Imagine a Place

Imagine a Place
  • 5.0 (134)
  • Design
  • Updated Weekly

This is a podcast about people, places, and design that will help you learn and grow. Our guests share insight, stories, and big ideas that inspire courage and curiosity. Whether it's our workplace, our home, or all the places in between, interior design is shaping the human experience every day.

  1. 2d ago

    The Design Days therapy session we didn't know we needed

    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. Connect with Christina on LinkedIn. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Click here to get your own Imagine a Place Conversation Card Deck. 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.

    17 min

  2. Jun 1

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

    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. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Click here to get your own Imagine a Place Conversation Card Deck. 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.

    30 min
  3. In the ROOM at ICFF: The spaces that shape us with Sabrina Lippman of Habitat for Humanity

    May 28

    In the ROOM at ICFF: The spaces that shape us with Sabrina Lippman of Habitat for Humanity

    Recorded live from ICFF 2026, Wesley Edmonds sits down with Sabrina Lippman, CEO of Habitat for Humanity NYC & Westchester, for a powerful conversation about housing, dignity, and the life-changing impact of homeownership. From transforming underutilized spaces across New York City into thriving communities, to helping working families build generational stability, Sabrina shares how Habitat for Humanity is redefining what affordable housing can look like in one of the world’s most expensive cities. Together, they explore the emotional impact of having a place to call home, the connection between design and dignity, and why creating stability gives people the freedom to dream bigger. Connect with Sabrina on LinkedIn Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Click here to get your own Imagine a Place Conversation Card Deck. 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.

    32 min
  4. In the ROOM at ICFF: Designing for Experience with Tana Hovland of Rockwell Group

    May 19

    In the ROOM at ICFF: Designing for Experience with Tana Hovland of Rockwell Group

    Recorded live at ICFF in New York City, Wesley Edmonds sits down with Tana Hovland of Rockwell Group to talk about what design really means today. Tana shares how her work has shifted from skyscrapers to experience-driven spaces and why hospitality is about more than just how things look. From healthcare clinics that feel like home to designing spaces that engage all five senses, this conversation explores how thoughtful design can shape how people feel, move, and connect. It’s a candid, insightful look at creating spaces people actually want to be in. Connect with Tana on LinkedIn Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn   Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Click here to get your own Imagine a Place Conversation Card Deck. 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.

    22 min

  5. May 11

    Conversation to creation: Design, connection, and OFS at Design Days

    In this episode of Imagine a Place, Maria VanDeman and Wesley Edmonds reflect on a powerful start to the year, highlighting authentic conversations with women in design, ICFF, the growing importance of human connection in the workplace, and insights from the Power of Choice research. As Design Days in Chicago approaches, they share what to expect from OFS’s “Imagine a Place” showroom experience: an inspiring, human-centered environment designed to spark creativity, conversation, and new ideas. Join OFS in Chicago to experience it for yourself and see how design can bring people and possibilities together. Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Click here to get your own Imagine a Place Conversation Card Deck. 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.

    12 min

  6. Apr 20

    Lighting the way for leadership, representation, and the power of connection | Natasha Brewer, Perkins Eastman

    In this inspiring episode, interior designer Natasha Brewer, Senior Interior Designer and Associate Principal of Perkins Eastman shares her perspective on leadership, creativity, and the evolving role of connection in the design industry. The conversation explores the importance of mentorship, representation, and creating space for diverse voices, while highlighting how authenticity and vulnerability can strengthen both teams and outcomes. Natasha offers a thoughtful reflection on what it means to lead with intention, step outside of your comfort zone, and support the next generation of designers. Her insights reinforce that design is ultimately about people and the experiences we create for them. A meaningful listen for designers and creative professionals who are passionate about growth, community, and making a lasting impact through their work. Connect with Natasha on LinkedIn. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Click here to get your own Imagine a Place Conversation Card Deck. 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.

    18 min

  7. Apr 6

    When “Not In Scope” and humor become a design superpower | Morgan Maples of IA Interior Architects

    This episode features Morgan Maples, a Chicago-based Senior Project Manager, who brings a real and refreshingly honest perspective to the realities of working in the design industry. The conversation explores themes of setting boundaries, managing expectations, and navigating the balance between saying yes and protecting your time. Morgan shares reflections on collaboration, emphasizing how creativity often thrives through shared ideas and team energy rather than working in isolation.   The episode also touches on career growth and perspective, including the value of understanding different paths within the industry and how designers can better communicate with clients. With humor and authenticity throughout, this conversation offers a relatable and refreshing look at the challenges and opportunities that shape a successful and sustainable design career. Connect with Morgan on LinkedIn. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Click here to get your own Imagine a Place Conversation Card Deck. 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.

    11 min

  8. Mar 30

    Reclaiming creativity: Leadership, balance, and the evolving practice of design | Abby Rolla, Vice President and Principal at ASD | SKY

    In a profession shaped by increasing speed and complexity, how do we reclaim the creativity at the heart of great design? In this episode of Imagine a Place, Abby Rolla, Vice President and Principal at ASD | SKY, shares her perspective on protecting creative thinking, leading with intention, and building studio cultures that support both performance and wellbeing. From designing without constraint to advocating for healthier boundaries, this conversation explores how leaders can create the conditions for more thoughtful, human-centered design. It offers a clear lens into how the industry can sustain creativity while evolving toward a more purposeful future. Connect with Abby on LinkedIn. Connect with Maria on LinkedIn. Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn. Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World. Click here to get your own Imagine a Place Conversation Card Deck. 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.

    17 min
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5
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134 Ratings

About

This is a podcast about people, places, and design that will help you learn and grow. Our guests share insight, stories, and big ideas that inspire courage and curiosity. Whether it's our workplace, our home, or all the places in between, interior design is shaping the human experience every day.

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