Adam Wiggins and Mark McGranaghan host Metamuse, a conversation rooted in their deep experience building tools for creative work. This podcast lives in the space where abstract thinking meets practical craft, regularly exploring how we shape our tools and how those tools, in turn, shape our thoughts and output. You’ll hear detailed discussions on product design philosophy, the evolving landscape of software for thought, and the often messy process of cultivating good ideas. The tone is reflective and nuanced, favoring depth over headlines, as they examine the principles behind the interfaces and the systems that influence how we create. It’s for anyone who has ever been curious about the why behind the tools they use daily, from note-taking apps to complex design platforms. Each episode of this podcast feels like a thoughtful dialogue between two practitioners who are actively engaged in the problems they discuss, making the insights feel earned rather than theoretical. Tune in for a consistently substantive look at the intersection of technology, design, and cognition.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Metamuse
Podcast Episodes
14 // Onboarding with Jane Portman [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:49
Jane Portman of Userlist joins Julia and Adam to share her expertise with onboarding. Why guided tours don't work, the legacy of Clippy, and drip campaigns that are more personal and considerate. Discuss this episode in…
13 // Interface innovation with Josh Miller [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:52
Josh Miller from The Browser Company joins Mark and Adam to discuss how to make a better web browser in 2020. The conversation ranges from user agency in software to architecture to social capital to end-user programming…
12 // Growing ideas with Andy Matuschak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:39
Andy Matuschak joins Mark and Adam to talk about rituals for deep thought, how to develop an inkling over time, and the public goods problem of research. Discuss this episode in the Muse community Follow @MuseAppHQ on Tw…
11 // Authentic marketing with Lisa Enckell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:00
Lisa Enckell joins Mark and Adam to talk about picking a category, aspirational creativity, and the purpose of product launches. Discuss this episode in the Muse community Follow @MuseAppHQ on Twitter Show notes Lisa Enc…
9 // The Information Age [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:45
This modern Information Age can make it challenging for a creative professional to keep their focus. At the same time, there are many benefits to being plugged in. Mark and Adam discuss. Discuss this episode in the Muse…
8 // Principled products with Max Schoening [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:45
Max Schoening of GitHub joins Mark and Adam to talk about principled design, authentic marketing, tools for thought, and more. Discuss this episode in the Muse community Follow @MuseAppHQ on Twitter Show notes Max Schoen…
7 // From prototype to product with Lachlan Campbell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:28
Lachlan Campbell of Hack Club joins Mark and Adam to talk about path from research prototype to released product. Discuss this episode in the Muse community Follow @MuseAppHQ on Twitter Show notes Lachlan Campbell Hack C…
6 // Human-Computer Interaction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:08
HCI (Human-Computer Interaction) studies how people relate to their digital tools. Mark and Adam discuss their journey into HCI, how others can get into the field, and its influence on Muse. Discuss this episode in the M…
5 // Gesture programming for the iPad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:35
Developing an iPad app with a rich gesture space and unique spatial-zooming visual model is technically challenging. Julia joins Mark and Adam to break down the software engineering behind Muse. Discuss this episode in t…
4 // Partnership, freedom, and responsibility [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:20
The company behind Muse is structured as a small partnership. Mark and Adam talk about why the team wanted this unusual approach and how it's working so far. Discuss this episode in the Muse community Follow @MuseAppHQ o…