the deeply human design podcast

"People massively overestimate the amount of change that's going to happen in two years, and they underestimate the amount in five to 10 years."

Summary
In this episode, we explore the journey of Stuart, a psychologist who moved from cognitive research into digital transformation and is now working in government. We trace his path from the back streets of Liverpool to a PhD in human computer interaction, augmented reality research in Italy, and six years in research and design leadership at Expedia. Stuart reflects on social mobility, on the confidence and experience it buys as much as the income, and on leaving school in a year when not one of the jobs he has since done actually existed. We discuss why organisations resist AI, where he honestly lands between its promise and its threat, and the psychology of resilience when uncertainty simply cannot be researched away. This conversation is a deep dive into staying proactive rather than passive, experimenting deliberately, and treating your own career as a product you can design.

Guest
Stuart Booth - LinkedIn

Host
Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/
Website – http://www.dannyhearn.me
Podcast – http://www.deeplyhumandesign.com

Chapters
00:00 Getting to Know Each Other
01:12 Journey into Design
02:48 Personal Background and Privilege
04:18 University Experience and Social Mobility
05:02 Social Class and Education
06:26 Exclusionary Language and Corporate Spaces
09:33 Career Advice and Opportunities
10:01 Evolution of Job Roles
13:20 Identity and Role Definitions
15:22 Experience and Decision Making
17:14 Emotional Journey of Craftsmanship
19:14 Anxiety and Resilience
20:38 Dealing with Uncertainty
22:49 Strategies for Daily Practice
23:38 Embracing Change and Uncertainty
25:55 Organizational Response to AI
28:09 Personal Views on AI and Technology
30:11 Creating and Building Apps
33:20 The Future of App Development and AI
36:48 Impact of Technology on Employment and Life
41:08 Resilience and Facing Uncertainty
44:21 Applying Lean UX Canvas to Personal Development

"The pressure to move faster in the tech industry creates an environment where presence and mental well-being are often sacrificed for speed.”

Summary
In this episode, leadership consultant Andy Hix joins us to share insights from his interviews with 85 tech leaders on the pressures they face, what keeps them up at night, and what separates those thriving in 2026 from those burning out.

Together, we unpack the intersection of tech, mental health, and well being, tackling everything from AI addiction and early adopter anxiety to how human centered leadership can bring joy back into the corporate workplace.

Guest
Andy Hix
Web - https://andyhix.com/
LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhix/

Host
Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/
Website – http://www.dannyhearn.me
Podcast – http://www.deeplyhumandesign.com

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:17 The Impact of Tech on Mental Health
04:07 Discovering Meditation and Well-being
08:16 Leadership and Presence in Tech
10:56 Challenges of Being Present in a Corporate Environment
16:00 The Struggle of Overwhelm and Stress in Tech
23:06 Implementing Well-being Practices in Corporate Settings
26:10 The Pressure to Move Faster
27:02 The Anxiety of Being an Early Adopter
28:00 The Addictive Quality of AI
29:14 The Impact on Mental Health
34:35 The Human Side of Tech Leadership
44:07 The Influence of Leadership on Culture
49:22 The Absence of Joy in Work

"The pressure to move faster in the tech industry creates an environment where presence and mental well-being are often sacrificed for speed.”

Summary
In this episode, leadership consultant Andy Hix joins us to share insights from his interviews with 85 tech leaders on the pressures they face, what keeps them up at night, and what separates those thriving in 2026 from those burning out.
Together, we unpack the intersection of tech, mental health, and well being, tackling everything from AI addiction and early adopter anxiety to how human centered leadership can bring joy back into the corporate workplace.

Guest
Andy Hix
Web - https://andyhix.com/
LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andyhix/

Host
Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/
Website – www.dannyhearn.me
Podcast – www.deeplyhumandesign.com

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
01:17 The Impact of Tech on Mental Health
04:07 Discovering Meditation and Well-being
08:16 Leadership and Presence in Tech
10:56 Challenges of Being Present in a Corporate Environment
16:00 The Struggle of Overwhelm and Stress in Tech
23:06 Implementing Well-being Practices in Corporate Settings
26:10 The Pressure to Move Faster
27:02 The Anxiety of Being an Early Adopter
28:00 The Addictive Quality of AI
29:14 The Impact on Mental Health
34:35 The Human Side of Tech Leadership
44:07 The Influence of Leadership on Culture
49:22 The Absence of Joy in Work

Reclaiming the Heart in Design
“There’s so much heart in some of these things that you’re putting in heart in that space and I find it very hard to detach some of those.”

Summary
In this episode, we explore the creative journey of Fionn, a partner at the design futures studio Andthen . We trace his evolution from the tactile world of furniture making to leading large-scale design teams within the corporate banking sector . Fionn reflects on the emotional friction of maintaining personal values in transactional environments and the toll of multiple burnouts. We discuss his shift toward "slow decisions" and how design can be used to influence long-term policy and societal change . This conversation is a deep dive into reclaiming professional purpose and the human heart within a technical industry .

Guest
Fionn Tynan O'Mahony
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/fionntynan/
Website – https://www.studioandthen.com/

Host
Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/
Website – www.dannyhearn.me
Podcast – www.deeplyhumandesign.com

Chapters
00:00 Reconnecting and the Purpose of Human Conversations
02:08 Designing the Intangible: Introducing Andthen
05:05 From DIY to Craft College: Early Practical Creativity
06:50 The Modernist Influence and the Limits of the Ego
08:32 Refocusing Life and the Discovery of Curiosity
11:49 Design as Intervention: Breaking the Routine
14:58 Reality Hits: Transitioning into Corporate Banking
16:54 The Shift from Questions to Answers
19:18 Techno-Optimism and the Moonshot Era
21:57 The Cost of Delivery Culture and Shrinking Experimentation
24:42 Navigating Burnout and Value Misalignment
29:50 The Struggle of Scaling Teams in Risk-Averse Systems
34:41 The Gift of Voluntary Redundancy
38:44 Returning to Exploration and Strategic Influencing
43:49 Pace Layering: Designing for Long-Term Impact
50:40 Redefining Success Beyond the Bottom Line

“Sometimes the best thing you can do is just be the kindest person in the room.”

Summary
In this episode, we explore the profound impact of leading with kindness and humility in the high-pressure world of design and advertising. Guest Craig Jamson joins Danny Hearn to reflect on his journey from a self-taught Flash designer in South Africa to a Creative Director at Ogilvy. They discuss the transition from a "brutal" leadership style to one focused on empowering others, drawing inspiration from the book Multipliers. The conversation dives deep into the importance of maintaining calm in "crisis mode," the challenges of the current job market, and how personal mental health practices shape professional presence. Together, they advocate for a more supportive industry culture where seasoned professionals lift up those who are most vulnerable.

Guest
Craig Jamieson
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-jamieson/
Website – https://craigjamieson.com/

Host
Danny Hearn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyhearn/ Website – www.dannyhearn.me
Podcast – www.deeplyhumandesign.com

Chapters
00:00 The Power of Humility and Kindness
01:10 Journey from Art School Dropout to Digital Design
05:03 From Dictator to Genius Maker: The Multipliers Shift
08:51 Avoiding the Expert Jargon Trap
14:04 The Quiet Confidence of Seasoned Creative Directors
17:36 The Fadeaway Technique in Consultancy
26:13 Perceptions vs Reality: The Scary Guy Persona
35:40 Moving Beyond the Self and Stressful Perspectives
42:25 Presence, Calm, and the Figmification of Design
53:03 Practical Ways to Support the Design Community