Facilitate Like a Pro: Why Designers Must Step Up with Adam B. Cochrane
👉 Get started with my free 5-Day Email course for changemakers: https://www.changemakersroadmap.com/
OR Design Training: https://www.thisishcd.com/training
In this episode of This is HCD, Gerry Scullion speaks with Adam B. Cochrane, an experienced design leader currently at Staffbase in Berlin. Together, they explore the often-overlooked power of facilitation in design—and why it’s a crucial skill for any designer hoping to make a meaningful impact. From working at Lufthansa and Zalando to his current role, Adam shares lessons learned about enabling teams, the value of psychological safety, and how even introverts can become brilliant facilitators.
We explore:🧠 Why facilitation can supercharge your design career🎤 How introverts can become incredible facilitators🛠️ The role of psychological safety in team success
Adam shares brilliant insights from his time at Lufthansa, Zalando, and now Staffbase – plus practical advice for anyone wanting to step up and lead better conversations at work.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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50:37
Shape of Play: Insights from Mattel's Global Research Study with MADO's Jaclyn Suzuki
In this episode of This is HCD, Gerry Scullion is joined by Jaclyn Suzuki, co-founder of MADO and former creative director at Ziba, to explore a global study on the evolving nature of play — commissioned by toy giant Mattel.
With data from over 33,000 people across seven countries, Jaclyn dives into what makes play essential in our lives, how it’s shifting across cultures, and how brands can harness its power.
We unpack six distinct play personalities, the relationship between play and stress, and the role of play in building social cohesion across generations. Whether digital or physical, playful experiences shape our creativity, resilience, and sense of connection.
The Shape of Play study overview on Mattel site: https://corporate.mattel.com/the-shape-of-play
The Shape of Play case study by MADO: https://www.lookwithmado.com/mattel-1
MADO website: https://www.lookwithmado.com/
Connect with Jaclyn via Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclyn-suzuki/
Key Takeaways:
🌍 Play is Universal: It transcends age, borders, and background.
🤖 Digital vs Physical: The nuances of screen-based vs real-world play.
🎯 Future of Play: How brands are reimagining connection through play.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Why We Made Our Design Community Invite-Only (and Why That Matters)
In this solo episode, Gerry shares a heartfelt update on the This is HCD community and why it has evolved into an application-only model. Learn what makes this space radically different from noisy, growth-obsessed communities and how it’s built with intention, purpose, and a desire to create genuine impact.
Whether you’re a human-centred design practitioner or just curious, you’ll hear how members gain access to all of Gerry’s premium courses, personal coaching, and a low-noise, high-value space to learn and connect.
Apply: https://www.thisishcd.com/community
📌 3 Key Takeaways:
We moved to an application-based community to prioritise values, alignment, and real engagement.
Members gain full access to €2000+ worth of design courses, live office hours, and direct coaching with Gerry.
20% of all membership fees go to social impact causes – including providing bikes for kids in remote areas of South Africa.
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Experience the Power of Liminal Coaching with Mike Parker
Join Gerry Scullion and Mike Parker on an enlightening journey exploring Liminal Coaching - and join in this live session, where you can experience a session yourself with Gerry being the guinea pig :-)
🌟✨. Discover how intentional daydreaming, rooted in cognitive science, can unlock your creative potential! 🚀
Book a free 30-minute chat with Mike: https://tidycal.com/liminal/30-minute-meeting
Free Downloads: https://liminalcoaching.com/dtp-moment/
🧘♂️ Key Takeaways:- Intentional daydreaming is productive and activates the brain's default mode network for creativity.- Access limonality with tools like Liinal Pomodoro for micro breaks.- Liinal Coaching is rooted in science, enhancing leadership and team dynamics.
📚 Explore real-life benefits through a live Liinal Moment session! 🕊️🌊🕒 Timestamps:00:00 Intro - Meet Mike Parker01:54 Intentional Daydreaming Explained03:60 Liinal Coaching Insights06:01 Applying Liinal Thinking08:12 Power of the Default Mode Network10:16 Making Space for Creativity12:23 Liinal Pomodoro Technique14:37 Experience a Live Liinal Moment27:04 Organizational Benefits29:20 Unleashing Creative Potential
🔔 Subscribe for more insights and explore Liinal Coaching further! Head to our site for a FREE 5-day email course on human-centered service design. 😊
👉 Stay Relaxed, Stay Creative! 💡💪
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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37:30
Rethinking Professionalism: Unleashing Authenticity in the Workplace with Myriam Hadnes
🎙 Join Gerry Scullion in a lively conversation with Myriam Hadnes, a vibrant facilitator, podcaster, and soon-to-be author of Unprofessionalism.
Dive into a discussion about the transformative journey of letting go of conventional professionalism to embrace authenticity and human connection. 🌀
⏰ Key Takeaways:
Letting Go for Clarity (00:00 - 01:53):
Streamlining life and business by shutting down a global community and simplifying digital presence.
Radical Honesty & Leadership (01:53 - 03:57):
Uncovering the power of honest, unfiltered communication in transforming team dynamics.
Redefining Professionalism (41:48 - 53:15):
Challenging the traditional notion of professionalism to prevent burnout and promote genuine connection.
🔗 Call to Action:
Subscribe & Engage: Follow the podcast for more insightful episodes on human-centered service design. Leave a review on Spotify or Apple to support the community.
Stay Updated: Join Myriam’s newsletter for updates on the book Unprofessionalism and subscribe to her podcast on leadership and facilitation.
Are you ready to question the boundaries of professionalism and discover new paths to personal and professional growth? Let’s dive in! 🔍🚀
⛅ Timestamp Breakdown:
[00:00] Introduction to Myriam Hadnes
[03:57] Myriam’s Professional Journey
[06:10] The Shift to Unprofessional Approaches
[13:12] Boundary Setting and Personal Growth
[41:48] Writing Unprofessionalism
[53:15] Breaking the Professional Facade
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this episode will inspire you to redefine success on your own terms. 🤝✨
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About The Human Centered Design Podcast (This is HCD) | Service Design & UX
This is HCD: The Podcast for Human-Centered Design Enthusiasts
Welcome to This is HCD, the premier podcast for human-centered design, with over 1 million downloads and hosted by Gerry Scullion.
Our mission is to empower designers, changemakers, and innovators to craft a more inclusive and thoughtful future. Each episode brings you engaging conversations with leading voices across service design, UX, interaction design, product management, and more. Together, we explore the nuances of what it means to excel in human-centered design, offering insights, skills, and perspectives to elevate your practice.
Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just beginning your journey, This is HCD is your destination for actionable ideas and inspiration to drive meaningful change through intentional design.
Join our growing, ethically conscious design community—connect, learn, and get involved. Together, we’re building a private LinkedIn-style network for human-centered designers ready to make an impact.
Tune in, get inspired, and shape the future with This is HCD!
Listen to The Human Centered Design Podcast (This is HCD) | Service Design & UX, Notions Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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