UX Fika Podcast

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Luciano Lykkebo, entrepreneur and event creator behind Future Product Days and a growing number of conferences across Europe.We talk about Luciano’s journey from studying linguistics and starting a translation company in his early twenties to, 18 years later, asking himself what he would build if he had to start all over again. The answer was conferences, despite never having organised one before.Luciano shares what he’s learnt about creating events people actually want to attend, why he starts with how he wants people to feel when they leave and works backwards from there, and why conferences are less about learning and more about inspiration, new perspectives, and bringing people together.We also dive into AI, MCPs, and how the roles of designers and developers are moving closer together. Luciano shares why he believes we’ll increasingly build products for agents as well as people, why the future is in your data, and how he uses AI not just to generate things, but to uncover patterns and help him make better decisions.Along the way we talk about the reality of building businesses, sleepless nights, relying on his wife financially in the early days, and why founders need to expect setbacks and learn to worry less. Plus why Luciano now spends a surprising amount of his working day simply thinking, and why doing something you genuinely love can be one of your biggest competitive advantages.It’s a conversation about building, taking risks, thinking ahead, and creating the things you wish existed.Plus:☕️ Why an espresso is his go to fika, because he wants the essence and he wants it fast⭐ Why you should expect the setbacks and remember to enjoy life along the wayWhat we cover:00:00 Introduction and Background02:49 Transition to Event Organizing05:38 Learning from Mistakes in Conference Planning08:36 The Impact of AI on Conferences11:42 The Future of In-Person Events14:46 Collaboration Across Disciplines17:26 The Shift Towards Intelligent Agents20:27 The Evolution of Content Creation23:29 Personal Journey and Business Growth26:39 The Value of Investing in Talent27:45 Overcoming Doubts in Entrepreneurship30:09 Learning to Worry Less32:09 The Sacrifices of Startup Life33:54 Seeking Investment and Support36:01 The Role of AI in Business39:17 Leveraging AI for Decision Making42:13 Data-Driven Insights and AI45:00 The Intersection of Linguistics and AI49:43 Balancing Work and Life52:55 Life in Denmark: A Journey of Adaptation56:27 The Feeling of Home: Navigating Multiple Cultures57:41 The Future of Europe: Unity and Digital Independence01:00:32 Fostering Startups: The Path to European Innovation01:03:55 Lessons from Entrepreneurship: Embracing Setbacks01:06:22 Passion and Success: The Key Ingredients01:09:46 The Role of AI in Entrepreneurship01:10:50 Favorite Cafes: A Personal TouchWhere to find Luciano:LinkedInFuture Product DaysWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anna on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The UX Fika Digest newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Indi Young, solution strategist, author, teacher, and creator of a method that lets teams clarify, measure, and grow their solutions and audience based on thinking styles.Indi has spent decades helping teams move beyond behaviours, opinions, demographics, and assumptions to better understand what is actually going through people's minds. In our conversation, she shares why listening remains one of the most important skills we have, and why understanding people's intentions, emotional reactions, and decision-making can reveal opportunities that organisations often leave on the table.We talk about her journey from software engineer and co-founder of Adaptive Path to developing approaches that help teams understand how people think, rather than simply what they do. Indi explains why designing for an "average user" has always been limiting, why personas often miss what matters most, and how thinking styles can help us better support different approaches, needs, and goals.We also dive into AI and what it means for discovery work. While many organisations are focused on speed and efficiency, Indi argues that the real opportunity is to use the time AI creates to better understand people, uncover overlooked relationships, and build things that genuinely matter. We explore why listening still matters, why strategy cannot simply be outsourced to AI, and why the organisations that thrive may be the ones that stop chasing competitors and start forging their own path.Along the way we talk about Adaptive Path, self-publishing books, building communities, and why so many of the most interesting ideas emerge from small groups of people working together. It's a conversation about listening, cognition, relationships, and the importance of understanding before deciding what to build.Plus:☕️ Why spending time with her cat is her favourite fika⭐ Why you should always travel with chocolate and almondsWhat we cover:02:15 Introduction and Background05:19 Understanding Different Perspectives in Design08:09 The Evolution of Indi's Work and Methodology11:17 The Importance of Purpose and Intention14:03 Designing for Diverse Thinking Styles17:04 The Role of AI in Modern Design19:56 Building Relationships Through Design23:03 The Need for Slowing Down in Design25:42 Leveraging Existing Data for Better Insights28:44 Future Directions in Design and Research35:46 Understanding Decision-Making Layers40:00 The Importance of Listening52:08 Building Relationships in Organizations55:48 The Birth of Adaptive Path01:02:51 Navigating the Future of Research01:05:57 Creativity and Connectivity in Storytelling01:10:50 The Future of Work and Self-Publishing01:15:40 Collaboration and Community Building01:20:43 Understanding Thinking Styles and Decision Making01:24:30 Optimism and Grounding Work for a Better FutureWhere you'll find Indi:LinkedInThe all-new Thinking Styles course with a Practice Group starting in AugustThe prerequisite Listening Deeply course or book Time to ListenThe Practice Groups that I host a few times a yearPrivate Practice Groups that I do for teamsFun tidbits:The I SPY illustration, and Method explanationsOutcomes, with case studies and videos beneath each subsectionThe Dog mental model SkylineWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anna on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The UX Fika Digest newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Here's a taster of what UX Fika offer:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Storyboarding Presentations For Presentations, Workshops & Deliverables Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - updated course launches 17 June⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Storytelling For Effective Meetings & Presentations Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - new cohort starts 14 September

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Joe Macleod, founder of andEnd and pioneer of Endineering — a practice focused on designing how products, services, and relationships end.Joe has spent more than three decades working across digital, physical, and service design, including leading design at ustwo. Today, his work centres on something most organisations tend to avoid: what happens at the end. When a customer leaves. When a product is no longer used. Or when a service is no longer needed.We talk about why endings are often overlooked in design, and what it means when businesses focus almost entirely on acquisition, engagement, and retention, but not on letting go. Joe shares how poorly designed endings can create frustration, waste, and broken relationships, and why more thoughtful off-boarding can actually build trust, loyalty, and long-term value.We also dive into sustainability, consumption, and responsibility, and how designing better endings is not just a user experience challenge, but a business and societal one. Joe explains how Endineering helps organisations think beyond the moment of use, and consider the full lifecycle of what they create.Along the way we talk about behaviour, habits, and why people often hold on to things longer than they should. We also touch on Joe’s journey from leading large design teams to focusing on a niche that didn’t exist before, and what it takes to build a new category around something most people haven’t yet named.I absolutely loved this conversations and it’s intersection with storytelling, and why how things end matters just as much as how they begin.Plus:☕️ Why coffee and a chocolate ball is his go to fika⭐ Why get out of your head and that everything ends is worth rememberingWhat we cover:02:22 The Importance of Endings08:26 Exploring Consumer Experiences and Off-Boarding15:12 The EuroStack16:57 The Role of Death in Design and Society20:01 Justice and Measurement in Consumer Impact25:56 Innovations in Endings and Off-Boarding Experiences31:55 The Emotional Weight of Endings35:25 The Importance of Endings in Storytelling38:09 Consumer Lifecycle and Brand Experience41:18 Historical Perspectives on Consumption44:32 The Shift Towards Sustainable Consumption47:34 The Role of AI in Modern Relationships52:55 The Significance of Complete Stories57:01 The Future of AI and Its Implications01:05:02 The Role of AI in Human Connection01:06:35 Living in Sweden: A Personal Journey01:08:02 Digital Identity and Its Importance01:09:26 Self-Publishing: The Author's Journey01:13:22 Navigating Social Media and Marketing Challenges01:18:25 Future Perspectives: Hope and Concerns01:22:10 Life Lessons and Personal Reflections01:24:00 Building a Business: Skills and NetworkingWhere to find Joe & his work:Joe on LinkedInandEnd on LinkedInandEnd's websiteThe Endineering bookEnds bookEnds ebook - 25% off discount code: NCKEVEndineering ebook - 25% off discount code: NCKEVWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anna on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The UX Fika Digest newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Here's a taster of what UX Fika offer:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Storyboarding Presentations For Presentations, Workshops & Deliverables Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - updated course launches 17 June⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Storytelling For Effective Meetings & Presentations Course⁠⁠⁠⁠ - new cohort starts 14 September

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Vitaly Friedman, UX Lead, founder and editor-in-chief of Smashing Magazine, and curator of the SmashingConf conferences.Vitaly has spent more than two decades working with large organisations on complex digital systems, helping teams improve the user experience of intricate products while also figuring out how to actually measure the impact of design. In our conversation, he shares why he has always been drawn to complexity — the messy systems, the broken processes, and the difficult stakeholder situations where design often struggles to make progress.We talk about the evolution of UX over the past twenty years and why many teams still struggle to demonstrate the value of their work. Vitaly shares how measuring UX impact has become an increasingly important part of the role, and why designers need better ways to connect their decisions to real outcomes for users and organisations.We also dive into AI and what it means to design effective AI experiences. Vitaly explains why many current AI interfaces are still clumsy and confusing, and why designing for AI requires us to rethink how we handle uncertainty, feedback, and user expectations.Along the way we talk about Smashing Magazine and the community around it, how conferences create spaces for designers to learn from one another, and why writing, teaching, and sharing knowledge has always been central to his work. Plus what the world will be like in 2047, why he’s a fixer, what made him start singing in the shower again. It’s the kind of conversation I did not want to end.Plus:☕️ Why a flat white and blueberries are his go to fika⭐ Why do something today is his adviceWhat we cover:00:00 Introduction and Name Origins05:06 The Evolution of Smashing Magazine08:16 The Journey of Freelancing and Learning11:11 The Impact of AI on Writing and Content Creation14:10 The Importance of Authenticity in Writing17:12 Complexity in Design and UX20:13 Navigating Complex Projects23:08 The Role of Designers as Disruptors26:07 The Future of UX and Design in a Changing Landscape43:49 Why Designers Can Be Difficult46:42 Building Relationships in Design49:33 The Hero's Journey in Design50:52 Understanding Stakeholder Perspectives53:54 Measuring Success in Design Projects59:47 Navigating Complex Systems01:02:12 The Importance of Asking the Right Questions01:04:06 Embracing Complexity in Design01:07:39 The Role of Journey Maps01:09:11 The Future of AI in Design01:14:13 The Evolution of User Interfaces01:17:32 Reflections on the Future of Work01:20:33 What Excites Him About the Future01:21:34 Finding Joy in Problem Solving01:26:23 Lessons Learned from EntrepreneurshipWhere you’ll find Vitaly:LinkedInMeasure UXAI Design PatternsSmashingConfSmashing MagazineWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anna on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The UX Fika Digest newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠Here's a taster of what we offer:⁠⁠⁠⁠Storyboarding Presentations & Deliverables course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Storytelling For Effective Meetings & Presentations Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5 x One-on-one Coaching Sessions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Membership to our community the Fika Room⁠

Welcome to season 4 of the UX Fika podcast where I sit down with people who have built both the big and the small, for others and themselves.Our first guest is no other than Björn Jeffery, former CEO of kids-app studio Toca Boca, now a tech columnist and podcast host at Svenska Dagbladet, and an independent analyst working at the intersection of technology, finance, and society.We talk about the early days of Toca Boca and why they didn’t make games, they made digital toys. Björn explains the difference between the two and how that distinction shaped their product philosophy, from designing for open-ended play to deliberately avoiding artificial timers, pressure loops, and mechanics that demand children’s attention.We also cover changing perspectives: moving back to Sweden after years abroad, transitioning from being part of — and the CEO of — a fast-growing company to working independently, how parenthood changed his priorities, and about zooming out from building products to analysing the systems around them.Björn shares why he believes many parts of today’s tech economy resemble what he calls casino capitalism, a shift from steady, long-term thinking toward higher-risk, more speculative behaviour driven by crypto, prediction markets, and social media narratives. We talk about how risk has become normalised, how knowledge is sometimes devalued in favour of speed and virality, and how a new generation of power brokers – influencers and online personalities – now shape financial decisions and public opinion at a scale few fully grasp.We also dive into AI and social media, and why Björn sees authenticity and taste as counter-trends to algorithmic sameness.I really loved this conversation. It holds aspect of work but also the other bits around it, the bits that makes us human, and no matter were we’re from, connects us.Plus:☕️ Why a double cappuccino and a plain croissant is his go to fika⭐ Why do what only you can do applies more than everWhat we cover:00:00 Introduction to Björn Jeffery and Toca Boca03:32 The Early Days of Toca Boca08:09 Understanding Children's Digital Play11:25 Designing for Kids: The Toca Boca Philosophy14:29 The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health17:14 The Legal Responsibility of Social Media Companies24:28 The Future of Social Media and AI28:42 The Role of Taste and Authenticity in Content Creation32:53 The Importance of Knowledge in the Age of AI38:15 Augmented Bodies and Minds42:31 Navigating the Tech and Finance Intersection46:31 The Influence of Social Media on Financial Decisions48:48 The New Power Brokers in Society50:32 The Transition From Toca Boca to Advisory Work52:04 Moving Back to Sweden01:03:30 Final Thoughts and Advice01:05:22 Reflection on Career and Entrepreneurship01:08:47 Words to Live By and Favourite FikaWhere you’ll find Björn:LinkedInSubstackTwitterWebsiteWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anna on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The UX Fika Digest newsletter⁠⁠⁠Here's a taster of what we offer:⁠⁠⁠Storyboarding Presentations & Deliverables course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Storytelling For Effective Meetings & Presentations Course⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠5 x One-on-one Coaching Sessions⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Membership to our community the Fika Room⁠

Welcome to Season 4 of the UX Fika podcast: The Founders.This season is about the people behind the things we see. Some have built big, global companies. Others have built small, intentional businesses around the life they want to live. Some planned it. Some stumbled into it.What fascinates me are the stories behind the building — the risks, the trade-offs, the perspective shifts, and the lessons learned along the way.In a time when almost anyone can build almost anything, what does it really mean to create something that matters?We’ll talk about work, leadership, independence, and life. And yes, we’ll still ask about fika ☕️If you enjoy the show, follow, rate, and share it with someone who might benefit.Happy listening.Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anna on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on LinkedIn⁠⁠The UX Fika Digest newsletter⁠Here's a taster of what we offer:⁠Storyboarding Presentations & Deliverables course⁠⁠Storytelling For Effective Meetings & Presentations Course⁠⁠5 x One-on-one Coaching Sessions⁠⁠Membership to our community the Fika Room

Season 3 is a wrap and in this first bonus episode we share what's to come in, not the least in 2026, say thank you as well as how you can support us and the show. Here's a taster of what we offer:Storyboarding Presentations & Deliverables courseStorytelling For Effective Meetings & Presentations Course5 x One-on-one Coaching SessionsMembership to our community the Fika RoomWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anna on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on Instagram⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on LinkedInThe UX Fika Round Up newsletter

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Kate Tarling, service leadership expert, author of The Service Organisation, and founder of The Service Org Group, where she helps large and complex organisations shift to a more service-oriented way of working.We talk about what it really means for organisations to become service-oriented, and why so many still haven’t grasped what their services actually are. Kate shares how easy it is to confuse departments, technologies, and internal processes for “the service,” and why the work has to start from the outside in, from what people are actually trying to do.Kate shares how it’s no longer about convincing people of the value of UX or service design, but helping leaders navigate the real, structural problems of scale and complexity: fragmented decision-making, siloed measures of success, and teams all “doing good work” in isolation from one another. We talk about why modern organisations need multifunctional leadership, shared accountability, and clearer ways to measure performance across an entire service. Not just within individual functions.We also dive into how organisations actually make this shift, why small steps matter, and why waiting for permission often means nothing changes. Kate explains how teams can start contextualising their work, influencing decisions, and revealing the bigger picture, even when the organisation isn’t “ready” yet.And we talk about our best and worst service experience, why Sheffield according to Kate is the best place in the UK and why, when in doubt, you should imagine what someone else might do.Kate was also part of the original group who regularly met for dinners back in London, and one of the first I met on the conference scene. She is also a very dear friend and with those things combined, her episode makes a suitable ending to season 3, and bridge into the next one. More on that soon.Plus:☕️ Why tea and a Portuguese custard tart is one of her go to fikas⭐ Why when you're faced with a difficult situation, or you're aware of a difficult situation coming up, or you're in a sitiation or maybe an opportunity ahead of you that you're not sure how to approach, pick somebody you admire and imagine what they would do in that situation.Where you'll find Kate⁠LinkedInThe Service Org websiteThe Service Org bookWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Jim Kalbach, author of several books including Mapping Experiences and The Jobs To Be Done Playbook, Collaborative Intelligence. Jim is also the Chief Evangelist at Mural and has spent more than two decades shaping how teams understand human experiences, uncover customer needs, and collaborate more meaningfully.We talk about the evolution of journey mapping, from an obscure UX technique to a must-have tool that leaders now ask for, and why the real value isn’t in the beautiful deliverable, but in the conversations, alignment, and sensemaking that happen because of it. Jim explains why mapping is a diagnostic tool, a catalyst, and increasingly a survival skill for organisations navigating relentless change and the realities of AI.We dive into how AI and journey mapping now inform each other: how AI helps us see patterns in huge datasets, and why understanding human experience has never been more essential as people land “in the middle” of journeys through search, social, and now LLMs.We also talk about Jobs To Be Done, how to separate customer needs from your solution, and why language and specificity matter so much when you’re trying to understand the problem behind the problem. Jim shares what most organisations get wrong, why “things don’t have needs — people do,” and why getting clear on intent is still one of the sharpest competitive advantages you can build.Beyond that we cover the Intersection of customer success and UX but we also talk about music, collaboration, and how jazz improvisation, sheet music, and walking bass lines all shape the way Jim thinks about teamwork, structure, and the unseen foundations that hold great experiences together.Plus:☕️ Why coffee and dark chocolate is his go to Fika⭐ Why something will always work out, or it always does is his go to advice.What we cover:02:20 Introduction to Mapping Experiences02:50 Evolution of Journey Mapping05:51 AI's Impact on Experience Design09:01 The Role of Journey Mapping in Organizations12:00 Writing and Publishing Books14:56 Jobs to Be Done Framework17:44 Understanding Job Performers and Personas32:30 The Evolution of UX and Design Responsibilities34:52 The Democratization of Design37:56 The Dispersal of UX Community and Knowledge39:43 Building a Community Around Jobs to Be Done43:22 The Intersection of Customer Success and UX46:04 The Broader Implications of Jobs to Be Done48:45 The Role of Music in Creative Processes51:48 Collaboration as a Musical Metaphor54:40 Self-Publishing and Sharing Knowledge57:11 The Journey to Information Architecture01:01:43 Understanding Human-Centered Design01:05:25 The Future of AI and Human Needs01:10:24 Building Human-Centered Organizations01:13:47 Words to Live By and Personal ReflectionsWhere you'll find Jim⁠LinkedInJobs To Be Done ToolkitJobs To Be Done PlaybookWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Tom Greever, executive design leader, author of Articulating Design Decisions, and someone who’s spent over 20 years helping teams communicate their ideas clearly, confidently, and with impact.We talk about how his now classic book came to be, what’s changed since the first edition, and why articulating design decisions is more important than ever in an age where AI is beginning to make design choices for us. Tom shares how writing the book — and rewriting it during the pandemic — revealed that most designers don’t need new theories, they need simple, practical tools to help them lead with clarity and empathy in the rooms where decisions are made.We explore what it really means to be a great communicator — from designing meetings like journeys, to understanding your stakeholders as deeply as your users, and why listening to understand (not to respond) is one of the most powerful design skills you can build.Beyond design, we also talk about family, shared goals, and how the same principles that make great meetings — trust, empathy, and curiosity — can also make a marriage and family life thrive.Plus:☕️ Why a good coffee and croissant is his go-to fika⭐ Why you should do something even if it’s wrong, and that you can either be right or have a relationship is his go to advice.What we cover:02:20 Reconnecting After Years01:55 Life Changes and Career Transitions03:42 The Impact of COVID-19 on Work and Life05:49 Revising the Book: Lessons Learned07:57 AI's Role in Design and Communication09:38 The Importance of Articulating Design Decisions11:56 Collaborative Prompting with AI13:45 The Future of UX Design in the Age of AI15:49 Navigating Changes in the Design Industry17:41 Understanding Stakeholders in Design19:38 Communicating Design Decisions Effectively21:43 The Art of Storytelling in Design23:39 The Inner Conflicts of Stakeholders28:19 Designing Effective Meetings32:18 Articulating Design Decisions36:13 The Importance of Documentation39:18 Building Relationships and Trust43:22 Post-Meeting Follow-Up48:12 Balancing Work and Family Life58:02 Balancing Opportunities and Family Life01:00:08 The Joy of Creating and Hobbies01:02:37 The Importance of Storytelling01:03:20 Fika: Coffee and Croissants01:07:53 Life Lessons and Relationships01:16:36 Effective Communication and Listening SkillsWhere you'll find Tom⁠LinkedInWebsiteArticulate Design Decisions bookWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Abby Covert, information architect, writer, and community organiser who’s spent the past two decades helping people make sense of messes. She’s the author of ‘How to Make Sense of Any Mess’ and ‘Stuck? Diagrams Help’, and the founder of The Sensemakers Club, a growing community where sensemakers from diffferent walks of life come together to learn from each other.We talk about how her first book started as a small, self-published side project, written in a café, born out of a desire to help people who felt overwhelmed by complexity, and how it became one of the most beloved design books of the last decade. Abby shares how her autism diagnosis reshaped her relationship with structure, and why making sense of messes is as much about empathy and understanding as it is about organisation.We explore how information architecture has changed, from site maps and taxonomies to search, data, and algorithms, and why its role today is more important than ever. Abby explains why IA should be seen as business-critical infrastructure, how it helps organisations make smarter decisions, and what happens when teams skip systems thinking altogether.It’s a conversation about clarity, connection, and how structure shapes not just our products, but our understanding of the world around us.If you like the episode, please leave rate and leave a review to help Abby’s story reach more people.Plus:☕️ Why a sweet danish with black tea with a little bit of milk is her go to fika⭐ Why if the algorithm shows you that you might be autistic or ADHD or something, you should take the testWhere you'll find Abby⁠LinkedinInstagramWebsiteThe Sensemakers ClubWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Sarah Doody — UX researcher, product designer, and founder of Career Strategy Lab, a job search accelerator helping UX and product professionals find their next role and succeed once they’re there.We talk about treating your career like a product — creating a roadmap, defining outcomes, and using research to uncover your blind spots, and why finding your voice matters.Sarah also shares how small, consistent steps and thinking in terms of compound interest matters. Whether it has to do with how you treat LinkedIn, work on your resume, build relationships, or use social. And related to that why strong relationships still matter more than any algorithm.We also dive into AI and the job market, why the best resumes still start with human thinking, not prompts, and how context, storytelling, and connection remain our biggest differentiators.It’s a candid, generous and very practical conversation where Sarah shares how her own career evolved from UX designer to founder, what she’s learned the many designer’s she coached, and what to do, and not do, to make your resume and portfolio stand out.If you like the episode please leave a review, and a rating to help Sarah’s story and advice reach more people.☕️ Why a strong latte is her go to fika and Publik, Holy Water Coffee and Lab Barba are her favourite cafésWhat we cover:02:14 Reconnecting and Reflecting on the Past03:02 Evolving Career Coaching: From Portfolios to Roadmaps06:08 Navigating the Job Market: Challenges and Opportunities09:01 The Role of AI in UX: Imitation vs. Innovation12:00 Crafting Effective Resumes and Portfolios17:43 Tailoring Your Portfolio for Success23:51 Timeless Skills in a Changing Landscape30:55 The Role of Storytelling in Product Development34:27 Finding Your Voice and Public Speaking41:27 The Importance of Honesty in Communication46:30 Building Relationships and Networking52:06 Navigating Social Media Algorithms57:11 The Evolution of UX Content Creation59:49 The Importance of Owning Your Digital Presence01:02:15 Authenticity in Content Creation01:04:17 Career Quakes and Future Aspirations01:09:57 Life Changes and New Beginnings01:12:21 The Joy of In-Person Connections01:18:22 Looking Ahead: Future Collaborations and MeetupsWhere you'll find Sarah:⁠LinkedInWebsiteCareer Strategy LabWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika Podcast, I sit down with Cheryl Platz — actress, designer, author, and creative director for the Game Studio at The Pokémon Company International — whose career has spanned everything from The Sims and Alexa to Marvel Strike Force and Pokémon TCG Live.We talk about what games can teach us about human behaviour, creativity, and community, and why the future of design may have more in common with game design than we think. Cheryl shares her journey from UX and voice design to the world of live service games, and how play, self-expression, and connection are becoming the real motivators behind why people play.We also dive into her two books — Design Beyond Devices and The Game Development Strategy Guide — and how she’s applying user-centered thinking to game creation, community design, and even how teams work together. Cheryl opens up about resilience through layoffs, learning to “be right less of the time,” and how curiosity and collaboration fuel both her work and her recovery.It’s a warm, honest, and fascinating conversation about storytelling, games, and why designing for play might just help us design better futures — for products, teams, and people.Plus:☕️ Why a nice cup of coffee or a peppermint tea is her go to fika⭐ Why people’s perception does not control your potential is her life advice as well as why you should be less right at workWhat we cover:02:22 Reconnecting and Reflecting on the Past05:22 Books and Their Impact on Design07:45 Navigating Personal Challenges and Health Issues11:19 Career Transitions and Lessons Learned14:18 The Importance of Community and Support17:08 Facing Layoffs and Finding New Opportunities20:16 Building a Career in the Gaming Industry29:42 Navigating Team Dynamics in Game Design30:12 Lessons from Live Service Games31:59 The Journey to Pokémon Company38:18 User Experience vs. Game Design41:12 Modern Motivators of Play45:20 The Role of AI in Gaming Companionship49:20 Addressing Toxicity in Gaming Communities57:35 The Evolution of Immersive Gaming Experiences01:04:50 The Art of Podcasting and Production Challenges01:09:26 Writing Books: The Journey from First to Second01:21:21 The Intersection of UX and Game Design01:26:28 Advice for Transitioning into Game Design01:33:17 Life Lessons and Final ThoughtsWhere you'll find Cheryl:LinkedInBlueSkyBook/Podcast websitePersonal websiteCompany websiteInquire about a talk, workshop, or interviewInstagramTikTokLinktree TwitchDesign portfolioMedium articlesYouTube (design) Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this episode I sit down with Paulina Modlitba, AI strategist, angel investor, author of 'Vad fan ska vi med AI till?' (“What the hell do we need AI for?”), and one of Sweden’s leading voices on technology and innovation.We talk about how AI makes us feel and why Paulina believes it’s ultimately a deeply human topic. She shares her journey from studying human–robot interaction at MIT Media Lab to writing a practical guide that makes AI accessible for everyone, and why she sees it less as a threat and more as a partner for creativity and growth.We dive into how AI can help us see new patterns, find meaning in data, and free up time for the work that matters, but also why we need boundaries, better guardrails, and new measures of success that go beyond productivity. Paulina also shares stories from her book, from municipalities using AI, to a man who built a “mom bot” that unexpectedly became therapy.We also explore why most companies are still failing to get value from AI, the need for collaboration between technology and people, the role of AI in organisations, and the importance of maintaining human connections in an increasingly automated world.It’s a lively, thought-provoking conversation about curiosity, complexity, and why the real challenge isn’t making AI smarter — it’s helping humans use it wisely. Plus the Stockholm café where most of her book was written.Plus:☕️ Why decaf coffee and a cinnamon roll is her go to fika,⭐ Why when AI gets smarter, humans has to get wiserWhat we cover:02:20 Introduction to AI and Its Human Impact04:01 The Book: What the Hell Do We Need AI For?06:44 Paulina's Background and Journey in Tech12:51 The Role of AI in Organizations18:34 AI's Potential for Human Enhancement24:31 Generative AI: A Tool for Creativity30:24 Boundaries and Ethics in AI Usage36:30 AI in Education and Its Future42:28 The Human Element in AI Interactions48:28 The Balance of AI in Daily Life54:23 The Future of Work and AI Integration01:00:09 Final Thoughts and Life AdviceWhere you'll find Paulina:⁠Linkedin⁠⁠Vad fan ska vi med AI till?⁠ (book)⁠Substack newsletter⁠Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Josh Clark and Veronika Kindred from Big Medium — design leaders and co-authors of the upcoming book Sentient Design.We talk about what it’s like to work and write a book together as father and daughter, and how that partnership has shaped both their working relationships and their ideas about what design needs next. They share how Sentient Design frames AI not just as a tool for efficiency, but as a new design material — one that lets us create experiences that are intelligent and radically adaptive.We explore the concept of “practical magic,” why sometimes wheels on a suitcase are enough, and when it’s worth reaching for the flying version. Josh and Veronika also walk through some of the 14 new patterns they’ve identified for AI experiences, like the “Pinocchio” pattern. We talk about the future of interfaces, navigating characters and relationships with AI and LLMs, and what all of this means for the future of design teams, businesses, and everyday products.It’s a conversation about invention, responsibility, and designing futures that are as humane as they are intelligent. And it’s one to watch, as they share a few examples.Plus:☕️ Why cinnamon roll is Veronika’s go to fika and home made turkey sandwich is Josh’s⭐ Why “If it passes me, it wasn’t meant for me” is Veronika’s advice and “You have time” and “You are not your work” is Josh’sWhat we cover:02:30 Introduction and Family Dynamics05:23 Veronika's Journey into Design08:20 Navigating Family and Professional Relationships11:24 The Book Writing Process14:21 Sentient Design: Concept and Challenges17:16 Future-Proofing Design in a Rapidly Changing Landscape20:11 The Role of AI in Design23:08 Magic and Practicality in Design26:16 AI as a Design Material28:56 The Importance of Intent in AI Interfaces32:03 Cultural Shifts in AI Adoption34:48 Balancing AI Innovation and Responsibility37:52 Design Patterns for AI Integration48:16 The Value of Sketching in Design50:54 The Shift from Tool-Based Design to Conceptual Thinking52:12 AI-Mediated Design: A New Era of Innovation54:46 Radically Adaptive Experiences in Design58:35 The Future of Interfaces and User Experience01:02:27 Navigating Relationships with AI and LLMs01:11:35 The Impact of AI on Future Generations01:18:04 Life Lessons and Reflections on GrowthWhere you’ll find Josh & Veronika:Josh's bio Veronika bioBig MediumSentient Design book info"A Little Big Medium" our occasional email newsletterVeronika Kindred on LinkedInJosh Clark on LinkedIn Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Melissa Perri, strategic adviser, author of Escaping the Build Trap, CEO of Produx Labs, and faculty member at Harvard Business School.We talk about why product management is more critical than ever as AI accelerates how we build, test, and ship ideas, and why the difference between great product managers and average ones is about to become starkly clear.Melissa shares why strategy, vision, and leadership can’t be automated, and how teams risk creating waste at scale if they don’t keep their focus on outcomes, and why companies still struggle to escape the build trap, even a decade after she first named it.We also explore what it means to take risks, how writing and teaching sharpens her thinking, and why renovations, side projects, and even opening a restaurant with her sister keeps her balanced and inspired.It’s a really lovely conversation about what it takes to build, whether that’s great products, a business, an actual restaurant, or a life in some place new.Plus:☕️ Why cold brew, and sometimes a flat white, is Melissa’s go-to fika⭐ Why don’t listen to people who have never done it tell you it won’t work is her adviceWhat we cover: 02:12 Reconnecting and Reflecting on the Past06:45 Starting Product Institute10:10 The Impact of AI on Product Management13:49 The Role of UX in Product Development19:53 Understanding the Build Trap and Its Implications28:57 Escaping the Build Trap: Insights and Updates35:50 Self-Publishing: The Journey of Writing a Book38:56 Self-publishing Compared to Having a Publisher41:48 Iterative Learning: Feedback and Improvement43:30 The Skillset of Writing51:27 The Balance of Projects and Focus56:34 Navigating Life Decisions and Business Ventures01:02:48 Embracing Change and Community Connections01:08:19 Advice on Overcoming NaysayersWhere you’ll find Melissa:Product InstituteProduct Thinking PodcastEscaping The Build Trap (book)Product Operations (book)Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Welcome to episode 15 of the UX Fika podcast. In this conversation sit down with Giles Colborne — design leader, strategist, author of Simple and Usable, and now founder of Made Simple.We talk about his journey from studying physics to co-founding cxpartners, what it meant to grow it into one of the UK’s leading design consultancies, and the mixed emotions of eventually letting it go. Giles shares what he’s learned about leadership from both raising kids and leading teams, and why stepping back is sometimes the most powerful thing you can do.Giles shares the three values he’s taken with him from cxpartners and what they actually mean, from making it easy for people to do great work, to how to be truly user centred, and lastly, find clarity and simplicity.We also dive into why so many organisations still struggle to link design delivery with leadership goals, how AI is forcing companies to rethink the way they work, and what an AI-native organisation might look like.It’s a thoughtful conversation about leadership, letting go, and designing organisations with the same care we bring to designing products.Plus:☕️ Why smoked salmon bagels is his go to fika⭐ Why the best place for a fika is sometimes your own sofaWhat we cover: 00:00 Introduction and Background07:05 The Journey to cxpartners12:01 Transitioning from cxpartners16:51 Reflections on Human-Centered Design21:42 The Impact of AI on User Experience26:46 Core Values and Creating a Productive Environment33:32 Understanding Human-Centered Design37:59 The Role of AI in User Experience41:18 The Future of Browsing and User Interaction44:40 Finding Clarity and Simplicity in Design54:00 Bridging the Gap Between Management and Delivery Teams59:50 The Impact of AI on Organizational Structure01:03:30 Agility in the Age of AI01:06:48 Leadership and AI: A Shift in Dynamics01:08:46 Empowering Teams: The Role of Trust01:11:38 Creativity and Innovation in Design01:14:48 The Future of Design: Embracing Change01:18:45 Ethics and Human-Centered Design01:20:09 Fika: A Personal Touch in ConversationsWhere you’ll find Giles:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Simple and Usable bookWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Richard Banfield — author, advisor, and co-founder of Second Harvest, a retreat and coaching venture that believes the second half of life can be the most creative, exciting, and rewarding.We talk about how the idea for Second Harvest came from Richard’s own transitions, and how he’s now applying the UX toolbox — mapping assumptions, testing hypotheses, running small experiments — to the story arc of people’s lives. He shares why the concept of product–market fit is just as relevant for humans as it is for startups, and why sometimes the challenge isn’t changing yourself to fit the world, but reshaping your environment to fit the identity you want to step into.Richard shares his own moments of identity override, what he’s learned from hosting retreats in places like the Austrian Alps, and how designing experiences without gurus or PowerPoints creates the conditions for people to truly connect —with themselves and with others. We also touch on the bigger picture: what human evolution might look like in an age of AI, and why learning to take things in your stride remains one of the most important skills of all.It’s an honest, reflective conversation about reinvention, resilience, and how to write your next chapter—whether that’s starting a business, rediscovering creativity, or simply finding the community you want to journey with.Plus:☕️ Why a flat white is his go to fika, and La Fabrica in Girona is his favourite café⭐ Why “The farmers will make a plan” is his adviceWhat we cover:00:00 Reconnecting After Years: A Warm Welcome04:59 Introducing Second Harvest: A New Journey08:14 Life Transitions: Embracing Change and New Beginnings11:10 The Concept of Retirement: Redefining Purpose in Later Life14:00 Finding Community: The Importance of Connection17:07 The Participants of Second Harvest: Diverse Backgrounds and Shared Goals20:03 The Power of Reinvention: Embracing New Identities23:01 Design Thinking in Life: Applying Methodologies to Personal Growth25:56 Challenging Assumptions: The Experimentation of Second Harvest29:08 Creating Meaningful Experiences: The Role of Environment32:00 The Importance of Reflection: Understanding Our Stories35:00 The Future of Connection: Embracing Analog Experiences38:13 Awakening the Senses: The Body-Mind Connection40:59 Conclusion: The Journey Ahead45:28 The Human Connection in Healthcare47:40 Teaching Human Skills for the Future48:39 Adapting to Environmental Challenges51:33 Divergent Evolution and Future Possibilities54:28 The Role of Human Connection in a Tech-Driven World56:21 Embracing Change and New Experiences01:01:43 Curating Meaningful Connections01:08:09 The Importance of Staying Connected01:12:26 Finding Purpose in the Second Harvest of LifeWhere you'll find Richard: LinkedIn⁠NewsletterSecond HarvestArtRichard on InstagramSecond Harvest on InstagramWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with Jared Spool — Maker of Awesomeness at Center Centre, designer, speaker, and someone who’s been shaping the field of UX for nearly 5 decades.We talk about how the role of UX has shifted (and in some cases shrunk) over the years, why so many UX teams still struggle to show their value, why measuring success only through conversion rates is misleading, and why designers should focus on experiences instead of products, and step up to become the world’s foremost experts on their users.Jared shares why proactive UX matters more than waiting for instructions, and how being strategic, understanding the business side of design, and being able to demonstrate our value, is key to keeping our seat at the table, and a starting point for change.It’s an honest, wide-ranging conversation about the challenges we face as a profession, what the history of magic — yes, stage magic — can teach us, and about how to keep pushing our practice forward while learning from what’s come before.Plus:☕️ Why apple cake, or any cake, and darjeeling tea is his go to fika⭐ Why you should try a cup of first flush darjeeling teaWhat we cover:01:04 Introduction to UX Fika Podcast and Guest Background04:58 The Evolution of UX Conferences08:14 The Shift in UX Education and Value Communication10:23 Understanding UX Metrics and Outcomes13:32 The Importance of Proactive UX Strategies16:29 Building Expertise in UX Organizations22:27 Measuring Success Beyond Conversion Rates25:30 Measuring The Right Things31:30 The role of UX for AI design37:34 The Future of AI In Healthcare And UX42:50 The Three Things To Focus On43:42 What The Adelaide Score Teaches Us About Solving Problems48:44 Understanding the Bigger Picture and Business Side of UX49:48 The Magic of Experience53:01 Jared's History With Magic56:18 The Dying Art of Magic58:56 Lessons from the History of Magic01:10:26 The Illusion of Real-Time Communication01:13:29 Making Your Audience And The People You Work With Look Good01:18:31 Proactive UX Research01:18:54 Why You Should Help Others Get Better Instead of Stopping Them Doing "Your" Work01:23:50 The Science of the Obvious01:27:38 The Importance of Clear Communication in Donations01:32:38 Understanding UX Outcomes and Their Impact01:36:04 Future Plans And Thinking in Design and UX01:40:35 The Joy of Continuous Learning and Exploration01:41:00 The Hunt For Fika01:49:15 Life Lessons and Personal ReflectionsWhere you’ll find Jared:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedInBlueSkyLeaders of Awesomeness CommunityCenter CentreWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

Hi and welcome to season 3 of the UX Fika podcast. I'm your host Anna and I knew I wanted to do this podcast but I had no idea just how much I would love it. Re-listening to the chats from 2021 and then doing the the catch up chats in season 2 has given me so much and I'm pleased to share that as of today episodes of season 3 will start to be released.Season 3 is called the ‘Conference people’ and include conversations with some of the people I've met and gotten to know whilst speaking at conferences. The list is long, and it's an exciting one. We'll see just how many I'll include in season 3, as there is some urgency to the guests I want to speak to in season 4, but what's sure is that episodes will be released each Tuesday. And just as with the guests of season 1 and 2, it's people that I in one way or another know. Some fairly well, some less so, but through these chats I'll get to know them a whole lot more, and I hope you will too.Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Anna on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠UX Fika on LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠The UX Fika Digest newsletter⁠⁠Here's a taster of what we offer:⁠⁠Storyboarding Presentations & Deliverables course⁠⁠⁠⁠Storytelling For Effective Meetings & Presentations Course⁠⁠⁠⁠5 x One-on-one Coaching Sessions⁠⁠⁠⁠Membership to our community the Fika Room⁠

In this episode of UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Jonty Sharples – product, design, and business leader, and now consulting CPO working from a wooden box at the bottom of his garden. When we first spoke in 2021, Jonty was at Where Is My Transport, building products for emerging markets.Four years later, we catch up on where he is now, what he learned from building and scaling teams across continents, why checking your privilege and context matters when working globally, and how he’s been refining his niche as a generalist with deep specialist interests.We also dive into climbing walls, disinformation through trusted sources, the challenges of job titles, the reality of today’s hiring market, doing outreach, and how a lot of people – even the really successful ones – are struggling to find work, even if they don’t openly share.As ever with Jonty, it’s a conversation full of sharp insights, practical lessons, and reflections on how design and leadership can (and must) adapt to change, and why writing and storytelling are underrated skills for anyone in design and leadership.Plus:☕️ Why black coffee is now his go to fika and not tea⭐ Why you should surround yourself with smart people, ask questions, and listenWhat we cover:02:01 Introduction and Catching Up02:22 Working From A Wooden Box04:49 Reflections on Remote Work and Team Dynamics10:56 Career Transitions and Learning Experiences11:30 Understanding eSIM Technology and Market Dynamics17:46 Navigating Career Breaks and Job Market Changes20:11 Building a Niche and Consulting Strategies27:59 Job Titles and Industry Trends41:56 The Evolution of UX Design Roles44:20 Leadership in Design: The Player-Coach Dilemma45:13 The Future of Work: AI and Human Collaboration47:44 Communication Skills in a Globalized Workforce49:30 Navigating Change: The Impact of AI on Jobs53:23 Education and the Role of Design in Shaping Futures58:04 Personal Growth and Career Transitions01:03:51 The Importance of Hiring Smart01:09:21 Job Market Realities and Networking StrategiesWhere you’ll find Jonty:⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠If you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.~#innovation, #business, #technology, #Hactar, #globalteams, #designleadership #careertransitions #scaleups #ai #productdesign #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #jontysharples

In this episode of UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Be Kaler Pilgrim – founder of Smithfield Search and long-time leader in the digital recruitment world. When we last spoke in 2021, Be was still running Futureheads Recruitment, navigating a pandemic and a shifting job market. Four years later, we catch up on what’s changed, not the least in recruitment.We talk about why she launched a new business focused on executive search, what lies ahead for design leaders, and hiring over all. We talk about the similarities between the early days of digital and right now with AI, how AI is shaping the skills companies are looking for, and why building relationships still matters more than anything else.It’s also a conversation about life post 40, motherhood and the constant juggle between work and home life, parenting in this day and age, and about learning to drive later in life. And last but not least, how small rituals – from gardening to wellness drinks – help her stay grounded.Plus:☕️ Why wellness drinks is now her go-to fika⭐ Why give it a go is her adviceWhat we cover:01:46 Life Changes and New Beginnings03:42 Market Trends and Business Insights07:35 Navigating Job Market Challenges10:31 Personal Experiences and Parenting Challenges18:05 Navigating Motherhood and Career Challenges21:12 Launching a New Business: Smithfield Search24:42 The Role of AI in Upskilling and Job Security33:45 Reflections on Age and Personal Growth40:48 Navigating the Hiring Landscape43:25 The Role of Freelancers and Consultants44:49 Career Transitions for Experienced Designers47:21 The Impact of COVID on Junior Talent51:17 Advice for Job Seekers in a Competitive Market53:18 Understanding Executive Search Dynamics56:00 Building a Personal Brand and Business57:06 Executive Search58:18 Embracing Change and Overcoming Challenges01:01:24 Personal Growth Through Life ExperiencesWhere you’ll find Be:⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Smithfield Search Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Futureheads Website⁠Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠If you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.~#recruitment #futureheads #uxdesign #agencies #business #technology #careeradvice #productdesign #tech #scaleups #empathy #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #bekalerpilgrim #smithfieldsearch

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I catch up again with Jason Mesut – creative coach, strategic consultant, and long-time shaper of designers. When we first spoke in 2021, Jason was stepping into coaching, deep into writing his ‘Shaping Design’ book, and exploring new ways of working. Four years later, we catch up on everything that’s happened since.Jason shares why he ultimately stepped away from publishing the book, how he got diagnosed with ADHD, and how that diagnosis, and the medication, has impacted his work, creativity and public speaking.We also talk about looping music tracks, how his approach to coaching has evolved, what he’s learned about finding focus, and about getting hands-on again, returning to old tools with a new perspective, and why community – whether it’s professional or personal – plays such a vital role.It’s a truly honest conversation where I’ve left more pauses in than usual. Mostly for the viewing experience.Plus:☕️ Why almond croissant and a full fat flat white, not oat milk is his go-to fika nowadays⭐ Why 180 House is now his favourite (fika) placeWhat we cover:01:51 Navigating Personal Challenges and Growth04:38 The Journey of Coaching and Self-Discovery07:24 ADHD Diagnosis and Its Impact10:15 Understanding ADHD: Traits and Misconceptions13:26 Creativity and ADHD: Harnessing Strengths16:20 The Role of Medication in Managing ADHD19:03 Rejection Sensitivity and Emotional Challenges22:05 Finding Balance: Creativity vs. Contentment34:32 The Power of Externalization in Design39:42 The Importance of Physical Tools in Design43:11 Balancing Coaching and Consulting47:02 Navigating Professional Loneliness and Community52:06 The Role of Gratitude in Professional Life01:07:17 Interactive Tools and Techniques in Presentations01:09:13 Navigating New Roles and Responsibilities01:11:06 Creative Processes and Music Production01:12:43 The Importance of Completion in Creative Work01:15:06 Health Journey and Dietary Changes01:17:30 Favorite Workspaces and Productivity01:20:09 The Meaning Behind Names and Identity01:24:21 Hope in Design and Future OpportunitiesWhere you’ll find Jason:⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Jason’s linktree⁠⁠Medium⁠⁠Shaping Design series⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠Soundcloud⁠Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Website⁠⁠InstagramIf you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.~#uxdesign, #productdesign #business, #technology, #shapingdesign, #coaching #adhd #adhddiagnosis #productdesign #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #jasonmesut

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Jeff Gothelf – author of Lean UX, Sense & Respond, Forever Employable, and most recently Who Does What By How Much?, his latest book with Josh Seidon on making OKRs actually work.When we last spoke in 2021, Jeff was launching his own podcast and was deep in the third edition of Lean UX. Now, four years later, we catch up on what’s changed, and what hasn’t.We talk about the surprising longevity of Lean UX, how OKRs became the missing piece in his body of work, and what it really means to move from outputs to outcomes (and why most teams still haven’t). Jeff shares what he’s seeing across the enterprise and startup space, from the pressure to implement AI without clear purpose, to the quiet resistance from people afraid of being replaced, or simply exposed.We also get into his shift toward building a training business, how feedback loops helped him rethink pricing, why storytelling is a critical business skill, and how AI is shifting the speed, expectations, and shape of the work we do, but why he’s still optimistic, despite the disruptions ahead.What we cover:01:45 Reconnecting and Reflecting on Progress04:46 The Evolution of Lean UX and Forever Employable07:47 Understanding OKRs and Their Impact10:44 Output vs. Outcomes: A Critical Distinction13:39 The Power of Storytelling in Business17:48 AI's Role in the Future of Work23:36 Optimism Amidst Change: The Future of Employment30:19 The Impact of AI on Employment and Creativity35:43 Navigating Life Changes and New Beginnings42:29 The Shift to Remote Work and Online Learning49:25 Balancing Work, Health, and Personal LifeWhere you’ll find Jeff:⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠Books⁠⁠Courses⁠Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠

In this episode of UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Andy Budd – design leader, coach, investor, and long-time advocate for the design community. When we last spoke in 2021, Andy had just stepped away from Clearleft, the agency he co-founded, and was embracing a new chapter. Four years on, we catch up on what’s happened since.We talk about his transition from agency founder to solo coach and advisor, how a “serendipity break” turned into new opportunities, and the accidental path that led him to write his new book, The Growth Equation. Andy shares why he believes design is at a turning point, why AI tools are accelerating the commoditisation of design, what he’s seeing inside the startup ecosystem, and the ways design leaders can better communicate their value in increasingly complex organisations.It’s a conversation about reinvention, relevance, and what he’s learning from being bad at something again – whether that’s flying planes, or playing the drums.Plus:☕️ Why the coffee shop the Onion in Seoul in South Korea is his favourite🌟 Why not to ask a coach for life adviceWhat we cover:01:37 The Journey of ClearLeft and Employee Ownership03:34 Navigating a Serendipity Break07:28 Rediscovering Passions: Flying and Drumming10:33 Transitioning to Venture Capital and Coaching14:23 The Birth of a Book: Insights and Lessons22:29 The Power of Writing in Design and Leadership25:59 Gathering Around Design Tools31:34 The Future of Design Profession in The Time of AI48:13 Investing in Designer Skills53:08 Experiencing Failure and Culture Change54:44 The Future of Entrepreneurship and Design57:32 Challenges for Designers as Founders01:02:45 Communication and Influence in Design01:09:25 Reflections on Life and AdviceWhere to find Andy:⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Stacklist⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠If you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.~#uxdesign, #productdesign #business, #technology, #adventure, #serendipitybreak #productdesign #seedcamp #thegrowthequation #ai #designleadership #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #andybudd #clearleft

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I reconnect with Cennydd Bowles – technology ethicist, author of Future Ethics, and recent Fulbright Scholar. We last spoke four years ago, just as ethical design was entering the mainstream. A lot has happened since then.Cennydd shares what he’s been up to – completing a master’s in Practical Ethics at Oxford, teaching in the U.S., and now preparing for a PhD exploring deception in AI-driven interfaces. We talk about what’s changed since 2021, why he’s now fully stepped away from hands-on design, and what concerns him most about AI’s role in shaping the future of work.We explore how the commoditisation of design has created the perfect entry point for automation, why “good enough” might be all companies care about, and how designers can respond – ethically, strategically, and collectively. Cennydd also shares a first look at his next book, What Could Go Wrong?, and why he’s more interested than ever in equipping designers with practical ways to anticipate harm and push back.Plus:☕️ Why grapes is his go to fika nowadays⭐ Why you should remember the sea existsWhere you’ll find Cennydd:⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠If you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.~#uxdesign, #business, #ai #deceptivepatterns #whatcouldgowrong #technology, #ai #ethics #innovation #productdesign #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #cennyddbowles

Welcome to the second season of the UX Fika podcast. Four years ago, I sat down with some of the most thoughtful voices in design, product and tech. Part of our conversations then were about resilience and shaped by the transition to remote work and what it means to shape meaningful careers and companies in uncertain times. A lot has changed since then.So this season, I'm reconnecting with those same guests to find out what's happened since. How have their views shifted? What have they learned and what still holds true? And what's happening in their careers and their lives as of now? And of course, what do they make of the future of design in a world where AI is making its mark? These are not just updates. They're conversations about how we adapt, grow, and keep on moving forward. And this time, there's a video too, so you can watch as well as listen.New episodes will be released as usual each Tuesday, so make sure you subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of the UX Fika Podcast, I sit down with Be Kaler Pilgrim, a pioneer in digital recruitment, co-founder of Futureheads Recruitment – one of the most trusted names in design and tech recruitment – and more recently the founder of the executive search firm Smithfield Search.As someone who’s spent over 30 years at the intersection of technology and talent Be has helped shape countless careers, including mine. When we recorded this conversation in 2021, Be was still at the helm of Futureheads, navigating the uncertainty of the pandemic while helping companies and candidates adapt to a rapidly changing world.We talk about how she accidentally fell into recruitment, studying Ayurvedic medicine in Sri Lanka in her 20ies, setting up Futureheads in the teeth of the recession, and how recruitment and hiring has changed over the years.Be also shares what it was like growing up as the youngest of 10 siblings in a traditional Punjabi household, how her father’s belief in education made such a difference, and what it was like becoming a mum later in life. We also talk about why honesty and empathy – real, practiced empathy – is at the heart of how she builds teams, relationships, and careers.It’s a warm, reflective conversation about building a career by helping others find theirs, leading through change, and holding space for growth in all its forms.Plus:☕️ Why black oolong tea from New Aurelia in Sri Lanka and a samosa is her go to fika🌟 Why you should talk about stuff, reach out to people, and have that inner dialogue with yourselfWhat we cover:00:00 Intro & Navigating the Pandemic: Personal and Professional Challenges02:23 Opening a New Office As The Pandemic Hit05:26 Career Journey: From Studying To Become a Ayurvedic Doctor To Entrepreneurship06:46 The Evolution of Recruitment in the Digital Age08:59 Setting Up A Recruitment Business In The Teeth of Recession09:49 Adapting to Change: The Impact of COVID-19 on Hiring Practices14:04 Changes In How Companies Recruit16:45 The Shift From Agencies To Client Side18:34 Community Engagement and Purpose-Driven Initiatives22:43 On Mental Health and Not Knowing What's Cooking In Somebody Else's Pot29:14 Looking Ahead: Events and Conferences Post-Pandemic32:27 Navigating Post-Lockdown Life36:07 Reflections on Motherhood and Aging37:05 The Evolving Landscape of Parenting39:58 Support Systems in Parenting41:29 Plans for Family Reunions and Staycations45:02 Learning To Drive45:40 Immigrant Stories, Family Legacy, and Big Families49:56 Life Lessons and Personal Growth51:45 Cultural Connections and Future AspirationsWhere you’ll find Be:⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Smithfield Search Website⁠⁠Futureheads WebsiteWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠If you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.~#recruitment #futureheads #uxdesign #agencies #business #technology #careeradvice #productdesign #tech #scaleups #empathy #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #bekalerpilgrim #smithfieldsearch

In this episode of the UX Fika Podcast, I chat with Jeff Gothelf – author of five books including Lean UX, Sense & Respond, Forever Employable and Who Does What By How Much – about how we can bring the same intentionality we apply to product design into shaping our own careers.Jeff’s work has helped organisations around the world build better, more customer-centric products, and executives build the culture that is needed to build better products. But what happens when you apply those same principles – iteration, clarity of outcomes, experimentation – to your own career? That’s exactly what we talk about in this conversation, recorded back in 2021.We cover the story behind his book Forever Employable and how turning 35 made Jeff question everything and pushed him to “plant his flag” as a thought leader. We also dive into the evolution of Lean UX through three editions, the value of outcomes over outputs, and why getting paid what you’re worth matters.We also talk about what spending six months working in a circus and how working as a musician and performing live helped shape his skills as a speaker and trainer, and what those unexpected experiences taught him about adaptability, feedback, and finding your place on stage.It’s a thoughtful, practical, and inspiring conversation about designing your life and career with intent.Plus:☕️ Why dark chocolate rice cakes and coffee are his favourite fika🌟 Why you should stop starting and start finishingWhat we cover:00:00 Intro02:25 Adapting to Remote Work: Changes in Business Dynamics07:38 The Evolution of Lean UX: A Journey Through Editions10:30 Evolving As A Writer14:35 Writing the Third Edition of Lean UX15:44 Jeff's Different Books19:28 Becoming Forever Employable23:13 Planting your own flag26:39 Treating your career as a product30:20 Finding Your Ikigai33:42 Career Insurance And Making Yourself Resilient37:27 The Value of Experience39:08 Beating Imposter Syndrome & Getting Paid What You're Worth43:53 Evaluating Speaking Opportunities50:19 Forever Employable Stories Podcast52:25 Lessons From Working In the Circus & Being in A Band54:46 Reading the Room58:21 Engaging with Criticism01:05:57 Future Projects 01:06:59 Life advice - Stop Starting, Start FinishingWhere you’ll find Jeff:⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Website⁠⁠YouTubeBooksCoursesWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Instagram⁠If you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.~#leanux #okr #uxdesign, #productdesign #business, #technology, #foreveremployable, #careeradvice #productdesign #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #jeffgothelf

In this episode of the UX Fika Podcast, I sit down with Andy Budd – designer, investor, coach, and founder of Clearleft and conferences such as dConstruct, UX London, and Leading Design. Andy’s been a defining voice in the UX and design leadership community and in this episode he shares the story of why, after 15 years, he decided to hand over the reins of the company he built and step into a new, more uncertain chapter. We talk about what led to that moment, how Clearleft became an employee-owned business, and what it means to intentionally walk away from something you love in search of something new.We also talk about how the pandemic reshaped his thinking on remote work and collaboration, and why asynchronous communication might be the most underappreciated design tool in the industry.But this episode, which is from 2021, also takes a few wild turns, from talking about learning to fly to cave diving in Mexico and shark wrangling on the Great Barrier Reef. Andy shares what flying and diving in high-risk environments has taught him about leadership, self-awareness, and staying calm under pressure, plus one of the more challenging jobs he’s ever done.It’s a conversation about reinvention, letting go, finding clarity through discomfort – and how boredom might actually be a creative advantage.☕️ Why he loves going form one cafe to another, afternoon tea and something chocolatey as his favourite fika🌟 Why you shouldn’t over index on the past or the futureWhat we cover:00:00 Intro03:00 Navigating Company Culture in a Remote Environment08:08 Adapting Business Strategies During the Pandemic25:46 Embracing Change: Leaving Clearleft31:36 Making Clearleft an Employee Owned Business37:13 Reflections on Leadership and Responsibility38:37 Embracing Change and New Beginnings 39:45 The Importance of a Serendipity Break41:13 Exploring Future Opportunities46:37 The Thrill of Flying and Personal Growth58:14 Diving into Adventure: Scuba and Cave Diving01:09:37 Navigating Risks and Life Lessons01:14:13 Living in the Moment: Life Advice and PhilosophyWhere to find Andy:LinkedInWebsiteStacklistTwitterBlueskyInstagramWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Instagram⁠If you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.~#uxdesign, #productdesign #business, #technology, #adventure, #serendipitybreak #productdesign #designleadership #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #andybudd #clearleft

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I talk to Cennydd Bowles, technology ethicist, author of Future Ethics, and recently a Fulbright Scholar. Cennydd advises companies like Google, Mozilla, and the BBC on how to build more responsible, ethical, and inclusive technologies – and in this conversation, which just like the rest of season 1 is from 2021, we unpack how and why that work is more urgent than ever.We talk about the ethical blind spots of our industry, the challenges of inclusive design, and how speculative design and “provocatypes” can help teams meaningfully explore the futures they’re shaping, often without realising it.Cennydd shares his journey from designer to futurist, what it’s like being a lone voice for ethics in the room, and how tech workers are beginning to organise to push companies toward more responsible innovation. He also opens up about the realities of writing (and self-publishing) Future Ethics, what it takes to produce something of lasting value, and why he’s was going back to university to study Practical Ethics at Oxford.Plus:☕️ Why a cup of Earl Grey and a slice of Barabrith makes for an excellent fika.🌟 Why you should try to remember when you wanted what you have nowWhat we cover:00:00 Introduction to Design and Futurism02:08 The Role of a Futurist in Design02:20 On Being A Futurist06:57Ethics in Technology and Design09:14 Challenges in the Tech Industry11:30 Direct And Indirect Implications Of What We Design13:23 Designing with Responsibility17:23 Expanding the Scope of Design20:15 The Future of Data Sharing23:35 Navigating Ethical Conversations in Tech28:11 Advice for Junior Designers on Ethics32:18 Pursuing Further Education in Ethics32:41 Pursuing Knowledge: A New Academic Journey34:04 The Self-Publishing Experience36:34 The Challenges of Writing40:04 The Writing Process: Structure and Creativity43:52 Reflections on Writing and Future Projects46:58 Ethics in Technology and Non-Human Life48:15 Personal Interests: Chess and Sports53:11 The Impact of Travel on Life and Work01:00:04 Life Reflections and Future AspirationsWhere you’ll find Cennydd:⁠Website⁠Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Instagram⁠If you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.~#uxdesign, #business, #technology, #ai #ethics #innovation #productdesign #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #cennyddbowles

In this episode of the UX Fika podcast, I catch up with Jonty Sharples – product, design, and business leader, and – at the time of our 2021 conversation – CXO at Where Is My Transport. These days, Jonty’s a consulting CPO working from a wooden cube at the bottom of his garden. But back then, he was fresh off several years of travel to emerging megacities, trying to design better services for people earning under $20 a day.We talk about his journey from Albion to founding the purpose-led design studio Hactar, and how building products for social good—and wrestling with the realities of pro bono work shaped the kind of problems he wants to solve today.Jonty shares what it was like shifting from in-person ethnographic research to remote workshops spanning four time zones, how informal transport works in cities like Mexico City and Dar es Salaam, and why field work reveals the kind of insights no spreadsheet ever can.It’s also a conversation about building the kind of career—and team—you actually want, knowing when to leave, and creating space (literal and emotional) to figure out what’s next.Plus:☕️ Why a scone, a cup of tea, and a bit of quiet might just be the perfect fika.🌟 Why you should always hire people smarter than yourself. What we cover: 00:00 Journey to Hacktar and Social Change00:33 Social Media and Digital Presence01:41 Introduction and How We Met05:41 On Running Away From Public Speaking And Social Media11:52 Change Of Plans14:07 Looking Back At The Start Of The Pandemic17:15 Cancelled Travel And Working From A Wooden Cube18:57 Ethnographic Research in Majority World Mega Cities25:57 Informal Transport28:43 The Evolution of Remote Work32:04 Downside Of Remote Work35:23 Navigating Social Interactions Post-Pandemic38:42 Adapting to New Learning Environments39:28 Kids using Teams41:35 Reflections on Career Transitions And Starting Hactar49:00 The Impact of Purpose-Driven Work51:36 Pro Bono Work Sucks And Everyone Is To Blame56:42 Leaving Hactar01:00:23 Embracing New Challenges in Leadership01:04:12 Home Away From Home01:08:50 Life Lessons and Future Aspirations01:14:11 New ChapterWhere you’ll find Jonty:⁠LinkedIn⁠Where you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠Website⁠⁠Instagram⁠If you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.~#innovation, #business, #technology, #Hactar, #socialchange, #informaltransport #innovation #productdesign #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #jontysharples

In this very first episode of the UX Fika podcast, I sit down with the brilliant Jason Mesut – a creative coach, a strategic consultant, a community connector, and a shaper of designers. Jason’s been working in UX, Service Design, and Digital Product for over 25 years and currently consults and coaches via his business Resonant Futures. He also consults via the global creative talent network Group of Humans, and coaches via Coaching with Chemistry. On top of that he runs the (mostly) monthly IxDA London events with Boon Chew, as well as supports many local London and International events in UX and Digital Product Design as a speaker, host, and curator.This conversation was recorded back in 2021, but don’t be fooled – this is not a time capsule. It’s a raw, honest, and still incredibly relevant discussion about the winding road that is a design career.We talk about where Jason’s career began (including how he missed out on a job at Dyson), the worst email he’s ever received – at a conference at that – and how this partly led him to coaching as well as into a shift in how he helps others navigate uncertainty. We get into the shaping design frameworks he’s developed to help designers better understand their strengths, discuss the problem with interviews, how working with talented peers can re-energise your practice, and why being vulnerable might be the most powerful thing we can do as designers and leaders.There’s also a beautiful reflection on mentorship, gratitude, and the importance of saying thank you while people are still around to hear it.This one’s full of wisdom, warmth, and the kind of honesty and deep conversations we don’t always get when meeting up with others over dinners. It’s exactly the kind of conversation I created this podcast for.Plus:☕️ Why nutella on sourdough, and the magic of early mornings in Shoreditch is the go to for fika🌟 Why “shit is fertilising” is solid life advice.What we cover:00:00 Introduction to UX Fika Podcast and How We Met02:10 The Evolution of Interaction Design and Community Engagement05:23 Career Journey: From Industrial Design to UX Leadership07:59 The Importance of Mentorship and Professional Growth10:51 Vulnerability in Leadership and Personal Development13:52 Shaping Design: Understanding Self and Career Paths16:44 Frameworks for Self-Reflection and Growth in UX19:47 Interviewing Techniques and Assessing UX Talent22:45 Reflections on the Evolution of UX and Future Trends37:31 The Evolution of Design Roles40:45 Empathy vs. Curiosity in Design42:01 Navigating Client Relationships43:47 The Role of Coaching in Consulting48:17 Coaching vs. Mentoring51:52 The importance of listening52:38 Dancing, DJing, and design56:40 The Hiring Process Dilemma01:01:47 Life Lessons, Favourite Fika and ReflectionsWhere you’ll find Jason:LinkedInWebsiteJason’s linktreeMediumShaping Design seriesSubstackSoundcloudWhere you’ll find Anna & UX Fika:LinkedInWebsiteInstagramIf you liked this episode, help us reach more people by following, leaving a rating and a review.~#uxdesign, #productdesign #business, #technology, #shapingdesign, #creditwheredue #productdesign #uxfika #uxfikapodcast #jasonmesut

In this trailer for season 1, I share the story behind The UX Fika Podcast and why the first season was recorded back in 2021 but not released until now. I also share who the guests are and how I thought the chats would be a bit dated seeing they are 4 years old, but to my surprise they really aren't.

Hi, I'm your host Anna and welcome to the UX Fika podcast. The weekly show where I sit down for a fika chat with prominent friends and people I've met through the UX and conference scene. It's my chance to talk to them and ask them about the things we don't normally get time for when we meet at dinners, meet-ups or conferences. We talk about the honest bits, the behind the scenes, their stories, struggles, and moments that have shaped how we work and what we care about in UX and product design today. And of course, what their favorite fika is – that little treat you have when you meet up with friends and family over something small to eat and drink. So grab a coffee and make sure you hit follow where you normally listen to your podcasts, because I think you'll love these conversations just as much as I do.