Deep Thoughts With Michelle Handy
Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy is where behavioral science, tech, and design converge to inspire personal growth and drive innovation. Join Michelle Handy, Ph.D. and her expert guests as they unpack candid stories, share practical insights, and explore cutting-edge strategies to help you thrive personally and professionally. Perfect for mid-to-senior professionals navigating leadership, creativity, and career transitions.
Episodes
12 episodes
Why Social Health is the Missing Key to Longevity and Workplace Success with Dr. Iain Smith
Social health is just as essential as physical and mental health—so why do we often neglect it? In this episode, Dr. Iain Smith joins Michelle Handy to explore the science of social connection and its impact on well-being, longevity, and workpl...
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44:43
From PhD to Industry: Dr. Ashley Ruba on Leaving Academia, Transferable Skills, and Thriving Beyond the Ivory Tower
In this episode, we explore what it means to leave academia and build a fulfilling career outside the ivory tower. Ashley Ruba, PhD, shares her journey from developmental psychology to UX research at Meta and entrepreneurship, founding After Ac...
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50:15
Why Work Feels Broken—And How to Fix It: Dr. Mandy Varley on Leadership, Well-Being, and Purpose"
In this episode, we delve into the intersection of behavioral science, leadership, and workplace well-being with Dr. Mandy Varley, a behavioral scientist and executive coach. She shares her insights on building healthier, more effective workpla...
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48:39
Women Leading the Future of Behavior Design with Stephanie Weldy
In this episode, we take a behind-the-scenes look at how women are shaping the future of behavior design—from scaling impact in organizations to building powerful professional communities. Stephanie Weldy shares her journey from the public sect...
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52:42
From Resistance to Buy-In: Doug Roerden’s Playbook for Leading Human-Centered Change in Legacy Organizations
In this episode, we explore what it takes to build truly human-centered organizations with Doug Roerden, who brings over 25 years of experience leading customer and user experience transformations. From Fidelity Investments to FM Global, Doug s...
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36:56
Dr. Leanne Mauriello on Behavioral Science, Lifestyle Medicine, and Health Transformation
In this episode, we explore how behavioral science and lifestyle medicine are transforming healthcare delivery. Dr. Leanne Mauriello shares insights from her work helping medical providers integrate lifestyle medicine into their practices, and ...
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38:32
Behavioral Science Pioneer Matt Wallaert on The Hard Truth About Making Science Work in Business
In this episode, we dive deep into the evolution of applied behavioral science with Matt Wallaert, a pioneer who has spent nearly two decades bringing behavioral science from academic theory to practical application. From leading behavioral sci...
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50:36
Senior Microsoft Researcher Connor Joyce on Achievement vs. Growth: Finding Your Own Path
In this episode, we explore the complexities of personal growth and career development with Connor Joyce, a Senior User Researcher at Microsoft's Copilot team, the CEO of Desired Outcome Labs, the author of Bridging Intentions to Impact
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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43:02
Principal UX Researcher Maureen Welton on Making Research Visually Unforgettable
In this episode, we explore how visual storytelling can transform research practice with Maureen McLennon Welton, a Principal Experience Design Researcher who brings a unique perspective from her background in both UX design and research. From ...
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32:11
Discomfort is the Cost of Fulfillment – A Conversation with Stephen Gates
In this episode of Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy, I sit down with Stephen Gates, founder of CRZY design studio and host of The Crazy One podcast. Stephen was my first mentor outside academia, and his advice has shaped how ...
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52:25
The Wild West of Wellness Apps: Why We Need More Scientists in Tech with Dr. Eliane Boucher
In this episode of Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy, I sit down with Dr. Eliane Boucher, a behavioral scientist and former academic who transitioned into the digital wellness space. Together, we uncover the murky waters of wellness ap...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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57:30
Breaking Free from Perfectionism: A Design Thinking Approach to Well-being with Dr. Erica Simon
In this premiere episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Erica Simon shares how design thinking's "bias to action" can transform our approach to personal and professional growth. Through her work at Stanford's d.school and beyond, Dr. Simon reveals ...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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53:04