Creative Confidence Podcast

Part 1: Honest, Realistic, and Optimistic Leadership Advice from Friends of IDEO

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As the year winds down, we asked 20 friends of IDEO including IDEO U instructors, Creative Confidence Podcast guests, and partners of IDEO to share ho...

3 Leadership Philosophies to Inspire Creative Excellence: Mike Peng

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Host Mina Seetharaman chats with IDEO CEO Mike Peng about what creative excellence means today and how leaders can cultivate it on their teams. Mike s...

How to Prototype with AI: Takashi Wickes

19 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how interaction designer Takashi Wickes uses AI to prototype ideas with more creativity, intention, and humanity. In this conversation with host...

Asked & Answered: Justin Massa on Adopting AI with Purpose and Confidence

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How can leaders bring AI into their organizations thoughtfully, without losing what makes them human? In this Asked & Answered episode, AI strategist ...

How to Invest in AI for Your Business: Justin Massa

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

AI strategist and former IDEO partner Justin Massa joins host Mina Seetharaman to help leaders cut through the hype and focus on where artificial inte...

Asked & Answered: Jennifer Lo on Bringing Futuring into Your Organization

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this Asked & Answered episode, Jennifer Lo, IDEO's Senior Director of Design Futures, responds to community questions about how leaders can bring f...

How to Think Like a Futurist: Jennifer Lo

27 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What does it mean to think like a futurist—and why should every leader learn how? In this episode of the Creative Confidence Podcast, Jennifer Lo, S...

Asked & Answered: Catherine Connors on Storytelling for Leaders, Scale, and the Future of Narrative

13 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this bonus episode of the Creative Confidence Podcast, storyteller and strategist Catherine Connors returns to answer top questions from our IDEO U...

Creative Collaboration with IDEO CEO Mike Peng (Replay)

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this conversation, IDEO CEO Mike Peng shares what it really takes to foster creative collaboration on teams. From designing for trust and tension t...

Storytelling for Change with a Former Disney Exec: Catherine Connors

16 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

What makes a story powerful enough to shift culture?In this episode of the Creative Confidence Podcast, Catherine Connors—former Head of Content at ...

Asked & Answered: Matthieu Lorrain & Savannah Kunovsky

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

How are creative professionals actually using AI today? In this Asked and Answered follow-up episode, Google DeepMind’s Matthieu Lorrain and IDEO’...

AI x Creativity: Matthieu Lorrain & Savannah Kunovsky

04 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Google DeepMind’s Matthieu Lorrain and IDEO’s Savannah Kunovsky on how AI is reshaping creative work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...

Staying Human-Centered in a Tech-First World | Grace Hwang

28 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Explore how to lead with human-centered design in a tech-driven world. Insights from Grace Hwang on ethical innovation, safety, and designing for impa...

Introducing Mina Seetharaman: Your New Creative Confidence Podcast Host

04 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Creative Confidence Podcast has been going strong for eight years, with more than 120 leaders sharing their advice, tips, and stories with the IDE...

What Leaders Should Know About Leading Through Change: Melanie Bell-Mayeda

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to lead through change and uncertainty with a human-centered approach. Discover three key leadership levers to help your team navigate uncer...

How to Improve Your Leadership Mindset for Greater Growth: Bonnie Wan

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Explore how overcoming limiting beliefs and enhancing your leadership mindset, with guidance from Bonnie Wan, can propel your growth as a leader. Host...

How to Take Action and Shape Your Future Today: Frederik Pferdt

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Discover how small actions today can shape the future you want. Learn key strategies for taking control of your future with empathy, experimentation, ...

Unlock the Power of Systems Thinking: Deirdre Cerminaro

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Learn the core mindsets of systems thinking to tackle complex problems. Our beginner's guide helps you zoom in and out, shift perspectives, and refram...

The Role of Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the importance of human-centered leadership and AI. Learn how to balance technological advancements with empathy and ethics to drive sustaina...

Humanistic AI: Tom Gruber, Co-Creator of Siri

19 Aug 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What skills can help us get the most out of AI? When we approach AI in a human way, with people at the center, it can be a powerful tool that augments...

Creating Impactful Products: YC Sun

30 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Great products and services are driven by great product strategy. But too often we get stuck in the strategy part of product strategy, failing to get ...

Manager Mentorship Strategies: David Yeager

14 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

We all want to be great managers. But when it comes to actually working with and leading young people, there’s no clear strategy or playbook for suc...

Why Curiosity is a Business Imperative: Scott Shigeoka

02 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Most of us recognize why curiosity is important. Few of us know how to practice and unleash its full potential. But when leaders embrace curiosity, it...

How Great Leaders Use Friction: Bob Sutton

20 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

At its worst, friction can be a destructive force in an organization. Friction can undermine productivity and innovation, create inefficiency, and eve...

The Power of Play: Michelle Lee

05 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about how play gives us permission to dream and diverge, think outside the box, and discover solutions to unprecedented problems with Michelle L...

Insights in Action: Arianna McClain

21 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

What makes a good insight? Learn about how to make customer research impactful with Arianna McClain, Head of Research & Insights at Cruise. Hosted on ...

Why Strategic Planning Feels like a Waste of Time: Roger Martin

20 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about what makes a good strategy with Roger Martin, strategy advisor and bestselling author.https://ideo.in/roger Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

How to Test Value Propositions: Angel Annunciacao

03 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn design tools for testing value propositions, how to understand willingness to pay, and how to uncover insights to help finetune your value propo...

Influence as a Remote or Hybrid Worker: Sacha Connor

29 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to create a remote influence plan from Sacha Connor, Founder of Virtual Work Insider.View the full recap at https://ideo.in/sacha Hosted on ...

How to Use Data for Innovation: Bo Peng

20 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to use data to uncover opportunities for innovation and better understand people and problems from Bo Peng, Senior Portfolio Director of Dat...

Leading Change: Deirdre Cerminaro and Bryan Walker

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Why leading change always starts with people, and tools you can try to make people the catalysts for change.View the full recap at https://www.ideou.c...

How to Confront Bias at Work: Kim Scott

18 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Learn a framework for identifying bias, prejudice and bullying and choosing a response; tools leaders can use to disrupt bias; and ways to be an upsta...

Belonging at Work: Susie Wise

20 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The 3 foundational elements of belonging, and the tools and levers of design you can use to foster it.View the visuals and resources discussed in this...

Customer Centricity: Leslie Witt

12 Apr 2023

Contributed by Lukas

How organizations can shift toward more customer centricity, and why it starts with employee health.View the full recap at https://ideo.in/leslie Host...

Creative Leadership: Tim Brown

29 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Tips for how leaders can tap into creativity to solve today’s biggest challenges from IDEO Co-Chair Tim Brown.View the full recap at https://www.ide...

Designing Memorable Experiences: Kai Frazier

16 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Insights on creating inspiring educational experiences from Kai Frazier, Founder and CEO of edtech startup Kai XR.View the full recap at https://ideo....

Work Friendships: Kat Vellos

21 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Why workplace friendships are important, tips for making friends at work, and how to deepen connections with better conversations.View the full recap ...

Motivation at Work: Dan Ariely and Wardah Malik

27 Jan 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Lessons on different types of motivators, what behavioral science can teach us about motivation, and the importance of intrinsic motivators in the wor...

Designing for Sensitive Topics: Kerry O’Connor

06 Dec 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tips on designing for uncomfortable conversation topics like sex, mental health, personal finance, and addiction from women’s health entrepreneur Ke...

Inclusive Design Mindsets: Nusrat Ahmed & Coe Leta Stafford

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

IDEO U’s Nusrat Ahmed and Coe Leta Stafford share 4 inclusive design mindsets and why they’re an important part of any designer’s toolkit. View...

Activating Strategy Online Course: Enroll by November 17

14 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Strategy is often portrayed as a thinking exercise—a set of decisions and plans made by a small group. But strategy is brought to life by the people...

7 Myths of Strategy: Jennifer Riel

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jennifer Riel, IDEO’s Global Director of Strategy, shares the 7 common strategy myths and how to make your strategy more actionable.View the full re...

Creative Energy: Keith Yamashita

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In times of turbulence, uncertainty or stress, it can be difficult to tap into the creativity needed to do your best work. SYPartners and kyu Collecti...

How to Create Workplace Rituals: Erica Keswin

20 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Erica Keswin, author of Rituals Roadmap, shares the business case for rituals in the workplace and the key elements behind a ritual.View the full reca...

Web3 Mindsets For Business Leaders: Tara Tan

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Tara Tan, General Partner and Investor at IDEO Creative Capital, joined us to share three themes she’s seeing emerge in the world of web3 and how to...

Data and Storytelling: Justin Massa

10 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

You’ve got tons of compelling data to prove out your strategic choices. Now, the challenge is how to go from boring charts and numbers to a story th...

Well Said: Value Outcome More Than Output

02 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

IDEO Senior Portfolio Director Katie Soven shares why orienting your team around outcomes is more effective than checking off a list of tasks. This ep...

Well Said: How to Scale by Trusting Your Team

01 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Wonderschool CEO and Co-founder Chris Bennett talks about giving his team the freedom and support to approach problems in their own way. This episode ...

Well Said: Remove Constraints to Boost Team Creativity

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Michelle Lee, a managing director leading IDEO’s Design for Play team, tells us how to create a magic circle and why removing constraints is so powe...

Well Said: Nurture Your Team and Give Them Meaningful Work

27 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Serial entrepreneur and venture capitalist Brit Morin shares advice for inspiring a team by nurturing individual needs, creating psychological safety,...

Well Said: Tap Into Intuition by Pushing the Pace

26 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

IDEO Senior Portfolio Director Dwayne Edwards shares an activity leaders can try to encourage their team to tap into the power of intuition. This epis...

Well Said: How Inclusive Leaders Give Attribution

25 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Harvard Business School Professor Frances Frei and IDEO Senior Design Director Lauren Collins share advice for inclusive leadership, encouraging parti...

Envisioning the Future: Steve Schwall & Jan Rod

29 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

IDEO’s Steve Schwall and Jan Rod share stories of projects in the transportation and mobility world, techniques they rely on to create future-forwar...

Managing Difficult Emotions: Liz and Mollie

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Why it's good for business to bring emotions into the workplace, and skills and mindsets to manage our most difficult emotions.View the full recap at ...

Sustainability and Business: Maria Fujihara & Gabe Kleinman

08 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn what businesses can do to address climate change with Maria Fujihara, Founder & CEO of SINAI Technologies, and Gabe Kleinman, Head of Portfolio ...

Human-Centered Systems Thinking Online Course: Starts April 14

14 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In our 5-week online course, Human-Centered Systems Thinking, you’ll:- Gain techniques for mapping complex systems and identifying the root causes o...

Facilitative Leadership: Dabney Hailey

12 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

We talked with Dabney Hailey, founder and principal of Hailey Group, about the Visual Thinking Strategies (or VTS) method, why it works, how to bring ...

How to Think in Systems: Deirdre Cerminaro

24 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Human-centered systems thinking is an approach to problem solving that helps you see the interconnectedness of things while also staying grounded in t...

Generalist vs. Specialist: David Epstein

08 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how being a generalist can lead to career success with David Epstein, New York Times bestselling author of Range.View the full recap at ideou.co...

A Framework for Impactful Presentations: Caricia Catalani

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to incorporate improv techniques into your presentations for greater impact and engagement in this conversation with Caricia Catalani, Senio...

Finding Creative Inspiration: Brandon Viney

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Google Group Creative Director Brandon Viney shares how to use what inspires you to find your creative identity.View the full recap at ideou.com/blog....

Well Said: Believe in Your Positive Delusion

24 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chris Wilson, social entrepreneur and author of The Master Plan, shares the importance of believing yourself.This clip revisits one of our favorite mo...

Well Said: Strategy Is a Set of Choices

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Designing Strategy instructor and best-selling author Roger Martin explains how your strategic choices shape where your organization is now and where ...

Well Said: Camaraderie Isn't Culture

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sacha Connor, founder and CEO of consultancy Virtual Work Insider, argues that snacks are not culture. She says values and behaviors shape culture, es...

Well Said: Create Space for Joy

21 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ingrid Fetell Lee, author of The Aesthetics of Joy, helps us connect with physical feelings of joy in this 2-minute exercise. This clip revisits one o...

Well Said: It's OK to Be On a Winding Path

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michelle Lee, a managing director in IDEO's Play Lab, embraces how mixed influences led her down a winding, joyful career path.This clip revisits one ...

Lead by Empowering Others: Lauren Collins & Frances Frei

17 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, IDEO’s Lauren Collins and Harvard Business School Professor Frances Frei discuss how to level up your leadership practice by honing...

Scaling Affordable Child Care: Chris Bennett

23 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How did Wonderschool CEO and Co-founder Chris Bennett go from a spark of an idea to a venture-backed business? In this episode, Chris takes us inside ...

Mentor Moment: How do I onboard new team members to encourage collaboration?

16 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mentor Moment is a series where we help a listener with a work challenge. In this episode, Heather Currier Hunt, IDEO’s executive talent director an...

Frameworks for Organizational Change: Joe Brown

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Joe Brown, Executive Director at IDEO, explains how to use three different frameworks to approach change in your organization. Hosted on Acast. See ac...

Maintaining Momentum with Mode Shifts: Katie Soven

26 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In order to maintain momentum and reach their goals, teams need to shift gears several times throughout a project. Project leaders are responsible for...

Getting Started with Strategic Planning: Roger Martin

05 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

If you’re wondering where to start with strategic planning, pause for a minute before getting into tactical ideas or writing a hundred-page strategi...

Human-Centered Entrepreneurship: Brit Morin

30 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With 10 years of experience as an entrepreneur and CEO, Brit Morin has learned a lot about what it takes to get an idea off the ground and how to insp...

Mentor Moment: Building Support for Innovation Work, with Stuart Getty

15 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mentor Moment is a new mini series where we help a listener with a work challenge. In this episode, IDEO Senior Design Lead Stuart Getty gives caller ...

Storytelling for Entrepreneurs: Tom Kelley

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

IDEO’s Tom Kelley shares his storytelling tips and the 4 stories entrepreneurs need to know. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informa...

Play at Work: Brendan Boyle & Michelle Lee

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

IDEO’s Michelle Lee and Brendan Boyle share small ways to experiment with play at work and how it helps surface new ideas. Hosted on Acast. See acas...

The Innovation Long Game: Hernán Carranza

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Peruvian conglomerate Intercorp has been working toward the same mission for more than 25 years: To help Peru become one of the best places in Latin A...

Crafting a Creative Career: Donald Burlock

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How do you decide which opportunities to pursue in your career—and what values can guide you along the way? Designer and author Donald Burlock, Jr. ...

Leading Complex Projects Online Course: Launches July 8

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In our 5-week online course, Leading Complex Projects, you’ll learn how to:—Surface intuition to make decisions when there’s too much or too lit...

Navigate Complexity with Intuition: Dwayne Edwards

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The more complex the project, the more we need to make space for intuition. Dwayne Edwards, Senior Portfolio Director at IDEO, shares tools and techni...

Experience Design: Jenny Gottstein & Olivia Vagelos

24 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jenny Gottstein & Olivia Vagelos, experiential designers at IDEO, share juicy details and stories that show how just about any experience can be made ...

Leading for Impact: Sal Khan

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sal Khan reflects on the past, present, and future of Khan Academy, and shares his vision for the evolution of education. If you hope to have greater ...

Joy at Work: Ingrid Fetell Lee

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There’s good reason—and plenty of scientific evidence—to suggest we prioritize seeking moments of joy. Designer and author Ingrid Fetell Lee sha...

The Future of Work is Hybrid: Sacha Connor

06 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn three things companies and individuals can do to thrive in a hybrid work environment, tactics for combating remote fatigue, and how to build tea...

What is Systems Design?: Melanie Bell-Mayeda

31 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to map complex systems, identify the layers of a system in order to spot opportunities for change, and ways to manage bias in systems design...

Presentation Story Arcs: Ann Kim

03 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Learn about the elements of a story, story arcs, why and how to experiment with your story arcs, and examples from the healthcare and entertainment wo...

Activating Your Strategy: Jennifer Riel

19 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Taking action on a business strategy is something many people struggle with. Jennifer Riel, IDEO’s global director of strategy, shares how to know w...

Your Master Plan: Chris Wilson

22 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Social entrepreneur, artist, and author Chris Wilson worked hard to go from a life sentence to a life of purpose. He shares lessons on resilience, his...

Embracing Emotions at Work: Liz and Mollie

28 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy, authors of the Wall Street Journal bestselling book No Hard Feelings, say embracing our emotions makes us better a...

Build Courage Through Making: Emily Pilloton

24 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Pilloton, Founder and Executive Director of nonprofit Girls Garage, shares insight into the power of making, tips for designing brave and inclus...

New Narrative Podcast from IDEO: Food by Design (1st Episode)

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Food by Design is a NEW narrative podcast from IDEO. Our food system isn't broken, it was designed this way. And if it was designed this way, then it’...

Unapologetically Ambitious: Shellye Archambeau

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Shellye Archambeau, one of tech's 1st Black female CEOs, Fortune 500 Board Member, author of Unapologetically Ambitious, on how to set a clear vision ...

Innovation in Orbit: Garrett Reisman

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Former NASA astronaut and SpaceX advisor, Garrett Reisman walks us through his experiences in space and what he’s learned about teamwork, innovation...

The Art of Influence: Guy Kawasaki

09 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Coe chats with Guy about the key to influencing others and evangelizing products, causes, and yourself.View the episode recap and frameworks on the ID...

Empowering Employees Through Empathetic Leadership: Jim Keane

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Jim Keane, President and CEO of Steelcase, shares techniques for empowering your employees to make decisions through humble and empathic leadership. V...

Expand Your Culture Through Conversation: Lauren Collins

22 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Learn how to set the groundwork for honest community conversations on diversity at work from Lauren Collins, Chief of Staff, Office of the CEO at IDEO...

Learning to Embrace Tensions: Heather Currier Hunt

12 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Tension is inevitable. IDEO Senior Director of Global Learning and Development, Heather Currier Hunt, reframes tension as a learning opportunity that ...

Steps for Moving Ideas Forward: Karen Holst

23 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Karen Holst, co-author of Start Within, shares practical techniques to help you move from idea to action. View the full recap on the IDEO U blog: http...

Office Hours: Women in Design with Robin and Suzanne

08 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In a candid webinar hosted by the Design & Innovation Group, our own IDEO U Dean Suzanne Gibbs Howard spoke with her friend Robin Beers, Head of Custo...

Organizational Change Moves Fast and Slow: Bob Sutton

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Successful change efforts don’t happen at one speed. Change requires momentum and moderation at different points in the journey. In this episode of ...