Episode 77: Humanized agents, deceptive patterns, and honest design (feat. Caleb Sponheim)I recently spoke at a conference in Italy, and one talk stuck with me: Caleb Sponheim from Nielsen Norman Group arguing that we have to stop designing AI agents that fool humans. It's a topic close to my heart, so I invited him on for a longer-than-usual, wonderfully opinionated conversation. Caleb comes at it from research, I come at it from actively building agentic features, and the two angles make for a really good hour.Learning outcomes:What a neuroscience background reveals about how (and how little) we understand LLMsThe risks of presenting an AI system as a person, implicitly or explicitlyWhether natural language is really the future interface, or sometimes just a command line in disguiseHow much design should sit between the model and the user, framed through jobs-to-be-doneWhy "you are not your user" is the cardinal sin lurking in AI design, plus the sycophancy trapDeceptive patterns, humanized agents, and honest design as a deliberate choiceWhy the line between design, engineering, product, and research is blurring, and why that's an opportunityConnect with Caleb Sponheim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebsponheim/ // https://www.nngroup.com/people/caleb-sponheim/Connect with the host, Nicole Michaelis: nicoletells.com // Contentrookiepod.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/ hi@nicoletells.com
Episode 76: Creating and maintaining Writer.mdA candid episode about how I built Writer.md. What I started off with, who I involved, how I tested, how it works, and how we govern it. A general reflection on building for and with agents, and what that means for (content) designers. Things I learned and things I recommend. Writer.md was built for Claude, but the same approach can be used in other AI tools as well (ChatGPT, Gemini, Notion etc).Connect with the host, Nicole Michaelis:nicoletells.comhi@nicoletells.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/
Episode 75: How Content Designers are impacting AI (and vice versa)Wow, things are moving fast right now. Some content designers are developing totally new skills, while others are trying out different tools or just trying to hang in there. But no matter where you currently are in your journey with "AI", you're not alone. We're all going through it and having different takeaways. In this episode with Content Rookie pal Andrew Stein, we really get into it. How we feel, what we're (really) doing, and how to keep cool.Learning outcomes:- Designing AI, Designing with AI, Designing for AI, Conversation design, ...what's it even called?- Nobody has it figured out. That's the opportunity!- Ideas for reshaping your role and how to pivot.- Support from two passionate Content Design leaders who really just want you all to thrive <3Connect with our guest, Andrew Stein:https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewdeanstein/Connect with the host, Nicole Michaelis:nicoletells.comhi@nicoletells.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/
Episode 74: Develop tone and voice that stickHow do you do tone and voice work in the age of AI? While there are some differences in how I approached TOV work early in my career, the core remains the same. Just now there are more tools to help you conclude faster!Learning outcomes:- What do tone and voice guidelines look like nowadays- How to kick off research- What every TOV should be backed by- Turning TOV guidelines into prompts- How AI can help and where it may failConnect with the host, Nicole Michaelis:nicoletells.comhi@nicoletells.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/
Episode 73: Psst, content design is about to have a major momentIn 2025’s final episode of Content Rookie, I introduce you to what I have coined the ”roguessance” of content design.I truly believe content design is about to have a major moment, thanks to developments like Google Disco redefining how we design and build experiences and interfaces as a whole. What are suddenly the most valuable skills on the market? Content strategy. Content systems. Clear comms. Prompting. Negotiating. Who does that best? Well, we content folks, of course!Why the latest developments in LLMs and AI are leveling the playing field for builders, writers, and designers, and how we can take ownership, are just some of the learning outcomes in this episode.Happy New Year, and thanks for listening to Content Rookie!Connect with the host, Nicole Michaelis:nicoletells.comhi@nicoletells.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoletells/