Season 5 Finale

Hey, this is Nick Mann. Welcome to the Season 5 finale of the UX Growth Podcast.

We made it through another wild year in UX, full of highs, lows, and plenty of hard lessons.

This season was packed with thoughtful guests and real talk. I had the chance to sit down with Erin Essex, Sarah Doody, and Daniel Leary, along with many others I can’t list off the top of my head. If I missed your name, I apologize. I’m trying to get this all out without heavy editing since it’s a busy time of year. I’ll explain more later.

There were so many people who helped shape this show.

Erin talked about building a non-linear career and staying grounded.
Sarah cut through the noise around hiring and reminded us that most designers don’t need to be perfect. They need to be clear.
Dane spoke with honesty about team culture and burnout, and his insights have stuck with me ever since.

If you missed any of those episodes, go back and listen. Those stories are worth hearing again.

Behind the scenes, I’ve had hundreds of conversations, especially with senior designers trying to move forward. I kept hearing the same frustration.

You’ve done the work. You have the experience. But the offers aren’t landing.

After reviewing a lot of portfolios, I’ve developed strong theories why.

The story doesn’t match the skill. Many portfolios feel like documentation instead of persuasion. They walk through steps instead of standing behind outcomes. That disconnect is likely costing people the most. Great designers are getting passed over.

That’s what I’m focusing on in the year ahead.

To be honest, 2025 was tough, even for me.

I tried a lot. I outlined eBooks for every season. I planned Patreon content. I launched the UX Challenge newsletter with weekly prompts. I gave away everything I could. Only the eBooks and some Patreon extras were paid. The rest was free.

But I was spreading myself too thin. And by doing that, I was helping fewer people than I could.

So I paused and looked at the bigger picture.

What’s the most urgent problem in UX right now?
What’s being ignored, but holding people back?

I’ve been testing something quietly. The early results are in. And I’m excited, because this changes the direction I’m taking in 2026.

This new thing I’m building is not a product, not a course, and not coaching.

It’s something new. It will reshape how this podcast and the UX Growth brand move forward. It’s focused on one clear goal: helping designers get hired.

I’m not ready to share the full details yet. I’ll announce it in the Season 6 intro.

But I feel confident this will solve a real problem for a lot of you.

Thank you to every guest who gave their time.
Thank you to every listener who kept showing up.
This show doesn’t exist without you.

Take a breath. Reset. And get ready, because 2026 is almost here. And I believe it’s going to be better than what we just went through.

Thanks again for being here as I try to show up, too.

You’ve been listening to the UX Growth Podcast.
I’m your host, Nick Mann.
Thank you for listening.