Table of Contents
Professional Bio #
Joshua Graves is the author of We Need to Talk: How to Have Hard Conversations with Anyone, which offers insights into building trust and communication in any situation. He is the founder of Lost Horse Labs, a human-centered design company. He is an expert in human-centered design and communication. With over 15 years of experience studying how people interrelate, navigate challenges, and solve complex problems, Joshua has become a recognized expert in human-centered design and communication.
His extensive background includes building and leading design teams, conducting in-depth user research, and exploring the psychology behind interpersonal dynamics. In his work with high-profile organizations and his workshops, Joshua helps hundreds of professionals navigate complex workplace dynamics and build stronger, more effective relationships. Joshua’s approach combines insights from psychology, neuroscience, empathy, curiosity, and years of practical experience facilitating difficult conversations. He lives in Joshua Tree, California.
Earlier in his career, Joshua launched AwesomeGIFs, a platform that helped shape communication in the digital age, and whose images are still in use all over the world. See more of his past projects.
Personal Info #
I’m ever curious and love spotting interconnected threads between ideas. There’s always something new I’m trying. In my spare time, I am:
- Restoring old iPods
- Making art
- Reading a lot of books
- Relearning how to play guitar
I can be found roaming the desert of Joshua Tree and the San Bernardino mountains.

What People Say #
From executive leadership to junior-level practitioner, here’s what people said about my talks and workshops.
Joshua’s workshop really took some potentially painful situations and made them smooth and easy!
- Rad Summit Attendee
This should be required for every person at any company.
- OnDeck 2022 Cohort Attendee
Your workshop is the main reason I came to this conference.
- Rad Summit Attendee
Joshua’s workshop was really helpful for my new leadership role in my company!
- Productized Masterclass Attendee
Speaking & Workshop Offerings #
I’m presently focused on speaking engagements and workshops directly tied to my book, We Need to Talk. Here’s the synopsis:
Most teams see conflict as something to avoid. The best teams use it as a tool for growth. Learning how to embrace “healthy” conflict—without defensiveness, frustration, or avoidance—is the key to building better products, stronger teams, and a more effective version of yourself.
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to:
- Navigate hard conversations without escalation
- Use practical, equitable, and non-prescriptive methods to resolve tension
- Create a culture where feedback flows freely and teams thrive
Formats #
All of these workshops can be done in person or online.
Format | Participants | Notes |
---|---|---|
Intro Talk | - | One Hour, Including Q&A |
Half-Day | 4 – 40 | Four Hours |
Full-Day | 4 – 80 | Eight Hours |
Multi-Day | 20 — 100 | 16 Hours |
Selected Videos #
Previous Events #
- Design @ Scale 2022
- Agile 2022
- FiTC
- O’Reilly Media Online 2019 Class
- Rad Summit 2019
- PRODUCTIZED 2019, Lisbon
- Productized 2020 Masterclass
- Meetups across the US
Print Appearances #
- Type, Form & Function (Jason Tselentis, Rockport Publishing)
- Project Management for Designers (Jason Tselentis, HOW Magazine)
- Six Seconds or Less (PRINT Magazine)
- Notifications stress me out. How I cut them down to improve my well-being (Jason Vermes, CBC Radio)