Grow the Product

In this episode, we chatted with Ran Liu, Founding Designer & Head of Design, Gable. She is also a returning guest on the podcast.Ran is an experienced growth designer and a growth leader. We discuss the importance of metrics in design, how designers can leverage data to influence business outcomes, and the evolution of metrics as companies grow. She shares insights on activation metrics, user segmentation, and the differences between sales-led and product-led growth models. The conversation also explores reclaiming influence in design roles, career signals for designers, and the significance of company culture. The episode concludes with a learning corner where Ran reflects on underrated metrics and the first project she ever designed.--------------------------------------------------------------------Where to find Ran Liuhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/ranliudesign/--------------------------------------------------------------------Host: Emmanuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omoleemmanuel IniOluwa - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inioluwa-abiodun --------------------------------------------------------------------Production by ⁠- https://www.linkedin.com/in/damilola-ilesanmi-720baa1b0 ⁠⁠For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email: [email protected]

Angie Amlani, the Executive Director of Research & Strategy at MetaLab, joins us to discuss how qualitative insights can lead to significant, measurable growth. She explores the importance of accurately defining the right problems when it comes to growth metrics and highlights the role of research in shaping strategy. Angie emphasizes the collaboration between researchers and strategists, the necessity of qualitative research, and the balance between intuition and data. Additionally, she discusses the integration of AI into research workflows and how to measure the impact of research. The conversation also touches on the importance of continuous user engagement in product development.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Where to find Angiehttps://www.linkedin.com/in/angelina-amlani/--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Host: Emmanuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omoleemmanuel IniOluwa - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inioluwa-abiodun -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Production by ⁠- https://www.linkedin.com/in/damilola-ilesanmi-720baa1b0 ⁠⁠For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected]

In this episode, we sat down with Kritarth Saurabh, VP of Product Management at Neat, where he’s leading the charge in building a truly experimentation-driven product culture.Kritarth has spent years helping large organisations like Accenture, BCG, global banks, telecoms, and insurance companies transform how they build products. In this conversation, he breaks down what it actually takes to move beyond intuition-led roadmaps and create a product organisation where experimentation, hypotheses, and outcomes drive decision-making at every level.We dive into how experimentation evolves when you’re making product bets, not UI-level tweaks — and what it takes to shift an entire team toward a hypothesis-led mindset. Kritarth shares how he’s scaling product-led practices at Neat, how to create cultural scaffolding for experimentation, and why most teams struggle to connect design, data, and product strategy in a meaningful way.This episode is packed with insight for product designers, PMs, and growth teams looking to elevate their experimentation maturity and design products that learn faster than the competition.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Where to find Kritarth:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kritarth-saurabh/-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hosts:Emmanuel Omole — https://www.linkedin.com/in/omoleemmanuel/IniOluwa Abiodun — https://www.linkedin.com/in/inioluwa-abiodun--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Production by:⁠Damilola Ilesanmi — https://www.linkedin.com/in/damilola-ilesanmi-720baa1b0--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------For sponsorship or partnership inquiries: [email protected]

In this Episode, we hosted Nate Langley, Lead Product Designer at Monzo, who is contributing to the growth design effort.In this conversation, he breaks down how growth design ties craft to business outcomes at Monzo. In this episode, Nate breaks down how growth design works at Monzo from rapid, hypothesis-driven experiments to building a powerful referral engine that drives incremental word-of-mouth. He explains how the team blends product, brand, and marketing into one high-velocity Growth Collective, runs fast tests to find the right incentives, and uses a lightweight growth-vision process to align the company around bets of 6–12 months, rooted in business metrics and customer behaviour.Nate also shares his career journey, moving from design manager back to IC to stay closer to the craft. He talks openly about imposter syndrome, the soft skills management gave him, and how understanding stakeholders, business context, and influence now makes him a stronger growth designer. His story shows how thoughtful experimentation, cross-functional collaboration, and a little delight (like Monzo’s confetti reward reveal) shape both great products and great careers.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Where to find Nate:https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-langley--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Host: Emmanuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omoleemmanuel/IniOluwa - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inioluwa-abiodun -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Production by ⁠- https://www.linkedin.com/in/damilola-ilesanmi-720baa1b0 ⁠⁠For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected]

What happens when product design meets generative AI, and the rules keep changing week by week? In this episode, we sit down with Tuhin Kumar (Head of Design, Luma AI) for an open conversation on what it takes to design, build, and grow breakthrough products in an era defined by AI.Tuhin shares:Why “done” in AI products means leaving room for both user creativity and machine intelligence, and how this rewrites the old playbook for product designHow to navigate the chaos of rapid AI advances without losing focus on the people you’re building forPractical ways to balance iteration speed, craft, and real user impact, even as the ground keeps shifting under your feetLessons from Luma’s explosive Dream Machine launch: why not all growth is good growth, and how segmenting your true users can be a superpowerHow to futureproof your design career: curiosity, hands-on experimentation, and letting go of “old rules”Plus: behind-the-scenes stories, Tuhin’s take on “character design” for AI, and candid advice for anyone trying to chart a course through the noise.Episode highlights:Designing for unpredictability in AI productsFrom free users to product-market fit: growth loops that work in creative AI toolsCraft, personality, and the role of feeling in modern designAdvice for designers navigating the new AI landscapeWhether you’re a designer, PM, engineer, or just curious about how world-class AI tools get built, this episode is packed with tactical insight and inspiration.Connect with Tuhin:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tuhinkumar/Connect with us: Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omoleemmanuel/Host: https://www.linkedin.com/in/inioluwa-abiodun/Website: https://www.growthdesigncast.com/If you enjoyed this episode, leave us a review or share it with someone curious about the future of design and AI!

In this episode of Growth Designcast, we sit down with Tom Kerwin — co-founder of Trigger Strategy and creator of the Innovation Tactics PIP Deck — to explore how design can influence not just features, but direction. From mapping multiverses to prioritising uncertainty, Tom shows us how impactful design thrives in messy, complex organisations.We dive deep into:- Why most A/B tests don’t teach you anything — and how to design experiments that do- Multiverse Mapping: a framework to visualise what users could do, not just what you want them to- How Tom helps orgs decide what not to build — and why design should shape focus, not just outputs.Whether you’re designing in a giant org, mapping your next MVP, or just looking for a better way to navigate complexity, this one will reshape how you think about experimentation, prioritisation, and product strategy.🔗 Explore Innovation Tactics: pipdecks.com📬 Subscribe to Tom’s newsletter: triggerstrategy.substack.com📚 Join a Multiverse Mapping workshop: triggerstrategy.com—Chapters:0:00 Cold Start, Baby Crying & Intros4:00 Tom’s “Comic Sans” Epiphany10:00 Why A/B Testing is Broken (and What to Do Instead)15:00 Data vs Intuition — It’s All Stories22:00 What is Multiverse Mapping?29:00 Visualising Drop-Offs, Misalignment, and Friction34:00 Antifragile Prioritisation — Using Uncertainty to Your Advantage38:00 Speed-to-Signal: Learn Faster Without Doing More44:00 The Pain X-Ray & Emotional Insight51:00 Product-Led vs Sales-Led: Don’t Copy Context58:00 Working with Stakeholders Who Just Want Their Bonus1:05:00 Strategic Design vs Feature Factories1:10:00 Risk ≠ Uncertainty — and Why It Matters1:13:00 Lightning Round: Coffee Rituals, Refocus Apps & Monty Python—🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes on design, growth, and product strategy.#GrowthDesign #ProductStrategy #ComplexityThinking #MultiverseMapping #ABTesting #PIPDecks #DesignPodcast #GrowthDesigncast #DesigningForImpact

What happens when a designer, a visionary operator, and a genius engineer come together to fix the broken world of email marketing?In this episode of Growth Designcast, we sit down with Rebecca Shostak, co-founder and Chief Design Officer of Flodesk — a beautifully designed email platform that's redefining small business marketing and has grown past $30M+ in revenue and hundreds of thousands of users, without traditional venture capital.We dive deep into:🎨 Rebecca’s early life growing up in Silicon Valley with a Mac at age 3✨ The aha moment that sparked Flodesk (from angry template buyers to founding a company)🧪 How brutal user testing reshaped her entire approach to design🚀 The unexpected virality that broke their servers and how they built trust by being radically transparent🧠 Moving from IC to design leader — and how coaching helped her manage anxiety, feedback, and team building🌱 How product-led growth, community, and creative brand loops fuelled Flodesk’s success🔍 What she looks for when hiring designers — and how she balances craft, leadership, and cultureWhether you're a designer dreaming of building your own product, a founder curious about growth loops, or just love a good origin story — this one’s packed with insight, honesty, and inspiration.🔗 Explore Flodesk: https://flodesk.com📩 Follow Rebecca (IG): @rebeccashostak🧑‍💻 Apply to join the team: flodesk.com/careers—Chapters:0:00 Intro2:30 From Templates to Tech Startup10:00 Meeting Her Co-Founders13:00 The Viral Launch That Broke the Internet17:30 Transparency, Trust & Early Growth21:00 User Testing That Humbled Everything26:00 Product-Led Loops & Referral Flywheels34:00 From IC to Design Leader38:00 Coaching, Anxiety, and Emotional Growth45:00 Building a Global Design Culture52:00 Hiring for Taste, Clarity, & Craft58:00 Rebranding Flowdesk1:03:00 AI in Email: What’s Next1:06:00 Advice for Designers Who Want to Build Products1:10:00 Lightning Round—🎧 Subscribe for weekly episodes on design, growth, and product strategy from founders and designers building the next big thing.#GrowthDesign #ProductLedGrowth #Flodesk #Founders #StartupStories #DesignLeadership #DesignPodcast #GrowthDesigncast

In this episode, Ryan Scott, designer, business leader, and educator, joined us on the podcast. We explore what it really means for designers to thrive in today’s ever-evolving landscape. Drawing from his experience at DoorDash, Airbnb, and Salesforce, Ryan breaks down the difference between tactical and strategic skills, and why focusing only on craft is no longer enough. We dive into how designers can start thinking like product leaders, communicate the value of their work in business terms, and build careers that are resilient, flexible, and fulfilling.Whether you’re navigating a tough job market, thinking about a pivot, or trying to scale your impact within a team, this episode offers clear, practical advice. Ryan also shares lessons from his popular ROI of Design course and gives a behind-the-scenes look at his new offering focused on career strategy. If you’ve been asking yourself “what’s next?” — this conversation is your starting point.---------------------------------------------------Guest:Ryan Scott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanscott/Ryan's Maven Course: https://maven.com/ryan-scott Get $100 off any of his courses by using our code "GROWTH".--------------------------------------------------Host: Emmanuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omoleemmanuel/IniOluwa - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inioluwa-abiodun Production by ⁠- https://www.linkedin.com/in/damilola-ilesanmi-720baa1b0 ⁠⁠For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected]

In this episode of the Growth Design Podcast, we hosted Nick McEvily, seasoned entrepreneur and product Leader, to uncover the secrets behind building impactful businesses. Nick shares his battle-tested insights on navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship—from cracking the code on product-market fit to mastering the art of business pivots. They dive into avoiding bias in customer interviews, creating a powerful MVP (Minimum Viable Product), and the tools every founder needs to validate ideas effectively.But that’s not all—this conversation goes deeper, covering:⚡ The fractional work model and how it’s changing the game for startups⚡ The art (and struggle) of hiring and building great teams⚡ Why delusion and curiosity are the ultimate entrepreneurial superpowersPacked with actionable advice, hard-earned lessons, and fresh insights, this episode is a must-listen for designers, founders, and anyone building something extraordinary.Guest:Nick: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickmcevily/Host: Emmanuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omoleemmanuel/IniOluwa - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inioluwa-abiodun Production by ⁠- https://www.linkedin.com/in/damilola-ilesanmi-720baa1b0 ⁠⁠For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected]

In this episode of the Growth Design Podcast, we had the privilege of chatting with Jeremy Miller, a former freelance designer turned full-time UX manager, to explore the human side of UX design. Jeremy shares his journey and emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with stakeholders and teammates to create meaningful design outcomes. Jeremy illustrates how interpersonal dynamics can shape user experience results and offers practical advice on navigating challenges like low design maturity in organizations. The conversation highlights the value of collaboration, communication, and leveraging soft skills to align design goals with business priorities and advance in a design career.Jeremy also discusses strategies for managing VUCA  (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) in the workplace, effective networking in the digital age, and coping with burnout in a rapidly evolving industry influenced by AI. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting out, this episode offers valuable takeaways to help you thrive in the dynamic design world.Key Topics Discussed - Navigating Growth Design and Marketing - The Human Element in UX Design- Beyond UX Design: Building Relationships- Navigating the Challenges of Freelancing- Cultivating Alliances in Design Teams- Understanding Design Maturity in Organizations- The Importance of Collaboration in UXKey Takeaways- Importance of relationships in UX design.- The human element in UX is critical for successful outcomes.- Design is more than just creating deliverables; it's about understanding users and their needs.- Cultivating alliances within teams is essential for effective collaboration.- Designers should treat their colleagues as humans to foster better relationships.- Navigating low-design maturity companies requires patience and advocacy for design.- Building relationships is key to influencing design processes.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Background of Jeremy Miller07:20 Transitioning Between Full-Time and Freelancing12:05 The Human Element in UX Design16:10 Beyond UX Design: The Importance of Relationships21:17 The Allegory of Fred and Amy25:45 Cultivating Alliances in Design32:25 Navigating Low Design Maturity Companies32:55 Building Strong Stakeholder Relationships38:08 Navigating Business Priorities in Design46:45 Leveraging Relationships for Career Advancement54:50 Networking in the Digital Age01:00:01 Understanding Business for Designers01:05:08 Coping with Burnout in a Rapidly Evolving Industry01:10:50 Navigating Burnout in the Design Industry01:11:04 Book Promotion and Accessibility01:12:40 Collaboration and Creative Ideas01:13:23 The Human Element in UX Design01:15:41 Building Genuine Relationships01:16:30 The Importance of Effective Communication01:16:56 Lightning RoundsGuest:Jermey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmillspaysbills/Beyond UX Book Podcast: https://www.beyonduxdesign.com/Host: Emmanuel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omoleemmanuel/IniOluwa - https://www.linkedin.com/in/inioluwa-abiodun/Production by ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/damilola-ilesanmi-720baa1b0/⁠⁠For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected]