Gestalt Podcast

By Nik Sumeiko & Marius Bauer

A podcast about the psychology, philosophy, tech, and everyday life of two successful digital creators. gestaltpodcast.substack.com

Episodes

  1. Success Redefined: Why Good Work Isn't Enough

    FEB 12

    Success Redefined: Why Good Work Isn't Enough

    In this episode, Nik Sumeiko and Marius challenge the common belief that great craft equals project success. They discuss how to identify business value, measure real impact, and stand out by solving the problems that actually matter.⁣ ⁣ What you'll learn in this episode: ✓ The gap between a finished project and a successful one. ✓ How to connect your work to real business goals. ✓ What "definition of done" really means beyond features. ✓ Why short delivery cycles reduce risk and save money. ✓ How to stand out by solving business problems, not just shipping craft.⁣ ⁣ Timestamps: (00:00) — Episode intro (01:03) — The psychology of project success (04:00) — Why craft alone doesn't guarantee success (06:50) — Over-delivering by solving business problems is the creator UVP (14:53) — The business side of creative careers (20:58) — The definition of done, explained (26:14) — Real-world example: building a DiGA health app (29:44) — What happens when projects fail (34:20) — Why business thinking matters more in the AI era⁣ ⁣ Resources and people mentioned in the episode: - Maurizio Poletto: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauripoletto - Cristiano Ronaldo: https://www.youtube.com/@cristiano - Jeff Sheldon: https://ugmonk.com, https://www.instagram.com/ugmonk/ - (DiGA App) Uroletics: https://www.uroletics.com - (Government Regulatory) BfArM – Digital Health Applications: https://www.bfarm.de/EN/Medical-devices/Tasks/DiGA-and-DiPA/Digital-Health-Applications/Interesting-facts/_artikel.html⁣ ⁣ Find Nik Sumeiko online - https://linkedin.com/in/niksumeiko - https://withnik.com - https://youtube.com/@niksumeiko⁣ ⁣ Find Marius Bauer online - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariusbauer - https://konvergenz.studio⁣ ⁣ --- Hosts: Nik Sumeiko, Marius Bauer Editor: Joe Gustilo (https://fiverr.com/producerelite)⁣ Podcast art & background music: Marius Bauer (https://konvergenz.studio) B-rolls: Fayez Nureldine / AFP (picturedesk.com) https://www.heute.at/i/cristiano-ronaldo-jetzt-neuer-deal-mit-den-saudis-120128211/doc-1j44pbg964, Vitaly Gariev (https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/vitaly-gariev/943), Frame Stock Footage (https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/frame-stock-footage/664) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gestaltpodcast.substack.com

    39 min
  2. How to Handle Ambiguity and Creative Risk at Work

    JAN 8

    How to Handle Ambiguity and Creative Risk at Work

    In this episode, Nik Sumeiko and Marius Bauer discuss how to navigate uncertainty in creative work. They share practical strategies for taking risks, staying productive, and turning ambiguity into progress.⁣ ⁣ What you'll learn in this episode: ✓ How to define outcomes when the path is unclear ✓ Time-boxing creative work is a key to staying on track ✓ Creating awareness around your creative work ✓ How to balance (experimentation + business value) ✓ Why stepping out of your comfort zone drives growth⁣ ⁣ Timestamps: (00:00) — Introduction: Uncertainty, Ambiguity, and Creative Risk (03:14) — Creative Risks and Finding Structure (06:48) — Defining Outcomes and Time-Boxing Exploration (11:46) — The AI Content Explosion (14:58) — AI Quality and Professional Craftsmanship (22:35) — Evolution of Design Tools: Photoshop to AI (26:02) — Staying Fluid in a Changing Landscape (30:30) — Sharing Progress and Leveraging Your Team (34:45) — The Blueprint: A Summary⁣ ⁣ Resources mentioned in the episode: - (case study) More Articles Are Now Created by AI Than Humans: https://graphite.io/five-percent/more-articles-are-now-created-by-ai-than-humans⁣ ⁣ Find Nik Sumeiko online - https://linkedin.com/in/niksumeiko - https://withnik.com - https://youtube.com/@niksumeiko⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ Find Marius Bauer online - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariusbauer - https://konvergenz.studio⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ --- Hosts: Nik Sumeiko, Marius Bauer Joe Gustilo (https://fiverr.com/producerelite)⁣ Podcast art & background music: Marius Bauer (https://konvergenz.studio) B-rolls: M-ART production (https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/m-art-production/776), AnnaStills (https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/annastills/747) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gestaltpodcast.substack.com

    36 min
  3. Successful freelance business is a system

    11/30/2025

    Successful freelance business is a system

    In this episode, Nik Sumeiko and Marius Bauer explain why a successful freelance business is a system. They break it into three simple parts: client acquisition, sales conversation, and delivery routine. Short, honest lessons from 15+ years of real experience doing freelancing.⁣ ⁣ What you'll learn: ✓ How to build a simple flow for finding clients. ✓ Why communication is a key (for freelancers). ✓ How to turn clients into long-term partners. ✓ How to nurture routines to deliver great work. ✓ Growing small initial projects into big opportunities.⁣⁣ ⁣ Timestamps: (00:00) — Episode intro (01:10) — Freelance business is a system (04:00) — Lead generation without ads or funnels (09:35) — Turning projects into long-term relationships (18:32) — Saying “no” to the wrong projects (26:14) — Communication skills = successful freelancing (29:20) — Risks, and learning from failure (32:17) — Building your delivery routines (37:22) — Craft and overdeliver⁣ ⁣ Resources and people mentioned in the episode: - (book) Designed by Apple in California: https://amzn.to/4pE23ci - (work reference) Microsoft Windows 8 official wallpaper design by Marius Bauer, 2013: https://www.konvergenz.studio/work/software. Also featured in The Verge: https://www.theverge.com/2013/1/4/3835160/windows-8-designer-reveals-early-startscreen-and-lockscreen-concepts - (TV series) The Bear: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bear_(TV_series) - Paula Monteiro: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-monteiro/ - Andreas Fötschl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreas-foetschl/ - Stratos Giouldasis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gousta/⁣ ⁣ Find Nik Sumeiko online - https://linkedin.com/in/niksumeiko - https://withnik.com - https://youtube.com/@niksumeiko⁣⁣ ⁣ Find Marius Bauer online - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariusbauer - https://konvergenz.studio⁣⁣ ⁣ --- Hosts: Nik Sumeiko, Marius Bauer Joe Gustilo (https://fiverr.com/producerelite)⁣ Podcast art & background music: Marius Bauer (https://konvergenz.studio) B-rolls: Arthur Cauty https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/arthur-cauty/520, Raven production https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/raven-production/1153, Yuki Film https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/yuki-film/1177.⁣ ⁣ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gestaltpodcast.substack.com

    39 min
  4. Healthcare, prototyping, and hiring with AI

    09/24/2025

    Healthcare, prototyping, and hiring with AI

    In this episode, Nik Sumeiko and Marius Bauer speak with Dr. Sven Jungmann — doctor, founder, and digital health innovator — about how AI changes healthcare, speeds up prototyping, and shifts what really matters when hiring. What you will learn: ✓ AI in healthcare and medical decisions. ✓ Prototyping faster, struggling with complex systems. ✓ Why communication and learning speed matter most. ✓ How design changes when AI handles first drafts. ✓ The key skills leaders look for when hiring with AI Resources mentioned in the episode - (research) Impact of Generative AI in Software Development: https://dora.dev/research/ai/gen-ai-report/ - (report + research) Doctors vs AI performance: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2825395, https://erictopol.substack.com/p/when-doctors-with-ai-are-outperformed, https://arxiv.org/pdf/2508.08224 - Episode from the NY Times podcast about education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQQtaWgIQmE - Antropic AI literacy course: https://anthropic.skilljar.com/ai-fluency-framework-foundations Find Dr. Sven Jungmann online (https://www.linkedin.com/in/svenjungmann · https://www.instagram.com/drsvenjungmann · https://www.aiomics.io/ · https://www.svenjungmann.de) Find Nik Sumeiko online (https://linkedin.com/in/niksumeiko · https://withnik.com⁣ · https://www.youtube.com/@niksumeiko)⁣ ⁣Find Marius Bauer online (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariusbauer · https://konvergenz.studio)⁣⁣⁣ ⁣ -- Hosts: Nik Sumeiko, Marius Bauer Guest: Dr. Sven Jungmann⁣ ⁣Editor: Joe Gustilo (https://fiverr.com/producerelite)⁣ ⁣Podcast art & background music: Marius Bauer (https://konvergenz.studio) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gestaltpodcast.substack.com

    33 min
  5. 11/22/2024

    Celebrating small daily wins

    Ever wondered how recognition of small victories leads to our personal and professional growth? Every day, we all have small victories (sometimes many). We complete tasks at work, teach our kids the next letter of the alphabet, or go for a run in the park. Do you notice these moments? Or consider them nothing special? In this episode, Nik Sumeiko and Marius Bauer explore the impact of recognizing and documenting small wins in our lives. Instead of a To-do list, we can create a Yoo-hoo list to boost our confidence, motivation, and professional growth.⁣ ⁣ What You'll Learn: ✓ The psychology behind small wins and why they matter ✓ Simple ways to recognize and celebrate everyday achievements ✓ How small wins can help you stay positive and keep growing ✓ Tips to handle life's ups and downs with a better mindset⁣ ⁣ Find Nik Sumeiko online (https://linkedin.com/in/niksumeiko · https://withnik.com⁣ · https://www.youtube.com/@niksumeiko) Find Marius Bauer online (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariusbauer · https://konvergenz.studio)⁣ ⁣ -- Hosts: Nik Sumeiko, Marius Bauer Editor: Joe Gustilo (https://fiverr.com/producerelite) Podcast art: Marius Bauer (https://konvergenz.studio) Background music: Happy Hour by Evert Z (https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/artist/evert-z/887) Stock Footage: AnnaStills (https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/annastills/747), MayaLab (https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/mayalab/874) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gestaltpodcast.substack.com

    34 min
  6. 10/28/2024

    AI tools we use daily

    Curious about how AI can simplify your life and supercharge your work? Join Nik Sumeiko and Marius Bauer as they discuss AI tools and their impact on our personal and professional lives. We will share personal stories and discuss AI for coding, design, research, and personal growth. Discover how these tools simplify tasks, enhance creativity, and reshape communication. What You'll Learn: ➤ How AI tools are transforming coding, design, and research for professionals. ➤ Ways to enhance creativity and simplify tasks with AI. ➤ Tips for using AI to streamline research and improve productivity. ➤ Insight into ethical concerns and future trends in AI. Download the AI Prompt Nik mentioned in the episode: https://tide-singer-99b.notion.site/AI-Coach-prompt-a5bf49edb6984d53b43587410f345a46 (it’s from my Notion notebook) Find Nik Sumeiko online (https://linkedin.com/in/niksumeiko · https://withnik.com⁣ · https://www.youtube.com/@niksumeiko) Find Marius Bauer online (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariusbauer · https://konvergenz.studio) -- Hosts: Nik Sumeiko, Marius Bauer Editor: Joe Gustilo (https://fiverr.com/producerelite) Art/design: Marius Bauer (https://konvergenz.studio) Background music: Deep Fried by Aves (https://artlist.io/royalty-free-music/artist/aves/1157) Stock Footage: Polina Borisova (https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/polina-borisova/524), Erwin de Boer (https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/erwin-de%20boer/632), Camilo Leal (https://artlist.io/stock-footage/artist/camilo-leal/773) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit gestaltpodcast.substack.com

    50 min

About

A podcast about the psychology, philosophy, tech, and everyday life of two successful digital creators. gestaltpodcast.substack.com