Bio
Jeffrey Zeldman is partly responsible for how you do your job, if you work on the web. You should say “thanks”. Or “curse you”. Depending on how you feel about working on the web.  Check out his site which has been around since 1995. https://zeldman.com/about/

Also: “I sobered up the same time New York did” is the first line in the novel Jeffrey should write. Right? Who’s with me!

Summary
In this conversation, Jeffrey Zeldman and Matthew discuss a range of topics including the treatment of military veterans, the impact of news on mental health, personal boundaries in social situations, experiences with travel and events, health and safety protocols, the importance of codes of conduct in communities, the challenges of writing and personal narratives, and the process of collaborative storytelling. They reflect on their own experiences and the complexities of navigating social interactions in a post-pandemic world.

Takeaways
Technology can create unexpected family dynamics.
Nostalgia plays a significant role in our attachment to devices.
Communication styles vary based on audience and context.
Honesty in conversations can sometimes lead to misunderstandings.
Writing for different audiences requires adaptability.
The emotional impact of current events is profound.
There is a need for new perspectives in UX research.
Writing a book on UX can be a daunting task.
Political discourse often reveals shared human experiences.
Understanding different viewpoints is crucial in today's society. 
The treatment of military veterans is a critical issue.
Avoiding news can help manage emotional overload.
Social interactions can be overwhelming for some individuals.
Travel experiences can be both exciting and exhausting.
Health and safety protocols are essential in social settings.
Codes of conduct help create safer community environments.
Writing personal narratives can be challenging due to privacy concerns.
Self-doubt can hinder creative expression.
Collaborative storytelling can enhance character development.
Personal experiences shape our perspectives on various topics.

Chapters
00:00 Quick N' Cold Open
02:02 Welcome to Two Old Dudes With ADHD. Likely.

Keywords
technology, communication, writing, UX research, personal conversations, honesty, emotions, politics, nostalgia, family dynamics, military, veterans, news, emotional health, social interactions, travel, health safety, code of conduct, writing, creativity

Summary
In this conversation, Matthew and Alex discuss the challenges of navigating job loss in the tech industry, the struggles of job searching, and the importance of content in UX design. They explore the impact of AI on the industry, the significance of personal integrity, and the need for community and connection among professionals. The discussion also touches on the challenges of speaking up in corporate environments, the search for meaningful work, and the journey of writing and creativity. 

Bio
Alexandra Carson is a versatile writer and strategist with over 15 years of experience in various creative fields, including acting, screenwriting, makeup artistry, and events. After years of juggling multiple jobs to support her artistic career, she discovered the world of UX research in 2018, thanks to a friend who recognized her potential in the field.

Simultaneously, as Alexandra embarked on her UX journey, she gained a deeper understanding of complex PTSD (CPTSD). This newfound knowledge highlighted the harmful experiences people encounter in various aspects of life, ranging from exclusion due to identity and accessibility issues to digital tools being misused for abuse.

In a conversation with a trusted advisor, Alexandra questioned why trauma-informed design was not a more widely discussed topic. Her advisor's response, "Why don’t you?" inspired her to take action.
Driven by a desire to create experiences that make everyone feel seen, heard, and safe, Alexandra is now an advocate for trauma-informed design. She combines her passion for UX research with her commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, striving to contribute positively to people's lives through innovative and empathetic design solutions.


Takeaways
Job loss can lead to existential dread and shame.
Tech salaries can create golden handcuffs.
Content is often undervalued in UX design.
AI is changing the landscape of job opportunities.
Personal integrity is crucial in professional life.
Building community can help navigate challenges.
Speaking up can have both risks and rewards.
Finding meaningful work is a common struggle.
Visibility and advocacy are important for change.
Creative writing can be a fulfilling outlet.


Chapters
00:00 Jump right in...
07:18 Understanding Roles and Responsibilities in UX
13:25 Integrity and Ethics in the Tech Industry
22:10 The Future of Work and Personal Values
31:20 Visibility and Modeling Behavior
38:02 Navigating Change in a Capitalistic World
49:09 The Challenges of Honesty in Corporate Culture
01:01:31 7 +/- 2 Questions
01:01:51 What's one thing that you would change about your profession?
01:03:10 What do you wish people cared more about?
01:04:06 What is the best meal you've ever had?
01:05:42 What do you wish you'd done differently?
01:07:29 What do you hope to not be carrying anymore?


Keywords
job loss, tech industry, UX design, content strategy, AI impact, personal integrity, community building, professional advocacy, meaningful work, creative writing

Summary
In this conversation, Peter Russo and Matthew explore the complexities of finding purpose in work, especially in chaotic and dysfunctional environments. They discuss the importance of community, creativity, and personal fulfillment, while also addressing the challenges posed by organizational dynamics and the ambiguity of purpose. Through a series of rapid-fire questions, they reflect on their experiences and insights regarding career paths, communication, and the desire for meaningful work.

Bio
Peter Russo has been tech-ing it up since before it was classy to wear an onion on your belt. He’s worked as a UX designer and researcher in health care, fintech, and education—and he's built some pretty great teams. 

He lives in Portland, Oregon with his wife and no dogs. He is passionate about....things. Probably. And stuff. Also, his wife is driving like a maniac rn, pardon any typos. 

Takeaways
Finding purpose is a constant journey, not a destination.
Community plays a crucial role in personal and professional fulfillment.
Ambiguity in purpose can lead to burnout and confusion.
Organizational dynamics can hinder personal purpose and growth.
Creativity is essential for personal satisfaction in work.
Navigating change requires adaptability and resilience.
Effective communication is key to overcoming expertise blindness.
Understanding team dynamics is vital for a healthy work environment.
Personal fulfillment often comes from helping others and creating.
It's important to reflect on past experiences to inform future decisions.

Chapters
00:00 Hiding From the Cold Open
03:02 Community and Purpose
03:24 On Finding Purpose
08:12 The Complexity of Purpose
18:12 Breaking Down Silos: The Challenge of Community Boundaries
25:27 Creative Pursuits: Finding Purpose in Art and Work
46:01 Purpose in Adversity: Learning from Challenging Situations
01:03:48 What's one thing you would change about your profession?
01:04:29 What do you wish people cared more about?
01:05:16 What's the best meal you've ever had?
01:07:15 What do you wish you'd done differently?
01:08:08 What would you do for a living if you stopped doing what you're doing now?
01:09:45 What do you hope to not be carrying anymore?

Keywords
purpose, work, organizational dynamics, creativity, community, career, UX design, personal fulfillment, change management, collaboration

In this conversation, Abby Covert and Matthew discuss the complexities of privilege, responsibility, and the challenges of building a community through the Sensemakers Club. They explore the dynamics of delegation and leadership, the journey of independence, and the creative processes involved in writing. The conversation also touches on the impact of capitalism on community engagement and personal growth, particularly in relation to neurodiversity awareness.

Links
https://abbycovert.com/product/collectors-edition-of-how-to-make-sense-of-any-mess/
https://abbycovert.com/product/stuck-diagrams-help/
http://www.thesensemakersclub.com/
​
Takeaways
It's important to navigate privilege with responsibility.
Building a community requires effective delegation and leadership.
Independence can lead to personal growth and creative freedom.
Understanding the dynamics of capitalism is crucial for community building.
Neurodiversity awareness is essential for personal and professional growth.
Creative processes can vary greatly from person to person.
Delegation can be challenging but is necessary for growth.
Personal experiences shape our understanding of privilege and responsibility.
The journey of independence can be both rewarding and challenging.
Finding balance in creative endeavors is key to sustaining passion.

Chapters
00:00​ Cold (war?) Open
01:55​ Sensemakers Club
16:09​ Backgrounds and Back Burners
27:22​ Motivating the Next Generation
30:20​ Burnout & Recovery
34:48​ The Ethics of Profit
41:56​ 7 +/-2 Questions
46:36​ What is one thing you change about your profession?
47:25​ What do ​you wish people cared more about?
52:26​ What's the best meal that you've ever had?
55:42​ What do you wish you'd done differently?
58:56​ If you stopped doing what you're doing now, what would you do for a living?
01:00:19​ If you are going to exploit the capitalist system, how would you make money?
01:03:13​ What do you hope to not be carrying anymore?
01:04:17​ Awe-tism, yo.

Keywords
privilege, responsibility, Sensemakers Club, delegation, leadership, independence, creativity, capitalism, neurodiversity, personal growth

Summary
In this conversation, Rick Turoczy and Matthew discuss the current state of startup culture in Portland, reflecting on the city's unique characteristics as a creative hub. They explore the need for better infrastructure to support collaboration and experimentation, the role of Built Oregon in fostering community, and the importance of owning the narrative about Portland. The discussion also touches on the significance of empathy and reality in shaping community dynamics, as well as personal reflections on creativity and perfectionism.

Takeaways
Portland's startup culture feels reminiscent of 2005.
There is a need to focus on strengths rather than weaknesses.
Portland is a place for experimentation but struggles with growth.
Community support is crucial for startups to thrive.
Empathy is essential for understanding and connection.
The narrative about Portland needs to be owned by its residents.
Creativity is Portland's primary export.
Infrastructure for collaboration is lacking but necessary.
Perfectionism can hinder progress and creativity.
Personal connections drive community engagement.

Chapters
00:00 Warm Lighting, Cold Open
03:34 PDX StartupLand
11:03 A Shared Infrastructure (Socialism?! GASP!)
18:13 Figuring Out Portland
19:24 Navigating the Challenges of Community Engagement
25:11 Reflections on Personal and Community Growth
37:47 The Birth of Built Oregon
43:43 Consumer Products vs. Tech Dynamics
50:52 Owning Portland's Narrative
53:59 7 +/- 2 Questions
55:09 What's one thing you'd change about Portland?
56:52 What do you wish people cared more about?
01:00:46 What's the best meal you've ever had?
01:02:11 What do you wish you'd done differently?
01:04:11 If you stopped doing all the things you're doing now, what would you go off and do? 
01:06:03 What do you hope to not be carrying anymore?

Keywords
Portland, startup culture, creativity, collaboration, Built Oregon, community, narrative ownership, empathy, consumer products

In this conversation, Matthew and Lis delve into various themes surrounding personal growth, societal pressures, and the complexities of modern life. They explore the historical context of human existence, the challenges of innovation in business, and the importance of empathy in technology. The discussion also touches on gender roles, the impact of capitalism on personal identity, and the necessity of processing emotions for personal development. Through their dialogue, they reflect on their experiences in the UX/CX field and the evolving nature of human connection in a technology-driven world.

Takeaways
The historical context of human existence shapes our current perspectives.
Modern life can be more complicated than it needs to be due to societal pressures.
Gender conditioning influences how individuals perceive their roles in society.
Therapy can be a tool for decolonizing the mind and fostering personal growth.
Innovation in business is often stifled by existing systems and processes.
The Trojan Horse method can facilitate change in organizations.
Incremental changes can lead to significant improvements in UX/CX projects.
Data plays a crucial role in understanding user behavior and improving experiences.
Finding passion in work is essential for personal fulfillment.
Processing unprocessed emotions is vital for mental well-being.

Chapters
00:00 Cold (face) Open
09:01 Decolonizing the Mind and Societal Pressures
21:30 The Role of UX in Business Dynamics
37:12 The Impact of Technology on Human Connection
46:34 The Challenges of Independent Work
50:09 Emerging Opportunities in a Changing Market
56:09 7 +/- 2 Questions
56:40 What is one thing you would change about your profession?
58:00 What do you wish people cared more about?
01:00:08 What's the best meal you've ever had?
01:00:48 What do you wish you'd done differently?
01:01:18 If you left what you're doing now, what would you do for a living?
01:02:05 What do you hope to not be carrying anymore?

keywords
historical context, modern life, happiness, societal expectations, gender roles, therapy, innovation, UX, CX, empathy, technology, social media, personal growth