In this episode, I sit down with Madeline E. Smith, a UX researcher, creative mind, and new parent by adoption, for a grounded conversation about building a family intentionally while navigating the realities of career, caregiving, and the waiting game.
We talk about ethical domestic adoption, centering the child in every decision, and what it looks like to return from parental leave into layoffs, a new team, and the quiet pressure to “prove yourself” as a working parent. Madeline also shares how her definition of ambition has shifted, the role of support systems and daycare, and why comparison at work and in parenting is something she’s actively learning to step away from.
Topics Discussed in This Episode
Connect with Madeline:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madsesmith
Adopting On The Job with Madeline Smith
What Winning the Lottery Taught Me About Team Preparedness and Research Continuity
Madeline Smith is Lead UX Researcher on Cisco’s IT Design Team, where she focuses on enhancing user experiences through thoughtful research and collaboration. Currently, she leads research initiatives for a large-scale project aimed at improving the licensing experience for Cisco’s customers, partners, and employees. Her journey into UX research began in academia, where she earned her Ph.D. in Technology & Social Behavior from Northwestern University and an M.S. in Information Science from Cornell University. She transitioned to industry UX research in 2021 and now draws on her academic roots to execute rigorous research, craft engaging presentations, and mentor junior researchers.
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