Human Factors Cast is now a nonprofit. Support free human factors science communication.
Human Factors Cast
Human Factors Cast
Take a deeper look into the human element in our ever changing digital world. Human Factors Cast is a podcast that investigates the sciences of psychology, engineering, biomechanics, industrial design, physiology and anthropometry and how it affects our interaction with technology. Hosted by Nick Roome, Blake Arnsdorff, and Barry Kirby.
Choose your favorite podcast player
YouTube RSS Feed Apple Podcasts Spotify iHeartRadio Amazon Music Overcast Castro PocketCasts Castbox Podchaser TuneIn Deezer Spreaker Pandora RadioPublic Podcast Addict
Human Factors Cast
Insights into Human-Centered Design

Human Factors Cast

Human Factors Cast delves into the intersection of psychology, engineering, and design, exploring how these fields shape our interaction with technology. Join hosts Nick Roome and Blake Arnsdorff as they unravel the complexities of human factors in today's digital landscape.

Play Latest Episode
YouTube podcast player icon YouTube YouTube RSS Feed podcast player icon RSS Feed RSS Feed Apple Podcasts podcast player icon Apple Podcasts Apple Podcasts Spotify podcast player icon Spotify Spotify iHeartRadio podcast player icon iHeartRadio iHeartRadio Amazon Music podcast player icon Amazon Music Amazon Music Overcast podcast player icon Overcast Overcast Castro podcast player icon Castro Castro PocketCasts podcast player icon PocketCasts PocketCasts Castbox podcast player icon Castbox Castbox Podchaser podcast player icon Podchaser Podchaser TuneIn podcast player icon TuneIn TuneIn Deezer podcast player icon Deezer Deezer Spreaker podcast player icon Spreaker Spreaker Pandora podcast player icon Pandora Pandora RadioPublic podcast player icon RadioPublic RadioPublic Podcast Addict podcast player icon Podcast Addict Podcast Addict

Making human factors science accessible, practical, and part of everyday life.

Human Factors Cast Foundation conducts and shares research, creates public education resources, and tests traditional and experimental approaches to science communication.

Programs include Human Factors Cast, Human Factors Minute, Safe & Effective, the Digital Media Lab, conference coverage, interviews, articles, explainers, and other free public resources.

Learn more about the Foundation or support this work through the Donate page.

The Worklog

E323 - AI The Teammate Guy Ep. 323
323
Aug. 21, 2026

E323 - AI The Teammate Guy

Episode Link: http://www.humanfactorscast.media

In episode 323 of Human Factors Cast (recorded August 20, 2026), Nick Roome and Barry Kirby discuss a paper on the “social cost” of adding an AI teammate to small teams, comparing three-human teams with teams of two humans plus an AI in a high-stakes decision task. They also share conference updates (ASPIRE paper/panel, IEA 2027 deadlines), and answer a question on the future of human factors in the return of the "It Came From" segment.

Support u
Listen to the Episode
E322 - AI Research is finally discovering Human Factors Ep. 322
322
July 24, 2026

E322 - AI Research is finally discovering Human Factors

Episode Link: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/322 In this episode of Human Factors Cast (recorded July 23, 2026), Nick Roome and Barry Kirby discuss a new Technical University of Munich paper arguing that major AI safety risks come less from model errors and more from how people and organizations interact with AI, including over-reliance and loss of oversight. News: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43681-026-01132-0 Support us: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/humanfactorscast
Listen to the Episode
E321 - Let's try that announcement again... Ep. 321
321
July 3, 2026

E321 - Let's try that announcement again...

Episode Link: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/321 Nick Roome and Barry Kirby return live for Human Factors Cast Episode 321 after a month off. The main announcement is that Human Factors Cast has transitioned into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation aimed at improving human factors visibility through education, outreach, community, grants, and research on human factors communication, with stated core values including accessibility, scientific integrity, public education, experimentation, commun
Listen to the Episode
Human Factors Cast Announces Transition to Nonprofit Foundation
May 28, 2026

Human Factors Cast Announces Transition to Nonprofit Foundation

Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Human Factors Cast Foundation will expand public education, research, media, and community programs focused on human factors science. Chandler, Arizona - 5/28/2026 - Human Factors Cast announced today that the …
Read the Blog Post
E320 - The Human Factors Of Letting AI Cook Ep. 320
320
May 18, 2026

E320 - The Human Factors Of Letting AI Cook

Episode Link: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/320 Support the show, and the mission of better science communication in Human Factors:Support this Podcast Join us for episode 320 of Human Factors Cast, recorded live May 15, 2026,. Nick Roome and Barry Kirby share updates including a recap Barry’s EHF conference highlights. They discuss Stanford’s 2026 AI Index and an MIT Tech Review report on agentic AI in software engineering, focusing on rapid adoption, the “jagged frontier” where AI excels
Listen to the Episode
E319 - Turns out Space is still a Human Factors Problem Ep. 319
319
April 17, 2026

E319 - Turns out Space is still a Human Factors Problem

Episode Link: https://www.humanfactorscast.media/319 This week on the show we discuss Artemis II’s 10-day crewed mission around the Moon as a major milestone and a human factors reality check. From core issues of living and working in Orion’s cramped space—limited privacy, disrupted sleep, fatigue, team dynamics, autonomy, tight workload, and the gap between engineering readiness and human readiness—to post-landing physical effects and recovery logistics. We examine NASA’s communications and
Listen to the Episode
Artemis II and Human Factors in Deep Space
April 16, 2026

Artemis II and Human Factors in Deep Space

Artemis II Turned Human Factors Into Mission Data Artemis II gave human factors practitioners a rare live test case. From launch through recovery, the mission showed how manual control, living conditions inside the spacecraft, crew health, commun…
Read the Blog Post
E318 - SXSW 2026 Ep. 318
318
April 3, 2026

E318 - SXSW 2026

Episode Link: http://www.humanfactorscast.media News: Human Factors Cast episode 318 (recorded April 2, 2026) - This week, Nick Roome is joined by Megan Michaels to recap SXSW 2026 (March 12–18 in Austin) and its dominant themes, especially AI’s real-world impact, ethics, and the growing need to make “the human piece” explicit. Megan describes SXSW as a convergence of tech, film, music, startups, and government/defense, shares her work as a startup pitch coach (63 teams; she coached about
Listen to the Episode
View all Episodes View all News

Recent Blog Posts

Human Factors Cast Announces Transition to Nonprofit Foundation
May 28, 2026

Human Factors Cast Announces Transition to Nonprofit Foundation

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Human Factors Cast Foundation will expand public education, research, media, and community programs focused on human factors science.
Chandler, Arizona - 5/28/2026 - Human Factors Cast announced today that the …
Read the Blog Post
Artemis II and Human Factors in Deep Space
April 16, 2026

Artemis II and Human Factors in Deep Space


Artemis II Turned Human Factors Into Mission Data
Artemis II gave human factors practitioners a rare live test case. From launch through recovery, the mission showed how manual control, living conditions inside the spacecraft, crew health, commun…
Read the Blog Post
View all posts

Reviews

A must listen for everyone!
I’ve been listening to the podcast for the past year, and it’s interesting for not only human factors professionals but anyone who is keen on the latest technology that impacts human lives. I went back to past episodes to listen to almost all episodes now, and I wait for new episodes every week. Kudos for Nick and Blake for delivering interesting news every week!
  • zxynn91
  • Feb. 22, 2019
apple podcasts icon
Great LX!!! (Listener Experience)
This podcast covers a great breadth of topics in a fun yet highly informative manner. The hosts, Nick and Blake, are passionate, engaging, and knowledgeable. In every episode, you can feel how much they care about the field of human factors and how motivated they are to foster community and help practitioners realize their potential. The show’s motto may be “it depends”, but this podcast is quality no matter what!
  • Dan M in San Diegp
  • April 10, 2021
apple podcasts icon
Avid listener for years.
When I first heard about Human Factors I searched for resources for the topic and found the podcast. I have listened ever since and have enjoyed every minute. I really like the selection of stories and appreciate the breakdown.
  • Noah
  • April 12, 2021
apple podcasts icon
Loving this podcast :)
A very lighthearted and informative podcast from human factors practitioner's point of view on the current technology news and trend. I love the frequent jokes and small banters in every episode! I've learned a lot from listening to Human Factors Cast, and the discussions always give me new insights to think about. Truly a podcast that keeps you well-informed and entertained <3
  • ath
  • April 17, 2021
apple podcasts icon
I wish I had known about this podcast before I started my HFE graduate program!
If you are studying human factors and ergonomics in school, or looking to transition to a UX/UI/HFE career, then this is the podcast for you. The podcast is very beginner-friendly, the host are interesting to listen to and the subject matter is relevant and engaging. The community that Nick and Blake have created is welcoming and motivating. Just the kind of space I need to make it through my grad progam. I've listened to other UX/UI/HFE type podcasts in the past, but I didn't enjoying listen
  • MT from the Bay Area
  • April 19, 2021
apple podcasts icon
A phenomenal podcast
I am addicted to this podcast! I am studying to be a psychologist and I love learning all about human factors and artificial intelligence! It’s really opened my eyes up to this amazing area of human factors and how psychologists can contribute. Thank you for such amazing content, it’s been so helpful in helping me decide what area to specialise in. I’m really passionate about being involved within this area and contributing from a psychology perspective. Kylie Williams Sydney, Australia
  • Kylie Williams
  • Nov. 14, 2021
apple podcasts icon
See all reviews

Want to join the Human Factors Cast community?

Join us on Discord