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 can change...here's the proof that they can.
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PLEASE NOTE: I no longer interview guests.
Agents, please do not send me requests to have someone you're representing on the show. The answer is always going to be no.
MAKING UX WORK: The Joe Natoli Podcast
Let's Get Real
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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, energy and effort on denial.
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Special thanks to the incomparable Lisa Baskett for her amazing late-night-DJ-smoother-than-silk voiceover ;-)
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Each episode explores the human side of UX and product careers — confidence, power, impostor syndrome, boundaries and the challenges that never show up in books or conference talks.
No hype. No platitudes. Just honest perspective, earned the hard way.