The Crazy One

In the kickoff to this insightful 3-part series, Stephen Gates breaks down essential steps to help your team and company fully appreciate the value of design. In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen explores how to shift perceptions of design from a “claim of ownership” to a powerful, strategic process. He dives into the importance of distinguishing creativity from execution and shares actionab...

In this insightful episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates tackles the challenging crossroads of career decisions, whether you’re aiming for a promotion or considering a job change. Both scenarios require clarity, self-reflection, and a strategic approach, and sometimes the biggest obstacle is recognizing your own blind spots. Stephen shares a straightforward process to help you assess the situat...

In this unique episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into an unexpected source of inspiration for Design Thinking—the US Army’s Design Methodology. After exploring how the Army approaches problem-solving and strategy, Stephen shares the basics of this powerful methodology, highlighting its unique strengths and how it can enhance traditional Design Thinking practices. Tune in to discover h...

I'm sure you noticed this show went on an unannounced 7-month hiatus. Before I started recording new episodes, I wanted to take a few minutes to explain what happened that made me stop, what kept me from restarting, and why it is coming back now. As always, thanks for your support, and I hope you enjoy the new episodes. FOLLOW THE CRAZY ONE: Twitter , Instagram , LinkedIn , Facebook  Send us...

In this eye-opening episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates reveals why traditional job applications only have a 5% success rate—and why it’s time for a new approach to landing your next role. Backed by 2022 job market data, Stephen shares insights into why the current hiring process fails both candidates and companies, and outlines an innovative strategy for navigating your job search with purpo...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into the art of facilitation—a crucial yet often overlooked skill that transforms meetings and workshops into spaces where everyone can contribute meaningfully. Stephen breaks down what it takes to be a great facilitator, debunking the myth that you need to be an extrovert and sharing practical actions and behaviors to lead effective sessions....

In this essential episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates tackles the top challenges of remote work—unplugging, loneliness, and collaboration—and shares why building trust, teamwork, and vulnerability is crucial to remote team success. Stephen dives into the importance of intentional remote team building and shares some of his favorite activities that foster connection and engagement. Tune in to...

In this insightful episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates uncovers the deeper layers of company culture beyond team-building events and office perks. He explains how culture is truly shaped by the daily behaviors of every employee—from executives to interns—and how these dynamics have a profound effect on creativity and innovation. Stephen breaks down the three key elements of emotional experien...

In this timely episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into how the pandemic has reshaped our experiences with imposter syndrome in a remote work world. He explores three key factors unique to remote work that have intensified imposter syndrome, examines how these changes impact the five types of imposter syndrome, and provides actionable strategies to manage and overcome it. Stephen also s...

In this insightful episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates tackles one of the biggest sources of imposter syndrome: job descriptions. He dives into the common pitfalls of traditional job descriptions, explores how bias sneaks into the hiring process, and shares actionable tips to create clear, inclusive, and effective job postings. Stephen goes beyond the basics, offering strategies to improve hi...

The pandemic has grown and magnified many people's fears and imposter syndrome. We have all been forced into a huge amount of change in a short amount of time, and those new and old fears are starting to manifest in bad ways for a lot of people and companies. In this episode, we will look at why fear and self-doubt grow in people, leaders, and companies, the 6 types of fears creatives often s...

In this timely episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates explores the unexpected changes and fresh opportunities shaping the 2021 job market. As companies adapt and creative talent seeks new roles, Stephen dives into the key trends driving this evolution and provides actionable tips to help you leverage these shifts, no matter your experience level. Tune in to discover how you can stay ahead, capit...

In the fifth episode of the #ShareTheMicNow series on The Crazy One , Antionette Carroll leads an inspiring conversation on “The Power of Youth in Redesigning Systems.” Joined by dynamic voices Connie Flores, Nora Lidia, Robert Beckles, and Quinton Ward, this episode delves into how young leaders are reimagining and transforming systems for a more equitable future. Listen in to hear powerful insig...

In the fourth #ShareTheMicNow episode on The Crazy One , Antionette Carroll leads an impactful conversation with David Clifford, founder of Design School X and Liberatory Design, and Timothy Bardlavens, co-founder of &Design and Product Design Manager at Facebook. Together, they explore the urgent need to dismantle white supremacy within the design industry, sharing insights on creating inclus...

In this rare and insightful episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates interviews Marc Reiter, the creative force behind Metallica’s legendary projects for over 25 years. As Metallica’s “Chief Creative Guy” and head of Blackened Recordings, Marc shares invaluable lessons on originality, collaboration, and leading iconic creative teams. Together, they dive into what drives true innovation, from manag...

In this powerful episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates shares his main stage keynote from HOW Design Live 2020, following up on his acclaimed 2019 talk. Stephen dives deep into the hidden “debt” we all carry—beliefs and barriers that limit our potential—and how these shape our perspectives and impact our careers. Tune in to discover actionable insights on breaking down these barriers, redefinin...

In this deeply personal episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates honors the life and legacy of his father, who was not only his dad but also his first boss, mentor, and a creative director who profoundly shaped Stephen’s own career and creative journey. Following his father’s sudden passing on October 5th, 2020, Stephen shares stories that illuminate his father’s impact as a designer and mentor, w...

In this game-changing episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into the common roadblocks of job hunting—frustration, self-doubt, and the struggle to stand out in today’s hiring process. Stephen breaks down the underlying issues that hold you back and shares fresh strategies to overcome these obstacles, helping you “short circuit” the traditional job hunt and achieve better results. If you’r...

In this must-listen episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates tackles the critical importance of building a standout personal brand in today’s competitive landscape. He explores why so many resumes, portfolios, and personal brands fail to make an impact, blending into the crowd instead of setting individuals apart. Stephen breaks down the key elements of a strong personal brand, the common pitfalls...

In this eye-opening episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates breaks down the essential skills of salary negotiation, a step that most professionals overlook in both new and existing roles. Stephen shares why understanding your value, asking the right questions, and confidently negotiating are key to shaping your career and securing your financial future. Tune in to learn the strategies, mindset, a...

In the third #ShareTheMicNow episode on The Crazy One , Jackie Velasquez Ross (Senior Recruiter), Dorcie Lovinsky (Engineering Manager), and Christian Clark (Strategic Renewals Manager) open up about their personal journeys, challenges, and aspirations as Black professionals in the tech industry. Through candid stories and insights, they shed light on the realities of navigating a field that often...

In this episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates dives into the challenges of driving meaningful change in a time when people, teams, companies, and entire cultures are facing unprecedented transformation. Stephen explores the key obstacles that block organizational and cultural change and shares actionable strategies for overcoming them, empowering you to make an impact regardless of your role or...

In this powerful #ShareTheMicNow episode of The Crazy One , Sylvia Baffour delves into the importance of emotional intelligence in our professional and personal lives. She explores how to approach work with empathy, build deeper awareness, and leave a positive “emotional aftertaste” with everyone you interact with. Tune in to gain insights on cultivating emotional intelligence, creating meaningful...

In the inaugural #ShareTheMicNow episode of The Crazy One , Stephen Gates presents an intimate, unfiltered conversation between design legends Maurice Cherry and Debbie Millman. Together, they explore the current state of the world, the evolving landscape of the design industry, the role of major design organizations, and their personal journeys within it all. Tune in for a thought-provoking dialo...

Today, more than ever, it is NECESSARY that we all join #ShareTheMicNow to create unifying actions centered around Black, Brown, Indigenous and/or LGBTQ+ lives, stories, and calls to action. I wanted to create this short episode to talk about why I will be joining the movement, what you can expect in the next few episodes, and what I would like to ask of you. Send us Fan Mail SHOW NOTES AND MORE:...