Fireside Product Management

Follow Fireside Product Management
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

Product Management podcast where 20 year PM veteran Tom Leung interviews VP's, CPO's, and CEO's who rose up from product to talk about their careers, the art and science of product management, and advice for other PM's. Watch video on YouTube. firesidepm.co Learn more about host Tom Leung at http://tomleungcoaching.com

Tom Leung


    • May 3, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 92 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Fireside Product Management with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Fireside Product Management

    How Executive Search Really Works: Lessons from Somer Hackley for Product Leaders Navigating Uncertain Times

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2025 60:21


    I rarely read career books cover to cover. But when I listened to Search in Plain Sight by Somer Hackley, I was hooked. It wasn't a blog post padded into a book—this was the real deal. Structured, thorough, and full of insights that I wish I had twenty years ago. Naturally, I invited Somer onto the Fireside PM podcast to dig deeper. What followed was a masterclass on how executive search firms actually work, what most job seekers get wrong, and how product managers (PMs) can be far more effective in today's hiring market.

    From Fans to Founders: How Community-Driven Product Development Builds Better Tech (and Teams)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 55:25


    What Lego, Apple, and a golf startup can teach Silicon Valley PMs about designing with—not just for—your users. https://jakemckee.com/

    I Turned Down a $350K Job Offer—And Why You Might Want to as Well

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2025 45:53


    How to Avoid Career Pitfalls and Make Smarter Moves in Today's Job Market Early to mid-career product managers in Silicon Valley often dream of landing the perfect job—high comp, strong team, great product, and a clear path for impact. But what if I told you that sometimes the smartest move is walking away? That was the case for Elizabeth Haig, a seasoned marketing leader with two successful exits under her belt. She recently turned down a VP of Marketing role that came with a $350K offer, and her reasoning provides invaluable lessons for navigating today's brutal job market. This post is packed with her insights, specific examples, and actionable advice to help you avoid career missteps and make smarter choices as you navigate your next big move.

    5 Interview Mistakes That Cost You Great Product Leaders—And How to Fix Them

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2025 30:48


    Lessons from the Fireside PM podcast on how to stop missing top-tier candidates and make your next VP or Director of Product hire a game-changer.  Hiring a Great Product Leader Is Harder Than You Think Team, we're back on the Fireside PM podcast, and today, I want to talk about a topic that keeps coming up: why even experienced executives struggle to hire strong product leaders. If you're a CEO or CPO at a mid-to-late-stage company and you need to hire a killer Director or VP of Product, this post is for you. You go through the hiring process, extend an offer to someone who looks amazing on paper—only to realize months later that it's not working out. Sound familiar? The good news? Most hiring failures happen because of a handful of predictable mistakes. Let's break them down, one by one, so you can avoid them next time.

    Mastering the PM Interview: The Hidden Hack You're Probably Missing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 48:57


    Why revealing your thinking matters more than your final answer—insider secrets from Rodolfo, Senior PM at Spotify. https://rodolfodays.substack.com/?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=substack_profile

    Mastering AI for Product Management with Mustafa Kapatiya

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 57:40


    n this episode of Fireside PM, I sit down with fellow ex-Googler and product consultant Mustafa Kapatiya to dive into how product managers can maximize AI for productivity, decision-making, and strategy. Mustafa shares real-world insights, including a live demo of AI-driven sentiment analysis, a breakdown of how top PMs leverage AI differently, and how organizations can use AI to do more with less. We also explore the future of product teams, AI's impact on PM career paths, and the evolving role of leadership in an AI-powered world. Tune in for actionable tips and deep insights!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2025 44:33


    Join me for a Fireside PM conversation with Dave Lu, founder of Hyphen Ventures, as we dive into his incredible career journey, the challenges of the Bamboo Ceiling, and his powerful advocacy for AAPI representation in tech and venture capital. From working at top companies like Apple, Yahoo, and eBay to launching Hyphen Capital and championing AAPI entrepreneurs, Dave has been a driving force in breaking barriers. We'll discuss: ✅ His path from corporate tech to investing in the next generation ✅ The Bamboo Ceiling: What it is & how to overcome it ✅ Building wealth and influence for the AAPI community ✅ His thoughts on leadership, mentorship, and making an impact

    Mastering Product Transformation for Your Company: Lessons from Priydarshan Jha

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2025 39:41


    Hey Fireside PM crew, I had a fantastic conversation in this week's podcast with Priydarshan Jha (PJ), a seasoned Director of Product Management and product transformation consultant. PJ shared valuable insights from his journey, starting as a tech-focused developer, moving into product ownership at American Express, working with clients across industries at BCG, and now leading product transformations at EPAM. Here are the top takeaways: 1. Driving Product Transformation Across Diverse Organizations PJ highlighted that every company has its unique DNA—some are engineering-led, some sales-led, others founder-driven. When companies seek to strengthen their product orientation, the challenge is often not just “what to do” but understanding “what change means for them.” Key steps PJ advises: Assess the Current State: Understand how the organization defines product success, builds products, and aligns teams. Establish a Common Product Vision: Everyone, from developers to sales, should share a unified understanding of the product and its purpose. Break Down Silos: Connect teams to the end customer so that even an engineer sees how their work impacts users. Small, Incremental Changes: Large overhauls often fail. Success comes from bite-sized adjustments that shift both ways of working and thinking. As PJ put it, “Most organizations recognize that what got them here won't get them where they want to go. The challenge is that they often don't know what that change actually looks like for them. We help them visualize what 'good' looks like and break it down into small, achievable steps.” He added, “One of the most common issues I see is silos. The engineering team might be working on their own objectives, while the product managers and sales teams are operating in parallel worlds. Bringing everyone onto the same page around the customer impact can be a game-changer.” 2. Common Pitfalls for Product Managers PJ and I discussed two classic challenges PMs often face: Over-indexing on Execution: PMs get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of long-term strategy. Under-communicating Progress: Even if you're on the right track strategically, failing to proactively communicate with stakeholders can create uncertainty and risk. Successful PMs find a balance: They drive day-to-day delivery while ensuring leadership and stakeholders remain aligned with the strategic vision. “It's so easy to get trapped in the day-to-day. You're shipping features, hitting your sprints, but if you lose sight of the bigger picture, you may end up delivering a lot but not necessarily moving the business forward,” PJ noted. On communication, he shared, “Under-communication can kill trust. I've seen great teams end up under a microscope simply because stakeholders felt out of the loop. It's not about overloading with updates; it's about consistent, clear communication.” 3. Building Product Teams in the AI Era With 2025 upon us, PJ reflected on debates around the necessity of PMs in a world increasingly assisted by AI. Could engineering managers with chatbots fill the gap? PJ's take: The PM role can flex, but the core need remains: balancing value, viability, usability, and feasibility. Engineering or marketing leaders can step into product roles if they develop the right mindset, but that transition requires coaching and organizational patience. “There's a lot of talk about replacing PMs with AI or blending the role into other functions, but product management is fundamentally about balancing multiple perspectives,” PJ explained. “It's not just about what can be built, but whether it should be built, if users will value it, and whether it makes business sense.” He added, “I've seen companies successfully transition engineers or marketers into product roles. The key is investing in their mindset shift and giving them the right support through coaching.” 4. Advice for Aspiring PMs and Leaders Hiring PM Talent Aspiring PMs: You don't need a technical background. Passion, curiosity, and a desire to solve problems matter more. Hiring Product Leaders: When leading a product transformation, prioritize candidates with experience driving organizational change—especially those with consulting backgrounds—or consider fractional product leaders during transitions. “There's this myth that you need to have a technical background to be a product manager. It can help, but it's not a requirement. Some of the best PMs I know came from non-technical backgrounds and excelled because of their customer empathy and strategic thinking,” PJ emphasized. On hiring, he advised, “If you're transforming your product culture, look for someone who's done it before. They'll bring the experience and playbook to navigate the rough waters. Sometimes, a fractional leader during the transition can be the perfect bridge.” Final Thought PJ reminded us that transformation is a journey. Whether you're a PM looking to grow, or a leader reshaping your product team, success lies in aligning teams around customer impact, fostering clear communication, and embracing continuous learning. “Change is hard, but it's worth it. The best product teams I've seen are those that continuously learn and adapt. They put the customer at the center and rally the entire organization around delivering value,” PJ concluded. Check out PJ's daily insights on LinkedIn and his Substack newsletter for more product wisdom (links below). https://www.linkedin.com/in/priydarshanjha/ https://priydarshanjha.substack.com/  

    Mastering Controllable Inputs in Product Management with Chris Vander May

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2025 55:49


    In this episode of Fireside PM, I sit down with Chris Vandermay, a veteran PM leader with experience at Google, Amazon, and Meta, to dive deep into the concept of controllable inputs. We discuss how top companies use these actionable metrics to drive real business outcomes, how to identify the right inputs versus vanity metrics, and why mastering them can make or break a product's success. Chris also shares insights on how AI is reshaping the role of product managers and what PMs can do to stay ahead in the evolving landscape. Tune in for a conversation packed with real-world examples and practical takeaways for PMs at any stage of their career!

    The Future of Product Management in an AI-Driven World

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 27:23


    In this episode of Fireside PM, I tackle one of the most pressing questions from my Backchannel PM Accelerator: What does the future of product management look like, and how can PMs prepare? We explore the compression of career ladders, the rise of AI-native products, the evolving importance of trust and safety, and the shifting dynamics of startups. Whether you're an early-career PM or a seasoned leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you thrive in a rapidly changing industry.

    From Microsoft to Adobe: Redefining Brand Leadership with Karl Isaac

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 68:55


    In this episode of the Fireside PM podcast, I sit down with Karl Isaac, a branding expert and former Microsoft manager, to explore the intersection of product and brand. Karl shares insights from his transformative career at tech giants like Microsoft, Apple, and Adobe, where he spearheaded groundbreaking campaigns, redefined brand strategies, and led cultural shifts. They discuss the evolution of branding in tech, lessons from campaigns like “I'm a PC,” and how integrating brand with product management creates exceptional customer experiences. A must-listen for product managers and brand enthusiasts alike! https://www.linkedin.com/in/brands/

    Do You Work for the Boss from Hell, Heaven, or Somewhere In Between?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2024 20:50


    In a recent Fireside PM podcast episode, I shared insights inspired by a coaching conversation with a senior PM at a FAANG company. * She was navigating a significant challenge: adapting to a new manager with a starkly different style than her previous one. This conversation resonated with me deeply because it highlighted a universal truth in the workplace: a manager's style can significantly impact your day-to-day experience—sometimes even more than the company you work for.

    What kind of PM are you?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2024 23:13


    The 8 different types of PM leads, their pros and cons, and best fit companies to work at.

    Navigating the New Frontiers of Product Management: Insights from Brian Goffman

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2024 50:52


    In my recent Fireside PM podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Brian Goffman, a repeat guest and one of the most insightful voices in the product management (PM) space. Brian's career spans decades of innovation, from his time at LinkedIn, SmartThings, and Adobe, to his current role leading McKinsey's Software Excellence Practice. His unique vantage point—working across Web 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and now AI—makes him a treasure trove of lessons for anyone navigating the tech landscape. In this conversation, we dove into career-defining moments, the evolving challenges of leadership, and how AI is fundamentally reshaping the PM profession. Brian shared profound insights and practical advice for professionals at every stage of their journey, sprinkled with the wit and wisdom that only years of experience can bring.

    5 Hard Lessons I've Learned in Product Management and Leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 1, 2024 19:58


    Welcome back to another episode of Fireside PM! Today, I want to share some hard-earned lessons that have shaped my career as a Product Manager (PM) and PM leader. These lessons, grounded in experience, have been instrumental to my journey and are relevant whether you're early in your PM career or already leading teams. Let's dive into these five lessons that, while challenging, are essential for sustained growth and success in product management.

    Mastering Founder-Led Marketing: Actionable Advice for Scaling Your Startup with Rory Braatvedt

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 55:32


    Unlock the secrets of demand generation from Rory Braatvedt, who shares essential frameworks for entrepreneurial product managers and startup founders ready to move beyond their personal networks.

    The 5 Lies Every 0 to 1 Product Manager Will Tell Themselves—and How to Avoid Them

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 19:56


    Lessons from the Frontlines of Silicon Valley: How to Recognize Common Pitfalls and Stay Focused on What Really Matters

    Does your product have Language Market Fit? How does it impact customer progress?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 52:16


    John Gusiff on brand experience.

    Can PM Hustlers Incubate sans Hackers using AI?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 77:53


    Adam Sheppard from The Shep Report on AI solopreneur tools like bubble.io

    Organic Content Demand Generation in the Age of AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 46:55


    Raquel Hirsch is a seasoned marketing executive and demand-generation expert who helps B2B and B2C clients achieve measurable revenue growth through data-driven strategies and solutions. She is the Founder and Lead Consultant at GoDemandGeneration Inc., a boutique consultancy that offers outsourced VP-level expertise and growth-acceleration services to clients who need to get there fast. With over 25 years of experience in turnarounds and fast ramp-ups, Raquel has a proven track record of building successful cross-functional teams, bridging the divide between marketing and sales, and delivering maximized ROI on marketing investments. She is also a popular public speaker, a mentor, a multilingual professional, and a socially conscious leader who is passionate about enabling consistent growth and debunking marketing fads.

    How to nail your next PM job interview

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 23, 2024 55:08


    Nancy Chu and I talk about PM interviews. Follow Nancy on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancychu/ Check out my PM classes on Maven https://maven.com/toml Check out my free lightening webinar on AI strategy https://maven.com/p/ceba54/ai-crossroads-strategic-decisions-for-product-managers?utm_medium=ll_share_link&utm_source=instructor

    Exploring AI Product Strategy from 3 difference company experiences

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2024 20:56


    More info on this class at https://maven.com/toml 1:1 and Team Coaching at https://tomleungcoaching.com

    Why incumbent big SAAS players don't need to worry about AI

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2024 73:08


      From Aniket Saoji: "After spending some time exploring the latest AI advancements, I realized the potential impact on the enterprise software landscape deserved a more nuanced analysis. Here is a deep dive on why established enterprise SaaS leaders can afford to take a measured approach to AI integration. My take: While AI is transforming the technology landscape, AI is not an immediate existential threat to enterprise SaaS market leaders. In fact, they are well-positioned to approach AI integration strategically." 

    Are your a regular tech person curious about Climate Tech?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 35:51


    Katie Durham from Climate Capital and I talk about a co-investment and some she shares tips and advice about getting involved in climate tech.

    AI's Inflection Point: Navigating the Future of Innovation, Business Models, and Strategic Flexibility | Rahul Mehendale x-MD at Deloitte and AI startup CEO and advisor

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 58:42


    In my recent Fireside PM podcast interview with Rahul Mehendale, an old friend and former classmate, we delved deep into the transformative impact of AI across various sectors. Rahul's diverse background—ranging from his early work in quantified skin health to his recent ventures in AI—gave us a lot to discuss.

    Hiring the Perfect Product Management Director: A Comprehensive Guide

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2024 17:04


    5 things you can do to make sure you make a great hire for your PM director role. Learn more at tomleungcoaching.com

    CEO or SVP tells you "We need to swap out the PM team..."

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 42:06


    Tom and Ed Biden from HustleBadger.com talk about the challenges product leaders face when things aren't going awesome.

    Navigating the Complex Landscape of Female Led Product Management: Insights from Yue Zhao

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 42:10


    Five things I learned from 6 months of Tech Angel Investing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2024 27:24


    What if the future isn't AI SAAS startups?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2024 24:05


    I looked at over 100 AI products and broke them down into four categories. Table is here: https://open.substack.com/pub/firesidepm/p/where-will-the-most-economic-value?r=3qhs2b&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

    Richard Sim, Sr Director of Product at Roblox, Pre-IPO Facebook PM shares career advice

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 94:02


    Who are going to be the big winners in AI? Maybe not AI startups...

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 24, 2024 24:05


    I go over the four kinds of AI projects I've noticed this year, their pros and cons, and give some thought starters as we think about where things will land in 2026.

    Is your team using Enneagrams to optimize performance?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 46:56


    Matt Schlegel from EvolutionaryTeams.com talks about Enneagrams and his book Teamwork 9.0 https: https://a.co/d/fw0fEkr

    How to handle change fatigue on an overly agile culture.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 33:19


    Tom and Hannah Clark from the Product Manager talk about IC and leadership tension when projects change or get killed.  https://theproductmanager.com/

    2X Big Tech rising star turned into Gourmet Baker?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2024 57:37


    Joyce Tang was at early Google and joined Facebook when it was less than 1,000 employees and still a private company. Then she went to culinary school and started the bakery, Bake Sum. Order in the Bay Area via Neon: https://www.exploreneon.com/store/restaurant/595/?utm_source=bakesum&utm_medium=partner&utm_campaign=fbb

    Former VP of Research at Google shares his predictions about AI

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 55:57


    Paul Muret was co-founder and CEO of Urchin which was acquired by Google and became Google Analytics. He then stayed at the company for 19 years rising to the level of VP most recently leading product management for the Research division under Jeff Dean.

    Beware of joining Walking Wounded Series A Startups

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2024 47:40


    Craig Sherman, startup attorney at Wilson Sonsini, gives a market update on why it's a great time to be a seed founder and less so to be at a 2022 Series A or B fixer upper.

    8 tips for how to pick great Pre-Seed Founders by Kirby Winfield from Ascend.vc

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 50:05


    Kirby's original post https://www.linkedin.com/posts/winfield_preseed-investing-is-easy-a-dont-activity-7186077270862659584-J1J4/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

    How are you building your company's brand?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2024 40:42


    Nicholas Cryder, longtime branding expert, shares his take on how small teams can build a brand identity in weeks. https://www.crydermakes.com/aboutcryder

    Should PM's become angel investors?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2024 50:46


    Dan Delmar from the Virtual Angels Network discusses how to become an angel investor. 

    angel investors dan delmar
    What is the value of PM's from an Adobe engineering director's POV...

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2024 32:57


    Tom and Kirk Mattson (both Bowdoin '96 alums) discuss Kirk's view on what makes a great PM and the future of AI.

    Are PM's doing user research all wrong?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 52:34


    Tom and Elizabeth Creighton talk about user research interviewing mistakes and best practices. Check out Elizabeth's upcoming class on Maven with a special Fireside discount here https://maven.com/brazen-ux/user-interview-skills-designers-pms?promoCode=FIRESIDE

    Are we all screwed? How should Product Managers prepare for an AI-first world?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 47:32


    Amit Badlani from Stanford talks about ML, AI, and product management. See his class here  https://maven.com/amit-badlani/ml-foundations-for-product-managers See all of Tom's classes at http://maven.com/toml

    Are you thinking about the entire product strategy stack?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2024 34:27


    Roman Pichler and Tom talk about business strategy, portfolio strategy, product strategy, and how it relates to the roadmap and backlog.

    Was Marty Cagan wrong about product management?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 32:43


    Tom and Joe Tarragano discuss the risk of puritanical thinking of PM's and the topic of Produxsplaining :-)

    Teresa Torres on Product Discovery and Product Manager agency and change leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2024 34:48


    Thanks to Teresa Torres from Product Talk for coming on to the Fireside PM pod to talk about #productdiscovery! We had a great convo and I found the notion of show not telling and the importance of making lots of little improvements versus arguing for wholesale transformation to be pretty compelling.  https://www.producttalk.org/  

    YC Alum Hardik Vala on lessons learned as a startup founder

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2024 47:52


    Former Apple, Google, and Y Combinator entrepreneur Hardik Vala https://www.linkedin.com/in/thehardikv/

    Alan Stein for Kadima on how to get a better job faster.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 29:49


    Tom and Alan talk about the current job market, how to get a good referral, and the importance of baby steps when managing your career.

    How to stand out in your LinkedIn PM Job application

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 10:08


    I posted a job and got 300 applications in the first day...

    Trying to land your first product management job?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2024 42:11


    Tom and Jesse Chor, Founder CEO of Sequoia backed Tanda, talk about best practices for aspiring product managers to land their first PM gig. 

    Product Discover example, how I went from -1 to 0 to -1...

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 12:19


    I walk through an example of evaluating a greenfield product idea from scratch.  Also if you're interested in my class on nailing your next executive PM review at work, feel free to express interest here https://maven.com/forms/d4610a

    Claim Fireside Product Management

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel