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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

What does it take to design customer experiences that truly resonate?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Cairo Keenan Marsh, founder and executive partner of Relativ*, to explore the critical role of relationship-driven customer experiences in today’s market. Cairo draws from his extensive experience working with major brands across the U.S. and Asia to explain why understanding customer problems is the foundation of creating impactful experiences.  The conversation uncovers the key differences between customer journeys and customer experiences, emphasizing that every interaction shapes a customer’s perception of a brand. Cairo highlights the need for businesses to design with both the tangible results customers want and the emotions they experience along the way. From blending data and creativity to navigating cultural differences in global markets, Cairo shares practical advice for companies looking to strengthen relationships and deliver meaningful

How do you activate a brand to create authentic connections with your audience?  In this episode, Jim Pietruszynski, CEO of SoulSight, shares the critical process of brand activation—bringing a brand’s identity, values, and messaging to life to deeply engage both B2B and B2C audiences. Soulsight is a brand design agency with over 30 years of experience building iconic brands for global leaders like Kraft Heinz, Coca-Cola, and Pfizer.   The discussion highlights the unique challenges of B2B branding, where more human touchpoints exist within an organization, making brand activation tricky. Jim also touches on the importance of aligning a brand’s story with its mission, avoiding shortcuts like influencer reliance, and fostering emotional connections that resonate long-term.  Tune in to discover strategies for communicating your brand, building authentic relationships with your audience, and creating change within even the most risk-averse organizations.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www

What’s the secret to setting prices that truly reflect the value you deliver?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris reconnects with pricing expert Mark Stiving for an in-depth look at how understanding value can transform pricing strategies. From Uber’s segmentation strategies to the “good-better-best” approach, Mark shares real-world examples and actionable advice to help you capture more value through strategic pricing.  Learn about the six key areas where you can identify pricing opportunities, and hear Mark’s recommendations on how to overcome the common fears around raising prices.   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. 

Wondering how AI fits into the day-to-day work of product managers?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris talks with Dan Corbin, a Pragmatic Institute instructor and expert in AI-driven product management. Dan explores AI's transformative power and shows how PMs can use it as thought partners, problem validators, and data analysts. From market discovery to roadmap prioritization, Dan explains practical ways to leverage AI to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving product landscape.  Learn how AI tools can support you in conducting customer research, validating market problems, optimizing data analysis, and creating a more collaborative development process. Dan shares strategies for using AI to enhance creativity and reduce cognitive load, while emphasizing the importance of retaining the human touch in product management.  Tune in to learn how to integrate AI into your daily work and supercharge your product management skills!  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more,

How can companies align sales and product marketing through deep market insights?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris chats with Brady Jensen, founder of Clear, about the importance of bridging the trust gap between sales and product marketing teams. Drawing from his experience in tech sales, product marketing, and entrepreneurship, Brady shares how relying solely on internal feedback can erode trust—and why companies must engage directly with the market to validate assumptions.  Brady emphasizes that credibility is the foundation of effective sales enablement, and the key to building that credibility lies in first-party research. From win/loss analysis to persistent market interviews, Brady reveals how gathering actionable insights improves messaging, product differentiation, and collaboration. Tune in for practical advice on harmonizing sales and product marketing to achieve business success.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitu

What makes some deals a win and others a loss?  In this episode of the Pragmatic Product Chat Series, host Rebecca Kalogeris sits down with Zach Golden, Director at Anova Consulting Group, to explore how win loss analysis can be a game-changer for product managers and business leaders. Zach explains how this powerful tool uncovers customer preferences, competitive dynamics, and product-market fit—helping companies refine their strategies and sharpen their competitive edge.  Learn why qualitative research is essential, how to use storytelling to highlight customer pain points, and how sharing win loss insights across teams can foster collaboration. Zach also offers tips on turning customer feedback into clear, actionable insights that improve both product strategies and customer retention.  Tune in to discover how win loss analysis can help you win more deals and make smarter product decisions.  For detailed takeaways, show notes, and more, visit: www.pragmaticinstitute.com/resources/podcasts  Pragmatic Insti

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 mo