Podcasts! They’re the new blog and Youtube all rolled into one! They’re also an incredible way to consume tips and stories while on the go. Listen on your walk, while you’re doing the dishes, or when in the car on the way to client meetings. What could be better?
There are a ton of amazing podcasts to choose from, but we’ve compiled a lucky 7—our favorite mix of design, inspiration and business tips for interior designers.
99% Invisible
Host Roman Mars has been called “the Ira Glass of design,” taking listeners on a journey through every day architecture and design. The weekly show explores the process and power of design, with a knack for making seemingly-mundane topics completely fascinating.
99% Invisible creates beautifully put-together stories that pull back the curtain on the environments we walk through on the regular. Mars takes ordinary spaces and makes them extraordinary. It’s engaging, unique and clever. You’ll want to devour every second.
Start here: episode 29, Cul de Sac
“When people critique cul-de-sacs, a lot of the time, they’re actually critiquing the suburbs more generally. The cul-de-sac has become sort of like the mascot of the suburbs. If suburbia had a flag, it would have a picture of a cul-de-sac on it...”
After the Jump
It’s design*sponge gone audio! The famous design blog took to podcasting a few years ago and it won’t disappoint. If you’re a maker or designer, you’ll love hearing stories directly from the artists and entrepreneurs interviewed in this weekly show.
Host Grace Bonney interviews designers, store owners and creatives who, like Grace, are “pushing beyond the status quo.” It doesn’t look like After the Jump is still being recorded, but there are over 100 episodes to listen to, so you’ll have plenty to keep you busy.
Start here: episode 99, The Changing Pay Rates for Creative Talent in the Internet and Pinterest era
“When did it become okay for people to work for free in the design community? How far can exposure really get you? Tune in to a special episode of After the Jump as Grace Bonney and a panel of esteemed guests in the design community discuss the changing pay rates for creatives in the era of Pinterest.”
Archispeak
Architects Cormac Phalen, Neal Pann, and Evan Troxel do a great job covering everything from the industry to the weird. This is a great podcast if you want to learn more about the profession (especially if you work with a lot of architects), but it’s also a fun listen for building nerds.
Their segments “ways famous architects have died” and “architecture questions from third graders” alone make it worth a listen.
Start here: episode 12, Permanence in Architecture
“Are we designing obsolescence into our buildings? Is all architecture meant to be permanent? Join us as we explore these questions and more.”
The Chaise Lounge
The Chaise Lounge is a weekly podcast about the business of interior design. Nick May, owner of a Denver paint contracting business, covers marketing in addition to client and staff management. This podcast is worth a listen for both new and experienced designers as it feels like a conversation between industry friends.
Start here: episode 67, Ellen O’Neill – Creative director for Benjamin Moore
“Nick gets to know Ellen O’Neill, who is responsible for picking the color of the year, and this year proved to be quite controversial. The color of the year for Benjamin Moore ended up being Simply White.”
Design Matters
Design Matters is a thought-provoking podcast that’s more than just an interview series. Debbie Millman—writer, artist and brand consultant—tackles serious issues within the design community. She interviews guests you’ll likely already know and love. Think Amanda Palmer and Brandon Stanton. Within those conversations she manages to always pull out nuggets you’ll be chewing on for months.
Start here: Isaac Mizrahi
“Debbie Millman talks to Isaac Mizrahi about why he loves fashion and why he does so many things outside of fashion.”
DesignProSuccessStories
While not an outrageously popular podcast, it’s one of the few that really tackles the nitty gritty of what it’s like to be a professional designer. Host Jeff Wortham is a California-based landscape architect and in this show he speaks to real designers about work-life balance, inspiration and career paths.
Start here: episode 15, Photographing Spaces Inside & Out
“We cover some of the key considerations to keep in mind when hiring a professional photographer for your work as a Design Professional.”
Young House Love Has A Podcast
Sherry and John Petersik are the married couple who chronicled their home improvement adventures on the blog Young House Love. A blog that turned into two bestselling books and their own product lines at Target and Home Depot.
They also “discontinued” their blog a few years ago, so if you miss regular updates from the duo, you’ll be over-the-moon ecstatic to hear they’ve launched a podcast! It’s brand new, but it will feel like you’re right there with them, hanging out as they share DIY tips, play games and chat with interior designers, bloggers and TV personalities like Sarah Richardson and Sabrina Soto.
Start here: They’ve only made four full episodes, so you’ll have to listen to them all!
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