UX Fika Podcast

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Abby Covert, information architect, writer, and community organiser who’s spent the past two decades helping people make sense of messes. She’s the author of ‘How to Make Sense of Any Mess’ and ‘Stuck? Diagrams Help’, and the founder of The Sensemakers Club, a growing community where sensemakers from diffferent walks of life come together to learn from each other.We talk about how her first book started as a small, self-published side project, written in a café, born out of a desire to help people who felt overwhelmed by complexity, and how it became one of the most beloved design books of the last decade. Abby shares how her autism diagnosis reshaped her relationship with structure, and why making sense of messes is as much about empathy and understanding as it is about organisation.We explore how information architecture has changed, from site maps and taxonomies to search, data, and algorithms, and why its role today is more important than ever. Abby explains why IA should be seen as business-critical infrastructure, how it helps organisations make smarter decisions, and what happens when teams skip systems thinking altogether.It’s a conversation about clarity, connection, and how structure shapes not just our products, but our understanding of the world around us.If you like the episode, please leave rate and leave a review to help Abby’s story reach more people.Plus:☕️ Why a sweet danish with black tea with a little bit of milk is her go to fika⭐ Why if the algorithm shows you that you might be autistic or ADHD or something, you should take the testWhere you'll find Abby⁠LinkedinInstagramWebsiteThe Sensemakers ClubWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Sarah Doody — UX researcher, product designer, and founder of Career Strategy Lab, a job search accelerator helping UX and product professionals find their next role and succeed once they’re there.We talk about treating your career like a product — creating a roadmap, defining outcomes, and using research to uncover your blind spots, and why finding your voice matters.Sarah also shares how small, consistent steps and thinking in terms of compound interest matters. Whether it has to do with how you treat LinkedIn, work on your resume, build relationships, or use social. And related to that why strong relationships still matter more than any algorithm.We also dive into AI and the job market, why the best resumes still start with human thinking, not prompts, and how context, storytelling, and connection remain our biggest differentiators.It’s a candid, generous and very practical conversation where Sarah shares how her own career evolved from UX designer to founder, what she’s learned the many designer’s she coached, and what to do, and not do, to make your resume and portfolio stand out.If you like the episode please leave a review, and a rating to help Sarah’s story and advice reach more people.☕️ Why a strong latte is her go to fika and Publik, Holy Water Coffee and Lab Barba are her favourite cafésWhat we cover:02:14 Reconnecting and Reflecting on the Past03:02 Evolving Career Coaching: From Portfolios to Roadmaps06:08 Navigating the Job Market: Challenges and Opportunities09:01 The Role of AI in UX: Imitation vs. Innovation12:00 Crafting Effective Resumes and Portfolios17:43 Tailoring Your Portfolio for Success23:51 Timeless Skills in a Changing Landscape30:55 The Role of Storytelling in Product Development34:27 Finding Your Voice and Public Speaking41:27 The Importance of Honesty in Communication46:30 Building Relationships and Networking52:06 Navigating Social Media Algorithms57:11 The Evolution of UX Content Creation59:49 The Importance of Owning Your Digital Presence01:02:15 Authenticity in Content Creation01:04:17 Career Quakes and Future Aspirations01:09:57 Life Changes and New Beginnings01:12:21 The Joy of In-Person Connections01:18:22 Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations and MeetupsWhere you'll find Sarah:⁠LinkedInWebsiteCareer Strategy LabWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika Podcast, I sit down with Cheryl Platz — actress, designer, author, and creative director for the Game Studio at The Pokémon Company International — whose career has spanned everything from The Sims and Alexa to Marvel Strike Force and Pokémon TCG Live.We talk about what games can teach us about human behaviour, creativity, and community, and why the future of design may have more in common with game design than we think. Cheryl shares her journey from UX and voice design to the world of live service games, and how play, self-expression, and connection are becoming the real motivators behind why people play.We also dive into her two books — Design Beyond Devices and The Game Development Strategy Guide — and how she’s applying user-centered thinking to game creation, community design, and even how teams work together. Cheryl opens up about resilience through layoffs, learning to “be right less of the time,” and how curiosity and collaboration fuel both her work and her recovery.It’s a warm, honest, and fascinating conversation about storytelling, games, and why designing for play might just help us design better futures — for products, teams, and people.Plus:☕️ Why a nice cup of coffee or a peppermint tea is her go to fika⭐ Why people’s perception does not control your potential is her life advice as well as why you should be less right at workWhat we cover:02:22 Reconnecting and Reflecting on the Past05:22 Books and Their Impact on Design07:45 Navigating Personal Challenges and Health Issues11:19 Career Transitions and Lessons Learned14:18 The Importance of Community and Support17:08 Facing Layoffs and Finding New Opportunities20:16 Building a Career in the Gaming Industry29:42 Navigating Team Dynamics in Game Design30:12 Lessons from Live Service Games31:59 The Journey to Pokémon Company38:18 User Experience vs. Game Design41:12 Modern Motivators of Play45:20 The Role of AI in Gaming Companionship49:20 Addressing Toxicity in Gaming Communities57:35 The Evolution of Immersive Gaming Experiences01:04:50 The Art of Podcasting and Production Challenges01:09:26 Writing Books: The Journey from First to Second01:21:21 The Intersection of UX and Game Design01:26:28 Advice for Transitioning into Game Design01:33:17 Life Lessons and Final ThoughtsWhere you'll find Cheryl:LinkedInBlueSkyBook/Podcast websitePersonal websiteCompany websiteInquire about a talk, workshop, or interviewInstagramTikTokLinktree TwitchDesign portfolioMedium articlesYouTube (design) Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this episode I sit down with Paulina Modlitba, AI strategist, angel investor, author of 'Vad fan ska vi med AI till?' (“What the hell do we need AI for?”), and one of Sweden’s leading voices on technology and innovation.We talk about how AI makes us feel and why Paulina believes it’s ultimately a deeply human topic. She shares her journey from studying human–robot interaction at MIT Media Lab to writing a practical guide that makes AI accessible for everyone, and why she sees it less as a threat and more as a partner for creativity and growth.We dive into how AI can help us see new patterns, find meaning in data, and free up time for the work that matters, but also why we need boundaries, better guardrails, and new measures of success that go beyond productivity. Paulina also shares stories from her book, from municipalities using AI, to a man who built a “mom bot” that unexpectedly became therapy.We also explore why most companies are still failing to get value from AI, the need for collaboration between technology and people, the role of AI in organisations, and the importance of maintaining human connections in an increasingly automated world.It’s a lively, thought-provoking conversation about curiosity, complexity, and why the real challenge isn’t making AI smarter — it’s helping humans use it wisely. Plus the Stockholm café where most of her book was written.Plus:☕️ Why decaf coffee and a cinnamon roll is her go to fika,⭐ Why when AI gets smarter, humans has to get wiserWhat we cover:02:20 Introduction to AI and Its Human Impact04:01 The Book: What the Hell Do We Need AI For?06:44 Paulina's Background and Journey in Tech12:51 The Role of AI in Organizations18:34 AI's Potential for Human Enhancement24:31 Generative AI: A Tool for Creativity30:24 Boundaries and Ethics in AI Usage36:30 AI in Education and Its Future42:28 The Human Element in AI Interactions48:28 The Balance of AI in Daily Life54:23 The Future of Work and AI Integration01:00:09 Final Thoughts and Life AdviceWhere you'll find Paulina:⁠Linkedin⁠⁠Vad fan ska vi med AI till?⁠ (book)⁠Substack newsletter⁠Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Josh Clark and Veronika Kindred from Big Medium — design leaders and co-authors of the upcoming book Sentient Design.We talk about what it’s like to work and write a book together as father and daughter, and how that partnership has shaped both their working relationships and their ideas about what design needs next. They share how Sentient Design frames AI not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a new design material — one that lets us create experiences that are intelligent and radically adaptive.We explore the concept of “practical magic,” why sometimes wheels on a suitcase are enough, and when it’s worth reaching for the flying version. Josh and Veronika also walk through some of the 14 new patterns they’ve identified for AI experiences, like the “Pinocchio” pattern. We talk about the future of interfaces, navigating characters and relationships with AI and LLMs, and what all of this means for the future of design teams, businesses, and everyday products.It’s a conversation about invention, responsibility, and designing futures that are as humane as they are intelligent. And it’s one to watch, as they share a few examples.Plus:☕️ Why cinnamon roll is Veronika’s go to fika and home made turkey sandwich is Josh’s⭐ Why “If it passes me, it wasn’t meant for me” is Veronika’s advice and “You have time” and “You are not your work” is Josh’sWhat we cover:02:30 Introduction and Family Dynamics05:23 Veronika's Journey into Design08:20 Navigating Family and Professional Relationships11:24 The Book Writing Process14:21 Sentient Design: Concept and Challenges17:16 Future-Proofing Design in a Rapidly Changing Landscape20:11 The Role of AI in Design23:08 Magic and Practicality in Design26:16 AI as a Design Material28:56 The Importance of Intent in AI Interfaces32:03 Cultural Shifts in AI Adoption34:48 Balancing AI Innovation and Responsibility37:52 Design Patterns for AI Integration48:16 The Value of Sketching in Design50:54 The Shift from Tool-Based Design to Conceptual Thinking52:12 AI-Mediated Design: A New Era of Innovation54:46 Radically Adaptive Experiences in Design58:35 The Future of Interfaces and User Experience01:02:27 Navigating Relationships with AI and LLMs01:11:35 The Impact of AI on Future Generations01:18:04 Life Lessons and Reflections on GrowthWhere you’ll find Josh & Veronika:Josh's bio Veronika bioBig MediumSentient Design book info"A Little Big Medium" our occasional email newsletterVeronika Kindred on LinkedInJosh Clark on LinkedIn Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Melissa Perri, a strategic adviser, author, and CEO of Produx Labs, discusses the evolving landscape of product management in the age of AI. She emphasizes the critical need for strong leadership and strategy, cautioning against the 'build trap' where output is mistaken for value. Melissa also shares insights from her diverse projects, including opening a restaurant with her sister, illustrating how hands-on work keeps her inspired. Her advice? Ignore the naysayers and focus on tangible outcomes to truly innovate.

Welcome to episode 15 of the UX Fika podcast. In this conversation sit down with Giles Colborne — design leader, strategist, author of Simple and Usable, and now founder of Made Simple.We talk about his journey from studying physics to co-founding cxpartners, what it meant to grow it into one of the UK’s leading design consultancies, and the mixed emotions of eventually letting it go. Giles shares what he’s learned about leadership from both raising kids and leading teams, and why stepping back is sometimes the most powerful thing you can do.Giles shares the three values he’s taken with him from cxpartners and what they actually mean, from making it easy for people to do great work, to how to be truly user centred, and lastly, find clarity and simplicity.We also dive into why so many organisations still struggle to link design delivery with leadership goals, how AI is forcing companies to rethink the way they work, and what an AI-native organisation might look like.It’s a thoughtful conversation about leadership, letting go, and designing organisations with the same care we bring to designing products.Plus:☕️ Why smoked salmon bagels is his go to fika⭐ Why the best place for a fika is sometimes your own sofaWhat we cover: 00:00 Introduction and Background07:05 The Journey to cxpartners12:01 Transitioning from cxpartners16:51 Reflections on Human-Centered Design21:42 The Impact of AI on User Experience26:46 Core Values and Creating a Productive Environment33:32 Understanding Human-Centered Design37:59 The Role of AI in User Experience41:18 The Future of Browsing and User Interaction44:40 Finding Clarity and Simplicity in Design54:00 Bridging the Gap Between Management and Delivery Teams59:50 The Impact of AI on Organizational Structure01:03:30 Agility in the Age of AI01:06:48 Leadership and AI: A Shift in Dynamics01:08:46 Empowering Teams: The Role of Trust01:11:38 Creativity and Innovation in Design01:14:48 The Future of Design: Embracing Change01:18:45 Ethics and Human-Centered Design01:20:09 Fika: A Personal Touch in ConversationsWhere you’ll find Giles:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Simple and Usable bookWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Richard Banfield — author, advisor, and co-founder of Second Harvest, a retreat and coaching venture that believes the second half of life can be the most creative, exciting, and rewarding.We talk about how the idea for Second Harvest came from Richard’s own transitions, and how he’s now applying the UX toolbox — mapping assumptions, testing hypotheses, running small experiments — to the story arc of people’s lives. He shares why the concept of product–market fit is just as relevant for humans as it is for startups, and why sometimes the challenge isn’t changing yourself to fit the world, but reshaping your environment to fit the identity you want to step into.Richard shares his own moments of identity override, what he’s learned from hosting retreats in places like the Austrian Alps, and how designing experiences without gurus or PowerPoints creates the conditions for people to truly connect —with themselves and with others. We also touch on the bigger picture: what human evolution might look like in an age of AI, and why learning to take things in your stride remains one of the most important skills of all.It’s an honest, reflective conversation about reinvention, resilience, and how to write your next chapter—whether that’s starting a business, rediscovering creativity, or simply finding the community you want to journey with.Plus:☕️ Why a flat white is his go to fika, and La Fabrica in Girona is his favourite café⭐ Why “The farmers will make a plan” is his adviceWhat we cover:00:00 Reconnecting After Years: A Warm Welcome04:59 Introducing Second Harvest: A New Journey08:14 Life Transitions: Embracing Change and New Beginnings11:10 The Concept of Retirement: Redefining Purpose in Later Life14:00 Finding Community: The Importance of Connection17:07 The Participants of Second Harvest: Diverse Backgrounds and Shared Goals20:03 The Power of Reinvention: Embracing New Identities23:01 Design Thinking in Life: Applying Methodologies to Personal Growth25:56 Challenging Assumptions: The Experimentation of Second Harvest29:08 Creating Meaningful Experiences: The Role of Environment32:00 The Importance of Reflection: Understanding Our Stories35:00 The Future of Connection: Embracing Analog Experiences38:13 Awakening the Senses: The Body-Mind Connection40:59 Conclusion: The Journey Ahead45:28 The Human Connection in Healthcare47:40 Teaching Human Skills for the Future48:39 Adapting to Environmental Challenges51:33 Divergent Evolution and Future Possibilities54:28 The Role of Human Connection in a Tech-Driven World56:21 Embracing Change and New Experiences01:01:43 Curating Meaningful Connections01:08:09 The Importance of Staying Connected01:12:26 Finding Purpose in the Second Harvest of LifeWhere you'll find Richard: LinkedIn⁠NewsletterSecond HarvestArtRichard on InstagramSecond Harvest on InstagramWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Jared Spool — Maker of Awesomeness at Center Centre, designer, speaker, and someone who’s been shaping the field of UX for nearly 5 decades.We talk about how the role of UX has shifted (and in some cases shrunk) over the years, why so many UX teams still struggle to show their value, why measuring success only through conversion rates is misleading, and why designers should focus on experiences instead of products, and step up to become the world’s foremost experts on their users.Jared shares why proactive UX matters more than waiting for instructions, and how being strategic, understanding the business side of design, and being able to demonstrate our value, is key to keeping our seat at the table, and a starting point for change.It’s an honest, wide-ranging conversation about the challenges we face as a profession, what the history of magic — yes, stage magic — can teach us, and about how to keep pushing our practice forward while learning from what’s come before.Plus:☕️ Why apple cake, or any cake, and darjeeling tea is his go to fika⭐ Why you should try a cup of first flush darjeeling teaWhat we cover:01:04 Introduction to UX Fika Podcast and Guest Background04:58 The Evolution of UX Conferences08:14 The Shift in UX Education and Value Communication10:23 Understanding UX Metrics and Outcomes13:32 The Importance of Proactive UX Strategies16:29 Building Expertise in UX Organizations22:27 Measuring Success Beyond Conversion Rates25:30 Measuring The Right Things31:30 The role of UX for AI design37:34 The Future of AI In Healthcare And UX42:50 The Three Things To Focus On43:42 What The Adelaide Score Teaches Us About Solving Problems48:44 Understanding the Bigger Picture and Business Side of UX49:48 The Magic of Experience53:01 Jared's History With Magic56:18 The Dying Art of Magic58:56 Lessons from the History of Magic01:10:26 The Illusion of Real-Time Communication01:13:29 Making Your Audience And The People You Work With Look Good01:18:31 Proactive UX Research01:18:54 Why You Should Help Others Get Better Instead of Stopping Them Doing "Your" Work01:23:50 The Science of the Obvious01:27:38 The Importance of Clear Communication in Donations01:32:38 Understanding UX Outcomes and Their Impact01:36:04 Future Plans And Thinking in Design and UX01:40:35 The Joy of Continuous Learning and Exploration01:41:00 The Hunt For Fika01:49:15 Life Lessons and Personal ReflectionsWhere you’ll find Jared:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedInBlueSkyLeaders of Awesomeness CommunityCenter CentreWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Hi and welcome to season 3 of the UX Fika podcast. I'm your host Anna and I knew I wanted to do this podcast but I had no idea just how much I would love it. Re-listening to the chats from 2021 and then doing the the catch up chats in season 2 has given me so much and I'm pleased to share that as of today episodes of season 3 will start to be released.Season 3 is called the ‘Conference people’ and include conversations with some of the people I've met and gotten to know whilst speaking at conferences. The list is long, and it's an exciting one. We'll see just how many I'll include in season 3, as there is some urgency to the guests I want to speak to in season 4, but what's sure is that episodes will be released each Tuesday. And just as with the guests of season 1 and 2, it's people that I in one way or another know. Some fairly well, some less so, but through these chats I'll get to know them a whole lot more, and I hope you will too.