Software Made Human

In this episode of Software Made Human, we’re joined by Aoife Kenny, Product Design Lead at Marino Software, to explore how inclusive design and user-centred thinking can break down barriers and create real impact.From her early career in graphic and spatial design to building digital healthcare products, Aoife shares how her work — and her personal life — have been shaped by technology. We talk about how software transformed her mother’s independence after a life-changing stroke, why “tick-box accessibility” isn’t enough, and how involving users from the very beginning leads to better outcomes for everyone.We also dive into Ireland’s new disability strategy, especially its transport and mobility pillar, and unpack how UX principles like co-design, continuous iteration, and empathy-driven research can turn policy into meaningful change.Whether you’re a designer, policymaker, or technologist, this conversation is a powerful reminder that when we design for the edges, we improve experiences for all.

Brendan Kearns, designer and author of Everything is a Prototype, joins Garrett Sheridan to talk about creativity, risk, and learning through iteration. They explore prototyping as a mindset, reframing failure, navigating uncertainty, and what the future holds for intelligent, adaptive software.

In this episode of Software Made Human, host Garrett Sheridan sits down with Dr. Sean Kelley, co-founder of Myndgard and PhD in computational psychiatry from Trinity College Dublin. Together, they explore how software and data science are transforming the field of mental health care, from early warning signs of depression to personalised therapy insights. Dr. Kelley shares his journey from studying primate behaviour to launching a mental health startup that aims to revolutionize patient care through predictive data and AI-driven insights. Tune in to discover how technology is not only shaping the future of therapy but also enabling preventive mental health care.

In this episode of Software Made Human, host Garrett Sheridan chats with Dr. Aoife McNicholl, assistant professor of psychology at Dublin City University. Drawing from both academic research and lived experience, Aoife explores how assistive technology shapes identity, supports independence, and impacts access to education.They dive into voice-activated tools, universal design, the stigma around assistive tech, and how small mindset shifts can create more inclusive software and systems. From higher education to independent living, this episode is packed with insights for developers, designers, educators, and anyone interested in the human side of technology.Key themes: disability identity, co-design, universal design, inclusive education, tech for empowerment.

In this episode of the Software Made Human podcast, host Garrett Sheridan is joined by two incredible guests, Professors Fionnuala Ní Áinle and Brian Cleary, to explore the intersection of healthcare and technology. They discuss their groundbreaking work on using digital tools to prevent blood clots, the leading cause of maternal deaths in the UK and Ireland. The conversation covers their compassionate approach to healthcare, the creation of an electronic VTE risk assessment tool, and the impact of public awareness campaigns. This inspiring episode highlights how technology, when paired with human expertise, can save lives and transform healthcare outcomes.

In this episode of Software Made Human, Dr. Nicola Fox Hamilton, a renowned cyberpsychologist, lecturer, and one of Ireland’s 100 most powerful people in tech, joins us to explore the fascinating intersection of psychology and technology. From the psychology of online dating and digital empathy to the impacts of misinformation and online toxicity, Nicola offers profound insights into how technology shapes us—and how we shape it.

In this episode of Software Made Human, host Garrett Sheridan sits down with Michael Behan, Software Development Director at Marino, to explore how generative AI is reshaping creativity, prototyping, and collaboration across teams. Michael shares his early love for programming, from tinkering on an old IBM to leading Marino’s software initiatives, including the recent Gen AI Day—a company-wide event aimed at immersing everyone in the possibilities of AI. Together, they discuss how generative AI tools are lowering the barrier to innovation, empowering team members of all backgrounds to build functional prototypes and fuel the ideation process. Tune in for an inspiring look at how companies can foster creativity and stay ahead of the curve with AI-driven solutions.

In this episode of the Software Made Human Podcast, Garrett sits down with Ed Melvin, Chief Strategy Officer at Marino, to explore how software has played a pivotal role in his health and fitness journey. Ed shares his personal story of how using one fitness app led to a significant ACL injury and how a different piece of software aided in his recovery. He reflects on the evolving relationship between technology and health, emphasising how software can both challenge and support users.The conversation touches on key themes, including the risks of blindly chasing metrics in fitness apps, the role of AI in shaping the future of health, and how software can enhance human experiences through personalised care. Ed explains how his recovery journey was aided by a physical therapy app that tailored exercises to his needs, showcasing the positive potential of technology in rehabilitation.The episode concludes with a broader discussion on the future of AI in health, the importance of understanding human problems before designing tech solutions, and the balance between trust in software and personal responsibility.