

Brave UX with Brendan Jarvis πΊπ¦
The Space InBetween
Welcome to the Brave UX with Brendan Jarvis podcast, your go-to destination for exploring the intersection of UX research, design, and product. Do you share a passion for developing and launching products that deliver superior and ethical experiences? If so, join your host, Brendan Jarvis, as he talks to industry and thought leaders in UX, product management, and product design. Get inspired and informed, and challenge yourself to become a better leader and think outside the canvas, both in what you do and occasionally in who you are.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 14, 2025 β’ 1h 8min
Wolfgang Bremer - Trust, Teams, and Tangible Impact
Wolfgang Bremer shares a candid look at design leadership, the weight of trust, and why real impact goes far beyond pixels π β revealing how humility and humanity shape design at scale π.
======
Episode Chapters:
00:00 β Learning Patience Through Fatherhood
00:30 β Welcome and Introduction
02:10 β Early Design Projects and Bootleg CD Covers
05:30 β How Parenthood Changed His Communication and Leadership
10:00 β The Importance of Explaining βWhyβ at Home and Work
13:44 β Families, Work, and Where We Spend Our Energy
19:00 β Why Trust Should Be the Default in Teams
22:30 β Building Connection and Trust Through One-on-Ones
28:30 β Structured vs. Unstructured Approaches to One-on-Ones
36:00 β Knowing When to Lean In and When to Step Back
43:00 β Leadership as Asking Better Questions
46:20 β Leadership Compared to Doing the Dishes
53:00 β Designing the Environment for Teams to Thrive
58:00 β Overcoming Misconceptions About Designβs Role
1:01:22 β Lessons From a Career in Global Design Leadership
1:06:21 β Closing Reflections and Where to Find Wolfgang
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Who is Wolfgang Bremer?
Wolfgang Bremer is a seasoned design leader whose career spans mobile, enterprise, and automotive design π. He was recently the Vice President of Design at Elli, a Volkswagen Group brand focused on electric mobility, where he grew a cross-functional team and embedded design into business strategy.
He has:
β
Led global design teams at Volkswagen, SAP, and HERE Technologies
β
Designed early mobile experiences at Nokia
β
Spoken at conferences across Europe, North America, and Asia
β
Advocated for people-first design and building trust at scale
β
Believes leadership is sometimes⦠like doing the dishes
======
Find Wolfgang Bremer here:
LinkedIn β https://www.linkedin.com/in/wolfgangbremer/
Website β https://bremer.co/
======
Subscribe to Brave UX
Like what you heard?
ποΈ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween
Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/
======
Follow Brave UX for more great content!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/
======
Hosted by Brendan Jarvis:
Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/
The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Sep 30, 2025 β’ 1h 14min
Aryn Korpalski - Keeping Research Human
Aryn Korpalski reminds us that research is as much about human connection π€ as it is about dataβand why hospitality, curiosity, and thoughtful service are the real secrets to impactful insights π―.
======
Episode Chapters:
00:00 β Why In-Person Magic Canβt Be Replicated Virtually
00:30 β Welcome and Introduction
02:00 β Meet Aryn Korpalski
03:06 β Musical Theatre, Sports, and Finding Confidence in Rugby
10:00 β Growing Up in Denver and Becoming a Chicagoan
14:42 β Curiosity, Hospitality, and the Work of Fieldwork
18:20 β Complex Briefs and Protecting Participant Trust
22:55 β Global Research and Partnering with Competitors
27:30 β Preparing for the Next Thing: AI and Data Quality
35:11 β Baking Accessibility Into Every Project
40:30 β Making Research Emotionally Accessible
44:01 β Beyond Insights: Community and Connection
47:23 β The Power of Observation Rooms
51:30 β Gathering Intentionally and Leadership Energy
56:00 β Why Making βYesβ Matter Builds Trust
1:09:05 β Closing Reflections and Where to Find Aryn
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Who is Aryn Korpalski?
Aryn is the Senior Vice President of Corporate Services at Fieldwork, a company trusted worldwide for in-person research facilities, digital capabilities, and global recruitment services.
She has:
β
Led Fieldworkβs corporate operations and strategic client partnerships
β
Managed research projects across diverse industries and cultures
β
Advocated for participant-first experiences and inclusive research practices
β
Embraced hospitality as a guiding principle in research operations
======
Find Aryn Korpalski here:
LinkedIn β https://www.linkedin.com/in/arynkorpalski/
Fieldwork β https://www.fieldwork.com/
======
Subscribe to Brave UX
Like what you heard?
ποΈ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween
Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/
======
Follow Brave UX for more great content!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/
======
Hosted by Brendan Jarvis:
Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/
The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Sep 16, 2025 β’ 1h 14min
Changying (Z) Zheng - Connecting Teams Through Ops
Changying (Z) Zheng brings calm thinking to DesignOps β showing how clarity, storytelling, and ruthless prioritisation help design teams thrive .
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Episode Chapters:
00:00 β Why Design Needs to Prove Its Value
00:30 β Welcome and Introduction
02:30 β From Graphic Design to Design Ops Leadership
05:40 β Running a Dairy-Free Dessert Business and Learning Calm Leadership
10:00 β Leading Without Drama and Seeing Multiple Perspectives
13:00 β Design Ops as Service Design for Design Teams
16:00 β Storytelling, Outcomes, and Speaking the Language of Business
18:45 β Earning and Keeping a Seat at the Table
21:00 β Moving from Ticket Taking to Strategic Design Work
26:00 β Saying No Kindly and Introducing Office Hours
32:00 β People, Process, and Platform as Core Pillars
36:00 β Becoming the Connective Tissue Across Orgs
42:00 β Growing Into Product Ops at Cloudflare
55:00 β Communication as the Connective Tissue of Ops
1:10:00 β A Two-by-Two Framework for Career Development
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Who is Changying (Z) Zheng?
Changying (Z) Zheng is a Director of Product Operations at Cloudflare, where sheβs scaled the operational backbone of one of the internetβs most recognisable infrastructure companies .
She has:
Started as a team of one and built thriving design and research operations
Worked in agencies, higher education, and at companies like Akamai, VMware, and Nasdaq
Founded and ran her own retail business
Delivered talks at The DevOps Conference and DesignOps Summit, shaping how people understand DesignOps in technical environments
======
Find Changying (Z) Zheng here:
LinkedIn β https://www.linkedin.com/in/changyingz/
Website β https://www.changyingart.com/
======
Subscribe to Brave UX
Like what you heard?
ποΈ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween
Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/
======
Follow Brave UX for more great content!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/
======
Hosted by Brendan Jarvis:
Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/
The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Sep 2, 2025 β’ 1h 6min
Jake Burghardt - Stop Wasting Research
Jake Burghardt explores why so much research goes unused , why timing matters more than tools , and how to transform insights into real impact for teams and strategy .
======
Episode Chapters:
00:00 β Why Careers Shouldnβt Hinge on One Team
00:30 β Welcome and Introduction
01:27 β Jakeβs Work at Amazon and the Intersection of Ops
03:00 β Early Days: Patents, Psychology, and Consulting Work
05:46 β Becoming a Generalist Across Disciplines
08:05 β The Rise of Research, Design, and Product Ops
10:12 β Writing Stop Wasting Research and the Story Behind the Title
13:45 β Timing Research to Influence Planning Cycles
16:52 β Who Can Reduce Research Waste in Large Orgs?
21:14 β Root Causes of Research Waste: Preparation, Motivation, Integration
27:09 β The Challenge of Prioritising Insights
31:30 β What Competitors Would Pay to Know You Forgot
36:32 β Tools, Repositories, and Making Insights Stick
42:00 β Practical Ways to Promote Overlooked Insights
1:03:00 β Closing Reflections and Where to Find Jake
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Who is Jake Burghardt?
Jake Burghardt is a veteran of the research, product, and design worlds, helping organisations close the gap between what they know and what they act on. His upcoming book, *Stop Wasting Research*, offers a new framework for turning insights into action.
======
Find Jake Burghardt here:
LinkedIn β https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeburghardt/
Blog β https://medium.com/integrating-research
Newsletter β https://www.integratingresearch.com/newsletter
Book: Stop Wasting Research β https://www.integratingresearch.com/#book
======
Subscribe to Brave UX
Like what you heard?
ποΈ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween
Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/
======
Follow Brave UX for more great content!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/
======
Hosted by Brendan Jarvis:
Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/
The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Aug 19, 2025 β’ 1h 9min
Ehab Bandar - Designing a Life of Creative Freedom
Ehab Bandar shares why creative freedom, curiosity, and human connection matter more than ever in design β exploring how resilience, adaptability, and gratitude shape a lasting career in UX .
======
Episode Chapters:
00:00 β Designing with First Principles in Mind
00:45 β Welcome and Introduction
02:10 β Meet Ehab Bandar
04:20 β From Architecture to Design Strategy
07:05 β Founding Big Tomorrow and Its Mission
10:40 β Learning from Corporate Clients and Early Struggles
14:00 β Why Culture Shapes Every Design Decision
17:45 β Balancing Human Needs and Business Demands
22:18 β The Role of Design in Tackling Climate Change
27:00 β Shifting From Growth at All Costs to Responsible Growth
31:42 β Why Designers Must Think Like Futurists
36:15 β Systemic Design and the Power of Long-Term Thinking
41:00 β Teaching Organizations to See the Bigger Picture
46:20 β Why Leadership Needs a Broader Design Lens
52:05 β Building Resilience in Times of Uncertainty
57:30 β Closing Reflections and Where to Find Ehab
======
Who is Ehab Bandar?
Ehab Bandar is a seasoned UX design leader and independent consultant whose career spans fintech, real estate, hospitality, and beyond .
He has:
Led design teams for clients like Airbnb and Charles Schwab
Founded Bigtable, a design and innovation consulting firm
Shared insights through *The Experience Architect* newsletter
Taught graduate design courses at the Academy of Art University
======
Find Ehab Bandar here:
LinkedIn β https://www.linkedin.com/in/ehabbandar/
Bigtable β https://bigtable.co/
Website β https://www.ehabbandar.com/
Substack β https://ehabbandar.substack.com/
======
Subscribe to Brave UX
Like what you heard?
ποΈ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween
Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/
======
Follow Brave UX for more great content!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/
======
Hosted by Brendan Jarvis:
Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/
The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Aug 5, 2025 β’ 1h 13min
Chetana Deorah - From Silicon Valley to Soulful Design
Chetana Deorah explores what it means to step off the career treadmill , rediscover creativity beyond metrics , and build a life rooted in connection, community, and courage βsharing why the most meaningful design often begins within .
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Episode Chapters:
00:00 β Growing Up in a Sheltered Business Family
00:30 β Welcome and Introduction
02:11 β Meet Chetana Deorah
03:24 β Opening with a Poem by Sri Aurobindo
04:30 β Leaving Silicon Valley and Returning to India
07:30 β Life and Purpose in Auroville
12:00 β Yoga as Union, Not Just Asana
13:34 β Leaving India to Resist Cultural Norms
17:38 β The Marriage Path She Refused
20:16 β Her Fatherβs Rebellious Influence and Strength
25:00 β Seeing India Change While Living Abroad
29:00 β Asking: βIs There Another Ladder to Climb?β
33:01 β From Busyness to Learning How to Do Nothing
42:54 β Creativity and Community Projects in Auroville
50:00 β Rethinking Money, Growth, and Human Unity
57:30 β Lessons From Silicon Valley on Bravery and Growth
======
Who is Chetana Deorah?
Chetana Deorah is a seasoned design leader, educator, and community builder whose career bridges tech, creativity, and social impact .
She has:
Led product design at Netflix, Scribd, Yahoo, Pivotal Labs, and Pentagram
Shaped global digital experiences for hundreds of millions of users
Founded community projects in India focused on art, sustainability, and human connection
Chosen a new path outside Silicon Valley to explore soulful, human-centered design
======
Find Chetana Deorah here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chetanadeorah/
======
Subscribe to Brave UX
Like what you heard?
ποΈ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween
Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/
======
Follow Brave UX for more great content!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/
======
Hosted by Brendan Jarvis:
Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/
The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Jul 22, 2025 β’ 1h 2min
Thomas Girard β Finding Creativity in Unexpected Places
Thomas Girard brings a thoughtful lens to design, creativity, and resilience π β sharing why processes matter π§ , and how the quiet work of reflection can shape the future of design π.
======
Episode Chapters:
00:00 β Why Designβs Processes Still Matter
00:30 β Welcome and Introduction
02:09 β Meet Thomas Girard
04:19 β Family Legacy, Photography, and Airports as βNon-Placesβ
07:33 β Cultural Similarities and Craving the Familiar
11:38 β Cities That Shaped Thomasβs Design Perspective
12:24 β Preparing for and Delivering a Two-Minute TED Talk
17:04 β Listening to Yourself While Public Speaking
19:00 β Overcoming Stage Fright and Speaking as an Introvert
21:30 β Breaking Out of the Design Echo Chamber
23:03 β The Strengths and Future of Design Education
27:00 β Pairing Design and AI Without Losing the Human Lens
33:07 β Low-Fidelity Prototyping Through Conversation
35:00 β Launching and Growing the Unique Ways Podcast
50:24 β Life or Death Typography and Teaching Students to See Type
57:30 β What Designers Must Not Lose as the Field Evolves
======
Who is Thomas Girard?
Thomas Girard is a design educator, writer, and speaker whose work bridges creativity, innovation, and resilience π.
He has:
β
Delivered keynotes at UXIndia and Sorbonne University
β
Earned multiple Emerging Scholar awards for his contributions to design
β
Authored the memoir Son of Greg Girard
β
Built UNIQUEWAYS, a podcast uncovering different perspectives on success and creativity
======
Find Thomas Girard here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onthomas/
Podcast: https://uniqueways.ca
======
Subscribe to Brave UX
Like what you heard?
ποΈ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween
Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/
======
Follow Brave UX for more great content!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/
======
Hosted by Brendan Jarvis:
Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/
The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Jul 8, 2025 β’ 1h 9min
Theresa Neil β Designing Healthcare That Actually Cares
Theresa Neil is reshaping the future of healthcare π, challenging outdated systems π§ , and championing womenβs health innovation when itβs needed most π β reminding us that the stakes in design have never been higher β€οΈ.
======
Episode Chapters:
00:00 β Why βMove Fast and Break Thingsβ Doesnβt Work in Healthcare
01:00 β Welcome and Introduction
02:11 β Meet Theresa Neil
03:03 β From Chef to UX Designer
05:22 β Early UX Work at Sabre and Founding Guidea
14:09 β Building a Woman-Led Company
15:43 β Becoming a Feminist Through Womenβs Health Work
22:30 β Cultural Discomfort Around Menopause and Womenβs Health
28:47 β Postpartum Innovation and Investor Blindness
33:00 β Research Gaps in Womenβs Health Trials
37:51 β Why Female Health Remains Taboo
40:08 β Political Forces and Womenβs Healthcare Access
43:18 β Spite Tracking and Patient Advocacy
50:15 β When Clients Donβt Want to Hear UX Research
58:00 β Why Healthcare Still Isnβt Patient-Centric
======
Who is Theresa Neil?
Theresa Neil is the Founder of Guidea, an award-winning, women-owned and led product design firm specialising in medtech and digital health innovation π.
She has:
Led UX for companies like Roche, Johnson & Johnson, and Cigna
Designed digital health solutions impacting over a billion users worldwide
Launched Femovate, a femtech incubator supporting 28 product launches and 14 clinical trials
Helped startups secure over $100 million in funding
Advocated globally for inclusive design and women's health innovation
======
Find Theresa Neil here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresaneil/
Website: https://www.guidea.co/
Femovate: https://www.femovate.com/
======
Subscribe to Brave UX
Like what you heard?
ποΈ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween
Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/
======
Follow Brave UX for more great content!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/
======
Hosted by Brendan Jarvis:
Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/
The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Jun 24, 2025 β’ 1h 5min
Jennifer Speciale β Designing the Career You Actually Want
Jennifer Speciale helps leaders rewrite the rules of career growth π, redefine executive presence π§ , and build unapologetic clarity in an uncertain market πβsharing why designing your career is the ultimate act of leadership π―.
======
Episode Chapters:
00:00 β Why Candidates Should See Themselves as the Prize
00:43 β Welcome and Introduction
01:15 β Meet Jennifer Speciale
03:15 β Life in Florence and Sicilian Roots
10:30 β Myth, Beauty, and Strong Women in History
16:05 β From Corporate Leadership to Coaching Executives
19:23 β Helping Design Leaders Define Success
25:18 β Finding Options After Layoffs
29:00 β Reframing LinkedIn as a Marketing Tool
32:05 β What Recruiters Really Look for on LinkedIn
36:05 β Why Job Descriptions Are Intentionally Vague
42:32 β The Danger of a Bad Interview on Your Record
45:39 β Building Relationships Through Outreach
50:05 β Turning Interviews into Conversations
56:47 β Believing You Are the Prize
======
Who is Jennifer Speciale?
Jennifer Speciale is the Founder and Executive Leadership Coach at Speciale Executive Leadership, helping ambitious leaders transition into executive roles and unlock new opportunities π.
She has:
Led executive recruiting for design at Amazon
Built a global Experience Design team at McKinsey
Helped leaders at Google, Amazon, and McKinsey land executive roles
Coached over 100 leaders into executive positions, delivering over half a million dollars in salary growth in 2024 β¨
Through her proven frameworks, sheβs changing the way leaders navigate executive transitions.
======
Find Jennifer Speciale here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferspeciale/
Website: https://www.jenniferspeciale.com
======
Subscribe to Brave UX
Like what you heard?
ποΈ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween
Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/
======
Follow Brave UX for more great content!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/
======
Hosted by Brendan Jarvis:
Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/
The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/

Jun 10, 2025 β’ 1h 13min
Dave Hoffer β Empathy, Courage, and the Future of Design
Dave Hoffer shares why design demands empathy π§ , courage π‘οΈ, and long-term thinking π±βand how amplifying others can transform leadership in uncertain times π.
He explores designβs shifting role in business, the disruptive rise of AI, and why resilience and critique will shape the future of design.
======
Episode Chapters
00:00 β Why Empathy Matters in Design
01:02 β Introducing Dave Hoffer
03:17 β Amplifying Others Over Self
05:00 β Layoffs, Resilience, and Mission-Driven Work
12:12 β Hope and Long-Term Thinking in Design
14:20 β Courage, Critique, and Speaking Truth to Power
17:24 β Design Under Pressure and the AI Disruption
22:20 β Why Designers Must Experiment With AI Tools
31:30 β Lessons from Kasparov on Humans + Machines
33:00 β Spectral Thinking and Understanding People on a Spectrum
37:11 β The Hard Cost of Empathy in Design
42:05 β Why Executives Need Firsthand Empathy
50:30 β Empathy, Judgment, and Learning from Outliers
58:13 β Physical Labor and Shifts in Perspective
1:04:00 β Think Like a Gardener, Not an Architect
======
Who is Dave Hoffer?
Dave Hoffer is a seasoned design leader and strategist whose career spans product design, digital innovation, and design transformation π.
He has:
Led design teams at Frog Design, PwC, and McKinsey & Company
Grown McKinseyβs global design practice from a handful of designers to hundreds π
Brought design strategy into the heart of business and policy change
Advised mission-driven organisations like Safe Kids AI π¨βπ©βπ§βπ¦
Advocated for amplifying others and championing empathy and critique as foundations for impactful leadership β¨
Today, Dave advises organisations as an independent consultant, helping them embed human-centered design practices into strategy and transformation initiatives.
======
Find Dave Hoffer here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-hoffer/
Website: https://www.mpqd.com/
======
Subscribe to Brave UX
Like what you heard?
ποΈ Subscribe to Brave UX for more conversations with world-class voices in UX, design, and product leadership. Your support helps others discover the show!
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/no/podcast/brave-ux-with-brendan-jarvis/id1552607805
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7j2ocni6A00fzgHkj6TtCK
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheSpaceInBetween
Podbean: https://braveux.podbean.com/
======
Follow Brave UX for more great content!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brave_ux
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/
======
Hosted by Brendan Jarvis:
Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/
The Space InBetween Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/


