078: There and Back (and Forward) Again with Bob Baxley

078: There and Back (and Forward) Again with Bob Baxley

Author: Jason Ogle July 12, 2021 Duration: 2:13:39

Bob Baxley, a Silicon Valley pioneer, takes us back in time through the history of Silicon Valley and gives us a glimpse into the future of it. Spoiler alert: He's got concerns. He reveals how every little interaction matters and motivates us to be proud enough of the work we do to want to show our friends and family...otherwise, we've got more work to do. He challenges us to challenge the status quo and constantly be looking for ways to improve our work by asking, 'How could this be better?'. He also likens our work to building sandcastles on the beach, causing us to reflect on the brevity and temporal nature of it, and inspires us to make everything we make with our friends (for others) count.

  • Crash Course History of Silicon Valley (7:52)
  • Love at First Byte: (Re)Discovering the Magic of Computing (14:17)
  • The Beautiful 'Burden' of Doing Great Work That We're Proud Of (21:11)
  • The Question Steve Jobs Was Known to Ask In Design Reviews (24:55)
  • Technology: Wonderful Servant, Terrible Master (26:53)
  • Employing Analogue Tools for Deeper Creativity (34:10)
  • There Are No Rolling Credits for Interaction Designers (52:51)
  • We Need More Designers and Less Roadblocks (54:45)
  • Is There a Growth Trajectory for IC's Besides Mgmnt? (1:10:01)
  • What's Your Recommended Path for Design Leadership? (1:21:54)
  • Where is Silicon Valley Going? Do You Have Concerns? (1:27:35)
  • What's Your Design Superpower? (1:34:28)
  • What's Your Design Kryptonite? (1:35:19)
  • What's Your UX Superhero Name? (1:37:41)
  • Habit of Success? (1:38:23)
  • Invincible Resource or Tool? (1:42:37)
  • Recommended Books (1:45:25)
  • What's the Best Lesson You Learned From Steve Jobs? (1:48:30)
  • Best Advice? (1:53:44)
  • Connect & Keep Up (2:03:16)

Check out the detailed show notes including mentioned links, transcript and Eli Jorgensen's astonishing superhero artwork at userdefenders.com/078

This episode is made possible by Editor X. Editor X gives you a wide workspace with total CSS control powered by smooth drag & drop on a platform where every tiny detail has been carefully considered. That means you can let your creativity run wild and build your most creative sites yet. I can keep trying to describe it to you, but you should really go see it for yourself. Visit userdefenders.com/EditorX and discover a new standard in web design


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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