Best RISD Podcasts (2025)

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274. Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby 1:04:28

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8d ago1:04:28

1:04:28

Anthony Dunne and Fiona Raby use design as a medium to interrogate our relationship to reality. They are the authors of multiple books, including 2013’s Speculative Everything and 2025’s Not Here, Not Now. Until recently, they were professors of Design and Social Inquiry at The New School where they ran the Design Realities Lab. In this conversatio…

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273. Nick Foster 1:07:28

22d ago1:07:28

1:07:28

Nick Foster is a futures designer and author of the new book Could Should Might Don’t: How We Think About The Future. Trained as an industrial designer, he has spent his career exploring the future for a range of companies, most recently as the Head of Design at Google X, where he led a team of designers, researchers, and prototypers in the company…

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272. Joel Towers 1:05:26

1M ago1:05:26

1:05:26

Joel Towers is the president of The New School in New York City. Trained as an architect, President Towers joined the school in 2004, first as a faculty member and director of Sustainable Design and Urban Ecology and most recently as executive dean of Parsons School of Design from 2009 to 2019. In this conversation, Jarrett and President Towers tal…

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211. Lydia Kallipoliti (Originally aired 3/30/22) 50:27

2M ago50:27

50:27

Lydia Kallipoliti is an architect, engineer, and scholar. She is an assistant professor at the Cooper Union School of Architecture, the author of the book The Architecture of Closed Worlds and is the co-curator of the 2022 Tallinn Architecture Biennale. In this conversation, Jarrett and Lydia talk about being an architect who doesn’t build, Lydia’s…

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194. Zak Kyes (Originally aired 8/4/21) 41:53

2M ago41:53

41:53

Zak Kyes is the creative director and founder of Zak Group where he leads projects for cultural and commercial clients across scales and mediums. From 2006 to 2016, he was the art director of the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London and in 2007 he curated with Mark Owens Forms of Inquiry: The Architecture of Critical Graphic D…

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226. Katherine McCoy (Originally aired 2/1/23) 1:09:28

3M ago1:09:28

1:09:28

Katherine McCoy is a graphic designer and educator. From 1971 to 1995, she was the co-artist-in-residence with Michael McCoy of the pioneering design department at the Cranbook Academy of Art. With Mike, she is the co-author of Cranbrook Design: The New Discourse and continued to teach at a variety of schools around the world. In this conversation,…

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241. Adrian Lahoud (Originally aired 12/6/23) 46:23

3M ago46:23

46:23

Adrian Lahoud is an architect, urban designer, researcher, and the dean of the School of Architecture at the Royal College of Art. Previously he was director of the MA program at the Centre for Research Architecture at Goldsmiths and a research fellow at Forensic Architecture. In this conversation, Jarrett and Adrian talk about the intersection of …

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In conversation with George Sawyer 1:00:24

4M ago1:00:24

1:00:24

George Sawyer is the lead fine woodworker and creator of Windsor Chairs at Sawyer Made, a family business started by his father in rural Vermont. George describes the evolution of his business and how both the studio and their natural surroundings enrich their children’s lives. George explores how long commutes to school and out of town work commit…

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In conversation with Mark Slee 1:03:45

4M ago1:03:45

1:03:45

Mark Slee is a polymath with a successful career in software engineering, music, and sculpture. Now based in the UK, Mark describes juggling his many interests and talents with the constraints and joys of parenting. In this candid conversation, we look at the time and energetic demands of both creative and academic work, and how they relate to life…

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74. Peter Mendelsund (Originally aired 5/2/18) 1:17:52

4M ago1:17:52

1:17:52

Peter Mendelsund is a graphic designer, writer, and musician. Until recently he was the associate art director at Alfred A. Knopf where he designed book covers for everyone from James Joyce to Franz Kafka, Stieg Larsson and Simone De Beauvoir. In 2014, he published What We See When We Read and Cover and will publish his first novel, Same Same, next…

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How Forever.com is Revolutionizing Digital Memory Preservation 33:29

4M ago33:29

33:29

In this episode, Maureen Taylor speaks with Glen Meakem, founder and CEO of Forever.com. Glen shares his inspiration for starting the company in 2012—recognizing a gap in long-term, secure, digital storage for family memories. Forever offers users a permanent digital home to store and share photos, videos, and documents with guaranteed access for f…

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230. Sarah Whiting (Originally aired 3/29/23) 1:00:39

4M ago1:00:39

1:00:39

Sarah Whiting is an architect, writer, editor, and the current dean of Harvard GSD. She is a design principal and co-founder of WW Architecture and from 2010 to 2019, she served as the dean of Rice University's School of Architecture. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on architecture's relationship with politics, economics, and society. Her wr…

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Military Images Magazine’s Ron Coddington Shares the Stories Behind Civil War Photos 31:40

5M ago31:40

31:40

Ron Coddington, editor and publisher of Military Images magazine, joins The Photo Detective podcast to share his journey from teenage Civil War photo collector to leading a respected history publication. He discusses the legacy of Civil War portraiture, the vast archive of surviving images, and the magazine’s mission to reconnect forgotten faces wi…

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271. Hans Ulrich Obrist 52:33

5M ago52:33

52:33

Hans Ulrich Obrist is a a curator, critic, and art historian. He’s the artistic director of the Serpentine Galleries in London and the author of many books, including Ways of Curating, A Brief History of Curating, and Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Curating But Were Afraid to Ask. In this wide-ranging conversation, Jarrett and Hans talk…

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Spared and Shared: How One Man Made Civil War History Accessible to All 39:31

5M ago39:31

39:31

In this episode, Griff (Bill Griffing), the mind behind the Spared and Shared websites, shares how he turned his post-retirement passion for Civil War history into a monumental historical preservation project. Transcribing over 15,000 letters—mostly from eBay—Griff provides context, authorship, and insight for Civil War correspondence, making them …

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270. Sarah Ichioka 57:11

5M ago57:11

57:11

Sarah Ichioka is an urbanist, strategist, curator, and writer. She’s the author, with Michael Pawlyn, of Flourish: Design Paradigms for our Planetary Emergency and the founder of Desire Lines, a disciplinary studio that helps places, communities, and organizations chart paths toward thriving futures. In this conversation, Jarrett and Sarah talk abo…

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The Art of French Wallpaper: RISD Museum's Stunning Historical Showcase 22:56

6M ago22:56

22:56

In this episode of The Photo Detective, host Maureen Taylor welcomes Emily Banas, Associate Curator of Decorative Arts and Design at the RISD Museum, to explore the captivating world of French wallpaper. Their discussion centers on The Art of French Wallpaper Design exhibition, diving into the artistry, craftsmanship, and cultural legacy behind the…

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269. Matt Owens 58:19

6M ago58:19

58:19

Matt Owens is co-founder and Chief Design and Innovation Officer at Athletics, a brand studio based in Brooklyn, and author of the book, A Visible Distance: Craft, Creativity, and the Business of Design. A graduate of Cranbrook’s Graphic Design Program, he previously worked as an art director for Methodfive, founded a small design studio, One9nine,…

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A History of the American Bookstore with Author Evan Friss 33:24

6M ago33:24

33:24

In this episode of The Photo Detective, Maureen Taylor welcomes historian Evan Friss, author of The Bookshop: A History of the American Bookstore. Friss dives deep into the evolution of bookstores in America—from colonial times to the digital age. He shares fascinating insights into their cultural, political, and communal roles throughout history. …

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268. Lara Lesmes & Fredrik Hellberg 1:10:50

6M ago1:10:50

1:10:50

Lara Lesmes and Fredrik Hellberg are the founders of Space Popular, an architecture studio that explores relationships between media and the built environment through research, design, and artworks. They are also professors at the Institute of Architecture at the University of Applied Arts Vienna where they run the Architectural Design Studio 2. In…

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Family Photos and Preserving Your Memories 23:14

7M ago23:14

23:14

In the March 2025 episode of her solo podcast, Maureen Taylor, the Photo Detective, discusses a variety of personal and professional experiences related to photo management and genealogy. She begins by addressing the shutdown of MemoryWeb, a platform she used extensively, detailing her efforts to safeguard her photos by enhancing metadata and descr…

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In conversation with Chris Keating 53:06

7M ago53:06

53:06

Chris Keating is a free spirited, devoted father to a 10 year old daughter. He paints an honest picture of the messiness and beauty of parenthood and describes how his shifting priorities ostensibly lead to him ending his career as a performing artist/musician in the band, Yeasayer. He currently lives in Los Angeles, CA where he spends his time par…

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In Conversation with Jim Drain 48:25

7M ago48:25

48:25

Jim Drain is a widely collected American Artist who has received numerous prestigious awards and has exhibited extensively across the United States and abroad. In this conversation, he describes the arc of his career from showing in Chelsea galleries and museums, to teaching as a professor at the Rhode Island School of Design to his current life as…

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267. Julian Bleecker 1:03:02

7M ago1:03:02

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Julian Bleecker is a researcher, designer, engineer, and entrepreneur. He runs Near Future Laboratory, a platform and consultancy focused on design fiction. He is the author of Design Fiction: A Short Essay on Design, Science, Fact, and Fiction and co-author of The Manual of Design Fiction, among other titles. In this conversation, Jarrett and Juli…

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Diahan Southard’s ‘Monday Minutes’: Transforming Personal Reflections into Genealogical Gold 21:21

7M ago21:21

21:21

In this episode of the podcast, host Maureen Taylor is joined by Diahan Southard, known for her expertise as “Your DNA Guide.” Diahan discusses her new book, “Monday Minutes,” which is inspired by her popular newsletter. The book is a collection of reflections on everyday moments and thoughts, aimed at connecting deeply with her audience beyond the…

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266. Mike Pepi 57:41

7M ago57:41

57:41

Mike Pepi is a critic and technologist who writes about art, culture, and technology. He is the author of the new book, Against Platforms: Surviving Digital Utopia, which is both a work of technology criticism and an analysis of how we talk about Silicon Valley. His other writing has appeared in Frieze, e-flux, Artforum, and The Brooklyn Rail. In t…

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The Photo Marketplace Shift: What It Means for Your Memories 24:20

8M ago24:20

24:20

In this episode, Rick Voigt, co-founder and CEO of Vivid-Pix.com, joins Maureen Taylor to discuss the evolving photo marketplace and its impact on genealogists and everyday users. They explore the recent shutdown of FileShadow, the risks of relying on digital storage providers, and the importance of backing up precious memories. Rick shares insight…

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265. Elizabeth Diller 49:51

8M ago49:51

49:51

Elizabeth Diller is a partner and co-founder of Diller Scofidio + Renfro where she’s worked on a range of buildings including New York’s The Shed, the Highline, and an expansion of MoMA. Since 1981, the studio’s practices has spanned architecture, urban design, installation art, multi-media performance, digital media, and print, all of which is fea…

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In Conversation with Bohyun Yoon 56:06

8M ago56:06

56:06

Bohyun Yoon is an imaginative, playful and brilliant glass artist based in Richmond, VA. His thought provoking work with glass employs its essential qualities to explore the human body and experience with a sense delight and wonder. Bohyun is an associate professor of glass in the Craft/Material Studies department at Virginia Commonwealth Universit…

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Digging Into Civil War Pension Files with Brian Rhinehart 26:04

8M ago26:04

26:04

In this episode of The Photo Detective, host Maureen Taylor speaks with Brian Rhinehart, founder of CivilWarRecords.com, about uncovering lost Civil War history through archival research. Brian shares his journey from genealogy hobbyist to professional researcher specializing in Civil War records at the National Archives. He explains the misconcept…

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In conversation with Noah Breuer 56:58

8M ago56:58

56:58

Noah Breuer is a Professor of Print Media for University at Buffalo SUNY. His formal training in printmaking has served as the foundation of his current sculptural work that utilizes glass and textiles to explore the Jewish diaspora through his personal family history. Noah talks about maximizing his time and efforts as an exhibiting fine artist wh…

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In conversation with Ivan Lee Mora 55:10

8M ago55:10

55:10

Ivan Lee Mora is a self-taught, independent artist based out of Los Angeles, CA. His concept-driven work leads to an ever-evolving process and use of materials including glass, clay, wood, and metal. The passion and heart Ivan puts into his work is apparent in his attitude about parenthood. The newest parent in the series, Ivan’s son was just a few…

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In conversation with Jeremy Mayer 53:37

8M ago53:37

53:37

Jeremy Mayer is an extraordinary sculptor whose primary medium is typewriter parts. He meticulously sorts and assembles these parts using purely mechanical joints to make human figures, animals, mandalas and more. He shares about his deep love of fatherhood, and the creative mentorship his daughter received being in the studio with him over the yea…

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264. Andrea Trimarchi & Simone Farresin 51:26

8M ago51:26

51:26

Andrea Trimarchi and Simone Farresin are the founders of Formafantasma, a research-driven design studio based in Milan and Rotterdam that investigates the ecological, historical, political, and social forces shaping the discipline of design. In this conversation, Jarrett talks with Andrea and Simone about the role of research in their studio, movin…

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Exploring Project Kin: Barbara Tien's Community for Storytellers and Genealogists 27:17

8M ago27:17

27:17

Barbara Tien discusses her role as the “ringleader” of Project Kin on the Photo Detective podcast. After her startup, Ponga, shut down, Tien decided to keep her team together and transitioned to creating Project Kin, a community focused on storytelling and family history without any financial gain. She emphasizes the platform’s global reach, privac…

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Fileshadow News. Photos of Famous People. Photo Detecting Clues 17:03

9M ago17:03

17:03

In this January 2025 solo episode of her podcast, Maureen Taylor, the photo detective, shares news for users of Fileshadow.com. She also shares insights into her professional life, detailing her expertise in analyzing historical photographs to assist in dating them and incorporating them into family histories. She discusses a recent project involvi…

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263. Nicolay Boyadjiev 54:48

9M ago54:48

54:48

Nicolay Boyadjiev is an architect and creative director based between Copenhagen, Sofia and Mexico City. He is the Director of the Practice Lab at re:arc institute, where he oversees research, strategy and new explorations prototyping alternatives models for philanthropy in architecture. Previously, he was Co-Director of Strelka Institute’s influen…

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Seth Rockman on Plantation Goods: Unveiling Material History of American Slavery 33:23

9M ago33:23

33:23

On this episode of The Photo Detective, I’m joined by Seth Rockman, author of Plantation Goods: A Material History of American Slavery. Seth’s groundbreaking research uncovers the economic and material ties that connected New England industries to the Southern plantation economy in the 19th century. From the labor of Rhode Island seamstresses to th…

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The Power of Knitting: History, Healing, and Resilience in Loretta Napoleoni's Book 28:14

9M ago28:14

28:14

Loretta Napoleoni’s The Power of Knitting explores the universal significance of knitting through history, culture, and personal memoir. An economist by profession, Napoleoni combines research with heartfelt reflections, revealing knitting’s historical roles in revolutions, spycraft, and resilience. She highlights its meditative, brain-stimulating …

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Solving Family Photo Mysteries: A Journey with The Photo Detective 19:05

10M ago19:05

19:05

Welcome to the December 2024 solo episode of The Photo Detective with Maureen Taylor. In this episode, Maureen shares the story of Amy Barlow, who solved a photo mystery with Maureen’s guidance during a consultation. Amy’s photograph depicted a family standing in front of a store. Using resources like eBay, WorthPoint, city directories, Sanborn map…

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262. Jack Murphy 59:35

10M ago59:35

59:35

Jack Murphy is the executive editor of The Architect’s Newspaper. He studied architecture at MIT and Rice University and previously edited PLAT Journal and Cite, the publication of the Rice Design Alliance. In this episode, Jarrett and Jack talk about the history of The Architect’s Newspaper, the value of printed publications, and the relationship …

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Preserving Everyday History: Kiki Smith's Journey with the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection 35:05

10M ago35:05

35:05

Kiki Smith, a professor from the theater department at Smith College, joins the “Photo Detective” podcast to discuss her unique journey with the Smith College Historic Clothing Collection. Initially joining the department temporarily, Smith found herself organizing a chaotic costume storage area into a vital educational and research resource. Her b…

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261. Gregory Wessner 52:15

10M ago52:15

52:15

Gregory Wessner is the Executive Director of the National Academy of Design, the New York-based non-profit founded in 1825 that promotes art and architecture in America through exhibition, education, and research. Before joining the National Academy, Gregory served as executive director of Open House New York, and in a variety of roles at the Archi…

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Author Paul Frecker Discusses Cartomania: The Intersection of Photography and Fame 36:28

11M ago36:28

36:28

In this podcast episode, we are thrilled to have Paul Frecker, an expert on 19th-century photography and the author of Cartomania: Photography and Celebrity in the 19th Century. Paul brings a unique perspective from his days as a dealer specializing in 19th-century photography, focusing on the intriguing format of Carte de Visite. His journey from …

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Through the Lens: Unveiling Family Stories 18:10

11M ago18:10

18:10

In this episode, Maureen Taylor, The Photo Detective TM explores the power of a photo through a series of case studies. She introduces a new photo storytelling option for clients. The Power of a Photo Decoding the Context The Emotional Landscape Integrating Technology Case Study: Putting it into Practice. Related Episodes: Episode 237: How Storied.…

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260. Noemi Biasetton 1:03:34

11M ago1:03:34

1:03:34

Noemi Biasetton is a design researcher, writer, and editor whose work focuses on design cultures and visual representation within the social and political dimension. She is the author of Superstorm: Design and Politics in the Age of Information, which was published earlier this year. In this episode, Jarrett and Noemi reflect on the design and medi…

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259. Federica Sofia Zambeletti 1:02:08

11M ago1:02:08

1:02:08

Federica Sofia Zambeletti is an architect, researcher, and storyteller. She’s the founder and managing director of KoozArch, a digital platform and research studio that explores architecture beyond the limits of the build form, which she founded in 2014 while she was a student at the Architectural Association. In this conversation, Jarrett and Fede…

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Telling Her Story: How to Research and Write Women's Histories with Sharon Carmack 26:53

11M ago26:53

26:53

In today’s episode of The Photo Detective, guest Sharon Carmack introduces her groundbreaking book, Telling Her Story, a comprehensive guide to researching and writing about historical women. Sharon’s work, spanning 370 pages, is rich with resources, case studies, and examples that empower genealogists and family historians to uncover the hidden li…

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258. Petra Blaisse 1:00:12

11M ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Petra Blaisse is the founder of Inside Outside, an Amsterdam-based design studio that focuses on textiles, interior design, gardens, and landscapes. Known for her long-running collaborations with OMA, Petra began her career in 1978 at the Stedelijk Museum in the department of Applied Arts. A new book on the studio’s work, Art Applied, was released …

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The Beginner's Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing with Author Erin Moulton 23:10

12M ago23:10

23:10

Erin Moulton discusses her book, “The Beginner’s Guide to Cemetery Sleuthing, Scavenger Hunt,” which is uniquely designed as a workbook. Moulton, a local history librarian at Derry Public Library, shares her journey from genealogy enthusiast to cemetery researcher. The book serves as a practical guide for collecting key details from cemeteries, whi…