Podcast appearances and mentions of ken rudin

What drives real product growth—launching new features, or helping existing ones land? In this episode of The Effortless Podcast, Dheeraj Pandey and Amit Prakash sit down with Ken Rudin, former Head of Growth at Google, Facebook, Zynga, and ThoughtSpot, to unpack 15 years of lessons at the intersection of analytics and product.Ken shares the story of how a simple nudge doubled Google Search engagement, why retention curves are the truest measure of product–market fit, and how startups should think about growth before and after finding PMF. Along the way, he introduces frameworks like ARIA (Analyze, Reduce, Introduce, Assist) and MUD (Meaningful, Unique, Defensible) to help founders systematize growth instead of chasing hacks.From cross-selling in corner-store SaaS to the surprising power of changing a Google Ads hyphen into a vertical bar, this conversation shows why growth is less about tricks and more about rigorous, creative experimentation.Key Topics & Timestamps00:00 – Introduction: Ken's career journey across Zynga, Facebook, Google, and ThoughtSpot02:00 – The Google “Sports Scores” story: Nudges that doubled engagement08:00 – Launches vs. Landings: Why most features stall without growth focus15:00 – When to invest in growth: Signals post-PMF and small-team leverage22:00 – Corner-store SaaS case study: Cross-sell, pricing insights, and awareness gaps27:00 – Counterintuitive nudges: Google Ads and the “– vs. |” experiment32:00 – Growth as a scientific process: Hypotheses, experiments, and iteration35:00 – Retention curves as PMF: Engagement as the strongest proxy43:00 – Common traps: Acquisition obsession and vanity metrics55:00 – Differentiation with MUD: Meaningful, Unique, Defensible advantages01:03:00 – The ARIA framework: Analyze, Reduce, Introduce, Assist01:10:00 – Fun Q&A: TED Talks, awkwardness, posture, and Peter GabrielGuest:Ken Rudin – Growth and analytics leader with senior roles at Google, Facebook, Zynga, and ThoughtSpot. Advisor to startups on scaling growth and building data-driven teams.Hosts:Amit Prakash – Co-founder and CTO at ThoughtSpot, former engineer at Google AdSense and Microsoft Bing.Follow the Host and Guest:Amit PrakashLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/amit-prakash-50719a2/Twitter/X – https://x.com/amitp42Ken RudinLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenrudin/Share Your ThoughtsHave questions, comments, or ideas for future episodes? Email us at EffortlessPodcastHQ@gmail.comDon't forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of growth, analytics, and innovation.

Sherrod Brown is throwing his hat back into the political ring with a run to represent Ohio in the U.S. Senate.

Sherrod Brown is throwing his hat back into the political ring with a run to represent Ohio in the U.S. Senate.

President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill is expected to add $3 trillion to the national debt.

President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill is expected to add $3 trillion to the national debt.

A new book talks about how Joe Biden's stubbornness -- and insistence that only he could defeat Donald Trump -- kept him in the race longer than he should have and allowed the Republicans to win back the White House. Plus: What to make of Godzilla vs. King Kong. The post Episode #424: The Tragedy Of Joe Biden appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

The Trump administration continues to upend American institutions within the federal government and beyond.

The Trump administration continues to upend American institutions within the federal government and beyond.

Sen. Dick Durbin's retirement opens up a safe Democratic seat -- and a spot in the Senate leadership. PLUS: George Santos heads to prison, Donald Trump's hundred days, a farewell to Alan Simpson, and the Vietnam evacuation, 50 years later. The post Episode #423: Dick Durbin's 44 Years Of Service appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

This week marks the 100th day of the second Trump administration.

This week marks the 100th day of the second Trump administration.

In what he deemed, “Liberation Day,” President Donald Trump reversed the last half century of economic and trade policy in the United States, claiming this will bring production back to our shores.

In what he deemed, “Liberation Day,” President Donald Trump reversed the last half century of economic and trade policy in the United States, claiming this will bring production back to our shores.

President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress at the Capitol on Tuesday night.

President Donald Trump addressed a joint session of Congress at the Capitol on Tuesday night.

Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell is retiring next year, ending a long career in which he united Republicans against Democratic presidents and whose relationship with Donald Trump, while never good, enabled the president to hold onto and extend his power. PLUS: Trump vs. Zelensky. The post Episode #422: How Mitch McConnell Enabled The Party Takeover By Donald appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Past presidents have been able to take tragic events and try to console distraught Americans. Not Donald Trump. Plus: An open Senate race in Michigan, and an Iowa senator up for re-election next year is pressured on a Cabinet confirmation vote. The post Episode #421: The Consoler In Chief appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

We'll talk with Ken Rudin, host of the "Political Junkie" podcast, about the latest happenings in Washington and how they could affect the nation.

We'll talk with Ken Rudin, host of the "Political Junkie" podcast, about the latest happenings in Washington and how they could affect the nation.

Trump's election opened up two Senate seats, in Ohio and Florida, that have been since filled by Republican governors. And is our sadness about Jimmy Carter's passing possibly due to the thought of Trump returning to the presidency? The post Episode #420: Decency And Civility, Then And Now appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

While Jimmy Carter only served on term in office, he became the longest-lived U.S. president. He also became a model for a life of public service after his time in the White House was over.

While Jimmy Carter only served on term in office, he became the longest-lived U.S. president. He also became a model for a life of public service after his time in the White House was over.

The election is over, Trump won, and now the Senate has to confirm (or not) some extraordinary Cabinet choices. Also: Who will succeed Marco Rubio in the Senate? Is bipartisanship possible? And we remember Fred Harris. The post Episode #419: Trump Won, And His Cabinet Choices Prove It appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

We're looking ahead to Donald Trump 2.0 and what could be next for the Democrats with Ken Rudin, host of the "Political Junkie" podcast.

We're looking ahead to Donald Trump 2.0 and what could be next for the Democrats with Ken Rudin, host of the "Political Junkie" podcast.

Early voting has begun and candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, have been making lots of media appearances to appeal to voters they hope to win over.

Early voting has begun and candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, have been making lots of media appearances to appeal to voters they hope to win over.

A look at two races on the ballot next month that have national implications: Montana Senate and North Carolina governor. Plus, two vice presidential hopefuls meet in New York City. The post Episode #418: Butte And The Beast appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

The next major event of the 2024 election year will be the anticipated vice-presidential debate between Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance.

The next major event of the 2024 election year will be the anticipated vice-presidential debate between Gov. Tim Walz and Sen. JD Vance.

How Kamala Harris went from the battles of California politics to the possibility of becoming the 47th President of the United States. The post Episode #417: The Unfathomable Rise Of Kamala Harris appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

We'll discuss the latest happenings in national politics with Ken Rudin, host of the Political Junkie podcast.

We'll discuss the latest happenings in national politics with Ken Rudin, host of the Political Junkie podcast.

How a bad debate performance by President Biden helped lead to Kamala Harris becoming the (likely) Democratic nominee for president. And a farewell to the long political career of New Jersey Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez. The post Episode #416: I'd Walk A Mile For A Kamala appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Unless you've been sequestered, it's been hard to avoid media coverage of tonight's presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Unless you've been sequestered, it's been hard to avoid media coverage of tonight's presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

Setting up next week's CNN debate between Biden and Trump. Predicting Trump's running mate. And a look at some GOP VP picks that sometimes -- but not always -- worked. The post Episode #415: The Debate — Cui Bono? appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Republican strategist Mike Murphy, a leading anti-Trump voice in the party, discusses the state of politics and a new look at the presidential race in the aftermath of the guilty verdict. The post Episode #414: Trump Law, Meet Murphy's Law appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

We'll discuss the latest national political happenings with Ken Rudin, host of the "Political Junkie" podcast.

We'll discuss the latest happenings in national politics with Ken Rudin, host of the Political Junkie podcast.

Democrats are experiencing an increasingly bitter battle for a Maryland Senate seat that suddenly seems competitive. Plus, Kristi Noem destroys her own VP hopes. And a farewell to Pete McCloskey. The post Episode #413: Maryland Has A Thriller, Farewell To Pete, And A Ruff Ending For Kristi appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

The deadline for the Ohio ballot to be certified is 90 days before the election, but that is before President Joe Biden will officially be nominated at the Democratic National Convention on Aug. 19.

How the Ronna McDaniel hiring turned NBC News into knots and revived the question about the advisability of hiring partisan voices on network news. And we rerun a wonderful 2017 interview with Joe Lieberman, who died last week. The post Episode #412: Old McDaniel Told A Lie appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

A review of the Arizona Senate race following the departure of incumbent Kyrsten Sinema. And a look at the key results from Super Tuesday. Plus, a review of a most unusual State of the Union address. The post Episode #411: A Sense Of Yuma After Sinema's Departure appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

A look ahead towards Tuesday's primary to fill the Senate seat long held by the late Dianne Feinstein. Plus: Age and Biden, Sanity and Trump, and a Farewell by McConnell The post Episode #410: California Girls (And Guys) appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Rumors that Taylor Swift might endorse Joe Biden has led conservatives to lose their minds. And a look at Tuesday's congressional race on New York's Long Island to replace the irreplaceable George Santos. The post Episode #409: Swift Paranoia Taylor-Made For MAGA appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

The latest in the Republican and Democratic contests in New Hampshire. The post Episode #408: New Hampshire, Where Trump Came, Saw and Concord? appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

It's a review of 2023 and a look ahead to 2024 with NPR's Ron Elving. The post Episode #407: Farewell To 2023, Bracing For 2024 appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

We hear from the biographers of two trailblazers who have left us, former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. And we hear about an investigative podcast about Ohio's greatest political scandal in history. The post Episode #406: Farewell To The Trailblazers appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.

Election Day is on Tuesday, and we look at the race for governor in Kentucky and the battle for the state legislature in Virginia. Plus, Mike Pence is out, and Tommy Tuberville loses friends. The post Episode #405: Pence Is Out; Is Choice In? appeared first on Ken Rudin's Political Junkie.