Imagine a Place

Latest Episodes:

In the Room | Rethinking senior living through design Oct 12, 2026

Show notes

In this episode of In the Room, Wesley Edmonds sits down with Plymouth Harbor interior designers Emily Glasser and Shannon Moriarty to explore the thoughtful, and deeply human, world of senior living design. From creating highly personalized residences to designing for future accessibility and healthcare needs, they share how they balance beauty, functionality, dignity, and choice.

Along the way, the conversation explores the emotions that can come with leaving a longtime home, the importance of community, and how thoughtful design can help turn an unfamiliar next chapter into a place that truly feels like home.

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Imagine a Place gathers industry-leading voices that can inspire the design community through storytelling and broaden our creative horizons. The goal of Imagine a Place is to further elevate the belief that the places we make and the ways we design them matter in our lives.

Why “Interior Designer” is a title worth fighting for | Samantha Rose of HCM Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

What does it really mean to be an interior designer, and why should designers be proud to own that title?

In this conversation, we explore why strengthening the interior design profession starts with designers themselves, from pursuing credentials and getting involved to advocating for a more unified voice. We also talk about the next generation of designers, the power of mentorship and industry connection, and how thoughtful design can make a measurable difference in healthcare and the way people experience space.

It’s a conversation about pride in the profession, advocating for its future, and recognizing the incredible impact interior designers have on people’s lives.

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WorkX San Francisco: Inside the minds of workplace experience leaders Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

What happens when workplace leaders from Meta, Google, Etsy, NVIDIA, WSP, Fresenius Medical Care and Acuity Brands, plus a workplace veteran whose career spans Alo, Netflix, Uber and Headspace, get in a room? You quickly realize they are wrestling with the same question: how do we make the workplace worth the commute for people and worth the investment for the business?

Fresh from WorkX San Francisco, we unpack the ideas that stuck with us. Francis Aquino on shrinking budgets and growing expectations. John Lopes of WSP on the workplace as a “value signal.” Jenn LaBelle of Etsy on piloting before committing. Sharad Aggarwal of Google Cloud on why AI makes human skills even more valuable. And Raymond Chan of NVIDIA and Chirag Kadiwar of Meta on choice, focus, collaboration and how we “bring the buzz back.”

The takeaway? Occupancy is not the goal. Value is. And people are still the biggest reason people choose the workplace.

Discover more insights through our WorkX insight article HERE.

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Mothers of Design: Designing careers, raising families, and finding balance Aug 24, 2026

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What does it really look like to build a meaningful career in design while raising a family?

In this special Imagine a Place episode, Maria VanDeman takes us inside Mothers of Design: Calling in the Double Shift, a live conversation in Knoxville, Tennessee, exploring the intersection of motherhood, design, leadership, and life.

Following the panel, Maria sat down with designers and leaders for candid mini conversations about what motherhood has taught them about empathy, presence, boundaries, asking for help, and navigating the changing seasons of a career. Their perspectives reveal that there is no single formula for balancing work and family and that doing it all doesn't mean doing it all at once or alone.

From learning to put down the phone and be present, to practicing saying no, leaning on community, and recognizing motherhood as a powerful form of leadership, these women share refreshingly real advice for anyone navigating ambition, caregiving, and a full life.

Whether you're a mother in design, lead working parents on your team, or simply want to build a more human workplace, this conversation is a reminder that healthy places require healthy people to design them.

Listen for an honest conversation about motherhood, interior design careers, working parents, leadership, work life balance, community, and finding grace in the season you're in.

Read Maria's insights from this event

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In the Room | Designing with purpose: Nicole Ward on the future of healthcare spaces Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

What if great healthcare design isn't just about beautiful spaces but about helping people heal, caregivers thrive, and every second count? In this episode, Nicole Ward, Senior Associate and Interior Designer at NBBJ, shares how purpose has shaped her career in healthcare design. Nicole offers an inside look at the complexity, and humanity, behind designing spaces where lives are changed every day. It's a thoughtful conversation about innovation, empathy, and why the best design solutions begin with asking better questions.

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Leading across generations: Burnout, authenticity, and the workplace of tomorrow Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Amanda Schneider joins Imagine a Place for a candid conversation about the future of work, generational leadership, and what it takes to build workplaces where people can thrive. Beyond the researcher, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author, Maria uncovers the authentic Amanda, discussing motherhood, burnout, finding joy, and the "elephant circle" of women who helped her rediscover balance. Together, they explore Gen Z, personal branding, authenticity, and leading across generations with empathy, curiosity, and purpose. It's an inspiring conversation for anyone navigating leadership, generational differences, career growth, or the changing world of work.

Check out Imagine a Place on Instagram and LinkedIn for a giveaway of Amanda's new book, Work for What's Next: Why Workplace Culture is Failing and How the Next Generation Can Fix It.

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People care about people: What neurodiversity teaches us about great design Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

Discover how neuroinclusive design is reshaping the way we think about workplaces, justice facilities, and human-centered environments. In this episode, Olivia Danielson-Veed, independent contractor for ThinkLab and former Associate and Senior Project Interior Designer at HOK, shares practical insights on designing for neurodiversity through choice, control, and variety, while exploring how thoughtful design can improve well-being, support rehabilitation, and create spaces where more people can thrive. She also discusses mentoring the next generation of designers, navigating an increasingly complex world, and why empathy remains one of the most powerful tools in the design profession. It's a compelling conversation about inclusion, human experience, and why great design begins with understanding people.

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Building community for the Dealer Designer: Growth, recognition, and meaningful work with Alexandra Tseffos Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

Dealer designers play a vital role in shaping the workplace experience, yet many navigate their careers without a strong professional network or a clear roadmap for growth. In this engaging conversation, Maria VanDeman sits down with Alexandra Tseffos, founder of The Design POP, to discuss the evolving role of dealer designers and the power of building community within the industry. Together, they explore career development, leadership, mentorship, professional visibility, and the importance of understanding what truly brings fulfillment and value to your work. From creating meaningful connections with peers to finding opportunities for growth within your organization, this episode offers practical insights and encouragement for designers who want to build a more purposeful, connected, and rewarding career.

Explore Pop into Excellence

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The Design Days therapy session we didn't know we needed Jun 19, 2026

Show notes

What happens when two design leaders sit down after one of the industry's biggest events and tell the truth about how they're really feeling?

In this candid episode, Maria VanDeman, Director of Design Strategy, and Christina Jameson, Director of Workplace, reflect on Design Days and NeoCon, discussing burnout, working motherhood, authenticity, workplace design, career passion, and the future of human connection in an AI driven world. They explore why designers are uniquely susceptible to burnout, how authentic spaces create stronger workplace experiences, and why meaningful conversations matter more than ever.

If you attended Design Days and NeoCon in Chicago, or if you're a designer, workplace strategist, leader, parent, or creative professional trying to balance purpose and pressure, this episode will resonate deeply.

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The art of feeling: How OFS, Liz Flores, and Alkemis brought a showroom to life Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

What happens when art, wellness, and design come together? In this special Design Days Chicago episode, Maria VanDeman sits down with artist Liz Flores and Alkemis co-founder Price Latimer to explore the partnerships shaping the OFS showroom experience. Liz shares the stories woven into her vibrant artwork, from the symbolism of an acorn growing into a tree to her celebration of imagination, community, and the female perspective. Price reflects on Alkemis' journey to create the world's first wellness paint and why the materials surrounding us matter as much as the spaces themselves.

Join us for an inspiring look at the creative vision behind the OFS Design Days experience and the collaborators making it possible. Together, they invite listeners into a showroom designed not just to be seen, but to be felt.

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