the deeply human design podcast

“You cannot innovate if you don't have diverse thinking.” Summary In this episode, we explore the winding creative journey of Meg Porter, a designer turned product leader and founder, who shares how her artistic roots evolved into a passion for solving complex human problems. She candidly opens up about navigating corporate environments as a neurodivergent woman, facing systemic biases, and the exhaustion of trying to fit traditional workplace molds. Meg discusses her work with The Female Product Lead community, advocating for truly inclusive leadership and psychological safety across tech. She also details the creation of Unfold, her new app designed to help neurodivergent individuals manage executive dysfunction through nervous system and emotional regulation. Throughout the conversation, Meg highlights the immense value of radical self-knowledge over conventional career frameworks. Guest Meg Porter LinkedIn – https://linkedin.com/in/megporter Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/_meg_porter/ TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@_meg_porter_ Unfold Website – https://getunfold.app Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/_unfoldapp_/ TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@_unfoldapp_ Female Product Lead Website – https://femaleproductlead.com Events – https://luma.com/femaleproductlead Host Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/ Website – https://www.dannyhearn.me Podcast – https://www.deeplyhumandesign.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:38 Meg's Origins in Physical Graphic Design 04:43 Navigating Subjectivity and Finding Structure in Design 08:23 Expressing Personal Empathy Through Art Projects 10:17 Transitioning into Corporate Tech and Healthcare Design 14:12 Clashing Values and Systemic Politics in Enterprise Roles 18:35 Fostering Psychological Safety and Diverse Perspectives 22:57 Empowering Underrepresented Voices with Female Product Lead 26:27 Experiencing the Glass Ceiling and Micro-Behaviors 32:25 Finding Core Purpose and Showing Up Authentically 37:14 Building Unfold for Neurodivergent Emotional Regulation 43:58 Developing the MVP and Co-Founding with Family 46:23 Tackling Executive Dysfunction and Rejection Sensitivity 51:21 Prioritising Self-Knowledge Over Skill Sets in Leadership

"People massively overestimate the amount of change that's going to happen in two years, and they underestimate the amount in five to 10 years." Summary In this episode, we explore the journey of Stuart, a psychologist who moved from cognitive research into digital transformation and is now working in government. We trace his path from the back streets of Liverpool to a PhD in human computer interaction, augmented reality research in Italy, and six years in research and design leadership at Expedia. Stuart reflects on social mobility, on the confidence and experience it buys as much as the income, and on leaving school in a year when not one of the jobs he has since done actually existed. We discuss why organisations resist AI, where he honestly lands between its promise and its threat, and the psychology of resilience when uncertainty simply cannot be researched away. This conversation is a deep dive into staying proactive rather than passive, experimenting deliberately, and treating your own career as a product you can design. Guest Stuart Booth - LinkedIn Host Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/ Website – http://www.dannyhearn.me Podcast – http://www.deeplyhumandesign.com Chapters 00:00 Getting to Know Each Other 01:12 Journey into Design 02:48 Personal Background and Privilege 04:18 University Experience and Social Mobility 05:02 Social Class and Education 06:26 Exclusionary Language and Corporate Spaces 09:33 Career Advice and Opportunities 10:01 Evolution of Job Roles 13:20 Identity and Role Definitions 15:22 Experience and Decision Making 17:14 Emotional Journey of Craftsmanship 19:14 Anxiety and Resilience 20:38 Dealing with Uncertainty 22:49 Strategies for Daily Practice 23:38 Embracing Change and Uncertainty 25:55 Organizational Response to AI 28:09 Personal Views on AI and Technology 30:11 Creating and Building Apps 33:20 The Future of App Development and AI 36:48 Impact of Technology on Employment and Life 41:08 Resilience and Facing Uncertainty 44:21 Applying Lean UX Canvas to Personal Development

"The pressure to move faster in the tech industry creates an environment where presence and mental well-being are often sacrificed for speed.” Summary In this episode, leadership consultant Andy Hix joins us to share insights from his interviews with 85 tech leaders on the pressures they face, what keeps them up at night, and what separates those thriving in 2026 from those burning out. Together, we unpack the intersection of tech, mental health, and well being, tackling everything from AI addiction and early adopter anxiety to how human centered leadership can bring joy back into the corporate workplace. Guest Andy Hix Web - https://andyhix.com/ LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhix/ Host Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/ Website – http://www.dannyhearn.me Podcast – http://www.deeplyhumandesign.com Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:17 The Impact of Tech on Mental Health 04:07 Discovering Meditation and Well-being 08:16 Leadership and Presence in Tech 10:56 Challenges of Being Present in a Corporate Environment 16:00 The Struggle of Overwhelm and Stress in Tech 23:06 Implementing Well-being Practices in Corporate Settings 26:10 The Pressure to Move Faster 27:02 The Anxiety of Being an Early Adopter 28:00 The Addictive Quality of AI 29:14 The Impact on Mental Health 34:35 The Human Side of Tech Leadership 44:07 The Influence of Leadership on Culture 49:22 The Absence of Joy in Work

Reclaiming the Heart in Design “There’s so much heart in some of these things that you’re putting in heart in that space and I find it very hard to detach some of those.” Summary In this episode, we explore the creative journey of Fionn, a partner at the design futures studio Andthen . We trace his evolution from the tactile world of furniture making to leading large-scale design teams within the corporate banking sector . Fionn reflects on the emotional friction of maintaining personal values in transactional environments and the toll of multiple burnouts. We discuss his shift toward "slow decisions" and how design can be used to influence long-term policy and societal change . This conversation is a deep dive into reclaiming professional purpose and the human heart within a technical industry . Guest Fionn Tynan O'Mahony LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionntynan/ Website – https://www.studioandthen.com/ Host Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/ Website – www.dannyhearn.me Podcast – www.deeplyhumandesign.com Chapters 00:00 Reconnecting and the Purpose of Human Conversations 02:08 Designing the Intangible: Introducing Andthen 05:05 From DIY to Craft College: Early Practical Creativity 06:50 The Modernist Influence and the Limits of the Ego 08:32 Refocusing Life and the Discovery of Curiosity 11:49 Design as Intervention: Breaking the Routine 14:58 Reality Hits: Transitioning into Corporate Banking 16:54 The Shift from Questions to Answers 19:18 Techno-Optimism and the Moonshot Era 21:57 The Cost of Delivery Culture and Shrinking Experimentation 24:42 Navigating Burnout and Value Misalignment 29:50 The Struggle of Scaling Teams in Risk-Averse Systems 34:41 The Gift of Voluntary Redundancy 38:44 Returning to Exploration and Strategic Influencing 43:49 Pace Layering: Designing for Long-Term Impact 50:40 Redefining Success Beyond the Bottom Line

“Sometimes the best thing you can do is just be the kindest person in the room.” Summary In this episode, we explore the profound impact of leading with kindness and humility in the high-pressure world of design and advertising. Guest Craig Jamson joins Danny Hearn to reflect on his journey from a self-taught Flash designer in South Africa to a Creative Director at Ogilvy. They discuss the transition from a "brutal" leadership style to one focused on empowering others, drawing inspiration from the book Multipliers. The conversation dives deep into the importance of maintaining calm in "crisis mode," the challenges of the current job market, and how personal mental health practices shape professional presence. Together, they advocate for a more supportive industry culture where seasoned professionals lift up those who are most vulnerable. Guest Craig Jamieson LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-jamieson/ Website – https://craigjamieson.com/ Host Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/ Website – www.dannyhearn.me Podcast – www.deeplyhumandesign.com Chapters 00:00 The Power of Humility and Kindness 01:10 Journey from Art School Dropout to Digital Design 05:03 From Dictator to Genius Maker: The Multipliers Shift 08:51 Avoiding the Expert Jargon Trap 14:04 The Quiet Confidence of Seasoned Creative Directors 17:36 The Fadeaway Technique in Consultancy 26:13 Perceptions vs Reality: The Scary Guy Persona 35:40 Moving Beyond the Self and Stressful Perspectives 42:25 Presence, Calm, and the Figmification of Design 53:03 Practical Ways to Support the Design Community