# #367: Interviewing the Interviewer

- Show: [Global Medical Device Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast)
- Published: 2024-05-16
- Length: 39m
- Episode: 367
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2024-05-16-367-interviewing-the-interviewer
- Listen: https://podcast.greenlight.guru/episode/366-interviewing-the-interviewer

## Summary

Etienne Nichols, host of the Global Medical Device Podcast at Greenlight Guru, is interviewed by Devon Campbell of Prodct LLC to reflect on lessons from nearly 100 episodes. Nichols discusses the importance of vulnerability in project management, the critical role of human factors and usability in medical device design, and the need to simplify Quality Management Systems (QMS) to benefit operations rather than just passing audits. He emphasizes a networking mantra of 'learn, lead, and love' and advises emerging entrepreneurs to own their expertise and actively influence regulatory pathways.

## Outline

1. Introduction: Etienne Nichols' journey to Greenlight Guru and podcast hosting
2. Vulnerability, honesty, and avoiding 'gold plating' in product development
3. Human factors and usability as misunderstood but critical disciplines
4. Simplifying Quality Management Systems (QMS) for operational benefit
5. Networking mantra: Learn, lead, and love
6. Advice for emerging entrepreneurs: Own your expertise and influence regulations

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Quality & yield](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/quality-and-yield)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Greenlight Guru (company)
- Prodct LLC (company)
- QRX Partners (company)
- 3M (company)
- Band-Aid (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [S1E12 Simplifying Quality Management | Jon Speer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2020-06-05-s1e12-simplifying-quality-management-jon-speer) (Being an Engineer)
- [037 - Reflections #1 - (Episodes 001-25)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2022-06-15-037-reflections-1-episodes-001-25) (Let's Combinate)
- [215 - Why Aren’t Technical People Leading Drug-Device Audits?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2025-11-26-215-why-arent-technical-people-leading-drug-device-audits) (Let's Combinate)
- [071 - Steel Industry to MedTech & Important Quality Systems with Etienne Nichols](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2023-02-08-071-steel-industry-to-medtech-important-quality-systems-with-etienne-nichols) (Let's Combinate)
- [100 - PQMCoach, Our First Recording, Quality (Big Q/little q), Why Predictive Quality Management, and Communicating Quality with Larry Mager](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/lets-combinate/2023-08-30-100-pqmcoach-our-first-recording-quality-big-q-little-q-why-predictive-quality-m) (Let's Combinate)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/global-medical-device-podcast/2024-05-16-367-interviewing-the-interviewer. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Global Medical Device Podcast.