

This is HCD – Human-Centered Design, UX & Service Design Thinking Podcast
Gerry Scullion
Welcome to This is HCD – Human-Centered Design, UX & Service Design Thinking Podcast, the global show for designers, innovators, and changemakers who want to create better products, services, and experiences.
Hosted by Gerry Scullion, with over 1-million downloads worldwide.
Each episode dives into conversations with leading voices in service design, UX design, interaction design, customer experience, and design strategy. Together, we explore the methods, mindsets, and real-world stories that bring human-centered design and design thinking to life.
Whether you’re a UX researcher, service design practitioner, product manager, or design leader, you’ll find actionable insights, practical tools, and inspiration to elevate your practice and drive meaningful change.
Tune in and join the global human-centered design community — learn how to design with purpose, create inclusive solutions, and shape a more thoughtful future.
Hosted by Gerry Scullion, with over 1-million downloads worldwide.
Each episode dives into conversations with leading voices in service design, UX design, interaction design, customer experience, and design strategy. Together, we explore the methods, mindsets, and real-world stories that bring human-centered design and design thinking to life.
Whether you’re a UX researcher, service design practitioner, product manager, or design leader, you’ll find actionable insights, practical tools, and inspiration to elevate your practice and drive meaningful change.
Tune in and join the global human-centered design community — learn how to design with purpose, create inclusive solutions, and shape a more thoughtful future.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 18, 2025 • 31min
The UX Process is Broken – Here’s How to Fix It with Tanuj Shah 🎨
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdJoin us for an exciting episode as we dive into the world of UX design with Tanuj Shah, the visionary founder of Build UX. 🌟 Learn how this groundbreaking platform is transforming design workflows with automation, collaboration, and integration! 🤖 Explore the challenges of tool overload, the importance of live UX artefacts, and the future of AI in design. Don't miss special discounts and insights for UX professionals! 💡Creators & Guests
Gerry Scullion - Host
Serdar Mele - Editor
Stef Murphy - Producer
Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

Mar 6, 2025 • 43min
The Realities of Design Leadership with Marzia Aricò
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdIn this episode of This is HCD, Gerry Scullion sits down with Marzia Aricò to explore the raw, unfiltered realities of design leadership. From navigating failed ventures and the lessons they bring, to the evolving role of design in organisations, Marzia shares insights from her groundbreaking book, Design Leadership Chronicles. They discuss trust in leadership, why design leaders must stop evangelizing design, and how emerging leaders can position themselves for success.Key takeaways:• Trust is essential—without it, design leadership roles become unsustainable.• Stop selling design—focus on delivering value, not evangelising.• Understand the bigger picture—knowing how value is created in an organisation is key to influencing change.Creators & Guests
Gerry Scullion - Host
Serdar Mele - Editor
Stef Murphy - Producer
Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

Feb 22, 2025 • 43min
Escaping the Screen: Rethinking Work, Attention, and Human Connection with Joff Outlaw and Brad Marshall
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdIn this episode, I sit down with Joff Outlaw and Brad Marshall, co-authors of Busy Idiots, to explore the modern obsession with busyness and the digital distractions that keep us in a perpetual cycle of inefficiency. We dive into why productivity has been hijacked by technology, how workplace cultures reinforce the need to “look busy,” and practical strategies for auditing your digital life.Creators & Guests
Gerry Scullion - Host
Serdar Mele - Editor
Stef Murphy - Producer
Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

Feb 11, 2025 • 43min
Designing the Future of Mental Health: Tracy DeLuca on Psychedelics, Creativity, and Innovation
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdIn this episode, Tracy DeLuca discusses how design and psychedelics can transform mental health care and education. She shares her journey from advertising to design and highlights how psychedelics, especially microdosing, can enhance creativity and improve mental well-being. Tracy emphasizes the need for innovative financial models to make healthcare more accessible and the importance of reducing stigma around psychedelics. She also touches on the evolving legal and ethical considerations and stresses the role of education in shaping the future of psychedelics in therapeutic settings.LinkedIn - Tracy DeLucaCreators & Guests
Gerry Scullion - Host
Serdar Mele - Editor
Stef Murphy - Producer
Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

Feb 3, 2025 • 33min
Exploring Identity Through Design with Lesley-Ann Noel
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdLike what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10In this engaging conversation, Gerry Scullion speaks with Lesley Anne, a designer and author from Trinidad, about her journey from her Caribbean roots to becoming a global citizen and leader in decolonial design. They explore themes of identity, the impact of post-colonialism on design practices, and the evolution of design education at OCAD University. Lesley shares her insights on the importance of equity in design and the need for critical awareness in addressing colonial legacies within the field.Lesley Ann Noel, PhD - North Carolina State University | LinkedInCreators & Guests
Gerry Scullion - Host
Serdar Mele - Editor
Stef Murphy - Producer
Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

Jan 29, 2025 • 42min
Designing for Equity: Reimagining Food Systems with Lucy Flores
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdIn this episode of This is HCD, Gerry Scullion sits down with Lucy Flores, a seasoned design strategist with a passion for advancing equity in the food system. Together, they explore the complex web of how we grow, distribute, and experience food, diving into the inequities present at every level—from production to consumption. Lucy shares her journey into design and food justice, her innovative approaches to co-designing equitable solutions, and inspiring examples of local and regional food systems driving positive change. This conversation sheds light on the power of design to create meaningful social impact, all with a good dose of humour along the way. Join us as we rethink food systems through a human-centered lens!https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucyrossflores/Creators & Guests
Gerry Scullion - Host
Serdar Mele - Editor
Stef Murphy - Producer
Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

Dec 9, 2024 • 59min
Designing for Trust in Public Health with Victor Udoewa
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdIn this conversation, Victor Udoewa shares his journey as a service designer at the CDC, discussing the importance of human-centered design in public health, the challenges of data interoperability, and the need to build trust within communities. He emphasizes the significance of equity in health initiatives and reflects on the historical context that affects trust in public health systems. Victor also explores the role of visualization in making data accessible and actionable, and he shares insights from his personal journey into service design. In this conversation, Victor Udoewa discusses his unique cultural identity as a Nigerian American and how it shapes his perspective as a changemaker. He explores the concept of third culture kids and the advantages of having a multicultural background. The discussion transitions into participatory design, emphasizing the importance of trust and community engagement in design processes. Victor shares insights from his experiences in various projects, highlighting the significance of relationship building and asset-based methodologies in fostering trust and collaboration within communities.https://www.linkedin.com/in/udoewa/Creators & Guests
Gerry Scullion - Host
Serdar Mele - Editor
Stef Murphy - Producer
Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

Dec 3, 2024 • 53min
Designing Resilience in Humanitarian Aid with Jocelyn Wyatt
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdIn this episode, Gerry Scullion speaks with Jocelyn Wyatt, CEO of Alight and former CEO of IDEO.org, about designing resilience in humanitarian aid. They explore Jocelyn’s journey, insights into navigating complex political landscapes, and how co-creation and innovation are transforming the humanitarian sector. From tackling climate displacement to supporting communities in crisis, this episode delves into how design can empower displaced populations and redefine humanitarian impact.Podcast Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jocelynwyatt/Creators & Guests
Gerry Scullion - Host
Serdar Mele - Editor
Stef Murphy - Producer
Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

Nov 26, 2024 • 41min
Designing Workplaces & Companies with Alicia Grimes
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdGerry Scullion speaks with Alicia Grimes, co-founder of The Future Kind, a UK-based culture consultancy that focuses on designing “company operating systems” to align strategy and culture. The discussion explores how organizations can create better experiences for their people, fostering collaboration, alignment, and innovation to ultimately deliver exceptional products and services.Podcast Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/aliciagrimes/Creators & Guests
Gerry Scullion - Host
Serdar Mele - Editor
Stef Murphy - Producer
Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

Oct 30, 2024 • 43min
From Music to Medicine: Avril Copeland's Journey of Passion and Innovation
If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdIn this insightful episode, Avril Copeland discusses her unique career path, moving from Dublin to Nashville and transitioning from the music industry to the fields of physiotherapy and health technology. She shares her experiences as an entrepreneur, founding TickerFit with Co-Founder Greg Balmer, and HACA Health, and highlights the importance of resilience and human-centered design in creating innovative healthcare solutions. Avril emphasises the need for passion in her work, focusing particularly on improving chronic condition management through technology-driven approaches. This conversation offers valuable lessons on adaptability and the future of healthcare innovation.linkedin.com/in/avrilcopelandCreators & Guests
Gerry Scullion - Host
Stef Murphy - Producer
Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10