Great Life Experiment Podcast

#36 Birthday Reflections: Always More to Do Than Time to Do It

There will always be more time to do than the time we have to do it. 
In this intimate birthday reflection, Monique invites you into the truth most high-achievers avoid: There will always be more ideas, more ambition, more responsibility than there will ever be time. And strangely, accepting that might be the most liberating shift of your life. 
Monique explores the transition between seasons, the grace required, the courage to slow down, and the deep wisdom of listening to the whisper before it becomes a roar. This episode is for the person who is grateful and grounded, yet quietly overwhelmed with the weight of everything he carries, for the leader who cheers others on to rest but can’t give himself the same permission, and for the mother who can hold the world together but rarely has a moment to breathe. 
This isn’t about abandoning ambition. It’s about creating capacity for what your soul is actually asking for next. 
In this episode:
(00:00) - Introduction to the Great Life Experiment(00:44) - Reflections on Birthdays and Seasons(02:38) - The Importance of Health and Self-Care(06:35) - Taking Time Off for Health(08:50) - Creating Capacity for Personal Growth(11:37) -  Prioritizing What Matters Most(15:20) -  Invitation to reimagine capacity for the next season
Connect with Monique:
Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/ 
Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer 
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment 
Ask Monique
Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 
'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 
https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8
 

#35 How Great Product Leaders Think: Navigating the Future of Product Management ft. Ravi Mehta

Product leadership has always been about navigating complexity - people, priorities, and pressure to deliver. But in a world being reshaped by AI, where change is faster than our ability to process it, the real challenge isn’t what we do, it’s how we think. 
In this episode, Monique sits down with Ravi Mehta, one of the most respected voices in modern product leadership. Ravi has served as Chief Product Officer at Tinder, Product Director at Facebook, and VP of Consumer Products at TripAdvisor, where he led large-scale teams and helped drive billion-dollar growth. Today, he is a hands-on advisor to fast-growing consumer and AI startups and the co-creator of Reforge’s Product Leadership and AI Strategy Programs, where he teaches the frameworks that help leaders scale themselves, not just their products. 
Together, Monique and Ravi unpack the mental frameworks behind exceptional product leadership and how to build systems that think, not just teams that execute. They explore the necessity of self-promotion, the balance between speed and quality in decision-making, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI. Ravi shares insights on recognizing when to transition in one's career and the significance of aligning strategic goals with customer value. This is a conversation for anyone redefining what great leadership means and how to think like the kind of leader the future will need. 
Timestamps:
(05:53) - Why Product Leadership Needs Its Own Playbook(11:02) - Navigating Career Transitions(14:03) - AI’s Impact on Product Management(20:39) - Understanding Customer Needs(22:59) - The Escalator Analogy in Career Progression(25:56) - The “Impact = Environment × Skills” framework for career clarity(28:37) - The Power of Frameworks(32:01) - Recognition and Impact in Organizations(33:57) - Self-Promotion as an Act of Service(36:34) - Velocity vs Latency in Decision-Making(43:59) - Strategic Goal Setting: Why Goals Are Not A Strategy(51:23) - Ravi’s message to every product leader navigating AI change
Connect with Ravi:
Website | https://www.ravi-mehta.com/ 
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravimehta/ 
Connect with Monique:
Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/ 
Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer 
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment 
Ask Monique
Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 
'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 
https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8
 

#34 Goals vs. Puzzles: A Better Way to Get Results ft. Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking

The best leaders aren’t setting goals. They are setting puzzles. 
In this episode, Monique sits down with Radhika Dutt, author of Radical Product Thinking, to explore a new paradigm for leadership in a world obsessed with metrics. Radhika’s framework has been adopted across 40+ countries, helping leaders, founders, and teams replace goal-chasing with vision-led learning. 
Through her concept of puzzle setting, Radhika invites us to shift from controlling outcomes to cultivating curiosity, from chasing performance to building meaning. She explains why traditional frameworks like OKRs can erode creativity, and how leaders can learn to navigate uncertainty by framing better questions instead of setting faster goals. 
This conversation bridges innovation and introspection, challenging every listener to reflect not just what they’re building, but why. Whether you’re leading a team, a company, or your own transformation, this episode will shift how you think about leadership, from hitting targets to solving meaningful puzzles.
In this episode:
(01:37) - Radhika Dutt's Diverse Career Journey(05:42) - The Mindset of Puzzle Setting and Solving(10:00) - Challenging Conventional Goal-Setting: The OKR Debate(15:00) - The Limitations of OKRs in Complex Work Environments(22:07) - The Iterative Process of Learning and Experimentation(29:12) - Redefining Metrics: From Vanity to Leading Indicators(35:47) - Public vs. Private Companies: The Metrics Dilemma(44:10) - The Impact of Short-Term Thinking on Business Practices(47:04) - The Human Element in Business(52:48) - Long-Term vs Short-Term Mindset(48:52) - Navigating Existential Threats as a Leader(54:19) - Balancing Vision and Survival(01:02:16) - The Hippocratic Oath of Product(01:19:42) - Personal Vision and Life Experimentation
Grab your copy of Radhika’s Book:
Radical Product Thinking: The New Mindset for Innovating Smarter | https://a.co/d/cEe6HKA 
Connect with Radhika:
Website | https://rdutt.com/ 
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/radhika-dutt/ 
Connect with Monique:
Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/ 
Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer 
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment 
Ask Monique
Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 
'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 
https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

#33 Mastering Collaboration Using the P.A.I.D Model

Collaboration doesn’t have to feel complicated. With the right framework, teamwork can become clear, aligned, and surprisingly easy. 
In this episode, Monique introduces the P.A.I.D Model, a framework designed to bring clarity to collaboration. By identifying four key roles — Pilot, Advisors, Informed Stakeholders, and Decision Maker —  teams can navigate complexity with less friction. 
Monique explores what happens when these roles aren’t clearly named, why decisions often stall without a clear decision-maker, and how leaders can step into the courage it takes to pilot an initiative. She also shares practical examples of how she has used this tool in her own career, and why it remains one of her most relied-upon frameworks. 
This is one of those episodes, you may want to come back to because the P.A.I.D Model isn’t a “one and done.” It’s a tool you’ll practice, refine, and return to every time you find yourself in the middle of group dynamics. 
In this episode:
(02:45) - The two tools Monique always comes back to in leadership(03:25) - Introducing the P.A.I.D Model(04:42) - When to use the P.A.I.D Model(05:55) - The Pilot: Bringing direction and focus(07:18) - Advisors: the right input vs too many voices(08:35) - Informed Stakeholders: Keeping everyone aligned without overwhelm(09:27) - Decision Makers: The most overlooked but critical role(10:48) - How to diagnose what’s missing when collaboration feels stuck(13:02) - Why leaders hesitate to pilot or decide - and how to step in(17:17) - Applying the P.A.I.D Model in real projects and organizations(18:23 ) - Recap and encouragement
Connect with Monique:
Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/ 
Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer 
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment 
Ask Monique
Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 
'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 
https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

#32 Unlock Your Career Potential with the Career Roadmap Activity

We’ve all had those seasons where our career feels stuck, where the questions are loud, but the answers feel far away. But what if the way forward isn’t another job search, but a different way of seeing your path?
In this episode, Monique shares a simple yet powerful framework that has guided her own career moves. This practical tool helps you uncover what you truly want out of your career, recognize the strengths you already bring, and map the future experiences you need to grow. It’s not about having everything figured out. It’s about creating a structure that frees you from feeling stuck and empowers you to move forward with intention. 
Whether you’re building a corporate career, dreaming of entrepreneurship, or navigating a pivot, this process will give you a way to evaluate your options, expand your opportunities, and unlock your potential. 
In this episode:
(01:45) - Why overthinking often does not lead to clarity(03:09) - Writing down what you really want(05:49) - The 3-Step Career Roadmap Activity(06:56) - How to spot your strengths, gaps, and growth opportunities(09:14) - What to do when your current job can’t give you the skills you need(12:17) - How to apply the Career Roadmap to your own path(14:18) - Your free downloadable template + next steps
Put the Career Roadmap Activity Into Action Today
Sign up and Receive Your Free Career Roadmap Template | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/ 
Connect with Monique:
Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/ 
Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer 
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment 
Ask Monique
Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 
'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 
https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

#31 How Are You Really? Protecting Your Energy When Everything Feels Too Much

How are you, really? Sometimes it feels easier to give the polite answer than to name what’s true when the world feels heavy and your heart is carrying more than words can hold.
In this reflective solo episode, Monique opens up about what it means to live with the weight of so many emotions at once and why protecting our energy is our first responsibility. She shares the small but powerful practices that kept her grounded - closing the door on noise, making space for joy, and giving herself permission to feel without staying stuck. Because when life feels too much, and the world feels broken, the question isn’t how to fix it all. The question is: how do we keep showing up whole for ourselves, our families, and the people who depend on us?
If you’ve been feeling stretched, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward, this is an invitation to pause, to be honest about how you’re actually doing, and to remember that you’re not alone in the weight of it all. 
In this episode:
(00:53) - When “How are you?” isn’t just small talk(01:47) - Carrying sadness, anger, fear, and confusion all at once(02:41) - Why managing your energy is the non-negotiable(03:53) - Choosing light and joy when you can’t fix the brokenness(05:37) - Creating boundaries with media and inputs to protect your heart(06:59) - It’s not your fault, but it is your responsibility(08:30) - You are not alone
Connect with Monique:
Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/ 
Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer 
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment 
Ask Monique
Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 
'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 
https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

#30 Do We ‘Make Bold Moves in Times of Uncertainty’? And How to Show Up as a Leader?

When the rules of the game keep shifting, what does bold leadership look like?
In this 'Ask Monique' episode, Ben Schafer (Rev Op Leader and husband) joins Monique (Product Leader and Advisor) to explore a listener's questions: do we make bold moves in uncertain times? And how do you, as a leader, show up with all this uncertainty?
Together, Monique and Ben explore the nuances of courage, risk, why inaction is often the riskiest of all, and how to make decisions when the future refuses to give you clarity. This is a conversation that moves beyond easy answers and into the deeper work of leadership, navigating complexity, staying grounded in first principles, and helping others metabolize change. 
Through both personal and professional stories, from parenting during the pandemic to the disruption of AI, Monique and Ben reveal what it takes to lead with intentionality when uncertainty is the only constant. You’ll walk away with clarity on why boldness doesn’t mean recklessness, how to navigate the risks of the status quo, and what it looks like to lead others through change without losing sight of your values or purpose.
In this episode:
(01:47) - The HBR headline that sparked this conversation(05:44) - What “being bold” really means (and doesn’t mean)(10:49) - Why even small bold moves carry hidden risks(13:20) - When not making a decision is a decision, and often the riskiest one(18:28) - Unpacking uncertainty at both personal and business levels(19:31) - Parenting during the pandemic: making bold moves when the stakes are high(23:38) - AI disruption and the temptation of reactive boldness(31:11) - Experiment over analysis over paralysis(35:47) - Time horizons and pacing bold decisions(39:51) - The boldness of speaking truth into leadership(47:24) - Playing your own game without losing your core strengths(50:37) - Lessons from hard choices: one-way vs two-way doors(55:44) - Final reflections: brave, intentional, uncomfortable action in uncertain times.
Links and Resources:
Harvard Business Review (September/October 2025) | https://store.hbr.org/product/harvard-business-review-september-october-2025/BR2505
Connect with Monique:
Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/ 
Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer 
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment 
Ask Monique
Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 
'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 
https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8
 

#29 Finding Flow in Chaos ft. Kathy Keating, Author of Liquid

What if the tension you are feeling right now, whether in your career, business, or life, isn’t a problem to solve, but an invitation to step into flow?
In this episode, Monique sits down with Kathy Keating, a technology executive and bestselling author of Liquid. With more than 30 years of experience as a CTO, founder, board director, and advisor, Kathy has walked leaders through the fire of SaaS, FinTech, HR Tech, and healthcare, always in the moments where growth felt the most complex. 
Kathy’s framework is simple yet profound: complexity isn’t something to fix. It’s something to influence. She reveals why speed is an outcome -  not a checklist item, why leaders who embrace stretch unlock the deepest growth, and what AI really means for the future of our work. She also shares why discomfort isn’t a threat, but the most powerful signal of expansion. 
This episode will shift how you see leadership, growth, and change, not just in your career, but in the way you live your life. 
In this episode:
(03:27) - Sneak peek of Kathy’s new book, Liquid(04:49) - Complexity, systems theory, and leadership choices(05:59) - Boling, freezing, and liquid: a new metaphor for business(09:47) - The myth of speed, and why chasing it makes you slower(13:18) - Speed as an emergent property(14:35) - The Four Sentinels(18:17) - Stretching into discomfort and rethinking growth(21:50) - Why separating actions from outcomes changes everything(24:16) - Where AI is really heading(29:52) - What leaders get wrong about productivity gains vs workforce cuts(33:06) - Influence, tension, and how mid-level leaders speak truth up(36:52) - Pivots, networks, and the hidden work of building influence(40:35) - Why progress is built on tiny iterations, not one big leap
Grab your copy of Kathy’s Book:
Liquid: How CEOs & CTOs Unlock Flow and Momentum in Complex Systems | https://ctosentinel.com/ 
Connect with Kathy:
Website | https://kathkeating.com/ 
LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathykeating/ 
Connect with Monique:
Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/ 
Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer 
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment 
Ask Monique
Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 
'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 
https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8
 

#28 When What You Are Doing Isn't Working: Get Back to the Basics / First Principles

When what you’ve always done stops working, it can feel unsettling. But disruption often carries a quiet invitation: maybe the only way forward is going back to the basics of who you are and what you truly believe.
In this episode, Monique explores what happens when life, work, or the world no longer responds to the patterns that once made sense. Whether it’s shifting industries, changing careers, or personal rhythms that suddenly feel heavy, she invites listeners to lean into the power of first principles. She offers a reminder that going back to the basics isn’t about stepping backward. It’s about rediscovering clarity, anchoring in values, and building something new with intention. 
In this episode:
(01:31) - Why many of us feel both stuck and energized in change(03:28) - Lessons from the movie, La Grande Maison Paris(05:50) - What this means for careers, product management, and leadership(08:18) - Why impact matters more than output in uncertain times(09:24) - Introspection, core beliefs, and new possibilities
Connect with Monique:
Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/ 
Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer 
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment 
Ask Monique
Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 
'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 
https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8

#27 A Quick Summer Pause (Voice Note)

Taking a moment to pause, reset, and be present.Monique shares a quick update as she steps away for a two-week break to honor rest, family, and disconnection. The Great Life Experiment returns August 21 with fresh episodes and deeper conversations. Until then, take care of yourself, enjoy your people, and we’ll be back soon. 
Connect with Monique:
Website | https://www.thegreatlifeexperimentpodcast.com/ 
Instagram - thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast | https://www.instagram.com/thegreatlifeexperiment_podcast
Instagram - @itsmoniqueschafer | https://www.instagram.com/itsmoniqueschafer 
YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/@GreatLifeExperiment 
Ask Monique
Got a question that's keeping you up at night? Need a new way to look at a problem? 
'Ask Monique' is your chance to get personalized insights. Submit your questions about business, professional life, or personal development, and let's dive into the messy, beautiful, and ever-changing world together. 
https://forms.gle/iGZv2bVnhBSXbnbc8