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DESIGN THINKER PODCAST
Welcome to The Design Thinker Podcast, where we explore the theory and practice of design thinking. Join co-hosts Dr Dani Chesson and Designer Peter Allan as they delve into the principles, strategies, and real-world application of design thinking.
Each episode takes a deep dive into a topic within design thinking, discussing the foundational theory and bringing theory to life by showcasing the application of theory into practice to solve real-world challenges.
🔍 Theoretical Insights: Build your understanding of design thinking's theoretical underpinnings, exploring its origins, key principles, and evolution over time.
🛠️ Practical Applications: Witness the theory in action as we share practical examples and case studies that demonstrate the impact of design thinking on real-world problems.
🎙️ Industry Expertise: Engage with thought leaders, industry experts, and practitioners who share their experiences, insights, and innovative applications of design thinking.
Whether you're a seasoned designer, a business professional, or simply curious about design thinking, The Design Thinker Podcast is your passport to exploring the theory and practice of design thinking.
Episodes
54 episodes
Ep#54: Amplifying Human Potential by Collaborating with AI
What if AI isn't here to replace us, but to help amplify our potential? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Dave Howden, CEO of SupaHuman, to explore how AI challenges us to reclaim our distinctly human capabil...
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Episode 54
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1:04:50
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Ep#53: Thinglessness, E-Bikes, and the Future of UX
What happens when the tools we’ve mastered become obsolete overnight? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Pete are joined by one of the OGs of UX, Nick Cawthon, the founder of Gauge, to help organizations with evidence-based strat...
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Episode 53
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1:01:28
Ep#52: Performance Without the Buzzwords – Doing What Matters, Better.
We throw around words like productivity, engagement, and performance all the time. But do we actually know what they mean or how to create the conditions for them to thrive?In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer...
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Episode 52
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1:03:45
Ep#51: The Age of Experience - Rethinking How We Think
We live in a world that’s changing faster than the frameworks we've relied on can keep up with. So, is it time to rethink how we think? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by John Philpin to explore why the age of reason is o...
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Episode 51
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1:07:22
Ep#50: Why You Get What You Celebrate - What Recording 50 Episodes Taught Us About Progress, Rituals, and Resilience
We did it—50 episodes! In this milestone episode, we pause to reflect on the journey, the lessons, and why celebration isn’t just a “nice-to-have”, it’s a necessary part of doing meaningful work. Whether you're leading a team, tackling tough ch...
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Episode 50
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52:54
Ep#49: Can You Use Design Thinking Without Buy-In?
What happens when you believe in design thinking but your organization doesn’t? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter, share ways you can start using design thinking in your work, even if no one else is on board yet. In this e...
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Episode 49
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43:42
Ep#48: Why Playing It Safe Is the Real Risk - A Dark Optimist’s Call to Action
What if the only real safety lies in continuous change and standing still is the true danger?In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Ralph H. Groce III, author of We Have Nothing to Lose: A Dark Optimist’s Call to ...
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Episode 48
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1:01:09
Ep#47: The Productivity Crisis: What We’re Getting Wrong and How to Fix It
Productivity is a hot topic in news headlines, boardrooms, and everyday conversations. In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter unpack the productivity crisis. In this episode, you will• Understand why productivity isn't just an indiv...
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Episode 47
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53:01
Ep#46: The Power of Dumb Thinking - The Dumbify Framework with David Carson
In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter delve into the concept of 'Dumbify' with guest David Carson. Discover how embracing 'dumb' ideas can lead to breakthrough innovations. Learn about David's journey building successful companies, and ho...
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Episode 46
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1:13:04
Ep#45: Where Human-Centered Design Meets Systems Thinking
The inspiration for this podcast came from a question posed by Ian Scott, a longtime listener and friend of the podcast. Ian asked, "What's your view on human-centered systems thinking?" In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter e...
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Episode 45
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1:07:01
Ep#44: Design Thinking in Action - The SWAT Approach to Business Transformation
When Fonterra - a dairy cooperative in Aotearoa New Zealand - faced a critical workforce shortage, the usual ways of working weren't going to deliver the outcomes they needed. Enter the SWAT approach to business transformation - a fit-for-purpo...
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Episode 44
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1:05:47
Ep#43: Collaboration Fatigue - How to Fix the Most Overrated Buzzword in Business
Has collaboration become a catch-all solution, losing the focus and impact it was meant to deliver?In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter unpack why collaboration often feels more like a burden than a boost. They explore how overus...
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Episode 43
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59:50
Ep#42: The Manager's Guide to Coaching, Driving Performance One Conversation at a Time
In this episode of the Design Thinker Podcast, Dr Dani and Designer Peter are joined by Dr John Bennett, a leading scholar-practitioner, executive coach, and professor at the McColl School of Business, Queens University of Charlotte. John, auth...
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Episode 42
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55:58
Ep#41: What Can Skydiving Teach Us About Leadership?
In this episode, Peter steps into the spotlight, recounting how his skydiving experiences shaped his perspective on courage, self-talk, goal-setting, and teamwork. As Peter Peter reflects on this skydiving journey, he draws parallels between sk...
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Episode 41
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56:52
Ep#40: How Lessons from Design School Helped Me Drive Results in the Corporate World
In this episode, Dr. Dani shares her nontraditional career path from aspiring law student to graphic designer to leading corporate transformations. A two-time university dropout, Dani discovered design while on the path to law school, which led...
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Episode 40
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55:51
Ep#39: Power of the Pause: Why Taking a Break Matters
In a world that glorifies busyness, breaks are dismissed as unimportant and a barrier to productivity. However, this isn't actually the case. In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter discuss the often overlooked but essential practice of pa...
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Episode 39
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1:00:29
Ep#38: What to do about perfectionism
Do you struggle with perfectionism? Is it holding you back? In this episode, Dr. Dani Chesson and Designer Peter Allan explore how perfectionism hinders progress and keeps us trapped in a cycle of self-doubt and share tips on how to break free ...
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47:09
Ep#37: Why your customer experience will fail if you ignore EX
We often focus on creating a seamless customer experience (CX), but what happens when we ignore employee experience (EX)? In this episode, Dr. Dani and Designer Peter dive into the often-overlooked connection between EX and CX, exploring why gr...
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Episode 37
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52:23
Ep#36: What it Takes to Win in Customer Experience
Customer Experience (CX) is vital for businesses in the 21st century, but do we know what we mean when we say CX? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore CX. In this episode, you will • understand what CX is an...
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Episode 36
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59:35
Ep#35: The Anatomy of an Experience
Experience — a term that's become ubiquitous in business, but do we really know what we mean when we say Customer Experience, Employee Experience, Patient Experience, and the like? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore the anatomy...
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Episode 35
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50:47
Ep# 34: Emotions: What are they good for anyway?
Emotions are central to the human experience, influencing every aspect of our personal, professional, and social lives. They are complex and multifaceted, shaping how we perceive and interact with the world. Research suggests that up to 95% of ...
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Episode 34
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35:56
Ep#33: Are You Ready for the BANI World?
Have you heard of BANI? Are you ready for it? The term VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) was coined in the 1980s to describe the context of the world. Four decades later, is this term still relevant? The term BANI (Brittle, ...
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Episode 33
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1:01:35
Ep#32: Informed Consent: The Ethical Backbone of Design Research
What are the ethical obligations of design research? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter explore the importance of informed consent when doing design research. From historical examples like the Tukaseegee experiments to contemporary des...
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Episode 32
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51:11
Ep#31: Reducing the Risk of Innovation with Discovery
What is discovery work? How does it help reduce risk and deliver better outcomes? In this episode, Dr Dani and Designer Peter dive into the "how-to" of discovery work to explain what it is, why it is important, and tips on how to get started.&n...
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Episode 31
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45:16
Ep#30: A Human Centered View of Privacy Law
How might we use privacy law to build trust with customers? Often regulations are viewed as an obligation, something organizations need to comply with to stay out of legal trouble. However, what if regulations can be more than that? What if reg...
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Episode 30
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40:14