Writers of Silicon Valley

• Are content design’s problems self-created? (Victor Beigelman, Meta)

  Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review! 👉 Get 25% off courses and workshops through April 6, 2025 at UX Content Collective.  👉 Check out Victor’s Substack, Footbridge 👉 Victor's piece on content design that sparked this conversation Rethinking influence, resentment, and the future of content design It’s easy (and often correct) to blame external factors for why content design doesn’t get the respect it deserves. But what if some of our biggest challenges are ones we’ve created ourselves? In this episode, Victor Beigelman, a longtime content designer at Meta, joins us for a candid conversation about how content designers might be getting in their own way. From clinging too tightly to writing as a core identity to unintentionally acting like the “language police,” Victor lays out a case for humility, adaptability, and product thinking as paths forward. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your content career, questioned your influence, or wondered what’s next for the discipline - this one’s for you. What we talked about: ✅ How acting like the “language police” hurts your credibility ✅ Why content design isn’t always seen as essential and how to change that ✅ What it means to be a “full-stack content designer” ✅ How to work more strategically with product and design partners ✅ Why style guide debates don’t move the needle ✅ How to build influence through collaboration not control ✅ Where content designers can lead in AI, AR/VR, and new interfaces ✅ The role of humility in building long-term impact Where to find Tom: 📖 LinkedIn 📖 Substack – Footbridge Enjoying the podcast? 👉 Leave a review and share this episode with your network! 👉 Get 25% off courses and workshops through April 6, 2025 at UX Content Collective. 

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• How to defend your design decisions (Tom Greever)

  Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review! 👉 Get 20% off courses and workshops at UX Content Collective. Just use the code PODCAST20 at checkout. 👉 Check out "Articulating Design Decisions" Mastering the art of defending your designs As a content designer, you’ve probably been asked, "Why did you use that word?" or "Why does this need to change?" Defending design decisions can be tough. Especially when feedback comes from stakeholders who might not fully understand content strategy. In this episode, Tom Greever, author of "Articulating Design Decisions", shares his framework for explaining and defending design choices with confidence. We talk about how to avoid common pitfalls, navigate stakeholder relationships, and build influence through persuasion, not confrontation. If you’ve ever struggled with defending your work or felt sidelined in design discussions, this episode will give you the tools to communicate your decisions clearly and build credibility. What we talked about: ✅ Why content designers struggle with defending decisions more than visual designers ✅ How to explain design choices without getting defensive ✅ How to anticipate stakeholder objections and respond effectively ✅ The role of confidence, persuasion, and relationship-building in design ✅ How to handle feedback that feels personal (without losing confidence) ✅ How to influence without authority and earn a place in strategic conversations ✅ Why writing things down is the best way to clarify your own thinking Where to find Tom: 📖 LinkedIn 📖 Website 📖 Book: "Articulating Design Decisions" Enjoying the podcast? 👉 Leave a review and share this episode with your network! Get 20% off UX Content Collective courses with code PODCAST20.

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• The rise of UX writing in India (Sidika Sehgal)

  Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review! Get 20% off courses and workshops at UX Content Collective. Just use the code PODCAST20 at checkout. The rise of UX writing in India UX writing is still a young discipline in India, but it’s growing—fast. In this episode, Sidika Sehgal shares what’s happening on the ground: the demand for UX writers, why hiring is so challenging, and how localization is reshaping product experiences in one of the world’s most diverse markets. Sidika, a content designer at Rubrik, has seen the industry evolve over the past few years. She explains why tech investment in India is booming, what’s still holding UX writing back, and why the lack of senior UX writers is creating an uphill battle for many in the field. From the challenges of hiring UX writers in India to the unique role language and localization play in product design, this conversation dives deep into the realities of being a UX writer in an emerging market. What we talked about: ✅ The rise of UX writing in India and why the field is growing fast ✅ How India’s tech industry is shifting from outsourcing to full-scale product teams ✅ The biggest challenges for hiring UX writers in India ✅ Why UX writing salaries are finally catching up to product design salaries ✅ The role of localization—why Indian products often use a mix of English + regional languages ✅ The unique UX challenges in India, from smartphone adoption to non-intuitive UI patterns ✅ How UX writers in India are figuring things out without senior mentors ✅ The lack of specialization—why India doesn’t yet have growth writers, conversation designers, or accessibility specialists ✅ Why companies need to hire for potential, not just experience ✅ The future of UX writing in India—what’s needed for it to grow Where to find Sidika: 📖 Sidika’s article on UX Writing in India 📖 Sidika on LinkedIn 📖 UX Content Collective – Courses & Workshops Enjoying the podcast? 👉 Leave a review and share this episode with your network! Get 20% off UX Content Collective courses with code PODCAST20.

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• From tech layoff to leadership (Cara Lam)

  Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review! Get 20% off courses and workshops at UX Content Collective. Just use the code PODCAST20 at checkout. From layoff to leadership: How Cara Lam rebuilt her career Getting laid off is tough—but for content designers on work visas, it can feel like everything is on the line. When Cara Lam lost her job at Instagram during the wave of tech layoffs, she had just 60 days to figure out her next move or leave the country. What followed was a relentless job search, rejections, and a journey of self-discovery. In this episode, Cara shares how she bounced back, the lessons she learned from her time at Meta, Venmo, NBC Universal, and Silicon Valley Bank, and why content designers need to embrace strategy, research, and resilience to stand out in today’s job market. If you've ever struggled with layoffs, job hunting, or making your content career more sustainable, this conversation is packed with real talk, tactical advice, and industry insights you won’t want to miss. What we talked about: ✅ How Cara moved across Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, and the US—and stumbled into content design ✅ What it’s really like working at Instagram/Meta as a content designer ✅ The hackathon project that could have changed Instagram Stories forever ✅ How financial UX writing is different from other industries—and why it matters ✅ What it feels like to get laid off at a big tech company ✅ Job hunting after a layoff—how to survive endless rejections ✅ The power of referrals, LinkedIn outreach, and strategic networking ✅ How contract work helped Cara get back into the industry ✅ Interviewing like a pro—portfolio tips that helped her land a job ✅ Why every content designer should think like a business strategist Notable quotes: 💬 "Your job can be taken away, but your skills and passion can’t." — Cara Lam 💬 "If you want to get hired, show that you understand how content affects business outcomes." — Cara Lam Where to find Cara: 🔗 LinkedIn 📸 Instagram: @thecaraadventures Enjoying the podcast? 👉 Leave a review and share this episode with your network! Get 20% off UX Content Collective courses with code PODCAST20.

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• How to survive burnout in tech and UX (Yvonne Xiao)

  Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review! Get 20% off courses and workshops at UX Content Collective. Just use the code PODCAST20. Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a reality for many of us working in UX and tech. The long hours, the shifting priorities, the constant pressure to prove our value… it all adds up. And if you’re not careful, it can take a serious toll. Yvonne Xiao has been there. She’s worked at companies like Microsoft and Uber, navigating the highs and lows of content design in fast-paced environments. But instead of letting burnout define her career, she’s figured out how to manage it—by setting boundaries, redefining success, and embracing a more sustainable approach to work. In this episode, we talk about how to recognize burnout before it’s too late, the mistakes we all make when trying to "push through," and why setting boundaries isn’t just about saying no—it’s about knowing your worth. If you’ve ever felt drained by your work or wondered how to make content design (or any job in tech) actually sustainable, this one’s for you. What we talked about: How Yvonne transitioned from film school to content design The early signs of burnout and how to recognize them in yourself The biggest mistakes content designers make when trying to manage burnout Why setting boundaries is hard—but necessary—for long-term career success How imposter syndrome fuels burnout (and how to reframe it) The importance of community, mentorship, and knowing you’re not alone How to build a career in UX without letting it consume your identity Notable Quotes: “Your self-worth isn’t tied to your job. You’re so much more than the work you do.”  “The cringe factor is real, but you just have to post it. Nobody’s going to remember it tomorrow.”  “Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It’s layers of ignoring your own needs until it’s too late.”  Where to Find Dave: LinkedIn YouTube Instagram TikTok

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