Experience by Design

Gary David
  • 4.9 (9)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

This is Experience by Design, a podcast that brings new perspectives to the experiences we have everyday. Does standing in line always have to suck? Why are airports so uncomfortable? What does it mean to be loyal to a brand? Why do you love being connected but dislike feeling tethered to your smart phone? Can we train people to care about the climate? Join Sociologist Gary David and Anthropologist Adam Gamwell on an expedition to the frontiers of culture and business through the lens of human experience. We're here to make sense of the madness with leading psychologists, cognitive and social scientists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.

  1. 3h ago

    Intentional AI and Enterprise Success with Demetri Papazissis

    I’m recording this episode a week early as I’m on vacation with my family up in Lake Placid, New York, a beautiful spot that we have been going to for close to 20 years. One of the nice things about going to a familiar place is all the constants that are there. Things like Mirror Lake, the Olympic Oval, the Ski Jump, the lovely High Peaks mountains. All of it is a nice reminder of past summers and current adventures. For some, this might all seem boring, but for me it is something that I know will be there, some kind of regulating force in a constantly changing world. But there are changes as well. It always is interesting, and a little depressing, to see what stores have closed and what new ones have replaced them. Such is the way with entrepreneurship: there are successes and, well, not so successes. I always admire people who take the initiative to start something new, and can imagine the dreams that are bound up into these ventures. When I go back to Lake Placid, it is easy to mourn those businesses that are no longer there, and be hopeful for those who are. Today’s episode of Experience by Design is about the long-running story of entrepreneurship, together with the new unfolding story of AI. Demetri Papazissis hails from Greece, which has a long history of entrepreneurship (especially with immigrants who have spread around the world). He continues that legacy with the company Superbo, which is an enterprise-wide AI agent company. Superbo uses what it describes as “Four capability layers that provide enterprise data semantics, AI agent governance, runtime compliance controls, and operational oversight” to provide solutions for clients.  This conversation is about more than Superbo. It also is about the spirit of entrepreneurship in Demetri’s life, especially focusing on agility and freedom in the entrepreneur’s journey. However, he describes his own experiences as an entrepreneur as 80% negative and 20% positive. This leads to a broader conversation about whether people are being encouraged to be entrepreneurs when that lifestyle may not be right for them.  We talk about the impact of AI in terms of work, the economy, and society. We discuss the challenges of strategic adoption of technology, seeing ways that companies fail to implement because they don’t have the strategy and support to succeed. He notes that successful AI implementation requires a partnership approach, involving not just technological guidance but also helping organizations address internal structural and relationship issues. He also talks about how he is self-taught at piano, leading to admission to the Berklee College of Music here in Boston. Being there taught him the value of creativity and thinking outside of the proverbial box. Overall, it was a great chat about risk-taking, creativity, changing times, constant themes, and also Demetri’s great hair.  Demetri Papazissis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/demetripapazissis/ Superbo Website: https://superbo.ai/ Superbo Big Idea: https://www.businessage.com/post/my-big-idea-enterprise-ai-superbo

    Intentional AI and Enterprise Success with Demetri Papazissis

  2. Jul 10

    Leading and Navigating Changes with Danielle Bennett

    Working from home over the summer, primarily working on the Un-WOW book but other things as well, I get to see what passes for daytime television today. It takes me back to my childhood a little when I would be at my grandparent’s home during the summer months where they would watch me. This was in the archaic before-times, when cable television didn’t exist. Although in Detroit we were living pretty large because we were able to get the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (or CBC) with our antenna. Even with this expanded option, my grandmother’s TV was always tuned to the daytime soap operas, including the long-running One Life to Live. The show ran for 21 seasons, from 1968 to 2013. Being young, I never quite captured what was going on, but it all seemed pretty dramatic.  It is an interesting concept to ponder having ‘one life to live.’ In a biological sense, that might be inarguable given that we are alive for a finite period of time. On the other hand, it is completely inaccurate. If you think about your own life, there are probably many different ‘lives’ that you have lived. We might even think of them as stages in our lives, where we end one thing only to begin another. At some point, to quote The Talking Heads David Byrne, “And you may ask yourself, Well, how did I get here?” Beats me. Some parts of my life seem many lifetimes ago. I don’t even know who that person was. I can see glimpses of him, but that person isn’t here anymore. All that’s left is me right now, and even that is transitory.  So, many lives and many transitions in one’s life. In fact, we can say that life is about transformation and transition, changing and becoming. Much more than just one life to live.  My guest on Experience by Design today Danielle Bennett has, like all of us, undergone some transitions in her life. First was her stint in the Navy, working first on the surface fleet and in the air service, and then on submarines, where she learned valuable lessons in leadership and how small errors can lead to major consequences. Then there was the transition out of the Navy due to a medical discharge, meaning finding her place and purpose in civilian life. There also was the transition to being a franchise owner and entrepreneur, as well as consultant and coach. Additionally, there was her gender transition to becoming a woman, making the decision to become Danielle. We talk about lessons learned from the Navy, especially in the Silent Service, such as when a lack of coffee filters required immediate action. She also talks about how coaching girls softball and coaching business leaders can be very similar in that they both require helping guide people get the most out of themselves. Danielle uses the mantra of “Chin up, chest out” to promote pride in facing transitions with resilience. Danielle also shares how she works with clients to improve organizational systems, especially in the aerospace and defense industries.  Finally, Danielle talks about her book “Leadership Voltage: Capturing Lightning with Triadic Balance,” where she emphasizes “Growth is everything” and leaders need to empower (rather than manage). She also shares her business academy DS7 Precision, offering 12-14 weeks intensive coaching programs.  LEARN MORE: Danielle Bennett on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellejoleighbennett/ Danielle Bennett Website: https://www.daniellejoleighbennett.com/   Radiant Legacy Collective: https://www.radiantlegacycollective.com/   DS7 Precision: https://ds7precision.com/   “Leadership Voltage”: https://www.amazon.com/Leadership-Voltage-Capturing-Lightning-Triadic/dp/B0GVNBYGHF/

    Leading and Navigating Changes with Danielle Bennett

  3. Jul 3

    Future of Storytelling Experiences with Charles Melcher

    As I have been going through this book writing journey, one of the most interesting parts has been the focus on storytelling. In academic writing, there tends to be more of a focus on a kind of sanitized relating of “facts” in a very disimpassioned way. Also, there is the verbose tendency to describe things, using many words to explain simple things.  If words equaled money, academics would be the richest people in the world. But more words doesn’t equal greater understanding and better storytelling. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. It is not how much we say, but how we say it. What makes for a good storyteller is that they know how to say it.   Being able to tell a story shouldn’t be that hard since it is a part of our human experience and existence. Afterall, this is how people have shared information for a long time. So why is it so hard to write that way? Why are we so often insecure in terms of telling stories and communicating with others in that form? It is true that being a good storytelling is an art, but it is also science. There are elements that we can break down as part of storytelling. And today, there is more dazzling technology to assist in immersing people in the stories being told. However, at its core, it is still about telling a story that captures the attention and imagination of the audience, to bring others into the space that is being described. I’m very pleased to have today on Experience by Design podcast Charles Melcher, master storyteller, creator, and founder of Melcher Press as well as the Future of StoryTelling, a live event that focused on new developments at the intersection of storytelling and technology. Finally, there is the book “The Future of Storytelling” which is a visually engaging and wonderfully creative exploration on emerging directions of telling stories and engaging audiences.  With all of that experience, he clearly has a lot to say and share about storytelling. We talk about his early journey at Yale, where he studied literary criticism. He talks about his exploration of Robert Frank’s photography, capturing experiences and telling stories through images. The examination of Frank would go on to exert a significant influence on how Charles thought about images and stories.  We discuss the balance between artistic expression and commercial appeal in publishing, sharing his experiences in high-end art books and commercially viable projects. Charles also talks about trying to balance technological wonder with intimacy, sharing examples of where he tried to combine intimate moments but in a large-scale production. Part of this is engaging the audience, preferring the term “Actians” which captures the active role of audiences in modern storytelling. Finally, we talk about worldbuilding and immersive storytelling, creating the potential for surface entertainment and deeper narrative engagement, allowing audience members to customize their experience based on the level they choose to engage with the immersive environment (much like literary criticism). He shares how this is part of his most recent project, the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, which opens this July 4th weekend in Medora, North Dakota. As he describes, the library aims to help visitors embody Roosevelt’s values and experiences. As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States this weekend, it is a great time to explore telling complex stories that enrich, educate, entertain, and immerse. Charles Melcher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlesmelcher/ Melcher Media: https://melcher.com/ The Future of Storytelling event: https://futureofstorytelling.org/ “The Future of Storytelling” book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1648293832 Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library: https://www.trlibrary.com/

    Future of Storytelling Experiences with Charles Melcher

  4. Jun 26

    Financial Learning Experiences with Mike Milligan

    If you are a long-time listener to Experience by Design, you know that I work at a business university that has its foundations as a school for training in accounting and finance. Since its founding in 1917, not much has changed in terms of that focus. We are still primarily known for our education in accounting and finance. When I first started there (almost 27 years ago now), I really had no idea what finance was or what was involved in it. I’m sorry to say that I’m only slightly more informed today. I still find finance a bit of a black box despite my years of service and conversations with my Finance department colleagues. I’m definitely not alone in this. As we have discussed in other episodes of Experience by Design, financial literacy is pretty low overall. Repeated surveys have shown that around half of US adults are financially literate. That number drops further when the topic focuses on financial risk. When comparing different generations, not surprisingly younger generations suffer from a lack of financial literacy. We all could use some extra help in terms of financial literacy, financial planning, and fiscal responsibility. Today on Experience by Design, I welcome Mike Milligan to the show. Mike grew up being fascinated by money. Today, he runs 1 Oak  Financial, which stands for “one of a kind”. Along with his work with clients, he also has created a financial planning online course which is offered through Old Dominion University (where he also teaches). He also wrote the book “The One of a Kind Financial Plan.” What is really great about Mike’s approach is that he tailors his planning and strategy to his client, creating a client-centric experience that helps them break free from the traditional approaches that can take advantage of clients. We talk about generational divides in financial literacy and planning, looking at spending and saving trends among Gen Z and even Gen Alpha. Mike emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to understanding markets, trends, and financial risk with changing job markets and emerging technology. He shares how he tailors client education to generational characteristics, trying to meet clients where they are in order to have the maximum learning impact. Toward this end, we also talk about his new book project “Amplify”, which explores how podcasting and social media have become resources for financial literacy. As he emphasizes, the microphone is the most powerful tool in the financial industry. Finally, we also talk about his favorite mermaid in Norfolk, Virginia where he lives. He discusses the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, especially in locations of colonial heritage and extensive US history like Boston, Philadelphia, and Norfolk. Plus we share how great sociology is.  Mike Milligan Website: https://www.mikemilligan.com/ Mike Milligan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemilligancfp/ 1.oak Financial: https://1oakfinancial.com/ Ideas by Mike Podcast: https://ideas-by-mike.blubrry.net/ The One of a Kind Financial Plan: https://www.amazon.com/One-Kind-Financial-Plan-Actually/dp/1967587027/

    Financial Learning Experiences with Mike Milligan

  5. Jun 19

    Human-Centered Experiences with Gerry Scullion

    I have some pretty exciting news to announce, and I’m glad to be doing it here first. I have completed my book manuscript, tentatively titled The Un-WOW: A Guide to Experiences Designs of All Kinds. You will notice the subtitle is taken from Experience by Design podcast, where we explore experience designs of all kinds. In the manuscript, I take a lot from guests I have talked to over the years. One thing that I have learned in that experiences come in different types, shapes, and packages. As experience designers, the world is our palette on which we can make our figurative marks.  One of the key premises of the manuscript is that we don’t have to create grand, well-orchestrated, staged WOW experiences to make a difference. In fact, most of our lives are made up of The Un-WOW, mundane everyday experiences that are more spontaneous than staged. These experiences can’t be completely pre-arranged and programmed, relying on people connecting on a more human (and humane) level. As experience designers, we might create the contours of these moments, but we can’t (and shouldn’t) control them.  So the manuscript is part experience design philosophy, part strategy, part how-to guide, and hopefully all entertaining. I’ll soon be launching some pre-publishing publicity and marketing, so stay tuned for that. These themes are present on this episode of Experience by Design as well. In fact, I used this conversation in the manuscript! Today I chat with Gerry Scullion, consultant and founder of the agency Humana, keynote speaker, host of This is HCD podcast (the number 1 human-centered design podcast in the world), and organizer of the Human Centered Design Network. With all of that going on, plus with his over 20 years of experience, he has a lot to say about service design, user experience, and more generally human-centered design. He tells of how he was self-taught in the UX space, embracing a ‘fake it till you make it’ approach. We talk about how it is the little touches that can have the biggest impact on our experiences. We explore doing experience design work in the government and social service sector. He describes the challenges of innovation in bureaucracy. Gerry shares the importance of finding opportunities to create a more humane experience when people are at their most vulnerable. He tells of how he loves being able to help and support people when they are in the greatest need, and how experience design work provides the opportunity to have that impact.  There was plenty more in the conversation. I learned so much I included it in my manuscript!  Gerry Scullion Website: https://gerryscullion.com/ Gerry Scullion on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gerryscullion/ Humana Design: https://humana.design/ This is HCD Podcast: https://www.thisishcd.com/

    Human-Centered Experiences with Gerry Scullion

  6. Jun 12

    Exponential Leadership with Reed Nyffler

    Despite it being the summer months, I’ve started helping out with coaching Nordic skiing junior athletes who are part of a ski club. It has been a fun journey, which has included getting a coaching certification through the US Ski and Snowboard Association. Recently, I’ve been working with some athletes on a weekly training run, because after all fast skiers are made in the summer. Being back with a club has given me the chance to catch up with another coach, who is a friend and training partner who also happens to be a very accomplished scholar at a neighboring university. After the run, we were chatting in the parking lot (as runners will do after a run) about our work. He told me about an interesting project he is starting up. It involves looking at the many universities around the world are launching programs in entrepreneurship, and also how entrepreneurs are portrayed in popular culture in different countries. We got to talking about it and also got me to thinking about the nature of entrepreneurship in all of its forms. After all, Google was started as an entrepreneurial effort. So was Apple. And Microsoft. The list goes on about major companies that started out as small businesses.  I don’t know that we would count these multinationals as entrepreneurial efforts any longer. I’m not sure these big corporations hold a lot in common with local businesses. Or maybe they still have a lot in common. The differences in their sizes obscure the shared feelings of anxiety that must have existed when starting out, drawn by the lure of owning something. I’ve known people who had very successful corporate careers, only to leave them to start their own consulting business. I also have known people who left similar careers to open restaurants. People are drawn to being their own boss for a variety of reasons, but in every case one of the things that can determine success in company growth is how effective a leader you are.  Today on Experience by Design, I welcome Reed Nyffeler to the show. Reed is a lifeline entrepreneur who has founded a number of companies. This includes Signal (a security company), Filtergo (a HVAC filter replacement company), and Framebrand, “a development company that helps franchise brands scale more effectively.” He also is the author of the book “Transform through Purpose: Your Path to Living an Authentic and Intentional Life,” as well as his new book “Lead Exponentially.” In his new book, he explores themes around authentic and empowered leadership, creating environments and examples that will live on for generations. In our conversation, we talk about how his sociology minor was one of the key factors in his success, especially in decision making and leadership. Reed relates his experiences working for Black and Decker and DeWalt Power Tools, and how too much choice can lead to customer confusion. He shares how they came up with “Gusty”, the brand character behind FilterGo, and how fun and playful stands out against conventional and boring. Finally, we talk about the role of creativity in business and education, highlighting the importance of risk-taking in American culture and as an essential element in economic success.  It’s a great conversation about culture, entrepreneurship, brand, and leadership. Reed Nyffeler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reednyffeler/ Reed Nyffeler Website: https://reednyffeler.com/ “Lead Exponentially”: https://www.amazon.com/Lead-Exponentially-Developing-Authentic-Intentional/dp/B0DZ8QVP9Y “Transform Through Purpose”:  https://www.amazon.com/Transform-Through-Purpose-Authentic-Intentional/dp/B0DPLCRJZG

    Exponential Leadership with Reed Nyffler

  7. Jun 5

    Greater Good Experiences with Sara Cantor

    I think it is part of getting older that you start to think of your past not as one singular life, but a series of lives that have culminated into wherever you are at the moment. The passage of time allows for that perspective, but I suppose a five year old is going to think in similar terms of where did the time go, it was just yesterday that I was four (which in fact, it was). We all go through episodes and identities and phases, which can involve different outfits and hats and accessories. It can be a fun ride. Perhaps in a sense reincarnation isn’t about coming back from a previous life in a literal sense, but how we evolve in this one. In one of my past lives, I worked at United Way Community Services. For those not familiar, United Way serves as a conduit to disseminate funds to partner social service agencies. I was doing research in the Research and Data Services division. It was a good way to be introduced to the world of social services and non-profits, developing a deep appreciation for their work and the challenges associated with their work. The degree to which it is challenging is proportionate to how vital it is. In the land of profit-margins and mass consumption, social services are often misunderstood and ignored (except by those who need their work). My guest today on Experience by Design describes herself as a “pissed-off optimist.” You have to be both to do the work that she does at Greater Good Studios. Sara Cantor went to graduate school for human-centered design, then applying her skills and passion in retail spaces. Further work with major corporations left her wanting to do more and have a greater impact. This led her to co-found “a design firm dedicated to the social sector.” Rather than moving product, their goal is to build “a more equitable society” through work that is “more inclusive, innovative, and impactful.” We talk about her journey to the work that speaks her passion today. She recalls transitioning from engineering into design. Sara describes her work in projects like creating marketing materials for maternal and infant mortality prevention programs. She talks about the importance of involving those directly impacted by social services in the design and decision-making processes. She shares her experience working to develop initiatives aimed at increasing homeownership for families that were traditionally locked out. We also discuss designers as social justice catalysts, addressing social injustice, channeling anger productively, and motivating positive change.  And I have to say this is a very motivational conversation about what can be accomplished through good design. Sara Cantor on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/saracantor/ Greater Good Studio: https://greatergoodstudio.com/ Greater Good Studio on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/greater-good-studio/

    Greater Good Experiences with Sara Cantor

  8. May 29

    Leading in Uncertain Times with Marianne Bachynski

    It is indeed an exciting time to be alive. I’m not talking about AI, but OTAs, or Organized Team Activities in the National Football League. Non-contact football practices have just commenced. Our hometown heroes the New England Patriots are coming off a very successful season, which unfortunately ended in the Patriots getting shellacked by the Seattle Seahawks (so much so I stopped watching the game).  If Patriots fans thought that was the low point of this year, recent stories around the head coach Mike Vrabel’s personal activities (shall we say) have raised questions around how successful this season is going to be. Being a leader can require a lot of focus to the task at hand. If you can’t focus, can you lead? Or, is there going to be a level of distraction interfering with the focus that is needed to succeed at that level.  It seems that the only story getting more press than the Mike Vrabel saga is the artificial intelligence saga. AI is impossible to escape in the press and in our lives. When I was at the FTT Fintech and Customer Alpha event, every session had some discussion about AI. In these discussions, it is interesting to hear the ever fluctuating claims about how essential AI is to a company’s success. There are stories about how it is vital to success, as well as stories about how it is going to contribute to failure. There is a lot of space in between those extremes to add further stories.  These discussions raise the question about what it means to “embrace technology.” There is a difference between a company embracing technology and becoming beholden to it. We are seeing many companies becoming beholden to AI. Some companies are becoming beholden by making the decision to turn their operations to AI, reducing headcount, and dealing with the aftermath if the expected returns have not materialized. Or, they are now seeing the price of tokens being significantly increased. Other companies, by comparison, are embracing technology by finding areas where its use fits and is appropriate. Adoption involves whether technology is seen as a tool or technology as a determinant.  It all comes down to leadership, and making strategic decisions in times of uncertainty.  This is why we have this week on Experience by Design Marianne Bachynski, Chief Information Officer, Author, Speaker, and Strategic Advisor. Marianne’s expertise lies in aligning IT Operations and Business Strategies to achieve organizational goals and foster sustainable growth. There perhaps is no better time to engage a conversation around strategic use of technology than now.  In our chat, Marianne suggests that AI can unlearn more quickly due to its objective nature and the ability to be retrained, but it lacks empathy and can have unchecked bias unless trained by humans. In other words, why we still need humans in the loop. We also discuss how new technology creates opportunities for experimentation and innovation, but only if we are not relying on it just to replicate what we’ve done in the past.  Marianne stresses that especially in times of rapid technological change, success comes down to people and how culture still matters. We have to hire curious people to begin with, and continue to engage them around the what and why of your decisions. People need to be shown that they still matter, and that we are all in this together.  This includes people at all levels of the organization. Marianne describes how her end of summer meeting with interns was her favorite meeting because of the unique perspectives and creative ideas that were shared. Marianne highlights the need for leaders to shift from micromanaging to influencing and coaching, while also fostering a sense of community and shared purpose. Marianne shares her hope that her book, Fit for Uncertainty, would help readers change their leadership approach and build coping skills for stress. Ultimately, Marianne shares that leaders of all kinds need to have the humility that allows them to say “I don’t know” and be open to learning from many different voices, which still includes human intelligence. Marianne Bachynski Website: https://mariannebachynski.com/ Marianne Bachynski on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marianne-bachynski/ Fit for Uncertainty: Lead with Purpose, Adapt to Change: https://mariannebachynski.com/book/

    Leading in Uncertain Times with Marianne Bachynski
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About

This is Experience by Design, a podcast that brings new perspectives to the experiences we have everyday. Does standing in line always have to suck? Why are airports so uncomfortable? What does it mean to be loyal to a brand? Why do you love being connected but dislike feeling tethered to your smart phone? Can we train people to care about the climate? Join Sociologist Gary David and Anthropologist Adam Gamwell on an expedition to the frontiers of culture and business through the lens of human experience. We're here to make sense of the madness with leading psychologists, cognitive and social scientists, entrepreneurs, and business leaders.

Information

  • Creator
    Gary David
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    182
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Experience By Design
  • Show Website
    Experience by Design