Shows
XXEqualsIn Conversation with Jenny Button, Founder & CEO of EmmIn this episode, we are joined by founder and CEO of the start-up, Emm, a bio-wearable smart menstrual cup designed to help you understand your body better. In our conversation, we discuss the origins of Emm, its plans over the next 10 years, and how it aims to help reduce the gender health gap by providing women with body autonomy through individual data.
2023-02-1025 min
XXEqualsIn Conversation With ILOH Founder and CEO, Jemma SawyerJemma Sawyer is the Founder of ILOH, the UK’s first shopping platform for sexual wellness products designed exclusively by women. In a sector traditionally monopolised by men, Jemma set out to explore the intersection of FemTech and female design innovation. Our conversation with Jemma covers everything from her background as a Stylist and Consultant to her founder journey, the societal stigma around sexual health products, and how ILOH is designed to tackle the shame around pleasure products.
2022-04-1436 min
XXEqualsIn conversation with Lilu Co-Founder and CEO, Adriana VazquezIn this episode we speak to Lilu Co-Founder and CEO, Adriana Vazquez.
Adriana has been named one of the top 30 Femtech Healthcare Influencers in 2019 and has won multiple awards for her work at Lilu. Adriana and her co-founder are YC and NSF I-Corps fellows and their patent was recognised as Philadelphia’s invention of the year in 2019. Our conversation with Adriana covers everything from what inspired Lilu, the struggles of being a founder and a person of colour, and what steps Adriana had to take to fund and grow Lilu.
2022-02-2435 min
XXEqualsIn Conversation with Lucy Baldwin, Senior Insight and Innovation Consultant at KDIn this episode we speak to XXEquals core team member and Senior Insight and Innovation Consultant at KD, Lucy Baldwin. Lucy has over a decade's worth of experience in the design industry with a strong interest in people and their needs.
Our conversation gets under the skin of the Baby Boomer generation, where the term ‘Greynaissance’ came from and how we can be more innovative in this space and cater for this often overlooked and underserved generation.
2022-01-0630 min
XXEqualsIn conversation with Abby Covert, Information Architect, and author of How to Make Sense of Any MessAbby Covert is an Information Architect, writer and community organiser. served as President of IA Institute, co-chair of IA Summit, and Executive Producer of IDEA. She is a founding faculty member of SVA’s Products of Design program, Design Operations Summit and Advancing Research Conference. She invented World IA Day, bringing IA education to thousands in local communities annually.
In our latest XXEquals podcast, we speak to Information Architect, Writer and Community Organiser, Abby Covert. Our conversation explores Abby’s introduction into information architecture, how the craft and theory of diagrams led to the inspiration of her new book 'Stuck', and, Abb...
2021-12-1644 min
XXEqualsIn conversation with Film-maker, Maria WebbIn our latest XXEquals podcast we meet Bristol based Film-maker and Co-Founder of the production company, Falling Films, Maria Webb. Maria and our CEO, Merle Hall, discuss the broad spectrum of often negative experiences of menstruators, from the synthetic experience of the pill, to receiving inadequate medical support. Maria shares how after experiencing problems with her own menstrual cycle, she set out to change the way we talk and think about women's health by telling her story through the film, Fake Blood. Tune in now to find out more.
As referenced in the podcast:
Lara Briden: https://www.larabriden.com/
...
2021-11-0335 min
XXEqualsIn Conversation with PhD Researcher, Christine MadlaIn this episode, we talk to PhD Researcher. Christine Madla.
Christine is currently at the UCL School of Pharmacy, University College London, focusing on how males and females respond differently to medicines. She founded Sex in Science early this year to address the sex and gender research gap in science, health care and wellbeing.
Join Merle and Christine as they discuss all things sex and gender, how major stages of female life such as the menopause can be overlooked in clinical studies, and the importance of using sex as a biological variable.
2021-10-0740 min
XXEqualsIn conversation with Sophie Patel, R&D Prototyping Manager at No7 Beauty CompanyIn this episode, we talk to Sophie Patel, R&D Prototyping Manager at No7 Beauty Company.
Sophie is a human first and research and prototyping professional second. Her pronouns are she/her and she in unapologetically both a woman and brown. Those intersections are shaping how she is trying to drive action in creating equity in her corner of the beauty industry, while continuously learning and listening to marginalised people so that she can advocate for you when you are not in the room.
Join Merle and Sophie as they discuss Sophie's journey into packaging design, being passionate about what...
2021-09-2233 min
XXEqualsIn conversation with Senior UX Researcher, Efi ChatzopoulouIn this episode we talk to Senior UX Researcher, Efi Chatzopoulou. With a strong behavioural science edge, Efi helps organisations get to the most effective solutions by asking the right questions. She believes that adding behaviour science into product design can really make magic happen, which is why she’s on a mission to help organisations add human-centredness to user-centred processes.
Join Merle and Efi as they discuss the challenges of being working mothers, what we can do to create a more equitable future, and the importance of allies.
2021-09-1040 min
XXEqualsIn conversation with Joseph Cefai, Head of Product Development at Verso BiosenseIn this episode we talk to Joseph Cefai, Head of Product Development at Verso Biosense. Joseph is a biochemist by training, but an engineer by DNA. His work is defined by the consumer focus he brings to it, he is passionate about the work he does, choosing challenges over mundane and working exclusively on products that break new ground.
Our conversation covers everything from the science of fertility, to the reality of women being disadvantaged within the healthcare system and why women should start complaining more.
2021-08-1939 min
XXEqualsIn conversation with Ti Chang, Activist & VP of Design at CRAVEIn this episode, we have the pleasure of talking to Industrial Designer, Entrepreneur and Activist, Ti Chang. Ti is also the Co-Founder and VP of Design at tech-savvy, luxury sex toy company, CRAVE, and the Chair of the Women in Design section of Industrial Designers Society of America.
Our conversation with Ti covers everything from the growth of CRAVE, genderization within the industrial design industry and how to stop the perpetual cycle of barriers for women within sexual health. Ti also shares her advice for women currently graduating, about to take their first step into design industry.
2021-08-1148 min
XXEqualsXX= in conversation with Jo Barnard, Founder & Creative Director of MorramaIn this episode we talk to Founder & Creative Director of Morrama, Jo Barnard. Jo shares her experiences, from design student, to founding an agency in 2014, what this transition means as a leader, and how and why she advocates for gender diversity within the workplace.
2021-05-1633 min
XXEqualsXX= in conversation with Co-Founder of GEN M, Sam SimisterIn this episode we talk to Sam Simister - GEN M Founder, and Future Development Director at Innocent. GEN M is an organisation, aimed at improving the lives of women going through the menopause; providing resources, events and a space for women. Merle and Sam discuss the motivations behind GEN M and the future of the organisation.
2021-04-3030 min
XXEqualsXX= in conversation with Brad HarperIn this episode CEO, Merle Hall, talks to industrial design recruiter and Design Truth host, Brad Harper. Brad and Merle discuss the landscape of recruitment for the design industry, and what steps need to be taken to increase diversity.
2021-03-2640 min
XXEqualsXX= in conversation with Nat Maher, Kerning The Gap founderIn this episode, KD CEO, Merle Hall, talks to founder of Kerning The Gap, Nat Maher. After starting in 2015, Kerning The Gap is a nationwide programme that runs throughout the UK, aiming to empower women in the design and creative industries to get to senior level via annual mentoring schemes and a strong community network. Merle and Nat unpick and explore some of the many barriers faced by women in the design industry, discussing what change is needed on an industry wide level.
2021-03-2647 min
XXEqualsXX= in conversation with WoW founder, Marija ButkovicIn this episode, KD CEO, Merle Hall, talks to Women of Wearables Founder, Marija Butkovic. Women of Wearables is a leading global organisation aiming to support, connect, and mentor women and allies in emerging technologies such as wearables, IoT, and health tech. Marija and Merle explore the inspiration behind WoW's global 20,000 strong community, and the future for women in tech.
2021-03-2631 min
XXEqualsIn conversation with the XX= teamIn this episode CEO, Merle Hall, talks to some of our XXEquals team members, Design Consultant, Hayley Maynard, Junior Designer, Alex Dodl, and Marketing Manager, Sorrell Walsh. The team share their inspirations for the XXEquals initiative, what areas they're excited for the team to work on, and what designing with women in mind means to them.
2021-03-2635 min
KD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 14 - Conversations with Create HealthIn this episode we talk to leading healthcare marketing agency, Create Health, about the future of healthcare and communications. Listen now and hear what our Head of Medical, Kerry Briggs, and CDO, Craig Wightman, and Create Health Managing Director, Ed Hudson, and Creative Director, Phil Blackmore, have to say.
Find out more about Create Health, here: https://createhealth.com/
2020-12-1541 min
The Crazytivity Podcast#4 Women in Business, Hiring the Right People, Companies Values and Creativity with CEO Merle HallIn this Podcast, the CEO of Kinneir Dufort, and mother of two, Merle Hall gives us her vision on building a great team and being in business as a woman. She shares with us her best tips on gathering a team around a common purpose. She, herself, confides to us that the value of her company (Being smart, openness, pioneering, curiosity and respect) lead to creating an environment of trust where creativity can be embraced. Merle believes in the process of Design Thinking in order to innovate and ends this podcast with sharing her vision as a mother and the...
2020-09-1450 min
PowerWomen SpeakWith Merle HallI am delighted to be joined today Merle Hall, Chief Executive Officer of Kinneir Dufort, a world leading user-centred innovation and product development consultancy. She has 20 years' experience in launching life-changing products and services globally for businesses such as Roche, AstraZeneca, Unilever, Coca Cola and Raspberry Pi. Merle sits on the board of Kerning the Gap, currently rolling out a national UK programme focused on equality in design leadership, and the Design Business Association (DBA), as well as partnering with STEM organisations Teen Tech and the Big Bang, delivering diversity in the next generation of innovators, designers and engineers.
2020-06-1033 min
KD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 13 - Conversations with BabbasaIn this episode our CEO, Merle Hall talks to Babbasa Founder and CEO, Poku Osei about the foundations and future plans of the charity. We are also joined by Babbasa alumni and past KD placement student, Bakoto Jobe.
Find out more about the great work that Babbasa do to empower young people, here: https://babbasa.com/
2020-02-1300 minKD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 12 - The future of medical and AIIn this episode our Head of Medical, Kerry Briggs, and Head of Portfolio Management, Sunny Panesar speak with Ellie Foreman about the future of medical and growing use of Artificial Intelligence.
Ellie is an Automation Fellow with the South West Creative Technology Network (www.swctn.org.uk), exploring the connection we have with technology and how emotional support can be provided with AI.
Ellie will be speaking at the next I'll Be Back South West run by Tiny Giant, taking place on February 11th 2020, and hosted by Kinneir Dufort. Get your free tickets here: https://tinyurl.com/IBBSW
2019-12-0900 minKD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 11 - Live panel: Designing a better worldThis episode was recorded live at the Global Innovation Forum 2019, in London, and features the panel discussion, "Designing A Better World" hosted by KD CEO, Merle Hall.
Panel guests were Caroline Hargrove (Chief Technology Officer at Babylon Heath), Sophie Bialaszewski (Head of People & Capability Transformation at Lloyds Banking Group), Craig Wightman (Chief Design Officer at Kinneir Dufort), Sophie Castell (Director of Relationships at RNIB). The discussion explores and uncovers what designing a better world means for some of these leading experts and includes questions from the audience.
For further reading check out the LinkedIn article written by...
2019-12-0300 minKD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 10 - Global Innovation Forum 2019Ahead of GIF 2019, CEO Merle Hall and Portfolio Manager Sara White, discuss the key insights from last year's GIF and what to expect for this year's forum on our podcast, KD Conversations.
Read the accompanying article by KD CDO Craig Whiteman on LinkedIn, 'Insights from Innovation Leaders: GIF 2019': https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/insights-from-innovation-leaders-gif-2019-craig-wightman/
2019-11-1800 minKD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 9 - Waste Nothing ChallengeMerle Hall, CEO of Kinneir Dufort speaks with Katharine Wilkinson, who has been participating in the year-long “Waste Nothing Challenge”. Katharine shares her insights into the impact of shopping with so much care that (almost) nothing is thrown away.
Discover more: www.bristolwastecompany.co.uk/whats-happ…challenge/
2019-10-0400 minKD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 8 - Frank WaterMerle Hall, CEO of Kinneir Dufort, speaks to Katie Alcott MBE, founder of Frank Water. Katie and the team aim to bring safe water and sanitation for communities in India and Nepal as well as pioneering of the refill movement in the UK.
www.frankwater.com
2019-09-1300 minKD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 7 - Kerning The GapIn the latest KD Conversations podcast we speak to Kerning the Gap founder, Nat Maher.
Founded in 2015, and now a nationwide campaign, Kerning the Gap was started to inspire change within the design industry and encourage more women to pursue design leadership roles. Listen to hear more as KD CEO Merle Hall and Nat discuss all things equality within the design industry and what is needed to champion change.
www.kerningthegap.com
2019-08-0700 minKD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 6 - QuipIn this episode of KD Conversations, our CDO, Craig Wightman talks all things business and design with Simon Enever, CEO of D2C oral care company, Quip. www.getquip.com
2019-06-1400 minKD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 5 - FinisterreThe latest podcast in our KD Conversations series delves into the world of sustainability, fashion and innovation with Debbie Luffman, Product Director of Finisterre: the Cornwall-based pioneers of sustainable clothing and accessories.
Finisterre was built on its values and their founder’s love of the sea, driven to create innovative products with sustainability at their core. Listen to hear more about her story, as she is interviewed by KD’s Head of Insight & Innovation, Kelly Dawson.
https://finisterre.com/
2019-02-2800 minKD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 4 - Design trends 2019CEO Merle Hall and Chief Design Officer, Craig Wightman discuss the trends we can expect to see coming out of 2019.
2019-02-2000 minKD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 3 - Big questions for innovation todayKD conversations third podcast follows a talk our CEO Merle Hall and our Chief Design Officer, Craig Wightman presented at The Global Innovation Forum 2018, London. They will be discussing the trends and themes within innovation.
2018-11-0900 minKD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 2 - Designing a better worldOur second podcast in our KD Conversations series explores what designing a better world means for our CEO Merle Hall and our Chief Design Officer, Craig Wightman. Listen to Merle and Craig discussing how design and creativity can (and should be) used to make things better for all and why it’s vital to have a desire to create impact for ‘good’.
2018-10-2200 minKD ConversationsKD Conversations Episode 1 - SustainabilityMerle Hall, CEO of Kinneir Dufort joins Simon Miller, Managing Partner from 3Keel and Kelly Dawson, Head of Strategy at Kinneir Dufort, to discuss sustainability within design and business.
2018-09-1300 min