How to Decode Conversation: A Paradigm Shift in Qualitative Insight and Human Understanding (with Indi Young)

In this episode of The Design Psychologist, we dive deep into the world of qualitative research and human-centered design with legendary UX thinker Indi Young. 

If you've ever felt like your user interviews only skim the surface—or if you've relied too heavily on personas—you might be missing the most powerful insights. Indi joins us to explore how deep, non-judgmental listening can revolutionize your understanding of users and, ultimately, your design outcomes. 

Together, we tackle questions like:

• What is deep listening, and why is it essential in design research? 
• Why do traditional interviews often fail to uncover what truly drives user behavior? 
• What are thinking styles, and how are they more effective than personas? 
• How can designers move from interpreting behavior to understanding internal reasoning? 

By the end of this episode, you’ll see user research—and your role as a designer—through a completely new lens. You'll be equipped to listen more deeply, think more critically, and create more human-centered solutions.

Find The Design Psychologist on your favorite podcasting platforms (or share this link with a friend): https://designpsychologist.buzzsprout.com/2395044/follow

If this show’s been useful or thought-provoking for you, I’d love it if you would do me a quick favor and let the Apple audience know! I know it takes an extra step—but it really helps new listeners discover the show, and it makes a big difference for us as we grow.

Just open Apple Podcasts, search for The Design Psychologist, tap the show, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and hit “Write a Review.”