Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sky Island Consulting and what is its core mission?

• Sky Island Consulting is a solo narrative research and consulting studio founded by Ryan Badertscher in 2025. Its core mission is to help mission-driven organizations gain clear insights by deeply understanding how people experience their systems, spaces, and services. They aim to bridge the gap between data and lived experience, providing "emotionally intelligent, story-rich insights" that are grounded in human nuance and designed to drive action. The name "Sky Island" metaphorically represents surfacing overlooked but vital perspectives, much like unique ecosystems formed by Arizona's mountain ranges.

What methodologies does Sky Island Consulting primarily use?

• Sky Island Consulting utilizes a blend of methodologies, with a strong emphasis on ethnographic fieldwork, user experience (UX) research, and narrative strategy. Their "Field Insight Framework" is a signature five-stage process: Discovery & Alignment, Method Design, Field Collection & Analysis (including interviews, field observation, journey mapping, and co-creation sessions), Synthesis & Insight Framing, and finally, Strategic Advisory & Co-Creation. They prioritize a "human-first" and "narrative-aware" approach, aiming to uncover how people truly experience and interpret services and systems, translating these observations into actionable strategies.

What is "The Experience Insight Sprint" and for whom is it designed?

• "The Experience Insight Sprint" is a short-cycle, 10-business-day research engagement offered by Sky Island Consulting. Its purpose is to rapidly collect and analyze first-person data to help organizations tune their systems, messaging, or design based on actual user and stakeholder experience. It involves a brief kickoff, fieldwork (interviews, usability walkthroughs, site observation), analysis of behavioral patterns and unmet expectations, and delivers a 1-page Behavioral Journey Map, 2-3 Insight Areas, and 2 Recommendations. This sprint is specifically designed for mission-driven organizations, including civic and cultural teams piloting new programs, health organizations seeking to improve user navigation, and nonprofits aiming for clarity on service delivery friction points.

What are the main service areas offered by Sky Island Consulting?

• Sky Island Consulting offers a diverse range of services, primarily categorized into:

• HealthTech and Healthcare: Focusing on user navigation, outreach, and improving overall health experiences.

• Civic & Urban Planning: Translating complex civic ideas into credible narratives and understanding urban experiences (e.g., "Cities as a User Interface").

• Cultural & Education: Exploring cultural insights, historical narratives, and improving educational experiences.

• Market Research: Conducting exploratory studies and gaining audience understanding through observations, interviews, and journey mapping.

• Product Development & Design: Applying ethnographic research and UX principles to product design.

• EdTech & Learning: Reimagining learning environments and understanding user interaction with educational platforms. They also highlight services like Strategic Messaging and Partnerships & Collaboration.

How does Sky Island Consulting differentiate its approach from typical consulting or research firms?

• Sky Island Consulting differentiates itself through its "human-first" and "narrative-aware" approach. Unlike firms that might start with assumptions or purely quantitative data, Sky Island begins by observing and listening deeply to people, understanding the stories they are already telling. They emphasize "ethical alignment, clarity over jargon, and presence over abstraction," consistently connecting systems thinking with lived human nuance. Their process is flexible, adaptable to client scale and timelines, and aims to uncover deep insights quickly, going beyond what standard surveys might reveal to provide actionable recommendations.

Can you provide examples of past projects or case studies undertaken by Sky Island Consulting?

• Yes, Sky Island Consulting has worked on various projects, including:

• Empowerment by Design: Redesigning a platform where mislabeled links and broken flows caused confusion, aligning the mission with user experience.

• Teaching Financial Literacy Through UX: Reimagining a student portal to be a more effective learning environment with visual budgeting and simplified navigation (e.g., Class Equity).

• Women in Arizona Aviation: Research that unearthed the forgotten history of women aviators, resulting in a published article and public exhibition (e.g., Ground Crew).

• RootED NWA: Usability testing with immigrant families navigating education systems.

• Pittsburgh Air Quality Analysis: Data storytelling using SQL and BigQuery over two decades of air quality data. These examples showcase their ability to combine story, structure, and human experience across diverse sectors.

What is the philosophy behind Sky Island Consulting's emphasis on "narrative"?

• Sky Island Consulting's philosophy holds that "human stories are data" and that "narrative is not an add-on; it is the way humans structure meaning." They believe that understanding the stories people tell—about their experiences, challenges, and aspirations—is crucial for organizations to effectively resonate with their audience, refine their messaging, and design services that truly meet needs. By uncovering these underlying narratives, they help clients move beyond superficial understanding to create strategies and communications that are authentic and impactful.

What is the background of Ryan Badertscher, the founder of Sky Island Consulting?

• Ryan Badertscher, the founder of Sky Island Consulting, is described as a "narrative researcher working at the intersection of social science and design." His background is rooted in ethnographic fieldwork, where he observes how people navigate systems, spaces, and stories. He applies tools developed in the tech world, such as UX research and behavioral mapping, but approaches them from the perspective of a fieldworker rather than solely a product tester, emphasizing deep qualitative understanding of human experience.