Ep 6: Rethinking Go-To-Market Strategies in the Age of AI with Miriam Odabe

Ep 10: Building Stursi: How Lexx Mills Is Redefining the Non-Alcoholic Cocktail Industry

In this episode of The Product Leader’s Edge, KJ Green sits down with Alexandra “Lexx” Mills, Founder & CEO of Stursi, to explore what it really takes to build a premium consumer brand from the ground up. From navigating a trademark rebrand to creating an award-winning non-alcoholic cocktail company, Lexx shares the realities of entrepreneurship, product development, branding, fundraising, and building with intention. Together, they discuss: * The origin story behind Stursi * Why the company rebranded from Revel to Stursi * Building a premium product in a crowded market * Brand strategy, storytelling, and authenticity * Lessons on entrepreneurship, leadership, and resilience * The future of the non-alcoholic beverage industry Whether you’re building a startup, launching a product, or simply looking for inspiration, this conversation is packed with practical insights for builders. Connect with Stursi 🌐 Website [https://www.stursi.com/] 🛒 https://www.stursi.com/product-page/tasting-flightShop Stursi [https://www.stursi.com/product-page/tasting-flight] 📸 Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drinkstursi/] 💼 https://www.linkedin.com/company/stursi/posts/?feedView=allLinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/stursi/posts/?feedView=all] Connect with KJ Green 📬 Newsletter [https://insidesolostar.substack.com/] 🎙️ The Product Leader’s Edge [https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-product-leaders-edge-podcast/id1812236538] 💼 LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karonjgreen/] 📺 YouTube [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5TiyD1otnqeBO_iWXb7cMxoP7R68ZCFj&si=JRQ6i4gCKble9P7T] 📬Medium Article [https://medium.com/@karongre/building-stursi-how-lexx-mills-is-rewriting-the-rules-of-non-alcoholic-cocktails-5059279bbfe2?sharedUserId=karongre] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit solostarbykjg.substack.com [https://solostarbykjg.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep 9: Why Does the Product Leader's Edge Exist

A Midseason Reflection We’re officially at the midpoint of Season 1 of The Product Leader’s Edge. What started as a quick interlude episode turned into something much bigger: a reflection on the journey so far, the vision behind the podcast, and where we’re headed next. In this informal solo episode, I share the core thesis behind Season 1, why I believe product leadership extends far beyond product management, and how The Product Leader’s Edge, Tech Tuesdays, and Solo Star fit together as part of a broader ecosystem. I also reflect on the first seven episodes, discuss the goals I have for the podcast over the next decade, share surprising audience growth from around the world, and preview what’s coming in the Builder Series and beyond. In this episode, we discuss: • The core thesis of Season 1: Product leadership as a unitary discipline • Why product leadership extends beyond technology and product management roles • Reflections on the first half of Season 1 • The relationship between The Product Leader’s Edge, Tech Tuesdays, and Solo Star • The role of long-form content in an increasingly short-form world • Why I’m committing to podcasting and content creation for the next 10 years • Early lessons from building an independent podcast • A preview of the upcoming Builder Series • A look ahead at Seasons 2 and 3 Whether you’ve been listening since Episode 1 or are just joining the journey, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the vision, philosophy, and long-term goals shaping The Product Leader’s Edge. Thank you for being part of the journey. Let’s continue to build together. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit solostarbykjg.substack.com [https://solostarbykjg.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep 8 : Climbing the Stack: Building Across Product, Cloud, AI, and Life

Episode 8: Climbing the Stack: Building Across Product, Cloud, AI, and Life In this solo episode of The Product Leader’s Edge, KJ reflects on the first half of Season 1 and explores the foundational systems shaping modern technology and product leadership. From cloud computing and AI to product strategy and personal growth, KJ breaks down the frameworks that have influenced his journey as a product leader, builder, and lifelong learner. Topics include: • The Core Four of Cloud: Compute, Storage, Networking, and Security • The Core Four of Product Leadership: Customer Understanding, Strategy, Execution, and Business Outcomes • The Core Four of AI: Models, Data, Infrastructure, and Applications • Why product leaders are being forced to “climb the stack” in the age of AI • Lessons from training for a Spartan Race and preparing for HYROX • Reflections on pursuing the AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification • Serverless vs. traditional cloud architectures and what product leaders should understand about both • Why security, data, and systems thinking are becoming leadership skills As AI continues to reshape the technology landscape, understanding how systems connect—from customers to infrastructure—has never been more important. Subscribe to The Product Leader’s Edge on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen to podcasts. Follow KJ Green: Newsletter: Inside Solo Star (Substack) [https://substack.com/@insidesolostar?r=1qt91e&utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page] LinkedIn: KJ Green [https://www.linkedin.com/in/karonjgreen/] Medium: The Product Leader’s Edge [https://medium.com/@karongre/climbing-the-stack-the-core-four-for-designing-modern-technology-6189e3c5d275] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit solostarbykjg.substack.com [https://solostarbykjg.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep 7: Storytelling, Excellence, and Mastery in the Age of AI with Andre Ray

In this episode of The Product Leader’s Edge, KJ Green sits down with Andre Ray — filmmaker, writer, co-founder of Paris Films, host of National Champion Radio, and data scientist with a background in big data analytics from the University of Michigan. Andre brings a rare mix of creativity, technical insight, and cultural commentary to this conversation. Together, KJ and Andre explore what it means to build in a time where technology, media, storytelling, and human potential are all rapidly changing. The conversation begins with Andre’s journey from writing stories as a kid to building an independent film studio and eventually pursuing graduate work in data analytics. He shares how the pandemic, Hollywood disruption, and the rise of AI pushed him to think more deeply about technology and its role in storytelling. Andre also discusses the mission behind National Champion Radio, a platform designed to highlight American excellence across fields — from Olympic gold medalists to Nobel Prize winners, Fields Medalists, Pulitzer Prize winners, and other high-achieving individuals. For Andre, the goal is not just to celebrate success, but to preserve the value of mastery, discipline, humility, and long-term greatness in a culture increasingly shaped by instant gratification. The episode also dives into Andre’s work at Paris Films, including the challenges of producing independent films on tight timelines, limited budgets, and compressed production schedules. He reflects on the leadership lessons learned from producing The Mail Lady 2 and The Mail Lady 3 in Michigan during the winter, describing the process as both grueling and rewarding. KJ and Andre then explore the convergence of AI, media, and filmmaking. Andre shares his concerns about synthetic media, deepfakes, AI-generated video, and the potential loss of traditional film production jobs. At the same time, he acknowledges that creators who learn to use these tools may be positioned to ride the next wave of storytelling innovation. The conversation expands into deeper questions around technology ethics, digital life, physical reality, doom scrolling, AI companionship, and what it means to remain human in an increasingly synthetic world. One of the most powerful moments comes when KJ asks Andre how he hopes his work will impact the next generation. Andre shares that his hope is to keep important institutions alive in the minds and hearts of young people, inspiring them to pursue greatness that does not happen overnight and to maximize the human potential they have been given. This episode is ultimately about more than film, AI, or media. It is about building what lasts. Key Themes * The connection between storytelling, technology, and innovation * Why mastery and humility still matter * The mission behind National Champion Radio * Preserving institutions and excellence for the next generation * Independent filmmaking as entrepreneurship * How AI may reshape film, media, and creative work * The risks of deepfakes and synthetic reality * Why physical reality and human connection still matter * Turning chaos into order through art, products, inventions, and ideas * Building with purpose in a rapidly changing world Featured Guest Andre Ray is a filmmaker, writer, producer, co-founder of Paris Films, host of National Champion Radio, and a data scientist with a background in big data analytics from the University of Michigan. His work sits at the intersection of storytelling, entertainment, technology, and cultural impact. Memorable Quote “It’s all about taking the randomness of reality and construing it in a way that’s either an art form, or a product, or a great invention, or a great song.” Listen For * Andre’s path from writing and filmmaking to data science * The origin story behind National Champion Radio * Why he believes culture needs to re-center excellence * His perspective on AI’s impact on Hollywood and media * The future of film in a world where cameras may no longer be required * The importance of helping the next generation see what is possible Closing Thought This conversation reminds us that product leadership is not only about building technology. It is about judgment, culture, responsibility, and the ability to create order from chaos. Whether through film, data, media, entrepreneurship, or product, the real question is: What are we helping the next generation believe is possible? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit solostarbykjg.substack.com [https://solostarbykjg.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Ep 6: Rethinking Go-To-Market Strategies in the Age of AI with Miriam Odabe

In this episode of The Product Leader’s Edge, KJ Green sits down with Miriam Odabe, Founder and Principal Consultant at Rethink Strategy, to explore how startups and modern businesses should approach go-to-market strategy in the age of AI. Drawing from experience across entrepreneurship, global campaigns, and growth strategy, Miriam breaks down why many startups struggle to scale, why product managers are closer to marketers than they realize, and why storytelling still matters more than features. The conversation explores the intersection of: product strategy customer behavior AI positioning founder-led growth product-market fit modern go-to-market systems Together, KJ and Miriam discuss: Why AI is not a differentiator on its own The biggest mistakes founders make when building products Why startups often overbuild instead of refining strategy The relationship between product management and marketing Why product-market fit comes before branding The future of AI-powered go-to-market teams How storytelling drives adoption and scale This episode also introduces a broader conversation around Applied AI Foundations — exploring how AI, product thinking, and strategy are reshaping the future of business. Key Moments 00:00 — Introduction to Miriam Odabe & Rethink Strategy 07:20 — Big brands vs startup go-to-market strategy 10:45 — Questions founders should ask before building 14:50 — “Product managers are marketers” 19:30 — When strategy matters more than adding features 25:30 — Why startups should sell outcomes, not features 29:00 — AI is not a differentiator if it’s not packaged correctly 34:15 — The future of AI and go-to-market strategy 40:45 — Marketing Myth or Must? 45:15 — Closing reflections Connect with Miriam Odabe LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriamodabe/] Website [https://www.rethink-strategy.com/en/] Marketing on a Budget on Substack [https://miriamodabe1.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search] Follow The Product Leader’s Edge Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/119bHN6Q6OyXtnCDVuzdpi] | Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-product-leaders-edge-podcast/id1812236538] | YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL5TiyD1otnqeBO_iWXb7cMxoP7R68ZCFj] #ProductLeadersEdge #GoToMarket #AI #ProductManagement #FounderStrategy #Cloud #TechLeadershiphLeadershipp This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit solostarbykjg.substack.com [https://solostarbykjg.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]