Imagine a Place

Latest Episodes:

Culture, care, and the spaces between: A conversation with Charmaigne Haley of SmithGroup Oct 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, host Maria sits down with Charmaigne Haley, an interior designer at SmithGroup whose story beautifully blends culture, creativity, and compassion. From her Filipino roots to her journey into healthcare design, Charmaigne shares how her heritage, family, and personal experiences with neurodiversity have shaped the way she designs for empathy and connection.

Together, they explore what it means to create spaces that not only function but also heal—spaces that honor people, culture, and community at every turn.

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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.

Designing with empathy and grit Sep 29, 2025

Show notes

Join our guest host, Roby Issac from Mannington Commercial, as he sits down to talk with Alexandra Bonner from FCA.

A West Philadelphia-born interior designer, Alex's heart and passion for healthcare spaces are rooted in empathy, personal experience, and a lifelong love of design. She shares how her firsthand experiences inform her approach to creating neuro-inclusive healthcare spaces and designing environments that empower. Join the conversation about how color, choice, and human-centered design can transform clinical environments and discover Alex’s advice for emerging designers ready to make an impact.

Discover the article: 5 key insights to neuro-inclusive design.

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What’s Next for the Workplace: OFS Recaps the WorkX Conference Sep 25, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of In the Room, host Wesley Edmonds sits down with Christina Jamison, Director of Workplace at OFS, to unpack key takeaways from WorkX in Boston. From the industry’s “flight to experience” and the resurgence of private offices to the impact of AI and the human side of workplace data, they explore how design and strategy must evolve to meet the needs of today’s workforce—a practical, human-first conversation on what’s shaping the future of work.

Let's escape the noise and join us "In the Room."

Read more about WorkX and the future of work on OFS.com/Insights

Learn more about ROOM

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In the Room at WorkX: Four Leaders, Four Lenses, Countless Ah-ahs Sep 23, 2025

Show notes

What happens when you bring together leaders shaping the workplace from some of the world’s most innovative companies? In this special WorkX episode, In the Room host Wesley Edmonds sits down with Alexandra Selezneva (Coca-Cola), Jimmy Groh (Otsuka Pharmaceuticals), Lauren Hasson (JLL), and Brittany Freeman (Athenahealth) for four fast-paced conversations packed with insights on the future of work.

Let's escape the noise and join us "In the Room."

Read more about WorkX and the future of work on OFS.com/Insights

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Finding Peace and Building Community with Shanna Francis of HuntonBrady Architects Sep 08, 2025

Show notes

What does a farm full of Highland cows have to do with interior design? For Shanna Francis, Director of Corporate Interior Design at HuntonBrady Architects, it’s everything. In this episode, recorded live at OFS Design Days showroom, we dive into her inspiring journey, from raising a young son while grinding through design school, to leading high-profile projects, to building a life of peace and purpose on a 200-year-old farm in Virginia.

Shanna shares the pivotal moments that shaped her career: the professor who doubted her, the studio community that lifted her up, and the design industry colleagues who rallied around her. Her story is one of resilience, mentorship, and the power of surrounding yourself with people who believe in you.

We talk about what it means to lead with empathy, to be authentic in your work, and to find joy in both the quiet mornings on the farm and a bustling design scene. If you’ve ever faced doubt or struggled to balance career and life, this episode will inspire you to embrace your own unique path and discover peace among the mountains, along with a renewed sense of joy and happiness.

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Design for the mind Aug 25, 2025

Show notes

How can we start making spaces more inclusive for all kinds of minds?

In this episode, Host Roby Isaac sits down with Dr. Kati Peditto, senior design researcher at DLR Group, to explore neurodiverse and inclusive design. Dr. Peditto shares how co-design, research, and empathy help shape spaces that meet the needs of neurodivergent individuals. From classrooms to healthcare to workplaces, she explains how small, intentional choices like lighting, sound, wayfinding, and tactile elements make a big difference.

The conversation highlights practical strategies for designers to create environments that are neuro-inclusive. Dr. Peditto emphasizes listening to lived experiences, engaging stakeholders early, and designing for extremes so everyone benefits.

5 key insights to neuro-inclusive design

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Design from your heart to your shoes with Ronnie Belizaire of HKS Aug 11, 2025

Show notes

Recorded live at Design Days, Maria VanDeman chats with a dynamic leader in design, Ronnie Belizaire, Studio Practice Leader and Principal at HKS, about her incredible journey from business student to design industry powerhouse. From navigating her Haitian-American heritage to embracing her true self in the design world, Ronnie shares inspiring stories of mentorship, authenticity, and the power of community. Tune in to hear about her passion for shoes, her role in shaping the future of design, and the life-changing lessons learned along the way. Whether you're starting your career or looking to make a bold shift, Ronnie’s story is a testament to the impact of staying true to yourself and seeking out and honoring meaningful connections. Don’t miss out!

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Brain, body, and the built environment Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

How do pathways between the brain, body, and built environment shape our experience?

In this first episode of Crafted for Healing, neuroscientist Dr. Kelly Olson joins series guest host Roby Isaac for a look into the science behind healing spaces. Dr. Olson shares how our brains respond to built environments and how thoughtful design can help regulate stress, support well-being, and serve the needs of more people, including neurodivergent individuals.

From the amygdala to architectural cues, this conversation connects neuroscience to design in a practical way that reflects how we experience spaces. If you’re interested in creating environments where more people can thrive, it all starts here with the brain.

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Crafted for Healing: A Conversation on Neurodiversity, Healthcare Design, and Community Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

How can we craft the future of healing spaces through neuro-inclusive design?

In this episode of Imagine a Place, Stan Gray of Carolina and Roby Isaac of Mannington Commercial join Maria to discuss Crafted for Healing, neurodiversity, inclusive design, and creating community.

Together, they talk about how the Crafted for Healing experience connected healthcare design leaders to learn about neurodiversity and it's impact on designing healing spaces. They reflect on the expert insights, stories shared, their personal journey discovering neurodiversity, and the importance of the community they’re building.

This episode also hints at what’s coming next...a new podcast series hosted by Roby, diving deeper into the stories and science behind neuro-inclusive design from a neuroscientist, design researcher, and healthcare designer.

Discover 5 key insights from Crafted for Healing.

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Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.

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Chicago Design Week: Feel the Energy, Vibes, and Experiences Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

Step into the heart of Chicago’s Design Week —where 50,000 designers gather, showrooms pulse with creativity, and deep dish dreams meet Michelin-star ambitions. In this electric episode, Maria VanDeman and Wesley Edmonds reflect on everything from Fulton Market’s immersive design experiences to unexpected encounters with industry icons like Cheryl Durst (yes, even with laryngitis!) and Roby Isaac from Mannington.

You’ll hear stories of bold murals, student innovation at ICFF, and why winning “Best Large Showroom” at Fulton wasn’t just about design—it was about heart, culture, and hospitality. The conversation weaves through laughter, food cravings, human-centered design, AI with empathy, and the kind of spontaneous connections that make this industry unforgettable.

If you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be inspired by a city, a space, or a stranger—this episode is your invitation.

Spoiler: Vibes are high. Energy is off the hook. And kindness is the new innovation.

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Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.

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