Author and experience designer Caitlin Krause joins Coffey & Code to unpack digital wellbeing beyond buzzwords: agency over algorithms, the “presence pyramid,” culture cornerstones (dignity, freedom, invention, agency), and practical ways to design for authentic connection in an age of AI, agents, and XR. The conversation spans data ownership, interoperable “internet of agents” ideas like Project NANDA, the loneliness epidemic, and responsible product choices that reduce harm and increase belonging
Episode At A Glance:
Define “digital wellbeing” without the hype: aligning intention and attention; context over one-size-fits-all rules
Agency over algorithms: opting into platforms and practices that honor user choice, not just engagement metrics
Presence Pyramid & somatic awareness: embodied practices that translate across 2D, XR, and spatial environments
Culture Cornerstones: dignity → freedom → invention → agency as a repeatable loop for teams and communities
From silos to interoperability: why open protocols for AI agents matter (e.g., Project NANDA)
Designing for belonging: move beyond performative social to ambient, low-stakes co-presence that reduces loneliness
Safety first: name harms clearly; pair AI with human support paths and mood check-ins after use
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