Claim OwnershipThe DesignOps Aligned Podcast Show
Subscribed: 1Played: 20
Subscribe
© 2026 © 2025 The Aligned Podcast Show - All Rights Reserved
Description
The Aligned Podcast Show, formerly DesignOps Aligned, is the essential listen for everyone who shapes digital products. From UX and UI creators to product managers, engineers, researchers, and delivery leads, we decode the playbooks, mindsets, and metrics that turn bold ideas into market-ready experiences. Expect candid conversations with trailblazing leaders and hands on practitioners, reusable frameworks that transform creativity into repeatable results, and a front row seat to the trends ranging from AI powered tools to outcome driven road mapping.
If you build, ship, or champion digital products, hit Subscribe and turn every episode into an edge that levels up your craft and drives real business impact.
44 Episodes
Reverse
“Understanding Burnout in UX: A Deep Dive” – Meltem Naz Kaso & Javier Bargas-Avila Meltem Naz Kaso https://www.linkedin.com/in/meltemnaz/ JJavier Andrés Bargas-Avila https://www.linkedin.com/in/javierbargas/ In this conversation, we delve into the pressing issue of burnout within the UX field, exploring its causes, personal experiences, and the distinction between stress and burnout. They discuss the importance of research in understanding burnout, the role of design leaders in preventin...
“Breaking Barriers in Digital Design” – Act 03 – Scene 41 – Reginé Gilbert In this episode, Reginé Gilbert discusses the importance of accessibility in design, the current state of awareness, and the challenges designers and product managers face. She emphasises the need for a shift in mindset towards accessibility as a core aspect of design rather than an afterthought. The conversation explores the ROI of accessibility, the importance of user testing, and practical steps for advocates within...
“Unlocking the Power of Workshops in Design” – Act 02 – Scene 39 – Amanda Gelb Amanda's LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-gelb/ Amanda's company: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aha-studio-inc/ Summary In this conversation, Naresh Shan and Amanda Gelb discuss the critical role of workshops in design and the importance of stakeholder buy-in, exploring strategies for effectively communicating the value of workshops, managing group dynamics, and harnessing divergent opini...
“LinkedIn Brand-building for Designers” – Act 02 – Scene 40 – Thijs Kraan Summary In this engaging conversation, Naresh Shan and Thijs Kraan explore the evolving landscape of design, the importance of leveraging LinkedIn for personal branding, and the challenges of content creation. Thijs shares insights on how to effectively communicate the value of design, the long-term commitment required for successful content creation, and the balance between authenticity and professionalism on social me...
"Should Everybody Do Research?" - Act 02 - Scene 38 - Kate Towsey Summary In this episode of the DesignOps Aligned podcast, Naresh Shan speaks with Kate Towsey, a prominent figure in the field of research operations. They discuss the evolution and current state of research ops, the importance of democratizing research, and the role of researchers in product development. Kate emphasises the need for strong research leadership and the integration of AI as a strategic partner in research process...
“Research is a slow process, but valuable” – Act 02 – Scene 37 – Theo Johnson Summary In this episode, Naresh Shan speaks with Theo Johnson, a senior UX researcher at Microsoft. They discuss the challenges and intricacies of UX research within large corporate organisations, the importance of storytelling in presenting research findings, and the evolving role of AI in the research process. Theo shares insights on how researchers can better integrate their work into product development and the ...
“The Hype of AI: Understanding Its Real Impact” – Act 02 – Scene 36 – Brandon C. White Summary In this conversation, Brandon and Naresh explore the evolving landscape of AI, discussing its impact on business, critical thinking, and parenting. They delve into the hype surrounding AI technologies, the necessity for businesses to develop coherent strategies, and the potential dangers of over-reliance on AI tools. The discussion also explores the implications for future job markets and the import...
“Making Accessibility a Priority” – Act 02 – Scene 35 – Maigen Thomas Summary In this episode of the DesignOps Aligned podcast Maigen Thomas discusses the critical importance of accessibility in design. They explore the transition from development to design, the challenges designers face in implementing accessibility, and the role of product managers in advocating for inclusive design. Maigen shares her insights on the need for designers to understand the fundamentals of accessibility and the...
“The Future of Prototyping: UXPin vs. Figma” – Act 02 – Scene 34 – Jack Behar In this conversation, Naresh Shan and Jack Behar discuss the capabilities and advantages of UXPin, a design and prototyping platform that aims to bridge the gap between design and development. They compare UXPin with Figma, highlighting UXPin's code-first approach and centralised collaboration features. The discussion also covers the importance of design systems, the onboarding process for new users, and the role of...
“The New Landscape of Design” – Act 02 – Scene 33 – Thomas Wilson In this episode, Naresh Shan and Thomas discuss the evolving landscape of UX design, emphasising the shift from traditional UI roles to strategic positions within organisations. They explore the impact of AI on design, the importance of understanding business fundamentals, and the need for designers to build trust and influence within their teams. The conversation highlights the necessity for UX professionals to adapt to chang...
“Unlocking the Value of Conferences” – Act 02 – Scene 32 – Damian Martone Leadership Ateliers Training for upcoming design leaders with multiple workshops and masterclasses in Lisbon (April 23-24), Barcelona (May 5-6) and Berlin (May 21-22). Get €100 off using the code DESIGNOPSALIGNED Website: https://www.leadershipateliers.com Hatch Conference 3-Day festival for senior designers and above. Featuring speakers and facilitators from Qonto, Anthropic, Loom, Intercom, Vercel and many more. App...
“Balancing Creativity and Business in Design” - Act 02 - Scene 31 – Alexander Christian In this conversation, Naresh Shan interviews Alex, a seasoned UX leader, about his journey in the design industry, the evolution of design practices, and the challenges faced by junior designers today. Alex shares insights on the balance between creativity and process, the role of design systems, and the importance of translating design into business value. He emphasizes the need for designers to articulat...
“Career Strategy Lab: A New Approach to UX Education” - Act 01 - Scene 30 – Sarah Doody In this conversation, Naresh Shan and Sarah Doody discuss the evolution of UX design, the challenges faced by job seekers in the current market, and the importance of effective communication and portfolio presentation. Sarah shares insights from her experience running the Career Strategy Lab, emphasizing the need for tailored job applications and the value of research in UX. They also touch on the impact o...
“Navigating the Job Market: Insights from Experts” - Act 01 - Scene 29 – Nina & Javier In this episode, Javier Bargas and Nina Weber to discuss the current state of the job market, particularly in the UX design field. They explore the challenges job seekers face, including ghosting in applications, the importance of tailoring resumes, and the impact of AI on job security. The conversation also delves into the significance of building a strong portfolio, understanding domain knowledge, and...
“Why Design Language Matters” - Act 01 - Scene 28 – Ben Callahan In this episode of the DesignOps Aligned podcast, Naresh Shan interviews Ben Callahan, a prominent figure in the design systems space. They discuss the evolution of responsive design, the importance of accessibility, and the shift towards adaptive design. Ben shares insights on the role of design systems in fostering creativity while maintaining structure, the challenges of proving their value, and the necessity for designers to...
“Designing the Future: The Truth About UX” - Act 01 - Scene 27 – Felix Lee In this engaging conversation, Naresh Shan and Felix Lee explore the intricacies of mentorship in the design industry, the impact of social media on perceptions of UX/UI, and the evolving role of AI in design. They discuss the essential qualities of a good mentor, the importance of truth-seeking in design, and the challenges designers face in a competitive job market. Felix shares insights on how ADPList aims to ...
“Overcoming Fear in Career Changes Mastering Storytelling in UX Design” - Act 01 - Scene 26 – Ricardo Brito In this engaging conversation, Naresh Shan and Ricardo Brito explore the complexities of career transitions, the importance of storytelling in personal reinvention, and the impact of trauma on professional dynamics. Ricardo shares his journey from product design to coaching, emphasizing the need for self-awareness and confidence in navigating career changes. The discussion highlig...
"From Curiosity to Clarity: Nikki’s Growth in User Research” - Act 01 - Scene 25 – Nikki Anderson In this engaging conversation, Nikki shares her journey as a user researcher, emphasizing the field's evolution over the past five years. She discusses the importance of demonstrating user research ROI, KPIs' necessity, and the shift from big reveals to continuous feedback. Nikki also highlights the balance between proactive and reactive research strategies and the significance of aligning ...
“Measuring the impact of Content Design” - Act 01 - Scene 24 – Jeremy Dodd In this episode of the Design Ops Align podcast, Jeremy Dodd, a content writer at Atlassian, discusses the critical role of content design in the UX process. Topics include measuring the ROI of content writing, integrating content writers early in the design process, and methodologies for testing and validating content. Jeremy also shares insights on the artistry involved in tone and voice, the balance between UX...
" Navigating the Future of UX Testing” - Act 01 - Scene 23 – Alejandro Rivas-Micoud Summary In this episode of DesignOps Aligned, host Naresh Shan welcomes Alejandro Rivas-Micoud, CEO of Userlytics, for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of UX research, AI, and accessibility testing. Alejandro shares his insights on how Userlytics, a global leader in remote user experience and usability testing, is navigating industry shifts, particularly the impact of AI-driven tools and synthetic...
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States