Product Pals

What does innovation really look like inside a huge government organisation?In this episode of Product Pals Live at Signal Not Noise 2026, we sit down with Adam Reitsma, former Senior Manager of Innovation and Capability at Transport for NSW.Adam shares how a five-person team worked across AI, VR, experimentation and organisational capability to create impact at scale — often without a large budget or a traditional delivery team.We talk about what makes a proof of concept actually useful, how GitHub Copilot grew to more than 500 active users across Transport for NSW, why good innovation is often about reducing risk rather than chasing novelty, and how internal communities can help great ideas spread across a massive organisation.Adam also reflects on more sensitive innovation work, including at-risk behaviour detection and suicide prevention, and what changes when the stakes are much higher.A practical conversation about constraints, experimentation, scaling, and one simple definition of innovation:Any change that creates value.🎙️ Recorded live at Signal Not Noise 2026.Content note: This episode includes a discussion about suicide prevention, at-risk behaviour on the transport network, and the impact of these incidents on individuals, families and frontline staff.Links & resources mentioned in this episode:• TrackSAFE Foundation — rail safety, suicide prevention and employee wellbeing• Black Dog Institute — mental health and suicide prevention research and resources• TrackSAFE Suicide Awareness Training — free training for the rail workforce

Heshan Jayavardhana shares how 15-plus years across enterprise, scale-ups, startups, and platform products shaped the way he thinks about product management, innovation, and entrepreneurship. The conversation centers on the changing role of product managers in an AI-assisted world, plus the lessons behind his current venture, PyFi, and his broader “Project Freedom” mindset.projectfreedom.xyzhttps://pifiproperty.comhttps://linktr.ee/productpalspodcast

How does product work in a non-product/ content organisation?At the ABC, Paru Madhavan works in a world where customer value is created not just by Product, Design and Engineering, but by Content, Marketing and teams with decades of audience knowledge.Recorded live at Signal Not Noise 2026, we explore what product thinking looks like when you don’t have all the authority, and why that might actually make you a better product person.Paru shares how the ABC has experimented with a different kind of product trio, bringing Product, Content and Marketing together around customer problems. We get into prioritisation, strategic bets, working within constraints, building trust across very different teams, and why putting everyone into Jira is definitely not the answer.And perhaps the biggest reflection: great product practice doesn’t have to look like the Silicon Valley textbook and we can all be pragmatic and creative! Sometimes the best product thinking starts with understanding the organisation you’re actually in. Hope you enjoy this episode #ProductManagement #ProductThinking #ProductLeadership #ProductStrategy #ProductPals

It’s one of the biggest questions product teams are asking right now.If anyone can generate prototypes, build interfaces, and ship ideas faster than ever… what happens to the role of design?In our latest Product Pals Live episode, recorded at Signal Not Noise 2026, we sat down with Emma Carter, Head of Design at MYOB and author of three books on design leadership.One idea from our conversation has really stayed with me:AI will make building easier. But it won’t replace the need to deeply understand people, ask better questions, or know whether we’re solving the right problem.That shift changes the conversation.Design is not just about creating screens. It’s about connecting customer needs, business goals, technology, and human judgement.In this episode we also explore: 🎨 Why design is much more than UI and aesthetics 🤝 How Product, Design, and Engineering can become better partners 🗣️ Why engineers should spend more time talking to customers ⚖️ When to move fast with AI—and when slowing down creates better outcomes 🔮 How AI may reshape the future of product teams and specialist rolesThis was one of our favourite conversations from Product Pals Live, and we hope it sparks as much discussion for you as it did for our live audience.🎧 The episode is out now! Search Product Pals on YouTube or your favourite podcast platform.💬 I’m curious what do you think?As AI becomes better at creating, do you think the roles of Product Manager, Designer, and Engineer will become more specialised… or begin to merge?

AI isn’t just changing how we build products—it’s changing how product organisations work.Recorded live at Signal Not Noise 2026, Herry Wiputra, Chief Product Officer at hipages, shares his vision for the future of product management in the AI era.We discuss why leaders should think like system owners, how Product, Design, and Engineering roles may evolve, why judgement is becoming more valuable than execution, and how AI could replace traditional handoffs with rapid experimentation.We also cover AI “slop”, hiring Product Managers, Claude, Figma Make, and the practical changes Herry is already making inside his teams.A thought-provoking conversation for anyone building products in the age of AI.

In this episode of Product Pals: Beyond the Build, Charlotte and Kiet sit down with Justin Homer, Partner and Co-founder of Be Luminous, to explore what it really means to create meaningful change through collaboration, design and play.Justin shares the journey from social policy and homelessness support to building world-class collaborative design practices across global consultancies and now Be Luminous. Together, they unpack why great work requires vulnerability, why creativity needs messiness, and why leaders must design systems that help people do their best work ,  not just manage change after the fact.This conversation is for product thinkers, founders and leaders who care about craft, systems, people and the courage it takes to keep pushing for the last 5%.🧠 Knowledge SnacksHere’s a curated list from Justin’s learning library.Matt Taylor David Snowden & the Cynefin FrameworkDieter RamsToo Good To Go, Reducing food waste one surprise bag at a time.Substack and the following subscriptions: Fix The News-A newsletter focused on positive progress and solutions from around the world.The Citerini Project- AI futures and emerging technology discussions.Michael Burry-Investor and author known from The Big Short and his commentary on markets and economics.Vikings: War of Clans , Justin’s current gaming obsession.A fashion-focused podcast hosted by Bella Freud (fashion designer and great-granddaughter of Sigmund Freud), which Justin describes as surprisingly intimate, thoughtful and full of unexpected conversations.

Product Pals is going live!In this special episode, Charlotte and Kiet sit down with Ed Wong, founder of LAST Conference and creator of Signal Not Noise,to announce the very first Product Pals LIVE podcast event happening in Sydney this June.Together, we explore the evolution from LAST to Signal Not Noise, why authentic communities matter more than ever, and how product and tech professionals are navigating an industry shaped by AI, uncertainty, and constant change.Ed shares the story behind building one of Australia’s most loved grassroots product communities, what it takes to sustain a community for over a decade, and why “finding your tribe” still matters in a world full of noise and hot takes.In this episode, we discuss:The future of product management in the age of AIWhy titles matter less than the value you bringCross-functional careers and evolving rolesBuilding meaningful communities in product and techThe vision behind Signal Not NoiseWhat to expect from the upcoming conference🎙️ Product Pals LIVE will be hosted at Signal Not Noise in Sydney on 25 June at the NSW Teachers’ Federation Conference Centre in Surry Hills.🎟️ Product Pals listeners can also enjoy 10% off tickets using the code: PRODUCTPALSLIVEFind out more here: Signal Not Noise SydneyIf you’re curious about the future of product, community, and meaningful work — this episode is for you.

In this episode of Product Pals, we sit down with Kurt Yang to explore why every PM needs a stronger commercial mindset.Kurt shares his journey from finance into product, unpacks the difference between commercial and digital product management, and reflects on how AI may reshape the future of the PM role.We also discuss:commercial mindset in productAI and the future of PMsownership, accountability, and product leadershipstartup lessons and common mistakesframeworks, substance, and career growthA thoughtful conversation for product managers navigating change, ambiguity, and what comes next.About Product PalsProduct Pals is where product people get real — exploring product craft, career growth, and the human side of building in tech.  Follow and leave a review for more honest conversations with product leaders, builders, and operators navigating the real world of product management.Contact [email protected] if you’d like to be part of the show. Guest enquiries, sponsorship opportunities, and feedback are always welcome.

In this episode of Product Pals, Charlotte and Kiet sit down with John Cutler — one of the most distinctive voices in modern product thinking and operating model design.For many in the product community, John needs no introduction. But for those newer to the space, he is a seasoned product leader, educator, and systems thinker with over two decades of experience across product management, user research, enablement, and frontline roles.He is currently Head of Product at Dotwork, where he explores how operating systems and decision frameworks can help teams build better products with greater clarity and intent.John is widely respected for his thoughtful writing, practical mental models, and ability to surface the messy realities of product work — challenging cargo-cult agile and simplistic takes on what “good” looks like.In this rich and energising conversation, we explore:• John’s career journey into product• How he writes so consistently (without over-optimising for algorithms)• What operating models actually do inside organisations• How product thinking translates beyond tech and “pure” product companies• AI’s real impact and use cases• The future of product managementAlong the way, John shares many insightful stories and powerful mental models in product. This episode is thoughtful, sharp, inspiring — and weirdly comforting.If you’re navigating product, leadership, or operating change in this evolving world, this conversation will leave you thinking differently.If this conversation sparked new thinking for you, here are a few deeper dives we recommend:1. John Cutler – What does it means to be Product Led?  (LinkedIn)https://www.linkedin.com/posts/johnpcutler_i-have-been-thinking-a-lot-about-what-it-activity-7405101035184128002--e5K/2. TBM #406 – Seeing Everything, Understanding Nothing (The Beautiful Mess)John’s Substack piece exploring AI’s use cases across different contextshttps://cutlefish.substack.com/p/tbm-406-seeing-everything-understanding3. Product Operating System – Jobs To Be Done Our interpretation of John’s Operating System Jobs framework discussed in this episode - breaking down what a product operating system must actually do.https://medium.com/productpals4. Leadership Personality Persona Spectrum (Product Pals)Our interpretation of John’s 2 by 2 framework to illustration how leadership personality shapes operating design.https://medium.com/productpals🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube — search Product Pals Podcast.🥨 Knowledge Snacks

In this heartfelt episode of Product Pals, Charlotte and Kiet sit down with design lead James Riddell and product leader Ines Goluza, the inspiring team behind Rare Journey — an AI-powered health companion app built to support families navigating rare diseases.After the birth of his son Felix and his diagnosis with the ultra-rare Myhre Syndrome, James, along with his partner Ivana and sister-in-law Ines, channelled their personal experience into building Rare Journey and co-founding the Myhre Syndrome Foundation Australia. What began as a family crisis quickly became a bold mission to support others through empathy-driven tech.💡 What you’ll hear:Felix’s diagnosis and the origin of Rare JourneyWhy community knowledge is a superpower in healthcareBuilding under pressure: hospital rooms to MVP in 6 monthsApplying product and design thinking in the real worldReflections on scaling, funding, and staying mission-ledTo find out more about their stories visit:Myhre Syndrome Foundation Website: ⁠https://myhresyndromeaus.org/⁠ Rare Journey: ⁠https://www.therarejourney.com/⁠Other Resources:Ronald McDonald House Foundation https://rmhc.org.au/

This is the final episode of 2025 — and it’s really just us saying thank you 💛Just Charlotte and Kiet back where it all started — the two of us on a video call, coffee in hand ☕️, reflecting on a year that flew by faster than we expected.Somewhere between recording episodes, replying to messages, running events, and figuring life out, Product Pals quietly became a community. And this episode is our little pause to acknowledge that.In this conversation, we chat about:The stories, people, and moments from 2025 that stayed with usConversations that went beyond “product” and into being humanA few things we’re learning to let go of as the year closesAnd what we’re gently hoping for in 2026 — for the podcast, and for ourselvesIf Product Pals has been something you’ve listened to on a walk, during a commute, while cooking dinner, or in a quiet moment — this episode is for you.Thank you for being here. Thank you for listening, sharing, and supporting in big and small ways.💛 Product Pals Podcast works best when you’re part of it.We hope you’re getting some real rest, spending time with people you love, and stepping into 2026 feeling a little lighter and hopeful — just as we are!We’ll be back in the new year with more stories, more connection, and the same heart.Enjoy the last few days of 2025, see you in 2026 💛👋 Quick heads-up!You might notice a small Descript watermark on this video.We’re experimenting with a few new podcast tools at the moment and are currently on the free trial while we evaluate whether this platform is right for us (and whether we’ll move from our existing setup).It shouldn’t affect the listening experience — but if it’s distracting or gets in the way, please let us know. Your feedback really helps us improve 💛Thanks so much, and we hope you enjoy the episode!

In this PM Spotlight episode of Product Pals, Charlotte and Kiet sit down with Dipa Rao, Senior Product Manager at Culture Amp, for a refreshingly honest conversation about what product management really looks like behind the job title.With a career spanning Agile coaching, software delivery, consulting, and product leadership, Dipa shares a grounded view of the PM craft - from the difficult shift between delivery and strategy, to how great PMs build trust, create space for deep thinking, and stay genuinely close to customer needs. She also brings a thoughtful perspective on how context shapes product work, including the differences between B2B and B2C environments, team dynamics, and the growing expectations placed on PMs as the role continues to expand.This is a candid and reflective episode for PMs at any stage — especially those navigating senior roles, complexity, and the future of the product craft.🎧 Listen to the full episode of Product Pals — available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.🍪 Knowledge Snacks (Mentioned in the Episode)🎙 Nikhil Suresh — AI Skeptic & Writer🔗 Substack: https://nihils.substack.com📚 John Cutler — Product Evanglist and thought leader🔗 CutleFish Newsletter: https://cutlefish.substack.com🧠 Richard Feynman — Physicist & Educator🔗 Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Feynman🎬Geeta (Documentary) — Co-produced by Dipa RaoAn award-winning documentary exploring gender and social justice.🔗 https://www.geetafilm.com/🤖 AI Tool Glean — Internal search and knowledge tool connected to Slack, Confluence, and GitHub, used to quickly answer product and organisational questions.🔗 https://www.glean.com/

If you’ve ever transitioned (or wanted to transition) into a Product role, this episode will feel like someone finally saying, “Yes, I get you”This week on PM Spotlight, we sat down with Diane Aung — a Senior B2B SaaS Product Manager whose journey began in customer support and grew into a full end-to-end product career. Diane brings warmth, humour and a refreshingly honest take on what PM life actually looks like behind the job title.In this episode, we explore:✨ Why moving from customer support into Product is an underrated superpower✨ What servant leadership really looks like in fast-moving SaaS teams✨ How Diane navigates alignment, disagreements, and “too many opinions in the room”✨ The mindset shifts and unlearning that helped her level up as a PM✨ How she thinks about the future of product, learning, and designing a career that grows with youWhether you’re new to Product or deep in the craft, Diane’s reflections hit home in all the right ways.🎧 Listen now and follow the Product Pals Podcast for more real stories, messy moments, and bright ideas from PMs who are figuring it out as they go.🍪 Knowledge Bites (from the episode)Jobs to Be Done: Theory to Practice — Anthony UlwickWhat You Do Is Who You Are — Ben HorowitzAmazon Leadership Principles — Jeff BezosQuick Note ❤️You may notice a couple of small video and audio bumps in this episode - we had some internet drops and background noise during recording (the joys of remote podcasting 😅).Huge thanks for your patience, and an even bigger thanks to Diane for rolling with it. The conversation was too good not to share.

In this episode of Product Pals Podcast, Charlotte and Kiet sit down with Paru Madhavan, Product Coach at the ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), wine nerd, and systems thinker.Paru has led teams across travel, fintech, and media, and now focuses on creating environments where people thrive and customers’ problems actually get solved. Together, we unpack the craft and calling of product coaching — what it means, how it differs from managing, and why curiosity might be the most underrated skill in modern product teams.🔑 What you’ll hear:1️⃣ Curiosity beats certainty. If you only remember one question, make it “Why though?” It’s the fastest route to clarity and the cheapest form of user research.2️⃣ Coaching and managing have a lot of similarities. Her MotoGP analogy nails it — a great coach is the crew chief, not the rider. They don’t steer the bike; they tune the system so others can win the race.3️⃣ Balance the doing and the being. There’s no “perfect role.” If your day job doesn’t feed every part of you, side projects and creative hobbies can restore the spark. ( Love this advices!)And ,Why coaching can be a fulfilling path for PMs who want impact without people management💭 A thoughtful, human conversation that reminds us good coaching isn’t about answers — it’s about asking better questions.🍪 Knowledge Snacks (from the episode)John Cutler – reflections on organisational learning and systems thinking (The Beautiful Mess)Marty Cagan – writing on leadership and the role of product managers as coaches (svpg.com)Lisa Adkins –Book<<Coaching Agile Teams>> and the “four stances” frameworkKaren Hao – The Empire of AI (book) and Youtube interview Akash Gupta – newsletter The Neuron (daily AI + PM updates)🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube — search Product Pals Podcast.

From public transport design to YouTube stardom, engineer-turned-creator Ting Ting Hu has built a one-person company of creativity, strategy, and heart.In this episode, she joins Charlotte and Kiet to unpack what it means to treat your craft like a product — balancing art, analytics and authenticity.🔑 What you’ll hear:How Ting Ting plays three roles at once: CEO, PM and talent of her own brandHer viral learning loop — what creators can teach PMs about feedback and product-market fitWhy she left “safe” public service to follow joy and meaningThe lesson behind huo ren gan (活人感) — the feeling of being alive — and why every product needs itHow AI quietly powers her reflection, resilience and creativity💭 “You only create half of a product — the other half belongs to your audience.”

In this episode of the Product Pals Podcast, Charlotte and Kiet sit down with Cheryl Saw — Fractional Product Growth & GTM Strategist at Revvy, with over a decade of experience across SaaS (Adobe, Audible), FMCG (Kimberly-Clark), Health/Edu-Tech, and digital agencies.Cheryl’s journey into growth wasn’t planned - it found her. Over the years, she’s built a career solving hard problems in consumer SaaS, from pricing strategy to retention to building product growth teams across Asia Pacific. In this conversation, she shares candid reflections on her path, leadership, and what it means to create sustainable growth.🔑 What you’ll hear:Why pricing isn’t the silver bullet for growth — and how to really test valueThe psychology behind retention and why “cheaper” doesn’t always mean “stickier”Lessons from growing products like Adobe Acrobat and Audible across APACBuilding and leading distributed growth teams from scratchWhy adaptability and curiosity fuel a lasting career in product and growth💡 Cheryl also opens up about her personal journey — from starting in event management to mentoring women in tech and building CandidConvos, a community for meaningful conversations in tech.

In this episode of the Product Pals Podcast, Charlotte and Kiet sit down with Ryan Huynh — Product Manager and co-organiser of ProductTank Sydney.Ryan’s career has spanned AI research, Big Four consulting, and product management. He shares how consulting gave him a toolkit of frameworks, delivery discipline, and stakeholder skills — and how those translate into product craft today.🔑 What you’ll hear:Ryan’s pivot from data & AI into PM, and the big lessons learnedLaunching AQ Intelligence from 0→1 and finding product-market fitWhy he believes the heart of PM is making good decisionsConsulting skills that give PMs an edge in strategy and executionHow AI is shaping his workflow, learning, and view of PM’s futureHis advice to his younger self: learn economics to understand decision-making💡 Plus: Rapid-fire fun, contrarian takes, and a thought-provoking future-guest question:👉 “If product managers don’t exist anymore, what’s the biggest disaster you see?”🎧 Link in first comment  Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your pods.🍪 Knowledge Snacks (from the episode)🍿Economics Explained (Youtube channel) https://www.youtube.com/@EconomicsExplained (Kiet’s recommendation)🍊Freakonomics Stephen J. Dubner and Steven Levitt (book) https://amzn.to/466fSIt (Charlotte’s recommendation)

Welcome to the very first PM Spotlight — a special series from Product Pals celebrating the real stories behind product management.In this debut episode, we sit down with Larry Lai, whose career spans continents and industries: from game design and livestreaming in China, to product roles at tech giants like Tencent and Huya, and now leading SMB livestream products at TikTok Sydney.Larry shares candid reflections on:🎮 The many “flavours” of product management, and how roles shift across industries and cultures🧩 The overlap between Product Management and Design — and why it matters more than we think👥 The leap from individual contributor to product leader — and the challenges of leading with purpose🤖 How AI is reshaping product work, and why it could unlock the rise of one-person companies🔮 His optimistic vision for the future of product managementThis is an honest, inspiring conversation on leadership, design, and staying curious in an AI-driven world.👉 Tune in and celebrate Larry’s journey behind the PM title.📚 The Design of Everyday Things — Don Norman (Larry’s recommendation)🎧 Gamecraft Podcast — Listen here (Kiet’s recommendation)🍪 Knowledge Snacks (from the episode)

Thank you for tuning into this special bonus episode of Product Pals! After our original chat with Will during Men’s Health Month, we were overwhelmed by the heartfelt responses from our listeners. In this short follow-up, Will shares the incredible feedback he received, and we dig a little deeper into why these conversations on men’s mental health are so important.We also touch on topics like:Societal expectations and generational shifts in emotional awarenessAI tools as unconventional support for reflection and self-growthHow to prioritise emotional fitness like physical health💙 Helpful Resources Mentioned in the Episode:Australia’s Mental Health Treatment Plan Access up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions annually through Medicare with a referral from your GP. 🔗 Learn more hereGotcha4Life Mental Fitness Gym App Build your mental fitness with daily emotional check-ins and easy-to-use resources. 🔗 Explore the app here Note: Product Pals is not affiliated with this app—we just think it’s a great tool worth sharing.ChatGPT Reflective Prompt Will mentioned during the podcast (for personal insight and growth):Disclaimer: This is not a substitute for professional mental health support.Act like an analytical and executive psychologist, knowing me well through my behavior, way of thinking, and how I perform.Dive into my personality through five lenses:(1) Actual strengths(2) Deepest weaknesses(3) Recurring patterns of failure(4) Areas I avoid(5) Skills and opportunities I neglect even though they could change my life.Don’t flatter me at all. Use a serious and stern tone, as if my professional future depends on this analysis.After the analysis, present me with a three-stage development plan:(1) What to stop immediately(2) What to start immediately(3) What to rebuild from scratch.Portable Bathtub link Charlotte mentioned (not sponsored links):📬 Connect with our guest and Product PalsWant to reach out to Will directly? He reads every message—just reference this episode!Instagram: @hello_willlyLinkedIn: William Ly💌 You can also contact us via LinkedIn or at [email protected]’s keep the conversation going 💬

In this episode of Product Pals, Charlotte and Kiet sit down with their good friend William Ly for a casual chat on mental health—just in time for men’s health month in Australia. This isn’t a professional how-to guide, but rather a vulnerable conversation about recognising our own struggles, knowing when to ask for help, pondering the pros and cons of AI-powered therapy, and practical ways to support loved ones when we spot the warning signs. Tune in for real stories, honest reflections and friendly banter, as we shine a light on why mental wellbeing matters.Some helpful links:https://www.ruok.org.au/findhelphttps://www.beyondblue.org.au/https://www.lifeline.org.au/

In this episode of Product Pals, Charlotte and Kiet return to the heart of product management — product thinking — and unpack how it connects with the broader Influence-Dynamics Map (IDM). They dive into the real differences between product and systems thinking, demystify how to craft vision without the corporate fluff, and break down why execution and operations deserve their own spotlight (even if they often get lumped together).Expect practical frameworks, honest reflections, and relatable stories from the product trenches — all aimed at helping you think more clearly, act more strategically, and lead with more intention.📚 If you’re keen to dig deeper, we’ve gathered some of our favourite reads and resources below. A few links are affiliate ones — so if you do click and buy, you might be funding a future Product Pals coffee (or at least part of my flat white). No pressure, just pals supporting pals.🔗 Further Reading & ResourcesProduct Pals Medium Blog: Influence-Dynamic Map OverviewThinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman → amzn.to/4mE2BynStart With Why – Simon Sinek → amzn.to/4kJUxdFPlaying to Win – A.G. Lafley & Roger Martin → amzn.to/3GYtpc6Escaping the Build Trap – Melissa Perri → amzn.to/45eO4CEMelissa Perri’s LinkedIn Post on PM CareersSpotify Squad Health Check Model

In this short bonus episode, Charlotte and Kiet reflect on our first-ever Product Pals live event at the Atlassian office in Sydney. From energising conversations to some truly thoughtful feedback, we’re taking it all on board as we evolve the Influence Dynamic Map model and future episodes. It’s a quick debrief filled with gratitude and next steps – tune in!

Product managers are often pressured to make quick decisions—but what if taking a systems thinking approach led to better, more strategic solutions?In this episode of Product Pals, Charlotte and Kiet uncover how systems thinking helps PMs step back, assess the bigger picture, and make smarter decisions. We discuss:🔹 The importance of System Thinking and how does it different from default mental model🔹 how to leverage our Product Pals’ original Dynamics-Influence Model - Systems Thinking for PMs to discover and explore different dynamic across all layers that influence your decisions🔹 Practical tools and advices to enhance your strategic thinking and decision-making skillsIf you want to go beyond short-term solutions and develop a strategic mindset for long-term impact, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen now and elevate your approach to problem-solving!

Failure is tough to face, but it’s also one of the most powerful tools for growth.In this episode of Product Pals, Charlotte and Kiet share candid reflections on their biggest failures and how these experiences have shaped their approach to work and collaboration. From early career missteps to hard-earned lessons, they dive into the uncomfortable but necessary practice of embracing failure as a learning opportunity.Discover how fostering a culture of openness and trust can help teams turn mistakes into innovation and create an environment where everyone thrives. If you’ve ever struggled with setbacks or want to explore how failure can fuel your growth, this episode is for you.🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation!

In this episode of Product Pals, Charlotte and Kiet tackle the often-overlooked connection between product management and finance. From Charlotte's personal journey of rediscovering her relationship with money to Kiet’s experiences with financial modelling, they dive into how understanding the numbers can transform your product strategy. They share practical tips for building financial knowledge, including how to tackle the vulnerability of discussing money, the importance of mentorship, and the power of financial models in decision-making. Whether you're new to product management or a seasoned pro, join us for insights on how finance can help you make better, more confident product decisions and drive real business impact!

In this episode of Product Pals, we dive into continuous learning and growth as product managers. From structured courses to on-the-job learning, Charlotte and Kiet share their favourite approaches and challenges in keeping their knowledge up to date, including how to seek and keep our motivation, what are the more accessible channels of learning in a budget and time constrained environment and how to prioritise your learning backlog . We explore the Shu Ha Ri model of mastery, the "zone of genius," and finding purpose in work. If you’re navigating your own growth as a PM, tune in for insights on curiosity, purpose, and career alignment.

How do you bring your thinking model and skills to life during a case study interview? Feeling a bit overwhelmed while preparing? We've been there. In this episode of Product Pals, we challenge ourselves with a live case study simulation focused on AI-driven job displacement. We walk through our thinking models, share different strategies, and provide practical advice for navigating frameworks and solving complex problems. With insights and tips throughout, we hope you'll feel more prepared to confidently showcase your PM skills in your next case study interview!

In this first episode of Product Pals, we’re diving into the real talk on what it’s like to be a product manager. From balancing customer needs with business goals to navigating roadblocks and celebrating small wins, we share the unfiltered ups and downs of the Product Manager role.  Discover why understanding your customer isn’t just a textbook exercise, the battles worth fighting, and the unexpected joys that make it all worthwhile. Whether you’re new to product management or just curious about the journey, join us for a candid conversation about the moments that matter most. Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Productpals/comments/1e7eaaw/welcome_to_product_pals/