Ever wonder why people in your company speak in absolutes, when they’re really just guessing?

In this episode, Todd and Ryan tackle one of product management’s sneakiest challenges: assumptions dressed up as facts. You’ll learn how to spot them, test them, and decide which ones are worth your time. They also share practical tips for how to push back on overconfidence without becoming the office buzzkill. You’ll get tools like hypothesis framing, assumption matrices, and yes, even a visual analogy of TAM, SAM, and SOM eating pie.

You might think you're just making decisions, but you're probably making bets. This episode will show you the risks you've been taking all along, without even realizing it.

Introduction and Setting the Scene
[00:00] Assumptions wearing fact hats – Todd and Ryan set the stage with a playful analogy.
[00:29] Product Porch welcome – Framing today’s conversation: assumptions masquerading as facts.

The Problem with Assumptions
[01:00] “We know this will work” – Why confidence often masks uncertainty.
[02:00] Overt vs. quiet assumptions – Recognizing when assumptions go unspoken.

Identifying and Validating Assumptions
[03:40] PMs as assumption spotters – The product role in unmasking untested ideas.
[04:30] Responsibility and risk – Why recognizing assumptions matters for product outcomes.

Assumptions vs. Hypotheses and Bets
[06:00] Hypothesis ≠ assumption – Breaking down the difference.
[07:30] Fancy words, same risks – How “belief,” “bets,” and “hypotheses” disguise uncertainty.
[14:50] Assumption = risk – Why framing decisions as bets clarifies the stakes.

Practical Approach to Assumptions
[18:30] Todd’s process – From “what we know” to testable hypotheses.
[20:30] Not everything is testable – What to do when data isn’t available.
[21:45] Breaking down baby hypotheses – Getting from big bets to testable ideas.

Spotting Assumptions in Practice
[22:30] Game time – Todd challenges Ryan to find hidden assumptions in a business pitch.
[24:00] 8+ assumptions in one paragraph – How fast we stack untested beliefs.
[30:30] Critical thinking tips – What to listen for and how to respond.

Conclusion and Takeaways
[38:00] Big takeaway: assumptions that can’t be undone are the most dangerous.
[40:00] “Assumption pill” – Seeing the hidden code behind product decisions.
[41:00] Assumption spotter, prioritizer, tester – A new PM identity.

Closing Remarks
[41:45] Sign-off – Todd and Ryan wrap up the episode with appreciation and a reminder to subscribe.

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Why is it so hard for product and sales to get along?

In this episode, Todd Blaquiere and Ryan Cantwell dig into one of the most persistent pain points in product management: why the product-sales relationship so often breaks down, and what we can do to fix it. Using role-play, real stories, and a few uncomfortable truths, they unpack how deal fit and product-market fit pull in different directions. Then they explore how to navigate those tensions without becoming the "chief no officer."

You’ll walk away with practical ways to respond to sales requests, build trust without bending to every feature ask, and become the kind of product partner sales actually wants in the room.

If you're tired of awkward relationships with sales, urgent "add it to the roadmap" requests, and never-ending feature tug-of-wars, pull up a chair on the porch. We’ve got ideas to calm the chaos, win more deals, and stop the swirl.

Introduction and Setting the Stage
[00:00] Fighting Like Siblings - Todd compares product and sales to his kids: always fighting, but capable of harmony.
[02:45] Shared Goals, Different Worlds - The hosts introduce the recurring tensions between product and sales.

The Product and Sales Relationship
[06:10] Deal Fit vs. Market Fit - Sales chases deals; product chases strategy. It’s no wonder they clash.
[08:30] Competing Priorities - Why product sees the long game and sales lives quarter-to-quarter.

Common Frustrations and Misunderstandings
[12:00] The Feature Firehose - Sales promises features that don’t exist. Product becomes the “no” team.
[14:50] Roadmap Roulette - When shifting priorities make it feel like there is no real plan.

Empathy and Understanding
[19:30] Listen First, Then Build - How PMs can use empathy to cut through confusion.
[21:15] What Sales Really Needs - Beyond features, it’s about confidence and clarity.

Benefits of Collaboration
[24:40] Sit in on Sales Calls - The quickest way to understand customers—and build better products.
[27:10] Stronger Together - Real examples of when sales and product clicked.

Effective Communication and Documentation
[30:15] Tell Them What’s Coming - The value of visibility into roadmaps and release notes.
[33:00] Docs That Actually Help - Tips on making product info sales-friendly.

Building Trust and Reducing Assumptions
[36:20] Stop the Swirl - Why clarity, transparency, and shared wins build trust.
[39:00] The Relationship That Matters - Final thoughts on how to make product-sales work long term.

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Ever feel like you're following frameworks, but still not sure if you're actually doing product management?

In this episode, Todd Blaquiere, Joe Ghali, and Ryan Cantwell lay out their personal tier lists to define what makes product management real. They debate which principles are fundamental laws - those you can’t break without breaking product - and which are just flexible preferences shaped by context.

From "outcomes over outputs" to stakeholder management, the conversation challenges conventional wisdom and surfaces surprising disagreements. It’s a candid look at what separates core product truths from passing trends.

If you’ve ever struggled to know which product advice is worth following and which ones you can safely ignore, pull up a chair for this episode of the Product Porch.

Introduction and Podcast Overview
[00:00] Internal products – Is product market fit always required?

The Product Management Tier List
[00:35] Tier list concept – Sorting laws, principles, and practices

Ryan's Tier List
[02:25] The cone tip – Defining non-negotiables
[04:00] Best practices – Flexible tools and methods
[05:30] Trends – Temporary tactics and ceremonies

Joe’s Tier List
[06:03] Product concert – Priorities in customer value and impact
[07:00] JTBD – Why it’s core for Joe
[08:00] Measuring success – Linking problems to business results

Todd’s Tier List
[08:22] Spinning top – Laws, principles, practices, style
[09:30] Product law – Break these, break the product
[10:28] Practices vs. principles – What’s flexible vs. fixed

Debating Product Laws
[11:00] “You are not the user” – Universal agreement
[12:00] Outcomes over outputs – A debated essential
[15:04] Team sport – When product requires collaboration

Product Principles
[17:56] Saying no – Strategy and focus
[20:00] Agile mindset – Beyond the process
[22:30] Working with vendors – Can you still do product?

Product Practices & Styles
[24:38] Roadmaps, personas, roles – What shifts by org
[26:00] Stakeholder management – Style or standard?
[28:00] JTBD – Tool or foundational belief?

Trends & Tools
[34:36] Tools & templates – What doesn’t define product
[36:00] Product market fit – Still relevant for internal teams?
[38:00] Positioning – Practice, not principle
[39:09] Product-led growth – Trend or truth?

Takeaways & Close
[39:28] Define your own tiers – What matters to you?
[41:00] Training ≠ truth – Not all practices are essential
[42:00] Share your tier list – Hosts want to hear from you

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Why does imposter syndrome hit product managers so hard, and what can we do about it?

In this episode, Todd Blaquiere and Ryan Cantwell dig into why imposter syndrome shows up so often in product management. From vague job descriptions to being accountable without real authority, they unpack what makes this role especially prone to self-doubt.

We share personal stories, talk through common patterns like the imposter cycle, and ask the bigger question: is this about us, or the environments we’re working in?

We also cover what managers can do to support their teams and why that nagging feeling might not mean you're broken. It might just mean you're growing.

Before you second-guess your seat at the table, pull up a chair on the porch. This conversation might remind you why you’re exactly where you need to be.

• ProductPlan article — 92% of product managers report experiencing imposter syndrome
  https://blog.academyofpm.com/p/imposter-syndrome
• PubMed study — Research showing 70% of people experience imposter syndrome at some point in their careers
  https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10060463
• The Imposter Cycle (Pauline Clance) — The foundational model describing how imposter syndrome repeats itself
  PDF download

Introduction to Imposter Syndrome
[00:00] Kicking off - Why PM is a breeding ground for imposter syndrome
[00:28] Setting the vibe - Honest, practical, personal
[01:03] Todd’s first PM gig - A story from the LA Times
[03:00] 92% stat - Most PMs feel this way

Personal Experiences and Imposter Syndrome
[03:26] Humidity metaphor - PM creates the perfect climate
[04:11] Type A vibes - Ryan on perfectionism
[05:48] No map - Entering PM without a guide
[07:00] Credentials gap - Everyone else seems legit
[08:30] No control - But still on the hook
[11:00] Feedback flood - Too much input, all the time

The Imposter Cycle and Its Effects
[12:18] The cycle - Overwork, success, repeat
[14:00] Todd’s report - Proof through spreadsheets
[16:00] Failure bias - We remember the bad stuff
[17:30] What helps - Use feedback, play to your strengths

Risks and Implications of Imposter Syndrome
[22:03] Vision blocks - Doubt clouds strategy
[23:30] Trust erosion - Over-talking or going silent
[24:30] Innovation drag - Self-doubt stifles creativity

Individual vs. Environment
[28:39] Big Q - Is it you or the system?
[29:30] Context matters - Good environments help
[30:00] Growth signal - Maybe it’s not a flaw

Hot Takes and Final Thoughts
[31:21] Startup vs enterprise - Which fuels the doubt?
[33:00] Metrics? - Not the magic fix
[34:00] Good imposter syndrome? - Maybe a little humility helps
[36:05] Final note - You’re not broken

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Ever feel like you’re doing everything “right” in product management—and still not seeing results?

From Agile to OKRs to product-led growth, there’s no shortage of shiny techniques promising success. But what happens when these so-called solutions fall flat?

In this episode, we dive into the myth of silver bullet solutions—those magic product techniques that are supposed to fix everything overnight. We break down which tactics get overhyped, why they often fail, and how you can avoid the common mistakes that come with chasing the latest framework.

If you’ve ever suffered through a standup that went nowhere or watched a new tool get hailed as the answer to all your problems, pull up a chair—we’re unpacking it all on the porch.

Introduction and Podcast Overview
[00:09] What is a silver bullet? – Defining the allure of quick fixes in product management
[01:49] Examples in the wild – Roadmaps, new tools, and false hope

The Temptation of Quick Fixes
[03:09] Magic bullet mindset – Todd's workout analogy and business pressures
[04:29] Quarterly pressure – Why QBRs drive poor decision-making

Common Silver Bullet Techniques
[05:35] The Agile trap – When scrum ceremonies go wrong
[06:44] Misusing agile – The cost of skipping foundational work
[07:41] Voice of the customer – When "talk to 10 customers" becomes a checkbox
[09:27] Discovery dysfunction – Joe and Ryan debate real vs. fake discovery
[11:00] Better metrics – Roadmap cadence and persona updates

Silver Bullet or Shot in the Foot Game
[17:00] Round 1: Tools – Why software alone isn’t the fix
[20:00] Round 2: Product demos – Celebrated or sabotaged?
[22:30] Round 3: OKRs – Only as strong as your strategy
[25:25] Round 4: Product-led growth – Misunderstood and misapplied
[26:58] Round 5: Standups – Weaponized check-ins or true team huddles?

Tier List of Techniques
[29:16] Ranking the myths – F to A tier, no technique is sacred
[31:33] Jobs to Be Done – Why even JTBD can fall flat

Advice for Product Managers
[36:57] What to do when leadership drops a “fix” on you
[38:00] Read the book – Why understanding the full context matters
[39:28] Don’t protest, pilot – How to earn influence and adapt in real-time

Takeaways and Conclusion
[42:05] Quick wins > magic bullets – Joe’s final advice
[43:01] Learn to learn – Todd’s call for intentional practice
[43:44] Porch games and product laughs – Wrapping it up with fun

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Does being likable actually help Product Managers get ahead—or just distract from what really matters?

In this episode, we dig into the balance between likability and results in product management. Do you really need to be liked to succeed? Or is trust and respect what really drives your career forward? Todd, Ryan, and Joe unpack how likability plays out in real product work—and why understanding this dynamic can transform how you manage stakeholders and grow your career.

You’ll leave with practical ways to build trust, earn respect, and avoid the common pitfalls that hold back well-intentioned PMs.

Pull up a chair and listen in if you're ready to rethink what drives your impact.

Introduction and Overview
[00:00] Warm welcome – Ryan, Todd, and Joe set the scene for a deeper look at likability in product management.
[00:30] What does being likable even mean—and does it matter?

The Likability Spectrum
[00:49] Todd vs. Joe – Different reactions to being disliked.
[01:40] Ryan prompts reflection: Should PMs invest in being liked?

The Role of Trust and Results
[02:40] The real currency – Why trust beats likability.
[05:36] Cheerleading vs. critical thinking – the likability/results balance.
[06:40] Trust as a strategic lever in career growth.

Building Relationships and Trust
[07:12] Likability in context – when it matters most.
[11:46] Relationship-building tips from new team onboarding.
[13:15] Empathy and respect > expertise when entering a new role.
[15:13] Real-world example: breaking down silos with newsroom stakeholders.

Practical Tips for Product Managers
[17:57] Use empathy to engage stakeholders.
[20:26] "Trust is earned, not given."
[21:16] Get feedback early—don’t wait for the performance review.

The Balance of Likability and Integrity
[21:16] Why over-indexing on likability can backfire.
[23:59] Integrity, not image – what carries you through hard times.
[25:13] Transparency and owning mistakes build deeper trust.

Takeaways and Closing Remarks
[30:01] Be vulnerable – it’s a strength, not a weakness.
[30:29] Avoid chasing the wrong signals—focus on trust and impact.
[31:30] Likability is subjective—impact isn’t.
[32:03] Wrap-up and invitation to reflect on your own likability mindset.

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Ever feel like your product is slowly becoming just another version of the competition?

In this episode, we talk about the pressures product managers and product leaders face when stakeholders push for feature parity and price wars. Joe Ghali, Ryan Cantwell, and Todd Blaquiere share real-world stories and practical strategies for resisting copycat requests, protecting your product strategy, and staying true to your customer value proposition.

We’ll break down how to spot early signs of commoditization, how to align sales and product teams, and how strong market positioning—and a little courage—can set you apart.

Tune in and learn how to lead with innovation, not imitation.

- Dollar Shave Club Commercial
- Liquid Death

Introduction and Setting the Stage
[01:05] Pressure to copy competitors - Ryan shares his frustrations from 15 years in product management.

The Danger of Copycat Product Management
[02:41] Hotels shift to experience - Joe recounts post-9/11 changes in the hotel industry.
[03:58] Sales pressures - Todd discusses empathy for sales teams and roadmap challenges.
[04:31] Copycat feature pitfalls - Risks of losing product identity by mimicking competitors.
[05:40] Recognizing commoditization - How to identify early signs of a product becoming a commodity.

Winning with Differentiation
[06:39] Failed copycat products - Stories illustrating the cost of copying competitors.
[08:27] Dollar Shave Club example - How unique monetization and branding created success.
[10:30] Liquid Death example - Building differentiation through bold branding and distribution strategy.
[12:00] Competing beyond price - Focusing on customer experience and unique value.

How to Handle Copycat Requests
[14:26] Strategies for handling requests - Asking for validation and de-risking decisions.
[16:30] Finding a middle ground - Balancing stakeholder requests without losing strategic focus.
[18:41] Communicating value - Helping sales teams reframe customer objections.
[19:45] Talking points for stakeholders - Techniques for responding to "be like the competition" requests.

Aligning Sales, Product, and Strategy
[19:57] Sales incentives and product alignment - Adjusting commissions to support new product goals.
[22:30] Box-checking feature risks - Recognizing when a feature request is just a checkbox.
[23:54] RFP challenges - Shaping customer expectations before tenders are released.

Positioning and Company Values
[28:49] Values as a decision filter - Using company mission to prioritize product decisions.
[31:59] Positioning the competition - Shaping how customers view both you and your rivals.
[33:30] Lessons from "I'm a Mac" - How clear positioning drives customer perception.
[34:30] Building differentiated positioning - Methods to keep the product distinct and memorable.

Key Takeaways and Closing Thoughts
[35:25] Training and support as differentiators - Building loyalty through education.
[37:13] Jobs-to-be-Done framework - Understanding emotional and social needs.
[38:30] Importance of internal alignment - Selling your own team on the product vision.

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