Shows
becomeI am going skateboarding todayIn this episode, we catch up with Phil Burcher. Phil is the owner of Precision Skateboards, a legendary local Nebraska skate shop in Lincoln, Nebraska. Born in Brooklyn NY and growing up as a military brat, Phil was introduced to skateboarding and surfing the second time his family lived in Hawaii in 1974 and has yet to understand what “not-skateboarding” means. His life revolves around skateboarding and skateboarding culture, and he has skated hundreds of ramps and skateparks around the country. After graduating Colorado State University with a degree in marketing, he joined forces with Scott Bouwens, who founded Precision Skat...2025-06-1642 min
becomewhat would you do if you won the lotteryDr. Kathy Farrell became the James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean of the College of Business at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln on December 1, 2017, after serving nearly a year as interim dean. She immediately launched an inclusive strategic planning process to help guide the college with a new mission, guiding principles and strategic initiatives. Kathy embraces where ever she is in life and the importance of maintaining a mindset that what lies ahead is as exciting or more exciting than what lies behind and tries to live in the moment. She continues to have an impact through higher education and...2025-06-021h 02
becometaking off life's training wheelsToday's guest, Karl Hinkley, has an extreme passion for BMX and motocross. In the BMX world you might even know him as "Crazy Karl". Karl's been riding since age fourteen and defines his riding flavor as "creative". He travelled around the Midwest throughout his teenage and young adult life racing and riding freestyle. As he got more into the sport, Karl discovered he wanted to play a bigger part as a sponsor, so he started his own business called Nowear and also a non-profit, The Nowear Compound. Karl knows first-hand how hard it is to make it in BMX a...2025-05-1940 min
becomejoy in the processHave you ever ended up finding joy in something you thought you disliked? Such as working out, eating less sweets, or completing an assignment for school in a subject you generally would turn your nose up at. What does joy feel like in these moments? Accomplishment? Relief? Curiosity? Our guest today can relate. Juan Breucop would tell you he dislikes salesmen but ended up becoming a sales manager! Interesting, right? Juan's career in sales began by working as an employee in business to becoming an entrepreneur as a business owner. Juan is now the President of inExhaust, a manufacturer of...2025-05-0547 min
becomewhoa!"Whoa" is defined by the Oxford dictionary as a word used to express surprise, interest, or alarm, or to command attention. My "whoa" in this moment is, "whoa, this is so cool, I'm chatting with another Michaella today. I wonder if she feels superior because our names are spelled almost the same way, but hers is elevated by an extra 'L'"? Michaella Kumke is an impressive human being who currently leads the Food Bank of Lincoln as President & CEO. The Food Bank of Lincoln is a successful non-profit agency that connects millions of meals to neighbors annually. In her work...2025-03-2455 min
becomelife hacks, magic, and weird words: part I[this episode may contain strong language]
Life hacks: what's gained and what's lost in chasing them? When this show started, sharing life hacks felt like an objective. But I quickly learned the intention behind the conversations on "become" is and has been much, much deeper. Interestingly enough, today's guest has challenged the very thought behind the moniker, "life hack". James Tucci is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner with Tucci Counseling & Consulting, PC. James says: to have a life hack is to only create more problems that will require more life hacks. It may never do what your m...2025-02-2435 min
becomebecomingThis is season two! And, a very special episode to kick off a new year! This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at Saro Cider in Lincoln, Nebraska. Maggie Pleskac, Julie Masters and Michaela sat down together to explore how to accept, appreciate and find beauty in all aspects of life’s journey. Especially in those moments where we become more aware of the aging process. They shared stories of resilience, acceptance and how being comfortable with the uncomfortable can help us find more joy in each step along the way. Welcome to another season of become...2025-02-031h 17
The Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 69: Sara Wachter-Boettcher - Taking responsibility for how you show up in the workplaceKristina Halvorson chats to Sara Wachter-Boettcher about the challenges content professionals face in the workplace. They discuss the need for validation, the importance of setting goals within your control and explain the window of tolerance. Sara also introduces a new workshop series, the Manager's Playbook, which focuses on improving relationships and communication in the workplace.
2024-04-3044 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 68: Nikki Godley and Rob MacFie - Maturing content and design at scaleKristina Halvorson interviews Rob MacFie and Nikki Godley from Wise about their work in scaling content and design across the organization. They cover the challenges of rapid growth and the need to create a clear mission and principles for the team. Rob and Nikki explain the process of developing a career map and discuss the importance of creating pay parity across disciplines. The chat reveals how storytelling has played a role in communicating impact and creating influence to build a user-centred culture. It’s jam packed with advice and examples.
2024-04-1644 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 67: Trisha Causley and Maria Hofstetter - Content design and AIKristina Halvorson interviews Trisha Causley and Maria Hofstetter, both content designers at Shopify. They discuss the role of large language models (LLMs) in AI, the importance of prompts and instructions in guiding LLMs, and the potential career paths for content designers in the AI field. There’s practical advice and examples, bringing clarity and valuable discussion to an ever important topic for those working in content and UX.
2024-03-1943 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 66: Jeff Eaton - The importance of observability in assessing contentIn this episode, Kristina Halvorson interviews Jeff Eaton, a partner at Autogram. They share the challenges organizations face in content production and management and discuss the importance of observability in assessing content quality and effectiveness. The conversation leads to the key roles needed in content strategy and to the importance of starting with small pilot projects to gather data and build confidence before implementing large-scale changes. Plus, Kristina and Jeff find time to chat about the role of storytelling in strategy and the need to articulate a theory of change.
2024-02-2739 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 65: Erica Jorgensen - The value and impact of content workKristina Halvorson interviews Erica Jorgensen, a content designer and author of the book "Strategic Content Design: Tools and Research Techniques for Better UX." They discuss the role of content designers in organizations and the need to demonstrate the value of content. Erica emphasizes the need to use data and analytics to measure the impact of content work and provides insights and advice on documenting content patterns, collaborating with stakeholders, and leveraging data to drive business impact. She also shares her thoughts on the future of content strategy and the importance of content designers taking on leadership roles within organizations.2024-01-3034 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 64: Meghan Casey - Improving approaches to content with collaboration and curiosityKristina Halvorson and Meghan Casey, two of the field’s most experienced practitioners, interview each other for the Content Strategy Podcast. They discuss the importance of collaboration and fostering curiosity, effective listening and common points of friction within an organization. The chat also covers the challenges of working with non-content leaders, the current state of the content strategy field and advice and insights to help leaders evolve their content process maturity.
2024-01-1641 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 63: Kaysie Garza - A multidisciplinary approach to content at HotjarKaysie Garza, Content Design Lead at Hotjar, discusses the role of content design within the organization and its collaboration with other teams. Kaysie delves into communicating research effectively, a collaborative approach to naming and offers advice for hiring content designers. The conversation delves into the structure of user experiences at Hotjar, with a focus on enterprise level customer journeys and the evolving nature of these journeys based on strategic research.
2023-12-0643 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 62: Mark McCormick - Content strategy and the customer experienceMark McCormick, a retired content strategy and customer experience leader. He joins Kristina on the Content Strategy Podcast where they discuss the importance of content strategy and its evolution over the years. Mark shares his insights on the roles and processes of content strategists and emphasizes the need for content strategists to see themselves as leaders. They also cover the white paper Mark wrote on content strategy and its major sections, as well as discussing content as a strategic asset and advantage and enterprise content strategy.
2023-11-1545 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 61: Morgan Marie Quinn - Getting to grips with large language modelsMorgan Marie Quinn is a Content Design leader at Google where she oversees content teams across Bard and Google Assistant. Morgan joins Kristina to talk about all things large language models (LLMs) and generative AI. From defining LLMs, accuracy, vulnerabilities and governance, this episode has it all direct from someone at the forefront of this new era for content design.
2023-10-1046 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 60: Keri Maijala - Building and leading a content practice at LinkedInKeri Maijala has been in the user experience space for more than 20 years. Currently leading a content design team at LinkedIn, Keri has a wealth of knowledge and experience which she shares in her chat with Kristina. No topic was off limits as they chatted about content skill sets and roles, the evolution of content and UX terminology, the invisible work of content design and connecting the dots between business goals and content design.
2023-09-2643 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 59: Aladrian Goods - The role of content in generative AIAladrian Goods leads the content design team at Intuit. Aladrian has lots of experience and advice for aligning content with other disciplines, connecting the dots between teams and getting people to experience the value of content design. As if that’s not enough reason to listen in, Aladrian also has plenty to share about the role of content in generative AI and how the field of content design is evolving. A must listen? You bet.
2023-07-1134 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 58: Chris Baty - UX writing, content and product designChris Baty joined Figma as their first ever UX writer. Now he is the Head of UX Writing, leading a team at the intersection of content, UX and product design. Chris talks to Kristina about growing the UX writing team at Figma, the business value of UX writing and using data to inform your work and decisions. He also accidentally founded National Novel Writing Month, which you likely know as NaNoWriMo and used to work at Dropbox. All of these experiences are connected and discussed in the latest episode of the Content Strategy Podcast.
2023-06-2738 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 57: Peter Merholz - The maturity of content and design disciplinesPeter Merholz works with organizations of all sizes across different sectors. He sees first hand how they are unique and where they are similar when it comes to design, content and UX. Peter joins Kristina to discuss the intersection of these disciplines, their maturity and how they are perceived by leadership.
2023-06-1335 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 56: Kara DeFrias - Content strategy and the power of storytellingKara DeFrias has written for Vice Presidents, was part of the California Covid Task Force for the first 100 days of the pandemic and has worked on the Super Bowl, Oscars and Emmys. And that’s not the full list of accomplishments and career milestones. With so much experience, it was inevitable Kristina would invite Kara to the podcast. Plus they first became connected in quite extraordinary circumstances that forged a friendship of mutual respect and a shared love of Broadway.
2023-05-0934 min
That's the Tea with Tera Talmadge & Taliyah BrooksCylie Halvorson & Kristina ForemanIn the latest episode of That's the Tea, hosts Tera Talmade and Taliyah Brooks welcome softball standouts Cylie Halvorson and Kristina Foreman. Not only are they both new to the program this year as transfers, but they're also roommates. How have they become close friends? And who does the dishes? Find out as they spill the tea. CREDITS Co-Host/Producer/Editor: Tera Talmadge Co-Host: Taliyah Brooks Coordinating Producer: Bart Pohlman2023-04-2628 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 55: Katherine Karaus - Getting hired and career progression in content and UXKatherine Karaus knows what it takes to find your ideal job in content and UX and to know your own worth. Katherine shares lots of practical advice with Kristina Halvorson about competitive differentiation when job hunting, building and maintaining a strong personal brand and content and UX portfolios. They also cover salary negotiation, cover letters and elevator pitches. It’s jam packed with tips to help you and your career.
2023-04-2532 min
Omnichannel by OmnichannelXEp. 18 – The State of the Content Strategy – Kristina HalvorsonIn this episode, we hear from Kristina Holvorson, CEO, Brain Traffic. Producer, Confab and Button, and Content Strategist at large.
She and Noz Urbina discuss the evolution of content strategy into specialized fields, the importance of recognizing the value of content as a business asset, and the role of asking the right questions upfront to prevent pitfalls in content initiatives. They also touched on the impact of AI and the significance of meeting user experience needs for the success of a business.
2023-04-2039 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 54: Ann Rockley - Reflecting on a career in contentAnn Rockley is known as the “mother” of content strategy. She has an international reputation for establishing the field in content strategy. In her chat with Kristina, Ann shared some of her experience and advice from decades of experience in content including creating a methodology for content, ways of effectively communicating with people, content modeling, measuring content and so much more.
2023-03-2839 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 53: Are Halland - Understanding and using the core modelAre Halland is the inventor of the core model, a framework for working together to create better content for digital products and services. In this episode, Are shares the origins of the core model and describes the components of the model in detail, along with how it can be used. Along the way, Are and Kristina chat about getting alignment across an organization, how to stop jumping to solutions first and bringing research into content conversations and decision-making.
2023-03-1426 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 52: Noz Urbina - Content and the customer journeyNoz Urbina has decades of experience in content. He’s especially interested in omnichannel strategies and how the sum of the parts work together to support the user's journey. In his conversation with Kristina Halvorson, Noz covers personalization, delivering effective customer experiences, customer journey mapping, content in the pharma sector and some quick but thought-provoking opinions on content, AI and the Metaverse.
2023-02-2830 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 51: Joanne Ward - Leading content strategy at scaleJoanne Ward believes a good content experience is critical to the customer experience. In her chat with Kristina, Jo talks about leading content strategy at scale as part of Salesforce’s evolving content practice. They cover collaborating with other disciplines, advocacy, and the importance of technical writing. Across the entire conversation, there’s a focus on creating task focused and user centered content.
2023-02-1431 min
Uncharted JourneyEpisode 28 - Kristina Halvorson, Curious StrategistKristina Halvorsen is a widely recognized leader in content strategy and UX. She is the owner of Brain Traffic, a content strategy consultancy; the author of Content Strategy for the Web; the host of The Content Strategy Podcast; and the founder of the popular Confab and Button conferences. She’s come a long way since dreaming of being Marsha Brady as a pre-teen.Curious by nature, Kristina is driven by the constant craving to meet interesting people, learn new things, and take on challenges. Curiosity, supported by her resilience, has helped her run her own successful business an...2023-01-1733 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 50: Corey Vilhauer - Demystifying content strategyCorey Vilhauer shares with Kristina Halvorson how he moved from being a marketing and ad copywriter into content strategy and leadership. They pack plenty of topics into the chat including how to communicate with clients, driving meaningful conversations about content and aligning around a shared language and understanding. They also reveal their passion projects.
2022-12-1335 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 49: Sarah Winters - Unpacking content strategy and content designSarah Winters takes us from the beginnings of her career in content, through to the future plans for Content Design London. Along the way, Sarah and Kristina chat about content strategy, content design and related disciplines. They touch on codifying content design as a practice, industry definitions, ownership and measuring success of content strategy and the hierarchy of content roles within organizations.
2022-12-0637 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 48: David Dylan Thomas - Understanding design, content and biasDavid Dylan Thomas is a founder, author and speaker who is an expert on designing for cognitive bias. In his conversation with Kristina, David shares his experience and insights on patterns in representation, assumption audits, designing for bad outcomes and the need for meaningful conversations about bias.
2022-11-2236 min
The Informed LifeNatalie Marie Dunbar on Scaling Content StrategyNatalie Marie Dunbar is a senior manager of content design at Walmart. She’s the author of From Solo to Scaled: Building a Sustainable Content Strategy Practice. In this conversation, we discuss content strategy, how it might differ from information architecture, and how to stand up a content strategy practice.Natalie has asked me to let you know that rosenfeldmedia.com has a promo code for The Informed Life listeners. The code is INFORMEDLIFESTS, and it’s good for 20% off the purchase of any Rosenfeld Media book until December 31, 2022.Show notes2022-08-2839 min
The Web Project GuideEpisode 9: Develop a Strategy for Your Content (w/ Kristina Halvorson)Corey and Deane talk a little about that time Kristina Halvorson (founder of Brain Traffic, co-author of Content Strategy for the Web, and executive producer of Confab and Button) visited Sioux Falls. Then, Kristina chats with us about content strategy — defining content strategy vs. content design, what tasks are often overlooked, and some basics on spinning up an internal web content team — including a bit of conference talk about the upcoming Button Conference. The Web Project Guide (webproject.guide) podcast is sponsored by Blend Interactive, a web strategy, design, and development firm dedicated to guiding teams...2022-07-1940 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 47: Sarah Etter, Procore - Building reputation, visibility and value for contentSarah Etter, Senior Manager of Content Design at Procore offers an abundance of practical advice based on years of experience as a content practitioner. From embedding content designers across an organization and ensuring a design system is content oriented to scaling content design. The chat also touches on writing globally and inclusively, demonstrating ROI for content design and establishing a content operations governance model. That’s not even the full list of topics packed into this episode, all with examples and top tips.
2022-03-1531 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 46: Candi Williams, Bumble - Leading content teams and inclusive content projectsCandi Williams is an experienced content leader who cares deeply about community, diversity and inclusivity. In her chat with Kristina, they talk about building and leading a content team, the importance of connecting with peers, the need for effective onboarding and examples of inclusive content projects.
2022-03-0133 minThe Content Strategy PodcastEpisode 45: Torrey Podmajersky, Google - Demonstrating value as a UX practitionerTorrey Podmajersky is a UX Writer at Google and author of Strategic Writing for UX with plenty of experience in establishing a career in content and UX. Torrey talks to Kristina about getting hired into content and UX roles, what the UX practice at Google looks like, and how to demonstrate value and make an impact as a UX writer.
2022-02-1534 min