Jessica Weickert - The power of inscapism when crafting experiences

Jessica Weickert joins The Experience Designers to explore how emotional regulation, neuroscience, and story-living are reshaping the future of experiential design. Drawing from her personal journey with ADHD and her role at XDA, Jessica shares how neuroaesthetics is helping brands design immersive, purposeful experiences that support well-being and create real emotional impact. From luxury as presence to collective rituals, we unpack trends transforming events, retail, and hospitality. It’s a deep dive into how experiences can help people feel, connect, and heal—moving from escapism to what Jessica calls “inscapism.” Episode Chapters00:00 – Beginnings & Backstory06:15 – Designing for Emotion & Well-being14:30 – The Shift in Experiential Marketing26:50 – Rethinking Creative Strategy34:20 – Story-Living & Brand Immersion46:45 – Designing Against Loneliness58:15 – Life, Leadership & Saying Yes#ExperientialMarketing #Neuroaesthetics #EmotionalDesign #TheExperienceDesigners #ExperienceDesignBio and Links:Jessica Weickert is a creative strategy powerhouse whose expertise thrives at the intersection of science and creativity. She is driven by an unshakeable belief that transformative experiences hold the power to solve our world’s most complex challenges. As Vice President of Creative Strategy at XD Agency, an award-winning creative agency, Jessica leads a team of creative scientists — committed to applying neuroaesthetics to craft powerful moments that improve wellbeing and ultimately amplify human potential.In 2024, Jessica was recognized as Women We Admire's Top 50 Women Leaders as a testament for her nearly two decades of work on clients such as LEGO, Poosh, and Lowe’s. She also earned a coveted seat on the World Experience Council (WXO), a global institution of leading experience visionaries dedicated to improving the quality of experiences. But above all her professional accolades, Jessica’s proudest role is the one she holds at home: being a mom.A little more about XD Agency:XD Agency (XDA) is an award-winning creative agency, bred from production chops, creating badass experiences for brands who want to redefine industries and rewrite the rules. For 25 years, they've been delivering groundbreaking ideas and unforgettable moments, earning the title of Ad Age Experiential Agency of the Year 2024. XDA proudly plays across B2B and B2C worlds with clients like LEGO, HBO, Cisco, Lowe’s, Adult Swim, and more. With hubs in New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Portland, and Los Angeles, their teams are strategically positioned across the US and beyond dedicated to creating better — experiences, stories, relationships, worlds — everydamnday.Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaweickert/https://www.xdagency.com/  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★