DESIGN THINKER PODCAST: Recent Episodes
Dr. Dani Chesson and Designer Peter Allan
Human-Centered Design, the theory, the practice, what does it all mean. Join Dr. Dani Chesson, and Designer Peter Allan to explore topics related to the theory and practice of human-centered design.
What if AI isn't here to replace us, but to help amplify our potential?
In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Dave Howden, CEO of SupaHuman, to explore how AI challenges us to reclaim our distinctly human capabilities and elevate our human potential. The conversation moves beyond the AI hype to examine what happens when technology handles the tedious work and frees us to do what humans inherently do better.
In this episode, you will:
• Discover what humans are actually designed to do versus what we've been trained to do
• Understand why AI creates a "craft premium" for genuine human expertise
• Learn practical ways to get started with using AI
Meet Our Guest Dave Howden
Dave Howden is a seasoned technology leader and creative engineer from Auckland, New Zealand. Withover two decades of experience in the emerging tech sector, Dave is the CEO and Co-founder of SupaHumanAI, where he helps organizations unlock the opportunities of artificial intelligence. He has held pivotal rolesat companies like BT, Orange UK, Umbrellar and Pax8. Dave believes in doing cool stuff with great people,keeping things fun and authentic along the way.
You can connect with Dave on LinkedIn 👉🏽 https://www.linkedin.com/in/davehowden/
Show Notes
What We're Actually Designed For Relationship building, reading rooms, creative problem solving, strategic thinking, and applying nuanced judgment. These capabilities become more valuable, not less, when AI handles the routine work.
The Craft Premium Effect Just as handmade shoes command premium prices in a mass-production world, human expertise applied to the right problems becomes exponentially more valuable in an AI-enhanced workplace.
The Leadership Moment Organizations face a critical choice: use AI for shortsighted cost-cutting or invest in unlocking human potential for long-term growth. The decision shapes talent attraction and competitive advantage.
From Ground-Up Innovation AI democratizes change. Every employee can experiment, identify inefficiencies, and propose solutions. This represents the first time in history technology change can happen from the bottom up at scale.
The Generational Reality Different demographics approach AI adoption differently based on their workplace entry point. Understanding these differences is crucial for successful implementation without leaving anyone behind.
Revenue Leakage vs. Real Problems Many organizations rush toward AI solutions for problems that could be solved with basic process improvements. The key is distinguishing between genuine AI opportunities and fundamental business issues.
Practices You Can Apply
Start with the $20 investment Give your team access to consumer-grade AI tools and let them experiment safely within controlled environments.
Ask the fundamental question What work are you doing that humans weren't designed for? Start there for AI implementation.
Focus on enablement, not replacement Look for ways AI can handle routine tasks so you can focus on strategic and creative work.
Memorable Quotes
- "We weren't designed to sit behind a computer screen for hours. We were designed to build relationships and grow the population and look after each other." -- Dave Howden
- "AI plus your intellectual property equals magic." -- Dave Howden
- "This is probably the first time in history where we could actually drive technology change from the ground up at scale." -- Dr Dani
- "AI can help us be human again." -- Designer Peter
- "Free smart minds from tedious work." -- Dave Howden
What happens when the tools we’ve mastered become obsolete overnight?
In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Pete are joined by one of the OGs of UX, Nick Cawthon, the founder of Gauge, to help organizations with evidence-based strategy and product decisions. In this conversation, we explore “thinglessness” — the idea that design is less about the artifact and more about the human experience it creates. From AI’s impact on design velocity to the need for cross-functional collaboration, we dig into how designers can stay relevant and impactful in a world where technology moves at jet-pack speed.
- Understand why letting go of attachment to specific tools makes you more adaptable in a rapidly changing landscape.
- Learn how to balance AI-enabled speed with the strategic thinking needed to head in the right direction.
- Discover practical ways to preserve and strengthen core human-centered design capabilities that AI can’t replace.
Meet Our Guest Nick Cawthon
Nick helps design teams stay ahead of the curve with their AI transformation. He has been curating self-assessments for UX & Design Teams at retrain.gauge.io, helping analyze industry trends and removing barriers to adoption. Nick founded Gauge in 2001 in the San Francisco Bay Area to help organizations with evidence-based strategy and product decisions. Clients have grown to include Electronic Arts, Genentech, Airbnb, Adobe and many others. Nick is a professor in Data Literacy and Visualization in the Design Strategy MBA program at his alma mater, California College of the Arts.
Learn more about Nick's work https://retrain.gauge.io/
Show Notes
Thinglessness: Beyond the Artifact
Design isn’t about the deliverable — it’s about the entire experience. When tools change, the value comes from understanding people, solving the right problems, and creating impact.
The E-Bike Analogy
AI gives designers “jet-pack” speed, but speed without direction just gets you to the wrong place faster. The real advantage is using extra time to think deeper, not just produce more.
Collapsing Silos
The boundaries between design, product, and engineering are dissolving. The most effective teams work in shared code bases, make decisions together, and learn each other’s craft.
Skills Worth Keeping
As AI automates tasks, certain human capabilities — empathy, problem framing, collaboration — become more valuable, not less. Losing them puts long-term adaptability at risk.
History Repeats Itself
From typists evolving into administrative assistants to designers moving beyond Figma, tech shifts always require upskilling and a broader set of capabilities.
Human Connection as a Differentiator
In a world where AI is everywhere, genuine human connection will be the true competitive advantage — for both products and organisations.
Practices You Can Apply
- Fall out of love with tools – Treat technology like a fling, not a lifelong commitment.
- Sharpen the front end – Spend more time on research, problem definition, and anticipating unintended consequences.
- Work across boundaries – Pair designers with engineers and product teams to build shared knowledge.
- Audit your core skills – Identify which human capabilities you want to retain and strengthen in an AI-heavy workflow.
- Upskill with intention – Look to history for clues on how roles adapt when tech changes the game.
Memorable Quotes
- “Tools come and go. Capabilities are what keep you relevant.” — Nick Cawthon
- “Velocity without direction is just faster failure.” — Nick Cawthon
- “We need to stop falling in love with technology and start having flings with it.” — Dr Dani
- “If any
We throw around words like productivity, engagement, and performance all the time. But do we actually know what they mean or how to create the conditions for them to thrive?
In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Craig Steel, Founder and Chief Executive of Vantaset. This conversation explores what real performance looks like in modern organizations and the shift that leaders need to make to achieve the results that matter.
In this episode, you will:
• Understand key factors that keep organizations stagnant
• Learn the difference between productivity and performance
• Discover practical insights on how to create the conditions for performance
Meet Our Guest Craig Steel
Craig Steel is the founder and Chief Executive of Vantaset – the world’s first people-focused high-performance operating system for business.
Craig is considered by many to be one of the world’s foremost performance transformation experts and Australasia’s leading authority on workplace performance.
He has worked full-time in the performance industry for over 30 years, acted as the head performance advisor to many of the country’s top athletes and helped over 50 Chief Executives transform the performance of their organisation.
Today, Craig and his team are helping CE’s globally build more competitive future-ready organisations.
You can connect with Craig on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigsteel/
Show Notes
Performance ≠ Productivity
Organizations often reward busyness instead of outcomes. Craig explains why real performance is about effectiveness, not activity.
Clarity Over Control
Lack of clarity—not lack of effort—is what drives underperformance. When people don’t know the “why,” they default to just doing the job.
From Systemic Sludge to Strategic Relevance
Employees want to contribute. But rigid systems turn meaningful work into meaningless tasks. Leaders must rewire the system, not blame the people.
Courageous Leadership
The best leaders don’t need to be right—they’re willing to be wrong, and they create space for others to think, contribute, and grow.
The AI Distraction
AI isn’t a get-out-of-investing-in-people-free card. When tech becomes an excuse to cut rather than elevate, organizations lose their greatest asset: human potential.
The Factory Model is Broken
Despite 21st-century challenges, most companies still operate like 19th-century factories. It’s time to redesign work for knowledge, not compliance.
Practices You Can Apply
Ask: What could we become?
A powerful question to reframe conversations and unlock new possibilities.
Reconnect people to purpose
Every employee should know how their work contributes to something bigger.
Audit for clarity
Do your teams know what success looks like? Start there before adding new KPIs.
Redesign for thinking, not tasking
Stop building systems that assume people are just there to “do a job.” Let them solve problems.
Look at behavior as feedback
Before you assume someone’s disengaged, ask what the system is rewarding—or punishing.
Memorable Quotes
• “We didn’t hire you to do a job. We hired you to make a difference.” — Craig Steel
• “Performance is not about output. It’s about contribution and impact.” — Dr Dani
• “If the All Blacks ran their team like most businesses run their staff, they’d never win a match.” — Craig Steel
• “Culture isn’t warm and fuzzy. It’s the system that either unlocks or limits human potential.” — Peter Allan
• “What could we become?” — Craig Steel
We live in a world that’s changing faster than the frameworks we've relied on can keep up with. So, is it time to rethink how we think? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by John Philpin to explore why the age of reason is over and why we need to embrace the age of experience.
In this episode, you will
- Understand why rigid thinking is no match for today’s complexity and what we need instead.
- Learn how business models built on certainty are being outpaced by change, AI, and rising human expectations.
- Discover how design thinking, critical thinking, and cross-disciplinary collaboration can help us rethink how we think.
Meet Our Guest John Philpin
John has spent two decades inside and around the C-suite, twice as CEO, with a handful of CXO roles, and now as a trusted advisor to boards and executive teams. His through-line? People First. Always. He works at the intersection of technology and business, helping organisations cut through the noise, get clear on what matters, and drive the outcomes that follow. He’s worked across the UK, USA, and New Zealand, from scrappy startups to global giants, with deep expertise in tech, media, sustainability, and organisational design.
John is known for his clarity, candor, and ability to translate complexity into action. He partners with ambitious leaders ready to grow, lead, and connect, because in business, real expansion starts where engagement meets execution - because growth doesn’t come from managing what you have, it comes from engaging with who you haven’t reached. Yet.
John invites you to
- Come be my friend on LinkedIN
- Subscribe to my Substack
Show Notes
Key Themes:
- Reason vs. Experience: John argues we’re moving out of the “Age of Reason,” where everything is boxed, mapped, and standardized, and into the “Age of Experience,” where context, nuance, and emergence matter more.
- Structured Visual Thinking: Drawing from his time with Group Partners, John explains how visual frameworks help teams see the whole picture—but only if they remain flexible and dynamic.
- Why AI Adds Pressure, Not Relief: While AI can improve productivity, John warns of the risk of misusing it to justify job cuts instead of amplifying human capability.
- Organizational Misfits: Dani highlights how most organizational structures are still built like 18th-century factories, even as problems grow more complex.
- From Silos to Systems: True progress requires abandoning single-discipline thinking and embracing diverse perspectives—from sales to science, marketing to engineering.
Practices You Can Apply:
- Listen beyond your lane—explore ideas outside your field.
- Revisit your childhood obsessions—they may hold forgotten clues to how you think.
- Start conversations across departments and disciplines—especially where no one’s currently talking.
Mentioned in the episode:
- Smallcreep’s Day by Peter Currell Brown
- Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore
- Zone to Win by Geoffrey Moore
- Martini Shot podcast by Rob Long
- Substack writing by John Philpin
We did it—50 episodes! In this milestone episode, we pause to reflect on the journey, the lessons, and why celebration isn’t just a “nice-to-have”, it’s a necessary part of doing meaningful work. Whether you're leading a team, tackling tough challenges, or simply trying to keep momentum, this episode will change how you think about celebration.
Spoiler: It's not just about parties or cake (though we’re fans of both).
In this episode, we:
- Learn why celebration builds resilience, reinforces purpose, and fuels forward momentum
- Explore how small moments of acknowledgment—what we call “atomic celebrations”—can drive big impact
- Discover practical ideas to celebrate progress authentically, whether you're leading a team or working solo
What happens when you believe in design thinking but your organization doesn’t? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter, share ways you can start using design thinking in your work, even if no one else is on board yet.
In this episode, you will
- Understand how one person can spark a movement
- Learn why you can be the lone Design Thinker at work
- Discover practical ways to introduce design thinking without asking for permission
What if the only real safety lies in continuous change and standing still is the true danger?
In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Ralph H. Groce III, author of We Have Nothing to Lose: A Dark Optimist’s Call to Action. Drawing on personal stories, leadership insights, and a message forged in adversity, Ralph challenges us to stop waiting for things to "go back to normal" and instead start creating a path forward. In this episode, you will
• Understand why the world needs dark optimists now more than ever
• Learn how to embrace change with clarity and urgency
• Discover the high cost of clinging to comfort
About Our Guest
Ralph H. Groce III is an accomplished entrepreneur, visionary thinker, and dedicated advocate for change. With a rich tapestry of experiences in entrepreneurship, technology, finance, and philanthropy.
Ralph holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University Questrom School of Business, a Graduate degree from Boston University Metropolitan College, an MBA from Queens University McColl School of Business, and the honor of receiving an honorary doctorate from Johnson C Smith University. His academic achievements complement his entrepreneurial prowess.
As a seasoned entrepreneur, Ralph has founded and successfully managed multiple businesses, amassing several patents along the way. His ventures have been at the forefront of innovation, contributing to economic growth, and creating opportunities. His experiences have not only shaped his career but have also offered valuable insights into the dynamic world of business and technology.
Ralph's professional journey is a testament to his versatility. From entrepreneurship to financial services, his contributions have been instrumental in transforming industries, optimizing operations, enhancing security, and enabling growth. He currently serves as President and Chief Operating Officer for Scroobious Inc. A startup initiative focused on creating equitable access to investment capital. Prior to joining Scroobious Ralph served as Chief Information Officer, Global Head of Operations Technology at Wells Fargo, where he successfully combined his entrepreneurial mindset with technology leadership. Ralph also co-founded and serves as CEO of Knowhere Art Gallery, headquartered on Martha’s Vineyard, MA.
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Ralph's roots are in a city known for resilience and innovation. He presently divides his time between Northeast Pennsylvania and New York City.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Ralph is an enthusiast of diverse passions. He serves on the Board of Trustees at Johnson C. Smith University. He also serves on the University Advisory Board of Boston University and is the Chairman of the Boston University Metropolitan College Advisory Board. He is an avid sports enthusiast, a music lover, a published author, an ardent reader of literature, and a passionate traveler. These interests reflect his belief that a well-rounded life fosters creativity and personal growth.
You can connect with Ralph on
• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhg3d/
• Website http://www.thedarkoptimist.com/
• Instagram @grossoptimist
Ralph's book We Have Nothing to Lose: A Dark Optimist's Call to Action is available on Amazon and other major retailers.
Learn more about Arts for Humanity at www.afhboston.org
Productivity is a hot topic in news headlines, boardrooms, and everyday conversations. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter unpack the productivity crisis. In this episode, you will
• Understand why productivity isn't just an individual performance problem
• Learn the contributing factors that stall productivity
• Discover practical strategies for unlocking productivity
In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter delve into the concept of 'Dumbify' with guest David Carson. Discover how embracing 'dumb' ideas can lead to breakthrough innovations. Learn about David's journey building successful companies, and how a simple dinner conversation sparked the idea of 'Dumbify.' In this episode, you will:
• Understand the importance of spending more time with 'dumb' ideas
• Learn practical ways to integrate 'dumb' thinking into your problem-solving process
• Discover how challenging traditional methods can lead to unexpected success
David Carson is an entrepreneur and marketing innovator whose groundbreaking companies and products have impacted millions worldwide. Renowned for his expertise in creative thinking, Carson has collaborated with global giants like American Express, Nike, Coca-Cola, and IKEA, as well as cutting-edge advertising agencies including Mother and Ogilvy. His unconventional approach has not only shaped iconic brands but also challenged traditional notions of problem-solving in business and beyond. Connect with David on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcarson2/ and subscribe to his Dumbify newsletter at https://www.david-carson.com/
The inspiration for this podcast came from a question posed by Ian Scott, a longtime listener and friend of the podcast. Ian asked, "What's your view on human-centered systems thinking?"
In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore the intersection of human-centered design and systems thinking.
In this episode, you will
• Understand how these approaches work together to deliver better solutions.
• Learn how to leverage these holistic approaches in your work
• Discover practical strategies for integrating these practices
When Fonterra - a dairy cooperative in Aotearoa New Zealand - faced a critical workforce shortage, the usual ways of working weren't going to deliver the outcomes they needed. Enter the SWAT approach to business transformation - a fit-for-purpose, multi-disciplinary way to tackle critical business challenges. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter welcome Suzie Lewisham - People and Culture Director for the COO division at Fonterra, for an inside look at their award-winning approach to transforming business at pace.
In this episode, you will
• Learn about the SWAT approach to transforming business at pace
• Understand how creating a fit-for-purpose approach unlocks faster, smarter solutions to critical business challenges
• Discover how to bring together multi-disciplinary teams to break through silos and accelerate progress
You can connect with Suzie Lewisham on LinkedIn. Suzie and Dr Dani have captured their learnings and process from this award-winning work in a white paper, which you can access at designthinkerinstitute.com/swatapproach
Has collaboration become a catch-all solution, losing the focus and impact it was meant to deliver?
In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter unpack why collaboration often feels more like a burden than a boost. They explore how overuse and misuse have turned it into an overrated buzzword and what teams can do to bring intention and effectiveness back to colloboration.
In this episode, you will
• Understand why collaboration fatigue is holding teams back.
• Learn how to identify when collaboration is necessary—and when it’s not.
• Discover actionable strategies to balance solo and group work for better results.
In this episode of the Design Thinker Podcast, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Dr John Bennett, a leading scholar-practitioner, executive coach, and professor at the McColl School of Business, Queens University of Charlotte. John, author of The Manager’s Guide to Coaching for Change, brings nearly three decades of experience in helping leaders transform their approach to team performance.
In this episode, you will
• Understand what coaching is and what it is not
• Learn about the skills managers need for coaching
• Discover the positive impact of a six-minute coaching conversation
John's new book, The Manager's Guide to Coaching for Change, is now available on Amazon and other major retailers.
In this episode, Peter steps into the spotlight, recounting how his skydiving experiences shaped his perspective on courage, self-talk, goal-setting, and teamwork. As Peter Peter reflects on this skydiving journey, he draws parallels between skydiving and working in organizations.
In this episode, you will
• discover the power of visualization for driving outcomes
• understand the importance of finding your community
• learn how the ritual of regular debrief can drive productivity and performance
In this episode, Dr. Dani shares her nontraditional career path from aspiring law student to graphic designer to leading corporate transformations. A two-time university dropout, Dani discovered design while on the path to law school, which led her to attend design school and hone her passion for designing solutions. She explains how the lessons from design school became the foundation for driving impactful results in the corporate world.
In this episode, you will
• discover how design principles can drive business outcomes
• learn how embracing constraints leads to better problem-solving
• understand why empathy and curiosity are key to unlocking solutions
In a world that glorifies busyness, breaks are dismissed as unimportant and a barrier to productivity. However, this isn't actually the case. In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter discuss the often overlooked but essential practice of pausing. They explore the power of micro, mini, and mighty pauses and discuss how intentional breaks can increase productivity, creativity, and mental clarity.
In this episode, you will:
• learn about three types of pauses the micro, the mini, and the mighty
• understand how breaks can increase your brain's capacity to problem-solve
• discover practical ways to incorporate pauses into your daily routine
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text!
Do you struggle with perfectionism? Is it holding you back? In this episode, Dr. Dani Chesson and Designer Peter Allan explore how perfectionism hinders progress and keeps us trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and share tips on how to break free from the trap.
In this episode, you will
• understand the difference between helpful and harmful perfectionism
• learn practical techniques to move from overthinking to action
• discover how iteration and empathy can break the perfectionism cycle
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text!
We often focus on creating a seamless customer experience (CX), but what happens when we ignore employee experience (EX)? In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter dive into the often-overlooked connection between EX and CX, exploring why great customer experiences depend on happy, engaged employees.
In this episode, you will:
• understand the direct relationship between employee experience and customer satisfaction
• learn why neglecting EX leads to higher turnover, lower productivity, and poor CX outcomes
• discover practical ways to improve EX and elevate your overall business performance
We'd love to hear from you. Send us a text!
Customer Experience (CX) is vital for businesses in the 21st century, but do we know what we mean when we say CX? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore CX.
In this episode, you will
• understand what CX is and what it is not
• learn why CX is a vital aspect of business success
• discover how to design and operationalize a winning CX
Experience — a term that's become ubiquitous in business, but do we really know what we mean when we say Customer Experience, Employee Experience, Patient Experience, and the like? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore the anatomy of an experience.
In this episode, you will:
• learn what is meant by experience
• understand the macro and micro-moments that shape an experience
• discover practice insights on designing an experience
Emotions are central to the human experience, influencing every aspect of our personal, professional, and social lives. They are complex and multifaceted, shaping how we perceive and interact with the world. Research suggests that up to 95% of our decisions are driven by emotions, underscoring their powerful impact on our choices.
In this episode, you will:
• understand the definition of emotions
• discover the role of emotions in designing solutions
• learn about frameworks and tools to explore and navigate emotions
Have you heard of BANI? Are you ready for it? The term VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) was coined in the 1980s to describe the context of the world. Four decades later, is this term still relevant? The term BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible) was coined in 2020 to describe the current environment. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore BANI.
In this episode, you will
• learn about the concept of BANI
• understand the relevance of Design Thinker capabilities in a BANI world
• get practical tips on applying Design Thinker capabilities
What are the ethical obligations of design research? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore the importance of informed consent when doing design research. From historical examples like the Tukaseegee experiments to contemporary design research, this episode explains why it is important for participants to fully understand their involvement in any research activity.
In this episode, you will
• understand the ethical obligations when carrying out design research
• learn the "how-tos" of informed consent, including the key topics that need to be covered
• hear real-life examples of how to customize the informed consent process so it is fit for the purpose
What is discovery work? How does it help reduce risk and deliver better outcomes? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter dive into the "how-to" of discovery work to explain what it is, why it is important, and tips on how to get started.
In this episode, you will
• discover the importance of discovery work
• learn how to get started with discovery
• hear stories of how discovery work has influenced the outcome of projects
How might we use privacy law to build trust with customers? Often regulations are viewed as an obligation, something organizations need to comply with to stay out of legal trouble. However, what if regulations can be more than that? What if regulations can provide us a way to build trust and create better experiences for customers? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Rali Andreeva, a thought leader who helps organizations demystify privacy to improve customer experience.
In this episode, you will
• understand the intent of privacy law
• discover how to build customer trust with privacy
• learn simple ways to get started
About Our Guest
Rali helps teams simplify privacy, mitigate risks, and build trust by embedding privacy in the customer experience. With 20+ years of marketing, loyalty, and data and insights experience across retail, FMCG, and banking, she brings a customer and business perspective to an area often dominated by legal and compliance expertise.
She speaks at events, runs training sessions and facilitates workshops, as well as providing coaching for senior leaders and teams. You can connect with Rali on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralica-andreeva/
Over the past several years, the relevance of design thinking has come under scrutiny. Is it a fad that has run its course? Is design thinking still useful? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter dive into these questions.
In this episode, you will
• explore how design thinking has evolved over the years
• learn about what is working and what is not
• discover what needs to happen next
Organizational tensions are inevitable and become increasingly complex as organizations scale. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter discuss the three most common organizational tensions and strategies for navigating them.
In this episode, you will
• discover the three most common organizational tensions that keep teams stuck
• learn how to leverage Design Thinker Capabilities to navigate organizational tensions
• understand the benefits and pitfalls of tensions
Context plays a pivotal role in shaping our understanding of the world. From everyday conversations to pondering the meaning of life, context is at the center of meaning-making. An action that might seem irrational can be perfectly reasonable when you understand the context. What does context mean for Design Thinkers? Why is it important to the practice of Design Thinking? Join Dr Dani and Designer Pete as they explore the meaning of context for design work.
In this episode, you will
• learn how to define context
• know the importance of context in solving problems
• understand how context applies to design thinking
Design Thinking, where did it come from? How is it being used today? What will its purpose be in the future? Join Dr Dani and Designer Peter as they delve into the history of Design Thinking and explore its prospects.
In this episode, you will
• Learn about the roots of Design Thinking
• Hear stories of how Design Thinking is being applied today
• Understand the future potential of Design Thinking
What is Design Thinking? In this back-to-basics episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter define Design Thinking.
In this episode, you will
• learn about how Design Thinking is defined
• understand why Design Thinking is important
• hear examples of how Design Thinking can help
Do you struggle with accepting failure as an opportunity for growth? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Life and Business Coach Chris Taylor, author of the book Avoiding Propeller Blades.
In this episode, you will
• learn the power of accepting failure as an inevitability when trying something new
• hear stories about how quickly recovering from failure led to personal and professional growth
• understand the importance of reframing failure for success
About Our Guest
Chris Taylor is a Life and Business Coach who works with leaders to overcome barriers holding them back. Raised in Newcastle upon Tyne, a Geordie. On leaving school, he put his tail on the donkey of engineering and obtained two engineering degrees in chemical and environmental engineering. He worked as an engineer and manager for international consulting firms in the UK before immigrating to New Zealand in 2003. His move to New Zealand was accompanied by a career change from engineering to coaching. In 2024, Chris published his first book, Avoiding Propeller Blades.
To learn more about Chris and get your copy of his book visit: https://avoidingpropellerblades.com/
How do you know the best way to get others to resonate with the story you want to tell? In the final episode of our series on storytelling, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore the three modes of storytelling; oral, visual, and written.
In this episode, you will
• learn about the three modes of storytelling
• understand how to select the right mode for the right audience
• hear examples of how to tailor your story for the audience
Storytelling is everywhere. It shapes the culture of our families, social groups, and organizations. In part two of our series on storytelling, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore how stories can motivate action in organizations.
In this episode, you will
• hear about how the stories we share shape culture
• understand how stories inspire action
• learn about different storytelling frameworks
Ever wonder how the stories you tell yourself might be holding you back? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore how the stories we tell ourselves might be holding us back from designing solutions.
In this episode, you will
• hear examples of the stories we repeat to ourselves that keep us stuck
• understand how to identify the stories that are no longer serving you
• learn how to reframe the stories we tell ourselves so they help you move forward
The third of a three-part series on the three lenses of design thinking, this episode explores the desirability lens.
In this episode, you will be able to
- understand what desirability means and why it is important
- learn the techniques Design Thinkers use to identify desirability
- hear real-world examples of how to put desirability into practice
So, let's dive in to explore how the desirability lens helps to create solutions that people will actually buy.
The second of a three-part series on the three lenses of design thinking, this episode explores the viability lens.
In this episode, you will be able to
- understand the key questions to consider when assessing a solution for viability
- learn how the viability lens contributes to better solutions
- hear real-world examples of applying the viability lens
So, let's dive in to explore how to apply the viability lens to create better solutions.
The first of a three-part series on the three lenses of design thinking, this episode explores the feasibility lens. Join Dr Dani and Designer Peter as they take an in-depth look at feasibility.
In this episode, you will be able to
• learn about the five components of feasibility
• understand how ignoring feasibility can lead to impractical solutions
• hear real-world examples of the feasibility lens in action
From theory to practice, let's dive into how to bring bold ideas into existence through the feasibility lens.
Empathetic Exploration, are you using this capability to deliver what customers really want? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter take a deep dive into understanding the specific way that design thinkers use empathy.
In this episode, you will be able to
- learn about the research that informs how design thinkers use empathy
- understand the importance of Empathetic Exploration when developing solutions
- know how to apply Empathetic Exploration in your work
- hear real-world examples of Empathetic Exploration in action
From improving patient care in hospitals to organizing your kitchen, Empathetic Exploration has practical and impactful implications for solving problems. Tune-in to discover how Empathetic Exploration can be a game-changer for you.
Ever wondered how AI will transform human-centered design? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore this question, raising their own concerns and curiosities about how AI will change the landscape for human-centered design.
Key questions explored in this episode
- could AI create solutions that serve them and not us?
- will AI make us dumber not smarter?
- would AI free us up to do more meaningful work?
Beyond just the technical implications of AI, this discussion explores the need to rethink our practices, question our biases, and how AI and human creativity can work hand in hand.
Discover the reasons behind organizations' struggles to scale design thinking in this episode of the Design Thinker Podcast. Join Dr Dani and Dsigner Peter as they explore both research findings and their own experiences in the field, providing valuable insights on how organizations can avoid common challenges and successfully scale design thinking.
- Understand the common challenges organizations face when trying to scale design thinking
- Learn what you need to do so your investment in design thinking training doesn't go to waste
In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter chat with Strategy & Experience Designer, Jason Osburn. Learn how a love of comedy and fear of public speaking lead to a career in design.
About Our Guest
Jason Osburn is a human-centered designer with over 20 years of experience whose passion sits at the intersection of design, storytelling, technology, and entrepreneurship. He has a proven track record of elevating ideas and architecting experiences that create connections, inspires action, and deliver value. Throughout his career, he has designed and delivered innovative, award-winning experiences for startups to Fortune 100 companies. He genuinely believes design is the key to a better future for all and has a deep admiration for people coming together to create something bigger than themselves in service of others.
Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonosburn/
Learn More About Jason at: https://www.jasonosburn.com/
Optimism is essential to problem-solving, but it's not just about seeing the good, we have to understand the constraints. In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter take a deep dive into Situation Optimizing to explore what it is and why it is important, and how it shows up in problem-solving.
Curious Experimentation, learning in action. How do we respond to a problem when there isn't a clear cut answer? This is where the Design Thinker's mindset of curious experimentation can help us get unstuck. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Pete unpack what it means to be a curious experimenter and how to put this mindset to practice in your work.
Visual Communication when words fail us. Have you ever had an experience where words failed you? In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter talk about how visuals can save us when words fail us. If you think you aren't a visual communicator, this is the episode you need to hear. Dr. Dani shares insights from her research and how visually communicating isn't about pretty pictures but is part of our innate ability to communicate. Get their go-to tips for getting started with visually communicating.
Welcome back listeners! In this episode, we talk about the power of keeping going. Getting started is vital, but we can’t just stop there. We have to keep continuously improving through iteration. Tune in to learn how to enable follow-up action by giving ourselves permission to fail.
In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter talk about the power of getting started. Hear how this concept was put into practice in the making of the Design Thinker Podcast season 1.
In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Pete take a deep dive into how creativity, innovation, and risk management influence each other to understand how they might come together to create better, more impactful solutions.
Artists and Designers, how are they different? In this week’s episode, Dr Dani and Designer Pete dive into the differences between the work of artists and designers.
In this week’s episode, Dr Dani and Design Pete explore innovation and creativity to understand how these two concepts are different and if one can exist without the other.
Do you know how to create the conditions needed for collaboration? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Pete explore the conditions needed for collaboration to thrive.
In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Pete take a deep dive into empathy. What is it? Why is it important? And what does empathy look like in practice? How might we leverage empathy to create better solutions?
The ethics of Human Centered Design. What are some of the unintended consequences? How might we minimize them?
Human-Centered Design…you, me, we, us, is it only for humans? This week Dr Dani Chesson and Designer Peter Allan explore the “human” in human centered design. Is it really just about the humans or do we need to take a broader perspective?
Welcome to the very first episode of the Design Thinker Podcast. This week, Dr Dani Chesson and Design Peter Allan talk about co-design. What is it? And what are the key ingredients needed for co-design?