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Design Better co-hosts Eli Woolery and Aarron Walter explore the intersection of design, technology, and the creative process through conversations with guests across many creative fields, helping you hone your craft, unlock your creativity, and learn the art of collaboration. Whether you’re design curious or a design pro, Design Better is guaranteed to inspire and inform. Vanity Fair calls Design... more

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Artwork for Design Better

Latest Episodes

As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the Constitution remains the most consequential document in American life — and more people are reading it than ever. But pick up almost any commercial edition and you’ll find the same thing: sma... more

This is a preview of a premium episode. To listen to the full thing, visit our Susbtack: designbetterpodcast.com/p/colin-fisher

In jazz, there’s a concept called minimal structures — a rhythmic framework, a harmonic pattern, an implied order... more

Visit our Substack for bonus content and more: designbetterpodcast.com/p/nir-eyal-returns

If you want to understand how much your beliefs shape your reality, try this quick exercise. Google the “checkerboard illusion” below and you can witne... more

This is a preview of a premium episode. To the listen to the full thing, head over to our Substack: designbetterpodcast.com/p/mason-currey

At several points in his life, Eli imagined what it would take to become a full-time artist — a photog... more

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Recent Guests

Colin Fisher
Associate professor of organizations and innovation at University College London, author of The Collective Edge
University College London
Episode: Colin Fisher: The lone genius is a myth
Nir Eyal
Author of Hooked, Indistractable, Beyond Belief
Author and thinker on behavior design
Episode: Nir Eyal: Beyond Belief and how to change your mind to change your life
Etinosa Agbonlahor
Behavioral economist and founder of Design Alpha
Design Alpha
Episode: Etinosa Agbonlahor: Behavioral economist on why pricing belongs in the design process
Paul Dichter
Head writer for Stranger Things
Stranger Things (writer)
Episode: Paul Dichter: Stranger Things writer on why the writers’ room isn’t so different from the design studio
Rich Braden
Design strategist who has taught innovation at Stanford and advised companies worldwide
Stanford, design consulting
Episode: Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden: "Innovation-ish" and why most innovation doesn’t have to be a moonshot
Tessa Forshaw
Cognitive scientist studying the psychology of creativity
Stanford, research on creativity
Episode: Tessa Forshaw and Rich Braden: "Innovation-ish" and why most innovation doesn’t have to be a moonshot
Luis Mendo
Spanish-born illustrator based in Nagano, Japan
MundoMendo
Episode: Luis Mendo: Designer turned illustrator on making things that could only come from you
Rachana Rele
VP of Product Design for AI Native Products at Adobe
Adobe
Episode: David Shim and Rachana Rele: Read AI CEO and VP of Product Design for AI-native products at Adobe on amplifying creative work — not replacing it
David Shim
Co-founder and CEO of Read AI
Read AI
Episode: David Shim and Rachana Rele: Read AI CEO and VP of Product Design for AI-native products at Adobe on amplifying creative work — not replacing it

Hosts

Eli Woolery
Host of Design Better; Design Better (The Curiosity Department)
Aarron Walter
Co-host of Design Better; Host of Design Better

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Ads

    Great podcast but waaaaaayyy too many adds that are way too long. Stop selling out and focus on content.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    NVSF95
    United Statesa year ago
  • More industrial design

    A real design podcast like we all need. Only wish there was more episodes on product / industrial design! SCAD episode was amazing

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    kev_paris_88
    United States2 years ago
  • Great interview

    Inspiring and full of energy, culture, curiosity and very easy to follow up.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Agheor
    Italy2 years ago
  • Not anymore

    Used to be a great show. Now hidden behind a 7$/month paywall. The “free” shows are now 20 minutes long, including 8 minutes of ads and announcements to cconvert listeners into subscribers. Not worth it anymore.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    highway84revisited
    United States2 years ago
  • ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

    Design Better is a beacon of inspiration for anyone passionate about the intersection of design, technology, and creativity! Whether you're a seasoned design professional or simply curious about the world of design, each episode promises to spark your creativity. I can’t recommend this show enough!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andieo1997
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the high-caliber guests and in-depth, thoughtful questions.
Audience notes strong value in practical takeaways and real-world design workflows.
Some feedback highlights ads and paywalls as a drawback for free listeners.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#12
United States/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#8
Canada/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#42
United Kingdom/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#206
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#7
Germany/Arts/Design
Apple Podcasts
#15
Italy/Arts/Design

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Colin Fisher: The lone genius is a myth
Q: One of the core concepts in your book is that groups, not individuals, are the big engines of progress. Aren't these the proofs of the power of the lone genius, or do you have an argument against that?
Yes, even the most celebrated achievements emerge from collaborative efforts; when you peel back the stories, there's almost always a group behind the success. The perception of solitary genius is a narrative bias, reinforced by our memory and ego, whereas the reality shows that diverse contributions and coordination are what actually drive breakthroughs.
Nir Eyal: Beyond Belief and how to change your mind to change your life
Q: How can designers apply these ideas to their own lives and not just their products?
Designers can use the four-step experience loop—Believe, Anticipate, Feel, Confirm—to reframe their own beliefs about capabilities and outcomes, then test those beliefs in real-world contexts. This helps turn limiting beliefs into liberating ones, improving both work and personal well-being.
Nir Eyal: Beyond Belief and how to change your mind to change your life
Q: What is the difference between facts, faith, and beliefs, and how do they change the way we experience reality?
Facts are objective truths; faith is conviction without evidence; beliefs are convictions open to revision based on new evidence. Beliefs shape what we see, feel, and do, and can be updated to empower us rather than constrain us, which explains why people can experience different realities from the same stimulus.
Nir Eyal: Beyond Belief and how to change your mind to change your life
Q: Can you explain the three-sided model of motivation and why belief matters in sustaining action?
Motivation is not a straight line; it's a triangle of behavior, benefit, and belief. Belief about whether the benefit will be provided and whether you're capable of performing the behavior sustains engagement; if either is lacking, motivation decays. This reframes how we approach change by focusing on empowering beliefs alongside clear actions and outcomes.
Etinosa Agbonlahor: Behavioral economist on why pricing belongs in the design process
Q: How should teams handle price communication with existing clients when raising prices?
Be explicit about the value delivered to date, outline what will change and when, and provide breathing room; start with new clients to establish the new rate and gradually rollout to existing relationships as comfort grows.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Design Better

What is Design Better about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Design-focused conversations blend practical design methods with technology and creativity. Episodes frequently explore collaboration, design thinking, and the role of AI as a creative partner, often linking studio practice to product, platform, and organizational design. Guests range from researchers and educators to industry leaders and creatives, sharing actionable tips for teams, leadership, pricing psychology, and building meaningful, human-centered experiences. A notable throughline is learning to balance structure with experimentation, maintain psychological safety in groups, and keep a curious, growth-minded mindset at the center of design work. The show often features cross-disciplinary guests who illuminate how design thinking can... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Design Better?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Design Better:

1. NN/G UX Podcast
2. Creative Confidence Podcast
3. Design Matters with Debbie Millman
4. The Futur with Chris Do
5. Product Thinking

How many episodes of Design Better are there?

Design Better launched 9 years ago and published 246 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Design Better?

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What guests have appeared on Design Better?

Recent guests on Design Better include:

1. Colin Fisher
2. Nir Eyal
3. Etinosa Agbonlahor
4. Paul Dichter
5. Rich Braden
6. Tessa Forshaw
7. Luis Mendo
8. Rachana Rele

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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