In this episode of The UX Consulting Lounge, host Kyle Soucy reconnects with long-time friend and UX veteran Christine Perfetti for a deeply honest and inspiring conversation about career reinvention, self-worth, and the power of authentic connection.After decades of success in the UX world—most recently through her consultancy, Perfetti Media—Christine found herself at a professional and personal crossroads. Instead of staying the course, she decided to explore something new: a passion project called Lift Up Connections, where she brings women together in small cohorts to help them navigate career and life inflection points with clarity, intention, and support.Kyle and Christine talk about:Why so many in the UX industry are questioning their career paths right nowChristine’s journey from high-profile consulting work to launching Lift Up ConnectionsThe emotional challenges of tying self-worth to professional successHow connection, vulnerability, and community have become central to Christine’s workThe practical tools and exercises she uses to help women design their next chaptersBalancing a passion project with ongoing consulting work—and what she’s learned from bothWhether you’re a UX consultant, an in-house practitioner, or someone wondering what’s next, this episode will speak to anyone craving more meaning, alignment, and joy in their work.Connect with Us:Host: Kyle Soucy | Usable Interface Guest: Christine Perfetti | Perfetti Media & Lift Up Connections - - - - -Links and Resources Mentioned:Christine's Maven Course - Reimagine and Grow Your Career: A Playbook for Designing Your Next ActDesigning Your Life  by Bill Burnett & Dave EvansThe Big Leap  by Gay HendricksThe Let Them Theory  by Mel RobbinsSo Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love  by Cal NewportHow Kyle uses collaging in UX research:Article on Smashing Magazine Convey UX talk Submit a question or story: Have a question or topic that you'd like us to cover in a future episode and/or want to share an anonymous consulting story? Submit your questions and stories. Don't want to miss an episode? Be sure to sign up for the podcast newsletter.Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. I can’t wait to have you back in the lounge for our next episode!

In this engaging episode of The UX Consultants Lounge, host Kyle Soucy sits down with Lisa Bragg, an expert in strategic self-promotion and the author of "Bragging Rights: How to Talk about Your Work Using Purposeful Self-Promotion." Together, they explore the nuanced art of self-promotion that doesn't just add to the noise but acts as a clear signal, bringing value and visibility to your work. Whether you're a UX consultant or in any field where self-promotion feels a bit icky, this episode offers practical advice and thoughtful insights to help you share your accomplishments confidently and effectively.Key Topics Discussed:Understanding why self-promotion is crucial, especially for consultants.Learning how to share your successes without sounding boastful.Discovering practical tips on transforming discomfort into effective self-advocacy.Notable Quotes:“You can't sell a secret... Everyone needs to build social currency.”“Waiting for others to notice you is not a good marketing strategy.”“ Self promotion is also about connecting and giving recognition to others...  anybody who's inspired you, letting them know that is just such a gift that you can give them. And that in return, it helps everyone, It helps yourself, it helps them...  give more to the world than we take from it... not to act entitled and not to have the purpose of whatever we share to be to dim or blow out other people's light.”Connect with Us:Host: Kyle Soucy | Usable Interface (https://usableinterface.com/)Guest: Lisa Bragg | https://www.lisabragg.com/- - - - -Links and Resources Mentioned:Lisa’s Book: Bragging Rights: How to Talk about Your Work Using Purposeful Self-Promotion (https://www.lisabragg.com/book)Submit a question or story: Have a question or topic that you'd like us to cover in a future episode and/or want to share an anonymous consulting story? Submit your questions and stories. Don't want to miss an episode? Be sure to sign up for the podcast newsletter.Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. I can’t wait to have you back in the lounge for our next episode!

In this episode of the UX Consultants Lounge, host Kyle Soucy speaks with Tamara Adlin, owner of Adlin, Inc., a consultancy specializing in helping early-stage startups and larger companies with product alignment and redesigns. They discuss her impressive career journey and her profound impact on the field of UX consulting. Tamara shares her experiences transitioning from a corporate role at Amazon to establishing her own consultancy, along with the lessons learned from a brief stint co-creating an agency.Key Topics Discussed:Challenges and Rewards of Specializing: Insights into the implications of specializing in early-stage startups and how it shapes business prospects and networking.Her Quick Hit Process: Tamara introduces her unique approach to initial client engagements, distinguishing it from typical assessments and emphasizing the importance of alignment before design.Women in Tech: Tamara provides candid advice for female consultants navigating the tech landscape, underscoring the necessity of advocating for proper titles and compensation.Career Coaching and Support: Tamara discusses her commitment to mentoring and coaching. She talks about the importance of having open conversations about career advancement and salary negotiations, highlighting her involvement with the "Never Search Alone" network to support job seekers.New Ventures: Discussion on Tamara's latest podcast, "Corporate Underpants," which delves into how internal politics affect digital products. She also hints at her upcoming book, Align Before Design.Connect with Us:Host: Kyle Soucy | Usable Interface (https://usableinterface.com/)Guest: Tamara Adlin | Adlin, Inc. (https://www.adlininc.com/)- - - - -Links and Resources Mentioned:Corporate Underpants - Tamara’s Podcast: https://www.adlininc.com/underpantsAlign Before Design - Updates on Tamara’s New Book: https://www.adlininc.com/align-before-designTamara’s Article about Being an Experienced Woman in Tech - https://medium.com/@tamaraadlin/elation-deflation-the-reality-responsibility-of-being-an-experienced-woman-in-tech-92deb07bd358Never Search Alone: https://www.phyl.org/Taking the Work Out of Networking: https://karenwickre.com/book/Aligned by Bruce McCarthy and Melissa Appel: https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/aligned/9781098134419/Submit a question or story: Have a question or topic that you'd like us to cover in a future episode and/or want to share an anonymous consulting story? Submit your questions and stories. Don't want to miss an episode? Be sure to sign up for the podcast newsletter.Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. I can’t wait to have you back in the lounge for our next episode!

In a thought-provoking conversation, Erika Hall, co-founder of Mule Design and author of 'Just Enough Research,' along with Mike Monteiro, also co-founder of Mule Design and author of 'Design Is a Job,' tackle the realities of UX consulting. They discuss the significance of authenticity and integrity in their work, share hard-earned lessons from running a consultancy, and highlight the importance of community engagement. With a candid take on the current UX climate, they advocate for a shift from bland conformity to embracing true individuality in the field.

In this episode of The UX Consultants Lounge, host Kyle Soucy welcomes Lynne Polischuik and Justin Davis, two seasoned UX consultants, to discuss the evolving landscape of UX consulting. From the challenges of today’s market to the exciting opportunities presented by AI and emerging work models, this episode dives deep into the current state of UX consulting and where it’s headed.At the top of this episode, Kyle shares a personal update about navigating the unexpected cancellation of a big project and the lessons she learned about asking for help, trusting her network, and staying resilient as a consultant.Key Topics Covered:How the UX consulting landscape is shifting in today’s economic climate.Where consultants can deliver the most value as the industry evolves.The transformative role of AI in how we work and create impact.The unique challenges and benefits of taking breaks from consulting to go in-house—and how to successfully transition back.Notable Quotes:“As consultants, our value isn’t just in the deliverables—it’s in the outcomes we enable, like reducing costs, improving products, and creating business impact.”“AI isn’t going to replace us, but consultants who embrace AI will deliver more value, faster. It’s a tool, not a threat.”Connect with Us:Host: Kyle Soucy: Website | LinkedinGuest: Lynne Polischuik: LinkedinGuest: Justin Davis: Linkedin- - - - -Links and Resources Mentioned:Kyle’s Linkedin Post about a project being cancelledMargot Bloomstein’s Linkedin post about GenAIBook: Just Enough Research by Erika HallBook: Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller: Book: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanYouTubeTV Project Case StudyTools: Notebook LM | Hey MarvinSubmit a question or story: Have a question or topic that you'd like us to cover in a future episode and/or want to share an anonymous consulting story? Submit your questions and stories. Don't want to miss an episode? Be sure to sign up for the podcast newsletter.Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. I can’t wait to have you back in the lounge for our next episode!

In this episode of the UX Consultants Lounge, host Kyle Soucy sits down with Elizabeth Creighton, the owner of Brazen, a consultancy that offers UX research and training services. Elizabeth shares great tips about scaling your UX consultancy through newsletters, online courses, and investing in deliverables. Plus, they discuss the emotional journey of having to pause your consulting practice in order to take a leave of absence and how to bounce back. Key Topics Covered:The Power of Newsletters: Elizabeth discusses how starting a newsletter helped her connect with clients, maintain visibility, and generate new business. She shares practical tips on managing the workload and gaining subscribers.Creating Online Courses: Elizabeth explains her experience developing a user interview skills course on Maven. She provides insights on choosing a platform, balancing course creation with client work, and the impact of teaching live cohort-based courses.Enhancing Deliverables: Elizabeth shares her experience in hiring a presentation designer to elevate the quality of her client and course presentations. She shares the value of investing in high-quality templates to improve professionalism and efficiency.Managing a Leave of Absence: Elizabeth and Kyle also touch on the challenges consultants face when needing to taking breaks for personal reasons, like maternity leave, and how to bounce back afterward.Notable Quotes:“Starting a newsletter really helped me stay top of mind with past clients. It’s about building that direct line of communication that social media can’t always provide.”“Investing in a professionally designed presentation template has completely changed the way I present to clients. It’s not just about looking polished; it’s about delivering more impact.”Connect with Us:Host: Kyle Soucy | Usable Interface (www.usableinterface.com)Guest: Elizabeth Creighton | Brazen (www.brazen.io)- - - - -Links and Resources Mentioned:Elizabeth’s Newsletter: https://newsletter.brazen.io/Elizabeth’s Maven Course (with a 15% off promo code - ‘CONSULTANTS15’): https://maven.com/brazen-ux/user-interview-skills-designers-pmsElizabeth’s Presentation Designer: https://marikedesigns.com/ConvertKit (now Kit) Email Marketing Software: https://kit.com/Lex Roman’s Low Energy Leads Newsletter: https://read.lowenergyleads.com/Company of One by Paul Jarvis: https://www.amazon.com/Company-One-Staying-Small-Business/dp/1328972356Submit a question or story: Have a question or topic that you'd like us to cover in a future episode and/or want to share an anonymous consulting story? Submit your questions and stories. Don't want to miss an episode? Be sure to sign up for the podcast newsletter.Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. I can’t wait to have you back in the lounge for our next episode!

In this episode of the UX Consultants Lounge, host Kyle Soucy sits down with Becca Kennedy, the owner of Kennason, a UX consultancy that combines design research and content design services. With over 15 years in the industry and nearly a decade of running her own consultancy, Becca shares her insights and experiences in the world of UX consulting.What You’ll Learn:Becca’s Transition from Academia to UX Consulting: Becca discusses her journey from earning a PhD in Human Factors Psychology to becoming a successful UX consultant. She delves into how her academic background shaped her approach to user experience and how she transitioned from academia to the consulting world.Finding and Retaining Clients: Becca shares her early experiences in finding her first clients through local networking and discusses the importance of building relationships within the community. She also talks about her innovative “Let’s Fix It” workshops, designed to give new clients a taste of her services with actionable takeaways.The Importance of Saying No: Becca and Kyle explore the critical importance of knowing when to turn down work. Becca provides tips on how to evaluate potential projects and maintain a balance between business growth and personal well-being.Subcontracting Insights: They discuss the benefits and challenges of subcontracting through larger design firms, offering advice on how to balance direct client work with subcontracting projects.Disability Insurance for the Self-Employed: Becca provides valuable advice on the often-overlooked topic of disability insurance for freelancers and consultants, emphasizing the importance of financial planning and security.Submit Your Stories and Questions: Do you have a topic or question you’d like us to explore in a future episode? Perhaps there's an anonymous consulting story you want to share? Click here to submit your story or question on our podcast website.Connect with Us:Host: Kyle Soucy | Usable InterfaceGuest: Becca Kennedy | Kennason- - - - -Links and Resources Mentioned:Becca’s Article: When to Say No to Freelance ProjectsBecca’s Newsletter: Interrobang: Questions and Exclamations on DesignRecommended Book: “Design is a Job by Mike Monteiro”Recommended Resource for Disability Insurance: Freelancer’s UnionGamer music (Kyle’s fav): Syberia SoundtrackSubmit a question or story: Have a question or topic that you'd like us to cover in a future episode and/or want to share an anonymous consulting story? Submit your questions and stories. Don't want to miss an episode? Be sure to sign up for the podcast newsletter.Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. I can’t wait to have you back in the lounge for our next episode!

In this episode, host Kyle Soucy is joined by Karen McGrane, a renowned UX consultant, to dive deep into the intricacies of UX consulting, running a consulting business, and adapting to industry changes. Karen shares her extensive experience, from starting and running multiple consulting firms to managing business downturns and shifting industry norms. Karen’s wealth of experience and candid reflections make this a must-listen for anyone in the UX consulting community!Key Points Discussed:Introduction to Autogram: Karen discusses her current consultancy, Autogram, which she started during the pandemic with Jeff Eaton, focusing on content strategy and management.Navigating Business Losses: Karen opens up about a tough period in 2011 when she lost significant business and had to make tough decisions regarding staff and the future direction of her company. The conversation delves into changes within the consulting industry, particularly how expectations around office spaces and employment structures have evolved post-pandemic.The Impact of 2023 on Consulting: Karen reflects on the challenges faced by consultants in 2023, noting it as one of the toughest years, and discusses strategies for resilience and adaptation.Partnerships and Collaborations: Insights into forming effective partnerships in consulting, as exemplified by her seamless collaboration with Jeff Eaton and the transparent profit-sharing models they implement.Marketing in a New Era: The decline of traditional marketing channels like conferences and Twitter has prompted Karen to explore new ways of promoting her services and connecting with potential clients.View the episode chapter links for the full list of topics that were discussed.- - - - -Connect with Us:Host: Kyle Soucy | Usable InterfaceGuest: Karen McGrane | AutogramLinks and Resources Mentioned:Karen's Talks: Check out her insightful talks at: https://karenmcgrane.comBooks by Karen: "Content Strategy for Mobile" and "Going Responsive"Recommended Subreddit that Karen co-moderates: r/UXDesignBook by Ethan Marcotte: “You Deserve a Tech Union”Recommended Podcast: 2BobsRecommended Book: The Business of Expertise by David C. BakerSubmit a question or story: Have a question or topic that you'd like us to cover in a future episode and/or want to share an anonymous consulting story? Submit your questions and stories. Don't want to miss an episode? Be sure to sign up for the podcast newsletter.Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. I can’t wait to have you back in the lounge for our next episode!

In this special introductory episode, we get to know Kyle, the host of our UX Consultant Podcast. Celebrating her 20th year in business as an independent UX research consultant, Kyle shares her journey, the motivations behind starting this podcast, and what listeners can expect in future episodes. Joined by her children, Roger and Gabriel, Kyle answers some of the most frequently asked questions about her career, offering a personal and heartfelt look into her life as a consultant.Show Highlights:Introduction to Kyle (00:00:00) - Kyle introduces herself and her company, Usable Interface, and reflects on her 20-year career as an independent UX research consultant.Why This Podcast? (00:02:00) - Kyle discusses the reasons for starting the podcast, emphasizing the need for real talk about consulting, especially in the current economic climate.What to Expect (00:03:00) - An overview of the podcast's format, including interviews with other UX consultants, client appearances, listener questions, and more.Who is This Podcast For? (00:05:00) - Defining the target audience for the podcast: independent contractors, consultants, freelancers, and solopreneurs in the UX field.About Kyle and Her Consultancy (00:07:00) - Kyle answers common questions about her business, Usable Interface, with her kids, Roger and Gabriel, asking the questions.Kyle's Journey into UX and Consulting (00:12:00) - Kyle shares her path from working in a Fortune 500 company to becoming an independent consultant.The Leap into Consulting (00:20:00) - How Kyle transitioned from a corporate job to starting her own consultancy.Finding Work as a Consultant (00:23:00) - The importance of networking, building connections, and establishing credibility through speaking and writing.Challenges and Rewards (00:28:00) - The best and worst parts of consulting, according to Kyle.Advice for Aspiring Consultants (00:30:00) - What it takes to be a successful UX consultant, including mastering your craft, being self-motivated, and building a strong network.Specialization in UX (00:34:00) - Kyle discusses whether to specialize in a particular area of UX and shares her experience as a qualitative UX researcher.Bloopers and Wrap-Up (00:38:00) - Enjoy some funny bloopers with Kyle and her kids. Kyle wraps up the episode and teases the next episode featuring a guest interview with Karen McGrane.Links and Resources:Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn.Learn more about Kyle's UX Research consultancy, Usable Interface.Recommended podcast: The Deliberate Freelancer.Submit a question or story: Have a question or topic that you'd like us to cover in a future episode and/or want to share an anonymous consulting story? Submit your questions and stories. Don't want to miss an episode? Be sure to sign up for the podcast newsletter.Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. I can’t wait to have you back in the lounge for our next episode!

Links and Resources:Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn.Learn more about Kyle's UX Research consultancy, Usable Interface.Submit a question or story: Have a question or topic that you'd like us to cover in a future episode and/or want to share an anonymous consulting story? Submit your questions and stories. Don't want to miss an episode? Be sure to sign up for the podcast newsletter.Thanks for tuning in! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast platform. I can’t wait to have you back in the lounge for our next episode!