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Explore 364 conversations with design leaders
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364 conversations with design leaders
5 min · Apr 2026
Gerry Scullion
Starting a new role as a designer or consultant? Those first few weeks are make or break. Gerry shares three practical ways to build credibility fast: solving other people's problems first, learning the organisation's language before introducing design jargon, and keeping a log of every contribution you make. Credibility is built through a steady drumbeat of small, visible wins.
6 min · Mar 2026
Gerry Scullion
You've done the research. You have the insights. You walk in confident — and it falls flat. In this episode, Gerry unpacks three mistakes designers make when pitching to leadership, including why leading with your methods kills buy-in before you've even started, and what to do instead.
50 min · Feb 2026
Behrad Mirafshar
Behrad Mirafshar joins Gerry to cut through the AI hype — where the real value sits for designers, how to charge more with AI, and what scares him most about it.
42 min min · Feb 2026
Louise Dennison O'Shaughnessy
What does psychological safety actually feel like when it's present? And what quietly erodes it? In this episode, Louise Dennison O'Shaughnessy — Director of Mental Health and Wellbeing at EHS International — joins Gerry to unpack the behaviours that damage teams.
70 min · Jan 2026
Dr. Rami Kaminski
The Psychology of Not Belonging: A Conversation with Dr. Rami Kaminski
19 min · Nov 2025
Marc Stickdorn
Marc Stickdorn on Journey Management, AI & Leading Change in Chaotic Times
8 min · Nov 2025
HCD News Roundup - AI Reshapes UX Careers plus Canva acquires Affinity and more
HCD News Roundup - AI Reshapes UX Careers plus Canva acquires Affinity and more
31 min · Nov 2025
Lucy Kimbell
Public Design, Power & the Future of Services — with Lucy Kimbell
62 min · Nov 2025
Chelsea Mauldin
When Chelsea Mauldin first introduced design thinking into the U.S. government, she ran straight into scepticism — back then, design was often dismissed as “throw pillows and pretty fonts.
21 min · Oct 2025
Ali Fawkes
Design isn’t just creativity — it’s care. In this episode, Gerry sits down with Ali Fawkes, Head of Social Innovation at Humanly (founded by Jenni Parker) to unpack practical safeguarding and trauma-informed practice in design research.
48 min · Oct 2025
Johanna Lundqvist
Gerry Scullion talks with Johanna Lundqvist, a former hospice nurse turned designer, about the wisdom gathered from years of palliative care.
56 min · Oct 2025
Thea Snow
Everything is Everything: Imagination, Justice & Reimagining Government with Thea Snow
21 min · Sep 2025
Mike Parker
Liminal Breaks with Mike Parker 'Riding the Storm – When the World Feels Like Too Much'
58 min · Sep 2025
Steven Puri
From Hustle to Flow – Steven Puri on Real Productivity
44 min · Sep 2025
Sara Fortier
Scaling Design Talent with Sara Fortier
19 min · Sep 2025
Mike Parker
Liminal Breaks by Mike Parker 'Drift to Peace'
65 min · Sep 2025
Aubrey McCarthy
A Senator, a Judge & Four Women in Recovery: Breaking Ireland’s Cycle of Addiction and Prison
51 min · Aug 2025
Rachel Knight
Carrying Stories: Researcher Well-being and the Cost of Caring with Rachel Knight
68 min · Aug 2025
Allen Bobinac
Systems of Care – Allen Bobinac on Rethinking Homelessness and Addiction Support Services
5 min · Aug 2025
Relaunching the Global Human Centered Design Directory
Relaunching the Global Human Centered Design Directory
64 min · Aug 2025
Darragh McCullough
This episode is a must-watch for changemakers, designers, entrepreneurs, and anyone curious about what modern farming can become.
48 min · Jun 2025
Adam Cochrane
Explore the transformative role of facilitation in design with Adam B. Cochran, highlighting its impact on team alignment and decision-making.
67 min · Jun 2025
Jaclyn Suzuki
Discover the transformative power of play across different ages and cultures in this insightful episode with Jaclyn Suzuki and Gerry Scullion.
35 min · Jun 2025
Mike Parker
"🌟 Dive into the world of Liminal Coaching with Gerry Scullion and Mike Parker on This is HCD. Discover how intentional daydreaming, the default mode network, and liinal practices can unlock creative breakthroughs.
59 min · May 2025
Myriam Hadnes
Explore the shift from conventional professionalism to authentic self-expression with Myriam Hadnes, as discussed with Gerry Scullion. A must-watch for embracing genuine connections!
54 min · May 2025
Tim Yeo
Explore the intersection of introversion and leadership as Gerry Scullion interviews Tim Yo, uncovering practical tools and insights for introverts in modern workplaces.
45 min · May 2025
Lee Moreau
In this unfiltered and deeply reflective episode, Gerry Scullion speaks with Lee Moreau – architect, educator, and founder of Other Tomorrows – about the state of design amidst global turbulence.
42 min · Apr 2025
Marc Stickdorn
Explore strategies for achieving alignment in organizations with insights from Mark Stickdorn, focusing on Journey Management and the role of visualization in driving change.
52 min · Apr 2025
Steve Baty
Discover the transformation from human-centered to life-centered design with insights from industry leaders on sustainable practices and strategic design's role in future governance.
42 min · Apr 2025
Jamie Shields
Explore how to unlearn ableism and foster authentic disability inclusion with Jerry Scullion and Jamie Shields in this eye-opening episode.
44 min · Mar 2025
Suzanne Hanway
"Exploring Holistic Approaches, Challenges, and Collaborative Solutions in Supporting Neurodivergent Individuals"
36 min · Mar 2025
Jill Schulman
Discover the science of bravery and how it impacts leadership in the workplace with Jill Schulman, exploring mindset, action, and relationships.
30 min · Mar 2025
Tanuj Shah
Join us for an insightful episode featuring Tanuj Shah, a seasoned UX entrepreneur and founder of Build UX. Discover how Build UX is transforming the way designers work with its innovative tools that streamline research and design workflows. Tanuj discusses the challenges of current UX processes, the importance of live and collaborative UX artifacts, and the future of UX tools integrating AI and workflow enhancements. If you're a UX designer, researcher, or product leader, this is a must-listen to understand how to maintain research integrity while accelerating UX documentation processes. Take advantage of exclusive discounts for Build UX and elevate your design game. Tune in and get inspired to rethink your approach to UX!
43 min · Mar 2025
Marzia Aricò
In this episode, Gerry Scullion sits down with Marzia Aricò to explore the hard truths of design leadership. They discuss why trust is essential, the pitfalls of evangelizing design, and why the role of design leadership may not exist in the future as we know it. Marzia shares insights from her book, Design Leadership Chronicles, and offers practical advice for emerging leaders looking to make an impact.
42 min · Feb 2025
Joff Outlaw
In this episode, I sit down with Joff Outlaw and Brad Marshall, co-authors of Busy Idiots, to explore the modern obsession with busyness and the digital distractions that keep us in a perpetual cycle of inefficiency.
43 min · Feb 2025
Tracy DeLuca
In this episode, Tracy DeLuca discusses how design and psychedelics can transform mental health care and education.
33 min · Feb 2025
Lesley-Ann Noel
In this engaging conversation, Gerry Scullion speaks with Lesley Ann, a designer and author from Trinidad, about her journey from her Caribbean roots to becoming a global citizen and leader in decolonial design..
42 min · Jan 2025
Lucy Flores
In this episode of This is HCD, Gerry Scullion sits down with Lucy Flores, a seasoned design strategist with a passion for advancing equity in the food system.
58 min · Dec 2024
Victor Udoewa
In this conversation, Victor Udoewa shares his journey as a service designer at the CDC, discussing the importance of human-centered design in public health, the challenges of data interoperability, and the need to build trust within communities.
52 min · Dec 2024
Jocelyn Wyatt
In this episode, Gerry Scullion speaks with Jocelyn Wyatt, CEO of Alight and former CEO of IDEO.org, about designing resilience in humanitarian aid. They explore Jocelyn’s journey, insights into navigating complex political landscapes, and how co-creation and innovation are transforming the humanitarian sector. From tackling climate displacement to supporting communities in crisis, this episode delves into how design can empower displaced populations and redefine humanitarian impact.
40 min · Nov 2024
Alicia Grimes
Gerry Scullion speaks with Alyssia Grimes, co-founder of The Future Kind, a UK-based culture consultancy that focuses on designing “company operating systems” to align strategy and culture. The discussion explores how organizations can create better experiences for their people, fostering collaboration, alignment, and innovation to ultimately deliver exceptional products and services.
43 min · Oct 2024
Avril Copeland
In this insightful episode, Avril Copeland discusses her unique career path, moving from Dublin to Nashville and transitioning from the music industry to the fields of physiotherapy and health technology.
51 min · Oct 2024
Emma Lynch
In this episode, Emma Lynch shares her journey from academia to the pharmaceutical industry, highlighting the importance of effective communication and personal growth.
64 min · Oct 2024
Kate Tarling
In this episode, Kate Tarling discusses her experiences in service design, focusing on the importance of user research, empathy, and fostering collaboration within organisations.
33 min · Sep 2024
Charles Street
In this episode, I reconnect with Charles to reflect on our past experiences working together
51 min · Sep 2024
April Rinne
In this enlightening episode, we sit down with futurist and advisor April Rinne to unpack the transformative concept of the "flux mindset."
77 min · Aug 2024
Neil Theise
We welcome back Neil Theise, a guest we know and love to have on the show.
42 min · Jul 2024
Sidney Debaque
We chat with Sidney Debaque, a service designer and strategist, about integrating sustainability into design.
35 min · Jul 2024
Adam Cochrane
In this episode, I chat with Adam Cochrane, the Senior Strategic Designer at Lufthansa Innovation Hub and the Conference Director for the Service Design Global Conference.
53 min · Jul 2024
Sheng-Hung Lee
We meet Sheng-Hung Lee and discuss key issues in the design industry, including the importance of empathy, AI's impact on design processes, and the challenges of ageism.
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