Northward is a podcast about how design can unlock a new future for Canada. Featuring the country's most thoughtful design voices, host Michael Grigoriev talks with Canadian leaders and explores what it will take to build a design-forward nation. <br/><br/><a href="https://projectnorthward.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">projectnorthward.substack.com</a>
Northward: Canada's Design Future
Claim This Podcastby Canada’s future, shaped by design.
7 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇨🇦
Podcast Overview
Northward is a podcast about how design can unlock a new future for Canada. Featuring the country's most thoughtful design voices, host Michael Grigoriev talks with Canadian leaders and explores what it will take to build a design-forward nation. <br/><br/><a href="https://projectnorthward.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast">projectnorthward.substack.com</a>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
5/13/2025
1 verified contact email on file for Northward: Canada's Design Future
Pitch yourself as a guest, propose sponsorships, or reach out directly to the host.
Recent Episodes
November 18, 2025
06: Lynsey Thornton on building design cultures that scale
<p><strong>06: Lynsey Thornton on building design culture that scales</strong></p><p>Host Michael Grigoriev and Lynsey Thornton — former VP of UX at Shopify and now VP of Experience Design at Jobber — dig into building and scaling design teams and how strong design cultures become engines for business success.</p><p>Thornton reflects on scaling Shopify’s design team from a small group of generalists into the largest design organization in Canada, and how shared standards, customer focus, and design systems kept quality high as the company rapidly expanded.</p><p>The conversation also explores why good design is good business, her next chapter at Jobber, and why Canada needs more ambitious, design-led companies to keep talent at home.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://projectnorthward.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">projectnorthward.substack.com</a>
August 21, 2025
05: Joseph Hofer on design as a vehicle for commercial success
<p><strong>05: Joseph Hofer on designing for commercial success</strong></p><p>Host Michael Grigoriev and Joseph Hofer — product design strategist and founder of Hofer Studio — get in depth on how design is a vehicle for commercial success.</p><p>Hofer reflects on lessons learned at BlackBerry, where he helped shape some of the company’s most iconic devices, and how those experiences inform his current work with entrepreneurs. He outlines his “three R’s” framework — relationships, risk, and ROI — and his two-phase process: first validating the right product, then refining it into the right product for manufacturing and scale.</p><p>The conversation also explores aesthetics as a strategy, the challenges of building hardware companies in Canada, and why design remains essential to turning innovation into lasting businesses.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://projectnorthward.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">projectnorthward.substack.com</a>
August 6, 2025
04: Ana Serrano on designing Canada's civic future
<p><strong>04: Ana Serrano on designing Canada's civic future</strong></p><p>Host Michael Grigoriev explores how design can shape Canada’s civic future with Ana Serrano, President and Vice-Chancellor of OCAD University.</p><p>Ana argues that design in Canada is still too often understood as object-driven that's focused on logos, furniture, or typefaces when it should be embedded into the systems, policies, and spaces that define how we live together. From a national design council to rethinking public space and democratic trust, this conversation explores what it would mean to take design seriously as a tool for shaping a more connected, imaginative, and equitable country.</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://projectnorthward.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1">projectnorthward.substack.com</a>
7 total episodes available
Recent guests on Northward: Canada's Design Future
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Ian Chalmers
Guest
Deep-dive analytics for Northward: Canada's Design Future
Frequently asked questions
Have a different question and can't find the answer you're looking for? Reach out to our support team by sending us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.
- What is Northward: Canada's Design Future?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
Legal Disclaimer
Pod Engine is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected with any of the podcasts displayed on this platform. We operate independently as a podcast discovery and analytics service.
All podcast artwork, thumbnails, and content displayed on this page are the property of their respective owners and are protected by applicable copyright laws. This includes, but is not limited to, podcast cover art, episode artwork, show descriptions, episode titles, transcripts, audio snippets, and any other content originating from the podcast creators or their licensors.
We display this content under fair use principles and/or implied license for the purpose of podcast discovery, information, and commentary. We make no claim of ownership over any podcast content, artwork, or related materials shown on this platform. All trademarks, service marks, and trade names are the property of their respective owners.
While we strive to ensure all content usage is properly authorized, if you are a rights holder and believe your content is being used inappropriately or without proper authorization, please contact us immediately at hey@podengine.ai for prompt review and appropriate action, which may include content removal or proper attribution.
By accessing and using this platform, you acknowledge and agree to respect all applicable copyright laws and intellectual property rights of content owners. Any unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial use of the content displayed on this platform is strictly prohibited.