Yah, No Podcast

There have been some huge shifts lately in the healthcare industry, but something that will never change, is the power of a good story. Tina and Miya have told a lot of stories throughout the first 20 episodes, which has led us to a new idea: Stories of Health. In this 1st episode of Season 3, we wanted to define what is a Story of Health. Why should we tell stories in healthcare? What is the value for patients and doctors? It’s a lot, but it certainly makes for a compelling and, of course, entertaining discussion. We’re so excited to launch our 21st episode. Sit back, relax, and listen to our stories.

What’s the difference between a mistake and a failure? For a very special Season 2 finale we’re going to end on a high-low note. When you make a mistake, it can be a big, mortifying deal—especially when you’re like our hosts who basically never make mistakes...except for this one (hundred-thousand dollar) mistake. Our confession session is joined by some special guests whose mess-ups didn’t get in their way despite the emotional impact. Patient advocate and Founder of Patient Revolution, Maggie Breslin; Luke Johnson from Riot Games; and UNICEF innovator Mari Nakano dish on their biggest mistakes and what they learned from them. One thing each story has in common is that it’s a safe bet the world didn’t actually end with these goofs.

Are superheros are proactive or reactive? We reckon when they swoop onto the scene in the nick of time to save a bus of children from a collapsing building that’s what is called 'being reactive.' So then what can we learn from the routine behavior of looking out the window to check for rain? A thick skin, flexibility, and improv skills guide us through the myriad decisions we make daily. Our hosts run through personal case studies ranging from a third grade PBJ assembly line to a first-time cashier gig at LA’s original FroYo shop. We connect these learnings to the distinct states of being proactive, reactive, and reflective in today’s healthcare design space where there are always new fires to put out. Being proactive doesn't require experience; but knowing the timing to use these skills is a matter of habitual behavior.

Those "Eureka!" moments come and go and notes-to-self lose their decipherability over time. In this episode Miya and Tina tackle the ins and outs of cultivating inspiration on-demand and as a daily practice. Our hosts reminisce on the mentors whose random connections empower us to make design leaps. We breakdown a range of methods for nudging designers towards an inspired state including goggly eyes, meditative nature films, Dali's 'stache, and making employees take a different route to work...Every. Single. Day. Tune in and get inspired to shake up your daily practice.

As a continuation of last year’s Season 1 Episode 5 Miya and Tina revisit the topic of self-promotion. In this episode we compare the goals we set back then to find out how we lived up to our own expectations (spoiler: we saw a 200% improvement in target behaviors but achieved only 40% performance on goals.) We finally admitted that brainstorming ways to provoke and woo social media audiences is a topic that often leads to crickets and nervous giggles so we hacked it: listen in as Miya and Tina parse the difference between supporting the humblebrag and judging an outright brag. The ends justify the means whenever our sense of achievement increases the impact of good work, whether it’s big or small.

We know goat’s milk is great for cheesemaking, but does that mean it can’t also make spider silk? Sometimes mental boundaries and assumptions about role definition can get in the way of being a good team player and doing whatever it takes for the win. For partners, growing a small company means we have no boundaries and wear many hats: cooking lunches, cleaning toilets, even making business decisions! But what does this mean for the designers we hire? It’s a sticky subject so follow Miya and Tina as try they try to sort out some answers.

What would happen if you just say no to that project instead of saying yes? If she had made a different decision, Tina could’ve been a t-shirt graphics guru instead of a healthcare design researcher.Saying ‘no’ sometimes opens the door to new possibilities. In this episode, Tina and Miya discuss when it’s okay to say no. Turning down opportunities is definitely not something to take lightly when you have a business, but sometimes it’s the best thing to do. Our hosts hash out why is it uncomfortable for us to say no and discuss when it’s time to listen to your gut.

According to a questionable survey Miya found on the internet 70% of people consider themselves to be generalists. In this episode Tina and Miya call Gina Kim, their very first intern, and the millennial that introduced them to the term. In a revealing conversation with Gina our hosts hash out definitions of the word, try to figure out if there’s a difference between generalists or specialists, and get a little too excited about Gina’s boss and the former Chief Technology Officer of the United States Todd Park. Is a generalist someone who’s good at everything, or someone flexible and adaptable enough to wear many hats in an organization, or someone with the ability to step back and see the big picture? Tune in to get our hosts’ take and their not-so-secret-anymore crushes.

What do you think someone who can’t walk really wants to do? Tina and Miya make the point that you don’t really know until you ask someone who can’t walk. This episode of Yah, No is about what human-centered design is and the importance of seeking out the human-ness that comes from truly knowing and designing with your end user. Our hosts discuss the tools and techniques in their own human-centered practice and why it’s so important for solving problems in healthcare design. Also, Miya contemplates a boozy change to her own morning routine, her admiration for disability advocate Liz Jackson, and Tina has a weird story about mice.

Katie McCurdy, user experience designer, researcher of the inner workings of hospitals, and generally awesome human being, joins our hosts to discuss the joys and frustrations of designing for healthcare. The trio tackles why the healthcare world needs more designers, and all of the reasons (both practical and touchy feely) that designers should be flocking to this industry. Our hostesses also reveal how and why they made the decision to work in healthcare. One half of the dynamic duo had real doubts about making the leap - tune in to find out who!

Annnnd they’re back! Tina and Miya kick off the brand spanking new season with some classic tunes and a debate on what it means to really innovate. Everyone wants to be innovative, but maybe we don’t all need to chase that unicorn. Tune in as our hosts discuss the many definitions of innovation, invention and improvement. Change can happen in incremental evolutions and radical revolutions, but what kind of change really has a fighting chance of being effective in the healthcare space with all its many stakeholders, needs and complexities? Tina and Miya discuss, here on YahNo’s Season 2 premiere episode!

What are the forces that guide decisions? Sometimes, you can debate over something forever. Other times, when you know, you just know. In this episode, Tina and Miya turn up the volume on the little voices inside their heads -- the rumble in their guts. So how do you know when your gut is talking to you? Do you physically feel it or is it mental? Listen to stories of trusting your gut from our hosts and special guest Mary Cain -- Senior Director of Clinical Strategy and Behavior Change of Jiff, a health benefits platform.

In today’s world, the discipline of design is changing. The design of yesterday is not quite what it is now. Traditionally known as a skill, design has become a way of thinking. In this episode, Tina and Miya discuss the different definitions, dimensions, and orders of design. Listen in on their conversation. Plus, get the chance to hear what their dads’ have to say about “these fine young ladies” and what the hell their daughters do for work.

What energizes and inspires people to have ownership over their work? Is it given or is it taken? Is there a magic moment when it’s sparked or does it grow over time? Tina and Miya try to define ownership and how to cultivate it in the workplace. Listen to our hosts with episode producer Sean as they share examples of having “skin in the game” (ew!) — including a mouse colony census, a beloved sheep sweater and chicken care-taking.

In this episode, Tina and Miya talks with Emilie Glazer from Ctrl group about collaboration. What makes it successful? It’s not always that romanticized notion through happenstance or serendipity. Most of the times it requires careful curation and a little big of magic. Everyone has a role in a collaboration: the provocateur, the maker, the note taker, the negotiator, the decision maker. Which one are you?

IRA, taxes, profit and loss sheets. Boring, right? Owning your own business is awesome, but it’s not all puppies and hearts. This week, we reveal some embarrassing moments and deep thoughts brought to you by a journal that one of our hosts kept in the early days of starting our business. Tune in and find out which one! Warning: early “business days conversations” may induce drama from one of our queens.

Why does self-promotion feel so uncomfortable? Talking up your accomplishments feels awkward, but it’s important in today’s business world. Listen to Tina and Miya as they discuss the value of self-promotion and their struggles with the vanity that shadows it. Self-promotion is a way to make your work visible. So how do you get away with promoting yourself without sounding boasty or braggy?

The people business, it’s not easy. In this episode, Tina and Miya talks with strategist/business developer/friend Samip Shah about how to scale a services business: the mindset shift in letting go and refocusing energies, hiring for intangibles, and finding the golden ratio of skill sets and passion. Lots of enthusiasm, but also lots of questions!

Are Tina and Miya wearing their startup outfit or business hat today? Listen in and find out as they discuss the similarities and differences between starting a business and beginning a startup. Sometimes it's not so easy to keep them separate! Recording straight from Brooklyn, NY at Figure 8 Recording Studios.

Second episode. Second trip to upstate New York. This time with wine. Being entrepreneurs in healthcare ain't easy but sure is fun! Miya and Tina reflect on their experiences turning an idea into a start-up. Hear them decode the chicken or egg dilemma of building a product, the challenges of working fast and agile in a slow-moving industry, and the state of women entrepreneurs in the start-up world.