The UX Growth

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How can you have a conversation if you don't know the words? That is the question my guest, Sarah Johnson, asked me on the latest episode of the UX Growth Podcast. I think many of us have been there. We are asked to design a layout, but we don't have the copy yet. So we focus on the visuals. We focus on the branding. We paste in Lorem Ipsum and hope for the best. But Sarah, the author of Content F...

What if the thing you were told you’d never be good at became your UX superpower? That’s the story Erin Essex shares in the newest UX Growth Podcast episode, and it’s one of my favorites so far. 3 reasons to listen 1️⃣ How dyslexia helped Erin become a sharper problem solver 2️⃣ Her simple system for managing overwhelm and staying focused 3️⃣ Honest advice for introverted designers who want to sho...

A lot of UX designers are closer to leadership than they realize. Šimon Jůn, author of Design Beyond Limits with Figma, we talked about what UX designers can learn from his journey from agency designer to C level. Here are a few takeaways that stood out: Designers are already doing half the job of leadership. A design system only matters if it solves a real problem. Your workflow is a product, so...

I talk with Megan Legawiec, who brings her background in teaching into UX writing. Making accessibility not just a goal, but an ethical responsibility. We dive into: • What trauma-informed content really means • Why accessibility often gets deprioritized • How to make your writing more inclusive without overhauling everything It’s a powerful conversation on empathy, ethics, and design that truly s...

Are we still doing personas wrong? That’s the question I asked Andrew Schall, the author of The Persona and Journey Map Playbook, on the UX Growth Podcast. We talked about: • Why personas often fail to influence real design decisions • How to create ones that actually matter to stakeholders • Why context and ‘altitude’ determine whether your journey maps succeed or stall • The growing role of AI i...

New episode of the UX Growth Podcast with Aishwarya Navale, a UX designer at a top tech company. We talked about: Why documenting your progress keeps you from feeling stuck The underrated skills of writing and business acumen every designer should build How to make the most of just 5 hours a week for growth What I loved most was Aishwarya’s reminder that no question is a bad one. Asking, clarifyin...

"If you don’t get in the driver’s seat of your career, the company will do it for you." That’s the kind of clarity Carrie Peralta brings in the newest episode of the UX Growth Podcast. As a career coach for UX designers, Carrie helps people rebuild after layoffs, transition into leadership, and stop waiting for permission to grow. This conversation is for anyone feeling invisible in the job market...

New episode of the UX Growth Podcast with Sarah Doody is here! Here’s what we got into: How to reframe the job search as a UX experiment Why most resumes and portfolios are still not good enough The 10% better mindset and why it beats perfectionism The truth about one page resumes Tips to ask stronger questions in interviews What actually makes a senior level designer portfolio stand out How to do...

The first non-UX designer on the UX Growth podcast might have just given the most important career advice of the season. Alex Smith, co-founder and Head of Partnerships at Fuego UX, has helped agencies survive when others shut their doors and his perspective flips a lot of common designer beliefs. In this episode, we talk about: • Why 'staying in your lane could be the fastest way to stall your ca...

New UX Growth Podcast episode just dropped, and this one surprised me. I didn’t know what to expect going into this, but Rushi brought a calm intensity to the conversation that really stuck with me. He's an information designer with a background in industrial and automotive design. We talk about: – How he made the jump from 3D industrial work to 2D UX – Why most UX portfolios feel fake (and what t...

I’m joined by Thomas Girard: TEDx speaker, design educator, and host of the Unique Ways podcast. We talk about what doesn’t get talked about enough: Why beginner designers struggle to innovate (and what actually helps) The power of analog UX methods in a world that’s gone all digital How frameworks like UX Now help you think, not just execute What it really takes to give a TED Talk (and what happe...

So much of UX career advice is aimed at juniors. But what about the experienced designers? The ones who’ve ‘made it’ and are still asking, what’s next? In this episode of the UX Growth Podcast , I sat down with Mel, a UX career coach who specializes in helping senior ICs and design leaders navigate career transitions, burnout, layoffs, confidence gaps, and the mental blocks that quietly hold us ba...

There’s no single path into UX. And that’s both terrifying and kind of beautiful. In this episode of the UX Growth Podcast, I spoke with Dane O’Leary, a talented freelance UX designer who built his career by blending creativity, self-discovery, and a constant hunger to learn. We covered so much, but a few moments stood out: Why trying different paths isn’t a setback, it’s part of the work How to s...

On this episode of The UX Growth Podcast , I talk with Mahnaz Hajesmaeili, a UX designer who blends behavioral science and AI into her work. Y ou don't need a perfect UX origin story to thrive . You just need curiosity and the drive to keep exploring. In this episode, we talk about: → How to practice UX research without access to real users → Why designers need to stop settling and how exploration...

“If you don’t feel like a designer yet, that doesn’t mean you’re not one.” Craig Jamieson, former CDO, creative director, and self-taught designer, joins me on the latest episode of The UX Growth Podcast to talk about what it really takes to build a career in design without losing yourself. We cover: Making impact without a fancy title The messy, non-linear path to creative leadership Why most por...

Email: nick@nickmanndesigner.com Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manndesigner/ Website: The UXGrowth.com

Spotify Apple Podcasts Nick Mann Linkedin Nick@NickMannDesigner.com

Joseph Louis Tan has one of the most unique UX career stories I’ve ever heard. From retail product design to lecturing at 27, to leading product design at an 11M+ SaaS company. He’s done it all. And he’s helping UX professionals land six-figure roles without applying online. Here are three reasons to tune in: Joseph breaks down how the job search actually works in today’s market and why job boards...

New UX Growth Podcast Episode! Join me and Boris Savic, Director of UX & Product at Boston UX, as we explore: ✅ Growing from designer to UX leader ✅ Thriving in regulated industries like healthcare and IoT ✅ Balancing stakeholder, marketing, and user needs ✅ The critical UX skills most designers overlook ✅ The future of AI in UX design 💡 “Remember that UX is collaborative. You don't own...

New epsiode of the UX Growth Podcast is here with Ryan Tinsley, Head of Product Design and Research. Ryan shares his incredible career journey, from graphic design to now leading design at a tech unicorn. 🌱 3 Growth Insights Diving into data. Using data to make decisions and your voice heard at higher levels. Power of mentorship. Mentoring is a fast career accelator Imposter syndrome is common. F...

Content design is more than just writing words on a page. It's about shaping the user experience, solving problems, and making products more intuitive. In this episode of The UX Growth Podcast, I sit down with Andrew Astleford , a Senior Content Designer, to discuss the evolving role of content design and why it’s essential for every UX team. ✨ Why should you listen? 1️⃣ Content Design = UX Desig...

Curious about how someone transitions from being a flight attendant to becoming a UX expert and agency founder? In the latest episode of The UX Growth Podcast , I chat with Maigen Thomas , Founder of Level 11 Technology , an apprenticeship agency, and a UX professional with over a decade of experience. 🎙 Why should you listen? 1️⃣ The Reality of Breaking Into UX 2️⃣ Accessibility as a Career Advan...

The UX Growth Podcast's latest episode welcomes  Daniel Andor , the  Founder of Duran . Daniel dives deep into the product design journey, sharing insights from his extensive experience transforming ambitious ideas into practical products. Key growth lessons from this episode: Testing early with simple prototypes can save time and money compared to lengthy development cycles. Breaking do...

I'm thrilled to announce that the latest episode of The UX Growth Podcast, featuring  Guy Segal, a design and design systems director, is now live. In this episode, we cover: 🌱 Guy’s inspiring journey from full-stack development to UX design. 🌱 The critical role of mentorship in a booming UX industry. 🌱 Actionable insights on leadership and maintaining work-life balance. How to Support Edward L...