In this episode, Melika Hope, Director of Product at Spotify, shares her candid journey of navigating this leap and provides actionable insights for aspiring leaders. Drawing from her 15+ years of experience, managing teams across continents, Melika introduces her "4 Ds" framework: Decide, Declare, Demonstrate, and Deliver, to help you become one of the exceptional few who excel in people management.

Whether you're contemplating your first leadership role or looking to refine your management style, this episode is packed with lessons on coaching, declaring your goals, and overcoming the pitfalls of early leadership. Melika's energy, personal stories, and strategic advice make this a must-listen for product managers and product leaders aiming to make a lasting impact.

In this episode of Rocketship.FM, we flip the script as Mike Belsito, Co-Founder of Product Collective, takes the guest seat to share his journey from entrepreneur to product leader. Interviewed by his longtime co-host Michael Sacca, Mike dives into the foundational skills every product manager needs, the importance of customer empathy, and how evolving tools like AI are reshaping the role. He also reflects on his early uncertainties and how building community and continuous learning helped him thrive.

Whether you’re an aspiring product manager looking to avoid common mistakes or a seasoned professional eager to revisit the essentials, this episode is packed with actionable insights. From navigating frameworks to balancing soft and hard skills, Mike offers a candid, relatable perspective on what it takes to succeed in today’s fast-changing product landscape.

What does it mean to lead with impact in a world of uncertainty, ambiguity, and endless best practices? In this compelling episode of Rocketship.FM, we explore how product teams can directly tie their work to measurable business success, ensuring alignment with company goals while resisting the low-impact work that often derails progress.

Drawing from the soon-to-be-released book Impact First Product Teams, our guest shares actionable insights on setting meaningful team goals, keeping impact at the forefront of every step, and avoiding the pitfalls of "low-impact death spirals." Whether you're a product manager navigating tricky trade-offs or a leader seeking clarity in your team’s contributions, this episode offers a blueprint for building resilient, results-oriented product teams.

In this episode of Rocketship.FM, world-renowned positioning and marketing expert April Dunford joins us to share her insights on crafting sales pitches that close deals and win markets. Drawing from her book Sales Pitch, April dives into the art of creating a compelling narrative that helps your customers confidently choose your product over competitors—and the dreaded "do nothing."

In this recording of her keynote talk from INDUSTRY: The Product Conference in 2023, April breaks down her proven step-by-step framework for building a pitch that communicates your differentiated value, positions your product as the clear solution, and guides prospects through the buying journey. From the role of discovery and demos to understanding why “do nothing” is your fiercest competitor, she covers everything you need to transform your pitch into a powerful storytelling tool. Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or sales leader, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you stand out in any crowded market.

In this episode of Rocketship.FM, we tackle one of the most critical and overlooked elements of the product marketing mix: pricing. Joining us is Bill Wilson, Founder and CEO of Pace Pricing, a SaaS pricing expert with a background as a founder and product leader. Bill shares insights into how pricing has evolved, the common pitfalls companies face, and why leveraging data is key to getting it right.

We also explore the psychological effects of pricing on buyers, the challenges of pricing AI products in today’s rapidly changing landscape, and the necessity of embracing change as markets evolve. Whether you’re starting fresh or reevaluating your pricing strategy, this episode is packed with actionable advice and resources to help you find success.

In this episode of Rocketship.FM, we dive into the world of Product Operations with Jenny Wanger, an expert in product ops coaching for product leaders. Together, we unpack the foundations of Product Operations, exploring how it enables product teams to focus on what truly matters — building great products. Jenny shares insights on implementing product ops practices effectively, even for teams without a dedicated product ops function. From understanding the four pillars of product ops to establishing a product-centric culture, this episode is packed with actionable advice for teams looking to elevate their operational efficiency.

Whether you’re just starting your product ops journey or seeking ways to refine your current approach, Jenny offers a wealth of knowledge on best practices, potential pitfalls, and the strategic impact of product ops done right. Tune in to learn how Product Operations can become the backbone of your product strategy, helping you streamline workflows, enhance cross-functional collaboration, and create a scalable process that grows with your team.

In this special episode of Rocketship.FM, we welcome back the podcast’s original founder, Michael Sacca, for a unique and insightful conversation. Recently appointed as CEO of Leadpages, Michael brings with him a wealth of experience from his years as a product executive across early-stage startups. Now, he faces the challenge of leading an established, well-known company through a period of growth and innovation. This episode explores Michael's approach to his new role, his vision for the future of Leadpages, and the mindset shifts he's making as he moves from product leader to CEO.

Join us as we dive into Michael’s journey, the strategic decisions he's prioritizing, and his perspective on building a resilient product team. For product managers and product leaders alike, Michael’s story offers invaluable insights into leadership, adaptation, and growth. Whether you're a longtime fan of Rocketship.FM or new to the show, this episode is a must-listen for those curious about the path from product builder to company leader.

In this episode of Rocketship.FM, host Mike Belsito sits down with Katie Trauth Taylor, Founder and CEO of Narratize, to explore the journey behind creating an AI-driven platform that's empowering enterprises to communicate complex ideas faster and more effectively. Katie shares the frustrations that led her to launch Narratize and how her personal background as an innovator influenced the development of the platform.

We dive into the hurdles she faced in the early days, how she secured enterprise clients like Boeing and Hearst, and what makes Narratize's AI capabilities uniquely suited for long-form, technical content.

In this episode, Mike Belsito sits down with Dan Blumberg, founder of Modern Product Minds and former product leader at The New York Times, LinkedIn, and Citi, to explore how product discovery works in traditional enterprises. While we often hear stories from cutting-edge tech startups, most product managers work at "normal" companies dealing with legacy systems, regulatory constraints, and established brand expectations. Dan shares practical insights on running effective discovery programs in these environments, including how to test ideas without risking brand reputation, why real commitment beats hypothetical feedback, and how to bring stakeholders along on the journey. Whether you're working in finance, media, or any traditional industry, this episode offers actionable frameworks and strategies for effective product discovery in the real world.

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In this revealing episode of Rocketship.FM, host Mike Belsito pulls back the curtain on a significant milestone: Product Collective's acquisition by Pendo. Mike shares the origin story of Product Collective, from its humble beginnings as a passion project to its growth into a cornerstone of the product community. He candidly discusses the challenges of running a bootstrapped company and the exciting possibilities that come with joining forces with a larger entity like Pendo.

The episode features an exclusive interview with Todd Olson, CEO of Pendo, who provides insights into the company's commitment to community building and its vision for the future of product management. Together, Mike and Todd explore how this acquisition will impact the broader product community, discussing plans for expanded events, increased resources, and a more connected global network of product professionals. This episode offers listeners a unique behind-the-scenes look at a major industry move and its potential to shape the future of product management education and community.

In the fast-paced world of tech startups, product leadership is crucial—but when is the right time to bring on a full-time Chief Product Officer? This episode of Rocketship.FM explores the emerging role of the fractional CPO, a game-changing solution for early-stage companies seeking experienced product leadership without the full-time commitment or cost.

Join host Mike Belsito as he sits down with Nick McEvily, a seasoned fractional CPO, to discuss the benefits of this flexible approach to product leadership. Discover when it's appropriate to consider a fractional CPO, how they can impact your organization's culture and strategy, and what to look for when hiring one. Plus, get an exclusive checklist to help you determine if your startup is ready for fractional or full-time product leadership. Whether you're a founder navigating the early stages of growth or a product professional curious about fractional roles, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of product management.