UXR Minds Podcast

Welcome to a new series on the UXR Minds Podcast! EspressoUXR is where co-hosts Giulia Tumminelli and Dale Husband (host of the UXR Minds Podcast) dive into the refreshingly positive side of UX Research.Feeling overwhelmed by the negativity in the UX field? You're not alone! This monthly series explores the lighter stories behind UX Research – from funny mishaps to uplifting news across the UXR community.In our debut episode, join Giulia and Dale as they share their personal journeys into UXR with plenty of laughs along the way!🎧 Topics include:Breaking through negativity in UX ResearchBehind-the-scenes stories from seasoned researchersCelebrating wins in the UXR communityHumorous research mishaps and lessons learned

In this new episode, UXR Minds sit down with Dr. Nick Fine, an experienced Principle UX Research consultant & strategist. Nick discusses the current state of UX Research from the shifting perspectives on UXR as well as how UX Research juniors are facing a much different reality to when he started out.Subscribe, follow and share!

🎧 Sign up for the beta of our episode sponsor, Caseoowl — the ultimate toolkit for case studies and research storytelling: caseoowl.com/caseoowl-is-comingHow AI Is Reshaping UX Research — with Prayag Narula, CEO of MarvinIn this special episode, we sit down with Prayag Narula, CEO and co-founder of Marvin, to explore how AI is transforming the future of UX Research.As new AI-powered tools enter the market and reshape how researchers work, many are asking: What’s next for UXR? Prayag shares his unique perspective on the opportunities ahead, why he's optimistic about what's coming, and how Marvin is leading the charge in this new era.Whether you're a researcher, designer, or just curious about how AI is influencing product teams — this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

🎙 Co-Design in Context: Unlocking Opportunities Through Collective InnovationPart 3 with Amanda Jensen | UXR Minds PodcastIn this final installment of our series with multidisciplinary researcher, designer, and strategist Amanda Jensen, we dive deep into the power of co-design—and what it really takes to make it work in diverse, real-world contexts.Amanda shares insights from her uniquely varied career across tech, education, speculative design, film, AI, and social impact, unpacking how co-design can unlock unexpected opportunities and drive meaningful innovation when done with care and intention.We explore:🔹 What co-design actually looks like in practice🔹 Navigating power dynamics and creating inclusive spaces🔹 Balancing structure with creative emergence🔹 Why collective innovation is more relevant than everWhether you're new to co-design or a seasoned collaborator, this episode offers practical takeaways and inspiring perspective from someone who's led and mentored through it all.

🔍 In Part 2 of Workshop 3, Amanda takes us deeper into what it truly means to be a user-obsessed organization — and how that mindset shapes your role, your team, and the entire product development process. If you're in UX or UXR, this one's a must-watch!👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe for more insights from the world of UX research. Don’t forget to share with your UX crew!

In Workshop 3, I invited Amanda Jensen to break down her experiences in UX Design and Research, which translate into her passion and methodology around co-design.She explains why it is so important to involve various stakeholders, engineers, product managers as well as users in the whole design process.Part 1 introduces this concept and sets the tone for the workshop.

In Part 2 of this monthly Espresso UXR series, Dale and Giulia discuss some alternative aspects of UXR - Super powers!What super power would you like as a UX Researcher? Invisibility? Mind reading? Discover Dale and Giulia's thoughts in this episode! They also check out how Giulia described UX Research to her Grandma in an exciting twist and they encourage you listeners to send in any questions you have for up coming discussions!

In this episode of UXR Minds, host Dale Husband welcomes Mary Hatch, UX Research Leader at Cisco with over a decade of experience shaping the field.Mary shares her remarkable career journey while unveiling the essential qualities that define successful UX researchers. She offers candid insights into navigating professional challenges, emphasizing how identifying weaknesses becomes a powerful catalyst for career advancement rather than a limitation.The conversation explores the critical role of communication in research effectiveness. Mary provides actionable strategies for positioning yourself within cross-functional teams and explains why understanding diverse communication styles—both with team members and stakeholders—directly impacts your research influence and organizational value.Whether you're new to UX research or looking to enhance your existing practice, Mary's practical wisdom offers a roadmap for professional growth through self-awareness, strategic communication, and continuous improvement.Connect with UXR Minds:Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uxr-minds/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UXRMinds

In the concluding segment of Workshop 2, Theo shifts the spotlight to a critical yet often overlooked dimension of professional development: personal well-being. While job seekers frequently obsess over resumes, portfolios, and interview strategies, they frequently overlook the most essential asset in their career journey—themselves.Theo explores the dangers of professional tunnel vision, revealing how relentless career pursuits can gradually erode mental health. Drawing from personal experience, he shares vulnerable insights into the importance of self-care, demonstrating that professional success is intrinsically linked to personal resilience and emotional well-being. His approach goes beyond generic advice, offering practical strategies for maintaining psychological balance while navigating the often-demanding landscape of career growth.

In this fascinating episode, we sit down with Alex Knoll, co-founder of Condens, as he shares his entrepreneurial journey and the challenges he faced along the way. Alex opens up about the highs and lows of founding a company and the lessons he's learned through the process.We also dive deep into the current state of the UX Research field, exploring how it's evolving and the shifts happening within the industry. Alex provides valuable insights on how UX Researchers can adapt, grow, and position themselves for success as the field continues to transform.Whether you're a founder, a UX professional looking to navigate industry changes, or simply interested in the intersection of entrepreneurship and user experience, this conversation offers practical wisdom and forward-thinking perspectives you won't want to miss.🔔 Subscribe for more episodes featuring industry leaders and practical insights for UX professionals!#UXResearch #Entrepreneurship #ProductDevelopment #UserExperience #DesignThinking #CondensPlatform

In the midst of UX Research's ongoing transformation, Ned Dwyer, co-founder of Great Question, offers a refreshing perspective on the field's future. From his startup journey to founding a platform empowering UX researchers, Ned shares candid insights on navigating uncertainty, building resilience, and positioning yourself for success in an evolving industry.Discover how to thrive - not just survive - in the world of UX Research. A must-listen for professionals feeling overwhelmed by current debates and technological shifts.

In this informative episode, we dive deep into the world of UX portfolio reviews with exclusive insights that most candidates never hear. Our expert guest, Theo Johnson, reveals the unfiltered criteria he knows are used to evaluate UX Research and Design portfolios.Discover the portfolio red flags that instantly disqualify candidates, the secret scoring systems used behind closed doors, and the unexpected elements that make hiring managers fight over applicants. Whether you're struggling to land interviews or wondering why your "professional" portfolio isn't getting responses, this episode delivers the raw, unedited feedback you need to transform your portfolio from overlooked to irresistible.This isn't just another portfolio advice session—it's the career-changing inside information every UX professional needs to hear.#UXPortfolio #UXCareer #PortfolioTips #UXDesign #UXResearch #HiringSecrets #UXJobs #CareerAdvice #PortfolioReview #UXHiring #JobSearch #UXInterviews #DesignPortfolio #UXCaseStudy #CareerHacks #PortfolioDesign #TechJobs #UXCommunity #DesignCareers #PortfolioStrategy

We're back with our Workshop series, for Workshop number 2 with Theo Johnson! This Workshop will be focusing on jumpstarting your UX career! From building your online presence to looking after your mental health. Theo is a seasoned UX Researcher as well as vocal UXR mentor, most notably via ADP List.Follow Part 1 as Theo takes us through some LinkedIn profile best practices.

In this exciting podcast episode, I sat down with Goodness, an incredible UX Designer based in Nigeria who is revolutionizing the UX design community through powerful mentorship and innovation. As the founder of MGW, a groundbreaking community platform, Goodness helps aspiring designers navigate their career paths and secure their first roles in the competitive UX design industry. What makes her journey unique? Before becoming a UX Designer, Goodness had a fascinating background in baking - a testament to her versatility and passion for learning. During our conversation, she candidly shares her inspiring transition from Baking to user experience design, offering invaluable insights and advice for newcomers looking to break into the field. Whether you're an aspiring UX designer, a design professional seeking motivation, or simply curious about career transformations, this episode promises to deliver inspiration, practical advice, and a compelling personal story of professional reinvention. Join us as we explore Goodness's remarkable journey in UX design, mentorship, and community building.

Journey into UX Research with Ruby Pryor Join us for an fascinating conversation with Ruby Pryor, the founder of Rex and accomplished UX Research consultant making waves in Southeast Asia's tech landscape. In this episode, Ruby shares her fascinating journey from seasoned traveller to UX research leader, revealing how her travelling experiences have shaped her approach to user experience and research methodology. Discover how Ruby's pivotal experiences influence her work as she opens up about: The pivotal moments that led her to pursue UX research How cultural immersion enhanced her research capabilities The inspiration and vision behind founding Rex Essential insights for aspiring UX researchers entering the field Whether you're a UX professional, aspiring researcher, digital nomad, or tech entrepreneur, Ruby's story offers valuable lessons on leveraging diverse experiences to build a meaningful career in user experience research. ❤️ Enjoying the episode? Support us by: 🔔 Following our show to never miss an episode ⭐ Rating us 5 stars to help others discover us 🔄 Sharing with friends and colleagues who might benefit 💬 Leaving a comment - we'd love to hear your thoughts! #UXResearch #UserExperience #DigitalNomad #TechEntrepreneur #StartupFounder #WomenInTech #SoutheastAsia #UXDesign #ProductDesign #ResearchMethodology #CareerAdvice #TechConsulting #UXCommunity #DigitalTransformation #AsianTech #UXLeadership #ResearchConsulting #GlobalPerspective #TravelingProfessional #CareerDevelopment

Our most watched release on YouTube is BACK via a remastered audio version! I spoke with the amazing Darren Hood back in October and to kick off 2025 we've cleaned up the audio and giving it a re-release to whet all your appetites for what's to come this year. We discussed Darren's rich background in the User Experience industry and his thoughts on how to the enter the field successfully and avoid the pitfalls that are rife on social media as you make your first tentative steps into UX.

In this special episode, we're unwrapping the most powerful career insights from three game-changing conversations that had our listeners reaching for their notepads. From mindset shifts to industry truths, these episodes pack a punch for anyone navigating their UX research journey. Amanda Jensen shares her raw and honest take on the power of perspective, showing us how past experiences – even the tough ones – can be your secret weapon during job hunting and skill-building. Her story reminds us that sometimes taking a step back is actually moving forward. The legendary Darren Hood cuts through the noise with his no-nonsense guide to avoiding UX misinformation. If you're tired of conflicting advice and wondering how to start your UX journey right, this segment is your compass. And in a powerful duo discussion, Thomas Stokes and Lawton Pybus tackle the elephant in the room – dealing with the silence after job applications and interviews. Their practical strategies turn radio silence into opportunities for growth. This episode isn't just a highlight reel – it's your career resilience toolkit, carefully curated from the minds of those who've been there, done that, and are here to light the way.

Delighted to be able to share our interview with Aryn, VP of Corporate Services at Fieldwork. We discussed Aryn's journey into the role she is now as well as her insights on the behind scenes at Fieldwork. This gives us an eye opener on how these Research facilities can help UXRs level up their research studies with state-of-the-art locations up and down the United States. We also touch on what she loves most about her work as well as some advice she would like to share to you listeners on your career paths. Check out our recent episode with Victor Yocco, to get a taste of what Fieldwork has to offer!

In Part 2 of our "How to Deal with PRESSURE to Adopt AI" workshop, we’re joined by Caleb Sponheim to dive deeper into the challenges UX and UXR professionals face as AI reshapes the industry. Caleb shares actionable strategies for navigating the pressure to integrate AI into your workflows while staying true to user-centered principles. We’ll explore how to balance innovation with ethical practices around data security, manage stakeholder expectations, and future-proof your research practices. Whether you're AI-curious or already feeling the squeeze, this episode is packed with insights to help you thrive in this rapidly evolving landscape. Don’t miss it!

Tune in as Victor Yocco shares his journey into UX and UX Research, offering invaluable insights for early-career UXRs. He dives into common challenges, like mastering effective communication, addressing questions about research decisions, and sharing insights confidently. Whether you're just starting or looking to strengthen your foundation, this episode is packed with advice you won't want to miss! Like what you hear? Share it with your colleagues and friends whilst also giving us a follow! This episode is brought to you by Fieldwork! Want to take the stress out of managing your next research project? Fieldwork is here to help. Whether you're conducting usability tests, human factors studies, or need custom recruitment for those hard-to-reach users, Fieldwork has you covered. With high-quality spaces, reliable project support, and expert recruitment services, they ensure your sessions run smoothly, so you can focus on what matters—the insights. Ready to bring your next project to life with support you can trust? Visit http://fieldwork.com to learn more. Fieldwork—focus on the research; they’ll do the rest.