Explore every episode of the podcast Lift Up Connections: Reimagining Life, Growth, and Reinvention Together
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Making Sense of the Mess with Abby Covert: Information Architecture, Community, and Redefining Success | 26 Mar 2026 | 00:33:06 | |
What happens when the career path you’ve built no longer aligns with the life you want? In this episode, Christine sits down with Abby Covert, information architecture expert, author, and founder of the Sense Makers Club, to explore what it means to walk away from traditional definitions of success and build something new. After years of working in tech and teaching information architecture around the world, Abby made the decision in 2020 to leave her corporate role and create space to figure out what was next. What emerged was the Sensemakers Club, an evolving, community-driven experiment in learning, curiosity, and connection. Christine and Abby discuss:
This conversation is deeply relevant for anyone questioning their path, navigating uncertainty, or trying to design a more expansive and aligned life. | |||
| The Long View of IA with Karen McGrane: Career Reinvention, Reputation, and a Changing Industry | 15 Mar 2026 | 00:31:21 | |
What does a long career in information architecture and UX teach us about navigating industry change? In this episode, Christine Perfetti speaks with UX and content strategy leader Karen McGrane about reputation, career reinvention, and adapting to shifts in the tech industry. Karen shares lessons from decades in consulting, the impact of the recent consulting downturn, and why she recently made the unexpected move back in-house at Contentful. They also discuss hiring in today’s market, the importance of professional networks, and why many experienced professionals are beginning to think in terms of portfolio careers. Karen will be speaking at the Information Architecture Conference (IAC26) in Philadelphia, April 14–18, 2026. Use the code liftup for $50 off the main conference registration. Learn more: https://www.theiaconference.com | |||
| Inflection Points, Portfolio Careers, and Bravery with Kristen Fitzpatrick of Harvard Business School | 17 Sep 2025 | 00:50:44 | |
If you have ever wondered what HBS alumni learn about reinvention after graduation, Kristen Fitzpatrick has the inside view. In this conversation, I sit down with Kristen, Senior Managing Director of Alumni Relations and Career & Professional Development at Harvard Business School, who has spent over two decades guiding students and alumni through pivotal career moments. Kristen brings brilliant wisdom on reinvention, resilience, and building lives that truly reflect our values. In our conversation, we explore the reality of inflection points, those moments when we’re called to pause, reassess, and sometimes radically shift course. Kristen shares her own personal journey, the lessons she’s drawn from working with thousands of HBS alumni, and her perspective on how to embrace bravery, banish perfectionism, and see yourself through the eyes of someone who believes in you unconditionally. If you are navigating uncertainty, questioning your next step, or simply craving inspiration from one of the sharpest minds in career development, this episode is for you. In this episode, you’ll learn:
Resources Mentioned
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| Lean Experiments for Life: Christina Wodtke on Reinvention, Risk, and Thriving in Tech | 04 Sep 2025 | 00:51:54 | |
What does it take to reinvent your career again and again without losing yourself in the process? In this conversation, Stanford University lecturer, bestselling author, and product leader Christina Wodtke opens up about her nonlinear path from art school to Silicon Valley startups, to teaching at Stanford. We talk about:
Christina’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and refusing to be defined by a single label. Episode Notes:
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| From Tech Pioneer to Photographer: Nicole Yankelovich's Journey of Happy Accidents and Finding Opportunities | 02 Sep 2025 | 00:33:40 | |
In this episode, Christine sits down with Nicole Yankelovich, a technologist, startup founder, photographer, and teacher whose career has been shaped by a series of “happy accidents.” Nicole shares her journey from cofounding a research institute at Brown, to leading research at Sun Microsystems, to creating her own startup, and ultimately finding a new calling in photography and instruction. Along the way, she reflects on the lessons of raising your hand, seizing opportunities, and the role mentors play in shaping our paths. Nicole’s story will inspire you to take action, trust your instincts, and find joy in the unexpected twists and turns. | |||
| Red Doors, Yellow Doors: Choosing Openness in Your Career Journey | 31 Aug 2025 | 00:09:26 | |
In this episode, Christine explores the powerful framework of the “achieving brain” and the “awakened brain,” inspired by Dr. Lisa Miller’s groundbreaking research in her book, The Awakened Brain. Christine shares a reflection exercise on “red doors” and “yellow doors” moments when we strive and push for something that just won’t open, and the surprising shifts that happen when we pause, look around, and notice the open doors waiting for us. Through her own story of launching the Reimagine Your Career cohort, Christine highlights how resilience, openness, and “trail angels” can change the direction of our journeys in unexpected ways. Are you still banging on a red door or is there a yellow door already open for you? The Awakened Brain by Dr. Lisa Miller | |||
| Breaking Through Mid-Career Plateaus: Why 'Work Harder' Doesn't Work with Bosky Mukherjee | 29 Aug 2025 | 01:00:14 | |
This week, I sit down with Bosky Mukherjee, CEO and founder of SheTrailblazes to get real about what actually moves careers forward in this market. Bosky shares why “saying yes to more work” and “just speaking up” are outdated scripts, and replaces them with narrative authority (communicating impact in C-suite language), commercial fluency (knowing how money moves in your company), and a practical path to achieving sponsorship, not just collecting mentors. We also chat about how to think on your feet without over-explaining, ways to role play your way to confidence with stakeholders, and make smart choices if you are in you 50s or 60s and facing ageism. whether that means optimizing for joy, for financial freedom, or building something of your own. Expect tough love, smart tactics, and immediate next steps you can use this week. About Bosky Mukherjee Bosky Mukherjee started her career at the bottom as a tech support associate. Overqualified, underpaid, and underestimated, she refused to stay stuck. She rose to the C-suite as a company president, then built two profitable businesses without a dollar of VC funding. Today, she coaches thousands of women to step into senior leadership or grow profitable businesses when corporate no longer fits. Her approach blends behavioral psychology with real C-suite experience in hiring, promotion, and power decisions. She’s the founder of SheTrailblazes, with two flagship programs:
Bosky’s belief is simple: Success isn’t about working more; it’s about knowing how decisions are made, and leading them with power. Connect with Bosky:
Programs Mentioned:
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| Perfectly Imperfect: Redefining Wellness with Tonia Bartz | 18 Aug 2025 | 00:53:34 | |
Christine Perfetti sits down with UX researcher turned holistic wellness coach Tonia Bartz to explore what it really takes to move beyond burnout and create a life that feels aligned. After navigating a cancer diagnosis and a career pivot, Tonia developed her Perfectly Imperfect Wellness Method, a framework that helps people reclaim their days, embrace imperfection, and find joy in the messy middle. In this episode, Christine and Tonia discuss:
This conversation is both practical and inspiring and a reminder that you don’t have to do it all perfectly to create the life you want. About Tonia Bartz With 15 years of experience as a UX Researcher, Tonia mastered the art of asking the right questions – a skill that naturally led me to explore the interconnected world of holistic + integrative wellness. What started as personal experiments with sleep patterns, nutrition + stress management blossomed into a full-fledged passion for this topic. By testing + refining these methods on her own wellness journey, Tonia discovered what truly works. When friends began seeking my guidance, she knew it was time to transform this hands-on experience into professional expertise, which includes: Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach (IIN, 2018), Member of the International Association of Health Coaches (IAHC), and Member of both the Patient and Family Advisory Council + Precision Oncology Community Board at Fred Show Notes and Resources
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| Alignment, Hope, and Connection: Meena Kothandaraman's Vision for UX Research | 12 Aug 2025 | 00:51:56 | |
In this episode, Christine Perfetti sits down with Meena Kothandaraman, co-founder of Twig + Fish Research Practice and a pioneer in UX research to explore why the most valuable thing researchers is connection, not just answers to study questions. Meena shares her journey including human factors work, motherhood, and leading a micro-agency focused on the power, positioning, and practice of qualitative research. She discusses how alignment unlocks better outcomes, why patience and confidence are essential for researchers, and how she is inspiring high school students through work with Boston Public Schools. Meena’s message for researchers: Your superpower is connecting people: to ideas, to each other, and to a deeper sense of purpose. "You have the power to bring people together, not to push them apart." | |||
| Reinvention in Real Life: Career Pivots from Tech Leaders Designing What’s Next | 08 Aug 2025 | 00:44:55 | |
In this live panel episode, host Christine Perfetti brings together four powerhouse leaders, Melissa Appel, Rob Fitzgibbon, Malini Rao, and Stephanie Gerber Wilson, for an honest conversation about career reinvention in today’s messy landscape. You will hear their stories of both planned and unexpected pivots, from moving into higher education and launching coaching businesses to writing true crime books and starting a political podcast. These leaders share the messy middle, the grief, and the self reflection that come with letting go of an old identity to make room for the next chapter. The panelists discuss:
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| What I Have Learned About Work, and What I Hope My Son Remembers | 05 Aug 2025 | 00:16:58 | |
In this special episode, the mic gets flipped. Christine Perfetti, founder of Lift Up and longtime UX leader, is interviewed by her son, Ben Perfetti. What follows is a deeply personal and heartfelt conversation about curiosity, career pivots, fear, growth and what it really means to build a meaningful life and career. Ben asks thoughtful questions about Christine’s childhood goals, why she didn’t become a therapist, how she discovered the world of UX, and what led her to create Lift Up. Christine opens up about the scary moments, the sparks of inspiration, and the power of simply starting even when you don’t know where it will lead. What You’ll Hear:
Find Christine at Lift Up Connections | |||
| Designing a More Inclusive and Accessible World with Maigen Thomas | 30 Jul 2025 | 00:54:26 | |
In this episode, I sit down with Maigen Thomas, accessibility advocate, UX leader, and founder of Level 11 Technology. Maigen shares her winding journey from flight attendant to tech founder and how some brave leaps led her to a career focused on equity and purpose. We discuss:
Learn more about Maigen’s work: maigenthomas.com | |||
| The Vision Was Given to You: Kenyetta Hall on Mindset, Managed Risk, and Building Your Own Table | 26 Feb 2026 | 00:37:08 | |
In mid-career, many of us reach a moment where the old definition of success no longer fits. but the next one isn’t fully clear yet. In this conversation, I sit down with Kenyetta Hall, product leader, professor at UNC Chapel Hill, advisor to founders, and creator of The Katalyst Effect to talk about what it really takes to pivot with clarity and confidence. We explore:
This is not a conversation about quitting your job overnight. It’s about building your own table thoughtfully. | |||
| Reimagine Your Career: Design a Future AI Can't Replace | 27 Jul 2025 | 00:36:20 | |
In this solo episode, I am sharing the most personal talk I have ever given. Two years ago, my consulting work disappeared almost overnight. After years of leading product and design teams and advising organizations like GoFundMe, Penn Medicine, and Harvard Business Review, I suddenly found myself lost and unsure of what came next. This was my messy middle. It turned out it was also the beginning of everything, including my own reinvention and the start of Lift Up Connections. In this talk, I present a teaser of the tools and framework I teach to help others navigate inflection points: how to reconnect with your spark, make sense of your career capital, and design a future AI can’t replace. I also highlight the real stories of three professionals who used their low points to chart bold new paths. Show Notes: In this episode, I cover:
Learn more about my Career Reinvention Cohort: liftupconnections.com “Feeling stuck doesn’t mean you’re stuck. It’s just the moment before everything starts to change.” — Christine Perfetti | |||
| Black Women Rising: Rest, Resistance, and the Power of Collective Healing with Dr. Jade Singleton | 17 Jul 2025 | 00:50:41 | |
Dr. Jade Singleton is a former investment banker turned DEI strategist, researcher, and founder of the IKONI Collective, a wellness collective devoted to centering and sustaining Black women. She’s also the creator of Ninety-Two, a new documentary funded through Kickstarter (ending July 22) that tells the story of Black women quietly leading a new blueprint for liberation through healing, rest, and collective resistance. The title Ninety-Two refers to the 92% of Black women who voted for Kamala Harris in 2024 only to have been sidelined, silenced, or disappeared in the months that have followed. In this episode, Jade shares what it means to reclaim power when systems betray you. We talk about burnout, gaslighting, and workplace trauma and how Black women are choosing each other and choosing rest as an act of survival and sovereignty. One of Jade’s most powerful takeaways: “We don’t just need rest like Eat, Pray, Love. We need rest for survival.” Don’t miss her Kickstarter campaign for the Ninety-Two documentary, a film centered on beauty, inspiration, and radical healing. Kickstarter: The 92 Documentary: The Rest Rebellion No One Saw Coming Connect with Dr. Jade Singleton on LinkedIn and learn more at https://www.ikoni.org/ | |||
| Redefining Success on Your Own Terms with Melissa Appel, Author of Aligned | 09 Jul 2025 | 00:45:39 | |
In this episode of Lift Up Connections, Christine sits down with Melissa Appel, product leader, author of Aligned: Stakeholder Management for Product Leaders, and a longtime supporter of women forging their own paths in tech and life. Christine and Melissa first connected as mothers navigating demanding careers, and their relationship has evolved through shared vulnerability, values, and vision. They explore what it means to reimagine your career from the inside out, and how to navigate transitions with clarity and courage. Melissa opens up about her decision to step away from traditional product leadership roles, why writing Aligned helped her process her own growth, and how her time in the Reimagine Your Career cohort shifted her perspective. "Being in a safe space with like-minded women was key to me believing in myself." Tune in to hear Melissa’s perspective on career growth, self-advocacy, and why letting go of conventional definitions of success is sometimes the boldest move a leader can make. Show Notes Learn more about Melissa and Bruce McCarthy's book, Aligned: Stakeholder Management for Product Leaders Melissa's website Lift Up Connections website | |||
| Blending UX Consulting with a Mission-Driven Passion Project: Christine Perfetti on The UX Consultants’ Lounge | 03 Jul 2025 | 01:18:43 | |
This week, I’m doing something a little different. I am the one in the interview seat. I am excited to share my recent conversation with longtime friend and UX pioneer Kyle Soucy on her brilliant podcast, The UX Consultants’ Lounge. In this personal episode, Kyle and I explore how my two-decade UX consulting career laid the groundwork for Lift Up Connections to support mid- and senior-level women at career and life inflection points. We discuss the fears and freedom of reinventing your path, why community is essential in uncertain times, and what it means to build a business that aligns with your purpose. We also get raw and real about self-worth, resilience, and the messy middle moments that often spark our greatest growth. If you are navigating career questions, wondering how to balance your zone of genius with what lights you up, or just need some honest company on the path, this one’s for you. “Sometimes the market drying up is what wakes us up. If 2023 hadn’t been such a struggle, I might never have created Lift Up.” The UX Consultants' Lounge Podcast with Kyle Soucy | |||
| Designing for Equity and Responsible AI with Shanae Chapman | 18 Jun 2025 | 00:49:49 | |
In this episode, Christine Perfetti chats with Shanae Chapman, founder of Nerdy Diva, civic tech leader, AI innovator, and advocate for inclusive design and equity in tech. Shanae shares her journey from growing up in North St. Louis to building an impressive career in public service, UX, and entrepreneurship. Christine and Shanae discuss the power of role models and mentors, and how Shanae's navigating challenging industry shifts with resilience. Shanae shares why she built Mocha Mama, an AI tool designed to support maternal health for black women and how she’s pushing for equity through human-centered innovation. Interview Highlights:
Resources and Links: Mocha Mama on ChatGPT Shanae on LinkedIn | |||
| How to Manage Your Inner Critic with Catherine Norman: From Self-Doubt to Self-Compassion | 15 Jun 2025 | 00:29:52 | |
Christine interviews Catherine Norman, a renowned counselor, about managing the inner critic, one of the most common challenges facing women in business and tech. Catherine breaks down why our brains have a negativity bias and explores how inner critics develop at different ages throughout our lives: from the emotional 5-year-old who experiences all-or-nothing thinking to the logical but rigid teenager who sees only black and white outcomes. The conversation includes the "facts versus assumptions" exercise, strategies for talking to the different inner voices, and the importance of recognizing that many successful paths exist rather than falling into perfectionist thinking. Catherine also addresses how to navigate career uncertainty. "Being able to notice that voice for what it is... Being able to say, 'Hey, I noticed you,' or, 'Hey, that's my negative thinking again'. That is the most powerful tool here inside your own brain. If you notice that, then that gives you the options to do something about it." - Catherine Norman, Counselor and Therapist | |||
| Creative Careers, Bold Pivots, and Claiming Space with Marli Mesibov | 04 Jun 2025 | 00:40:34 | |
In this episode, Christine chats with Marli Mesibov, the Content Strategy Director at Verily, an Alphabet company, to explore her journey from theater stage manager to content strategy leader in health tech. Marli opens up about the twists and turns her career has taken, the creative roots of her UX strategy and content design work, and the intentional choices that helped her redefine success. Marli shares how her background in theater sharpened her ability to organize ideas and tell stories, how she found her way into UX through curiosity and serendipity, and the lessons learned about speaking up as a woman in tech. “You don’t need to know what you want to do. You just need to know what you want to do next.” Whether you’re exploring your next move, carving out your voice, or trying to claim more space in your career, this conversation will leave you feeling seen and inspired. Resources: | |||
| How to Build a Momentous Life with Malaika Simmons | 29 May 2025 | 00:45:44 | |
"You will never have more of what you want until you want what you already have.” Christine Perfetti chats with Malaika Simmons, TEDx speaker, founder of Momentology Media, and creator of the Momentology™ Method to explore what it means to live with intention, purpose, and authenticity. Malaika shares her story as a "facilitator of discovery" where she leveraged her psychology, history, and neuroscience background to create Momentology, a trauma-informed framework for self-awareness and resilience. Christine and Malaika discuss the foundational pillars of Momentology: Awareness, Gratitude, and Expectancy. Malaika explains how these principles can empower individuals, specially women navigating inflection points in their careers or lives, to uncover their own light and map the path forward despite fear and uncertainty. 🔗 Resources: Momentology Media Malaika’s Morning Mantra & Affirmation Guide TEDx talk: Designing a Momentous Life | |||
| Messy Middles and Meaningful Career Moves: Amanda Stockwell on Designing What’s Next | 21 May 2025 | 00:43:13 | |
In this episode of Lift Up Connections, Christine sits down with Amanda Stockwell, a longtime UX consultant, Duke University professor, and co-founder of The List, a nonprofit connecting university students to startups. We explore what it means to take big and brave career steps without knowing exactly where you will land. Amanda shares how she transitioned from corporate roles to consulting, then into teaching and nonprofit leadership. Each time, Amanda was driven by intuition, connection, and a desire to do meaningful work. Christine and Amanda discuss:
Whether you're figuring out your next act or feeling stuck in between, Amanda offers a grounded and optimistic look at how to keep going. And why you don’t need to have it all figured out to start! | |||
| Radical Transparency, Reinvention, and Finding Your Next Chapter with Tamara Adlin | 07 May 2025 | 00:47:00 | |
Tamara Adlin is a pioneer in the UX and product world who is widely known for her groundbreaking work on personas and her talent for speaking truthfully about the team and personal dynamics that shape and sometimes derail our work. Tamara's the co-author of The Persona Lifecycle, a longtime independent consultant, and the host of the new podcast, Corporate Underpants. In our conversation, Tamara and I talk about the messy middle of our careers, including the grief of letting go of who we once were professionally, the courage to try something new, and the feelings associated with reinvention. We get real about aging in tech, why women need to talk about money more openly, and how communities, including Never Search Alone and Lift Up Connections are providing support in uncertain times. Resources: 🎧 Learn more about Tamara’s work at Adlin Inc. and Corporate Underpants 💡 Never Search Alone — Phyl Terry's free job search support community | |||
| The Product of You: Designing What’s Next in the Messy Middle with Sarah Doody | 18 Feb 2026 | 00:36:35 | |
What if the greatest product you’ll ever work on is you? In this candid and deeply honest conversation, Christine sits down with career strategist and UX leader Sarah Doody to talk about what it really takes to navigate mid-career uncertainty, especially in today’s volatile tech landscape. They explore:
Sarah also shares openly about her own recent challenges and offers a rare and refreshing glimpse behind the curtain of entrepreneurship. This episode is for mid-career and midlife women who are:
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| How to Survive Workplace and Collective Trauma with Alla Weinberg | 05 May 2025 | 00:50:58 | |
In this personal and raw episode, Christine sits down with Alla Weinberg, a design leader and expert in psychological safety, to talk about trauma, something we don’t often talk about at work. We often experience trauma in many different areas of our lives, including when we are managing workplace dynamics, parenting, or dealing with systemic barriers in our jobs. Alla shares her perspective on what trauma really is and how healing can start by building deep connections. Christine and Alla discuss the trauma many of us carry without realizing it until something cracks open, such as becoming a parent, leaving a toxic workplace, or a relationship ending. Alla shares her own story of discovering her trauma after the birth of her son, and how that realization influenced her purpose, work, and understanding of what it means to show up authentically. If you are experiencing burnout, feeling disconnected, or questioning the systems you are operating in, this conversation is a great reminder that you are not alone. Healing doesn’t have to happen in isolation. There is a way forward that starts with compassion for ourselves. 🔗 Links & Resources Connect with Alla on LinkedIn: Alla Weinberg Sign up for Alla's trauma healing session | |||
| Visionary Leadership in Health, Design and the Messy Middle with Amy Heymans | 29 Apr 2025 | 00:49:58 | |
Christine Perfetti is joined by Amy Heymans, founder of Beneficent and co-founder of the renowned design agency Mad*Pow. A force for good in the healthcare and design communities, Amy shares her journey from young designer and mom to building and selling her multimillion-dollar agency. At Beneficent, she is creating dignified futures through participatory design and visionary leadership. Christine and Amy discuss how to navigate career inflection points, the challenges of motherhood, how futures thinking can change the world for good, and why we must "stop being selfish and share our brilliance with the world." Amy shares her perspective on building self worth, dealing with imposter syndrome, and what it really means to live and lead in alignment with your values. Amy also shares insights into Dignified Futures, the conference she will be co-hosting in Atlanta this June, and her vision for change across health, finance, and government. 🔗 Links & ResourcesDignified Futures Conference: https://designfordignity.com (June 3–4, Atlanta) Connect with Amy on LinkedIn: Amy Heymans Beneficent: https://beneficent.design | |||
| Climbing Out of Burnout: Mount Kilimanjaro, Reinvention, and Choosing an Expansive Life with Mugdha Kulkarni | 14 Jan 2026 | 00:44:36 | |
In this deeply honest episode, Christine Perfetti sits down with Mugdha Kulkarni to explore what happens when your body finally says enough. A former Amazon engineering leader, Mugdha shares her journey through burnout, a life-altering panic attack, the healing power of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and the brave decision to walk away from corporate life to rebuild a life rooted in health, creativity, and meaning. If you’re standing at the edge of change, this conversation will meet you there. You can learn more about Mugdha's new business, Thyme for Something Sweet on Instagram. | |||
| Career Reinvention: When Your Body Knows Before Your Mind Does with Roberta Dombrowski | 15 Dec 2025 | 00:38:15 | |
What happens when your body starts telling you the truth before your career does? In this deeply honest and grounding conversation, Christine Perfetti sits down with Roberta Dombrowski, a coach, meditation teacher, and former VP of UX Research, to talk about reinvention, intuition, motherhood, and the courage it takes to leave behind a version of success that no longer fits. Roberta shares her own journey from senior leadership in tech to coaching women through identity shifts, including the painful, nonlinear middle: layoffs, self-doubt, postpartum depression, and the temptation to return to what once felt safe. Christine and Roberta explore:
This episode is for women who look capable on the outside but feel misaligned on the inside and are ready to slow down, tune in, and take the next right step. Episode Notes: Listen to Roberta's podcast, In Her Words Roberta's company, Learn Mindfully | |||
| Starting Before You Are Ready: Amanda Stockwell on Leaps, Meaning, and the Changing Shape of Success | 20 Nov 2025 | 00:33:08 | |
Six months ago, UX leader and educator Amanda Stockwell said yes to a cup of coffee, never imagining that one conversation would lead her into founding a nonprofit, joining a social enterprise accelerator, and reshaping her entire career path. In this inspiring episode, Amanda returns to The Reimagining Lab to share what she’s learned in the messy middle of building The Seed List, a nonprofit designed to create equitable internship pathways for students entering the tech and startup world. We explore:
Amanda’s story is a reminder that reinvention doesn’t require certainty. It requires alignment, courage, curiosity, and a willingness to walk through the “yellow door” when life shows you a path you never expected. | |||
| The Art of the Beautiful Mess: How Creativity Helps Us Reimagine Our Lives with Angela Craven | 05 Nov 2025 | 00:41:53 | |
Artist and UX strategist Angela Craven joins Christine to explore how creativity can help us navigate grief, reinvention, and the unpredictable seasons of midlife. From painting in New York to leading UX strategy to rediscovering her art after personal loss, Angela shares how she learned to live with harmony instead of chasing balance. Christine and Angela discuss:
This conversation is an invitation to slow down, listen to your creative voice, and reimagine your life as an evolving work of art. Resources & Links
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| Living Outside the Box: Kristin Florin on Redefining Herself After a 20-Year Career | 23 Oct 2025 | 00:41:47 | |
After 20 years at Custom Ink, Kristin Florin never imagined she’d be laid off. The company wasn't just a workplace. It was the place where she grew up professionally and had helped define her identity and community. In this powerful conversation, Kristin shares what it’s really like to lose the only professional home you have ever known and how she found her way back to confidence and purpose. She opens up about the grief of the layoff, the uncomfortable quiet that followed, and the mindset shifts that helped her reimagine what’s possible and find her new leadership position at BreakingT. You’ll hear Kristin’s reflections on:
Her story is a reminder that sometimes leaving the box isn’t the end of your story. It’s the start of a truer one. | |||
| From Downturn to Breakthrough: Kyle Soucy on Projective Techniques, Lean Experiments and Being Brave | 25 Sep 2025 | 00:44:21 | |
In this episode, Christine Perfetti talks with Kyle Soucy, founder of Usable Interface and host of The UX Consultants Lounge. Kyle has spent more than 20 years in UX research and is now writing a book on projective techniques, methods like collaging and sentence completion that surface insights traditional interviews often miss. She shares how these techniques open the door to deeper human understanding while also requiring careful attention to ethics and participant safety. But this conversation goes beyond research methods. Kyle opens up about navigating the downturn in tech, the fear that came with slow times, and how those messy moments became the catalyst for her biggest breakthroughs. From launching her podcast to committing to her long-dreamed-of book, Kyle shows how lean experiments, courage, and small steps forward can create powerful momentum. Whether you’re a UX professional, a consultant, or someone reimagining your next chapter, this episode will inspire you to move past fear, try something new, and discover what’s possible when you take action. What you’ll learn:
Resources: Kyle Soucy’s company: Usable Interface The UX Consultants Lounge featuring stories and lessons from independent UX consultants Article: Tad Hirsch, Practicing Without a License: Design Research as Psychotherapy: important perspective on ethics and participant safety in research | |||