Writers of Silicon Valley

Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review! Canva is a true (Aussie) tech success story, and the content design practice there is no small reason why.  One of the people leading that practice is Sally, Head of Content Design at Canva. Sally and I dive into how Canva has built one of the strongest content design practices in the world, why leadership is about more than managing people, and what content designers need to do to grow their careers. We also discuss why content design in Australia often feels a few steps behind the global stage and what Canva is doing to set an example. This was such an honest and motivating conversation, and I think it’ll resonate with anyone working in content or design, especially those navigating fast-paced environments. Timestamps: (0.52) Content design at Canva (4.28) Sally's work experience and history (8.30) Growing Canva's content design team (10.44) How Canva content designers approach AI (13.20) How Sally helps lead and develop her team (23.00) How leaders should prioritize (26.20) What Sally looks for when hiring (29.20) How to navigate change as a leader (32.50) Sally's biggest leadership challenges (38.15) The importance of culture and values (43.30) Psychological safety in teams (48.20) What the industry needs to change What we talked about: How Sally helped build a 30-person content design team at Canva Why content drives the first impression users have of Canva The four pillars of growth for content designers at Canva Balancing leadership with staying connected to the craft How Sally helps content designers focus on impact, not volume The emotional side of change and why people feel loss more than gain Why diversity in hiring goes beyond skills to mindset and adaptability Navigating the challenges of a fast-growing company culture Notable Quotes: “Content drives the first impression of Canva. We have a lot of responsibility to make sure that’s a good one.” — Sally “There’s no such thing as time management, only choice management.” — Sally (AI): “If we focus too much on the loss, we’ll never realize the gains.” — Sally Where to Find Sally: LinkedIn

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review!  A few weeks ago I made a post on LinkedIn that caused a little bit of a stir. I said that content designers need to do more in considering how content supports the greater product ecosystem...and why that lack of curiosity might be holding them back. In essence, I was asking: which is more important - product or content? I got a lot of great responses, but Scott Kubie's was one that stood out to me. His view was that my assessment of the situation was a little upside down, and that we should talk about it. So I did. Scott and I agree that content designers need to think bigger, but we're coming at this from slightly different directions. This episode, we hash it out. I hope you enjoy it - it was a productive, pleasant, and deep conversation that really left me with a better understanding of Scott's position. What we talked about: Why Scott thinks content people are “playing small” — and what they can do about it What "content" actually is The real role of content in a product  The difference between interface copy and content that truly drives value Why structured content and content operations are the future Scott’s candid thoughts on how to navigate industry challenges and thrive The content "death star": Notable quotes: “Content is what people are there for… not just the words on the screen.”  “There’s a massive opportunity available to any product manager who wants to pick it up and run with it, which is to start thinking about your content ecosystem.” Resources Mentioned: Apple’s Human Interface Guidelines Where to find Scott: LinkedIn Scott's website Listeners get 20% off podcasts and workshops at UX Content Collective! Just use PODCAST20 at checkout

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review!  Having trouble letting go? Deiadora Blanche (Airbnb, Coursera) can help.  In this episode, we dive deep into the idea of ego detachment — letting go of personal attachment to the work we do. Deiadora shares her journey from business consulting to content strategy, and how she’s learned to balance personal growth with professional success.  We also chat about thinking like a CEO, even when you’re not in leadership, and how content professionals can create their own success by setting metrics and driving results. Plus, Deiadora shares some incredible insights about AI content strategy — why we need to engage with it, not fear it. If you’re curious about how to stay grounded in your work, navigate high-pressure environments, or just want to hear some practical advice on building a successful content strategy career, this episode is a must-listen. What we talked about: Deiadora’s path from business consulting to content design Why detaching from your ego can make you a better content designer How to set metrics for your team and think like a CEO Using mindfulness to step back and make better decisions How content professionals can lead without a formal title Practical tips for using AI in content strategy Why letting go of attachment to outcomes helps you succeed Notable quotes: “Stop being so attached to the work—it's not about you. It’s about what the user needs.” “When you step away and detach from the ego, you can make better decisions.” “Thinking like a CEO is essential, even when you’re an individual contributor. Own the work, don’t wait for direction.” Where to find Deiadora: Deadorable Life The Quantum CEO Podcast LinkedIn Listeners get 20% off podcasts and workshops at UX Content Collective! Just use PODCAST20 at checkout

Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review!  Vidhika Bansal might win the award for the most positive Twitter timeline. Just reading her tweets makes your entire day better. But Vidhika's talents go far beyond nice social media posts. Her intense interest and focus on human behaviour and user research make her one of the most thoughtful and fascinating people in UX. She's spoken at conferences like Button and Confab, led teams at organizations like Intuit, and has one of the most human-centered approaches to UX that I know of.  Vidhika shares her journey from studying pre-med to finding her passion for human-centered design, explaining how her love for poetry and small details fuels her content strategy work today. She talks about the intersection of behavioral psychology, content design, and the profound impact of well-crafted UX writing on user confidence and trust. Whether you're a content designer, UX writer, or simply curious about how the little things in digital products can make all the difference, this episode dives deep into the art of designing for the human experience. We talk about: Vidhika’s unexpected journey from pre-med to UX design The power of small details in building user confidence Balancing efficiency and humanity in content design How poetry and emotional storytelling influence Vidhika’s UX work The importance of content in high-stress user situations Designing with edge cases in mind: why the small problems matter most The evolving role of content designers in shaping user experiences Why internal tools and processes are just as exciting as customer-facing products Connect with Vidhika:  https://vidhika.carrd.co/ Vidhika on LinkedIn Listeners get 20% off podcasts and workshops at UX Content Collective! Just use PODCAST20 at checkout