In this special "Quick One", Barry comes to us live from Bangalore, India to tell our listeners about his time as both speaker and attendee at DesignUp 2026. This year, DesignUp celebrates its 10th anniversary, and it certainly did not disappoint. Barry and Phil discuss how the extent to which the sessions convey how irrevocably the role of Design, and of Designers, has changed in industries as diverse as healthcare, social justice, and technology. They discuss how the conference's setting further reinforces how much Bangalore itself has changed, and how that influences the talent pool. Barry also shares the key themes from his talk, "Crafting your Design Career Like a Novelist", all about how to treat a Design Career the way an author crafts a story, complete with chapters, plot twists, and a continuously evolving narrative centered around value. Enjoy!

Drinks: Kingfisher Lager, Hardywood Craft Brewery Pils

Links: https://26.designup.io/

In this episode, Barry and Phil are joined by Kate Bannister, a seasoned creative recruiter and the owner of Hive Talent Advisors, for a chat and a drink about the strange, new world of recruitment and career advice for today's senior creative leaders. We discuss how creative leadership candidacy has dramatically changed over the last 5 years, including how the attributes once valued by hiring managers are either less important or no longer even applicable today, and what impact that has on identity and career management. We also discuss how to properly use LinkedIn, not as a digital resume, but as a content and thought leadership platform. We conclude with a live audit of each of our LinkedIn profiles - a valuable service that Kate's company provides that lays bare all of Barry and Phil's shortcomings. If you are a senior creative leader looking for inspiration and motivation in your current career search, this one is for you. Enjoy!

Drinks: Devil's Purse Brewing Co. South Dennis-Style Summer Ale, Hi-Wire Brewing Hi-Pitch India Pale Ale, Alani Nu Energy Drink

Links: https://www.hivetalentadvisors.com/

In this episode, Barry and Phil are joined by their old friend and former colleague, John McHale, a seasoned creative leader and Chief Creative Officer now leading startups as they forge new creative frontiers in the age of AI. Barry, Phil, and John enjoy several trips in the wayback machine as they recognize both the similarities and differences between now and when they worked together in the 2010's. They also discuss how creative leaders need to build, lead, and mentor teams now that the "floor" is higher today than it has ever been. It is a lively, fun, and timely conversation that is sure to speak to both senior leaders wondering what's next, and junior designers trying to figure out "what now?" Enjoy!

Drinks: Medusa Brewing Company Duchovni Pilsner, Founders Brewing Company Easy Drinking Beer Blonde Ale, Three Taverns Brewery Ukiyo Rice Lager

Links: https://www.mchaleportfolio.com/