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All Things Product with Teresa and Petra
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All Things Product with Teresa and Petra

Author: Petra Wille & Teresa Torres

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All Things Product with Teresa and Petra – Unfiltered, insightful, and straight to the point.

Join Teresa Torres and Petra Wille as they dive into the world of product management—one topic at a time. No long interviews, no fluff—just real conversations about the challenges, trends, and ideas shaping the way we build products.

Each week, we tackle a different topic in short, digestible episodes (15-30 minutes)—perfect for your morning commute or coffee break.

🎯 What to expect:
🔹 Curated randomness: We take turns picking topics, bringing fresh perspectives to each discussion.
🔹 Unscripted, authentic conversations: Personal experiences, opinions, and practical advice—without the corporate polish.
🔹 For product people, by product people: Whether you're a product manager or product leader, you’ll find insights you can actually use.

Expect deep dives into product thinking, decision-making, leadership, experimentation, AI, and more—plus the occasional spicy take.

💡 Got a topic you’d love us to cover? Send it our way!
🎧 Listen to All Things Product on your favorite podcast platform and join the conversation.
29 Episodes
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AI Evals & Discovery

AI Evals & Discovery

2025-09-2326:45

Building AI products isn’t just about clever prompts and orchestration—it’s about knowing if what you’ve built actually works. In this episode, Teresa Torres and Petra Wille dive deep into AI evals: how they’re defined, why they’re essential, and how teams can implement them to ensure product quality. Teresa shares her journey building her Interview Coach tool and the hard lessons she learned about evals along the way. From golden datasets and synthetic data to error analysis, code-based checks, and LLM-as-judge methods, you’ll walk away with a clearer picture of how to measure and improve AI products over time.
Building AI Products

Building AI Products

2025-09-1621:161

In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille flips the script and asks Teresa Torres a big, timely question: How do product teams learn to build AI-powered products—beyond just dabbling with ChatGPT? Teresa shares fresh insights from her own experience building a real AI product over the past several months, breaking down the unique skills, workflows, and cross-functional collaboration patterns required for success. You’ll hear why building AI features is more like orchestrating a team of interns than just writing a killer prompt, and how practices like observability, evals, and ongoing maintenance need to evolve for the LLM era. If you’re a product person figuring out where AI fits in your org, this conversation will give you a clear, practical starting point.
So many of us chase promotions as if they’re the ultimate career milestone—but are they really the best goal? In this conversation, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres unpack why promotions can be a tricky (and sometimes misleading) target, what to focus on instead, and how to reframe career growth around skills, influence, and personal fulfillment. In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dig into the obsession with promotions and why they might not be the best north star for your career. Instead, they explore what it looks like to invest in personal growth, craftsmanship, and influence—and how those things can open doors far beyond a title change.
Curation

Curation

2025-09-0218:20

We’re back from our summer break! In this first episode of the new season, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres catch up on Product at Heart and dive into the conference’s 2025 theme: curation. From backlogs and customer segments to product experiences and your own workload, curation is everywhere in product work. Petra and Teresa explore why this skill is more critical than ever—especially in a world where AI is making it faster and cheaper to build. You’ll hear how to avoid the “Homer Simpson car” trap, why saying “no” is part of the job, and how to define your own curation criteria so you can make sharper, more intentional choices. Whether you’re easing back into work post-summer or staring down a mountain of priorities, this episode will help you put on your curator’s hat and focus on what matters most.
Summer Break

Summer Break

2025-07-2202:10

In this quick update, Teresa and Petra share their plans for a summer break. With August just around the corner—and in true European fashion—they’re hitting pause to rest, recharge, and enjoy some time outdoors. Expect a return to regularly scheduled programming on September 2nd. Until then, enjoy your summer, whether you’re wing foiling and hiking South Tyrol like Petra, building cool stuff like Teresa, or just soaking up the sun.
Go to the Source

Go to the Source

2025-07-1521:28

In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres unpack one of their favorite guiding principles: "Go find the source." With the rise of social media hot takes and oversimplified content, it’s easy to misunderstand product frameworks and best practices. Petra and Teresa share real-life examples—from OKRs to Opportunity Solution Trees—to show why it's so important to dig deeper, trace ideas back to credible origins, and seek out diverse perspectives. Whether you're tired of shallow takes on LinkedIn or just want to sharpen your product thinking, this episode will help you build a more thoughtful, informed, and intentional product practice.
In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dig into one of the most common — and tricky — questions they get: How do I choose the right product coach? If you’ve ever scrolled past 7,500 “product coaches” on LinkedIn and wondered who’s actually worth your time and money, this one’s for you. Teresa and Petra share red flags to watch out for, green flags that signal quality, and practical tips for vetting coaches across product discovery, leadership, and more. Whether you’re looking for your first coach or want to sanity-check your current shortlist, you’ll walk away with a clear framework to help you make an informed choice.
In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dive deep into a question from a listener: What’s the real difference between organizations that fund projects and those that fund teams? It’s a deceptively simple question that touches the core of shifting from a project-based mindset to a product operating model. Teresa and Petra unpack what it actually takes to move toward team-based funding—especially when continuous discovery is involved. From annual planning and ROI modeling to bridging the communication gap with finance, they talk through the practical, messy, and often political nature of this transformation. If you’re a product leader, product manager, or work closely with finance, this episode is packed with insights on how to drive outcomes, not just output—and why it matters.
In this episode, Petra Wille gives us a behind-the-scenes look at her newest framework—the Product Leadership Wheel. Building on the success of her PM Wheel, Petra shares how she’s tackling the complexity of product leadership by helping leaders self-assess across 12 core responsibilities. From directional clarity to cultural advocacy and process oversight, we dig into what it really takes to grow as a product leader (and why it’s okay if you’re not amazing at everything). Whether you’re a CPO, Head of Product, or aspiring product leader, this episode will help you reflect on where you’re thriving, where you can grow, and how to build support across your org.
AI Prototyping

AI Prototyping

2025-06-1720:36

AI prototyping tools are mushrooming—Replit, V0, Bolt, WindSurf, and more—but do they actually help with discovery work? In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres discuss how AI-powered tools can supercharge assumption testing, where they still fall short, and what that means for product teams today. From building chat interfaces with custom data to testing leadership self-assessment tools, both Petra and Teresa share their hands-on experiences—what worked, what was frustrating, and how these tools can fit into continuous discovery habits. Whether you're a product manager, designer, or engineer wondering if these tools are a game-changer or just hype, this conversation breaks it down with real talk and real use cases.
What is Product Ops?

What is Product Ops?

2025-06-1022:18

In this episode of All Things Product, Teresa Torres and Petra Wille unpack one of the most ambiguous roles in product organizations: Product Operations. What is product ops, really? Is it strategy alignment? BI and analytics? Coaching? Stakeholder management? All of the above—or none? Drawing from real-world examples, Teresa and Petra dig into the evolving definition of product ops, where it overlaps with other functions (like HR, Agile coaching, or the CPO role), and when it actually adds value. If you’ve ever wondered whether your org needs a product ops team—or what to do with the one you have—this one’s for you.
Measurable Outcomes

Measurable Outcomes

2025-06-0313:07

In this episode of All Things Product, Teresa Torres and Petra Wille tackle a classic product question with a twist: Should all outcomes be measurable? Teresa revisits a long-held belief—that outcomes should be metrics—and explains why she’s starting to shift her thinking. Drawing from hands-on product work (like rethinking outcomes at a recruiting platform), Teresa shows how focusing on value creation moments can sometimes matter more than tracking clean metrics. Petra adds her perspective with the Google HEART framework, highlighting how starting with signals instead of goals can lead to smarter product decisions. Whether you’re early in discovery or leading a seasoned product team, this episode helps you rethink how to frame success—even when it’s hard to measure.
In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dive deep into an increasingly relevant (and occasionally frustrating) topic: how people show up in communities—and whether they’re showing up to give or to take. From in-person meetups and Slack groups to book signings and LinkedIn interactions, Petra and Teresa explore the subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between authentic contribution and self-serving behavior. They share personal stories, real-world examples, and some tough love about what it really means to engage meaningfully. If you've ever wondered how to grow your network, become a sought-after speaker, or simply be a better community member—this one’s for you.
Can an organization operate with both a product and a project mindset—at the same time? In this episode, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres unpack one of the most common operating model questions in product organizations today. They dive deep into the differences between project and product operating models, when each one makes the most sense, and why the answer to “either/or” is usually “yes, and.” From legacy software roots to modern product teams juggling compliance work and customer outcomes, Petra and Teresa explore real-world examples, practical frameworks, and the importance of staying flexible. Whether you’re deep in continuous discovery or trying to modernize legacy workflows, this episode offers clarity and nuance around how we frame the work—without getting dogmatic.
Saying No

Saying No

2025-05-1322:09

Saying no is hard — but it’s essential to great product management. In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dive deep into the art (and science) of saying no as a product manager. They explore why learning to say no isn’t just a skill — it’s core to the job — and how to do it thoughtfully without losing trust or momentum. From frameworks for filtering ideas, to the magic of “not yet” vs. “hard no,” to when it’s okay (and even encouraged) to just say yes — Petra and Teresa unpack real-world tips you can apply with your team today.
In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dive deep into the often-overlooked topic of professional development for product leaders. Drawing from their own experiences and coaching practices, they explore why leaders struggle to invest in themselves, what the real blockers are (spoiler: it’s not just budget), and how to navigate growth despite uncertainty and overwhelm. From frameworks like the Learning Menu to the uncomfortable truth about leading during downturns, this episode is both a rallying cry and a practical guide for any product leader ready to take their development seriously. Vulnerability, coaching, reflective practices, and skill-building—all on the table. Whether you're a head of product, a seasoned CPO, or simply a product leader feeling stuck—this one's for you.
Big Backlogs

Big Backlogs

2025-04-2919:181

Drowning in Jira tickets? Wondering how to prioritize when every stakeholder has a “brilliant” idea and your roadmap is already bursting at the seams? In this episode of All Things Product, Teresa Torres and Petra Wille tackle one of the most common pain points in product management: the giant, messy, unmanageable backlog. From auto-closing ancient tickets to reframing prioritization as filtering for impact, they share battle-tested tactics to bring order to chaos—without spinning your wheels ranking 400 items. Whether you're inheriting a legacy product, working in a feature factory, or just trying to make smarter decisions faster, this episode offers practical, real-world advice you can apply today.
What happens when your product strategy doesn’t match what your teams are learning in discovery? In this episode of All Things Product, Teresa Torres and Petra Wille unpack how to spot when your strategy needs a refresh—and how to evolve it based on real customer insights. They challenge the assumption that most organizations even have a clear product strategy, explore what makes a strategy actionable (and durable), and offer practical guidance for product leaders and teams navigating discovery-driven change. You’ll walk away with tools to: ✅ Identify implicit vs. explicit strategy ✅ Use discovery insights to evolve strategic direction ✅ Create feedback loops between product teams and leadership ✅ Measure if your strategy is actually working ✅ Whether you're in a startup juggling shifting priorities or a mature org trying to keep strategy aligned across teams, this conversation brings clarity to a complex topic.
Public speaking can be daunting—especially when you're aiming for a big stage. In this episode of All Things Product, Petra and Teresa pull back the curtain on how they craft their conference talks from scratch. Whether you're eyeing your first local meetup or preparing for a keynote at a major conference, they walk you through their real-world processes, share personal stories (and stumbles), and offer practical tips to help you step onto any stage with confidence. From finding your unique take on a topic to rehearsing like a pro (yes, 30+ times is a thing!), this conversation is packed with honest insights and encouragement for anyone wanting to grow their public speaking game.
Capacity Planning

Capacity Planning

2025-04-0815:55

In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres tackle a big question: How does capacity planning fit in an outcome-driven, discovery-first organization? Spoiler alert—it usually doesn’t. Teresa shares why traditional capacity planning breaks her heart, while Petra offers a nuanced take on how her past teams used it for internal alignment (not control). Together, they explore the clash between rigid planning rituals and the reality of continuous discovery work. Expect some honest rants, practical reframes, and a few metaphors (yes, rocks, pebbles, and sand make an appearance). If you’ve ever sat through a multi-hour spreadsheet meeting only to fall behind on your roadmap—this one’s for you.
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