Shape of Play: Insights from Mattel's Global Research Study with MADO's Jaclyn Suzuki

If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdFrom solo consultant to scaling a design talent powerhouse—Sara Fortier (CEO of Outwitly) reveals what it really takes to grow, hire, and thrive in today’s design economy. Whether you’re a designer eyeing contracting or a leader scaling teams, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.In this episode, Gerry Scullion speaks with Sara Fortier, CEO and founder of Outwitly, about her journey from being a hands-on designer to leading a 20+ person team and connecting contractors with organisations across North America.Sara shares lessons on contracting, client relationships, hiring, leadership growth, and how AI is reshaping the design industry. If you’re a designer considering contracting, or a leader thinking about scaling your practice, this conversation is full of insights.Preorder Design Research Mastery: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Design-Research-Mastery-Buy-Products/dp/9063699549Learn more about Outwitly - Your Trusted UX Partners ™ for building high-impact teams.http://outwitly.com/Connect with Sara Fortier on LinkedInhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sarafortier/Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. Creators & Guests Gerry Scullion - Host

If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdWelcome, Mike! This is a short guest series from Mike Parker. I've received incredible benefits from learning about the techniques from Mike's work. It's allowed me to find increased clarity around my work as a result. So I'm delighted to welcome Mike to run a free 3 episode liminality session for you - our wonderful listeners of This is HCD! Sit back and enjoy the session.What is Liminal Breaks?Liminal Breaks is a three-part podcast mini-series offering practical, immersive audio experiences designed to reset your nervous system, sharpen your focus, and restore your inner clarity in just a few minutes a day.Developed by Liminal Coaching, these episodes are more than ideas, they’re doorways. Each episode includes a short talk and a guided experience known as a Moment, helping you shift from overload to presence without needing willpower or meditation skills.Whether you're overwhelmed, distracted, burned out, or just craving space to think clearly, this series is a gentle but powerful starting point.Who is this for?- Professionals carrying too much, too fast- Creatives and knowledge workers struggling to focus- Leaders who can’t afford burnout but don’t know how to stop- Anyone seeking grounded, non-performative helpNo spiritual fluff. No jargon. Just felt relief and a path back to yourself.What You’ll Experience in Each EpisodeEach episode includes:- A short, focused introduction to a common psychological or emotional challenge (overload, overwhelm, stuckness)- A 6-minute guided Moment you can repeat daily- Integration guidance to help you understand what just shifted and how to use itWhat you’ll need:- Headphones- A quiet place where you can lie or sit comfortably- Ideally, close your eyes and allow the Moment to do the work no effort neededHow to Use This Series- These Moments are most effective when used daily, even for just a week- You don’t need to understand or try hard, simply listen and let go- The guidance starts fresh each time, but if returning, feel free to skip ahead using the timestamps in the episode notesWhat Issues Does This Help With?The series and the wider Liminal Coaching approach addresses:- Overload, overwhelm, and burnout- Loss of focus or creativity- Emotional shutdown or dysregulation- Decision fatigue and life-direction fogLike what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10Click here to watch a video of this episode. Creators & Guests Mike Parker - Host

If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdWhat happens when women with lived experience of addiction, prison, and recovery sit down with a former judge and a senator? In this powerful episode, Gerry Scullion brings together Senator Aubrey McCarthy, former Judge Gillian Hussey, and four remarkable women — Ruthann Barry, Bronagh McBrien, Edie Donohoe, and Jenny Harris — who have navigated Ireland’s systems of addiction, justice, and recovery.In an extraordinary twist, Judge Gillian Hussey once sentenced three of the women at the table to the Dóchas Centre, Ireland’s women’s prison. Now, years later, they sit side by side, reflecting on that journey, the systemic barriers still in place, and the possibilities for real change.This is a conversation about resilience, compassion, and the power of lived experience to shape a more humane justice system.https://www.tiglin.ie/ie.linkedin.com/in/senatoraubreymccarthyClick here to watch a video of this episode. Creators & Guests Gerry Scullion - Host Serdar Mele - Editor Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdEpisode overviewIn this deeply human episode, Gerry Scullion speaks with Wellington-based design researcher Rachel Knight about the emotional realities of working in social impact. From navigating trauma-informed projects to setting boundaries as a freelancer, Rachel shares powerful insights on staying grounded while doing meaningful work.This conversation is essential listening for anyone working in design research, especially those engaging with vulnerable communities or emotionally charged topics.🔑 Three Key TakeawaysResearcher well-being is non-negotiable: plan for self-care like you plan for scope.Freelancers carry unique risks—build your own emotional safety nets.Lived experience is valuable but can carry hidden costs if not properly supported.Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. Creators & Guests Gerry Scullion - Host Serdar Mele - Editor Stef Murphy - Producer Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdIn this powerful walking episode through Dublin, Gerry speaks with Allen Bobinac, manager of The Lighthouse Café and a man whose journey from sleeping rough in St Stephen’s Green to leading one of Ireland’s most compassionate homelessness services is nothing short of remarkable. Allen shares how lived experience shapes better services, the importance of designing for dignity, and why community is the secret ingredient in recovery. You’ll hear first-hand about Tiglin’s long-term, holistic approach to addiction, trauma, and homelessness, and the vital role of trust, leadership, and purpose in transforming lives.Key Learnings:• Lived experience in leadership ensures services truly meet people’s needs.• Designing for dignity builds trust, safety, and belonging in vulnerable communities.• Long-term, community-centred support is crucial for breaking cycles of homelessness and addiction.https://www.linkedin.com/in/allen-bobinac-ma-1188241a5/https://www.tiglin.ie/Click here to watch a video of this episode. Click here to view the episode transcript. Creators & Guests Gerry Scullion - Host Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdIn this short update episode, Gerry Scullion shares an exciting behind-the-scenes change: the Global Human-Centered Design Directory has now moved to the main This is HCD website. What started as a quiet initiative has turned into a valuable resource for connecting values-aligned practitioners across the globe.Discover how this small but intentional update improves access, strengthens the community, and could help you find your next collaborator, mentor, or team member. It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to building a more connected human-centered design ecosystem—together.3 Key Takeaways:The HCD Directory is now live at thisishcd.com/directoryIt’s free, community-driven, and built for peer connectionDesigners can use it to find collaborators globally for work, mentoring, or supportCreators & Guests Gerry Scullion - Host Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdIn this episode, I speak with Irish garden designer and tv personality - Diarmuid Gavin. He has presented gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show on nine occasions from 1995 to 2016 - He has also authored or co-authored at least ten gardening-related books.For regular listeners, you will be familiar with a recent episode I did with 16-time Grammy award-winning producer, Rafa Sardina - well this episode is continuing on that trend. I am really keen to explore other disciplines to see how they work to solve complex problems and also approach their work. I see gardening and working with nature as a direct parallel to working within organisations. Thinking like this, I was excited to speak with Diarmuid to see how he explores designing for the future and chat at length about external factors that could hinder the designer's vision. Diarmuid was a great guest - and wanted to give a big shout out to his wonderful Instagram page where he answers questions regularly through his Live events. So if you are interested and getting started with anything garden related - Diarmuids yer man!Creators & Guests Gerry Scullion - Host Serdar Mele - Editor Stef Murphy - Producer Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdWhat started as a flower farm has evolved into a thriving community experience with pizza, peonies, and pick-your-own eggs. Together, they explore the deep thinking, sustainable practices, and collaborative mindset driving the farm’s remarkable transformation.Learn how Darragh blends farming tradition with human-centred principles, and discover how change-makers in any industry can be inspired by the resilience, creativity, and adaptability found in modern Irish agriculture.🔑 Key TakeawaysHow to diversify without losing focus: a masterclass in iterative business buildingWhy collaboration (not control) is essential for modern rural enterprisesThe power of customer experience in reshaping farming's role in local communitiesCreators & Guests Gerry Scullion - Host Serdar Mele - Editor Stef Murphy - Producer Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdIn this episode of This is HCD, Gerry Scullion speaks with Adam B. Cochrane, an experienced design leader currently at Staffbase in Berlin. Together, they explore the often-overlooked power of facilitation in design—and why it’s a crucial skill for any designer hoping to make a meaningful impact. From working at Lufthansa and Zalando to his current role, Adam shares lessons learned about enabling teams, the value of psychological safety, and how even introverts can become brilliant facilitators.Creators & Guests Gerry Scullion - Host Serdar Mele - Editor Stef Murphy - Producer Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10

If you like our content, be sure to sign up to our weekly The Design Compass Newsletter. Design Smarter. Lead Better.Leave a review (+ help us grow): https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdIn this episode of This is HCD, Gerry Scullion is joined by Jaclyn Suzuki, co-founder of MADO and former creative director at Ziba, to explore the findings from a groundbreaking global study on play — commissioned by Mattel and involving over 33,000 people across seven countries. Jaclyn shares insights into the six emerging play personalities, the growing need for play across all ages, and how brands like Mattel are translating research into real-world impact. From cultural differences in China, Finland and the US, to the tension between digital and physical play, this conversation uncovers how play connects, heals and transforms.MADO website: https://www.lookwithmado.com/‍Connect with Jaclyn via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaclyn-suzuki/Key Takeaways:🌍 Play is Universal: It transcends age, borders, and background.🤖 Digital vs Physical: The nuances of screen-based vs real-world play.🎯 Future of Play: How brands are reimagining connection through play.Creators & Guests Gerry Scullion - Host Serdar Mele - Editor Stef Murphy - Producer Like what we do? Make a Tip.OrLeave a review: https://ratethispodcast.com/hcdSponsor links10x your service design offering with Smaply. Take 20% off your order with ''ThisisHCD20off'Sign up https://auth.smaply.app/sign-upCheck out This is HCD x Sutsu range. Gerry wears and endorses Sutsu ethical clothing. Get 10% off ScenarioCards.org when you used our link https://scenariocards.org/HCD10