The Challenge

Global teams often struggle with connection. Remote work, fast-paced deadlines, and siloed disciplines can leave people feeling like strangers, even when they collaborate daily. I wanted to create a lightweight format that encouraged genuine connection without adding more “meetings.”

Reflection

Nike Pod Sessions wasn’t just about recording audio. It was about designing a system where culture could emerge naturally through conversation. It proved that sometimes the most effective design isn’t a product or a campaign, it’s creating space for people to truly know one another.

The Impact

Built stronger bonds across functions by highlighting the human stories often left out of work. Inspired laughter, vulnerability, and fresh perspectives, teammates discovered shared passions and surprising overlaps. Established a new model for culture-building that could extend across Nike and beyond.

The Idea

Podcasts are intimate, flexible, and human. I developed Nike Pod Sessions as an audio series where every team member could share their story in their own words. Each session was, Casual and unscripted, no rigid format, just real conversations.Personalized, every guest contributed a photo and social link to make it easy to connect beyond the episode. Scalable, designed as a repeatable template other teams could adopt.

Designing Culture Through Conversation

At Nike, I designed and launched Pod Sessions as a new way to build team culture through storytelling. Twice a week, teammates received an internal podcast episode—30 to 60 minutes of candid conversation with a colleague. The goal was simple: move beyond job titles and projects to discover the people behind the work.

 Examples of General Questions

Work & Process: How do you work? What research do you do? How has your understanding of design changed over time?

Identity & Place: Where is home for you? What role do you feel your work has in society?

Moments & Memories: Describe one of your most seminal experiences. What’s your scariest or most embarrassing moment? What jobs have you held besides being an artist?

Inspiration & Influence: What art period do you most identify with and why? What food, drink, or song inspires you? What’s the most inspirational place you’ve ever traveled to?

Life & Outlook: What’s your outlook on life? Why art? What’s one thing many people don’t know about life as an artist?

Work & Play: Outside of Nike, what do you most enjoy doing in your spare time? What do you like or dislike about your work or the design world?

Vision & Dreams: What’s your superpower, and when did you realize it? What would be your dream project? What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

Juan Antonio Ávalos

Senior PTL Designer

Juan is Nike’s Apparel Design Director, leading innovation across performance uniforms for global sports. From football to the NBA, his work blends technical craft with cultural storytelling. In this session, you’ll get to know the person behind the designs his journey, passions, and what keeps him inspired at Nike.

Pete Fong

Senior PTL Designer / 4D Lead

Pete is a Nike’s Senior Designer and the creative force behind its 4D digital design initiatives. With a graphic design background from Oregon State University, he’s shaped performance textiles and visual systems at brands like Under Armour, Lululemon, Adidas, and Columbia before bringing his depth of craft to Nike in 2018. In this episode, get ready to hear Pete’s journey, from early inspirations to the creative vision that drives 4D design, and how he keeps pushing the future of performance apparel.

Charlotte Harris

Advance PTL Knit Designer

Charlotte is a Expert Knitwear Designer at Nike, bringing nearly a decade of innovation across global apparel. From football kits to women’s advanced concepts, her work bridges craft and performance at the highest level. Trained at the Royal College of Art and Ravensbourne, Charlotte brings a sharp eye for textiles and a love for knitwear that runs deep. In this episode, you’ll hear her journey through design, the inspirations behind her work, and what fuels her creativity outside the studio.

Elizabeth Guise

Product/Liscence Designer ll

Elizabeth is a Senior Manager of Nike’s Apparel, Graphic, and Digital Design Studio. Over nearly two decades at Nike, she’s shaped everything from basketball uniforms to advanced chassis innovation, and now leads a team at the intersection of apparel, graphics, and digital storytelling. With roots in design roles at Eddie Bauer and Hanna Andersson, Elizabeth brings both depth of experience and a fresh vision for the future of sportswear. In this session, she opens up about her journey, her design philosophy, and what inspires her work every day.

Cyrus Coleman

NBA Apparel Designer l

Cyrus is a Senior Product Graphic Designer at Nike, where he creates the visual identity for NBA uniforms. Over nearly a decade at Nike, he’s designed across basketball apparel and performance graphics, helping shape what athletes wear on the world stage. A graduate of the University of North Texas in Communication Design, Cyrus brings a sharp eye for storytelling through graphics and a passion for elevating the game visually. In this session, you’ll get to hear his path from Texas to Beaverton, his creative influences, and the process behind bringing bold ideas to the court.

Jessica Byle

Product/Liscence Designer ll

Jessica is an Expert Digital Apparel Designer at Nike, specializing in apparel excellence and 3D design. With nearly a decade at Nike, she’s helped push innovation in digital tools like Clo3D and Style3D, shaping how the brand creates and visualizes performance apparel. A Savannah College of Art and Design alum with a menswear focus, Jessica brings both craft and digital vision to her work. In this session, you’ll hear her journey through design, her take on digital transformation in apparel, and the inspirations that fuel her creativity.

Scott Hutsenpiller

Senior PTL/GSA Designer GSA

Scott is a Senior Manager in Nike’s Global Apparel Design team, leading innovation concepts and sustainability initiatives across sport. With over two decades of experience spanning Nike ACG, Basketball, Golf, and outerwear design leadership at brands like Eddie Bauer and Tommy Hilfiger, Scott has built a career at the intersection of performance, innovation, and storytelling. In this session, you’ll hear about his path through the industry, his approach to design leadership, and how sustainability shapes his vision for the future of apparel.