PODCAST · arts
Design Nerds Anonymous
by ThinkLab and SURROUND
Design Nerds Anonymous is a podcast about what’s next, shaped by design, human behavior, and data.
Episodes
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Leading Without the Leash: What Training Guide Dogs Reveals About the Future of Work
Recorded live from the Mannington Commercial New York Showroom, this conversation explores an unexpected model for the future of work: guide dog training. Amanda Schneider is joined by Deborah Golden, author of the foreword of Work for What’s Next, and John Miller, CEO of Guide Dog Foundation and...
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Gen Z Is Entering the Workforce. Are We Setting Them Up to Succeed?
Recorded live at the Mannington Atlanta showroom, this episode explores a question facing every industry: as Gen Z enters the workforce, are we collectively setting them up to succeed? Gen Z is entering a workplace with changing context to the one we entered. AI is changing how work gets done....
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Mass Customization: The Next Workplace Challenge
Recorded live with Office Revolution in Chicago in the Haworth showroom, this episode explores what may be the next great workplace challenge: how organizations can deliver individualized experiences while maintaining alignment, efficiency, and culture. Inspired by ideas from I Can Fit That In…
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The System Wasn’t Built for Everyone. Now What?
Recorded live at the Momentum showroom, this episode explores a tension at the heart of Work for What's Next: people can experience the same workplace very differently—and those differences have something important to teach us. Inspired by recent conversations across the industry, Amanda is…
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The Oprah Encore: What Jean Twenge Says We’re Getting Wrong About Gen Z
After appearing together on Oprah’s podcast, Amanda knew one thing immediately: we needed more time with Jean Twenge. Jean is one of the world’s most cited and influential generational researchers, known for shaping how leaders understand Millennials, Gen Z, technology, mental health, and…
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The Story Behind the Story of Work for What’s Next
Cindy Kaufman turns the mic around, live, at the Mannington showroom in Denver for a more personal conversation with Amanda Schneider. Together, they go beyond the ideas in Work for What’s Next to explore the moments, questions, and experiences that shaped the book. This is the story behind the...
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We Tested a Gen Z Advisory Model. Here's What We Learned.
In this milestone 100th episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, recorded live at our industry's largest trade show, Amanda is joined by Candon Murphy (HOK), Joseph Oliveri (Corgan), and Caroline Murphy (FutureGen) for a live conversation testing a Gen Z advisory model. Building on years of ThinkLab...
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The Road Show Begins: Come Build What's Next with Us
We're hitting the road... and we'd love for you to come along. Over the next few months, Design Nerds Anonymous is leaving the studio for a series of live podcast recordings, keynotes, and conversations across North America as part of the Work for What's Next Road Show. In this special episode,...
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Signals of the Future: A Playbook for What’s Next
The future of work isn’t a distant horizon—it’s already taking shape in small, often overlooked signals. In this episode, we explore the early indicators reshaping how work is designed, led, and experienced. The conversation connects these signals to practical action, offering leaders a clearer…
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BONUS EP: LIVE from the PDC Healthcare Summit 2026
In this special episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider takes you inside the PDC Summit—one of the rare events where the full spectrum of healthcare decision-makers comes together under one roof. Recorded live from the show floor, this episode captures an unfiltered look at the...
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Mentorship and Learning for What’s Next
In Season 10, Episode 6 of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider turns to two critical forces shaping the future of work: mentorship and learning. She’s joined by Elisabeth Mejia, President of IIDA New York and Interiors Leader for HKS in New York, and Paridhi Chawla, Vice President of...
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Communication and Collaboration for the New Rhythm of Work
In Season 10, Episode 5 of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider turns to two of the most pressing realities of modern work: communication and collaboration. She’s joined by Dr. JJ Peterson, former head of StoryBrand and a leading voice in modern messaging, and Gideon Spitzer-Williams…
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The Power of Microcultures: Designing Culture and Purpose That Stick
In Season 10, Episode 4 of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider zooms out from trust and talent to explore the deeper belief systems holding organizations together: culture and purpose. She’s joined by Ron Tite—author, speaker, founder of Church+State, and former stand-up comic turned...
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The New Rules to Recruit and Retain
In Season 10, Episode 3 of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider builds on last week’s trust conversation by tackling the next logical shift: recruitment and retention. She’s joined by two voices with beautifully opposing (and complementary) lenses: Grace Snelling, editorial assistant at...
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Digital Sparks, Human Sticks: Trust & Connection in the Phygital Future
In Season 10, Episode 2 of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider continues the season inspired by her new book, Work for What’s Next, with Eric Termuende, bestselling author and keynote speaker who’s delivered 500+ talks worldwide on leadership, culture, and the future of work. Together,...
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Why Fixing Work Fixes Everything
In the Season 10 premiere of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider kicks off a season built around the ideas inside her upcoming book, Work for What’s Next, with a guest who lives at the intersection of innovation, risk, and human potential: Deb Golden, Deloitte’s US Chief Innovation...
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Education Decision Making in Practice LIVE from EdSpaces in Columbus
Recorded live at the EDspaces conference in Columbus, this episode explores how education leaders are navigating high-stakes decisions under unforgiving timelines. Hear why trust, clarity, and early alignment matter more than ever, what’s slowing education projects down, and how partners can help...
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What Shapes Hospitality Decisions Behind the Scenes: Behind Thinklab’s Private Research
In this episode, ThinkLab’s hospitality research takes center stage as Amanda Schneider and Erica Waayenberg unpack how decision-making is shifting across hotel and hospitality projects. From rising risk aversion and burnout to growing expectations around business acumen and the practical role of...
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What Drives Healthcare Design Decisions Today: LIVE from HCD in KC
Live from the Healthcare Design Conference in Kansas City, this episode explores how healthcare end users are navigating increasingly complex decisions for the built environment. Hear why early problem-spotting beats crisis response, what’s breaking alignment at the start of projects, and how...
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Inside Corporate Decisions for the Built Environment: LIVE from Chicago
Live from Chicago, this episode dives into how corporate end users are making decisions differently in today’s built environment. Hear real conversations straight from ThinkLab’s Corporate Hackathon on why flexibility matters more than cost, what’s slowing projects down, and how clearer, more...
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Radical Futures: What Could 2040 Really Look Like?
What will life look like in 2040? In this special season finale, we fast-forward to the future and ask our guests to share their most radical—but entirely possible—predictions for what’s ahead. From breakthroughs in design and technology to shifts in culture, climate, and the way we live, these...
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What Is Next for Hotels and Hospitality Spaces?
From luxury seekers to digital nomads to next-gen travelers, hospitality spaces are evolving at record speed—Marriott is opening a new hotel in the U.S. every 20 hours. In this episode, we explore the values transforming what guests want—sustainability, personalization, wellness, and tech—and how...
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What Kind of Homes Will Gen Alpha Want?
What does “home” look like to a generation raised on smart tech, climate anxiety, and constant change? Backed by new research, this episode reveals how Gen Alpha is already shaping the future of housing—from the way homes are designed to where they’re located and even how they’re owned. We’re...
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Work, Reimagined: Gen Z’s Blueprint for the Future
As Gen Z comes of age in a world shaped by AI, automation, and rapid change, they’re rewriting the rules of work. Backed by new research, this episode explores how their approach to careers, company culture, and the workplace itself is breaking the mold—from demanding flexibility and purpose to...
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How Will AI Shape the Future of Healthcare?
The first generation of true digital natives is about to step into the role of healthcare decision-makers—and they won’t settle for the systems we have today. Backed by new research, this episode explores how future generations could reshape everything from how we design clinics to how care is...
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What Does the Future of Learning Tell Us About the Future of Work?
As learning environments evolve—from AI-enhanced classrooms to creative, skills-based spaces—they’re revealing more than just new ways to teach. They’re shaping the expectations, mindsets, and capabilities of the future workforce. In this episode, we’re joined by Tom Vander Ark—education…
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How Will Gen Alpha Shape the World We Haven’t Built Yet?
This isn’t just another episode—it’s a conversation with the man who named Gen Alpha. Mark McCrindle is one of the world’s leading social researchers and futurists, and he's trusted by global brands and governments alike to decode what’s next. In this exclusive interview, he joins us to unpack…
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NeoCon LIVE: Tomorrow’s Impact
Recorded live at NeoCon 2025, this special episode of DNA brings together three voices from across generations for a dynamic conversation on what’s shaping the future of the built environment. From AI and creativity to sustainability and generational shifts, this panel unpacks the challenges —…
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BASELINE: A New Podcast from ThinkLab
BASELINE, a new podcast from ThinkLab, brings the product side of the interiors industry together to crowdsource real-time insight, delivered through easy-to-digest reports and a straight-talking podcast. Take a listen to this sample episode and if you enjoy, please go follow wherever you get...
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LIVE from Worktech Chicago 2025
In this special episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider goes live at the Worktech Chicago 2025 event. The episode features interviews with event organizers, speakers, and attendees who share insights on the future of work, focusing on workplace design, technology enablement,...
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Six Bold Moves to Get Ahead in 2025 – Are You Ready?
Think you know how to win in 2025? Think again. In this season finale of Design Nerds Anonymous, we break down six bold, data-driven strategies that will define success in the coming year. From frictionless websites to AI-powered sales, immersive showrooms to redefined workspaces, our expert…
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The Future of Sales: How AI is Helping Reps Do It All
The sales landscape is shifting, and AI is at the forefront of this transformation. The best sellers today aren’t just choosing between in-person or digital—they’re mastering both. In this episode, we explore how AI can help sales professionals scale their time, automate routine tasks, and focus…
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Why the Rep-Designer Relationship Feels Different — And What to Do About It
The rep-designer relationship has changed. Hour-long lunch presentations and spontaneous drop-ins are becoming rare, and digital demands are reshaping how reps connect with designers. Today, reps must redefine their roles to remain indispensable, while designers who engage with the right reps can...
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Rethinking B2B Showrooms: Lessons from Retail and Beyond
Think about the last showroom you walked into. Was it visually stunning? Now ask yourself: Did it stick with you? Did it make you want to explore and engage? Was it truly remarkable? Many showrooms are caught in a tension between aesthetics and function—following a formula that’s been used for...
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The Phygital Evolution of Industry Events: What’s Next?
The return to in-person events is not a return to business as usual. As trade shows, conferences, and live events thrive, some brands are redefining the event experience, while others risk making events feel outdated. In this episode, Marco Giberti—a leading expert in live event…
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The Future of Work: Corporate Collaboration in the Phygital Landscape
The future of work isn’t just about where we work or what tools we use—it’s about why people choose to show up at all. In this thought-provoking episode, Amanda Schneider is joined by workplace strategy expert Phil Kirshner and Microsoft’s Matthew Marzynski to explore corporate collaboration in…
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What Most Companies Get Wrong: Online Presence Strategies in the Digital-First Era
In today’s digital-first world, your website isn’t just a tool—it’s your first impression. If potential clients struggle to navigate your site, find outdated information, or encounter friction at every turn, they’ll leave. In this episode, Amanda Schneider is joined by two experts, Tyler Suomala...
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Season 6 Highlights: Defining Insights on End-User Decision-Making
Amanda Schneider takes listeners through the biggest insights, funniest moments, and thought-provoking themes from Season 6. This special “Best Of” episode revisits key conversations with thought leaders across industries, highlighting the evolving nature of end-user decision-making in the built...
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Generation Gap: Rethinking Soft Skills in the Hybrid Workplace
In this episode, Amanda Schneider welcomes soft skills expert Kendra Johnson to discuss the evolving importance of soft skills in today’s hybrid workplace. As organizations navigate new challenges with dispersed teams and intergenerational differences, this conversation dives deep into the need…
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The Future of Work: An Entanglement of IT, HR, and Design
In this episode, Amanda Schneider leads a discussion with three industry leaders on one of the biggest challenges in the workplace today: turning overwhelming amounts of data into actionable insights. As decision-making teams grow larger and more diverse, integrating information from IT, HR, and...
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Getting to Consensus: A Masterclass for All Sectors
This episode explores the growing complexity of decision-making in the built environment, focusing on how to reach consensus in larger, more diverse teams. Amanda is joined by Halle Hannaford, Senior Principal Team Lead at Chick-fil-A, who shares insights on how her team navigates decision-making...
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Why Traditional Workplace Metrics Are Obsolete
In this episode, Amanda Schneider and Rob Sadow dive deep into the outdated metrics that have traditionally guided workplace design and management, such as "people per square foot." With the rise of flexible and hybrid work models, these conventional metrics are becoming obsolete. Rob shares...
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The #1 Issue Frustrating Your Clients Today
Amanda Schneider and her panel of experts tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing the industry today: pricing volatility. With the aftermath of inflation and fluctuating costs impacting all aspects of project planning and execution, the discussion highlights how these uncertainties are...
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Managing Up: Today’s Crucial Skill You Weren't Taught
In this episode, Amanda Schneider sits down with Dr. JJ Peterson from StoryBrand to explore how the art of storytelling can be a powerful tool for mastering "managing up" in the increasingly complex decision-making process in B2B environments. Dr. Peterson walks listeners through the StoryBrand...
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In Their Words: Decision-Maker Insights on Opportunities for the Built Environment
Recorded live at NeoCon 2024, Amanda Schneider is joined by corporate, hospitality, and healthcare leaders to explore decision-making dynamics in the built environment. Featuring insights from Staci Patton of Hilton, Tope Sadiku of McDonald's, and healthcare architect Andrew Navarro of HPLEX...
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Bridging the Gap: ThinkLab Data Meets Global B2B Insights
Welcome to Season 6! Amanda Schneider reflects on the growth of Design Nerds Anonymous and dives into the future of customer decision-making in the built environment. This episode highlights proprietary insights and data from ThinkLab and contrasts them with well-known global B2B research, such…
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Encore Replay: Fostering Authentic Relationships with Gen Z
Exciting News, Design Nerds! Season Six of Design Nerds Anonymous is on the way, diving deep into decision-making in the B2B space, inspired by insights from ThinkLab’s 2024 Hackathon. Each episode will explore key topics like managing up, overcoming client frustrations, and why traditional...
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Why This 'Bad Word' Became a Must Have for Multi-Family & Hospitality Spaces
ThinkLab’s research team was stunned by the intensity of challenges and anticipated transformations in these sectors, especially regarding a once-taboo term. Tune in to discover what this 'bad word' is and why it's causing such discomfort. Special thanks to our partners at Kimball international…
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Healthcare Spaces: The Paradox of an Un-rushable Process in Fast Times
In this episode, we explore one of the most critical environments to our nation’s health and wellbeing; the world of healthcare spaces. Join us to uncover what's changed, what hasn’t, and actionable steps you can take to expedite decision-making around spaces that heal. Special thanks to our...
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Education Spaces: The Not-So-Hidden Culprit(s) Behind Approval Bottlenecks
Step into the world of higher education, where we’re uncovering not-so-hidden culprits behind approval bottlenecks. Tune in as we share strategies to streamline the approval process and navigate academia’s challenges. Special thanks to our partners at Kimball international who are doing big…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Design Nerds Anonymous have?
Design Nerds Anonymous currently has 105 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Design Nerds Anonymous about?
Design Nerds Anonymous is a podcast about what’s next, shaped by design, human behavior, and data.
How often does Design Nerds Anonymous release new episodes?
Design Nerds Anonymous publishes regularly with 105 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Design Nerds Anonymous?
You can listen to Design Nerds Anonymous on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Design Nerds Anonymous?
Design Nerds Anonymous is created and hosted by ThinkLab and SURROUND.
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