Bloc Thinking
78 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 month ago - ★★★★★ - 5 ratingsLet's explore ideas and concepts that make designers and entrepreneurs like us tick. Join us as we feed our insatiable curiosity seeking answers to the questions relevant to our listeners from inside and outside Central Europe.
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Episodes
Behind the Deck — Shatter convention with wild perspectives
June 21, 2024 11:25 - 1 hour - 58.2 MBJoin me for a live interview with Jens Mühlstedt, the creative mind behind Inspiration Wild Cards. We delve into the world of design thinking and creativity… as related to design tool geekery, of course. Tune in for an insightful discussion exploring Jens’ journey in creating this innovative tool. ** Creative Coffee Break is a Bloc Thinking Production
Breaking through - Making the transition from Designer to CEO - German Leon
March 15, 2022 19:00 - 48 minutes - 67.2 MBRunning a business is not for everyone - but designers face an even steeper uphill battle. So why are some of us so ill-equipped when it comes to transitioning into business leadership roles? German Leon is the Founder and Chief Experience Officer at GESTOOS, where they enable cameras and sensors to see, understand and respond to human movement and behaviour using Artificial Intelligence. With roots in interaction and user experience design, German has embraced his new role as a business ...
Let your next opportunity find you, Forever employable - Jeff Gothelf
March 01, 2022 19:00 - 58 minutes - 79.7 MBWhat if you could stop looking for work and let your next job find you? Jeff Gothelf is a recognized Lean thinking and design evangelist and a global Lean UX movement founder. Now, imagine you could repurpose the principles Jeff has been championing and apply them to your career? That’s exactly what he has done in his time in the corporate world and the businesses he established. In his new book, Forever Employable, he demonstrates how to create your content, use it to develop your expert...
Building bridges between ideas and action - Bill Sherman
February 15, 2022 19:00 - 50 minutes - 68.7 MBThought leadership is a phrase used to describe any number of activities, but few have been able to master its potential. These pursuits can build bridges between ideas and action, driving business results, according to Bill Sherman. Bill is the COO at Thought Leadership Leverage and co-host of the podcast "Leveraging Thought Leadership". He and his team develop strategies to rescue innovative business ideas often suffocating beneath layers of ambiguity. Explore how you can build a bridge ...
Reignite your Curiosity: There is always something new to learn - Anthony Rocco
February 01, 2022 19:00 - 53 minutes - 73.2 MBCuriosity is one of our innate superpowers. It powers the human race and fuels innovation. It's what drives us to create new things and explore the world around us. More than often, Curiosity can be less present or move to the background. Anthony Rocco, an Experience Designer & Strategist, joins me this week to talk about Curiosity and how to go about re-igniting it. You can find me, Werner Puchert, on LinkedIn and Twitter. Catch my design tool reviews on YouTube and keep up with my lates...
Find your voice: How to Tell a Story that Builds Trust and Converts Customers - Fei Wu
January 18, 2022 19:00 - 53 minutes - 73.5 MBA story is a way for people to talk about what they know and what they care about. It's a way to connect with an audience. And it's a way to build trust. Fei Wu is a content creator and digital marketer who helps small businesses and creative entrepreneurs tell better stories, find more customers and create new revenue streams. Join the conversation this Thursday the 20th at 1 pm ET to hear her story and ask questions about how you can find your story and share it in a way that connects w...
Reverse Mentorship, The New Way to Get Ahead - Joshua Nuttall
January 11, 2022 19:00 - 52 minutes - 71.6 MBShifting the traditional concept of mentorship into reverse to gain forward momentum. Reverse mentorship is a new concept in the workplace that will change the way we do things. According to this week's guest on the Creative Coffee Break, this approach allows senior team members to learn from junior ones and vice versa. How can you leverage the unique strategic and cultural perspective of junior team members to stay relevant? Come drink at the fountain of youthful insights with my guest, soc...
Research Rocket-fuel for Your Business - Kasia Gawlik
December 28, 2021 19:00 - 52 minutes - 71.6 MBOne of the best ways to improve your business is to research your customers and prospects. Research can be a huge time suck, complicated, and sometimes expensive. Research is rocket-fuel, not a phase, according to, Kasia Gawlik a seasoned strategist, experience design leader, and guest on this week’s Creative Coffee Break. Kasia shares her tips on how you can do research with even a small investment, and if you make it wisely it can lead to some really great results. You can find me, Wer...
Can a business be disruption proof? - Dennis Geelen
December 14, 2021 19:00 - 40 minutes - 55 MBAre you interested in building a more sustainable business? Join us this week for a discussion with Dennis Geelen, author of the 'The Zero In Formula' and Customer Experience & Innovation Consultant. We discussed what it takes to build a more effective and sustainable business, along with some practical principles from Dennis to guide the discussion. You will leave this session with a better understanding of how you can apply the Zero In Formula in your own business and create an experience...
How to Find Fulfilling Work - Tammy Gooler Loeb
November 30, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 124 MBCan you find fulfilment in your career? What does the word "career" mean to an entrepreneur? Or, if you're getting a little grey like me, how can I go about looking for new challenges after so many years in the market? What's even worse. We only start thinking about these things when we're looking to make a change - leaving us frustrated and overwhelmed. I know someone with the answers and some guidance! Executive and Career Coach Tammy Gooler Loeb is on a quest to inspire you to engage in ...
Design your event: How to make your meetings matter - Anthony Vade
November 16, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 102 MBHave you booked that meeting recently? Two or more people on the invite? Guess what, you are an event owner. However, event design is more than agendas and aesthetics – they need to drive meaningful change and deliver measurable results. Anthony Vade, North America Director of the Event Design Collective, sharing thoughts on how to design events that drive meaningful change. Design your event: How to make your meetings matter ft. Antony Vade. #eventdesign #experiencedesign #eventprof...
An innovation coaching session, over coffee - Jens Heitland
November 02, 2021 19:00 - 58 minutes - 80.5 MBMy guest is on a mission to help 1 Million people to innovate. It’s brave. It’s bold. It’s Jens Heitland! Jens is a former global head of Innovation at IKEA, has taken on this ambitious goal as a consultant, coach and entrepreneur. I’ll be twisting his arm this Friday at 1 PM CET to teach me a few innovation tricks and how he aims to reach the audacious goal by the end of the year. Important Links from the session, https://www.onemillioninnovateurs.com https://www.heitlandinnovation...
Burn the Sticky Notes! Ft. Tamara and Shawna Eberle
October 19, 2021 18:00 - 1 hour - 91.9 MBHave you noticed how we have become so used to equating walls of sticky notes with innovation and design-related activities? Tamara and Shawna say it's time to burn those walls of sticky notes and focus on outcomes by unlocking your team's creative potential. Shawna and Tamara Eberle are Partners at Traction Strategy as well as co-founders of the Traction Toolbox. You can find me, Werner Puchert, on LinkedIn and Twitter. Catch my design tool reviews on YouTube and keep up with my latest l...
Remove associations with certain "objects" to consider other possibilities - Jeff Parks
October 05, 2021 18:00 - 52 minutes - 71.6 MBAccording to Jeff Parks, we should remove our associations and experiences with certain "objects" to consider other possibilities. Jeff Parks is a User Experience and Product Design Leader and one of the OG's of Information Architecture and User Experience Design. We explore what it means to move your "Thinking Beyond the Factory" #creativecoffeebreak #design #designleadership #innovation You can find me, Werner Puchert, on LinkedIn and Twitter. Catch my design tool reviews on YouTube ...
Innovation Breakfast No. 02 - Leading cultural transitions
April 06, 2021 20:51 - 1 hour - 101 MBThis is a shared episode from the Jens Heitland Podcast. The "Innovation breakfast" format, where Jens meets with previous guests to explore specific topics related to entrepreneurship and innovation. Today's topic is leading cultural transitions Jens Heitland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jens-heitland-2b309a44/ Dennis Luijer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennislui... Joshua Nuttall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-nu... Werner Puchert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wernerpuc... J...
Innovation Breakfast No. 01 - Entrepreneurial Culture
March 22, 2021 17:43 - 1 hour - 92.6 MBThis is a shared episode from the Jens Heitland Podcast. The "Innovation breakfast" format, where Jens meets with previous guests to explore specific topics related to entrepreneurship and innovation. Today's topic is Entrepreneurial Culture Jens Heitland: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jens-heitland-2b309a44/ Dennis Luijer: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennislui... Joshua Nuttall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshua-nu... Werner Puchert: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wernerpuc...
The Good Place
March 01, 2021 05:00 - 55 minutes - 76.5 MBWe're catching up with a quick update as we navigate the pandemic. A lot has changed, but just as many things have changed, some even for the better. Important Links: Werner's side project Podcast - https://www.findingfrequency.show Wall Street: https://www.wsj.com/articles/shipping-container-shortage-gives-commodity-prices-extra-boost-11613648648 Talk: https://youtu.be/yvsudnk_nlU Prof G: https://www.section4.com Peter Thiel: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18050143-zero-to-one E...
A candid discussion about the color of our skin
July 06, 2020 08:21 - 1 hour - 58.1 MBWerner and Jonathan sat down earlier last week to catch-up and discuss the current state of the world and how it is impacting them. They didn't realize at that point the flood gate they were opening.
How not to run a podcast, but keep things going
June 03, 2020 10:23 - 25 minutes - 23.2 MBIn this episode, Werner and Jonathan start by talking about their never-ending quest to find balance in their separate lives. In addition to an update of the status of their respective work situation, they discuss the importance of taking breaks, especially in a context where travel is not encouraged.
#63 Big rig driver
May 17, 2020 18:08 - 2 minutes - 1.84 MBWhat will happen if you did a podcast a day for 366 days? Finding Frequency is a one man's journey to dial back into life to see the extraordinary in the ordinary one day at a time. This is episode #63, Big rig driver, and a salute to an uncle who died earlier this year. I could not be with my family during this time and created this episode for him. Rest in peace sir. Werner Puchert is a South African ex-pat living in Warsaw Poland. Music, from Artlist.io and cover photo by Robson Hatsu...
How to (re)design your life
April 27, 2020 20:34 - 29 minutes - 27.1 MBDo you feel constantly having too many things that you absolutely have to do? We feel you... So many of us could fill their entire time awake only with tasks, whether they are professional, personal, or from hobbies. The paradox of that condition is that it gets in the way of actually achieving any of those tasks. Not only because of analysis-paralysis but also because it leads us to spend a considerable amount of time balancing our focus between them all. And unfortunately, we end up disappo...
How to read without forgetting key concepts
April 14, 2020 09:10 - 20 minutes - 18.9 MBWhat is not to like about reading? What other media can engulf you in the wilderness of Alaska or the mind of a world leader at a critical moment of history, all from any place you would find fit for it. However, at a time when it's never been easier to have access to written content, it's also particularly difficult to commit to long-form reading due to distractions and the lack of habits. The Internet has predisposed to fast-food reading, making long-form more difficult to digest or even in...
How are you doing?
March 30, 2020 17:11 - 29 minutes - 26.8 MBThe world has been upside-down for some months now as COVID-19 is transfigurating whole communities and creating a dreadful sense of fear in our collective psyche. So, in that context, what could happen in the mind of two solo-entrepreneurs at the dawn of the most important sanitary crisis of the past century? Hey there, how are you doing? It's the question that Werner and Jonathan ask each other after a few were both were amending their own lives and businesses. This is what this episode is...
How to write a winning proposal without anxiety and stress?
March 16, 2020 22:30 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBAs an independent, either solo-entrepreneur, freelance or consultant, you constantly have to negotiate and prove your value to your (potential) clients. It is a painful exercise that very few are prepared to face at the start of their adventure. Unfortunately, this quickly can become the main culprit for the anxiety and stress that characterize too often the solo experience.
How to cope with remote work without losing your mind?
March 14, 2020 21:41 - 33 minutes - 30.3 MBThis week, we all discovered that the simple detail that was missing for companies around the world to suddenly discover the wonderful advantages of remote working was... a global pandemic. Now, millions of workers are supposed to become immediately productive in an environment that they, often, never associated with work.
How to turn distraction into action?
March 02, 2020 19:48 - 30 minutes - 28.1 MBEvery single January, most of us go through the same ritual: full of hope, we set up ambitious goals for ourselves for the new year. Then comes the installation of new productivity apps encouraged by pervasive App stores, persuading us that this is the solution. We all know what happens too often next. A few months later, we wither in disappointment and self-doubt.
How to avoid a painful start to your solo-entrepreneurship adventure?
February 17, 2020 16:00 - 28 minutes - 26 MBAh, the freedom of freelancing, of being your own boss! The concept of running your own business is enthralling, however, very few take the steps towards self-employment. And of those, a good amount drops out of the adventure after just a few months. Are you wondering if you had what it takes to become a successful solo-entrepreneur? Then, this episode is for you. Werner and Jonathan discuss the lessons they learned during their entrepreneurship journey, reflecting on both their successes and...
How to create a winning podcast?
February 03, 2020 16:00 - 28 minutes - 26.2 MBAnd we’re back! 2020, new year and new iteration for our beloved show Bloc Thinking. Starting today, during each episode, we will focus on a question that you asked us, during more focused shows that will last less than 30 minutes. Short, focused, efficient but with the same energy that characterised our duo.
Wait for us!
January 20, 2020 11:32 - 57 seconds - 908 KBWishing our listeners a prosperous 2020. Keep an ear out for us, Jono and Werner will be in your feed soon.
2020 a new decade full of promise!
December 23, 2019 16:40 - 28 minutes - 25.8 MBIt's the end of the year and the traditional time for assessments. Both Werner and Jonathan reflect on what went well in 2019 and what they need to work on and improve in 2020. Werner talks about his desire to focus his efforts on structure and process while Jonathan shares how 2019 went well for him and how he wants to continue to do more of what he did during that year. They then talk about the future format they want Bloc Thinking and how they want it to tie better into their professional ...
Do you have any Business in Africa?
December 02, 2019 13:43 - 43 minutes - 39.9 MBWerner and Jono just got back from Berlin and Amsterdam respectively. Jonathan was invited to speak about a project he's doing in West Africa, and Werner attended the inaugural Event Design Collective Mastermind. Both events provided them with an opportunity to reflect on business in Africa and at home.
We have a [business] dream to share
November 19, 2019 07:15 - 41 minutes - 38.4 MBJono and I want to create something else with this platform. Maybe it's time to do something real, something that could gather our listeners around a topic we all care about. Let's face it; we are tired about talking about senior, junior, UX vs UI ... maybe we should be talking about creating sustainable businesses and how we can avoid getting screwed over by the man.
Guerilla-gear for research and content creation
November 04, 2019 20:28 - 54 minutes - 50.2 MBBuying the right gear and software for your business can cause headaches and unnecessary strain on your budget. Yet, sometimes you have to take the plunge, and we don't blame you if you get excited about that new piece of kit. Werner's excitement about a recent purchase, to support an upcoming project, takes us on an unplanned detour into the world of AV hardware and the software.
What's going on in Jono's head?
October 21, 2019 15:56 - 56 minutes - 51.4 MBJono's hit a downer this week. I'm sure you've had the same in your business or freelancing practice. We share some honest thoughts and cheer each other up as we continue to be grateful for this adventure of 'self-determination' that we're on. We also have a small reading challenge - if you're like to join us.
Finding truth between Zero and One
October 07, 2019 14:58 - 39 minutes - 36.3 MBWe gave each other a homework assignment, read 'Zero to One: Notes on Startups, or How to Build the Future' by Peter Thiel. We share what we gained from this reading this book (and how it might benefit you).
Getting Loupe
September 23, 2019 06:00 - 50 minutes - 46.2 MBRunning your own business has its ups, downs and challenges. Jonathan and I share what we've been doing the last few week's wrapping up with Jono's review of the recent Framer Loupe 2019 event he attended in Amsterdam.
Variety is the spice of life, including your career
September 02, 2019 06:30 - 1 hour - 42 MBAhmad Kadhim Head of Design @mytimesaved (Canada) joined us as a special co-host. Together we explore what it means to work remote and to leverage the freedom in a meaningful way. We ask whether formal studies still makes sense. What about having a varied background with a diverse set of skills? Is it an asset, or might it weigh you down?
Ship fast break things
August 12, 2019 21:37 - 1 hour - 43.4 MBJono is on his way to Framer Loupe, and I still love Omnigraffle. Figma, Sketch, Framer and Jonathan's awesome new business cards - yes he is a product manager. What do all this mean? We huddle together in a room to discuss all this and bid each other safe journeys.
Bootstrapping a business, and crossing boundaries
July 23, 2019 11:27 - 51 minutes - 35.7 MBStarting your own 'sideshow' requires some structure and planning, especially if you have to do it with limited additional investment. We dedicate the bulk of the show discussing a tool we created to help you structure your ideas and bootstrap your gig. We also spend a few minutes, at the start to reflect and pay tribute to a South African legend and what his work meant to Werner and Jono.
Work, Health, Love, Play
July 08, 2019 21:58 - 1 hour - 42 MBListen to your body; keep track of what you are eating and how you are keeping yourself busy. In the episode, Jonathan sign's up for a gym membership, and Werner explores the world of intermittent fasting and tightening the belt on email and interruptions from Donald Trump. Design your life, your work, your health, and love.
Staying productive when you're the Boss
June 25, 2019 05:39 - 1 hour - 44.3 MBProductivity. A topic covered by a serial procrastinator and a man who takes his focus to the next level. Jonathan and I chat about our strategies and the software we use to keep ourselves focused and on track. Well, mostly.
Reflections from Product Camp Gdynia 2019
June 11, 2019 04:37 - 47 minutes - 32.6 MBWe reflect on some of the topics the speakers at Product Camp Gdynia sparked this year. Fads, methods, product development, foreign accents and Werner's awesome new pencil are just some of the topics covered in this episode.
Life beyond the cubicle
May 07, 2019 04:00 - 56 minutes - 38.8 MBSometimes you just hit the record button to catch up with an old friend. Jonathan Gall and I reflect on our respective professional journeys since becoming self-employed here in Poland. The pitfalls and insights after beyond the safety of our former cubicles.
In the business of product (Feat. Maciej Saganowski)
April 15, 2019 10:30 - 53 minutes - 36.7 MBMaciej Saganowski is the mastermind behind Ultimo Studio a boutique consultancy located in the North of Poland. His experience in Sales and Marketing has given him a strong business understanding which he believes will be a crucial skill as designers move from general UX roles into Product Design and Development.
Inspired by an interesting relationship with Loneliness (Feat. Experience Architect Damian Madray).
April 01, 2019 04:00 - 50 minutes - 34.8 MBA prolific explorer and entrepreneur Damian Madray moved to Silicon Valley where he co-founded The Glint; a collective of creators with the aim to bring people together to connect in deeply authentic ways. This paved the way to his new project, a start-up titled, Presence. It is here that he is focusing on, what he calls an 'enquiry' into how Experiences can be scaled in a sustainable way.
TEDxWarsaw 2019, designing the red circle experience
March 18, 2019 05:57 - 1 hour - 48.8 MBIryna Oleksiuk and Adam Liwiński is part of the volunteer team designing TEDxWarsaw 2019. Iryna takes care of event-experience while Adam, a TEDx veteran, is the project owner. We peek behind the (Polish) red circle to give you a taste of what (and who) it takes to create this event along with a few handy tips for the next time you get on stage. Psst. Listen to the clip after the end credits to find out how Adam prototyped his apartment :)
Face-cream or a new server, you decide
February 04, 2019 05:30 - 1 hour - 42.4 MBNo one ever said that it's going to be easy starting your own business. Meet Joanna Skorupska, for a candid discussion on getting fired, discovering the maker movement and finding your calling in life (sometimes in the most remote and unexpected places). Joanna is the founder of Radicalzz studio, where she has made it her mission to accelerate the sustainability and innovation practices in the field of products, and service design and development.
San Diego Sherrif's Department Special
January 21, 2019 09:00 - 47 minutes - 32.8 MBStarting the new year nice and easy with a few good books and perhaps some Tacos and a good Mexican beer. This episode was recorded in San Diego California and is a rundown of my favourite books of 2018. If you love reading about design, and topics related to becoming more aware then this would be for you. It's also a handy primer, just in case you get locked up, and you're not sure which book to choose from the prison library. Happy 2019!
Unlocking the rich harmonies of [Service] Design
December 05, 2018 05:00 - 1 hour - 42.1 MBEver contemplate the similarities between Design and playing Jazz? Not only the interplay between musicians but also the courage required to get on stage to do the work. For Marina Terteryan a Service Designer and musician all the way from Los Angeles, Armenia it's an obvious analogy. We talk about a brave grandma, brave parents who moved to make a new life in America and to be bold in Design.
It will be underwater and upside down
November 12, 2018 05:00 - 55 minutes - 38 MBPaul Bulencea, is a Romanian Experience Designer, with an unquenchable need to play and explore the universe. He is the co-author of the book Gamification in Tourism and one of the founders of the College of Extraordinary Experiences a remarkable, physical interpretation of Pine and Gilmore's "Experience Economy". Paul was also recognised by Forbes in 2018's 30-under-30.