Design Matters

Debbie talks to museum director Thelma Golden about the power of curation.

Debbie talks with Anne Lamott about her life and her long career. “I mean I’m so in the wrong profession because I hate being criticized. And I just shrink up, like a snail with salt being poured on it.”

Debbie talks with Pete Souza about his years as the Obama administration official photographer.

Debbie talks to designer Paul Sahre about the power of saying no to clients, and about a meeting with Steely Dan that went off the rails.

Debbie talks to Patricia Cronin about art and politics.

Debbie talks to Michael Ovitz about his long and controversial career as a Hollywood power broker.

Debbie talks to Beth Comstock about her career at General Electric and how big companies can innovate.

Debbie talks to artist Deborah Kass about her long and extraordinary career. “My whole middle brow attachment to middle class entertainment is to me, one of the more radical things I do in art.”

On this archival episode Debbie talks to Brian Collins about why designers shouldn’t think of themselves as mere problem solvers. “If you’re going to be future facing you can’t wait for a problem, because by the time a problem shows up at your desk it’s too late.”

Debbie talks to Aaron Draplin about setting up his own shop, and about making money as a designer.

Debbie talks to therapist and author Esther Perel about marriage, polyamory, and adultry.

“To see your team achieve more than they thought they were capable of, that they will advance the organization further than you even imagined—because they believe, and they are grateful, and they’re inspired—it’s all worth it. All the sacrifices. It always is.”

Debbie talks to Hamilton director Thomas Kail about his career and about the joys of collaboration.

In this interview from the archive Debbie talks to Cindy Gallop about her career in advertising and about the trouble people have communicating about sex.

“Well you want to have your hand on the page, I mean there’s times I walk around and try to think of things, but three-quarters of the battle is scribbling.”

On this episode, Debbie brings the great English designer, typographer, and art director Neville Brody to the stage.

Debbie brings Paula Scher to the stage to discuss clients, career, and aging. “What’s good about it is that it doesn’t matter that you’re not growing because you’re in your fifties. And the thing about your fifties is you have power.”

Debbie Millman talk to author and art director Steven Heller live on stage.

Debbie talks to the great type designer Matthew Carter live on stage. “I sometimes get asked what's your favorite letter. And I say I’m not allowed to have a favorite letter, because if you favor one letter it suggests that you disfavor other ones.”

Debbie Millman brings artist Laurie Anderson live on stage to discuss her career, art, life, and politics.

Debbie talks to portrait painter Amy Sherald about her emotionally evocative work.

On this episode Debbie talks to Lewis Lapham about his long career in journalism and the media landscape today.

Debbie talks to writer Carmen Maria Machado about her writing, life, career, and the importance of ego. “It’s an essential element to being an artist because otherwise what are you doing? You have to have that investment in it.”

Debbie talks to Aminatou Sow about her podcast and her career in tech. "I think that especially in tech we fetishishe young people so much. Being the best at this thing at 30 is fine, but we're literally all idiots."

Debbie talks to musician, playwright, and activist Erin McKeown about the ups and downs in her career, and about writing a musical for the first time.