Best SQ Productions Podcasts (2025)

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Acoustic Lighting for “Quiet Luxury”: How Design Choices Shape the Guest Experience with Jason Bird 33:18

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3h ago33:18

33:18

Industrial designer and Luxxbox founder Jason Bird joins I Hear Design to unpack the design side of acoustic lighting—how soft materials, fixture geometry, surface area, and above-table placement can absorb chatter, clarify zones, and elevate “quiet luxury” in lobbies, lounges, F&B and guest rooms. He stresses designers as the true gatekeepers of t…

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Command Lessons from Three 1.3M Sq Ft Distribution Center Fires 57:42

2h ago57:42

57:42

Send us a text This week on the B Shifter Podcast, Josh Blum and Johsn Vance are joined by Steven S. Sarver, Assistant Chief of Operations with the Monroe Fire Department (OH). Chief Sarver breaks down his department’s response to three separate incidents at a 1.3-million-square-foot distribution center, sharing hard-earned command lessons from com…

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116 - Bike Shop Secrets: Grip Reviews (SQ Labs & Rev Grips) + Fox Podium Fork and More 1:14:55

1d ago1:14:55

1:14:55

Send us a text Looking to upgrade your mountain bike's contact points without breaking the bank? This episode of the Mountain Cog Podcast explores two of the best grip solutions for combating arm pump and hand numbness: SQ Labs 70x 2.0 Pro Grips and Rev Grips. SQ Labs brings German precision engineering with ergonomic design focused on reducing pea…

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ICYMI: COMMENTARY | Architectural Community Responds to Trump’s Executive Order on Federal Design 8:12

2h ago8:12

8:12

In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article-read episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen opens with a brief update on the White House’s proposed 90,000-square-foot ballroom project, including preservation groups’ calls for a rigorous review process, a December 12, 2025 lawsuit seeking to halt the work, and reporting that a new lead archite…

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Effective Outcomes & Customer Service 1:10:41

6d ago1:10:41

1:10:41

Send us a text This episode features Nick Brunacini, Terry Garrison, and John Vance. We push past acronyms and politics to center customer service as the fire service’s true north, linking training, staffing, and culture to outcomes for Mrs. Smith. We call out FINO departments, hazing, weak command presence, and political gamesmanship that erode tr…

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How AI Is Rewriting Design: Inside the State of AI & Interior Design Report with Guy Ailion 50:00

15d ago50:00

50:00

How are interior designers actually using AI—and what are they afraid of? In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen sits down with Guy Adam Ailion, co-founder and CEO of Mattoboard, to unpack the company’s new State of AI & Interior Design report. Based on a global survey of designers and architects, the findings reveal a striking para…

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The IC and Roadway Safety 54:12

19d ago54:12

54:12

Send us a text This episode features Josh Blum, Scott Williams and John Vance. Sample Roadway incident SOG: https://bshifter.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Sample-Roadway-Incident-SOG-December-2025.pdf Traffic Incident Management Training Here For Waldorf University Blue Card credit and discounts: https://www.waldorf.edu/blue-card/ For free command…

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115 - Bare Innovation's Ryan Burney on Bikes, Business, and Rim Protection 1:17:19

10d ago1:17:19

1:17:19

Send us a text Starting a product company in the cycling industry isn't for the faint of heart—just ask Ryan Burney. After years of designing bikes at Cannondale and GT, Ryan quit his job with no safety net to launch Rim Saver and eventually Bare Innovation, his engineering consulting firm. In this episode, Ryan gets real about the economics of run…

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ICYMI: Transforming Built Environments Through Trauma-Informed Design 9:25

15d ago9:25

9:25

In this In Case You Missed It episode of I Hear Design from interiors+sources, we revisit the article “Transforming Built Environments Through Trauma-Informed Design,” written by Carrie Meadows and originally published on August 12, 2025, on the interiors+sources website. Drawing on guidance from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin…

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How Architects and Designers Can Lead on Indoor Air Quality with Robert Nieminen 22:45

15d ago22:45

22:45

How often do you think about the air your projects are asking people to breathe? In this episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen unpacks why indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a frontline design issue—from post-pandemic health concerns and wildfire smoke to rising expectations for healthier workplaces. Unpacking insights from articles publi…

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Who Is Training The Senior Advisor? 58:05

1M ago58:05

58:05

Send us a text The Silverbacks are in the studio this week, talking about "who is training the Senior Advisor?" This episode features Nick Brunacini, Terry Garrison, and John Vance. We dig into the senior advisor’s real job on the fireground, why command vans work when they’re quiet and disciplined, and how multi-channel operations keep tactics mov…

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114 - Why Direct-to-Consumer Bike Companies Are Failing (And What's Next) 1:05:18

29d ago1:05:18

1:05:18

Send us a text What killed the direct-to-consumer bike boom? This episode combines financial data, industry research, and insider knowledge to explain the DTC mountain bike industry's spectacular rise and dramatic fall. Josh presents findings indicating that many of the DTC bike brands are financially struggling or insolvent. The podcast reveals ho…

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ICYMI: Beyond Aesthetics: Biophilic Design & Neuroscience in Healthcare Spaces 10:27

1M ago10:27

10:27

In this In Case You Missed It episode of I Hear Design, we revisit Jennifer Kenson’s feature, “Beyond Aesthetics: Biophilic Design & Neuroscience in Healthcare Spaces,” originally published on i+s. You’ll hear how biophilic design in healthcare goes far beyond adding plants or wood tones—it taps into neuroscience and concepts like the “collective u…

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Jarrett Tarver 1:15:29

1M ago1:15:29

1:15:29

Send us a text A Conversation with Captain Jarrett Tarver This powerful episode features Captain Jarrett Tarver of the Sedona Fire District, brother of the late Bret Tarver, Phoenix Firefighter, whose ultimate sacrifice shaped how departments nationwide approach the hazard zone. Joined by Chris Stewart and John Vance, Jarrett reflects on his brothe…

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Inside Hospitality’s Reset: Place-Making, Storytelling, and Powering the Lobby Experience with Jill Cole 43:04

25d ago43:04

43:04

The hospitality market is recalibrating, and design teams are adapting accordingly. In this episode, Jill Cole, President of Cole Martinez Curtis and Associates (CMCA), returns to the I Hear Design podcast to unpack what’s changed since her last guest appearance in 2023: financing slowdowns and the rise of limited-service/extended-stay, why experie…

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Who Is Training Your Firefighters? 1:16:26

1M ago1:16:26

1:16:26

Send us a text This episode features Josh Blum, Chris Stewart and John Vance. For Waldorf University Blue Card credit and discounts: https://www.waldorf.edu/blue-card/ For free command and leadership support, check out bshifter.com Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Bu…

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113 - 500 Miles of Sedona Singletrack: An Advocacy Blueprint That Actually Works (Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition - VVCC) 56:57

1M ago56:57

56:57

Send us a text Discover how the Verde Valley Cyclists Coalition built one of Arizona's most successful mountain bike trail networks in this episode featuring VVCC President Tracy Randall and board member Lars Romig. From Sedona's iconic red rock terrain to the emerging systems at Dead Horse and Blowout, learn how this advocacy group transformed con…

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ICYMI: HGA Completes Innovative 144,000 sq-ft Research Facility at University of Arkansas 6:34

1M ago6:34

6:34

On this article-read episode, we spotlight the University of Arkansas’s new Institute for Integrative & Innovative Research (I³R)—a 144,000-sq-ft hub designed by HGA (with Hufft) to accelerate convergent research and regional economic development. Published on August 27, 2025, on the interiors+sources website, the piece explores how a mass-timber p…

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The Fire Department Mission Statement 1:14:24

2M ago1:14:24

1:14:24

Send us a text The Silverbacks are in the studio this week talking about The Fire Department Mission Statement. This episode features Nick Brunacini, Terry Garrison, Pat Dale, and John Vance. We trade long, forgettable mission statements for simple words that drive decisions: be safe, be nice, be accountable. Stories from the field show how clarity…

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Storytelling, Hybrid Work, and the Future of Workplace Products with Gensler’s Brandon Larcom 40:56

1M ago40:56

40:56

In 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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Fit For Duty, Ready To Command 56:22

2M ago56:22

56:22

Send us a text This episode features Josh Blum, Chris Stewart and John Vance. Sign up for the Blue Card Webinar (free!): NFPA 1700: Guide to Structural Firefighting — Why Does It Matter to an IC? Here: https://streamyard.com/watch/C4bNT3WgfnWU For Waldorf University Blue Card credit and discounts: https://www.waldorf.edu/blue-card/ For free command…

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112 - Bike Shop Secrets: Chasing Creaks - A Mechanic's Nightmare and How You Can Fix It 1:08:13

2M ago1:08:13

1:08:13

Send us a text Are you struggling with a mysterious bike creak that's driving you insane? In this episode of Mountain Cog Podcast, hosts Josh and Dane dive deep into the most frustrating problem in bike maintenance: diagnosing and fixing bike creaks. Learn the systematic approach mechanics use to troubleshoot creaking sounds, from checking your hea…

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ICYMI: Architectural Community Responds to Trump’s Executive Order on Federal Design 6:36

2M ago6:36

6:36

In 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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You Are First Due - Now Own it! 52:25

2M ago52:25

52:25

Send us a text This week, we’re joined by two outstanding guests: Erik Phillips, Captain with Las Vegas Fire & Rescue (Nev.) and Fire Chief of Diamond Valley Fire Department (Utah), and Gary Fleischer, District Chief with Worcester (Mass.) Fire Department. Together, we challenge first-in officers to own their role with clear expectations, disciplin…

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AI, Hybrid Collaboration, and the Next Evolution of the Office with Steelcase’s Allan Smith 43:10

2M ago43:10

43:10

The 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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Building Trust 21:36

3M ago21:36

21:36

Send us a text We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0 Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/B…

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111 - Bike Shop Secrets: Will My Parts Fit if I Swap Mountain Bike Frames? 1:05:10

2M ago1:05:10

1:05:10

By Josh Anderson & Dane Higgins

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ICYMI: Designing for Every Mind: 5 Ways to Build Neuroinclusive Workplaces 8:37

3M ago8:37

8:37

By i+s

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Assigning a Division Boss 1:00:58

3M ago1:00:58

1:00:58

Send us a text This episode features Josh Blum, Chris Stewart and John Vance. For Waldorf University Blue Card credit and discounts: https://www.waldorf.edu/lp/blue-card/ For free command and leadership support, check out bshifter.com Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N…

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Breaking the Cycle: Tackling Waste and Building a Circular Future for Interior Design with Robert Nieminen 8:39

3M ago8:39

8:39

Waste 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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110 - Quality Bicycle Products (QBP): Why Your Bike Shop Depends on This Hidden Giant (Guest: Bryce Buckner, QBP) 1:01:18

3M ago1:01:18

1:01:18

Send us a text When your local bike shop orders parts, there's a complex supply chain working behind the scenes that most cyclists never consider. Quality Bicycle Products (QBP) operates as the invisible backbone of bicycle retail, distributing products from four strategically located warehouses to over 5,500 independent bike shops. QBP sales rep B…

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Blue Card Rundown for September, 2025 34:53

3M ago34:53

34:53

Send us a text This episode features Josh Blum and John Vance. For Waldorf University Blue Card credit and discounts: https://www.waldorf.edu/lp/blue-card/ For free command and leadership support, check out bshifter.com Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop …

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ICYMI: Art in Interiors: Why Integrate Local Culture Into Commercial Spaces? 11:03

3M ago11:03

11:03

In 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

3M ago50:00

50:00

What 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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Anatomy and Physiology of Leadership: Ears 1:04:34

3M ago1:04:34

1:04:34

Send us a text We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0 Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/B…

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109 - Bike Shop Secrets & Gear We Like: SportRX Huckson Sunglasses, Vittoria Agarro Tires, Frameworks DH Frame and more. 1:01:08

4M ago1:01:08

1:01:08

Send us a text In this thorough mountain bike gear review episode, hosts Josh and Dane share their honest, long-term testing experiences with popular MTB products including SportRX Huckson Sunglasses and Vittoria Agarro Tires & Inserts. The discussion covers detailed performance analysis of Vittoria's graphene-enhanced tire compounds, weight compar…

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ICYMI: The Power of Wallcoverings in Creating Salutogenic Spaces 5:31

4M ago5:31

5:31

In 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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Best of B Shifter: Initial Radio Report 39:47

4M ago39:47

39:47

Send us a text Best of B Shifter: The Initial Radio Report This fan-favorite episode—one of the most downloaded in B Shifter history—dives into what Chief Alan Brunacini called “probably one of the most important communications we transmit throughout an entire incident”: the Initial Radio Report (IRR). Nick Brunacini and Josh Blum break down why th…

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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

4M ago40:47

40:47

What 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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The Silverback Blueprint: Strategic Planning & Department Culture 27:23

4M ago27:23

27:23

Send us a text We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0 Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https://bshifter.myshopify.com All of our links here: https://linktr.ee/B…

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108 - Zuma Bike Ranch & Phil’s World Trails: A Unique MTB Experience in Southwest Colorado. 59:07

4M ago59:07

59:07

Send us a text Experience the diverse mountain biking terrain of Southwest Colorado with Jake Quigley, owner and operator of Zuma Bike Ranch in Cortez, Colorado. Strategically located at the northern part of Phil's World's expansive 62-mile trail network, this 40-acre mountain bike facility provides riders with direct trail access from their campsi…

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ICYMI: Transforming Suburban Office Campuses for the Future: Five Key Strategies 5:41

4M ago5:41

5:41

Listen 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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Why Incident Action Plans Matter 58:23

4M ago58:23

58:23

Send us a text This episode is hosted by Josh Blum, Chris Stewart, and John Vance. We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0 Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https…

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Design as an Emotional Anchor: Creating Hospitality Spaces That Truly Connect with Tiffany Woodsen 50:23

4M ago50:23

50:23

In 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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Why Risk Management Matters 54:16

4M ago54:16

54:16

Send us a text This episode is hosted by Josh Blum, Chris Stewart, and John Vance. We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0 Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https…

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107 - 25 Years of Stan's (NoTubes): President Mike Bush on Innovation & Sustainability 58:43

4M ago58:43

58:43

Send us a text Discover the engineering and chemistry behind tubeless technology and more with Stan's (NoTubes) President Mike Bush, whose industrial manufacturing background shaped ~25 years of cycling innovation. Bush explains the technical details of bead seat geometry, the science of sealant particulate systems, and how CT scans of mounted tire…

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ICYMI: How Rice Fergus Miller Creates Culturally Rooted Hospitality Spaces 6:49

4M ago6:49

6:49

In 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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Why Size-Up Matters 48:47

5M ago48:47

48:47

Send us a text This episode is hosted by Erik Phillips, Steve Lester, Greg Timinsky and John Vance. We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0 Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Sh…

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The Science Behind Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces with HOK’s Kay Sargent 46:45

5M ago46:45

46:45

In 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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Strategic Shift in Cobb County 1:04:27

5M ago1:04:27

1:04:27

Send us a text This episode is hosted by Josh Blum, Chris Stewart, and John Vance. We want your helmet (for the AVB CTC)! Check this out to find out more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg5_ZwoCZo0 Sign up for the B Shifter Buckslip, our free weekly newsletter here: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/fmgs92N/Buckslip Shop B Shifter here: https…