Co-Design and the Guiding Role of Purpose

In this conversation with Matt and Tenille of FPC Consulting, we unpack the language, myths, and maturity of co-design and systemic design — and conclude it all comes back to one thing: purpose.

Episode description
We hear the word co-design a lot. It’s become shorthand for collaboration, participation, even goodwill — a prefix that promises inclusion. But what does that little “co-” really mean? In this episode, we explore the shades of co-design: how far collaboration can go, when it works, when it doesn’t, and how systems thinking and design intersect in practice.

Whether you’re a practitioner, policymaker, or just someone curious about what genuine collaboration looks like in complex systems, this episode offers both reflection and practical guidance on doing co with intent.

Listen on Apple, Spotify, Podbean, or wherever you get your podcasts.