Paul Lafata has spent his career building things that didn’t have a playbook—from early digital products and healthcare tools to Bird scooters, connected devices, AI, and design teams.

In this episode of Swurl Radio, Paul talks about growing up around fishing, the Navy, Atari, and Disney before finding his way into design. He breaks down what startups taught him about speed and experimentation, why being an outsider can actually be an advantage, how AI can accelerate research without replacing real human empathy, and what he really looks for when hiring designers.

The conversation also gets into portfolio mistakes, salary and equity lessons, leading creative teams, career pivots, and why designers need to stop treating their process like something sacred.

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Malik has built a career around one idea: stories shape how we see ourselves and the world around us.

In this episode of Swurl Radio, Eric and Ayka sit down with the filmmaker, visual artist, and creative technologist behind the globally recognized Elder Series. Malik shares his journey from growing up in Nigeria and teaching himself filmmaking to using AI as a tool for cultural preservation, advocacy, and storytelling.

He also opens up about losing his mother, how grief ultimately inspired the Elder Series, why our obsession with youth distorts the way we see aging, and the responsibility creators have to make sure AI doesn’t erase or misrepresent culture.
The conversation goes beyond AI. It’s about grief, purpose, identity, family, aging, creativity, and leaving something meaningful behind for the next generation.

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Swurl is building a new kind of networking platform focused on real connections, not self-promotion.

"Music by Vlvt. If you are working on a podcast, get your Swurl Radio discount code and save 20% on anything at Vlvt.fm"

What makes someone irreplaceable in the age of AI?

In this episode of Swurl Radio, Eric and Ayka sit down with Daria Tarawneh, VP of Design at SAP Build, to explore the human skills that technology can't replace. From growing up between Russian and Jordanian cultures to leading design teams at some of the world's top technology companies, Daria shares how resilience, curiosity, and problem solving shaped her career.

The conversation dives into identity, leadership, AI, ADHD, design thinking, entrepreneurship, and why rejection often becomes the foundation for future success. Daria also opens up about the lessons she learned from her family, the importance of creating environments where people can thrive, and why the best leaders aren't defined by titles, they're defined by the problems they solve.

Whether you're a designer, entrepreneur, leader, or someone navigating the future of work, this episode offers practical insights on building a meaningful career in an AI-driven world.

Support Swurl
Swurl is building a new kind of networking platform focused on real connections, not self-promotion.

"Music by Vlvt. If you are working on a podcast, get your Swurl Radio discount code and save 20% on anything at Vlvt.fm"