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In this episode, we explore what it means to leave academia and build a fulfilling career outside the ivory tower. Ashley Ruba, PhD, shares her journey from developmental psychology to UX research at Meta and entrepreneurship, founding After Academia to help PhDs navigate their own transitions. From overcoming identity challenges to discovering exciting opportunities in industry, Ashleyâs insights are invaluable for anyone considering life beyond tenure.
The challenges of leaving academia and redefining identityPractical advice for starting a career transitionExciting roles and industries suited for PhDs beyond UXBuilding After Academia and lessons from entrepreneurshipNavigating career shifts as a neurodivergent professionalThe importance of design thinking in shaping a fulfilling career
Episode HighlightsAbout Ashley Ruba
Ashley Ruba, PhD, is a UX researcher, entrepreneur, and founder of After Academia, a program dedicated to helping PhDs build fulfilling careers outside academia. After leaving her own academic career, Ashley turned her experience into a thriving business, landing over 50 job offers for her clients and empowering countless professionals to find balance, purpose, and stability. She has also worked as a human factors engineer, content strategist, and startup consultant.
After Academia website: www.ashleyruba.comTED Talk: Do schools kill creativity? By Sir Ken RobinsonThe Future of Jobs Report 2025 World Economic Forum
Resources MentionedConnect with Ashley
LinkedIn: Ashley Rubaâs Profile www.ashleyruba.comGet in Touch
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Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation. -
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In this episode, we delve into the intersection of behavioral science, leadership, and workplace well-being with Dr. Mandy Varley, a behavioral scientist and executive coach. She shares her insights on building healthier, more effective workplaces and rethinking traditional metrics of success.
Highlights
How the rise of AI is forcing us to rethink what we expect from humans at workWhy treating workplace burnout as an individual problem misses the bigger pictureWhat happens when we treat human energy like an unlimited resourceThe unexpected pressure of trying to find purpose at workWhy the way we think about time shapes everything about workAbout Mandy Varley
Mandy Varley is a behavioral scientist with extensive experience in leadership coaching, product development, and organizational behavior. She has a passion for addressing workplace challenges with research-backed solutions that prioritize human sustainability and well-being.Resources Mentioned
Dying for a Paycheck by Jeffrey PfefferFour Thousand Weeks by Oliver BurkemanSelf-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Dr. Kristin NeffGet in Touch
Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.
Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation. -
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In this episode, we take a behind-the-scenes look at how women are shaping the future of behavior designâfrom scaling impact in organizations to building powerful professional communities. Stephanie Weldy shares her journey from the public sector to Chief of Staff to Dr. BJ Fogg, her role as co-founder of WEB (Womxn Engaged in Behavior), and how behavior design principles are transforming industries.
Episode Highlights:đĄ How behavior design is being implemented at scale across industries
đĄ Common misconceptions about applying behavioral science in organizations
đĄ The role of community in advancing behavioral scienceâand why women need to support each other
đĄ Innovations in teaching and making behavior design more accessible
đĄ How to define success by amplifying your strengths and lifting othersAbout Stephanie Weldy
Stephanie Weldy is Chief of Staff to Dr. BJ Fogg, Stanford behavior scientist and author of Tiny Habits. After spending a decade in the public sector working on employee well-being, she now leads operations and partnerships for Foggâs research and teaching. She is also a co-founder of WEB (Womxn Engaged in Behavior), a growing network dedicated to amplifying womenâs voices in behavioral science and creating spaces where women can uplift, mentor, and support one another.
Resources Mentioned:đč Behavior Design & Implementation
Fogg Behavior Model: behaviormodel.orgTiny Habits framework for successful behavior changeReal-world case studies of scaling behavior designScientific evidence supporting the modelđč Women Supporting Women in Behavioral Science
WEB (Womxn Engaged in Behavior): Join the community heređč Scaling Impact & Innovation
How organizations are successfully integrating behavior design into their culturesStrategies for making behavior change practical in the workplaceTeaching methodologies that drive real-world application
Connect with Our Guest:đ Follow Stephanie Weldy on LinkedIn
đ Learn more about WEB: Link
đ Check out Dr. BJ Foggâs work: bjfogg.comđ§ Listen now to learn how behavioral science is evolvingâand how women supporting women is the key to making an impact.
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Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.
Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation. -
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In this episode, we explore what it takes to build truly human-centered organizations with Doug Roerden, who brings over 25 years of experience leading customer and user experience transformations. From Fidelity Investments to FM Global, Doug shares insights on organizational change, stakeholder management, and the evolution of experience design.
Transforming traditional organizations into human-centered practicesBuilding trust and alignment across diverse stakeholdersThe evolution of user research and design practicesLeading with a servant leadership approachMeasuring the impact of experience design initiatives
Episode Highlights
How to navigate resistance to organizational changeBuilding effective cross-functional relationshipsThe role of healthy conflict in transformationApproaches to measuring design impactBalancing different stakeholder needs
Key Insights
About Doug RoerdenDoug most recently served as Head of Experience Design at FM Global, where he transformed a traditional requirements-to-applications process into a human-centered approach for improving client, broker, partner, and employee experiences. Previously, he led experience design teams at Fidelity Investments across personal, workplace, and institutional investing, driving significant improvements in user accuracy, efficiency, and satisfaction.
Resources MentionedStages of UX Maturity
Nielsen Norman Group: The 6 Levels of UX MaturityJared Spool: The Five Stages of UX Design MaturityExperience Design
Interaction Design Foundation: What is Design Thinking and Why Is It So Popular?What are the Five Whys? A Tool For Root Cause AnalysisLeadership & Stakeholder Management
Googleâs highly effective team studyTeamwork: The Five Dysfunctions of a TeamTen Characteristics of Servant Leaders
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Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.
Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation. -
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In this episode, we explore how behavioral science and lifestyle medicine are transforming healthcare delivery. Dr. Leanne Mauriello shares insights from her work helping medical providers integrate lifestyle medicine into their practices, and discusses how community environments can support healthier living.
How medical providers can effectively incorporate lifestyle medicineThe role of behavioral science in healthcare transformationMaking health interventions both personalized and scalableHow community design can support healthy livingThe intersection of digital health and lifestyle medicineLeanneâs process of gaining business skills as a behavioral scientistThe role of relationship-building Leanneâs career development
Episode Highlights
About Leanne MaurielloLeanne is a Digital Health Strategist and Lifestyle Medicine Pioneer focused on empowering and scaling health optimization through consumer-focused innovation and evidence-based behavior change solutions. Her work spans NIH-funded research, digital health innovation, and healthcare transformation, with a focus on making preventative health both scalable and personalized.
American College of Lifestyle Medicine WebsiteRISE Lifestyle Medicine Platform West Michigan News Article: West Michigan man drops 70 pounds, 12 medications through lifestyle medicine The Transtheoretical Model of Health Behavior Change (Prochaska & Velicer, 1997)
Resources Mentioned
LinkedInProfessional Website
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Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.
Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation. -
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In this episode, we dive deep into the evolution of applied behavioral science with Matt Wallaert, a pioneer who has spent nearly two decades bringing behavioral science from academic theory to practical application. From leading behavioral science teams at Microsoft and Clover Health to founding BeSci.io, Matt shares insights on creating scalable impact and nurturing the next generation of behavioral scientists.
The early days of bringing behavioral science into industryHow the field has evolved over the past two decadesCommon challenges and misconceptions about applied behavioral scienceCreating systemic change through behavioral interventionsGuidance for aspiring behavioral scientistsThe importance of adding business value (i.e., profit margin value, return on investment) if youâre a behavioral scientist at a profit-making company
Episode Highlights
About Matt WallaertMatt has led behavioral science initiatives at major organizations including Microsoft, Clover Health, and LendingTree. He's the founder of BeSci.io, a consulting collective helping companies embed behavioral science across their organizations. His side projects focus on creating greater equity, including GetRaised, which has helped women earn over $3.6B in salary increases.
BeSci.Io - BeSci.io is a consultancy that embeds applied behavioral science within organizations across various sectors.Join the BeSci.io Slack CommunityStart at the End: How to Build Products That Create Change by Matt WallaertA Simple Guide to Applied Behavioral Science - Resource on where Behavioral Science fits within businesses by Matt WallaertOpposing Forces Theory - by Matt Wallaert (i.e., âinhibiting pressures, promoting pressuresâ)
Resources Mentioned
LinkedIn - Follow Matt's insights on behavioral scienceWebsite - Schedule office hours and learn more about Matt's work
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Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.
Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation. -
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In this episode, we explore the complexities of personal growth and career development with Connor Joyce, a Senior User Researcher at Microsoft's Copilot team, the CEO of Desired Outcome Labs, the author of Bridging Intentions to Impact, and now a guest lecturer at UPenn's Master's of Behavioral and Decision Sciences program. From climbing Kilimanjaro to completing an Ironman 70.3, Connor shares candid insights about the relationship between achievement, validation, and authentic growth.
Connor's 3-part framework for personal growth: growth mindset, experimentation, and surrounding yourself with incredible peopleFinding the balance between ambition and inner peaceNavigating career setbacks and layoffs with evolving resilienceCreating authentic content that truly helps othersThe "four idols" framework for understanding career motivationsâThereâs always someone with a bigger boat,â a metaphor that means that no matter how much you have or accomplish, there will always be someone with more
Episode HighlightsAbout Connor Joyce
Connor is a Senior User Researcher on Microsoft's Copilot team, an advisor to Subconscious.AI, a founding member of the Applied Behavioral Science Association, and a lecturer at UPenn's Master's of Behavioral and Decision Sciences program. His work focuses on the intersection of behavioral science and technology, with a particular emphasis on helping people bridge the gap between intentions and actions.
Growth mindset principles from Carol Dweck's workThe concept of local vs. global maxima in career developmentAllegory of the caveDavid Brooks' framework of the four idols: power, prestige, money, and pleasure
Frameworks Mentioned
Follow Connor on LinkedInLearn about Desired Outcome LabsBook: "Bridging Intentions to Impact"Connorâs Writings on Behavioral Science, UXR, Tech: Medium Connorâs Writings on Personal Growth: Substack
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Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.
Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation. -
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In this episode, we explore how visual storytelling can transform research practice with Maureen McLennon Welton, a Principal Experience Design Researcher who brings a unique perspective from her background in both UX design and research. From transforming complex findings into compelling visual stories to incorporating mindfulness into user research, Maureen shares insights on creating impact through thoughtful communication and design.
How design expertise enhances research practice and communicationTechniques for transforming research findings into compelling visual storiesThe role of mindfulness in research and stakeholder managementBalancing professional expertise with personal creative projects
Episode Highlights
About Maureen McLennon
Maureen is a Principal Experience Design Researcher at FM Global, where she leads research initiatives to improve digital experiences. With experience spanning software development, global health policy-making, and commercial property insurance, she brings a unique blend of design expertise and research rigor to her work. Her approach emphasizes visual storytelling and mindful communication to drive impact.
LinkedIn: Maureen McLennon WeltonWebsite: maureenmclennon.com Maureenâs Substack: Intuitive Style
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Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.
Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation. -
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In this episode of Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy, I sit down with Stephen Gates, founder of CRZY design studio and host of The Crazy One podcast. Stephen was my first mentor outside academia, and his advice has shaped how I approach my career, creativity, and leadership. We unpack the power of discomfort, the importance of asking the right questions, and why showing up authentically might just be the most rebellious thing you can do in your career.
Episode Highlights
Navigating the discomfort that often precedes fulfillmentRecognizing the signs that itâs time for a career shiftBalancing authenticity and ambition in corporate environmentsWhy success only makes sense in hindsightBuilding a career path that aligns with your values and strengthsPractical Frameworks Discussed
Design Thinking for Your Career â Prototype, test, refine. Donât wait for clarityâbuild it.Three-Word Exercise â Ask trusted people to describe you in three words. Look for patterns to uncover strengths and blind spots.The Balance Between Discomfort and Confidence â How to stay uncomfortable enough to grow, but not so much that you become paralyzed.Books and Resources Mentioned
I Dare You to Care by Sylvia Baffour â A deep dive into emotional intelligence and mentorshipDesigning Your Life and Designing Your Work Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans â Applying design thinking to career and life transitionsAbout Stephen Gates
Stephen Gates is the founder of CRZY design studio and the host of The Crazy One podcast. With leadership experience at InVision, Citi, Starwood Hotels, and WeightWatchers, Stephen has led design teams responsible for globally recognized campaigns and innovative products. His work has earned over 150 international awards and has been featured in Apple keynotes and design guidelines.Connect with Stephen
Website: StephenGates.comLinkedIn: Stephen GatesCRZY Design: CRZYDesign.comGet in Touch
Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.
Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation. -
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In this episode of Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy, I sit down with Dr. Eliane Boucher, a behavioral scientist and former academic who transitioned into the digital wellness space. Together, we uncover the murky waters of wellness apps, exposing the fine line between science-backed products and clever marketing. Eliane shares eye-opening examples of questionable practices, along with practical frameworks for building and evaluating ethical digital health products that deliver real valueânot just empty promises.
Episode Highlights
The rise of âscience-washingâ in wellness apps â what it looks like and why itâs dangerousHow apps manipulate trust by using vague claims like âHarvard research-backedâThe hidden cost of cutting corners in MVP developmentKey strategies for blending scientific rigor with the speed of tech developmentHow to tell the difference between apps grounded in science versus apps that just say they areKey Insights
âCortisol Detoxâ? â Eliane walks us through her experience uncovering a wellness app that made bold claims without measuring cortisol at all.Look Beyond the App Store â Why real product evaluation starts with researching the team, the science, and the fine print.Measure Twice, Cut Once â Why involving users early in the design process can prevent costly mistakes down the road.Think Like a Scientist, Act Like a Founder â How scientists can meet product teams halfway to drive evidence-based design without stalling innovation.About Dr. Eliane Boucher
Dr. Eliane Boucher is a social psychologist turned industry scientist specializing in digital health and evidence generation. She previously led research initiatives at Happify Health, focusing on creating interventions that blend scientific integrity with user engagement. Eliane now consults for digital wellness companies, helping them navigate regulatory landscapes and build products that actually work.Resources Mentioned
The FTCâs Guide to Evaluating Health Product Claims â Federal Trade CommissionDigital health development frameworks for MVPs â Bucher et al. (2024). âHow to design equitable digital health tools: A narrative review of design tactics, case studies, and opportunities.â PLOS Digital HealthConnect with Dr. Eliane Boucher
LinkedIn: Eliane Boucher Consulting Inquiries: [email protected]Get in Touch
Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.
Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation. -
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In this premiere episode, clinical psychologist Dr. Erica Simon shares how design thinking's "bias to action" can transform our approach to personal and professional growth. Through her work at Stanford's d.school and beyond, Dr. Simon reveals practical strategies for breaking free from perfectionism and overthinking to create environments that actually support well-being. Whether you're feeling stuck in your career, battling imposter syndrome, or trying to make a break-through in your personal growth, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on moving from insight to action.
Understanding the difference between languishing and flourishing, and practical steps to move from one to the otherHow design thinking principles can be applied to personal well-being and career developmentNavigating imposter syndrome and self-doubt in academic and tech environmentsWhy imposter syndrome affects female leaders more than men, and other gender gaps in career-related behaviorsThe role of "bias to action" in personal growth and why "failing forward" isn't really failing
Episode HighlightsMusic: "Good Times" by Tommy Welton
Resources Mentioned
Start With Why by Simon SinekDesigning Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans"More Isn't Always Better" - HBR, The Jam Experiment"Diversity, Stereotypes, and Intersectionality" - Margaret Shih, UCLA "Male and Female Entrepreneurs Get Asked Different Questions by VCs" HBR, Funding Gap Research
About Dr. Erica Simon
Dr. Simon has spent over 15 years working in healthcare and workplace settings, addressing the anxiety, stress, and burnout endemic to modern culture. Find her on: LinkedIn, Seriesbe.co (her WorGet in Touch
Have thoughts about this episode? Connect with Dr. Michelle Handy on LinkedIn and follow Deep Thoughts for more insights at the intersection of behavioral science, tech, and design.
Deep Thoughts with Michelle Handy explores the intersections of behavioral science, tech, and design through engaging conversations with thought leaders. Whether you're building products, leading teams, or navigating your own career journey, each episode delivers practical insights to inspire personal growth and drive innovation.
