Shows
In Her WordsEmpowering Accessibility with Maigen ThomasSend us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Maigen Thomas, Founder of Level 11 Technology, accessibility consultant, and neurodivergent advocate for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, and designing spaces where everyone can thrive. Maigen draws from her experience in enterprise UX, accessibility audits, and coaching early-career talent to show how we can expand our definitions of success, ability, and leadership.We talk about navigating layoffs, unmasking in business, and how small accessibility shifts can open doors to entire markets. Maigen also shares her vision for apprenticeship models, the long tail of...
2025-11-2543 min
In Her WordsIntergenerational Healing with Anna VecchiSend us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Anna Vecchi—a first-generation Chinese Italian American graphic designer—for a deeply honest conversation about identity, generational trauma, and learning to define yourself on your own terms. Anna shares how growing up in a predominantly white community shaped her relationship with culture, creativity, and performance, and how reconnecting with her Chinese heritage through her wedding ceremony helped her reclaim a part of herself she'd long tucked away.We talk about the complexities of navigating strained mother-daughter relationships, setting boundaries in adulthood, and what healing look...
2025-11-1846 min
In Her WordsEmbracing Your Multi-Passionate Self with Kimberly MurraySend us a textThis week, I sit down with psychologist, certified coach, speaker, and creative, Dr. Kimberly Murray, to explore what it means to live and lead as a multi-passionate person. Kimberly shares her journey of integrating multiple roles: scientist, artist, strategist, and mom. We talk about what it looks like to honor your full self without burning out or compromising your values, and how creativity can be a quiet act of self-trust in a world that often demands certainty and conformity.Topics Discussed in This EpisodeFinding the through line between seemingly...
2025-11-1133 min
In Her WordsExpressing Joy with Kenna LindsaySend us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Kenna Lindsay—interdisciplinary artist, producer, and creative technologist—for a vibrant conversation about creative evolution, clowning, and protecting what matters most. Kenna has moved through photography, circus performance, and now video game production, all while holding a deep commitment to community, play, and making the internet a safer place for kids.We talk about reclaiming joy after injury, the emotional range required in performance art, and how Kenna’s lived experiences have fueled their advocacy work around child safety in games. This conversation is full o...
2025-11-0434 min
In Her WordsHeart Led Ambition with Liza KindredSend us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Liza Kindred—writer, spiritual teacher, and author of F This Meditation—for a spacious, honest conversation about ambition, healing, and reclaiming our stories. Liza shares how she walked away from hustle culture and leaned into a slower, more compassionate way of being. We talk about the systems that keep us moving too fast, the sacred rebellion of self-trust, and the power of doing less in a world that demands more.From deconstructing the wellness industrial complex to embracing a life of protection rituals and radi...
2025-10-2846 min
In Her WordsNavigating Career Transitions with Sahar ChungSend us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Sahar Chung—Director of Product Strategy at Multiplayer—for a thoughtful conversation about evolving leadership, redefining research, and navigating growth in fast-paced environments. With a background in UX, visual design, and service design, Sahar brings a unique lens to how we lead teams, shift mental models, and stay grounded through change.We talk about the mindset shifts from IC to manager to director, how to avoid burnout in people-first roles, and why asking for help is one of the most powerful leadership tools we have...
2025-10-2142 min
In Her WordsFrom Diagnosis to Advocacy with Brandie SmithSend us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Brandie Smith—senior UX researcher at 5Tran, mother, and young breast cancer survivor—for a deeply personal conversation about navigating identity through unexpected life transitions. Brandie brings vulnerability, strength, and candor as she shares her journey through cancer, layoff, motherhood, and divorce—all in the span of a few years.We talk about the emotional and physical toll of treatment, what it means to ask for help, and how her definition of success and self has shifted. Brandie also opens up about becoming an advoca...
2025-10-1443 min
In Her WordsSeasons of Creativity with Lia FetterhoffSend us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Lia Fetterhoff—Director of Product Design and Research at Pathstream, creativity coach, and founder of Swishy—for an expansive conversation about creativity, identity, and honoring personal growth across seasons of life. Lia brings nearly two decades of experience in UX and design leadership, paired with her work as an artist and coach, to reflect on how we stay connected to our creative selves through transitions, setbacks, and changing responsibilities.We talk about rebuilding creative confidence after early discouragement, navigating the shift from individual contributor to m...
2025-10-0750 min
In Her WordsValues at Work with Amy SanteeSend us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Amy Santee—career strategist, coach, and former UX researcher—for a rich conversation about values, work, and designing a career on your own terms. Amy brings her background in anthropology, coaching, and UX to the table as we explore the connections between self-research, career alignment, and systems-level change. We talk about the emotional undercurrents of career transitions, the realities of today’s job market, and how Amy’s personal journey into birdwatching helped her reclaim joy and rest outside of work.Topics Discussed...
2025-09-3041 min
In Her WordsHealing Workplace Trauma with Alla WeinbergSend us a textIn this episode, I sit down with Alla Weinberg, CEO of Spoken Wheel and author of A Culture of Safety, to unpack how relational trauma shows up at work. We explore the difference between calling workplaces "toxic" and naming them for what they often are—abusive. Alla shares her perspective on the emotional toll of modern work environments, how power dynamics perpetuate harm, and why healing at work starts with connection.We also dive into what true safety looks and feels like at work, why shared leadership could be the future, an...
2025-09-2239 min
In Her WordsThe Wonder of Motherhood with Jen BokoffSend us a textIn this episode of In Her Words, I sat down with Jen Bokoff—activator, connector, strategist, and currently Director of Development at the Disability Rights Fund. Jen brings a grounded and joyful perspective to her work in philanthropy, motherhood, and systemic change. We explored everything from values-aligned leadership to the wonder of becoming a parent, and how burnout and joy intersect in complex times.Jen shared her experience advocating for parental leave, the joyful surprise of bonding with her daughter Eloise, and how play and presence have redefined her rituals and va...
2025-09-1637 min
In Her WordsNavigating Founder Energy with Connie LiuSend us a textThis week, I sat down with Connie Liu, a two-time founder and executive coach who’s currently building Tandem, a coaching and mentorship platform for startup teams. Connie’s career has taken a winding path—from engineering at MIT, to teaching in classrooms, to leading her own ventures—and throughout it all, she’s stayed committed to the idea that change begins with the courage to imagine something better. We talked about how she transitioned from the traditional tech route into education and entrepreneurship, what it’s like to build a business (twice!), and why coac...
2025-09-0944 min
In Her WordsNurturing Creativity with Stacey MessierSend us a textIn this conversation, I sit down with Stacey Messier, the dynamic General Manager of CIC New England and a true creative force. Together, we explore a deeply personal and often taboo topic: the decision to not have children. Stacey opens up about her family history, intergenerational trauma, and how societal pressures influenced her path. We talk honestly about setting boundaries, redefining motherhood, and how creativity can become a form of birthing and nurturing in its own right.This episode is not just about motherhood; it's about identity, legacy, and honoring our...
2025-09-0244 min
In Her WordsIntroducing: In Her WordsSend us a textIn Her Words is a podcast for women navigating life’s turning points—with clarity, heart, and a little bit of mess. Hosted by Roberta Dombrowski, each episode features honest reflections and grounded conversations about career shifts, motherhood, identity, and ambition. Whether you're stepping into a new role at work, preparing for a baby, or just figuring out what’s next, this show offers a place to feel seen, supported, and inspired. You don’t need to have it all figured out to begin—just start here.If this episo...
2025-08-1903 min
Brave UX with Brendan Jarvis 🇺🇦Roberta Dombrowski – Redefining Leadership and Thriving at WorkRoberta 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 – Defining Success on Your Own Terms
00:30 – Welcome and Introduction
01:17 – Meet Roberta Dombrowski
04:25 – Growing Up as a Transracial Adoptee
09:04 – Reading Other Adoptees’ Stories and Finding Comfort
13:42 – Owning Her Story and Entering a Healing Phase
14:30 – A Restless Career Journey in Learning, Research, and Coaching
20:00 – An Anxiety Injury and Learning to Slow Down
23:00 – Family Influences, Perception, and Letting Go of Control
2025-05-131h 18
Happen To Your Career - Meaningful Work, Career Change, Career Design, & Job SearchBreaking Free from Corporate and Embracing Fulfillment on Your Own TermsHave you ever reached what you thought was the pinnacle of success, only to feel overwhelmed and unfulfilled? Roberta Dombrowski experienced just that when she climbed the corporate ladder all the way to VP of Research in the tech industry. Realizing she wanted more from life, she made the bold decision to break free from her corporate role and forge her own path towards true fulfillment. In this episode, she shares her transformative journey from the corporate world to a career that genuinely aligns with her values and passions. (Spoiler alert: She started her own c...
2024-09-0239 minHappen To Your Career - Meaningful Work, Career Change, Career Design, & Job SearchBreaking Free from Corporate and Embracing Fulfillment on Your Own TermsHave you ever reached what you thought was the pinnacle of success, only to feel overwhelmed and unfulfilled? Roberta Dombrowski experienced just that when she climbed the corporate ladder all the way to VP of Research in the tech industry. Realizing she wanted more from life, she made the bold decision to break free from her corporate role and forge her own path towards true fulfillment. In this episode, she shares her transformative journey from the corporate world to a career that genuinely aligns with her values and passions. (Spoiler alert: She started her own c...
2024-09-0239 min
Finders to Builders - A UX Research ShowEp. 10 - Leading in UXR with Roberta DombrowskiToday we host Roberta Dombrowski, a seasoned research partner at Maze and a leadership coach at Learn Mindfully.
Roberta shares her insights on what it means to lead in UX research, emphasizing that leadership can come from any role, not just those with managerial titles. She discusses the essential traits and skills needed for effective leadership, such as communication, conflict resolution, and visionary thinking, along with the common challenges researchers face.
We also touch on topics like imposter syndrome, the importance of onboarding, and actionable tips for solo researchers or teams of one.
(00:00) Introduction
(00:16) Roberta's...
2024-07-2429 min
Finders to Builders - A UX Research ShowS1E10 - Leading in UXR with Roberta DombrowskiToday we host Roberta Dombrowski, a seasoned research partner at Maze and a leadership coach at Learn Mindfully.
Roberta shares her insights on what it means to lead in UX research, emphasizing that leadership can come from any role, not just those with managerial titles. She discusses the essential traits and skills needed for effective leadership, such as communication, conflict resolution, and visionary thinking, along with the common challenges researchers face.
We also touch on topics like imposter syndrome, the importance of onboarding, and actionable tips for solo researchers or teams of one.
(00:00) Introduction
(00:16) Roberta's...
2024-07-2429 min
Per My Last EmailHow do I navigate being an “only?”Today, Jen and special guest host Roberta Dombrowski tackle letters from “onlys”: folks who are the only woman, person of color, adoptee, etc. in their workplace. One writer is the only Black leader in their org navigating a disgruntled coworker who wants to take their job (and hands-off management to boot). Another is feeling frozen out by their former boss after a particularly personal-feeling layoff. Listen in as Jen and Roberta lend their coaching skills (and plenty of resources!) to help these listeners combat their “only loneliness.” Links:Join the Manager’s Playbook this AugustSay hi to Roberta...
2024-06-2752 min
UX Ignite PodcastFrom Research to Influence: Elevating UX with Roberta DombrowskiIn this fireside chat, hosted by Kuldeep Kelkar, Senior Partner, UXReactor, Roberta Dombrowski, a Research Partner, Maze & Leadership Coach, discusses various topics related to the UX profession. She highlights the strengths of UX professionals, such as their empathy and creativity. She also addresses areas for improvement in the UX community, including the need for researchers to develop business and strategy skills.
Roberta shares insights on becoming more influential in UX and offers advice on balancing research with other responsibilities. She discusses the challenges of scaling research and the importance of democratizing research within organizations. Additionally, she provides tips on...
2024-02-2329 min
Awkward Silences#113 - Tacos and Tidepods: A Very Awkward Goodbye with Roberta Dombrowski of User InterviewsThomas Aquinas once said, “Tacos cannot exist without tide pods”. In this bittersweet edition of Tacos and Tidepods—Erin and JH say their goodbyes to Roberta and reflect back at her time at User Interviews. Roberta talks about her decision to pursue a career in coaching and leadership development training at Design Dept. From career challenges and memories to lessons she’s learned, Roberta shares her journey with User Interviews as Erin and JH do their best to make her cry.In this episode, we discuss:Roberta's career pathRoberta's legacy at User InterviewsCareer development (finding y...
2022-12-2723 minAwkward Silences#111 - The 2022 UX Research Tools Map with Roberta DombrowskiIf you ask Roberta Dombrowski why it's her favorite time of year, she'll probably mention the UX Research Tools Map. Why? Because it’s one of User Interviews’ most popular projects of the year that features the best UX research tools available across different use cases.Ye one and all are invited to explore the fantastical land of the 2022 UX Research Tools Map! From the Royal Courts of The High Kingdom of Recruiting and Panel Management to the dark waters of Megalodon 365 and G-Dragon, you can explore more about each UX tool and get a comprehensive view of t...
2022-12-1417 minAwkward Silences#105 - Tacos and Tide Pods: Big plans, a product relaunch, and healthy organizational tensionOur VP of User Research, Roberta Dombrowski, talks about the fast-paced work behind the scenes of UX research and the excitement when things fall into place. We also examine how deeper insight drives strategy and informs long-term planning as research matures, and the reality of team collaboration.In this episode, we discuss:Our exciting plans and strategy for the futureHow we use research to inform planningProduct perspectives vs people perspectivesThe beauty of new insights and their impact on a big relaunchThe difference between healthy organizational tension and dysfunctionAbout our guestRoberta Dombrowski...
2022-10-1919 minAwkward Silences#102 - Tacos and Tide Pods: Authenticity, Exciting Milestones, and LinkedInTacos = the great. Tide Pods = the not-so-great. An honest chat about the (mostly really great) state of User Interviews.Roberta Dombrowski, VP of UX Research at User Interviews, is back for our third installment of Tacos and Tide Pods. She joins Erin and JH to talk about the 100th episode of Awkward Silences, the importance of prioritizing authenticity over patterns on LinkedIn, and Roberta's upcoming wedding.In this episode:The 100th episode of Awkward SilencesWhy you should focus on bigger thingsMaintaining LinkedIn content format while expressing authenticity
2022-09-1512 minAwkward Silences#97 - Tacos and Tide Pods: House Cats, Research Repositories, and the EconomyRoberta Dombrowski, VP of UX Research at User Interviews, is back for the second instalment of Tacos and Tide Pods with Erin and JH. In this episode, they discuss the importance of an effective personal productivity process, overestimated expectations, and the (very Tide Pod-y) state of the global economy.In this episode:Creating a research repository at User InterviewsSetting up an effective personal productivity processOverestimated expectationsMeetings vs asynchronous collab
2022-07-1315 min
UX CakeScaling UX Research : Democratization 2.0Scaling user research, means doing more, doing more research, and doing more with user research, through democratization, or enablement.Democratization in UX, is a topic of controversy, yet this episode is a conversation and not My an argument debate. I think partially because the term democratization and the concept of democratization really has some baggage.Instead of having to spend your time evangelizing the importance of research, which takes up a lot of a lot of time, you are able to spend your time enabling research through systems, infrastructure and...
2022-07-0538 minAwkward Silences#94 - Tacos and Tide Pods: A New Series from Awkward SilencesWe’re changing things up a bit! Introducing a brand new series: Tacos and Tide Pods! Every month or so, Erin and JH will chat with User Interviews’s VP of Research, Roberta Dombrowski. They’ll talk about what’s going on behind the scenes at User Interviews, reflect on recent lessons learned, share their thoughts on the UXR space right now, and discuss what they're hoping to see more of in the future.
2022-06-0221 min
The Optimal PathA framework for decision-driven research with Roberta Dombrowski | MazeThe Optimal Path is a podcast about product decision-making from the team at Maze. Each episode brings in a product expert and looks at the stories, ideas, and frameworks they use to achieve better product decision-making—and how you can do the same.You can follow Roberta on Twitter (@robertalearns) or check out her website.Resources mentioned:A Framework for Decision Driven Research by Roberta DombrowskiKolb’s Experiential Learning CycleTeresa Torres’ Continuous Discovery FrameworkContinuous Discovery Habits by Teresa TorresA Framework For Decision-Driven User Research by User Interviews (Maze Community Event)Follow Maze on social...
2022-04-2130 minAwkward Silences#90 - The State of User Research 2022 with Roberta DombrowskiThe State of User Research 2022 Report unpacks the data from our international survey of UX researchers and people who do research as part of their jobs. This week, we met with Roberta Dombrowski, VP of User Research at User Interviews and one of the creators of the report, to talk about how it was made and what she thinks of the insights. She talked about the rise of buy-in and demand for research, what democratization means for professional researchers, and her predictions for the future of user research.
2022-04-0540 min
Instructional Redesign PodcastEP034: Interview with Roberta DombrowskiThe Benefits of User Research
Roberta Dombrowski is VP of User Reseach at a company called User Interviews where she builds a scalable, efficient, and decision-driven research practice. Joe talks with her about where L&D and UX Research intertwine and where it merely boils down to semantics.
Links
User Interviews https://www.userinterviews.com/
Roberta on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertadombrowski
Roberta on Twitter https://twitter.com/robertalearns
2022-02-1530 minAwkward Silences#85 - So Meta: Doing User Research at UXR Company with Roberta Dombrowski of User InterviewsIt’s our most meta episode yet. Today, we chatted with Roberta Dombrowski, VP of User Research at User Interviews, about doing user research about user researchers at a user research company. Listen in to learn about how adding a formal user research practice has benefited the UI team, the challenges of going from an IC to a leadership role, and building a research practice from the ground up.Highlights[2:58] What’s different about being a user researcher for a user research platform.[11:04] Roberta's biggest wins from adding a formal researcher to the...
2022-01-1839 min
The BLOC Podcast33: Learning Culture and Mindfulness at Work with Roberta DombrowskiIn this episode, I talk to Roberta Dombrowski, VP of User Research, about how to encourage a culture of learning in your organization and what mindfulness in the workplace looks like.Roberta Dombrowski, MS is the VP, UXR at User Interviews, a research recruitment platform aimed at helping teams discover and embrace user insights. Roberta previously led product research at Year Up, edX, and Pluralsight. In her free time, Roberta is an adjunct professor through Boise State University's Organizational Performance and Workplace Learning (OPWL) program and mindfulness teacher.LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertadombrowski
2021-09-2135 min
Lead the People#17: Leadership Experience Design with Roberta DombrowskiRoberta Dombrowski is a passionate research leader focused on building research practices inside organizations. Over the years, Roberta has researched and designed experiences for communities of learners, educators, and enterprise clients at companies like Year Up, edX, Pluralsight, and The Predictive Index. Throughout it all, she strives to lead with empathy and mindfulness with everyone with whom she works.
Top 3 Takeaways
Leaders operate at every level—Whether you’re an individual contributor or a CEO, if you woke up this morning, you have the opportunity to be a leader.
No leader is perfect—You’re a work in...
2021-08-1929 min
TLDCast PodcastRoberta Dombrowski, Cara North, and the Purpose of Task Analysis"Task analysis for instructional design is a process of analyzing and articulating the kind of learning that you expect the learners to know how to perform" (Jonassen, Tessmer, & Hannum, 1999, p.3).
And in this TLDCast, we had two task analysis experts discussing real application.
Hosted by Cara North, our guest was Roberta Dombrowski, an award-winning learning designer with over ten years of experience designing and delivering user-centered digital learning experiences. Roberta is currently a Product Manager for Role IQ at Pluralsight, where she brings her expertise in workplace assessments to empower learner’s technology skill development th...
2019-07-181h 00