Our UX Podcasts
Podcast Episodes
Zinnia Sophia on Mastering UX Storytelling and Strategy
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Zinnia Sophia Director Content Strategy, CX, at VML. Zinnia, a seasoned UX expert with a decade of experience shares her journey from human-centered design at the University of Michigan to mastering content strategy and communication. Dive deep as she explores the crucial role of storytelling in design leadership, offering best practices on communicating vision, persuasive storytelling, and inspiring others. Learn how to resonate with your audience, simplify complex information, and elevate your design career.
Watch the EpisodeErica Heinz, Founder & Principal Product Designer, 4D Thinking Studio (edited)
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Erica Heinz, Founder & Principal Product Designer, 4D Thinking Studio. Erica emphasizes the importance of usability, inclusivity, and personalization. She introduces her new book, Think in 4D, which encourages designers to move beyond traditional 2D design layers and consider deeper user interactions over time. Erica shares insights from her work, stressing the value of low fidelity in design and the need to avoid dark UX patterns. She also offers advice for new designers on staying flexible and exploring multiple solutions.
Watch the EpisodeKarsten Rowe on Designing for Law Enforcement
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, presented by Fuego UX, host Alex Smith interviews Karsten Rowe, Director of Product Design & UX Research at Axon. He discusses Axon's impactful work in public safety, including innovations like the Taser and body cameras, and their new AI-driven report writing tool, Draft One. Karsten also offers valuable advice for new designers, emphasizing hands-on experience, building a strong portfolio, and the importance of persistence in job applications.
Watch the EpisodeRyan Farina on the Mindset of the Designer
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Ryan Farina, a design leader from Apple, Meta, Snap and more. Ryan reflects on the shifting perceptions of tech and the importance of nurturing creativity beyond the confines of technology. Ryan emphasizes the value of understanding one's strengths and passions in leadership, the importance of process over results, and the need for a supportive creative environment. He offers advice for aspiring designers to stay curious and focus on continuous learning.
Watch the EpisodeJason Kopec on Navigating UX in Strong Engineering Cultures
On this episode of Design Leader Insights Alex chats with Jason Kopec, Head of Product Design and Research at Fivetran. Jason shares his unique journey from illustration and graphic design to leading UX teams at both startups and tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon. He delves into the complexities of Fivetran's data movement solutions, the importance of transparency for users, and how his team balances long-term design projects with immediate needs. Jason also offers valuable advice for new designers, emphasizing the importance of tackling challenging tasks and being adaptable.
Watch the EpisodeDr. Ari Zelmanow on the Democratization of Research
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Dr. Ari Zelmanow Head of UX Research, Communications at Twilio. They discuss the five basic research methods every new researcher should master. They also dive into the world of AI, and discuss how how it can level up researchers by allowing them to focus on the more nuanced aspects. They also chat about the democratization of research and how the concept doesn't need to be so polarizing.
Watch the EpisodeAnukriti Verma on Trust and Safety on Socials
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Anukriti Verma Product Design Manager at Linkedin. Anukriti shares her experiences transitioning from an designer to managing designers. They chat about how mentorship played a crucial role in her career development. They also discuss how LinkedIn approaches trust and safety in design, especially in the realm of social media platforms. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting out, Anukriti's advice on focusing on craft, storytelling, and seeking guidance will inspire you on your own design journey.
Watch the EpisodeJean-Baptiste Kaloya on the Value of Design in Banking
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Jean-Baptiste Kaloya - Head of Product Design at Bpifrance. They discuss Jean-Baptiste's diverse experiences, from disassembling computers as a child to leading design at Bpifrance, a bank dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs. JB shares invaluable insights into the strategic role of design in enhancing user experiences, driving efficiency, and creating impactful solutions, offering a compelling narrative of how design intersects with technology and business to transform industries.
Watch the EpisodeSarfraz Nawaz on Leveraging AI and Driving Value in Product Management
Alex chats with Sarfraz Nawaz, Product Executive in Residence at Mighty Capital. They discuss the myths around product management and the impact of newer technologies on team dynamics. They also chat about the importance of design thinking tools for product managers during the lightening round. Sarfraz offers valuable advice for those aspiring to break into the field and provides insights into the future of product management, including managing P&L and leveraging AI for enhanced user experiences.
Watch the EpisodePrayag Narula on Human vs AI Bias
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Prayag Narula, Co-Founder and CEO of Marvin. The discussion extends to the nuanced topic of biases in research, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging biases rather than attempting their eradication. Additionally, Prayag highlights the crucial role of narrative and communication in research, urging aspiring researchers to refine their storytelling skills. Join Alex and Prayag for an insightful dialogue on the future of research, the integration of AI, and more.
Watch the EpisodeElizabeth Rankin on Navigating Stakeholder Engagement with Research
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Elizabeth Rankin UX Research Director @ Cengage. Join us as Elizabeth shares her diverse journey through consumer packaged goods, corporate research, and ed tech, offering invaluable insights into understanding stakeholders, demystifying intimidating titles, and scaling research processes within organizations. Learn practical strategies for effective communication, building trust, and delivering memorable, actionable results that drive business success.
Watch the EpisodeAllie Vogel on Global Talent and Cultural Localization in UX
Alex chats with Allie Vogel, Founder, CEO Flexxi Design. Allie shares insights on UX design from her diverse experiences, across different cultures and landscapes. They discuss the burgeoning design scene in Buenos Aires and the trend of nearshoring in South and Central America. Discover practical tips for finding and partnering with local talent, drawing from Allie's expertise in cultural understanding and localization. Gain valuable advice on crafting a standout portfolio to impress potential employers, emphasizing the importance of polished visuals.
Watch the EpisodeCarol Rossi on Meaningful Data Collection
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Carol Rossi, User Experience Research Leadership Consulting at Carolrossi.com. They discuss tips for new researchers, and how to approach customers with the right questions. Carol Rossi also emphasizes the importance of methodology in ensuring meaningful data collection while advocating for embracing AI tools and becoming mixed methods researchers. Her approach underscores the significance of demonstrating impact not only at a product level but also organizationally, fostering a culture of research-driven decision-making.
Watch the EpisodeChristopher Nguyen on the Shortcomings of UX Education
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Christopher Nguyen, Founder of UX Playbook. They discuss the shortcomings of current UX education, emphasizing the need for practical, real-world experience and soft skills development. Christopher explains his initiative to make UX education more accessible through playbooks, courses, and coaching. Join the conversation as Christopher and host Alex Smith delve into the challenges of UX education.
Watch the EpisodeKyle LeBlanc on Advocating for the Designer
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex Smith sits down with Kyle LeBlanc, VP of Design at Teradata. Kyle shares his evolution from graphic and web design to leadership roles, emphasizing his passion for advocating for design as more than just aesthetics but as a critical component of problem-solving and user experience. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from an individual contributor to leading teams, emphasizing the importance of trust, delegation, and allowing space for growth through making mistakes.
Watch the EpisodeSu Milazzo on Driving Impact with Design Ops
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Su Milazzo, Sr Manager of Design and Product Operations. Su shares insights of her journey to Design Ops, highlighting pivotal moments and challenges along the way. She discusses the evolution of her role, emphasizing the importance of addressing communication gaps and streamlining processes within design teams. Su provides valuable advice for individuals aspiring to enter design ops, stressing the significance of understanding change management and fostering empathy towards team members.
Watch the EpisodeLouis Rosenfeld on UX Publishing
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Louis Rosenfeld, Publisher and Founder at Rosenfeld Media. The conversation delves into Rosenfeld's journey into publishing and the emphasis on publishing books on user experience design. They discuss how to successfully structure a conference environment, and what the next big UX book to hit the shelves should be about.
Watch the EpisodeSam Horner on Fostering Creativity in UX Teams
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Sam Horner, Head of Apps UX at Google Play, takes us on a journey through his extensive career in design, from his beginnings at the BBC to his current role at Google. Sam shares insights on fostering creativity in UX design teams, emphasizing the importance of finding moments of creative peace and empowerment. He discusses the evolution of mobile devices and the future of user interfaces, highlighting the need for technology to adapt to users' specific needs. Sam also offers valuable advice for both new designers and managers.
Watch the EpisodeFarid Sabitov on Breaking Down Silos Across Ops
On this Design Leader Insights episode, Alex Smith chats with Farid Sabitov, DesignOps Consultant at EPAM Systems. Over the past couple of years, Farid has focused on design operations, particularly in areas like content design, product design, and design systems. His expertise lies in evolving practices and defining metrics to communicate value within large organizations. The discussion touches on the importance of strategic metrics, particularly in the context of design system adoption. Farid advocates for breaking down silos between design ops, product ops, and dev ops, highlighting the need for collaboration and visualizing the product development lifecycle.
Watch the EpisodeRidhima Gupta on Complex Design Systems
In this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex Smith interviews Ridhima Gupta, Lead Product Designer at Databricks. Ridhima shares her journey in UX, starting as an architecture student and transitioning into digital design during the rise of mobile apps. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the product, domain, and users when designing in complex spaces. They discuss the challenges of catering to diverse user personas in the ML field and she advocates for designers to diversify their skill sets, including coding and technical aspects, to enhance collaboration with engineers and product teams.
Watch the EpisodeTommy Geoco on Taking the Content Creator Leap
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Tommy Geoco, Owner and Educator at UX Tools. In April 2022, he embraced education for design, founding uxtools.co in 2024. Alex and Tommy discuss the changes to the freelance industry, and hustle culture. He advises new designers to gain experience, and encourages content creation as a powerful tool for personal and professional growth. Tommy also shares insights on starting a business, differentiating between performance and value activities, and avoiding burnout.
Watch the EpisodeJason Giles on the Wild West of AI in UX
Alex chats Jason Giles, VP of Product Design at UserTesting, about his early days at Microsoft working on iconic products like Office 365 and Xbox, to leading design teams at DirectTV and Ticketmaster in the consumer entertainment space. Jason also shares his experiences from the last four years at UserTesting, where he manages a dynamic team within the product organization, focusing on removing friction from businesses by connecting them directly with customers. The conversation covers the evolving role of design teams in talking to customers effectively, the impact of AI and ML on UX design in 2024, and Jason's unique experience as a digital nomad in Scotland.
Watch the EpisodeJ.B. Chaykowsky on Embracing the High Minimum in Design
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with J.B. Chaykowsky, Global Design Leader at Intuit. They discuss the transformative impact of AI on the design landscape. J.B. Chaykowsky emphasizes the need for designers to navigate the evolving role of AI carefully, ensuring that they continue to add value in a world where AI democratizes design creation. He also provides valuable advice for designers entering the field today, encouraging them to embrace the 'high minimum' and focus on continuous improvement in their field.
Watch the EpisodeGlen Lipka on Career Growth, Education, and Building Better Products
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Glen Lipka, VP, Product Design at CrowdStrike. Glen Lipka advocates for improving design education to equip young designers with practical skills and a deeper understanding of the industry. Additionally, Lipka delves into the concept of design fundamentals, using examples from Salesforce and Excel to illustrate the importance of designing for functionality rather than just aesthetics. He encourages designers to envision a better future and leverage their superpower of imagining and illustrating a compelling vision.
Watch the EpisodeCalvin Robertson on Intentional Experience Design
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Calvin Robertson, Sr Director, Experience Design - Best Buy. Calvin delves into the nuanced challenges of balancing digital and human interactions, especially at a retail giant like Best Buy. The conversation with Alex Smith covers the importance of understanding customers' diverse behaviors and needs while embracing both DIY and assisted shopping experiences. Calvin also shares valuable leadership insights, emphasizing the need for design leaders to empower their teams and delegate effectively.
Watch the EpisodeAmy Mitchell on Adding Value as a Product Manager
On this episode of Where Product Meets Design, Amy Mitchell, Product Director at Dell, shares insights into her journey in the product management field. She discusses the common myth that product managers are merely a barrier between engineering and sales, emphasizing the value they bring in consolidating requirements and facilitating communication. Amy also highlights the importance of providing hope and optimism as a product manager. She advocates for embracing conflict and forming a personal point of view.
Watch the EpisodeMichael Riddering on Navigating Startups, Launch Days, and the Future of UX
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex Smith chats with Michael Riddering, creator of Dive Club and Founding Designer for Maven. Michael shares his journey from founder to designer and back, highlighting the pivotal role of design in startup culture. Michael offers advice for founders and aspiring designers, emphasizing the importance of tackling the right problems and showcasing hands-on experience with launch days. Explore Michael's perspective on the evolving role of designers in startups, the value of competitive research, and the necessity for designers to contribute to higher-level product strategy decisions.
Watch the EpisodeRafa Flores on Post-Launch Strategies for Product Managers
On this episode of Where Product Meets Design, Alex speaks with Rafa Flores, who works at 6sense. Rafa provides advice for those entering product management, suggesting mentorship during market booms and strategic analysis of product lifecycles in uncertain economic times. When discussing successful product launches, he introduces a pragmatic 30-60-90-day roadmap, stressing the post-launch phase's critical role. Additionally, Rafa highlights the necessity of early collaboration with UX teams to avoid late-stage conflicts, emphasizing consistent teamwork throughout the product development cycle.
Watch the EpisodeAbbey Smalley on Mastering Cross-Functional Collaboration in Design
In this episode of Design Leader Insights, Abbey Smalley, UX Design Leader, shares key tips for effective cross-functional collaboration in design teams. Abbey highlights the importance of understanding and respecting team members' roles, fostering open communication, and creating a collaborative gray space. She emphasizes the significance of aligned and outcome-based goals, as well as the need for just enough process to ensure quality and efficiency. The conversation provides practical insights for designers and underscores the crucial role of communication and shared goals in achieving success.
Watch the EpisodeTim Flood on Analyzing More than Just Data
On this episode of Where Product Meets Design, Alex chats with Tim Flood, Sr. Product Manager, about articulating your value and measuring it, common myths of product management, and his advice for new Product Managers entering the field.
Watch the EpisodeBasel Fakhoury on Co-Founding User Interviews
In this Design Leader Insights episode, Alex Smith interviews Basel Fakhoury, Co-founder of User Interviews. Basel shares the founding journey of User Interviews, and the pivotal moment when they discovered the importance of user research. He explains the platform's two main products, Recruit and Research Hub, emphasizing their role in participant recruitment and user research management. Basel discusses the growth trajectory, user demographics, and the concept of democratizing research, allowing non-research professionals to engage in user studies. The conversation touches on the future of research, addressing concerns about AI replacing human participants. Basel concludes with valuable advice for entrepreneurs, emphasizing the significance of iterative validation and the journey of building a venture.
Watch the EpisodeCasey Hudetz on Integrating New Generative AI Models
In this Design Leader Insights episode, Alex Smith interviews Casey Hudetz, Senior Product Design Manager at DocuSign, exploring Casey's decade-long journey in design. Casey delves into the transformative impact of AI on the design process, highlighting the integration of generative AI models like GPT into tasks such as information architecture audits, survey creation, and design thinking workshops. He discusses the evolving UX of AI, emphasizing its integration into everyday tools and predicts the emergence of hyper-specialized AI models for specific domains. Casey offers advice for new designers, emphasizing the importance of human-centric skills and a deep understanding of design tools to stand out in the industry.
Watch the EpisodeGretchen Kambe Gelke on Product-Led Growth in UX
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Gretchen Kambe Gelke, VP of UX at JumpCloud, about her journey in UX and UX research, highlighting her transition from academia to government and eventually to the industry, where she gained experience in various areas such as B2B, consumer, software, and hardware.
Watch the EpisodeFemke van Schoonhoven on Product Strategy
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Femke van Schoonhoven, Head of Design, Members at Gusto and founder of www.femke.design, about her journey in the design world and her insights on product strategy for designers. Femke's career started at a small startup, and she later went on to work at Uber and a Canadian FinTech company. She also ventured into sharing her design journey through blogging, newsletters, and YouTube videos. Recently, Femke launched a course on product strategy for designers. Join us as she shares her experiences and advice for designers looking to excel in the field.
Watch the EpisodeDan Winer's Approach to Effective Communication in the Workplace
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Dan Winer, Head of Design at Smile.io, about providing context to get helpful feedback, how to be a successful manager, what mindset to have to truly enjoy your role.
Watch the EpisodeSam Anderson on Customer Centric Designs
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Sam Anderson, Director of Design at Intuit, about bringing prosperity for both consumers and small business owners, integrating AI, and how it is all about the customers.
Watch the EpisodeOmar Javier Lyles on Realizing the Potential of your Impact in Business
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Omar Javier Lyles, Vice President, Head of Small & Mid-market Business Design at Capital One, about customer needs versus the business objectives, measuring your impact, and finding what fuels you.
Watch the EpisodeDonnie D'Amato on Config and Design System Updates
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Donnie D'Amato, Principal, UX Platform - GoDaddy, about new changes in Figma as seen at Config, where the design industry is heading, and his design system advice.
Watch the EpisodeAlex Wilson on Successful Design Systems
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Alex Wilson, AVP, Design System Engineering Lead at T. Rowe Price, about empowering designers to use design systems, collaborating in teams, and the future of design systems.
Watch the EpisodeSubhasree Chatterjee on Designer and Data Analytics Partnership
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Subhasree Chatterjee, Lead Data Analyst at LexisNexis, about eliminating a transactional relationship between designers and data analysts, tips for designers on how to approach data analytics, and more.
Watch the EpisodeTeresa Cain on the Many Roles of a Product Manager
On this episode of Where Product Meets Design, Alex chats with Teresa Cain, Director of Product Management UX and Design at TreviPay, about how to take critical feedback on your product, building a structure to support the different areas of product, and advice for PMs.
Watch the EpisodeRyan Leffel on UX in the Travel Industry
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Ryan Leffel, Head of Design at Priceline, about design nuances in the travel industry, advice for new designers, and what he has learned from starting a business from the ground up.
Watch the EpisodeJames Jordan on the Evolution of the Product Manager
On this episode of Where Product Meets Design, Alex chats with James Jordan, Founder of Producto, about the current state of the product market, how to successfully collaborate between product and design, and key attributes product managers need to lead a team successfully.
Watch the EpisodeKevin Hawkins on Design at a Global Scale
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Kevin Hawkins, Global UX Director at Glovo, about applying research to a global audience, collaborating at a large scale company, and how to get and keep a job in UX today.
Watch the EpisodeJim Morris on Exponential Growth with Product Management
On this episode of Where Product Meets Design, Alex chats with Jim Morris, Founder, Product Discovery Group, about the importance of talking directly to users, fitting product into user lives, and the balance between collaboration and decision making.
Watch the EpisodeBob Baxley on the Medium of Software
On this episode of Design Leader Insights, Alex chats with Bob Baxley, SVP of Design at Thoughtspot, about reengaging in your work, what his advice would be to new designers today, and more insights about the medium of software.
Watch the EpisodeBrian Peterson on Meeting Customer Demand in Product
On this first episode of Where Product Meets Design, Alex chats with Brian Peterson, VP of Product, about the importance of communicating with the customer, how there is no product without design, and where the two cross paths in his industry.
Watch the EpisodeHave questions about your UX?
