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

More from NN/G UX Podcast All episodes →

1. 

   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…

2. 

   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…

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   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…

4. 

   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.…

5. 

   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…

6. 

   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:…

7. 

   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…

8. 

   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…

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   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…

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    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…