Explore every episode of the podcast Women Who Tech
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franziska Wahlers, Freelance UX Researcher - RUN ANALYSIS WITH AI WHEN YOU DID YOUR PART | 08 Oct 2025 | 00:39:50 | |
š Welcome to the Women Who Tech show! In the first episode of Season 2, I chat with Franziska Wahlers, Senior Freelance User and Research expert who runs The Research agency about freelance work - from building network and estimating projects to incorporating AI tools into workflow mindfully. š„ We dive into: āļø How Paul Ekmanās books and the Lie to Me TV show sparked Franziskaās fascination with human psychology and research āļø Why visualised personas and AI-simulated personas could become the most engaging way for cross-functional teams to understand their users āļø Why Franziska still prefers to do desk research manually, and the best moments to involve AI in the workflow āļø Full-time employment VS Freelance: flexibility and responsibilities āļø Brave, honest, transparent - this is how one estimates and commits to projects āļø How genuine references from fellow designers, researchers, and managers lead to big projects One quote that stuck with me after our conversation: āI run analysis with AI after having my own analysis done, taking it as recommendations just like from another peerā. š Follow the podcast for more grounded conversations with women shaping the future of Tech and Design. šĀ Franziska on LinkedIn šĀ Lisa on LinkedIn Music by Make Like a Tree | |||
| Alina Korol, Design Leader and Mentor - KEEP YOUR INNER LIGHT ON THE PATH OF TRANSFORMATION | 05 Jul 2025 | 01:15:40 | |
š Welcome to the Women Who Tech show! In this heartfelt and reflective 12th episode, I sit down with Alina Korol - design leader, researcher and mentor - for a candid conversation about design leadership and self-employment, her personal and professional transformation over the past few years, joy of process over result, and the power of self-belief. ā”Ā Note: the episode is recorded in Ukrainian š„ We dive into: āļøĀ Why transformation often hits personal and professional life at once - and how crisis can spark real change āļøĀ Alinaās go-to books and resources for navigating lifeās turning points āļøĀ The meaning behind Notice little things and how it ties into mindfulness (go see Perfect days by Wim Wenders full of Japanese philosophy of Wabi-sabi! š„°) āļøĀ The people who believed in Alina early on and how that made her her āļøĀ How the UN Women Leadership Program became a life-changing experience āļøĀ What it is like to kickstart an education program that many designers grew to love and the upcoming Product bootcamp announcement! āļøĀ Alinaās unique insights into modern Ukrainian startups character āļøĀ Testing hypothesis with founders āļøĀ How Ukraine leads in client-oriented services and digitalisation One quote that stuck with me after our conversation: āDonāt let to diminish yourself and dim the inner light on the path of transformationā. š Hit Follow to stay inspired and never miss an episode! šĀ Alina on LinkedIn šĀ Alina offers consulting and mentorship here šĀ Lisa on LinkedIn Music by Make Like a Tree BONUS Education https://progresiya.biasless.world/ Books https://shopcatalog.com/products/the-mountain-is-you https://shopcatalog.com/products/when-youre-ready-this-is-how-you-heal | |||
| Isabelle HĆ¼ther, Design Leader and Mentor - GOOD MANAGER IS ON THE SIDE OF EMPOWERMENT, NOT MANIPULATION | 17 Mar 2025 | 01:18:01 | |
š Welcome to the Women Who Tech Show! In the third episode, I sit down with Isabelle HĆ¼ther, Design leader and Mentor, for a real conversation about design leadership, team diversification and representation of women, and the future of design roles. Isabelle brings a wealth of experience in leading design teams, fostering a sustainable team culture, and mentoring designers worldwide ā helping them navigate the job market and level up in their careers. š„ We dive into: āļø The situational leadership approach ā why great leaders wear multiple hats āļø What truly makes a good manager and how leadership impacts team success āļø Why diverse teams are stronger and better at meeting user needs āļø How to make career progression transparent and objective āļø The ownership and adaptability mindset every senior designer needs āļø The rise of the T-shaped designer ā why versatility is key in todayās industry āļø The future of design ā where designers act as problem solvers beyond tools āļø Turning passionate discussions into productive conversations by aligning goals and understanding motivations š¹ Three words that define design for Isabelle: Empathy, Strategy, Impact. One quote that stuck with me after our conversation: "A good manager is on the side of empowerment, not manipulation". Hit Follow to stay inspired and never miss an episode! š šĀ Isabelle on LinkedIn šĀ Isabelle offers mentorship on ADPlist šĀ Lisa on LinkedIn Music by Make Like a Tree | |||
| Mariia Katsan, UX/UI Designer and Blogger - CONFIDENCE IS TO KNOW YOURSELF | 10 Mar 2025 | 01:12:21 | |
š Welcome to the Women Who Tech Show! In the seconde episode, I sit down with my guest of honor, Maria Katsan, UX/UI designer at FlixBus, for a candid conversation about career growth, designer habits, and building confidence in the fast-changing tech world. š„ We dive into: āļø The shift in Tech ā are the golden days for employees over? āļø Why promotions feel harder to achieve and how to break through āļøĀ Why getting a referral is the best option for junior designer looking for a job āļø The power of UX research and why empathy is its secret tool āļø Daily habits that fuel creativity ā Mariaās take on 10-minute morning meditations and mindful design routines. āļø Tackling imposter syndrome and learning to nurture self-confidence. Maria is not just a designer ā sheās a community builder, design blogger, and Memorisely brunch ambassador, sharing insights and inspiring others in the industry. One quote that stuck with me after our conversation: "Confidence is knowing yourself". Hit Follow to stay inspired and never miss an episode! š šĀ Maria on LinkedInāš¼Ā Mariaās design blog in Ukrainian language šĀ Maria offers donation-based mentorship at Projector šĀ Lisa on LinkedIn šĀ The mentioned Bragging doc technique šĀ The Child in you book recommended by Lisa Music by Make Like a Tree | |||
| Tetiana Boliukh, Senior Product Manager - WE ARE CHANGING THINGS | 28 Feb 2025 | 00:50:30 | |
š Welcome to the Women Who Tech Show! In this very first episode, I sit down with my guest of honor, Tetiana Boliukh, Senior Global Product Manager at Camplify, to talk about career growth, resilience, and the realities of being a woman in Tech. Tetiana shares her journey ā from navigating the tech scene in gloomy Berlin to embracing a new life under the Australian sun. As someone at the crossroads of tech, design, and business, she reveals how measuring impact drives success. š„ We dive deep into: āļø Preventing burnout and setting healthy work boundaries āļø Building confidence and overcoming imposter syndrome āļø The gender biases that still exist in the industry, and how we, as women professionals, change the game One quote that stuck with me: "We have to stand still, so our daughters can walk." Hit Follow to stay inspired and never miss an episode! The book recommended by Tetiana Music by Make Like a Tree The show on YouTube | |||
| Mariia Lobachova, Technical Project Manager and PM YouTube Channel Creator - BY LEVELLING UP AS A PRO, YOU BECOME A BETTER PERSON | 09 Jun 2025 | 00:48:37 | |
š Welcome to the Women Who Tech show! In the 11-th episode, I sit down with Mariia Lobachova, Technical project manager, mentor and creator of Manage Me Hard YouTube channel for PMs to talk modern work ā myths of project manager role, American and German work culture and the backstage of content creation. š¹Ā Turn up the volume if you are interested in navigating tech in Germany, building credibility as a woman professional, and sharing knowledge through content creation. š„ We dive into: āļøĀ How an engineering background shapes a sharp Technical PM āļøĀ The most critical phases of a project ā and why they make or break delivery āļøĀ 3 common misconceptions about the project manager role āļøĀ How PMP certification can boost your career āļøĀ Gaining credibility as a young woman ā outperforming and meeting expectations āļøĀ The work culture contrasts between Germany and the U.S. āļøĀ Challenges of expat life in Berlin āļøĀ The story behind provocative Mariiaās YouTube channel name - Manage Me Hard āļøĀ Practical video tips for aspiring PMs āļøĀ Content creation workflow - taking up to 10 hours to produce a video and cracking YouTube algorithms One quote that stuck with me after our conversation: āThe initiation and closing project phases are the most stressful for a technical project managerā. š Hit Follow to stay inspired and never miss an episode! šĀ Mariia on LinkedIn šĀ Lisa on LinkedIn š YouTube channel for PMs in Ukrainian by Mariia š Mariia offers mentorship here Music by ā Make Like a Treeā | |||
| Camille Dufresne, Senior Product Designer and UX researcher - MAKE SURE FREELANCING FITS YOUR PERSONALITY | 02 Jun 2025 | 00:34:30 | |
š Welcome to the Women Who Tech show! In the 10-th episode, I sit down with Camille Dufresne, Senior product designer and UX researcher for a real talk about freelancing in Germany ā client work, financial realities and owning your value as an independent professional. š¹Ā Turn up the volume if you are interested in freelancing and want to learn the tricks of financial management and red flags of potential clients from real-life experience! š„ We dive into: āļøĀ How networking, conferences, and referrals fuel a steady stream of clients āļøĀ Authenticity and empathy as Camilleās approach in networking āļøĀ Why having a financial safety net as a freelancer is non-negotiable āļøĀ The truth about unpaid sick days and time offāand what to plan for āļøĀ How to debrief a potential client and quickly assess if thereās a mutual fit āļøĀ Pro tip #1: Delegate or say no to work outside your core competencies āļøĀ Pro tip #2: Find a solid Steuerberater to take the tax and insurance weight off your shoulders āļøĀ And the classic: Whoās the real boss when you freelance? Freelancing vs. Full-time employment One quote that stuck with me after our conversation: āFreelancing is a certain lifestyle where you balance work and personal time, make sure it fits your personalityā. š Hit Follow to stay inspired and never miss an episode! šĀ Camille on LinkedIn šĀ Lisa on LinkedIn Music by Make Like a Tree BONUS | |||
| Giulia Sale, FemTech Coach and TEDx Speaker - I WANT TO SEE WOMEN FOUNDERS UNAPOLOGETICALLY CONFIDENT | 19 May 2025 | 00:54:47 | |
š Welcome to the Women Who Tech show! In the 9-th episode, I sit down with Giulia Sale, FemTech coach, TEDx speaker and founder of The Art of Bragging ā for an empowering conversation about confidence nature, FemTech in UK, and shaking up both startup and speaker scene. š¹Ā Turn up the volume of the episode packed with bold energy and inspiration for women founders, speakers, and anyone ready to level up in their game! š„ We dive into: āļø What it really means to be a founder and own your story āļø The confidence gap ā why itās a societal issue and what we can do about it (see the statistics below) āļøĀ Giuliaās bold mission: to help 100,000 women scale FemTech businesses by 2035 āļøĀ How she coaches women on every step of their startup journey ā from mapping their idea to pitching it to investors āļøĀ How fear of success and limiting beliefs become serious blockers āļøĀ Did you know that only 2% of venture capital funding goes to women entrepreneurs? āļøĀ The reality of gender bias in startup ecosystems in real-life stories ā and how to flip negative-led questions asked of women founders into opportunity-driven ones āļøĀ Behind the scenes of Giuliaās powerful TEDx Talk in London āļøĀ Why practice is king (or queen!) for becoming a natural public speaker One quote that stuck with me after our conversation: āMy client said: Iām not a founder, founders donāt cry and fail. I said to her: really?ā š Hit Follow to stay inspired and never miss an episode! šĀ Giulia on LinkedIn šĀ Lisa on LinkedIn Music by Make Like a Tree BONUS šĀ Giuliaās talk at TEDx talks šĀ Confidence gap statistics: ā Only 31% of women feel confident about investing, compared to 44% of men ā Women entrepreneurs are less likely to pitch for venture capital or apply for loans due to lower confidence levels. ā 39% of women are confident in their capabilities to start a business, while 55% of men feel the same way. ā Despite representing 70% of FemTech founders, women-led startups consistently raise less capital than their male counterparts. This funding gap can erode confidence and create additional pressure on female founders. ā Femtech founders frequently need to invest time in educating investors, particularly male investors, about women's health issues. This can be uncomfortable and challenging, especially when explaining intimate details of female health experiences. | |||
| Alisa Salamon, Career Growth Coach - STORIES THAT WE TELL OURSELVES MIGHT HOLD US BACK | 05 May 2025 | 00:33:51 | |
š Welcome to the Women Who Tech Show! In the eights episode, I sit down with Alisa Salamon, Career Growth Coach, for an engaging conversation about coaching directions, understanding and letting go of the inner self-saboteur and the power of stories we tell ourselves and others. š¹Ā Turn up the volume, if you're curios about coaching world and looking for ways to understand and unblock yourself in professional growth - this episode is full of revelations! š„ We dive into: āļø The key differences between career growth, group, and therapeutic coaching āļøĀ How coaching is non-directive unlike mentorship āļøĀ Understanding the inner self-saboteur and how it feeds off our inner critic āļøĀ Practical steps to uncover and overcome self-sabotaging behaviour āļøĀ How to gain C-level visibility and advocate for yourself with confidence āļøĀ Positive bias: shift your mindset for success āļøĀ Alisaās inspiring 7-year journey into coaching and building a global practice āļøĀ Utilising a bragging doc and role-play sessions: how Alisa helped Lisa to ace her performance review and why it still didnāt lead to promotion š One quote that stuck with me after our conversation: "Stories that we tell ourselves might be not true and hold us back". š Hit Follow to stay inspired and never miss an episode! šĀ Alisa on LinkedIn šĀ Lisa on LinkedIn Music by Make Like a Tree | |||
| Paulina Wielewski, Product Manager and Mentor - LANDED NEW JOB IN 3 MONTHS | 28 Apr 2025 | 00:41:37 | |
š Welcome to the Women Who Tech Show! In the seventh episode, I sit down with Paulina Wielewski, Product manager and Mentor for an engaging discussion about her successful job search strategy, serendipity moments and common misconceptions about product management. š¹Ā Turn up the volume, if you're looking for a new job or want to learn how the tech industry has changed over the past 10 years - this episode is blend of real-world insights! š„ We dive into: āļø How a lollipop moment (yes, really!) led Paulina to discover product management āļø The reality of applying to 70+ jobs in 3 months and how it led a fitting job offer āļø Why asking for recommendations to open positions via LinkedIn doesnāt have to feel awkward āļø Building a support system during the job hunt and dealing with rejections āļø Honest insights into the recruitment process āļøĀ Common myths about PM roles āļø And her sharp observations on the tech industry development over the past 10 years One quote that stuck with me after our conversation: "As a product manager, one day you might make a wrong decision and you should be okay with this. Fail fast, learn fast". š Hit Follow to stay inspired and never miss an episode! šĀ Paulina on LinkedIn šĀ Paulina mentors here šĀ Lisa on LinkedIn Music by Make Like a Tree BONUS šĀ Headhunter recommended by Paulina šĀ Product podcast Paulina likes to listen to šĀ Lollipop moment explained | |||
| Kateryna Kladyk, Product Manager and TU Berlin student - SUSTAINABILITY GOES BEYOND ENVIRONMENTALISM | 21 Apr 2025 | 00:34:01 | |
š Welcome to the Women Who Tech Show! In the sixth episode, I sit down with Kateryna Kladyk, Product manager and Masterās student at Technische UniversitƤt Berlin for a frank conversation about entrepreneurial aspirations, the transition from design to product management, and sustainability role in the study program and beyond. š¹Ā Turn up the volume, if you're considering a career shift or thinking about pursuing a Masterās degree ā this episode is packed with insights from real experience! š„ We dive into: āļøĀ What itās like to balance a PM role and a Masterās program āļøĀ Behind the scenes of the Innovation Management, Entrepreneurship & Sustainability program at Technische UniversitƤt Berlin āļøĀ How study trips abroad and networking can shape your path āļøĀ How sustainability goes beyond environmentalism as a way of thinking for making long-lasting choices āļøĀ Sustainability in event planning and socially-responsible business āļøĀ Katiaās journey from design to product management āļøĀ A candid reflection on her own paused podcast project, ā33 Minutesā One quote that stuck with me after our conversation: "For me, sustainability goes beyond the environment, it is also a way of thinking and making long-lasting choices that bring positive value". š Hit Follow to stay inspired and never miss an episode! šĀ Katia on LinkedIn šĀ Lisa on LinkedIn Music by Make Like a Tree BONUS The books recommended by Katia:
This book really made me rethink how I approach relationships. It shows how being generous with your time, knowledge, and connections can actually lead to long-term success.
If youāre trying to break into PM, this book is a must. Itās packed with practical advice on everything from building a solid application to acing interviews and making a great first impression in your first 90 days.
I loved following the main characterās journey from a delicate girl to a resilient woman who builds her own businesses and fights for success. The Civil War backdrop, combined with themes of love and loss, makes her story so much more powerful. Definitely something I will read again. The bloggers recommended by Katia: I donāt follow a specific list of bloggers regularly ā Iām more of a browser when I need inspiration or a motivation boost. But I am subscribed to Chloe Shih, whoās a seasoned product manager with experience at major tech companies, and I really like how she shares honest, practical advice about the PM world. Another person I admire is Dana Pavlychko. Her journey really resonates with me ā she ran a successful publishing house in Ukraine, did her MBA at Oxford, and is now focused on social entrepreneurship. I look up to her for how she balances work and personal life while staying true to her purpose. | |||
| Eugenia Pasichnyk, Agile and Career Coach - CHANGING THE MINDSET IS THE GREATEST ABILITY | 31 Mar 2025 | 01:32:10 | |
š Welcome to the Women Who Tech Show! In the fifth episode, I sit down with Eugenia Pasichnyk, an Agile and Career coach, to uncover effective career coaching, work-life balance, career clarity and women in leadership as the most common client requests and the practical application of the philosophy. š¹Ā Turn up the volume on one of the most inspiring, refreshing, and powerful conversations of the season! ā”Ā Note: the episode is recorded in Ukrainian with English subtitles š„ We dive into: āļø Why coaching works only when thereās a conscious request for change āļø The role of ethics in coaching and how it differs from psychotherapy āļø How business frameworks like Scrum, SWOT analysis and Wardley mapping can be applied to personal growth āļø The dangers of authoritarian companies that see employees as mere resources instead of individuals āļø Finding the right workplace: Red vs. Blue corporate cultures and aligning with company values āļø How a single toxic team member (especially a manager!) can impact an entire team āļø Recognising a toxic work environment, knowing when to walk away and how to heal āļø The top 3 most common coaching requests: work-life balance, imposter syndrome and women in leadership āļø A powerful real-life storyāhow leaving a company with unsatisfactory work terms opened doors to even greater opportunities āļø The practical application of Stoicism and the Pythagorean method One quote that stuck with me after our conversation: "The match of values makes the workplace comfortable, where a person brings a lot to the table". š Hit Follow to stay inspired and never miss an episode! šĀ Eugenia on LinkedIn šĀ Lisa on LinkedIn š«¶š¼Ā Join the charity fundraiser and get the digital guide of 27 resources to boost your job hunting in Tech The books recommended by Eugenia: Stoicism
Psychology
Coaching
Leadership
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| Clara Scharpf, User Researcher - RESEARCH IS NOT ABOUT PRODUCING PRESENTATIONS | 24 Mar 2025 | 00:41:41 | |
š Welcome to the Women Who Tech Show! In the fourth episode, I sit down with Clara Scharpf, User Researcher, for an open conversation about the power of research, the art of storytelling in presentations, and the collaboration between researchers and designers. š„ We dive into: āļø Claraās journey ā from Market Research to User Research which makes her current role more meaningful āļøĀ Ethical considerations in consumer psychology āļø Why the beginning and ending matter most for creating an engaging presentation āļø How aligning on goals, scope, and deliverables of user testing fosters strong collaboration between researchers and designers āļø User recruitment tips on how to find the right participants and uncover true user motivations āļø The role of AI in research ā leveraging tools while maintaining human insight š¹Ā Whether you're a researcher, designer, or just curious about how insights shape the products we use, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways! One quote that stuck with me after our conversation: "Research is not about producing as much presentations as possible". Hit Follow to stay inspired and never miss an episode! š šĀ Clara on LinkedIn š Lisa on LinkedIn Music by Make Like a Tree | |||