In this episode of The Product Leader’s Playbook, two AI-generated podcasters break down Sam Robertstad’s latest article on one of the most costly traps in product discovery: the Validation Gap.

Too often, teams mistake early signals such as compliments, interest, or prototype clicks for real validation. But true validation isn’t what users say. It’s what they’re willing to do.

We cover:

• Why positive feedback doesn’t equal proof

• The 3 stages of the Validation Ladder: Signal, Simulation, and Stakes

• How to design micro-stakes that reveal real user intent

• Common ways teams fall into the Validation Gap, and how to avoid them

If you’ve ever launched — or want to avoid launching — a “validated” feature that flopped, listen closely.