Shows
DESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#51: The Age of Experience - Rethinking How We ThinkWe live in a world that’s changing faster than the frameworks we've relied on can keep up with. So, is it time to rethink how we think? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by John Philpin to explore why the age of reason is over and why we need to embrace the age of experience. In this episode, you willUnderstand why rigid thinking is no match for today’s complexity and what we need instead.Learn how business models built on certainty are being outpaced by chang...2025-07-101h 07DESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#50: Why You Get What You Celebrate - What Recording 50 Episodes Taught Us About Progress, Rituals, and ResilienceWe did it—50 episodes! In this milestone episode, we pause to reflect on the journey, the lessons, and why celebration isn’t just a “nice-to-have”, it’s a necessary part of doing meaningful work. Whether you're leading a team, tackling tough challenges, or simply trying to keep momentum, this episode will change how you think about celebration.Spoiler: It's not just about parties or cake (though we’re fans of both).In this episode, we:Learn why celebration builds resilience, reinforces purpose, and fuels forward momentumExplore how small moments of acknowled...2025-07-0352 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#49: Can You Use Design Thinking Without Buy-In?What happens when you believe in design thinking but your organization doesn’t? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter, share ways you can start using design thinking in your work, even if no one else is on board yet. In this episode, you will Understand how one person can spark a movement Learn why you can be the lone Design Thinker at work Discover practical ways to introduce design thinking without asking for permission2025-04-2943 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#48: Why Playing It Safe Is the Real Risk - A Dark Optimist’s Call to ActionWhat if the only real safety lies in continuous change and standing still is the true danger?In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Ralph H. Groce III, author of We Have Nothing to Lose: A Dark Optimist’s Call to Action. Drawing on personal stories, leadership insights, and a message forged in adversity, Ralph challenges us to stop waiting for things to "go back to normal" and instead start creating a path forward. In this episode, you will • Understand why the world needs dark optimists now more than ever• L...2025-04-141h 01DESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#47: The Productivity Crisis: What We’re Getting Wrong and How to Fix ItProductivity is a hot topic in news headlines, boardrooms, and everyday conversations. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter unpack the productivity crisis. In this episode, you will• Understand why productivity isn't just an individual performance problem • Learn the contributing factors that stall productivity • Discover practical strategies for unlocking productivity 2025-04-0953 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#46: The Power of Dumb Thinking - The Dumbify Framework with David CarsonIn this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter delve into the concept of 'Dumbify' with guest David Carson. Discover how embracing 'dumb' ideas can lead to breakthrough innovations. Learn about David's journey building successful companies, and how a simple dinner conversation sparked the idea of 'Dumbify.' In this episode, you will: • Understand the importance of spending more time with 'dumb' ideas• Learn practical ways to integrate 'dumb' thinking into your problem-solving process• Discover how challenging traditional methods can lead to unexpected successDavid Carson is an entrepreneur and marketing innovat...2025-03-311h 13DESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#45: Where Human-Centered Design Meets Systems ThinkingThe inspiration for this podcast came from a question posed by Ian Scott, a longtime listener and friend of the podcast. Ian asked, "What's your view on human-centered systems thinking?" In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore the intersection of human-centered design and systems thinking. In this episode, you will • Understand how these approaches work together to deliver better solutions. • Learn how to leverage these holistic approaches in your work • Discover practical strategies for integrating these practices 2025-03-131h 07DESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#44: Design Thinking in Action - The SWAT Approach to Business TransformationWhen Fonterra - a dairy cooperative in Aotearoa New Zealand - faced a critical workforce shortage, the usual ways of working weren't going to deliver the outcomes they needed. Enter the SWAT approach to business transformation - a fit-for-purpose, multi-disciplinary way to tackle critical business challenges. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter welcome Suzie Lewisham - People and Culture Director for the COO division at Fonterra, for an inside look at their award-winning approach to transforming business at pace. In this episode, you will • Learn about the SWAT approach to transforming business at pace...2025-03-031h 05DESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#43: Collaboration Fatigue - How to Fix the Most Overrated Buzzword in BusinessHas collaboration become a catch-all solution, losing the focus and impact it was meant to deliver?In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter unpack why collaboration often feels more like a burden than a boost. They explore how overuse and misuse have turned it into an overrated buzzword and what teams can do to bring intention and effectiveness back to colloboration.In this episode, you will• Understand why collaboration fatigue is holding teams back.• Learn how to identify when collaboration is necessary—and when it’s not.• Discover actionable strategies to balance so...2024-12-1159 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#42: The Manager's Guide to Coaching, Driving Performance One Conversation at a TimeIn this episode of the Design Thinker Podcast, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Dr John Bennett, a leading scholar-practitioner, executive coach, and professor at the McColl School of Business, Queens University of Charlotte. John, author of The Manager’s Guide to Coaching for Change, brings nearly three decades of experience in helping leaders transform their approach to team performance.In this episode, you will• Understand what coaching is and what it is not • Learn about the skills managers need for coaching • Discover the positive impact of a six-minute coaching conversation John...2024-11-1455 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#41: What Can Skydiving Teach Us About Leadership?In this episode, Peter steps into the spotlight, recounting how his skydiving experiences shaped his perspective on courage, self-talk, goal-setting, and teamwork. As Peter Peter reflects on this skydiving journey, he draws parallels between skydiving and working in organizations. In this episode, you will • discover the power of visualization for driving outcomes• understand the importance of finding your community • learn how the ritual of regular debrief can drive productivity and performance 2024-10-3156 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#40: How Lessons from Design School Helped Me Drive Results in the Corporate WorldIn this episode, Dr. Dani shares her nontraditional career path from aspiring law student to graphic designer to leading corporate transformations. A two-time university dropout, Dani discovered design while on the path to law school, which led her to attend design school and hone her passion for designing solutions. She explains how the lessons from design school became the foundation for driving impactful results in the corporate world.In this episode, you will• discover how design principles can drive business outcomes • learn how embracing constraints leads to better problem-solving • understand why empathy and curiosity are key...2024-10-2355 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#39: Power of the Pause: Why Taking a Break MattersIn a world that glorifies busyness, breaks are dismissed as unimportant and a barrier to productivity. However, this isn't actually the case. In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter discuss the often overlooked but essential practice of pausing. They explore the power of micro, mini, and mighty pauses and discuss how intentional breaks can increase productivity, creativity, and mental clarity. In this episode, you will:• learn about three types of pauses the micro, the mini, and the mighty • understand how breaks can increase your brain's capacity to problem-solve • discover practical ways to incorporate pauses in...2024-10-021h 00DESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#38: What to do about perfectionismDo you struggle with perfectionism? Is it holding you back? In this episode, Dr. Dani Chesson and Designer Peter Allan explore how perfectionism hinders progress and keeps us trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and share tips on how to break free from the trap. In this episode, you will • understand the difference between helpful and harmful perfectionism• learn practical techniques to move from overthinking to action• discover how iteration and empathy can break the perfectionism cycle2024-09-2647 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#37: Why your customer experience will fail if you ignore EXWe often focus on creating a seamless customer experience (CX), but what happens when we ignore employee experience (EX)? In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter dive into the often-overlooked connection between EX and CX, exploring why great customer experiences depend on happy, engaged employees.In this episode, you will:• understand the direct relationship between employee experience and customer satisfaction• learn why neglecting EX leads to higher turnover, lower productivity, and poor CX outcomes• discover practical ways to improve EX and elevate your overall business performance2024-09-1852 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#36: What it Takes to Win in Customer ExperienceCustomer Experience (CX) is vital for businesses in the 21st century, but do we know what we mean when we say CX? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore CX. In this episode, you will • understand what CX is and what it is not • learn why CX is a vital aspect of business success • discover how to design and operationalize a winning CX 2024-09-0359 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#35: The Anatomy of an ExperienceExperience — a term that's become ubiquitous in business, but do we really know what we mean when we say Customer Experience, Employee Experience, Patient Experience, and the like? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore the anatomy of an experience. In this episode, you will: • learn what is meant by experience • understand the macro and micro-moments that shape an experience • discover practice insights on designing an experience 2024-08-2750 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp# 34: Emotions: What are they good for anyway?Emotions are central to the human experience, influencing every aspect of our personal, professional, and social lives. They are complex and multifaceted, shaping how we perceive and interact with the world. Research suggests that up to 95% of our decisions are driven by emotions, underscoring their powerful impact on our choices. In this episode, you will: • understand the definition of emotions • discover the role of emotions in designing solutions • learn about frameworks and tools to explore and navigate emotions 2024-08-2035 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#33: Are You Ready for the BANI World?Have you heard of BANI? Are you ready for it? The term VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) was coined in the 1980s to describe the context of the world. Four decades later, is this term still relevant? The term BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, Incomprehensible) was coined in 2020 to describe the current environment. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore BANI. In this episode, you will• learn about the concept of BANI • understand the relevance of Design Thinker capabilities in a BANI world • get practical tips on applying Design Thinker capabilities2024-07-241h 01DESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#32: Informed Consent: The Ethical Backbone of Design ResearchWhat are the ethical obligations of design research? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore the importance of informed consent when doing design research. From historical examples like the Tukaseegee experiments to contemporary design research, this episode explains why it is important for participants to fully understand their involvement in any research activity. In this episode, you will • understand the ethical obligations when carrying out design research • learn the "how-tos" of informed consent, including the key topics that need to be covered • hear real-life examples of how to customize the informed consent process so...2024-05-2851 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#31: Reducing the Risk of Innovation with DiscoveryWhat is discovery work? How does it help reduce risk and deliver better outcomes? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter dive into the "how-to" of discovery work to explain what it is, why it is important, and tips on how to get started. In this episode, you will • discover the importance of discovery work • learn how to get started with discovery• hear stories of how discovery work has influenced the outcome of projects2024-05-1945 minDESIGN THINKER PODCASTEp#30: A Human Centered View of Privacy LawHow might we use privacy law to build trust with customers? Often regulations are viewed as an obligation, something organizations need to comply with to stay out of legal trouble. However, what if regulations can be more than that? What if regulations can provide us a way to build trust and create better experiences for customers? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Rali Andreeva, a thought leader who helps organizations demystify privacy to improve customer experience.In this episode, you will• understand the intent of privacy law• discover how...2024-05-1240 min