Get a seat at the table and build the design career you want. This podcast is for designers looking to break in, level up, and take control of their careersâwhether you're freelancing, climbing the corporate ladder, or just trying to get noticed. Every two weeks, we dive into career fundamentals, design best practices, and the hottest topics in the design community.
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Landing Design Gigs Podcasts
Welcome to The Laylee Emadi Podcastâthe show for creative entrepreneurs who are ready to step into the spotlight as educators, speakers, and industry leaders. Whether youâre building your first course, booking stages, or scaling your impact, this is your space for candid conversations, actionable strategies, and the real talk no one else is having. Host Laylee Emadi is a speaker, coach, and founder of The Creative Educator Conference, helping you grow your influence without losing your authe ...
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(Live) Senior Product Designers Solve a Real User Adoption Problem
53:04
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53:04In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick attempt something different: a live, real-time brainstorm where two senior product designers tackle an actual business problem â low feature adoption and poor upgrade conversion. Companies keep shipping features that barely anyone uses. New tiers launch and⊠crickets. PMs blame âawarenessââŠ
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Crucial Tips to Go from Product Design Graduate to Your First Product Design Job
51:39
51:39
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51:39In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick discuss the big gap between what UX education teaches you and what real product design work looks like on the job. Most junior designers leave school excited to âhelp usersâ and âmake the world a better placeâ only to slam face first into business goals, tech debt, and stakeholders who wanâŠ
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227: The Speaker Selection Process: What Event Organizers Look for in Speaker Applications ft. Jamie Fisher & Heather Leicy
8:12
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8:12Want to know what really happens after you hit submit on your speaker pitch? Itâs easy to feel like your application disappears into a void, but today, weâre pulling back the curtain on the process that Conquer Live hosts take. I sat down with Jamie Fiscer and Heather Leicy to uncover what goes on behind the scenes when hosts choose speakers for thâŠ
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226: 10 Insider Tips from Event Hosts on What Makes a Speaker Stand Out
7:51
7:51
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7:51What do event hosts actually look for when they book speakers? I sat down with 10 powerhouse event hosts who not only curate stages, but often speak on them too, and asked exactly that. In this episode, Iâm pulling back the curtain to bring you their top 10 tips. These arenât just theories; theyâre what real decision-makers are looking for when theâŠ
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Why UX Coaching is the Shortcut Your Design Career Needs
53:05
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53:05In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick figure out the hard truth about why so many UX and product designers struggle to get hired. Hint: it is not your (lack of) Figma skills. They discuss best practices and advice from their experience as UX coaches. From confidence gaps to portfolios that all look the same to the finding out âŠ
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225: How to Show Up and Stand Out as a Speaker ft. Joanna Waterfall
5:10
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5:10Itâs not just what you say on stageâitâs how you show up in the room. In this snack sized episode, Joanna Waterfall shares what really makes a speaker memorable from a hostâs perspective. Spoiler: itâs not just a killer keynote. Joanna gets real about the importance of showing up authentically before, during, and after your talk. We talk about how âŠ
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Are unpaid speaking gigs worth it or a complete waste of your time? In this episode, Iâm pulling back the curtain on a question that every industry educator and speaker eventually asks: âShould I take the stage if Iâm not getting paid?â Youâll hear from powerhouse speakers and event hosts like Jordan Gill, Elizabeth Henson, Amber Housely, Kristina âŠ
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10 Years of Conversion Secrets: UX Design Hacks That Actually Make Money
47:20
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47:20In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick share conversion optimization secrets they've learned over their combined 20 years of design experience. From the psychology behind high-converting ads to the small tweaks that always boost your landing page performance, they share the tactics that have moved the needle for many of the desâŠ
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223: How Conference Budgets Impact Who Gets Paid (And Who Doesnât) ft. Christina Olivarez
4:54
4:54
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4:54Ever wondered why some speakers get paid and others donât? This episode spills the truth. In this honest, behind-the-scenes convo with Christina Olivarez, founder of Hustle + Socialize, we dig into what it really takes to build a sustainable eventâespecially when it comes to speaker pay. This is a raw and real look at how Christina balances value wâŠ
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222: Creative Industry Speaker Pay: The Truth Behind Compensation Models
27:54
27:54
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27:54Money talk is always juicy, especially when it comes to speaker fees. In this behind-the-scenes episode, Iâm doing something different: Iâve interviewed multiple event hosts to get their real, unfiltered takes on how they approach speaker compensation. Whether youâve ever wondered why some gigs are unpaid or what kind of value you can still gain wiâŠ
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Design Mythbusters: 6 UX Myths That Hold Designers Back in 2025
52:10
52:10
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52:10In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick become the "Design Mythbusters" and tackle the biggest misconceptions about UX design that both designers and non-designers believe. From the idea that UX is just about making things pretty to the pressure of getting everything right the first time, they bust (or confirm) myths that hold yâŠ
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221: Why Audience Size Doesnât Matter Anymore for Landing Speaking Gigs ft. Kristina Bartold
3:43
3:43
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3:43If youâve ever thought, âI just need more followers to get bookedââthis oneâs for you. Followers donât equal stages. In this snack-size episode, Iâm sharing a powerful moment from my full interview with Kristina Bartold of High Vibe Women, available exclusively inside the Sought-After Speaker System course. Kristina has reviewed countless speaker aâŠ
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220: What Conference & Event Hosts are Looking for in Speaker Pitches
37:33
37:33
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37:33If youâve ever wondered what happens after you hit âsendâ on a speaker pitch, this is the episode youâve been waiting for. In this episode, Iâm pulling back the curtain on speaker selection with real, raw insights straight from event hosts themselves. As part of my Sought After Speaker System course, I interviewed multiple hosts about exactly what âŠ
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Product Design Just Killed UX Design (What Roles to Look for Instead)
56:44
56:44
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56:44In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick are trying to untangle the confusing world of design job titles and their many, many variations. From UX designer to product designer to the emerging UX engineer role and everything inbetween. They share what each title actually means, their differences, and how to survive the ever-changinâŠ
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219: You Never Know Whoâs Watching: How Showing Up Can Lead to Speaking Gigs ft. Frances Ledgewood
5:27
5:27
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5:27You never know whoâs watching and thatâs exactly why showing up and sharing your expertise matters more than you think. In this snack-size episode pulled from my full interview with Frances Ledgewood, we explore how a casual conversation turned into booking her first speaker for her retreat. When youâre simply generous, curious, and collaborative, âŠ
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218: 5 Email Marketing Tactics to Nail Your Black Friday Promo with Dawn Richardson
37:08
37:08
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37:08What if I told you that setting up your email right now could make or break your Black Friday sales? Building a solid Black Friday email strategy isnât just about flashy sales and countdown timersâitâs about groundwork: authentication, deliverability, segmentation, warmingâand planning ahead. In this episode, Dawn Richardson of Flodesk joins us to âŠ
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What Product Design Is Actually Like (It's Not What Social Media Tells You)
50:06
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50:06In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick talk about the actual day-to-day of being a product designer and how it is very different from what social media tells you. One's an in-house designer while the other is a freelancer. Both have over a decade of on-the-job design experience. Together, they discuss how AI creates overlap betâŠ
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217: Maintaining Member Retention & Engagement with Tayler Cusick-Hollman
6:20
6:20
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6:20If youâve ever launched a course, membership, or product and wondered why your people arenât engaging with the resources you worked so hard to create, this snack-size episode is for you. Pulled directly from a live Q&A inside the Educators Lounge, this conversation with Tayler Cusick-Hollman reveals what really goes on after the sale. During our caâŠ
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216: Behind the Scenes of Conference Speaker Selection with Kellie Penn
39:54
39:54
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39:54Ever wonder how conference speakers actually get chosen? Iâm pulling back the curtain with one of the most sought-after event hosts in the creative industry. In this episode, Iâm joined by my friend Kellie Penn, founder of The Reset Conference, for a candid conversation about how speaker applications are reviewed, what makes someone stand out, and âŠ
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Why Studying UX and Product Design is Worth It More Than Ever (for 2025 and beyond)
53:44
53:44
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53:44In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick discuss the real answer to the question thatâs been haunting LinkedIn threads, Reddit posts, and bootcamp Slack groups: Is it still worth becoming a UX or product designer in 2025 and beyond? They look back on their own (non-)traditional paths into product design, the current state of the âŠ
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215: How to Choose the Perfect Membership Commitment Length Without Scaring Off Buyers ft. Brooklyn Grotte
4:51
4:51
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4:51Ever feel stuck trying to decide if your membership should be monthly, six-month, or annual? In this snack-sized episode, Iâm sharing a real coaching moment from inside The Educators Lounge where we unpack how to confidently set your membership commitment length and how to communicate it so potential members feel supported, not trapped. This converâŠ
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214: How Dylan Jahraus Built a $1 Million Per Month Coaching & Education Business
31:29
31:29
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31:29From $40K a month on Etsy to $1.3M a month in coaching and education, Dylan Jahraus has figured out what works for her audience. I met Dylan Jarris at a mastermind in Nashville, and within five minutes, I knew her story needed to be on this podcast. Sheâs an e-commerce powerhouse with 13+ years of experience who turned a wedding DIY project into a âŠ
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Personal Branding for Product Designers: Overrated, Underrated, and Misunderstood
47:30
47:30
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47:30In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick go into the chaotic world of branding. They discuss why it matters more than ever, when itâs completely overhyped, and how to make the most of it as a product designer looking to build a career. Well-known branding moments include the Jaguar rebrand and Appleâs liquid glass 'feature'. NickâŠ
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213: Is Your Membership Overloaded? Stop Over-Delivering and Start Listening ft. Geily Romero
5:50
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5:50Are you offering too much inside your program or membership and still wondering if itâs âenoughâ? If youâve ever found yourself piling on more calls, more downloads, more content just to prove your value⊠this quick conversation with Geily Romero is your permission slip to stop the overwhelm, both for you and your members. This episode one was pullâŠ
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212: What Iâve Learned Running My First Membership for Educators
24:15
24:15
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24:15What really happens when you launch your first a membership with no expectations? In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of The Educators Lounge, my very first membership space, for a full one-year recap. I launched this community with zero expectations (and a ten-member goal!) and ended up with over 80 signups in the first week. Since then,âŠ
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How You Use Motion to Ruin or Improve Product Design
40:09
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40:09In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick discuss the role of animation and motion in modern product design workflows and why itâs not just about looking slick. From micro-interactions to loading states, they find out where animation improves UX and where it becomes a distraction. They also get into motion for video editing, desigâŠ
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211: Want to Speak on Stage? Hereâs How to Pitch Yourselfâand Get a Yes!
9:46
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9:46Want to land your dream speaking gig? It starts with your pitch. As someone who coaches and curates speakers, Iâve seen what worksâand what totally misses the mark. In this snack-sized solo episode, Iâm breaking down what makes a speaker pitch stand out in a sea of applications. This topic is especially top-of-mind because applications are now openâŠ
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210: Building a Marketing Ecosystem That Actually Works for You with Dakota Hersey
37:48
37:48
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37:48Feeling burned out by marketing? Youâre not alone. In this episode, Iâm joined by the brilliant Dakota Hersey of More Than Creative to talk about a refreshing and sustainable take on content strategy by implementing a âmarketing ecosystem.â As a photographer turned marketing agency founder, Dakota shares her approach to building a cohesive system tâŠ
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Designers vs. Product Managers: Will They Become One?
39:55
39:55
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39:55In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler and Nick talk about how the lines between designers and product managers are getting more and more blurry. AI tools speed up our way of working and startups grow using smaller teams than ever. Does that mean we are heading toward a new unicorn role for a designer-product-manager-hybrid? From workinâŠ
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209: Permission to Pause: Navigating Personal Branding During Hard Times
8:25
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8:25Feeling overwhelmed by the weight of the world and still expected to show up online? Youâre not alone. In this snack-sized episode, I open up about the very real tension many of us feel as personal brand entrepreneurs when life gets heavy (globally or personally) and weâre still expected to keep the content coming. Whether youâre a coach, speaker, âŠ
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208: The Speaker Page Checklist Every Creative Needs to Get on More Stages
13:40
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13:40Want to land more speaking gigs? Start with a powerful speaker page. In this episode, I walk you through the five non-negotiable assets every creative entrepreneur should have on their speaker page. Whether youâre just starting out or refining your presence as a seasoned speaker, these tips will help you stand out and get booked. Why Your Speaker PâŠ
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The Future of Figma? Why Designers Are Switching Tools (Fast)
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45:32In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld discuss the fast-evolving world of design tools, AI integration for your tools, and why your current workflow might (or might not) already be outdated. From tool fatigue to the Figma vs. Framer debate, they explore how designers are adapting (or not) to new tech, what makeâŠ
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207: When Focus Feels Hard: 4 Strategies to Regain Deep Work Flow
9:26
9:26
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9:26Focus isnât always about disciplineâitâs about strategy and compassion. Iâm sharing whatâs actually working for me right now when it comes to productivity and deep workâespecially during this chaotic summer season. If your brain feels scrambled, your to-do list is mocking you, and deep work feels totally out of reach, youâre not alone. Iâve been inâŠ
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206: Shared Responsibility: How Coaches & Students Can Get Real Results Together with Angelica Pompy & Jamie Fisher
41:55
41:55
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41:55Are you tired of investing in coaching programsâonly to see little return? What if great outcomes arenât just about the coach or the client, but both stepping up? In this episode, I sit down with business coaches Angelica Pompy and Jamie Fisher, to explore how educators and their clients can share responsibilityâand ultimately co-create success. AnâŠ
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When Aesthetics Overshadow UX: A WWDC Design Debate
37:40
37:40
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37:40In this episode of The Design Table Podcast, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld discuss the (design) updates Apple showcased at WWDC, including the much-hyped Liquid Glass, and what it means for product designers, users, and the future of UI. They discuss why both the product design community and Apple focuses too much on Liquid Glas, what to focus onâŠ
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205: Delegation & Alignment: Two Game-Changing Tips for Educator Entrepreneurs ft. Nata Salvatori & Christi Johnson
2:17
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2:17Feeling stuck between scaling your business and maintaining your sanity? This quick-hit snack episode has exactly what you need. In this special takeover edition, we handed the mic to two attendees from the Creative Educator Conference and asked them to share one powerful piece of advice for fellow entrepreneurs and educators. First up, youâll hearâŠ
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204: From Playing Small to Showing Up: The Mindset Shift Every Creative Needs with Juliana Tomlinson
32:28
32:28
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32:28What if the biggest thing holding your business back isnât your strategyâbut your mindset? In this episode, I sit down with wedding photographer and educator Juliana Tomlinson, who shares how shifting her mindset transformed her business. Juliana opens up about her journey from playing small to embracing her role as a professional, and how that intâŠ
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Stop Boring Stakeholders: How to Present Design (and Yourself) Like a Pro
42:37
42:37
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42:37đŻ "Good design speaks for itself." ...except when it doesnât. In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld break down how to present your workâand yourselfâin a way that actually influences decisions. Whether you're in a client pitch, a job interview, or a high-stakes design review, how you communicate your value is just as important as what yoâŠ
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203: Why Rest Is a Business Strategy: Self-Care for Creative Educators ft. Christi Johnson
6:34
6:34
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6:34Taking a break and incorporating rest should be part of your business plan. In this snack-sized episode, Iâm answering a question submitted by Christi Johnson during the Creative Educator Conference. She asked how I take care of your mental health while running a businessâletâs talk about it. Why Mental Health Should be a Business Priority Running âŠ
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202: Why Success Scares Us More Than Failure with Mary Marantz
42:04
42:04
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42:04What if fear wasnât the enemyâbut a signal that youâre onto something that matters? Iâm thrilled to welcome back one of my favorite guests (and humans), Mary Marantz, to celebrate the launch of her new book Underestimated. In this episode, we crack open the fears that keep so many of us stuckâespecially the ones we whisper to ourselves. Mary sharesâŠ
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Sketch, Ship, Scale: The Unsexy Work That Makes Great Designers
50:36
50:36
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50:36đ ïž "Design is just making pretty screens, right?" ...Wrong. In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld dive into the real (and messy) side of product designâfrom research and collaboration to freelancing and client communication. It's everything they don't teach you in design school. Weâre breaking down: â
How user research actually works (anâŠ
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Figma Make Is Wild. But Is It Really the Future of Design? | Figma Config 2025 Breakdown
26:17
26:17
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26:17The design community is divided. Some love the Figma Config announcements while others hate it. We've seen every type of comment from 'the output code sucks' to 'Figma just ended Illustrator'. But which one is true? Or is none of it true? In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld discuss Figma Config's 2025 announcements and how Figma Make, âŠ
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201: Build It with Intention ft. Lauren & Paige
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6:08Youâve probably heard it a hundred timesâjust start. And honestly? Thatâs not bad advice. But if youâre stepping into the world of content creation or education for the first time, I believe thereâs a little more to it than that. In this snack-sized episode, Iâm answering a question submitted by Lauren and Paige of the Lifestyle & Lenses podcast duâŠ
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200: Evolve Your Business Without Losing Your Brand Identity with Sarah Erickson
37:13
37:13
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37:13If youâve ever felt torn between keeping your brand consistent and evolving it to reflect your growth, youâre not aloneâand youâre definitely in good company. Iâve been there. After six years of podcasting under the name So Hereâs the Thing, I realized the showâand honestly, Iâhad evolved. The audience had changed. The conversations had changed. AnâŠ
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Should Designers Learn to Code? The AI Shift No Oneâs Ready For
48:41
48:41
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48:41đ»"Designers donât need to code." ...but is that advice still true today? In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld unpack why the designer role is evolving fastâand why the next generation of designers will need more than just Figma skills to stay relevant. Weâre breaking down: â
Why polished prototypes now speak louder than polished decks. âŠ
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Big news: weâve had a little glow-up! The podcast has a brand-new name, but our mission stays the sameâhelping you build momentum, make real shifts, and actually see results (instead of just bingeing information and hoping something sticks). Inside this episode, Iâm sharing the why behind the rebrand, what you can expect moving forward, and a reminâŠ
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198: Recap of the 2025 Creative Educator Conference
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47:35If youâve ever wondered what itâs like to attend the Creative Educator Conference, hereâs the real story: itâs part education, part reunion, part dance partyâand completely transformational. This year marked the third annual Creative Educator Conference, hosted by Laylee Emadi, and it delivered in every way imaginable. As Layleeâs podcast producer âŠ
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The Mini-CEO Mindset: How Designers Earn Their Seat at the Table
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36:33đĄ âDesigners need a seat at the table!â âŠbut what if the company doesnât even HAVE a table? In this episode, Tyler White and Nick Groeneveld unpack the real reason designers struggle to influence decisionsâthey donât speak the right language. Weâre breaking down: â
Why empathy is a designerâs superpowerâfor users and stakeholders. â
The business laâŠ
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196: Scaling on Your Own Terms: Business Growth Insights with Tracey Jazmin
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34:44What if scaling your business didnât mean sacrificing your mental health? In a world full of one-size-fits-all strategies, Tracey Jazmin is flipping the script. As a holistic business coach, she helps women entrepreneurs blend neuroscience, strategy, and spirituality to build businesses that feel aligned and sustainableâwithout the burnout. In thisâŠ
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197: Live Meta Ads Coaching with Jana Bishop
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17:59Itâs time to ask the questions you have around Meta ads! If you were a fan of episode 192 with Jana Bishop, youâre going to love hearing her coach me through some of my own advertising needs and mindsets! If youâre an educator, coach, course creator, or someone passionate about sharing knowledge, I invite you to join The Educators Lounge. Become paâŠ
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