NeoConversations

On this episode of NeoConversations, host Nubia Henderson sits down with futures designer, author and Royal Designer of Industry Nick Foster RDI to explore how designers can navigate a world increasingly shaped by AI, automation and rapid technological change. Drawing from his book Could, Should, Might, Don’t: How We Think About the Future , Foster reflects on the cultural, ethical, and deeply hum...

What happens when curation becomes the point of view? On this episode of NeoConversations, host Nubia Henderson sits down with Chris Force of SixtySix Magazine to discuss Paved States, the exhibition presented with Haworth and co-curated alongside Patricia Urquiola.  Together, they explore the evolving relationship between design, culture, publishing, and experimentation through the lens of e...

What if innovation isn’t a moment of breakthrough but a practice shaped by community, lived experience, and responsibility? In this episode of NeoConversations, Jessica O. Matthews offers a powerful reframing of innovation not as an individual act, but as a collective one. Drawing from her experience building ideas into real-world impact, Jessica introduces her approach to innovation through a pat...

After trucking school, Burning Man, caffeine-fueled NeoCon planning, a new TDEC showroom, and designing a home in Vermont, Ella and Faraz catch up on life and all of their adventures from the past year. You can find all episodes of Sense of Space at SURROUNDpodcasts.com Sense of Space music provided by: Black Light Smoke (  Instagram  ,  Spotify  ) See Privacy Policy at https:/...

SURROUND Senior Producer Rob Schulte sits down with hosts Bobby Bonnet, Andrew Lane, and Amanda Schneider at the NeoCon Podcast Lounge to discuss the essential ingredients for creating a successful podcast. The panel touches on audience insight, strategic alignment, and internal collaboration, while also sharing personal experiences and pitfalls to avoid. The talk offers an exploration into the wo...

Rebecca Best , EVP of Sustainability at Material Bank, is joined by three sustainability leaders from the design industry: Ethan Barbour of IA Interior Architects, Malisa Maynard of Mohawk, and Julia Gillespie of Momentum. Together at NeoCon 2025, they discuss the concepts of fractal-based design and its impact on wellness, plus collaborative innovations between Material Bank and its brand partner...

Francisco Brown, senior editor and engagement manager at Metropolis Magazine, interviews Steve Kooy, Technical Director of Health and Sustainability at BIFMA, live from the NeoCon Podcast Lounge. They discuss BIFMA's longstanding support for the furniture manufacturing industry, the evolution of sustainability certifications, and the importance of industry standards now more than ever. Learn more...

Host AJ Paron explores the innovative and sustainable work of Pallas Textiles with Dean Lindsley, Vice President of Pallas Textiles, and Geraldine Blanchot Fortier, Lead Textile Designer and owner of Limn & Loom. Together they delve into their newest collection, Reve . Hear how sustainability and design come together to shape the future of textiles and why NeoCon is the best place to showcase...

In a special NeoCon edition episode of Barriers to Entry on the NeoConversations feed, hosts Bobby and Andrew are joined by tech and design leader Chris Barton, founder of the renowned music app Shazam and one of this year's keynote speakers at NeoCon. The trio dives into insights, stories, and observations from Chris’s impressive career in tech, which includes founding Shazam “in the 1900s” nearl...

What does it take to bring bold ideas to life at one of the design world’s biggest stages? Faraz Shah, Brand Director at Turf, takes us on a creative journey from sparks of inspiration to the final showroom reveal at NeoCon 2025. Along the way, he chats with Rob Perri, President of Turf and VP at Armstrong, about the magic (and madness) behind the scenes. But first, he kicks things off with Rob Sc...

Enjoy Sense of Space by Turf now available on all podcast platforms . An architect and designer are on a journey to help their community understand the nuances of designing for the built environment. Join Ella Hazard and Faraz Shah through questions and conversations while they explore all the stuff we interact with as designers, architects, and people. Please enjoy the following episode:  Wh...

What did we learn during NeoCon 2024? In the final episode of this year’s NeoConversations series, SURROUND producer Hannah Viti turns the tables on this year’s host, inviting Rajagopal to share his top takeaways from NeoCon—and what they mean for the future of interior design. You'll also hear from Gia Kieu, the winner of SnapCab's Be You Pod Design Contest . You don’t want to miss this recap epi...

How can we create a better future through inclusive design? In his episode of NeoConversations, host, and editor-in-chief of METROPOLIS Avi Rajagopal sits down with design powerhouses and speakers at this year’s NeoCon—Cheryl Durst, executive vice president and CEO of IIDA, and Jason Pugh, principal design manager and global director of diversity equity and inclusion at Gensler—to discuss the impo...

How can we engage touch, smell, sound, and sight for more meaningful design? In this episode, host and editor-in-chief of METROPOLIS Avi Rajagopal sits down with Faraz Shah, senior manager of brand marketing and communications for Turf; Ella Hazard, managing director of Arktura Ventures; and Carolyn Noble, principal and director of design at Ames Design Collective, to discuss the power of our sens...

The former president of Walt Disney Imagineering, Bob Weis, knows a thing or two about narratives and design. In the kick-off episode of this year’s NeoConversations series, host and editor-in-chief of METROPOLIS, Avi Rajagopal, sits down with Weis, one of this year’s NeoCon keynote speakers, to discuss the power of storytelling in interiors. Currently the global entertainment leader at Gensl...

Amy Devers guides listeners through audio collected at the fantastic NeoCon Podcast Studio, powered by SURROUND and sponsored by SnapCab. From First NeoCon-ers and IIDA CEO Cheryl Durst to ThinkLab Trendspotters and moss walls—this episode is jampacked with NeoCon gems. NeoConversations is part of the SURROUND Podcast Network. Check out other amazing architecture and design-related shows at surrou...

The bets are in! In this episode, host Amy Devers delivers the top five big predictions we heard from across the design industry for this year’s NeoCon. Do the predictions in this episode match yours? Let us know in person at the NeoCon Podcast Studio powered by SURROUND and sponsored by SnapCab.   Register for NeoCon, find the full list of programming and check out this year's exhibitor list at n...

Keynotes, Presentations, and CEUs - all on today's episode of NeoConversations. Amy Devers chats with Joseph Cephas, SVP, Novita, about his experience at NeoCon and the panel he's moderating, before breaking down all the keynotes and presentations this year's NeoCon has to offer. After that Amy meets with Meredith Campbell, Host of The Learning Objective, to talk all things education, and how you...

Amy Devers welcomes NeoCon veteran AJ Paron, host of Once Upon A Project, to sift through the best onsite strategies and practical tips for surviving NeoCon—hint bring comfortable shoes. Then a lesson in NeoCon history and some insider intel about THE MART from Lindsey Martin, Director of NeoCon marketing.   NeoConversations is part of the SURROUND podcast network. Check out other architecture and...

What does it take to effectively design brand character into a space? How can brand values and purpose be communicated through materiality, visual language, ambiance and experience? What’s in the tool kit needed to implement a design program company-wide? In this episode, Amy Devers talks to Renee Hytry Derrington, International Design Lead for Formica Group, and Abbott Miller, a partner at world-...

Trusty and timeless tile is making its way into exciting new territory with large format panels, countertop slabs and high-resolution digital printing. The design opportunities are almost limitless. In this episode, Amy Devers talks to Laura Muller, CEO of Four Point Build Inc., Frank Douglas, VP of Business Development for Crossville, and Noah Chitty, Directory of Technical Services for Crossvill...

In this episode we are taking on the challenge of designing flexible workplaces - specifically, designing in power and data distribution solutions that can keep up with the speed of evolving technology, business transitions, budget demands and the ever-changing need for adaptable power configurations - frequently in pre-existing buildings. What are the creative solutions? Amy Devers talks to Steve...

In this episode of NeoConversations, we are asking: What is the circular economy and what role do architects and designers play in it? How can we design truly sustainable spaces and specify materials in which the entire lifecycle has been considered, including eventual reuse? What are the implications, misconceptions and benefits associated with materials made from regenerated waste? Listen as hos...

Details can impact us on every level—they can add an extra element of, structure, protection or aesthetics, while also being on trend. In this episode, Amy Devers talks to Dana Madden, Architectural Product Manager at Tamlyn, and Wayne Braun, Principal at PDR about architectural trim and how it can be used to enhance spaces by adding sophistication, depth, color and drama to walls. Listen to learn...

What are the challenges and opportunities involved in bringing teams from disparate offices together into a unified headquarters? If that HQ doesn’t exist yet, what is involved in the design and construction of that project so that it emcompasses the brand’s DNA, supports company culture and sends a strong message to the world about the company’s mission? Amy Devers talks to Chip DeGrace, of Inter...