All episodes

Saying no is hard — but it’s essential to great product management. In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dive deep into the art (and science) of saying no as a product manager.

They explore why learning to say no isn’t just a skill — it’s core to the job — and how to do it thoughtfully without losing trust or momentum.

From frameworks for filtering ideas, to the magic of “not yet” vs. “hard no,” to when it’s okay (and even encouraged) to just say yes — Petra and Teresa unpack real-world tips you...

In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dive deep into the often-overlooked topic of professional development for product leaders. Drawing from their own experiences and coaching practices, they explore why leaders struggle to invest in themselves, what the real blockers are (spoiler: it’s not just budget), and how to navigate growth despite uncertainty and overwhelm.

From frameworks like the Learning Menu to the uncomfortable truth about leading during downturns, this episode is both a rallying cry and a practical guide for any product leader ready to take their development seriously. Vulnerability, coaching, reflective practices, and...

Drowning in Jira tickets? Wondering how to prioritize when every stakeholder has a “brilliant” idea and your roadmap is already bursting at the seams?

In this episode of All Things Product, Teresa Torres and Petra Wille tackle one of the most common pain points in product management: the giant, messy, unmanageable backlog. From auto-closing ancient tickets to reframing prioritization as filtering for impact, they share battle-tested tactics to bring order to chaos—without spinning your wheels ranking 400 items.

Whether you're inheriting a legacy product, working in a feature factory, or just trying to make smarter decisions faster, this episode offers...

What happens when your product strategy doesn’t match what your teams are learning in discovery? In this episode of All Things Product, Teresa Torres and Petra Wille unpack how to spot when your strategy needs a refresh—and how to evolve it based on real customer insights.
They challenge the assumption that most organizations even have a clear product strategy, explore what makes a strategy actionable (and durable), and offer practical guidance for product leaders and teams navigating discovery-driven change.

You’ll walk away with tools to:
✅ Identify implicit vs. explicit strategy
✅ Use discovery insights to evolve strategic direction
✅...

Public speaking can be daunting—especially when you're aiming for a big stage. In this episode of All Things Product, Petra and Teresa pull back the curtain on how they craft their conference talks from scratch. Whether you're eyeing your first local meetup or preparing for a keynote at a major conference, they walk you through their real-world processes, share personal stories (and stumbles), and offer practical tips to help you step onto any stage with confidence.

From finding your unique take on a topic to rehearsing like a pro (yes, 30+ times is a thing!), this conversation is packed with...

In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres tackle a big question: How does capacity planning fit in an outcome-driven, discovery-first organization? Spoiler alert—it usually doesn’t.

Teresa shares why traditional capacity planning breaks her heart, while Petra offers a nuanced take on how her past teams used it for internal alignment (not control). Together, they explore the clash between rigid planning rituals and the reality of continuous discovery work.

Expect some honest rants, practical reframes, and a few metaphors (yes, rocks, pebbles, and sand make an appearance). If you’ve ever sat through a multi-hour spreadsheet meeting...

In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dive deep into the world of product coaching—from why there are so many different types, to how to know what kind of coach (if any) you might need. Whether you're a product manager, designer, or product leader, this convo helps you understand the coaching landscape and how to make the most of coaching if you choose to invest in it.
They break down the different coaching settings (individual, group, team) and types of coaching (product, discovery, career, and leadership), plus share real stories from their own coaching journeys....

In this episode of All Things Product, Teresa Torres and Petra Wille tackle a common question in product circles: How different is product discovery in B2B versus B2C? Spoiler alert—it’s probably more similar than you think.
Teresa shares real-world insights from working with both types of organizations and breaks down why perceived differences—like end users vs. buyers, procurement teams, and complex sales cycles—don’t fundamentally change your approach to discovery. Petra highlights common blind spots, like neglecting buyer personas, and they both offer practical advice for product teams navigating multi-role ecosystems.
Whether you're in enterprise SaaS or building a consumer app,...

What’s the difference between product training and product coaching—and why does it matter?
In this episode, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres unpack a topic that comes up all the time in product orgs: when do individuals and teams need structured training, and when is it time to bring in a coach? They walk through the core differences, share frameworks to help you decide what kind of support your team actually needs, and explore the skill-building journey from reading a book to mastering advanced discovery practices.
Whether you’re an individual contributor trying to sharpen your discovery skills or a product leader...

In this episode of All Things Product, hosts Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dive into a common challenge faced by internal product teams—relying on stakeholder meetings instead of proper discovery practices. Why do so many teams collect requirements through meetings rather than observing real user behavior? How can product teams better differentiate between stakeholders, end-users, and sponsors?

Petra and Teresa break down why internal tools often fall into the requirement trap and share actionable strategies for conducting effective product discovery, even when your users are colleagues. They explore how to leverage internal access, the importance of story-based interviews, and how...