Pixels & Priorities

If you’ve ever wondered why great research still gets ignored, this conversation is for you. Metsy Rose and J Schuh talk with Brian Sullivan, Executive Director of the Big Design Conference, about UX research, stakeholder empathy, product strategy, and how AI is changing the work ahead. Brian shares why “stakeholders make or break every project,” how cognitive, emotional, and compassionate empathy show up in research, and why UX professionals may need to think more like product researchers and product designers. For digital leaders navigating AI-era change, this episode offers a grounded reminder: AI can surface signals, but humans still create meaning. Pull up a chair and join the conversation.

Product and design teams talk a lot about empathy for users, but what about empathy for each other? J and Metsy explore the moments that first taught them empathy mattered more than skill, then connect those lessons to the daily partnership between product and design. They unpack the hidden pressures both roles carry, why playbooks are often “always in progress,” and how curiosity, positive energy, and small systems can build trust. The result: better collaboration, better outcomes, and less burnout.

J Schuh and Metsy Rose talk with Kirsten Rourke about the myth of the “unicorn” professional and why the most valuable skills in the age of AI are deeply human ones. From stagecraft and teaching to managing creative teams and building trust with clients, the conversation explores how designers, product leaders, and creators can adapt—and thrive—in a rapidly changing world.

What happens when projects go sideways, clients are furious, and the plan falls apart? In this episode, J Schuh and Metsy Rose welcome Kirsten Rourke, founder of Rourke Training, to talk about the realities of working in product, design, and consulting. Through stories of firefighting failed projects, navigating corporate silos, and learning to say “no” to unrealistic expectations, the conversation reveals the hidden skillset behind great work: trust, empathy, and authentic communication.

What does it really mean to be a “unicorn” in design and product? In this episode, Metsy and J question the pressure to be exceptional at everything and explore healthier ways to think about growth, mastery, and collaboration. They argue that real expertise is built through experience, failure, and teamwork -- not titles.

Product managers and designers don’t control the pace of AI, but they do control how thoughtfully it’s applied. This episode examines what leaders can influence, how to avoid reactive decision-making, and why empathy remains the strongest differentiator in an AI-driven market.

In this episode, Metsy and J unpack what AI fluency really means—and what it doesn’t. They explore the pressure to become an “AI unicorn,” why mastery isn’t the goal, and how human judgment and problem-solving remain your greatest advantage.

In Episode 005 of Pixels & Priorities, J Schuh and Metsy Rose sit down with Preston McCulley to explore practical ways designers, product managers, and developers can begin integrating AI into their daily work. The conversation covers AI habits, iteration, automation opportunities, and the future of adaptive experiences—revealing why the most powerful AI workflows come from curiosity, experimentation, and continuous refinement.

In this episode of Pixels & Priorities, Metsy Rose and J Schuh welcome Preston McCauley, author of Generative AI for Everyone, for a deep dive into the real state of generative AI. Together they explore AI orchestration, dynamic product roadmaps, evolving design methodologies, and what it truly means to amplify - rather than replace - human creativity.

Metsy Rose and J Schuh explore the ethical tensions of using AI at work, from speed and productivity pressures to data privacy, bias, and accountability. As AI becomes an everyday coworker, we examine why human judgment and integrity matter more than ever.