061: Empathy as a Design Superpower with Jason Ogle

061: Empathy as a Design Superpower with Jason Ogle

Author: Jason Ogle June 10, 2019 Duration: 49:20

Jason Ogle proves that empathic design is not only possible, but essential in creating life-changing products and services. He enlightens us to our seldom talked about mirror neurons and the critical role they play in user testing. He shines a spotlight on incredibly powerful and moving examples of empathy in design. He also teaches us how empathy can not only be taught and learned, but practiced, because being great designer begins and ends with being a great human.

  • Intro Story (00:24)
  • What is Empathy? (5:04)
  • Mirror Neurons (9:14)
  • Still Face Experiment (11:17)
  • Mirror Neurons and Movies (15:59)
  • Inspiring Examples from IDEO (19:19)
  • Doug Dietz's Empathy for Terminally Ill Children (23:35)
  • Margaret Hamilton's Empathy for Apollo 11 (29:44)
  • Can We Grow in Empathy? (34:07)
  • Seth Godin Explaining Empathy (35:21)
  • Put Your Oxygen Mask on First (36:10)
  • Seth Godin on Faked Empathy (39:19)
  • Seth Godin on Being Indispensable in an AI World (40:57)
  • Empathy & Mindfulness (43:23)
  • Rise to the Empathy Challenge (45:55)

Those who are able, should definitely check out the video of this episode with the compelling clips inserted. The video, and detailed show notes including mentioned links, transcript and Eli Jorgensen's astonishing superhero artwork at userdefenders.com/061

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Hosted by Jason Ogle, User Defenders-UX Design & Personal Growth operates on a simple but profound idea: exceptional design work flows from a foundation of personal well-being and clarity. It’s a conversation that bridges the technical craft of user experience with the inner work of growth, resilience, and self-awareness. Each episode moves beyond surface-level tutorials to explore the deeper motivations and ethical considerations behind our design choices. You’ll hear from practitioners who discuss not only their process and techniques but also the challenges, failures, and philosophies that shape their approach to both their work and their lives. This podcast provides a unique space where the professional and personal intersect, offering insights that equip you to advocate more effectively for users while also navigating your own career path with intention. The dialogue consistently returns to the human element-the person behind the designer-arguing that sustainable creativity and leadership require a full cup. Tuning in feels less like a lecture and more like joining a thoughtful community dedicated to meaningful work and growth, making it an essential listen for anyone in the field looking to deepen their impact.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

User Defenders – UX Design & Personal Growth
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