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Join Lucy, one of the co-hosts of the award-winning podcast 'A Beginner's Guide to Design Thinking' as she introduces her new podcast 'The Long Game with Lucy Patterson'.

A podcast for people noticing that the old systems feelincreasingly out of sync with the lives we’re actually living.

Expanding on her work in design thinking, she explores conversations based on the growing longevity economy and the intricacies of being alive at a point where human beings are suddenly living much longer lives than many of our institutions were ever built for.

This podcast is where Lucy and her guests process what this means from a design and cultural perspective. So join her for honest, intelligent conversations about identity, systems, culture, curiosity, and building lives and ideas that can actually last.

We’re all living longer. So we all need to get better at playing the long game.

Search 'The Long Game with Lucy Patterson' wherever you usually listen to your podcasts, then make sure you hit follow so you never miss an episode.

Episode 1 drops Monday 1st June 2026! 

You can also find Lucy on Substack where she writes about the same topic.

Here are the links to the bodies of work mentioned by the listeners who asked us questions this episode:

Candor Dennis - The Event Playbook Coffee Chat Series

Liz Atkin - Refreshing Comms

Vaughan Broderick - Innovation Playbook

In this reflective episode, Lucy and Tracy celebrate three years of their design thinking podcast, sharing personal growth stories, podcast successes, and lessons learned.

They engage with listener questions, discuss the importance of empathy in design thinking, and explore the future of the discipline, particularly around longevity, education and leadership.

The hosts also share humorous moments from their podcasting journey and reflect on the significance of external validation.

As 2026 looms, Lucy looks forward to releasing her solo spin-off podcast 'Rebel by Design (Thinking)' and Tracy looks forward to starting a new role. They both express excitement for future projects and the continued evolution of design thinking within their chosen fields.

Key takeaways:

• Listener numbers and retention rates have exceeded anything they could have hoped for since they started the podcast as a fun experiment 3 years ago.
• Resilience and adaptability are the key lessons they've learned whilst recording.
• Empathy is crucial in design thinking and product development.
• When adopted, design thinking principles can greatly benefit the education and longevity sectors, and aid with career progression.
• The importance of humour and fun in any journey.
• External validation is not the primary focus; the message is what matters.

As we press pause on our recordings for now, we'd like to thank every single listener and supporter. We've been blown away by the reach, engagement and connections we've had the pleasure of making this past 3 years. Don't forget to tune into Lucy's solo spin-off 'Rebel by Design (Thinking) in the new year.

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the critical role of communication in design thinking and collaboration.

They discuss various communication styles, the impact of neurodiversity, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for effective communication.

The conversation emphasises the need for empathy, avoiding jargon, and fostering curiosity to enhance understanding.

They also provide practical tips for facilitating brainstorming sessions and ensuring clarity in communication, ultimately highlighting that effective communication is essential for innovation and teamwork.

key takeaways:

• Communication is often assumed to be easy until it isn't.
• There are four main communication styles: visual, verbal, written, and kinesthetic.
• Neurodiversity plays a significant role in how individuals communicate and process information.
• Creating safe spaces for questions enhances inclusivity in communication.
• Empathy is crucial in understanding different communication styles.
• Avoiding jargon can improve connection and clarity in communication.
• Curiosity should replace the word 'should' to foster innovation.
• Facilitators should set the tone for open communication by modeling vulnerability.

• Communication is not just about words; it's about making people feel heard.

Chapters:

00:00 The Importance of Communication in Design Thinking

02:52 Understanding Communication Styles

05:41 Neurodiversity and Communication

08:46 Creating Inclusive Communication Spaces

11:25 The Role of Empathy in Communication

14:20 Overcoming Jargon and Assumptions

17:07 Facilitating Effective Brainstorming Sessions

20:00 Designing for Clarity and Connection

23:02 Communication Do's and Don'ts

25:44 Final Thoughts on Communication and Innovation

In this episode, Tracy Sharp discusses two influential books in the realm of design thinking: 'The Design of Everyday Things' by Don Norman and 'Designing Your Life' by Dave Evans and Bill Burnett.

Tracy emphasises the importance of understanding user behavior in design and how design thinking principles can be applied to career development. The conversation highlights the significance of prototyping, iterative processes, and being clear about personal values to enhance both product design and life design.

Key Takeaways:

• Think about the last book that inspired you.
• The Design of Everyday Things focuses on user interaction.
• Design errors are often misattributed to user mistakes.
• Prototyping is crucial in the design process.
• Designing Your Life applies design thinking to career choices.

• Iterate on your career path rather than making drastic changes.

• Be intentional about trying new things in your career.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Design Thinking Books

05:09 The Design of Everyday Things by Don Norman

09:51 Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

In this mini-episode, Lucy Patterson explores the themes of design thinking, creativity, and the importance of embracing the messy middle in life and business.

She reviews two impactful books, 'Tiny Experiments' by Anne Laure Le Cunff, and 'The Fax Club Experiment', by David Hieatt & The 32; sharing insights on how small, iterative actions can lead to significant growth and understanding.

The discussion emphasises the value of curiosity, reflection, and community in navigating life's challenges.

Key takeaways:

• Life doesn't work in linear bullet points.

• Treat failure as data, not drama.
• The messy middle isn't where you're stuck, it's where you start.
• Slow can be better than fast.
• Tiny experiments felt like a field manual.

• The Fax Club Experiment is an invitation to the uncomfortable.

Chapters:

• 00:00 Tsundoku and Book Obsession
• 01:11 Design Thinking and the Messy Middle
• 06:21 Embracing Curiosity Over Certainty
• 10:29 The Power of Reflection

In this episode Lucy and Tracy explore the multifaceted nature of innovation, emphasising the importance of iterative processes, understanding customer needs, and the role of design thinking in creating impactful solutions.

They discuss concepts like painstorming and jobs to be done, highlighting how small changes can lead to significant value. The conversation also touches on the importance of inclusivity and delight in design, as well as the necessity of implementation for successful innovation.

Chapters:

00:00 The Essence of Innovation

03:12 Understanding Innovation vs. Invention

06:05 The Concept of Painstorming

08:59 Jobs to Be Done: Adding Value

11:54 Iterative Innovation and Customer Focus

15:05 Design Thinking for Community and Sustainability

18:01 Questioning Assumptions in Innovation

21:31 Delight and Inclusivity in Design

24:22 Implementation: The Key to Successful Innovation

27:32 Learning from Past Innovations

30:21 The Future of Innovation.Key takeaways:

• Innovation is about small, iterative changes rather than grand inventions.
• Painstorming focuses on understanding user pain points to drive innovation.
• Jobs to be done is a framework for identifying customer needs and adding value.
• Inclusivity and delight are essential in design to enhance user experience.
• Implementation is crucial; ideas without execution are ineffective.
• The right ecosystem can support innovative ideas and ensure their success.
• Assumptions in innovation must be questioned to avoid failure.
• Design thinking should be accessible and free from jargon.
• Iterative innovation allows for rapid testing and feedback loops.
• Understanding customer jobs leads to more meaningful innovations.

In this episode Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp explore the theme of vulnerability and its critical role in design thinking and creative spaces.

They share personal stories of vulnerability, discuss the gender dynamics surrounding it, and emphasise the importance of creating safe spaces for open communication.

The conversation also highlights practical tools and techniques to encourage vulnerability in workshops; ultimately linking it to innovation and authenticity in both personal and professional contexts.

Chapters:

00:00 The Power of Vulnerability in Design Thinking

02:57 Personal Stories of Vulnerability

06:02 The Impact of Vulnerability on Creativity

09:08 Gender Dynamics and Vulnerability

12:12 Creating Safe Spaces for Vulnerability

14:58 Tools for Encouraging Vulnerability in Workshops

18:01 The Role of Vulnerability in Innovation

21:28 Final Thoughts on Vulnerability and Design Thinking

Key takeaways:

• Vulnerability is essential for creativity and innovation.
• Personal experiences of vulnerability can shape professional practices.
• Creating safe spaces is crucial for encouraging vulnerability.
• Gender dynamics influence how vulnerability is expressed and perceived.
• Vulnerability is not a weakness; it's a strength in design thinking.
• Authenticity fosters connection and trust in workshops.
• Facilitators should model vulnerability to encourage others.
• Workshops can serve as rehearsal spaces for real-life vulnerability.
• Tools like anonymous contributions can help ease the fear of sharing ideas.
• Vulnerability allows for messy honesty, which is more relatable than perfection.

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the transformative power of curiosity within the context of design thinking.

They discuss the science behind curiosity, its role in personal and professional growth, and how it can be harnessed as a tool for innovation.

The conversation delves into different types of curiosity, the importance of creating safe, bold spaces for exploration, and how curiosity can lead to meaningful life design.

The hosts emphasise that while curiosity is essential, it must be paired with intention and clarity to drive effective outcomes.

Soundbites:

'Curiosity isn't just a nice to have, it's built into our daily interactions like a cognitive superpower.'

'Curiosity lights up the reward circuitry of your brain like the billboards on Times Square.'

'You need to feed your curiosity.'

Chapters:

00:00 The Power of Curiosity

01:27 Curiosity in Conversations

05:15 Curiosity and Brain Science

09:58 Curiosity vs. Chaos

10:48 Types of Curiosity

15:36 Making the Connection to Curiosity in Design Thinking

18:29 The Power of Curiosity in Understanding Others

19:46 Creating Safe Spaces for Exploration

23:33 The Robot, Pirate, Ninja Framework

28:28 Curiosity as a Life Design Tool

33:35 Curiosity as a Superpower for Growth

36:20 Practical Tips for Cultivating Curiosity

39:14 Next Episode - Design Thinking & VulnerabilityTopics: curiosity, design thinking, personal growth, professional development, creativity, problem solving, brain science, safe spaces, life design, innovation.

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the relevance of design thinking in the age of artificial intelligence.

They discuss the historical context of AI, its integration into design processes, and the importance of maintaining a humanity-centered approach.

The conversation emphasises the need for empathy, creativity, and the unique insights that only humans can provide; even as AI becomes a more prevalent tool in design thinking.

Soundbites:

7:24 - 'AI is like the Ozempic of the corporate world.'

9:10 - 'Have we been mis-using design thinking in ways AIcan now replicate easily?'

12:57 - 'How do we integrate it without losing thehuman magic? That’s the brief.'

13:49 - 'It’s amazing for breadth, but it's got jack sh*t intuition.'

23:15 - 'I basically work to the principal of AI fast, then human slow, and AI plus human intelligence is where the true magic lies.'

28:59 - 'When we test with real humans, we spot the moments AI misses - that's the stuff that matters most. Design thinking is about empathy, creativity and testing. If we skip those steps, we’re not using AI, we’re just avoiding the hard stuff.'

Key takeaways:

• Design thinking is still relevant despite AI advancements.
• AI has been in development for much longer than perceived.
• The integration of AI into design thinking should enhance, not replace, human creativity.
• Real design thinking involves messy, human processes that AI cannot replicate.
• AI can assist in initial research but should not replace human insight.
• The importance of empathy in design thinking cannot be overlooked.
• AI can help generate ideas but lacks intuition and context.
• Using AI responsibly requires understanding its limitations and biases.
• Collaboration between AI and human intelligence can lead to innovative solutions.
• Testing with real humans is essential to capture insights that AI misses.

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy delve into the critical role that empathy plays in design thinking; emphasising its importance in creating products and services that truly meet the needs of users.

They discuss the consequences of neglecting empathy, share personal anecdotes, and provide practical tools and steps for fostering empathy in design processes.

The conversation highlights the need for inclusivity and accessibility in design, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own biases and assumptions.

Key takeaways:

• Empathy is essential in design thinking.
• Designing for the average ignores diverse user needs.
• Everyday experiences highlight the need for empathetic design.
• Empathy can improve product accessibility and inclusivity.
• Tools like the Wheel of Power and Privilege help identify biases.
• Recognising your starting point is crucial for progress.
• Engaging with users directly leads to better design outcomes.
• Design should be aspirational, not just functional.
• Small tweaks can make a big difference in inclusivity.
• An empathy audit can help reflect on biases and assumptions.

Sound bites:

• "Empathy isn't just a nice to have."
• "We need to be asking them, the users."
• "Recognise where you are. Start from there"
• "Design for aspiration as well as function."

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome Back and Season Three Introduction

01:08 Understanding Empathy in Design

02:28 The Importance of Empathy in Design Thinking

03:28 The Consequences of Lacking Empathy

07:20 Empathy in Everyday Life and Design

09:41 Tools for Enhancing Empathy

14:39 Practical Steps to Foster Empathy

19:56 Empathy Audit and Conclusion

In this episode, Tracy and Lucy wrap up Season 2 by reflecting on the importance of embracing failure as a teacher and the lessons learned from their personas, Dave and Eliza. They discuss practical solutions for common business struggles, the significance of stakeholder engagement, and the value of iterative testing. The episode emphasises the journey of personal and professional growth through design thinking principles, encouraging listeners to celebrate small wins and enjoy ...

In this episode Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp explore the critical theme of implementation in the design thinking process. They discuss the importance of taking action, the challenges of maintaining momentum, and the necessity of reflection and feedback. The conversation also touches on useful frameworks like TOMS and the Five-Star Ratings Framework to help listeners define success and stay accountable. Additionally, they emphasise the significance of sustainability in innovation and...

In this episode, Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp explore the principles of design thinking, focusing on the ideation process, innovation, and the importance of prototyping. They discuss how to navigate overwhelming ideas, the iterative nature of innovation, and the significance of vulnerability in seeking feedback. The conversation emphasises the need for clarity in problem-solving and the value of prioritisation in decision-making, ultimately encouraging listeners to embrace the learning ...

In this episode, Tracy Sharp and Lucy Patterson discuss the challenges of ideation, particularly focusing on overcoming self-criticism and perfectionism. They emphasise the importance of preparation, creating a safe space for sharing ideas, and the role of facilitators in guiding the process. The conversation also touches on the significance of embracing wild ideas and navigating the concepts of 'right' and 'wrong' in brainstorming sessions. *This episode is kindly sponsored by Judith P. R...

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the principles of design thinking, focusing on the common pitfalls that individuals and teams encounter during the process. They emphasize the importance of understanding stakeholders, defining clear problem statements, and the iterative nature of design thinking. The conversation highlights the significance of reflection, data-driven decisions, and maintaining focus on the purpose while avoiding distractions. The hosts also discuss the balance betwee...

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore the complexities of design thinking, focusing on the importance of stakeholders, co-creation, and the challenges of people-pleasing. They discuss how to navigate diverse opinions, the value of empathy, and the iterative learning process involved in design thinking. The conversation highlights real-life applications, tools for decision-making, and the significance of self-respect and empowerment in the journey of personal and professional growth. *This...

In this episode, Lucy and Tracy explore how empathy helps us understand others and ourselves, fosters deeper connections, and leads to better decision-making. They also delve into the significance of forming a distinct point of view to be used as a guide to action when navigating potential challenges. *This episode is kindly sponsored by Rama Gheerawo, author of Creative Leadership: Born From Design.* Key Topics Covered: [00:00] What to expect: Lucy and Tracy introduce the episode by fram...

Your hosts, Lucy and Tracy, kick off season 2 with an episode entitled 'A Beginner's Guide to Doing Things'. *This episode is kindly sponsored by Vaughan Broderick, co-author of The DUCTRI Playbook* In this episode, they challenge you - the listener - to take a fresh approach to growing your business and up-levelling your lives using the power of design thinking. They discuss the basics of adopting new habits, overcoming initial challenges, and how to stay consistent when starting somethin...

Have you missed us? Who's ready to take action and solve problems with us? Send us a text Support the show You can support us in the following ways: Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions. Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests. Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time. L...

Have you missed us? Who's feeling stuck and ready to do something about it? Send us a text Support the show You can support us in the following ways: Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions. Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests. Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time. ...

In this episode Send us a text Support the show You can support us in the following ways: Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions. Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests. Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time. Lucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucypattersonflourish/ ...

In this episode we Send us a text Support the show You can support us in the following ways: Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions. Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests. Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own project, whilst earning a qualification and CPD points at the same time. Lucy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucypattersonflourish/...

In this episode we discover whether 'X' really does mark the spot, as we explain more about the 'Define' stage of the design thinking process. Send us a text Support the show You can support us in the following ways: Take a listen, leave a positive review, connect with us on LinkedIn, ask us questions. Season 1 - A full A - Z introduction of all things design thinking, plus a range of special guests. Season 2 - Engage with the opportunity to design think your way through your own pr...

In this episode, we uncover a few of the reasons why workshops can be innovation and creative goldmines when you're looking to solve a problem, make a decision, or whenever you have a challenge ahead of yourself or your team. We look at how design thinking workshops are actually more likely to produce iterational innovation, than the transformational innovation that we hear about in the media, before explaining the need for good preparations, the limitations of workshops, and how to get the ...

In this episode we're joined by Lara Doherty, Founder of The Motivation Clinic, and Author of The Mighty Book of Motivation. Adept at using the power of visualisation, with a particular interest in the power of vision boards to fuel your achievements and help you reach your goals, Lara explains how she now pays this power forward to others. Visualisation techniques have been used by sports coaches to improve the performance of sports stars very successfully for decades, yet visualisat...

In this episode we welcome the inimitible Christine Hemphill from Open Inclusion. With a background in design, Christine now specialises in inclusive product design, with a particular interest in age and disability. From retail to banking, healthcare to transport, Christine's knowledge, understanding and desire to disrupt the product design sector for the greater good is admirable. We're all 'users' of products, but due to her dislike of the transactional nature of this word, she makes sur...

In this episode we dive deeper into the psyche of co-host Tracy Sharp. To get us started, Lucy makes Tracy share her career profile with us, as if she'd written it for a dating app...then we get serious! From the highlights of working on the 'Foodi' for SharkNinja whilst out in China, to the burn out that followed; Tracy provides honest and open insight into her life as a female in a male dominated environment. Listener questions provide further insight into Tracy's confidence and resilien...

In this episode we discuss the impact of story-telling; more importantly the impact of good story-telling. As a design engineer, Tracy shares a story of a hotel stay that didn't live up to expectations, and how story-telling could have helped the hotel to better improve her experience. Lucy sings the tune to a 1980's Milky Way tv advert that shows how story-telling links to nostalgia, marketing, and sales. (It also proves that Lucy shouldn't give up her day job!) From cha...

In this episode we discuss how to use the power of reflection in order to boost your mindset and discover the benefits that taking time to reflect can have on your business and life. Tracy shares the reflection questions she claims stopped her from quitting during the early days of running her own business, and Lucy shares how she uses reflection methods to maintain communication and momentum within her growing business team. We chat through the Baader Meinhoff Effect and Imposter Syn...

In this episode we look at the potential of questions within the innovation and design thinking process. We uncover some of the cross-overs between design thinking and lean manufacturing, and share the Japanese origins of a very simple, yet effective exercise, '5 Whys'. Plus, of course, because we're all about actionable insight, we provide you with some real life examples that enable you get to the crux of various problems by putting this exercise to good use. Send us a text Support the sh...

In this episode we touch on one of Tracy's favourite stages in the design thinking process; prototyping. Having spent years working as a Design Director for a major household brand, what Tracy doesn't know about prototyping is probably not worth knowing. Join us as we share some of her production design insight, and then learn how to apply the same/similar insights to service based business' - and your life. We discuss the need to 'prototype like you want it to fail' and to look at 3 proto...

In this episode we cover one of the main stages in the design thinking process: observe. Sure, we all observe ourselves and others on a daily basis, but when you need to observe with purpose; to be aware of your surroundings, to better understand the impact of your product, or to solve problems and makes decisions within your business, how good are you at observing then? It can actually be one of the hardest stages in the design thinking process to get right and do well. It's time to...

In this episode we chat with Michael Lewrick, PhD, MBA. Michael has worked intensively these past few years to establish himself as a Thought Leader and world-renowned specialist in the field of Design Thinking. A best-selling author and award-winning entrepreneur, his ideas, books and innovation company - Lewrick & Company - help people around the world to better lead innovation and business growth during this current period of rapid change. If you're a regular listener to our p...

In this episode we find out more about the journey that lead one of the co-hosts, Lucy Patterson, to a career in design thinking. From the influence of her Grandparents on her mindset, to a successful management career that left her feeling stifled, to setting up Flourish Unlimited. Onto a sink or swim conversation that saw her embark on a life and business changing trip just before the pandemic hit. Among other things, Lucy shares her favourite design thinking tools, her belief in t...

In this episode we explain a bit more about the key steps of the design thinking process; exploring the 'double diamond' concept, which is currently celebrating its 20th year of use. So join us as we diverge to converge; applying the double diamond to life design and coaching; considering ways you can apply it to your life and business for simple, yet immediate and iterative impact. Continue to listen as we introduce the notion of business ecosystems; discussing how service base...

In this episode we explain a bit more about one of the most commonly used tools in Design Thinking, journey - and empathy - maps. Within business, maps may relate to your customer's thoughts, feelings and journey, how your processes flow, or how you get to a sale. We'll chat customers touchpoints, and help you identify where they are in their journey with you: Awareness, consideration, purchase, retention and advocacy. Plus, we'll take a telling look at the journey of your key compet...

In this episode we explore ideation - a key element of design thinking - and how it fits into the innovation space. If you think that ideation is just a brainstorming session, then you need to listen to this episode, because you couldn't be more wrong. This episode could just provide you with the framework you need to discover your next big product/service! We chat creativity as an adult, how to get over 'blank page syndrome', what to do if you're a recovering perfectionism, and why you sho...

In this episode we explore one of Lucy's favourite Design Thinking tools; 'How Might We?' There's more to Design Thinking than just fun and effective tools, and in this episode we explore a bit of the neuroscience and psychology around creating a productive problem statement. We talk elephants, riders, working alone together, not needing to re-invent the wheel, and how to manage those 'tricky' power dynamics when working on a project as a team. How Might We know that you're enjoying...

In this episode we look at how Design Thinking can be used as a powerful tool for growth, both in your business and your life. We're here to help you not just fail fast and fail forward, but to learn fast, and learn forward, because we grow from many perspectives: Physical, emotional, spiritual, social and mental. Join us as we chat about the elements of coaching that can address these growth areas, and how/where/why they fit in the Design Thinking framework. Observing and prototypi...

In this episode we evaluate the first Design Thinking tool of this podcast season, as we discuss the benefits and potential pitfalls of using 'Five W's & H Questions'. This tools allows us to gain better understanding of the opinions and wishes of our customers, whilst removing judgement and assumptions. It can get us closer to the 'right' problem statement, and it bring nebulous thoughts together, before drilling down for further clarity. But should 'why?' really be used in a coaching ...

In this episode we meet Ed Watson, a Design Thinking afficionado and Workshop Facilitator extraordinaire. Listen as Ed shares his design thinking journey. It's a journey that takes us via IBM and Accenture, with a stop-off finding out more about his activism and the notion of 'Modern Elders', then pivots to his monthly meet-ups that bring together an awesome community of design thinkers from around the world. Ed's workshops are revered, so we're delighted to have him sharing his insights, fa...

In this episode we share more about the history and evolution of design thinking; from the 1960s 'designerly ways of thinking' to adoption of the more human-centred, product, life, and business design we know today. Book (affiliate) links for this episode are: DT Toolbox - https://amzn.to/3ZSpAdf Design Thinking Life Playbook - https://amzn.to/3mMnmwY Designing Your Life - https://amzn.to/3ZYnvvG DT for Business Growth - https://amzn.to/3J6QF5d DT & Innovation Metric...

In this episode we explain how to use design thinking as your 'compass' in order to find balance and purpose in your life and business. We help you to ask the right questions, in order to get the right answers; ensuring you're living with purpose and intent. Book (affiliate) links for this episode are: Designing Your Life - https://amzn.to/3ZYnvvG Design Thinking Life Playbook - https://amzn.to/3mMnmwY Send us a text Support the show You can support us in the following ways: Tak...

In this episode we chat 'blue whale businesses' with Phil Teasdale - published Author and CEO of Enterprise Made Simple - as he shares his experience of engaging with Babson College, the world's No.1 university for Entrepreneurship. It was while engaging in Babson's Program for Entrepreneurship Educators that he found his passion for design thinking. Phil is now a UK based Babson Fellow, and continues to share his learning experiences and knowledge with small business owners worldwide. Phi...

Aimed at design thinking newbies, and those who are curious about how they can use design thinking to boost their business and improve their lives. Join Lucy Patterson and Tracy Sharp - two Northern lasses who support business owners and individuals to use design thinking to positively disrupt the status quo; improving your business performance, whilst also invigorating your love of life. We're here to empower you to think differently and get creative...without messing up your sweater with ...

Links to the listeners work mentioned in this episode:

Dennis Candor The Event Playbook Coffee Chats

Liz Atkin Refreshing Comms

Vaughan Broderick Innovation in Action book waitlist

In this reflective episode, Tracy and Lucy celebrate three years of their design thinking podcast, sharing personal growth stories, podcast successes, and lessons learned.

They engage with listener questions, discuss the importance of empathy in design thinking, and explore the future of the discipline, particularly in education and leadership.

The hosts also share humorous moments from their podcasting journey and reflect on the significance of external validation.

As they look ahead, Tracy expressres her excitement for a new role, and Lucy shares that her spin-off podcast 'Reebl by Design (Thinking)' will be released in january 2026.

They share positivity about the continued evolution of their work in design thinking.

Takeaways:

• Podcast audience numbers and listener retention rates have surpassed anything they expected when they first launched as a 'bit of an experiment'!
• Resilience and adaptability are key lessons learned over three years.
• Empathy is crucial in design thinking and product development.
• Design thinking principles need to be better adopted in for the benefit of education and longevity sectors, and for career progression.
• The importance of humor and fun in any journey.
• External validation is not the primary focus; the message is what matters.

Links to the listeners whose work we mentioned in the episode:

⁠Candor Dennis⁠ The Event Playbook Coffee Chats Series

⁠Liz Atkin⁠ Refreshing Comms

⁠Vaughan Broderick⁠ Innovation in Action waitlist

In this reflective episode, Lucy and Tracy celebrate three years of recording their award-winning design thinking podcast; sharing personal growth stories, podcast success', and lessons learned.

They engage with listener questions, discuss the importance of empathy in design thinking, and explore the future of the discipline, particularly in education and leadership.

The hosts also share humorous moments from their podcasting journey and reflect on the significance of external validation.

As they look ahead, Tracy expresses excitement for a new role, and Lucy shares details of her spin-off podcast 'Rebel by Design (Thinking)' which is released in January.

They continue to be positive as their work within the design thinking space evolves.

Key Takeaways:

• The podcast has grown significantly, with audience growth and listener retention rates beyond anything they thought possible when they started this as a fun experiment!
• Resilience and adaptability are key lessons learned over three years.
• Empathy is crucial in design thinking and product development.
• Design thinking principles need to be adopted for the benefit of the education and longevity sectors, and better career progression.
• The importance of humor and fun in any journey.
• External validation is not the primary focus; the message is what matters.
• Their listeners ask the best questions!

These last 3 years have been a blast. Thanks for indulging us in our passion for design thinking. We hope you've learned a lot and, more importantly, are no longer design thinking...but design doing!