Critical Thinking

We're celebrating [World Product Day 2026](https://www.worldproductday.com/) by getting beyond the hype to hear 4 product people tell us how they are really using AI in their day to day work! * **Rahul:** Discovery, Rewired: From Transcripts to Production with AI - the story of how Global Dairy Trade took an idea from interviews to the real world * **Peony:** A product team of one - how a solo PM uses AI to operate in the goldilocks zone, just enough process, just enough output, moving fast enough to learn and find PMF * **Darren:** Product discovery with agents - from strategy to roadmaps * **Emilie:** AI in product design - allowing the designer to focus on the human tasks The event will start with **networking at 5.30pm**, followed by the **talk from 6pm!** **About our speakers:** **Rahul Singh** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulsinghnz/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulsinghnz/) Product Manager at GDT (Global Dairy Trade), building a modular SaaS platform across a global auction ecosystem. Before GDT he spent a decade shipping digital products at IAG and Roam Digital, working across insurance and enterprise SaaS. Outside the day job, Rahul runs AI PM Briefing, a weekly briefing for product managers on what's actually shipping in AI (tools, patterns, case studies), and is the author of ‘Don't Think, Change‘- a field guide to behaviour change for product teams. **Peony Pangputt** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peonypangputt/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/peonypangputt/) Product Manager at FileInvite, a B2B SaaS platform helping US commercial lenders automate the collection of loan information faster. Peony joined at Series A and has been navigating a triple challenge: a new product, a new geography, and a new customer segment all at once. Before making the jump into the startup world, she spent her early career in rebuilding legacy replacements products at Stuff and Auckland Transport. **Darren Neo:** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-neo/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-neo/) Product Manager at Xplor Technologies, leading payment onboarding strategy and delivery. Darren started his career as a developer before moving into project delivery and product management, focused on building high-impact solutions that improve business growth, operational efficiency, and customer experience. His technical foundation drives his passion for bringing AI into modern product practices and delivery. He is also the Auckland Community Lead for [AI Collective New Zealand](https://www.aicollective.com/chapters/nz). **Emilie Park:** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliepark/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliepark/) Senior Product Designer at [Actionstep](https://www.actionstep.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com), working on enterprise legal SaaS products across practice management and legal accounting. Before joining Actionstep, she worked across enterprise platforms, operational tools and large-scale service ecosystems, contributing to products and design systems used at global enterprise and SOE (State-Owned Enterprise) scale. Formerly a front-end engineer, and before that an advertising creative working on corporate campaigns for Samsung Electronics, Samsung Electric and Samsung Mobile Display HR. Outside of her day job, Emilie leads the [Friends of Figma Auckland](https://friends.figma.com/auckland/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) design community group. Huge thanks to Auckland Transport for hosting and Pendo for sponsoring this event! You can find the Livestream here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXglbOxVZWw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXglbOxVZWw) \- as always the livestream will kick off from just before 6pm\. This event is part of the global [Mind the Product World Product Day](https://www.worldproductday.com/) celebrations. We're a little early as World Product Day is actually on 20 May, but, y'know, timezones...

We're celebrating [World Product Day 2026](https://www.worldproductday.com/) by getting beyond the hype to hear 4 product people tell us how they are really using AI in their day to day work! * **Rahul:** Discovery, Rewired: From Transcripts to Production with AI - the story of how Global Dairy Trade took an idea from interviews to the real world * **Peony:** A product team of one - how a solo PM uses AI to operate in the goldilocks zone, just enough process, just enough output, moving fast enough to learn and find PMF * **Darren:** Product discovery with agents - from strategy to roadmaps * **Emilie:** AI in product design - allowing the designer to focus on the human tasks The event will start with **networking at 5.30pm**, followed by the **talk from 6pm!** **About our speakers:** **Rahul Singh** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulsinghnz/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulsinghnz/) Product Manager at GDT (Global Dairy Trade), building a modular SaaS platform across a global auction ecosystem. Before GDT he spent a decade shipping digital products at IAG and Roam Digital, working across insurance and enterprise SaaS. Outside the day job, Rahul runs AI PM Briefing, a weekly briefing for product managers on what's actually shipping in AI (tools, patterns, case studies), and is the author of ‘Don't Think, Change‘- a field guide to behaviour change for product teams. **Peony Pangputt** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/peonypangputt/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/peonypangputt/) Product Manager at FileInvite, a B2B SaaS platform helping US commercial lenders automate the collection of loan information faster. Peony joined at Series A and has been navigating a triple challenge: a new product, a new geography, and a new customer segment all at once. Before making the jump into the startup world, she spent her early career in rebuilding legacy replacements products at Stuff and Auckland Transport. **Darren Neo:** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-neo/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-neo/) Product Manager at Xplor Technologies, leading payment onboarding strategy and delivery. Darren started his career as a developer before moving into project delivery and product management, focused on building high-impact solutions that improve business growth, operational efficiency, and customer experience. His technical foundation drives his passion for bringing AI into modern product practices and delivery. He is also the Auckland Community Lead for [AI Collective New Zealand](https://www.aicollective.com/chapters/nz). **Emilie Park:** [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliepark/](https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliepark/) Senior Product Designer at [Actionstep](https://www.actionstep.com?utm_source=chatgpt.com), working on enterprise legal SaaS products across practice management and legal accounting. Before joining Actionstep, she worked across enterprise platforms, operational tools and large-scale service ecosystems, contributing to products and design systems used at global enterprise and SOE (State-Owned Enterprise) scale. Formerly a front-end engineer, and before that an advertising creative working on corporate campaigns for Samsung Electronics, Samsung Electric and Samsung Mobile Display HR. Outside of her day job, Emilie leads the [Friends of Figma Auckland](https://friends.figma.com/auckland/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) design community group. Huge thanks to Auckland Transport for hosting and Pendo for sponsoring this event! You can find the Livestream here: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXglbOxVZWw](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXglbOxVZWw) \- as always the livestream will kick off from just before 6pm\. This event is part of the global [Mind the Product World Product Day](https://www.worldproductday.com/) celebrations. We're a little early as World Product Day is actually on 20 May, but, y'know, timezones...

Another writing session. Look for the guy with the laptop from the photo! (We'll be in the room with the big tables) New members very welcome!

Come join us for in-depth discussions on topics relating to moral and political philosophy. This is a group for members who are comfortable discussing topics that are often anxiety producing and controversial. *"Aristotle was a realist who believed that reality and knowledge are found in the physical world, accessible through sensory experience and logic. This led to contrasting views on ethics, politics, and the nature of reality itself. Plato emphasized abstract, ideal concepts, while Aristotle prioritized empirical observation and the study of the natural world."* \- Google Gemini Following Aristotle's lead, this group will lean heavily on empirical data to make arguments. The Socratic method is still the preferred way to engage in conversation, and Platonic Idealism is still relevant to the conversation as points of reference.

Join us for conversations that go beyond small talk, diving into topics like the shifting nature of spirituality, the challenges and joys of midlife transitions, the impact of culture and capitalism, and the search for meaning in art, travel, and daily life. Our gatherings are about genuine, thought-provoking dialogue, with no set leader or strict agenda—just an open space to share ideas, perspectives, and experiences that matter to us. The direction of the discussion is shaped by everyone who shows up, making each event unique and enriching. Come ready to share, reflect, and connect with others who are also seeking deeper conversations. Let the conversation flow from topic to topic. Optional questions are listed below.

Optional Questions: Life Stages & Transitions

1. What did you think you'd have figured out by now that you're still completely winging?
2. When did you realize your parents' advice was for a world that no longer exists?
3. What are you finally old enough to stop pretending to care about?

Optional Questions: Identity After the Roles

4. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you?
5. What dream keeps resurfacing even though the "practical" time has passed?
6. How do you handle having the freedom you always said you wanted?

Optional Questions: AI & Being Human

7. What human experiences will AI never truly understand?
8. If machines handled all your have-to's, what would you actually do?
9. What becomes more precious as everything becomes automated?

Optional Questions: Belief & Meaning

10. What certainties have you given up, and what rushed in to fill that space?
11. How has knowing someone who died changed how you live?
12. What do you believe now that would shock your younger self?

Optional Questions: The Modern Psyche

13. What anxiety do you carry that previous generations didn't have?
14. Which of your survival strategies are you ready to retire?
15. What uncomfortable truth about happiness did it take you years to accept?

Optional Questions: Work & Purpose

16. When did you stop believing that your job would complete you?
17. What would you do for work if money and status weren't factors?
18. How has your definition of "making it" changed over the years?

Optional Questions: Relationships & Connection

19. What relationship dynamic do you keep recreating, and why?
20. When did you realize your parents were just people trying their best?
21. What kind of loneliness doesn't go away even when you're with others?

Optional Questions: Time & Mortality

22. What are you running out of time to say or do?
23. How differently do you spend your time knowing it's finite?
24. What will you regret not trying, even if you fail?

Optional Questions: Society & Culture

25. What social convention do you follow even though it makes no sense?
26. Which generation do you understand least, and what might you be missing?
27. What aspect of how we live now will seem insane in 20 years?

Optional Questions: Personal Philosophy

28. What rule for life did you create after learning something the hard way?
29. When did you stop believing that everyone else had it figured out
30. What paradox about life have you learned to live with?

Join us for some focused writing time. All writers and all experience levels are welcome and don’t worry, no one will see what you've written. This session is about getting your writing done and meeting other writers in your area. Bring your writing materials (such as a notebook or a charged laptop - outlets are limited.) And if you'd like to tune out other patrons at Sonny's or any overhead music, we recommend bringing headphones or earplugs. BEING LATE IS OKAY: Just show up and get settled, then check-in with me after the session. If you were on time, please be willing to make room for the friendly latecomer. Happy writing and I look forward to seeing you! When you show up, I will be sitting at a table with folded "Shut Up & Write" table cards. Say hello to everyone, grab a drink, and get your writing tools ready. Once you’re all settled, take some time to chat with your fellow writers. Once everyone’s arrived, I will lead quick introductions and then set the timer for our quiet and focused writing session. Afterward, we’ll have time to chat and get to know each other. We often talk about our successes and challenges as writers. If you don’t have time to stick around, no worries! **A note about the format** We don’t host critiques or readings. These events are a safe space for writers of all skill levels and genres to work on their craft, so no one will read or critique your writing. For our full event schedule, visit [https://shutupwrite.com](https://www.shutupwrite.com). **Other Important Details:** **WiFi name/password:** Name - Sonny's/Doubles Guest; Password - pingpong **Travel / Parking info:** Sonny's is on the D40/D4X bus line and about a 15 minute walk from either the Columbia Heights or Georgia Ave/Petworth metro lines. There is limited on-street parking. **Venue Guidelines:** Please thank our hosts by purchasing something.

We will be meeting at Starbucks to learn together. Come with an online class you're already going through or an interest and we will try to connect you with a course where you can learn it. Already have a skill you want to contribute to a Kaggle Datascience competition? We will work on these too! Laptop required :)

Sunday service at Unity of Fairfax will leave you feeling inspired, blessed and empowered to experience the fullness of life. **On a Spiritual Journey** Our community is made up of people, like yourself, who have been led to Unity by Spirit. We are all here because we’re on a spiritual journey to become all that we were created to be. **Welcome to Everyone** Unity welcomes people of all religious backgrounds and beliefs. We welcome people of all creeds, sexual orientation and social background. There are no exceptions in our welcome to everyone. **We Offer Tools** In Unity we don't tell people what to think; rather, we offer tools that individuals can use to create lives of meaning and purpose. **What We Believe** To review what we believe, go here: https://unityoffairfax.org/what-we-believe-what-unity

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Popes and Politics,”** on the history of clashes between pontiffs and world leaders, with Vanessa Corcoran, medieval historian at Georgetown University and scholar of the history of the Roman Catholic church. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/northern-virginia-popes-politics](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/northern-virginia-popes-politics) .] President Trump recently shocked many by unleashing personal attacks on Pope Leo XIV, the first American-born pope, in a post on the Truth Social platform. Trump has been widely criticized by religious leaders for these remarks, made in response to the pontiff’s advocacy of peace with the U.S and Israel at war with Iran, and for his separate posts of AI-generated images depicting himself as a pope and as Jesus. For his part, Pope Leo has told journalists, “I am not afraid of the Trump administration,” and has found himself at the center of a heated debate over the proper role of any pope when it comes to commenting on global politics. As unsettling as such developments might be to Roman Catholics, they’re hardly unprecedented. Disagreements between popes and world leaders go back to the Middle Ages, and have played a significant role in shaping the Church and its role in the world. Explore the long history of popes’ conflicts with politicians with Vanessa Corcoran, a historian of the Roman Catholic Church who previously has given excellent talks on papal conclaves and the evolution of nativity scenes. She’ll discuss fascinating developments such as the fourteenth century Avignon Papacy, when Philip IV of France got the upper hand in a feud with the Church by pressuring a papal conclave to select a French pope and then getting the church’s leadership relocated from Rome to Avignon for nearly 70 years. In drawing parallels between recent events and medieval attacks on the Church’s authority she’ll describe how today’s anti-Church memes echo the anti-pope and anti-Catholic images that Martin Luther disseminated in large numbers with the help of woodcut printing. We’ll look at tensions between past presidents and past popes over not just wars, but issues such as abortion, stem-cell research, and abortion access. The talk will leave you with a deeper appreciation of the inherent tensions between politics and matters of faith. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From an 1866 Nicolò Barabino painting of the death of Pope Boniface VIII after he was kidnapped and held captive for three days at the behest of King Philip IV of France (Usher Gallery / Wikimedia Commons).