Design Nerds Anonymous

The future of work isn’t a distant horizon—it’s already taking shape in small, often overlooked signals. In this episode, we explore the early indicators reshaping how work is designed, led, and experienced. The conversation connects these signals to practical action, offering leaders a clearer way to spot what’s emerging and make smarter decisions about what to do next. L...

In this special episode of  Design Nerds Anonymous , host  Amanda Schneider  takes you inside the PDC Summit—one of the rare events where the full spectrum of healthcare decision-makers comes together under one roof. Recorded live from the show floor, this episode captures an unfiltered look at the real conversations unfolding between owners, clinicians, facilities leaders, architec...

In Season 10, Episode 6 of Design Nerds Anonymous, host  Amanda Schneide r turns to two critical forces shaping the future of work: mentorship and learning. She’s joined by  Elisabeth Mejia , President of IIDA New York and Interiors Leader for HKS in New York, and  Paridhi Chawla , Vice President of Student Development for IIDA New York and a Gen Z designer at TPG Architec...

In Season 10, Episode 5 of Design Nerds Anonymous, host  Amanda Schneider  turns to two of the most pressing realities of modern work: communication and collaboration. She’s joined by  Dr. JJ Peterson , former head of StoryBrand and a leading voice in modern messaging, and  Gideon Spitzer-Williams , who leads global experiential marketing for Canva’s B2B org...

In Season 10, Episode 4 of Design Nerds Anonymous, host  Amanda Schneider  zooms out from trust and talent to explore the deeper belief systems holding organizations together: culture and purpose. She’s joined by  Ron Tite —author, speaker, founder of Church+State, and former stand-up comic turned award-winning creative director—who has helped global brands align what...

In Season 10, Episode 3 of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider builds on last week’s trust conversation by tackling the next logical shift: recruitment and retention. She’s joined by two voices with beautifully opposing (and complementary) lenses:  Grace Snelling , editorial assistant at  Fast Company  covering design, branding, and cultural shifts with a front-row Gen Z p...

In Season 10, Episode 2 of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider continues the season inspired by her new book,  Work for What’s Next , with  Eric Termuende , bestselling author and keynote speaker who’s delivered 500+ talks   worldwide on leadership, culture, and the future of work. Together, they dig into one of the most foundational shifts in the book:&nbsp...

In the Season 10 premiere of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider kicks off a season built around the ideas inside her upcoming book,  Work for What’s Next , with a guest who lives at the intersection of innovation, risk, and human potential:  Deb Golden ,   Deloitte’s US Chief Innovation Officer. Together, they unpack a core tension shaping work right now: compan...

Recorded live at the EDspaces conference in Columbus, this episode explores how education leaders are navigating high-stakes decisions under unforgiving timelines. Hear why trust, clarity, and early alignment matter more than ever, what’s slowing education projects down, and how partners can help schools move forward with confidence and credibility.    LINKS:    End-User Decisi...

In this episode, ThinkLab’s hospitality research takes center stage as Amanda Schneider and Erica Waayenberg unpack how decision-making is shifting across hotel and hospitality projects. From rising risk aversion and burnout to growing expectations around business acumen and the practical role of AI, this episode explores what hospitality end users need most right now and how teams can move forwar...

Live from the Healthcare Design Conference in Kansas City, this episode explores how healthcare end users are navigating increasingly complex decisions for the built environment. Hear why early problem-spotting beats crisis response, what’s breaking alignment at the start of projects, and how clearer communication and stronger partnerships can help healthcare teams move faster with more confidence...

Live from Chicago, this episode dives into how corporate end users are making decisions differently in today’s built environment. Hear real conversations straight from ThinkLab’s Corporate Hackathon on why flexibility matters more than cost, what’s slowing projects down, and how clearer, more empathetic partnerships can move work forward faster. LINKS:    End-User Decision Making Join Th...

What will life look like in 2040? In this special season finale, we fast-forward to the future and ask our guests to share their most radical—but entirely possible—predictions for what’s ahead.  From breakthroughs in design and technology to shifts in culture, climate, and the way we live, these ideas push the boundaries of what we think is possible. Some will inspire you. Some might shock yo...

From luxury seekers to digital nomads to next-gen travelers, hospitality spaces are evolving at record speed— Marriott is opening a new hotel in the U.S. every 20 hours .   In this episode, we explore the values transforming what guests want—sustainability, personalization, wellness, and tech—and how hotels, rentals, and travel experiences are adapting. Joining us are Jason Robertson , VP of...

What does “home” look like to a generation raised on smart tech, climate anxiety, and constant change? Backed by new research, this episode reveals how Gen Alpha is already shaping the future of housing—from the way homes are designed to where they’re located and even how they’re owned.  We’re joined by Dani Mariano, CEO at Razorfish, and Allison Robl Stransky, strategic insights leader at Sa...

As Gen Z comes of age in a world shaped by AI, automation, and rapid change, they’re rewriting the rules of work. Backed by new research, this episode explores how their approach to careers, company culture, and the workplace itself is breaking the mold—from demanding flexibility and purpose to embracing entrepreneurial mindsets.  Joining us is Alexandra Levit, future-of-work strategist, auth...

The first generation of true digital natives is about to step into the role of healthcare decision-makers—and they won’t settle for the systems we have today. Backed by new research, this episode explores how future generations could reshape everything from how we design clinics to how care is delivered. Will hospitals shrink? Will wellness go fully digital? And are we ready for what they’ll deman...

As learning environments evolve—from AI-enhanced classrooms to creative, skills-based spaces—they’re revealing more than just new ways to teach. They’re shaping the expectations, mindsets, and capabilities of the future workforce.  In this episode, we’re joined by Tom Vander Ark —education futurist, author, and CEO of Getting Smart—whose influence spans from leading major school districts to...

This isn’t just another episode—it’s a conversation with the man who named Gen Alpha . Mark McCrindle is one of the world’s leading social researchers and futurists, and he's trusted by global brands and governments alike to decode what’s next. In this exclusive interview, he joins us to unpack the generation born into AI, shaped by tech, and already redefining how we think about design, sustainab...

Recorded live at NeoCon 2025, this special episode of DNA brings together three voices from across generations for a dynamic conversation on what’s shaping the future of the built environment. From AI and creativity to sustainability and generational shifts, this panel unpacks the challenges — and opportunities — designers must navigate now to stay ready for what’s next. The panelists: Cindy Kaufm...

BASELINE, a new podcast from ThinkLab, brings the product side of the interiors industry together to crowdsource real-time insight, delivered through easy-to-digest reports and a straight-talking podcast. Take a listen to this sample episode and if you enjoy, please go follow wherever you get podcasts. Baseline is available on all major podcast platforms like  Apple ,  Spotify , and&nbsp...

In this special episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider goes live at the Worktech Chicago 2025 event. The episode features interviews with event organizers, speakers, and attendees who share insights on the future of work, focusing on workplace design, technology enablement, employee experience, and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notic...

Think you know how to win in 2025? Think again. In this season finale of Design Nerds Anonymous , we break down six bold, data-driven strategies that will define success in the coming year. From frictionless websites to AI-powered sales, immersive showrooms to redefined workspaces, our expert guests share insights that go beyond the buzzwords and into real-world applications that will help you sta...

The sales landscape is shifting, and AI is at the forefront of this transformation. The best sellers today aren’t just choosing between in-person or digital—they’re mastering both. In this episode, we explore how AI can help sales professionals scale their time, automate routine tasks, and focus on what really moves the needle: building relationships and growing their business. Whether you’re a se...

The rep-designer relationship has changed. Hour-long lunch presentations and spontaneous drop-ins are becoming rare, and digital demands are reshaping how reps connect with designers. Today, reps must redefine their roles to remain indispensable, while designers who engage with the right reps can gain a competitive advantage. In this episode, we discuss what’s behind this shift, the biggest challe...