Growthmates: Create and Grow Meaningful Products & Careers

In this episode, Kate Syuma dives into a conversation with Jennifer Phan, CEO and Co-Founder at Passionfroot, and former Venture Capital investor, to explore the unconventional path from corporate career to creator to tech founder. Jen shares how her immigrant family's entrepreneurial journey shaped her perspective, how her background in venture capital influences her fundraising and team-building approach, and why intentional growth and AI-powered efficiency are the keys to sustainable success in today's volatile tech landscape.Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.—Want to become a post sponsor and share your product story or a new job opening with 5,600+ subscribers from companies like Amplitude, Intercom, Miro, Atlassian, Grammarly, Framer, and more?I’m opening up the calendar and planning new sponsorships for 2025 — grab your slot here: https://calendly.com/kate-syuma/growthmates-intro?month=2025-04—Exciting news! I’ve launched a new cohort of my 3-week growth course, and there’s still time to join! Dive into proven strategies, behavioral science insights, and real-world examples to build your growth roadmap with hands-on feedback from me. Use promo code "growthmates" for $100 off: https://maven.com/growthmates/user-centric-product-led-growth?promoCode=growthmates—Welcome to Growthmates with Kate Syuma — Growth Advisor, ex-Miro. This season, “In the Company of Women,” is about celebrating women who successfully balance work, family, and creative passions while building meaningful careers.Growthmates is where top product and growth leaders share real strategies and insights to help you turn ideas into successful products. Learn from experts at Dropbox, Adobe, Amplitude, Canva, and more in deep dive interviews with Kate Syuma, ex-Miro Head of Growth Design and founder of Growthmates.Jennifer took an unconventional path, transitioning from venture capital investor to co-founder of Passionfroot — a platform empowering creators to monetize and brands to discover talent. Her journey was shaped by pandemic reflection, from newsletter creator to identifying a critical gap in the creator economy. Instead of following traditional playbooks, they built a lean, intentional company centered on creator needs, data-driven decisions, and sustainable growth.They also share insights on building a two-sided marketplace, leveraging VC experience for fundraising, and maintaining founder wellbeing through structured routines.Tune in to hear Jen's perspective on immigrant entrepreneurship, the power of intentional choices over sacrifices, and why small, effective teams outperform bloated startups.🔗 Find more insights on growthmates.club and follow on your favorite platforms for more episodes.—Key highlights from this episode 👇* Entrepreneurship as Necessity vs. Self-Actualization: Jen contrasts her parents’ survival-driven entrepreneurship with her own path, driven by passion — revealing what fuels different types of founders.* "You don't need to call it sacrifice": Jen reframes founder struggles as conscious choices, not sacrifices — a mindset that helps preserve agency and resilience.* Counterintuitive Growth Strategy: Instead of overhiring, Jen’s team focused on lean, intentional growth — avoiding common pitfalls of the 2020–2022 startup wave.* From Creator to Founder: Starting with a newsletter, Jen built a platform by focusing on creators first — a user-led approach to marketplace success.* Founder Morning — 3 rituals: Jen starts her day with mindfulness, movement, and mindset — a daily ritual that brings clarity before the work begins.—Follow Growthmates updates on:* Growthmates website with “The Holistic Growth Playbook”: https://growthmates.club* Substack Newsletter (for instant inbox delivery): https://www.growthmates.news/* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthmates-podcast/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmates/* X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kate_syumaWhere to find Kate Syuma:* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-syuma/* Newsletter: https://www.growthmates.news/Where to find Jennifer Phan:* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferphn/* X (Twitter): https://x.com/jenpphan* Passionfroot: https://www.passionfroot.io—What we covered:(00:00) Introduction (03:40) Jen's entrepreneurial family background (07:15) From necessity to self-actualization: different paths to entrepreneurship (09:55) Starting a Substack newsletter during the pandemic (15:28) The creator economy's monetization challenges (20:05) Building Passionfroot: from idea to product (24:50) Advice for founders: "This too shall pass" (26:57) Passionfroot's evolution into a two-sided platform (35:35) Intentional growth: why small teams can create big impact (40:52) Work-life integration as a founder (43:08) Morning routines for founder wellbeing—📕 Useful Resources and other related Podcasts:* Passionfroot: https://www.passionfroot.me/* Creators on Air by Passionfroot: https://www.youtube.com/@passionfrootxyz* The Evolution of B2B Content Marketing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFXE7cX4xpU&ab_channel=Intercom* Building Software to Create more Brand Deals, with Jen Phan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMbwSQgewH0&ab_channel=RobBalasabas—Thank you for listening! Subscribe to the show on growthmates.club and get the free playbook with frameworks and insights.If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you 💜For sponsorship and other inquiries, reach out to hello@growthmates.clubLet’s keep growing together!Growthmates with Kate Syuma is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Growthmates with Kate Syuma at www.growthmates.news/subscribe

Lexie Barnhorn, former Head of Social and Influencer Marketing at Notion, shares her journey from Ohio to Silicon Valley. She reveals how she launched viral campaigns like "Notion Faces" and infused pop culture into B2B marketing. Lexie discusses practical influencer marketing tips for startups and addresses the importance of mental health in high-stress roles, including her innovative use of AI for emotional support. She also explores future trends in the creator economy, emphasizing the need for authenticity in influencer collaborations.

In this episode, Kate Syuma dives into a conversation with Mallory Contois, Head of Community & Mercury Raise at Mercury, and founder of The Old Girls Club, to explore her journey from Pinterest to building a thriving community. Mallory shares how overcoming cancer shaped her perspective, how her psychology background influences product and community growth, and why empathy is the key to creating meaningful connections in tech.Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.—This episode is brought to you by Amplitude — сheck new Guides and Surveys to deliver helpful, well-timed messages: https://amplitude.com/guides-and-surveys—One more special update for you 🎓 Level up your growth with a 3-week cohort-based course with proven strategies, behavioral science insights, and real-world examples. Use promo code "growthmates" for $100 off and create a growth roadmap with feedback from Kate: https://maven.com/growthmates/user-centric-product-led-growth?promoCode=growthmates—Welcome to Growthmates with Kate Syuma — Growth Advisor, ex-Miro. This season, “In the Company of Women,” is about celebrating women who successfully balance work, family, and creative passions while building meaningful careers.Growthmates is where top product and growth leaders share real strategies and insights to help you turn ideas into successful products. Learn from experts at Dropbox, Adobe, Amplitude, Canva, and more in deep dive interviews with Kate Syuma, ex-Miro Head of Growth Design and founder of Growthmates.Mallory took an unconventional path, transitioning from a career in tech to founding Old Girls Club — a community-driven space for women in the industry. Her journey was shaped by resilience, from overcoming cancer to navigating diverse roles at major companies like Pinterest. Instead of following traditional playbooks, she built a movement centered on authenticity, connection, and the power of psychology in product and community growth.She also shares insights on fostering engaged communities, redefining success beyond corporate ladders, and using empathy as a tool for innovation.Tune in to hear Mallory’s perspective on building with purpose, leading with heart, and creating impact through community.🔗 Find more insights on growthmates.club and follow on your favorite platforms for more episodes.—Key highlights from this episode 👇* Turning trauma into a movement: "If you died tomorrow, what would people say?" Mallory revealed how surviving cancer at 25 shaped her legacy-first approach to work: rejecting stability, embracing fast failures, and prioritizing urgent impact over traditional career paths.* The "funeral test" framework: Mallory shared how a moment of career panic— feeling overwhelmed after raising $25M — led her to a raw LinkedIn post. This vulnerability sparked an organic movement, growing into the 2,100-strong Old Girls Club for women in male-dominated industries.* Why communities fail when brands act like corporations: Mallory challenges brands to treat digital interactions like real-life conversations: "Would you say this to someone at a coffee shop?" Her rule? Avoid “salesy” tactics — build trust through human-centric design, not referral bribes or forced funnels.* Redefining "job hopping" as intentional sprints: From Pinterest’s early days to gaming startups, Mallory reframes rapid career shifts as strategic impact sprints. Her focus? Loyalty to people and missions, not logos—a blueprint for thriving in today’s fluid tech landscape.* Launching terrified? Do this first: Mallory’s counterintuitive tactic for validating communities: Charge $10/month immediately. This filters casual joiners, surfaces true believers, and lets the community co-build its value — even before you feel ready to lead it.—Follow Growthmates updates on:* Growthmates website with “The Holistic Growth Playbook”: https://growthmates.club* Substack Newsletter (for instant inbox delivery): https://www.growthmates.news/* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthmates-podcast/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmates/* X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kate_syumaWhere to find Kate Syuma:* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-syuma/* Newsletter: https://www.growthmates.news/Where to find Mallory Contois:* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallorycontois/* Personal page: https://www.mallorycontois.com/* X (Twitter): https://x.com/mallorycontois—What we covered:(00:00) Introduction (08:15) From Psychology to Tech (16:40) Pinterest Years (25:30) The Cancer Journey (34:15) Birth of Old Girls Club (43:20) Building Community (52:10) Psychology in Product Design—📕 Useful Resources and other related Podcasts:* The Old Girls Club: https://www.jointheogc.com/* Mallory’s course “Community-led Growth”: https://bit.ly/4gZUjwy* Kate’s course: “User-centric Product-led Growth” with 100$ discount: https://maven.com/growthmates/user-centric-product-led-growth?promoCode=growthmates* “The Holistic Growth Playbook”: https://growthmates.club—Thank you for listening! Subscribe to the show on growthmates.club and get the free playbook with frameworks and insights.If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Your support helps us reach more listeners like you 💜For sponsorship and other inquiries, reach out to hello@growthmates.clubLet’s keep growing together!Growthmates with Kate Syuma is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Growthmates with Kate Syuma at www.growthmates.news/subscribe

Marie Martens, co-founder of Tally, a popular form and survey platform, shares her inspiring journey of bootstrapping the business to $2M ARR with her life partner, Filip. The discussion covers the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic and their pivot from a failed travel startup to Tally’s success. Marie emphasizes balancing entrepreneurship with family life, effective marketing strategies, and fostering community engagement without chasing VC funding. Her insights are a mix of practical advice and personal experiences, making for an engaging conversation.

Elena Verna, a seasoned growth leader with a rich background at companies like SurveyMonkey and Dropbox, shares her insights on navigating career transitions and the journey from corporate life to solopreneurship. She emphasizes the importance of identifying one's 'superpower zone' and setting boundaries for sustainable success. The conversation dives into strategies for businesses transitioning from product-led growth to sales, alongside personal anecdotes about prioritizing tasks and finding joy in work, even amidst challenges.

Welcome to Growthmates with Kate Syuma — Growth advisor, previously Head of Growth Design at Miro. I’m building Growthmates as a place to connect with inspiring leaders to help you grow yourself and your product. Here you can learn how companies like Dropbox, Adobe, Canva, Loom, and many more are building excellent products and growth culture. Get all episodes and a free playbook for Growth teams on our brand-new website — growthmates.club, and press follow to support us on your favorite platforms.Listen now and subscribe on your favorite platforms — Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube (new!).In this episode: We’re wrapping up this incredible season with a special twist! For the first time, host Kate Syuma switches roles and becomes the guest. Kate is interviewed by her friend and former colleague, Lana Kul, in an honest and vulnerable conversation about her first year as a solopreneur.—Brought to you by Command.ai — a user-focused platform offering an alternative to traditional popups or chatbots. Their AI “Copilot” answers questions, performs actions, and simplifies complex tasks. Use “Nudges” to guide users with timely, relevant messages, all within a no-code platform. Perfect for Product, Support, and Marketing teams to positively influence user behavior while respecting their needs:—Key highlights from this episode 👇Reflections on a Transformational Year:* Recognizing the importance of building social capital and meaningful connections.* Taking time for reflection by blocking off two weeks to recharge and reassess priorities.* Acknowledging gratitude for support amidst challenges and moments of rejection.* ⭐️ “End of Year” Reflection framework: https://growthmates.notion.site/End-of-Year-Reflection-framework-15fadc80326980178cbff3754b6932b1?pvs=4This reflection framework includes five elements: Results, Gratefulness, Goodbyes (limiting beliefs), Dreams, and Priorities. Use it to structure your reflections and create a meaningful plan for the year ahead.—👉 Plan your 2025 with us — Join with 150$ discount before 31 Dec 🎁How do you decide where to grow? IC vs. Manager, in-house or solo? For 6+ years, we have supported career growth and hired 10+ people at Miro, helped with coaching and mentorship people from Loom, Intercom, Mentimeter, and more. Now, we want to share these practices with everyone who are on a cross-way in planning the next career step. For that, we created a special 1-week Design Career Accelerator (promo “endofyear”, valid by 31 December): https://maven.com/lena-kul-kate-syuma/product-design-career-accelerator?promoCode=endofyear —Embracing Creativity and Personal Growth:* Creativity stems from making space, allowing boredom, and trusting intuition.* Identifying limiting beliefs through self-reflection and aligning personal interests with professional goals.* Recognizing the importance of courage, consistency, and commitment in personal and professional endeavors.Navigating Professional Aspirations:* Combining growth advising and user experience to align with authentic goals.* Revisiting and redefining dreams regularly while accepting the evolution of aspirations.* Creating a structured approach to prioritize focus, recovery, and sustained creativity.Building Community and Expanding Horizons:* Building meaningful connections through community-driven initiatives.* Enhancing cultural understanding through conscious traveling experiences.* Leveraging platforms like podcasts to create unexpected opportunities and broader impact.Balancing Professional and Personal Priorities:* Prioritizing personal growth alongside professional aspirations for a well-rounded life.* Emphasizing recovery and self-care to sustain long-term productivity and creativity.—⭐️ Some exciting plans for Growthmates’ next season:“In the Company of Women,” premiering in January 2024. This season will spotlight amazing women leaders, like Elena Verna, Marie Martens, Jennifer Phan and explore their journeys in building groundbreaking products and organizations.—Follow Growthmates updates on:* Growthmates website with “The Holistic Growth Playbook”: https://growthmates.club* Substack Newsletter (for instant inbox delivery):https://www.growthmates.news/p/what-4-years-of-advising-35-companies* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthmates-podcast/* X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kate_syuma* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmates_/Where to find Kate Syuma, Growth Advisor (ex-Miro):* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-syuma/* Growthmates website: https://growthmates.club/* Newsletter: https://www.growthmates.news/Where to find — Lena Kul:* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lena-kul/—What we covered:[00:00] Introduction & Reflection on GrowthMates[03:02] One Year as a Solopreneur[06:12] Building Social Capital & Unlocking Creativity[09:49] Planning for the Future[13:11] Support Systems and Gratitude[15:06] Lessons Learned from Challenges[18:06] Embracing Courage and Consistency[21:14] Turning Negatives into Positives[34:04] Dreams and Aspirations: A Year in Reflection[38:55] The Impact of GrowthMates: Stories of Connection[45:04] Overcoming Limiting Beliefs and Embracing Change[54:01] Prioritizing Personal and Professional Growth [01:03:38] Exciting Announcements and Future Directions—📕 Useful Resources:* ⭐️ “End of Year” Reflection framework: https://growthmates.notion.site/End-of-Year-Reflection-framework-15fadc80326980178cbff3754b6932b1?pvs=4This reflection framework includes five elements: Results, Gratefulness, Goodbyes (limiting beliefs), Dreams, and Priorities. Use it to structure your reflections and create a meaningful plan for the year ahead.* Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés – A powerful guide on reconnecting with intuition and creativity. https://www.amazon.com/Women-Who-Run-Wolves-Archetype/dp/0345409876 * In the Company of Women by Grace Bonney – A collection of stories from 100 inspiring creative women. https://www.amazon.com/Company-Women-Inspiration-Artists-Entrepreneurs/dp/1579655971* Slow Productivity by Cal Newport – Insights on balancing work and intentional living. https://www.amazon.com/Slow-Productivity-Accomplishment-Without-Burnout/dp/0593544854* The Art of Accomplishment Podcast – A favorite for personal development and building a supportive system. https://www.artofaccomplishment.com/podcast—💫 Before the new season — check our featured 2024 episodes:* The Role of Design in PLG: Embracing Quality and Non-Linear Paths with David Hoang (ex-Webflow, VP at Replit): https://www.growthmates.news/p/the-role-of-design-in-plg-embracing* Top 1% Talent Tactics: Navigating Startup & Scale-up Hiring | Tom Scott, Founder at Verified: https://www.growthmates.news/p/top-1-talent-tactics-navigating-startup* How to Get Your Dream Job and Stand Out in the Crowd | Lena Kul (ex-Miro): https://www.growthmates.news/p/how-to-get-your-dream-job-and-stand* Unpacking a New Growth Playbook with Andrew Capland (Growth Coach, ex-Wisia): https://www.growthmates.news/p/unpacking-a-new-growth-playbook-with* Making Decisions with User Research from Startup to Scale-up | Behzod Sirjani (Advisor & Partner at Reforge, ex-Slack): https://www.growthmates.news/p/making-decisions-with-user-research—Thank you for listening! Subscribe to the show on growthmates.club and get the free playbook with frameworks and insights. If you find this valuable, please share it with your friends and colleagues, and subscribe to this show on your favorite platforms to get new episodes. Let’s keep growing together, and see you back in 2025!For sponsorship and other inquiries, reach out to hello@growthmates.clubThanks for reading Kate's Syuma Newsletter & Growthmates! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Growthmates with Kate Syuma at www.growthmates.news/subscribe

Welcome to Growthmates with Kate Syuma — Growth advisor, previously Head of Growth Design at Miro. I’m building Growthmates as a place to connect with inspiring leaders to help you grow yourself and your product. Here you can learn how companies like Dropbox, Adobe, Canva, Loom, and many more are building excellent products and growth culture. Get all episodes and a free playbook for Growth teams on our brand-new website — growthmates.club, and press follow to support us on your favorite platforms.Listen now and subscribe on your favorite platforms — Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube (new!).In this episode, Kate speaks with Chetana Deorah , a seasoned design leader who shares her journey across renowned companies like Yahoo!, Netflix, and Coursera, along with her transition to building a community-driven vegan pizza initiative. Chetana opens up about navigating the intersection of creativity, leadership, and self-reflection while balancing corporate and personal passions.—Brought to you by Command.ai — a user-focused platform offering an alternative to traditional popups or chatbots. Their AI “Copilot” answers questions, performs actions, and simplifies complex tasks. Use “Nudges” to guide users with timely, relevant messages, all within a no-code platform. Perfect for Product, Support, and Marketing teams to positively influence user behavior while respecting their needs:—Key highlights from this episode 👇* From Binge Watching to Binge Learning: Chetana reflects on her career’s evolution—from binge-watching at Netflix to binge-learning at Coursera—and how aligning with personal values reshaped her path.* Belonging vs. Fitting In: Drawing from @Brené Brown’s work, Chetana shares insights into workplace culture and how recognizing the difference between belonging and fitting in shaped her professional growth.* Balancing Creativity with Corporate Leadership: Creative professionals often feel stifled in structured environments. Chetana provides strategies to thrive without losing your creative spark.* The Power of Mentorship and Self-Reflection: Chetana emphasizes the importance of mentorship and learning to ask yourself the right questions to unlock growth opportunities.* From Corporate to Community: Discover how Chetana co-founded Pizza Valley, a vegan and sustainable initiative that fosters community and connection.—⭐️ Special announcement — Join the Design Career Accelerator, coming in January ❄️ How do you decide where to grow? IC vs. Manager, in-house or solo? For years, I’ve collected frameworks that helped me and my coaching clients from Loom, Intercom, and more. This year I want to share these practices with everyone who are on a cross-way in planning the next career step. To help you dedicate time for that at the end of the year, we created a special 1-week Design Career Accelerator — learn more about the program and grab your slot in December with 120$ discount: https://maven.com/lena-kul-kate-syuma/product-design-career-accelerator?promoCode=growthmates—Follow Growthmates updates on:* Growthmates website with “The Holistic Growth Playbook”: https://growthmates.club* Substack Newsletter (for instant inbox delivery): https://www.growthmates.news/p/what-4-years-of-advising-35-companies* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthmates-podcast/* X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kate_syuma* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmates_/Where to find Kate Syuma, Growth Advisor (ex-Miro):* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-syuma/* Newsletter: katesyuma.substack.comWhere to find our guest* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chetanadeorah/—What we covered:[00:00] Introduction[03:42] Career journey[07:41] Pizza business[12:19] Work culture[15:15] Fitting in[29:26] Mentorship[35:08] Recharge & reflect[37:58] Yoga asana[42:05] Lifestyle[48:52] Favorite app[52:22] Chetana suggestion[53:49] Outro—📕 Useful Resources and other related Podcasts:The Culture Map by Erin Meyer – A guide to navigating cultural differences in global business.The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin – Insights into nurturing creativity and finding inspiration in life.Dare to Lead– Brené Brown’s podcast exploring leadership, values, and human connection.—Thank you for listening! Subscribe to the show on growthmates.club and get the free playbook with frameworks and insights. If you find this valuable, please share it with your friends and colleagues, and subscribe to this show on your favorite platforms to get new episodes. Let’s keep growing together!For sponsorship and other inquiries reach out to hello@growthmates.clubThanks for reading Kate's Syuma Newsletter & Growthmates ! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Growthmates with Kate Syuma at www.growthmates.news/subscribe

Benjamin Humphrey, Co-founder and CEO of Dovetail, transitions from a designer at Atlassian to an entrepreneur tackling UX and research challenges. He shares insights on the emotional dynamics of teamwork in business and the evolution of Dovetail into a powerhouse for over 3,700 organizations. The conversation explores the importance of user experience, the balance of product-led growth strategies, and how design skills play a crucial role in leadership and startup success. Additionally, Benjamin reflects on the value of mentorship and personal well-being in the entrepreneurial journey.

Yuriy Timen, a former growth leader at Grammarly who helped scale the company to impressive revenues, shares his journey into the advisory world. He discusses the emotional shift from corporate life to advisory roles, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and personal growth. The conversation touches on enhancing user experiences, the challenges of redefining professional identities, and the rewarding aspects of teamwork. Yuriy also reflects on the deeper engagement found in advisory roles versus founding ventures, providing valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Welcome to Growthmates with Kate Syuma — Growth advisor, previously Head of Growth Design at Miro. I’m building Growthmates as a place to connect with inspiring leaders to help you grow yourself and your product. Here you can learn how companies like Dropbox, Adobe, Canva, Loom, and many more are building excellent products and growth culture. Get all episodes and a free playbook for Growth teams on our brand-new website — growthmates.club, and press follow to support us on your favorite platforms.Listen now and subscribe on your favorite platforms — Apple, Spotify, or watch on YouTube (new!).In this episode, we chat with Emily Campbell, VP of Design at HackerRank. Emily shares her fascinating journey, from starting in economics to leading design at HackerRank, where she focuses on creating design systems that integrate AI while maintaining a human-centered approach. She is also the founder of Women in AI and The Shape of AI, where she explores how AI is reshaping design, creativity, and human interaction. In this conversation, Emily dives deep into how AI can augment human potential, the ethical implications of AI in social media, and why maintaining a human-centered approach is critical as AI evolves.—Brought to you by Command.ai — a user-focused platform offering an alternative to traditional popups or chatbots. Their AI “Copilot” answers questions, performs actions, and simplifies complex tasks. Use “Nudges” to guide users with timely, relevant messages, all within a no-code platform. Perfect for Product, Support, and Marketing teams to positively influence user behavior while respecting their needs:—Key highlights from this episode 👇* AI can be your design co-pilot, not your replacement: While AI is becoming more integrated into design workflows, it shouldn’t replace human creativity. Emily emphasizes that AI works best when it augments human decision-making, allowing designers to focus on the more meaningful, creative aspects of their work. AI can automate the mundane, but the heart of design remains human.* Creativity thrives on curiosity: Emily’s journey highlights the power of relentless curiosity. Whether exploring the history of cybernetics or diving into AI’s role in product design, she underscores that staying curious is essential for innovation. Cultivating curiosity helps you see problems differently, driving fresh solutions and creative breakthroughs.* The ethics of AI are urgent, not optional: As AI technology evolves, its societal impact grows. Emily stresses that designers and developers have a responsibility to ensure that AI is used ethically. This includes transparency around algorithmic decisions and addressing the biases that can emerge in AI-driven systems. Regulation is critical to ensure AI benefits society rather than exacerbating existing problems.* AI adoption takes time—but that’s okay: Many companies, including HackerRank, are integrating AI tools, but widespread adoption takes time. Users often need guidance and clear use cases to embrace AI features. Emily discusses the importance of building trust with users by showing how AI can improve their workflows without feeling intrusive or overwhelming.* Design systems must evolve to accommodate AI: As AI becomes more embedded in products, design systems need to adapt. Emily explains that traditional patterns of interaction may break down in AI-powered experiences, requiring designers to rethink how users engage with digital products. The key is designing flexible systems that evolve with new technologies while keeping the user’s experience intuitive.* Fostering diverse collaboration sparks innovation: Cross-disciplinary collaboration is critical in today’s fast-evolving tech landscape. Emily emphasizes how diverse teams—comprising engineers, designers, and AI experts—can generate more innovative and inclusive solutions. Diversity in thought and expertise leads to better products and stronger teams.—Follow Growthmates updates on:* NEW! Growthmates website with “The Holistic Growth Playbook”: https://growthmates.club * Substack Newsletter (for instant inbox delivery): https://katesyuma.substack.com/podcast* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growthmates-podcast/* X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/kate_syuma* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/growthmates_/Where to find Kate Syuma, Growth Advisor (ex-Miro):* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ekaterina-syuma/* Newsletter: katesyuma.substack.comWhere to find our guest — Emily Campbell (VP of Design):* LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/emily-campbell* Website: emilycampbell.co* Substack: https://shapeofai.substack.com* Women in AI: https://womeninai.xyz* Shape of AI: https://www.shapeof.ai/—What we’ve covered in this episode:[00:00] Cybernetics and AI history[00:28] The importance of AI regulation[02:19] Emily's career journey and inspirations[02:19] Transitioning from Coffee Startup to Tech[06:09] Improvisation and AI-driven design[13:00] The ethical deployment of AI in social spaces[19:54] How AI can unlock creativity and reduce friction[36:33] AI, human patterns, and society—📕Useful Resources from this episode:* Cybernetics: Second Edition by Norbert Wienerhttps://www.amazon.com/Cybernetics-Second-Control-Communication-Machine/dp/026273009X* The Shape of AI: Navigating the Future of Design in Tech by Emily Campbellhttps://www.shapeof.ai* AI Superpowers by Kai-Fu Leehttps://www.amazon.com/AI-Superpowers-China-Silicon-Valley/dp/132854639X* The Fourth Industrial Revolution by Klaus Schwabhttps://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Industrial-Revolution-Klaus-Schwab/dp/1524758868—Thank you for listening! Subscribe to the show on growthmates.club and get the free playbook with frameworks and insights. If you find this valuable, please share it with your friends and colleagues, and subscribe to this show on your favorite platforms to get new episodes. Let’s keep growing together!For sponsorship and other inquiries reach out to hello@growthmates.clubThanks for reading Kate's Syuma Newsletter & Growthmates! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. Get full access to Growthmates with Kate Syuma at www.growthmates.news/subscribe