Shows
The Product ManagerBest of The Product Manager Podcast in 2025Welcome to 2026! In this special retrospective episode, host Hannah Clark is joined by producer Becca Banyard to unpack the biggest themes, standout insights, and most listened-to moments from the past year. Together, they reflect on what made 2025 such a pivotal year in product—where AI reigned, volatility was the norm, and the role of product leadership was stretched in new directions.This episode is both a reflection and a guide. Hannah and Becca break down what they learned from conversations with CPOs, founders, researchers, and consultants who all shared one thing in common: navigating change while building gr...
2026-01-2131 min
Practical UX: Methods, Research, and Design ThinkingClosing the Loop: How Systems Thinking Transforms UX and Design PracticeIn this episode of Practical UX , we explore how systems thinking can help designers solve complex problems and create more sustainable, impactful solutions.Our guest is Sheryl Cababa, author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers — a must-read guide for anyone who wants to connect design thinking with real-world systems.We discuss:How systems thinking can improve UX design, service design, and innovation.Why designers need to look beyond screens and touchpoints to understand the bigger picture.Practical ways to apply systems thinking in your design process, research, an...
2025-12-0453 min
Learning for Good | L&D Solutions and Leadership Development for Nonprofit Organizations3 Design Thinking Principles for Learning & Development Pros with Sheryl CababaEmpathy might be one of the most essential skills for learning designers, and there's no better place to learn it than design thinking. That's why, in this episode, I am joined by Sheryl Cababa, a design researcher and strategist, and the Chief Strategy Officer at Optimistic Design, to give us some insight into her process.She clarifies what design thinking is and what it entails, how it can help us design better learning solutions and navigate stakeholders in the decision-making process, and three principles that will get you a level deeper in the analysis phase.
2025-09-2930 min
The Product ManagerThe Systems Thinking Process Used by the Most Adaptable Product Leaders (with Sheryl Cababa, Author of Closing the Loop)What if instead of racing to solve problems, you paused to map the entire system first? In this episode, Hannah sits down with Sheryl Cababa—author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers and founder of Optimistic Design—to talk about what it really means to design for complexity. From AI adoption to organizational policy changes, Sheryl brings a systems lens to the decisions leaders make (often too hastily) in fast-moving environments.They explore how design leaders can avoid short-sighted thinking, better understand stakeholder dynamics, and use accessible tools to facilitate organizational change that actually sticks. Whet...
2025-06-2442 min
UX PodcastMore systems thinking with Sheryl CababaS03E04 (#332). Two years on from when Sheryl Cababa released Closing The Loop, her book about systems thinking for designers, we hear Sheryls reflections and insights about what she’s learnt during that time and we grapple with the challenge of applying system thinking as designers “out of the box”.
2025-02-1400 min
UX PodcastMore systems thinking with Sheryl Cababa
S03E04 (#332). Two years on from when Sheryl Cababa released Closing The Loop, her book about systems thinking for designers, we hear Sheryls reflections and insights about what she’s learnt during that time and we grapple with the challenge of applying system thinking as designers “out of the box”.
We work in a complex space, with many complex as well as complicated issues, but making use of systems thinking doesn’t have to be complicated.
“I want a designer to pick up this book and discover some of these practical frameworks and bring it into their...
2025-02-1448 min
Square Pizza#121 - Sheryl Cababa, Author of Closing the Loop & CSO at Optimistic DesignGIVEAWAY - send us a message and let us know your favorite thing about the Square Pizza Pod. We are giving away SchermCo swag to the first three people that send us a note!Welcome back to another episode of the #squarepizzapod. This week, Greg is in conversation with Sheryl Cababa, Author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking For Designers and Chief Strategy Officer at Optimistic. Sheryl is the author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking For Designers. She drives a human-centered design practice that is focused on systems thinking and evidence-based design. She is the Chief...
2025-01-1743 min
UXLx TalksExpanding your Design Lens with Systems Thinking with Sheryl CababaDesigners have been sensing a mismatch between their tools and methods and the needs of a world that operates at scale. This mismatch often results in unintended consequences, as well as potentially harmful outcomes. To mitigate, designers need to take on a systems thinking mindset. I'll introduce you to why this is important, and how design thinking and systems thinking can work hand in hand.
2024-12-0933 min
The Nonprofit LabE46: Designing for Equity - Elevating Voices and Transforming Systems with Sheryl Cababa at Optimistic DesignSheryl Cababa, Chief Strategy Officer at Optimistic Design, shares her expertise in equity-centered and human-centered design, focusing on transforming educational systems and elevating marginalized communities. Drawing from her experience with organizations like the Gates Foundation and Khan Academy, she discusses how design can address systemic inequities by involving those most affected in the problem-solving process. Sheryl highlights the importance of iterative collaboration, co-design, and prioritizing lived experience in creating impactful solutions. Through compelling examples, she emphasizes the role of design in redistributing power, breaking down silos, and fostering innovation to address complex challenges in education and beyond.
2024-12-0357 min
Environmental Social Justice𝗢𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻: 𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑔𝑛𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐸𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒, 𝐼𝑚𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑆𝑒𝑟𝑣𝑖𝑐𝑒𝑠 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝐴𝑙𝑙Sheryl Cababa is a seasoned design strategist with over 20 years of experience in human-centered design, particularly within the social impact sector. Her expertise lies in equipping designers with tools and methods to broaden their perspectives beyond traditional user-centered design, anticipate unintended consequences, and apply systems thinking. Recently, she led pivotal student voice research for the Gates Foundation’s K-12 Balance The Equation Grand Challenge and collaborated with their teams to deliver equity-focused technical support to grantees. Sheryl also designed the Use Case Guide for demand-side initiatives and conducted extensive design research across U.S. Programs and Global Health teams. He...
2024-10-3029 min
With IntentRaspberry Pi: Success in Education Where Others FailedHosts Thamer Abanami and Albert Shum delve into the creation of Raspberry Pi—a $35, credit card-sized computer that has revolutionized technology education and sparked innovation worldwide. They explore the origins of the Raspberry Pi, its foundational design principles, its profound impact on education and industry, and why it succeeded where other educational technologies struggled.Joined by special guest Sheryl Cababa, Chief Strategy Officer at Optimistic Design and author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers, the conversation expands to discuss approaches for designing for educational outcomes, including the topics of stakeholder-centered design, the pitfalls of techno-determinism, an...
2024-10-2238 min
Conscious TechUnderstanding Systems Thinking to Prevent Tech Disasters: From Frog to the Gates FoundationSheryl Cababa drives a human-centered design practice that is focused on systems thinking and evidence-based design, working on everything from robotic surgery experience design to reimagining K-12 education through service design. In her work with consultancies such as Substantial, Frog, and Adaptive Path, she has worked with a diverse base of clients including the Gates Foundation, Microsoft, IHME, and IKEA. Chapters:(00:00:00) Sheryl’s Background: Microsoft, Fitbit, Adaptive Path(00:04:18) Working for Philips and living in the Netherlands(00:07:10) Consulting vs Tech(00:11:30) Running her own practice...
2024-10-181h 29
Queens of Tech Podcast | 100 Voices of Impact | Representation Matters!Tech Queen: Sheryl Cababa – Chief Strategy Officer at Optimistic Design | Author of “Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers”Sheryl Cababa is the author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers. As a design researcher and strategist, she serves as the Chief Strategy Officer at Optimistic Design, a research and insights studio in Seattle dedicated to education. Her work emphasizes systems thinking and equity-centered design, and she has collaborated with a diverse array of clients, including the Gates Foundation, Microsoft, IKEA, and Khan Academy. Sheryl is passionate about leveraging design to help clients reimagine education.In addition to her practice, she teaches at the University of Washington's Human-Centered Design and Engineering program, where she...
2024-10-0646 min
Content Strategy InsightsDavid Connis: Systems Thinking for Content Designers – Episode 196David Connis
A crucial skill for any content practitioner is the ability to sort out complex work environments and thrive within them.
David Connis shows how a systems thinking mindset can help you cope with the upheaval of AI, the messy realities of content work, and other complex design challenges.
He teaches a course on systems thinking for content designers but shows how any content or design practitioner can benefit from a systematic approach to their work.
We talked about:
his role as as a lead content designer on the design systems team at OutSystems
how he discovered his innate...
2024-07-2430 min
Learning UnboxedBONUS. Making the Shift Series: Sheryl CababaWelcome back to our special series about shifting to a more student-lead ecosystem! Usually we take the month of July off, but this year we’re going to re-examine episodes with the theme of empowering students and communities to determine their own needs and successes.Sheryl Cababa researches and designs educational products and services on behalf of philanthropists and investors. In this episode, she explains how she combines design thinking and systems thinking in her work in order to elevate the voices of students and teachers, and examine the underlying structures that shape success. She explains how we...
2024-07-1533 minLearning UnboxedBONUS. Making the Shift Series: Sheryl CababaWelcome back to our special series about shifting to a more student-lead ecosystem! Usually we take the month of July off, but this year we’re going to re-examine episodes with the theme of empowering students and communities to determine their own needs and successes.Sheryl Cababa researches and designs educational products and services on behalf of philanthropists and investors. In this episode, she explains how she combines design thinking and systems thinking in her work in order to elevate the voices of students and teachers, and examine the underlying structures that shape success. She explains how we...
2024-07-1533 min
Juego, luego aprendoJlA 2×88 Diseñar para la Equidad en la Educación: Lecciones de Sheryl Cababa
Innovar en la educación va más allá de la integración de nuevas tecnologías; se trata de una transformación profunda que atiende a las necesidades de todos los alumnos, especialmente aquellos que históricamente han sido marginados por el sistema educativo. Este es el corazón del EdTech Adventures, un podcast que en su reciente episodio presenta una conversación con Sheryl Cababa, una experta en diseño estratégico y pionera del enfoque de Equity-Centered Design en la educación.
Sheryl nos cuenta sobre su evolución profesional, comenzando por un fuerte int...
2024-04-1902 min
Non-Profit Digital Success084 - Equity-Centered Design for Non-Profits with Sheryl CababaJoin us on Non-Profit Digital Success as we delve into the heart of Equity-Centered Design with Sheryl Cababa.
In this enlightening episode, Sheryl shares her insights on how non-profits can leverage design research to create more inclusive and impactful user experiences.
Whether you're a non-profit leader or a digital marketer, this conversation will equip you with the tools and strategies to make a difference through design.
Tune in to transform your approach and amplify your impact.
Show notes: wowdigital.com/084
2024-02-2727 min
EdTech AdventuresEquity-Centered Design with Sheryl CababaWhy should we care about equity-centered design in education? What impact does it make? In today’s episode, Sheryl Cababa, Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial, shares her experience and advice on how we can practically and effectively design learning experiences with equity in mind.Sheryl shares how she became interested in education and design research and discusses her work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation using design thinking and equity-centered design to inform investment strategies. She discusses some of the key principles to follow when practicing equity-centered design. Her book, Closing the Loop: Systems Th...
2024-02-0637 min
Pondering AISystems-Thinking in AI w/ Sheryl CababaSheryl Cababa reflects on Systems Thinking in AI design.In this capsule series, prior guests share their insights on current happenings in AI and intuitions about what to expect next. To learn more, check out Sheryl’s book Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers
2023-12-1613 min
The Jali, host Melyssa BarrettThe Jali - EP 119: “Being in the Loop”Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial Sheryl Cababa discusses the equitable impact of incorporating a human-centered approach to UX Product design using the system thinking approach.
Sheryl Cababa is the Chief Design Officer at the Insights, Design + Development Studio, Substantial, and a multi-disciplinary design strategist with more than two decades of experience. She is focused on reinventing the approaches of learning and collaboration in today’s educational environment to help equity-centered research affirm and advance relationships between institutions, educators, and students.
Sheryl has worked extensively in human-centered design within the social impact space. Sh...
2023-12-1346 min
Big Ideas in EducationEp 199: Transforming Education Through Systems and Design Thinking with Sheryl CababaThis week, Ryan sits with Sheryl Cababa, the Chief Design Officer at the Insights, Design and Development Studio Substantial. On this episode, Sheryl talks about the difference between systems thinking and design thinking and sheds light on how they can revolutionize learning experiences. Sheryl also emphasizes the practical application of leveraging research and storytelling as powerful tools to empower historically under-resourced communities. Tune in! Don't just listen, join the conversation! Tweet us at @AcademicaMedia or with the hashtag #BigIdeasinEducation with questions or new topics you want to see discussed. You can find out more about her...
2023-12-0421 min
LinkedUp: Breaking Boundaries in EducationClosing the Loop: Systems Thinking for DesignersThis week, Sheryl Cababa, Vice President of Strategy at Substantial, drops by the podcast to dive into what reinventing learning and collaboration looks like through the lens of equity-centered research.
Tune in as we explore the eight principles of equity-centered research with Sheryl and learn their significance in affirming and advancing relationships in the educational sphere. Don’t miss Sheryl’s invaluable insights on how these principles can pave the way for a more inclusive and equitable learning experience for all.
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ABOUT OUR GUEST
Sheryl Cababa is the author of “Closin...
2023-11-1746 min
Invisible Machines podcast by UX MagazineDesigning Systemic Change with Sheryl Cababa // Invisible Machines S2E21Massive amounts of system change are necessary to put AI to work in ways that elevate humanity, and Robb and Josh welcome author and experience designer Sheryl Cababa for a deep discussion of the road ahead. Author of the Rosenfeld Media book, Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers, Sheryl has worked as an experienced designer at Phillips, Adaptive Path, and Frog and is currently the Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial. Her insights into the important convergence between systems thinking and experience design come at a critical moment when the rapid advancement of technology calls for sober consideration of how...
2023-11-161h 16
A Modern Nonprofit PodcastInnovating Nonprofit Programs with Systems & Design Thinking**A Modern Nonprofit Podcast Episode: Innovating Nonprofit Programs with Systems & Design Thinking**
Hey Nonprofit Champions! Ever felt the challenge of marrying the needs of your community with the demands of your funders? 🤔 Dive into our latest episode where Tasha Anderson chats with Sheryl Cababa, the Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial, about revolutionizing program development using systems and design thinking.
Sheryl unpacks the nuances between systems thinking (the broad view, looking at the interplay between all stakeholders) and design thinking (a beneficiary-centric approach, co-designing for impact). When these two powerhouses mee...
2023-11-0843 min
Conscious Design Podcast™Systems Thinking and Design in Education with Sheryl Cababa of Substantial
Welcome to another episode of the Conscious Podcast and today Ian welcomes Sheryl. Sheryl starts off by a brief introduction to what she does and talks about the company and her book. Ian and Sheryl then talk more about how certain patterns can be identified in other industries that help to solve or understand problems in their businesses and areas of expertise. With this Sheryl then mentions her book, what is it about and how these experiences and patterns, from different industries, helped the book to become a reality. Ian and Sheryl then talk more about the m...
2023-10-0544 minLearning Unboxed202. Beyond the Classroom: Shaping Global Education through Systems Thinking with Sheryl CababaIn this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're exploring the profound impact of systems thinking in transformative education with Sheryl Cababa from Substantial. Sheryl is the mind behind the freshly-released book, "Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers.”A dedicated design researcher and strategist, Sheryl is at the helm of informing education product and service designs, as well as directing investment strategies. In our conversation, Sheryl unveils the close-knit relationship between design thinking and human-centered design. A proponent for amplifying the voices of students and teachers, she believes in actively engaging them in the design processes, bearing in mi...
2023-09-1832 minLearning Unboxed202. Beyond the Classroom: Shaping Global Education through Systems Thinking with Sheryl CababaIn this episode of Learning Unboxed, we're exploring the profound impact of systems thinking in transformative education with Sheryl Cababa from Substantial. Sheryl is the mind behind the freshly-released book, "Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers.”A dedicated design researcher and strategist, Sheryl is at the helm of informing education product and service designs, as well as directing investment strategies. In our conversation, Sheryl unveils the close-knit relationship between design thinking and human-centered design. A proponent for amplifying the voices of students and teachers, she believes in actively engaging them in the design processes, bearing in mi...
2023-09-1832 min
Fluid HiveNudging Systems + Equity-centered Design + Systems Thinking with Sheryl Cababa — DT101 E120Sheryl Cababa drives a human-centered design practice focusing on systems thinking and evidence-based design, working on everything from robotic surgery experience design to reimagining K-12 education through service design. In her work with consultancies such as Substantial, Frog, and Adaptive Path, she has worked with a diverse base of clients including the Gates Foundation, Microsoft, IHME, and IKEA. Sheryl is an international speaker and workshop facilitator. When not in the office, she can be found at the University of Washington, helping educate the next generation of human centered design and engineering students.
The post Nudging Systems + Equity-centered...
2023-09-1200 min
Design Thinking 101Nudging Systems + Equity-centered Design + Systems Thinking with Sheryl Cababa — DT101 E120Sheryl Cababa drives a human-centered design practice focusing on systems thinking and evidence-based design, working on everything from robotic surgery experience design to reimagining K-12 education through service design. In her work with consultancies such as Substantial, Frog, and Adaptive Path, she has worked with a diverse base of clients including the Gates Foundation, Microsoft, IHME, and IKEA. Sheryl is an international speaker and workshop facilitator. When not in the office, she can be found at the University of Washington, helping educate the next generation of human centered design and engineering students. Listen to learn about:
2023-09-1251 min
AI InnovatorsHumans vs machines? Human-centered design with systems thinking - an interview with Sheryl CababaSheryl Cababa is the author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers.
Listeners can go to https://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/systems-thinking-for-designers/ for a 15% discount using this code: cababa-eti .
the VP of Strategy at Substantial, a digital design and build consultancy based in Seattle. She is a multi-disciplinary designer with more than two decades of experience and has worked with companies and organizations such as Microsoft, the Gates Foundation, and IKEA. She specializes in developing tools and methods for designers to expand their mindsets beyond user-centred design, anticipate unintended consequences, and engage in systems thinking. She is also an educator...
2023-09-1135 min
The Crisis in Education PodcastSystems Thinking to Engage Stakeholders and Improve Educational Outcomes with Sheryl CababaSend us a textIn this episode of the Crisis in Education Podcast, Sheryl Cababa, a researcher, systems designer, and consultant with well-known organizations like the United Nations and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, discusses leveraging research, storytelling, and systems thinking to benefit all stakeholders in education. Check out this trailer and be sure to subscribe to the CIE Podcast so you can hear the entire episode when it drops!Click here to explore the Parent & Care Giving Courses today!
2023-09-0850 min
lilacbeecreadREAD/DOWNLOAD*- Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers *Read ebooks**Download Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers Full Edition,Full Version,Full Book**
by Sheryl Cababa
Reading Now at : https://happyreadingebook.club/?book=1959029886
OR
DOWNLOAD EBOOK NOW!
[PDF] Download READ/DOWNLOAD*- Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers *Read ebooks Ebook | READ ONLINE Download READ/DOWNLOAD*- Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers *Read ebooks read ebook online PDF EPUB KINDLE Download READ/DOWNLOAD*- Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers *Read ebooks PDF - KINDLE - EPUB...
2023-09-0600 min
What the FundraisingBreaking the Fundraising Mold: Empathy and Design Thinking in Action with Sheryl CababaDo you want to enhance your design practices and create more equitable outcomes for marginalized communities? Are you seeking a solution to incorporate human-centered design into your nonprofit organization? Look no further! Our guest, Sheryl Cababa, will be sharing the key to achieving improved design practices and fostering greater equity in the nonprofit sector. Join us as we explore how to create meaningful impact and drive positive change within your organization, resulting in more inclusive and equitable outcomes for all.Sheryl Cababa is a staunch believer in human-centered and equity-centered design. Pioneering her way...
2023-09-0546 min
ghilannaulalibraryPDF Download#% Closing the Loop Systems Thinking for Designers ((Read_[PDF]))**Download Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers Full Edition,Full Version,Full Book**
by Sheryl Cababa
Reading Now at : https://happyreadingebook.club/?book=1959029886
OR
DOWNLOAD EBOOK NOW!
[PDF] Download PDF Download#% Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers ((Read_[PDF])) Ebook | READ ONLINE Download PDF Download#% Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers ((Read_[PDF])) read ebook online PDF EPUB KINDLE Download PDF Download#% Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers ((Read_[PDF])) PDF - KINDLE - EPUB - MOBI - AUDIOBOOK
2023-08-3100 min
The Inclusive AF PodcastGetting Inclusive AF with Sheryl Cababa🎧 Tune in to the latest episode of The Inclusive AF Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of inclusive design and equity-centered practices with our special guest, Sheryl Cababa. 🌍💙Join us as Sheryl, a former business analyst turned advocate for inclusive solutions, shares her unique insights and passion for taking things one step further to foster a more inclusive world. 🌟From leveraging design thinking and human-centered design to integrating systems thinking into the design process, Sheryl offers invaluable knowledge on how to create impactful and sustainable solutions for complex issues. 🚀Di...
2023-08-301h 00
HR Collection PlaylistGetting Inclusive AF with Sheryl Cababa🎧 Tune in to the latest episode of The Inclusive AF Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of inclusive design and equity-centered practices with our special guest, Sheryl Cababa. 🌍💙Join us as Sheryl, a former business analyst turned advocate for inclusive solutions, shares her unique insights and passion for taking things one step further to foster a more inclusive world. 🌟From leveraging design thinking and human-centered design to integrating systems thinking into the design process, Sheryl offers invaluable knowledge on how to create impactful and sustainable solutions for complex issues. 🚀Di...
2023-08-301h 00
HR Interviews PlaylistGetting Inclusive AF with Sheryl Cababa🎧 Tune in to the latest episode of The Inclusive AF Podcast, where we dive deep into the world of inclusive design and equity-centered practices with our special guest, Sheryl Cababa. 🌍💙Join us as Sheryl, a former business analyst turned advocate for inclusive solutions, shares her unique insights and passion for taking things one step further to foster a more inclusive world. 🌟From leveraging design thinking and human-centered design to integrating systems thinking into the design process, Sheryl offers invaluable knowledge on how to create impactful and sustainable solutions for complex issues. 🚀Di...
2023-08-3057 min
Principal Center RadioSheryl Cababa—Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers
Get the book, Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers
Read Sheryl's article on Systems Thinking at www.Substantial.com
Find out more about Closing The Loop at Rosenfeld Media
Follow Sheryl on Twitter @SherylCababa
About the Author
Sheryl Cababa is Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial, a human-centered design practice that is focused on systems thinking and evidence-based design, working on everything from robotic surgery experience design to reimagining K-12 education through service design. She has worked with a diverse base of clients including the Gates Foundation, Microsoft, and IK...
2023-08-2124 min
The Deep DiveEpisode 160: Closing the Loop w/ Sheryl CababaPhilip spends time with designer and author Sheryl Cababa. Over the course of the episode they spend time discussing her book Closing The Loop: Systems Thinking For Designers and why systems thinking provides a richer context for designers to work their craft.
The Drop – The segment of the show where Philip and his guest share tasty morsels of intellectual goodness and creative musings.
Philip’s Drop:
Sweet and Juicy – Sheng Wang (Netflix)
Sheryl’s Drop:
Jia Tolentino
The Indolence of The Filipino – Jose Rizal
2023-08-101h 02
Awkward Silences#131 - Designing Beyond the Product: Systems Thinking with Sheryl Cababa, Chief Strategy Officer at SubstantialIn design and UX research, context is king. Your work doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it’s a part of a wider ecosystem of stakeholders, beneficiaries, and more.Sheryl Cababa, Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial, recognized a clear gap in design methods that only addressed the individual user and the immediate product benefits: designing beyond the product with a systems thinking approach. As the author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers, Sheryl says, “My goal is not to suddenly become a systems thinking methodology practitioner and leave my job as a designer...
2023-07-1948 min
Power of Ten with Andy PolaineSheryl Cababa – Systems Thinking for DesignersPower of Ten is a podcast hosted by Andy Polaine about design operating at many levels, zooming out from thoughtful detail through to organisational transformation and on to changes in society and the world.
My guest in this episode is Sheryl Cababa, author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers. Sheryl is a design researcher and strategist, and is the chief strategy officer at Substantial, a research insights and development studio based in Seattle. Her practice is focused on systems thinking and equity center design, and she’s worked with a diverse base of clients, including the Ga...
2023-06-2950 min
The Nonprofit MBA Podcast with Stephen HalasnikHuman-Centered Design: A Creative Approach to Decisions For Nonprofits with Sheryl CababaEmbracing human-centered design principles can enhance nonprofits' ability to make informed decisions, amplify their impact, and create positive change in the communities they serve. In today's podcast, Sheryl Cababa from Substantial and Stephen Halasnik from Financing Solutions discuss human-centered design: a creative approach to nonprofit decisions.
2023-06-2836 min
Patterns Podcast73. Sheryl Cababa Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial: Using system thinking to make informed decisionsSend us feedback or episode suggestions.Sheryl and Chris discuss the complexities of the design system space as it involves human behaviours. View the transcript of this episode here.Register here for our upcoming webinar, ‘AI in Design Systems’ on June 28th, 1 pm (ET) and 10 am (PT).GuestSheryl Cababa is the author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers. She's a design researcher and strategist and is the Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial, an education-focused research, insights, and development studio based in Seattle. Her practice is f...
2023-06-1535 min
The Product Design PodcastSheryl Cababa - Systems Thinking for DesignersIn episode 54 of The Product Design Podcast, Seth Coelen interviews Sheryl Cababa, Author of Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking For Designers and Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial. Her book dives into how powerful a systems thinking mindset is for designers and provides tools and frameworks to help define the systems that surround your work.During our chat, Sheryl provides us with an overview of the three concepts of systems thinking for designers, the cascading impact and barriers of systems thinking, and her take on...
2023-06-0653 min
Being LiminalSheryl Cababa - Beyond Individual Use: Expanding Design Horizons with Systems ThinkingWhat if you could elevate your design skills by incorporating systems thinking? We had the pleasure of discussing this fascinating approach with the brilliant Sheryl Cababa, author of "Closing the Loop." Sheryl shares her expertise in design, research, and strategy, providing valuable insights into her journey as a design leader. Whether you are a design, product, technology or business leader - don't miss this opportunity to learn from Sheryl's vast experience in applying systems thinking to various contexts.In our conversation, we explore the role of designers as facilitators in systems thinking, drawing from Sheryl's work on projects like...
2023-06-041h 05
Forward Thinking Experts039 Digital Experiences in Education with Sheryl CababaWelcome back to EdTech Speaks podcast! In today's episode, we have a remarkable guest joining us. Sheryl Cababa, the Chief Design Officer at the Insights, Design + Development Studio, Substantial, is here to share her insights and experiences in the EdTech industry. Sheryl is a multi-disciplinary design strategist with over two decades of experience and a strong focus on reinventing learning and collaboration approaches in the educational environment.With her extensive experience in human-centered design and a focus on equity-centered research, Sheryl brings a wealth of knowledge to the EdTech industry. Sheryl has worked on various projects...
2023-05-2953 min
Edtech InsidersDesign Thinking for Edtech with Sheryl Cababa of SubstantialSend us a textSheryl Cababa is a multi-disciplinary design strategist with more than two decades of experience and has worked extensively in human-centered design within the social impact space. She specializes in developing tools and methods for designers to expand their mindsets beyond user-centered design, anticipate unintended consequences, and engage in systems thinking. Some of her recent work with the Gates Foundation includes leading student voice research to inform the K-12 Balance The Equation Grand Challenge, working with Gates Foundation teams to provide equity-centered technical assistance to their grantees. She’s worked with IKEA, Microsoft, frog de...
2023-05-2558 min
UX CakeSystems Thinking for Designers, featuring Sheryl Cababa & Leigh Allen-ArredondoIn this episode, we chat with Sheryl Cababa, Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial and author of "Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers." She introduces the concept of systems thinking, which is a way to consider the broader implications of design decisions. By examining the entire problem and understanding the interconnections between various components, designers can anticipate and address potential issues and create more holistic and impactful solutions.🎤About Our Guest:Sheryl Cababa is the Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial, and the Author of “Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers”, which wa...
2023-05-1743 min
EdufuturistsEdufuturists #218 with Human-Centred Design with Sheryl CababaSheryl Cababa is the Chief Design Officer at the Insights, Design + Development Studio, Substantial,
and a multi-disciplinary design strategist with more than two decades of experience. She is focused on reinventing the approaches of learning and collaboration in today’s educational environment to help equity-centred research affirm and advance relationships between institutions, educators,
and students.
Sheryl has worked extensively in human-centred design within the social impact space. She specialises in developing tools and methods for designers to expand their mindsets beyond user-centred design, anticipate unintended consequences, and engage in systems thinking.
Her recent work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Fo...
2023-05-1655 min
Talking About KidsHow equity-centered research benefits kids with Sheryl CababaSend us a textMy guest this episode is Sheryl Cababa. Sheryl is the Chief Design Officer at Substantial, an insights, design, and development firm based in Seattle, WA. Sheryl and her colleagues are working with amazing partners – like The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – and using equity-centered research to improve education technology. Sheryl and I discuss what “equity-centered research” is and how it might benefit the kids in your life. More information about Sheryl and her new book, Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers, can be found at TalkingAboutKids.com.
2023-05-0829 min
The Informed LifeSheryl Cababa on Systems Thinking for Social ChangeSheryl Cababa is the Chief Strategy Officer of Substantial, an experience design consultancy based in Seattle. She’s the author of Closing the Loop, a new book about systems thinking in design. The book emphasizes the role designers can play as catalysts for social change, and that is the focus of our conversation.Show notesSheryl Cababa - LinkedInSheryl Cababa (@SherylCababa)SubstantialUniversity of Washington - Human Centered Design & EngineeringClosing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers by Sheryl CababaThinking in Systems: A Primer by Donella MeadowsThe Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of the Le...
2023-05-0739 min
"Lately, I've been thinking about..."Sheryl Cababa - UbeIn this episode we speak to Sheryl Cababa, Chief Design Officer at Substantial and author of the new book, Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers, about ube, the Filipino flavor that has been appropriated by American dining and all that entails. We get into how responsibility for change gets pushed down to individuals and away from corporations, how identity gets mixed up in the diaspora experience, the difficulty of framing major systemic change in a way that actually gets shit done, and much, much more. Recommended content from this episode:A Down Home Meal...
2023-04-261h 02
Content Strategy InsightsSheryl Cababa: Closing the Loop - Systems Thinking for DesignersSheryl Cababa wants to help designers of all kinds cultivate a systems-thinking mindset. Her new book - Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers - shows designers how they can expand their impact by adding a systems-thinking lens to their view of their work. Rather than setting out specific methods or practices, Sheryl focuses on how to leverage systems concepts like interconnectedness, causality, and wholeness to help you design better experiences. https://ellessmedia.com/csi/sheryl-cababa/
2023-04-2432 minContent Strategy InsightsSheryl Cababa: Closing the Loop - Systems Thinking for DesignersSheryl Cababa wants to help designers of all kinds cultivate a systems-thinking mindset. Her new book - Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers - shows designers how they can expand their impact by adding a systems-thinking lens to their view of their work. Rather than setting out specific methods or practices, Sheryl focuses on how to leverage systems concepts like interconnectedness, causality, and wholeness to help you design better experiences. https://ellessmedia.com/csi/sheryl-cababa/
2023-04-2432 minContent Strategy InsightsSheryl Cababa: Closing the Loop – Systems Thinking for Designers – Episode 141Sheryl Cababa
Sheryl Cababa wants to help designers of all kinds cultivate a systems-thinking mindset.
Her new book - Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers - shows designers how they can expand their impact by adding a systems-thinking lens to their view of their work.
Rather than setting out specific methods or practices, Sheryl focuses on how to leverage systems concepts like interconnectedness, causality, and wholeness to help you design better experiences.
We talked about:
her work as Chief Strategy Officer at Substantial, a design and software development consultancy in Seattle
the scope her new book, "Closing the Loop...
2023-04-2432 min"Lately, I've been thinking about..."Saskia Videler - GlobalizationIn this episode we speak to Saskia Videler, Content Architect at City of Antwerp, about globalization. We discuss what it means to look at things from other cultures' points of view, how we treat refugees, the cost of the English language taking over the world, and much, much, more.Referenced in this episodeWorkshopStopping the Cycle of OppressionBookClosing the Loop by Sheryl CababaTwitterSaskia VidelerOur intro and outro music is "Humbug" by Crowander
2023-04-1956 min
Rosenfeld Review PodcastSheryl Cababa on Systems Thinking for DesignersSheryl is the author of the soon-to-be-released Closing the Loop: Systems Thinking for Designers: https://rosenfeldmedia.com/books/systems-thinking-for-designers/
With a background in journalism and political science, and having worked at or with Adaptive Path, Substantial, Frog, Ikea, Microsoft, and the Gates Foundation, Sheryl has an interest in the big picture of systems thinking and how it applies to designers.
Working on projects of enormous scale that could directly or indirectly affect thousands or millions of people can put researchers and designers in a state of paralysis as they realize the potential consequences of their work. Systems thinking can help...
2023-02-1633 min
UX Podcast#308 Systems thinking with Sheryl CababaWhat is systems thinking and how can designers make use of it in their work? In her book Closing the loop, Sheryl Cababa lays out her answer and approach to this question. We talk to her and discuss some of the core definitions and concepts.
2023-02-1000 minUX Podcast#308 Systems thinking with Sheryl CababaWhat is systems thinking and how can designers make use of it in their work? In her book Closing the loop, Sheryl Cababa lays out her answer and approach to this question. We talk to her and discuss some of the core definitions and concepts. We talk about the difference between soft and hard systems,...
The post #308 Systems thinking with Sheryl Cababa appeared first on UX Podcast.
2023-02-1051 min
Pondering AIDesigning for Human Experience with Sheryl CababaSheryl Cababa is the Chief Design Officer at Substantial where she conducts research, develops design strategies and advocates for human-centric outcomes.From the infinite scroll to Twitter edits, Sheryl illustrates how current design practices unwittingly undermine human agency. Often while delivering exactly what a user wants. She refutes the need to categorically eliminate the term ‘users’ while showing how a singular user focus has led us astray. Sheryl then outlines how systems thinking can reorient existing design practices toward human-centric outcomes. Along the way, Kimberly and Sheryl discuss the limits of empathy, the evolving ethos of unintended cons...
2022-04-2740 min
PresentableSystems, Outcomes, and a Generational Shift in DesignSpecial guest Sheryl Cababa. She’s the Vice President of Strategy for Seattle-based agency Substantial, and we’re going to talk about how a systems-thinking approach focused on outcomes can benefit the work designers do, and the influence they have.
This episode of Presentable is sponsored by:
Technology Untangled: Join Michael Bird as he untangles innovation through a series of interviews, stories, and analyses with some of the industry’s brightest brains.
Pingdom: Start monitoring your website performance and availability today, and get instant alerts when an outage occurs or a site transaction fails. Use offer code P...
2021-04-1642 min
RootsSheryl Cababa (The Systems Thinker)
The Systems Thinker
Sheryl Cababa
Sheryl Cababa is the Vice President of Strategy at Substantial, a design and technology consultancy in Seattle, and has more than two decades of experience as a multi-disciplinary design practitioner. With a background in human-centered design research and strategy, she has worked as a design consultant at companies like Artefact, frog, and Adaptive Path. She is an international speaker and facilitator, and has developed methods for designers to integrate systems thinking with their practices.In this episode, we talk about design consulting, Filipino representation in tech...
2020-10-1800 min
Roots083: Sheryl Cababa (The Systems Thinker)Sheryl Cababa is the Vice President of Strategy at Substantial, a design and technology consultancy in Seattle, and has more than two decades of experience as a multi-disciplinary design practitioner. With a background in human-centered design research and strategy, she has worked as a design consultant at companies like Artefact, frog, and Adaptive Path. She is an international speaker and facilitator, and has developed methods for designers to integrate systems thinking with their practices. In this episode, we talk about design consulting, Filipino representation in tech, ethical decision making and systems thinking, the consequences of designing products...
2020-10-181h 22
This is Design SchoolSheryl Cababa on Unintended ConsequencesOn this episode, we interview Sheryl Cababa, an Executive Creative Director at Artefact in Seattle. Sheryl talks with us about the experience of designing in the Netherlands, how living abroad helped develop an ability to question the systems engrained in our own culture, and how we must consider unintended consequences in our design process.
2019-05-1339 min
Tech for Good LiveTech For Good Live From UX Copenhagen 2019 - Episode 2Hello listeners. We've been back to UX Copenhagen! This year’s topic was consent and privacy. We were there for both days of the conference and we're bringing you three special editions of the Tech for Good Live podcast with a whole host of fantastic guests.On episode two, joining podcast regular Jonny Rae-Evans, Head of Creative at Capgemini and host Rebecca Rae-Evans, consultant at the design agency Sigma, are Sheryl Cababa and Darren Menachemson.Sheryl is an Executive Creative Director at Artefact and has more than 20 years of experience in pr...
2019-04-0131 min
UX CakeOutcome-focused Design - Tarot Cards for TechEp. #17: Using tarot cards to create outcomes-focused designis a very out-of-the-box approach, and yet it's actually really simple and approachable. In this episode I talked with Sheryl Cababa, an executive creative director at Artefact Group design agency, about their Tarot Cards of Tech. It's a card deck of prompts for team discussions, a fun product that's meant to be playful, but with a serious purpose – to get teams thinking differently about their strategy and design. In this fun interview we touch on everything from British vs american spelling, and "satanic strategists,” to the more serious subject of design ethics and taking...
2018-07-3135 min