The Extra Seat

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we examine how design thinking and creative problem-solving can help address the dynamics of poverty —a deeply interconnected global challenge. Poverty isn’t just about a lack of income; it’s shaped by systems of education, health, opportunity, and social equity. We’ll explore how design thinking’s human-centered approach reframes poverty from a problem to be “s...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore how collective social innovation is transforming the way we address the world’s most complex challenges. No single organisation, government, or individual can solve issues like climate change, inequality, or displacement alone—but together, communities can drive meaningful change. We’ll unpack how collaboration across sectors—business, academia, polic...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we unpack why design thinking remains such a powerful and relevant approach in today’s world. Far from being just a buzzword, design thinking works because it centers on empathy, experimentation, and collaboration—key ingredients for tackling the uncertainty and complexity of modern challenges. We’ll explore examples from global companies using design thinking t...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore how creativity fuels social innovation , helping communities and organisations tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges. We consider if it is something you are born with or learn along the way. At its core, creativity is the ability to generate new ideas, connect unlikely dots, and imagine possibilities beyond the obvious. It is important b...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we unpack the critical challenge of avoiding assumptions and bias in the design thinking process . Innovation begins with understanding the user—but too often, stereotypes, cultural generalisations, and historical assumptions distort that understanding. We’ll explore how unconscious bias shapes the way we frame problems, the channels that reinforce these biases,...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore how design thinking drives social innovation —creating solutions that tackle complex issues like inequality, climate change, and community resilience. Unlike traditional approaches, design thinking brings empathy, collaboration, and experimentation into the heart of social problem-solving. We’ll share examples such as IDEO.org’s work on improving acce...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore how design thinking can be applied to one of humanity’s most critical challenges: managing water . As a finite and fragile resource, water demands new ways of thinking—whether it’s saving more, improving supply, or ensuring access to clean drinking water. We’ll look at how design thinking has been used to create innovative irrigation systems in agricu...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore the fascinating idea of how design thinking principles may relate to the construction of complex physical structures , such as the Great Pyramids of Egypt. While the pyramids predate modern innovation frameworks, their creation involved human-centered problem-solving, collaboration, and iterative experimentation—hallmarks of design thinking. We’ll dis...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore how design thinking and systems thinking can be applied to one of society’s most complex and urgent issues: homelessness. Homelessness is not only about housing—it intersects with healthcare, employment, mental health, and social policy, making it a truly “wicked” problem. We’ll discuss how design thinking helps uncover the lived experiences of people...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore why the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) adopted design thinking and how it has reshaped the way services are delivered to millions of Australians. We’ll unpack how design thinking principles—championed by leaders like Professor Richard Buchanan and adapted for practice in Australia by experts such as Dr Stefanie di Russo—helped the ATO place citizens...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we turn our attention to Agbogbloshie in Accra, Ghana, once one of the world’s most infamous e-waste sites, often called a “digital dumping ground.” Before its demolition in 2021, Agbogbloshie symbolised the global challenge of electronic waste: environmental dumping from industrialised nations, unsafe recycling practices, and the human cost of toxic work. We’ll...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore how design thinking is reshaping the education system . As schools, universities, and training providers face the challenge of preparing learners for an unpredictable future, design thinking offers a human-centered approach to reimagine teaching, learning, and student engagement. We’ll discuss how educators are applying design tools to create more inc...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we dive into SCAMPER , a powerful creativity tool for generating fresh ideas when tackling complex problems. SCAMPER stands for Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to another use, Eliminate, and Reverse - seven strategies that help reframe challenges and spark innovation. We’ll break down how each step works and share real-world examples, such as how combini...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we dive into the define stage of design thinking—also known as reframing or evaluating the challenge . Too often, teams rush past this stage and end up solving the wrong problem. We’ll explore why reframing is essential, how to create strong problem and “How Might We” statements, and what elements these should include—from user needs and insights to constraints...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we open up a conversation about fear of failure —a powerful barrier that limits creativity and stifles innovation. Too often, the worry of getting it wrong stops us from experimenting, taking risks, or exploring bold ideas. We’ll discuss how design thinking reframes failure as feedback, and why prototyping, iteration, and reflection are key to building resilienc...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore how design thinking is transforming the healthcare sector . Healthcare is one of the most complex and high-stakes environments, where patient needs, practitioner expertise, technology, and policy all intersect. We’ll discuss how design thinking helps reimagine patient experiences, improve clinical processes, and support innovation in areas like digita...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore how design thinking can help address the growing issue of loneliness . Loneliness is more than just an emotion—it’s a complex social problem that impacts health, wellbeing, and community resilience. We’ll unpack how human-centered design tools can foster empathy, uncover hidden barriers to connection, and spark innovative ways to bring people together...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore how storytelling shapes the design thinking process . Stories are more than anecdotes—they’re powerful tools that help teams make sense of complex insights, build empathy for users, and communicate ideas in ways that inspire action. We’ll discuss how storytelling can turn data into meaning, connect stakeholders to the human experience behind a problem...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore how design thinking is being applied in the legal sector to transform the way legal services are delivered and experienced. Traditionally, law has been seen as rigid, rule-bound, and complex—yet design thinking offers a human-centered approach to make it more accessible, efficient, and responsive. We’ll discuss how lawyers, firms, and justice systems...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore how design thinking is being used in the public sector to address complex social and systemic challenges. Unlike the fast-paced world of startups, government agencies and public institutions operate within layers of policy, regulation, and accountability—yet the need for human-centered innovation has never been greater. We’ll discuss how design thinki...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we dive into the importance of truly understanding the problem space in design thinking. Too often, teams leap to solutions without fully exploring the complexity of the challenge at hand. We’ll unpack why defining the right problem is more critical than rushing to answers, and how tools like empathy maps, user journeys, and stakeholder analysis help uncover hid...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore the power of teamwork and collaboration in driving successful design thinking. Innovation is rarely a solo act—it thrives when diverse perspectives, skills, and experiences come together. We’ll unpack how collaboration fuels creativity, why psychological safety and trust matter, and how teams can navigate conflict and ego to reach breakthrough ideas....

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we dive into the crucial role of prototyping in the design thinking process. Prototypes aren’t just models or mock-ups—they are tools for learning, testing, and sparking new ideas. We’ll explore how “thinking with your hands” helps teams move from abstract concepts to tangible possibilities, and why building to think is more powerful than talking about solutions...

In this episode of The Extra Seat , we explore the idea of creative confidence —the belief that everyone has the capacity to create, imagine, and innovate. Too often, self-doubt and fear of failure hold people back from contributing their best ideas. We’ll unpack how design thinking builds creative confidence through empathy, experimentation, and iteration, and why it matters not just for designer...

In this episode of The Extra Seat, we dive into the concept of frugal innovation —the art of creating high-value solutions with limited resources. Born out of necessity in emerging markets, frugal innovation has become a global movement that challenges traditional assumptions about what it takes to innovate. We’ll explore how constraints fuel creativity, why simplicity can be a competitive advanta...