Most product management content assumes we’re all building software. But the world is physical, and some of the most consequential products are the ones where a bug isn’t just a bad user experience, it’s a patient safety issue. In this episode, JJ talks with Simone Hugar, a biomedical engineer turned product manager who started in SaaS and now leads commercialization of Class II and Class III medical devices.

They dig into what’s different when you can’t ship a quick fix or track adoption in an analytics dashboard: getting feedback from surgeons and nurses in an ICU, navigating years-long regulatory timelines, and why the higher the risk, the more rigor your decisions demand.

Simone also shares her nonlinear path into product, from coding to hospital operations during COVID to an NHS research project that changed her career. She offers grounded advice for aspiring PMs: stay curious, treat failure as “not now,” and remember that the product always belongs to the user.

At the end of the discussion, Simone turns the tables and asks JJ about the mentor who shaped her and the one trait she’s seen in nearly every Product Voices guest.

AI is everywhere, but what business impact is it really making? In this episode, JJ Rorie talks with Faisal Masud, President of HP’s Digital Services and Workforce Experience, about where AI is delivering clear ROI today, how it’s reshaping product teams, and why “less is more” when it comes to headcount.

They explore the shift from dashboards to intelligent nudges, the move from seat-based pricing to outcome-based value, and what it now means for product managers to think and operate like general managers.

In this episode of Product Voices, JJ Rorie sits down with Amanda Di Dio, Vice President of Partnerships at Optimistic Design, to explore how product teams can thoughtfully navigate AI without losing sight of what matters most: people.

Amanda shares her journey from traditional program and product management into systems thinking and human-centered design—and how that shift changed the way she views responsibility, impact, and decision-making in product work. Together, JJ and Amanda unpack what systems thinking really looks like in practice, how product teams can embed research and co-creation without overhauling their entire process, and why slowing down early often leads to better outcomes later.

The conversation also dives into AI’s growing role in product development and the opportunities and risks that come with moving fast. From responsible design and bias awareness to the danger of jumping to solutions too quickly, this episode offers a grounded, pragmatic take on building products with care in a rapidly evolving landscape.

Finally, Amanda shares advice for aspiring product managers navigating a tough job market, including how to build perspective, develop craft beyond the basics, and stay human in an increasingly automated world.

This episode is a must-listen for product managers, designers, educators, and leaders who want to build meaningful products—without losing their soul in the process.