Brave UX with Brendan Jarvis 🇺🇦

Josephine Wong challenges us to design with intention, build cultures that care, and recognise the quiet power of everyday interactions to create truly meaningful work.

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Episode chapters

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction 04:42 – Jo’s Unexpected Start in Advertising 09:26 – A Multicultural Upbringing in Hong Kong 14:18 – From Melbourne to Apogee: Founding a UX Consultancy 21:35 – Building a Life and Business Partnership with Da...

Roberta Dombrowski invites us to rethink success, tune into our intuition, and lead with intention —sharing how mindfulness, healing, and self-compassion can transform the way we work and live.

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Episode chapters

00:00 – Welcome and Introduction 04:25 – Being a Transracial Adoptee and Finding Voice 14:11 – The Restless Career Journey and Job-Hopping 22:54 – Lessons from Anxiety, Burnout, and Slowing Down 32:25 – Mindfulness, S...

Gloria Osardu urges researchers to slow down, understand the business, and partner with intention—sharing why empathy, alignment, and asking the right questions are the foundation for research that matters.

Highlights include:

05:02 – How did your parents shape your worldview and curiosity? 15:22 – Why is success as a research leader about facilitating others? 24:26 – What does “understanding the business” really mean? 30:43 – What...

Esther Ahn reflects on the twists and turns of her creative journey, shares how critique can unlock better design without breaking spirits, and reveals why embracing the oops is essential for building resilient teams and products.

Highlights include:

12:13 – How do you make sense of your career’s twists and turns? 28:52 – What does a healthy culture of critique look like? 35:24 – What works best when presenting design work to execu...

Meryl Evans shares why accessibility is everyone’s responsibility, how captions can create connection—not just convenience—and why progress over perfection is the mindset that drives lasting inclusion.

Highlights include:

• 11:30 – How did publishing your first video in 2018 change everything?
• 20:28 – Why progress over perfection is essential in accessibility
• 29:06 – How do you carry the responsibility of being an advocate?
• 49:3...

Tammy Everts unpacks why web performance is a fundamental UX issue, how slow websites affect user perceptions and business outcomes, and why designers need to take ownership of performance alongside developers.

Highlights include:

• 02:14 - How did you come to own uber.com?
• 15:27 - What does performance have to do with UX?
• 28:54 - How do you identify the best executive champion for performance?
• 35:24 - Is measuring the business ...

In this episode of Brave UX, host Brendan Jarvis interviews designer, author, and educator Carla Diana, a leader in human-centered product design and technology. Carla is the D Designer-in-Residence and Head of Program at the Cranbrook Academy of Art and works part-time as the Design Advisor at Diligent Robotics.

Join Carla and Brendan as they explore the future of smart technologies, including Carla’s work on humanizing healthcare...

In this episode of Brave UX, Brendan welcomes Kelly Goto, CEO and Founder of gotoresearch and gotomedia. Kelly is a trailblazer in web and UX design with nearly 25 years of experience. She shares her inspiring journey as a fourth-generation Japanese American and discusses her work with major brands like Netflix and Samsung. They delve into the importance of emotional connection in product design, the impact of technology on attenti...

In this episode of Brave UX, Brendan welcomes Lawton Pybus, Principal and Co-Founder of Drill Bit Labs. Join them as they dive into the evolving landscape of UX amidst recent tech layoffs. Lawton shares insights from his extensive research on UX job markets and discusses the importance of valuing UX in organizations. With a blend of personal anecdotes—including a ‘fun’ story about a venomous snake—this conversation highlights key t...

Brendan Jarvis delivers an inspiring talk at Design Outlook 2024. He outlines how self-reflection, clarity, and courage can help designers navigate uncertainty and shape a meaningful future.

Highlights include:

• 02:07 - Observations on the current state of design and the rise of AI.
• 06:00 - Story 1: A dystopian AI scenario.
• 12:55 - Story 2: Lessons from Miyamoto Musashi.
• 20:57 - Story 3: A personal story of resilience and grati...

Felix Lee shares how ADPList is democratising mentorship, the lessons he’s learned from failure and resilience, and why clarity beats cleverness in design.

Highlights include:

• 03:58 - What parallels can you draw between your athletic career and leading ADPList?
• 09:42 - What is the fear you most often contend with as a young founder?
• 13:57 - What is the broader vision for ADPList beyond design?
• 15:19 - Why is it important for A...

In the second part of their conversation on Brave UX, Brendan furthers his conversation with Tamara Adlin, President of Adlin Inc. Tamara shares her journey of overcoming challenges like sexism and ageism in the tech space, advocating for user-centered design amidst a disconnect with Web 3 teams. They discuss the misconceptions around venture capital and the need to balance data-driven decisions and intuitive design. Plus, Tamara o...

In the first of a two-part episode of Brave UX, Brendan Jarvis interviews Tamara Adlin, President of Adlin Inc. Tamara Adlin is a thought leader and a seasoned UX consultant with over 25 years of experience helping companies create better products. Tamara reflects on her time at Amazon, lessons from leadership, and her pioneering work with personas. She highlights how executive misalignment can derail projects, emphasizing that per...

In this episode of Brave UX, Brendan Jarvis sits down with Jen Briselli, Co-founder of Topology, to discuss how embracing uncertainty and complexity is essential in design. Jen shares her journey from physics and teaching to strategy consulting, drawing parallels between her love of extreme metal music and her approach to learning and exploration. They dive into the importance of systems thinking, navigating ambiguity, and how desi...

In this special bonus episode of Brave UX, Nitzan Shaer speaks candidly about the future of UX research, why simulated audiences are a step beyond synthetic, and how UX professionals can leverage them effectively.

Highlights include:

• 15:12 - What’s the vision you’re building towards with WEVO?
• 22:56 - How would you define the difference between synthetic and simulated research?
• 25:44 - Could simulated research eventually surpa...

Today, our special guest is Greg Nudelman, a Distinguished Designer at Sumo Logic. In this engaging episode of Brave UX, Brendan interviews Greg about the role of UX in the age of AI. They discuss the potential impact of AI on society, the need for designers to adapt and incorporate AI into their work, and the importance of focusing on customer needs and ethical considerations. They also touch on the challenges faced in design proj...

Today, our special guest is Abby Covert, Chief Sensemaker at the Sensemaker Club. Join Brendan as he interviews Abby, an information architect, author, and community leader in UX design. Abby shares insights into her work in UX design, the importance of customer feedback, and her journey as an author. They discuss topics such as misdiagnosis, neurodivergent experiences, the evolution of information architecture, ethical responsibil...

Today, our special guest is Whitney Hess, Founder and Executive Coach of Vicarious Partners Inc. We discuss the power of bravery, vulnerability, and personal growth. Discover how to overcome fear, cultivate self-awareness, and embrace failure as a stepping stone toward success. With practical tips and inspiring stories, this podcast is a must-listen for anyone looking to live a more courageous and purposeful life.

Highlights includ...

Today, our special guest is Doreen Lorenzo, Assistant Dean at the University of Texas School of Design and Creative Technology. Doreen discusses the challenges and opportunities in the design industry and shares her insights as a design leader while emphasizing the importance of training and skill development. They also explore her journey from Frog Design to the University of Texas and her passion for education and diversity in de...