Life Designer with Jingyu Chen

Architecture is often understood as the design of buildings. But what if architecture is equally about ideas, values, memory, and the future we choose to build? In this expansive conversation, I sat down with architect, founder of PARTISANS, and visionary thinker Alex Josephson to explore architecture far beyond its conventional definition. At the heart of this discussion lies a recurring idea: Ar...

What if art is not about creating something new — but about learning how to see what has always been there? What if attention is not passive observation, but an active, disciplined act of perception? And what if what we overlook — the marginal, the infrastructural, the seemingly insignificant — is precisely where meaning quietly accumulates? In this expansive and contemplative conversation, I sit...

What if chronic symptoms are not the body turning against you, but the body trying to communicate with you? What if true healing is not about suppression or control, but about returning to an authentic way of living — one where we are willing to fully feel our feelings? And what if, through that process, we begin to reclaim agency over our own health? In this deeply illuminating and expansive conv...

In this episode, I reflect on the question: How do you want to live your life? Inspired by the Japanese animated film 君たちはどう生きるか, I share a personal exploration of life design—shaped by epigenetics, identity, attention, and deliberate systems that support a meaningful life. Through years of self-reflection and building my podcast Life Designer , I arrived at a clear blueprint: a life of...

In this episode, Terrence Curry reflects on a lifetime of making, teaching, and designing, exploring how hands-on craftsmanship, authentic living, and human connection shape both life and work. He shares insights on the pursuit of beauty, illustrating that true beauty is  forged through heartfelt desire, disciplined effort, and persistent dedication . 0:00–9.07 | Growing Up a Maker Terrence reflec...

In this episode, Olga Naiman shares her journey from growing up as a refugee to becoming an interior therapist and creator of Spatial Alchemy — her signature design methodology, psychological framework, and eponymous book. Raised by parents who were both psychiatrists, Olga developed early sensitivity to the human mind, yet her homes lacked emotional connection and aesthetic grounding. Though enco...

I had the incredible privilege of speaking with Dr. Mandy Patterson — a naturopathic doctor, functional medicine practitioner, and fertility & hormone expert — about the art and science of living with vitality and longevity. This episode unfolds as a profound exchange between evidence and intuition, intellect and faith, science and spirit. 00:00 – 06:30 | The Journey Begins Dr. Mandy shares he...

In this episode, we explore the heart of personal branding, visibility, and authenticity with Expert Authority Coach and bestselling author Christine Blosdale . Christine has guided hundreds of entrepreneurs, coaches, authors, and non-profits in claiming their expert authority and showing up with confidence, clarity, and genuine human connection. Christine shares her signature “pillar of three” —h...

In this episode of Life Designer , I sit down with Napoleon Smith, Chief Marketing Officer of Rubik’s Wow Cube , to explore a story at the intersection of innovation, nostalgia, and human resilience. The Rubik’s Wow Cube is a revolutionary digital reinvention of the classic Rubik’s Cube. With 24 interactive screens, endless customizable games, and seamless smart-device integration, it transforms p...

This episode is an intimate exploration of my dopamine-driven nature—how it fuels my intrinsic motivation, creative pursuits, and relentless drive for refinement. I unpack the paradox of thriving in long-term, effortful passion projects while still wrestling with distraction, novelty, and fleeting dopamine hits. From cultivating exquisite attention and aligning with circadian rhythms to rewiring m...

Exactly three years ago in Sydney, I had the privilege of interviewing Miki —an illuminating character, a talented artist and photographer. In that episode, she walked us through her extraordinary life journey of traveling and living across the world, embracing a nomadic lifestyle. She shared her aspirational pivot story—from architect to photographer—courageously carving out a second life. Today,...

In Part Two, we shine a spotlight on a new chapter of Miki Sakai Photograph y—the transition from Sydney to Tokyo. In our previous podcast, Miki shared her vision of reaching clients around the world. I said it back then: Miki belongs to the world . And today, she’s truly thriving on the global stage.  As a photographer who has traversed both Western and Eastern landscapes—from the southern hemisp...

Today is a very special episode. I’m so thrilled to finally announce that my book — Life Designer with Jingyu Chen: A Journey Towards Discipline, Mastery, Radiance — is now live on Amazon! First, you should know: writing this book was never part of a grand plan. It all began with a single phrase — “The Year (2025) of Refinement” — fleeting through my mind. I seized that seemingly random thought an...

In part two, we zoom lens into the ethos of concierge beneath Black Diamondz. Monika said: " The core of concierge is about giving clients what they want . The scope of concierge service spans the full spectrum of lifestyle." Essentially, Black Diamondz Concierge is steeped in genuinely helping migrants (her major Chinese clientele and international clients) settle into a new community i...

Monika perceived her life as a journey, with giving back always at the core of her values—instilled in her from an early upbringing. Born in 1962, she grew up in a politically tumultuous era, a time of cultural renovation in China marked by school shutdowns and material scarcity. Yet, despite these external hardships , the unconditional love of her family became her solid rock. Today, Monika thriv...

I am so thrilled to have Bella back on Life Designer for the finale episode in 2023! Bella and I made this cute little pact to make an annual podcast—completely unscripted like girl chit-chat, yet very sophisticated conversations. It's an intimate gaze into our personal growth and introspection every year. This marks our third episode in the third year! About being present : The year 2023 mar...

Today’s guest , Luella is A ultimate life designer, who not only curates space through the lens of interior design but also crafts a life within the container of good life. She is an interior designer based in UK with10 pages of  her work featuring in the local prestigious publication ‘style at home’.  As a serial entrepreneur, she pivot into different business, leading up to a diverse and thrivin...

In the Part Two,  Luella shares intimate insights into her experiences with relationship-building, parenting, self-care, and more.  Relationship-building took immense amount of efforts but the reward is worth it,  because the right partner also become your best mentor. That being said, personal growth should continue to perpetuate regardless of one’s relationship status (married or single ). We ar...

Growing up in New Zealand and being the only Asian kid in the whole school, Zenith experienced years of  bully at primary school.  It led her to develop an initial interest in how the human psychic and mind work, and she set herself up for pursuing psychiatry at a very early age.  It’s a choice inherently driven by her intention of helping those struggling inside.  A gay year in Korea and a teachi...

All musicians are searching for their voice in music. The minute it’s found, the choice of living  life with music becomes eternity. Zenith found her voice in music which is to make an emotional connection with her audiences. As a musician, Zenith never shines away from performing confronting piece and she also fully embrace playing dreamy piece like La La Land.  When delivering confronting pieces...

I started  my 2022 home project which somehow  extends its  scope into  renovation, interior design , decluttering and organization from last June around. It was  probably my biggest project in 2022 which grounds me on a very deep and personal level.  It was over half year of  hustle, stretching my creativity,  mentality , even physical strengths to a new level. My architect friends said they see...

It was such a delightful and uplifting  journey to produce this episode with Kaitlin , a joyful and empowering woman who believed YOU are in the driver’s seat of your own life-, and happiness is something we each create for ourselves!  She built her coaching business ‘ The Think Happy’ , teaching women intentional methods to reclaim their lives & sustain their happiness.  It took more than jus...

I am so thrilled and honored to have my first returning guest for this Podcast, the one and only Bella is back! Bella is a Creative Strategist based in NYC.  I interviewed her Last year around this time. A year went by, Bella and I are both growing and evolving which leads to this amazing episode about ‘ travel creates new reality ’! Bella shared her most recent trip to Mexico City that began with...

Coming from a upbringing  where education around self-love  and confidence seem to be missing,  Beverly price discovered her path from self-expression to self-empowerment  in later her adulthood. The road to self-empowerment  comes  with pain and struggles,   but Beverly said, without being self-empowered, she wouldn’t   have that strengths  to pivot  to  Jewelry design from finance sector.   It t...

Amy's initial intention of writing a book was to get some press and have her screenplay picked up by Hollywood. It was such a life-defining moment when she realized her book actually brings so many joys and creates an escape for her readers. Her two books (Book of Failures / We're All A Mess, It's OK)  also are a big commercial success: both are number one sellers on Amazon  among o...