The Experience Designers

Sally Earnshaw brings her trademark “oomph” to this high-energy conversation about leadership, life, and the messy, brilliant realities in between. From middle-aged business travel mishaps to the humor of raising teenagers while running a company, Sally grounds leadership in humanity and positivity. We explore her philosophy of energizing and focusing people, the gaps in leadership depth today, and why creating “space to lead” matters more than ever in a world of noise, AI, and constant change. A refreshing reminder that leaders are human first and that energy and authenticity are free.Episode Chapters:0:00 – Oomph: Energy Meets Delivery5:00 – Positive Energy & Early Influences9:00 – Midlife, Normality & Humour14:30 – Business Travel Tales18:00 – Leadership Depth in a Changing World23:00 – Strategy, Agility & Speed of Execution28:30 – Cutting Through Noise & Creating Space to Lead38:30 – Communication, Energy & Authenticity43:00 – The Future of Leadership & Generational Shifts46:30 – Gratitude & Closing ReflectionsBio and LinksSally Earnshaw, the Chief Oompher, is a leadership and organisational culture expert with over 20 years' experience. Sally’s insights on the importance of clarity, how to get everyone aligned and engaged to drive execution have helped hundreds oforganisations build a high-performance culture.Sally emphasises that "your strategy is worth nothing if you can’t communicate". Effective communication in leadership fosters resilience, boosts productivity, and enhances overall performance. Sally is known for her ability to bring out the best in people, using practical, impactful leadership tools that deliver immediate results. Sally is a TEDx speaker, a published author and top tier leadership facilitator and coach.www.linkedin.com/in/sally-earnshaw-oomphwww.oomph.life ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Brian D’Souza has spent his life exploring the power of sound—from late-night radio discoveries and Glasgow club culture to pioneering sound design for wellbeing, workplaces, and psychedelic therapy. In this episode, Brian shares how music and psychology came together in his work, from building Open Ear, a platform that reimagined how businesses use sound, to founding Swell Studio, which creates soundscapes for health, creativity, and connection with nature. We dive into active listening, rhythmic entrainment, sound therapy, and the role of music in transformative experiences. This is an invitation to tune in more deeply to how sound shapes our lives.Episode Chapters0:00 – Early Influences & Discovering Music5:00 – Psychology, Rhythm & Flow States12:00 – Active vs. Passive Listening18:00 – Sound Design in Hospitality & Workplaces27:00 – Business Lessons from Open Ear34:00 – From DJing to Sound Therapy45:00 – Redefining Music as Function, Not Just Entertainment53:00 – Swell Studio & Nature-Based Soundscapes59:00 – Sound, Psychedelics & Healing1:08:00 – Creativity, Bio-Sonification & What’s NextBio and LinksBrian d’Souza is the founder and CEO of Swell Studio, a London-based creative agency working between the intersection of sound, music and well-being. Brian is also an award-winning sound artist, DJ, music producer performing under the alias Auntie Flo, and successful entrepreneur, notably as founder of leading music consultancy Open Ear Music from which he exited in 2023.Swell Studio delivers creative projects that use sound to positively benefit the listener, and is based on three principals: biophilic sound, sound therapy and generative music composition. Its clients include IHG, Imperial College, Muuto, Farfetch, Hotpod Yoga and more. It has been featured in GQ, Forbes, The Times, BBC, Discovery Channel and more.As Auntie Flo,  Brian is a DJ renowned for ‘taking World Music into the future’ (The Guardian). Over a career spanning ten years, he’s played everywhere from Panorama Bar to Glastonbury, making his name as one of the most adventurous DJs around: performing in Cuba, Latin America, Asia, Africa and even the Arctic Circle. He has released four critically acclaimed albums, most notably Radio Highlife (Brownswood, 2018), which won the SAY award for Scottish Album of the Year. His fourth studio album ‘In My Dreams (I’m a Bird and I’m Free) in November 2024. It was awarded Global Album of the Month in the Guardian and Single of the Year by Disco Pogo and DJ History.He currently runs A State of Flo records and blog, which is home to his dancefloor tracks, global collaborations and nature-based sound art and writing on music and the environment. His work most often centres around the creation of bioelectrical music from living things: plants, fungi and humans. His Plants Can Dance event series uses biodata to trigger notes on his specially built modular synthesizer in a process called bionsonification, with the intention of bridging the gap between the natural world and electronic music realm. This work has been commissioned by the likes of Art Angel, National Trust, Het Hem, V&A etc and featured in New Scientist, BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 4, Tate Modern, Rolling Stone, BBC Radio 1 and more.www.swellstudio.iowww.astateofflo.comwww.briandsouza.in ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, we’re joined by Nick Cawthon, a design leader with decades of knowledge in user experience (UX), service design, and the evolving discipline of experience design. From his childhood discovery of creative flow to shaping the culture of UX in San Francisco, Nick reflects on the pivotal shifts that transformed design from skeuomorphic interfaces to design systems, and now to the rise of AI and agents. Together, they explore what is left behind in each wave of transformation, why core human skills and principles remain essential, and how curiosity and experimentation will shape the future of design.0:00 – Childhood Creativity & Early Flow States6:30 – The Evolution of UX in San Francisco12:44 – Designing for Humans: Early UX Insights17:27 – The Impact of AI on UX23:41 – What Gets Left Behind in Transformation28:42 – Reinvention & The Ouroboros Mindset32:01 – The Next Generation of Designers38:35 – Synthetic Users & Experimentation45:57 – Optimism for UX and Experience Design53:19 – Core Principles That EndureNick Cawthorn BioNick helps design teams stay ahead of the curve with their AI transformation. He has been curating self-assessments for UX & Design Teams at retrain.gauge.io, helping analyze industry trends and removing barriers to adoption. Nick founded Gauge in 2001 in the San Francisco Bay Area to help organizations with evidence-based strategy and product decisions. Clients have grown to include Electronic Arts, Genentech, Airbnb, Adobe and many others. Nick is a professor in Data Literacy and Visualisation in the Design Strategy MBA program at his alma mater, California College of the Arts.Linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/nickcawthon-ux-digital-agency-product-design-leadership/https://gauge.io/ ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

From his early fascination with synths and soundscapes to touring the world as a DJ, Tom Middleton has spent decades exploring the neuroscience and emotional power of music. In this conversation, Tom shares how his journey through burnout led him to pioneer “experience as medicine,” using sound intentionally to promote well-being, focus, and recovery. We explore neuroaesthetics, spatial audio, vibroacoustics, and how environments—from wellness spaces to workplaces—can be sound-designed to improve health and human connection. This is a deep dive into the future of sensory wellness and functional sound design.#SoundDesign #WellnessInnovation #TheExperienceDesigners #ExperienceDesignEpisode Chapters00:00 – Beginnings & Sonic Fascination06:30 – From Cornwall to Global DJ14:09 – Nature Sound & Soundscape Ecology18:44 – Touring, Burnout & Recovery30:31 – Therapeutic Music & Sleep Science39:33 – Soundscaping Everyday Life47:14 – White Mirror & Sensory Wellness Innovation54:21 – Experience as MedicineBio and LinksTom Middleton is a multi-award-winning composer, sound and sensory designer, and pioneer of Sonic Therapeutics for sleep, stress, pain, and performance. As co-founder of White Mirror, he creates health-promoting audio and sensory content grounded in salutogenic design - spanning digital therapeutics, immersive environments, and multi-sensory experiences. Originally mentored by Aphex Twin, Tom draws on classical and electronic roots, as a designer, orchestral cellist, DJ, and neuroscience researcher. His work continues to help millions via Calm, Apple Music, Sleep Cycle, and UMG’s Sleep Better.He also created the world’s most relaxing noise and explores acoustic ecology, archaeo-acoustics, and sonic storytelling to raise awareness for planetary and human wellbeing. Tom serves on the Global Wellness Institute’s Music for Health & Wellbeing board and co-authored the sleep chapter in Touring and Mental Health: The Music Industry Manual. He’s committed to scaling evidence-based, humanity-first interventions in a world craving calm, care, and connection - where empathy becomes exponential, and design becomes medicine.Linkswww.whitemirror.studiohttps://www.linkedin.com/in/tommiddletonmusicMusicHere's the track 7-year-old Tom heard by Isao Tomita - https://open.spotify.com/track/2w0URaMReZtoWWDkboobkL?si=d884d327d15e4098Also, here are two albums we love here at The Experience Designers Podcast - Enjoy!Spatial Focus Music - https://open.spotify.com/album/0AVuGKpxfe3d9xJM90YbmN?si=XtqG2P1eTuu4BaCoScSrqQSpatial Sleep Music - https://open.spotify.com/album/6Ifo4VtUVq1a3evYQ6zMtM?si=Z5ZOIgsjTYGRmrScuF1i-Q ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Jessica Weickert joins The Experience Designers to explore how emotional regulation, neuroscience, and story-living are reshaping the future of experiential design. Drawing from her personal journey with ADHD and her role at XDA, Jessica shares how neuroaesthetics is helping brands design immersive, purposeful experiences that support well-being and create real emotional impact. From luxury as presence to collective rituals, we unpack trends transforming events, retail, and hospitality. It’s a deep dive into how experiences can help people feel, connect, and heal—moving from escapism to what Jessica calls “inscapism.” Episode Chapters00:00 – Beginnings & Backstory06:15 – Designing for Emotion & Well-being14:30 – The Shift in Experiential Marketing26:50 – Rethinking Creative Strategy34:20 – Story-Living & Brand Immersion46:45 – Designing Against Loneliness58:15 – Life, Leadership & Saying Yes#ExperientialMarketing #Neuroaesthetics #EmotionalDesign #TheExperienceDesigners #ExperienceDesignBio and Links:Jessica Weickert is a creative strategy powerhouse whose expertise thrives at the intersection of science and creativity. She is driven by an unshakeable belief that transformative experiences hold the power to solve our world’s most complex challenges. As Vice President of Creative Strategy at XD Agency, an award-winning creative agency, Jessica leads a team of creative scientists — committed to applying neuroaesthetics to craft powerful moments that improve wellbeing and ultimately amplify human potential.In 2024, Jessica was recognized as Women We Admire's Top 50 Women Leaders as a testament for her nearly two decades of work on clients such as LEGO, Poosh, and Lowe’s. She also earned a coveted seat on the World Experience Council (WXO), a global institution of leading experience visionaries dedicated to improving the quality of experiences. But above all her professional accolades, Jessica’s proudest role is the one she holds at home: being a mom.A little more about XD Agency:XD Agency (XDA) is an award-winning creative agency, bred from production chops, creating badass experiences for brands who want to redefine industries and rewrite the rules. For 25 years, they've been delivering groundbreaking ideas and unforgettable moments, earning the title of Ad Age Experiential Agency of the Year 2024. XDA proudly plays across B2B and B2C worlds with clients like LEGO, HBO, Cisco, Lowe’s, Adult Swim, and more. With hubs in New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Portland, and Los Angeles, their teams are strategically positioned across the US and beyond dedicated to creating better — experiences, stories, relationships, worlds — everydamnday.Links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicaweickert/https://www.xdagency.com/  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this rare and deeply personal conversation, Colin Nightingale, Associate Artist at Punchdrunk and Co-founder of Right/Left Project, takes us on an immersive journey through his creative evolution. From his early days immersed in London’s underground music and DIY culture to co-shaping some of the most iconic immersive theatre productions of the 21st century, Colin shares the moments that shaped his path.We explore the origin story behind Punchdrunk’s masked worlds, the power of atmosphere in storytelling, and how emotional design continues to guide his work today. Whether it’s transforming derelict warehouses or crafting meditative audio experiences for overwhelmed audiences, Colin’s perspective invites us to rethink how we build experiences that people truly feel.⏱️ Episode Chapters:00:00 Colin's Unique Journey into Immersive Experience Design08:05 The Cultural Landscape of London in the 80s and 90s12:20 Early Career and the Transition to Creative Work14:36 Life and journey into Punchdrunk15:07 Finding Opportunities in London's Creative Scene16:52 Finding My People: The Journey Begins21:42 Finding Punchdrunk: The Lost Persons Parties25:41 The Transformative Power of Space: Punchdrunk's Inspiration30:40 From Concept to Reality: The Evolution of Punchdrunk34:59 Navigating Growth: Balancing Creativity and Commercial Success54:44 Collaboration and Communication in Creative Processes56:42 The Influence of DJ Culture on Sound Design58:57 Exploring Three-Dimensional Music Experiences01:01:29 The Journey of Beyond the Road Project01:06:18 Transitioning from Punch Drunk to Independent Artistry01:07:23 Creating Calm and Meditative Spaces01:14:45 The Importance of Disconnecting in a Digital Age01:25:58 An Invitation to Mindfulness and ExplorationColin's Bio and LinksColin Nightingale is a British artist, creative producer and curator with over two decades of shaping audience experiences through cross-disciplinary storytelling. Holding a 1st Class Honours degree in Management and a background in music, DJ culture, event production, and outdoor arts festivals, Colin brings a unique blend of creative and operational expertise to the world of immersive performance.In 2002, Colin encountered one of Punchdrunk's early experimental works in London and was instantly drawn to its groundbreaking approach to theatre. His connection with the company's founder, Felix Barrett, quickly evolved into a lasting creative collaboration. From 2003 onwards, Colin became a key member of Punchdrunk's core team, contributing to major productions such as Woyzeck, Faust, The Masque of the Red Death, Sleep No More (productions in Boston, New York, Shanghai and now Seoul), The Drowned Man and The Burnt City.  He also co-conceived with Barrett, and produced unique projects including Tunnel 228, a collision of Visual and Art and Performance and Vescovo, a one off collaboration with the rock musician Jack White & XL Recordings.  Over the years, he has held roles including Senior Producer, Creative Producer, and Audience Experience Curator, helping shape the company's globally influential immersive theatre experiences.   In 2019, along with artist and sound designer Stephen Dobbie, he founded A Right/Left Project, a creative studio specialising in immersive sound and art installations. Their recent work includes ORIGIN (2024), a bespoke deep listening experience at Dunham Massey, a National Trust historic property in Cheshire, as well as Beyond The Road, a genre-blending audio-visual walk through album installation in collaborated with James Lavelle/UNKLE that premiered at Saatchi Gallery (2019) before enjoying an extended 6 month run at Alt1 Gallery at The Hyundai Seoul (2021).  He continues to serve as an Associate Artist at Punchdrunk but his core focus is now A Right/Left Project, allowing him and Stephen to explore a range of collaborations and interests that fuse music, sound, and immersive storytelling to reimagine how audiences experience art.  LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-nightingaleWebsite: https://www.arightleftproject.com/about ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode of The Experience Designers, Steve is joined by James Warren, expert storyteller, experience strategist, and founder of Share More Stories to explore how storytelling unlocks deep human connection and business insight.Together, they unpack the true power of stories: as tools for building trust, designing immersive experiences, and revealing hidden emotional truths that traditional surveys and metrics often miss. James shares his personal journey from childhood storytelling to launching a platform that uses AI and narrative analytics to transform how brands understand their customers and employees.The conversation explores:• The shift from storytelling to storyliving• How emotions in stories reveal untapped insights• The link between employee experience (EX) and customer experience (CX)• Why belonging and trust are core to both culture and performance• And how leaders must listen, reflect, and design for impact, not just intentionIf you’re in brand strategy, customer experience, HR, insight, leadership, or simply passionate about the human side of business this episode is a must-listen.⏱️ Episode Chapters:00:00 – Introduction and Warm Welcome00:18 – The Essence of Storytelling03:11 – Evolution of Storytelling05:10 – Immersive Storytelling Experiences07:05 – Storytelling in Travel and Retail14:06 – Personal Storytelling Journey15:21 – Leveraging Storytelling for Business Insights22:03 – Challenges in Storytelling and Research31:32 – Analyzing Customer Stories for Emotional Insights32:28 – Integrating AI for Deeper Emotional Understanding34:48 – The Intersection of Customer and Employee Experience37:00 – The Relationship Between Employees and Customers38:36 – Building Trust Through Story42:55 – Creating Belonging in the Workplace45:34 – Empathy at Scale: Designing for Real Impact51:52 – Leadership’s Role in CX + EX Transformation54:44 – Storytelling, Inclusion, and Community59:10 – Reflections on Human Connection and PurposeJames' Bio and LinksJames Warren is the Founder and CEO of Share More Stories, a human experience insights company. The company’s primary offering is the SEEQ Platform, which helps organizations and brands uncover the emotional drivers behind employee and customer experiences.James is a researcher, strategist, writer and facilitator who blends storytelling, AI, and insights to help companies better understand themselves, their customers, and their communities.With nearly 30 years of experience in marketing, insights, strategy, and innovation, he is passionate about the intersections of humanity, technology, brands, communities, and culture. An active community leader, he volunteers on several boards. He studied economics and literature at Princeton, and creative writing at Columbia. Originally from New York, James now calls Richmond home.LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-warren-seeq/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/share-more-stories/Instagram: @warrenjwricInstagram: @sharemorestoriesWebsite: sharemorestories.com | SEEQPlatform.com ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Join us as we talk with Laura Hess, who attended 500 experiences in 5 years, about building a 25-point “Remarkable” rubric for scoring immersive theatre, fine-art installations, XR activations, brand activations, and more....Learn how intentionality, multi-sensory design, and post-show reflection can help creators craft moments that truly resonate, transport audiences into flow states, and leave a lasting impact. Tune in for practical experience design tips, real-world case studies (including Hermès’s non-transactional activation), and a fresh framework for evaluating remarkable experiences.DOWNLOAD the REMARKABLE experience report - https://www.reuleaux.world/#remarkable-2025Laura Hess is an experience strategist for interactive and immersive mediums. She champions experiential design and its power to move and change people for the better. Past projects include brand activations, experiential marketing, participatory theatre, film, VR, installation art, and themed entertainment.Drawing from her interdisciplinary background, she specialises in creative strategy and concept development across new and traditional formats, delivering meaningful solutions for independent and global media companies.In 2021, she founded Reuleaux, an experiential consultancy. She’s also a founding member and advisor for the World Experience Organization and No Proscenium’s arts editor. After completing a Master of Science in Leadership for Creative Enterprises at Northwestern University, she has no plans for another degree with a longer title.Contact linkshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hess-laurahttps://www.reuleaux.world/https://laurahess.substack.com/Chapters00:00 The Journey of Exploring 500 Experiences04:55 The Importance of Reflection in Experience Design09:10 Creating the Remarkable Model14:57 Understanding the Components of the Remarkable Model20:45 Evaluating Experiences: The Rubric Explained28:38 Understanding Experience Scoring31:33 The Importance of Flow and Connection33:43 The Role of Audience Participation35:57 Navigating Commercial vs. Meaningful Experiences38:28 Intentionality in Experience Design41:43 Hermes: A Case Study in Non-Transactional Experiences47:02 Cultural Exchange and Brand Relationships51:12 Themes in Experience Design54:24 The Shift Towards Intentionality in Experiences54:58 Sensorial Aspects: The Key to In-Person Engagement56:31 The Power of Live Performers in Experiences59:47 Exploring the Beyond Cognition Case Study01:03:32 The Importance of Sensory-Driven Experiences01:04:38 Reflections on Experience Design and Improvement01:10:08 The Need for Reflection and Iteration in Design01:12:00 Closing the interview and contacting Laura ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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 Welcome00:34 Debating the Return to Office Mandates01:22 Challenges and Perspectives on Office Policies02:44 Communication and Clarity in Workplace Policies03:56 Examples of Office Policies and Their Impact08:25 Shifts in Workplace Dynamics Post-Pandemic12:14 Innovative Office Designs and Employee Experience17:38 Wellness and Wellbeing in the Workplace22:23 The Future of Office Spaces and Employee Engagement26:20 Exploring Office Environments: Personal Experiences32:51 Exploring Miro's Office Culture36:20 The Importance of Functionality in Office Design40:31 Santander's Innovative Office Space49:05 Future Trends in Workplace Experience56:37 Reimagining the Office Environment01:01:53 Conclusion and Where to Find More ContentTom's Bio & LinksCo-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/@wrkplcWebsite: https://www.wrkplc.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thitch  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

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-formLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pigalletavakkoli00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:05 Formative Years and Parental Influence06:15 Journey into Experience Design08:47 Teaching and Developing Methods14:36 Human-Centred Design Philosophy22:15 The Role of Technology in Design31:00 The Role of a Producer: A Two-Way Dialogue32:17 Exploring Human Emotions in Experience Design34:08 The Emotion Change Equation35:48 Designing Memorable Experiences41:27 Reflecting on Emotional Impact45:46 Defining Experiences and Transformations49:12 Personal Transformational Experiences51:56 The Interconnectedness of Human Experiences56:28 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find More ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★