Product Bakar: Recent Episodes
Rishikesh Kankal
Everything about and around the product. The world is like a canvas and there are artists who paint it by creating products that simply change the way we do things. The process is fascinating and the creators of it are amazing. Come with me and be the part of the journey of just waiting for some moment and admire the people who make the product, understand how it is made, see how people use it and so many more things. This is my journey of learning and I want to share it with the world. Got feedback send it to rishi@productbakar.in.
Once upon a time, every product became mobile. Then cloud. Then data-driven. Now it’s AI’s turn.
In this episode of Product Bakar, host Rishikesh Kankal breaks down why it’s inevitable that every product will soon be an AI product — and what this shift means for Product Managers.
You’ll learn:
- The 3 stages of AI adoption (Invisible, Assistive, Autonomous)
- Why AI is moving from feature to fabric
- How PMs can stay ahead by designing for AI-native workflows
🎙️ Tune in to understand the mindset shift every PM needs:
Stop asking “Should we use AI?”
Start asking “What happens if we don’t?”
ProductManagement #AI #ProductBakar #ProductTank #ProductManagers #AIinProducts
Most product managers today are AI tourists — they explore AI, experiment with it, maybe even launch a few features. But thinking like an AI-native PM? That’s a different game.
In this short, crisp episode of Product Bakar, we unpack what it really means to be an AI-native product manager — someone who builds with AI as the foundation, not as an afterthought.
You’ll learn:
- How to shift from adding AI on top to designing from AI up.
- The three traits that define AI-native PMs:
1️⃣ Curiosity about data, not just features.
2️⃣ Comfort with probabilistic, “imperfect” systems.
3️⃣ Focus on human + AI collaboration instead of replacement. * How to reframe your product questions with an AI-first mindset — from measuring trust to designing for model errors.
If you’re a PM, founder, or builder trying to stay ahead of the AI curve — this one’s for you.
Tags / Keywords
AI Product Management, Product Thinking, Data Strategy, Product Leadership, PM Mindset, Product Bakar, AI-native PM, Artificial Intelligence, Product Management Podcast, Rishikesh Kankal
We’ve always designed products for humans. But in an AI-first world, not all of your product’s “users” are human anymore. Increasingly, AI agents are researching, comparing, and even transacting on behalf of people.
In this episode of Product Bakar, we explore:
- What AX (Agent Experience) actually means
- Why AI agents will become the new decision-makers
- How PMs can design for AX: clarity of data, trust, and agent-first signals
The shift from UX to AX isn’t optional — it’s already happening. The real question is: is your product ready for agents as well as people?
🎧 Follow Product Bakar for more episodes in our AI season — from building with LLMs to rethinking product metrics in an AI-first world.
Tags / Keywords:
Product Management, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Agent Experience, UX vs AX, PM Skills, Product Strategy, AI for PMs, Product Bakar, Tech Innovation
Show Notes / Links:
- Connect with me on LinkedIn: [Your LinkedIn link]
- Share this episode with a PM who still thinks only about UX
- Next up: Building with LLMs — What PMs Need to Know
AI is everywhere — from boardroom conversations to the apps we use every day. But for product managers, the challenge isn’t keeping up with hype — it’s cutting through it.
In this first episode of our AI season on Product Bakar, we explore what AI really means for PMs:
- Why AI feels overwhelming right now
- The three lenses to think about AI — Enabler, Differentiator, and Disruptor
- What PMs should focus on beyond accuracy: trust, adoption, and impact
If you’re a PM wondering how to move from “AI is cool” to “AI is useful”, this episode is for you.
Follow the show for more episodes in this season where we’ll dive into use cases, agentic commerce, and the future of PM in an AI-first world.
Keywords:
Product Management, AI, Artificial Intelligence, PM Skills, Product Strategy, AI for PMs, Product Bakar, Tech, Product Managers, Innovation
Welcome back to Product Bakar! 🚀
This season is different. We’re diving headfirst into AI and Product Management — not the hype, but the real shifts every PM needs to understand.
Over 30 sharp, practical episodes, we’ll explore:
- How AI changes the way we build, design, and measure products
- Whether AI is just a feature or the product itself
- The rise of agentic commerce, synthetic users, and the death of search
- Lessons from Spotify, Netflix, Duolingo — and failed AI products
- The tough questions: ethics, bias, regulation, and will AI replace PMs?
By the end of this season, you’ll think like an AI-native PM — someone ready to cut through noise and build what really matters.
Follow Product Bakar to join the journey — and share this season with a fellow PM who’s curious (or worried) about AI.
👉 This is the AI Season. Let’s go.
We’ve reached the end of this season of Product Bakar! 🎙️
In this short wrap-up episode, Rishi shares:
- A big milestone: Product Bakar just crossed 1,000 streams & downloads 🎉
- What you, the listeners, had to say about the show — 45% find it super valuable, 5% want it to go deeper, and 55% haven’t explored it enough yet.
- A sneak peek into what’s next: a brand-new season focused entirely on AI for Product Managers.
Thank you for tuning in, sharing, and building with us. This is just the beginning 🔥
👉 If you enjoyed this season, share your favorite episode with a teammate or friend.
Every PM talks about UX and UI — but let’s be honest, most of us confuse the two.
In this episode of Product Bakar, host Rishi Kankal breaks down what PMs really need to know about UX and UI design — without jargon or design-speak.
👉 UX ≠ UI: what they actually mean and why the difference matters
👉 The PM’s role in shaping flows, consistency, and user delight
👉 6 timeless principles of good design
👉 The most common UX/UI mistakes PMs make
👉 Real-world examples: Airbnb, Notion, Spotify, WhatsApp
👉 How AI is already shaping design — and how to use it responsibly
👉 Inspiration from legends like Dieter Rams, Jony Ive, Mathias Duarte & Don Norman
Whether you’re collaborating with designers, shipping features, or reviewing flows — this episode will sharpen your eye for design and make you a better PM.
🎧 Listen now and learn how to build products that are not just functional, but delightful.
Tags: Product Management, UX, UI, Design Thinking, AI, PM Skills, Don Norman, Material Desig
As Product Managers, we chase features, growth, and speed. But here’s the truth — if users don’t trust us with their data, none of it matters.
In this episode of Product Bakar, host Rishikesh Kankal breaks down what PMs need to know about privacy, security, and AI — without the jargon.
👉 Why trust is your real product moat
👉 The 9 key questions every PM must ask before shipping
👉 How GDPR, CCPA, DPDP, and the new EU AI Act impact your product
👉 Real examples of privacy-first design from Apple, Signal, and AI tools
👉 A PM playbook to bake security and ethics into your PRDs
Whether you’re shipping features, running experiments, or building with AI — this episode will help you earn trust and build responsibly.
🎧 Listen now, and learn how to build bold, build safe, and keep that fire alive. 🔥
Tags: Product Management, AI, Data Privacy, Security, PM Skills, Trust, GDPR, Compliance, UX
Spotify Episode Description:
In this episode of Product Bakar, Rishi dives into the world of Product-Led Growth (PLG) — the strategy that’s turning traditional sales and marketing upside down.
You’ll learn:
- What PLG really means (beyond just free trials)
- The five key pillars of successful PLG companies
- How top products like Notion, Zoom, and Calendly sell themselves
- What you, as a Product Manager, need to do differently to thrive in a PLG-first company
From crafting seamless onboarding flows to obsessing over activation metrics — this is a masterclass in thinking like a modern PM.
If you’re building a SaaS product or working in B2B tech — this episode is a must.
🎧 Tune in, and let the product do the talking.
Feeling swamped by dashboards, buried under user feedback, and staring at a blank PRD? The product manager role is more demanding than ever, but a powerful new ally has arrived.
In this episode, Rishikesh Kankal demystifies the world of Generative AI for PMs. This isn't science fiction; it's about practical tools you can use today to automate grunt work, uncover insights faster, and make smarter strategic decisions. Discover how to reclaim your time and focus on what truly matters: building great products.
You won't be replaced by AI, but you might be replaced by a PM who uses it better. Listen now to get ahead of the curve.
In this episode, you'll learn:
🛠️ The 8 key areas where AI can act as your co-pilot, from user research and strategy to writing and data analysis.
🚫 The crucial reality check: What AI still can't do and where your human intuition remains irreplaceable.
🚀 A simple 3-step framework to start using AI today without feeling overwhelmed.
🔮 A glimpse into the future and the skills that will define the next generation of top-tier Product Managers.
Connect with Product Bakar:
- Follow us on Twitter/X: @ProductBakar
- Connect with Rishikesh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rishikeshkankal/
- Website: https://productsense.in/product-bakar
If this episode helped you, please leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating and share it with a PM friend!
Keywords: Product Management, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, ChatGPT, Product Strategy, User Research, PRD, Product Roadmap, Tech Podcast, PM Career, Figma, Notion, Future of Work
Ready to master the art of building great products? In this episode of Product Bakar, host Rishi unpacks the seven stages of the Product Development Lifecycle (PDLC). From the initial spark of an idea to the post-launch hustle and even the final sunset of a product, we'll cover the essential framework every Product Manager needs to know.
We'll dive into:
- The crucial difference between Ideation and Validation.
- Why a well-defined Minimum Viable Product (MVP) is your secret weapon.
- The art of aligning stakeholders during Concept & Definition.
- The PM's vital role during Development & Testing.
- The critical work that begins after a product launches.
This isn't about memorizing acronyms; it's about having a clear, structured roadmap to build products that deliver real value. Plus, Rishi shares a hot take on optimizing your process and answers a listener question about the most common PDLC mistake PMs make.
Tune in to discover how to navigate the PDLC and turn your raw ideas into market-ready solutions!
Tags: Product Management, Product Manager, Product Development, PDLC, Product Lifecycle, Agile, MVP, Tech, Innovation, Startup, Business, Rishi, Product Bakar
Ready to ignite your product mind? 🔥 In this episode of Product Bakar, Rishi dives deep into Agile methodology for Product Managers. Is it still relevant in the age of AI? Absolutely, and perhaps more crucial than ever!
We'll uncover:
- Why Agile is a non-negotiable skill for every PM, from aspiring to seasoned.
- How Agile empowers the development of innovative AI products.
- Real-world success stories: Learn how giants like Spotify, Microsoft, Amazon, and LEGO leverage Agile to win in the market.
- Practical steps for new PMs to get started with Agile.
- Key focus areas for seasoned PMs to master Agile at scale and leverage AI in their workflows.
Tune in to discover why Agile continues to be the bedrock of successful product development, even as AI transforms our landscape. Don't miss out on these essential insights!
#ProductManagement #Agile #AI #ProductBakar #Podcast #Tech #Innovation #ProductDevelopment #Scrum #ProductStrategy
In this episode of Product Bakar, Rishi dives deep into a topic that many PMs shy away from — Technical Acumen.
You don’t need a CS degree, but you do need to understand how your product works. We explore:
- What “technical acumen” really means
- How it improves communication with engineers
- Where to start if you’re from a non-tech background
- Real-world examples of PMs applying tech skills
- Why your ability to shape product decisions depends on this knowledge
This isn’t about writing code — it’s about building confidence, clarity, and credibility.
🎧 Grab your chai or coffee, and let’s decode the tech side of product together.
Hello everyone welcome back to Product Bakar's new Episode where I talk about the importance of importance of Stakeholder Management for Product Managers. In this episode I have covered,
- Who exactly are these stakeholders we keep talking about in the context of a software product?
- Why are stakeholders so important in the process of developing a product?
- How can bad stakeholder management affect product development?
- How can a Product Manager ensure stakeholders are aligned and happy?
- Some techniques you can use for stakeholder management.
- Why this skill – stakeholder management – is core to the role of a Product Manager.
Hope you find this episode helpful in adding to your knowledge base.
If you have any questions please reach out to Rishikesh at, rishikesh@productbakar.com.
Hello everyone welcome back to Product Bakar's new Episode where I talk about the importance of importance of Communication for Product Managers. In this episode I have covered,
- How Communication is Important in Every Field
- Why Communication is Crucial for the Role of Product Manager
- How to Do Effective Communication with Stakeholders
- Why is Communication Important While Dealing with Users
- Some Books to Improve Communication for Product Managers
Hope you find this episode helpful in adding to your knowledge base. If you have any questions please reach out to Rishikesh at, rishikesh@productbakar.com.
Hello everyone welcome back to Product Bakar's new Episode where I talk about the importance of Data Analysis and importance of Data driven decisions for Product Managers. In this episode I have covered,
- Why Data Analysis is Important for Product Managers
- Examples of Data Analysis While Building a Product
- The Downside If You Get It Wrong
- Do You Need Technical Knowledge of Programming for Data Analysis?
Hope you find this episode helpful in adding to your knowledge base. If you have any questions please reach out to Rishikesh at, rishikesh@productbakar.com.
Welcome to Product Bakar, the podcast where we ignite conversations about the fascinating world of product management. I'm your host, Rishi, and each episode, we'll be delving into insightful topics, sharing practical wisdom, and exploring the dynamic landscape of building great products. Get ready to stir up your product thinking – let's begin.
Today we’re diving into something that sounds boring but is actually a superpower if done right.
If you have any feedback please reach out to rishikesh@productbakar.com
Welcome back to Product Bakar – the podcast where we talk about ideas, frameworks, and focus on what actually works in product management. I’m your host Rishi, and today, we’re diving into a hot topic – Prioritization Techniques for Product Managers.
Welcome back, product enthusiasts, to another sizzling episode of "Product Bakar"! Today we're tackling a topic that's often discussed, sometimes debated, but always crucial for any product manager: Product Roadmapping.
If you have any questions or want to know more please reach out to rishikesh@proudctbakar.com
In this episode we talk about why the Product Strategy is important for any product and how do we approach to create a strategy as a Product Manager.
There are 7 points I have mentioned in the episode so tune in to know more.
If you want to know more or have any questions please get in touch at rishikesh@productbakar.com
Palm WebOS was ahead of its time when launched and was a prime competitor to iOS, BlackBerry and Android. There are intersting elements of the OS which are borrowed by the current OS platforms. I am looking this as what we as Product Managers can learn from this, and this epsiode is an attempt to do that.
There are additional links I would want you to look at to know more about the Palm WebOS.
WebOS demo:
https://youtu.be/wo3SZ_20kZI?si=M1B1XTudH_Wbe5IV
Similarities between WebOS and iOS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAXg8h3LR2M
More about Matias Durate: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mat%C3%ADas_Duarte
If you want to disccus or know more you can reach out to me on rishikesh@productbakar.com
Welcome back everyone — and welcome to Product Bakar, the place where all we talk about is products and building products — and the journeys of people who just love creating them.
It’s been a while, I know. When I first started this podcast, we had some amazing conversations about the journeys of passionate product builders. And then… life happened.
Honestly, the podcast took a backseat because I got pulled into a bunch of other projects and assignments. But here’s what I’ve learned: building something meaningful doesn’t always have to feel like hitting sixes every ball. Sometimes, you just have to stay on the pitch, take the singles, and keep moving towards that mountain of a score.
And now — I’m back on the pitch. I’m excited to officially kick off Phase Two of Product Bakar.
What’s driving this restart? It’s simple — I believe there’s still so much to learn, so many insights to uncover, and a few stories and experiences I can share with all of you — the fellow product enthusiasts.
So, if you’re someone who lives and breathes product — stay tuned. We’ll dive into case studies of fascinating products, have meaningful conversations with builders who’ve done the work, and explore the products that have made real dents in people’s lives.
I’m genuinely looking forward to this journey — and I hope you are too.
If this is the space that excites you, make sure to subscribe, and share this with other like-minded folks in your circle.
Let’s build, let’s learn, and let’s celebrate the Product Bakar together.
See you in the next one!
What an amazing talk with Swanand the Engineer who graduated in 2019, and already on the path of creating a groundbreaking which will change how India will write software. He has created a programming language in Hindi and Marathi and soon he is going to add new Indian languages as well. It is an open-source project and if you want to contribute or know more you can get in touch with Swanand on his LinkedIn Profile. And yes the episode has the first 20 mins with the background noise but later on, it settles down.
There are two parts to this conversation. If you have any feedback please write me to rishi@productbakar.in
What an amazing talk with Swanand the Engineer who graduated in 2019, and already on the path of creating a groundbreaking which will change how India will write software. He has created a programming language in Hindi and Marathi and soon he is going to add new Indian languages as well. It is an open-source project and if you want to contribute or know more you can get in touch with Swanand on his LinkedIn Profile. And yes the episode has the first 20 mins with the background noise but later on, it settles down. There are two parts to this conversation. If you have any feedback please write me to rishi@productbakar.in
I am happy to bring you the conversations with Arun who started early in the field fo software at the age of 9 and learned Java with solving a problem. He has shared amazing experiences of working with ITC India's largest conglomerate and being part of setting up a factory in Haridwar. Then moving to Goldman Sachs just because of sheer passion for software development. While developing software he developed an eye for solving problems and started working as a Product Manager with Mindtickle Pune. And now he is starting with his own venture for B2B space. Learn more in the episode. This is part 1 of the episode and the rest of the conversation will be followed in the next part. If you want to reach out to Arun you can get in touch with him on LinkedIn Profile. And if you have any feedback on the episode please send the feedback on rishi@productbakar.in thanks for being awesome listeners. Episode cover by Prajakta Khisti.
I am happy to bring you the conversations with Arun who started early in the field fo software at the age of 9 and learned Java with solving a problem. He has shared amazing experiences of working with ITC India's largest conglomerate and being part of setting up a factory in Haridwar. Then moving to Goldman Sachs just because of sheer passion for software development. While developing software he developed an eye for solving problems and started working as a Product Manager with Mindtickle Pune. And now he is starting with his own venture for B2B space. Learn more in the episode. This is part 1 of the episode and the rest of the conversation will be followed in the next part. If you want to reach out to Arun you can get in touch with him on LinkedIn Profile. And if you have any feedback on the episode please send the feedback on rishi@productbakar.in thanks for being awesome listeners.
This week we have a special guest Pratik Mehta from Credit Vidya. He is a product Manager and loves his domain and Work. We spoke about so many things and got to learn a lot from Pratik. The highlights of the episode are,
How did he lose weight in while working from home? How was his journey from a software developer to a Product manager? How does the Fintech market look in India? If you want to make a move in Fintech domain what should you do How is the future of fintech is looking in India Pratiks newsletter about fintech.
Links: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pratikcmehta/ I run Fintech newsletter - https://bit.ly/37BpewV For feedback or any topic, you want to know more about mail me at rishi@productbakar.in
In this episode of Product Bakar you will learn about the journey of Dr. Satyavati Kharade from a Structural biochemist to a Product Manager of a database product for Springer Nature. And as she is a scientist, you can know if COVID is real and if the medicine will be hitting the market anytime soon or not. If you have any feedback or topic you would like to discuss please email me of rishi@productbakar.in. And if you have any questions for Satya please reach out to her at satyavati.kharde@gmail.com.