Brave UX with Brendan Jarvis 🇺🇦

Esther Ahn - Designing for Scale and Building Culture

Esther Ahn reflects on the twists and turns of her creative journey, shares how critique can unlock better design without breaking spirits, and reveals why embracing the oops is essential for building resilient teams and products.
Highlights include:
12:13 – How do you make sense of your career’s twists and turns?28:52 – What does a healthy culture of critique look like?35:24 – What works best when presenting design work to executives?42:19 – Where is the most tension between business goals and user needs?01:06:36 – How is the children’s book Beautiful Oops! relevant to your career?
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Who is Esther Ahn?
Esther is the Director of User Experience for YouTube TV and Primetime Channels on YouTube—a role in which she brings deep expertise in human-centered design and research to enhance the viewing experience across platforms and at scale.
Throughout her career, Esther has pioneered new participatory design methods and conducted global research across the US, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Before YouTube, she was Director of Digital Health UX at Stanford Health Care and a Creative Director at the world-renowned innovation firm Frog Design.
She’s also worked at two other giants of design—IDEO and Smart Design—where she shaped experiences through multidisciplinary practice.
Esther holds a BA in Architecture from UC Berkeley and a Master’s in Interaction Design from Carnegie Mellon University.
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Find Esther here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherahn/
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Meryl Evans - Progress Over Perfection in Accessibility

Meryl Evans shares why accessibility is everyone’s responsibility, how captions can create connection—not just convenience—and why progress over perfection is the mindset that drives lasting inclusion.
Highlights include:
11:30 – How did publishing your first video in 2018 change everything?
20:28 – Why progress over perfection is essential in accessibility
29:06 – How do you carry the responsibility of being an advocate?
49:34 – What does it take to build a culture of accessibility?
59:15 – Why equitable design matters for dignity and inclusion
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Who is Meryl Evans?
Meryl is a Certified Professional in Accessibility Core Competencies (CPACC), a sought-after speaker, trainer, and accessibility marketing consultant who has spent over two decades championing inclusive digital experiences.
Named one of LinkedIn’s Top 12 Voices for Accessibility Advocacy, Meryl’s work has been recognised by organisations such as the North Texas Disability Chamber and featured in The Wall Street Journal, MarketingProfs, and The Dallas Morning News.
She’s the author of The Brilliant Outlook Pocketbook and co-author of Adapting to Web Standards: CSS and Ajax for Big Sites, and her speaking credits include TEDx, SXSW, and the American Marketing Association.
Beyond her consulting and speaking, Meryl is a passionate volunteer, contributing to the W3C’s Immersive Captions community group and XR Access, helping ensure emerging technologies are accessible to everyone.
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Find Meryl here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meryl/Website: https://meryl.net/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/merylkevans/videos X: https://x.com/merylkevans
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Tammy Everts - How Web Performance Shapes UX

Tammy Everts unpacks why web performance is a fundamental UX issue, how slow websites affect user perceptions and business outcomes, and why designers need to take ownership of performance alongside developers.
Highlights include:
02:14 - How did you come to own uber.com?
15:27 - What does performance have to do with UX?
28:54 - How do you identify the best executive champion for performance?
35:24 - Is measuring the business impact of performance as easy as it sounds?
46:37 - Why aren’t designers more involved in performance?
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Who is Tammy Everts?
Tammy is the Chief Experience Officer at SpeedCurve—a platform that enables organisations to unlock the full potential of their web performance.
In her role, Tammy champions the connection between site speed, user experience, and business success, working closely with customers to deepen their understanding of how people use with their websites.
Tammy's career journey also includes senior UX roles at Soasta and Radware, and over two decades of pioneering research involving EEG headsets, facial action coding, and advanced machine learning.
She is the author of “Time is Money: The Business Value of Web Performance” and a sought-after speaker, having shared her expertise at prominent events like Chrome Dev Summit, Smashing Conference, and Beyond Tellerand.
Tammy also co-chairs the annual performance.now() conference in Amsterdam and co-curates WPO Stats, a valuable resource of web performance case studies.
Find Tammy here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tammyeverts/Website: https://tammyeverts.wordpress.com/Mastodon: https://webperf.social/@tammyX: https://x.com/tameverts
======
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Carla Diana - Human-Centered Robots and the Future of Design

In this episode of Brave UX, host Brendan Jarvis interviews designer, author, and educator Carla Diana, a leader in human-centered product design and technology. Carla is the D Designer-in-Residence and Head of Program at the Cranbrook Academy of Art and works part-time as the Design Advisor at Diligent Robotics.
Join Carla and Brendan as they explore the future of smart technologies, including Carla’s work on humanizing healthcare robots and her project "Mobility Town," which reimagines public transportation in Detroit. Carla also discusses the challenges of designing relatable robots, societal misconceptions about AI, and the ethical implications of technology. The conversation delves into the roles of designers in shaping how people interact with technology innovations like autonomous systems and social robots, urging a thoughtful consideration of technology’s impact on society.
 
Highlights include:
00:00 - Getting to Know Carla Diana
05:31 - The Importance of Critical Engagement
12:01 -  Mobility Town: Reimagining Transportation in Detroit
18:01 - The Social Aspects of Public Transport
24:01 - The Narrative Around Robots
30:01 - Designing Relatable Robots
36:01 - Ethical Implications of Design
42:01 - The Role of AI in Robotics
48:01 - Autonomous Vehicles and Society's Responsibility
55:01 - Reflections on Design Education and Technology
Who is Carla Diana
Carla Diana is a highly influential designer, author, and educator known for her work at the intersection of technology and human-centered product design. She is the founder and designer-in-residence of the Interaction Design Programme at Cranbrook Academy of Art, where she leads an innovative exploration into smart objects, immersive environments, and intelligent systems. Carla also serves as a design advisor at Diligent Robotics, shaping healthcare robots to assist workers better. 
Her extensive experience includes roles at Smart Design and Frog Design, where she worked on diverse products, from robots to connected home appliances. Carla authored "Leo, The Maker Prince," the first children’s book about 3D printing, and "My Robot Gets Me," which focused on intuitive design for intelligent technologies. She’s a frequent speaker at prominent events like TEDx SXSW, and her writing has been featured in Fast Company, The New York Times, and Popular Science.
Find Carla Diana Here
Carla Diana on LinkedIn
Cranbrook Academy of Art Website
Diligent Robotics Website
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Kelly Goto - Designing for Emotional Connection

In this episode of Brave UX, Brendan welcomes Kelly Goto, CEO and Founder of gotoresearch and gotomedia. Kelly is a trailblazer in web and UX design with nearly 25 years of experience. She shares her inspiring journey as a fourth-generation Japanese American and discusses her work with major brands like Netflix and Samsung. They delve into the importance of emotional connection in product design, the impact of technology on attention spans, and the evolving methodologies in research, especially in light of generative AI. Kelly also reflects on cultural lessons and the significance of continuous learning in design. Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with valuable perspectives on UX and the intersection of culture and innovation!
 
Highlights include:
00:00 - Introduction
05:30 - Cultural Identity and Heritage
12:00 - Emotional Connection in Product Design
18:45 - Generational Technology Use in Design
25:15 - Insights from Japanese Culture
31:30 - The Role of Generative AI in Research
37:50 - Evolving Client Attitudes Towards Research
43:10 - Continuous Learning in Design
49:00 - Diverse Perspectives in UX
55:30 - Closing Thoughts and Engagement
 
Who is Kelly Goto
Kelly is passionate about helping organizations truly understand and empathize with their customers so they can deliver products and services that are genuinely meaningful. After over 20 years on the digital frontier, Kelly knows user experience (UX) better than most. As a design ethnographer, she focuses on uncovering how people integrate products and services into their daily lives — what those experiences mean to people and how to shape that meaning better.
Kelly heads up gotoresearch, the global leader in research-driven strategy and solutions for digital products and connected experiences. The gotoresearch team dives deep into the customer’s world, translating unspoken wants and needs into UX realities. This enables clients such as Samsung, Hyundai, Sony, Target, Verizon, and Pearson Education to relate with customers in new and innovative ways. Her book, Web Redesign 2.0: Workflow That Works, is an industry classic translated into 22 languages.
Find Kelly Goto Here
Kelly Goto on LinkedIn
Gotoresearch Website
Gotomedia Website
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Lawton Pybus - Understanding the Value of UX in Lean Times

In this episode of Brave UX, Brendan welcomes Lawton Pybus, Principal and Co-Founder of Drill Bit Labs. Join them as they dive into the evolving landscape of UX amidst recent tech layoffs. Lawton shares insights from his extensive research on UX job markets and discusses the importance of valuing UX in organizations. With a blend of personal anecdotes—including a ‘fun’ story about a venomous snake—this conversation highlights key trends, challenges, and the potential role of AI in UX. Listeners will find valuable advice for navigating their careers and fostering resilience in the UX field. Don’t miss this insightful and entertaining discussion!
 
Highlights include:
00:00 - Introduction
02:15 - Job Market Analysis
05:45 - Real-Time Tracking of UX Roles
10:30 - Lawton’s Personal Journey
15:00 - Impact of Recent Layoffs in UX
20:40 - The Demand for UX Skills
25:15 - The PAIR Framework and AI in UX
30:00 - Ethical AI Use in UX Research
35:10 - The Importance of Independent Thought
40:00 - Closing Thoughts
Who is Lawton Pybus
Lawton is a Principal and Co-founder of Drill Bit Labs. With a background in human factors, he has prior experience leading UX research teams at UserTesting, UserZoom, and MeasuringU and executing research on teams at Charles Schwab and Cabela's. He is the author of many insightful blog posts and regularly speaks at industry conferences like UXPA.
 
Find Lawton Here
Lawton Pybus on LinkedIn
Drill Bit Labs Website
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Brendan Jarvis - It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.

Brendan Jarvis delivers an inspiring talk at Design Outlook 2024. He outlines how self-reflection, clarity, and courage can help designers navigate uncertainty and shape a meaningful future.
Highlights include:
02:07 - Observations on the current state of design and the rise of AI.
06:00 - Story 1: A dystopian AI scenario.
12:55 - Story 2: Lessons from Miyamoto Musashi.
20:57 - Story 3: A personal story of resilience and gratitude.
26:58 - Reflections on adversity and meaning.
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Who is Brendan Jarvis?
Brendan Jarvis is the managing founder of The Space InBetween, New Zealand’s first world-class UX research and innovation lab. At The Space InBetween, Brendan helps enterprise leaders navigate complexity and achieve internal alignment through a human-centred approach to research and innovation.
Brendan is also the host of Brave UX, an internationally acclaimed podcast that dives deep into the minds of global leaders in UX research, design, and product management. With over 150 episodes and listeners in more than 50 countries, Brave UX has been described as “courageously insightful,” “thought-provoking,” and a must-listen for anyone passionate about improving user experiences.
In addition to his work with The Space InBetween and Brave UX, Brendan is a sought-after speaker and thought leader. His thought-provoking talks challenge designers and product leaders to reflect, adapt, and embrace the opportunities presented by change, including the rise of AI.
Brendan’s mission is to foster a deeper understanding of the human side of design and to inspire a future that is both innovative and impactful.
Find Brendan here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendanjarvis/Website: https://thespaceinbetween.co.nz/X: https://x.com/brendanjarvis
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Felix Lee - Democratising Mentorship with ADPList

Felix Lee shares how ADPList is democratising mentorship, the lessons he’s learned from failure and resilience, and why clarity beats cleverness in design.
Highlights include:
03:58 - What parallels can you draw between your athletic career and leading ADPList?
09:42 - What is the fear you most often contend with as a young founder?
13:57 - What is the broader vision for ADPList beyond design?
15:19 - Why is it important for ADPList to be seen as a community rather than just a platform?
32:28 - How do you know if you are solving the right problem at ADPList?
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Who is Felix Lee?
Felix is the co-founder and CEO of ADPList, a global mentorship platform connecting expert designers, technologists, and professionals across more than 150 countries. With over 27,000 mentors, ADPList has made possible an incredible 100 million minutes of mentorship annually.
In just three years, Felix has raised $1.3 million in capital, built a community of 120,000 LinkedIn followers, and launched the world’s largest 24-hour design super-conference. Beyond design, ADPList has expanded to include product management and engineering, reflecting its mission as a human transformation company.
Felix’s journey hasn’t been without challenges. As a young founder, his resilience has been shaped by early entrepreneurial setbacks and a drive to democratise mentorship. Featured in Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia List and Tatler Asia’s Gen-T List, Felix continues to inspire a global community with his clear and ambitious leadership style.
Find Felix here:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/felixleezd/Website: https://adplist.org/
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Tamara Adlin – Redefining Innovation through UX Insights (Part 2)

In the second part of their conversation on Brave UX, Brendan furthers his conversation with Tamara Adlin, President of Adlin Inc. Tamara shares her journey of overcoming challenges like sexism and ageism in the tech space, advocating for user-centered design amidst a disconnect with Web 3 teams. They discuss the misconceptions around venture capital and the need to balance data-driven decisions and intuitive design. Plus, Tamara offers valuable job-seeking advice through her involvement with the "Never Search Alone" initiative, emphasizing a user-centric approach. Tune in for insights on innovation, adaptability, and creating meaningful connections in today’s fast-paced tech landscape!
Highlights include:
00:00 - Introduction to Web 3 and Blockchain
03:15 - Tamara’s Reluctance to Engage with Web 3
08:00 - The 18-Month Confidence Knock
12:45 - Disconnect Between UX and Web 3 Mindsets
19:30 - Misconceptions About Funding and Success
24:00 - The Balance of Data and Intuition in Innovation
30:15 - Involvement with the "Never Search Alone" Initiative
35:50 - Crafting an Effective Elevator Pitch
 
Who is Tamara Adlin
Tamara Adlin is a seasoned UX consultant with over 25 years of experience helping companies create better products. A former UX leader at Amazon, Tamara has worked with top tech enterprises, specializing in startups and Web3 projects for the past 20 years. She co-authored The Persona Lifecycle books and developed the "Executive Alignment in Five Conversations" framework, which helps teams refocus on user needs and improve product outcomes. With expertise in product strategy, UX diagnostics, and leadership alignment, Tamara’s approach drives rapid improvements and long-term success for companies navigating disruptive technologies like blockchain and AI.
"I like to use the metaphor of a 'tornado' to describe the chaos that ensues when executive opinions change rapidly. One moment, you’re moving forward, and the next, everything is flipped upside down. It’s crucial to understand those stakeholder assumptions upfront rather than letting the storm dictate the direction of your project." Tamara Adlin
Find Tamara Here
Tamara Adlin on LinkedIn
Adlin Inc Website
 
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Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here:
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Tamara Adlin – Navigating Executive Misalignment in UX (Part 1)

In the first of a two-part episode of Brave UX, Brendan Jarvis interviews Tamara Adlin, President of Adlin Inc. Tamara Adlin is a thought leader and a seasoned UX consultant with over 25 years of experience helping companies create better products. Tamara reflects on her time at Amazon, lessons from leadership, and her pioneering work with personas. She highlights how executive misalignment can derail projects, emphasizing that personas alone can’t fix underlying communication issues. Tamara introduces her “Executive Alignment in Five Conversations” methodology, a framework designed to align teams and ensure project success. The conversation also touches on the importance of ongoing alignment and how well-crafted personas can be transformative when supported by clear, cohesive leadership.
Highlights include:
00:00 - Introduction and Background
05:30 - Tamara’s Journey into Animal Rescue
12:15 - The Persona Life Cycle Books
18:45 - Alignment Insights from Amazon
26:00 - The Importance of a Support System
32:30 - Diversity in Tech
40:15 - The Challenges of Executive Misalignment
46:00 - Executive Alignment in Five Conversations
55:30 - Case Study: Zillow
1:02:15 - Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two
 
Who is Tamara Adlin
Tamara Adlin is a seasoned UX consultant with over 25 years of experience helping companies create better products. A former UX leader at Amazon, Tamara has worked with top tech enterprises, specializing in startups and Web3 projects for the past 20 years. She co-authored The Persona Lifecycle books and developed the "Executive Alignment in Five Conversations" framework, which helps teams refocus on user needs and improve product outcomes. With expertise in product strategy, UX diagnostics, and leadership alignment, Tamara’s approach drives rapid improvements and long-term success for companies navigating disruptive technologies like blockchain and AI.
"I like to use the metaphor of a 'tornado' to describe the chaos that ensues when executive opinions change rapidly. One moment, you’re moving forward, and the next, everything is flipped upside down. It’s crucial to understand those stakeholder assumptions upfront rather than letting the storm dictate the direction of your project." Tamara Adlin
Find Tamara Here
Tamara Adlin on LinkedIn
Adlin Inc Website
 
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Brendan Jarvis hosts the Show, and you can find him here:
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