Today we’re joined by Tanya Van Cott. Tanya is a New York–based architect, industrial designer, and educator whose work explores how design and storytelling can drive social change. A graduate of Pratt Institute, Tanya has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts with a Presidential Design Achievement Award and has been published for her innovative approach to interdisciplinary design. Before launching her own practice and press, WomanBecool PRESS, she honed her skills at world-renowned studios Pentagram and Lippincott.
Through both design and the written word, Tanya examines how disruptive technologies shape our lives — often through the eyes of powerful female protagonists. [Nov 10, 2025]
Get Involved
Got a great idea for an upcoming podcast? Send us a quick message on the contact form!
Enjoy the Outtro Music? Thanks to Clutch for allowing us to use Emily Dickinson as our new SEPodcast Theme Music
And check out a schedule for all our training at Social-Engineer, LLC.
Check out the Innocent Lives Foundation to help unmask online child predators.
Show Notes
Today we’re joined by Tanya Van Cott. Tanya is a New York–based architect, industrial designer, and educator whose work explores how design and storytelling can drive social change. A graduate of Pratt Institute, Tanya has been recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts with a Presidential Design Achievement Award and has been published for her innovative approach to interdisciplinary design. Before launching her own practice and press, WomanBecool PRESS, she honed her skills at world-renowned studios Pentagram and Lippincott.
Through both design and the written word, Tanya examines how disruptive technologies shape our lives — often through the eyes of powerful female protagonists. [Nov 10, 2025]
00:00 – Intro
00:25 – Intro Links
- Social-Engineer.com– http://www.social-engineer.com/
- Offensive Security Vishing Services – https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/vishing/
- Offensive Security SMiShing Services – https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/
- Offensive Security Phishing Services – https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/smishing/
- Call Back Phishing – https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/call-back-phishing/
- Adversarial Simulation Services – https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/adversarial-simulation/
- Social Engineering Risk Assessments – https://www.social-engineer.com/offensive-security/social-engineering-risk-assessment/
- Social-Engineer channel on SLACK– https://social-engineering-hq.slack.com/ssb
- CLUTCH– http://www.pro-rock.com/
- org– http://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/
02:12 – Tanya Van Cott Intro
03:04 – The Path to Architecture
03:58 – Primal Screams
06:57 – Bandwidth
- Bandwidth – Tanya Van Cott
08:15 – The Human Element
10:42 – Lack of Empathy
16:51 – The Parent Trap
19:26 – Is Empathy an Action?
24:22 – We’re the Problem!
29:14 – Mentors
32:50 – Book Recommendations
- Cat’s Cradle – Kurt Vonnegut
35:13 – Find Tanya Van Cott Online
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tanyavancott/
- Website: http://www.tanyavancott.com/
36:37 – Valuing Real Connections
39:35 – Guest Wrap Up & Outro