Design Nerds Anonymous

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...

Think about the last showroom you walked into. Was it visually stunning? Now ask yourself: Did it stick with you? Did it make you want to explore and engage? Was it truly remarkable? Many showrooms are caught in a tension between aesthetics and function—following a formula that’s been used for decades. But in 2025, playing it safe is the fastest way to be forgotten. In this episode, retail futuris...

The return to in-person events is not a return to business as usual. As trade shows, conferences, and live events thrive, some brands are redefining the event experience, while others risk making events feel outdated. In this episode, Marco Giberti—a leading expert in live event innovation—returns to Design Nerds Anonymous to revisit his 2021 predictions and share insights on what’s next for event...

The future of work isn’t just about where we work or what tools we use—it’s about why people choose to show up at all. In this thought-provoking episode, Amanda Schneider is joined by workplace strategy expert Phil Kirshner and Microsoft’s Matthew Marzynski to explore corporate collaboration in the phygital era—where physical, digital, and emotional elements intersect. This conversation goes beyon...

In today’s digital-first world, your website isn’t just a tool—it’s your first impression. If potential clients struggle to navigate your site, find outdated information, or encounter friction at every turn, they’ll leave. In this episode, Amanda Schneider is joined by two experts, Tyler Suomala and Erica Waayenberg, to break down exactly what companies get wrong when it comes to their digital pre...

Amanda Schneider takes listeners through the biggest insights, funniest moments, and thought-provoking themes from Season 6. This special “Best Of” episode revisits key conversations with thought leaders across industries, highlighting the evolving nature of end-user decision-making in the built environment. With topics ranging from creativity and consensus-building to pricing volatility and emoti...

In this episode, Amanda Schneider welcomes soft skills expert Kendra Johnson to discuss the evolving importance of soft skills in today’s hybrid workplace. As organizations navigate new challenges with dispersed teams and intergenerational differences, this conversation dives deep into the need for managers and employees alike to refine their communication, empathy, and adaptability. Learn how eac...

In this episode, Amanda Schneider leads a discussion with three industry leaders on one of the biggest challenges in the workplace today: turning overwhelming amounts of data into actionable insights. As decision-making teams grow larger and more diverse, integrating information from IT, HR, and workplace practitioners has become more crucial for success. The panel dives into how businesses can co...

This episode explores the growing complexity of decision-making in the built environment, focusing on how to reach consensus in larger, more diverse teams. Amanda is joined by Halle Hannaford, Senior Principal Team Lead at Chick-fil-A, who shares insights on how her team navigates decision-making challenges within the hospitality sector. Hannaford discusses how clear roles, cross-functional collab...

In this episode, Amanda Schneider and Rob Sadow dive deep into the outdated metrics that have traditionally guided workplace design and management, such as "people per square foot." With the rise of flexible and hybrid work models, these conventional metrics are becoming obsolete. Rob shares insights from FlexIndex, a platform that aggregates data from over 100,000 office locations to provide comp...

Amanda Schneider and her panel of experts tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing the industry today: pricing volatility. With the aftermath of inflation and fluctuating costs impacting all aspects of project planning and execution, the discussion highlights how these uncertainties are reshaping the way decisions are made. The guests share insights on how project teams can adapt and thri...

In this episode, Amanda Schneider sits down with Dr. JJ Peterson from StoryBrand to explore how the art of storytelling can be a powerful tool for mastering "managing up" in the increasingly complex decision-making process in B2B environments. Dr. Peterson walks listeners through the StoryBrand framework, offering actionable insights on how to communicate clearly, engage stakeholders, and move tea...

Recorded live at NeoCon 2024, Amanda Schneider is joined by corporate, hospitality, and healthcare leaders to explore decision-making dynamics in the built environment. Featuring insights from Staci Patton of Hilton, Tope Sadiku of McDonald's, and healthcare architect Andrew Navarro of HPLEX Solutions, the discussion delves into ThinkLab’s 'Pain Map,' highlighting key friction points and how produ...

Welcome to Season 6! Amanda Schneider reflects on the growth of Design Nerds Anonymous and dives into the future of customer decision-making in the built environment. This episode highlights proprietary insights and data from ThinkLab and contrasts them with well-known global B2B research, such as Gartner and Forrester, illustrating how our industry differs in significant ways. Guest Amy Devers br...

Exciting News, Design Nerds! Season Six of Design Nerds Anonymous is on the way, diving deep into decision-making in the B2B space, inspired by insights from ThinkLab’s 2024 Hackathon. Each episode will explore key topics like managing up, overcoming client frustrations, and why traditional workplace metrics are fading. We’ve discovered that 86% of end users say their decision-making process has c...

ThinkLab’s research team was stunned by the intensity of challenges and anticipated transformations in these sectors, especially regarding a once-taboo term. Tune in to discover what this 'bad word' is and why it's causing such discomfort.  Special thanks to our partners at Kimball international who are doing big things to move the design industry forward.  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/...

In this episode, we explore one of the most critical environments to our nation’s health and wellbeing; the world of healthcare spaces. Join us to uncover what's changed, what hasn’t, and actionable steps you can take to expedite decision-making around spaces that heal.  Special thanks to our partners at Kimball international who are doing big things to move the design industry forward.  See Priva...