UW PM Podcast

In this episode, Sophia shares her journey from discovering product management to landing her first internships and building the technical and creative skills that set her apart. She offers practical advice for breaking into PM as a student, covering timelines and applications, side projects, and networking tips. Whether you’re curious about the technical side of PM or how creativity can give you an edge, this conversation is full of insights for aspiring, young product managers.

In this episode of the UWaterloo Product Management Podcast, Rodolfo, a seasoned product leader whose work has shaped the way millions experience music, creativity, and connection. With an impressive track record at Meta, Reddit, Cameo, and Spotify, Rodolfo brings a rare blend of strategic rigor, cultural sensitivity, and creative experimentation to everything he builds.We explore the journey from Harvard Business School to product leadership, unpacking how to stay anchored in product fundamentals while building for the edge of culture.Here’s what you’ll take away:A behind-the-scenes look at the creation of hits like Spotify Daylist, Jam, and Referrals — and what it takes to build products that feel personal without chasing viralityHow to move from individual contributor to product leader, and what changes in mindset, execution, and influence along the wayWhy AI is more than a tool — it’s a co-creator, and how it’s transforming the way PMs ideate, ship, and learnRodolfo’s personal frameworks like the Tree Diagram and Diamond Method for navigating prioritization and ambiguityHard-won lessons from big tech vs. startup life — from scale to scrappinessHow to bring your personal passions into your product work, and why it mattersHis honest take on the PM + MBA question, what he would tell his younger self, and the one mindset shift that changed everythingA vulnerable reflection on self-doubt, failure, and the importance of staying connected to our creative inner child that first led us to buildPlus: one final “assignment” to elevate your product thinking this weekLove Rodolfo’s insights? Dive deeper by subscribing to his newsletter RodolfoDays — where he breaks down product thinking, frameworks, and life lessons at the intersection of tech, creativity, and culture. 

In this episode, we sit down with David Currie, a Product Manager at Pepper, a hyper-growth Series B startup, who brings a unique perspective on what it really takes to succeed in product management. With a background spanning engineering to solutions engineering to product, David shares hard-won insights about prioritizing customer understanding over technical prowess.Join us for an honest conversation about building products at scale, the art of prioritization, and why being too technical as a PM might actually hold you back. If you're curious about product management at fast-growing startups and want to understand what truly moves the needle, this episode's for you.We cover:Why David compares his product journey to "A Sand County Almanac" and systems thinkingThe career progression from engineering to product management and key lessons learnedHow to build PM skills through community and continuous learning (not just interview prep)His prioritization framework: solving real problems that align with business strategyWhy PMs shouldn't be gambling and should "test small, fail fast, learn, repeat"The dangers of technical PMs steamrolling their engineering teamsHow to balance short-term customer requests with long-term strategic visionWhy AI can't replace human empathy in customer discoveryKey takeaway? Focus on understanding your customers' problems deeply. Technical expertise is valuable, but customer empathy is your superpower.

What does it take to grow from an intern still figuring it all out to leading high-visibility products at one of the world’s most iconic tech companies?In this episode of the UWaterloo Product Management Podcast, August sits down with Swarathmika Kakivaya, a Product Manager II at Microsoft, to unpack her 6+ year journey — starting from her Explorer Internship to becoming a full-time PM owning strategic product decisions.Together, they explore how to stand out early, thrive in ambiguous roles, earn influence without authority, and build habits that scale. Swarathmika also opens up about how her definition of a “great PM” has evolved, the signals that someone’s cut out for product, and what keeps her curious and motivated.Whether you’re a student just breaking in or a PM looking to level up, this episode is packed with grounded advice and reflections you won’t want to miss.

This episode flips the usual format. Instead of chatting with someone who’s already graduated, we sat down with Palak Agarwal, a 4A Computational Math student who's navigated multiple PM internships - from early-stage startups to companies like Scotiabank, Arteria AI, and Gamma - and is heading to Microsoft next.Join us for refreshingly honest conversation about navigating PM internships, building skills, and what it really means to grow in product. If you’re a student curious about product management but unsure how to actually get started, this episode’s for you.We cover:How the PM role evolves across different companiesActionable ways to grow PM skills when you don’t have the title yetTips on intentional networking that actually work (even when it’s awkward)How to prep for your first product interviews - "without shortcuts"!Real talk about U.S. co-opsKey takeaway? Be curious. Don't take shortcuts. Start before you’re ready.