Brave UX with Brendan Jarvis 🇺🇦

After 5 years and 171 episodes, Brave UX is coming to a close. In this final monologue, Brendan Jarvis reflects on how the podcast began, what it became, and what he learned along the way. From uncertain beginnings during a global pandemic to becoming a globally recognised platform for thoughtful, human-centred conversations—this is a farewell, but not a goodbye. ✅ Why Brave UX began ✅ What it became ✅ How it helped Brendan grow ✅ What’s next ⏱️ Episode Chapters: 00:12 – Brave UX Ends 00:19 – Pandemic Start 01:04 – Growth & Friendships 01:15 – Talks & Recognition 01:45 – Memorable Moments 01:59 – Thanks to Editors 02:12 – Closing Chapter 02:44 – What’s Next 🎧 Explore the full archive: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/brave-ux-podcast 💬 Connect with Brendan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendandjarvis/

Wolfgang Bremer shares a candid look at design leadership, the weight of trust, and why real impact goes far beyond pixels 🚀 — revealing how humility and humanity shape design at scale 🌍. ====== Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Learning Patience Through Fatherhood 00:30 – Welcome and Introduction 02:10 – Early Design Projects and Bootleg CD Covers 05:30 – How Parenthood Changed His Communication and Leadership 10:00 – The Importance of Explaining “Why” at Home and Work 13:44 – Families, Work, and Where We Spend Our Energy 19:00 – Why Trust Should Be the Default in Teams 22:30 – Building Connection and Trust Through One-on-Ones 28:30 – Structured vs. Unstructured Approaches to One-on-Ones 36:00 – Knowing When to Lean In and When to Step Back 43:00 – Leadership as Asking Better Questions 46:20 – Leadership Compared to Doing the Dishes 53:00 – Designing the Environment for Teams to Thrive 58:00 – Overcoming Misconceptions About Design’s Role 1:01:22 – Lessons From a Career in Global Design Leadership 1:06:21 – Closing Reflections and Where to Find Wolfgang ====== Who is Wolfgang Bremer? Wolfgang Bremer is a seasoned design leader whose career spans mobile, enterprise, and automotive design 🚗. He was recently the Vice President of Design at Elli, a Volkswagen Group brand focused on electric mobility, where he grew a cross-functional team and embedded design into business strategy. He has: ✅ Led global design teams at Volkswagen, SAP, and HERE Technologies ✅ Designed early mobile experiences at Nokia ✅ Spoken at conferences across Europe, North America, and Asia ✅ Advocated for people-first design and building trust at scale ✅ Believes leadership is sometimes… like doing the dishes ====== Find Wolfgang Bremer here: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfgangbremer/ Website → https://bremer.co/ ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Like what you heard? 🎙️ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/ ====== Follow Brave UX for more great content! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/ ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/ The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Aryn Korpalski reminds us that research is as much about human connection 🤝 as it is about data—and why hospitality, curiosity, and thoughtful service are the real secrets to impactful insights 🎯. ====== Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Why In-Person Magic Can’t Be Replicated Virtually 00:30 – Welcome and Introduction 02:00 – Meet Aryn Korpalski 03:06 – Musical Theatre, Sports, and Finding Confidence in Rugby 10:00 – Growing Up in Denver and Becoming a Chicagoan 14:42 – Curiosity, Hospitality, and the Work of Fieldwork 18:20 – Complex Briefs and Protecting Participant Trust 22:55 – Global Research and Partnering with Competitors 27:30 – Preparing for the Next Thing: AI and Data Quality 35:11 – Baking Accessibility Into Every Project 40:30 – Making Research Emotionally Accessible 44:01 – Beyond Insights: Community and Connection 47:23 – The Power of Observation Rooms 51:30 – Gathering Intentionally and Leadership Energy 56:00 – Why Making “Yes” Matter Builds Trust 1:09:05 – Closing Reflections and Where to Find Aryn ====== Who is Aryn Korpalski? Aryn is the Senior Vice President of Corporate Services at Fieldwork, a company trusted worldwide for in-person research facilities, digital capabilities, and global recruitment services. She has: ✅ Led Fieldwork’s corporate operations and strategic client partnerships ✅ Managed research projects across diverse industries and cultures ✅ Advocated for participant-first experiences and inclusive research practices ✅ Embraced hospitality as a guiding principle in research operations ====== Find Aryn Korpalski here: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/arynkorpalski/ Fieldwork → https://www.fieldwork.com/ ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Like what you heard? 🎙️ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/ ====== Follow Brave UX for more great content! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/ ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/ The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Changying (Z) Zheng brings calm thinking to DesignOps — showing how clarity, storytelling, and ruthless prioritisation help design teams thrive . ====== Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Why Design Needs to Prove Its Value 00:30 – Welcome and Introduction 02:30 – From Graphic Design to Design Ops Leadership 05:40 – Running a Dairy-Free Dessert Business and Learning Calm Leadership 10:00 – Leading Without Drama and Seeing Multiple Perspectives 13:00 – Design Ops as Service Design for Design Teams 16:00 – Storytelling, Outcomes, and Speaking the Language of Business 18:45 – Earning and Keeping a Seat at the Table 21:00 – Moving from Ticket Taking to Strategic Design Work 26:00 – Saying No Kindly and Introducing Office Hours 32:00 – People, Process, and Platform as Core Pillars 36:00 – Becoming the Connective Tissue Across Orgs 42:00 – Growing Into Product Ops at Cloudflare 55:00 – Communication as the Connective Tissue of Ops 1:10:00 – A Two-by-Two Framework for Career Development ====== Who is Changying (Z) Zheng? Changying (Z) Zheng is a Director of Product Operations at Cloudflare, where she’s scaled the operational backbone of one of the internet’s most recognisable infrastructure companies . She has: Started as a team of one and built thriving design and research operations Worked in agencies, higher education, and at companies like Akamai, VMware, and Nasdaq Founded and ran her own retail business Delivered talks at The DevOps Conference and DesignOps Summit, shaping how people understand DesignOps in technical environments ====== Find Changying (Z) Zheng here: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/changyingz/ Website → https://www.changyingart.com/ ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Like what you heard? 🎙️ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/ ====== Follow Brave UX for more great content! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/ ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/ The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Jake Burghardt explores why so much research goes unused , why timing matters more than tools , and how to transform insights into real impact for teams and strategy . ====== Episode Chapters: 00:00 – From Psychology to Human-Centred Design 20:29 – The Birth of “Stop Wasting Research” 28:03 – The Three Root Causes of Research Waste 36:42 – How to Prioritise Insights Without Losing Value 45:11 – Why Repositories Are Not Enough 58:33 – When to Stop Pushing Insights 1:04:07 – Should There Be a New “Research Integrator” Role? ====== Who is Jake Burghardt? Jake Burghardt is a veteran of the research, product, and design worlds, helping organisations close the gap between what they know and what they act on. His upcoming book, *Stop Wasting Research*, offers a new framework for turning insights into action. ====== Find Jake Burghardt here: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeburghardt/ Blog → https://medium.com/integrating-research Newsletter → https://www.integratingresearch.com/newsletter Book: Stop Wasting Research → https://www.integratingresearch.com/#book ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Like what you heard? 🎙️ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/ ====== Follow Brave UX for more great content! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/ ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/ The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Ehab Bandar shares why creative freedom, curiosity, and human connection matter more than ever in design — exploring how resilience, adaptability, and gratitude shape a lasting career in UX . ====== Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Immigrating to the US from Lebanon at Age Six 19:39 – Choosing Autonomy Over Authority in Career Paths 25:17 – The Three-Lens Framework: Content, Lifestyle, Money 53:10 – The U Curve of Design Leadership Explained 1:13:32 – The Soulless Product: Avoiding AI-Driven Blandness 1:33:55 – Advice for Aspiring Independent Consultants ====== Who is Ehab Bandar? Ehab Bandar is a seasoned UX design leader and independent consultant whose career spans fintech, real estate, hospitality, and beyond . He has: Led design teams for clients like Airbnb and Charles Schwab Founded Bigtable, a design and innovation consulting firm Shared insights through *The Experience Architect* newsletter Taught graduate design courses at the Academy of Art University ====== Find Ehab Bandar here: LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehabbandar/ Bigtable → https://bigtable.co/ Website → https://www.ehabbandar.com/ Substack → https://ehabbandar.substack.com/ ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Like what you heard? 🎙️ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/ ====== Follow Brave UX for more great content! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/ ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/ The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Chetana Deorah explores what it means to step off the career treadmill , rediscover creativity beyond metrics , and build a life rooted in connection, community, and courage —sharing why the most meaningful design often begins within . ====== Episode Chapters: 00:00 – A Reading from Sri Aurobindo 04:38 – Growing Up in a Pampered Family in India 07:55 – Leaving India to Escape Cultural Expectations 17:30 – Making the Leap to the United States 25:56 – Working at Pentagram and Pivotal Labs 36:03 – Leading Global Growth Design at Netflix 44:25 – Deciding to Leave Silicon Valley 50:21 – Returning to Auroville, India 59:33 – Adapting to a Slower Pace of Life 1:09:32 – Designing BloomO! the Flower Card Game 1:19:12 – Learning the Power of Doing Nothing 1:27:52 – Reflecting on Money and Enoughness ====== Who is Chetana Deorah? Chetana Deorah is a seasoned design leader, educator, and community builder whose career bridges tech, creativity, and social impact . She has: Led product design at Netflix, Scribd, Yahoo, Pivotal Labs, and Pentagram Shaped global digital experiences for hundreds of millions of users Founded community projects in India focused on art, sustainability, and human connection Chosen a new path outside Silicon Valley to explore soulful, human-centered design ====== Find Chetana Deorah here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chetanadeorah/ ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Like what you heard? 🎙️ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/ ====== Follow Brave UX for more great content! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/ ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/ The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Thomas Girard brings a thoughtful lens to design, creativity, and resilience 🌍 — sharing why processes matter 🧠, and how the quiet work of reflection can shape the future of design 🚀. ====== Episode Chapters: 00:00 – The Processes and Methods Around Design 02:26 – How Living Internationally Shaped Thomas’s Design Lens 05:03 – Growing Up with Photographer Greg Girard 06:49 – Why Airports Feel Like Home 12:50 – Preparing for a Two-Minute TEDx Talk 19:21 – Advice for First-Time Public Speakers 23:39 – The Strength of Design Education Today 26:38 – How Design Continues Despite Tech Layoffs 28:43 – Can Designers and AI Coexist? 35:22 – Lessons from Running 200+ Podcast Episodes 48:53 – Life or Death Typography: Why It Matters 58:58 – Beliefs That Changed Over a Career ====== Who is Thomas Girard? Thomas Girard is a design educator, writer, and speaker whose work bridges creativity, innovation, and resilience 🌍. He has: ✅ Delivered keynotes at UXIndia and Sorbonne University ✅ Earned multiple Emerging Scholar awards for his contributions to design ✅ Authored the memoir Son of Greg Girard ✅ Built UNIQUEWAYS, a podcast uncovering different perspectives on success and creativity ====== Find Thomas Girard here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onthomas/ Podcast: https://uniqueways.ca ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Like what you heard? 🎙️ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/ ====== Follow Brave UX for more great content! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/ ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/ The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Theresa Neil is reshaping the future of healthcare 🚀, challenging outdated systems 🧠, and championing women’s health innovation when it’s needed most 🌍 — reminding us that the stakes in design have never been higher ❤️. ====== Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Why You Can’t "Move Fast and Break Things" in Healthcare 01:15 – Welcome and Introduction 03:03 – From Sous Chef to UX Designer 04:55 – Early Lessons in Tech and Gender Bias 05:22 – Mentorship and the Start of a UX Career 08:41 – Designing Airline Kiosks (Sorry!) 10:47 – Founding Guidea and Finding Her Differentiator 14:09 – Becoming a Women-Owned and Led Company 15:43 – On Becoming a Feminist (and Why It Matters) 17:55 – Calling Out Oprah’s Menopause Awards 23:38 – Why Menopause and Women’s Health Remain Taboo 27:40 – How Sexism Shows Up in Femtech Investment 32:35 – Why VCs Might Not Save Femtech 37:33 – Lioness: Building a Smart Vibrator for Data 43:47 – Empowering Women Through "Spite Tracking" 48:53 – Fighting Medical Gaslighting with Data 51:08 – Redesigning Healthcare Experiences with Empathy 56:57 – Why Patient-Centric Design Is Still Missing 59:55 – Designing for Accessibility and Dignity 1:04:09 – Industrial Design + UX: A Match Made in Medtech 1:05:19 – Why Theresa Believes in the Power of Collective Stories 1:08:14 – Where to Find Theresa ====== Who is Theresa Neil? Theresa Neil is the Founder of Guidea, an award-winning, women-owned and led product design firm specialising in medtech and digital health innovation 🚀. She has: ====== Find Theresa Neil here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresaneil/ Website: https://www.guidea.co/ Femovate: https://www.femovate.com/ ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Like what you heard? 🎙️ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/ ====== Follow Brave UX for more great content! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/ ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/ The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Jennifer Speciale helps leaders rewrite the rules of career growth 🚀, redefine executive presence 🧠, and build unapologetic clarity in an uncertain market 🌍—sharing why designing your career is the ultimate act of leadership 🎯. ====== Episode Chapters: 00:00 – Why You Are the Prize 01:15 – Welcome and Introduction 03:12 – Living in Italy and Training for a Marathon 06:45 – Discovering Sicilian Roots and the Aeolian Islands 13:25 – Learning from Strong Women in Italian History 16:32 – Coaching Leaders Through Career Crossroads 19:55 – Why "Open-Minded" Job Searches Fail 26:29 – Helping Leaders Find Hidden Career Options 30:11 – Rebranding LinkedIn for Strategic Career Moves 33:24 – What Recruiters Really Look for on LinkedIn 37:02 – Why Job Descriptions Are Designed to Be Vague 42:32 – The Hidden Risks of a Bad Interview 47:19 – Using Flattery Authentically in Networking 51:36 – Flipping Interviews into Conversations 56:47 – Believing You Are the Prize (Without Arrogance) 1:01:13 – How to Stop Over-Apologizing in Interviews 1:03:05 – Closing Reflections and Where to Find Jennifer ====== Who is Jennifer Speciale? Jennifer Speciale is the Founder and Executive Leadership Coach at Speciale Executive Leadership, helping ambitious leaders transition into executive roles and unlock new opportunities 🚀. She has: Through her proven frameworks, she’s changing the way leaders navigate executive transitions. ====== Find Jennifer Speciale here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferspeciale/ Website: https://www.jenniferspeciale.com ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Like what you heard? 🎙️ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show! https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCKhttps://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetweenhttps://braveux.podbean.com/ ====== Follow Brave UX for more great content! https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_uxhttps://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/ ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Dave Hoffer shares why design demands empathy 🧠, courage 🛡️, and long-term thinking 🌱—and how amplifying others can transform leadership in uncertain times 🚀. He explores design’s shifting role in business, the disruptive rise of AI, and why resilience and critique will shape the future of design. ====== Episode Chapters 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction 04:42 – Dave’s Instinct to Amplify Others Over Himself 08:36 – Weathering Layoffs and the Power of Staying the Course 12:43 – From Personal Crisis to Mission-Driven Work 17:24 – Why Hope and Long-Term Thinking Matter in Design 21:24 – Courage, Critique, and Speaking Truth to Power 24:20 – Design’s Role in Policy and Sustainability 28:17 – Is UX Dead? Navigating the AI Disruption 32:35 – Spectral Thinking: Understanding the Human Spectrum 37:11 – The Hard Cost of Empathy in Design 42:05 – Why Executives Must Experience Real Empathy 48:13 – Empathy, Judgment, and Learning from Outliers 54:10 – What Research with Outliers Teaches Us 58:13 – How Physical Labor (Like Bricklaying) Changes Perspective 1:04:09 – Think Like a Gardener, Not an Architect 1:07:00 – Why Design’s Work Isn’t Done Yet 1:10:54 – Taste, Design Leadership, and Meeting Halfway 1:11:57 – Closing Reflections and Where to Find Dave ====== Who is Dave Hoffer? Dave Hoffer is a seasoned design leader and strategist whose career spans product design, digital innovation, and design transformation 🌎. He has: Led design teams at Frog Design, PwC, and McKinsey & Company Grown McKinsey’s global design practice from a handful of designers to hundreds 📈 Brought design strategy into the heart of business and policy change Advised mission-driven organisations like Safe Kids AI 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Advocated for amplifying others and championing empathy and critique as foundations for impactful leadership ✨ Today, Dave advises organisations as an independent consultant, helping them embed human-centered design practices into strategy and transformation initiatives. ====== Find Dave Hoffer here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-hoffer/ Website: https://www.mpqd.com/ ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Like what you heard? 🎙️ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show! https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCKhttps://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetweenhttps://braveux.podbean.com/ ====== Follow Brave UX for more great content! https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_uxhttps://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/ ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Josephine Wong challenges us to design with intention, build cultures that care, and recognise the quiet power of everyday interactions to create truly meaningful work. ====== Episode chapters 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction 04:42 – Jo’s Unexpected Start in Advertising 09:26 – A Multicultural Upbringing in Hong Kong 14:18 – From Melbourne to Apogee: Founding a UX Consultancy 21:35 – Building a Life and Business Partnership with Dan Szuc 26:04 – Understanding Systems: Politics, Economics, and Research 33:50 – The Problem with Feature-Centric Thinking 40:44 – Opening Stakeholder Minds Without Judgement 49:16 – What Deng Xiaoping Taught Jo About Leadership 58:33 – East Meets West: Bridging Philosophical Differences 1:06:18 – Make Meaningful Work and the Power of Micro-Interactions 1:13:57 – Bringing Human Skills to Kids Through Sparkle Studio 1:22:42 – The Contribution We Owe the World ====== Who is Josephine Wong? Josephine Wong is a co-founder and principal at Apogee, a pioneering user experience consultancy founded in 1998 with a vision to bring human-centred design to Hong Kong and the wider region. Over the past 25 years, Apogee has played a significant role in advancing UX across Asia. She’s also the co-founder of Make Meaningful Work, a studio and learning platform helping people unlock their potential by focusing on meaningful work in environments where they can learn, improve, and thrive together. If that wasn’t enough, Jo is also the co-founder of UX Hong Kong, an annual learning event that brings together passionate practitioners from across product and service design to explore and celebrate exceptional experience creation. A committed and influential contributor to our field, Jo has shared her expertise on global platforms including Beat Camp, We Can Do Better, the Reorient podcast, and UXpod. Her work is deeply informed by her multicultural upbringing and global perspective, allowing her to bridge cultural nuance and inspire designers and researchers around the world. ====== Find Josephine here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josephine-wong-6801922/ X: https://x.com/igiwong Apogee: https://www.apogeehk.com/ Make Meaningful Work: https://www.makemeaningfulwork.com/ UX Hong Kong: https://uxhongkong.com/ ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple PodcastSpotifyYouTubePodbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedInTikTokInstagram Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here: LinkedInWebsite

Roberta Dombrowski invites us to rethink success, tune into our intuition, and lead with intention —sharing how mindfulness, healing, and self-compassion can transform the way we work and live. ====== Episode chapters 00:00 – Welcome and Introduction 04:25 – Being a Transracial Adoptee and Finding Voice 14:11 – The Restless Career Journey and Job-Hopping 22:54 – Lessons from Anxiety, Burnout, and Slowing Down 32:25 – Mindfulness, Somatic Work, and Coaching Practice 42:46 – The Challenges Facing UX Researchers Today 50:42 – Systemic vs Individual Burnout 58:10 – How to Navigate Red Flags in Hiring 1:06:01 – The Role of Intuition and Inner Wisdom 1:15:51 – Rediscovering Fun and Joy at Work ====== Who is Roberta Dombrowski? Roberta Dombrowski is a certified leadership coach and experience strategist, dedicated to transforming the way people live, learn, and work. She is the founder of Learn Mindfully, a coaching and training company she launched in 2022. Since then, Roberta has supported hundreds of leaders from companies such as Adobe, Instacart, ServiceNow, Zapier, and Zoom. Previously, Roberta was a Research Partner at Maze, where she helped clients maximize the platform’s potential. Before that, she was VP of User Research at User Interviews, where she built and scaled the research function while tackling the meta-challenge of researching researchers. Roberta is also the author of Consciously Crafting Your Career Path, a self-reflection and career planning workbook designed to help people shape fulfilling and intentional careers. Her insights have been featured on podcasts like Lead the People and BLOC, and at events such as Rosenfeld Media’s Advancing Research conference. ====== Find Roberta here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertadombrowski/ Company website: https://learnmindfully.co/ Personal website: https://robertalearns.com/ ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple PodcastSpotifyYouTubePodbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedInTikTokInstagram Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here: LinkedInWebsite

Gloria Osardu urges researchers to slow down, understand the business, and partner with intention—sharing why empathy, alignment, and asking the right questions are the foundation for research that matters. Highlights include: 05:02 – How did your parents shape your worldview and curiosity? 15:22 – Why is success as a research leader about facilitating others? 24:26 – What does “understanding the business” really mean? 30:43 – What does “skin in the game” mean for stakeholders? 45:24 – How has embracing slowness changed your approach to leadership? === Who is Gloria Osardu? Gloria is a Senior Director and Global Head of UX Research, Brand, and Consumer Insights at Yahoo!, where she leads initiatives to deepen Yahoo’s understanding of consumer behaviour, aligning the company’s brand, product, and marketing strategies with these insights. Before joining Yahoo!, Gloria was Senior Director and Head of UX Research and Insights at Gusto, where she built and led Gusto’s Global Product Experience Research Team, overseeing both research and research operations professionals. She has also held senior research roles at Amazon Web Services, where she led UX Research Operations and Programs, and at Capital One, where she headed UX Research for their Enterprise AI and ML Platforms. With extensive commercial experience in customer insights and analytics, Gloria also brings an impressive academic background, holding a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, a Master of Science in Applied Health Informatics, and a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. A committed contributor to our field, Gloria is a long-standing mentor with the Computing Research Association and has been featured in User Weekly, as well as on podcasts like Black Stories and Saving UX. === Find Gloria here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaosardu/ ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple PodcastSpotifyYouTubePodbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedInTikTokInstagram Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here: LinkedInWebsite

Esther Ahn reflects on the twists and turns of her creative journey, shares how critique can unlock better design without breaking spirits, and reveals why embracing the oops is essential for building resilient teams and products. Highlights include: 12:13 – How do you make sense of your career’s twists and turns? 28:52 – What does a healthy culture of critique look like? 35:24 – What works best when presenting design work to executives? 42:19 – Where is the most tension between business goals and user needs? 01:06:36 – How is the children’s book Beautiful Oops! relevant to your career? === Who is Esther Ahn? Esther is the Director of User Experience for YouTube TV and Primetime Channels on YouTube—a role in which she brings deep expertise in human-centered design and research to enhance the viewing experience across platforms and at scale. Throughout her career, Esther has pioneered new participatory design methods and conducted global research across the US, Asia, Africa, and Australia. Before YouTube, she was Director of Digital Health UX at Stanford Health Care and a Creative Director at the world-renowned innovation firm Frog Design. She’s also worked at two other giants of design—IDEO and Smart Design—where she shaped experiences through multidisciplinary practice. Esther holds a BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Interaction Design from Carnegie Mellon University. === Find Esther here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherahn/ ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple PodcastSpotifyYouTubePodbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedInTikTokInstagram Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here: LinkedInWebsite

Meryl Evans shares why accessibility is everyone’s responsibility, how captions can create connection—not just convenience—and why progress over perfection is the mindset that drives lasting inclusion. Highlights include: ====== Who is Meryl Evans? Meryl is a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC), a sought-after speaker, trainer, and accessibility marketing consultant who has spent over two decades championing inclusive digital experiences. Named one of LinkedIn’s Top 12 Voices for Accessibility Advocacy, Meryl’s work has been recognised by organisations such as the North Texas Disability Chamber and featured in The Wall Street Journal, MarketingProfs, and The Dallas Morning News. She’s the author of The Brilliant Outlook Pocketbook and co-author of Adapting to Web Standards: CSS and Ajax for Big Sites, and her speaking credits include TEDx, SXSW, and the American Marketing Association. Beyond her consulting and speaking, Meryl is a passionate volunteer, contributing to the W3C’s Immersive Captions community group and XR Access, helping ensure emerging technologies are accessible to everyone. === Find Meryl here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meryl/ Website: https://meryl.net/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/merylkevans/videos X: https://x.com/merylkevans ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple PodcastSpotifyYouTubePodbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedInTikTokInstagram Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here: LinkedInWebsite

Felix Lee shares how ADPList is democratising mentorship, the lessons he’s learned from failure and resilience, and why clarity beats cleverness in design. Highlights include: ====== Who is Tammy Everts? Tammy is the Chief Experience Officer at SpeedCurve—a platform that enables organisations to unlock the full potential of their web performance. In her role, Tammy champions the connection between site speed, user experience, and business success, working closely with customers to deepen their understanding of how people use with their websites. Tammy's career journey also includes senior UX roles at Soasta and Radware, and over two decades of pioneering research involving EEG headsets, facial action coding, and advanced machine learning. She is the author of “Time is Money: The Business Value of Web Performance” and a sought-after speaker, having shared her expertise at prominent events like Chrome Dev Summit, Smashing Conference, and Beyond Tellerand. Tammy also co-chairs the annual performance.now() conference in Amsterdam and co-curates WPO Stats, a valuable resource of web performance case studies. Find Tammy here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammyeverts/ Website: https://tammyeverts.wordpress.com/ Mastodon: https://webperf.social/@tammy X: https://x.com/tameverts ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple PodcastSpotifyYouTubePodbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedInTikTokInstagram Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here: LinkedInWebsite

In this episode of Brave UX, host Brendan Jarvis interviews designer, author, and educator Carla Diana, a leader in human-centered product design and technology. Carla is the D Designer-in-Residence and Head of Program at the Cranbrook Academy of Art and works part-time as the Design Advisor at Diligent Robotics. Join Carla and Brendan as they explore the future of smart technologies, including Carla’s work on humanizing healthcare robots and her project "Mobility Town," which reimagines public transportation in Detroit. Carla also discusses the challenges of designing relatable robots, societal misconceptions about AI, and the ethical implications of technology. The conversation delves into the roles of designers in shaping how people interact with technology innovations like autonomous systems and social robots, urging a thoughtful consideration of technology’s impact on society. Highlights include: Who is Carla Diana Carla Diana is a highly influential designer, author, and educator known for her work at the intersection of technology and human-centered product design. She is the founder and designer-in-residence of the Interaction Design Programme at Cranbrook Academy of Art, where she leads an innovative exploration into smart objects, immersive environments, and intelligent systems. Carla also serves as a design advisor at Diligent Robotics, shaping healthcare robots to assist workers better. Her extensive experience includes roles at Smart Design and Frog Design, where she worked on diverse products, from robots to connected home appliances. Carla authored "Leo, The Maker Prince," the first children’s book about 3D printing, and "My Robot Gets Me," which focused on intuitive design for intelligent technologies. She’s a frequent speaker at prominent events like TEDx SXSW, and her writing has been featured in Fast Company, The New York Times, and Popular Science. Find Carla Diana Here LinkedInWebsiteWebsite Subscribe to Brave UX Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple PodcastSpotifyYouTubePodbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedInInstagram Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here: LinkedInWebsite

In this episode of Brave UX, Brendan welcomes Kelly Goto, CEO and Founder of gotoresearch and gotomedia. Kelly is a trailblazer in web and UX design with nearly 25 years of experience. She shares her inspiring journey as a fourth-generation Japanese American and discusses her work with major brands like Netflix and Samsung. They delve into the importance of emotional connection in product design, the impact of technology on attention spans, and the evolving methodologies in research, especially in light of generative AI. Kelly also reflects on cultural lessons and the significance of continuous learning in design. Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with valuable perspectives on UX and the intersection of culture and innovation! Highlights include: Who is Kelly Goto Kelly is passionate about helping organizations truly understand and empathize with their customers so they can deliver products and services that are genuinely meaningful. After over 20 years on the digital frontier, Kelly knows user experience (UX) better than most. As a design ethnographer, she focuses on uncovering how people integrate products and services into their daily lives — what those experiences mean to people and how to shape that meaning better. Kelly heads up gotoresearch, the global leader in research-driven strategy and solutions for digital products and connected experiences. The gotoresearch team dives deep into the customer’s world, translating unspoken wants and needs into UX realities. This enables clients such as Samsung, Hyundai, Sony, Target, Verizon, and Pearson Education to relate with customers in new and innovative ways. Her book, Web Redesign 2.0: Workflow That Works, is an industry classic translated into 22 languages. Find Kelly Goto Here LinkedInWebsiteWebsite Subscribe to Brave UX Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple PodcastSpotifyYouTubePodbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedInInstagram Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here: LinkedIn

In this episode of Brave UX, Brendan welcomes Lawton Pybus, Principal and Co-Founder of Drill Bit Labs. Join them as they dive into the evolving landscape of UX amidst recent tech layoffs. Lawton shares insights from his extensive research on UX job markets and discusses the importance of valuing UX in organizations. With a blend of personal anecdotes—including a ‘fun’ story about a venomous snake—this conversation highlights key trends, challenges, and the potential role of AI in UX. Listeners will find valuable advice for navigating their careers and fostering resilience in the UX field. Don’t miss this insightful and entertaining discussion! Highlights include: Who is Lawton Pybus Lawton is a Principal and Co-founder of Drill Bit Labs. With a background in human factors, he has prior experience leading UX research teams at UserTesting, UserZoom, and MeasuringU and executing research on teams at Charles Schwab and Cabela's. He is the author of many insightful blog posts and regularly speaks at industry conferences like UXPA. Find Lawton Here LinkedInWebsite Subscribe to Brave UX Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple PodcastSpotifyYouTubePodbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedInInstagram Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here: LinkedIn The Space InBetween Website