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Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. — Brittany is a mid-career research leader based out of Portland, Oregon. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Industrial Design from the University of Oregon and a Masters in Information Science from the University of Michigan. She has worked with startups, nonprofits, mid-size and Fortune 100 companies as an independent contributor as well as a manager of research teams. Currently, you can find her building a research practice (and team) at Chorus Innovations, a startup working to provide innovative behavioral healthcare solutions to agencies, counties, and states across the U.S.A. Before Chorus, she managed a large research team in an agency environment supporting topics related to consumer trust and privacy for big tech clients. She firmly believes research and collaborative teams are at the heart of every successful business, and that everyone’s life story would make a great movie. When she isn’t working, she enjoys outdoor adventures and wellness activities, and spending time with loved ones. In our conversation, we discuss: * How strategic research actually plays out in early-stage companies, and why researchers shouldn’t wait for perfect briefs. * Moving from research receiver to research requester and how that shift changes your role entirely. * Coaching ICs to trust their instincts when they’re the only ones seeing a gap. * What makes something “strategic,” and how to avoid wasting time on low-impact requests. * How Brittany and her team adapt when projects get shelved, priorities flip, or research gets ignored. Some takeaways: * No one will ask for what they don’t know exists. Waiting for research requests is a trap. If you’re seeing patterns, pain points, or opportunities, you might need to be the one raising your hand. The best projects often start when researchers pitch work that no one else thought to ask for. * Gut checks are data points too. If a product decision feels off, or you’re thinking “we should probably look into this,” that’s reason enough to pause and dig deeper. The instinct to question is part of the job. Lean into it instead of waiting for someone else to validate it. * Strategic research doesn’t always mean big projects. It can be a one-question survey. A reused screener. A short desk research doc. What matters is that it moves things forward, not that it looks impressive in a deck. * Blocked ≠ Wasted. Brittany’s team logs blocked work in a “vault” and revisits it later. When projects get paused or dropped, they reflect on what caused the stall. Sometimes it’s organizational. Sometimes it’s a signal that previous research wasn’t shared well enough. Either way, it’s fuel for doing better next time. * Every team needs a vision even if it only lasts six months. In startup settings, long-term planning is a luxury. Brittany meets with her team every 3-6 months to reset direction, recheck learning goals, and match priorities to what’s actually happening across product and design. It keeps the team from floating aimlessly when the org shifts. Where to find Brittany: * LinkedIn Stop piecing it together. Start leading the work. The Everything UXR Bundle is for researchers who are tired of duct-taping free templates and second-guessing what good looks like. You get my complete set of toolkits, templates, and strategy guides. used by teams across Google, Spotify, , to run credible research, influence decisions, and actually grow in your role. It’s built to save you time, raise your game, and make you the person people turn to—not around. → Save 140+ hours a year with ready-to-use templates and frameworks → Boost productivity by 40% with tools that cut admin and sharpen your focus → Increase research adoption by 50% through clearer, faster, more strategic delivery Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Hi, I’m Nikki. I run Drop In Research, where I help teams stop launching “meh” and start shipping what customers really need. I write about the conversations that change a roadmap, the questions that shake loose real insight, and the moves that get leadership leaning in. Bring me to your team. Paid subscribers get the power tools: the UXR Tools Bundle with a full year of four top platforms free, plus all my Substack content, and a bangin’ Slack community where you can ask questions 24/7. Subscribe if you want your work to create change people can feel. Learn exactly how I’ve set up many a repository in Notion — I use this set up for in-house, consultancy, and advisory clients. It’s one of my most popular set-ups and I highly recommend trying it and getting feedback from your stakeholders. Let me know if you have any questions! Link to the Notion page Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Reach out to me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. — Wolfram is a Senior UX Designer and Researcher and has been working at TeamViewer for eight years.He has been driving and advancing UX Research at the company for nearly two years, developing it further together with a young but highly talented and motivated team. He has been deeply involved with Jobs-to-Be-Done for over a decade and considers himself a pragmatic JTBD practitioner. Before joining TeamViewer, he spent almost ten years in the Enterprise Content Management space and have been focusing on Multi-Device Experiences since the mid-2010s. He is the author of “Multiscreen UX Design” and has been passionately engaged in UX and design for around 25 years. His expertise lies in Jobs-to-Be-Done, hands-on and pragmatic UX research, as well as content design and content management. He regularly and enthusiastically participates in webinars, meetups, and conferences. Beyond UX and design, he enjoys photography, particularly nature and bird photography, and loves spending time with his family. In the past, he was an avid groundhopper, traveling across Europe with friends to attend football matches. In our conversation, we discuss: * Why it helps to think of every user action as a “job” with a real outcome, not just a task or step. * The messy overlap between jobs, goals, use cases, and what stakeholders think they want. * Why most teams start in the solution space and how to bring Jobs thinking in without derailing the train. * What an actual “job” sounds like in the wild, and how to spot one inside complaints, workarounds, and feature requests. * Why Wolfram keeps outcome-driven language like “minimize the time it takes to…” as a rule and how it makes your findings way more usable. Some takeaways: * Jobs to Be Done is a lens. Wolfram doesn’t wait for permission to use JTBD thinking. Whether he’s asked for a usability test or feedback on a feature, he still pulls out the job behind it. Why? Because understanding the job gives you reusable insights that don’t die with the feature. * Stop obsessing over the perfect term. Stakeholders just need to get it. Wolfram avoids technical jargon like “JTBD” when introducing the concept. He uses terms they already know, like “use cases” or “problems,” so they’re not thrown off. The focus is clarity, not vocabulary. * Your users are already giving you jobs, you just have to listen for them. Complaints, feature requests, emails, even rants. All of these hold clues about what someone was trying to do. If you dig in with curiosity (and a few “tell me more”s), you can usually find the real goal underneath the noise. * Do it late if you must but do it anyway. Sometimes research doesn’t happen until the build is already underway. That doesn’t mean you skip the problem space. Wolfram brings in JTBD insights midstream, not to stop the train, but to nudge it toward stronger value delivery and set up better decisions next time. * Your feature might flop but your jobs research won’t go to waste. If the solution turns out to be unworkable or doesn’t land, you don’t have to throw away the research. JTBD insights stay valid. They’re reusable, solution-agnostic, and can fuel the next iteration or a totally new idea. Where to find Wolfram: * Multiscreen UX Design (book) * Website * LinkedIn * Twitter/X Stop piecing it together. Start leading the work. The Everything UXR Bundle is for researchers who are tired of duct-taping free templates and second-guessing what good looks like. You get my complete set of toolkits, templates, and strategy guides. used by teams across Google, Spotify, , to run credible research, influence decisions, and actually grow in your role. It’s built to save you time, raise your game, and make you the person people turn to—not around. → Save 140+ hours a year with ready-to-use templates and frameworks → Boost productivity by 40% with tools that cut admin and sharpen your focus → Increase research adoption by 50% through clearer, faster, more strategic delivery Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. — Ray is a designer-turned-researcher. He grew up in New Zealand but moved to the UK last year. His career started in graphic design and advertising, but he’s also studied art history and worked as a brand strategist and innovation consultant before moving into UX. He was a product designer before officially pivoting to UX research. He is passionate about the craft of UX research, so is naturally drawn towards rigour and detail. But there’s definitely a balance to be mindful of, so lately he’s been enjoying the challenge of taking a more pragmatic approach to cut through the noise at work and maximise impact. In our conversation, we discuss: * How Raymond moved from design to research and why his messy, creative path helps him make peace with constraints. * Why “just enough” research is often the most realistic (and still valuable) kind. * Dealing with stakeholders who want statistical significance and to act on N=1 quotes. * What makes a one-pager actually work (hint: it’s not cramming 14 bullet points into 10pt font). * How to reframe constraints as creative challenges, instead of just reasons to cry in a spreadsheet. Some takeaways: * Rigor isn’t one thing. There’s a difference between medical research and a usability test for a SaaS dashboard. Raymond reminds us to stop chasing perfection and start asking: What’s the risk? What’s the goal? What’s actually good enough here? * You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to be the expert. Sometimes the best way to build trust is not to say “trust me, I’m the expert,” but to bring the right method to the table and explain why it fits. Raymond shares how he uses method knowledge to guide teams—without pulling rank. * Constraints aren’t the enemy, they’re the brief. That tight deadline or limited budget? Treat it like a design prompt. What can you strip away? What creative method still works? That shift in mindset changes everything from energy to output. * Scoping is where the real power is. Raymond shares a sharp approach to collaborative scoping: show a strawman plan and let stakeholders rip it apart. It builds alignment faster and helps surface hidden assumptions, risks, and trade-offs without ego wars. * Your research summary isn’t for you. Your one-pager should pass the 40-second CEO elevator ride test. Raymond breaks down his 3-column template and shares why the takeaways column matters more than your favorite quote or clever insight. It’s about what they need to do next. Where to find Raymond: * ADPList mentor profile page * LinkedIn * Medium Stop piecing it together. Start leading the work. The Everything UXR Bundle is for researchers who are tired of duct-taping free templates and second-guessing what good looks like. You get my complete set of toolkits, templates, and strategy guides. used by teams across Google, Spotify, , to run credible research, influence decisions, and actually grow in your role. It’s built to save you time, raise your game, and make you the person people turn to—not around. → Save 140+ hours a year with ready-to-use templates and frameworks → Boost productivity by 40% with tools that cut admin and sharpen your focus → Increase research adoption by 50% through clearer, faster, more strategic delivery Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. — Matt Thomas is a Design, Research, and Product leader at Motability Operations where he leads the Design and Research efforts for a range of products, from a commerce platform for selling used cars to colleague-facing tools that support that website. His team also designs for a vehicle refurbishment workshop, a completely different challenge with a unique set of users, which keeps things interesting. They work closely with Product and Technology teams to bring these products to life, always focusing on learning from the people who use them. He is super passionate about broadening where the team gathers insights and making research more accessible, so teams can make better product decisions. In our conversation, we discuss: * How Matt defines “broadening research” and why it starts outside of formal studies. * Real-world examples of overlooked insight sources like sales calls, account managers, and field teams. * The internal system Matt’s team uses to collect, tag, and feed sales feedback into their repository every day. * Why traditional research reports don’t always land and what to try instead. * Tactics for building trust and buy-in, even when you’re blocked from direct customer access. Some takeaways: * Matt encourages researchers to stop thinking of research as only formal studies. Some of the richest data comes from support calls, onboarding conversations, and field visits. These sources already exist in most companies but often get ignored because they don’t look like traditional research. When you tap into them, you’re bringing context into the room that would otherwise stay invisible. * It’s tempting to jump straight into tagging or setting up automations, but Matt suggests beginning with a conversation. Ask a customer-facing teammate what they’re hearing. Offer to sit with them for an hour or buy them coffee. Building trust first, then showing how their insights feed into decisions, opens more doors long-term than asking for data access right away. * Matt’s team gets sales feedback emailed to them daily and loads it into their repository in batches. But even without automation, he recommends reviewing 20 feedback items a day which is just enough to build a habit and gather useful patterns. That creates a log of real impact you can use later to justify hiring or tooling decisions. Don’t aim to boil the ocean; aim to show traction. * The goal isn’t to create a polished report. It’s to influence a decision. Matt’s team shares snippets via Slack or email, hosts research gallery walk-throughs, and tests lightweight formats like social-style insight posts. Different stakeholders need different communication and just because a report is well-written doesn’t mean it will be read. * From usability bingo nights to Iron Man-style gallery sessions, Matt embraces experimentation in how research is shared. Some people need a sticky note wall. Some need a voice clip in their inbox. If one format doesn’t land, try another. The most impactful insights often come wrapped in something a little unexpected but perfectly timed. Where to find Matt: * LinkedIn Stop piecing it together. Start leading the work. The Everything UXR Bundle is for researchers who are tired of duct-taping free templates and second-guessing what good looks like. You get my complete set of toolkits, templates, and strategy guides. used by teams across Google, Spotify, , to run credible research, influence decisions, and actually grow in your role. It’s built to save you time, raise your game, and make you the person people turn to—not around. → Save 140+ hours a year with ready-to-use templates and frameworks → Boost productivity by 40% with tools that cut admin and sharpen your focus → Increase research adoption by 50% through clearer, faster, more strategic delivery Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. — Brett Krajewski is the Vice President of Research & Growth at Accelerant Research, where he leads the research and client solutions teams, delivering innovative insights to empower businesses and many fortune 500 companies. He was most recently featured on an episode of Awkward Silences Podcast, and has some upcoming webinars. With a career spanning both in-house industry roles and consulting/agency leadership, Brett has built and led high-performing, multi-method research teams for Fortune 50 companies. His past roles include Head of Design Research: Customer at Walmart and Lead of Product Research at Lowe’s, where he drove customer-focused innovation and strategy. Beyond professionally, Brett has trained Seeing Eye dogs for the past 25 years, combining his love of service and animals, and is also a licensed pilot who enjoys navigating the skies somewhere new whenever possible. Brett’s unique blend of professional expertise and personal passions reflects his curiosity, drive, and commitment to making an impact. In our conversation, we discuss: * How Brett discovered triangulation only later in his career and why it changed everything about how he approached impact. * What meta-analysis actually means in practice, and why it’s an underrated starting point for faster, smarter research. * Why researchers need to stop acting like lone wolves and start working like strategic collaborators. * How to balance qualitative and quantitative data without waiting for things to be perfect. * The small, consistent actions that build trust and how they differ when you’re in-house versus agency-side. Some takeaways: * Early in his career, Brett saw research as “the answer.” Later, he realized that data triangulation, pulling from primary research, internal metrics, heuristics, and third-party sources, helped him tell richer, more balanced stories that actually got traction. It wasn’t about perfection or overloading people with data. It was about showing how user needs and business goals intersect, and building stories from multiple truths rather than a single source. * Rather than constantly commissioning new work, Brett champions meta-analysis, which involves reviewing what’s already been done across different departments. That might include past research, customer insights, agency data, or marketing reports. Doing this upfront reveals known truths, uncovers gaps, and often means you only need to research 2 out of 10 questions, not all 10. It makes you faster, more relevant, and a better partner to the business. * Trying to solve everything at once kills momentum. Brett advises researchers to start with small, tangible wins, like answering two key questions fast with an unmoderated test. Showing up early with something useful, rather than disappearing and delivering a polished report weeks later, builds credibility. These quick contributions earn you the right to do deeper, more strategic work down the line. * Too many researchers say they want a seat at the table, then go off and work solo. Brett emphasizes bringing stakeholders along for the ride and letting them weigh in, see progress, and feel ownership. That doesn’t mean caving to their agenda. It means understanding what they care about, folding it into your framing, and using that shared language to build alignment and influence. * One of the most powerful habits Brett adopted: releasing insights in milestones. Whether you’re in-house or agency, think in chunks, such as sharing the competitive analysis while you’re still synthesizing interviews. Share directional trends while still in the field. Transparency builds trust, helps teams move faster, and reminds everyone that research is ongoing, not just a one-time delivery. Show them how the sausage is made, not just the final plate. Where to find Brett: * LinkedIn * Transforming Insights into Results: Advancing influence in Corporate landscapes from the bottom up * Innovate or Imitate: Redefining Design and Research on our Terms Stop piecing it together. Start leading the work. The Everything UXR Bundle is for researchers who are tired of duct-taping free templates and second-guessing what good looks like. You get my complete set of toolkits, templates, and strategy guides. used by teams across Google, Spotify, , to run credible research, influence decisions, and actually grow in your role. It’s built to save you time, raise your game, and make you the person people turn to—not around. → Save 140+ hours a year with ready-to-use templates and frameworks → Boost productivity by 40% with tools that cut admin and sharpen your focus → Increase research adoption by 50% through clearer, faster, more strategic delivery Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. — Mark Cox is a lead researcher and the Design Research and Service Design Agency Spotless in London. He’s been in research for about 7 years, and because he’s operated in an agency, he’s been lucky enough to work on all kinds of projects in different industries. The hat he currently wears is as a Games User Researcher. In our conversation, we discuss: * The early origins of games UXR and how it still leans on its Atari-era roots. * Why you can’t apply traditional UX timelines and methods to game development. * What “positive friction” means and when player frustration is part of the design. * How Mark tests narrative and art concepts with non-interactive prototypes. * Where aspiring games UXRs should actually start if they want to break in. Some takeaways: * Unlike traditional UX, games research isn’t focused on removing friction, it’s about shaping it. Some frustration is intentional, and part of the fun. Mark works with teams to understand when challenge adds value and when it tips into player drop-off. This means the researcher’s job is to trace the emotional arc of gameplay, not just catch bugs or confusion. * Narrative and concept testing often happens with no prototype in sight. Mark tests scripts, art, and design direction using static slides, paper wireframes, or storyboards. Focus groups are a big part of this phase, helping teams hear how players talk about characters and world-building. If the story isn’t landing early on, it rarely gets better by launch. * Mark outlined multiple types of playtesting: usability (can players navigate the UI?), appeal (do they value it?), and retention or engagement (will they come back?). These studies often include layered methods: observation, think-alouds, surveys triggered after specific in-game moments, and even eye-tracking. A good playtest doesn’t just show how players behave, it helps explain why they behave that way. * The “fun” question is real, but rarely useful. Teams often ask “Is this fun?” but the better question is “What kind of fun are we aiming for?” Is the goal mastery? Escape? Social chaos? Mark pushes for clarity on the player emotion the team is chasing, so the research can help track whether that’s happening and where it’s falling short. * Breaking into games UXR means doing the work before you get the job. Mark suggests joining Discords like the GamesUR SIG, getting involved in beta testing communities, and finding ways to observe or participate in amateur game design groups. Hiring managers want to see real curiosity and a strong grasp of the medium. That doesn’t mean you need a formal background in games, it means you’ve tried things, reflected on them, and learned. Researching games starts by showing you understand what makes them work. Where to find Mark: * LinkedIn Stop piecing it together. Start leading the work. The Everything UXR Bundle is for researchers who are tired of duct-taping free templates and second-guessing what good looks like. You get my complete set of toolkits, templates, and strategy guides. used by teams across Google, Spotify, , to run credible research, influence decisions, and actually grow in your role. It’s built to save you time, raise your game, and make you the person people turn to—not around. → Save 140+ hours a year with ready-to-use templates and frameworks → Boost productivity by 40% with tools that cut admin and sharpen your focus → Increase research adoption by 50% through clearer, faster, more strategic delivery Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

In this episode, I cover: * My full setup process for running an unmoderated usability test in Userbrain, from goal-setting to test creation * How to write clear, action-based and opinion-based tasks that get useful behavioral data * Using AI to generate and refine test tasks, plus how to correct vague or over-open questions * Techniques for analyzing unmoderated test data using AI insights, clips, and reports * How to connect usability findings back to research and business goals to identify real impact Key Takeaways: * If your research goals aren’t clear or your tasks are vague, the data you get back will be inconsistent and shallow. A well-structured setup defines what you want to learn, aligns it to business decisions, and sets measurable outcomes before the first participant even starts. Most “bad” unmoderated results trace back to poor planning, not poor participants. * Participants need to know exactly when a task begins and ends. Without defined boundaries, they may wander off-path or complete actions you can’t analyze meaningfully. By giving each task a specific finish line, like “stop when you reach the flight results page,” you get consistent, comparable footage that supports clean synthesis later. * AI can be useful for avoiding blank-page paralysis, but its phrasing is often too broad or contextually off. Treat it as a brainstorming tool—generate rough drafts, then rewrite them to fit your product, audience, and goals. The value comes from editing, not accepting what it gives you. * Positive feedback feels good but doesn’t move design forward. When analyzing results, zero in on moments of confusion, frustration, or unexpected behavior as those are where you find opportunities to fix or improve the experience. Stakeholders care more about barriers than affirmations. * Unmoderated tests produce endless data, but without a clear line to decisions or KPIs, they risk being shelved. Revisit your research goals during analysis, group findings under those goals, and connect each issue or success metric to its potential business impact. That’s what turns usability findings into strategic recommendations. The unmoderated test guide: Grab the full unmoderated testing guide with all the steps and examples here and try it out with your next project (or with a project you recently did!). Try Userbrain: Want to try this out on Userbrain? You can grab a free trial below: Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Reach out to me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. — In our conversation, we discuss: * Why traditional org charts and career ladders are breaking down and what that means for researchers and designers. * How AI and startup culture are reshaping roles, shrinking teams, and pushing senior-level decisions onto mid-level professionals. * Why most people feel unprepared for their new responsibilities and how to close the gap without waiting for formal mentorship. * How to build your own “board of directors” through small acts of generosity and curiosity. Some takeaways: * Org charts are collapsing and it’s changing everything. Many companies, especially in tech, are shrinking their teams while still aiming for scale. That means fewer senior leaders and more ICs making high-stakes decisions without traditional support. The result: mid-level professionals find themselves thrown into strategy roles they never trained for. This indicates a shift in how companies operate at their core. * There’s no playbook for where we’re headed. You can’t Google your way out of the complexity of hybrid roles. When someone’s a lead on paper but making director-level calls with no mentorship, the usual advice doesn’t cut it. People need better access to real conversations and fast feedback loops. Mindaugas recommends building your own crew of people to talk things through, not just reading another Medium post. * The people who navigate change best aren’t trying to be the smartest in the room. They’re collecting diverse perspectives, asking for honest takes, and updating their opinions as they learn. In a noisy world of LinkedIn hot takes, this kind of thoughtful input often comes from quiet backchannels. Building those backchannels takes intention, not perfection. * Don’t start with the ask. Start with curiosity. One of the best ways to build strong professional relationships is to reach out with zero agenda. A quick note saying “I appreciated your talk/post/article” stands out precisely because nobody does it anymore. When you do that over time, you create a trail of goodwill so when the time comes for an ask, you’re not a stranger. Mindaugas shares how this approach helped him build a global network from scratch. * Mid-level is now the pressure point of modern orgs. Senior ICs are being handed business-critical decisions without context, coaching, or peers to learn from. Community matters as a practical scaffolding for decision-making and finding those people is the key to helping you get to your next level, and push through that mid-level ceiling Where to find Mindaugas: * LinkedIn Stop piecing it together. Start leading the work. The Everything UXR Bundle is for researchers who are tired of duct-taping free templates and second-guessing what good looks like. You get my complete set of toolkits, templates, and strategy guides. used by teams across Google, Spotify, , to run credible research, influence decisions, and actually grow in your role. It’s built to save you time, raise your game, and make you the person people turn to—not around. → Save 140+ hours a year with ready-to-use templates and frameworks → Boost productivity by 40% with tools that cut admin and sharpen your focus → Increase research adoption by 50% through clearer, faster, more strategic delivery Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. — John Fontenot has spent a decade in tech, working initially in software partnerships for Intel’s Software and Services Group where he was first introduced to the role of product management. In 2018 John made a pivot into a role as a UX Researcher to get his foot in the door of a product team for a small HRTech SaaS company and hasn’t looked back. John has worked in a variety of Sr. IC product manager roles, Director and Group Product Manager roles, and is now serving as VP of Product Management for Terlumina, an Enterprise SaaS startup focused on healthcare compliance management. John also runs a program called Path2Product where he helps aspiring PMs transition into their first product management role. John is a huge proponent and student of UX Research and truly believes that good product management can’t be done well without it. In our conversation, we discuss: * What “scrappy” product research really means and when it crosses the line into chaos. * Why PMs can (and should) learn research basics when they don’t have a dedicated partner. * How to build trust with researchers without stepping on their toes. * Creative recruitment strategies when incentives aren’t an option—and what that reveals about product-market fit. * The case against paying customers for interviews, and how to make people want to talk to you. Some takeaways: * Scrappy research isn’t an excuse to be sloppy. Scrappy doesn’t mean fast for the sake of speed, it means smart, efficient, and focused on risk. John outlines how some decisions call for deep, strategic research, especially when millions are on the line, while others don’t need to be tested to death. The key is knowing the stakes and picking the right level of investment. Scrappy research works best when it’s intentional, not reactionary. * John shares creative ways to reach users without incentives, like turning idea boards into interview leads or mining Facebook groups and Slack communities for warm outreach. In regulated industries where payments aren’t allowed, trust and thoughtful messaging become even more important. The best outreach comes from doing your homework, if you know what people care about, they’ll usually talk. Payment can create a transactional mindset; genuine interest creates better conversations. * With researchers often outnumbered 10 to 1, it’s unrealistic to gatekeep all research tasks. But that doesn’t mean PMs or designers should bulldoze their way in. John advocates for shared ownership with clear boundaries, where non-researchers offer support, not competition, by helping with smaller usability tasks or contributing to recruitment. Trust is built by asking first, showing competence, and being open to feedback. * Recruitment speed isn’t always the goal. Paying for participants might help with speed, but it can muddy your insight quality. If no one wants to talk about the feature you’re testing, that might be a signal it’s not worth building. Slower recruitment through organic methods forces you to get sharper on messaging, segmentation, and whether the problem actually matters. * John argues that researchers are most valuable when they go beyond testing buttons and start shaping product direction. Researchers who understand business priorities and speak the language of product are better able to influence decisions. Likewise, PMs who understand research can spot poor methods and ask sharper questions. Everyone benefits when the team invests in learning across roles and when researchers step confidently into strategic conversations. Where to find John: * Website * LinkedIn * Blog * Why you should never pay for customer interviews Stop piecing it together. Start leading the work. The Everything UXR Bundle is for researchers who are tired of duct-taping free templates and second-guessing what good looks like. You get my complete set of toolkits, templates, and strategy guides. used by teams across Google, Spotify, , to run credible research, influence decisions, and actually grow in your role. It’s built to save you time, raise your game, and make you the person people turn to—not around. → Save 140+ hours a year with ready-to-use templates and frameworks → Boost productivity by 40% with tools that cut admin and sharpen your focus → Increase research adoption by 50% through clearer, faster, more strategic delivery Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. — Filip Cicek is a seasoned researcher with a Master's degree in Sociology and over 15 years of diverse experience spanning academia, non-profit, and business realms. Proficient in both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, Filip leads Ruthless Insights, a cutting-edge consultancy specializing in UX and market research. In our conversation, we discuss: * How physical product research forces rigor, patience, and multiple rounds of muddy discovery. * The invisible weight of decision-making when mistakes cost millions and can’t be undone. * What it takes to manage client expectations and stop pretending research can always be fast. * Why Filip left academia and started Ruthless Insights after getting fired and how he made it work. * The real challenges of agency work and how bad recruiting, rushed timelines, and AI shortcuts create sloppy insights. Some takeaways: * Physical product research demands rigor, not speed. When mistakes cost millions and there’s no going back post-launch, teams take research seriously. Filip explains how physical product work forces multiple rounds of exploratory studies, each more focused than the last, until real confidence is built. There’s no skipping the mess of qualitative research, no rapid sprints, no quick pivots, no AB tests. The trade-off? You get to do real, strategic work that actually gets used if you’re willing to sit in the mud for a while. * Filip and Nikki both agree: multiple rounds of generative research can feel like an existential crisis. You finish each round with more questions than answers, stuck in abstract insights your stakeholders don’t always want to hear. But those vague, frustrating truths are the only path to real product clarity, especially in high-stakes spaces. Researchers need to get comfortable with uncertainty and help clients understand that clarity takes time. * Many stakeholders just don’t know what good research actually takes. It’s your job to tell them. Filip’s advice: don’t agree to three-week timelines just to be helpful, push back with clarity. Clients don’t need speed, they need to not be wrong. And when researchers stop overpromising and start managing expectations, trust and repeat work follow. * Ruthless Insights was built on rejection and a bet on honesty. Filip started his agency after getting fired and being told to “bet on yourself” by a client. That same client helped him name Ruthless Insights, based on Filip’s refusal to sugarcoat tough findings. His whole model is built around doing the job well without padding the process or the price, no fancy office, no fluff, just clean, useful insight. It’s not glamorous, but it’s what keeps clients coming back. * Most people don’t understand how hard research is until they try it. From clients underestimating how long recruitment takes, to stakeholders clinging to a single quote from an interview, Filip has seen it all. He’s learned to pre-empt confusion by overcommunicating upfront, bringing recruiters in early, and walking stakeholders through the analysis process. He doesn’t try to move fast, he tries to be accurate. And that’s what builds a reputation that outlasts a slide deck. Where to find Filip: * Ruthless Insights * Statis-fact * LinkedIn Stop piecing it together. Start leading the work. The Everything UXR Bundle is for researchers who are tired of duct-taping free templates and second-guessing what good looks like. You get my complete set of toolkits, templates, and strategy guides. used by teams across Google, Spotify, , to run credible research, influence decisions, and actually grow in your role. It’s built to save you time, raise your game, and make you the person people turn to—not around. → Save 140+ hours a year with ready-to-use templates and frameworks → Boost productivity by 40% with tools that cut admin and sharpen your focus → Increase research adoption by 50% through clearer, faster, more strategic delivery Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. — Iwalola Sobowale is a research leader empowering tech innovation in Nigeria’s exciting tech industry. As the Head of Customer Research at Moniepoint, she drives strategic research to enhance customer experience, improve product adoption, and strengthen market positioning. With a background in another Nigerian unicorn - Interswitch, Transsion who are the manufacturers of the Tecno and Infinix, the mobile device brands dominating the African continent, and Fidelity Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading commercial banks, she has led initiatives that optimize digital banking, payments, and financial inclusion. Beyond her role, Iwalola is the co-founder of Usability for Africa, a ground-breaking research initiative that seeks to democratice usability knowledge for African tech. She is currently co-authoring a book that captures these insights and is also the host of The Spotlight Podcast, fostering industry knowledge-sharing to nurture the tech and business ecosystem. Her passion for innovation and commitment to excellence mark her as a standout professional in the field. In our conversation, we discuss: * How Iwalola defines customer-centric product development and ties it directly to strategy, not just research. * Why sharing research isn’t just about visibility, it’s about timing, relationships, and understanding internal decisions. * The difference between reacting to requests and actually guiding what gets built. * Tips for navigating low-maturity orgs without letting them define your trajectory. * Why asking “why” is underrated, and how to do it without getting kicked out of the room. Some takeaways: * To make real impact, researchers need to understand three things: what the business is doing, what it’s not doing, and who the customer really is. Without clarity on these decisions, research either floats or gets ignored. Iwalola talks about the need for alignment—not just understanding the customer, but understanding the organization’s strategic bets. That’s where real influence starts. * You can’t guide decisions if you don’t know what decisions are being made. Guidance isn’t about “being in the room” once a month. It’s about reading internal docs, scanning Slack channels, asking for team roadmaps, and paying attention to who’s working on what. The research doesn’t stop at the user—it starts again inside the company. If you want to be helpful, you need to investigate your organization like you would any other system. * Iwalola makes research feel like a friendly place, no bad questions, no posturing. She shares often, asks stakeholders about what they already know, and brings curiosity instead of critique. That posture builds trust and slowly pulls even hesitant partners into the process. The goal is to help stakeholders make better calls, with you at the table. * Instead of begging for buy-in from resistant teams, start with those who already get it. Work closely with them, and let the results do the talking. Once other teams see that insights actually help drive progress, they’ll start to seek you out. That’s influence built by reputation—not explanation. * Leadership isn’t used to being asked “why,” but it’s one of the most important questions a researcher can ask. It unlocks context, helps you shape your work, and shows you’re genuinely trying to support—not challenge—the direction. If you understand why something is being prioritized, you can better decide how to contribute. Just know your audience, and bring the “why” with care. Where to find Iwalola: * LinkedIn * Instagram * Twitter * Blog articles * Newsletter * Podcast Stop piecing it together. Start leading the work. The Everything UXR Bundle is for researchers who are tired of duct-taping free templates and second-guessing what good looks like. You get my complete set of toolkits, templates, and strategy guides. used by teams across Google, Spotify, , to run credible research, influence decisions, and actually grow in your role. It’s built to save you time, raise your game, and make you the person people turn to—not around. → Save 140+ hours a year with ready-to-use templates and frameworks → Boost productivity by 40% with tools that cut admin and sharpen your focus → Increase research adoption by 50% through clearer, faster, more strategic delivery Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. — Ryan Glasgow is the CEO of Sprig, an AI-native survey platform built to replace legacy tools like Qualtrics. Sprig combines advanced survey capabilities, AI-powered analysis, and an intuitive user experience to help research and product teams get richer insights, faster. Before starting Sprig, Ryan led product at Weebly and Vurb, where he saw how slow, fragmented research workflows could limit product velocity. Today, Sprig is used by companies like Stripe, DoorDash, Notion, and Netflix to run surveys, analyze results instantly with AI, and deliver insights that shape product decisions. In our conversation, we discuss: * How the research community’s mindset toward AI has shifted from fear to experimentation. * What it means to treat AI like an eager intern and why that mental model changes everything. * How to break your workflow into “job steps” and plug AI in where it can actually help. * What Sprig is building to support both qual and quant researchers at different levels. * Why sharing raw data with stakeholders (not just summaries) might be the next big unlock for research impact. Some takeaways: * Many teams outside of research are still figuring out what AI is good for. Meanwhile, UXRs are already experimenting with real tasks, like synthesis, survey creation, and study planning, because they’ve had to. Ryan points out that researchers are becoming internal AI evangelists, getting asked to present their workflows to other departments. The field’s willingness to experiment is turning into a quiet leadership moment. * The best way to work with AI? Pretend it’s a new intern. It’s fast, eager, and can take on a ton but needs oversight, review, and clear direction. That framing unlocks a very different way of thinking: not “Will it replace me?” but “What can I delegate to it so I can focus on higher-impact work?” That shift is showing up in how researchers manage tasks across their workflow. * Before you plug AI into your stack, audit your actual workflow. Break it into steps, like study planning, stakeholder requests, distribution, synthesis, insight sharing, and decide where AI can support. Sprig is built around this approach, helping researchers insert AI at specific job steps. Trying to use one tool for everything often backfires; success comes from surgical fits, not general use. * Sprig is expanding from in-product surveys into long-form survey support with built-in AI features for study creation, open text clustering, and synthesis. Ryan shared how qual researchers use AI to draft surveys, get feedback, and even generate first-pass summaries of open ends. Other tools like Notebook LM and Gamma help researchers do faster analysis and deck creation without skipping the rigor. * One of the most radical ideas Ryan shared: share your raw research data, transcripts, open ends, survey results, so stakeholders can ask their own questions. With tools like ChatGPT or Notebook LM, that data becomes living, queryable insight. It turns research from a static deliverable into an exploratory tool. It also takes the pressure off researchers to have all the answers, all the time. Where to find Ryan: * Website * LinkedIn * X Stop piecing it together. Start leading the work. The Everything UXR Bundle is for researchers who are tired of duct-taping free templates and second-guessing what good looks like. You get my complete set of toolkits, templates, and strategy guides. used by teams across Google, Spotify, , to run credible research, influence decisions, and actually grow in your role. It’s built to save you time, raise your game, and make you the person people turn to—not around. → Save 140+ hours a year with ready-to-use templates and frameworks → Boost productivity by 40% with tools that cut admin and sharpen your focus → Increase research adoption by 50% through clearer, faster, more strategic delivery Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. — Loren is a UX Researcher with over 8 years of experience designing user-centered financial solutions. She’s passionate about uncovering actionable insights that bridge user needs with business objectives, and specializes in transforming complex behaviors into strategies that elevate digital experiences. Loren currently works at JPMorgan Chase as a Lead UX Researcher for digital commerce solutions. Over her time at Chase she has worked across several organizations, getting to know a wide variety of customer-facing and employee-facing products and services giving her a unique insight into how the customer views Chase as a whole. Kathryn is a behavioral neuroscientist with experience in consumer research and methodological innovation. She earned her Bachelors in Neuroscience and Business from Muhlenberg College and her Masters in Behavioral and Decision Sciences at the University of Pennsylvania. She currently works at JP Morgan Chase as a User Researcher, with a focus on methodological development, infusing behavioral science and design thinking into the customer experience. In our conversation, we discuss: * What end-to-end research actually means in practice and why it starts before users ever touch your product. * How to use habit loops to map and influence real customer behavior without forcing change. * The power of live account interviews for breaking out of prototype fantasyland. * Strategies for building alignment and shifting stakeholders from “I need” to “we’re solving.” * How internal playbooks, role-play exercises, and empathy maps help teams stay grounded in real life. Some takeaways: * End-to-end research isn’t just a longer study, but a wider lens. Loren and Kathryn define end-to-end research as everything from a customer’s initial intent to what happens after they close the product. It’s not just about usability or funnel drop-off, but about how their lives influence how they interact with your product. To get real insight, you have to look outside the interface and understand what’s happening before, during, and after each interaction. That kind of zoomed-out context changes the questions you ask and the recommendations you make. * Customers don’t live inside your product and they won’t change their habits for you. Many organizations build with the assumption that users will adapt. They won’t. Through live account research, Loren uncovered how users ignore offers, stick to their routines, and reject anything that adds complexity. Kathryn explains how habit loops (cue → routine → reward) help teams understand why users behave the way they do, and why your product needs to slot into existing routines, not disrupt them. * Usability labs are structured, focused, and quiet. Real life is not. That’s why live account research can be so powerful; users bring their own data, context, and mess. Watching someone navigate a real account reveals things no A/B test or journey map ever could, especially when paired with tools like empathy maps that capture what people are saying, doing, thinking, and feeling. * To build cross-team alignment, make the customer the common ground. When products span multiple teams, priorities clash. Loren uses design rationale briefs and vision statements to realign teams around what the customer wants, not just what each team needs. Kathryn emphasizes the importance of shared language and moving from “I need” to “we’re building.” Getting people into the same room, physically or virtually, and grounding them in the customer’s perspective is what turns politics into partnership. * If you want teams to understand context, you have to simulate real life. Kathryn runs role-playing workshops where stakeholders juggle real-life distractions while interacting with a product. It’s a reminder that customers are busy, stressed, and multitasking, and your product has to work under those conditions. Loren adds that this mindset shift helps counter the overconfidence teams can get from testing in perfect research environments. Their advice: don’t just study what customers say, watch what they actually do in the wild. Where to find Loren: * LinkedIn Where to find Kathryn: * LinkedIn Stop piecing it together. Start leading the work. The Everything UXR Bundle is for researchers who are tired of duct-taping free templates and second-guessing what good looks like. You get my complete set of toolkits, templates, and strategy guides. used by teams across Google, Spotify, , to run credible research, influence decisions, and actually grow in your role. It’s built to save you time, raise your game, and make you the person people turn to—not around. → Save 140+ hours a year with ready-to-use templates and frameworks → Boost productivity by 40% with tools that cut admin and sharpen your focus → Increase research adoption by 50% through clearer, faster, more strategic delivery Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube. — Amanda runs Stockwell Strategy, a user experience research and innovation strategy practice. She has spent the last 15 years helping teams understand who their users are, what they need, and how to tie those insights to product and business strategy. Happy clients include startups, nonprofits, fortune 100s, and nearly everywhere in between. Amanda is happiest when helping teams spin up their UX research practices and individuals refine their research and strategy skills. She also frequently writes and speaks about all things UX and product, teaches classes on LinkedIn Learning and for Duke's Design and Technology Innovation program, and helps organize local Ladies that UX meetups. You can also find her hiking, spoiling her dog, or sharing lobster facts. In our conversation, we discuss: * The concept of “research onions,” how core skills are just one layer of what makes someone effective in UX. * Why understanding business goals and context makes research more actionable, not less user-centered. * How collaborating with cross-functional teammates means more than just scheduling whiteboard sessions. * Tips for solo researchers on becoming better collaborators, from small talk to strategic alignment. * A networking approach that’s not transactional and why your next opportunity may come from a six-year-old Slack intro. Some takeaways: * Research is more than the craft. Amanda introduces the idea of “onion layers” to describe the full spectrum of skills researchers need. Beyond knowing methods and tools, researchers should understand how business decisions are made and where their insights fit in. * You don’t need to be a business strategist but you do need to care. Understanding cash flow, team capacity, and strategic priorities helps researchers frame insights that get acted on. It’s not about becoming a PM; it’s about asking the right questions and understanding how your work fits the broader picture. * Relationship-building is essential, especially when you’re the only researcher. Whether it’s baking banana bread to attract teammates or tailoring your report formats to individual preferences, Amanda shows how small acts of intentionality lead to better collaboration and insight adoption. * Network like a human, not a transaction. Amanda advises networking consistently and authentically, not just when you’re looking for a job. The best opportunities often come from long-forgotten connections so be curious, be helpful, and stay in touch with generosity. * Treat your stakeholders like users. Just like you wouldn’t ship a product without understanding your users, you shouldn’t present findings without understanding your audience. Customize communication styles, understand what they care about, and make it easy for them to act on your insights. Where to find Amanda: * Website * LinkedIn * Bluesky Stop piecing it together. Start leading the work. The Everything UXR Bundle is for researchers who are tired of duct-taping free templates and second-guessing what good looks like. You get my complete set of toolkits, templates, and strategy guides. used by teams across Google, Spotify, , to run credible research, influence decisions, and actually grow in your role. It’s built to save you time, raise your game, and make you the person people turn to. → Save 140+ hours a year with ready-to-use templates and frameworks → Boost productivity by 40% with tools that cut admin and sharpen your focus → Increase research adoption by 50% through clearer, faster, more strategic delivery Interested in sponsoring the podcast? Interested in sponsoring or advertising on this podcast? I’m always looking to partner with brands and businesses that align with my audience. Book a call or email me at [email protected] to learn more about sponsorship opportunities! The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views, positions, or policies of the host, the podcast, or any affiliated organizations or sponsors. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.userresearchstrategist.com/subscribe