Deep Thoughts With Michelle Handy

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In this episode, we delve into the intersection of behavioral science, leadership, and workplace well-being with Dr. Mandy Varley, a behavioral scientist and executive coach. She shares her insights on building healthier, more effective workplaces and rethinking traditional metrics of success.

Highlights

• How the rise of AI is forcing us to rethink what we expect from humans at work
• Why treating workplace burnout as an individual problem misses the bigger picture
• What happens when we treat human energy like an unlimited resource
• The unexpected pressure of trying to find purpose at work
• Why the way we think about time shapes everything about work

About Mandy Varley
Mandy Varley is a behavioral scientist with extensive experience in leadership coaching, product development, and organizational behavior. She has a passion for addressing workplace challenges with research-backed solutions that prioritize human sustainability and well-being.

Resources Mentioned

• Dying for a Paycheck by Jeffrey Pfeffer
• Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
• Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Dr. Kristin Neff

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Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.

Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation.

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In this episode, we take a behind-the-scenes look at how women are shaping the future of behavior design—from scaling impact in organizations to building powerful professional communities. Stephanie Weldy shares her journey from the public sector to Chief of Staff to Dr. BJ Fogg, her role as co-founder of WEB (Womxn Engaged in Behavior), and how behavior design principles are transforming industries.

Episode Highlights:

💡 How behavior design is being implemented at scale across industries
💡 Common misconceptions about applying behavioral science in organizations
💡 The role of community in advancing behavioral science—and why women need to support each other
 💡 Innovations in teaching and making behavior design more accessible
 💡 How to define success by amplifying your strengths and lifting others

About Stephanie Weldy

• Stephanie Weldy is Chief of Staff to Dr. BJ Fogg, Stanford behavior scientist and author of Tiny Habits. After spending a decade in the public sector working on employee well-being, she now leads operations and partnerships for Fogg’s research and teaching. She is also a co-founder of WEB (Womxn Engaged in Behavior), a growing network dedicated to amplifying women’s voices in behavioral science and creating spaces where women can uplift, mentor, and support one another.

Resources Mentioned:

🔹 Behavior Design & Implementation

• Fogg Behavior Model: behaviormodel.org
• Tiny Habits framework for successful behavior change
• Real-world case studies of scaling behavior design
• Scientific evidence supporting the model

🔹 Women Supporting Women in Behavioral Science

• WEB (Womxn Engaged in Behavior): Join the community here

🔹 Scaling Impact & Innovation

• How organizations are successfully integrating behavior design into their cultures
• Strategies for making behavior change practical in the workplace
• Teaching methodologies that drive real-world application

Connect with Our Guest:

📍 Follow Stephanie Weldy on LinkedIn
📍 Learn more about WEB: Link
📍 Check out Dr. BJ Fogg’s work: bjfogg.com

🎧 Listen now to learn how behavioral science is evolving—and how women supporting women is the key to making an impact.

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Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.

Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation.

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In this episode, we explore what it takes to build truly human-centered organizations with Doug Roerden, who brings over 25 years of experience leading customer and user experience transformations. From Fidelity Investments to FM Global, Doug shares insights on organizational change, stakeholder management, and the evolution of experience design.

Episode Highlights

• Transforming traditional organizations into human-centered practices
• Building trust and alignment across diverse stakeholders
• The evolution of user research and design practices
• Leading with a servant leadership approach
• Measuring the impact of experience design initiatives

Key Insights

• How to navigate resistance to organizational change
• Building effective cross-functional relationships
• The role of healthy conflict in transformation
• Approaches to measuring design impact
• Balancing different stakeholder needs

About Doug Roerden

Doug most recently served as Head of Experience Design at FM Global, where he transformed a traditional requirements-to-applications process into a human-centered approach for improving client, broker, partner, and employee experiences. Previously, he led experience design teams at Fidelity Investments across personal, workplace, and institutional investing, driving significant improvements in user accuracy, efficiency, and satisfaction.

Resources Mentioned

Stages of UX Maturity 

• Nielsen Norman Group: The 6 Levels of UX Maturity
• Jared Spool: The Five Stages of UX Design Maturity

Experience Design

• Interaction Design Foundation: What is Design Thinking and Why Is It So Popular?
• What are the Five Whys? A Tool For Root Cause Analysis

Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Google’s highly effective team study
• Teamwork: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
• Ten Characteristics of Servant Leaders

Connect with Our Guest

• LinkedIn

Get in Touch

Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.

Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation.

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In this episode, we explore how behavioral science and lifestyle medicine are transforming healthcare delivery. Dr. Leanne Mauriello shares insights from her work helping medical providers integrate lifestyle medicine into their practices, and discusses how community environments can support healthier living.

Episode Highlights

• How medical providers can effectively incorporate lifestyle medicine
• The role of behavioral science in healthcare transformation
• Making health interventions both personalized and scalable
• How community design can support healthy living
• The intersection of digital health and lifestyle medicine
• Leanne’s process of gaining business skills as a behavioral scientist
• The role of relationship-building Leanne’s career development

About Leanne Mauriello

Leanne is a Digital Health Strategist and Lifestyle Medicine Pioneer focused on empowering and scaling health optimization through consumer-focused innovation and evidence-based behavior change solutions. Her work spans NIH-funded research, digital health innovation, and healthcare transformation, with a focus on making preventative health both scalable and personalized.

Resources Mentioned

• American College of Lifestyle Medicine Website
• RISE Lifestyle Medicine Platform 
• West Michigan News Article: West Michigan man drops 70 pounds, 12 medications through lifestyle medicine 
• The Transtheoretical Model of Health Behavior Change (Prochaska & Velicer, 1997)

Connect with Our Guest

• LinkedIn
• Professional Website

Get in Touch

Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.

Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation.

Send a text

In this episode, we dive deep into the evolution of applied behavioral science with Matt Wallaert, a pioneer who has spent nearly two decades bringing behavioral science from academic theory to practical application. From leading behavioral science teams at Microsoft and Clover Health to founding BeSci.io, Matt shares insights on creating scalable impact and nurturing the next generation of behavioral scientists.

Episode Highlights

• The early days of bringing behavioral science into industry
• How the field has evolved over the past two decades
• Common challenges and misconceptions about applied behavioral science
• Creating systemic change through behavioral interventions
• Guidance for aspiring behavioral scientists
• The importance of adding business value (i.e., profit margin value, return on investment) if you’re a behavioral scientist at a profit-making company

About Matt Wallaert

Matt has led behavioral science initiatives at major organizations including Microsoft, Clover Health, and LendingTree. He's the founder of BeSci.io, a consulting collective helping companies embed behavioral science across their organizations. His side projects focus on creating greater equity, including GetRaised, which has helped women earn over $3.6B in salary increases.

Resources Mentioned

• BeSci.Io - BeSci.io is a consultancy that embeds applied behavioral science within organizations across various sectors.
• Join the BeSci.io Slack Community
• Start at the End: How to Build Products That Create Change by Matt Wallaert
• A Simple Guide to Applied Behavioral Science - Resource on where Behavioral Science fits within businesses by Matt Wallaert
• Opposing Forces Theory -  by Matt Wallaert (i.e., “inhibiting pressures, promoting pressures”) 

Connect with Our Guest

• LinkedIn - Follow Matt's insights on behavioral science
• Website - Schedule office hours and learn more about Matt's work

Get in Touch

Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.

Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation.

Send a text

In this episode, we explore the complexities of personal growth and career development with Connor Joyce, a Senior User Researcher at Microsoft's Copilot team, the CEO of Desired Outcome Labs, the author of Bridging Intentions to Impact, and now a guest lecturer at UPenn's Master's of Behavioral and Decision Sciences program. From climbing Kilimanjaro to completing an Ironman 70.3, Connor shares candid insights about the relationship between achievement, validation, and authentic growth.

Episode Highlights

• Connor's 3-part framework for personal growth: growth mindset, experimentation, and surrounding yourself with incredible people
• Finding the balance between ambition and inner peace
• Navigating career setbacks and layoffs with evolving resilience
• Creating authentic content that truly helps others
• The "four idols" framework for understanding career motivations
• “There’s always someone with a bigger boat,” a metaphor that means that no matter how much you have or accomplish, there will always be someone with more 

About Connor Joyce

Connor is a Senior User Researcher on Microsoft's Copilot team, an advisor to Subconscious.AI, a founding member of the Applied Behavioral Science Association, and a lecturer at UPenn's Master's of Behavioral and Decision Sciences program. His work focuses on the intersection of behavioral science and technology, with a particular emphasis on helping people bridge the gap between intentions and actions.

Frameworks Mentioned

• Growth mindset principles from Carol Dweck's work
• The concept of local vs. global maxima in career development
• Allegory of the cave
• David Brooks' framework of the four idols: power, prestige, money, and pleasure

Connect with Our Guest

• Follow Connor on LinkedIn
• Learn about Desired Outcome Labs
• Book: "Bridging Intentions to Impact"
• Connor’s Writings on Behavioral Science, UXR, Tech: Medium 
• Connor’s Writings on Personal Growth: Substack

Get in Touch

Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.

Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation.

Send a text

In this episode, we explore how visual storytelling can transform research practice with Maureen McLennon Welton, a Principal Experience Design Researcher who brings a unique perspective from her background in both UX design and research. From transforming complex findings into compelling visual stories to incorporating mindfulness into user research, Maureen shares insights on creating impact through thoughtful communication and design.

Episode Highlights

• How design expertise enhances research practice and communication
• Techniques for transforming research findings into compelling visual stories
• The role of mindfulness in research and stakeholder management
• Balancing professional expertise with personal creative projects

About Maureen McLennon
Maureen is a Principal Experience Design Researcher at FM Global, where she leads research initiatives to improve digital experiences. With experience spanning software development, global health policy-making, and commercial property insurance, she brings a unique blend of design expertise and research rigor to her work. Her approach emphasizes visual storytelling and mindful communication to drive impact.

Connect with Our Guest

• LinkedIn: Maureen McLennon Welton
• Website: maureenmclennon.com 
• Maureen’s Substack: Intuitive Style

Get in Touch

Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.

Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation.

Send a text

In this episode of Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy, I sit down with Stephen Gates, founder of CRZY design studio and host of The Crazy One podcast. Stephen was my first mentor outside academia, and his advice has shaped how I approach my career, creativity, and leadership. We unpack the power of discomfort, the importance of asking the right questions, and why showing up authentically might just be the most rebellious thing you can do in your career.

Episode Highlights

• Navigating the discomfort that often precedes fulfillment
• Recognizing the signs that it’s time for a career shift
• Balancing authenticity and ambition in corporate environments
• Why success only makes sense in hindsight
• Building a career path that aligns with your values and strengths

Practical Frameworks Discussed

• Design Thinking for Your Career – Prototype, test, refine. Don’t wait for clarity—build it.
• Three-Word Exercise – Ask trusted people to describe you in three words. Look for patterns to uncover strengths and blind spots.
• The Balance Between Discomfort and Confidence – How to stay uncomfortable enough to grow, but not so much that you become paralyzed.

Books and Resources Mentioned

• I Dare You to Care by Sylvia Baffour – A deep dive into emotional intelligence and mentorship
• Designing Your Life  and Designing Your Work Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans – Applying design thinking to career and life transitions

About Stephen Gates
Stephen Gates is the founder of CRZY design studio and the host of The Crazy One podcast. With leadership experience at InVision, Citi, Starwood Hotels, and WeightWatchers, Stephen has led design teams responsible for globally recognized campaigns and innovative products. His work has earned over 150 international awards and has been featured in Apple keynotes and design guidelines.

Connect with Stephen

• Website: StephenGates.com
• LinkedIn: Stephen Gates
• CRZY Design: CRZYDesign.com

Get in Touch

Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.

Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation.

Send a text

In this episode of Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy, I sit down with Dr. Eliane Boucher, a behavioral scientist and former academic who transitioned into the digital wellness space. Together, we uncover the murky waters of wellness apps, exposing the fine line between science-backed products and clever marketing. Eliane shares eye-opening examples of questionable practices, along with practical frameworks for building and evaluating ethical digital health products that deliver real value—not just empty promises.

Episode Highlights

• The rise of “science-washing” in wellness apps – what it looks like and why it’s dangerous
• How apps manipulate trust by using vague claims like “Harvard research-backed”
• The hidden cost of cutting corners in MVP development
• Key strategies for blending scientific rigor with the speed of tech development
• How to tell the difference between apps grounded in science versus apps that just say they are

Key Insights

• “Cortisol Detox”? – Eliane walks us through her experience uncovering a wellness app that made bold claims without measuring cortisol at all.
• Look Beyond the App Store – Why real product evaluation starts with researching the team, the science, and the fine print.
• Measure Twice, Cut Once – Why involving users early in the design process can prevent costly mistakes down the road.
• Think Like a Scientist, Act Like a Founder – How scientists can meet product teams halfway to drive evidence-based design without stalling innovation.

About Dr. Eliane Boucher
Dr. Eliane Boucher is a social psychologist turned industry scientist specializing in digital health and evidence generation. She previously led research initiatives at Happify Health, focusing on creating interventions that blend scientific integrity with user engagement. Eliane now consults for digital wellness companies, helping them navigate regulatory landscapes and build products that actually work.

Resources Mentioned

• The FTC’s Guide to Evaluating Health Product Claims – Federal Trade Commission
• Digital health development frameworks for MVPs – Bucher et al. (2024). “How to design equitable digital health tools: A narrative review of design tactics, case studies, and opportunities.” PLOS Digital Health

Connect with Dr. Eliane Boucher

• LinkedIn: Eliane Boucher 
• Consulting Inquiries: [email protected]

Get in Touch

Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.

Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation.

Send a text

In this premiere episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Erica Simon shares how design thinking's "bias to action" can transform our approach to personal and professional growth. Through her work at Stanford's d.school and beyond, Dr. Simon reveals practical strategies for breaking free from perfectionism and overthinking to create environments that actually support well-being. Whether you're feeling stuck in your career, battling imposter syndrome, or trying to make a break-through in your personal growth, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on moving from insight to action.

Episode Highlights

• Understanding the difference between languishing and flourishing, and practical steps to move from one to the other
• How design thinking principles can be applied to personal well-being and career development
• Navigating imposter syndrome and self-doubt in academic and tech environments
• Why imposter syndrome affects female leaders more than men, and other gender gaps in career-related behaviors
• The role of "bias to action" in personal growth and why "failing forward" isn't really failing

Music: "Good Times" by Tommy Welton

Resources Mentioned

• Start With Why by Simon Sinek
• Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans
• "More Isn't Always Better" - HBR, The Jam Experiment
• "Diversity, Stereotypes, and Intersectionality" - Margaret Shih, UCLA 
• "Male and Female Entrepreneurs Get Asked Different Questions by VCs" HBR, Funding Gap Research

About Dr. Erica Simon

Dr. Simon has spent over 15 years working in healthcare and workplace settings, addressing the anxiety, stress, and burnout endemic to modern culture. Find her on: LinkedIn, Seriesbe.co (her Workpl

Get in Touch

Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.

Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation.