In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Shobhit Chugh sits down with Ajit Thupil, a seasoned product leader whose journey spans Amazon, McKinsey, and several high-growth startups—most recently as Chief Product Officer.

Ajit shares a refreshingly honest look into what it really takes to scale product with precision, whether you’re operating inside a tech giant or leading growth at a startup. He unpacks the frameworks, mindset shifts, and hard-won lessons that helped him evolve from an engineer to a product executive—and what aspiring PM leaders often get wrong when chasing their next role.

You’ll learn:

• What Amazon taught Ajit about focus, metrics, and decision-making
• How to align product, go-to-market, and revenue in fast-paced environments
• Why storytelling and strategic communication matter more as you grow
• How to navigate the leap from IC to product executive—and avoid common traps
• Advice for PMs who want to stand out and lead with impact

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 – Introduction to Ajit Thupil
00:59 – Thoughts on remote vs. in-office work in a post-pandemic world
02:48 – Lessons from stepping into the CPO role for the first time
03:57 – Ajit’s winding career path and the inflection points that shaped it
05:53 – Moving from business development to product management
11:17 – Key takeaways from working at Amazon
15:41 – How to connect product strategy with go-to-market and revenue
19:13 – Advice for aspiring product leaders: what to build, how to grow
27:21 – Rapid-fire questions and wrap-up

Connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/

Connect with Ajit on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajitthupil/

www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Toxic bosses. Gaslighting. Shattered confidence.

If you’ve been there — you’re not alone. And more importantly: you can bounce back stronger.

In this powerful episode, Shobhit Chugh (Intentional Product Manager) sits down with Sarah K. Ramsey — high performance coach and author of Becoming Toxic Person Proof — to unpack how product managers can rebuild after difficult work environments and get back to thriving.

Together, they explore:

• The long-tail impact of toxic workplaces on confidence
• How to spot red flags early in future interviews
• Strategies to rebuild self-trust and regain your voice
• Tools like the “Brag Book” to reframe your narrative
• Why healing means solving better problems — not staying stuck in old ones

Whether you're recovering from a toxic boss or just want to future-proof your career, this conversation is full of clarity, validation, and next steps.

Episode Guide:

00:00 – Introduction
00:21 – Understanding the impact of a toxic boss
00:45 – Meet Sarah K. Ramsey
01:35 – How toxic environments erode confidence
04:16 – Spotting red flags at work
06:15 – Practical steps to rebuild confidence
16:38 – Daily habits that create momentum
18:49 – Re-entering the job search with intention
22:16 – Interview tips for spotting better managers
25:46 – Final thoughts
26:29 – Wrap-up & call to action

Connect with Shobhit https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/

Connect with Sarah https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-k-ramsey-m-s-n-l-p-0912ba97/

Learn to become Toxic Person Proof here. https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Toxic-Person-Proof-Ramsey/dp/1641845961

www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Join Shobhit Chugh from Intentional Product Manager as he hosts Shub Agarwal, Senior Vice President of AI at US Bank, professor at USC, and author of the new book Successful AI Product Creation: A Framework for Turning Research into Real-World Value, on the Intentional Product Manager Podcast.

In this episode, dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of AI product management — exploring major shifts in AI technology, the unique challenges of deploying AI solutions, and the frameworks that drive real success. Shub shares insights from his new book, including his proven nine-step methodology for bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI research and tangible, impactful products.

Discover key lessons learned from years leading AI initiatives, understand why AI is reshaping the very definition of user experience, and learn what skills future AI product managers will need to thrive.

Episode Highlights:
00:00 — Introduction to the Podcast
00:27 — Meet the AI Expert: Shub Agarwal
01:20 — Major Shifts in AI Product Development
02:40 — AI as the New UX
04:15 — How AI Product Management Differs from Traditional Product Management
07:18 — The Nine-Step Framework for AI Product Creation
17:08 — Critical Skills for Future AI Product Managers
21:31 — Lessons from the Frontlines of AI Product Leadership
25:11 — Final Takeaways and Book Information

Connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/

Connect with Shub on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shub/

Get Shub’s book. https://www.amazon.com/Successful-AI-Product-Creation-Framework/dp/1394337841

www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Join Shobhit Chugh, founder of Intentional Product Manager, in a powerful conversation with BJ Hillabush — a seasoned product leader and career coach — as they break down the most common mistakes product managers make during their job search… and how to avoid them.

From unclear positioning to “silver medal syndrome,” BJ shares practical strategies to help you stand out in a competitive market. You'll learn how to:

• Craft a resume that clearly shows your impact
• Customize your applications without wasting time
• Avoid the “spray and pray” trap
• Network more effectively and authentically
• Prepare for interviews with intention
• Handle rejections with resilience
• Negotiate compensation like a pro
• And most importantly: take full ownership of your job search
  
  

Episode Breakdown:
00:00 – Intro
00:22 – Meet BJ Hillabush
00:52 – The most common job search mistakes
01:38 – Why positioning matters more than you think
02:51 – Resume pitfalls and how to avoid them
05:44 – What’s wrong with “spray and pray”
09:19 – A better way to prep for interviews
15:53 – How to actually network effectively
20:18 – Compensation and negotiation tips
26:52 – Owning your job search process
30:46 – Final thoughts

Connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/

www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, host Shobhit talks with Rahul Nath, Chief Product Officer at Axel, about his unconventional path through the product world—from McKinsey to Google, scaling fintech at Drip Capital, and now driving innovation at the intersection of venture capital and technology.

Rahul shares candid reflections on what it takes to succeed across vastly different environments—consulting, Big Tech, startups, and now VC. You’ll hear how he adapted his product mindset at each stage, the challenges he didn’t expect when leaving Google, and how product leadership can be a force multiplier inside a VC firm.

Whether you're navigating a job transition, exploring startup roles, or thinking long-term about your impact as a product leader, this episode is packed with grounded insights and tactical advice.

Episode Highlights
00:00 – Introduction to the Podcast
00:28 – Meet Rahul Nath: Career Journey
02:13 – Transitioning from Google to Startups
06:53 – Product Leadership in Venture Capital
17:44 – Navigating Job Search in a Tough Market
21:48 – The Future of Product Management
25:32 – Rapid Fire Questions + Conclusion

Tune in for a thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about product strategy, career growth, and how technology is reshaping venture capital.

www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager Podcast, Shobhit sits down with Shishir Narula—seasoned product leader and now a highly respected product coach—to explore the mindset traps that hold PMs back in their job search and career growth.

Shishir shares the pivotal moments that shaped his transition from big tech to coaching, and dives deep into how mental clarity, self-awareness, and intentional action make all the difference—especially in a tough market.

Whether you're burned out from final-round rejections, second-guessing your skills, or wondering what is next, then this is a must listen.

Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Intro to the Podcast
00:26 – Meet Shishir Narula: From Big Tech to Coaching
01:06 – Career-Defining Moments and Shifts
03:06 – Why Mindset is the Game-Changer in PM Careers
05:33 – What Makes a High-Impact PM
06:00 – Growth Mindset: What It Really Means
14:32 – Navigating Mindset During the Job Search
18:50 – Building Confidence That Lasts
20:52 – Dealing with Imposter Syndrome in Product
21:15 – The Mentor's Dilemma: Why Even Top PMs Get Stuck
23:55 – The Traits of Truly Successful Product Managers
32:14 – Visualization & Meditation as Career Tools
34:08 – Confident Networking (Even if You're Introverted)
36:06 – Final Thoughts and Takeaways

🎧 Listen now to learn how to take back control of your job search, rebuild your confidence, and approach your career with intention.

Connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/

Connect with Shishir on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/shishir-narula/

www.intentionalproductmanager.com

In this episode of the Intentional Product Manager podcast, Shobhit Chugh sits down with Aindra Misra, Director of Product for Data, AI, and Cloud Platforms at Bill, to explore the world of platform product management.

They break down what makes platform PM different from traditional PM, the importance of horizontal thinking, and why scalability and cross-functional collaboration are critical to success. Aindra offers valuable insights into AI’s role in enterprise tech, the unique challenges platform PMs face, and what engineers need to know when transitioning into product roles.

Packed with real-world examples and actionable advice, this conversation is essential listening for anyone aiming to grow as a product leader.

Episode Highlights:

00:00 – Introduction
00:22 – What makes platform PM unique
01:58 – Building scalable, foundational systems
03:43 – Driving collaboration across teams
05:05 – Why horizontal thinking matters
05:46 – Real-world examples from Aindra’s work at Bill
13:23 – Navigating common platform PM challenges
17:23 – How AI is reshaping enterprise tech
25:16 – Tips for transitioning from engineering to product
29:48 – Aindra’s career journey and key advice
33:40 – Wrap-up and how to connect

Shobhit Chugh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobhitchugh/
Aindra Misra on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aindra-misra/

www.intentionalproductmanager.com

Job searching can feel overwhelming, but what if you could make every step easier? In this episode, Shobhit from Intentional Product Manager sits down with Aniket Vaidya, a product leader at Atlassian and former Group PM at Google, to break down exactly how to streamline your job search. From building genuine connections that lead to opportunities to positioning yourself as the obvious choice in interviews, Aniket shares practical strategies to eliminate friction in the hiring process—just like a great product manager would.
Discover how to leverage your network effectively, make recruiters your allies, and gain insider knowledge to tailor your approach. Learn why practicing mock interviews, understanding the hiring manager’s mindset, and following up strategically can significantly boost your chances. If you're looking to land a top PM role or level up your career, this episode is packed with expert advice to help you navigate the competitive job market with ease.

Key Takeaways:
✅ Mastering Networking – How to build genuine connections, make it easy for others to help you, and direct you toward the right opportunities.
✅ Cracking the Interview Process – Why deep research, leveraging recruiters, and insider knowledge can be game-changers.
✅ The Power of Mock Interviews – How early feedback can transform your preparation and make interviews feel effortless.
✅ Understanding Hiring Manager Mindsets – Insights from Aniket’s experience reviewing resumes and selecting top candidates.
✅ Post-Interview Best Practices – Why following up, staying connected, and adding value after the interview can give you a competitive edge.

Aniket also shares candid stories from his own career, including how a failed mock interview opened his eyes to what it really takes to succeed. His advice goes beyond generic tips—it's a blueprint for standing out in a competitive job market.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:22 Meet Aniket Vaidya: Product Leader at Atlassian
01:01 Journey to Group Product Manager at Google
01:31 Building Real Identity Infrastructure at Google
02:33 Transitioning to Product Management at Google
03:05 Navigating the Ladder Transfer Process
14:51 Key Projects and Missions at Google
18:43 Transition to Head of Product AI at Atlassian
19:25 Positioning Yourself for AI Roles
26:28 Mindset of Hiring Managers
30:13 Interview Advice for Product Managers
35:56 Conclusion and How to Connect with Aniket

Find out more about Intentional Product Manager and connect with Shobhit on LinkedIn.

Connect with Aniket on LinkedIn.

www.intentionalproductmanager.com