Design thinking invites us to open things up and explore possibilities, then come back to what matters most. What if sensitivity works in much the same way?

In this episode, I talk with Joe Knowland, a furniture designer and former art fabricator, whose career has spanned classrooms, international galleries, and industrial workshops.

Joe brings a maker’s mindset to emotional processing, and a deeply human approach to systems thinking. We unpack how the sensitivity that once overwhelmed him is now central to his way of working – and how thoughtful design processes can help us move through emotional fog without losing ourselves in it.

Joe shares practical ideas, personal insights, and a refreshingly down-to-earth way of thinking about change, whether that’s in your job, your life, or your own inner world.

What we talk about in this episode:

·     How design frameworks mirror the sensitive experience

·     The power of divergent thinking (and knowing when to stop)

·     Why overwhelm isn’t a failure: just a stage in the process

·     Applying design thinking to emotional stuckness

·     The joy of spirals over circles – and why moving helps

Resources mentioned in this episode:

·     The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris

·     Emotional Design by Don Norman

·     Rethinking Sitting by Peter Opsvik

Want to get in touch? Email me at hello@practicalfeeling.com

© Teresa Beehan. Everything shared here is for information and reflection – not professional advice. Please use your judgement before taking action based on anything you hear. We accept no responsibility for any decisions made in connection with the content.

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