Product Academy Tough Stuff
Episodes
#24: How do I build up my confidence? - with Parveen Downer (Career Coach, PM instructor, Speaker, Stand-up Comedian)
27 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Francesca Cortesi and Parveen Downer explore the concept of confidence, emphasizing that it is a skill that can be developed rather t...
#23: Is it worth switching to Shape Up? - with Stéphane Turquay (Principal Product Manager at Smallpdf)
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Tanja Lau and Stéphane Turquay discuss the Shape Up methodology, a product development framework that emphasizes fixed timeline...
#22 How do I avoid feeling like an imposter when I’ve been promoted? - with Caroline Clark (Leadership Consultant and Coach)
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Francesca Cortesi and Caroline Clark talk about the complexities of imposter feelings, exploring their prevalence, the impact of perf...
#21: How do I navigate cultural and value differences at work? -with Alena Ipanova (Cultural Intelligence Expert and Trainer)
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Francesca Cortesi and Alena Ipanova dig into the complexities of navigating cultural differences in the workplace, especially fo...
#20: How do I manage my time better? - with Todd Birzer (Product Management Leader)
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dive into the latest episode of Product Acaemy Tough Stuff Season 3, where Francesca and Todd Birzer tackle one of the most challenging questions in t...
#19: How do I do discovery in hardware? -with Kai Stevens (Product Leader & Discovery Coach)
05 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Francesca Cortesi and Kai Stevens discuss the complexities of conducting discovery in hardware. They explore the unique challenges faced in hardware d...
#18 How do I develop products for internal users? - with Corinne Ruckstuhl (PM for Data & AI at SRF)
22 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Corinne Ruckstuhl (Product Manager Data & AI at SRF) shares her insights on transitioning to internal product management, di...
#17 How do I know I’ve done enough discovery? - with Tim Herbig (Product Management Coach)
08 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Francesca Cortesi and Tim Herbig dive into one of the trickiest questions in product: how do you know when you’ve done enough discovery?They talk ab...
#16 How do I delight my customers? - with Nesrine Changuel (Product Coach & Trainer, ex-Google, Spotify, Microsoft )
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Tanja Lau and Nesrine Changuel explore the concept of customer delight, emphasizing the importance of emotional connections in p...
#15 How do I speak the language of money? -with Rich Mironov (40-year B2B product mgmt veteran)
03 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Francesca Cortesi and Rich Mironov discuss product managers' challenges in quantifying their initiatives and communicating effec...
#14 How do I break into product management? - with Justin Groep (PM at Neho)
20 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Tanja Lau interviews Justin Groep about his journey from working as a barista in South Africa to securing a product management r...
#13 How do I balance short- and long-term goals? - with Alexander Hipp (Founder of Beyond)
06 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
SUMMARYIn this conversation, Francesca Cortesi and Alexander Hipp discuss the challenges of balancing long-term and short-term goals in product manage...
#12 How do I balance parenting and product work - with Vanaja Sriskandarajah (Director of Product at Raisin)
20 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Tanja Lau and Vanaja Sriskandarajah discuss the challenges and changes that come with balancing parenthood and a career in produ...
Episode #11 How do I make OKRs work? -Radhika Dutt (Author of Radical Product Thinking)
06 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Radhika Dutt and Francesca Cortesi discuss the challenges of implementing OKRs (Objectives and Key Results) in organizations, em...
#10 Main Take-Aways of Season 1 - with Francesca Cortesi and Tanja Lau
27 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
SUMMARY In this special episode, Francesca Cortesi and Tanja Lau share their main takeaways from season 1 of Tough Stuff. CHAPTERS 00:50 Francesca’...
#9 How do I regain product-market fit? - Nina Schneider (CPO Sherpany)
18 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Francesca Cortesi and Nina Schneider talk about market fit, exploring its definition, the challenges of maintaining it, and str...
#8 How do I acquire an entrepreneurial mindset? - with Sebastian Schuon (Co-Founder of Alasco & Schub)
11 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Tanja Lau and Sebastian explore the concept of an entrepreneurial mindset, discussing its definition, key traits, and how it can...
#7 How do I align my product strategy? - Erik Almenberg (CPO Kognity)
04 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Francesca Cortesi and Erik Almenberg discuss how to align a product strategy, emphasizing the importance of shared insights and ...
#6 How do I get better at managing up? - with Petra Wille (Product Leadership Coach)
27 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Is your boss a micro-manager? Or do you wish for more guidance and clarity about the product strategy? In this conversation, Tanja Lau and Petra Wil...
#5 How can I use AI effectively? - with Stephanie Leue (Group PM at Ringier)
20 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Francesca Cortesi and Stephanie Leue explore the implications of AI in product management, discussing how AI can enhance effici...
#4 How do I avoid over-customizing my B2B product? - with Julia Bastian (Product Lead at Alasco)
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Julia & Tanja discuss the challenges of over-customization in B2B, particularly in the SaaS industry. How do you find a good...
#3 How do you recover when your product fails? - with Pippa Topp (Coach & Consultant at EQ Product Group)
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Francesca Cortesi and Pippa Topp discuss the challenges faced by product leaders when crises arise, particularly focusing on th...
#2 Does talking about burnout harm my career? - with Dominique Jost (Head of Product at Doist)
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this conversation, Tanja Lau and Dominique Jost discuss the topic of burnout and its impact on careers. They explore the importance of owning one's...
#1 What makes a Senior PM senior? - with Chiedza Muguti
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
OUR GUEST Chiedza Muguti, Consultant Business Analyst at World Health Organisation (WHO) Chiedza is an experienced product strategist with a cus...