Bio
Matthew Holloway is a design executive with more than 25 years of experience leading cross-functional teams to create products, services, and systems that solve complex problems and deliver meaningful business impact. He views design both as a verb—a disciplined, iterative process grounded in customer and market research, systems thinking, and prototyping—and as a noun—the tangible expression of value, whether through the resulting product, service, or policy that creates clarity, value, and competitive advantage.


Summary
In this conversation, Matthew and Matthew discuss the challenges and opportunities in technology, particularly focusing on enterprise software, generative AI, and the importance of user experience and empathy in business. They explore the hesitancy in investment, the role of automation, and the need for a balance between technology and human agency. The discussion also touches on the significance of understanding user needs and the impact of AI on human interaction.


Takeaways
Technology can often be a source of frustration.
Investment in enterprise software is currently hesitant.
Generative AI has potential in business process automation.
Data security remains a top concern for companies.
User trust is essential for AI systems to succeed.
Empathy plays a crucial role in understanding customer needs.
Automation should not eliminate human agency.
Design should align with business outcomes.
Experimentation is key in technology adoption.
Understanding the context of use is vital for effective solutions.


Keywords
technology, enterprise software, generative AI, business process automation, data security, user experience, empathy, automation, design, AI impact

Bio
Ali Maaxa is a weird optimist (in the best way) and the Chief Behavioral Scientist at Maaxa Labs. She leverages her deep experience in global innovation and product discovery to provide strategic insights for product innovation, market fit, organizational change, AI/ML & Cloud Innovation, CX & UX. With over two decades in the field, she has worked with a host of organizations, from AT&T's global cloud transformation team to local recycling companies, to understand teams and customers, test solutions, and strategize & deploy change.

Summary
In this engaging conversation, Matthew and Ali Maaxa explore the multifaceted nature of identity, the implications of technology and AI, and the importance of empathy in UX design. They discuss the cultural contexts of technology use, the limitations of AI in understanding human experiences, and the need for responsible governance in AI implementation. The dialogue also touches on the challenges faced by startups, the impact of technology on society, and personal reflections on values and aspirations.

Takeaways
This is a conversation between people that just happens to be recorded.
AI doesn't understand how hormones affect cognition.
Empathy leads to the impulse to attune and understand user needs.
If the user can't find it, the feature doesn't exist.
We need to do some R&D before implementing new technologies.
Take your sweet time with technology adoption.
We are definitely in our getting burned phase of AI adoption.
I wish people cared more about kids and their needs.
It's important to keep talking about the implications of technology.
Living the dream is complicated by real-life challenges.

Chapters
00:00 Cold (awkward!) Open
00:51 Buy My Books?
07:16 The Taco Revolution is Coming
13:03 AI Adoption and Governance
18:55 The Importance of Meaningful Work
24:26 Reflections on Time and Value Systems
26:31 The Future of AI and Human Interaction
38:05 Matthew Stumbles Across Thin Ice
50:24 Navigating the Challenges of Technology
59:21 7 +/- 2 Questions
59:35 What is something that you did recently that went really well?
01:00:23 What do you wish people cared more about?
01:01:10 What's your go-to dish?
01:03:03 What's the business value of empathy?
01:07:23 Waving at flaggers, yes or no?
01:09:23 What do you hope to not be carrying anymore?


Keywords
AI, UX, technology, empathy, startups, governance, cultural studies, innovation, human experience, responsible AI

Bio
Chaos wrangler, community builder, storyteller, turning burnout into wisdom and neurodivergence into gold. One eye on justice, one hand on the mic, the other holding a gluten-free snack. Portland forever. @camikaos

Summary
Matthew interviews Cami Kaos, exploring themes of neurodiversity, childhood experiences, and the challenges faced by individuals with ADHD and Autism. They discuss coping mechanisms, the impact of diagnosis on relationships, and the importance of advocacy in tech. The dialogue also delves into the nuances of calling in versus calling out in social interactions, emphasizing the need for understanding and allyship in professional spaces. In this conversation, Cami Kaos and Matthew explore various themes surrounding communication challenges, burnout, the complexities of autism, social interactions, and the role of empathy in both personal and professional contexts. Cami shares her experiences with burnout and autistic burnout, emphasizing the importance of understanding and respecting personal boundaries in social situations. They discuss the impact of alcohol as a social lubricant and the perceived versus actual value of empathy in business. The conversation also touches on leadership dynamics, self-worth, and aspirations for the future, culminating in a reflection on the weight of unemployment and the desire for personal growth.

​Takeaways
Childhood experiences shape adult coping mechanisms.
Diagnosis can provide clarity and understanding of oneself.
Advocacy in tech is crucial for neurodiverse individuals.
The importance of calling in rather than calling out.
Coping strategies can include routines and medication.
Navigating systems can be challenging for neurodiverse individuals.
Personal growth often involves reflecting on past relationships.
The tech industry is often designed by neurotypical individuals.
Understanding and empathy are key in professional interactions. Cami emphasizes the importance of clear communication in professional settings.
Burnout can manifest in various forms, including autistic burnout.
Understanding autism involves recognizing the complexities of masking and social interactions.
Setting personal boundaries is crucial for mental health and wellbeing.
Alcohol often serves as a social lubricant, but its role can be problematic.
Empathy is a vital component of successful business practices.
Leadership often comes with the challenge of lacking authority to make necessary changes.
Self-worth is tied to the ability to prioritize one's own wellbeing.
Social interactions can be exhausting for those with autism, leading to the need for personal space.
Future aspirations include overcoming the weight of unemployment.

Chapters
00:00​ Open, No Cold
05:27​ Coping Mechanisms and Self-Discovery
24:26​ Surviving In Tech, Neurospicy-style
30:12​ The Importance of Perspectives
34:43​ Calling In vs. Calling Out
43:03​ Burnout and Its Implications
01:03:59​ Authenticity and Adaptability in Work
01:15:22​ 7 +/- 2 Questions
01:15:38​ What is something that went really well for you recently?
01:16:25​ What do you wish people cared more about?
01:16:41​ What's your go-to dish?
01:21:22​ What is the business value of empathy?
01:22:27​ Waving at flaggers, yes or no?
01:24:26​ What do you hope to not be carrying anymore?

​Keywords
podcast, neurodiversity, ADHD, Autism, coping mechanisms, childhood experiences, advocacy, calling in, calling out, personal growth, communication, burnout, autism, social interactions, empathy, leadership, personal boundaries, alcohol, self-worth, wellbeing