Finders to Builders - A UX Research Show

This is the final episode of the Finders to Builders podcast.
Thank you so much for tuning in and for your support all these years!

The difference between doing research and building a research practice is the difference between going to the gym once every few months and actually getting fit. One-off studies won't create lasting impact. A practice is an intentional, continuous investment — a system that captures, connects, and applies knowledge to drive better decisions. I cover the three pillars (culture, infrastructure, communications), and the signs that tell you it's time to build the thing properly.
(00:11) Research vs Practice(00:44) Sporadic Research Pitfalls(01:55) Gym Analogy Momentum(03:02) What a Practice Looks Like(03:54) Three Pillars Framework(05:39) Signs You Need Practice(07:59) Buy In and Scaling(09:21) Connective Tissue Vision(10:03) Wrap Up and Where to Follow

Researchers often over-index on rational arguments, assuming clear findings will drive action. But decisions are also shaped by emotions and organizational dynamics — political, personal, and power pressures that influence how stakeholders respond. Instead of blaming stakeholders for "not getting it," we should research and empathize with them the way we do with users, and frame recommendations within their context. When stakeholders feel understood, trust builds and decisions become easier.
(00:11) Decisions Drive Research(00:43) Myth of Pure Rationality(01:54) Why Stakeholders Push Back(02:24) Research Your Stakeholders(03:41) Politics and Pressure Factors(04:33) Frame Recommendations for Context(05:55) Communication Builds Trust(06:32) Facts Plus Emotions(08:02) Recap and Next Steps(09:14) Outro and Reach Out

In the final guest episode of Finders to Builders, Thomas Wilson breaks down why large organizations aren't ready to spin up AI agents, how AI-first thinking amplifies "move fast, break things," and why stakeholder interviews often beat user research for actionable insight.
(01:14) AI Has Been Here(02:58) Everyday AI Examples(04:57) LLMs And Job Shock(06:00) Org Readiness First(09:06) Move Fast Fallout(12:58) Keys To The Kingdom(15:47) Stop Bot Hype(17:46) Pilot AI For Value(19:37) Not Ready to Replace Creatives(20:44) LLM Hype vs Real Value(21:55) Using AI as a Work Tool(24:03) Quality Over Speed and Scale(25:20) Enshittification and Experience Rot(27:38) Doing Good Still Profitable(29:14) AI First Replaces Product First(31:24) Drop the Jargon Use Metrics(35:36) Stakeholders Hold the Truth

PMs, designers, marketers, and others are increasingly leading research in organizations that don't have dedicated researchers. My three tips: align on and protect a fixed research capacity, make research usable across the organization, and build with the expectation that someone may later take it to the next level.
(00:56) Research Audience Shift(04:11) AI and Layoff Impact(06:21) Reframing Podcast and Book(07:11) New Challenges for Roles(08:00) Tip 1 Protect Time(09:32) Tip 2 Share Research(10:35) Tip 3 Build for Future(11:45) PWDR Mindset Shift