Mette Aagaard - Sharing leadership

The Experience Designers

#Business #Podcasting Education #Steve Usher #Human Resources #Design Thinking #Human Centred Design #Future Of Work #Talent Acquisition #Recruiting #Onboarding #Employee Experience #Candidate Experience

42:14

Episode Description: Jessica B. Harris may have been born and raised in New York City, but she has Tennessee roots through her father and has spent much of her life split between homes in the Northeast and the South – specifically New Orleans. For more than fifty years, she has been a college professor, a writer, and a lecturer, and her many books have earned her a reputation as an authority on food of the African Diaspora, as well as a lifetime achievement award from the James Beard Foundation. A few years back, Netflix adapted her book, High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey from Africa to America , into a 4 part docuseries. And I’m very proud to say that she’s a longtime contributor to Southern Living with a regular column called The Welcome Table. This episode was recorded in the Southern Living Birmingham studios, and Sid and Jessica talked about her mother’s signature mac and cheese, the cast-iron skillet she’d be sure to save if ever her house were on fire, and her dear friend, the late New Orleans chef Leah Chase. For more info visit: southernliving.com/biscuitsandjam Biscuits & Jam is produced by : Sid Evans - Editor-in-Chief, Southern Living Krissy Tiglias - GM, Southern Living Lottie Leymarie - Executive Producer Michael Onufrak - Audio Engineer/Producer Jeremiah McVay - Producer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices…

about a year ago 1:08:14

MP3•Episode home

With Mette Aagaard we explore the benefits, guiding principles and biggest challenges of shifting our corporate paradigm from delegated to truly distributed.

68 episodes

Mette Aagaard - Sharing leadership

The Experience Designers

published about a year ago

MP3•Episode home

With Mette Aagaard we explore the benefits, guiding principles and biggest challenges of shifting our corporate paradigm from delegated to truly distributed.

68 episodes

All episodes

1
Tom Hitch - Co-create or coerce? Why the best office experiences are built with their people 1:04:49

18 days ago1:04:49

1:04:49

What makes a workplace worth the commute? In this episode, we sit down with workplace experience explorer and content creator Tom Hitch to uncover how the best office environments are co-created , not commanded. From sensory design to return-to-office (RTO) policies, Tom shares powerful insights from his travels into global workplaces, highlighting where companies get it right (hello, Miro and Santander) and where they fall flat with flashy but functionless design. Expect bold ideas, real-world stories, and a challenge to rethink the office not as a place you have to go, but one you’re drawn to. If you're interested in employee experience, workplace culture, or the future of work, this one’s for you. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:34 Debating the Return to Office Mandates 01:22 Challenges and Perspectives on Office Policies 02:44 Communication and Clarity in Workplace Policies 03:56 Examples of Office Policies and Their Impact 08:25 Shifts in Workplace Dynamics Post-Pandemic 12:14 Innovative Office Designs and Employee Experience 17:38 Wellness and Wellbeing in the Workplace 22:23 The Future of Office Spaces and Employee Engagement 26:20 Exploring Office Environments: Personal Experiences 32:51 Exploring Miro's Office Culture 36:20 The Importance of Functionality in Office Design 40:31 Santander's Innovative Office Space 49:05 Future Trends in Workplace Experience 56:37 Reimagining the Office Environment 01:01:53 Conclusion and Where to Find More Content Tom's Bio & Links Co-Founder and Creative Director of WRKPLC, a first-of-its-kind workplace strategy business that uses creative content and media about office design. Our content is designed to help inspire and educate people on how to make decisions on their workplace. YouTube: https://youtube.com/@wrkplc Website: https://www.wrkplc.co.uk/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thitch…

1
Pigalle Tavakkoli - What if emotion is the real design tool? 1:00:21

5 weeks ago1:00:21

1:00:21

Steve sits down with experience-design pioneer Pigalle Tavakoli to explore what she calls "StoryFeeling". The shift from telling stories at people to orchestrating the feelings they live through. Building on her recent keynote at the London Experience Week and forthcoming book - The Building Blocks of Experience Design. She explains how emotion-first design unlocks deeper narrative power. Starting with detective-grade audience research, designing for a full spectrum of feelings (not just "happy"), and letting those emotions drive lasting thought and behaviour change. We explore her journey from theatre and fashion production to founding the School of Experience Design, showing why tech should amplify rather than replace human insight, and share practical tools like her "Emotion Change Equation" for crafting truly transformative experiences. Find out more about Pigalle’s upcoming book: schoolofexperiencedesign.net/book-form LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pigalletavakkoli 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:05 Formative Years and Parental Influence 06:15 Journey into Experience Design 08:47 Teaching and Developing Methods 14:36 Human-Centred Design Philosophy 22:15 The Role of Technology in Design 31:00 The Role of a Producer: A Two-Way Dialogue 32:17 Exploring Human Emotions in Experience Design 34:08 The Emotion Change Equation 35:48 Designing Memorable Experiences 41:27 Reflecting on Emotional Impact 45:46 Defining Experiences and Transformations 49:12 Personal Transformational Experiences 51:56 The Interconnectedness of Human Experiences 56:28 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find More…

1
Stefan Moritz - Are We Ready for Experiences Co-created with AI? 1:09:45

8 weeks ago1:09:45

1:09:45

In this episode, we explore Stefan's career journey, sparked by an epiphany during a friend's 50th birthday in Italy. This experience led him to prioritize quality over quantity in his work. Stefan shares his approach to restructuring his workload by focusing on fewer projects, which fosters creativity and personal growth. The discussion explores how AI can transform work dynamics, emphasizing the importance of intentionality, collaboration, and leadership. Highlighting AI's potential to enhance human capabilities and create meaningful work experiences, along with the significance of self-awareness and social sustainability in modern workplaces. 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:21 The Mosaic Career Metaphor 00:56 Moments of Clarity and Self-Experimentation 01:32 AI and Leadership 02:32 Reimagining Work and Life Balance 05:37 Failures and Learnings 08:52 The Human Experience and AI 16:26 Leadership and AI Integration 36:08 Setting Guardrails for AI Integration 36:19 AI in Blue Collar Jobs 37:56 AI in Customer Support and Beyond 39:05 Personal Experiences with AI 43:03 The Impact of AI on Work and Society 54:43 Future Leadership in an AI Context 01:02:44 Final Reflections and Closing Thoughts Stefan's Bio & links: Stefan is a hands-on visionary and globally recognized thought leader in service design, innovation, and the future of work. With over 20 years of international experience, he has held senior leadership roles at global companies, award-winning agencies, and McKinsey. He works as fractional Head of Innovation at Max Matthiessen, a leading Nordic pension, insurance and wealth management company with 135 year history as one of the most trusted brands embarking on an exciting journey. Known for his ability to translate complex challenges into human-centered strategies, Stefan works across industries to help organizations empower employees, create thriving cultures, and deliver standout customer experiences. His work blends service design with systems thinking, leadership development, and emerging technologies like AI to unlock new pathways for growth and transformation. Stefan has advised governments, public sector organizations, and iconic global brands including IKEA, LEGO, Ericsson, Amex, Nordea, Disney, and adidas. He is passionate about guiding organizations to not only design better services—but to design better futures. Stefan Moritz { LinkedIn } Website: https://www.stefan-moritz.com/…

1
Claus Raasted - Imagination is your most undervalued business tool! 51:03

10 weeks ago51:03

51:03

What if life, work, and transformation were just better versions of play? In this episode, you’ll meet Claus Raasted, Experience Designer, Viking impersonator, and founder of The College of Extraordinary Experiences. From a childhood spent LARPing to advising McKinsey, Klaus shares how designing intentional, immersive worlds can lead to real-world change. Whether you're building onboarding for a sales team or a castle-based retreat, this one’s for anyone curious about how experiences can shape who we are and who we become. 00:00 The Persona of Klaus Raasted 03:51 Foundations of LARPing: A Journey Begins 09:39 From Participant to Organizer: Building a Career 13:21 Evolving Narratives: The Growth of Role-Playing 18:01 Transformative Experiences in LARPing 18:04 The College of Extraordinary Experiences: A New Chapter 19:55 The College of Extraordinary Experiences 21:19 The Power of Shared Experiences 22:42 Intentional Experience Design 26:20 Co-Creation and Chaos in Experiences 28:21 Insights from McKinsey: Data-Driven Decisions 33:49 The Evolution of Experience Design 40:46 Finding the Right Balance in Experience Design 44:58 Resources for Experience Design Enthusiasts Claus’s bio & links Claus Raasted helps organizations both big and small become better at GETTING S**T DONE and serves as Director of the College of Extraordinary Experiences. He travels the globe as a keynote speaker and has been both a Coach and Senior Advisor at the consulting giant McKinsey. Raasted is the author of 46 books, the latest of which is fittingly titled Claus Raasted’s Little Book of Getting Shit Done . He also has a past in reality TV, but these days, who hasn’t? www.clausraasted.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/clausraasted…

1
Mat Duerden - Unlock the Experience Ladder. How to Elevate Experiences from Memorable to Transformative 1:04:09

12 weeks ago1:04:09

1:04:09

Dive into a captivating discussion on experience design with Mat Duerden, Department Chair of Experience Design and Management in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and Co-Author of the book Experience Design. Reveals how intentional design can transform everyday moments into powerful experiences. Mat shares his journey from adventurous childhood whitewater rafting to pioneering leadership in experience design education, illustrating the “experience ladder” from ordinary to transformative. They also explore how attention has become scarce in today’s fast-paced world, emphasising co-creation, reflection, and lessons learned from recent global shifts. Discover how thoughtful design can spark meaningful change in personal and professional realms. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Experience Design 02:47 Personal Journey and Early Influences 05:59 Defining Experience Design 08:57 Academic Environment and Experience Design Education 12:00 Global Trends in Experience Design 14:59 Intentionality in Experience Design 18:13 The Experience Ladder: From Ordinary to Transformative 21:12 Reflection and Meaning in Experiences 24:03 The Importance of Transformative Experiences 26:47 Navigating Transformation in a Rapidly Changing World 32:47 The Scarcity of Attention 35:44 Guided Transformations in Experience Design 37:40 The Role of Experience Designers 41:51 The Evolution of Work Experiences 50:28 Future of Experience Design 01:01:25 Connecting Through Experiences Mats bio & links Mat is the Department Chair of Experience Design and Management at the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University. His experience design research focuses on memorable, meaningful, and transformative experiences. He also collaborates on research exploring the neurological connection between storytelling and social connection. Mat’s publications have appeared in various journals, including the Journal of Applied Psychology, Journal of Environmental Psychology, Journal of Adolescent Research, and Journal of Leisure Research. Mat co-authored Designing Experiences with Robert Rossman, which was published in 2019 by Columbia Business School Press. In 2021, Axiom Business Awards selected the book as a silver medalist winner in the Business Intelligence/Innovation category. Mat works with organisations across various sectors, including healthcare, education, not-for-profit, tourism, manufacturing, and consumer product goods, to provide training and consulting around experience design. Mat Duerden ( LinkedIn ) Professor Alumni Distinguished Fellow Department of Experience Design and Management Marriott School of Business Brigham Young University Co-author of Designing Experiences…

1
Dr Paul. Zak: Why Building Trust, Engagement & Emotional Fitness is the Key to Creating Unforgettable Experiences and Thriving Relationships—at Work, in Business, and in Life. 1:10:29

18 weeks ago1:10:29

1:10:29

In this episode of The Experience Designers , I sit down with Dr. Paul Zak , the neuroscientist who wrote the book on trust and human connection. A TED speaker, best-selling author, and founder of Immersion Neuroscience , Paul has spent decades uncovering the brain’s hidden responses to experiences, brands, and relationships. Link to Six App - https://your6.com/ Connect with Paul - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-j-zak-91123510/ TED talk - https://www.ted.com/talks/paul_zak_trust_morality_and_oxytocin…

1
Goc O'Callaghan part 2 - The secrets and learnings from the dark side of Disney's magic 44:45

29 weeks ago44:45

44:45

What if the magic behind your favourite experiences wasn't just a coincidence? In this second part two of this two-part series with Goc O'Callaghan, Co-owner of ArcTanGent Festival and Global Experience Lead at Buro Happold. In this episode, we peel back the curtain on the often-overlooked and unknown 'dark side' of Disney's magic. From the hidden infrastructure at Disney parks to designing festivals that feel like second homes, Goc reveals how intentional design can transform ordinary spaces into extraordinary memories. Get ready to explore behind the scenes of thoughtful details, and see how the environments around us are engineered to make us feel, move, and connect in profound ways. 00:00 Introduction to the Experience Designers Podcast 01:05 Guest Introduction: Goc O'Callaghan 02:06 The Dark Side of Disney 03:13 Disney's Design Secrets 07:07 Real-Time Feedback and Customer Experience 08:47 Designing for the Senses 10:48 Applying Disney's Principles to Business 15:36 Experience Design in Structural Engineering 18:55 Quantifying Experience 31:26 Personalizing Office Spaces 38:02 Final Thoughts and Recommendations 43:55 Conclusion and Farewell…

1
Goc O'Callaghan part 1 - Beyond the music: What festival design teaches us about crafting unforgettable experiences 52:28

31 weeks ago52:28

52:28

We're taking you behind the scenes of an incredible journey, exploring the power of memorable experiences and the lessons we can learn from one of the major memory makers out there: music festivals. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Goc O'Callaghan, co-founder, owner, and festival director of the legendary ArcTanGent Festival in the UK. This is a festival that started as a childhood dream in a bluebell forest and grew into a multi-award-winning independent festival. This is the first of a special two-part series in which Goc shares her story of building something extraordinary from the ground up. In this episode, we dive into those early days and the magic of creating memorable experiences.…

1
Tina Squire - Through a neurodiverse lens: What happens when we design workplaces for every mind? 54:35

33 weeks ago54:35

54:35

In this episode of The Experience Designers , we dive deep into the world of neurodiversity with Tina Squire, an expert in fostering neuro-inclusive environments. Tina shares her personal journey with ADHD and how it has fueled her passion for creating workspaces where neurodiverse individuals are not just accommodated, but truly celebrated. This episode explores the importance of designing work experiences that embrace every individual's unique strengths, from recruitment to retention, and everything in between.…

1
John Sills - Lessons from a broken-down train and why it became one of the best experiences ever? 57:17

35 weeks ago57:17

57:17

In this episode, we’re joined by John Sills, managing partner at The Foundation and author of The Human Experience . John shares an incredible story of how a broken train in Switzerland became one of the most memorable customer experiences he’s ever had—and not because it went wrong, but because of how it was handled. Together, we dive into the heart of what makes customer experiences truly remarkable: human connection, ownership, and care. We explore why so many business leaders feel disconnected from their customers, the role technology plays in both enhancing and damaging experiences, and how companies can cultivate human traits like empathy, respect, and responsibility in everything they do. Join us as we uncover the real secret to turning an ordinary—or even negative—experience into something extraordinary. Whether you're in customer service, leadership, or just curious about the magic of human-centred design, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration you won’t want to miss!…

1
Elena Aylott: Why Are Authentic Communities Essential at Work? Insights into Building Unstoppable Networks for Growth 1:09:09

37 weeks ago1:09:09

1:09:09

In this episode, Elena Aylott shares her unique journey from executive assistant to Vice President of Global Communications and Employee Experience at Oriflame Cosmetics to founding her own company, The Aylott Group. She emphasizes the importance of trust, adaptability, and community-building within organizations. Key takeaways include the impact of personal and corporate trust, the role of HR as a mega facilitator, and leveraging employee communities for organizational success. Elena also highlights the power of authentic personal branding and the crucial role of human experiences in fostering strong, interconnected networks. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:12 Reflecting on a Unique Journey 02:26 Starting at Oriflame 04:38 Challenges and Growth 09:32 Building Trust and Impact 14:22 The Role of HR and Leadership 32:01 Community and Networks 35:48 The Power of Connection and Trust 36:51 Challenges in Corporate Values 37:22 Creating Unified Communities 39:47 Moments That Matter 43:09 Leveraging Internal Strengths 48:59 Authentic Personal Branding 54:13 Humanizing Leadership 59:53 Belief and Leadership 01:02:01 Final Thoughts and Reflections…

1
Mette Aagaard - Sharing leadership 1:08:14

1 year ago1:08:14

1:08:14

We are used to leadership being hierarchical. Always talking about the tone from the top. But what happens when we share leadership and power throughout the organization? And challenge our current ways of working in the most profound ways? With Mette Aagaard we explore the benefits, guiding principles and biggest challenges of shifting our corporate paradigm from delegated to truly distributed.…

1
Nele De Peuter - Vertical development. A path to meaningful growth. 1:00:13

1 year ago1:00:13

1:00:13

We often talk about growth as some race to the top. A climb of the ladder, an improvement of our skills, but that narrative actually misses a core aspect of our evolution. Developing our ability to hold and make use of our new capacities. Nele is an organisational psychologist and coach who specialises in vertical development. We dive into what vertical development even is. Why do we need it? And what you can do to make space for it on your journey consciously.…

1
Stephanie Denino - Why building an employee experience (EX) muscle can revolutionize your business 51:50

1 year ago51:50

51:50

1
Pia Lauritzen - Designed to doubt 1:06:01

1 year ago1:06:01

1:06:01

The Experience Designers

1
Anna Mindelöf - Building a highly efficient people experience team and why HR needs to embrace the new paradigm 55:18

1 year ago55:18

55:18

The Experience Designers

1
Linda Jarnhamn - Sustainably human 1:15:48

2 years ago1:15:48

1:15:48

Performance and productivity are two important words in today’s work environment. And also, two charged words, because - what do they actually mean? Many of us will have experienced some kind of arbitrary, unfair, strange administrative process that attempts to evaluate the work that we do. With Linda, we take a scientific and neurological perspective to human thriving and guides organizations on how to uncover sustainable human potential and performance.…

The Experience Designers

1
Laura & Sam - Lighting an EX fire in The British Red Cross 57:44

2 years ago57:44

57:44

What does a humanitarian business such as the British Red Cross do to ensure they’re also human-centric on the inside when creating an experience for their people? Well, they commit to a dedicated people experience team and start their journey of introducing a way of working that puts the employee at the heart of everything. Applying a human-centric approach, whilst delivering benefit for the people involved and showcasing the methods and mindset along the way, all the whilst using the process to change hearts and minds.…

The Experience Designers

1
Lieven van Linden - From body to mind - engineering human performance 57:37

2 years ago57:37

57:37

The cognitive and rational mind dominates our conversation about performance in the workplace, but unlocking our full potential and abilities - and doing so sustainably over time - demands us to engage more than our brains. Only when we listen, learn to understand, and respond to the signals that our body sends us, are we able to actually enhance our contribution, health and well-being.…

The Experience Designers

1
Malin Moezzi - Augmenting tech, data and human to create better interviews 1:01:06

2 years ago1:01:06

1:01:06

The humble job interview. Did you know that the first offical job assessment was creating in 1921 by Thomas Edison who designed a written test to evaluate candidates' knowledge. Since then it’s safe to say, the interview has gone various developments. But at the core, it’s two humans coming together. Where so much is going on from a psychological, bias and human perspective. But it’s not until you really lean in and take a forensic lens that you truly start to understand where things can go seriously wrong. Especially from an experience and employer brand perspective.…

The Experience Designers

1
Eleni Jacobs - Building teams from scratch 58:48

2 years ago58:48

58:48

What distinguishes a well-functioning team from a friction-ridden one? How do we know what to spend time on as we start building a team? And what do we need to take ownership of as leaders and co-workers? With Eleni Jacobs we break down the concept of psychological safety and look at the conscious and unconscious dynamics that rule and create our teams - as a group and as individuals.…

The Experience Designers

1
Stephanie Robinson - Learning from moments of discomfort 59:08

2 years ago59:08

59:08

When was the last time you felt discomfort? Did you notice how you reacted? Was it subtle shifts in your body? Or major knee-jerk! How did it feel? What level of discomfort was it? 1 out of 10? 10 out of 10? Regardless of the situation. What's clear is we have a reaction. Sometimes subtle, other times more profound and impactful. This is where the learning and growth opportunities exist in these moments and how we reflect and react.…

The Experience Designers

1
Andre Fangueiro - Making space and managing for design 1:00:28

2 years ago1:00:28

1:00:28

Design is a buzzword for everything from products to customer- and employee experiences. But beyond that, it is a mindset and skill-set that requires dedicated practice both by individuals and organizations. With Andre Fangueiro we explore different facets of design, from individual behaviors to leadership, career development and organizational structures. What does it actually take to do design (successfully)?…

The Experience Designers

1
Ian Golding - Connecting customer & employee experience 59:04

2 years ago59:04

59:04

As employee experience continues to evolve from buzzword to creating impact inside of organizations. I was curious to explore the world of customer experience. How did they go from buzzword to a discipline, business function and career choice? What learnings can we leverage for the EX evolution? How can we make better use of connecting these two sides of the same coin to bring value to people and business?…

The Experience Designers

1
Shani & Steve - 10 lessons from our first year in business together 40:13

2 years ago40:13

40:13

In this special episode Shani and Steve look back on their first year of running Wonder together and what it means to do life and business in a more human way. They share 10 big lessons they’ve learnt over the course of the year and the different facets of more human.

The Experience Designers

1
Anamaria Dorgo - Building Community 1:10:22

2 years ago1:10:22

1:10:22

In a quick-paced and demanding work environment, community is something many companies and individuals seek to build - to be less alone, to become more creative, to solve problems more effectively. With Anamaria Dorgo's unique voice and experience in community building, we explore what makes a good community. And how do we go about creating communities that add value to both the people in them and the world around them……

The Experience Designers

1
Theo Smith - Neurodiversity, Inclusion, and Empowerment 1:02:17

2 years ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Theo Smith brings a unique lens to the workplace in the form of Neurodiversity. If you’re struggling to understand what this is or how it applies to your business - I promise you, it is relevant and already exists in your business. It’s just a matter of whether you understand it, are asking the right questions or prepared to adapt and evolve to it.…

The Experience Designers

1
Josh Hammonds - Decoding communication 1:01:54

2 years ago1:01:54

1:01:54

When we discuss communication we often end up speaking about strategies for talking to people, how we can convey information and create engagement, but we spend less time understanding how that interaction works and how different people both send and receive messages. Together with Josh Hammonds we try to decode different styles of communication and what that means both to how we talk and to how we listen. And we explore if there is even a “right” way to communicate or if we are all simply… different?…

The Experience Designers

1
Jim Tamm - Radical collaboration 1:08:03

2 years ago1:08:03

1:08:03

Our ability to collaborate and collaborate constructively is one of the key predictors of productivity, innovation and success overall. Working well together is not just a set of skills, it is also a mindset. Together with Jim Tamm we explore what Radical Collaboration means and dive into the capabilities we need in order to take radical responsibility for how our teams and collective environments work… Hint, it has everything to do with looking at yourself in the mirror……

The Experience Designers

1
Dieter Veldsman - Trends shaping employee experience & HR 59:14

2 years ago59:14