# E068: Wicked Problems – Design Thinking, Expertise and the Human Element in Modern Strategy Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-big-strategy-podcast-7027508/e068-wicked-problems-design-thinking-expertise-and-the-human-element-in-modern-strategy Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-big-strategy-podcast-7027508/e068-wicked-problems-design-thinking-expertise-and-the-human-element-in-modern-strategy.md Podcast: [The BIG Strategy Podcast](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-big-strategy-podcast-7027508) Published: 2025-09-23T12:00:00+00:00 Episode link: https://development.brstdev.com/biginnovates/podcast/e068-wicked-problems-design-thinking-expertise-and-the-human-element-in-modern-strategy Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/e9594131-3e9b-4a72-af9c-b26a083536ee.mp3 Processing state: not_requested JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-big-strategy-podcast-7027508/episodes/e068-wicked-problems-design-thinking-expertise-and-the-human-element-in-modern-strategy Duration seconds: 2846 ## Resource Jess Roberts, affiliate faculty at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health and the Minnesota Design Center, is a master at navigating complexity. With a background spanning design thinking, public health and systems change, Jess dives into the world of “wicked problems” – the messy, stubborn challenges that resist quick fixes. In this episode, he explores why traditional approaches fall short, and reveals how design-based thinking can unlock fresh solutions in business, health and even AI. In this episode, we explore: (00:58) Differences between wicked and traditional problems (04:47) Unlocking creativity through childlike curiosity (08:20) Framing problem-solving approaches (14:33) Navigating expertise and experience (16:41) Targeting Gen Z with agile strategies (20:49) How AI disrupts career progression (23:04) Reframing AI for better outcomes (27:45) Human-centered design in systems (30:12) Balancing professional and personal health (34:19) Design thinking: desirability vs viability (36:29) Map vs territory in design (40:40) Designing communication for togetherness (45:09) Rethinking problem-solving strategies Connect with Jess Roberts on LinkedIn By Design Website Doug Dietz Ted Talk Connect with Jeff Eyet on LinkedIn  Follow The Berkeley Innovation Group  Download The BIG Strategy Playbook for FREE Subscribe to The Berkeley Innovation Group Youtube Channel  Find out more about The Berkeley Innovation Group: www.biginnovates.com   ## Actions - request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-big-strategy-podcast-7027508/episodes/e068-wicked-problems-design-thinking-expertise-and-the-human-element-in-modern-strategy/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode. - read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-big-strategy-podcast-7027508/e068-wicked-problems-design-thinking-expertise-and-the-human-element-in-modern-strategy.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource. A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed. ## Transcript Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.