagan sit down with Brandon Green, a Staff Product Manager at Buffer, to explore his unconventional journey from music school to tech and how he navigated the world of product management. Brandon shares pivotal moments in his career, the challenges he faced, and how adaptability has shaped his success in different work environments. He also discusses the role of creativity in product management, offers insights into today’s job market for PMs, and emphasizes the importance of self-reflection for career growth. From the evolving nature of product management to practical advice for aspiring PMs, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Tune in for a dynamic and insightful conversation on what it takes to thrive in product today! Connect with our guest and hosts: Brandon Green: LinkedIn Santi: LinkedIn Meagan: LinkedIn Timestamps: 00:00 – Introductions 01:07 – Brandon’s Journey into Product Management 05:20 – The Creative Side of Product Management 10:23 – Challenges & Surprises in Product Management 17:05 – Advice for Aspiring Product Managers 24:34 – Reflecting on the Future of Product Management 28:20 – Personal Interests & Fun Questions 31:19 – Conclusion Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| Welcome to The Product Pivot: Your Guide to the Product Management Journey | 05 Dec 2024 | 00:00:45 | |
Welcome to The Product Pivot Podcast! Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Product Pivot | The Power of Saying Yes (and Figuring It Out Later) | 08 Oct 2025 | 00:57:55 | |
Some pivots don’t start with a master plan, they start with saying yes and figuring it out along the way. In this episode, Eduardo (Eddie) Rosenfeld, VP of Applied AI at Lavender 💜🔮, shares how studying philosophy and writing comedy scripts in L.A. somehow led to product ops at one of the fastest-moving AI startups in sales tech. We talk about: → Why curiosity and grit matter more than credentials → The art of “doing whatever it takes” in scrappy startup roles → How to handle feedback without losing your fire → Knowing when to use bandaids vs. surgery in product decisions → Building product through empathy, not ego Eddie’s story is a love letter to the generalists — the ones who fill gaps no one asked them to, learn tools overnight, and somehow turn chaos into progress. Listen in for a reminder that product isn’t about titles or frameworks, it’s about curiosity, feedback, and the nerve to keep building when things get messy. Eduardo’s Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eduardorosenfeld/ Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Product Pivot | From Incubator to Product Management: Nikhil’s Journey | 30 Sep 2025 | 00:43:44 | |
Not every career pivot starts with a master plan. Sometimes it starts with curiosity or even a lemonade stand. In this episode, Nikhil Punjabi (PM at Dash Social) shares how working with founders at an incubator sparked his shift into product management, and why small experiments can teach the biggest product lessons. We cover: → The power of transferable skills when moving into product → Why “done” is often better than “perfect” → How to avoid building a plane when your customer just needs a bicycle → Why empathy, humility, and experimentation matter more than shiny metrics What we loved most: Nikhil’s reminder that product management isn’t about titles, it’s about listening deeply, solving real problems, and being brave enough to try new things. If you’re pivoting into product, or navigating the messy middle of your PM career, hit Subscribe for real stories and honest lessons. Drop your takeaways for Nikhil in the comments — we’ll jump in to continue the conversation. Nikhil’s Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikhil-punjabi/ Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Product Pivot | The Power of Storytelling in Hiring | 24 Sep 2025 | 00:50:42 | |
Santi and Meagan sit down with Heidi Ram, a seasoned product recruiter, to uncover what hiring managers really look for in product candidates. Heidi breaks down:
If you’re job seeking, pivoting into product, or just want to sharpen your career story, this episode is for you. If you’re pivoting into product, or levelling up where you are, hit Subscribe for honest stories and actionable insights. Connect with Heidi Ram https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidiram/ Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Evolution of Product Ops: A Deep Dive with Graham Reed | 16 Sep 2025 | 00:50:08 | |
When’s the right time to hire Product Ops? In this episode of The Product Pivot, hosts Santi and Meagan sit down with Graham Reed, Head of Product Operations at Helios, to unpack the rise of Product Ops and what it really means for growing teams. Graham shares how he “fell into” the role after a decade in product management and why he’s built product ops functions from scratch at multiple companies. We also dig into the messy middle between scrappy and established teams, and why Product Ops is more about change management and influence than tools or processes. You’ll take away:
If you’ve ever wondered when (or why) to invest in Product Ops, or how to break into the role yourself, this one’s for you. Graham’s Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grahamreed/ If you’re pivoting into product, or levelling up where you are, hit Subscribe for honest stories and actionable playbooks. Drop your questions for Graham in the comments and we’ll tackle them in a follow-up. Hosts’ Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meagan-glenn/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiana-brace/ Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Product Pivot | From 8 Rejections to Google | 09 Sep 2025 | 00:38:45 | |
Join hosts Santi and Meagan as they dive into the world of product management with Gabor. Discover Gabor's unique journey from a programmer to a product manager, his experiences with major tech companies, and his insights on the evolving role of AI in product management. Learn about the challenges and triumphs of breaking into the tech industry and the importance of continuous learning and adaptation. Key Highlights:
If you’re pivoting into product, or levelling up where you are, hit Subscribe for honest stories and actionable insights. Gabor’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayergabor/ Gabor’s interview ready test: https://test.bigupgrade.com/ Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Product Pivot | Season 2 Kickoff & More! | 02 Sep 2025 | 00:37:09 | |
We’re back with Season 2 of The Product Pivot and this time, it’s bigger than just product management. This kickoff episode is part reflection, part roadmap. We look back at what worked in Season 1, what surprised us, and where we’re going next. From PM career pivots to deeper dives into leadership, operations, and scaling impact, this season will bring even more real stories and actionable lessons. You’ll learn: • What we took away from candid conversations • How “product pivots” extend beyond career moves - to strategy, ops, and culture • The new themes we’ll explore in Season 2 (and why they matter right now) • How to join the conversation and shape what’s ahead Hosts’ Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meagan-glenn/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/santiana-brace/ Prodfolio Waitlist: https://waitlist.prodfolio.io/ Prodfolio LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/prodfoliohq/about/ If you’ve been with us since Season 1, thank you for being part of this journey. And if you’re just joining - welcome. Hit Subscribe and grow with us as we explore the messy, inspiring world of pivots together. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Season One Recap 01:57 Insights from Season One Guests 04:50 Celebrating Podcast Success and Community Impact 07:18 New Projects: Prodfolio and Its Purpose 09:55 Navigating Career Changes and New Roles 1 2:48 Teasers for Season Two Guests and Topics 15:07 Advice from the Community: Product Tips 23:31 Understanding Team Dynamics and Customer Perspective 23:57 Advice for Aspiring Product Managers 25:27 The Importance of Iteration in Product Development 27:09 Mindset vs. Experience in Product Management 31:10 Empathy in Product Management 34:17 Looking Ahead to Season Three Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| The Product Pivot | Fractional PM Unpacked | 01 Apr 2025 | 00:52:18 | |
In this episode of The Product Pivot, we chat with Trevor Acy—a fractional product manager and coach—about his journey from marketing into product, how he broke in without the title, and what real product thinking looks like inside companies. We also dig into:
If you’re exploring fractional work, thinking about a pivot, or building in the early stages—this one’s for you. Connect with Trevor: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevoracy/ Like, subscribe, and drop a comment if there’s a topic you want us to cover! Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro: Trevor Acy’s Pivot from Marketing to Product 03:00 – Early Exposure to Product Principles 13:00 – From Full-Time to Fractional: Trevor’s Transition 17:00 – Common Pitfalls in Product-Less Organizations 20:00 – Common Mistakes Early-Stage Startups Make 24:00 – Why Companies Are Turning to Fractional PMs 29:00 – Finding Clients & Building a Fractional Practice 37:00 – Building the Mississippi Tech Ecosystem 45:00 – Where to Find Trevor Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||
| From Newsrooms to Roadmaps: Olympia's Journey | 25 Mar 2025 | 00:35:50 | |
Olympia Bardis, Product Manager at CNBC, joins us to share how she made an unexpected pivot from journalism into product management. From managing content at Fox News to building investment tools for retail users, Olympia’s story is a masterclass in self-advocacy, transferable skills, and building confidence through rejection.
Whether you’re looking to pivot into product or just want a good laugh and some thoughtful insights, this episode delivers. Connect with Santiana: Santiana's LinkedIn | |||