Brave UX with Brendan Jarvis 🇺🇦

In this episode of Brave UX, Brendan Jarvis sits down with Jen Briselli, Co-founder of Topology, to discuss how embracing uncertainty and complexity is essential in design. Jen shares her journey from physics and teaching to strategy consulting, drawing parallels between her love of extreme metal music and her approach to learning and exploration. They dive into the importance of systems thinking, navigating ambiguity, and how designers must embrace the unintended consequences of their work. Jen emphasizes the value of curiosity, self-reflection, and continuous learning as tools for thriving in an ever-evolving world. Highlights include: 00:00 - Introduction to Jen Briselli and her love for extreme metal music 02:31 - Jen's career path and the need to pave your path in design 08:11 - Embracing uncertainty and developing a tolerance for ambiguity 15:21 - Navigating ambiguity and getting comfortable with uncertainty 21:46 - Design as a white-collar or blue-collar field 26:56 - Complexity and systems thinking in design 31:41 - Embracing uncertainty and chaos in design 37:11 - Reconnecting with complexity and the importance of learning 42:21 - The importance of teams and organizations learning together 46:56 - Learning as the meta superpower for individuals   Who is Jen Briselli Jen Briselli is a multifaceted strategist, researcher, designer, and educator who thrives at the intersection of diverse disciplines. With a passion for risky play and transdisciplinary collaboration, Jen partners with brave individuals to co-create innovative services, experiences, and environments that empower people to live on their own terms. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, she uncovers hidden patterns across disparate domains and uses these insights to enable others. Inspired by the philosophy of R. Buckminster Fuller, Jen believes in unlocking individual potential to create a collective realization for all. She is dedicated to connecting ideas and people in meaningful ways. "It's become my professional mission to provoke, construct, and sometimes subvert to codesign services, tools, and experiences that enable people to live well on their own terms." Jen Briselli Find Jen Here Jen Briselli on LinkedIn Topology Website   Subscribe to Brave UX Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Podbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedIn Instagram Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here: Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn The Space InBetween Website

In this special bonus episode of Brave UX, Nitzan Shaer speaks candidly about the future of UX research, why simulated audiences are a step beyond synthetic, and how UX professionals can leverage them effectively. Highlights include: 15:12 - What’s the vision you’re building towards with WEVO? 22:56 - How would you define the difference between synthetic and simulated research? 25:44 - Could simulated research eventually surpass human research in accuracy? 34:50 - What does the near future hold for UX research with AI advancements? 58:00 - How can simulated audiences help accelerate innovation? ====== Who is Nitzan Shaer? Nitzan is the CEO and co-founder of WEVO, a user research platform that leverages AI to deliver reliable insights to designers, marketers, and product managers—in a fraction of the time that traditional research requires. Before co-founding WEVO, Nitzan was the co-founder and managing partner of High Start Group, an innovation consulting firm dedicated to helping companies create and launch breakthrough products. He also led product management, partner relationships, and defined Skype’s strategy for mobile phones as head of the Mobile Phones and Product Group, where the challenges of working with customers across 150+ countries sparked his vision for WEVO. Complementing his hands-on experience in building and scaling products, Nitzan holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Technion, Israel’s Institute of Technology. An active contributor to the broader product and business community, Nitzan has shared his insights on stages such as The Product Podcast, Product-Led Summit New York, and at Harvard Business School. Find Nitzan here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nshaer/ Website: https://wevo.ai/ ====== Subscribe to Brave UX Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Podbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedIn Instagram Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here: Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn The Space InBetween Website

In this engaging conversation, Greg Nudelman, a Distinguished Designer at Sumo Logic with 24 design patents to his name, discusses the transformative role of UX in the age of AI. He emphasizes the need for designers to adapt quickly to emerging technologies while prioritizing ethical considerations and customer needs. Greg critiques the current education system's inability to prepare future generations for AI integration. He also explores the challenges in design projects, highlighting the significance of trust and collaboration in crafting meaningful user experiences.

Abby Covert, a seasoned information architect and author, shares her expertise on making sense of complex information. She discusses the profound impact of customer feedback in UX design and her journey through ADHD, emphasizing the unique challenges faced by women in diagnosis. Abby also explores her transition from graphic design to information architecture, highlighting ethical responsibilities in tech. With insights into effective communication through diagrams, she underscores the importance of community support and self-advocacy in overcoming creative challenges.

Today, our special guest is Whitney Hess, Founder and Executive Coach of Vicarious Partners Inc. We discuss the power of bravery, vulnerability, and personal growth. Discover how to overcome fear, cultivate self-awareness, and embrace failure as a stepping stone toward success. With practical tips and inspiring stories, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to live a more courageous and purposeful life. Highlights include: 0:00-4:25 - Whitney discusses her perspective on failure 04:26-8:17 - Whitney shares her backstory, including living on a sailboat 08:18-14:03 - The importance of being present and fully engaged with clients 14:04-19:48 - A closer look at the power dynamics in coaching relationships 19:49-24:12 - Whitney shares a personal anecdote 24:13-29:45 - More on coaching, UX, and the challenges facing the field 29:46-33:58 - Whitney’s perspective on the risks of pursuing the management track  33:59-38:20 - Coaching dynamics and the importance of an opt-in relationship 43:03-46:26 - Brendan and Whitney highlight the importance of self-reflection Who is Whitney Hess Whitney Hess is a coach, writer, and designer on a mission to put humanity back into business. She believes empathy builds empires, and she helps progressive, creative leaders design their careers and accelerate their missions. Her techniques help people gain self-awareness, identify blind spots, navigate obstacles, and bring their whole selves to their work.   Whitney has been a user experience (UX) consultant for over a decade, hired to make technology easier and more pleasurable. She has been recognized for her work with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, Foundation Center, Seamless, Boxee, and WNYC. She is named as a co-inventor on a U.S. patent with American Express.   Whitney is a two-time Carnegie Mellon University graduate with a Master’s in Human-Computer Interaction and a Bachelor’s in Professional Writing and HCI. She is a Certified Integral Coach through New Ventures West and a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) with the International Coaching Federation. She writes on her blog Pleasure & Pain, co-hosts the podcast Designing Yourself, and speaks at conferences and corporations worldwide.   Find Whitney Here: Whitney Hess on LinkedIn Whitney Hess Website Whitney Hess Blog Vicarious Partners Inc. on LinkedIn Whitney Hess Email   Subscribe to Brave UX Like what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Podbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedIn Instagram Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here: Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn The Space InBetween Website

Today, our special guest is Doreen Lorenzo, Assistant Dean at the University of Texas School of Design and Creative Technology. Doreen discusses the challenges and opportunities in the design industry and shares her insights as a design leader while emphasizing the importance of training and skill development. They also explore her journey from Frog Design to the University of Texas and her passion for education and diversity in design. Highlights include: 03:15 - Introduction and Doreen's background 10:52 - Doreen’s decision to pursue a career in design 15:50 - Challenges of managing a large design firm 24:59 - Benefits of promoting diversity in the design industry 26:39 - Importance of confidence in design 31:29 - Doreen's Journey from Frog to the University of Texas 44:04 - Doreen’s leadership philosophy and balancing profitability with risk-taking Who is Doreen Lorenzo Doreen Lorenzo is a successful leader of global creative firms who advises and consults with companies from Fortune 100 to startups on design and innovation issues. The former president of the global design firms Frog and Quirky, she is now the Assistant Dean in the School of Design and Creative Technology at the University of Texas, a co-founder of the mobile video insights firm Vidlet, a board member and advisor of several startups, and a columnist for Fast Company Co.Design.  A recognized thought leader on business and design issues, she speaks publicly about her signature leadership style and the power of empathy to drive business results. Most recently, Texas Monthly named Doreen one of the 15 innovators reshaping Texas, a testament to her innovative leadership approach. Doreen is an ardent believer in the advantages of “soft skills” like empathy and humor in business. She speaks at industry conferences, at private events, and to the media about her experience using these often overlooked skills to understand and motivate creative people. A driven and successful woman in a male-dominated industry, Doreen also speaks about women in leadership and coaches aspiring women leaders to help them find their own paths to success.  Find Doreen Here Doreen Lorenzo on LinkedIn University of Texas School of Design and Creative Technology Website Quirky Website Doreen’s personal Website   Subscribe to Brave UX Like what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Apple Podcast Spotify YouTube Podbean Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! LinkedIn Instagram The Show is hosted by Brendan Jarvis, and you can find him here: Brendan Jarvis on LinkedIn The Space InBetween Website

Nick Fine, PhD, is a Principal UX Research Consultant at Adaptavist with over 20 years in digital UX. He discusses the challenges of ADHD, offering humorous insights and self-therapy techniques. Nick critiques the current state of user-centric design, claiming it's lost its way amid economic cycles and AI advancements. He emphasizes the importance of gaining actionable insights quickly and the need for UX professionals to adapt and demonstrate their value in a shifting landscape. His thoughts on authenticity and resilience present a compelling future for the industry.

Q Walker draws a line between circus and UX, shares their experience of being cyber stalked, and unpacks the IA intricacies of emojis. Highlights include: What can designers learn from circus performers? Why did you start researching the information architecture of emojis? Are changes to emojis a form of benevolent censorship? What makes the presentation of the gun emoji interesting? How has embracing your queerness helped you reclaim your bravery? ====== Who is Q Walker? Since late 2023, Q has been the General Manager of The Circus Hub, the centre for circus arts in Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. Before joining The Circus Hub, Q was an Experience Lead at PaperKite , where they plied their trade of UX strategy and UX research to helping brands like the All Blacks, Volkswagen, The New Zealand Ministry of Health, and Hell Pizza, to better serve their customers. Q’s career in design started in the United States at Fidelity Investments in 2012, where they worked as a Communications Design Manager and - among other things - used UX and graphic design skills to create data visualisations, interactive reports and web app interfaces. It was during their time at Fidelity that Q both started and completed a Master of Science in Human Factors in Information Design at Bentley University.  They have also shared their expertise and experiences with audiences at UX New Zealand (more than once) and UXPA’s Boston conference. ====== Find Q here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/q-walker/ ====== Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TheSpaceInBetween/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/ ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/ Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendanjarvis/

Greg Petroff discusses the practicalities of executive design leadership, why he believes in ‘make to think’, and the ins-and-outs of working with product and engineering. Highlights include: How much advocacy for design is too much? Why do you prefer project-based teams over product-based teams? How do you align the engineering, product and design organisations? How have your recent experiences in the labour market changed you? What does effective compromise look like in enterprise software design? ====== Who is Greg Petroff? A 25 year veteran of the design field, for the past 10 years Greg has led significant design organisations at some of the world’s largest and most recognisable companies.  Until recently, he was the vice president and chief design officer of Cisco Secure, where he led the design innovation and transformation of one of the world’s largest cybersecurity solutions providers. His highlight reel also includes being the chief experience officer at GE Digital, managing director of Google Cloud, vice president and global head of design at ServiceNow, and senior vice president of design at Compass. One of the early members of our emerging field, Greg is a founding board member of the Interaction Design Association, where he also contributed as the treasurer and as an early conference chair.  A generous contributor to the field, Greg has shared his insights on stages across the world, including at TedX, the Interaction conference, UX Australia, Enterprise UX, and on the most-excellent Finding Our Way podcast. ====== Find Greg here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gpetroff/  X: https://twitter.com/gpetroff ====== Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TheSpaceInBetween/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/ ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/ Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendanjarvis/

Ari Zelmanow shares insight into his life as a police detective, how he transformed into a PhD and then UX researcher, and how researchers can become strategic partners. Highlights include: What insight did your time as a detective give you into your fellow humans? How do you communicate the value of research to the business? What is the most impactful way to present research findings? Why is it important to associate a level of certainty with research findings? What is the most important thing for researchers to focus on right now? ====== Who is Ari Zelmanow? Ari is he Head of UX Research at Twilio, where he leads the ‘small but mighty’ research and research ops teams for the industry-leading platform that efficiently powers customer engagement, marketing and innovation. He is also the Managing Director of Customer Forensics, where he helps companies to capture and keep more customers - informed by his time in the research field, and former life as a metropolitan police detective. Ari has also held a number of senior research roles, including as vice president of analytics, research and insight at Gtmhub, As a UX research manager at Indeed, a director of analytics, research, and insights at Panasonic, and as a UX and Market Research Lead at Twitter. Complementing Ari’s decade of experience as a police detective and years in the field as an applied researcher and research manager, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and a PhD in Cognitive Psychology. ====== Find Ari here: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zelmanow/ Personal website: https://arizelmanow.com/ Customer Forensics: http://customerforensics.com/ Blog: https://zelmanow.medium.com/ X: https://twitter.com/arizelmanow The Influential Researcher course: https://maven.com/interrogate/the-influential-researcher ====== Liked what you heard and want to hear more? Subscribe and support the show by leaving a review on Apple Podcasts (or wherever you listen). Follow us on our other social channels for more great Brave UX content! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/TheSpaceInBetween/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-space-in-between/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thespaceinbetw__n/ ====== Hosted by Brendan Jarvis: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/ Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/brendanjarvis/