Writers of Silicon Valley

• 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.

  --------  

  47:25
• 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.

  --------  

  53:41
• 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

  --------  

  51:41
• Forget tone - embrace systems thinking (Dave Connis)

  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. Content design has some growing up to do. Whether it's the things we talk about at conferences, or even the aspects of our job that we *think* are important (but really aren't), we need to see some change. Dave Connis, Lead Content Designer at OutSystems, has embraced systems thinking and he wants you to as well. Go beyond the deliverables we're used to (tone, style guides, etc) and start thinking about how to connect the elements of your product in a bigger picture. Dave brings a refreshing, no-nonsense approach to content design. From his experience working with developers to his cutting-edge ideas about content ecosystems, this conversation is packed with actionable insights and (yes) spicy takes. If you’re tired of surface-level debates about microcopy and want to get into the heart of what makes content design impactful, this one’s for you. What we talked about: Why content designers need to stop sweating the small stuff (looking at you, Oxford comma) How systems thinking can revolutionize content design The overlooked value of string files and content architecture Why tone isn’t everything — and what actually drives user success How to think about the “jobs” your content is doing The intersection of technical writing and UX writing: what each discipline can learn from the other Why content design needs to push for industry-wide innovation Notable Quotes: “Stop arguing about sentence case and start building better systems.” — Dave Connis “Tone isn’t the goal. Getting the user to their goal is.” — Dave Connis “Every piece of content in your UI has a job. Figure out what it is.” — Dave Connis Where to Find Dave: LinkedIn: Dave Connis Instagram Website

  --------  

  49:41
• Why your support content sucks (Maring Eberlein)

  Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Do you enjoy the podcast? Please leave a review! We're proud to announce Maring's new course at UX Content Collective: Fundamentals of Support Content. Get it now for 25% off!  If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated by terrible help center content, you’re not alone. Most of it sucks. But why? That’s why I’m excited to share this conversation with Maring Eberlein. Maring is a support content expert with a deep understanding of what makes help centers effective — and what makes them fail. She’s worked with companies large and small, transforming their support content from "just get it done" projects into real strategic assets. We get into everything from why so much support content is subpar to how companies can stop playing catch-up and start building better self-serve experiences for their users. If you’ve ever wondered how support teams, content designers, and technical writers can work together more effectively, this episode is for you. What we talked about: Why most support content sucks — and how to make it better The difference between support content and technical writing Why support content should be an asset, not an afterthought How to "train" your users to find answers on their own What companies get wrong about chatbots and AI-driven support The rise of structured content and why support teams should embrace it Practical ways support teams and content teams can work together Notable quotes: “Support content isn’t a cost — it’s an asset. But most companies don’t realize that until it’s too late.” "Users don’t want to watch a 4-minute video when 3 clear steps would do the job." "If your help center looks like a mess, it tells me your product might be too." Where to find Maring: LinkedIn Fundamentals of Support Content course Maring's website

  --------  

  48:29

Meer Kunst podcasts

Trending Kunst -podcasts

Over Writers of Silicon Valley