

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

Oct 23, 2024 • 52min
Turning Conflict into Opportunity: Emma Lynch
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, Emma Lynch shares her journey from academia to the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting the importance of effective communication and personal growth. She discusses the challenges women often face in professional settings, particularly around self-promotion and handling conflict. Emma emphasises the value of understanding internal communication and fostering collaboration within teams. She also reflects on her parenting approach, focusing on instilling strong values and encouraging open dialogue with her children. Additionally, Emma talks about her entrepreneurial journey, addressing the issue of critical medicine shortages and her commitment to making a positive impact in healthcare.https://linkedin.com/in/emmalyncheqvCreators & 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

Oct 17, 2024 • 1h 5min
Empathy-Driven Service Design: Building Collaboration and Leading Change with Kate Tarling
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/hcdWelcome to another episode of This is HCD. In this episode, Kate Tarling discusses her experiences in service design, focusing on the importance of user research, empathy, and fostering collaboration within organisations. She explores the evolution of service design in the UK, particularly in government services, and offers practical advice for driving organisational change. Kate emphasises the role of leadership in promoting a human-centered approach and cautions against focusing solely on cost-cutting. She highlights the importance of metrics for measuring success and the value of community building to enhance teamwork and innovation.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

Sep 20, 2024 • 33min
Charles Street on Digital Transformation, Adventure, and Empowering Communities
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 reconnect with Charles to reflect on our past experiences working together and the lessons we've learned from challenging situations. It’s fascinating to hear how Charles has evolved, now leading digital transformation at a bank in Australia. He shares his inspiring journey, launching a project called Inkwazi, which combines adventure with a mission to make a difference in South Africa. Listening to him navigate the complexities of registering Inkwazi, his organisation, as a business instead of a charity, and how they partnered with a registered charity to meet their goals, was enlightening. What stood out to me the most was hearing about the life-changing impact of providing bicycles to children in remote South African communities. It's incredible to see how this initiative has boosted education and empowered these kids, with Charles detailing how he closes the loop with donors by sharing the tangible results of their support.It’s a powerful conversation about leadership, transformation, and creating meaningful change.linkedin.com/in/streetcharleshttps://www.inkwaziadventures.com.au/Creators & 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

Sep 6, 2024 • 51min
Embracing the Flux Mindset: Navigating Change with April Rinne
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/hcdWelcome to This is HCD. In this enlightening episode, we sit down with futurist and advisor April Rinne to unpack the transformative concept of the "flux mindset." April shares compelling insights into how embracing this mindset equips us to thrive amid constant change and uncertainty. Our conversation delves deep into the significance of authenticity, where April encourages sharing our most challenging stories to build genuine connections and harness the strength found in vulnerability.We also explore the evolving landscape of governance, discussing the need for more adaptable systems and a reimagining of traditional notions like borders and identity. Trust emerges as a central theme, with April highlighting its multifaceted role in personal and societal resilience. Throughout our discussion, she offers practical daily practices to cultivate the eight "flux superpowers," providing listeners with actionable strategies to better navigate life's unpredictability.Creators & 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

Aug 16, 2024 • 1h 18min
Neil Theise: Resilience, Recovery, and the Interconnectedness of Reality
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/hcdWelcome to another episode of This is HCD. We welcome back Neil Theise, a guest we know and love to have on the show.In this episode, Neil shares his personal journey of overcoming significant health challenges. He reflects on his recovery process, expressing gratitude for being pain-free and mobile again. The conversation explores the mind-body connection, the importance of light and windows in workplaces, and Neil's views on resilience and adaptation, drawing parallels between cellular processes and societal dynamics. He challenges the machine metaphor for the human body and discusses the interconnectedness of reality.Neil also touches on themes of consciousness and mental health, sharing his experiences with resilience and depression, and how physical therapy and exercise played a role in his recovery. Additionally, he reflects on his father's experience during the Kindertransport and its influence on his understanding of resilience. Looking ahead, Neil plans to write books on consciousness, death, and lessons from the AIDS crisis.As always, it has been our pleasure to have Neil join us and no doubt, we will hear from him again someday soon. Enjoy!linkedin.com/in/neil-theise-63087330NeilTheiseOfficial.comCreators & 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

Jul 25, 2024 • 42min
Balancing Sustainability and Business in Service Design with Sidney Debaque
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, we chat with Sidney Debaque, a service designer and strategist, about integrating sustainability into design. Sidney discusses his journey into using design for good, balancing value-aligned work with financial needs, and the challenges of embedding sustainability in organisations. We emphasise using design principles to promote sustainability, the importance of both top-down and bottom-up approaches, and empowering users. The conversation also highlights transparency, localism, iterative design processes, and the responsibility of designers to advocate for ethical practices. Sidney concludes by sharing his plans to launch a consultancy focused on reducing environmental impact and fostering sustainable behaviours.linkedin.com/in/sidneydebaqueCreators & 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

Jul 15, 2024 • 36min
Designing for Impact: Insights from Adam Cochrane on Innovation and Community
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 chat with Adam Cochrane, the Senior Strategic Designer at Lufthansa Innovation Hub and the Conference Director for the Service Design Global Conference. Adam shares insights into his role at Lufthansa, where he drives innovation through strategic intelligence, research, and venture support. As the conference director, he ensures the event's content and experience align with the theme of designing for impact.Adam clarifies that the Service Design Network is a non-profit, and these conferences aren’t about making money. He invites everyone to join the fun and professional service design community at the conference, whether in person or remotely. We also discuss the challenges of ageism in design and the importance of community building for professional growth.With the upcoming conference in Helsinki, Adam highlights Finland’s rich design culture and promises diverse speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities, all focused on the value and impact of service design.linkedin.com/in/adambcochraneCreators & 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

Jul 8, 2024 • 53min
Designing for Longevity with Sheng-Hung Lee: Embracing AI, Empathy, and Growth
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/hcdWelcome to another episode of the Human Centered Design Network Podcast. We meet Sheng-Hung Lee and discuss key issues in the design industry, including the importance of empathy, AI's impact on design processes, and the challenges of ageism. We advocate for valuing older designers' wisdom and promoting continuous learning through personal projects, known as the 5% rule. The conversation highlights the need for adaptable, growth-minded design teams and a shift from designing for retirement to designing for longevity. We emphasise design's strategic and philosophical aspects and call for greater societal recognition and investment in design, urging designers to build their personal brand and focus on their impact.linkedin.com/in/shenghungleehttps://www.shenghunglee.com/designforlongevityCreators & 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

Jul 1, 2024 • 31min
Experimenting with Work: Insights from Miro's Sid van Wijk
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/hcd In this episode, we interview Sid van Wijk from Miro about the company's Living Lab and their innovative approach to employee experience and workplace design. We highlight the importance of experimentation, the challenges of hybrid work, and the future of both online and in-person collaboration. Sid shares insights into Miro's Living Lab, a dynamic environment where they continuously test and refine office spaces based on feedback from employees and customers. Key themes include the balance between individual work and collaboration, the necessity of workplace flexibility, and strategies for measuring employee experience.linkedin.com/in/sidvanwijkCreators & 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

Jun 24, 2024 • 1h 3min
Redefining Constraints: Jerry Michalski on Trust, Design, and the Future of Knowledge Management
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, we sit down with Jerry Michalski to discuss our shared passion for Human-Centered Design and the crucial role it plays in creating products that truly serve people. Jerry shares insights about his 26-year project, Jerry's Brain, a personal knowledge management system, and the advantages of maintaining such a rich, evolving repository.We delve into the idea of rethinking constraints and consider a future where humans and software are more integrated. Jerry explains the unique, quirky aspects of TheBrain software and the challenges it presents, including integrating AI and inferring context from data. He emphasises the importance of externalising and curating thoughts.Our conversation underscores the significance of trust, assuming good intent, and working openly to build collaboration. Jerry also explores how belief systems affect growth, the extractive economy, the power of storytelling, and navigating a post-truth world. Together, we advocate for a radical approach to design that fosters growth and addresses societal issues.linkedin.com/in/jerrymichalskihttps://www.jerrysbrain.com/welcomeCreators & 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