Podcast · Tech & Science

NN/G UX Podcast

by Nielsen Norman Group · English · Tech & Science

The Nielsen Norman Group (NN/G) UX Podcast is a podcast on user experience research, design, strategy, and professions, hosted by Senior User Experience Specialist Therese Fessenden. Join us every month as she interviews industry experts, covering common questions, hot takes on pressing UX…

New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 40 min
Latest: 16 Sep 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

16 Sep 2026 · 29 min

Stop Wasting Research (feat. Jake Burghardt & Laura Klein)

If you've ever wrapped up a great research study, delivered the readout, and then watched the insights vanish into a folder no one opens again, this one's for you. Laura Klein talks with Jake Burghardt, author of Stop Wasting Research , about why a repository alone never gets research used, how to treat insights as durable business assets instead of one-time reports, and where generative AI genuinely helps — and where it doesn't — when it comes to getting more value out of research your organization already has. About Jake Burghardt & Integrating Research : LinkedIn | Medium | Integrating…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E63 · 12 Aug 2026 · 36 min

Rejected to Hired: Surviving the UX Job Hunt

Job searching has always been harder than it looks, and if you've been searching for a while without much traction, there's a good chance your strategy is working against you. Guest host Laura Klein sits down with Sarah Doody, founder of the Career Strategy Lab, to talk about what UX practitioners get wrong when searching for work. They cover: Why the DIY approach tanks your confidence over time How to treat yourself as a candidate-product — complete with features, benefits, and a roadmap The role of community in the job search what your LinkedIn is actually signaling to recruiters Why some…
E62 · 8 Jul 2026 · 28 min

Why Most Teams Get Goal-Setting Wrong (feat. Christina Wodtke) | EP 62

OKRs are a popular choice to communicate team goals… but most teams do them wrong. In this episode, Laura Klein talks with Christina Wodtke, author of Radical Focus , about what actually makes objectives and key results work: the weekly and quarterly rituals that keep goals alive, why psychological safety matters more than making perfect predictions, and how strategy and vision have to exist before you can even set an OKR in the first place. About Christina Wodtke: LinkedIn | Eleganthack (blog) | Books by Christina Wodtke Other Related NN/g Articles & Courses: Aligning UX Metrics with…
E61 · 26 May 2026 · 38 min

Incorruptible: How Great Companies Stay Great with Eric Ries

Most UX practitioners have spent their careers fighting for the user — pushing back against dark patterns, advocating for quality, and insisting that making things better for people is also better for the business. Eric Ries would say that instinct is exactly right. And that it's not enough. In this episode, host Laura Klein talks with Eric Ries — New York Times Best Selling Author of The Lean Startup and founder of the Long Term Stock Exchange — about his new book, Incorruptible: Why Good Companies Go Bad...and How Great Companies Stay Great . Eric makes the case that most of today's…
E60 · 29 Apr 2026 · 45 min

60. Conversational Design and UI: Why Language Matters More Than Ever

What does it actually mean to design conversationally? Not "add a chatbot" — but genuinely apply the principles of human conversation to the systems we build? In this episode, host Laura Klein sits down with Erika Hall, author of Conversational Design and Just Enough Research, to re-visit a topic that's only gotten more relevant since her book came out in 2018. They dig into why language has always been an important part of any interface, what the cooperative principle of conversation can teach us about interaction design, and how the current AI moment is muddying what "conversational" even…
E59 · 1 Apr 2026 · 38 min

59. Getting Hired in UX: What to Do When Apply-and-Wait Isn't Enough

Navigating the UX job market has always had its ups and downs, especially with AI reshaping the industry. In this episode, host Laura Klein sits down with Evan Sunwall, NN/G's Director of Self-Paced Training, to share candid advice for UX practitioners trying to actively job search or level up in today's competitive market. With nearly 19 years in the field as both a designer and a hiring manager, he has a lot to say about where the field is headed — no matter what stage you're at in your career. That experience is also what shaped Evan's self-paced course on getting a job in UX, part of…
E58 · 25 Feb 2026 · 42 min

58. The Truth About Lean & Agile (Feat. Principal Experience Specialist, Laura Klein)

If you work in UX, you’ve probably heard the terms lean, Agile, and MVP more times than you can count. But knowing the terms doesn’t mean knowing how to make them work. In this episode, Laura Klein, Principal Experience Specialist at NN/G, joins Therese Fessenden to talk about what Lean UX was really meant to accomplish — and how teams today can apply its principles without falling into common traps. Listen as they discuss how Lean UX came about, the skill of zooming between product vision and interaction details, and why growing companies struggle to balance speed and consistency. Whether…
E57 · 28 Jan 2026 · 50 min

57. The Next Decade of UX: Why Psychology Matters More Than Ever (Feat. Thomas Watkins, Founder & Principal UX Architect at 3Leaf)

Therese Fessenden talks with design psychologist and product strategist Thomas Watkins (host of The Design Psychologist and Product-Led Growth Leaders ) about why understanding the human mind is still a true superpower for designers, researchers, and product teams. They explore how products subtly shape our behavior and identity, why over-relying on templates and patterns can flatten experiences instead of differentiating them, the risks of personifying AI tools, and the practical ways practitioners can use psychology and AI together to automate the tedious parts of work while staying…
E56 · 19 Dec 2025 · 1 hr 6 min

56. AI for UX Analysis: How Accurate Is It? (feat. Christian Holst & Jamie Holst, Baymard Institute)

As AI-powered tools flood the market promising quick evaluations and audits, the conversation zeroes in on a critical issue: the reliability of these tools. In this episode, co-hosts Therese Fessenden and NN/G VP Kate Moran sit down with Jamie Holst and Christian Holst, the co-founders of Baymard Institute, to examine the growing role of AI in UX analysis. The group discusses the risks of over-relying on AI—particularly for junior UX practitioners—and the deeper implications for professionalism in the field. About the speakers: Christian Holst (Co-founder & Research Director, Baymard…
E55 · 1 Dec 2025 · 38 min

55. Democratizing Research in the Age of AI (feat. Ned Dwyer, CEO & Co-founder of Great Question)

The interest in “customer insights” is higher than ever, and more people are interested in both research insights and carrying out research on their own. But, who’s making sure research is done well? Therese sits down with Ned Dwyer, CEO and co-founder of Great Question, to talk about the balance between access and rigor in UX research. They discuss the need for democratization charters, how AI is reshaping research roles, and why enabling good research at scale is as much a cultural challenge as it is a technical one. Connect with Ned Dwyer: LinkedIn Learn more about Great Question…
E54 · 24 Oct 2025 · 34 min

54. Designing for Millions of Users (feat. Jay Dutta, Global Head of UX, Deutsche Bank)

In this episode, Therese interviews Jay Dutta—Global Head of UX at Deutsche Bank about how designing at scale isn’t just about reaching millions, but about preserving depth: of empathy, culture, and context. With a career spanning Adobe, Flipkart, and MakeMyTrip, Jay reflects on why he’s drawn to complex, broken systems and how those environments offer the richest opportunities for impact. He discusses the importance of designing for the individual within vast systems, and how storytelling, risk-taking, and honoring human experiences can lead to more meaningful and scalable design solutions.…
E53 · 26 Sep 2025 · 50 min

53. Why You're Not Getting Job Interviews (feat. Hang Xu, Design Recruiter)

What does it really take to get hired in design today? In this episode, design recruiter and former product designer Hang Xu shares hard truths about what’s changed in hiring, why portfolios miss the mark, and how candidates can better align with what employers actually want. He also talks about his bold new project, OnlyFAANGs.design, where he documents his journey back into design from the recruiter’s seat. About Hang Xu: LinkedIn | OnlyFAANGs.design Level Up Your UX Career with UX Certification: nngroup.com/learning Related Free NN/G Resources: Templates and Tools for UX Job Seekers…
E52 · 18 Jul 2025 · 47 min

52. Rethinking Users as Ecosystems (feat. authors Mike Youngblood and Ben Chesluk)

Who do we really mean when we say “the user”? And who gets left out? In this episode, Therese Fessenden chats with cultural anthropologists Mike Youngblood and Ben Chesluk, who are challenging overly narrow definitions of users in UX. They explore how systems thinking and anthropology can deepen our understanding of complex user ecosystems — and why rethinking “the user” is more important than ever. About the speakers: Mike Youngblood (LinkedIn) Ben Chesluk (LinkedIn) About Rethinking Users, including some helpful resources and a link to purchase the book: https://www.rethinkingusers.com…
E51 · 20 Jun 2025 · 44 min

51. The Future of Service Design in the Age of AI (featuring Erika Flowers, author of Practical Service Blueprinting)

What does it mean to design experiences in a world where pixels are no longer the focus? In this episode, service design thought-leader and author Erika Flowers shares her thoughts on how designers must evolve as AI transforms the tools, processes, and expectations of our work. Erika shares lessons from her journey—spanning early web design, pioneering service blueprinting at Intuit, and orchestrating experiences at NASA—and offers a forward-looking take on why skills like facilitation, systems thinking, and storytelling will define the future of design. About Erika Flowers:…
E50 · 23 May 2025 · 41 min

50. Responsible AI Use for Research Analysis (feat. Alexander Knoll, Co-Founder of Condens.io)

AI can do more than it’s ever done… but there’s a lot of unfounded hype, especially when it comes to user research. When should you delegate tasks to AI? And when should you insist on keeping the human in the loop? In this episode, Therese Fessenden sits down with Alexander Knoll, co-founder of Condens, to discuss the strengths and limitations of AI tools for research, and the evolving role of the user researcher. About Alexander & Condens: LinkedIn | Condens.io Research Repository Guide: https://condens.io/guides/research-repository-guide/ On-Demand Recording of Condens Event: Making an…
E49 · 18 Apr 2025 · 43 min

49. Design Leadership & Org Design (feat. Peter Merholz, co-author of Org Design for Design Orgs)

In this episode, Peter Merholz—co-founder of Adaptive Path and co-author of Org Design for Design Orgs —joins us to talk about what it really takes to build and scale effective design teams. We explore the systems, structures, and leadership mindsets that shape successful organizations, the relationships between product and design teams, and how design leaders can foster clarity, consistency, and impact as their teams grow. Whether you’re managing a team or aspiring to, this conversation is packed with insights on navigating the evolving role of design in today’s organizations. Learn More…
E48 · 21 Mar 2025 · 42 min

48. What is Object-Oriented UX (feat. Sophia Prater, Rewired UX)

UX practitioners often struggle with shifting requirements and increasing product complexity, making it difficult to design intuitive experiences. Object-Oriented UX (OOUX) offers a structured approach to simplify digital products by focusing on core objects rather than pages or screens. Sophia Prater explains how this method improves usability, reduces inconsistencies, and streamlines collaboration across teams. About Sophia Prater: Bio (via RewiredUX.com) | LinkedIn | Instagram Learn more about Object-Oriented UX: Upcoming Free UX Level-Up Training Sign up for the newsletter OOUX Podcast…
E47 · 21 Feb 2025 · 40 min

47. Designing AI Experiences: What to Consider (feat. Caleb Sponheim PhD, NN/g)

As AI continues to evolve, designers are increasingly finding themselves tasked with creating AI-powered experiences—often without prior experience in the space. In this episode, NN/g UX Specialist Caleb Sponheim discusses the current state of AI tools, what’s working (and what’s not), and how designers can position themselves to navigate this shift. We also explore what it really means to develop AI safely and how designers can play a role in ensuring ethical, user-friendly AI experiences. About the speaker: Bio | LinkedIn Full-Day Course: Designing AI Experiences (also available in…
E46 · 24 Jan 2025 · 50 min

46. Getting Strategic About Research (feat. Kate Towsey, author of Research that Scales)

As tech layoffs and budget cuts dominate the start of the year, UX teams are navigating a critical challenge: proving the value of research while doing more with less. In this episode, NN/g Director of Research Maria Rosala sits down with ResearchOps pioneer Kate Towsey to explore how ResearchOps can help teams think strategically about the impact and efficiency of their research. Learn more about Kate Towsey Kate’s Book: Research That Scales: The Research Operations Handbook Kate's Substack: Scaling and Systematising Research Kate’s Masterclasses in Australia and Europe: Defining a…
E45 · 20 Dec 2024 · 42 min

45. Choosing Better User Impact Metrics (feat. Connor Joyce, Author & Behavioral Scientist)

Most experienced professionals in the industry will tell you that the best designs don't operate in a vacuum. Yet, most of our measurement approaches do. How do you know you're actually making a measurable impact toward users' long-term goals? Connor Joyce, author of the book, Bridging Intention to Impact, shares his thoughts on how to create and evaluate products that center on meaningful user outcomes. Connect with Connor Joyce Order the book Related NN/g Resources & Courses: Free Articles on Analytics & Metrics Report on UX Metrics & ROI Full-Day or 2 Half-Day Course on Measuring UX and ROI
E44 · 26 Nov 2024 · 39 min

44. AI & UX Research (feat. Savina Hawkins & Caleb Sponheim)

To explore how is AI shaping UX research and analysis, host Therese Fessenden shares two interviews on the topic; one with Savina Hawkins, Co-founder of Altis, and one with Caleb Sponheim, UX Specialist at NN/g. In this episode we explore the opportunities AI presents for enhancing productivity and innovation in UX work, alongside the risks and challenges it brings. Savina & Caleb offer practical advice on how UX professionals can leverage AI tools effectively and remain competitive in their field. Learn more about Altis Learn more about Caleb Sponheim, PhD Get trained on using AI for UX…
25 Oct 2024 · 37 min

Bonus: Journey-Centric Design: The Evolution of UX Design Operations (feat. Kim Flaherty, NN/g)

Product-centric design can be an efficient way to design interfaces, but it can often lead to disjointed and poorly optimized customer journey experiences. Kim Flaherty shares her recent research into journey-centric design, and insights on how a journey-centric design practice can help organizations overcome product-centric challenges. Report: Architecting a Journey Management Practice Learn more about Kim: ⁠Bio ⁠ | ⁠ LinkedIn⁠ NN/g Resources about Journey Management: ⁠The 3 Competencies of Journey Management (5-min video)⁠ ⁠Journey Management vs. Service Design (4-min video)⁠ ⁠The Practice…
11 Oct 2024 · 37 min

43. Responsible AI (feat. Paige Lord, Sr. Product Marketing Manager at GitHub)

With AI developing rapidly, and AI policy often lagging behind, calls for responsible tech design and development are louder and more public than ever. In this episode, Paige Lord offers some insight into ways UX professionals can play a role in creating ethical AI products and services. Learn more about Paige Lord: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thepaigelord/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aiethicswithpaige YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@aiethicswithpaige Substack: https://thepaigelord.substack.com/ Other related content: Design Risk Assessment (free article) NN/g Articles &…
13 Sep 2024 · 35 min

42. Icons that Work (feat Kate Kaplan, Insights Architect @ NN/g)

Icons are popular components to incorporate into digital designs that can help simplify user experiences. But, not every icon is created equal. In this episode, Kate Kaplan shares the latest insights from her research on digital iconography which can be found in her new book, Digital Icons that Work. Learn more about Kate Kaplan: Bio | LinkedIn Her book: Digital Icons That Work (nngroup.com) Other Related Articles: Imagery in Visual Design Article Digital Icons UX Quiz
E41 · 23 Aug 2024 · 37 min

41. UX Accessibility and Designing for Neurodiversity (feat. Stéphanie Walter)

Accessibility isn’t a novel concept, but in the realm of digital design, it's rare to find a product or service that's truly accessible to a broad audience with many needs. In this episode, Stéphanie Walter shares a bit about what got her interested in accessibility to begin with, what accessibility truly means in UX, some common misconceptions, and how designers can create more inclusive experiences. Learn more about Stéphanie Walter : LinkedIn | stephaniewalter.design WCAG Standards Related NN/g Resources: Accessibility and Inclusivity Study Guide (free article) How to Conduct Usability…
E40 · 19 Jul 2024 · 44 min

40. Managing Priorities (feat. Harry Max, author and managing partner at Peak Priorities LLC)

“If you squint hard enough, every problem is a prioritization problem.” -Harry Max UX professionals are often faced with the challenge of managing backlogged work and doing so with limited time, budget, and resources. In this episode, we chat with Harry Max about the common misconceptions with prioritization and how to get better at it over time. ⁠Learn more about Harry Max NN/g Articles & Training Courses 5 Prioritization Methods in UX Roadmapping (free article) Using Prioritization Matrices to Inform UX Decisions (free article) Using Trade-Off Scales for Prioritization in UX Design…
E39 · 10 May 2024 · 29 min

39. Cross-Cultural UX Research (feat. Feifei Liu, International UX Researcher)

Expanding into global markets is a key priority for companies in today's interconnected world. While many companies rely on translations for their digital platforms, this is just one aspect of effective global expansion. In this episode, we're joined by Feifei Liu, International UX Researcher at NN/g. She discusses the importance of cross-cultural research and its role in helping organizations effectively expand into international markets while honoring cultural values and practices. ⁠Learn more about Feifei Liu⁠ NN/g Articles & Training Courses Modify Your Design For Global Audiences: Cross…
E38 · 11 Apr 2024 · 46 min

38. User Interviews (feat. Steve Portigal, Research Consultant and Author)

In this episode, we dive into User Interviews with Steve Portigal, discussing their critical role in product development and design research. User interviews, a qualitative method, involve conversations with users to gather insights about their experiences, behaviors, and needs. We discuss the benefits of this approach, such as deep user empathy and informed decision making, alongside common challenges like bias and recruitment. Join us in understanding when to use user interviews and how to get the most out of them. NN/g Articles & Training Courses User Interviews (full-day/2 half-day UXC…
28 Mar 2024 · 33 min

Bonus Episode: Design’s Role as AI Expands (Feat. Don Norman and Sarah Gibbons, VP at NN/g)

AI is changing faster than we can sometimes process and will likely do so for a while. The recent tech layoffs have also not spared UX professionals, adding to the uncertainty about our future roles in this rapidly changing environment. While there is still much we don't know about AI, Don Norman, co-founder of NN/g, and Sarah Gibbons, VP at NN/g, share their insights on the future roles of designers, encouraging professionals to think big in the wake of AI's advancements. Related NN/g Articles & Training Courses Generative UI and Outcome-Oriented Design AI as a UX Assistant The 4 Degrees of…
E37 · 1 Mar 2024 · 32 min

37. XR: Improving Learning Outcomes

Extended reality (XR) experiences hold the potential to transform the way we learn, work, and collaborate. Specifically, it can make educational experiences more interactive, engaging and ultimately drive higher learning outcomes. In this episode, we feature Jan Plass, who discusses the affordances of XR technology, provides examples of XR learning experiences and shares his expectations for its impact on the education landscape. Jan Plass is a Professor at New York University, Paulette Goddard Chair, and Director of CREATE. Learn more about Jan Plass : CREATE Lab Looking Inside Cells On the…

About NN/G UX Podcast

The NN/G UX Podcast is a podcast on user experience research, design, strategy, and professions, hosted by Senior User Experience Specialist Therese Fessenden. Join us every month as she interviews industry experts, covering common questions, hot takes on pressing UX topics, and tips for building truly great user experiences. For free UX resources, references, and information on UX Certification opportunities, go to: www.nngroup.com

NN/G UX Podcast is a English tech & science podcast from Nielsen Norman Group. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: NN/Group
Language: English
Category: Tech & Science
New episodes: Monthly
Typical length: 40 min
Latest episode: 16 Sep 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1527196035
Website: nngroup.com
Rights: 467016

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