Design Meets Democracy πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ with Chelsea Mauldin

Design Meets Democracy πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ with Chelsea Mauldin

Author: Gerry Scullion November 7, 2025 Duration: 1:01:42

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When Chelsea Mauldin began bringing design thinking into the U.S. government, she was met with scepticism β€” design was still seen as β€œthrow pillows and pretty fonts.”


In this deep and fascinating episode, Chelsea β€” Executive Director of the Public Policy Lab in New York β€” joins Gerry Scullion to share her journey from urban planning to pioneering human-centered design in federal and municipal agencies.


They discuss:

βœ… How design entered the public sector during the Obama era.

βœ… Why half the real work happens after the design phase.

βœ… Building trust, ethics, and change in complex systems.

βœ… The People Say project β€” a groundbreaking, public repository for civic research.

βœ… What AI means (and doesn’t mean) for the future of public services.


🎧 A must-listen for anyone working in service design, policy, or civic innovation.


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Creators & Guests
  • Gerry Scullion - Host
  • Chelsea Mauldin - Guest
  • Stef Murphy - Producer
  • Serdar Mele - Editor
Click here to view the episode transcript.

Gerry Scullion hosts This is HCD-Human-Centered Design, UX & Service Design Thinking Podcast, a space where practical conversations unfold for anyone invested in shaping how people interact with the world. Rather than offering abstract theory, these discussions get into the real work of designing services and experiences that genuinely resonate. You’ll hear from practitioners and strategists who are navigating the complexities of making organizations more human, covering everything from the nuances of interaction design to the broader strokes of systemic change. With a global audience and over a million downloads, this podcast has become a trusted resource for designers, managers, and innovators who are tired of superficial solutions. Each episode feels like joining a thoughtful dialogue, one that cuts through jargon to explore how human-centered principles are applied in challenging, real-world contexts. Whether you're refining a product's user experience or rethinking an entire service model, these conversations provide grounded insights and actionable perspectives. Tune in for a deep, accessible look at the craft and strategy of putting people at the heart of design work.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

This is HCD – Human-Centered Design, UX & Service Design Thinking Podcast
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