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PODCAST

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast

Welcome to real talk about the invisible work behind a UX career — work that is by turns extremely difficult and deeply personal. This isn’t the interview show it once was. It’s just me now, talking honestly about the stuff that rarely makes it into UX conference talks — dealing with impostor syndrome, setting boundaries, navigating politics, surviving bad managers, and growing into the designer you want to be.If you’ve ever wondered if it’s just you... it’s not.And if you"ve ever wondered if things

technology design

All Episodes

21:01

Stop translating. Start confronting.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/09/22

If you're not careful, being diplomatic can slowly, steadily turn into avoidance. In this episode, Joe talks about the trap of constant translation — softening problems, filtering dysfunction, and protecting others from discomfort — and why that keeps people (and teams) stuck. You’ll learn what healthy confrontation looks like, how clarity builds trust, and when it’s time to say the quiet part out loud. This is about honesty — delivered with equal doses of care and courage. If this episode...

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25:16

Your Artifacts Aren't Achievements.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/09/08

Somewhere along the way, many of us start believing that our work is proof — proof that we're talented, valuable, or worthy of being in the room. In this episode, Joe explores why it's so easy to tie our identity to what we produce...and how that mindset leads us to defend artifacts instead of solving problems. You'll learn why outcomes matter more than deliverables, why simplicity is often harder than complexity and what it takes to separate your self-worth from your work. This one is abo...

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10:57

Nobody Asked You For That. Do It Anyway.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/08/18

Some of your absolute best work will be uninvited. In this episode, Joe talks about proactive design — noticing what’s broken, fixing it thoughtfully... and doing the work even when it’s not “in scope.” You’ll learn how to improve things without stepping on toes, why quiet initiative builds influence and how caring enough to act changes how people see you. And hopefully, above all else, you'll see that stewardship does not ever require permission. If this episode resonated, consider subscribi...

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8:59

You Can't Reason People Out of Their Fear.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/08/04

Even on your best day, your logic cannot defeat someone else's fear. Understanding, however, can. In this episode, Joe explores why data, research and rational arguments fail when people feel threatened — and how that fear shows up disguised as resistance. You’ll learn how to lower stakes, build trust, and lead people through discomfort without escalating conflict. The goal of this episode is to help you navigate the emotional terrain your work lives in — whether you like it or not. If thi...

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6:31

Being Good Isn't Enough.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/07/21

Good work doesn’t automatically win. In this episode, Joe explains why strong ideas still get ignored — and why influence, timing and relationships matter every bit as much as craft. You’ll hear about the “second game” happening in every organization, how ideas actually move and what it takes to make your work survive in the real world. And make no mistake: this is NOT about selling out. It's about making sure you understand how change really happens — and what it takes to make it so. .....

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8:42

You're Not a Therapist (But You'll Feel Like One).

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/07/07

Outside of the one and only Vivianne Castillo, nobody tells you how much emotional labor this job involves. In this episode, Joe talks about the invisible work designers do every day — managing fear, insecurity, resistance, and ego — and how easily and quickly that turns into burnout. You’ll learn how to recognize emotional subtext without absorbing it, how to listen without fixing and how to protect your own energy while still doing meaningful work. This one is about empathy — with boundarie...

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8:05

Trust Is Earned, Not Given.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/06/23

Having UX in your title doesn’t guarantee trust. Nor, for that matter, does Senior, Lead, Manager, Director, VP or Chief Executive. In this episode, Joe breaks down why UXers and product designers often struggle to be taken seriously — and what actually does build credibility in messy, political environments. You’ll learn how trust is built through consistency, clarity, and reliability — not brilliance or talent alone — and why earning trust is a very long game, made up of equally small...

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5:29

No One's Coming to Save You.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/06/09

There’s a moment in every career when it hits: No one is coming to fix this for you. In this episode, Joe talks about agency — what it really means, why helplessness fuels burnout — and how reclaiming control starts with small, deliberate actions. Now, this isn’t just another tough-love rant, mind you. It’s a reminder that your power doesn’t come from being fearless — it comes from feeling that fear and acting anyway. ........................................................... Special thanks ...

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7:55

Stop Waiting for Permission.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/05/20

You don’t need a mandate to do the right thing. In this episode, Joe challenges the idea that authority has to come before action. He explains how waiting to be “allowed” is often what keeps people stuck — and how small, uninvited acts of improvement build credibility over time. This is about initiative without recklessness. Leadership without a title. And stopping the lie that you’re powerless dead in its tracks. ........................................................... Special thanks to t...

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12:41

Let's Get Real

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/05/05

Pain is unavoidable. Suffering is optional. In this episode, Joe talks about what happens when we stop fighting reality — at work and in life — and start dealing with what actually is, instead of what we wish things were. You’ll hear why negativity is a habit, why waiting for perfect conditions is a trap, and how accepting imperfection is the first step toward real progress. Now don't get it twisted — this is NOT about lowering your standards. It’s about doing the work without wasting time, e...

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15:18

Doin' It In Public.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/04/21

That panic you feel before speaking up? Or presenting your ideas? It’s not about your skills. It's not about how well-rehearsed you are. And it is absolutely not about your "ability" to speak publicly. In this episode, Joe breaks down why fear shows up most intensely in public moments — meetings, presentations, moments where you’re seen — and what you're actually doubting when that happens (it's not what you think). You’ll learn why borrowed scripts never land, why conviction matters more tha...

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22:21

Your Way Is the RIGHT Way.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/04/07

There’s more than one way to push back — and not all of them look like confrontation. In this episode, Joe talks about different styles of influence, why “going along to get along” quietly erodes confidence and how asking better questions can shift power. He builds on the idea that influence doesn’t require force. You’ll hear how pulling people forward — instead of pushing back — can lower resistance, surface fear, and change the dynamic in the room without escalating conflict. Without ...

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9:25

Fear in the Workplace — Theirs AND Yours.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/03/17

You can’t reason people out of fear. In this episode, Joe explains why resistance at work is rarely about logic or data — and almost always about anxiety, identity, and self-protection. You’ll learn how to recognize fear when it shows up as pushback, how to respond without escalating conflict and why emotional intelligence is just as important as technical skill if you want your work to survive. This is about understanding what’s really happening in the room — and protecting yourself in the p...

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13:47

Possibilities.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/03/03

What if nothing going wrong… is actually possible? In this episode, Joe explores how fear shows up as rigidity — over-planning, clinging to certainty, and resisting anything that disrupts the script. Through stories from consulting, music, and real-world UX work, he makes the case for flexibility, presence and embracing uncertainty as a strength — not a failure. This episode is about letting go of control and learning to work with reality, instead of against it. .................................

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13:00

It's Called Practice For a Reason.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/02/17

Confidence isn’t something you either have or don’t. It’s something you build — deliberately, repeatedly, and imperfectly. In this episode, Joe breaks down why practice matters more than insight, why habits shape your emotional reactions, and how small, daily rituals can rewire the way you respond to stress, fear, and self-doubt. This isn’t about quick fixes or positive thinking. It’s about building a foundation that holds when things get hard. ...................................................

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12:12

Do It the Way YOU Do It.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/02/03

A lot of career discomfort comes from trying to lead, present, or speak in a way that isn’t actually you. In this episode, Joe talks about why borrowed scripts, leadership clichés, and “how you’re supposed to do it” advice often only make things worse. You’ll learn why authenticity reduces anxiety, how small moments of comfort are proof you’re capable and why judging your work by other people’s reactions is a losing game. This one is about trusting your own style — and letting go of the need ...

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10:52

Your Boss Isn't Your Mom.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/01/20

If authority figures still trigger old emotional responses for you, you’re not alone. In this episode, Joe explores why feedback from bosses can feel so personal — and how early conditioning often shapes the way we react to power, criticism, and expectations at work. You’ll hear why being challenged doesn’t mean you’re failing, how to separate your worth from other people’s reactions and what it really means to set boundaries with confidence — without becoming defensive or combative. This is ...

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12:05

Take Your F**king Foot Off the Gas!

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/01/06

When fear hits, most people push harder. That instinct — to defend, explain, prove, or fight — is exactly what makes things worse. In this episode, Joe shares a critical life lesson he learned from his father that applies directly to moments of panic at work, especially when conflict, resistance, or pressure show up unexpectedly. You’ll learn why the first move isn’t steering or reacting; it’s removing the pressure. How slowing things down can instantly change the outcome of difficult convers...

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12:24

Replacing Fear With Truth.

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/01/06

Fear thrives in ambiguity. In this episode, Joe digs into why hesitation, overthinking, and self-doubt get worse the longer you sit with them — and why asking for clarity immediately is one of the most powerful tools you have. You’ll hear practical ways to interrupt fear before it snowballs, how to ground yourself physically in tense moments, and why prioritizing your own calm is NOT selfish — it’s essential. This is about learning to replace imagined danger with actual information and taking...

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22:50

Is This Old Shit or New Shit?

MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast ·

2026/01/06

Impostor syndrome doesn’t come from nowhere — and it’s rarely about what just happened. In this episode, Joe breaks down why your strongest self-doubt reactions often have very little to do with the moment you’re in — and everything to do with patterns formed long before your career even started. You’ll learn how to recognize when fear is being triggered by the past, how to interrupt the panic spiral in real time, and why the goal isn’t to eliminate impostor syndrome — but to manage it. To re...

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