Ever wondered what it’s like to manage products in the world of open source software?

In this episode of Product Confidential, we dive deep into the fascinating journey of Karl, who transitioned from a Linux enthusiast in college to a product manager at Microsoft.

What You’ll Learn:

👉 The evolution of Microsoft’s relationship with open source.

👉 Challenges of collaboration in open source communities.

👉 Key differences between traditional and open source product management.

👉 How to monetise open source software without losing community trust.

👉 Practical advice for breaking into open source product management.

02:15 Understanding Open Source Development

08:41 The Evolution of Microsoft and Open Source

13:33 Challenges in Open Source Product Management

20:31 Influencing in Open Source Communities

29:03 Monetizing Open Source Software

38:03 Skills for Open Source Product Management

40:23 Conclusion and Future Plans

Don’t miss this candid conversation packed with actionable insights for anyone curious about the intersection of open source and product management.

See more from Karl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-abbott/

Subscribe to the Product Confidential podcast now and never miss an episode filled with industry secrets, expert interviews, and actionable advice!

Welcome back and happy 2025!

"This is a little kickstart to January."

We're kicking off with a solo episode from Evie as she dives into her extensive research on burnout in product management, sharing her personal story and insights.

It's going to be an interactive, reflective episode so you can make the changes that you want to action this year!

We're talking about what causes burnout, why it's so high in product, how to recognise your own stressors (and what actions to take to prevent them!)

If you're looking for the boost you need to help you set yourself up for success and break the burnout cycles, we've got you covered.

Spoiler: "You need to take full responsibility."

Key Takeaways

It's not just about how much you work, but how you feel about it.

92% of product professionals have experienced burnout or are on the verge.

You are responsible for your own well-being at work.

Implementing small changes can lead to significant improvements.

Mindset shifts are necessary to overcome burnout.

Burnout coaching link:

www.eviebrockwell.com/burnout-in-product

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Burnout in Product Management

16:05 Understanding Burnout: Definitions and Symptoms

28:34 Strategies for Overcoming Burnout

As ever, if you take loads of value from this episode then follow & rate the show so we can bring you even more content this year!

Burnout coaching link:

⁠www.eviebrockwell.com/burnout-in-product⁠

Ever felt swamped by the myriad frameworks in product management?

We get into all of the details on the pros, the cons (hello imposter syndrome), and how to use frameworks effectively.

Our guest is Ed Walsh. Ed is the Head of Product at Zapmap - the UK's leading EV charging platform shares all of his views in this episode.

Discover why frameworks aren't one-size-fits-all, when they're genuinely useful, and how they can sometimes hinder more than help. Ed spills the beans on his favourite tools like the Business Model Canvas and Jobs to be Done, and offers candid advice on avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you're a startup hustler or a corporate climber, this chat is packed with invaluable insights that'll help you lead your team more effectively. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:30 The Overwhelming World of Product Frameworks 01:51 The Role of Frameworks in Career Development 03:20 Advice for Using Frameworks Effectively 04:22 Understanding the Purpose of Frameworks 05:39 Identifying and Solving Problems with Frameworks 07:54 Transitioning Away from Framework Dependence 13:04 The Downsides of Over-Reliance on Frameworks 15:33 Principle-Based Leadership and Framework Flexibility 22:18 Favorite Frameworks and Their Applications 25:26 Frameworks in Startups vs. Big Corporates 27:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Ed is an incredible coach in the product world, if you'd love to see more of his views - you can connect with him here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edmund-walsh-61223a47/