Supra Insider

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben sat down with Alex Hanthorn (Drift, TripleByte, Nielsen) to explore the evolving world of user research. From scrappy research methods in early-stage startups to the more formalized processes at large tech companies, we delve into the challenges and opportunities of understanding user motivations. Alex shares insights from his experiences, including his time working with companies from Taco Bell, and discusses the art of balancing intuition with data.

This episode is packed with actionable advice for founders, product managers, and anyone looking to improve their approach to user research.

All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).

New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇

In this episode, we covered the following topics:

* Alex’s journey from user research into product management

* How startups can quickly validate ideas with scrappy research methods

* The importance of uncovering user motivations beyond surface-level feedback

* Examples of research techniques used at companies like Taco Bell and Canvas

* Balancing speed, precision, and risk in product decisions

* The role of AI in accelerating user research and potential pitfalls

* Best practices for involving product designers, engineers, and stakeholders in research

* Using AI tools and call transcription to streamline the process

* And more!

If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:

Links:

* Alex Hanthorn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-hanthorn/

* Alex’s website: https://www.alexhanthorn.com/

* Continuous Discovery Habits by Teresa Torres: https://www.amazon.com/Continuous-Discovery-Habits-Discover-Products/dp/1736633309

* Outset: https://www.outset.ai/

* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/

* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇

Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:

And here are some less recent favorites:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben are joined by Varun Puri, CEO and co-founder of Yoodli, a platform helping people improve their public speaking skills. Varun shares his journey from working with Sergey Brin at Google to taking the leap into entrepreneurship. The conversation delves into Varun’s time at Google X, the early days of building Yoodli, the harsh realities of founding a company, and the joys of actually making a difference.

This episode is a must-listen for aspiring founders and product leaders who want to hear an honest account of the highs and lows of startup life.

All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).

New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇

In this episode, we covered the following topics:

* Varun’s experience reporting directly to Sergey Brin at Google and Google X

* His transition from a Google PM to founding Yoodli

* Challenges of building a public speaking platform

* The realities of entrepreneurship, from personal sacrifices to celebrating wins

* Lessons learned from building a consumer-focused product and pivoting to enterprise sales

* Advice for product leaders thinking about starting their own business

* And more!

If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:

Links:

* Varun Puri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/varun-puri001/

* Yoodli: https://yoodli.ai/

* Esha Joshi (Yoodli’s other co-founder): https://www.linkedin.com/in/eshajoshi/

* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/

* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇

Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:

And here are some less recent favorites:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben sat down with Melissa Chi, COO and former head of product at Pathpoint. We explore Melissa's transition from a product leader to COO, the importance of maintaining user empathy in a remote, operations-heavy environment, and how she continues to support and coach her team. Melissa also shares insights on managing time effectively, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and prioritization in a growth-stage startup.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to grow their career in leadership while maintaining a user-centered approach.

All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).

New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇

In this episode, we covered the following topics:

* Melissa’s transition from head of product to COO at Pathpoint

* How Melissa stays connected to her users in a remote environment

* The importance of coaching and building empathy with teams

* Managing time effectively as a leader with multiple functions

* Leveraging cross-functional collaboration and direct communication

* Long-term career planning and goal-setting

* And more!

If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:

Links:

* Melissa Chi: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-chi-0073989/

* The LNO Framework by Shreyas Doshi: https://www.dualoop.com/blog/shreyas-doshi-the-lno-effectiveness-framework

* Energy Audit: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HmaRdtk8R5GQtMj72Y6XhHTru5SQAiiqDfDP3qy73k4/edit

* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/

* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇

Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:

And here are some less recent favorites:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben sat down with longtime friends and co-founders, Joshua Herzig-Marx and Ben Sprecher, to explore their journey from childhood friendship to building a company that was acquired by Google. In this candid conversation, Joshua and Ben share their co-founder origin story, the challenges they faced scaling a startup, and how they managed their relationship through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. They also dive into the crucial lessons learned from hiring a CEO, pivoting their business model, and making tough decisions to ensure a successful exit.

This episode is packed with invaluable insights for anyone thinking about finding a co-founder or navigating the early stages of a startup.

All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).

New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇

In this episode, we covered the following topics:

* Josh and Ben’s co-founder origin story, from childhood friends to business partners

* The importance of trust and intellectual respect between co-founders

* Why finding a co-founder with complementary skill sets can save a startup from failure

* The decision to hire a CEO and how it shaped their company’s trajectory

* Navigating the emotional challenges of running a startup and maintaining a strong co-founder relationship

* The pivotal moments that led to their startup being acquired by Google

* Lessons learned from balancing long-term vision with short-term opportunities

* And more!

If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:

Links:

* Joshua Herzig-Marx: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaherzigmarx/

* Josh’s site: https://joshua.herzig-marx.com/

* Ben Sprecher: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bensprecher/

* Josh’s wife Carla Naumberg’s new book, How to Stop Freaking Out: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/books/how-to-stop-freaking-out/

* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/

* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇

Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:

And here are some less recent favorites:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of the Supra Insider. This time, Ben and Marc are joined by Katie Kent, who shares her unique experience transitioning from a product leadership role back to an individual contributor (IC) as a staff PM at Semgrep. Katie talks about how her background in leadership has sharpened her skills as an IC, the lessons she’s learned from the security industry, and why she believes in staying hands-on with product work. The conversation explores the value of remote and hybrid work, the evolving role of tools like FigJam in fostering collaboration, and what it means to bring joy and delight into B2B products.

Whether you’re a PM considering a career shift or looking to deepen your strategic thinking, this episode offers a wealth of insights.

All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).

New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇

In this episode, we covered the following topics:

* Katie's decision to move from a leadership role back to being an IC and how it's impacted her approach to product management

* Her journey into the security industry and what makes security a compelling space for product managers

* The benefits of hybrid versus remote work and how the return to office is reshaping PM roles

* How collaboration tools like FigJam are changing the dynamics between product managers, designers, and engineers

* The future of leadership in tech and the potential career paths for PMs

* Insights on staying connected to the craft of product management and maintaining creativity and impact over the long term

* And more!

If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:

Links:

* Katie Kent: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiekent/

* Katie’s X: https://twitter.com/k80kent

* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/

* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇

Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:

And here are some less recent favorites:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben sat down with Josh Brewer, former CEO and Co-founder of Abstract, to discuss the nuances of creative leadership in today's fast-evolving tech landscape. Josh shares his unique perspective on building high-performing teams, delegating effectively, and fostering an environment of openness and authenticity. The conversation delves into the concept of "founder mode," the future of design amidst AI advancements, and the critical role design plays in shaping product vision and business strategy.

Tune in for actionable insights and lessons from Josh's extensive experience in product management, design, and entrepreneurship.

All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).

New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇

In this episode, we covered the following topics:

* Strategies for building and nurturing high-performing teams

* Josh's thoughts on the concept of "founder mode" and balancing leadership with effective delegation

* Insights on delivering and receiving feedback in a growth-oriented environment

* The evolving role of design in the age of AI and its impact on future products

* How to attract top talent and cultivate a culture of creativity and accountability

* Reflections on the importance of staying connected to the core mission of the product and the organization

* And more!

If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:

Links:

* Josh Brewer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrewer/

* Josh’s Website: https://jbrewer.me/

* Josh’s Threads: https://www.threads.net/@jbrewer

* Josh’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/jbrewer

* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/

* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇

Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:

And here are some less recent favorites:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben explore the timely topic of taking time off. Recently returning from their own breaks, they share experiences, insights, and reflections on the value of truly unplugging. The conversation delves into their activities during time off, common challenges of stepping away from work, and effective strategies for fully disconnecting. They also discuss the personal benefits experienced and the lessons learned, which they are excited to apply moving forward.

For anyone considering a break or just returning from one, this discussion is meant to inspire and offer practical advice on making the most of downtime.

All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).

New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇

In this episode, we covered the following topics:

* The importance of taking time off and its benefits for both personal well-being and professional growth

* Common concerns and challenges people face when disconnecting from work

* Strategies for fully unplugging and making the most of time away

* Insights on how time off can lead to renewed energy, clarity, and focus

* Reflections on maintaining balance between work and personal life

* Practical tips for planning and preparing for time off effectively

* And more!

If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:

Links:

* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/

* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇

Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, we feature Brenton Sellati, a seasoned product leader who went from managing four teams to leading 50 at Wayfair. Brenton introduces his framework for exponential growth, focusing on critical thinking, problem-solving, and influencing skills. He shares how applying these principles to his career led to rapid advancement and offers practical advice for PMs at all levels. This episode is packed with insights for anyone looking to elevate their product management game. We highly recommend you watch this episode on YouTube since Brenton used slides throughout the episode.

All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).

New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇

In this episode, we covered the following topics:

* Brenton's journey from Group PM (4 teams) to Senior Director (50 teams) at Wayfair

* The four domains of intelligence and their relevance to product management

* How to develop first principles and mental models for effective problem-solving

* The importance of framing ideas to influence and align teams

* The concept of portfolio strategy and its role in prioritizing efforts

* Tips for PMs to continuously improve their critical thinking and decision-making abilities

* And more!

If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:

Links:

* Brenton Sellati: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentonsellati/

* Presentation Decks: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1PZvjGT8HQ-WM21jbW8K_SBo3Zp3pnkGJOK7OM-1R6eg/edit#slide=id.g1efbe561ac4_0_72

* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/

* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇

Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed:

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben sat down with Rich Mironov, an experienced product leader and 6x interim CPO, about the challenges of managing product strategy in sales-driven environments. We discussed building better relationships between product and go-to-market teams, why burnout is so common among product leaders, and how to thrive in these high-pressure roles. This conversation is a must for anyone navigating the complex dynamics of product leadership, especially in a B2B environment.

All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).

In this episode, we covered the following topics:

* The challenges product leaders face in balancing the needs of go-to-market teams with long-term product strategy

* The importance of understanding incentives and timelines in sales-driven organizations

* Why empathy and relationship-building with cross-functional teams are crucial for successful product management

* Common misconceptions about the roles and motivations of sales and marketing teams

* Strategies for product leaders to influence executive decisions and prioritize effectively

* The increasing trend of burnout among product leaders and practical advice for managing stress and expectations

* Rich's thoughts on how to assess company culture and leadership dynamics during a job search to ensure a good fit

* And more!

If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:

Links:

* Rich Mironov’s Product Bytes: https://www.mironov.com/

* Rich’s article on CPO burnout: https://www.mironov.com/cpo-burnout/

* Rich’s article on why prioritization is about politics: https://www.mironov.com/pri-politics/

* Rich: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richmironov/

* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/

* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇

First time here? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇

And if you’re new, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed (Spotify links embed better but you can see all of these on other platforms, too, from the podcast page on Substack):

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com

Welcome to another episode of Supra Insider. This time, Marc and Ben sat down with Allison Braley, partner and head of marketing at Bain Capital Ventures. This episode delves into common marketing and communications mistakes made by founders, the importance of an authentic online presence, and how to build effective partnerships between product leaders and marketers. We also touched on Allison’s transition from an operational marketing leader role to supporting founders as a VC and why this new role plays to her strengths. This episode is essential for founders looking to enhance their marketing strategies and get more leverage out of their marketing leaders.

All episodes of the podcast are also available on Spotify, Apple and YouTube (video).

New to the pod? Subscribe below to get the next episode in your inbox 👇

In this episode, we covered the following topics:

* What founders get wrong when it comes to marketing

* The benefits of continuously workshopping your company’s narrative

* The value of establishing an authentic online voice as a founder

* Allison’s learnings from creating consistent and engaging content

* Pitfalls of ghostwriting and why it can be detrimental

* Setting up effective partnerships between product and marketing

* Allison’s transition to supporting founders as a marketing partner at BCV

* And more!

If you’d like to watch the video of our conversation, you can catch that on YouTube:

Links:

* Allison’s Succession finale post on LI (the last of many bangers)

* Allison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonbraley/

* Ben: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/

* Marc: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcbaselga/

If you enjoyed this conversation, please share it with a friend or colleague 👇

Also, if you’re a new subscriber, we encourage you to check out some of the recent episodes you might have missed (Spotify links embed better but you can see all of these on other platforms, too, from the podcast page on Substack):

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit suprainsider.substack.com