Technology

Awkward Silences

by User Interviews

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Latest episodes

#192 - Slowing Things Down to Speed Up Research with Jared Forney of Okta

July 1, 2026 · 57 min

Erin May talks with Jared Forney, Research Operations Principal at Okta, about how the role of research and research operations is shifting as AI accelerates product development. Jared explains why scale and rigor do not have to be…
#191 - Throwback: UX Lessons from a Decade Researching AI with Jess Holbrook of Microsoft

June 9, 2026 · 49 min

This week we're revisiting one of Awkward Silences' most memorable episodes. Much of the conversation around AI in UX involves how it will shape and change researchers' work. This episodes's guest, Jess Holbrook, who leads UX research for…
#190 - How to Navigate the Constant Change in UX Research with Learners CEO Alec Levin

May 26, 2026 · 40 min

Erin May sits down with Alec Levin, CEO and Co-Founder of Learners, to explore how researchers can navigate the rapid changes reshaping their field. Alec shares his vision for how AI and automation are creating unprecedented opportunities…
#189 - Throwback: Quantifying Research Impact with Ruby Pryor of Rex

May 12, 2026 · 48 min

This week we're revisiting one of Awkward Silences' most memorable episodes. This episode welcomed Ruby Pryor, founder of Rex, a consulting firm specializing in UX research and strategic design. This episode gets into what it means to…
#188 - Why AI Can't Replace Qualitative Research with Sam Ladner of Workday

April 28, 2026 · 49 min

Erin May sits down with Sam Ladner, Senior Principal Researcher of Strategy at Workday, to explore the evolving role of AI in qualitative research. Sam brings a refreshingly balanced perspective on where AI can genuinely help researchers…

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#187 - Throwback: Harnessing AI For Better Insights with George Whitfield of MIT and Google

April 14, 2026 · 41 min

This week we're revisiting one of Awkward Silences' most memorable episodes. This episode welcomed George Whitfield, an expert in applying AI to the analysis of qualitative data. George discussed the intricate challenges of leveraging…
#186 - Positioning Your Portfolio for AI Skills with Aneta Kmiecik of Be Your Own Design Team

March 31, 2026 · 43 min

Erin May sits down with Aneta Kmiecik, founder of Be Your Own Design Team, to tackle one of the biggest questions facing designers today: how to position AI skills in portfolios and resumes. With 15 years in creative industries and a…
#185 - How to Use AI Without Losing Your Research Soul with Nikki Anderson of Drop in Research

March 17, 2026 · 52 min

Ben Wiedmaier sits down with user research consultant Nikki Anderson to explore how researchers can stay relevant when budgets are tight and stakeholders are stressed. Nikki runs Drop in Research where she helps teams conduct research…
#184 - Use Context For More Influence with Kristen DeLap of Econify

March 3, 2026 · 40 min

Ben talks with Kristen DeLap, fractional COO at Econify, to explore how UX'ers can build influence without formal authority. Kristen brings a unique perspective, having evolved from interior design to leading product teams at Herman Miller…
#183 - The Best Ways to Use AI in UX Research with Laura Klein of NN/g

February 17, 2026 · 48 min

Erin and Ben chat with Laura Klein, Principal Experience Specialist at Nielsen Norman Group, about the practical realities of AI in user research. Laura teaches a class on AI for researchers and brings a refreshingly balanced perspective…
#182 - The Future of Research (In a Moment of Change)

February 3, 2026 · 41 min

Ben sits down with Basel Fakhoury, CEO and Co-founder of User Interviews, and Baran Erkel, Chief Strategy Officer at UserTesting, for a conversation about the research industry's evolution. With AI reshaping customer behaviors and business…
#181 - Why We Need Design Now More Than Ever with Karl Randay of 383

January 20, 2026 · 51 min

Ben Wiedmaier sits with Karl Randay, Experience Director at 383, to explore how designers can stay relevant in an increasingly automated world. Karl shares insights from working with major brands like Hilton and Jaguar on digital…

Full episode archive on Apple Podcasts →

About the show

Welcome to Awkward Silences by User Interviews, where we interview the people who interview people. Listen as we geek out on all things UX research, qualitative data, and the craft of understanding people to build better products and businesses. Hosted by Erin May and Carol Guest, VPs of growth/marketing and product at User Interviews. Take this survey and let us know what topics you want to hear next! userinterviews.com/awkwardsurvey