Best Catalyst Kitchens Podcasts (2025)

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Best of Design Anatomy Series: Nickolas Gurtler on Personal Style and Timeless Design 1:02:17

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16h ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Design Anatomy will be releasing a 'Best of' series starting today, revisiting some of our most admired, inspirational & popular episodes for you to enjoy over the holiday season! Bree & Lauren will be back with more amazing guests early 2026 Renowned interior designer Nickolas Gurtler invites us to rethink the concept of luxury in our homes. He sh…

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From Colombia To Creative Catalyst: How Manuela Millan Elevates Australian Design 49:20

8d ago49:20

49:20

A city’s design culture doesn’t thrive by accident—it grows because people make generous choices. We sit down with Manuela “Manny” Millan, founder of 'Meanwhile in Melbourne' , interior designer and design manager at Fortis, to map how one person’s curiosity can lift an entire creative community while shaping more livable homes. Manny takes us from…

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Pantone Picks White, And Designers See Red! 44:05

15d ago44:05

44:05

The colour world just lit a match and called it neutral. Pantone crowned white as Colour of the Year, and we couldn’t let that pass without a serious debrief. With our friend and designer Jono Fleming, we dig into why a “blank canvas” lands as apathy for many, how politics always sneaks into palettes, and what this choice says about the stories bra…

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Design Myths You Must Break for a Home You Actually Love 14:56

22d ago14:56

14:56

Your home shouldn’t feel like a decision you regret every time you sit down. Lauren goes solo to unpack the biggest myths that keep spaces cold, hesitant, and half-finished—and shares practical moves that make a room feel welcoming without a renovation. From tackling open plan confusion to choosing colours that turn shadow into mood, this conversat…

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Studio A.mi: Crafting Interiors With Empathy And Intent 1:00:07

29d ago1:00:07

1:00:07

What if the secret to better interiors is the same method therapists use to guide change? We sit down with Anouska Milstein of Studio A.mi to unpack a simple framework that reshapes design from the inside out: observe, explain, predict, and then change or improve. It’s a candid, uplifting look at how empathy, psychology, and good systems turn “make…

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Timeless Craft: The Beauty of What Endures 1:03:30

1M ago1:03:30

1:03:30

What if “timeless” isn’t a look, but a way of working? We sit down live with Jeremy Bull (Alexander Co.), Simone Haag, Bree Banfield and Nicci Kavals of Articolo Studios to unpack the real markers of longevity: craft, material honesty, and the stories that form when people actually live with their spaces. It’s a candid tour through trend cycles, pr…

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Metricon's New Lookbook: Designs & Styles For Real Families 43:13

1M ago43:13

43:13

Step behind the scenes of Australia’s most-walked display homes with Metricon’s National Display Home and Studio M retail manager, Lisa Goodsall. We dive into how a massive plan library, real customer feedback, and years of display learnings distilled into Metricon's New Lookbook that actually makes styling choices easier. Instead of boxing people …

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Our October Top Five: From Tiled Furniture To Ola Mexicola 29:34

2M ago29:34

29:34

Bree & Lauren round up their top five for October with colour, craft, and comfort at the centre. From tiled furniture and Tasmanian-inspired rugs to smarter sheers, Ikea edits, and a Milanese armchair, we share what’s worth your money and why it matters. • Tiled furniture by Matthew Raw as durable statement pieces • Wild South rug collection and th…

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Top 5 Places Where Designers Find Great Art 26:42

2M ago26:42

26:42

Art can transform a room faster than any sofa swap, and today we map the exact places we rely on to find pieces that feel personal, joyful, and within reach. We start with the VCA Art Grad Exhibition, a friendly doorway into original art where you can speak to creators, learn what moves you, and buy before prices climb. Then we head to Leonard Joel…

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The Home of Lauren Egan: A Masterclass in Colour & Material Harmony 56:16

2M ago56:16

56:16

What if your home felt like the first moment of autumn—warm, grounded, and quietly fresh? We sit down with colour-obsessed designer Lauren Egan to unpack how a single, emotive brief can guide every choice, from timber and tile to paint and furniture, and deliver a space that breathes. Did we mention it appears in the latest issue of The Design File…

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Inside Spectra: The Art of Transforming Space Through Colour with Rowena & Geoffrey 48:19

2M ago48:19

48:19

Step into Spectra, our favourite kind of transformation story: a Melbourne hotel lobby that shifts from tasteful neutral to living artwork through colour, narrative, and fearless collaboration. We sit down with artists Rowena Martinich and Geoffrey Carran to unpack how a site-responsive palette drawn from bushland greens, clay tones, and marble tex…

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Pendants to Portables: How Thoughtful Lighting Shapes Mood, Function, and Style 33:27

3M ago33:27

33:27

Your home changes the moment the lights come on. We unpack how to design that moment with intention—layering pendants, sconces, table lamps and portables—so evenings feel warm, useful and calm without relying on a ceiling full of downlights. With our shared love of colour, we explain why lighting often matters just as much for mood, comfort and cha…

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Designer Revealed: Journey to a Creative Life with Lauren Li 57:16

3M ago57:16

57:16

Ever wondered what goes through a designer's mind when a client asks for a bedroom that feels like "a warm vagina"? Yes, you read that correctly...... In this delightfully candid conversation, this week we chat with Lauren Li to explore her creative journey and unique approach to creating spaces where people truly feel themselves. Lauren takes us b…

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Designer Revealed: Bree Banfield's Career Path & Creative Process 58:29

3M ago58:29

58:29

Pull up a chair as Bree Banfield candidly shares her remarkable journey through the world of interior design in this revealing episode of Design Anatomy. From rearranging her childhood bedroom to becoming a respected designer, stylist, and trend forecaster, Bree's story is equal parts inspiration and practical wisdom. With refreshing honesty, Bree …

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Beautiful Bedrooms: Designing Your Personal Sanctuary 45:38

3M ago45:38

45:38

What's the first room visitors see when they enter your home? And what's the last room you typically focus on when decorating? For most of us, the bedroom falls into that second category, becoming an afterthought rather than a priority. Yet this is where we begin and end every day—the most personal space in our homes deserves more attention. In thi…

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Crafting Your Perfect Living Space: A Designer's Guide to Furniture Planning 15:15

4M ago15:15

15:15

Five simple steps can transform your furniture scheme from random and disjointed to purposeful and cohesive. Lauren flies solo this week, sharing her professional interior design expertise on creating spaces that truly work. The foundation of any successful interior is a well-planned floor plan. Lauren recounts a cautionary tale from early in her c…

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Save Time, Money, and Heartache: The Value of Interior Designers 19:27

4M ago19:27

19:27

Ever wondered if hiring an interior designer is worth the investment? Design Anatomy hosts Bree Banfield and Lauren Li tackle this question head-on, sharing five compelling reasons why professional design guidance can transform your renovation or building project from potentially disastrous to genuinely delightful. Drawing from their wealth of expe…

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Top 5 Things We're Loving Right Now 47:00

4M ago47:00

47:00

Ever noticed how certain design elements grab your attention and refuse to let go? In this delightfully candid episode, Lauren and Bree dive into their current design obsessions, sharing the colours, objects, and details that are making their creative hearts race. The conversation kicks off with exciting news about their upcoming design tour to Par…

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Hygge at Home: Colour, Light, and Comfort Matters 33:05

4M ago33:05

33:05

The Danish concept of "hygge" (pronounced hoo-ga) has captivated the world for good reason—it's the secret to creating spaces that nurture wellbeing rather than just looking pretty. Lauren and Bree dive deep into what makes a home truly feel good, challenging the sterile white aesthetic that has dominated Australian interiors for too long. Drawing …

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Art in Residence: Finding Life in the Objects We Live With 56:39

4M ago56:39

56:39

Ever wonder what breathes life into the most stunning architectural spaces? Nicole England knows the secret—it's not just about the walls and windows, but the personality that fills them. As one of Australia's leading architectural photographers, Nicole has developed a distinctive eye for capturing not just the physical beauty of spaces, but their …

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Tijan Watt: Dreaming of the Continent as Cradle, Compass, and Catalyst 52:43

5M ago52:43

52:43

In this episode, we travel to Gorée Island in Dakar to speak with Tijan Watt, an entrepreneur and impact investor building a bold future for African innovation. Rooted in a transatlantic heritage that includes Tuskegee and Senegal, Tijan shares how both his African and Black American family history, HBCU education, and deep cultural pride shaped hi…

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Top 5 Design Moments: Insider's Guide to Paris & Milan 38:46

5M ago38:46

38:46

Have you ever been moved to tears by the curve of a chair or the light on a Parisian street? We have—more than once. In this episode, we’re sharing our Top 5 most unforgettable design moments in Paris and Milan—the kind that leave you breathless, inspired, and maybe a little emotional. From the tucked-away ateliers in Paris’s 6th Arrondissement to …

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Farah Mami: Dreaming of Liberation Rooted in Love 39:27

5M ago39:27

39:27

In this episode, we journey to Tunis to speak with Farah Mami, philanthropist, impact investor, and social entrepreneur committed to leading with heart, integrity, and deep cultural pride. Rooted in both Tunisia and France, Farah moves between worlds—geographically, spiritually, and professionally. She shares a powerful story of reclaiming authenti…

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Feven Tsehaye: Dreaming of What Heals and Holds Us 41:57

5M ago41:57

41:57

In this episode, we travel to Addis Ababa to speak with Feven Tsehaye, a purpose-driven entrepreneur, healer, and founder and CEO of Chakka Origins—a social enterprise reclaiming the wisdom of Ethiopia’s ancestral knowledge around biodiversity and indigenous plants while working with female smallholder farming communities. Feven’s story is rooted i…

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Design Interlude 3:08

5M ago3:08

3:08

Taking a breath between creative bursts is essential for fresh thinking, which is why we're pausing briefly mid-season. Don't worry—this isn't goodbye, but a moment to reset before returning with conversations featuring iconic designers and emerging voices who are reshaping how we think about spaces. While we're away, Bree has opened bookings for h…

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Madji Sock: Dreaming of Shared Wealth and Shared Wisdom 34:15

5M ago34:15

34:15

In this episode, we head to Dakar to speak with Madji Sock, an insightful entrepreneur, investor, and ecosystem builder whose work bridges tradition and innovation across Senegal and beyond. Madji brings a grounded, fearless presence shaped by a childhood split between continents, a deep reverence for Senegalese culture, and a belief in the transfo…

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Building Laughs: How Nick White Turned Architecture into Comedy Gold 44:46

5M ago44:46

44:46

Nick White shares his remarkable journey from drafting buildings to crafting punchlines. With the sharp observation skills of an architect and the timing of a seasoned comedian, Nick reveals how he transitioned from designing spaces to creating characters that have captured the hearts of over half a million followers online. Having trained as an ar…

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Ore Disu: Dreaming of New Worlds in Conversation with Old Ones 40:02

6M ago40:02

40:02

In this episode, we travel to Benin City, Nigeria, to speak with Ore Disu, a visionary cultural strategist and founding director of the Institute of the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA). Ore is reshaping how we understand history, art, and African identity. From childhood days spent leafing through family photo albums in Lagos to building a groun…

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Natural Living by Design: Melissa Penfold's Sustainable Design Philosophy 55:49

6M ago55:49

55:49

Stepping into a beautiful home isn't simply about admiring aesthetics—it's about experiencing how deeply our surroundings affect our wellbeing. Design authority Melissa Penfold joins us to reveal the philosophy behind her stunning new book "Natural Living by Design," where timeless style meets environmental consciousness. Melissa shares how her chi…

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Nwabisa Mayema: Dreaming of Finding Home Under New Suns 1:04:24

6M ago1:04:24

1:04:24

In this episode, we journey to Johannesburg to speak with Nwabisa Mayema, a dynamic social entrepreneur and fierce advocate for women’s leadership across Africa. Nwabisa brings a bold and grounded presence to every space she enters. Her path—from accounting student to self-made entrepreneur, partnership strategist, and global convener—has been shap…

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Celebrating 25 Years of David Hicks: A Legacy of Timeless Design 50:38

6M ago50:38

50:38

Symmetry, structure, warmth, and a sense of materiality that's instantly recognisable – these are the hallmarks of David Hicks' approach to design, a philosophy he's refined over an impressive 25-year career. We sit down with this influential Australian designer to trace his evolution from what critics once described as "minimalist purity" to what …

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Tom Osborn: Dreaming of Community Healing 48:30

6M ago48:30

48:30

In this week’s episode, we travel to Nairobi to speak with Tom Osborn, a visionary social entrepreneur and community-rooted leader whose work is reshaping how we think about mental health, sustainability, and youth empowerment in Africa. From growing up in a rural Kenyan village to launching his first clean energy venture at 18 and studying at Harv…

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The Waitlist That Changed Everything with Luke Fry 45:23

6M ago45:23

45:23

What begins as an accidental career path often leads to the most extraordinary destinations. Luke Fry's journey exemplifies this perfectly—originally waitlisted for graphic design, he reluctantly accepted a spot in interior design at Swinburne University, never imagining it would become the foundation for his acclaimed architectural practice two de…

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Lekgetho Makola: Dreaming of Photo Making with Love and Purpose 1:00:37

6M ago1:00:37

1:00:37

In this week’s episode, we travel to Johannesburg to speak with Lekgetho Makola, a visual storyteller, cultural strategist, and arts executive whose work spans decades and continents. From his early days sculpting clay animals in rural Limpopo to curating critical archives at Robben Island and studying under film legends at Howard University, Lekge…

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Kitchens Reimagined with Loren Inglis of Vzug 47:24

6M ago47:24

47:24

The humble kitchen has evolved from a purely functional space into the vibrant heart of our homes, but what's next in this evolution? In this fascinating conversation with Loren Inglis, Regional Business Development Manager at Vzug, we explore how kitchen design is entering its next phase as "the third space" – where technology, aesthetics, and aut…

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Leila Ben-Gacem: Dreaming of Beautiful Obsessions 45:29

7M ago45:29

45:29

In this week’s episode, we travel to Tunisia to talk with Leila Ben-Gacem, a social entrepreneur and cultural preservationist, who shares her journey from biomedical engineering to community-based entrepreneurship in the heart of Tunis’ historic Medina. The conversation takes place at Dar Ben Gacem, her boutique hotel and social enterprise that not…

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Milan in review: The Beautiful Chaos of Milan Design Week with Alvin Wu 38:42

7M ago38:42

38:42

The beautiful chaos of Milan Design Week comes alive through the fresh eyes of first-time attendee Alvin Wu, brand manager at Niche Media. What began as a career in interior design evolved into finding his true passion within the design community—organizing events like the "30 Under 30" program that recognizes emerging design talent through mentors…

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Semhar Araia: Dreaming of Borders as Bridges 56:22

7M ago56:22

56:22

In this episode Semhar Araia, CEO of the Diaspora Academy, discusses the transformative power of diasporic life—from visiting Eritrea as a teenager to working there professionally—highlighting the emotional and political significance of being both from a place and apart from it. She shares the story behind her name, revealing a powerful lineage tie…

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Milan in review: Georgina Wilson’s Viral Approach to Architecture 1:04:33

7M ago1:04:33

1:04:33

Architect Georgina Wilson joins us to share her remarkable journey from traditional practice to social media phenomenon. What began as a simple experiment on TikTok — "because no one I knew was on it" — unexpectedly transformed her 25-year architectural career and business model. Today, her viral design content reaches hundreds of thousands of foll…

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The Milan in review series: Sculpting Light with Oliver Wilcox 49:04

7M ago49:04

49:04

The Milan in review series: Sculpting Light with Oliver Wilcox What happens when an artist turns lighting designer? Oliver Wilcox's journey from fine arts graduate to founder of the cutting-edge Lost Profile Studio reveals the magic that occurs at the intersection of art and function. Oliver's story begins with a fortuitous volunteer position at Ch…

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Dreaming in Color Season 5 Trailer 2:17

7M ago2:17

2:17

In our fifth season, host Darren Isom and guest host Elisabeth Makumbi travel throughout Africa to spotlight extraordinary leaders from across the continent, from South Africa to Tunisia, with stops in Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Senegal along the way. These conversations highlight Africa as a key driver of global innovation and leadership, where…

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The Design Anatomy Tour Recap: What Paris and Milan Can Teach Us 46:50

7M ago46:50

46:50

Welcome back for Season 2 of The Design Anatomy podcast! After our incredible travel adventure with a fabulous group of design enthusiasts on our very first Design Anatomy Tour, we're buzzing to share what we discovered & experienced abroad. Stepping into private Parisian and Milanese apartments was truly a pinch-us experience. From artist, Paul Mo…

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Passport to Style: The Design Anatomy Tour 3:47

9M ago3:47

3:47

Twenty episodes down, and what a journey it's been! Lauren and Bree reflect on Design Anatomy's debut season while sharing exciting news about where the podcast is heading next—literally. With Paris and Milan firmly in their sights, the hosts are taking The Design Anatomy on the road through exclusive, intimate design tours. Unlike typical tourist …

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Reinventing Classics: A conversation with Simone Haag 51:36

10M ago51:36

51:36

Recorded in front of a live audience from the gorgeous Living Edge showroom here in Melbourne, this special episode celebrates our official launch of The Design Anatomy podcast last year. Hosts Bree Banfield and Lauren Li engage in a wonderful discussion with renowned stylist & interior decorator Simone Haag. We explore the intersection of classic …

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Design Mistakes: Admitting Our Interior Design Fails 45:21

10M ago45:21

45:21

Join us for a candid and entertaining exploration of the funny and humbling side of interior design as we share our biggest mistakes and the lessons they taught us. From disastrous color choices in children's rooms to the importance of careful client involvement, we cover a range of design fails that all professionals face at some point in their ca…

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Ruby Shields on Pursuing Passion and Redefining Success in Interior Design 1:15:06

10M ago1:15:06

1:15:06

What motivates someone to leave a successful career path and venture into the unknown? Ruby Shields did just that when she bid farewell to her flourishing advertising career to embrace her true passion: interior design. Join us as Ruby opens up about the pivotal moment at 27 when she realized she had to make a drastic change for personal happiness.…

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Bad Interior Design Advice 38:19

10M ago38:19

38:19

Ever wondered if your open floor plan is more of a hassle than a haven? Discover why Bree Banfield and Lauren Li think it might be time to rethink this modern design staple. We explore the hidden pitfalls of open layouts, from echoing acoustics to the woeful wafts of last night’s dinner. With a fresh perspective on furniture placement and clever so…

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Sophie Dries on Embracing the Genius Loci in Interior Design 1:03:50

11M ago1:03:50

1:03:50

What happens when the timeless elegance of historical architecture meets the chic allure of contemporary design? Join us as we explore the fascinating world of the new French look, where iconic architectural elements blend seamlessly with modern aesthetics. In this episode, French Architect & Designer Sophie Dries shares the inspiration behind the …

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Immersive Colour Filled Interiors 40:20

11M ago40:20

40:20

Discover the transformative power of color and how it shapes our personal spaces like never before. We're stepping away from the ubiquitous cool grays and venturing into the warmth of browns, beiges, and yellows, colors that not only redefine our palettes but also the very atmosphere of our interiors. Join us as we explore the resurgence of nostalg…

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Redefining Luxury: Nickolas Gurtler on Personal Style and Timeless Design 1:02:17

11M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Renowned interior designer Nickolas Gurtler invites us to rethink the concept of luxury in our homes. He shares his unique experiences working on projects like a menopause clinic and a lively New York apartment, emphasizing that luxury is a personal journey, not just a display of wealth. Discover how Nickolas's perspective on luxury intertwines com…