Product Chats Podcast

Ever wonder how to drive product success when you don’t have direct authority over your teams?  In this episode, host Rebecca Kalogeris chats with Leah Zillner, a product manager at Intellum, about the wild ride that is product management. Leah shares her story of transitioning from program management to product, and how Pragmatic Institute’s courses helped her navigate the journey. From building market insights through client feedback to using tools like UserPilot, Jira, and BigQuery, Leah has tips that will level up your PM game. She also discusses the internal dynamics of product management, where trust and communication are key (especially when you can’t just tell people what to do). Leah talks candidly about learning from mistakes, ditching perfectionism, and building a supportive team culture.  Ready to pick up some insider secrets on how to build relationships, communicate better, and juggle the challenges of product management? This episode has you covered!  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

What’s the secret to building a high-performing product team?  In this replay episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris interviews Amruta Moktali, Chief Product Officer at Skyflow. Amruta shares her journey from tech roles at companies like Microsoft and Salesforce to leading product at Skyflow, where she reimagines data privacy and security.   In this conversation, she reveals her blueprint for building and leading effective product teams, emphasizing the importance of diversity, empathy, and clear communication.  Learn how to define your team's mission, hire for diversity of thought, and motivate your team by aligning their passions with your product’s purpose. Amruta also discusses the importance of transparent communication, empathy among team members, and storytelling as a tool for motivation and collaboration.  Tune in to gain practical insights into creating and sustaining high-functioning product teams.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

How can you tap into the power of ‘catalysts’ to drive innovation and positive change in your organization?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, Shannon Lucas and Tracey Lovejoy, co-founders of Catalyst Constellations, discuss the concept of catalysts—individuals who connect ideas and take bold action to improve their environments. Drawing from their experiences at Microsoft and Vodafone, Tracey and Shannon share how organizations can identify and support these high-potential employees to drive transformation.  They explore the challenges catalysts face, such as burnout and being perceived as disruptive, and offer actionable strategies to align catalysts with organizational goals, manage energy levels, and provide them with the training and frameworks needed to succeed.  Tune in for insights on activating catalysts and harnessing their potential for organizational growth.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

How can organizations nurture innovation through structured processes and strong leadership?  Host Rebecca Kalogeris speaks with Dr. Jeff D. Standridge, Managing Director at Conductor and co-founder of Cadron Capital Partners. Dr. Standridge explores the critical relationship between innovation and leadership, emphasizing that innovation is not just about groundbreaking ideas—it's about planned, repeatable processes that drive efficiency, customer satisfaction, and cost reduction.  Learn how to align your teams around a clear definition of innovation and implement strategies like innovation sprints and the lean canvas to quantify risks and gain stakeholder buy-in. Dr. Standridge highlights the importance of defining the problem, understanding its scale, and ensuring that your innovations are real, capable of helping you win, and worth the effort.  Tune in for actionable insights to foster a culture of continuous innovation and make smarter product decisions.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

How does understanding customer psychology lead to better digital sales?  In this replay episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Jon MacDonald, founder of The Good, a digital experience optimization firm. Jon explores how aligning product strategies with customer psychology and user behavior can drive digital sales. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, user testing, and combining qualitative and quantitative data to create optimal user experiences.  Learn how techniques like click pattern analysis, eye tracking, and customer journey mapping can build a strong case for usability improvements and drive business growth.   For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

How can product managers effectively navigate the complexities of B2B2C environments?  In this replay episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris revisits her insightful discussion with Tiffany Wear Johnson, Chief Product Officer at NMI and one of American Banker’s Most Influential Women in Payments (2022). Tiffany shares her expertise on transitioning from a feature-centric to a problem-focused approach in product management, especially within complex B2B2C landscapes. Learn how this shift can help manage competing priorities among different buyer personas and improve overall product strategy.  Discover practical strategies for using data and storytelling to understand product metrics, foster collaboration among stakeholders, and prioritize effectively. Tiffany also discusses organizing product teams around value streams to better understand the customer journey and drive impactful results.  Tune in to this episode to learn valuable insights from a seasoned product leader and elevate your product management skills!  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

How can product operations drive efficiency and data-driven decision-making in your organization?  In this replay episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris revisits her insightful conversation with Dan Corbin, a seasoned product management advocate and instructor at Pragmatic Institute. Dan discusses the critical role of product operations for today’s business environment and shares how it can streamline workflows, enhance data accessibility, and improve communication within product teams.  Explore the three pillars of product operations—business and data insights, research methodologies, and operational efficiency—and discover practical tips for implementing these strategies in your organization. Whether you're a product manager, marketer, or data-driven professional, this episode offers valuable insights to help you optimize your product management practices.  Tune in for this replay episode and learn how to elevate your product operations!  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

How can teams navigate the chaos of product development and effectively integrate customer feedback?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Christoph Steinlehner, a product management consultant and expert with over 20 years of experience in design and product development. Christoph shares his strategies for turning chaotic meetings into productive discussions, emphasizing the importance of mapping thoughts and ideas to enhance team alignment and clarity.  Discover how to integrate customer feedback into your product development process through Christoph's six-step approach, which includes impact mapping (learn more here), engaging cross-functional teams, and using visual artifacts like service blueprints. Christoph also discusses the pitfalls of traditional presentation styles and advocates for collaborative discussions that prioritize alignment over persuasion.  Tune in for actionable advice on improving your product development process and fostering better team collaboration. For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

How can brands use storytelling to create authentic and engaging content?  In this captivating episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris speaks with Rachel Hernandez, Director of Brand Strategy at Nextnet Media. Rachel, a seasoned professional in digital content and content marketing, shares her insights on the transformative power of storytelling in creating compelling and customer-centric narratives.  Discover the importance of human connection, the use of the Hero's Journey framework, and the role of cheeky and authentic content in differentiating brands. Rachel discusses the nuances of engaging technical audiences on platforms like Reddit and emphasizes the long-term impact of storytelling on brand trust and authority.  Tune in for a deep dive into the art and science of content marketing with one of the industry's thought leaders. For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com. 

How can senior leadership teams overcome hurdles and improve collaboration?  In this enlightening episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with James Scouller, a distinguished leadership coach, author, and former CEO with over 47 years of experience. James shares his deep insights into building and leading winning teams, drawing from his extensive experience and recent literary success with his trilogy, "How to Build Winning Teams Again and Again."  Explore the psychological dynamics of team commitment, the importance of clear roles and goals, and the need for effective decision-making processes. James discusses how senior leaders can address challenges such as trust, open communication, and conflict resolution to foster a cohesive and high-performing team.  Tune in to gain practical advice on improving collaboration and driving success within your organization. For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Institute is the global leader in Product, Data, and Design training and certification programs for working professionals. Learn more at www.pragmaticinstitute.com.