Episodes

Can Wix or Squarespace affect your online success? In this episode of Design in Good Company, we discuss the pros and cons of these platforms, tips for building a strong brand, and how to choose the right design elements. We also explore how storytelling and thoughtful web design can attract and keep customers. Get insights on everything from font choices to online reviews that can help you improve your business strategy.

• Amanda Walla on LinkedIn
• Design in Good Company Discord Group
• Randy Dean Oest’s website 
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 
• Four Kitchens 

About Four Kitchens

Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world.

At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good. 

Remember the thrill of downloading music on Napster, only to find it was a totally different song? Join us in this episode of Design in Good Company as we take a nostalgic trip back to those wild days of mislabeled files and unexpected musical discoveries. We chat about how movie soundtracks in the new Deadpool Wolverine movie and Guardians of the Galaxy change our experience of classic songs. This sets the stage for a fun discussion on managing music collections and digital content in today's content management systems.

Ever wished for a content management system as powerful as Magneto? We explore this humorous idea while reminiscing about CDs, DVDs, and epic X-Men marathons. We also break down the pros and cons of popular CMSs like WordPress and Drupal, emphasizing user-friendly interfaces and automated updates. Tune in for a blend of humor, nostalgia, and practical insights that will leave you appreciating both music and digital content in a whole new light!

• Design in Good Company Discord Group
• Randy Dean Oest’s website 
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 
• Four Kitchens 

About Four Kitchens

Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world.

At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good. 

Ever thought about wearing a fake beard? We start with jokes about Randy's changing beard styles and quirky fashion inspired by Moira Rose from Schitt's Creek. Then we dive into our love for Excel, sharing stories of how it saved us in work and school. We explore how Excel and Google Sheets help in the creative process, especially in visual analysis and data presentation. Get tips for using real website content in designs and tools like Google Sheets for Figma!

• Design in Good Company LinkedIn Group 
• Randy Dean Oest’s website 
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 
• Four Kitchens 

About Four Kitchens

Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world.

At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good. 

Join us on Design in Good Company as we react to a beardless Randy! We then dive into the overuse of "AI" in marketing, share personal experiences with AI in content creation, and discuss keeping authenticity in the AI age. Don't miss it!

Interested in learning more? Connect with us below! 

• Design in Good Company LinkedIn Group 
• Randy Dean Oest’s website 
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 
• Four Kitchens 

About Four Kitchens

Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world.

At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good. 

Should Randy go all out on a fancy office chair or keep suffering with the cheap options?

We also dive into the whole website carousel debate. Why do they often suck? Learn why Netflix gets it right and most websites don’t. Plus, get the scoop on why LinkedIn’s carousels actually work well.

Join us for laughs, design tips, and some real talk on creating engaging content! 🎉

Don’t forget to like and subscribe!

#DesignInGoodCompany #TechHub #EthicalBusiness #UserExperience #CustomerLoyalty 

Interested in learning more? Connect with us below! 

• Design in Good Company LinkedIn Group 
• Randy Dean Oest’s website 
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 
• Four Kitchens 

About Four Kitchens

Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world.

At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good. 

Why does moving to the city feel like a whole new world? In this episode of “Design in Good Company,” join Brodrick Lothringer and Randy Oest as they explore Pittsburgh’s transformation into a tech hub and how the city has evolved beyond its steel mill past.

Later in the episode, they dive into the web of manipulative business practices. They share a cringe-worthy encounter with a street fundraiser and discuss the dark side of user experience design. Learn about emotional manipulation, deceptive subscription practices, and the need for ethical business conduct. Tune in to hear the tea about the Wall Street Journal and Adobe, and explore Cory Doctorow’s concept of "enshittification." 

Interested in learning more? Connect with us below! 

• Design in Good Company LinkedIn Group 
• Randy Dean Oest’s website 
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 
• Four Kitchens 

About Four Kitchens

Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world.

At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

 Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good. 

In this episode of "Design in Good Company," Randy and Brodrick chat about their favorite days of the week and what makes them special. The conversation then shifts to a popular new show, comparing it to other series. Using this as a backdrop, they dive into imposter syndrome, sharing personal stories and tips for overcoming self-doubt. Inspired by the notorious work ethic of a certain athlete, they offer practical advice on setting expectations, managing conflict, and learning from failures. Join us for a conversation on building confidence and community support!

Interested in learning more? Connect with us below! 

• Design in Good Company LinkedIn Group 
• Randy Dean Oest’s website 
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 
• Four Kitchens 

About Four Kitchens

Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world.

At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

 Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good. 

Did you know that your passion for RPGs can make you a better UX designer? Tune in to our live podcast debut where Randy takes us through his journey with live tabletop RPGs and the core UX principles he discovered along the way. From ensuring seamless interactions to crafting enjoyable user experiences, we explore the surprising parallels between gaming and design strategy.

Take a trip back to the early days of web design, when logo placement was a gamble and navigation menus were chaotic. Remember when logo placement was a guessing game and navigation menus were all over the place? Today’s sophisticated design systems and component libraries have streamlined the web, yet present new challenges. We discuss how to stand out in this refined environment, the rising demand for senior UX professionals, and the industry's latest hurdles, including layoffs and the relentless pursuit of that elusive final 20% of design perfection.

Finally, we break down the essentials of UX and UI design, emphasizing why positive user experiences are non-negotiable. Learn how human psychology, basic economics, and systems thinking can predict user behavior and drive business success. Borrowing lessons from Gordon Ramsay and the quirky show "Nathan for You," we highlight the continuous improvement ethos that defines UX design. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just curious about the field, this episode is packed with valuable insights and plenty of laughs to keep you entertained.

Interested in learning more? Connect with us below! 

• Design in Good Company LinkedIn Group 
• Randy Dean Oest’s website 
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 
• Four Kitchens 

About Four Kitchens

Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world.

At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

 Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good. 

When was the last time you had a good vent session—professionally or personally? Everyone needs an opportunity to voice their concerns, but to do so, you need to surround yourself with a strong community that supports and empowers you. Sounds super easy… right? This week, Randy Dean Oest and Brodrick Lothringer are on location at DrupalCon 2024, sharing stories of karaoke plights, community spirit, and an insider look into Randy’s presentation, “The 30 Minute Content Strategist -From Concept to Plan.” 

This week is all about keeping the DrupalCon energy alive all year round. From sharing some of our favorite tips for audience engagement to an open invite to our LinkedIn group that promises ongoing collaboration, support, and a touch of the unexpected. 

• Design in Good Company LinkedIn Group 
• The 30 Minute Content Strategist -From Concept to Plan.”
• Content Strategy Workbook 
• Randy Dean Oest’s website 
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 
• Four Kitchens 

About Four Kitchens

Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world.

At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

 Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good.

How many bad meetings have you been a part of? From unproductive Zoom calls to chaotic meetings filled with too many big personalities—we’ve all experienced a spectrum of disastrous meetings. If you’re tired of saying or hearing, “This could have been an email,” Episode 5 of “Design in Good Company” teaches listeners how to turn their meetings from boring and pointless to productive and engaging. 

Randy Dean Oest and Brodrick Lothringer openly share their own blunders and offer tips on how to bounce back from worst-case scenarios. Whether you’re running the meeting or an active participant, Randy and Brodrick’s insights aim to make your next meeting rate a 10 (and have everyone actually mean it…). 

Interested in learning more? Connect with us below! 

• Design in Good Company LinkedIn Group 
• Randy Dean Oest’s website 
• Brodrick Lotheringer on LinkedIn 
• Four Kitchens 

About Four Kitchens

Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world.

At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

 Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good. 

Have you ever seen a triangle cereal box? There’s a reason why the shape of cereal boxes hasn’t changed while the images on the front continue to evolve. In design, there's a delicate balance between standing out and blending in—veer too far to one side and you can find yourself losing the interest of your audience. 

This week, Randy Dean Oest and Brodrick Lothringer discuss the fine line between uniqueness and conformity. Through analyzing major brands like Apple and Target, the conversation dives deeper into how the expectations they set provide their customers with a better experience. Looking through the lens of user-experience, Randy and Brodrick share tales of clever design strategies that marry disruption with accessibility. From the seasonal promotions of higher education websites to the innovative work done with Yale's Wu Tsai Institute, we reveal how the right mix of consistency and creativity can leave a lasting impression. 

Interested in learning more? Connect with us below! 

• Design in Good Company LinkedIn Group 
• Randy Dean Oest’s website 
• Brodrick Lotheringer on LinkedIn 
• Four Kitchens 

About Four Kitchens

Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world.

At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

 Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good. 

If you’re terrified of public speaking, you’re not alone. Speaking in front of a crowd, especially one that may not be engaged, can be enough to send some people running for the hills. The art of public speaking goes far beyond a strong delivery; it's about embracing the thrill of the stage and taking a step outside your comfort zone. Randy Dean Oest and Brodrick Lothringer explore the skill, taking the journey from anxiety to assurance with insights that extend beyond the podium to all aspects of communication.

Discover how every personal interaction, from family conversations to role-playing games, can be a stepping stone toward becoming a magnetic speaker. Learn how to own your imperfections and employ improv techniques not just to endure the instant feedback loop of a live audience—but to thrive within it.

Episode 3 of “Design in Good Company” may not completely conquer your fear of public speaking, but it will lead you toward a healthier relationship with it. 

Interested in learning more? Connect with us below! 

• Design in Good Company LinkedIn Group 
• Randy Dean Oest’s website 
• Brodrick Lotheringer on LinkedIn 
• Four Kitchens 

About Four Kitchens

Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world.

At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

 Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good. 

Resumes are the first step towards securing a new position—but is your resume ready to compete in this evolving job market? If your resume is strictly black and white and only uses Times New Roman, it may be time to revisit the document. Randy Dean Oest and Brodrick Lothringer sit down to discuss the UX of your resume, giving listeners a guide to creating a resume that not only catches the eye of hiring managers but represents who you are as a professional. Whether you’re fresh out of college or at the end of your career, having a document that narrates your career is vital. 

The smallest details of your resume can make or break your ability to land an interview. From the layout and design to the actual content on the document, Randy Dean Oest and Brodrick Lothringer give practical tips on the art of crafting a resume. Stop fretting over writing your executive summary, and tune in! 

Interested in learning more? Connect with us below! 

• Design in Good Company LinkedIn Group 
• Randy Dean Oest’s website 
• Brodrick Lothringer on LinkedIn 
• Four Kitchens 

About Four Kitchens

Your website needs to fulfill your mission and stand the test of time. We have a long history of helping teams like yours — those who educate, advocate, and inform — realize their website’s potential and make a positive change in the world.

At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

 Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good. 

Welcome to our show!
Join our hosts Randy Dean Oest and Brodrick Lothringer as we explore the intersection of personal values and collaborative creativity. We'll share our sources of inspiration, from the serenity of a swimming pool to the simplicity of Marco Pierre White's scrambled eggs. We'll also discuss AI's role in transforming the way we approach design and collaboration. With insights on content strategy and hands-on experiences with AI imagery tools, this episode promises to be an helpful glimpse into the exciting possibilities that await us at the cutting edge of new technologies and creativity.

About Four Kitchens
At Four Kitchens, we make the web a better place to teach, learn, and advocate for all. Driven by our content expertise, technical excellence, and a shared purpose of doing good, we craft websites that help organizations fulfill their missions.

 Click here to learn more about how Four Kitchens makes websites with love. For good.