Design Deep Dive: A Design Psychology Podcast

How can we honor the grief and gratitude tied to the places we leave? In this solo episode of Design Deep Dive, I discuss my own experience with grieving a home in Seattle before embarking on a nomadic journey. I offer a guided practice to support you in moving through your own feelings of grief towards place, while cultivating gratitude for the home(s) you have loved. A journal or notebook is rec...

How do aesthetics play a role in our mental health and emotional wellbeing? In this episode of  Design Deep Dive , I chat with Dr. Jan Mikuni, a researcher in the psychology of art and aesthetics, about the intricate relationship between aesthetics, psychology, and design. Jan’s work explores aesthetic experiences in everyday life—ranging from encounters with artwork and museum exhibitions to inte...

Can virtual environments help us heal anxiety and create a sense of safety amidst uncertainty? In this episode of  Design Deep Dive , design psychologist Dr. Suzan Ahmed dives in with Mishleen Marcos, Palestinian interior designer and design instructor, to discuss her innovative research and the power of biophilic design in virtual reality environments to support mental health. Mishleen Marcos is...

What can our relationships to home, body, and environment teach us about becoming conscious creators of our lives? In this episode of  Design Deep Dive , design psychologist Dr. Suzan Ahmed dives in with Desirée Gonzalez, a Social Psychologist and Designer specialized in Community, Liberation, Indigenous, and Ecological Psychologies, to discuss the importance of creating restorative environments t...

A heartfelt thank you to listeners for a great first season of Design Deep Dive! In this episode, I discuss what's ahead for the podcast, as well as announcing a brief pause before launching Season 2. Be sure to catch up on Season 1 episodes in the meantime, and stay tuned for more engaging, inspiring conversations! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Design Deep Dive 01:12 Understanding Design Psy...

Can our past experiences of place influence our present relationship to home? In this episode of  Design Deep Dive , I offer a 15-minute guided visualization exercise to connect with a favorite place in childhood or another period of your life. Through engaging in this reflective practice, you can reveal important aspects of home or place that can support you at your current stage of life. Dive in...

How do we create spaces that reflect our authentic selves, especially during periods of transition in life? In this episode of  Design Deep Dive , I chat with June Reese, a creative strategist, experience architect, and designer, about navigating our emotional connections to place, authenticity, and designing spaces that feel true to who we are. June shares her unique journey as a designer and the...

How does our personality influence the design choices we make? In this episode of  Design Deep Dive , I chat with Sophia Trinh, an artist based in Seattle, WA, about personality, social-emotional needs, and designing spaces that reflect and support our authentic selves. Sophia shares her journey of self-discovery through her art and engaging in the design psychology process. We discuss navigating...

How do we navigate our identity and healing journeys in a new place? How can we relate to our spaces as sacred tools for alchemy and growth? In this episode of  Design Deep Dive , I chat with Nicky Macaluso, a somatic therapist and multidimensional healer, to explore the deeper connections between space, identity, privilege, and healing. Nicky shares his relocation journey from New York to Hawai’i...

When we think of interior design, we often focus on aesthetics—but what about the psychological needs that shape how a space truly feels? In this episode of  Design Deep Dive , I chat with Dr. Sarah Seung-McFarland, a licensed psychologist specializing in design and fashion psychology, to explore the deeper connections between space, identity, and well-being. Dr. Sarah shares her journey from coun...

How do our spaces shape our emotions, behaviors, and well-being? In this episode of  Design Deep Dive , Dr. Za welcomes Dr. Klarissa Castro, founder of Design Shrink Studios, to explore the emerging field of design psychology. Dr. Castro blends her background as a clinical therapist with her passion for interior design, helping individuals create spaces that reflect their identity, history, and em...

How do the spaces we live and work in shape our emotions, relationships, and overall well-being? In this debut episode of Design Deep Dive, host Dr. Suzan Ahmed (Dr. Za)—a clinical psychologist, integrative coach, yoga teacher, and design psychologist—introduces the concept of design psychology and its impact on our lives. Dr. Za shares her journey from psychotherapy to design psychology, speaking...

Welcome to Design Deep Dive, where we explore the many ways we relate to our environments and place, from our homes to our hometowns, from the built environment to our planet. By deeply understanding our relationship to place, we can create a more conscious relationship to these spaces and the world around us. Each episode, I interview guests to discuss various topics across the spectrum of design...