PMs Are People Too: Stakeholders Are Not the Enemy With Thomas Stokes & Lawton Pybus
Designers love talking about empathy… Just not for the people they work with. This week, we talk about why empathy has to extend beyond users and how you can apply familiar UX research techniques to better understand your teammates, PMs, and stakeholdersIf empathy is such a core UX skill, why are so many designers bad at applying it to the people they work with?Designers love talking about empathy for users. But if your research findings are getting ignored or your design recommendations keep getting watered down, it might be time to turn that empathy inward.Thomas and Lawton join me from Drillbit Labs. They both have PhDs in human factors, and they help product teams make smarter decisions with less drama. This week, they make a pretty compelling case: if you’re not applying your research mindset to the people you work with, you’re not doing your job.We talk about how to use stakeholder interviews, power mapping, one-on-ones, and intentional relationship-building to get unstuck—and what to do when your best ideas are still getting shot down. If you’re tired of saying “they just don’t get it,” this episode is for you.Topics:• 03:04 – The Importance of Empathy in Software Development• 03:25 – Guest Introduction: Thomas and Lawton from Drill Bit Labs• 04:27 – Empathy for Team Members: A Deeper Dive• 07:10 – The Role of Human Factors in Team Dynamics• 16:06 – Practical Tips for Building Empathy with Stakeholders• 20:49 – The Importance of Stakeholder Relationships• 36:51 – Tools and Tactics for Effective Team Collaboration• 38:39 – Understanding Empathy in Decision Making• 39:33 – De-biasing Techniques and Their Importance• 40:23 – Spotting and Naming Cognitive Biases• 43:05 – The Value of One-on-Ones• 45:37 – Remote Work and Maintaining Human Connection• 54:06 – Balancing Personal Investment in Work DecisionsHelpful Links:• Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn• Connect with Lawton on LinkedIn• Depth Newsletter• Drill Bit Labs—Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.• Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show• Support the show on Patreon• Check out show transcripts• Check out our website• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts• Subscribe on Spotify• Subscribe on YouTube• Subscribe on Stitcher
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Unpacking Hidden Prejudices: The Subtle Bias in Team Dynamics
Not all prejudice is loud or obvious. In this episode, we explore the quiet kind: the one that hides behind gut feelings and culture fit. We'll break down how implicit bias shapes team dynamics, hiring decisions, and everyday interactions, even in well-meaning workplaces.What if the biggest barrier to equity on your team isn’t hate, but habit?In this episode of the Cognition Catalog, we dig into the subtleties of prejudice that often hide in plain sight. These aren't the overt acts of hostility we usually associate with bias, but the quiet, unnoticed attitudes and assumptions that shape who gets hired, heard, and left behind. We'll explore the nature of implicit prejudice, its impact on team dynamics, and how we can challenge and change these hidden biases to create fairer and more inclusive workplaces. Tune in to learn actionable steps to recognize and interrupt these biases, ensuring we all contribute to a more equitable environment.Topics:• 02:25 - A Personal Anecdote on Bias• 03:21 - Understanding Implicit Prejudice• 06:13 - The Science Behind Implicit Bias• 08:54 - Addressing and Mitigating BiasTo explore more about Prejudice, don’t miss the full article on the Cognition Catalog!Don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter to be the first to know when new episodes drop!Join me every week for insights on a new cognitive bias!
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Grit Over Glam: The Ugly Bits Between the Pretty Work
Think all you need is a polished portfolio and perfect case study to land your next job? Trevor Alexander says otherwise. In this episode, we challenge the traditional career advice designers are given, and talk about what actually leads to long-term success, resilience, and trust.What if everything you’ve been told about how to build a successful design career was wrong?If you’re still clinging to the idea that a polished portfolio and deep Figma skills are your best bet for success in UX, this episode is going to challenge that—hard. I sat down with Trevor Alexander, author of An Ugly Design Career, to talk about why those things might actually be distractions.We cover everything from the myth of the “pretty” career to the real-world power of trust, communication, and grit. Trevor shares how he’s thrived in UX without a portfolio or job applications, because people keep bringing him along for the ride. Not because of fancy job titles, but because of how he shows up.From improv classes and Toastmasters to lifestyle creep and living in a founder’s basement, Trevor drops wisdom that hits different in today’s job market. Whether you’re new to UX or 15 years in, this episode is a gut check on what really matters. Give it a listen, and maybe rethink what “better” looks like.Topics:• 11:16 The Importance of Soft Skills in Design• 21:30 The Role of Tenacity in a Design Career• 27:48 Defining Success: What Does ‘Better’ Mean?• 32:19 Facing Job Loss and Financial Stress• 32:54 Managing Lifestyle Creep• 33:19 The Importance of Fiscal Responsibility• 35:23 High Earnings and Financial Prudence• 39:26 Leveraging Opportunities and Networking• 41:11 Building a Resilient CareerHelpful Links:• Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn• uglydesigncareer.com—Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.• Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show• Support the show on Patreon• Check out show transcripts• Check out our website• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts• Subscribe on Spotify• Subscribe on YouTube• Subscribe on Stitcher
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THROWBACK: User First, But Not You Last: Prioritizing Your Preservation with Jason Ogle
In this throwback episode, I chat with Jason Ogle from the User Defenders Podcast about something we don’t talk about enough: self-care for UX designers. We explore how taking care of ourselves is essential to be truly empathetic.Could self-care be the most overlooked tool in a UX designer’s toolkit?How can we expect to fill our users’ cups if our own is empty? What if taking care of yourself is the most user-centric design choice you can make?This week, I got a chance to talk with with Jason Ogle of the famed User Defenders Podcast. We peel back the layers of UX design to discuss a foundational aspect that’s often neglected: the designer’s self-care. Jason shares his insights on how self-care is intrinsically linked to our capacity to care for and understand our users. He makes a compelling case for why designers must prioritize their well-being to truly excel in their work.We discuss the inherently altruistic nature of design and how this high calling to solve problems for others begins with solving our own problem of neglecting self-care. He highlighted the simple yet powerful concept: “We can’t fill someone else’s cup if our cup is empty,” emphasizing the need for designers to ensure they’re mentally and physically prepared to tackle the challenges of UX design.We also touched on the critical mind-body connection and how physical well-being directly impacts our creative and empathetic abilities. Jason shared personal strategies for making time for self-care, including the importance of sleep and how it significantly influences the following day’s mood, energy levels, and productivity.Jason’s approach to saying “no” and the freedom it brings to focus on what truly matters served as a powerful lesson in setting boundaries for personal and professional growth.Topics:• 15:31 – Design is a very altruistic thing• 20:06 – We can’t fill someone else’s cup if our cup is empty• 25:45 – There is a mind-body connection• 30:10 – Sleep influences the next day• 33:23 – ways Jason has found to make time for himself• 40:38 – Getting to the point where we can say “no”• 49:23 – How do we go to bed at a certain time?• 54:49 – Good habits are sacrificing now for benefits laterHelpful Links:• Connect with Jason on LinkedIn• jasonogle.com• Watch Jason on YouTube• User Defenders Podcast
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Working With People Is the Real Challenge: From “Us vs. Them” to “We’ve Got This” With Guy Segal
What’s stopping your work from shipping? It’s probably not the design itself. This week, I chat with Guy Segal about the soft skills that make the biggest difference—giving feedback, earning trust, and aligning with your team when things get tough.What if the biggest reason your designs aren’t making it to production has nothing to do with design?You know your work is solid. You’ve put in the hours, iterated on the flow, and covered every edge case. But when it comes time to hand it off or get sign-off, something breaks. It stalls, gets picked apart, or falls flat. Sound familiar?In this episode, I sit down with Guy Segal—design leader and host of Design Downtime—to talk about why “soft skills” are the hardest part of UX, and how improving them can be the difference between your designs shipping or collecting dust. We cover how to give better feedback, how to handle misalignment without blowing things up, and what it actually means to be someone your team wants to work with.This conversation is a must-listen if you’ve ever felt like good design work wasn’t enough. Because it isn’t. The way you show up—how you talk to people, how you build trust, how you respond to tension—is what moves the work forward.Topics:• 00:00 – Introduction: The Human Side of Software• 00:37 – Welcome to Beyond UX Design• 00:44 – Promotions and Sponsorships• 02:31 – The Importance of Relationships in Software• 02:57 – Interview with Guy Siegel: Building Great Relationships• 04:09 – Challenges in Team Dynamics• 05:26 – Empathy and Communication in Teams• 13:00 – Feedback Framework for Better Team Collaboration• 28:58 – Aligning Team Goals and Values• 32:45 – Establishing Team Values and Hiring Practices• 33:27 – Importance of One-on-Ones and Setting Expectations• 35:06 – Empathy and Communication in Design• 36:08 – Feedback and Continuous Improvement• 37:09 – Challenges in Designer-Engineer Collaboration• 38:21 – Managerial Insights and Team Dynamics• 43:09 – Building Strong Work RelationshipsHelpful Links:• Design Downtime• Connect with Guy on LinkedIn—Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.• Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show• Support the show on Patreon• Check out show transcripts• Check out our website• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts• Subscribe on Spotify• Subscribe on YouTube• Subscribe on Stitcher
Beyond UX Design’s mission is to give you the tools you need to be a truly effective UX designer by diving into the soft skills they won’t be teaching you in school or a boot camp. These soft skills are critical for your success as a UX professional.
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