How to Use AI to Research Like a Researcher (with Cori Widen, User Research Lead at Photoroom)
Research has often suffered from shortcuts, assumptions, and poorly conducted user interviews, long before AI entered the picture. While there are concerns about AI exacerbating these issues, today we’re exploring how AI can actually improve research practices by standardizing and democratizing good research at scale.Cori Widen, User Research Lead at Photoroom, joins us to share how AI is being leveraged to transform research practices at her company. She discusses the cultural mindset that encourages innovation and provides practical insights on how teams can use AI to elevate the quality and impact of their research.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Cori on LinkedInCheck out Photoroom
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The Nuances of Product Leadership No One Talks About (with Debbie McMahon, CPO at The Financial Times)
A seedling and a tree may share the same DNA, but their roles in the ecosystem are vastly different—just like junior and executive product leaders. As leaders climb the ranks, their focus shifts from producing features to providing structure and support that allow teams to thrive.Debbie McMahon, Chief Product Officer at the Financial Times, reflects on this evolution and how her approach to leadership has matured over time. From managing complex internal and external relationships to knowing when not to follow popular advice, Debbie offers practical wisdom on staying grounded, building trust, and leading with intention at the executive level.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Debbie on LinkedInCheck out The Financial Times
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Zoom's CPO on Evolving Product Strategy in a Post-Pandemic Market (with Smita Hashim)
Zoom’s journey from a popular video conferencing tool to a household name during the COVID-19 pandemic was followed by a wave of competition. But rather than being overwhelmed, Zoom has embraced new opportunities for innovation, especially with the rise of AI. Smita Hashim, Zoom's Chief Product Officer, shares insights into the company's response to the challenges of the pandemic and the rapid shifts in the tech landscape.Smita discusses her experience leading Zoom through this transformative period, highlighting the role of generative AI in shaping Zoom’s future. With bold strides in AI and an evolving product portfolio, Smita offers a glimpse into what’s next for the company as it adapts to a new era of growth and competition.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Smita on LinkedIn
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Do All Roads Lead to the Feature Factory? (with Aakash Gupta, Andrea Saez, and Pawel Huryn)
In this episode, we dive into the phenomenon of the "feature factory," where companies focus more on releasing products and features rapidly rather than prioritizing quality or user needs. John Cutler coined the term, and it perfectly captures the feeling many teams face: launching features without a clear understanding of who they’re for or how they impact the business. If this resonates with you, keep listening as we explore how to break free from this cycle.In our panel discussion, we hear from three product leaders—Aakash Gupta, Andrea Saez, and Paweł Huryn—who share their insights on shifting from output-focused to outcome-driven product development. They offer actionable frameworks for maintaining strategic focus, addressing mid-market pressures, and fostering a culture that values meaningful outcomes over sheer feature volume. Whether you're scaling a business or trying to reignite your team’s creativity, this conversation offers practical advice for escaping the feature factory mindset.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Aakash, Paweł, and Andrea on LinkedInCheck out The Product Growth Newsletter, The Product Compass Newsletter, and The Product Momentum Gap
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How to Break Into Product Management in 2025 (with Mariana Antaya, Product Manager at Microsoft)
In this episode, we catch up with Mariana Antaya, Product Manager at Microsoft, who first joined the show in February 2024. Since then, AI has gone mainstream, the tech job market has shifted, and her career has evolved significantly. Last time, Mariana shared practical advice for aspiring PMs, which became our most downloaded episode ever, and now we’re diving into what’s changed and what aspiring PMs need to succeed in 2025.Host Hannah Clark reconnects with Mariana to reflect on the rapid developments in AI and the evolving landscape of the tech industry. They discuss how aspiring product managers can adapt and thrive in this new environment, with insights that will help listeners stay ahead of the curve.Resources from this episode:Subscribe to The Product Manager newsletterConnect with Mariana on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTokCheck out Microsoft
Successful products don’t happen in a vacuum. Hosted by Hannah Clark, Editor of The Product Manager, this show takes a 360º view of product through the perspectives of those in the inner circle, outer perimeter, and fringes of the product management process. If you manage, design, develop, or market products, expect candid and actionable insights that can guide you through every stage of the product life cycle.
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