The UX Growth

Nick Mann
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Aug 6, 2025 • 34min

Season 5 -Episode 6 Rushi Patel

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.
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Jul 29, 2025 • 59min

Season 5 -Episode 5 Thomas Girard

I’m joined by Thomas Girard: TEDx speaker, design educator, and host of the Unique Ways podcast. We talk about what doesn’t get talked about enough:Why beginner designers struggle to innovate (and what actually helps)The power of analog UX methods in a world that’s gone all digitalHow frameworks like UX Now help you think, not just executeWhat it really takes to give a TED Talk (and what happens after)Why documentation and iteration matter more than flashy portfoliosIf you’ve ever felt stuck in your head, unsure if your work is “good enough,” or wondering what it means to build something that actually lasts. This one’s for you.That really stuck with me.If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost after a layoff, or unsure what kind of impact you want to make next this one’s for you.How to Support Thomas:Website: https://thomaskgirard.com/Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/uniqueways-with-thomas-girard/id1632267449TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/thomas_girard_how_to_feel_at_home_in_the_airport/up-next—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.Listen to the full episode :
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Jul 22, 2025 • 59min

Season 5 -Episode 4 Mel

So much of UX career advice is aimed at juniors.But what about the experienced designers? The ones who’ve ‘made it’ and are still asking, what’s next?In this episode of the UX Growth Podcast, I sat down with Mel, a UX career coach who specializes in helping senior ICs and design leaders navigate career transitions, burnout, layoffs, confidence gaps, and the mental blocks that quietly hold us back.We talked about:✅ Why burnout isn’t just about workload✅ How senior UXers can figure out what truly comes next✅ Networking (without the cringe)✅ Why resumes, portfolios, and LinkedIn alone won’t move the needle✅ Confidence, imposter syndrome, layoffs, and how to bounce backMel has coached designers from Google, Meta, and Amazon and yet, even those top performers wrestle with doubt.That really stuck with me.If you’ve ever felt stuck, lost after a layoff, or unsure what kind of impact you want to make next this one’s for you.P.S. You’ll love Mel’s parting message about how your UX career is your most important product. Don’t miss it.How to Support Mel:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meltemnaz/Website: https://www.careerwithmel.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.
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Jul 15, 2025 • 59min

Season 5 -Episode 3 Dane O’Leary

There’s no single path into UX. And that’s both terrifying and kind of beautiful.In this episode of the UX Growth Podcast, I spoke with Dane O’Leary, a talented freelance UX designer who built his career by blending creativity, self-discovery, and a constant hunger to learn.We covered so much, but a few moments stood out:Why trying different paths isn’t a setback, it’s part of the workHow to stay organized, grounded, and avoid burnout as a freelancerWhy LinkedIn is misunderstood and how to use it without selling your soulThe underrated UX skill that can save projects and relationships: clear communicationThis episode is for anyone who’s figuring it out as they go. For designers who feel scattered, behind, or unsure where to focus next.How to Support Dane:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daneoleary/—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.
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Jul 9, 2025 • 59min

Season 5 -Episode 2 Mahnaz Hajesmaeili

On this episode of The UX Growth Podcast, I talk with Mahnaz Hajesmaeili, a UX designer who blends behavioral science and AI into her work.You don't need a perfect UX origin story to thrive. You just need curiosity and the drive to keep exploring.In this episode, we talk about:→ How to practice UX research without access to real users→ Why designers need to stop settling and how exploration leads to clarity→ Navigating rejection, imposter syndrome, and unclear job postings→ Communicating UX decisions to non-designers with confidence→ What AI's rapid rise really means for your design careerIf you're early in your journey, pivoting, or feeling the weight of all the noise in the industry, Mahnaz’s insight will ground you. How to Support Mahnaz:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahnaz-hajesmaeili/Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3OeTWHPc93lsJp9sgFx196?si=3zyIl0K2QgK-ZBWN3ftXdg&nd=1&dlsi=0bd26fca9a5a4050—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.
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Jul 1, 2025 • 59min

Season 5 -Episode 1 Craig Jameison

“If you don’t feel like a designer yet, that doesn’t mean you’re not one.”Craig Jamieson, former CDO, creative director, and self-taught designer, joins me on the latest episode of The UX Growth Podcast to talk about what it really takes to build a career in design without losing yourself.We cover:Making impact without a fancy titleThe messy, non-linear path to creative leadershipWhy most portfolios fall flat and how to fix yoursBuilding a voice in the industry without selling outIf you're feeling lost, behind, or just burnt out, this one's for you.How to Support Craig:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-jamieson/Website: https://craigjamieson.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.
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Jun 26, 2025 • 4min

Season 5 Introduction

Email: nick@nickmanndesigner.comLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manndesigner/Website: The UXGrowth.com
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Jun 25, 2025 • 6min

Season 4 Finale

SpotifyApple PodcastsNick Mann Linkedin Nick@NickMannDesigner.com
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Apr 22, 2025 • 59min

Season 4 -Episode 10 Joseph Louis Tan

Joseph Louis Tan has one of the most unique UX career stories I’ve ever heard. From retail product design to lecturing at 27, to leading product design at an 11M+ SaaS company. He’s done it all. And he’s helping UX professionals land six-figure roles without applying online.Here are three reasons to tune in:Joseph breaks down how the job search actually works in today’s market and why job boards aren’t your best option.We talk about the real stuff: imposter syndrome, burnout, getting overlooked, and pushing through anyway.His clarity framework is something every UXer should hear. It’s simple, practical, and powerful.One of my favorite things Joseph said was:“Sometimes the dots connect only when you look back and sometimes, you need someone to connect them for you.”This is easily one of the most insightful and energizing episodes we’ve done. Would love for you to check it out and let me know your thoughts.
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Mar 30, 2025 • 49min

Season 4 -Episode 9 Boris Savic

New UX Growth Podcast Episode! Join me and Boris Savic, Director of UX & Product at Boston UX, as we explore:✅ Growing from designer to UX leader ✅ Thriving in regulated industries like healthcare and IoT ✅ Balancing stakeholder, marketing, and user needs ✅ The critical UX skills most designers overlook ✅ The future of AI in UX design💡 “Remember that UX is collaborative. You don't own anything alone; you co-own the results with your team.” – Boris SavicHow to Support Boris:Linkedinhttps://www.bostonux.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.

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