Second Draft (SD²) Podcast

I used to have eight or nine meetings on my calendar a day. I felt busy all day, but still wondered, “What did I achieve?”I recently read CEO Secrets and CEO Excellence, and both books made me think about this question: how do we run ourselves with more focus, steadiness, and follow-through?I’ll talk about how to know what is creating pressure, decide what matters now, use one simple scoreboard, and turn messy conversations into business decisions.I’ll also cover how to delegate without losing sight, stay calm when things go wrong, and recover without turning every mistake into a blame session.Think of this as a reset for your busy week: fewer distractions, better decisions, and a way to keep the right things moving forward.You’ll walk away with:* A way to see what is causing pressure.* A filter for what deserves your attention.* One scoreboard you can check every week.* A better way to run your weekly reviews.* A simple A/B decision method.* A way to delegate, lead, and recover.Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

If your prompts keep getting longer while the AI output still sounds bigger than it is, this will save you time. You’ll learn the Reflection prompt (use it today), the ReAct loop, and how to choose the right first agent use case, so that you get an early win.What we cover in part 1:* The prompt trap* Reflection (draft → critique → rewrite)* What an AI agent is* Workflow automation versus AI agent* ReAct loop (Reason → Act → Observe → repeat)* Context engineering (role, rules, tools, memory, knowledge)* Task decomposition (small, checkable steps)* Tool use (model requests tool calls; system executes; results return)* Agent use case selection (complexity × precision matrix)If this helped, follow the show. Share it with your friends.Subscribe: https://seconddraftstudio.substack.com/.Podcast: https://sdsquared.substack.com.Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

From my 2025 notes, this is a 2026 reset you can use to start the year feeling like it belongs to you.This is my Love & Freedom Playbook: Love = respect + boundaries, and Freedom = time + focus + independence.Save this, use it, and send it to a friend.Subscribe: https://seconddraftstudio.substack.com/. Podcast: https://sdsquared.substack.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

This episode is an introduction to my new book, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). I talk about this change in search and the problems the book is written to help with.Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Generative-Engine-Optimization-GEO-Complete-ebook/dp/B0FX2B9WH4.The Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

Today we’re talking about why onboarding is not a tutorial and why those first 30 seconds inside your product might matter more than the next 30 minutes.* Book: Storytelling in Design by Anna Dahlström.* Podcast episode: Grant Lee on Lenny’s Podcast – “‘Dumbest idea I’ve heard’ to $100M ARR: Inside the rise of Gamma”.* Subscribe: https://seconddraftstudio.substack.com/.* Podcast: https://sdsquared.substack.com.The Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

Just Published: Stop Being the Analyst and Start Being the Strategist.Read it on Product Coalition: https://medium.com/managing-digital-products/stop-being-the-analyst-and-start-being-the-strategist-e314efc6846e.Subscribe: https://seconddraftstudio.substack.com/.Podcast: https://sdsquared.substack.com.The Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

We’ve all heard that AI can save time or boost productivity, but where does the value of AI actually come from?In this episode, I share what I’ve learned from helping teams adopt AI in their daily work. You’ll hear how people are using AI as a creative partner that transforms how they think and operate.We’ll explore nine ways AI creates tangible impact. You don’t need to be technical to follow along. You just need to ne curious and open to experiment with AI.Subscribe: https://seconddraftstudio.substack.com/.Podcast: https://sdsquared.substack.com.The Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

When life and work keep shifting, it’s easy to lose your rhythm. In this episode, I share what I learned from The Book of Alchemy and how a "one thing a day" practice helped me slow down and reconnect with what matters.Subscribe: https://seconddraftstudio.substack.com/.Podcast: https://sdsquared.substack.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

Most AI tools still wait for us to ask. You open a chat, type a question, get an answer.But the future of AI will not live inside that chat window. It will take initiative and action.Imagine AI systems that detect trends and anomalies before reports are published, generate insights before meetings start, and trigger decisions before we even realize they are needed.That is where AI is headed, beyond conversation and into coordination. That is why agentic AI assistants represent the next evolution of work: systems that anticipate, act, and drive meaningful outcomes before we even prompt them."AI should not wait for permission to be useful.”“When technology blends into the workflow, transformation has already happened.”“Agentic AI is not the next technology trend. It is the next way we work.”Subscribe: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com.Podcast: https://sdsquared.substack.com.The Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I talk about The Long Game by Dorie Clark, a book that reminds me that all good things take time. We’ll look at what it means to be patient, keep your focus, and make steady progress even when everything around you feels like it’s changing too fast. This one’s for anyone trying to create something meaningful in a world that often moves in favor of quick wins.Subscribe: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com.Podcast: https://sdsquared.substack.com.The Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I dig into OpenAI’s new feature, Pulse, and explore whether it will actually make life easier or end up as one more thing competing for attention. You’ll hear insights for professionals, business leaders, and creators who are trying to figure out where generative AI fits into everyday work and long-term strategy.Subscribe: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com.Podcast: https://sdsquared.substack.com.The Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

Search is changing fast. In this episode I explain the differences between SEO, SEM, and the new GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization. We look at what each one does, when to use them, and why GEO is quickly becoming essential for anyone who wants their brand to be visible in the age of AI.Subscribe: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com.Podcast: https://sdsquared.substack.com.The Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I share how AI makes feature comparisons more powerful by adding usability, maturity, and customer sentiment, so your team can focus on what drives key decisions.Read the Full Article: https://medium.com/managing-digital-products/from-data-to-decisions-applying-ai-to-product-market-intelligence-684199f8173e.Subscribe to Newsletter: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/.Listen to Podcast: https://sdsquared.substack.com/.The Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

Markets are dynamic. In this episode, I share how to use AI for scenario planning. Learn how to simulate competitor reactions, design simple playbooks, and set guardrails so your team is ready when change happens.Read the Full Article: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/p/from-data-to-decisions-applying-ai.Subscribe: https://sdsquared.substack.com/.The Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I walk through how to use AI to measure what really makes competitors strong, where those strengths could be at risk, and how to uncover smaller, practical advantages you can build for yourself. If you’ve ever wanted to move beyond opinions and ground your strategy in facts, this one’s for you.Read the Full Article: https://medium.com/managing-digital-products/from-data-to-decisions-applying-ai-to-product-market-intelligence-684199f8173e. Subscribe: https://sdsquared.substack.com/. The Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

Every strategy starts with a simple question: who are we really competing against, and how are they moving?In this episode of our Competitive and Market Intelligence series, I talk about how to create a real-time market map with the help of AI. Listen in, see how a clear up-to-date market landscape map can impact of your decisions, and start building a map your whole team can use.Read the Full Article: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/p/from-data-to-decisions-applying-ai.Subscribe: https://sdsquared.substack.com/. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of the series, I talk about how Product Market Intelligence works best when it connects with other insights functions. Listen today to see how PMI becomes even more powerful when it is part of a larger ecosystem of insights that guide key strategy and business decisions.Read the Full Article: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/p/introduction-to-product-market-intelligence.Subscribe to Newsletter: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://sdsquared.substack.com/. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I explore how different teams inside a company use Product Market Intelligence to make better choices.Read the Full Article: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/p/introduction-to-product-market-intelligenceSubscribe to Newsletter: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://sdsquared.substack.com/. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

Discover the five practices that turn Product Market Intelligence into real strategy. Learn how landscape mapping, market dynamics, strategy translation, stakeholder collaboration, and engagement activities create a cycle that keeps insights alive and actionable. Listen now to see how Product Market Intelligence can guide smarter product and business decisions.Subscribe to Newsletter: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://sdsquared.substack.com/. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, I share the four parts of Product Market Intelligence: competitive intelligence, product intelligence, market research, and customer insights. Together they create a complete outside view of the market. You will also hear why combining hard numbers with real customer voices makes strategy clearer and easier to act on. Listen today and start bringing PMI into the way your team makes decisions.Subscribe to Newsletter: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://sdsquared.substack.com/. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

Every product decision carries risk. Most teams only look inward at their own internal metrics, but that leaves some blind spots. In this episode, I share why Product Market Intelligence gives you the market view you need. It helps you avoid developing the wrong features, setting the wrong prices, or missing important market shifts. You’ll hear how it leads to better and more actionable strategic decisions.Read the Full Article Here: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/p/introduction-to-product-market-intelligenceSubscribe to Newsletter: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://sdsquared.substack.com/. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

Most product teams know their sales numbers and their roadmap. But when it comes to explaining why their roadmap choices are the right ones for the market and for their customers? Far fewer can explain with confidence why those choices are the right ones for the market.Here is how AI is transforming Product Market Intelligence (PMI) into something dynamic, real-time, and actionable.Read the Full Article: https://medium.com/managing-digital-products/from-data-to-decisions-applying-ai-to-product-market-intelligence-684199f8173eSubscribe to Newsletter: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://sdsquared.substack.com/. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

Career growth doesn’t follow a straight line. At some point, many of us face the moment when technical expertise alone is no longer enough when the next step is about influence, leadership, and cross-functional outcomes.Most advice you’ll find online is either a checklist or a story. Helpful, but incomplete. That’s why I created this short video to share 9 principles that have made the biggest difference in navigating career transitions.Read the Full Article Here: https://medium.com/womenintechnology/how-to-navigate-career-transition-51ee844d4ae6.Subscribe to Newsletter: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://sdsquared.substack.com/. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

A lot of you read “The Best Career Advice I Ever Got.” I wrote it as a small reflection, but didn’t expect how many of you would connect with it. That piece sparked conversations about how to move through work with influence, clarity, and staying power, especially when everything in work and life is changing.Read the Full Article: https://medium.com/womenintechnology/the-best-career-advice-i-ever-got-43caceeea6d2.Subscribe to Newsletter: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com/.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://sdsquared.substack.com/. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

Over the past year, I’ve had a lot of conversations with senior leaders trying to make sense of AI in the context of real business decisions. Questions like: What should we invest in? What’s safe to cut? What actually moves the needle?One theme keeps showing up: It’s not the AI tools that are confusing. It’s the uncertainty around how to use them well and how to lead with clarity when both the market and the technology are evolving so fast.That’s why I’m creating a new series called Behind the Prompt.This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit https://sdsquared.substack.com/. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to The Second Draft Studio. If your work and leadership still feel like a first draft, you’re in the right place.Listen to or watch stories, tools, and small experiments for the second draft of how you work and lead.Subscribe: https://thenextsteps1.substack.com.Podcast: https://sdsquared.substack.com.The Second Draft (SD²) is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sdsquared.substack.com/subscribe