We unpack the continued influence effect—why wrong ideas and early takes often outlast the truth—and how it can quietly shape your team’s decisions long after the facts are corrected.

Why do people still believe a story even after it’s been proven wrong?

If you’ve ever run an A/B test that “failed” only to see the wrong lesson stick around for months, you’ve felt the continued influence effect in action. It’s that pesky bias where the first version of a story, whether true or not, keeps shaping behavior long after it’s been corrected.

In this episode, I share a story from my own work where a redesign underperformed in testing. Even though we learned valuable lessons and built a better version, the dominant narrative became “the test failed.” From planning sessions to hallway chatter, that early interpretation continued to influence how we thought and acted.

We’ll dig into the research behind this bias, how it shows up in everyday team dynamics, and practical steps you can take to keep outdated or misleading narratives from derailing your work. Listen in and learn how to replace sticky misinformation with better, more accurate stories your team will actually remember.

Topics:

• 00:00 - The Test Failed: A Case Study

• 01:38 - The Continued Influence Effect Explained

• 02:04 - A Familiar Story of Misinterpretation

• 04:12 - The Psychology Behind the Continued Influence Effect

• 05:40 - Real-World Implications and Examples

• 07:53 - Strategies to Combat the Continued Influence Effect

To explore more about the Continued Influence Effect, don’t miss the full article @ cognitioncatalog.com

Not all prejudice is loud or obvious. In this episode, we explore the quiet kind: the one that hides behind gut feelings and culture fit. We'll break down how implicit bias shapes team dynamics, hiring decisions, and everyday interactions, even in well-meaning workplaces.

What if the biggest barrier to equity on your team isn’t hate, but habit?

In this episode of the Cognition Catalog, we dig into the subtleties of prejudice that often hide in plain sight. These aren't the overt acts of hostility we usually associate with bias, but the quiet, unnoticed attitudes and assumptions that shape who gets hired, heard, and left behind.

We'll explore the nature of implicit prejudice, its impact on team dynamics, and how we can challenge and change these hidden biases to create fairer and more inclusive workplaces.

Tune in to learn actionable steps to recognize and interrupt these biases, ensuring we all contribute to a more equitable environment.

Topics:• 02:25 - A Personal Anecdote on Bias• 03:21 - Understanding Implicit Prejudice• 06:13 - The Science Behind Implicit Bias• 08:54 - Addressing and Mitigating Bias

To explore more about Prejudice, don’t miss the full article on the Cognition Catalog!

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Join me every week for insights on a new cognitive bias!

Think all you need is a polished portfolio and perfect case study to land your next job? Trevor Alexander says otherwise. In this episode, we challenge the traditional career advice designers are given, and talk about what actually leads to long-term success, resilience, and trust.

What if everything you’ve been told about how to build a successful design career was wrong?

If you’re still clinging to the idea that a polished portfolio and deep Figma skills are your best bet for success in UX, this episode is going to challenge that—hard. I sat down with Trevor Alexander, author of An Ugly Design Career, to talk about why those things might actually be distractions.

We cover everything from the myth of the “pretty” career to the real-world power of trust, communication, and grit. Trevor shares how he’s thrived in UX without a portfolio or job applications, because people keep bringing him along for the ride. Not because of fancy job titles, but because of how he shows up.

From improv classes and Toastmasters to lifestyle creep and living in a founder’s basement, Trevor drops wisdom that hits different in today’s job market. Whether you’re new to UX or 15 years in, this episode is a gut check on what really matters. Give it a listen, and maybe rethink what “better” looks like.

Topics:
• 11:16 The Importance of Soft Skills in Design
• 21:30 The Role of Tenacity in a Design Career
• 27:48 Defining Success: What Does ‘Better’ Mean?
• 32:19 Facing Job Loss and Financial Stress
• 32:54 Managing Lifestyle Creep
• 33:19 The Importance of Fiscal Responsibility
• 35:23 High Earnings and Financial Prudence
• 39:26 Leveraging Opportunities and Networking
• 41:11 Building a Resilient Career

Helpful Links:
• Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn
• uglydesigncareer.com

—

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In this throwback episode, I chat with Jason Ogle from the User Defenders Podcast about something we don’t talk about enough: self-care for UX designers. We explore how taking care of ourselves is essential to be truly empathetic.

Could self-care be the most overlooked tool in a UX designer’s toolkit?

How can we expect to fill our users’ cups if our own is empty? What if taking care of yourself is the most user-centric design choice you can make?

This week, I got a chance to talk with with Jason Ogle of the famed User Defenders Podcast. We peel back the layers of UX design to discuss a foundational aspect that’s often neglected: the designer’s self-care. Jason shares his insights on how self-care is intrinsically linked to our capacity to care for and understand our users. He makes a compelling case for why designers must prioritize their well-being to truly excel in their work.

We discuss the inherently altruistic nature of design and how this high calling to solve problems for others begins with solving our own problem of neglecting self-care. He highlighted the simple yet powerful concept: “We can’t fill someone else’s cup if our cup is empty,” emphasizing the need for designers to ensure they’re mentally and physically prepared to tackle the challenges of UX design.

We also touched on the critical mind-body connection and how physical well-being directly impacts our creative and empathetic abilities. Jason shared personal strategies for making time for self-care, including the importance of sleep and how it significantly influences the following day’s mood, energy levels, and productivity.

Jason’s approach to saying “no” and the freedom it brings to focus on what truly matters served as a powerful lesson in setting boundaries for personal and professional growth.

Topics:
• 15:31 – Design is a very altruistic thing
• 20:06 – We can’t fill someone else’s cup if our cup is empty
• 25:45 – There is a mind-body connection
• 30:10 – Sleep influences the next day
• 33:23 – ways Jason has found to make time for himself
• 40:38 – Getting to the point where we can say “no”
• 49:23 – How do we go to bed at a certain time?
• 54:49 – Good habits are sacrificing now for benefits later

Helpful Links:
• Connect with Jason on LinkedIn
• jasonogle.com
• Watch Jason on YouTube
• User Defenders Podcast

Understanding how power works might be the most underrated UX skill. Thomas Wilson shares ways to navigate power, bridge generational gaps, and influence decisions, even when you don’t have direct control.

Why do some designers influence major decisions while others get ignored? The answer might come down to how well you understand power.

You can’t influence what you don’t understand. In this conversation, I sit down with Thomas Wilson to discuss the invisible structures that shape what gets built, who gets heard, and why some designers consistently seem to gain traction, even without a fancy title.

We unpack what it means to navigate power inside organizations, how to build trust with people who don’t think like you, and what “pushing back” looks like when done with empathy and strategy. Thomas also challenges the notion that power is something to be avoided or rejected. Instead, he frames it as a neutral force—one you can learn to work with instead of around.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, sidelined, or frustrated by decisions that don’t make sense, this episode will help you rethink how you operate—and show you that power, used well, can actually be a designer’s ally.

Topics:

• 03:51 Understanding Power Dynamics in Organizations

• 05:44 Types of Power in Business

• 08:22 Strategies for Leveraging Power

• 19:39 Tools for Influencing and Negotiation

• 28:12 Power Mapping and Stakeholder Management

• 36:47 Influence and Interest Matrix

• 37:43 Generational Dynamics in the Workplace

• 38:57 Diversity of Thought and Communication Styles

• 41:34 Building Relationships and Trust

• 43:41 Handling Workplace Conflicts

• 48:48 Resources for Understanding Power

Helpful Links:
• Connect with Thomas on LinkedIn

—

Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.

If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.

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Freelancing doesn't have to mean chaos and burnout. In this episode, we explore how to scale your freelance business without hiring a team by getting smarter with tools, strategy, and specialization.

What if you could scale your freelance business without hiring a team, just by using the right tools?

Most freelancers hit the same wall: they think going solo means doing it all. But today’s guest, Maciej Konarzewski, shares how that belief almost held him back, and how flipping the script helped him build a successful one-person business that runs on his terms.

In this episode, Maciej shares how he went from building his first site for his wife’s cleaning business to becoming a certified Wix Studio partner and full-time business owner. We talk about ditching the hustle mindset, building smart systems, and saying no to distractions (and even clients) in order to say yes to better work.

If you’re a designer trying to escape the 9–5 grind or scale your freelance business without burning out, this episode is for you. We dig into tools, pricing, niching down, and how community and relationships can unlock opportunities you didn’t even know were possible.

Tune in and learn how to build a thriving freelance business—without hiring a single employee.

Topics:
• 02:44 The Reality of Freelancing
• 03:08 Interview with Maciej Konarzewski
• 04:17 Maciej’s Freelancing Journey
• 14:30 The Importance of Specialization
• 25:33 The Reality of Job Security
• 26:09 The Hardest Decision: Changing Jobs
• 26:42 You Are Your Own Backup Plan
• 27:41 Selling and Marketing Yourself
• 30:34 The Mindset Shift in Sales
• 36:46 The Importance of Community and Specialization

Helpful Links:
• Connect with Maciej on LinkedIn
• Vision Marketing

—

Thanks for listening! We hope you dug today’s episode. If you liked what you heard, be sure to like and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts! And if you really enjoyed today’s episode, why don’t you leave a five-star review? Or tell some friends! It will help us out a ton.

If you haven’t already, sign up for our email list. We won’t spam you. Pinky swear.

• ⁠⁠⁠Get a FREE audiobook AND support the show⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Support the show on Patreon⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Check out show transcripts⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Check out our website⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on Spotify⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠• ⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠

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