May 14, 2025

Categories: Podcast

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In this conversation, host Raven O’Neal sits down with Raj Bandyopadhyay, a founder, photographer, and speaker, shares his journey of identity transformation, particularly in relation to his partner’s transition and how it reshaped their lives and perspectives.

He discusses the impact of societal and patriarchal norms on their experiences, especially in the tech industry.

Raj also delves into his transition from a tech career to photography, emphasizing the importance of authentic self-expression and challenging conventional standards in photography.

He offers practical tips for individuals to navigate their identities and present themselves confidently, both in front of the camera and in life.

Key Takeaways:

  • Identity is closely tied to career choices
  • Personal transformations can lead to professional shifts
  • Experiencing gender transition can alter perceptions of identity
  • Patriarchal norms affect how individuals are treated in the workplace
  • Photography can be a medium for authentic self-expression
  • Challenging societal standards in photography is essential
  • Confidence should not be defined by societal expectations
  • Breathing can help ease discomfort in front of the camera
  • Understanding your audience is key to effective branding
  • Recognizing bodily sensations can guide personal decisions

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Think UX is just for big companies with deep pockets? 

Think again! In this episode, host @ravenroneal chats with Amanda Stockwell, UX expert and strategist, about how solopreneurs and small businesses can create meaningful, user-friendly experiences without a massive budget.

 → How to uncover real user needs (not just guesses)
 → Free research methods you can start using today
 → Where AI actually helps (and where it creates more work)
 → Why marketing + product teams need to collaborate early
 → How diversity in testing leads to better products

Spoiler: Great UX isn’t about fancy tools, it’s about listening to your users and designing for them.

Whether you’re building your first offer or refining an existing one, this conversation is packed with insights to help you create products or services your audience actually wants to use.

Listen now and start building things people love: Streaming links in bio. ☝️
Some of the more powerful UX research skills are often traditionally seen as feminine: 

 → Asking questions before making decisions
 → Gathering diverse perspectives 
 → Practicing deep listening
 → And, waiting for your turn to speak

Remember that empathy is essential to good design, but unless you’re designing for people exactly like yourself, you can’t rely on imagination alone. 

You are almost never your user base.

You can try to imagine what your users think and experience... 

or you could just do the research.

Tune in TOMORROW to get all of the impactful insights Amanda Stockwell shares on the pod this week.
This week, Raven O’Neal sits down with researcher and dot connector, Amanda Stockwell, to crack the code on creating exceptional user experiences, no big budget or team required! 

Discover how everyone can leverage UX principles to build products and marketing that resonate.

Some Key Takeaways:
 → UX isn’t just design, it’s every touchpoint in the journey
 → How to uncover user needs
 → Why diversity in UX = game-changing innovation
 → Budget-friendly hacks to test and refine like a pro

This episode is for you if:
 → You’re launching or refining a product/service
 → Your marketing feels disconnected from your audience
 → You want to stand out by truly understanding your users

If you’re ready to transform guesswork into clarity and build customer experiences that convert, then this one’s for you!
During episode 40, @seriesaphotography explores how societal expectations create shame when we don’t measure up to idealized “fairy tales” about relationships, careers, and life paths.

Raj shares how connecting with your body and authentic feelings helps separate what YOU truly want from what SOCIETY tells you to want, whether in relationships, career, or other aspects of life.

Start questioning what you’re doing because society expects it versus what brings you genuine joy. 

This is how we hack the patriarchy. 💪

Listen to the full episode to learn practical tools for aligning your true self and relationships with your authentic values rather than societal expectations.