That Pivotal Moment of Change

That Pivotal Moment of Change

"That Pivotal Moment of Change" is a podcast dedicated to uncovering the often winding and unpredictable paths that define our careers. In each episode, we explore the diverse journeys of individuals from various disciplines, focusing on the pivotal moments that have significantly shaped their professional and personal lives. Our guests share their stories of success and failure, each packed with unique lessons that offer valuable insights into resilience, decision-making, and the impact of unexpected opportunities. By delving into these transformative experiences, the podcast aims to inspire listeners to reflect on their own career trajectories and to understand that every challenge and triumph comes with lessons that pave the way for future success.

Episodes

Episode 19: Roger Rohatgi on Hustle, Heart, and Human-Centered Innovation

April 23, 2025 • 51 mins
In this episode, Roger Rohatgi shares the remarkable journey that led him from designing rave flyers and producing an award-winning film to becoming Chief AI Officer at Chai. Roger opens up about how building an app to help children with autism sparked his entry into the AI space, and how he’s stayed grounded in empathy and purpose while leading design at scale for companies like BP, Objective Edge, Ministry Brands, and more. He ta...
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From Personas to Purpose: Kevin Hawkins on Strategic Leadership

April 16, 2025 • 38 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, Kevin Hawkins shares a thoughtful look at his evolution from building products to building high-performing teams. Reflecting on experiences that span from fintech startups to global travel platforms, Kevin opens up about what it really takes to scale teams—from 6 to over 100—and the mindset shifts that come with it. One of the most compelling ideas in this conversation is Kevin’s u...
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Tim Gilligan: From Backstage to the Boardroom, Designing Operations with Heart

April 9, 2025 • 41 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, I sit down with Tim Gilligan, whose career has taken him from immersive theater productions in New York to the world of design operations at Capital One. Tim’s story challenges the idea of linear career paths and explores how each chapter—no matter how unexpected—can become a powerful building block. We talk about the transition from stagecraft to systems thinking, the importance of...
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Draw the Rectangle: Matt Walsh on Resilience, Reinvention, and Leadership

April 2, 2025 • 49 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, we sit down with Matt Walsh — Founder & CEO of Greenstone and a veteran behind some of the most iconic digital agency work of the last two decades. Matt takes us back to where it all began: sitting at his desk on day one of his UX career, staring at a blank screen, unsure of what to do next — until he simply drew a rectangle and took the first step. From that moment forward, Matt s...
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Dare to Suck: Philip VanDusen on Creativity, Career Reinvention, and the Power of Personal Branding

March 26, 2025 • 44 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, I sit down with Philip VanDusen, a creative visionary whose career journey is a testament to the power of reinvention. From his early days as a fine artist selling prints at street fairs to leading global design teams at Old Navy and PepsiCo, Philip shares how unexpected opportunities—and even setbacks—shaped his path. We explore why careers are more like webs than ladders, the impo...
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Episode 14: Uta Knablein on Leadership’s Ripple Effect, Adaptability, and Product Impact

March 19, 2025 • 44 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, Uta Knablein, a seasoned product and design executive, shares the pivotal moments that shaped her leadership journey—from driving UX innovation at Nickelodeon to leading large-scale product strategies at JPMorgan Chase and iHeartMedia. She dives into the ripple effect of leadership, the power of continuous learning, and why adaptability is crucial in today’s fast-evolving industries...
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Kip Voytek on Curiosity, Lifelong Learning and Digital Evolution

March 12, 2025 • 57 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, Kip Voytek shares how his career—starting in political consulting and speechwriting—evolved into game design, UX, data strategy, and digital business transformation, all driven by two essential skills: lifelong learning and curiosity. Kip reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his journey, from leading roles at cutting-edge agencies and working on iconic accounts like Nike to t...
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Sophia Prater on Self-Trust, Confidence, and the Power of System Thinking

March 5, 2025 • 56 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, Sophia Prater, CEO & Founder of Rewired and Chief Evangelist for Object-Oriented UX (OOUX), shares how a pivotal challenge designing CNN’s 2012 election results platform led her to develop a structured approach to UX that simplifies complexity. She discusses the power of self-trust, the importance of seeing the big picture in product design, and why failure is often a hidden opportu...
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Episode 11: Peter Merholz on Writing, Career Pivots, and Career Growth

February 26, 2025 • 54 mins
Peter Merholz has never followed a conventional path—and that’s exactly what has made him one of the most influential voices in UX and design leadership. In this episode, Peter shares his journey with rare self-awareness, opening up about both the pivotal moments and the missteps that shaped his career. One of his biggest career shifts came when he realized there was a massive gap in resources for design leaders. That realization ...
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Episode 10: Val Madden on Overcoming Bias, Embracing AI, and Thriving Through Change

February 19, 2025 • 48 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, Valerie Madden shares her journey as a creative leader in entertainment marketing, from launching iconic TV shows at NBC and Amazon to navigating unexpected career pivots and embracing the transformative power of AI in creative industries. Val opens up about overcoming challenges as a woman, and someone with dyslexia in a traditionally male-dominated industry, highlighting the impor...
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Episode 9: Felix Lee on How to Build with Heart and Scale with Impact

February 12, 2025 • 60 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, host Ryan Leffel sits down with Felix Lee, co-founder of ADPList, a platform that has transformed mentorship for professionals across product, engineering, design, marketing, data science, and product research. Felix shares his journey from being a designer to launching a community-driven company, the key inflection points that shaped ADPList’s rapid growth, and the pivotal moment ...
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Episode 8: Growth, Adaptability, and Solving Big Problems: Teresa Cain on Building Success with a Growth Mindset

January 28, 2025 • 42 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, we talk with Teresa Cain—Product & UX Leader and best-selling author of Solving Problems in Two Hours and Next-Gen Product Management. Teresa shares her career journey, from breaking into the product world to leading impactful teams in the tech space. She discusses the power of mentorship, embracing a growth mindset, and staying versatile to overcome challenges like career transitio...
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Episode 7: Finding Your North Star: Lessons in Growth, Purpose, and Impact from Connor Joyce

January 21, 2025 • 42 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, we explore the inspiring journey of Connor Joyce—researcher, author of Bridging Intention and Impact, and influencer. Connor shares how he navigated setbacks, embraced change, and discovered his North Star. He discusses the "Four Idols" framework (money, power, pleasure, fame), which has shaped his career perspective, and emphasizes the importance of a growth mindset in turning chal...
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Episode 6: Richard Dalton on Smarter Teams, Feedback, Seamless Design, and Visionary Leadership

January 14, 2025 • 35 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, Richard Dalton, Head of Design for Consumer at Verizon, reflects on the twists and turns that shaped his remarkable career. From navigating career pivots to embracing leadership lessons, Richard shares how surrounding himself with smarter people, rethinking feedback, and designing for end-to-end customer experiences have driven his success. Packed with actionable insights on growth,...
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Episode 5: Paul Strike on Leadership, Empathy, Strategy, and Execution

January 7, 2025 • 40 mins
This week, I’m thrilled to welcome Paul Strike, a UX and digital experience leader who has spent over a decade shaping transformative design strategies. In our conversation, Paul takes us on a journey through his career, starting as a creative high schooler passionate about set design and evolving into a leader in the design and digital experience space. Paul shares pivotal moments from his career, including founding a human-cente...
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Episode 4: Building Bold Futures: Catt Small on Diversity, Craft, and Personal Growth

December 17, 2024 • 44 mins
In this episode, Catt Small, a staff designer and founder of the Games Devs of Color Expo, shares her journey from graphic design to UX mastery. She reflects on her growth as a designer, emphasizing the importance of empathy, adaptability, and building strong relationships in shaping exceptional user experiences. Catt also discusses the power of community and how her passion for gaming inspired her to create a platform celebrating ...
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Episode 3: Listening, Learning, and Leading: Authentic Relationships and Bright Spots with Susie Hall

December 10, 2024 • 34 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, we sit down with Susie Hall, President of Community and Customer Engagement at Aquent, to explore the transformative power of kindness, curiosity, and authentic relationships in leadership. Over her 25-year journey, Susie has mastered the art of building relationships and building community, most notably through Inside Out, a safe space for senior in-house creative leaders to connec...
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Episode 2: The Meta-Mission of Leadership: Jack Teuber on Trust, Mentorship, and Crafting a Career You Want

December 3, 2024 • 48 mins
In this episode of That Pivotal Moment of Change, Jack Teuber shares the story of his remarkable career journey, spanning from Capitol Hill journalist to leading PwC’s in-house creative agency during a transformative era for digital innovation. Jack offers a wealth of insights on understanding the "meta-mission"—the overarching purpose that drives success—and how aligning individual goals with organizational needs can create meanin...
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Episode 1: Bob Schwartz on Purpose, Risk, and the Power of Networking

November 19, 2024 • 38 mins
In this episode, Bob reflects on how a creative upbringing, a passion for design, mentorship, and the power of networking paved his path from hands-on design to impactful leadership. From overcoming career setbacks to cultivating meaningful connections, Bob delivers powerful insights on embracing risks, staying true to your values, and uncovering the “why” behind your work. Discover how he’s leveraging design thinking and innovatio...
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