Product Pals

In this episode of the Product Pals Podcast, Charlotte and Kiet sit down with Ryan Huynh — Product Manager and co-organiser of ProductTank Sydney.Ryan’s career has spanned AI research, Big Four consulting, and product management. He shares how consulting gave him a toolkit of frameworks, delivery discipline, and stakeholder skills — and how those translate into product craft today.🔑 What you’ll hear:Ryan’s pivot from data & AI into PM, and the big lessons learnedLaunching AQ Intelligence from 0→1 and finding product-market fitWhy he believes the heart of PM is making good decisionsConsulting skills that give PMs an edge in strategy and executionHow AI is shaping his workflow, learning, and view of PM’s futureHis advice to his younger self: learn economics to understand decision-making💡 Plus: Rapid-fire fun, contrarian takes, and a thought-provoking future-guest question:👉 “If product managers don’t exist anymore, what’s the biggest disaster you see?”🎧 Link in first comment Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your pods.🍪 Knowledge Snacks (from the episode)🍿Economics Explained (Youtube channel) https://www.youtube.com/@EconomicsExplained (Kiet’s recommendation)🍊Freakonomics Stephen J. Dubner and Steven Levitt (book) https://amzn.to/466fSIt (Charlotte’s recommendation)

Thank you for tuning into this special bonus episode of Product Pals! After our original chat with Will during Men’s Health Month, we were overwhelmed by the heartfelt responses from our listeners. In this short follow-up, Will shares the incredible feedback he received, and we dig a little deeper into why these conversations on men’s mental health are so important.We also touch on topics like:Societal expectations and generational shifts in emotional awarenessAI tools as unconventional support for reflection and self-growthHow to prioritise emotional fitness like physical health💙 Helpful Resources Mentioned in the Episode:Australia’s Mental Health Treatment Plan Access up to 10 individual and 10 group sessions annually through Medicare with a referral from your GP. 🔗 Learn more hereGotcha4Life Mental Fitness Gym App Build your mental fitness with daily emotional check-ins and easy-to-use resources. 🔗 Explore the app here Note: Product Pals is not affiliated with this app—we just think it’s a great tool worth sharing.ChatGPT Reflective Prompt Will mentioned during the podcast (for personal insight and growth):Disclaimer: This is not a substitute for professional mental health support.Act like an analytical and executive psychologist, knowing me well through my behavior, way of thinking, and how I perform.Dive into my personality through five lenses:(1) Actual strengths(2) Deepest weaknesses(3) Recurring patterns of failure(4) Areas I avoid(5) Skills and opportunities I neglect even though they could change my life.Don’t flatter me at all. Use a serious and stern tone, as if my professional future depends on this analysis.After the analysis, present me with a three-stage development plan:(1) What to stop immediately(2) What to start immediately(3) What to rebuild from scratch.Portable Bathtub link Charlotte mentioned (not sponsored links):📬 Connect with our guest and Product PalsWant to reach out to Will directly? He reads every message—just reference this episode!Instagram: @hello_willlyLinkedIn: William Ly💌 You can also contact us via LinkedIn or at productpalspodcast@gmail.com.Let’s keep the conversation going 💬

In this episode of Product Pals, Charlotte and Kiet return to the heart of product management — product thinking — and unpack how it connects with the broader Influence-Dynamics Map (IDM). They dive into the real differences between product and systems thinking, demystify how to craft vision without the corporate fluff, and break down why execution and operations deserve their own spotlight (even if they often get lumped together).Expect practical frameworks, honest reflections, and relatable stories from the product trenches — all aimed at helping you think more clearly, act more strategically, and lead with more intention.📚 If you’re keen to dig deeper, we’ve gathered some of our favourite reads and resources below. A few links are affiliate ones — so if you do click and buy, you might be funding a future Product Pals coffee (or at least part of my flat white). No pressure, just pals supporting pals.🔗 Further Reading & ResourcesProduct Pals Medium Blog: Influence-Dynamic Map OverviewThinking, Fast and Slow – Daniel Kahneman → amzn.to/4mE2BynStart With Why – Simon Sinek → amzn.to/4kJUxdFPlaying to Win – A.G. Lafley & Roger Martin → amzn.to/3GYtpc6Escaping the Build Trap – Melissa Perri → amzn.to/45eO4CEMelissa Perri’s LinkedIn Post on PM CareersSpotify Squad Health Check Model

Product managers are often pressured to make quick decisions—but what if taking a systems thinking approach led to better, more strategic solutions?In this episode of Product Pals, Charlotte and Kiet uncover how systems thinking helps PMs step back, assess the bigger picture, and make smarter decisions. We discuss:🔹 The importance of System Thinking and how does it different from default mental model🔹 how to leverage our Product Pals’ original Dynamics-Influence Model - Systems Thinking for PMs to discover and explore different dynamic across all layers that influence your decisions🔹 Practical tools and advices to enhance your strategic thinking and decision-making skillsIf you want to go beyond short-term solutions and develop a strategic mindset for long-term impact, this episode is for you.🎧 Listen now and elevate your approach to problem-solving!

In this episode of Product Pals, Charlotte and Kiet tackle the often-overlooked connection between product management and finance. From Charlotte's personal journey of rediscovering her relationship with money to Kiet’s experiences with financial modelling, they dive into how understanding the numbers can transform your product strategy. They share practical tips for building financial knowledge, including how to tackle the vulnerability of discussing money, the importance of mentorship, and the power of financial models in decision-making. Whether you're new to product management or a seasoned pro, join us for insights on how finance can help you make better, more confident product decisions and drive real business impact!

How do you bring your thinking model and skills to life during a case study interview? Feeling a bit overwhelmed while preparing? We've been there. In this episode of Product Pals, we challenge ourselves with a live case study simulation focused on AI-driven job displacement. We walk through our thinking models, share different strategies, and provide practical advice for navigating frameworks and solving complex problems. With insights and tips throughout, we hope you'll feel more prepared to confidently showcase your PM skills in your next case study interview!