Product Powers - Human Skills for Product Thinkers to Thrive in the Age of AI

Hosted by Future-proof your product career by mastering the human skills that AI can’t replicate easily—creativity, collaboration, and communication.

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Mar 2026

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About the show

Do you want to future-proof your product career in the age of AI? Join Paddy Dhanda, Director of Product Management and Agile Practices at the UK’s largest technology trainer, as he helps product people master the human skills AI can’t replicate easily. Each episode delivers research-backed insights and practical tools to boost your creativity, collaboration, and communication, the essential superpowers for today’s product thinkers! www.superpowers.school

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March 17, 202635 min

My 13-Year-Old Built a 3D Game in a Week Using Vibe Coding (No Coding Skills Required)

What happens when you hand a 13-year-old an AI coding tool and zero instructions? In this special episode, Paddy hosts his son Arjan for a hands-on look at vibe coding — the AI-powered approach to building software using nothing but natural language prompts.Together they walk through Dolphin Quest, the fully functioning 3D game Arjan built using Replit Agent in roughly a week — complete with combat mechanics, an in-game economy, AI-generated dolphin artwork, multiple worlds, achievements, and boss battles. No coding experience required.Whether you're a product manager, business analyst, developer, or just curious about AI, this episode shows what's possible when you combine human creativity with the latest AI tools.What vibe coding is and why it's gone mainstream in 2026Live demo of Dolphin Quest — a 3D game built entirely by a teenager using AIHow Replit Agent plans, builds, tests, and debugs its own codeThe prompting techniques that worked (and the mistakes to avoid)Why creativity and domain knowledge matter more than coding skillsPractical tips for anyone wanting to start vibe coding todayTimestamps00:00 Introducing Arjun and Vibe Coding02:35 What Makes a Great Game03:31 Early Creativity and Dolphin Obsession06:30 The Vibe Coding Experiment Setup08:53 Tool Choice and Prompting Tips14:35 Dolphin Quest Demo Begins16:21 Worlds, Chests, and AI Dolphins18:22 Submarine Speed and Cheats Testing21:18 Achievements and Boss Combat26:21 Build Time and No-Code Reality30:06 Refinements and Vibe Coding Advice31:47 Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.Host: Paddy DhandaPaddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.schoolSubscribe to my newsletter:👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribe Get full access to Product Powers at www.superpowers.school/subscribe

November 18, 202546 min

Bliss, Not Burnout: How To Cope With Pressure

Dr. Roberta Garceau shares insights from her book 'Bliss Not Burnout,' emphasising the importance of finding the gift in adversity, practising self-care through self-awareness, and the transformative power of vulnerability.00:00 Introduction02:41 Exploring the Concept of Bliss07:36 The Gift in Adversity14:37 Navigating Career Challenges and Personal Growth20:22 Supporting Growth Through Adversity25:15 The Wisdom of Parenting and Leadership26:40 The Importance of Health and Small Steps to Wellness28:29 Integrative Healthcare and Ancient Wisdom30:48 Balancing Physical and Mental Health33:33 Making Exercise a Priority38:45 Dealing with Stress Through Breath and Mindfulness42:29 A Positive Perspective on Work Challenges45:06 Final Thoughts and Resources⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.Host: Paddy DhandaPaddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.schoolSubscribe to my newsletter:👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribe Get full access to Product Powers at www.superpowers.school/subscribe

October 15, 202530 min

How to Lead Creatively: Insights from the World’s Creativity Explorer

Fredrik Haren, a 'creativity explorer,' shares insights from his extensive global journey covering 75 countries, explaining how different cultures perceive and harness creativity. He highlights the importance of understanding one's personal creative process and environment, debunking the myth that creativity is facilitated solely through structured processes and techniques. Instead, he emphasises the role of inspiration and the need to balance it with actual creative production. Frederick also discusses his upcoming book 'The World of Creativity,' which explores diverse perspectives on creativity across different cultures and professions. 00:00 Introduction01:07 Meet Fredrik Haren: The Creativity Explorer02:37 Defining Creativity: Perspectives and Insights06:59 Global Exploration of Creativity14:05 The Role of Environment in Creativity16:47 Exploring Your Creative Process with AI17:48 Creating a Culture of Innovation in Teams18:36 Understanding Group Creative Processes20:23 The Myth of Brainstorming21:26 Unique Creative Journeys22:30 Fredrik's Speaking Insights25:15 The World of Creativity Book26:28 The Essence of Curiosity28:58 Connecting with Fredrik30:22 Conclusion and FarewellLinkedIn* Connect with Fredrik Haren⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.Host: Paddy DhandaPaddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.schoolSubscribe to my newsletter:👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribe Get full access to Product Powers at www.superpowers.school/subscribe

October 7, 202553 min

Dr Maya Ackerman on Creative Machines: AI, Art & Us

Dr. Maya Ackerman is a generative AI pioneer, CEO of WaveAI, and author of Creative Machines: AI, Art, and Us. In this episode, we dive deep into what it means for machines to be creative, how to build AI that empowers humans, and why the real threat isn’t AI itself, but how we choose to use it.Takeaways1. AI is Already Creative (Whether We Like It or Not)2. “Humble Creative Machines” Should Be the Goal3. ChatGPT Succeeded Because It Feels Like a Partner4. The Real Bottleneck Isn’t Model Size, It’s Interaction5. AI Music Creation Is Evolving Fast6. We’re Underestimating Human Intelligence7. Advice for Parents and Young Creatives8. The Real Threat? Greed.Resources & Links* Maya’s book: Creative Machines: AI, Art, and Us* WaveAI – Tools for songwriters* LyricStudio00:00 AI Art Shocks the World01:38 Introducing Dr. Maya Ackerman04:27 The Journey into Generative AI08:49 The Rise of Creative Machines24:00 Exploring AI in Music26:53 AI and Music Diversity28:41 AI's Commercial Focus vs. Creativity29:58 The Future of AI and Human Roles35:22 Advice for the Next Generation40:37 The Importance of Adaptability43:58 Challenges in AI Development46:51 The Misuse of AI in Search Engines50:17 Final Thoughts ⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.Host: Paddy DhandaPaddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.schoolSubscribe to my newsletter:👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribe Get full access to Product Powers at www.superpowers.school/subscribe

September 23, 202536 min

Master Product Discovery with AI - John Gordon

John Gordon shares his journey from the military to launching his startup, Acelo, focusing on AI-driven automation in sales and marketing.He demonstrates the practical applications of AI in building product requirement documents without any code, emphasising the importance of context engineering.Key takeaways for product people include:1) The importance of context engineering in AI to avoid hallucination.2) Utilising low-code tools like n8n and make.com for automation.3) The significant shift from code writing to mastering requirements documentation.4) Emphasising the reduction of manual tasks, allowing more time for strategic product thinking and client interactions.00:00 Introduction00:57 Meet John Gordon: From Military to AI Innovator03:17 The Rise of AI in Product Development07:38 Understanding AI Agents and Context Engineering09:13 Live Demo: Building a Requirements Document with AI19:17 Practical Applications and Workflow Automation29:22 Getting Started with AI Tools and Automation35:27 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsResources mentioned in the episode:https://www.youtube.com/@TheAIAutomatorshttps://www.youtube.com/@nateherkhttps://www.youtube.com/@StephenGPopehttps://www.youtube.com/@ColeMedinContact:https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-gordon-39135287/https://www.linkedin.com/in/stuart-martin-3aa28490/⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.Host: Paddy DhandaPaddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.schoolSubscribe to my newsletter:👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribe Get full access to Product Powers at www.superpowers.school/subscribe

September 16, 202545 min

The Question is the Answer and Why Great Leaders Don’t Give the Best Answers

Laura Ashley-Timms, COO of Notion and co-author of 'The Answer is a Question,' discusses the revolutionary impact of operational coaching. Laura shares insights from a comprehensive study with the London School of Economics, revealing how operational coaching can significantly enhance productivity, collaboration, and job satisfaction. Practical scenarios, such as dealing with urgent problems and delivering bad news, are explored to illustrate the effectiveness of the STAR model. The episode also highlights the emotional and practical benefits of adopting this coaching style in personal and professional settings, emphasizing its universal applicability and potential to transform workplace cultures.00:00 Introduction03:06 Meet Laura Ashley-Timms: A Global Leader in Coaching04:08 The Missing Superpower: Operational Coaching13:15 The STAR Model: A Framework for Effective Management18:41 Applying the STAR Model in Real Scenarios23:04 Managing Overwhelm and Taking on Too Much23:22 Delivering Bad News with Empathy24:11 Preparing for Challenging Conversations28:38 Surprising Research Findings on Coaching33:27 Measuring the Impact of Coaching36:34 AI's Role in Future Management39:02 Applying Coaching Techniques in Personal Life41:28 Abolishing the Line Manager Lottery44:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.Host: Paddy DhandaPaddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.schoolSubscribe to my newsletter:👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribeGuest: Laura Ashley-TimmsLaura Ashley-Timms is recognised as one of the UK’s top Executive Coaches and is the co-creator of the STAR® model (2010) and the multi-award-winning STAR® Manager program (STARmanager.global).She is an expert and thought leader on how to leverage Operational Coaching™ behaviors across organizations to drive commercial results and improve productivity and engagement levels.As the co-founder and COO of Notion, a performance improvement consultancy established in 2000, Laura has led the team to win a string of awards for innovation, learning design and academic partnerships and for its work with FTSE and Fortune 500 clients, including Personnel Today magazine's prestigious Learning & Development Supplier of the Year award in 2021.The Answer is a QuestionLinkedIn Get full access to Product Powers at www.superpowers.school/subscribe

September 9, 202537 min

Rewiring Your Mind for AI with Dr David Wood

This week on the podcast I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dr David Wood, Glenn D. Ardis Professor of Accounting at Brigham Young University, prolific author of over 200 publications, and the mind behind the new book Rewiring Your Mind for AI. David is not only an academic voice in accounting, but a leading thinker on how artificial intelligence is reshaping the way we learn, work, and create.He discusses the concept of neuroplasticity, the growth of AI capabilities, and the importance of a transformational mindset in leveraging AI. The conversation highlights the rapid evolution of AI and its dual potential to enhance or disrupt various aspects of life and work.00:00 Masako Wakamiya's Coding Journey03:06 Meet Dr David Wood: Integrating AI in Education04:26 The Role of AI in Modern Education05:55 AI as a Superpower: Transforming Knowledge Access07:48 Rewiring Your Mind for AI14:04 The Future of Jobs in an AI-Driven World18:25 Embracing AI: From Fear to Transformation19:39 Mindset Shift: Embracing AI for Personal Growth20:21 The Journey of Writing a Book with AI23:31 AI's Rapid Advancement and Future Potential26:53 Creative Uses of AI in Everyday Tasks28:28 Feedback and Future Predictions for AI34:13 Concluding Thoughts⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.Host: Paddy DhandaPaddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.schoolSubscribe to my newsletter:👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribeGuest: Dr. David A. WoodDr. David A. Wood is passionate about understanding new technologies and implementing them into the curriculum of Brigham Young University, where he works as the Glenn D. Ardis professor of accounting. He has published over 200 articles in a combination of respected academic and practitioner journals, monographs, books, and cases, including a recently released book on AI titled, “Rewiring your Mind for AI: How to Think, Work, and Thrive in the Age of Intelligence”. He has been awarded more than 30 awards for teaching, research, and service contributions. He has helped companies and organizations around the world learn about and implement GenAI and other tech topics. In 2023, he was named by Accounting Today one of the 100 most influential people in accounting. He is a cocreator of a free generative AI governance framework (see here), and of two companies related to GenAI training and reviewing Excel workpapers (http://skillabyte.com/ and https://hiddenhawkai.com). Get full access to Product Powers at www.superpowers.school/subscribe

July 23, 202536 min

How to Build Communities of Practice That Actually Work (In a Virtual World, With Real Impact)

Originally recorded for: Comparative Agility Podcast with Dee RhodaIn this episode, Dee Rhoda chats with Superpowers School host Paddy Dhanda (yes, that's me!) about how Communities of Practice (CoPs) can go from being side projects to powerful tools for collaboration, culture, and learning.Drawing from my experience of leading one of the UK's most vibrant visual thinking communities, and creating a new Communities of Practice Health Check with Comparative Agility, I share practical insights on what actually keeps communities alive, what causes them to fizzle out, and how community leaders can stop chasing vanity metrics and start focusing on real impact.00:00 Introduction00:20 Deep Dive into Communities of Practice01:03 Comparative Agility and the Health Check Survey05:43 Challenges and Solutions in Community Engagement18:45 The 90-9-1 Rule of Participation23:12 Virtual Communities and Visual Thinking30:05 The Role of AI in Communities of Practice34:48 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsTry the Communities of Practice Health Check from Comparative Agility: Click HereThis episode was first recorded for the Comparative Agility Podcast, hosted by the brilliant Dee Rhoda. Get full access to Product Powers at www.superpowers.school/subscribe

July 15, 202535 min

The Value-Driven Business Analyst with Laura Brandenburg

Laura Brandenburg, an internationally recognised leader in business analysis, shares insights from her new book, 'Value-Driven Business Analyst,' She discusses the importance of aligning business analysis with organisational outcomes. We delve into her eight-step business analysis process, the significance of being value-driven, and how to leverage AI in the field. Laura also talks about her journey into business analysis, her motivations for writing the book, and addresses how business analysts can future-proof their careers in an AI-driven world. 00:00 Introduction 01:35 The Role and Impact of Business Analysts03:15 Laura's Journey and Insights into Business Analysis05:36 The Value-Driven Business Analyst23:11 The Eight-Step Business Analysis Process26:01 Future-Proofing with AI in Business Analysis31:13 Sustainability and Business Value33:57 Conclusion and Farewell⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.Host: Paddy DhandaPaddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.schoolSubscribe to my newsletter:👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribeGuest: Laura BrandenburgLaura Brandenburg, CBAP, is an internationally-recognized leader who helps mid-career professionals start and thrive in business analysis careers. She is the founder of Bridging the Gap, author of The Value-Driven Business Analyst and How to Start a Business Analyst Career, and creator of The Business Analyst Blueprint® training program. With over 20 years of experience, Laura is passionate about building the profession one business analyst at a time and empowering others to achieve confidence and success.Book: https://www.bridging-the-gap.com/value/YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BridgingtheGapBALinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurabrandenburg/ Get full access to Product Powers at www.superpowers.school/subscribe

July 1, 202557 min

6 Skills You Need for the Future of Work: Rethinking Work - Rishad Tobaccowala

Rishad Tobaccowala, a renowned author and futurist, shares insights from his latest book 'Rethinking Work' and provides actionable advice on how individuals can future-proof their careers. The episode also delves into the significance of creativity, continuous learning, and leveraging technology to enhance one's professional journey.00:00 Introduction 03:08 The Importance of Physical Books06:43 Rishad's Two Careers: Job vs. Work14:42 The Future of Work: Key Changes and Predictions17:40 The Role of AI and the Changing Ecosystem21:13 Rethinking Office Culture and Collaboration29:40 Future-Proofing Your Career: The Six Cs30:39 Introduction to Creativity and AI32:11 The Importance of Storytelling32:48 Future-Proofing Skills33:39 The Role of Writing and Speaking34:31 The Book Writing Process37:22 Investing in AI Tools39:18 Taking Control of Your Career41:12 The Connection Between Work and Well-being42:38 Exploring the Future of Work48:12 Advice for the Next Generation55:20 Final Thoughts and Resources⚡️ In each episode, Paddy Dhanda deep dives into a new human Superpower to help you thrive in the age of AI.Host: Paddy DhandaPaddy works at the largest Tech training organisation in the UK and is passionate about helping tech professionals build human skills to thrive in the age of AI.Contact Paddy: paddy@superpowers.schoolSubscribe to my newsletter:👉 Newsletter: https://www.superpowers.school/subscribeGuest: Rishad TobaccowalaAuthor, futurist, and one of the most respected voices in business reinvention. With over 40 years of experience advising some of the world’s biggest brands, Rishad has been named by BusinessWeek as one of the top business leaders and by TIME magazine as a marketing innovator. He’s the author of the bestselling book Restoring the Soul of Business and his latest, Rethinking Work, challenges us to redesign work to be more human, more purposeful, and more future-ready. He also writes a brilliant weekly thought-letter, read by over 30,000 leaders worldwide, and hosts the podcast What Next?Website: https://rishadtobaccowala.com/ Get full access to Product Powers at www.superpowers.school/subscribe

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