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Theory is nice...but let's get practical!
Welcome to Practical Product Management
Each week we peel back the layers of product management theory and dive into the nuts and bolts of making real decisions in high-stakes tech environments. Join us, Marilyn McDonald and Leah Farmer, as we share insights from our 20+ years at the forefront of Big Tech, Payments, Scaleups, and Startups.
Having worked together at Amazon and Expedia, and been each other’s staunchest supporters and cheerleaders, we bring a unique blend of expertise, enthusiasm, and friendship to every episode. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the field, our podcast promises not only to enlighten but also to entertain.
Let's have some fun and learn together!

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S2:E23 - Be the CEO of Your Life
Who do you let sit at your personal board of directors?
Leah Farmer
4 days ago2 min read
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S2:E22 - Best of Season 2, Part 2 - Conversations that reminded us why Product is a "people-first" craft
In this second Best Of  episode, we’re looking back at Episodes 11–20 — a surprisingly tender, energizing, and thought-provoking stretch of Season 2. These conversations took us into topics we didn’t expect at the start of the year: burnout as data, the role of play, the need for white space, the courage it takes to challenge old ways of working, and the deep connection between product management and human behavior. We met some incredible new people this season — Charity, Sun
Leah Farmer
Nov 192 min read
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S2:E21 - Best of Season 2, Part 1 - Highlights, lessons and laughs from our most curious season yet.
We discuss the first 10 episodes of season 2 and play great clips.
Leah Farmer
Nov 51 min read
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S2:E20 - Designing for Play: Building Games That Bring People Together
Great episode discussing building games and human nature.
Leah Farmer
Oct 222 min read
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S2:E19-Fearless Fundamentals: How Language, Bravery, and Trust Shape Great Product Teams
Have a perspective, get the fundamentals right, be courageous!
Leah Farmer
Oct 81 min read
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S2:E18 - Making Pigs Fly: Turn early career lessons, empathy, and curiosity into product success.
No questions is silly enough that it shouldn't be asked!
Leah Farmer
Sep 241 min read
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S2:E17 - From MVPs to FAFO: Iterations, courage, and what it really means to learn fast in Product.
Why fuck around and find out is a reasonable way to approach product management.
Leah Farmer
Sep 101 min read
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S1:E16 - Nerds to Norms: Why real conversations still beat synthetic data in B2B product management
How to think about B2B Product Management in the current environment
Leah Farmer
Sep 31 min read
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S2:E15 - Running on Empty: Why high-achievers struggle to slow down and what it takes to truly rest.
Ambition is not a bad word.
Leah Farmer
Aug 131 min read
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S2:E14 - Make Space, Not Noise: How Great Product Leadership Starts with Listening
In this episode, we sit down with Greg Weinger—SVP of Product at SheerID and creator of the Powerful Introvert  podcast and newsletter....
Leah Farmer
Jul 301 min read
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S2E13: Better Together - How Mutual Respect, Curiosity, and Shared Goals Create the Best Product & Engineering Collaborations
In this episode, we sat down with the brilliant Alesha Cronie. We talk about the real magic that happens when product, engineering, and...
Leah Farmer
Jul 161 min read
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S2:E12 - The Inside Job: Leadership, Self-Knowledge, & Communication Styles from the Inside Out
In this episode of Practical Product Management , we talk with Ryan Scott , Head of Product: AI and Innovation at DNA Behavior. Ryan...
Leah Farmer
Jul 21 min read
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S2:E11 - Year 1: Friendship, Frameworks, and the Future of Product
In this special anniversary episode of Practical Product Management , we’re celebrating one year (and 33 episodes!) of podcasting...
Leah Farmer
Jun 182 min read
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S2:E10 - Stop Trying to Do It All! - Feedback, Mentors, & Being Human as a Product Manager
Lessons from a recently retired Principal PM!
Leah Farmer
Jun 42 min read
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S2:E9 - Practice Like You Play: How Product Teams Win with Clarity, Conflict, & Staying in the Game
In this episode of Practical Product Management, we’re joined by one of our closest friends and former colleagues, Geno White, founder of...
Leah Farmer
May 212 min read
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S2:E8 - Film Festivals, Velociraptors, & Heart Surgery: Building Immersive Products in AR, VR, & AI
In this episode of Practical Product Management , we sat down with Leah's longtime friend and former colleague Brad Jefferson to explore...
Leah Farmer
May 72 min read
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S2:E7 - Ask for What You Want: Careers, Contracts, and Building Product That Work Everywhere
In this episode of Practical Product Management , we sat down with our longtime friend and former Amazon colleague Jen Bloom. Jen’s had a...
Leah Farmer
Apr 232 min read
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S2:E6 - Help Me Understand Why: How "Dumb Questions" Might Save Your Product...and Your Startup
In this episode of Practical Product Management , we sit down with our friend and former colleague Sam Zebarjadi—an incredible product...
Leah Farmer
Apr 92 min read
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S2:E5 - GovTech, Outcomes & Impact: Building Meaningful Products in High-Stakes Environments
In this episode of Practical Product Management, we talk with Rob Monroe, Practice Lead at Rise8, about the complexity and nuance of...
Leah Farmer
Mar 262 min read
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S2:E4 - Beyond the Checkbox: The Future of Accessibility in Product Management
In this episode of Practical Product Management , we’re joined by accessibility pioneer Mike Paciello  to discuss how accessibility is...
Leah Farmer
Mar 122 min read
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