I Hear Design is your source for interior design and architecture news, interviews and opinions. Send any questions to [email protected]
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Interiors Sources Podcasts
The interior design business podcast for interior designers, architects, and home professionals. Hosted by interior design and digital marketing pro, Darla Powell. #interiordesign
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With over 25 years of hands-on government contracting experience, Neil McDonnell is a leading small business advocate in the federal marketplace. As a small business owner, he has personally won and supported government contracts for the US Army, Navy, US Air Force, HHS,VA, Transportation, Interior, Energy and the Executive Office of the White House. As president of the GovCon Chamber of Commerce, Neil hosts daily LinkedIn live training and teaches the strategies and skills required to build ...
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Spektrum is a podcast channel about all things design for the Indonesian community in Melbourne, Australia
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Join Eddie as he navigates the design build process of building a home and all the little tidbits you'll need to know when it comes to building a home, dealing with builders, selecting the right team, and life experiences through the process. Be prepared to love, learn, & laugh!!!
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Storytelling, Hybrid Work, and the Future of Workplace Products with Gensler’s Brandon Larcom
40:56
40:56
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40:56In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen talks with Brandon Larcom, Global Director of Product Development at Gensler, about the strategy behind today’s most effective workplace products. Larcom unpacks how research, user personas, and storytelling guide the design process—and why “hackability,” flexibility, and hybrid work are redefi…
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How To Keep Selling During a Government Shutdown as a Small Business
29:34
29:34
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29:34I know it can seem like there's nothing we can do while the government is shut down, but that's not the case. Winners make things happen. Others either 'watch it happen' or 'ask what happened'. To survive the shutdown, you need to be one of the companies 'making it happen'. In this training, you'll learn: • What is really shutdown during the FY2026…
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ICYMI: Architectural Community Responds to Trump’s Executive Order on Federal Design
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6:36In this ICYMI article-read, i+s Editor-in-Chief Carrie Meadows unpacks the renewed federal design directive from her article, “Architectural Community Responds to Trump's Executive Order on Federal Design,” originally published on Sept. 3, 2025, and why it’s drawing pushback across the A&D community. You’ll hear a concise overview of the order’s ca…
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Introduction to Federal Market Stakeholders - People You Will Talk To
31:53
31:53
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31:53As a government contractor, you'll meet so many people. We call them stakeholders when we group them like you see below. By understanding who they are, you can create plans for meeting them. In this training, you'll learn: • About Federal Buyer Stakeholders • About Teaming Partner Stakeholders • About (free and paid) Supporting Stakeholders _______…
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Federal Sales Success Begins with Your Core Competency - What You Sell
31:28
31:28
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31:28If you do not specialize, you will not succeed. This is true for athletes - they don't play every sport. This is true for doctors - they don't specialize in every part of the body. And this is true with government contractors. In this training, you'll learn: • What is a core competency • Why buyers need you to specialize not be a generalist • Why a…
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How I Get 1st Meetings with Federal Buyers and Teammates
29:10
29:10
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29:10Everyone says you need to meet with federal buyers and teammates? But how? Is the most common question. If you can land 1st meetings with a buyer, you can get a 2nd meeting. And anyone who can have two meetings with a buyer has started and is building a strategic relationship that will lead to sales. In this training, you'll learn: • Why you should…
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Maximize AUSA 2025 Success Without Even Attending or Paying
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30:07AUSA 2025 is the must-attend event for anyone in the defense sector. But what if you can't make it to DC in person? You can still network and build relationships outside of the three days. When you think about it, how can anyone meet even a fraction of the over 44K people expected to be there? They can't. You and they need a plan for pre and post e…
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AI, Hybrid Collaboration, and the Next Evolution of the Office with Steelcase’s Allan Smith
43:10
43:10
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43:10The workplace is evolving faster than ever—and the office must evolve with it. In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Allan W. Smith, President of the Americas and Chief Product Officer at Steelcase, to explore how decades of its workplace research are shaping the future of work. Smith shares insights into designing o…
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How To Do Business With Navy as a Small Business Government Contractor
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31:10The Navy is one of the largest buyers in the federal government, awarding billions in contracts every year to businesses of all sizes. Understanding how they buy, what they buy, and how to get your company in front of the right people is critical to winning work with the US Navy. In this training, you'll learn: • How the Navy organizes and funds co…
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How WOSBs Can Win More Federal Contracts in FY2026 and Hit Revenue Goals
32:14
32:14
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32:14WOSBs should not wait for federal agencies. You can make your owns success when you understand the same process others have followed for years. In this training, you'll learn: • How vital a Clear, Focused Offer is to your success • Why 'Strategic' Relationships opens doors • Steps to take to push opportunities to WOSB set aside ____________________…
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ICYMI: Designing for Every Mind: 5 Ways to Build Neuroinclusive Workplaces
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8:37
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8:37By i+s
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Breaking the Cycle: Tackling Waste and Building a Circular Future for Interior Design with Robert Nieminen
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8:39
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8:39Waste in the interior design industry is more than an inconvenience—it’s a systemic challenge that affects every stage of a project, from material sampling to tenant turnover. In this episode, host Robert Nieminen examines the root causes of waste and shares insights from industry experts, including highlights from Swatchbox’s groundbreaking Second…
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ICYMI: Art in Interiors: Why Integrate Local Culture Into Commercial Spaces?
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11:03In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article-read, we explore how thoughtfully curated artwork can do far more than simply “decorate” a space. It can help anchor brand identity, support wayfinding, and even deepen a sense of place and belonging for occupants. Adapted from the article, "Art in Interiors: Why Integrate Local Culture Into Commercial …
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Designing for Healing: How Trauma-Informed Design Transforms Spaces and Lives with Christine Cowart and Janet Roche
50:00
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50:00What if the spaces we design could actively reduce stress and promote healing? In this episode of I Hear Design, interiors+sources Editor-in-Chief Carrie Meadows sits down with Janet Roche and Christine Cowart, co-founders of the Trauma Informed Design Society, to explore the growing movement of trauma-informed design. They discuss the science behi…
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ICYMI: The Power of Wallcoverings in Creating Salutogenic Spaces
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5:31In this ICYMI episode of I Hear Design, we spotlight a compelling article by Heidi Lapka published on the i+s website on May 28, 2025, that explores how wallcoverings can do far more than beautify; they can actively foster well-being. You’ll discover how intentional design with wallcoverings supports the core principles of salutogenesis—the science…
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The Power of Partnership: How Perkins&Will Project Managers Build Trust, Balance, and Better Design with Koko Nomura and Nirmala Srinivasa
40:47
40:47
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40:47What makes a strong project management partnership—and how does it transform the way design projects unfold? In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen speaks with Koko Nomura and Nirmala Srinivasa, senior project managers at Perkins&Will, about their unique collaborative dynamic. From navigating cultural and generational differences to…
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ICYMI: Transforming Suburban Office Campuses for the Future: Five Key Strategies
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5:41Listen in to this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article read episode in which we revisit a story titled, "Transforming Suburban Office Campuses for the Future: Five Key Strategies," written by Dayita Kumar and published on the interiors+sources website on May 28, 2025. You'll discover how suburban office campuses have evolved from sterile, isolated…
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Design as an Emotional Anchor: Creating Hospitality Spaces That Truly Connect with Tiffany Woodsen
50:23
50:23
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50:23In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Tiffany Woodsen, founder of INK+ORO, to discuss the power of emotionally resonant hospitality design. Tiffany shares her journey from residential and nightclub design to launching a multidisciplinary studio that blends architectural precision with interior design’s emotive touch.…
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ICYMI: How Rice Fergus Miller Creates Culturally Rooted Hospitality Spaces
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6:49In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article-read episode, we revisit an article titled, "How Rice Fergus Miller Creates Culturally Rooted Hospitality Spaces," written by Allison Lampo and published on the interiors+sources website on July 1, 2025. Interior Designer and Principal Jennifer Fleming shares insights into their approach, emphasizing th…
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The Science Behind Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces with HOK’s Kay Sargent
46:45
46:45
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46:45In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Kay Sargent of HOK to discuss her groundbreaking book, Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces. Kay explains how neuroinclusive design goes beyond accessibility, tackling sensory and cognitive well-being to create spaces where everyone can perform at their best. She shares personal s…
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ICYMI: HALL Park Hotel in Frisco: Modern Design, Natural Comfort, & Luxury Amenities
8:26
8:26
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8:26Discover the HALL Park Hotel in Frisco, Texas, a property that blends modern architecture with natural materials, soft curves, and biophilic design for a warm, elegant guest experience in this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article read. Based on an article titled, "HALL Park Hotel in Frisco: Modern Design, Natural Comfort & Luxury Amenities," writt…
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Fighting the Fakes: Why Original Design Still Matters with Buster + Punch Founder Massimo Buster Minale
27:36
27:36
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27:36The design world is facing a crisis of authenticity as cheap knock-off products continue to flood the market and threaten the profitability of original design work. In this compelling episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Massimo Buster Minale, founder of the iconic London-based brand Buster + Punch, to discuss the rampant s…
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Rebranding 101: From Builder-Grade to High-End Clientele
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43:10
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43:10How do you go from flipping builder-grade homes to designing multi-million-dollar projects that align with your true creative vision? In this episode, Darla chats with Bre Hance, the powerhouse Founder of InHance Design Build, about the real mindset and strategic pivots that helped her level up her business and attract high-end interior design clie…
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ICYMI: Commercial Materials Industry Moves Closer to Scalable Biomaterials Solutions
6:14
6:14
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6:14In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article read, we revisit an article published on the interiors+sources website titled, "Commercial Materials Industry Moves Closer to Scalable Biomaterials Solutions," on April 22, 2025, written by Kenn Busch. As you listen to this mini-episode, you'll learn about the sustainability discussions and trends in bi…
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Live with HighPoint Market Style Spotters
49:08
49:08
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49:08Stop Treating High Point Like a Buying Trip. Do This Instead… High Point Market isn’t just a place to shop for furniture. It’s one of the most underused marketing tools you have at your disposal. Many designers make the mistake of approaching it like a giant showroom, simply hunting for products to fill their client projects. However, by doing so, …
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How Neuroinclusive Design is Reshaping the Built Environment with Sammy Rupp
33:49
33:49
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33:49In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen speaks with Sammy Rupp, interior designer and fiber artist at DLR Group, about her innovative work in neuroinclusive design. Sammy discusses how her personal experiences with ADHD and her sister’s autism diagnosis which led her to champion design strategies that support diverse cognitive and se…
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The Interior Designer's Guide to Simplifying Sourcing
35:42
35:42
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35:42Are your vendor spreadsheets quietly killing your profits and sanity? Fragmented sourcing isn’t just an inconvenience; it drains time, eats into margins, and creates chaos you can’t afford. Host Darla Powell talks with Lee Anne Blake, CEO of The Expert, about why many designers are frustrated with juggling numerous vendors and outdated processes. T…
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ICYMI: The Johnson Studio Transforms Former Memphis Foundry into Fine Dining Destination
4:24
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4:24In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article read, we revisit an article titled, "The Johnson Studio Transforms Former Memphis Foundry into Fine Dining Destination," by Jennie Morton published on the i+s website on April 22, 2025. We spotlight an inspiring adaptive reuse project by The Johnson Studio at Cooper Carry in this mini episode, in which …
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Why Interior Design Projects Derail—and How Better Systems Solve the Chaos
54:36
54:36
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54:36You’re not imagining it—your projects might actually be running you. If you’ve ever felt like your design clients are unclear, unsure, or unexpectedly intense mid-project, it’s likely not a personality issue. It’s a systems issue. In this episode, designer Shila Griffith of SG23 Design reveals the exact processes and boundaries that keep her projec…
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The Future Is Circular: How Swatchbox Is Tackling Material Sampling Waste with Ben Glunz
27:46
27:46
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27:46In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with architect and Anguleris CEO Ben Glunz to explore Swatchbox’s new Second Life Samples™ program—a breakthrough initiative that’s redefining sustainability in the design world. Swatchbox has long helped designers streamline how they request and return product samples, but its new of…
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How to Spot the Hidden Flaws in Your “Perfect” Interior Designs
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38:57What if the one thing keeping your designs from truly resonating isn’t visible at all? If your client’s space checks all the boxes but still feels… off, there might be something deeper at play, and today’s episode unpacks exactly that. While talking with Amanda Gibby Peters of Simple Shui, we get into the overlooked forces that shape how a space fe…
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ICYMI: HGA Overhauls Former Department Store into New D.C. Headquarters
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7:30Discover how HGA turned a former department store in the historic Woodies building in Washington, DC, into its thriving new regional headquarters in this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) mini-episode, based on a recent article, titled, "HGA Overhauls Former Department Store Into New D.C. Headquarters," published on the i+s website on Feb. 18, 2025. In…
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“Wait, Clients Pay Extra for That?” How To Upsell Interior Design Clients with 3D Renderings
35:22
35:22
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35:22Ever feel like clients just don’t “see” your vision, literally? This episode dives into the often-overlooked tool that can increase client trust, raise your perceived value, and unlock high-end opportunities: 3D renderings. Whether you’re a solopreneur winging it with mood boards or you’re flirting with luxury clients, renderings might just be your…
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NeoCon 2025: How IIDA Is Shaping the Future of Design—A Conversation with Cheryl Durst
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41:21In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Cheryl Durst, EVP and CEO of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA), to explore the future of interior design and IIDA’s central role in shaping it. Recorded ahead of NeoCon and Design Days in Chicago, the conversation highlights IIDA’s initiatives, including Revel …
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The Most Ignored Room: Why Closets are the Hidden Key to Higher-End Home Design
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35:41What if the most ignored room in your project is quietly dragging down the whole design? Today, I’m with Jennifer Q. Williams of St. Louis Closet Company to reveal why closets, yes, closets, are one of the most underestimated elements in all of residential design. So if you’re creating a luxury home or updating a modest space, your clients’ daily r…
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ICYMI: Adaptive Furnishings and Fixtures Deliver Fully Inclusive Hotels
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6:27
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6:27Have you ever considered how hotels can incorporate adaptive design elements to proactively meet their guests’ needs? Listen to this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article read mini-episode in which we revisit an article titled, "Adaptive Furnishings and Fixtures Deliver Fully Inclusive Hotels," written by Evelyn Long and published on the i+s websit…
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Top Reasons Contractors Ghost Interior Designers (And How to Get a Response)
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39:31Is your contractor ghosting you, or are you just not speaking their language? Most interior designers know they need reliable contractors to grow their business, but few realize contractors are also sizing them up. In this episode, Elizabeth Scruggs shares what makes contractors roll their eyes... and what makes them want to call you back. Whether …
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How Economic Pressures, Wellness Design, and Carbon Data Are Reshaping Architecture & Construction
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8:50In this edition of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen delivers a wide-angle view of the current architecture, design, and construction landscape in 2025. Drawing from recent reports and economic indicators—including the AIA Billings Index, Sherwin-Williams' Construction Insights survey, and research from firms like Gensler, Perkins&Will, and Corga…
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Why Your Gorgeous Design Work Might Still Be Losing Clients
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33:35You’ve invested in professional photography. Your portfolio looks incredible. Your social media presence is growing. And yet… those high-end clients you’ve been aiming for? They’re still not booking. Something isn’t lining up, and the culprit might be hiding in plain sight: your website. Many interior designers assume that a visually attractive web…
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ICYMI: What Does a Healthy Showroom Look Like?
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5:18In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article read mini-episode, we revisit an article titled, "What Does a Healthy Showroom Look Like?" published on the interiors+sources website on Feb. 18, 2025. Listen in to discover how Kimball International’s Boston showroom recently achieved WELL certification at the Platinum level, becoming the fifth of the …
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No Help, No Problem – Building a Thriving Interior Design Business Solo
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43:55What if being overlooked was the best thing that ever happened to your business? When Wandra Cain walked into showrooms and got ignored, she didn’t flinch—she made a mental note. That “Pretty Woman” moment stuck with her, not as a grievance, but as fuel. She’d always had a sharp eye and a natural gift for pulling beauty out of limitation, but that …
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Material Intelligence at NeoCon 2025: Reshaping Sustainable Design Conversations with Kenn Busch
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41:34
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41:34In this special NeoCon 2025 preview episode, host Robert Nieminen chats with sustainability journalist and educator Kenn Busch, founder of Material Intelligence and Climate Positive Now. Together, they explore what’s in store at this year’s Material Intelligence Destination: NeoCon Pavilion—a hands-on, narrative-driven space that reframes how desig…
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When Your Client’s Style Isn’t Yours (and Why That’s the Secret to Great Interior Design)
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41:56What if listening more—not designing more—is what actually makes you great at this job? Emily Tucker says her best work hasn’t come from executing her own vision—it’s come from learning how to filter her clients’ visions through her design lens. She’s not here to imprint her style on every project. Instead, she’s gotten really good at making someon…
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ICYMI: ASID Explores the Influence of Joy, Wellness, and Sustainability on 2025 Interior Design Trends
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5:58In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) mini article-read episode, we revisit an article published on the i+s website titled, "ASID Explores the Influence of Joy, Wellness, and Sustainability on 2025 Interior Design Trends," in which ASID's Lindsey Koren discusses how interior design is adapting to reflect emerging priorities that emphasize joy, well…
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This Is Why You're Losing Your Spark (What No One Told You About Finding Joy
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27:13Feeling burned out and creatively stuck? This could be why. What if the real reason you’re feeling drained in your business—uninspired, overwhelmed, and a little disconnected—has nothing to do with your workload, your clients, or your schedule? What if the missing piece is something far less obvious, but far more powerful: joy? In this energizing a…
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Marketing Building Products: Storytelling, Sustainability, and AI Insights with Susan Fernandez
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37:51
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37:51Marketing building products to architects and designers is more complicated than ever. In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen talks with Susan Fernandez, founder of Cast Carbon and partner at UpSpring, about what it really takes to break through the noise and connect with today’s A&D professionals. From her early days branding paver…
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Tariffs Just Changed Everything About Sourcing—Here’s What Designers Need to Know
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27:20Are your go-to vendors quietly tanking your margins—and you don’t even know it? Behind the scenes of your interior design business, a silent upheaval is happening. Tariffs are surging, especially on furnishings imported from China, with rates leaping from 40% to over 140%. What used to be a reliable supply chain is now a minefield of unpredictabili…
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ICYMI: Creating a Climate-Resilient Blueprint for Schools
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6:47In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article-read mini-episode, we commemorate Earth Day 2025 by revisiting an article published on the i+s website titled, "Creating a Climate-Resilient Blueprint for Schools," which explores the risks educational institutions face due to extreme weather-related events and the important role that resilient educatio…
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The Secret Language of High-End Clients (And How to Speak It)
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37:13What if “great work” isn’t enough to attract the clients you really want? Luxury clients aren’t just buying your taste or talent—they’re investing in an experience that speaks their language. In this episode, photographer and author Jeffrey Shaw pulls back the velvet curtain on how affluent buyers actually make decisions. Whether you’re aiming for …
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From Cubicles to Condos: Exploring the Office to Residential Trend with Mark Oberholzer and Marissa Kasdan
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35:13With office vacancies rising and housing shortages mounting, the commercial real estate industry is at a tipping point. In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Marissa Kasdan and Mark Oberholzer of KTGY to explore how adaptive reuse—and their bold Upcycle Tower concept—could reshape our cities. They discuss the real-wo…
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