Insights Unlocked

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/45oE6gF ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- Episode summary: In this episode of Insights Unlocked, host Nathan Isaacs chats with Chris Silvestri, founder of Conversion Alchemy, about what really makes copy convert. And spoiler alert, it’s not about being clever with words. Chris unpacks the importance of research-driven messaging, sharing his journey from software engineering and UX to conversion copywriting. He reveals why 70% of his work is dedicated to research and how pattern recognition, user testing, and cross-team interviews uncover the insights needed to build impactful, customer-first messaging. You’ll learn: Why writing effective copy is about translating customer thinking, not sounding smart How to spot when teams are operating on assumptions instead of data The overlooked power of user testing videos for understanding customer behavior How to organize and scale research using an “iceberg” framework The promise (and pitfalls) of using synthetic personas for copy testing and stakeholder alignment Practical tips for using voice of customer data to clarify and strengthen your value proposition Resources & Links: Chris Silvestri on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophersilvestri/) Conversion Alchemy website (https://christophersilvestri.com/) Nathan Isaacs on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanisaacs/) Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: http://bit.ly/472L2m0 ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- What do magicians and marketers have in common? A lot more than you think. In this episode of Insights Unlocked, Nathan Isaacs chats with Jimi Gibson, Vice President of Brand Communication at Thrive Agency, to explore how lessons from the stage can radically transform how brands communicate and connect with customers. Jimi, a former professional magician turned messaging strategist, shares how the principles of illusion, empathy, and storytelling apply directly to customer experience design. Drawing from decades of experience—both on stage and in the boardroom—Jimi introduces his “magic script” framework, which walks brands through three emotional cues: connection, curiosity, and conversion. You’ll hear how brands can shift from “me-first” messaging to customer-centered narratives that actually resonate. Jimi also discusses why clarity beats cleverness, how to test messaging in the wild, and the powerful impact of customer feedback on creative strategy. From landing page makeovers to understanding the psychology of engagement, this episode is packed with insights you can act on right away. What you'll learn in this episode: Why great marketing is more like great theater than you’d think How the “magic script” uses brain chemistry to build deeper customer connection Why empathy, clarity, and insight should be the foundation of all messaging The power of message testing—before you go live Real-world examples of emotional storytelling in action Resources & Links: Jimi Gibson on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimi-gibson/ Thrive Agency https://thriveagency.com/ Storynomics by Robert McKee Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara Nathan Isaacs on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanisaacs/) Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4kYTrdD ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- In this episode, we sit down with UX veteran and startup advisor Oksana Kovalchuk to explore the common pitfalls early-stage founders make when building digital products and how to avoid them. Drawing on two decades of design, development, and mentoring experience, Oksana shares why user experience must be prioritized from day one, and how building a product for your users, not yourself, is the key to startup survival. What you’ll learn: Why "you are not your user" is still the Golden Rule. Founders often build products based on their own logic and preferences. Oksana explains why that leads to UX failure, especially when designing for different demographics. The “more ideas than money” principle. Discover how Oksana helps startup teams focus their limited budgets on what matters most: getting the MVP right and learning from real users quickly. Fail fast, learn fast. Learn how iteration, feedback loops, and competitor reviews play a central role in UX design at the startup level. When UX is ignored, disaster follows. Hear a jaw-dropping real-world example of a fintech app with a 98% onboarding drop-off; all caused by a single UX decision. Measuring UX success. Explore metrics like time-to-value, drop-off rates, and support ticket trends that reveal how your product is really performing. Resources & Links: Oksana Kovalchuk on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/oksanakovalchuk/ ANODA https://www.anoda.mobi/ Mike McDowell on Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmcdowell1/ Mike’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mikedropvideos Nathan Isaacs on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanisaacs/) Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4eZNwDS ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- What does it take to consistently deliver exceptional customer experiences? In this episode of Insights Unlocked, guest Mark Slatin—CX thought leader, educator, and host of The Delighted Customer podcast—shares how trust acts as the foundation for business transformation. Drawing on his Trusted Guide Framework, Mark explores how to operationalize customer experience, earn executive buy-in, and create lasting customer loyalty through empathy, listening, and collaboration. You’ll learn: Why every customer has an experience—whether or not you design for it The dangers of the “hero trap” in leadership and how to overcome it How to build a culture of trust within your team and organization Ways to get executive buy-in using stakeholder-centric storytelling Why empathy is the game-changer in closing the customer experience gap The role of AI in enhancing—but not replacing—human-centric CX strategies Resources & Links: Becoming a Trusted Guide™ (On Demand Course via CXPA) - https://www.pathlms.com/cxpa/courses/105144 The Trusted Guide Roadmap™ (Live Master Class) - https://www.empoweredcx.com/ The Delighted Customers Podcast - https://www.empoweredcx.com/podcast Mark Slatin on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/markslatin)  Bobby Meixner on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmeixner/) Nathan on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanisaacs/) Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/3U80YeU ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- In this episode of Insights Unlocked, Devora Rogers, Chief Strategy Officer at Alter Agents and co-author of Influencing Shopper Decisions, joins us to challenge outdated assumptions about how people shop. Devora shares her unconventional journey from storytelling to strategy and offers a fresh lens on consumer behavior, loyalty, and the importance of continuous human insights. Drawing on decades of experience helping top brands like Google and Snapchat, Devora explains why fewer than 5% of shoppers follow a linear path to purchase and why loyalty is no longer a given. She introduces a behavioral segmentation model—including loyalists, defectors, ambivalents, and impulse buyers—and explores how brands can tailor experiences for each type. Plus, we unpack the problem with “brand narcissism” in research and why brands must prioritize relevance over vanity metrics. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why shoppers often start from scratch with every buying decision—and what that means for loyalty programs The four shopper mindsets and how to design experiences for each How real-time insights and tools like video feedback are transforming market research Why most brand trackers fail to deliver meaningful insight The power of storytelling in research and decision-making Where AI fits in—and where human feedback still reigns supreme Resources & Links: Alter Agents (https://alteragents.com/) Devora Rogers on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/devorarogers/) Bobby Meixner on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmeixner/) Nathan on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanisaacs/) Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4lcY2tG ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- What does it take to make marketing truly meaningful? In this episode of Insights Unlocked, we sit down with Steven Sakach, co-founder of AI CMO and CEO of Zero Company, to explore how businesses can create deeper emotional connections by putting empathy and purpose at the heart of their marketing. With decades of experience spanning journalism, digital media, and consciousness studies, Steven shares insights on the evolution of conscious capitalism, the role of AI in marketing with intention, and how brands can avoid the pitfalls of performative messaging. Discover how companies like Patagonia and Dove have created enduring emotional impact, and learn how to articulate your own organization’s higher purpose to guide authentic, customer-first campaigns. Whether you're part of a lean marketing team or leading a larger brand, this episode offers actionable strategies to align your marketing with what truly matters. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why empathy and purpose are becoming essential pillars of effective marketing How AI can help small teams scale emotionally intelligent campaigns The concept of “building love into scalable systems” and why it matters Lessons from brands that got it right—and those that got it wrong How to discover and articulate your business’s authentic higher purpose Resources & Links: Steven on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-sakach-3181aa28b/) Zero Company (https://www.zerocompany.com/) aiCMO (https://aicmo.io/home_ Bliss Business podcast (https://www.theblisspodcast.com/) Nathan on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanisaacs/) Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4lhHPCW ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- In this episode of Insights Unlocked, Rand Fishkin, co-founder of SparkToro and marketing industry icon, joins hosts Mike McDowell and Nathan Isaacs to unpack one of the most disruptive shifts in digital marketing today: the death of attribution. Rand explains how platforms like Google, Facebook, and Reddit are cutting off referral data and turning into "walled gardens," effectively ending marketers' ability to track where traffic and conversions truly originate. This change calls for a radical new playbook—one that trades attribution modeling for brand lift, and prioritizes native content that meets audiences where they are. What you'll learn in this episode: Why attribution modeling no longer works—and what to focus on instead The rise of zero-click marketing and how to succeed with it How brands can build influence in a closed-platform world The role of audience intelligence tools like SparkToro in top-of-funnel strategy Why empathy and behavior observation are more powerful than ever for product and marketing decisions How customer insights led to SparkToro’s recent product relaunch—and a major growth rebound Resources & Links: SparkToro: https://sparktoro.com/ Rand on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/randfishkin/ Snackbar Studio: https://snackbarstudio.com/ Mike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmcdowell1/ Mike’s YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@mikedropvideos Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4l51qH3 ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- In this episode of Insights Unlocked, we sit down with Dheerja Kaur, Vice President of Product Management at Robinhood, for a deep dive into how thoughtful design, strategic innovation, and customer obsession can transform industries—especially one as complex and regulated as finance. Dheerja brings insights from her journey across major brands like ESPN and The Skimm, sharing how those experiences shaped her unique approach to building products that are not only functional and beautiful but also deeply human. Designing for obsessive user bases: How Dheerja’s work with passionate communities—from sports fans to finance enthusiasts—has underscored the value of user loyalty and brand ethos. Democratizing finance through design: A look at how Robinhood lowered economic barriers and emphasized intuitive user experiences to make investing more accessible to everyone. Embracing complexity without sacrificing clarity: Dheerja discusses how her team balances regulatory requirements with elegant product design that promotes user education and confidence. Coaching with ‘Spidey sense’: Learn how she develops product intuition in her teams without micromanaging, and how recognizing subtle signals can lead to better outcomes. A culture of experimentation: Why Robinhood encourages teams to pursue bold ideas—even at the risk of failure—and how this fuels long-term growth and innovation. Harnessing real-time insights: Discover how customer feedback from support, surveys, and experimentation informs Robinhood’s product strategy and user experience. AI and the future of product design: Dheerja shares Robinhood’s early experiments with AI, including the new Cortex product, and how first-principles thinking guides their approach. Championing inclusive leadership: Dheerja reflects on her own experience navigating imposter syndrome and why she prioritizes supporting women and underrepresented groups in tech. Dheerja on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dheerja/ Robinhood website: https://robinhood.com/ Dheerja’s website: https://www.dheerja.com/ Bobby on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmeixner Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/43Gxevp ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- In this episode of Insights Unlocked, hosts Nathan Isaacs and Bobby Meixner welcome customer experience (CX) leader Tabitha Dunn to discuss the intersection of empathy, artificial intelligence, and change management in building truly customer-centric organizations. Drawing on her executive experience leading CX and digital transformation at global brands, Tabitha shares actionable insights for business leaders navigating innovation and AI implementation—without losing sight of the human element. Listeners will learn why beginning with an "empathy tour" is essential, how to avoid common pitfalls in transformation initiatives, and why governance and usability must be balanced in any AI strategy. Plus, she shares how CX leaders can broaden their influence by becoming fluent in cross-functional collaboration, change management, and business impact storytelling. Topics Covered: The Empathy Tour: Why leaders must deeply understand employee and customer perspectives before initiating change. AI with Purpose: How to evaluate AI technologies through the lens of real human needs—not hype. Governance Meets Usability: Balancing privacy, personalization, and user experience in AI-driven systems. Cross-Functional Buy-In: Tips for engaging finance, IT, and product teams in CX-driven transformation efforts. Skills for Modern CX Leaders: Why CX professionals should add sales training, change management, and project management to their toolkit. Avoiding Common Missteps: The three most frequent reasons transformation initiatives fail—and how to prevent them. Tabitha to the Rescue: How Tabitha steps in to course-correct projects that are stalling or misaligned. Resources & Links: Tabitha on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/tabithadunn Stage 2 Capital (https://www.stage2.capital Bobby on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/bmeixner Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4kw3gQJ ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- In this episode of Insights Unlocked, we dive into the rapidly evolving intersection of UX design and artificial intelligence with Greg Nudelman, UX architect at Sumo Logic and author of UX for AI. Hosted by Sean Treiser, this conversation explores why conventional UX tools and mindsets are no longer sufficient in an AI-driven world—and what design leaders can do to keep pace. Greg challenges the status quo, likening traditional UI workflows to rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, especially as AI becomes the centerpiece of digital experiences. He introduces the concept of “iceberg UX,” where visual design is only the surface, and the real value lies in content, data, and AI interactions beneath. He advocates for retiring “lorem ipsum” and instead prioritizing real, meaningful output that aligns with user context and workflows. Key topics include: Why UI alone won’t cut it in the era of AI, and what “iceberg UX” really means The death of lorem ipsum and the rise of content as core design output How to use the “value matrix” to assess risk and ROI in AI predictions Practical frameworks for incorporating AI, data, and empathy into design processes The skills UX and product teams need to thrive in a world of intelligent agents Why Greg believes UX professionals must move fast or risk becoming obsolete Greg also previews his AI UX bootcamp and shares insights from his viral content experiments, underscoring how AI is reshaping not just products but also how we market and communicate. Whether you’re a product designer, UX strategist, or CX leader, this episode will challenge you to rethink your role in a world where machines are increasingly not just tools—but collaborators. Episode links: Greg on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregnudelman/ UX for AI book https://www.uxforai.com/c/ux-for-ai-book Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4dDbMuy In this thought-provoking episode of Insights Unlocked, Jason Giles sits down with Lisa Kay Solomon—designer in residence at Stanford’s d.school, bestselling author, and strategic foresight expert—to explore how leaders can better prepare for an uncertain and rapidly evolving future. Lisa shares insights from her 20+ years in scenario planning and design, reflecting on the transformative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it highlighted the critical need for imagination, empathy, and long-term thinking in leadership. She discusses the value of futures thinking in education and business, emphasizing how anticipatory leadership, scenario planning, and rapid prototyping can help organizations build resilience and stay ahead of disruption. Whether you're leading a team, crafting customer experiences, or shaping strategic decisions, this episode will inspire you to stretch your thinking, foster creativity, and embrace your role as a designer of the future. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why the pandemic marked a turning point in how leaders perceive uncertainty How imagination is an underdeveloped but essential leadership skill Practical tools like futures wheels and scenario planning to anticipate change The role of design and prototyping in shaping strategic foresight How to nurture a culture that values long-term thinking and experimentation Why attention is the new currency in the battle for meaningful innovation Resources & Links: Lisa Kay Solomon on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisakaysolomon/ Jason Giles on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaygiles/ Leading like a Futurist course on LinkedIn Learning https://www.linkedin.com/learning/leading-like-a-futurist/you-are-a-futurist Harvard Business Review: 5 Pandemic-Era Lessons on Leading Through Change https://hbr.org/2025/03/5-pandemic-era-lessons-on-leading-through-drastic-change?ab=HP-hero-latest-1 Stanford d.school profile: https://dschool.stanford.edu/directory/lisa-kay-solomon Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4370dIB ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- In this episode of Insights Unlocked, we’re joined by Alita Kendrick, a UX researcher at Google leading accessibility research for the Google Cloud Platform and exploring new market opportunities. Alita discusses how generative AI is revolutionizing UX workflows—from streamlining planning docs to accelerating qualitative data analysis. Host Michael Domanic and Alita dive into how tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, and UserTesting’s AI features are cutting research time in half and giving researchers back the space to focus on strategy, storytelling, and democratizing insights across organizations. Alita also shares real-world use cases, common pitfalls to avoid when starting with AI, and how AI can even help uncover your own unconscious biases. Whether you’re a seasoned UX researcher or just starting to integrate AI into your work, this episode is packed with practical advice, inspiration, and a look at what the future holds for AI-powered research. Key topics discussed: How Alita uses AI throughout the research lifecycle—from planning to analysis Time savings and operational efficiencies achieved through AI tools Creative tools like NotebookLM, Claude, and Midjourney in UX workflows How to prompt AI effectively and avoid common early mistakes Balancing AI outputs with critical thinking and business context The role of AI in democratizing research and surfacing legacy insights Personal reflections on AI adoption, experimentation, and optimism for its future Resources & Links: Alita on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/alita-kendrick/) Michael on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaeldomanic/) Alita’s author site on NNG (https://www.nngroup.com/people/alita-kendrick/) Alita’s Efficient UX course on NNG (https://www.nngroup.com/courses/efficient-ux/) Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/3S1wxq4 ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- In this episode of Insights Unlocked, we sit down with Jessica Schultz, senior manager of experience research at BECU, to explore how one of the largest credit unions in the U.S. built a member research panel that delivers powerful insights—quickly and securely. Jessica shares her unique career journey from front-line teller to UX research leader and walks us through the end-to-end process of launching BECU’s custom member panel. She breaks down the strategic decisions behind the panel’s creation, including navigating legal and security requirements, coordinating with marketing teams, and aligning with product and design stakeholders. We also dive into: The pivotal moment that led Jessica to pursue UX research Why BECU chose to create its own panel over traditional recruiting methods Lessons learned in onboarding and coaching panel participants How the panel supports a culture of member obsession at BECU Tips for keeping participants engaged—and studies filled fast Key metrics used to evaluate panel success Jessica also offers advice for other organizations thinking about building their own custom panels, from setting realistic expectations to creating inclusive and positive participant experiences. Resources & Links: Connect with Jessica Schultz on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-schultz-05187a48/) BECU (https://www.becu.org/) Connect with Becky Wright on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-w-795b29124/) Learn more about Insights Unlocked: https://www.usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/4d2nCOx ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- In this episode, UserTesting’s Lija Hogan sits down with Jim Kalbach, Chief Evangelist at Mural and author of The Jobs to Be Done Playbook, to discuss how the “Jobs to Be Done” framework can transform UX and business strategy in today’s growth-focused world. Jim unpacks how this mindset helps teams align around real customer needs and bridge the gap between design and business outcomes. He also shares insights on leveraging AI as a tool to enhance—not replace—human-centered research. Jim reflects on his career journey, his passion for experience mapping, and how reframing UX from a cost-saving function to a growth driver can earn teams greater influence in their organizations. Plus, he explains why empathy shouldn't stop at the customer—UX teams need to understand their business stakeholders just as deeply. Key takeaways: The evolution of jobs to be done from boardroom strategy to everyday design practice Why UX teams need to speak the language of business—and how the word “growth” can open doors How to gain executive buy-in by aligning with business goals and showing proof of impact Tips for using AI to support jobs-to-be-done research and scale customer insights The future of UX: creating more human-centric organizations by democratizing research mindsets Resources & Links: Connect with Jim Kalback on LinkedIn Jim’s JTBD Playbook and Mapping Experiences books Mural Connect with Lija Hogan on LinkedIn Learn more about Insights Unlocked: usertesting.com/podcast

Episode web page: https://bit.ly/3YTrCuW ----------------------- Got a question? Want to recommend a guest? Or do you want to tell me how the show can be better?  Send me a voice message via email at podcast@usertesting.com ----------------------- In this episode of Insights Unlocked, UserTesting CMO Johann Wrede chats with Udi Ledergor, former CMO and current Chief Evangelist at Gong, and author of Courageous Marketing. Udi shares why bold, differentiated marketing beats "best practices" every time—and how marketers can unlock extraordinary results by giving themselves permission to stand out. Drawing from his own nontraditional career path from magician and musician to marketing leader, Udi explains why simply following industry norms creates a "sea of sameness." He unpacks strategies for building trust with sales, the critical importance of aligning marketing metrics to real business outcomes, and how to thoughtfully invest in brand marketing—even when budgets are tight. Whether you're just starting out or leading a large marketing team, this episode offers candid, actionable advice for becoming a more courageous marketer, building iconic brands, and driving measurable impact. Why following marketing "best practices" leads to ordinary results How courageous marketing stands out and drives growth Practical tips for building trust and alignment between marketing and sales How to measure brand investments creatively when ROI isn’t immediate Smart ways to manage marketing experiments with limited budgets Career advice for marketers at every stage—from entry-level to CMO Resources & Links: Connect with Udi on LinkedIn Udi’s new book: Courageous Marketing Udi’s website Gong Connect with Johann Wrede on LinkedIn Learn more about Insights Unlocked: usertesting.com/podcast What you'll learn: