We're back with this fascinating interview with Lena Kul- Lena is a seasoned design and UX research recruiter, formerly the lead at Miro, where she built a top design team in Europe by hiring product designers and UX researchers from the FAANG companies and other leading brands like Shopify, Booking.com, Spotify, and Zendesk.

To deepen her expertise in the field, Lena spent a year as a UX researcher at Miro. She now runs /kuːl/, successful a boutique recruitment and job search advising agency that helps designers and UX researchers excel in their job searches and career transitions.

Lena actively shares insights on LinkedIn and recently launched her Maven course, "Master Your Product Design and UX Research Job Search," helping over 60 professionals stand out in a competitive market

To find out more about her course visit: Master Your Product Design and UX Research Job Search

Podcast Affiliates:

🎉 Get 10% off your first month on UXTweak – the all-in-one UX research platform – with code DALE10

🔍 In Part 2 of Workshop 3, Amanda takes us deeper into what it truly means to be a user-obsessed organization — and how that mindset shapes your role, your team, and the entire product development process. If you're in UX or UXR, this one's a must-watch!

👍 Like, 💬 comment, and 🔔 subscribe for more insights from the world of UX research. Don’t forget to share with your UX crew!

In Workshop 3, I invited Amanda Jensen to break down her experiences in UX Design and Research, which translate into her passion and methodology around co-design.

She explains why it is so important to involve various stakeholders, engineers, product managers as well as users in the whole design process.

Part 1 introduces this concept and sets the tone for the workshop.

In Part 2 of this monthly Espresso UXR series, Dale and Giulia discuss some alternative aspects of UXR - Super powers!

What super power would you like as a UX Researcher? Invisibility? Mind reading? Discover Dale and Giulia's thoughts in this episode! They also check out how Giulia described UX Research to her Grandma in an exciting twist and they encourage you listeners to send in any questions you have for up coming discussions!

In this episode of UXR Minds, host Dale Husband welcomes Mary Hatch, UX Research Leader at Cisco with over a decade of experience shaping the field.

Mary shares her remarkable career journey while unveiling the essential qualities that define successful UX researchers. She offers candid insights into navigating professional challenges, emphasizing how identifying weaknesses becomes a powerful catalyst for career advancement rather than a limitation.

The conversation explores the critical role of communication in research effectiveness. Mary provides actionable strategies for positioning yourself within cross-functional teams and explains why understanding diverse communication styles—both with team members and stakeholders—directly impacts your research influence and organizational value.

Whether you're new to UX research or looking to enhance your existing practice, Mary's practical wisdom offers a roadmap for professional growth through self-awareness, strategic communication, and continuous improvement.

Connect with UXR Minds:

• Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/uxr-minds/
• Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@UXRMinds

In the concluding segment of Workshop 2, Theo shifts the spotlight to a critical yet often overlooked dimension of professional development: personal well-being.

While job seekers frequently obsess over resumes, portfolios, and interview strategies, they frequently overlook the most essential asset in their career journey—themselves.

Theo explores the dangers of professional tunnel vision, revealing how relentless career pursuits can gradually erode mental health. Drawing from personal experience, he shares vulnerable insights into the importance of self-care, demonstrating that professional success is intrinsically linked to personal resilience and emotional well-being. His approach goes beyond generic advice, offering practical strategies for maintaining psychological balance while navigating the often-demanding landscape of career growth.

In this fascinating episode, we sit down with Alex Knoll, co-founder of Condens, as he shares his entrepreneurial journey and the challenges he faced along the way. Alex opens up about the highs and lows of founding a company and the lessons he's learned through the process.

We also dive deep into the current state of the UX Research field, exploring how it's evolving and the shifts happening within the industry. Alex provides valuable insights on how UX Researchers can adapt, grow, and position themselves for success as the field continues to transform.

Whether you're a founder, a UX professional looking to navigate industry changes, or simply interested in the intersection of entrepreneurship and user experience, this conversation offers practical wisdom and forward-thinking perspectives you won't want to miss.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes featuring industry leaders and practical insights for UX professionals!

#UXResearch #Entrepreneurship #ProductDevelopment #UserExperience #DesignThinking #CondensPlatform

Welcome to a new series on the UXR Minds Podcast! EspressoUXR is where co-hosts Giulia Tumminelli and Dale Husband (host of the UXR Minds Podcast) dive into the refreshingly positive side of UX Research.

Feeling overwhelmed by the negativity in the UX field? You're not alone! This monthly series explores the lighter stories behind UX Research – from funny mishaps to uplifting news across the UXR community.

In our debut episode, join Giulia and Dale as they share their personal journeys into UXR with plenty of laughs along the way!

🎧 Topics include:

• Breaking through negativity in UX Research
• Behind-the-scenes stories from seasoned researchers
• Celebrating wins in the UXR community
• Humorous research mishaps and lessons learned

In the midst of UX Research's ongoing transformation, Ned Dwyer, co-founder of Great Question, offers a refreshing perspective on the field's future. From his startup journey to founding a platform empowering UX researchers, Ned shares candid insights on navigating uncertainty, building resilience, and positioning yourself for success in an evolving industry.

Discover how to thrive - not just survive - in the world of UX Research. A must-listen for professionals feeling overwhelmed by current debates and technological shifts.

In this informative episode, we dive deep into the world of UX portfolio reviews with exclusive insights that most candidates never hear. Our expert guest, Theo Johnson, reveals the unfiltered criteria he knows are used to evaluate UX Research and Design portfolios.

Discover the portfolio red flags that instantly disqualify candidates, the secret scoring systems used behind closed doors, and the unexpected elements that make hiring managers fight over applicants. Whether you're struggling to land interviews or wondering why your "professional" portfolio isn't getting responses, this episode delivers the raw, unedited feedback you need to transform your portfolio from overlooked to irresistible.

This isn't just another portfolio advice session—it's the career-changing inside information every UX professional needs to hear.

#UXPortfolio #UXCareer #PortfolioTips #UXDesign #UXResearch #HiringSecrets #UXJobs #CareerAdvice #PortfolioReview #UXHiring #JobSearch #UXInterviews #DesignPortfolio #UXCaseStudy #CareerHacks #PortfolioDesign #TechJobs #UXCommunity #DesignCareers #PortfolioStrategy