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What happens when a great engineer becomes the boss? In this episode, we sit down with Pete Steege, B2B growth strategist and founder of B2B Clarity, about the unique challenges faced by “accidental CEOs” – technical experts who find themselves in leadership roles without a roadmap. Drawing parallels to product managers (many of whom also come from technical backgrounds), Pete explores how engineering minds can shift from designing systems to building businesses. You’ll learn how to define your “true story,” align around a bullseye market, and foster a culture of clarity and accountability. Plus, Pete shares tools you can use to eliminate friction and scale smart. For takeaways, tools, and a free assessment, visit: b2b-clarity.com/chat Learn more at: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts

How do you go from strategy to better sales without getting stuck in planning mode? In this episode, we sit down with Simon Severino, CEO of Strategy Sprints and a sales strategist who’s helped clients generate over $2 billion in revenue. Drawing from his background in psychology and two decades of experience, Simone shares his sprint-based framework that brings together product, marketing, and sales to make fast, high-impact decisions every week. From leveraging community as a marketing engine to turning experiments into long-term wins, Simon offers practical tools to help teams collaborate better, measure progress, and create what he calls a high "Return on Luck." Visit strategysprints.com for free downloadable tools and templates. 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 if you could predict consumer behavior—without running a single survey or focus group?  In this episode, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Avi Yashchin, founder and CEO of Subconscious AI, to explore how synthetic respondents and causal AI are transforming the world of market research.   Avi shares how his background in high-frequency trading, behavioral economics, and product management at IBM Watson and Two Sigma led him to reimagine how businesses gain customer insights.  Subconscious AI’s platform delivers what Avi calls “SimCity for Market Research”—a behavioral simulation that replaces traditional research with faster, more ethical, and scientifically grounded modeling. From shrinking the say-do gap to exploring causation (not just correlation), Avi outlines a powerful vision for the next era of insight.  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 certific

What does it take to move from product management into the CEO seat and thrive once you get there? In this episode, we are joined by Marc Rubner, CEO of Building Intelligence, to trace his journey from marketing analyst to B2B product leader at American Express to top executive. Marc shares how product thinking gave him a head start in executive decision-making and prioritization but also where PMs often hit blind spots when transitioning into broader leadership. He dives into how successful go-to-market strategies require true collaboration between product, marketing, and sales – and why alignment, accountability, and repeatable processes are essential for 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.

What’s the secret to getting your product not just built—but sold, used, and loved? In this episode, we sit down with Ciara Peter, SVP of Product at Robin, to explore the full lifecycle of product success from early design decisions to sales enablement and in-app education. With nearly two decades of experience at companies like Salesforce, Box, and Medallia, Ciara shares tactical strategies for making your product easy to sell and adopt. She emphasizes the product manager’s role in business outcomes, detailing how to align with sales, enable customer-facing teams, and build onboarding experiences that actually drive engagement. 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 makes product management in startups so different—and what lessons can translate back to enterprise? In this episode, we welcome Arturo Piña, founder of The Startup Agency, angel investor, and President of ProductCamp Austin. Arturo shares insights from his work offering fractional product management and strategy services for early-stage startups, and compares those experiences with his time in larger enterprise environments. From hands-on execution and GTM hustle to building alignment through a strong North Star metric, Arturo outlines the unique role of product managers in startups and the key takeaways enterprise teams can adopt to stay nimble, focused, and customer-connected. Tune in for a thoughtful discussion on structure, speed, stakeholder dynamics, and how product leaders can thrive at any company stage. 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 certificati

How can vulnerability, mentorship, and purpose reshape a career—and a company culture? In this episode of the Product Chats, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Steve Chambers, a seasoned tech executive, educator, and advocate, for a powerful conversation on identity, leadership, and transformation. From his early days in acting to executive roles in AI and robotics, Steve shares the deeply personal experiences—coming out in the workplace, surviving leukemia, and pivoting to educational technology—that have shaped his approach to business and life. Steve opens up about building inclusive workplaces, creating psychological safety, and mentoring the next generation of leaders. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone who wants to lead with more empathy, clarity, and authenticity. For 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 ww

What happens when you apply product management principles to mission-driven work? In this episode, host Rebecca Kalogeris is joined by Neil Baron, Matthew Anderson, and Rod Griffith to discuss a compelling case study of their work with Mosaic Interfaith Youth Action—a nonprofit dedicated to building bridges across diverse communities. Mosaic had traditionally operated as a summer camp but needed a new approach to grow its impact. Neil and his team at Baron Strategic Partners used Pragmatic principles to reimagine the organization’s value proposition, realign its mission, and design scalable programs. Through stakeholder interviews, messaging refinement, and deep market understanding, they uncovered barriers to participation and helped Mosaic evolve from a camp to a year-round movement. This episode is a masterclass in how product strategies can drive social impact—and a reminder that great product work starts with empathy, alignment, and clarity. For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragm

What if AI could do more than just chat—what if it could take action on your behalf? In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Sam Mallikarjunan, Growth Lead at Agent AI, to explore the transformative potential of AI agents. Unlike traditional generative AI, these AI-driven agents automate workflows, enhance productivity, and reshape customer interactions—without requiring coding expertise. Sam shares real-world applications, from AI-powered business development and customer service to automated research and personalized communication. He also unpacks the AI-operator model, a concept shaping the next wave of AI capabilities, and explains how leaders can balance automation with human oversight. Tune in to learn how AI agents can streamline operations, enhance personalization, and drive innovation—while keeping leadership aware of the ethical and strategic implications of these tools. For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.c

We’re at day zero of AI—so how can product managers keep up without getting left behind?  In this episode, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Ron Green, AI expert, serial entrepreneur, and Co-founder & CTO of KUNGFU.AI. Ron has nearly 30 years of experience in AI, having overseen deployments across healthcare, government, retail, real estate, and financial services. He’s also the host of Hidden Layers: Exploring the People and Tech Behind AI, where he dives into the latest advancements shaping the industry.  Ron shares his insider perspective on AI’s rapid evolution, from the surprising power of generative AI (genAI) to the game-changing impact of reasoning models. He explains how these advancements are changing both the answers we get and the questions we ask, unlocking new capabilities while also introducing new risks.  For product professionals wondering how to integrate AI without getting overwhelmed, Ron offers practical advice:  Make sure you’re solving a real problem.  If you don’t see at le

What if you approached your career the same way you approach product management—strategically, iteratively, and with a clear roadmap?  In this episode of Product Chats, we’re joined by Kirsten Butzow, product leadership expert, to explore a structured, strategic approach to career management. Kirsten introduces a three-phase career framework—Do, Build, and Catalyst—each lasting approximately 10-12 years, guiding professionals through skill development, leadership growth, and long-term impact.  She explains how early career phases focus on honing skills and defining a niche, mid-career success depends on achieving through others, and later stages are about accelerating people, systems, and processes. Kirsten also shares why planning your exit isn’t a final step, but an integrated part of career growth at every stage.  Tune in for insights on managing your career with the same strategic mindset you apply to your products.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resource

What if the key to product success isn’t just the product itself, but how well you tell its story?  In this episode of the Product Chats Podcast, host Rebecca Kalogeris welcomes Blair Bryant Nichols, owner of BBN Creative Management and an expert in strategic speaking platforms. Blair helps business leaders refine their public speaking and storytelling skills, guiding them to craft compelling narratives that engage stakeholders and customers alike.  Blair shares practical strategies for product professionals to communicate more effectively, from overcoming the fear of public speaking to structuring stories that resonate. He discusses why your persona—not your product—is the hero of your story and explains how framing narratives around audience needs, rather than features, creates lasting impact.  Tune in to discover actionable tips for crafting compelling narratives, delivering memorable presentations, and building confidence as a speaker—whether on stage, in internal meetings, or with customers.  For detail

What separates the companies that succeed in digital transformation from the 73% that fail to deliver any business value?  In this episode, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with John Rossman, former Amazon executive, best-selling author, and renowned business advisor, to discuss his latest book, Big Bet Leadership: Your Transformation Playbook for Winning in the Hyper-Digital Era.  John shares his expertise on Big Bets—high-stakes initiatives designed to tackle wicked problems and drive disruptive innovation. He explains why most Big Bets fail (hint: it’s a lack of clearly defined vectors) and outlines a structured approach for leaders looking to manage risk, navigate uncertainty, and drive transformation successfully.  From his time launching Amazon Marketplace in 2002 to advising the Gates Foundation and T-Mobile, John has seen firsthand what it takes to execute ambitious, high-risk initiatives. He introduces the Big Bet Leadership Framework, which focuses on three pillars: Thinking, Environment, and Manag

How can organizations move beyond one-off feedback projects and build continuous customer listening programs that drive real change?  In this episode of the Product Chats, host Rebecca Kalogeris is joined by Zach Golden, Director at Anova Consulting Group, and special guest Steve Stano, Executive Director of Marketing at one of Wall Street's leading investment banks. Together, they explore the power of treating win-loss analysis as an ongoing program rather than a one-time project.  Steve and Zach discuss how continuous feedback loops provide deeper insights, improve business decision-making, and enhance customer retention. They provide actionable strategies to improve collaboration across departments and transform customer insights into business decisions that directly boost revenue.   Learn practical ways to keep leadership engaged, overcome challenges, and turn customer data into effective business strategies.   For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podc

How can product managers set themselves up for success in the first 90 days of a new role?  This week we talk with Amy Graham, Pragmatic Institute instructor and product management expert, about best practices for navigating the critical first three months in a new job. Amy shares actionable strategies to build relationships, understand team dynamics, and map out an effective 90-day plan that balances learning with producing results.  From conducting a market knowledge audit to identifying internal influencers, Amy explains how product managers can quickly acclimate to a new organization while avoiding common pitfalls like making assumptions or bringing baggage from past roles. She emphasizes the importance of listening, adaptability, and establishing trust as foundational steps for long-term success.  Tune in to hear Amy’s expert advice on how to hit the ground running in your new role and drive meaningful impact from day one.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/

How do you build trust and alignment with stakeholders to ensure product success?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, we’re joined by Bruce McCarthy, renowned product management expert and author, to explore the often-overlooked art of stakeholder management. Drawing insights from his latest book Aligned: Stakeholder Management for Product Leaders, Bruce emphasizes that product management isn’t just about creating roadmaps and specs—it’s about fostering collaboration, building trust, and managing expectations across teams.  Bruce introduces key concepts like "sharp skills"—the soft skills critical for stakeholder engagement—and the "stakeholder canvas," a practical tool for mapping stakeholders and understanding their motivations. From co-creating strategies to navigating difficult stakeholder relationships, Bruce offers actionable advice to help product managers elevate their collaboration and communication skills.  Tune in to learn how to manage stakeholders effectively and align teams a

How can AI revolutionize the way businesses operate and innovate?  Kevin Dean, founder and CEO of ManoByte, helps you uncover the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI). With over 15 years of experience in AI-driven business transformation, Kevin shares how AI can turn overwhelming data into actionable insights, streamline operations, and improve customer experiences.  Kevin highlights real-world examples, including how Travelocity and HubSpot leveraged AI to drastically reduce customer service tickets and improve satisfaction. He also explains how AI tools can accelerate innovation, as shown by a client who refactored core application code in four months instead of three years.   From selecting the right tools to piloting AI initiatives effectively, Kevin offers practical guidance for integrating AI into your business strategy. Tune in to learn how to navigate the crowded AI landscape and use AI to shape the future of your organization.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit:

How do great product leaders consistently make impactful decisions?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Phil Hornby, seasoned product leader, coach, and technologist, to explore the frameworks behind effective decision-making in product management.   Learn how to prioritize the decisions with the highest leverage, balance intuition, data, and feedback, and empower teams to take meaningful action. Phil emphasizes the importance of bringing stakeholders along in the decision-making process, codifying key decisions into repeatable product principles, and implementing decisions with clarity and context to ensure alignment across teams.  Tune in to learn how to make smarter, faster, and more collaborative 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. Lear

What does it take to create truly differentiated products in a competitive market?  In this episode, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Todd Bracher, founder of BRACHER and a leader in the world of industrial design and strategic innovation. With over 25 years of experience collaborating with iconic brands like 3M, Georg Jensen, and Issey Miyake, Todd introduces the concept of contextual design—a method that goes beyond aesthetics to consider the broader ecosystem of user needs, market dynamics, and organizational goals.  Todd shares insights from his new book, Design in Context: A Framework for Strategic Differentiation, and discusses how design can serve as a bridge between business objectives and end-user needs. From leveraging tools like the Market Efficacy Index to exploring groundbreaking technologies like UVC germicidal light, Todd demonstrates how design, when rooted in context, becomes a powerful driver of innovation and business success.  Tune in to explore the intersection of design, business,

Why does storytelling remain the cornerstone of impactful content marketing?  In this episode, Rebecca Kalogeris hosts Rachel Hernandez, Director of Brand Strategy at NextNet Media. Rachel shares her expertise in creating authentic, audience-centered content and the transformative power of storytelling in building lasting brand connections.  From using the Hero’s Journey framework to tailoring B2B marketing strategies, Rachel explores how creativity and authenticity differentiate brands in a crowded marketplace. She also discusses the evolving role of generative AI in content creation, balancing its benefits with the irreplaceable value of human creativity.  Tune in to rediscover the timeless principles of storytelling and learn how to craft content that resonates, builds trust, and drives engagement.  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