Design Of Podcast

This episodes guest writes something that I think may resonate with you: When you’re constantly focused on what you can do for others, how you can show up in the world and “make things happen”, without balancing that effort with rest, support and love you end up exhausted and overwhelmed or worse, you start to lose sight of possibility and your sense of purpose. Patty Lennon's mission is to ensure...

Travis Thrasher has known since the third grade that he was meant to tell tales and shape big ideas. His dream of being an author led him to write original works for over a decade — ranging from fiction to nonfiction to children’s books. Travis’ unique talent has resulted in many unique experiences including collaborative writing for a range of celebrities including musicians such as Blake Shelton...

Singer, rapper, and writer Dessa has made a career of bucking genres and defying expectations. Her résumé as a musician includes performances at Lollapalooza and Glastonbury, co-compositions for 100 Voices Choir, performances with the Minnesota Orchestra, and Top 200 entries on the Billboard charts. She contributed to the number-one album The Hamilton Mixtape and the RBG documentary; her track “Co...

David Wallace Haskins is an American interdisciplinary artist using light, space, time, and sound to create experiential installations, sculptures, and architectural interventions. His works often invite exploration and participation, challenging visitors’ assumptions while highlighting the interrelational dynamic they share with themselves, others, and the world around them. Haskins develops and...

Social media influence depends on the follower base. How active they are, how likely they are to engage, and more. This presents an interesting challenge for those exploring the lifestyle of how to live a curious life while being more present with less. Add taking on a hobby and some massive social media success to that mindset and you will be ready to hear the journey and story of Melissa Colemen...

Many of us have found these last few years the need to shift, reevaluate, celebrate what is good, and move into spaces that will help us grow and feel life in a new way. This next episode highlights this experience for a musician who is exploring his voice as a singer-songwriter, husband, father, and socially-minded nonprofit leader through music, actions, and having his eyes and heart wide open....

Do you live in fast forward? Always rushing, always busy, always distracted? Do you yearn to slow down? These are just a few of the questions our guest, Carl Honoré, asked himself years ago. This has led him on an epic journey to understand the concept of slowing down and to help others learn to see that we live in a world addicted to speed, and that slowness is a superpower. Carl is an award-winn...

Rachel Marie-Crane Williams believes that story is a pathway into empathy. It is a causeway of understanding and connection to other people. This belief is just one of the amazing perspectives of Rachel’s who is a professor at the University of Iowa in both Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies and the School of Art and Art History. If that wasn’t interesting enough she is also an artist, author,...

Many of us dream of creating a new path, a new career, or just some new life options, but more often than not they stay just that- dreams. David Jon Walker is a graphic designer of color, educator, and community advocate from Tennessee that is just now beginning a new chapter all thanks to chasing his dreams. Through his lettering and design works, he strives to express perspective and question me...

We all have the potential to step up and help those around us. The question is: will you do that when the situation presents itself? If we take an honest look back we will see and remember the people who extended a helping hand. This episode highlights the incredible story of Ed Hess, one of the preeminent authority figures on organizational and human high performance. A Professor Emeritus at the...

Scott and Madison Toal are the father-daughter duo behind eMite, a non-profit dedicated to connecting donors with impactful charity around the world. Serving people throughout the globe has a family lineage and means a great deal to these leaders aiming to bring all ages and at any donation amount into the celebration of giving. Described as a “matchmaker for donors and charities”, eMite’s mission...

Stefan Mumaw is a man of many talents. A tall, former college basketball player, jokester, creative, best-selling author, idea generator, LinkedIn instructor, cinephile (watches 120 movies a year), and storyteller. He has led a career working with companies like Coke, Hurley, Chevrolet, and Hallmark. His ability to help organizations learn how to generate ideas, be more creative, use stories, and...

Ashley Easter grew up and lived in a cult for 22 years. Thankfully, she was able to break free and decided to take control of her life. Join Justin Ahrens and guest co-host Katie McConville in this episode as they discuss Ashely’s experience and world-shift as she began her healing journey while also founding and creating an amazing organization Courage 365 which seeks to transform the lives of ot...

Sam Harrison has been on all sides of business storytelling and working in creative communications, marketing, and branding – the agency and freelance side, the client and corporate side, and, most recently, the academic and coaching side. This includes years of crafting his skills to be a sought-after and engaging speaker. In this episode, we dig into that speaking process, preparation, and the r...

The New York Times once wrote about David Baker, “What’s so compelling about Mr. Baker is that he’s an expert on being an expert”. This week’s guest, David Baker, is a well-known author of five books (so far), an international speaker, co-host of his podcast 2 Bobs, and advisor to over 900 firms. Enjoy this conversation about David’s start living among a remote Mayan community to becoming a leadin...

You will hear people often debate what makes a legend, or the G.O.A.T. of a sport. Is it the record? Championships? Or is it how you respond to what life throws at you and how you turn that into the fuel to propel you? All of those incredible questions are a part of the life of the legendary wrestler and coach Dan Gable. As a wrestler, Dan compiled an unbelievable record of 181-1. He was undefeate...

In an open letter to the public, Vernon Lockhart wrote the following: AS A BLACK MAN who grew up in one of the toughest areas of St. Louis, I didn’t think I would live to see 21. The neighborhood I grew up in wasn’t much different than the one many Black youths who live in impoverished urban neighborhoods in the U.S. are navigating. Even with everything I saw happening around me, I was still able...

Some may think being a lineman in the NFL is a relatively simple position, one that doesn’t require much brain power. The reality is that offensive linemen are among the smartest players on the field. The various plays, blocking schemes, and last-second changes that need to be made makes their capacity to know almost everything that goes on the field critical to their success. Rudy Niswanger is an...

Christian Vande Velde is a former professional cyclist who now serves as a cycling analyst for NBC Sports. Christian is joining DesignOf for his second episode where we talk about life, the current state of cycling during a pandemic, and the hopeful return of the Tour De France. We hope you enjoy this conversation with a two-time Olympian turned pro cycling analyst.

Kathy Eldon's life has been and continues to be, one of reinvention and transformation. Hear the story of a woman that has lived a life of adventure and it's fair share of tragedy, but through it all, her commitment to making the world a better place has stayed in focus. In this episode, we talk about her midwest roots, her son Dan Eldon, and how she and her daughter Amy have created a world-chang...

“The time is now for uncomfortable conversations”- Nichole Carter In this episode of Design Of, meet Nichole Carter. A woman of many roles. Mother, wife, fighter, advocate, leader, and academic. Together, we have an open and honest conversation about race, #BlackLivesMatter, privilege, and what America feels like for people of color. Nichole is the Senior Program Director at Bright Star Community...

Humans are designed to understand and process information through storytelling whether we are sharing our experiences or building a community. Dr. JJ Peterson has spent his lifetime exploring how to define stories and their impact. This episode shares that adventure. JJ is the Chief of Teaching and Facilitation at Storybrand(https://storybrand.com), a marketing company started by the New York Time...

Bourbon. These days it seems to be the hottest spirit around, but do you ever wonder where it is made? Who are the actual bourbon makers? We did too — so much so that we produced a book about it (check out https://simplybourbon.com)! We did our research by going to the only place one should go to look for Bourbon Truth: Kentucky. Kentucky is synonymous with bourbon, for many reasons. It’s most lik...

Do you create the space to have conversations with strangers or people who travel in different circles than you? How often do you consider others before yourself? In this episode, you'll meet someone who has spent the last several years doing just that. Sometimes the stars align and you get to meet someone who is incredibly brilliant, charming and has the ability to influence the way you see the w...

Do you ever wonder what it is like to be an Olympic athlete? Better yet, have you ever imagined what it is like to be an Olympic champion? To watch your flag raise to your anthem on that podium with hand over heart? Yeah us too :) Because of that for our 29th episode of Design Of we are featuring not only a five-time Olympian, but someone who works unbelievably hard day in and day out. Someone who...