Ben Callahan
@bencallahan.com
Curious guy, systems thinker, Founder of Redwoods, The Question, & Sparkbox, design system consultant and coach. Loves coffee, photography, poetry, volleyball, and cheating at hide and seek.
https://bencallahan.com/
https://sparkbox.com/
https://bencallahan.com/
https://sparkbox.com/
Someone shared this in today’s episode of The Question. So grateful they did!
January 16, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Someone shared this in today’s episode of The Question. So grateful they did!
Just read this from @hazelweakly.me. Now, I can't wait to read the rest of Hazel's writing. If you're into #designsystems give it a look...and I'm guessing this line will resonate: "people who become known for seeing systems often become in charge of them."
hazelweakly.me/blog/to-be-a...
hazelweakly.me/blog/to-be-a...
To Be a Leader of Systems | Hazel Weakly
Picture with me, if you will, the absurdity of finding yourself swimming in the middle of the ocean. First think about the ocean and how deep and infinitely...
hazelweakly.me
January 15, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Just read this from @hazelweakly.me. Now, I can't wait to read the rest of Hazel's writing. If you're into #designsystems give it a look...and I'm guessing this line will resonate: "people who become known for seeing systems often become in charge of them."
hazelweakly.me/blog/to-be-a...
hazelweakly.me/blog/to-be-a...
Hi there, system thinkers!
Just a few hours left to get your answers in for Ep 066 of The Question (the first one of 2026)!
@laurakalbag.bsky.social is joining as co-host to discuss "the #designsystem learning curve" and we need you to make it work!
Q3 is a doozy 😵💫
bit.ly/answerTheQue...
Just a few hours left to get your answers in for Ep 066 of The Question (the first one of 2026)!
@laurakalbag.bsky.social is joining as co-host to discuss "the #designsystem learning curve" and we need you to make it work!
Q3 is a doozy 😵💫
bit.ly/answerTheQue...
January 14, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Hi there, system thinkers!
Just a few hours left to get your answers in for Ep 066 of The Question (the first one of 2026)!
@laurakalbag.bsky.social is joining as co-host to discuss "the #designsystem learning curve" and we need you to make it work!
Q3 is a doozy 😵💫
bit.ly/answerTheQue...
Just a few hours left to get your answers in for Ep 066 of The Question (the first one of 2026)!
@laurakalbag.bsky.social is joining as co-host to discuss "the #designsystem learning curve" and we need you to make it work!
Q3 is a doozy 😵💫
bit.ly/answerTheQue...
Reposted by Ben Callahan
Come and join us in February for the first Smashing Meets of 2026!
We'll be talking about everything Design Systems with the lovely @bencallahan.com, @samiamdesigns.bsky.social, and @geoffgraham.me.
We hope you will join us online. Tickets are free 💞
smashingconf.com/meets-design...
We'll be talking about everything Design Systems with the lovely @bencallahan.com, @samiamdesigns.bsky.social, and @geoffgraham.me.
We hope you will join us online. Tickets are free 💞
smashingconf.com/meets-design...
December 22, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Come and join us in February for the first Smashing Meets of 2026!
We'll be talking about everything Design Systems with the lovely @bencallahan.com, @samiamdesigns.bsky.social, and @geoffgraham.me.
We hope you will join us online. Tickets are free 💞
smashingconf.com/meets-design...
We'll be talking about everything Design Systems with the lovely @bencallahan.com, @samiamdesigns.bsky.social, and @geoffgraham.me.
We hope you will join us online. Tickets are free 💞
smashingconf.com/meets-design...
Reposted by Ben Callahan
A few years back, I nearly wrote "The Fallacy of Federated Design Systems." Then @nathanacurtis.bsky.social beat me to it. But what happens when you try it anyway?
At Spotify, I watched federated fail twice, resulting in a huge number of barely reused components and damaged trust in design systems.
At Spotify, I watched federated fail twice, resulting in a huge number of barely reused components and damaged trust in design systems.
Why Federated Design Systems Keep Failing
Why do federated design systems keep failing? I watched it happen twice at Spotify. Here's what actually happened, where they broke down, and why centralised models usually work better.
www.shaunbent.co.uk
December 11, 2025 at 3:57 PM
A few years back, I nearly wrote "The Fallacy of Federated Design Systems." Then @nathanacurtis.bsky.social beat me to it. But what happens when you try it anyway?
At Spotify, I watched federated fail twice, resulting in a huge number of barely reused components and damaged trust in design systems.
At Spotify, I watched federated fail twice, resulting in a huge number of barely reused components and damaged trust in design systems.
The Question Episode 064 with co host @pegahahmadi.bsky.social is LIVE and ready for your answers!
This week, we're discussing #designsystems ethics and we need YOUR voice to make it happen!
Everything you need to join in is here → bit.ly/answerTheQue...
This week, we're discussing #designsystems ethics and we need YOUR voice to make it happen!
Everything you need to join in is here → bit.ly/answerTheQue...
November 17, 2025 at 2:19 PM
The Question Episode 064 with co host @pegahahmadi.bsky.social is LIVE and ready for your answers!
This week, we're discussing #designsystems ethics and we need YOUR voice to make it happen!
Everything you need to join in is here → bit.ly/answerTheQue...
This week, we're discussing #designsystems ethics and we need YOUR voice to make it happen!
Everything you need to join in is here → bit.ly/answerTheQue...
Yes! Truly enjoyed your presentation, Andy. Let’s do that call soon!
November 3, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Yes! Truly enjoyed your presentation, Andy. Let’s do that call soon!
Took a few moments to document my takeaways from @zeroheight.com Converge #designsystems conference.
Fair warning, this is not your standard tech blog post.
bencallahan.com/convergance
Fair warning, this is not your standard tech blog post.
bencallahan.com/convergance
Convergance - bencallahan.com
“A location where airflows meet, characteristically marked by an upwelling of air.” It’s been a while since I’ve had a week like the last week of
bencallahan.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:50 AM
Took a few moments to document my takeaways from @zeroheight.com Converge #designsystems conference.
Fair warning, this is not your standard tech blog post.
bencallahan.com/convergance
Fair warning, this is not your standard tech blog post.
bencallahan.com/convergance
Whoops! Turns out they’ve already got some collab notes happening here: bit.ly/converge25-notes
Join in!!!
Join in!!!
Converge 2025 - Collaborative Notes!
Converge 2025 Collab Notes 🤘 Bristol Beacon, Bristol October 30, 2025 Madelin Snyder - zeroheight Keynote “I'll do the busy work ➡️ I expect to wait ➡️ I'll learn the UI” has shifted. Elyse Holladay ...
bit.ly
October 30, 2025 at 10:26 AM
Whoops! Turns out they’ve already got some collab notes happening here: bit.ly/converge25-notes
Join in!!!
Join in!!!
October 30, 2025 at 10:06 AM
The Question Episode 063 is open and ready for your answers! It's about the agreements needed between #designsystems in a system of systems architecture. Should be a nice deep dive into some niche systems thinking!
Answer by Wed to get an invite to the deep dive on Thur!
bit.ly/answerTheQue...
Answer by Wed to get an invite to the deep dive on Thur!
bit.ly/answerTheQue...
October 20, 2025 at 11:48 AM
The Question Episode 063 is open and ready for your answers! It's about the agreements needed between #designsystems in a system of systems architecture. Should be a nice deep dive into some niche systems thinking!
Answer by Wed to get an invite to the deep dive on Thur!
bit.ly/answerTheQue...
Answer by Wed to get an invite to the deep dive on Thur!
bit.ly/answerTheQue...
Reposted by Ben Callahan
We’re going downhill fast, with Design Downtime’s 50th episode!
Chela Giraldo Loves Downhill Longboarding | Podcast Episode on RSS.com
This episode is going downhill fast, as Chela Giraldo joins us to talk about her love of extreme longboarding. She describes her journey from discovering longboarding while working at a skate shop in ...
rss.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:02 PM
We’re going downhill fast, with Design Downtime’s 50th episode!
@johnonolan.bsky.social truly enjoyed your presentation at @penpot.app fest. 🙏
October 10, 2025 at 9:58 AM
@johnonolan.bsky.social truly enjoyed your presentation at @penpot.app fest. 🙏
Jumping into an accessibility workshop with Layshi Curbelo at @penpot.app Fest!
Great storytelling right out of the gate!
Great storytelling right out of the gate!
October 9, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Jumping into an accessibility workshop with Layshi Curbelo at @penpot.app Fest!
Great storytelling right out of the gate!
Great storytelling right out of the gate!
Wildly impressive demo of Token Script at @penpot.app fest from @mikekamminga.bsky.social
October 9, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Wildly impressive demo of Token Script at @penpot.app fest from @mikekamminga.bsky.social
Watching @gloria.design share some designer ↔️ developer nuggets at @penpot.app fest!
October 9, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Watching @gloria.design share some designer ↔️ developer nuggets at @penpot.app fest!
Reposted by Ben Callahan
Turns out Design Systems Office Hours is quickly becoming the hey-we're-still-here-design-system-podcast.
We need more design system podcasts folks. Grab a mic and record.
We need more design system podcasts folks. Grab a mic and record.
October 7, 2025 at 2:29 AM
Turns out Design Systems Office Hours is quickly becoming the hey-we're-still-here-design-system-podcast.
We need more design system podcasts folks. Grab a mic and record.
We need more design system podcasts folks. Grab a mic and record.
Reposted by Ben Callahan
You know it's gonna be a good week when you start it off talking to DESIGN SYSTEM WIZARDS @nathanacurtis.bsky.social and @bencallahan.com!
October 6, 2025 at 10:46 PM
You know it's gonna be a good week when you start it off talking to DESIGN SYSTEM WIZARDS @nathanacurtis.bsky.social and @bencallahan.com!
Heck yeah! Drop me a note here: bencallahan.com/connect
Connect with Ben Callahan
Ask a question, offer feedback, inquire about coaching or having me speak at your event or organizaiton.
bencallahan.com
October 6, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Heck yeah! Drop me a note here: bencallahan.com/connect
Thank you's:
Thanks, @zeroheight.com, for making episode 062 possible!
Thanks, Jeremy Elder, for co hosting 062 with me and challenging our thinking on speed!
Thanks, @natalyathree.bsky.social, for co hosting 061 with me and bringing your awesome energy!
Thanks to YOU for participating 🙌
Thanks, @zeroheight.com, for making episode 062 possible!
Thanks, Jeremy Elder, for co hosting 062 with me and challenging our thinking on speed!
Thanks, @natalyathree.bsky.social, for co hosting 061 with me and bringing your awesome energy!
Thanks to YOU for participating 🙌
October 6, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Thank you's:
Thanks, @zeroheight.com, for making episode 062 possible!
Thanks, Jeremy Elder, for co hosting 062 with me and challenging our thinking on speed!
Thanks, @natalyathree.bsky.social, for co hosting 061 with me and bringing your awesome energy!
Thanks to YOU for participating 🙌
Thanks, @zeroheight.com, for making episode 062 possible!
Thanks, Jeremy Elder, for co hosting 062 with me and challenging our thinking on speed!
Thanks, @natalyathree.bsky.social, for co hosting 061 with me and bringing your awesome energy!
Thanks to YOU for participating 🙌
New #designsystem recaps and articles from the last week or so:
- Episode 062 Recap (video): bit.ly/4nUMNYh
- Evolving DS Skills (article): bit.ly/3KQLnz0
- Episode 061 Recap (video): bit.ly/46NadaA
Currently working on the article for 062 on the constant pressure to go faster. More soon!
- Episode 062 Recap (video): bit.ly/4nUMNYh
- Evolving DS Skills (article): bit.ly/3KQLnz0
- Episode 061 Recap (video): bit.ly/46NadaA
Currently working on the article for 062 on the constant pressure to go faster. More soon!
Recap: Design System Speed Pressure (The Question, Episode 062 with Jeremy Elder)
A recap of The Question Episode 062 with co host Jeremy Elder on the pressure to go faster that so many design system teams are feeling. We explored some new concepts to help frame our perspective on this common challenge. Links for you to check out: • Our sponsor, zeroheight (https://bit.ly/4pMqQvI) • The Episode 062 FigJam (https://bit.ly/42kcatB) • The Episode 061 Raw Data (https://bit.ly/4nsIlj6) • Ben on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/3T6rd5S) • Ben's Studio, Sparkbox (https://bit.ly/4a4Gg6G) • Jeremy on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/3WkY4W6) • Redwoods Design System Community (https://bit.ly/redwoods-ds) Join the next episode of The Question here: https://bencallahan.com/the-question Join Redwoods design system community here: https://bit.ly/redwoods-ds Stay in learning mode!
bit.ly
October 6, 2025 at 12:31 PM
New #designsystem recaps and articles from the last week or so:
- Episode 062 Recap (video): bit.ly/4nUMNYh
- Evolving DS Skills (article): bit.ly/3KQLnz0
- Episode 061 Recap (video): bit.ly/46NadaA
Currently working on the article for 062 on the constant pressure to go faster. More soon!
- Episode 062 Recap (video): bit.ly/4nUMNYh
- Evolving DS Skills (article): bit.ly/3KQLnz0
- Episode 061 Recap (video): bit.ly/46NadaA
Currently working on the article for 062 on the constant pressure to go faster. More soon!