
Ben Swire
Former IDEO design lead and author of Safe Danger who helps organizations build psychological safety through creative play, trust, and connection to drive innovation.
Best podcasts with Ben Swire
Ranked by the Snipd community

13 snips
Oct 21, 2025 • 30min
Safe Danger: Why Play Is Serious Business
Ben Swire, a former IDEO design lead and author of 'Safe Danger', and Cass Holman, designer and author of 'Playful', explore the vital intersection of safety and risk in fostering creativity. They discuss how psychological safety allows teams to innovate and challenge norms, while play can lower the cost of risk and enhance collaboration. Cass emphasizes that constraints can spark creativity and that adults should embrace playful exploration to overcome their fear of failure. Both guests advocate for integrating play into work to drive resilience and trust.

9 snips
Oct 20, 2025 • 60min
595: What AI Can’t Replace: Former design lead at IDEO on Safe Danger, Trust, and the Future of Work
In a thought-provoking conversation, Ben Swire, former design lead at IDEO and founder of Make Believe Works, unpacks how psychological safety can be intentionally designed in teams. He contrasts experiential culture with traditional methods, emphasizing that trust grows through practice, not just theory. Ben introduces the concept of 'safe danger'—a balance of safety and risk-taking essential for innovation. He also discusses how AI enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them, urging leaders to leverage empathy and creativity in an AI-driven future.