The UX Growth

How can you have a conversation if you don't know the words?That is the question my guest, Sarah Johnson, asked me on the latest episode of the UX Growth Podcast.I think many of us have been there. We are asked to design a layout, but we don't have the copy yet. So we focus on the visuals. We focus on the branding. We paste in Lorem Ipsum and hope for the best.But Sarah, the author of Content First Design, challenges that process.She believes that a digital experience is fundamentally a conversation with the user. If you don't know what you are trying to say, you can't design the structure to support it.We dig deep into:Why you should treat content as a design constraint, not an afterthought.What to do when stakeholders ask you to design without content.How to build trust through consistency.Her "ass in chair" advice for anyone trying to finally write their own book.This was a perfect way to wrap up Season 5. It is a reminder that the words we use are just as important as the designs we make.How to Support SarahConnect with Erin on LinkedInWebsite: https://contentfirstdesign.comBook: https://www.amazon.com/Content-First-Design-Sarah-Johnson-ebook/dp/B0F11CMGJR—You can contact the host, Nick Mann via Email and LinkedIn.Check out my links, such as Patreon, the UX Growth Challenge Newsletter, and the UX Growth Book Series, to help improve your UX knowledge.Thank you for listening, and let's keep growing.

What if the thing you were told you’d never be good at became your UX superpower?That’s the story Erin Essex shares in the newest UX Growth Podcast episode, and it’s one of my favorites so far.3 reasons to listen 1️⃣ How dyslexia helped Erin become a sharper problem solver 2️⃣ Her simple system for managing overwhelm and staying focused 3️⃣ Honest advice for introverted designers who want to show up online without faking itIt’s real, practical, and inspiring.Give it a listen and tell me what stood out most to you.How to Support Erin EssexConnect with Šimon on LinkedInWebsite: erinessex.com—You can contact the host, Nick Mann via Email and LinkedIn.Check out my links, such as Patreon, the UX Growth Challenge Newsletter, and the UX Growth Book Series, to help improve your UX knowledge.Thank you for listening, and let's keep growing.

A lot of UX designers are closer to leadership than they realize.Šimon Jůn, author of Design Beyond Limits with Figma, we talked about what UX designers can learn from his journey from agency designer to C level.Here are a few takeaways that stood out:Designers are already doing half the job of leadership.A design system only matters if it solves a real problem.Your workflow is a product, so improve it.If you work in UX and feel like you are stuck at the Figma screen, this conversation is worth your time.How to Support Šimon JůnConnect with Šimon on LinkedInDesign Beyond Limits with Figma on Amazon—You can contact the host, Nick Mann via Email and LinkedIn.Check out my links, such as Patreon, the UX Growth Challenge Newsletter, and the UX Growth Book Series, to help improve your UX knowledge.Thank you for listening, and let's keep growing.

I talk with Megan Legawiec, who brings her background in teaching into UX writing. Making accessibility not just a goal, but an ethical responsibility.We dive into:• What trauma-informed content really means• Why accessibility often gets deprioritized• How to make your writing more inclusive without overhauling everythingIt’s a powerful conversation on empathy, ethics, and design that truly serves people.How to Support MeganConnect with Megan on LinkedIn—You can contact the host, Nick Mann via Email and LinkedIn.Check out my links, such as Patreon, the UX Growth Challenge Newsletter, and the UX Growth Book Series, to help improve your UX knowledge.Thank you for listening, and let's keep growing.

Are we still doing personas wrong?That’s the question I asked Andrew Schall, the author of The Persona and Journey Map Playbook, on the UX Growth Podcast.We talked about: • Why personas often fail to influence real design decisions • How to create ones that actually matter to stakeholders • Why context and ‘altitude’ determine whether your journey maps succeed or stall • The growing role of AI in building (and breaking) our research processThis episode is a must-listen if you’ve ever wondered why your artifacts don’t seem to survive past a single sprint, or how to make your research work at scale.How to Support AndrewConnect with Andrew on LinkedInBuy his book on Amazon—You can contact the host, Nick Mann via Email and LinkedIn.Check out my links, such as Patreon, the UX Growth Challenge Newsletter, and the UX Growth Book Series, to help improve your UX knowledge.Thank you for listening, and let's keep growing.

New episode of the UX Growth Podcast with Aishwarya Navale, a UX designer at a top tech company.We talked about:Why documenting your progress keeps you from feeling stuckThe underrated skills of writing and business acumen every designer should buildHow to make the most of just 5 hours a week for growthWhat I loved most was Aishwarya’s reminder that no question is a bad one. Asking, clarifying, and challenging assumptions is what makes us stronger designers. If you’ve ever felt like your growth has plateaued or that you’re confined to one ‘design identity,’ this conversation will provide both practical tactics and the encouragement to continue evolving.How to Support Aishwarya Connect with Aishwarya on LinkedIn—You can contact the host, Nick Mann via Email and LinkedIn.Check out my links, such as Patreon, the UX Growth Challenge Newsletter, and the UX Growth Book Series, to help improve your UX knowledge.Thank you for listening, and let's keep growing.

"If you don’t get in the driver’s seat of your career, the company will do it for you."That’s the kind of clarity Carrie Peralta brings in the newest episode of the UX Growth Podcast. As a career coach for UX designers, Carrie helps people rebuild after layoffs, transition into leadership, and stop waiting for permission to grow.This conversation is for anyone feeling invisible in the job market, confused about next steps, or burned out from rejection. We talked about how to actually stand out, how to build meaningful connections without being transactional, and what separates great designers from future leaders.One of my favorite parts was when Carrie said that real growth doesn’t start with your resume or your portfolio. It starts inside. And if you’re not ready to do that work, you’ll keep chasing roles that don’t fit.This episode is packed with honesty, strategy, and support for anyone navigating the hard parts of a UX career.How to Support CarrieI would be delighted to connect with your audience on LinkedInIf anyone is interested in having a live discovery call to discuss their current career challenges and find ways to get unstuck, the first 30 minutes are on me. Here is the link to schedule a video call. —You can contact the host, Nick Mann via Email and LinkedIn.Check out my links, such as Patreon, the UX Growth Challenge Newsletter, and the UX Growth Book Series, to help improve your UX knowledge.Thank you for listening, and let's keep growing.

New episode of the UX Growth Podcast with Sarah Doody is here!Here’s what we got into:How to reframe the job search as a UX experimentWhy most resumes and portfolios are still not good enoughThe 10% better mindset and why it beats perfectionismThe truth about one page resumesTips to ask stronger questions in interviewsWhat actually makes a senior level designer portfolio stand outHow to do research when you don’t have time, money, or supportAnd why your portfolio should be functional and story drivenThis episode is packed, especially if you’re job hunting, mentoring others, or just trying to become a better designer.

The first non-UX designer on the UX Growth podcast might have just given the most important career advice of the season.Alex Smith, co-founder and Head of Partnerships at Fuego UX, has helped agencies survive when others shut their doors and his perspective flips a lot of common designer beliefs.In this episode, we talk about:• Why 'staying in your lane could be the fastest way to stall your career• The #1 misconception companies still have about designers (and how to fix it)• How to stand out in a sea of portfolios that all say the same thing• The overlooked skill that will keep you valuable no matter where the market goesThis conversation will change the way you think about your role.How to Support Alex:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsmithcu/Podcast: https://www.fuegoux.com/podcast—You can contact the host, Nick Mann via Email and LinkedIn.Check out my links, such as Patreon, the UX Growth Challenge Newsletter, and the UX Growth Book Series, to help improve your UX knowledge.Thank you for listening, and let's keep growing.

New UX Growth Podcast episode just dropped, and this one surprised me.I didn’t know what to expect going into this, but Rushi brought a calm intensity to the conversation that really stuck with me.He's an information designer with a background in industrial and automotive design. We talk about:– How he made the jump from 3D industrial work to 2D UX– Why most UX portfolios feel fake (and what to do about it)– The real value of research (and when it actually wastes time)– Advice for junior designers trying to stand out in a saturated job marketThis is a great conversation about what UX looks like in the field and how to grow without getting lost.How to Support Rushi:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rushi660/—You can contact the host, Nick Mann via Email and LinkedIn.Check out my links, such as Patreon, the UX Growth Challenge Newsletter, and the UX Growth Book Series, to help improve your UX knowledge.Thank you for listening, and let's keep growing.