User Defenders: UX Design & Personal Growth

Jason Ogle frames UX designers as superheroes standing between users and bad software, and he leans all the way into that metaphor. The cover art is comic-book styled, episode titles reference powers and villains, and guests are introduced like they're stepping into a lineup. It sounds gimmicky on paper. In practice it gives the show a warmth and specificity that a lot of design podcasts lack. Jason has been hosting since 2015 and has interviewed hundreds of practitioners, from staff designers at big tech companies to independent researchers and accessibility specialists. Conversations usually cover two threads in parallel: the craft side (research methods, portfolio critique, how someone broke into the field) and the human side (burnout, imposter feelings, staying curious late in a career). Jason is genuinely curious and willing to let a guest go on a tangent if it's interesting, which means episodes sometimes run long but rarely feel padded. He also does occasional solo episodes where he answers listener questions about job hunting or career pivots. The show skews toward people earlier in their UX careers, but mid-level designers looking for honest talk about growth will find plenty here. It's also one of the more community-oriented shows in the space, with an active listener group and regular callouts to fans who write in.