You’re not just designing screens. You’re designing how people experience the world, and it’s time that work got the recognition it deserves.
Feel like no one really sees what you bring to the table as a UX designer?
Tired of being boxed into execution mode while your real skills, your strategy, your thinking, your leadership, go unnoticed?
Ever wonder if you’re the only one feeling stuck, overlooked, or unsure about how to grow in your UX career?
I’m here to tell you:
You’re not alone.
You’re not behind.
And you’re not doing it wrong.
”Elevate Your UX Career” is the podcast for mid-career UX designers who are ready to stop hiding their brilliance and start owning their impact. In this podcast, we bring you real stories from real designers sharing honest conversations about the messy, meaningful work of growing a career you’re proud of.
Because building a career in UX isn’t a straight line. It’s a craft. A practice. A decision you make every day to show up for yourself and the people you design for.
Hi, I’m Brittany Cates, UX designer, career coach, and your guide for navigating the pivots, breakthroughs, and quiet wins that shape a fulfilling career.
I know what it’s like to feel overlooked, to wrestle with imposter syndrome, and to wonder if you’re even making a difference. I’ve been left out of key conversations, asked for “quick mocks,” and felt the sting of being underestimated.
But here’s what changed everything: I stopped waiting for permission. I stopped trying to prove my worth and started owning the impact I was already making.
Now, I help other mid-career UX designers grow their influence, step into leadership, and find the career clarity they’ve been craving, even when the path feels messy or unclear.
Because you don’t have to wait for permission to lead, you don’t have to figure it all out alone, and you’re doing better than you think.
On this podcast, you’ll hear:
- Real stories from designers who are growing, stumbling, pivoting, and thriving
- Honest conversations about the challenges that sharpen our craft and strengthen our leadership
- Deep dives into the heart, the strategy, and the real work of UX
- Insights into how to navigate industry shifts and own your growth trajectory
- Actionable advice to help you step into bigger opportunities with clarity and confidence
This isn’t just about landing the next title. It’s about designing a career (and a life) that feels aligned with who you really are.
If you’re ready for real talk, real stories, and real empowerment to own your UX career, then this podcast is for you.
Because let’s be real: Figma can’t fix a career plateau, but this podcast just might.
So grab your favorite drink, shut down that “give me the mocks” request, and let’s build a career with real impact.
All content for Elevate Your UX Career is the property of Brittany Cates and is served directly from their servers
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You’re not just designing screens. You’re designing how people experience the world, and it’s time that work got the recognition it deserves.
Feel like no one really sees what you bring to the table as a UX designer?
Tired of being boxed into execution mode while your real skills, your strategy, your thinking, your leadership, go unnoticed?
Ever wonder if you’re the only one feeling stuck, overlooked, or unsure about how to grow in your UX career?
I’m here to tell you:
You’re not alone.
You’re not behind.
And you’re not doing it wrong.
”Elevate Your UX Career” is the podcast for mid-career UX designers who are ready to stop hiding their brilliance and start owning their impact. In this podcast, we bring you real stories from real designers sharing honest conversations about the messy, meaningful work of growing a career you’re proud of.
Because building a career in UX isn’t a straight line. It’s a craft. A practice. A decision you make every day to show up for yourself and the people you design for.
Hi, I’m Brittany Cates, UX designer, career coach, and your guide for navigating the pivots, breakthroughs, and quiet wins that shape a fulfilling career.
I know what it’s like to feel overlooked, to wrestle with imposter syndrome, and to wonder if you’re even making a difference. I’ve been left out of key conversations, asked for “quick mocks,” and felt the sting of being underestimated.
But here’s what changed everything: I stopped waiting for permission. I stopped trying to prove my worth and started owning the impact I was already making.
Now, I help other mid-career UX designers grow their influence, step into leadership, and find the career clarity they’ve been craving, even when the path feels messy or unclear.
Because you don’t have to wait for permission to lead, you don’t have to figure it all out alone, and you’re doing better than you think.
On this podcast, you’ll hear:
- Real stories from designers who are growing, stumbling, pivoting, and thriving
- Honest conversations about the challenges that sharpen our craft and strengthen our leadership
- Deep dives into the heart, the strategy, and the real work of UX
- Insights into how to navigate industry shifts and own your growth trajectory
- Actionable advice to help you step into bigger opportunities with clarity and confidence
This isn’t just about landing the next title. It’s about designing a career (and a life) that feels aligned with who you really are.
If you’re ready for real talk, real stories, and real empowerment to own your UX career, then this podcast is for you.
Because let’s be real: Figma can’t fix a career plateau, but this podcast just might.
So grab your favorite drink, shut down that “give me the mocks” request, and let’s build a career with real impact.
Are you tired of doing great UX work that no one seems to notice?
In this episode of Elevate Your UX Career, host Brittany Cates breaks down how to shift from “pixel pusher” to strategic partner. You’ll learn how to make your UX work visible, communicate your value clearly, and earn a seat at the strategy table.
Tune in to discover:
How to simplify your UX presentations so stakeholders actually understand your impact
The secret to linking design insights to business goals and metrics
Why sharing your work early (even when it’s messy) builds trust and visibility
A practical weekly challenge to start growing your influence right now
If you’re ready to be seen as more than the UI designer, and start shaping decisions, not just designing screens, this episode is for you.
💡 Don’t forget to subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more career tools, personal stories, and UX leadership insights: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
🧐 Want to make your UX portfolio stand out? Sign up for a personalized review here: https://topmate.io/brittany_cates
What happens when a top teacher turns her curiosity for human behavior into a career in UX research?
In this episode of Elevate Your UX Career, host Brittany Cates sits down with Heidi Austin, a Lead UX Researcher at SeatGeek and former Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, to explore how her teaching background shaped her strategic approach to UX research and product design.
Heidi shares her inspiring journey from the classroom to tech, revealing how empathy, data, and a deep understanding of human behavior drive meaningful innovation.
She also dives into:
- How she built and scaled the UX research function at SeatGeek
- What strategic UX planning looks like for growing research teams
- The power of mixed methods research in influencing product direction
- How AI is transforming the future of UX research
If you’re a UX researcher, designer, or UX leader ready to take a more strategic, research-first approach to your work, this episode is packed with insights on how to connect human understanding with business impact.
💡 Don’t forget to subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more career tools, personal stories, and UX leadership insights: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
🧐 Want to make your UX portfolio stand out? Sign up for a personalized review here: https://topmate.io/brittany_cates
Want to take your UX career to the next level and be seen as a strategic, influential designer?
In this episode, we dive into how mid-career UX designers can build influence, lead with strategy, and make their work unforgettable. Learn why storytelling is the key to communicating your design decisions clearly, and discover how connecting your work to business goals can elevate your impact across your team and organization.
I share actionable tips for presenting your work with clarity and confidence, plus a practical challenge to help you immediately apply storytelling and strategic thinking to your next project.
If you’re ready to think strategically, influence decisions, and grow your UX career, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.
💡 Don’t forget to subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more career tools, personal stories, and UX leadership insights: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
🧐 Want to make your UX portfolio stand out? Sign up for a personalized review here: https://topmate.io/brittany_cates
Feeling pressure to keep up with every new UX tool or AI trend?
In today's episode, we focus on why the future of UX belongs to designers who think strategically...not just those who master tools. Learn how to strengthen your UX strategy, connect design decisions to business goals, and showcase your thinking in your portfolio so you can grow your influence and stand out as a senior designer.
💡 Don’t forget to subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more career tools, personal stories, and UX leadership insights: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
🧐 Want to make your UX portfolio stand out? Sign up for a personalized review here: https://topmate.io/brittany_cates
There's one skill every UX designer needs to level up their career...are you using it?
In this episode of Elevate Your UX Career, Brittany Cates sits down with Erin Ziebart, a UX producer who knows how to turn curiosity into career growth. Erin shares her journey from Christian ministry to UX design, including her work at Atomic Health, Blink Path, and freelancing for startups.
Discover how curiosity (the one skill you need to grow in UX) can help you:
- Identify user pain points and design better experiences
- Collaborate effectively with clients and cross-functional teams
- Navigate challenges in UX projects
- Stay ahead of emerging trends like AI in design
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your UX career to the next level, Erin’s insights will inspire you to ask more questions, explore opportunities, and continuously learn.
💡 Don’t forget to subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more career tools, personal stories, and UX leadership insights: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
🧐 Want to make your UX portfolio stand out? Sign up for a personalized review here: https://topmate.io/brittany_cates
Feeling drained or uninspired in your UX job? You’re not alone.In this episode of Elevate Your UX Career, I’m sharing how burnout impacts your creativity — and how to reconnect with the passion and fulfillment you’ve been missing.
You’ll learn how to:✨ Recognize what burnout is really trying to tell you✨ Reignite your creativity without quitting your job✨ Realign your UX career with what truly fulfills you
I’ll also share how reconnecting with your story can transform not only your mindset but your portfolio and why I now offer UX portfolio reviews to help designers like you bring their story and spark back to life.
🎧 Tune in and learn how to rediscover your creativity, find alignment, and fall back in love with design again.
💡 Don’t forget to subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more career tools, personal stories, and UX leadership insights: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
🧐 Want to make your UX portfolio stand out? Sign up for a personalized review here: https://topmate.io/brittany_cates
Ever walked into a keynote expecting a recap and left with your whole perspective on UX shifted?
That happened to me at the Utah Front Conference when I heard Bob Baxley speak.
In this episode, I break down four of Bob’s most powerful insights on UX, design leadership, and how software isn’t just functional—it moves people. From designing for emotion, to using AI thoughtfully, to making your impact visible in strategic conversations, these lessons will help you grow your influence, sharpen your design thinking, and elevate your UX career.
If you’re ready to stop just pushing pixels and start showing the impact of your work, this episode is for you.
💡 Don’t forget to subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more career tools, personal stories, and UX leadership insights: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
🧐 Want to make your UX portfolio stand out? Sign up for a personalized review here: https://topmate.io/brittany_cates
What does it take to build a long, meaningful career in UX and stay relevant in an ever-changing industry?
In this episode of Elevate Your UX Career, host Brittany Cates sits down with Jonathan Bond, a self-taught designer turned startup product lead with over 25 years of experience in UX and product design.
Jonathan shares his inspiring journey from early days in design to leading product strategy at a fast-paced startup, offering hard-won lessons on career growth, adaptability, and business-savvy design. If you’ve ever wondered how to blend creativity with impact, or how to thrive in the scrappy, high-stakes world of startups, then this episode is for you.
Here’s what you’ll learn:
How to break into UX and grow your career, without a traditional design background
Why empathy and business understanding go hand in hand for successful product design
How to navigate messy team dynamics, design disagreements, and rapid change
What AI means for the future of UX (and how to stay ahead of the curve)
Actionable advice for building confidence, advancing your skills, and finding mentorship
Whether you’re an early-career designer or a mid-level pro wondering what’s next, this episode will give you the clarity, encouragement, and strategy to grow with purpose in your UX journey.
💡 Don’t forget to subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more career tools, personal stories, and UX leadership insights: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
AI is everywhere right now: in products, in workflows, and in every strategy conversation. But how do you cut through the hype and actually use it in ways that make sense for both your product and your career?
In this episode, I share my perspective on navigating the shift toward AI, the questions every designer should be asking, and why keeping a human-centered approach matters more than ever.
💡 Don’t forget to subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more career tools, personal stories, and UX leadership insights: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
In this episode of 'Elevate Your UX Career,' Brittany Cates addresses the common frustration of UX research being ignored. Inspired by insights from the Utah Front Conference, Brittany shares actionable strategies to make your research more impactful. Key takeaways include embracing discomfort, valuing ambiguous insights, talking to unsatisfied users, presenting findings engagingly, and driving actionable outcomes. Tune in to learn how a mindset shift can elevate your UX career and ensure your work drives real change.
00:00 Introduction: Why Your UX Research Gets Ignored
00:14 Mindset Shift from Utah Front Conference
01:07 Connecting Beyond the Podcast
01:34 The Importance of Uncomfortable Insights
05:52 Engaging Stakeholders with Your Research
07:32 Driving Impact with Your Research
08:14 Recap and Final Thoughts
09:25 Conclusion and Call to Action
💡 Don’t forget to subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more career tools, personal stories, and UX leadership insights: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
Want to future-proof your UX career and grow into a confident, strategic leader?
In this episode of Elevate Your UX Career, host Brittany Cates welcomes Cori Jones, a seasoned UX designer and team leader with nearly 30 years of experience in the design industry.
Cori shares timeless wisdom and fresh insight on what it really takes to build a meaningful and sustainable career in UX. From his early career to leading teams and mentoring designers, Cori emphasizes the importance of empathy, curiosity, and understanding business goals...the skills that truly set great designers apart.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to:
Navigate your UX career with intention and adaptability
Build trust through user research and team collaboration
Develop authentic workplace relationships
Stay grounded while embracing AI and evolving design tools
Lead with empathy while aligning with business impact
Whether you’re feeling stuck or striving for the next level, Cori’s perspective will help you reconnect with the human side of UX, while also thinking strategically about where the field is headed.
💡 Subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more career guidance, personal stories, and expert advice to help you grow and thrive in UX: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
Deadlines are tight, processes are messy, and your role as a UX designer feels overlooked. Sound familiar?
In this episode of Elevate Your UX Career, I share what it’s like to navigate a new team, deal with frustration, and keep your confidence when UX isn’t prioritized. Real stories, honest struggles, and a few things I’m learning along the way.
Tune in and hear how to keep going without losing yourself.
💌 Sign up for my newsletter here: https://brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
Ever feel like your product manager just doesn’t “get” UX?
You’re advocating for users, pushing for research, and trying to make thoughtful design decisions… but your PM seems laser-focused on deadlines, features, and shipping fast. Frustrating, right?
In this episode of Elevate Your UX Career, we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges mid-career UX designers face: working with PMs who don’t fully understand UX. I’ll share how to strengthen collaboration, increase your influence, and navigate tricky dynamics without drama or burnout.
We’ll also cover a real listener question in our Ask the Designer segment: What do you do if you keep getting passed over for promotions or leadership opportunities, even when your manager says you’re doing great work?
If you’ve ever felt dismissed, misunderstood, or like your UX voice isn’t being heard on your team, or if you’re ready to step into more leadership and influence in your career, this episode is packed with strategies and insights to help you level up.
💌 Sign up for my newsletter here: https://brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
What does it really take to lead in UX and stay creative in the process?
In this episode of Elevate Your UX Career, host Brittany Cates sits down with JJ Riggs, a seasoned UX leader with an impressive background in design and brand management at companies like Purple Mattress, Divvy, and Bluehost.
JJ shares her journey from graphic designer to UX leader, offering real-world insight into the challenges and opportunities of navigating corporate environments as a creative professional. From building strong team cultures to communicating with stakeholders, JJ doesn’t hold back when it comes to what it really takes to lead with vision, strategy, and heart.
This episode is packed with value for mid-career UX designers looking to:
Grow into leadership while staying true to their creative roots
Foster strong design cultures and team collaboration
Advocate for UX in business conversations
Navigate job transitions and market changes
Prepare for the future of UX in the age of AI
If you're feeling the tension between creativity and corporate demands or wondering what’s next in your UX career, this conversation is a must-listen.
✨ Subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more empowering content, practical tips, and career growth strategies tailored to UX professionals: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
Ever get asked, “What’s the ROI of UX?” Or feel like your work is seen as a “nice to have” instead of a strategic driver of business value?
In this episode, I’m sharing a real moment from my product team that led to a tough but honest conversation about how companies evaluate the value of UX. We’ll talk about how to reframe UX work in business terms, how to advocate for improvements that don’t directly tie to revenue (but still matter), and how to position yourself as a strategic voice...no leadership title required.
You’ll learn:
What to say when leadership questions the ROI of UX
How to tie design work to business outcomes that matter
Why internal pain points are worth solving too
Practical ways to shift from “pixel pusher” to strategic partner
Whether you're tired of being looped in too late, or ready to step into more influence, this episode will give you tools to speak up and back it up.
💌 Subscribe to my weekly newsletter and get "The UX Influence Accelerator" freebie.
Sign up here
Have you been wondering what it really takes to get promoted to Senior UX Designer?
In this episode, I’m sharing the behind-the-scenes story of my own promotion, from the mindset shifts to the messy projects and cross-functional influence that made the biggest difference.
If you’re craving more ownership, impact, and recognition in your UX career, this is for you.
We’ll talk about what separates senior UX designers from mid-level roles, how to build trust across product teams, and why leadership in UX is about more than just design skills. No generic checklists here! Just honest insight from the real-world journey.
Have a question about your UX Career growth? Send me an email to brittanycatesco@gmail.com and maybe I'll answer it on the podcast!
Sign up for my weekly newsletter to get episode updates, behind-the-scenes UX stories and weekly career tips. Join here
If you’re a UX designer trying to grow your influence, stand out in a competitive job market, or lead through change, then this one’s for you.
In this episode, I’m joined by Ben Peck, a design leader with nearly 20 years of experience. We dive into his career evolution from generalist to design leader, how he’s navigated change across startups and scaling companies, and what it takes to make an impact beyond your job title.
We also get into:
Building design teams and leading through acquisitions
How storytelling and research can help UX influence business strategy
Practical tips for job seekers in a crowded UX market
The importance of emotional design and user advocacy in B2B products
Ben’s journey co-founding Product Hive and the Front Conference
Ben also shares an exclusive 30% discount for the upcoming Front Conference happening September 4-5, 2025. Stick around until the end to grab the code!
🔗 Connect with Ben on LinkedIn
💻 Register for the Front Conference here: https://www.frontutah.com/conference/registration
🎧 Subscribe & follow Elevate Your UX Career for more conversations that help you grow your influence, confidence, and career clarity as a mid-career UX designer.
Worried that AI might replace UX designers? You’re not alone—but here’s the truth: UX isn’t going away. It’s evolving.
In this episode of Elevate Your UX Career, host Brittany Cates, senior UX designer and career coach, tackles the growing fear around artificial intelligence and its impact on UX jobs. She offers a refreshing, strategic perspective on how AI can augment rather than replace human-centered design.
You’ll learn how to future-proof your UX career by focusing on AI literacy, strategic thinking, and the soft skills that make UX irreplaceable. Plus, Brittany shares practical ways to integrate AI tools into your workflow without losing your creative edge.
This episode also features a real listener question: “Is UX still worth pursuing in such a competitive job market?” Brittany breaks it down with honesty and inspiration, reminding us that if you love solving complex problems and advocating for users, UX is still a deeply meaningful and in-demand career.
Tune in to learn:
How AI is changing the UX landscape (and how to stay ahead)
Key skills that will keep UX designers relevant and in demand
Ways to show leadership by embracing AI strategically
What makes UX a fulfilling and future-ready career path
🎧 If you’re a UX designer navigating uncertainty and looking to grow with confidence in the age of AI, this episode is for you.
💌 Subscribe to Brittany’s newsletter for more actionable insights, career growth strategies, and behind-the-scenes podcast content: brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
Laid off? (Or afraid you might be?) Whether you’ve recently been impacted or you’re navigating the emotional fallout of seeing your teammates go, this episode of Elevate Your UX Career is here to help you process, reflect, and move forward.
Join host Brittany Cates, senior UX designer and career coach, as she opens up about her own experiences with multiple rounds of layoffs. With honesty and empathy, Brittany walks you through the grief, guilt, and uncertainty that often follow and why this difficult season can also be the beginning of something better.
Inside this episode, you’ll learn:
How to process grief and survivor’s guilt after layoffs
Why layoffs aren’t a reflection of your value as a designer
Three perspective shifts that will help you regain confidence and clarity
How to turn a setback into a setup for your next career move
If you’re a UX designer navigating career uncertainty, this episode will remind you that you’re not alone and that you still have options, agency, and so much to offer.
💌 Subscribe to my newsletter for more resources, encouragement, and actionable tips to help you rebuild and rise in your UX career.
Ready to grow as a UX designer and step into leadership?
In this episode of Elevate Your UX Career, Brittany Cates sits down with Mitch Clements, Senior Product Design Manager at nCino, to explore what it really takes to level up in the UX field. Mitch shares his inspiring journey from Android developer to leading a thriving design team—growing from just 2 to over 30 designers.
Whether you're aiming for a promotion, managing growing pains in your design team, or wondering how to advocate for your value in a corporate environment, this episode is packed with real-world advice for mid-career UX professionals. Tune in to learn how to:
Overcome common career blockers in UX
Build influence and advocate for your team
Scale design teams without losing quality
Strengthen your soft skills and leadership mindset
Tap into community and mentorship for long-term growth
If you're a UX designer ready to elevate your impact, this conversation will give you the mindset shifts and actionable strategies you’ve been looking for.
Follow Mitch on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchell-clements/
Subscribe to my newsletter here: https://brittanycatesco.systeme.io/ux-email-list
You’re not just designing screens. You’re designing how people experience the world, and it’s time that work got the recognition it deserves.
Feel like no one really sees what you bring to the table as a UX designer?
Tired of being boxed into execution mode while your real skills, your strategy, your thinking, your leadership, go unnoticed?
Ever wonder if you’re the only one feeling stuck, overlooked, or unsure about how to grow in your UX career?
I’m here to tell you:
You’re not alone.
You’re not behind.
And you’re not doing it wrong.
”Elevate Your UX Career” is the podcast for mid-career UX designers who are ready to stop hiding their brilliance and start owning their impact. In this podcast, we bring you real stories from real designers sharing honest conversations about the messy, meaningful work of growing a career you’re proud of.
Because building a career in UX isn’t a straight line. It’s a craft. A practice. A decision you make every day to show up for yourself and the people you design for.
Hi, I’m Brittany Cates, UX designer, career coach, and your guide for navigating the pivots, breakthroughs, and quiet wins that shape a fulfilling career.
I know what it’s like to feel overlooked, to wrestle with imposter syndrome, and to wonder if you’re even making a difference. I’ve been left out of key conversations, asked for “quick mocks,” and felt the sting of being underestimated.
But here’s what changed everything: I stopped waiting for permission. I stopped trying to prove my worth and started owning the impact I was already making.
Now, I help other mid-career UX designers grow their influence, step into leadership, and find the career clarity they’ve been craving, even when the path feels messy or unclear.
Because you don’t have to wait for permission to lead, you don’t have to figure it all out alone, and you’re doing better than you think.
On this podcast, you’ll hear:
- Real stories from designers who are growing, stumbling, pivoting, and thriving
- Honest conversations about the challenges that sharpen our craft and strengthen our leadership
- Deep dives into the heart, the strategy, and the real work of UX
- Insights into how to navigate industry shifts and own your growth trajectory
- Actionable advice to help you step into bigger opportunities with clarity and confidence
This isn’t just about landing the next title. It’s about designing a career (and a life) that feels aligned with who you really are.
If you’re ready for real talk, real stories, and real empowerment to own your UX career, then this podcast is for you.
Because let’s be real: Figma can’t fix a career plateau, but this podcast just might.
So grab your favorite drink, shut down that “give me the mocks” request, and let’s build a career with real impact.