Best Tom Leung Podcasts (2025)

1
The Difference Between Encouragement and Truth: Lessons From Building What People Actually Need 39:53

Play Pause

1M ago39:53

39:53

The Interview That Sparked This Essay Joe Corkery and I worked together at Google years ago, and he has since gone on to build a venture-backed company tackling a real and systemic problem in healthcare communication. This essay is my attempt to synthesize that conversation. It is written for early and mid career PMs in Silicon Valley who want to g…

1
Atlas Gets a C+: Lessons from ChatGPT’s Browser That’s Brilliant, Broken, and Bursting with Potential 29:25

1M ago29:25

29:25

I didn’t plan to make a video today. I’d just wrapped a client call, remembered that OpenAI had released Atlas, and decided to record a quick unboxing for my Fireside PM community. I’d heard mixed things—some people raving about it, others underwhelmed—but I made a deliberate choice not to read any reviews beforehand. I wanted to go in blind, the w…

1
From Cashmere Sweaters to Billion-Dollar Lessons: What PMs Can Learn from Jason Stoffer's Analysis of Quince 39:17

2M ago39:17

39:17

Introduction One of the great joys of hosting my Fireside PM podcast is the opportunity to reconnect with people I’ve known for years and go deep into the mechanics of business building. Recently, I sat down with Jason Stoffer, partner at Maveron Capital, a venture firm with a laser focus on consumer companies. Jason and I go way back to my Seattle…

1
Learning Faster Than the Market 1:00:38

2M ago1:00:38

1:00:38

When I sit down with product leaders who’ve spent decades shaping how Silicon Valley builds products, I’m always struck by how their career arcs echo the very lessons they now teach. Michael Margolis is no exception. Michael started his career as an anthropologist, stumbled into educational software in the late 90s, helped scale Gmail during its fo…

1
From Chaos to Clarity: How AI is Rewriting the Playbook for Product Managers 1:04:20

3M ago1:04:20

1:04:20

From Chaos to Clarity: How AI is Rewriting the Playbook for Product Managers Lessons from my conversation with ex-Google PM Assaf Reifer on building tools that tame the noise, sharpen priorities, and give PMs back their most valuable resource: focus. When I think back on my time at Google, one of the highlights was building and scaling teams with i…

1
CMO Chemistry: Hiring for Fit, Firepower, and the Future 39:37

5M ago39:37

39:37

When Jess Gilmartin talks, I listen. If you've been in Silicon Valley long enough, you might have heard of Jess. She's been a full-time CMO, a founder, a startup whisperer, and most recently, one of the sharpest advisors to CEOs I know when it comes to hiring marketing leadership that actually works. In our recent Fireside PM conversation, we went …

1
Digital Twins, Real Impact: How Palatial’s Pivot Is Fueling the Robotic Future 57:13

6M ago57:13

57:13

We’re back with a Startup Spotlight episode on the Fireside PM podcast. It’s not every day you get to speak with someone who’s straddled the worlds of architecture, gaming, AI, and robotics—and managed to turn those disparate threads into a startup tackling one of the most important problems in our robotic future. Steven Ren, the co-founder and CEO…

1
The AI Lawyer Will See You Now 56:49

6M ago56:49

56:49

Twenty-five years ago, Tim DeSieno and I were two outsiders on the tropical island of Singapore, me trying to build a startup, him fresh out of a restructuring law practice. We reconnected recently on the Fireside PM podcast, and what followed was one of the most illuminating conversations I've had this year. Tim's career arc is anything but conven…

1
From Creators to Corporations: How the Smartest Founders Are Monetizing Attention in 2025 59:14

7M ago59:14

59:14

“We Are Not in Kansas (or Creatorland) Anymore” When I kicked off this Fireside PM interview with Ben Grubbs, I knew we’d cover the creator economy. What I didn’t expect was how much of it would end up being an MBA seminar for product managers. Ben isn’t just another ex-YouTube guy with creator war stories. He’s seen the evolution of the online vid…

1
Always Be Recruiting: The New Rules of Hiring in the AI Era 1:08:35

7M ago1:08:35

1:08:35

If you had asked me five years ago whether product managers would need to worry about AI-generated job applicants or remote interviews with operatives from North Korea, I would've laughed you out of the room. But here we are. I recently sat down with Shannon Anderson, longtime recruiter and talent scout at Madrona Ventures, for an episode of the Fi…

1
From Fans to Founders: How Community-Driven Product Development Builds Better Tech (and Teams) 55:25

7M ago55:25

55:25

Hey Team, In the latest episode of the Fireside PM podcast, I had the pleasure of chatting with Jake McKee—one of the early advocates of modern community strategy in tech. Jake’s résumé is legit: he’s helped companies like Lego, Apple, and Southwest Airlines transform how they engage their most passionate users—not just as customers, but as collabo…

1
How Executive Search Really Works: Lessons from Somer Hackley for Product Leaders Navigating Uncertain Times 1:00:20

7M ago1:00:20

1:00:20

I rarely read career books cover to cover. But when I listened to Search in Plain Sight by Somer Hackley, I was hooked. It wasn’t a blog post padded into a book—this was the real deal. Structured, thorough, and full of insights that I wish I had twenty years ago. Naturally, I invited Somer onto the Fireside PM podcast to dig deeper. What followed w…

1
She Turned Down a $350K Job Offer—And Why You Might Want to as Well 45:52

7M ago45:52

45:52

Early to mid-career product managers in Silicon Valley often dream of landing the perfect job—high comp, strong team, great product, and a clear path for impact. But what if I told you that sometimes the smartest move is walking away? That was the case for Elizabeth Hague, a seasoned marketing leader with two successful exits under her belt. She re…

1
The Vertical AI Advantage: Lessons from Building GenAI Products for Lawyers 38:09

8M ago38:09

38:09

Earlier on the Fireside PM podcast, I sat down with Carl Wu, a veteran product leader who built and launched an AI-first product from scratch—targeting one of the most conservative and risk-averse professions out there: immigration law. Carl's story isn't just a case study in GenAI product development. It's a case study in how technical intuition, …

1
From Application to Acceleration: Lessons from Reviewing 100+ Startup Pitches 18:23

8M ago18:23

18:23

All right, what's going on, team? We are back on the Fireside PM podcast, and today I want to share some hard-earned insights on applying to tech startup accelerators. I just finished reviewing over 80 applications for UC Berkeley SkyDeck and Stanford GSB's summer entrepreneurship programs, and I have a ton of thoughts on what makes applications st…

1
Mastering the PM Interview: The Hidden Hack You're Probably Missing 48:56

9M ago48:56

48:56

I recently had a fascinating conversation with Rodolfo, a Senior Product Manager at Spotify and a good friend from my days mentoring at Harvard Business School. Rodolfo shared a powerful insight into nailing product management interviews, particularly valuable for anyone early to mid-career in Silicon Valley or looking to break into tech. His exper…

1
How the Best Product Managers Use AI (And What Everyone Else Gets Wrong) 57:40

9M ago57:40

57:40

AI is transforming product management, but not everyone is using it effectively. Too many product managers treat AI as a glorified autocomplete—something that speeds up basic tasks but doesn’t fundamentally change their workflow. But after my conversation with Mustafa Kapatiya, a former Google executive and AI consultant, I walked away convinced th…

1
5 Interview Mistakes That Cost You Great Product Leaders—And How to Fix Them 30:48

9M ago30:48

30:48

Hiring a Great Product Leader Is Harder Than You Think Team, we’re back on the Fireside PM podcast, and today, I want to talk about a topic that keeps coming up: why even experienced executives struggle to hire strong product leaders. If you’re a CEO or CPO at a mid-to-late-stage company and you need to hire a killer Director or VP of Product, this…

1
Breaking the Bamboo Ceiling & Empowering AAPI Founders 44:32

9M ago44:32

44:32

Alright, team—we are back on the Fireside PM podcast, and this time, I had the privilege of speaking with Dave Lu, a veteran in tech and one of the most influential voices in the AAPI founder ecosystem. Dave’s career spans Yahoo, Apple, eBay, startups, and venture capital, and in our conversation, he shared his journey and insights on breaking barr…

1
Navigating Change, Breaking Silos, and Building Resilient Product Teams in the Age of AI 39:40

10M ago39:40

39:40

Hey Fireside PM crew, I had a fantastic conversation in this week’s podcast with PJ, a seasoned Director of Product Management and product transformation consultant. PJ shared valuable insights from his journey, starting as a tech-focused developer, moving into product ownership at American Express, working with clients across industries at BCG, an…

1
Mastering Controllable Inputs in Product Management 55:48

10M ago55:48

55:48

Hey team, Last week on Fireside PM, I had the pleasure of reconnecting with an old Google colleague, Chris Vander May. We first crossed paths at the Kirkland office nearly 18 years ago, and since then, Chris has had an incredible career spanning Amazon, Google, Meta, and now his own AI-driven startup, Product Partner AI. Chris has seen it all—from …

1
The Future of Product Management: Preparing for an AI-Driven Evolution 27:23

10M ago27:23

27:23

In my latest Fireside PM episode, I explore a compelling question that recently came up in my Backchannel PM Accelerator cohort: What is the future of product management, and how can PMs prepare for it? This discussion is rooted in the rapid technological changes reshaping our profession. Here are my reflections on where we're heading and what it m…

1
Unpacking the famous Amazon PRFAQ Framework 48:11

11M ago48:11

48:11

In this episode of Fireside PM, I had the privilege of interviewing Marcelo Calbucci, a seasoned entrepreneur, tech leader, and author of The PRFAQ Framework: Adapting Amazon’s Innovation Framework to Work for You. Marcelo’s extensive career spans over two decades, including roles at Microsoft, founding multiple startups, and leading teams at Amazo…

1
Why Brand and Product Are Two Sides of the Same Coin: Lessons from Karl Isaac 1:08:55

11M ago1:08:55

1:08:55

In this episode of the Fireside PM podcast, I had the privilege of catching up with Karl Isaac, my former manager from Microsoft and a branding expert who has left an indelible mark on some of the world’s most renowned companies. Our conversation was not just a trip down memory lane—it was an exploration of how product managers (PMs) can elevate th…

1
Do You Work for the Boss from Hell, Heaven, or Somewhere In Between? 20:50

11M ago20:50

20:50

Thriving Under Different Managerial Styles: A PM’s Guide Do You Work for the Boss from Hell, Heaven, or Somewhere In Between? In a recent Fireside PM podcast episode, I shared insights inspired by a coaching conversation with a senior PM at a FAANG company. * She was navigating a significant challenge: adapting to a new manager with a starkly diffe…

1
The Art of Giving and Receiving Advice: A PM’s Guide to Building Stronger Connections and Smarter Decisions 10:52

12M ago10:52

10:52

Introduction When was the last time you asked for advice? Perhaps it was about a tough career decision, a thorny product challenge, or simply seeking perspective on your day-to-day PM grind. As a product manager, you're probably no stranger to giving and receiving advice—it’s practically a job requirement. Yet, how often do we stop to think about h…

1
The 8 Archetypes of Product Leaders: What Type Are You? 23:12

12M ago23:12

23:12

The 8 Archetypes of Product Leaders: What Type Are You? As product leaders, we often ask ourselves: What is my superpower, and where can I have the most impact? In a recent Fireside PM episode, I explored this idea through the lens of eight common archetypes of product managers (PMs). Think of it as a "personality type system" for product leaders, …

1
2025 Predictions: ROI, Decacorns, and a Changing Job Market 4:43

12M ago4:43

4:43

I just shared my three big predictions for 2025 in my latest video. Here's a quick summary, but I’d love to hear your thoughts—especially if you disagree with any of them! * ROI Will Trump AIBy 2025, companies will focus more on ROI over pure AI hype. While AI could contribute $16 trillion to the economy by 2030 (according to PwC), most companies h…

1
Should PM's become angel investors? 50:46

1+ y ago50:46

50:46

Dan Delmar from the Virtual Angels Network discusses how to become an angel investor. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
What is the value of PM's from an Adobe engineering director's POV... 32:57

1+ y ago32:57

32:57

Tom and Kirk Mattson (both Bowdoin '96 alums) discuss Kirk's view on what makes a great PM and the future of AI. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
Are PM's doing user research all wrong? 52:34

1+ y ago52:34

52:34

Tom and Elizabeth Creighton talk about user research interviewing mistakes and best practices. Check out Elizabeth's upcoming class on Maven with a special Fireside discount here https://maven.com/brazen-ux/user-interview-skills-designers-pms?promoCode=FIRESIDE This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or ge…

1
Are we all screwed? How should Product Managers prepare for an AI-first world? 47:32

1+ y ago47:32

47:32

Amit Badlani from Stanford talks about ML, AI, and product management. See his class here https://maven.com/amit-badlani/ml-foundations-for-product-managers See all of Tom's classes at http://maven.com/toml This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.c…

1
Are you thinking about the entire product strategy stack? 34:26

1+ y ago34:26

34:26

Roman Pichler and Tom talk about business strategy, portfolio strategy, product strategy, and how it relates to the roadmap and backlog. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
Was Marty Cagan wrong about product management? 32:43

1+ y ago32:43

32:43

Tom and Joe Tarragano discuss the risk of puritanical thinking of PM's and the topic of Produxsplaining :-) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
Teresa Torres on Product Discovery and Product Manager agency and change leadership 34:47

1+ y ago34:47

34:47

Thanks to Teresa Torres from Product Talk for coming on to the Fireside PM pod to talk about #productdiscovery! We had a great convo and I found the notion of show not telling and the importance of making lots of little improvements versus arguing for wholesale transformation to be pretty compelling. https://www.producttalk.org/ This is a public ep…

1
YC Alum Hardik Vala on lessons learned as a startup founder 47:51

1+ y ago47:51

47:51

Former Apple, Google, and Y Combinator entrepreneur Hardik Vala https://www.linkedin.com/in/thehardikv/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
Alan Stein for Kadima on how to get a better job faster. 29:49

1+ y ago29:49

29:49

Tom and Alan talk about the current job market, how to get a good referral, and the importance of baby steps when managing your career. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
How to stand out in your LinkedIn PM Job application 10:07

1+ y ago10:07

10:07

I posted a job and got 300 applications in the first day... This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
Trying to land your first product management job? 42:11

2y ago42:11

42:11

Tom and Jesse Chor, Founder CEO of Sequoia backed Tanda, talk about best practices for aspiring product managers to land their first PM gig. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
Product Discover example, how I went from -1 to 0 to -1... 12:18

2y ago12:18

12:18

I walk through an example of evaluating a greenfield product idea from scratch. Also if you're interested in my class on nailing your next executive PM review at work, feel free to express interest here https://maven.com/forms/d4610a This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, …

1
The Candidates Dilemma 15:41

2y ago15:41

15:41

Why hiring managers and job candidates aren't entirely honest in the interviewing process. For the 2X2 visual, https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yDk7acE2kTqL0mQY4oIqv1EEZiUmAwh3UpLIOzaINDA/edit?usp=sharing This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.subst…

1
Why is it taking PM's so much longer to find a new gig? 9:26

2y ago9:26

9:26

Tom goes over the PM hiring manager hierarchy of needs. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
Three lessons about Product Management I learned from working on the inside of a Presidential campaign. 8:43

2y ago8:43

8:43

Get more help from Tom at tomleungcoaching.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
4 Veteran Product Management Execs from Google, Microsoft, and Unicorn Startups explain PRDs, Roadmaps, and PM promotions 1:02:47

2y ago1:02:47

1:02:47

Learn more about speakers here https://www.linkedin.com/events/firesidepmpanel-productmanageme7148097303470354433/theater/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
Setting your 2024 Individual OKR's as a top PM 5:01

2y ago5:01

5:01

Tom recommends 3 things for your annual PM goals. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
What's conspiring against your product management team? 40:29

2y ago40:29

40:29

Tom and Saeed Khan talk about the underlying causes of product managers making things that don't solve customer problems. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
Why is it soooo hard to build products that solve customer problems? 12:57

2y ago12:57

12:57

Tom goes into the 5 forces that conspire against PM's to build products that are customer centric. Sign up for PM coaching from Tom at tomleungcoaching.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.com…

1
Do customers lie to product managers in early stage ventures? 45:57

2y ago45:57

45:57

Pete Christothoulou is the former CEO of Marchex, the call and conversational analytics company, who is now founder and CEO of Xembly, a Seattle-based startup developing AI-powered technology that replicates a chief of staff and executive assistant — automating tasks such as meeting notes, scheduling, and action items. This is a public episode. If …

1
CDO at YouTube and former PM VP at Netflix Chris Jaffe 38:56

2y ago38:56

38:56

How can you be a better PM and partner with Design? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.substack.comBy Tom Leung

1
Bean Box retail coffee CEO and former tech CTO 55:02

2+ y ago55:02

55:02

Had a great chat with Matthew Berk about Bean Box, proudly *non* venture backed #entrepreneurship, building decades long co-founder partnerships, and getting back to the fundamentals of turning nickels into dimes! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit firesidepm.sub…