Episode 15: Marsha Faulkner: Classical Design in a Digital Era

Send us Fan MailWhen Marsha Faulkner agreed to serve as President of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art's Florida Chapter, she thought she was stewarding a thriving organization. Instead, she discovered she'd be rebuilding it from the ground up—while continuing to run her interior design firm, Studio M.In this episode, Marsha shares what it's like to implement an organization's first-ever budget, transition from a single-city chapter to a statewide network spanning 7+ locations, and hire two new staff positions while maintaining programming excellence. She reveals the "ham sandwich" problem—eight years of valuable recorded content sitting unused while seeking sustainable revenue—and how she's building systems to unlock that archive.We explore how classical design principles apply to climate-resilient coastal architecture in Florida, the unexpected synergies between running a design firm and leading a nonprofit, and why materials science and traditional aesthetics aren't at odds. Marsha also discusses the transatlantic differences in approaching classical design, from sourcing craftspeople to preservation attitudes, and shares her vision for ICAA as a potential international craft knowledge network.The conversation gets personal as Marsha reflects on discovering her own capacity—learning she can do far more than she thought possible through focus, delegation, and time management. She credits Navy SEAL David Goggins' philosophy: when you think you're at your breaking point, you're probably not.Whether you're leading an organization through unexpected challenges, balancing multiple professional roles, or thinking about how timeless design principles address modern problems, this episode offers both practical wisdom and inspiration.Guest: Marsha Faulkner, Principal of Studio M Interior Design & President, ICAA Florida ChapterFind Marsha:Studio M Interior Design: www.StudioMInteriorDesign.netICAA Florida: www.ICAAFL.orgInstagram: @StudioMInteriorDesign, @MarshaFaulkner, @ICAAFloridaChapterNow, Near, and the Future examines business, culture, and innovation through three temporal lenses—NOW (current state), NEAR (3-5 years), and FUTURE (15-20 years). Hosted by Quinn Harrington (Jacksonville) and Naila Mir (London), the podcast features leaders navigating transformation across industries.Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or YouTube. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn @nownearfuture or visit nownearfuture.com.