Design Matters with Debbie Millman

The secret Somali mixtapes | Far Flung with Saleem Reshamwala

30 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

It’s 1988, and Somalis are fleeing the city of Hargeisa. People are trying to get out, trying to save their families and sometimes their things. But...

Brad Listi

27 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Described as a darkly funny meditation on creativity and family, Brad Listi joins to talk about his new book, “Be Brief and Tell Them Everything.”...

Celebrating Pride

20 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Catherine Opie, Adam J. Kurtz, Robyn Kanner, Michael Stipe, and the Indigo Girls reflect on their journeys in this special Pride episode of Design Mat...

Susan Cain

13 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

#1 New York Times best-selling author Susan Cain shares how a bittersweet, melancholic outlook makes emotional room for beauty, creativity, and love. ...

Joan As Police Woman

06 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Joan Wasser shares her musical journey from a classically trained violinist to a solo singer, songwriter, and rock star known as Joan As Police Woman....

Starlee Kine

30 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Writer and producer Starlee Kine joins LIVE at the 2022 On Air Fest to talk about her remarkable career and hit podcast Mystery Show. Hosted on Acast....

Dylan Marron

23 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Writer, comedian, and podcast host, Dylan Marron, shares how hate on the internet fueled his podcast and new book, “Conversations with People Who Ha...

Carol Lim & Humberto Leon

16 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The effortlessly cool fashion designers Carol Lim and Humberto Leon join to talk about two decades of creative partnership and professional collaborat...

Indigo Girls

09 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Ray and Emily Saliers talk about their extraordinary 30-year creative collaboration as the music duo, Indigo Girls. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

Jack White and Ben Jenkins

02 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A love for craftsmanship, design, and baseball brings music legend Jack White and design entrepreneur Ben Jenkins together. In 2016, Jack White became...

Abbi Jacobson with Guest Host Dylan Marron

25 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Costar and co-creator of the groundbreaking TV show Broad City, Abbi Jacobson, joins guest host, Dylan Marron, LIVE on the TED Conference stage. Hoste...

Min Jin Lee on Well-Read Black Girl

21 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I’m sharing an episode from a new podcast I’ve been enjoying, Well-Read Black Girl, from Pushkin Industries. Glory Edim, author and founder...

Best of Design Matters: Ethan Hawke

18 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From the profound experience of making “Dead Poets Society” to the “Before” trilogy and his new book, Ethan Hawke discusses a life spent celeb...

Best of Design Matters: Gabrielle Hamilton

11 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Chef and writer Gabrielle Hamilton talks dueling artistic passions—and how she has found balance and focus in her creative journey. Hosted on Acast....

Best of Design Matters: Cheryl Strayed

04 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Cheryl Strayed battled through remarkable adversity—and the most intense of hikes—to emerge as one of the best American writers working today. Hos...

Best of Design Matters: Bobbi Brown

28 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Bobbi Brown had a revolutionary idea: to create a natural-look makeup line that would make people feel like the best version of themselves. She launch...

Best of Design Matters: Nick Cave & Bob Faust

21 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Cave and Bob Faust discuss the incredible life of creativity, courageousness and community they have built together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

Best of Design Matters: Jacqueline Woodson

14 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In her inspiring creative journey, author Jacqueline Woodson went from struggling with words as a child to mastering them today. Hosted on Acast. See ...

Best of Design Matters: Adam Grant

07 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In an illuminating and cerebral discussion, Adam Grant discusses his new book “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know”—and the va...

Best of Design Matters: Karen Finley

28 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Karen Finley reflects on her legendary performance pieces, censorship and decades of groundbreaking work—and the sheer joy in creating art. Hosted o...

Best of Design Matters: Glennon Doyle & Abby Wambach

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Soccer star Abby Wambach and author Glennon Doyle discuss their striking first meeting, falling in love as pen pals, addiction and sobriety, and the a...

Best of Design Matters: Bisa Butler

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Fiber artist Bisa Butler discusses the AfriCOBRA tradition, the artistic breakthrough that led to her finding her voice, and the process behind her am...

Best of Design Matters: Lisa Taddeo

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From The Last Days of Heath Ledger to Lebron James to the title characters of THREE WOMEN, writer Lisa Taddeo’s words have captured her subjects in ...

Best of Design Matters: Sarah Kay

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Kay thrives in poetry on and off the stage—and here, she discusses the immense power of the craft. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for ...

Best of Design Matters: Shirley Manson

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

After a lifetime on stage, musician Shirley Manson reflects on the extraordinary ways she sees the world today.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva...

Best of Design Matters: Pete Souza

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Pete Souza has taken photographs for National Geographic, Life Magazine, and other dream outlets, leading to his ultimate subject as Chief Official Wh...

Best of Design Matters: Priya Parker

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Priya Parker discusses the art of gatherings—and how we can truly take the events that punctuate our lives to the next level. Hosted on Acast. See a...

Best of Design Matters: Edwin Schlossberg

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

A master at creating interactive, immersive experiences—Edwin Schlossberg joins to talk about his artwork and the 40th anniversary of his firm, ESI ...

Best of Design Matters: Kaki King

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Rolling Stones has called Kaki King a genre unto herself—she joins to talk about her career path and even plays a song or two. Hosted on Acast. See...

Best of Design Matters: Richard Saul Wurman

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Making information understandable both for himself and others—TED founder and author of numerous books, Richard Saul Wurman, joins to talk about edu...

Best of Design Matters: Deborah Kass

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Artist Deborah Kass joins to talk about her extraordinary career, examining the interactions of politics, pop culture, art history, and identity withi...

Best of Design Matters: Sarah Jones

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Known for her multi-character, one-person Broadway hit Bridge & Tunnel—Sarah Jones joins to talk about identity, community, social justice, and ...

Best of Design Matters: Brian Koppelman

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Brian Koppelman joins to talk about his remarkable life, sharing why he became a writer after years of working as a record promoter and producer. Host...

Best of Design Matters: Roz Chast

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Roz Chast joins to talk about her remarkable life and how she earned a coveted spot as a cartoonist for The New Yorker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

Best of Design Matters: Krista Tippett

03 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Debbie Millman talks with Krista Tippett about her religious orientation, her struggle with depression, and why it's so hard to understand our histori...

Best of Design Matters: Simon Sinek

31 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

“To see your team achieve more than they thought they were capable of, that they will advance the organization further than you even imagined—beca...

Design Matters: Best of 2021

27 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this special episode of Design Matters, we take a look back at 2021, revel in the collective brilliance of Catherine Opie, Ethan Hawke, Randa Jarra...

Best of Design Matters: Wendy MacNaughton and Caroline Paul

23 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Illustrator and author duo Wendy MacNaughton and Caroline Paul join to talk about their book, “Lost Cat: A True Story of Love, Desperation, and GPS ...

Best of Design Matters: Hrishikesh Hirway

20 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From practicing on his first piano—drawn on a piece of paper—to recording albums and launching the podcast and Netflix show “Song Exploder,” H...

Best of Design Matters: Amy Webb

16 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Named “one of the five women changing the world” by Forbes—Amy Webb advises CEOs of the world’s most-admired companies, three-star admirals an...

Anita Hill

13 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Thirty years ago, Anita Hill became a household name and a hero for many women when she told the world about how Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas...

Best of Design Matters: Jason Kottke

09 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Founded in 1998, kottke.org is one of the oldest blogs on the web. It’s written and produced by Jason Kottke and covers the essential people, inve...

Michael Stipe

06 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Michael Stipe joins to talk about his remarkable life, photography practice, and career as the lead singer and lyricist for the band R.E.M. Hosted on ...

Best of Design Matters: Roman Mars

02 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Roman Mars is the host and creator of 99% Invisible, a sound-rich, narrative podcast about the unnoticed architecture and design that shape our world....

Keenan Scott II

29 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A playwright, poet, actor, director, and producer—Keenan Scott II joins to discuss his powerful and captivating Broadway play “Thoughts of a Color...

Best of Design Matters: Dr. Dori Tunstall

25 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Dr. Dori Tunstall joined OCAD University in 2016 as Dean of Design. She is a design anthropologist, public intellectual, and design advocate who works...

Ai Weiwei

22 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ai Weiwei joins to discuss his new memoir “1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows,” depicting a century-long epic tale of China told through a story of hi...

Best of Design Matters: Rob Walker

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rob Walker discusses his interest in death and how our digital records remain online, being shy and how this influenced his decision to become a journ...

Ashley C. Ford

15 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ashley C. Ford joins to discuss her memoir “Somebody’s Daughter,” capturing a complex childhood shaped by family secrets, incarceration, and res...

From the Archive: Massimo Vignelli

11 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Legendary graphic designer Massimo Vignelli, best-known for creating the iconic New York City subway map, discusses intellectual elegance, education, ...

Toshi Reagon

08 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shaped by music and activism, Toshi Reagon reflects on her upbringing and remarkable career writing, playing, singing, and producing music. Hosted on ...

Nick Offerman

01 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Reflecting on his remarkable life and career, Nick Offerman shares his insights on acting, marriage and the current state of the world. Hosted on Acas...

Alisa Cohn

25 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alisa Cohn—named Top Startup Coach in the World—shares her secrets, insights and strategies from nearly 20 years of turning startup founders into ...

Adam J. Kurtz

18 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Adam J. Kurtz delves into the human experience and explores the duality of time—everything changes, yet tomorrow isn’t promised—in his new book,...

Amy Koppelman

11 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Amy Koppelman penned A Mouthful of Air, a powerful novel years ahead of its time—and now, 20 years on, she discusses the film version of it she dire...

Rickie Lee Jones

04 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Long a believer in the impossible, Rickie Lee Jones has lived an extraordinary life of song. Here, she reflects on five decades of making music. Hoste...

Jonathan Fields

27 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What makes you feel most alive? Jonathan Fields is here to help you figure it out—and infuse it into your career in truly transformative ways. Hoste...

Dorie Clark

20 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In our short-term world, Dorie Clark is proof positive that there’s incredible power in long-term strategy—and here she riffs on her new book, “...

Catherine Opie

13 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At 8 years old, Catherine Opie realized “that history is made within an image culture”—and here, she discusses her incredible life as a photogra...

Design Matters From the Archive: V (Formerly Eve Ensler)

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After surviving intense abuse as a child, V grew up to pen powerful prose and plays—and today fights for women suffering around the world. Hosted on...

Design Matters From the Archive: Seth Godin

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In his third Design Matters interview, writer Seth Godin riffs on his 20th book—“The Practice”—a milestone text exploring creativity and the s...

Carly Kuhn

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From the Groundlings and “Chelsea Lately” to fashion illustration, textile work and beyond, Carly Kuhn—aka The Cartorialist—may not have set o...

Quiara Alegría Hudes

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After dreaming of becoming a musician, Quiara Alegría Hudes found her true future on the page—and in such works as “My Broken Language” and “...

Suneel Gupta

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Forging on past failure, Suneel Gupta began to ask wildly successful people about their less-successful moments—and that laid the foundation for his...

Bobbi Brown

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Bobbi Brown had a revolutionary idea: to create a natural-look makeup line that would make people feel like the best version of themselves. She launch...

Design Matters From the Archive: Claire Danes

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At 10, she announced that money or no money, she would be true to her art—and there was no plan B. And, well, actress Claire Danes stuck to it. Host...

Design Matters From the Archive: Bisa Butler

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fiber artist Bisa Butler discusses the AfriCOBRA tradition, the artistic breakthrough that led to her finding her voice, and the process behind her am...

Design Matters From the Archive: Miranda July

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Writer, director and actress Miranda July discusses the surreality of releasing a surreal movie in an even more surreal time—and the eternal magic o...

Jonny Sun

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Feeling like an outsider, Jonny Sun turned to performance, comedy and Twitter—eventually channeling his thoughts into Jomny Sun and his signature Al...

Design Matters: Celebrating Pride

28 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Alison Bechdel. Eileen Myles. Kenny Fries. Saeed Jones. Four icons reflect on their journeys in this special Pride episode of Design Matters. Hosted o...

Ping Zhu

21 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ping Zhu’s parents were afraid her interest in illustration might just be a phase … and then she landed her first assignment ever at The New York ...

Fabien Baron

14 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Fabien Baron wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps—so he dropped out of school to conquer the magazine world, and has since realized that sto...

Susan Orlean

07 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Susan Orlean takes what appears to be ordinary corners of everyday life—and brings them to the page with startling wonderment and wit. Hosted on Aca...

Nick Cave & Bob Faust

31 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Nick Cave and Bob Faust discuss the incredible life of creativity, courageousness and community they have built together. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

Tavi Gevinson

24 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

She was a teenage media mogul—and now her story extends to the page and the stage … not to mention the reboot of “Gossip Girl.” Get to know Ta...

Beeple

17 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Beeple began creating a new piece of art each day with his aptly titled “everydays” series … which ultimately led to an astonishing $69 million ...

Futura

10 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Across 50 years in the art scene, Futura has undergone a brilliant evolution from graffiti prodigy to design master. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...

Tanya Selvaratnam

03 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Tanya Selvaratnam has said that when life throws you lemons, make art—and she has profoundly done just that in the face of unimaginable circumstance...

Ethan Hawke

26 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From the profound experience of making “Dead Poets Society” to the “Before” trilogy and his marvelous new book, Ethan Hawke discusses a life s...

Design Matters From the Archive: Lisa Congdon

19 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From finding and focusing in on your artistic voice to staying passionate and purposefully driven, creative sherpa Lisa Congdon once again helps liste...

Design Matters From the Archive: Robert Wong

12 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Robert Wong ditched accounting and pursued his artistic dreams, criss-crossing the world before co-creating the innovative Google Creative Lab. Hosted...

Design Matters From the Archive: Ira Glass

05 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From creativity to creative struggles and what makes or breaks a “This American Life” story, Ira Glass reflects on a career in the airwaves. Hoste...

Robyn Kanner

29 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Robyn Kanner’s sponsor asked what her goals were. She said she was going to elect the next president of the United States. And in this episode explo...

Randa Jarrar

22 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Randa Jarrar has made the world a sexier and more thoughtful place—and on this episode, she discusses her powerful new memoir, "My Love is an Ex-Cou...

Jacqueline Woodson

15 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In her inspiring creative journey, author Jacqueline Woodson went from struggling with words as a child to mastering them today. Hosted on Acast. See ...

David Byrne

08 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The legendary David Byrne reflects on his formative years, the mystery that underpins making music, and his cathartic Broadway experience, “American...

Jenna Lyons

01 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From her trend-setting career with J.Crew to the medley of new projects she has launched over the past year, Jenna Lyons has perpetually made the worl...

Adam Grant

22 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In an illuminating and cerebral discussion, Adam Grant discusses his new book “Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know”—and the va...

Design Matters From the Archive: Marilyn Minter

15 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Sex, power, feminism—Marilyn Minter reflects on her rise, being banished from the art world, and her return and personal revolution. Hosted on Acast...

Design Matters From the Archive: Esther Perel

08 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Esther Perel explores the fascinating design of marriage, modern intimacy and relationships—and the complex dynamics of infidelity. Hosted on Acast....

Design Matters From the Archive: Brené Brown

01 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Belonging. Human connection. Vulnerability. Failure. Perseverance. On this episode, Brené Brown discusses the highs and lows of her creative journey—...

Design Matters From the Archive: Marina Abramović

25 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Marina Abramović reflects on all the moments that made her the performance genius that she is today—in which the artist is, indeed, utterly present...

Hrishikesh Hirway

11 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

From practicing on his first piano—drawn on a piece of paper—to recording albums and launching the podcast and Netflix show “Song Exploder,” H...

Best of 2020

28 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this special episode of Design Matters, we take a look back at 2020, revel in the collective brilliance of Bisa Butler, Miranda July, Marilyn Minte...

Wael Morcos & Jonathan Key

21 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hailing from Lebanon and Alabama, respectively, Wael Morcos and Jonathan Key discuss their amazing journeys that coalesced into their groundbreaking d...

Karen Finley

14 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Karen Finley reflects on her legendary performance pieces, censorship and decades of groundbreaking work—and the sheer joy in creating art. Hosted o...

Laurie Haycock Makela

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Laurie Haycock Makela discusses her revolutionary typography days at Cranbrook with Scott Makela, surviving two brain hemorrhages—and arriving at “...

Seth Godin

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In his third Design Matters interview, writer Seth Godin riffs on his 20th book—“The Practice”—a milestone text exploring creativity and the s...

Design Matters From the Archive: Thomas Page McBee

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In his extraordinary journey, Thomas Page McBee traversed trauma and wound up in the ring at Madison Square Garden, brimming with a host of wisdoms on...

Design Matters Live: Gemma O'Brien

16 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From a life-changing letterpress moment to early viral fame and the current COVID crossroads, Gemma O’Brien remains a master of illustrious letterfo...