Software Made Human

Designing the Hero’s Journey with Pádraig Walsh

> In this episode of Software Made Human, Garrett Sheridan is joined by behavioural psychologist Pádraig Walsh, founder of ChangeAble Behaviour Solutions. > Padraig’s work sits at the intersection of psychology, design, and technology — helping organisations understand how real human behaviour shapes whether products succeed or fail. > The conversation explores how behavioural science can inform better software design, from reducing cognitive load and friction, to understanding motivation, capability, and behaviour change. Padraig shares practical frameworks including self-determination theory and the COM-B model, alongside everyday examples from tools like Xero and Strava. > A central theme of the episode is the idea of the hero’s journey — and how the best software doesn’t position itself as the hero but helps users feel more capable, confident, and in control. > This is a thoughtful conversation for anyone building software, designing products, or thinking deeply about how technology fits into real human lives. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Putting People at the Heart of AI with Naomh McElhatton

On Software Made Human from Marino Software, host Garett Sheridan is joined by Naomh McElhatton, Irish Ambassador for Women in AI, founder of the Business of AI Club, and creator of The She Said Club. Naomh shares her mission to make AI inclusive, accessible, and above all, people-focused. Together, they discuss how SMEs can adopt AI in meaningful ways, why regulation and ethics matter, and how education and diversity can shape a better future for technology. They also explore bias, empathy, and what it really means to keep people at the centre of innovation. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

A UX Approach to Inclusive Public Services

In this episode of Software Made Human, we’re joined by Aoife Kenny, Product Design Lead at Marino Software, to explore how inclusive design and user-centred thinking can break down barriers and create real impact. From her early career in graphic and spatial design to building digital healthcare products, Aoife shares how her work — and her personal life — have been shaped by technology. We talk about how software transformed her mother’s independence after a life-changing stroke, why “tick-box accessibility” isn’t enough, and how involving users from the very beginning leads to better outcomes for everyone. We also dive into Ireland’s new disability strategy, especially its transport and mobility pillar, and unpack how UX principles like co-design, continuous iteration, and empathy-driven research can turn policy into meaningful change. Whether you’re a designer, policymaker, or technologist, this conversation is a powerful reminder that when we design for the edges, we improve experiences for all. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

Brendan Kearns — Everything is a Prototype

Brendan Kearns, designer and author of Everything is a Prototype, joins Garrett Sheridan to talk about creativity, risk, and learning through iteration. They explore prototyping as a mindset, reframing failure, navigating uncertainty, and what the future holds for intelligent, adaptive software. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

The Intersection of Software and Mental Health with Dr. Sean Kelley

In this episode of Software Made Human, host Garrett Sheridan sits down with Dr. Sean Kelley, co-founder of Myndgard and PhD in computational psychiatry from Trinity College Dublin. Together, they explore how software and data science are transforming the field of mental health care, from early warning signs of depression to personalised therapy insights. Dr. Kelley shares his journey from studying primate behaviour to launching a mental health startup that aims to revolutionize patient care through predictive data and AI-driven insights. Tune in to discover how technology is not only shaping the future of therapy but also enabling preventive mental health care. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.