Swurl Radio

What makes someone irreplaceable in the age of AI? In this episode of Swurl Radio , Eric and Ayka sit down with Daria Tarawneh , VP of Design at SAP Build , to explore the human skills that technology can't replace. From growing up between Russian and Jordanian cultures to leading design teams at some of the world's top technology companies, Daria shares how resilience, curiosity, and pr...

Gabrielle Mérite grew up the second of five kids in a small French town, with doctor parents who told her she could always do art on the side, but if she gave up science that young, she'd never get it back. So she followed the science all the way to a master's in immunology, through a top school she compares to making foie gras: they pour information down your throat, you memorize it, an...

Kristy Campbell didn’t set out to build a global creative agency. She started by posting her work online for 100 days while bored at her day job, and that simple habit snowballed into Pink Pony Creative. In this episode, Kristy shares how growing up on a farm in New Zealand, competitive horse riding, and a willingness to put herself out there shaped her entrepreneurial journey. She opens up about...

James Hsu spent years watching talented designers get ignored while less talented people moved ahead simply because they understood visibility, influence, and business. In this episode, the Dark UX Academy founder breaks down the hidden side of design leadership: office politics, business acumen, negotiation, AI, and why “good work speaks for itself” is one of the biggest lies creatives believe. T...

Dan Mall built SuperFriendly into a successful agency, working with brands like Google and scaling a network of 700+ freelancers. Then he walked away, not because it failed, but because it no longer aligned with the life he wanted. This episode goes deeper than business. Dan opens up about leadership mistakes, letting people down, navigating tough decisions, identity, and what it really means to b...

Jonathan Stark didn’t start as a pricing expert—he started as a musician chasing a dream, then pivoted into software, and eventually rebuilt his entire career around one idea: hourly billing is broken. In this episode, he shares the real journey behind that transformation—identity shifts, failed projects, career pivots, and the moment he realized businesses reward value, not effort. This is a conv...

Maestro Stevens, founder of Iconic Expressions, shares how he went from failed ventures to building a scalable business. This episode breaks down branding vs marketing, using AI to automate workflows, choosing the right clients, and the real sacrifices behind entrepreneurship. Support Swurl  Swurl is building a new kind of networking platform focused on real connections, not self-promotion.   &quo...

Melody Beuzelin joins Swurl Radio to talk about building a career from scratch storytelling, startup lessons, burnout, and when a side hustle deserves your full attention. We get into identity, resilience, client boundaries, and why “failure” is just data. Support Swurl  Swurl is building a new kind of networking platform focused on real connections, not self-promotion.   "Music by Vlvt. If y...

What actually separates good from great when titles, resumes, and LinkedIn profiles disappear? In this episode of Swurl Radio, Eric and Ayka sit down with Amit, a visionary educator who has shaped the careers of over 3,000 tech professionals, trained teams at Spotify, the United Nations, PwC, and built one of London’s most respected design schools from a side project into a global consultancy. Tog...

Eric and Ayka sit down with multimedia artist, researcher, and storyteller Husna Abubakar to talk about what it really means to be Swahili in a world that keeps getting it wrong. Husna shares her experience as a third culture Swahili woman from Mombasa, Kenya, growing up between the Swahili coast and the U.S., and how that tension pushed her to question Western ideas of success, identity, and “the...

Eric and Ayka sit down with Edmund Earle , a veteran 3D animator and motion designer whose work spans PBS, National Geographic, Hulu, and John Oliver. Edmund breaks down what it really takes to survive today’s animation industry — from pricing and client management to choosing between being a generalist or specialist. They also talk AI, short-form content, and the hard lessons new animators need t...

In this episode of Swurl Radio, Eric and Ayka sit down with Emmy Award–winning designer and educator Chris Do. Chris opens up about reinventing yourself after failure, growing up between cultures, battling introversion, and the mentors who shaped his life. We talk about unlearning old rules, overcoming fear, rebuilding identity, and why discomfort is the real path to growth. Chris shares powerful...

In this engaging conversation, Ayka Williams and Tealeda explore the artistic journey of Asya Palatova, who transitioned from graphic design to ceramics and ultimately to coaching. Asya shares her experiences navigating career changes, the importance of creative processes, and how coaching can help individuals in transition. The discussion delves into common questions faced by clients, the fear of...

In this conversation, Morgan Ramsey, founder of Tela, a travel design studio that focuses on creating story-driven travel experiences. Morgan shares insights into the unique approach Tela takes in planning trips, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and creativity in travel. The conversation covers the logistics of planning brand trips, the role of UX research in understanding client needs,...

In this conversation, Olly, the founder of Fingertip, shares his entrepreneurial journey, detailing the inception of his website-building platform aimed at supporting sole operators in the gig economy. He discusses the challenges of finding the right co-founder, building a prototype, and acquiring the first users. Olly emphasizes the importance of clear messaging, investor relations, and leadershi...

In this conversation, hosts Ayka Williams, Terence Davy, and Tealeda Nesbitt Porter talk with John Isaac, a UX coach who shares insights on the evolving landscape of UX design. They discuss the challenges of defining professional titles, the impact of AI on job applications, and the importance of personal branding. The conversation also delves into conducting skills audits for designers, understan...

In this episode of Swurl Radio, host Ayka Williams, Terence Davy, and Tealeda Nesbitt Porter engage with visual artist Princella, who shares her journey from Ghana to Russia and the UK, exploring how her cultural heritage and personal experiences shape her art. Princella discusses the significance of hair in identity, the meaning behind traditional Ghanaian patterns, and her creative process. She...

In this engaging conversation, Ayka Williams, Terence Davy, and Tealeda Nesbitt Porter explore the inspiring journey of IníOlúwa Abíódún, who transitioned from studying law to becoming a successful growth product designer. Iní shares her experiences in the fashion industry, the pivotal competition that launched her career, and her eventual shift to growth design. The discussion delves into the imp...

In this engaging conversation, Thai Noodell shares her journey as an independent curator in Los Angeles, discussing the challenges and triumphs of her career in the art world. She emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in curation, creating welcoming experiences for attendees, and the ethical practices that guide her work. Thai also reflects on her personal growth as she approaches a new phase i...

In this conversation, Monique, a health and nutrition coach, discusses the challenges of starting a healthy eating journey, including overcoming imposter syndrome and the guilt associated with food choices. She emphasizes the importance of intention in eating, shares her personal journey into nutrition coaching, and provides insights on reading food labels and making healthier choices. The discuss...

Whether you're a team leader looking to improve collaboration, an employee navigating workplace dynamics, or an entrepreneur building your company culture from the ground up, this episode offers valuable insights on how psychological safety can unleash creativity, enhance problem-solving, and ultimately lead to better business outcomes. Support Swurl  Swurl is building a new kind of networkin...

In this episode, we explore how alignment functions as the cornerstone of effective leadership. We'll examine what true alignment looks like—beyond mere agreement—and how it creates a seamless connection between organizational mission, team objectives, and individual motivations Support Swurl  Swurl is building a new kind of networking platform focused on real connections, not self-promotion....

"3 Coaches on Imposter Syndrome" is an insightful podcast where a trio of experienced career and personal development coaches dive deep into the universal experience of imposter syndrome. Each episode explores different facets of this common phenomenon that affects professionals across industries, especially in high-pressure tech environments. Support Swurl  Swurl is building a new kind...