LytePod

Lytei
  • 4.9 (17)
  • Design
  • Updated Daily

Diving into the honest, creative, challenging, and fun human part of how design really happens - all with a little love for light along the way. Featuring creative minds who walk into their own story - from designers to manufacturers, innovators, and professors - unpack their vision, ideas, accomplishments, and habits that make it happen!

  1. 3d ago ·  Video

    The Man Who Lit Chicago's Riverwalk on Leading With Heart, Not Ego | Giulio Pedota

    What happens when a lighting designer who lit one of Chicago's most iconic public spaces sits down and reveals why the most powerful design tool isn't technology or talent—it's leading with heart, not ego? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Giulio Pedota, the lighting designer behind Chicago's stunning Riverwalk, for a rare, unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to build a career rooted in empathy, vulnerability, and the courage to design for people—not portfolios. This isn't a conversation about fixtures or photometrics. It's a deeply human look at the philosophy, humility, and emotional intelligence required to create spaces that serve everyone from local residents to global travelers, and why the best measure of success isn't the rendering or the award—it's whether people feel comfortable, safe, and seen. Giulio reveals why arrogance lives in the ego, not the heart, why vulnerability is essential when architecture and technology become too complex to navigate alone, and why the best designers carry their mistakes with them—not as scars, but as lessons that build empathy and sharpen instinct. He walks through the uncomfortable truths: why 20 to 30 percent of a project is design and the rest is documentation and execution, why clients buy beautiful things first and functionality second, why fear is normal and means you're on the right track, and why the glass of water must be emptied before you can refill it—or risk burning out completely. 💡 Key topics explored: • Why the lighting industry's moral compass—making the world a better place through people—guides every great designer • How empathy and vulnerability live side by side—and why arrogance closes doors while openness invites collaboration • The importance of building yourself from within: strengthening both the mind and the heart, where courage lives • Why the Zen philosophy of emptying the glass matters—and how nature, swimming, and time off refill creativity and prevent burnout • How to manage clients by reading their fears, negotiating timelines, and reassuring them with trust and clear communication • Why the new generation inspires Giulio—and how they're equipped with more tools and a more sophisticated field to take lighting design forward Whether you're a designer wondering how to lead with confidence without arrogance, a young professional trying to balance creativity and execution, or anyone curious about what it takes to build a career rooted in empathy, courage, and the relentless pursuit of making spaces better for people—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the instincts, values, and human connections that define a life in lighting design. Listen now to discover why great design isn't about ego or perfection—it's about empathy, vulnerability, and leading with heart. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Mark Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/mark 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Leading from the Heart, Not the Ego 00:01:14 Sponsor Spotlight: Mark Architectural Linear 00:02:20 The Moral Compass of the Industry: Designing for People 00:09:19 Building Yourself from Within: Mind, Heart, and Courage 00:13:33 The Fundamentals Never Change: Thinking Beyond the Rules 00:15:27 Philip Stark's Rule: Every Room Needs One Thing That's Different 00:16:50 Designing the Chicago Riverwalk: Architecture, Humans, and Sustainability 00:23:19 Visual Comfort and Human-Centric Light: Beyond Tunable White 00:21:04 Sponsor Spotlight: Diode LED, Kelvix, and LED Flex 00:26:44 The Reality of Design: 30% Creation, 70% Documentation 00:29:26 Emptying the Glass: Finding Peace Under Water 00:32:55 Managing Clients and Their Fears: Negotiating Time and Trust 00:34:43 Sponsor Spotlight: Targetti USA 00:36:36 How Do You Know the Design Worked? Walking In and Seeing Harmony 00:37:26 When Mistakes Happen: The Knife in the Heart 00:40:46 Learning from Mistakes: Mockups, Labs, and Hidden Shadows 00:43:15 What's Left to Learn? Refining Everything, Always 00:45:35 Closing: Faith in the New Generation

    The Man Who Lit Chicago's Riverwalk on Leading With Heart, Not Ego | Giulio Pedota

  2. Jun 30 ·  Video

    The Architect turned Lighting Designer's trap (And What Came Next) - Golsana Heshmati

    What happens when a lighting designer who's built her life around betting on herself sits down and reveals why everything she once believed about success was completely wrong—and what came next changed everything? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Golsana Heshmati, founder of Seed, a boutique lighting design studio in New York City, for a conversation about what it really means to build a practice rooted in authenticity, trust, and the courage to redefine success on your own terms. Golsana reveals why the definition of success she believed in her twenties turned out to be completely wrong, why entrepreneurship is lonely but trust makes it bearable, and why the best measure of success isn't the award or the publication—it's the moment you're surrounded by creative people, sharing ideas, and feeling like you finally got your answer. She walks through the uncomfortable truths: why lighting designers don't brand themselves because they're afraid to compete with architects, why she designed her own logo when she couldn't afford a designer, why she showed up to a networking event exhausted and bought lunch for 36 people the next day—and landed her first massive project because of it. And why the one hour train ride that almost didn't happen became the turning point that proved betting on yourself isn't a risk—it's the only way forward. 💡 Key topics explored: • Why the definition of success—big names, famous projects, industry recognition—turned out to be completely wrong, and what replaced it • How starting your own business teaches you what matters most—and what never mattered at all • Why the moment you feel most alive isn't finishing a project—it's being in a deep creative conversation with someone who sparks ideas • The journey from seven cities across multiple continents to building a boutique lighting design studio in New York City • How lighting showed up accidentally—and why it became more powerful than architecture ever was • Why betting on yourself isn't a risk—it's trusting that if you don't believe in yourself, no one else will • The one hour train ride to a networking event that almost didn't happen—and how buying lunch for 36 people the next day landed the first major project • Why transparency and trust define Seed's culture—and how involving the team in every decision makes risk less lonely • The importance of hiring people who share the vision—and training them into it through an extensive onboarding process • Why entrepreneurship is lonely—but building a team that trusts each other makes the hard decisions bearable • How new ideas from team members—like sustainability in lighting—evolve the studio's vision without losing its core • Why clients come back because of who you are as people—not just what's in your portfolio • Why architecture became the mindset and lighting became the tool—and why encouraging others to become lighting designers matters now Listen now to discover why great design isn't about big names or famous projects—it's about trusting yourself, building with intention, and creating space for ideas to spark. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Mark Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/mark 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Betting on Yourself—From Seven Cities to One Studio 00:01:24 Sponsor Spotlight: Mark Architectural Linear 00:02:30 What Success Got Wrong: From Big Names to Small Moments 00:07:07 The Loneliness of Entrepreneurship: Staying Authentic While Growing 00:07:37 Early Hustle: Pop-Up Shops, Photography, and the Artist Within 00:11:39 From Architecture to Lighting: The Accidental Discovery 00:16:39 Landing in New York: Energy, Belonging, and Building Home 00:18:30 The First Client: A One-Hour Train Ride That Changed Everything 00:21:41 Sponsor Spotlight: Diode LED, Kelvix, and LED Flex 00:24:00 Branding Seed: Designing the Studio from Scratch 00:26:51 Trust as Strategy: Betting on Yourself Over and Over 00:27:53 From Luck to Intentionality: Systemizing Business Development 00:29:30 Leading with Transparency: When Your Decisions Affect Others 00:32:15 Sponsor Spotlight: Targetti USA 00:33:21 Hiring for Vision: Onboarding, Alignment, and Team Trips 00:36:20 Mindfulness in Growth: Staying Intentional When Busy 00:37:08 No End Goal: Evolving Through Ideas and New Voices 00:39:58 Portfolio vs. People: What Attracts New Clients 00:41:49 Lighting as the Toolbox: Architecture as the Mindset 00:43:39 When I Feel Most Alive: The Energy of Creative Conversation

    The Architect turned Lighting Designer's trap (And What Came Next) - Golsana Heshmati

  3. Jun 23 ·  Video

    Why This Lighting Designer Is Giving Away All His Secrets — So Anyone Can Light a Home Like a Pro

    What happens when a lighting designer who's built a thriving practice around education sits down and reveals why he's giving away all his secrets—and why that terrifying decision might be the only way to change an industry that's been failing homeowners for decades? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with David Warfel, founder of Light Can Help You, for a rare, unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to make lighting accessible—not just to the wealthy few who can afford elite design services, but to the millions of homeowners who deserve better than builder-grade lighting and have no idea how to get it. This isn't a conversation about fixtures or photometrics. It's a deeply human look at the philosophy, language, and courage required to scale lighting knowledge without diluting it, to educate without overwhelming, and to build a business that thrives by teaching others how to do what you do. David reveals why if you're in lighting, you're in education—you don't get a choice, why homeowners don't care about beam angles or CRI—they care about how light makes them feel, and why the best measure of success isn't the rendering or the specification—it's whether someone can wake gently, think brilliantly, move with energy, relax easily, and rest deeply. He walks through the uncomfortable truths: why the lighting industry has spent decades hoarding knowledge instead of sharing it, why elite lighting designers can only serve a thousand homes a year while 1.3 million new homes get built, and why the biggest problems in the lighting industry were created by the lighting industry—which means only the lighting industry can solve them. 💡 Key topics explored: • Why if you're in lighting, you're in education—and how intentional teaching opens doors that technical expertise alone never will • The evolution of David's language of light over 10 years—and why he doesn't use any of it anymore • Why homeowners don't care about beam angles, CRI, or photometric calculations—they care about how light makes them feel • The five things every human wants from light: wake gently, think brilliantly, move with energy, relax easily, rest deeply • How to use analogies that connect with homeowners—from kitchen stoves to belly flops—and why translation matters more than technical knowledge • Why David's team does 100 to 150 projects a year—and how they built a repeatable process that scales education without losing authenticity • The biggest problems in the lighting industry were created by the lighting industry—and why that means only the lighting industry can solve them • Why collaboration, not competition, is the only way forward—and what happens if the industry stays fractured while a big player with billions in revenue decides to take over Listen to discover why great lighting isn't about keeping secrets—it's about sharing knowledge, asking the right questions, and building an industry that helps everyone wake gently, think brilliantly, and rest deeply. ❤️ Big appreciation for our partner who supports this work and trusts the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Lucetta CI - https://lucettaci.com Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: If You're in Lighting, You're in Education 00:01:28 Sponsor Spotlight: Lucetta CI 00:02:04 The Language of Light: Evolving How We Talk About Design 00:06:04 Connecting Through Analogies: Making Lighting Understandable 00:08:00 Honesty Over Sales: Letting Clients Choose Their Path 00:09:57 The Breadcrumb Strategy: Guiding Clients Through Process 00:12:35 Informed Problem Solving: Design at Its Core 00:19:07 Digital Sketching: The Moment Clients Come Alive 00:20:50 Scaling Education: The Challenge of Systemizing Knowledge 00:24:27 The Knowledge Fence: Why the Industry Restricts Access 00:26:35 The Integrator Awakening: Rebuilding for Scale 00:28:12 80 Percent with 20 Percent Effort: The Case for Good Enough 00:31:16 The Free Throw Line Keeps Moving: Why Scaling Is Possible 00:33:28 Five Universal Human Needs: The Foundation of All Design 00:34:50 The NBA of Lighting: Creating Differentiation Without Stigma 00:37:24 Product Placement vs. Elite Design: Mapping the Spectrum 00:39:54 Extending a Hand to Elite Designers: Defining Differences 00:42:41 Asking the Right Questions: Feel Over Specifications 00:43:11 The Biggest Problem in Lighting: Created by the Lighting Industry 00:45:29 Giving Away IP: The Scary Decision to Share Everything 00:48:01 When Sharing Grows and Keeping Plateaus: The Pattern of Success 00:48:56 The Ultimate Success: When Lighting Designers Become Irrelevant 00:49:59 The Apple Watch Moment: Could Big Tech Kill the Lighting Industry? 00:51:19 This Isn't Rocket Science: The Human Game We're Playing 00:53:56 Focus on Relaxation: The One Thing That Matters Most 00:54:57 Closing: Sharing the Amazing Gift of Light

    Why This Lighting Designer Is Giving Away All His Secrets — So Anyone Can Light a Home Like a Pro

  4. Jun 16 ·  Video

    What Design Gets Wrong About $$$ -After 40 Years- Charles Stone, Past President, IALD - FMS Founder

    What happens when a lighting designer with four decades of experience sits down and reveals the uncomfortable truth about what creative professionals get wrong about money—and why that misunderstanding quietly undermines everything else they're trying to build? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Charles Stone, Past President of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD), for a rare, unfiltered conversation about the business of design—the part nobody teaches in school, the part most designers avoid until it's too late, and the part that determines whether a practice thrives or quietly fades away. Money. Getting Paid. He walks through the uncomfortable truths: why young designers don't read contracts, why scope creep happens when no one defines what's actually included, why monitors pay for themselves in six months, and why the client who says "we'll pay you next time" is asking you to do them a favor you can't accept yet. 💡 Key topics explored: • Why designers don't think about money when they're focused on making it beautiful—and why that's the root of the problem • The phrase "for the good of the project" and why it's a virus that spreads from clients into design offices • Why young designers must read contracts—and how that simple act changes everything about how they work • The difference between work product and what clients are actually buying: magic, the wow moment, the thing they couldn't get without you • Why scope creep is more dangerous than perfectionism—and how to protect yourself without killing the design • The importance of identifying risk early: in design decisions, personnel, liability, and client relationships • Why monitors pay for themselves in six months—and what that teaches you about investing in your business • How to rationalize the design process without losing creativity—and why showing a client three options means all three must work Whether you're a young designer wondering how to balance creativity and commerce, a firm leader trying to build something sustainable, or anyone curious about what it really takes to run a design practice that lasts—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the business wisdom that separates thriving practices from struggling ones. Listen now to discover why great design isn't enough—you have to understand money, risk, and the courage to protect what you've built. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Mark Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/mark 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: We're Not Thinking About the Money, We're Trying to Make It Beautiful 00:00:59 Sponsor Spotlight: Mark Architectural Linear 00:02:10 Do You Like to Get Paid? The Business Reality of Design 00:03:32 For the Good of the Project: When Creativity Becomes a Liability 00:05:32 Where It Comes From: Learning Business from Family and Paul Morance 00:09:56 Read the Contract: The Non-Negotiable Rule 00:14:47 What Are They Actually Paying You For? Selling Magic, Not Deliverables 00:16:54 The Value of Experience: 10,000 Hours Before Your First Hundred 00:18:32 Jumping the Shark: When Competitors Raise Their Prices Because You're Bidding 00:20:17 The Spectrum of Clients: From Lighting Experts to Complete Novices 00:21:27 Sponsor Spotlight: Kelvix, LED Flex, and Diode LED 00:23:46 The Video That Changed Everything: FU Pay Me 00:25:14 Writing the Clauses: How Charles's Contract Language Spread Industry-Wide 00:26:29 Walking Away: When Risk Outweighs the Client Relationship 00:28:41 Risk Analysis: Balancing Persistence with Protection 00:35:31 The Dumbest Thing: Not Spending Money Properly 00:38:08 Risk Management at the Desk: Teaching Young Designers to Focus 00:40:27 Rationalize the Process or You Can't Make Money 00:34:00 Sponsor Spotlight: Targetti USA 00:43:06 Closing: Take Some Risk, Be Persistent

    What Design Gets Wrong About $$$ -After 40 Years- Charles Stone, Past President, IALD - FMS Founder

  5. Jun 9 ·  Video

    The Shift That's Making Lighting a Real Business: Where Manufacturers team up with integrators...

    What happens when custom integrators stop dabbling in lighting and start building entire divisions around it—and why is this the fastest-growing category in luxury residential technology today? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Rob Doherty Listen now to discover why lighting isn't just another subsystem—it's the experience that brings everything else to life. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Lucetta CI - https://lucettaci.com Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: From Four Cans and a Fan to a Purposeful Lighting Business 00:01:28 Sponsor Spotlight: Lucetta CI 00:01:57 The Lighting Division: Why Dabbling Won't Work 00:04:02 LED Evolution: Why Lighting is a Natural Fit for Integrators Now 00:05:12 The Early Adopters: This Was Coming for a Long Time 00:06:07 Project Management Reality: More Than Just Handing Off Fixtures 00:08:32 Manufacturing for the Channel: 19 Years of Learning 00:11:01 Designing for Luxury: Ground-Up Development for Discerning Clients 00:16:42 The Showroom Resurgence: Demonstrating the Experience of Light 00:18:08 Lifetime Agreements: Emotional Money vs. Corporate Funds 00:21:20 Taking Accountability: Making Lighting Work with Every Control System 00:24:03 Why Manufacturers Should Be Here: Excellence in Luxury Residences 00:25:52 Scalability Challenge: One House at a Time 00:30:57 Partnership Over Overlap: Respecting What Integrators Do Best 00:32:48 The Whole Package: People, Purpose, and Meaningful Solutions 00:38:49 Closing: Leading with Experience, Not Products

    The Shift That's Making Lighting a Real Business: Where Manufacturers team up with integrators...

  6. Jun 2 ·  Video

    Designers vs. Manufacturers: What Happens After the Spec Leaves the Desk - from Italy to Dubai

    What happens when two lighting designers and two manufacturers sit down in the same room and get brutally honest about spec swaps, value engineering, custom details, and what really breaks when a project goes sideways on site? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel brings together voices from London, Florence, and Dubai for a rare, unfiltered conversation about the real friction points between design intent and manufacturing reality. This isn't a polished panel discussion. It's a candid, deeply human look at what it takes to collaborate across continents, timelines, and expectations when the pressure is on, the budget is tight, and the client still expects magic. They reveal why light quality is the designer's non-negotiable, why hiding complexity through simplicity is the hardest detail to execute, and why the best measure of success isn't the rendering or the spec sheet—it's whether the project still looks good two years later and whether the team can still call each other when something goes wrong. They walk through the uncomfortable truths: why there's no magic shelf where everything sits waiting to ship, why manufacturers become true partners only when they stop thinking in catalog codes, and why the sooner designers and manufacturers start talking, the better the final result will be. Whether you're a designer wondering how to collaborate more effectively with manufacturers, a manufacturer trying to understand what designers really need, or anyone curious about what it takes to turn creative vision into built reality—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the tension, trust, and teamwork required to make great lighting projects happen. Listen now to discover why great lighting isn't about perfection—it's about partnership, communication, and showing up when it matters most. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Mark Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/mark 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Reality of Spec Swaps and Value Engineering 00:01:43 Sponsor Spotlight: Mark Architectural Linear 00:02:52 Starting with Light Quality: The Designer's Non-Negotiable 00:08:35 The Hardest Detail: Hiding Complexity Through Simplicity 00:14:28 Manufacturing Reality: Why There's No Magic Shelf 00:20:48 Partnership Over Catalog: When Manufacturers Become Collaborators 00:28:29 Sponsor Spotlight: LED Flex, Diode LED, and Kelvix 00:30:51 Custom vs. Standard: Balancing Innovation and Maintenance 00:35:38 Physics is Physics: Navigating Technical Constraints with Creativity 00:48:24 Sponsor Spotlight: Targetti USA 00:49:13 Biggest Frustrations: Time, Response, and Communication 00:54:07 Installation Reality: When Projects Go Wrong on Site 00:59:00 Closing: It's About People, Not Places

    Designers vs. Manufacturers: What Happens After the Spec Leaves the Desk - from Italy to Dubai

  7. May 26 ·  Video

    The World's Largest Women-Owned Lighting Design Firm, Built on Empathy & Cluture - Teal Brogden HLB

    What does it take to build a career shaped by deep listening, quiet confidence, and the courage to lead without losing yourself in the process? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Teal Brogden, co-leader of HLB Lighting Design, one of the world's most influential architectural lighting design firms, to unpack what it really means to lead with empathy, curiosity, and panache. Teal reveals why listening with empathy is the foundation of great design, why presence matters more than perfection, and why the best measure of success isn't the rendering or the award—it's the window washer who feels honored to work on a building because it means something to the community. She walks through the art of asking the right questions, the courage it takes to say yes to adventure while staying grounded in technical rigor, and why collaboration isn't just working together—it's creating space for others to shine and trusting that what you give out is what you get back. 💡 Key topics explored: • Why deep listening and empathy are the foundation of every great design decision—and how presence shapes outcomes • The importance of letting people try, fail, and learn—and why trust creates better leaders than protection ever could • How early mentors like Paul Moranse and Barbara Horton shaped Teal's philosophy—and why playfulness and mystery create space for collaboration • Why people are the biggest asset of any design firm—and how human connection fuels creativity, problem-solving, and emotional resonance • The window washer story that reminds us why architecture matters—and why the most meaningful validation comes from people experiencing the space • What Teal would tell her 24-year-old self: trust yourself, go for it, you got this Whether you're a designer wondering how to lead with confidence without arrogance, a young professional trying to figure out what comes next, or anyone curious about what it takes to build a career rooted in empathy, curiosity, and the courage to show up—this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the instincts, values, and human connections that shape a life in design. Listen now to discover why great leadership isn't about having all the answers—it's about listening deeply, trusting yourself, and creating space for others to thrive. ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Mark Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/mark 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: The Power of Empathy in Design 00:01:15 Sponsor Spotlight: Mark Architectural Linear 00:02:29 Leadership Origins: Barbara's Influence and Early Mentorship 00:04:03 Foundation of Success: Parenting, Failure, and Panache 00:07:08 Learning from Paul Moranse: Mystery, Curiosity, and Joy 00:08:36 The Business of Design: Confidence Without Arrogance 00:10:32 Storytelling Through Light: Listening and Pivoting 00:13:34 The Framework: From Blank Page to Decision Making 00:16:20 Fixture Picker or Collaborator: Earning Trust Over Time 00:17:17 Sponsor Spotlight: Kelvix, Lead Flex, and Diode LED 00:19:19 Saying No to Get a Yes: Navigating Difficult Conversations 00:21:24 Listening Across Cultures: Swagger and Empathy 00:21:59 Getting Back What You Give: Career Momentum and Raising Fans 00:26:10 People Are the Purpose: Why Design Is Human 00:28:26 Sponsor Spotlight: Targetti USA 00:29:19 Moved to Tears: The Window Washers and Beloved Architecture 00:31:24 Advice to Your Younger Self: Trust Yourself and Go for It

    The World's Largest Women-Owned Lighting Design Firm, Built on Empathy & Cluture - Teal Brogden HLB

  8. May 19 ·  Video

    The Business of Building Culture & Scaling a Design Firm 10x — Carrie Hawley & Teal Brogden, HLB

    What does it take to build a culture that outlives the people who shaped it? In this episode of LytePOD, host Sam Koerbel sits down with Carrie Hawley and Teal Brogden, co-leaders of HLB Lighting Design — one of the world's most influential architectural lighting design firms — to unpack the business of building, scaling, and leading a design firm that's built to last. This is a candid, deeply human conversation about firm culture, shared leadership, mentorship, and what it really means to lead with the intention of putting yourself out of a job. Carrie and Teal walk through the 10-year planning cycles that guide HLB's evolution, the quarterly mentoring rhythms that develop the next generation of lighting leaders, and why growth is intentional but always people-focused. 💡 Key topics: - How culture is built through daily actions — not slogans — and what that means for hiring, leadership, and strategic planning - Why shared leadership requires vulnerability over control, and meeting in person to facilitate advances (not retreats) - HLB's 10-year planning cycles — and why every career stage shapes the firm's future - Growth plans vs. professional success plans — and why soft skills outweigh technical ones at the senior level - Quarterly mentoring check-ins that replace traditional annual reviews - Why every micro team inside HLB has its own mission statement - Radical candor, crucial conversations, and approaching conflict with curiosity - Why the goal of leadership is to put yourself out of a job Whether you're a design firm principal, a young designer figuring out where you fit, or a lighting professional thinking about the business of lighting design — this conversation offers a rare, honest look at the intentionality and humility required to build a firm that lasts. 🎙️ Listen now to learn why great leadership isn't about control — it's about creating space for others to lead. learn more: https://hlblighting.com/ ❤️ Big appreciation for the partners who support this work and trust the vision. They believe in thoughtful conversations, strong community, and letting designers' voices lead. Grateful to build this together. 1️⃣ Eureka Lighting - https://watch.lytei.com/EurekaRabbitHole 2️⃣ Kelvix - https://watch.lytei.com/Kelvix 3️⃣ LEDflex - https://watch.lytei.com/LEDFLEX 4️⃣ Diode LED - https://watch.lytei.com/diode 5️⃣ Targetti USA - https://bit.ly/targettiusa Chapters 00:00:00 Opening: Does the Company Shape Us or Do We Shape the Company? 00:01:37 Sponsor Spotlight 00:02:47 Culture of Learning: Growth is Intentional and People-Focused 00:04:08 Legacy by Choice: Building Beyond Ourselves 00:07:29 Navigating the Hard Stuff: Communication and Conflict 00:12:49 Specialists and Expertise: Elevating the Entire Team 00:15:00 The North Star: Pursuing Design Excellence Globally 00:19:31 Strategic Planning: 10-Year Cycles and Inclusive Voices 00:23:16 Sponsor Spotlight: Kelvix, Lead Flex, and Diode LED 00:25:33 Empowerment Through Consensus: Not Command and Control 00:27:56 Radical Candor and Crucial Conversations 00:30:45 Sponsor Spotlight: Tarjeti USA 00:31:33 Rhythms of Connection: Mentoring, Growth Plans, and Town Halls 00:37:37 Boutique Studios Within a Whole: Strength in Diversity

    The Business of Building Culture & Scaling a Design Firm 10x — Carrie Hawley & Teal Brogden, HLB
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4.9
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Diving into the honest, creative, challenging, and fun human part of how design really happens - all with a little love for light along the way. Featuring creative minds who walk into their own story - from designers to manufacturers, innovators, and professors - unpack their vision, ideas, accomplishments, and habits that make it happen!

Information

  • Creator
    Lytei
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    149
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 627647
  • Show Website
    LytePod

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