The How This Works show

Skipper Chong Warson

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The How This Works show

A regular rendezvous into a wide array of subjects with over 100 expert guests. Our second season is underway, offering even more captivating conversations on a plethora of subject matters such as service design, product design, recruitment, facilitation, research, coaching, and other adjacent areas. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us, leave a review, spread the word, and join our exploration!

2 DAYS AGO

Andy Polaine

In this episode, Andy Polaine, Dr. Polaine to some, talks about his career journey, starting with his background in film and interactive media, his transition into service design, and his current focus as a design leadership coach. Andy discusses his coaching approach, which is rooted in his experience as a designer, facilitator, and teacher. He also talks about some of what he's hearing from design leaders right now, emphasizing the importance of reading the room, even in a digital context, and how his work addresses common challenges faced by design leaders, such as imposter syndrome and the "leadership dip" — a period of uncertainty and self-doubt that can arise when transitioning into a leadership role. The interview also touches on the evolving role of design leadership in organizations and how designers can more effectively communicate the value of their work to stakeholders. Some topics discussed: Andy’s career began in the early '90s as an interaction designer, before "UX" or "user experience" were common terms He studied film, video, and photography, transitioning into interactive media, which later led him to meeting Ben Reason at LiveWork and getting into service design Andy was global Group Design Director of Client Evolution at Fjord and co-leads a Master’s program in service design in Switzerland Fluent in German and having lived in Australia, Germany, and the U.K., Andy developed a deep appreciation for cross-cultural communication and how we use language Andy describes his transition from filmmaking to design, drawn by the way multimedia integrates sound, video, and interactive elements — modes of storytelling persists today Andy’s coaching focuses on supporting design leaders through a number of phases, including "design leadership dip," a period uncertainty common at mid- and advanced-career stages, which he helps leaders navigate Andy shares his personal experience with imposter syndrome/phenomenon, emphasizing that it can affect anyone, regardless of background Andy highlights the skill of “reading the room," focusing on empathy, active listening, and participant engagement He discusses the nuances of digital coaching, using techniques like teleprompters and collaboration tools for increased effectiveness in virtual communication Andy reflects on the future of design, noting that designers must focus on discernment and answering the question, So what?! He concludes by emphasizing relationships, empathy, and plans for a book on the inner journey of design leadership, including "design leadership dip" He talks about the "assembly line" approach to design, likens it to AI — where the subject matter is being treated as a mere tool for rapid prototyping rather than a process for addressing user needs, almost like the discipline is being treated like a GPT itself, which reduces designers to carry out prompts Stay tuned until the end where we hear a behind the scenes (bts) snippet, a peek into our lives today, where we wait for Andy's wife to open/close some doors as she's seeing a patient at home while we're recording. Special Guest: Andy Polaine. Links: Ben ReasonJulian Simpson on Powers of TenMacroMind DirectorZX SpectrumFjord Fika (last updated in 2018)Carl JungImpostor syndrome, also known as impostor phenomenon"The Impostor Phenomenon in High Achieving Women: Dynamics and Therapeutic Intervention" by Pauline R. Clance and Suzanne A. Imes — Published in 1978The Leadership DipAndy's talking about the dip on his YouTube channelElgato PrompterDaniel Stillman - Good TalkMalcolm Gladwell's What the Dog SawPeter MerholzDave Gray's "Gamestorming"Dave Gray's "Selling to the VP of No" — (Amazon affiliate link)You're Inching Me Out — From the first season of Esther Perel's How's Work? They were mates in university before co-founding a successful communications company. They still work together from different coasts, but they barely speak. One wants to move on; the other is grasping for his

1h 6m
18 OCT

Joanne Weaver

Joanne Weaver, who co-runs a design recruiting agency in New York City, discussed her dual career in recruitment and music. She highlighted the importance of networking and tailoring job applications to specific roles. Joanne emphasized the need for efficiency in communication and the value of understanding both job seekers and clients. She shared her journey from starting her agency during a financial crisis to having built a successful business. Joanne also discussed the significance of connection and authenticity, both in her professional and personal life, recommended the show "Alone" for its exploration of human resilience, and talked about her semimonthly show on LinkedIn live with two other design recruiters, Jared Tredly and Erica Fortgang for Design:Unfiltered @DesignedXTalent Keep listening until after the outro music for a bit of tape from our first attempt at recording (Internet connection problems) where Joanne talks about how being a singer and being a performer helps to understand the clients and job seekers she works with. A few specific points from the episode: Joanne's work as a singer, including albums, performances, and cover songs Her musical style blends jazz and trip-hop, with inspiration from sci-fi and the Voyager probes Her indie band, Broanne, and their EP "We're Totally Blowing Up" Her view of the job of a recruiter: matching clients with candidates and guiding them through the hiring process Her journey started at a nanny agency in London, eventually leading her to start her own recruitment agency in New York City Initial struggles in starting her agency and stresses the importance of networking and building personal connections Meeting her business partner, Rebecca Levy, through a mutual connection — advice, "take the lunch" The need for taking breaks and disconnecting to recharge The 2008 financial crisis impacted her business but also led to new opportunities Tailoring resumes and portfolios to specific job opportunities A tip on standing out in the job market: be efficient and professional in communications Common fears like not being good enough and encourages leaning into those fears Strategies for overcoming anxiety: focus on service and giving to others Stresses authenticity and connecting with others in both personal and professional contexts The value of small moments of connection, which can lead to larger opportunities. The importance of connection and talking to people Recommendation for Tunde Oyeneyin's audiobook, "Speak" and the show "Alone" for its exploration of human connection and survival She plans to begin work on a cabaret show about an unnamed 80s/90s pop sensation, inspired by recently reading their biography Special Guest: Joanne Weaver. Links: Rebecca LeviSteve Jobs' commencement speech to Stanford’s 2005 graduating class — “Of course it was impossible to connect the dots looking forward when I was in college. But it was very, very clear looking backward ten years later,” Jobs said. “So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something-your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.”Twisted SpritzerRyan Adams - "Wonderwall" (Oasis cover)Simon Sinek on Design Matters in 2015 — With Debbie Millman"Speak" by Tunde Oyeneyin Tara Mohr's "Playing Big" Ted Lasso clip — When Rebecca "makes herself big" to build up courage Tony RobbinsAlone (TV series)Voyager Golden RecordJoanne Weaver GroupDesign:Unfiltered on LinkedInDesign:Unfiltered replays on YouTubeJoanne Weaver's music on SpotifyTwisted SpritzerBroanne

1h 16m
8 OCT

Carl Cleanthes

On this episode of the How This Works show, Skipper Chong Warson talks to Carl Cleanthes, founder of Epic Made, a creative content agency based in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Carl shares his entrepreneurial journey from selling timeshares to establishing an agency that now collaborates with top brands like SyFy, Nickelodeon, USA, TNT, and WWE. He discusses his passion for art and creativity, focusing on his exploration of NFTs as a way to immortalize his late father’s artwork. Throughout the conversation, Carl emphasizes the importance of living authentically, expressing emotions freely, and using his creativity to honor his father’s legacy. Key details from the episode: Carl describes himself as a "lifelong, ADHD, extroverted, creative kind of like counter culture, delightful weirdo," heavily influenced by his father’s art Early entrepreneurial ventures included earning money through in-game economics in Everquest After struggling with depression and dissatisfaction in traditional employment, Carl quit his IT job in 2007 and started his agency by hiring art school students, expanding into animation, illustration, and graphic design He embraces an unconventional lifestyle, incorporating barefoot walks, toe shoes, upcycling, and growing his own food The pandemic significantly impacted his business, pushing him to explore NFTs as a new creative outlet and revenue stream Carl launched an NFT project using his late father’s artwork, which he sees as both a healing journey and a new business direction He continues to honor his father’s creative legacy through live streaming sessions where he creates new art incorporating his father’s work Special Guest: Carl Cleanthes. Links: Epic Made — Carl Cleanthes' creative studioEverquest — A pioneering MMORPG released in 1999 that immerses players in the fantasy world of Norrath, where they can create characters, complete quests, and engage with others in a shared, persistent online environment. Old Dominion UniversityEpic Made's work includes Nickelodeon, SyFy, USA, network, TNT, and WWEChris Metzen — An American game designer, writer, and voice actor, best known for his influential work at Blizzard where he played a key role in the development of Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo. NFTs — Non-fungible tokenWeb3 — Web3 is a decentralized version of the internet that uses blockchain technology to give users control over their data, digital assets, and interactions, enabling peer-to-peer transactions and decentralized governance without relying on intermediaries.On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin — *On the Origin of Species* is Charles Darwin's seminal 1859 work that introduced the theory of natural selection, explaining how species evolve over time through the survival and reproduction of individuals best adapted to their environment. This groundbreaking book laid the foundation for modern evolutionary biology, challenging traditional views on the creation and diversity of life.About Time (2013) — A (romantic) comedy about a young man who discovers he can time travel, using his gift to improve his life, love, and relationships with Domhnall Gleeson, Rachel McAdams, Bill Nighy, Tom Hollander, and Margot Robbie among othersLive Streaming Art 8 PM ET EVERY Wed — Carl's weekly live-stream art showPixel Retentive podcast with Carl and Ross CiuppaColorful Carl — Colorful Carl, one of Carl's nicknames, is an artist, agency founder, and podcast host who combines his passions for digital art, animation, and storytelling.

1h 31m
11/12/2023

Jen Dary

Back in August, Skipper had a conversation with Jen Dary about her personal experiences and insights on leadership coaching, the importance of self-awareness and belief in one's abilities, Plucky's So Now You're a Manager (SNYaM), navigating the publishing industry, and prioritizing self-care in the coaching profession. Other topics include: Jen shares her experience as the oldest of three kids and how it influences her leadership style and ability to empathize with others (it might play it yours as well, dear listener) She highlights the importance of identifying a specific niche in coaching and how coaching is different from consulting Jen emphasizes the importance of setting a finite amount of time for coaching and encourages clients to come as long as they need and go when they're ready She primarily works with clients in technology, including engineers, designers, product managers, professors, academics, and doctors, with a majority of them being women Jen reflects on the importance of understanding one's purpose of work and encourages listeners to measure their current job against that purpose She talks more about So Now You're a Manager (SNYaM), a manager training program that she's developed at Plucky currently modeled after a part-time MBA plus, the importance of community and connection in learning, and the challenges of remote training Jen has observed a trend of people in the tech industry expressing a desire to retire earlier and wanting to "do their own thing" She talks about recently watching "The Andy Warhol Diaries," a six episode Netflix series, and having a greater understanding of the '70s and '80s Stay tuned until the end for an outtake around speaking French to a stranger on the train in front of her sons Special Guest: Jen Dary. Links: PluckyPlucky's So Now You're a ManagerThe Andy Warhol Diaries — In 2022, a Netflix series (titled after Warhol's 1989 book) puts on center stage the life and emotions of the artist after he was shot in 1968. The six episodes utilize Resemble AI and original recordings as Warhol narrates his own diary entries, accompanied by a cast of characters, including his friend Pat Hackett.Plucky's InstagramJen's InstagramDay Of Big Dreaming — Avail from today to end of January 2024, recommendedSNYaM 2024 — There are currently two (2) virtual So Now You're A Manager cohorts planned in 2024, dates are TBA, interested folks should pre-registerPlucky's podcast — This season, released earlier this year, featured eight (8) different mentors on a variety of topics, like negotiation, allyship, performance reviews, first impressions and more

1h 3m
03/11/2023

Karen Faith

Karen's personal and professional journey exploring different forms of art, including classical music and site-specific contemporary performance art Empathy and storytelling in design, perspective taking, and understanding the difference between empathy and caring The struggle with showing empathy towards oneself and the importance of non-judgment The concept of being an "a*****e" in social situations and intentional adjustment The unintended consequences of Karen's work on compassion and caring The virtue of patience and its role in creating oneness Practicing love and accepting all things without hierarchy or morality The idea of helpfulness versus rightness and an example of a deer The tagline for Others Unlimited and its focus on empathy, research, collaboration, and citizenship Exploring the relationship between mercy and justice The metaphor of polishing a rough gem and the importance of perspective-taking The importance of empathy, active listening, and being present Accepting others as they are and embracing the truth for personal growth The second season of FX's "The Bear" and the idea of watching television as a kind of babysitter A surprising answer from Karen to the question, "Imagine you unexpectedly had a day off, money was no object, you could bend the laws of space and time, what would you do?" Stay tuned for a bit of tape at the end where Karen and Skipper talk about one's "need to be right." Note from TED: Karen's talk linked below contains a discussion of suicidal ideation. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, please consult a mental health professional and/or support organization, as this talk is not a substitute for mental health advice. If you are struggling with self-destructive or suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 to connect with someone who can help. Special Guest: Karen Faith. Links: Others UnlimitedKaren's TEDx talk, "How to talk to the worst parts of yourself" around the subject of Unconditional WelcomeKaren's recorded workshop session on Empathy for A**holes at CreativeMorningsDesign Matters with Debbie Millman: Alex Bogusky and John BielenbergKaren talks to Joe Reichert on More Wiser about ethnography and everything else

1h 8m
30/05/2023

Zolt Levay

Zolt Levay is a photographer who has produced astronomical images from the Hubble Space Telescope and has spent a career describing the process of producing engaging color images from Hubble data. Now, he has his sights set on matters closer to home, working on more terrestial matters. During this conversation, Skipper and Zolt talk about how images are produced from the Hubble Space Telescope, the importance of being curious, how professional telescopes don't "see" in color, the size of 24 million soda straws, Ansel Adams, the notion of time travel, and his more recent hobby of astrophotography. Stay tuned until the end for a clip on how to pronounce Zolt's first and last name the Hungarian way. Special Guest: Zolt Levay. Links: Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI)The NASA Hubble Space TelescopeRGB color modelThe Pillars of CreationCarina NebulaAnsel AdamsSky & Telescope - astrophotography tipsCloudyNights.comMauna Kea ObservatoriesCerro Tololo Inter-American ObservatoryAurora at Yellowknife, CanadaThe NASA James Webb Space TelescopeZolt Levay's photography siteZolt Levay's 2015 TEDx talk

53 min
19/05/2022

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong

The last time we talked with Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, it was Dec 2020. Now, it's May 2022 — 17 months later. A lot has changed and in some ways it feels like nothing has changed. This time around, we get into current details around coronavirus/COVID, what's happening now/the current state, and what the future looks like. We recorded this episode over two sessions and along the way we get into many topics, including the notion of reinfections (more and more common with Omicron), how the testing numbers may not reflect actual cases with more and more home testing (and some people not testing at all), how an at-home test is different than a PCR test, and the current slate of variants — BA.1, BA.2, BA2.12.1, BA.4, BA.5, XE, etc. We also touch on COVID therapies including Paxlovid, an oral antiviral treatment, and Evusheld, monoclonal antibodies. As well, we talked about some of what Dr. Chin-Hong is concerned about in the future — including avian flu and influenza along with the idea that diseases like valley fever (coccidioidomycosis) have been creeping up over the last few years because we as humans are settling into areas (more rural, for instance) that large groups of us haven't been before. And then, we end the show by talking about his work as a professor of medicine and educator at University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) — what teaching medicine has looked like the last few years with students (and teachers) as little blobs on a screen. Stay tuned until the end of the episode for a longer bit about the flu that didn't really have a place anywhere else. Special Guest: Dr. Peter Chin-Hong. Links: SF Chronicle: How California’s COVID numbers compare to the last time its mask mandate was liftedPBS News Hour: Dr. Fauci on why the U.S. is ‘out of the pandemic phase’ — Originally posted Apr 26, 202213 things to know about Paxlovid, the latest COVID-19 pillThe Guardian: Why are there so many new Omicron subvariants, like BA.4 and BA.5? Is the virus mutating faster?The Commonwealth Fund: Impact of U.S. COVID-19 Vaccination Efforts: An Update on Averted Deaths, Hospitalizations, and Health Care Costs Through March 2022Evusheld Antibody Treatment for COVID-191918-1920 flu epidemicFaculty Interview: Peter Chin-Hong, MDPeter Chin-Hong Explores Identity and History in 2021 Last Lecture

52 min
15/06/2021

Skipper Chong Warson

Recorded in their child's bedroom on a weekday, Laura and Skipper chat about his academic background in writing (English literature, playwriting) as well as his professional background as a product design director (think desktop and mobile apps among other mediums) and how that plays into storytelling, most recently resulting in the creation of How This Works, this podcast. They also talk about their life together — newsflash: they're married and living in the San Francisco Bay area, having moved from New York City a couple of years ago. Along the way, they get into some of the differences between life in SF and NYC. They also talk about their upcoming wedding anniversary after getting married next to Jane's Carousel in Brooklyn Bridge Park. Along with talk about his name change from Starr to Skipper (and not Optimus Prime) at the age of seven, they bring in a few questions posed from the listening audience including lessons learned from the first season of the show, calling people the name they want to be called, how crucial listening is in making a podcast, the ubiquity of imposter syndrome, using the five (5) whys to get to the root cause of a challenge as developed by Sakichi Toyoda at the Toyota Motor Corporation, team falling asleep during movies versus team staying awake during movies, and why Skipper color codes versus alphabetizing the books in his background — see photo below. View of the three shelves behind Skipper's standing desk Laura and Skipper also reference the following previous episodes, in order of being published, including: Jack Kahana, the first episode Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, the third episode Selena Rosanbalm, the sixth episode Cassandra Carlopio, the 15th episode Kat Hantas and Nicole Emanuel from 21Seeds, the 17th episode Sally McRae, the 18th episode Piper Payne, the 20th episode Stay tuned after the outro music for a bit of tape where Skipper pauses for a bit of background noise and how from where Laura's sitting, the microphone makes it looks like his nose is a black bit of foam. Special Guest: Skipper Chong Warson. Links: American Museum of Natural History in New York CityHow to move across the country with design thinking, pt. 1 of 2How to move across the country with design thinking, pt. 2 of 2Making "Black Sabbath" and "Paranoid"Design Voices from Fjord‎Fjord Fika on Apple podcastsImposter syndromeStarbar"Outliers: The Story of Success" by Malcolm GladwellJane's Carousel1922 Ohio carousel in Brooklyn besieged by SandyDetermine The Root Cause: 5 WhysWhy do many mistakenly think human blood is sometimes blue?SNL season 46 finale cold open - What I Remember About this Year‎John Wick (2014)‎The Matrix (1999)Keanu ReevesThe Mosquito Coast on Apple TV+‎The Mosquito Coast (1986)The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux‎The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)‎Wireframe with Adobe’s Khoi VinhInvisibilia from NPR99% InvisibleAdrianne Lenker (from Big Thief)PrinceJapanese BreakfastBillie EilishBTSBTS performs 'Fix You' (Coldplay cover) from MTV UnpluggedBLACKPINKCustom lathe cut vinyl records from Vinylus"St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves" by Karen RussellIntro and outro song: "Zombie Nation" by Jose Travieso

1h 8m

TRAILER

Series trailer

On How This Works, we will talk to people about some topic that they know incredibly well. Earlier this year, the COVID-19 pandemic came upon us — shutting down workplaces, schools, and, basically, our lives came to a standstill. And with it came lots of questioning facts, opinions, and authority in general. And so, we wanted to find out more about how other people had come into their beliefs and how they've become an expert in their specific worlds. Maybe it's something they do for work, maybe it's a hobby, maybe it's something in between. All of that to say, we're going to talk to 100 people — some are folks we already know, many of whom we haven't met yet — and have them explain how this works, this being something they know very well. The first episode with Jake Kahana will launch on Dec 1, 2020. p.s. You know that feeling, of being so excited that you can hardly wait for the first day of school and yet you're so nervous you're afraid you're going to throw up? That's how we feel right now.

S1

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2 min

A regular rendezvous into a wide array of subjects with over 100 expert guests. Our second season is underway, offering even more captivating conversations on a plethora of subject matters such as service design, product design, recruitment, facilitation, research, coaching, and other adjacent areas. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us, leave a review, spread the word, and join our exploration!

Creator

Skipper Chong Warson
Years Active

2020 - 2024
Episodes

31
Rating

Explicit
Copyright

© 2024 How This Works co
Show Website

The How This Works show

Documentary

Documentary

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