Design Of Podcast
Hosted by Justin Ahrens
Insights, ideas, and inspiration for what's next. Stories that ignite change, challenge perspectives, and bring people together.
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S11, Ep77
The Design Of Figuring It Out on Stage: Meet Nancy O’Connor
What does it really take to build a career in comedy? In this episode of The Design Of, Nancy shares the honest side of pursuing stand-up while life keeps moving around you. We talk about uncertainty, showing up before you feel ready, and how the hardest moments can become the material that moves you forward.
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S11, Ep76
The Design Of Changing the System, Not Just the Story: Meet Rhyon Nicole Brown
Rhyon has built a career as an actor, singer, and performer, but success in the industry led to a bigger question: what if the system itself needs to change? In this episode of Design Of, we talk about ownership, identity, and the shift from being chosen to building your own platform through her company, Rhume.
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S11, Ep75
The Design Of Across Disciplines: Meet John Pobojewski
What if style isn’t enough? In this episode of Design Of, John Pobojewski shares why lasting brands are built on ideas, not just looks. He explains how design becomes decoration without meaning and how conviction matters more than chasing trends. For leaders and founders: don’t start with how things look. Start with what they stand for. As John puts it, “If there’s no idea behind it, it’s just style. And style doesn’t last.” Listen to rethink what makes a brand endure.
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S11, Ep74
The Design Of Roads & Kingdoms: Meet Nathan Thornburgh
Before Roads & Kingdoms existed, Nathan Thornburgh had already been shaped by reporting from places where American power is felt, questioned, and often resented. This episode traces how that worldview formed and why Roads & Kingdoms became the vehicle for telling those stories honestly.
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The Design Of: Ten Years of Listening
“The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.” — Muriel Rukeyser Listening is an act of respect. It says this matters. It says slow down. It says there’s something here worth understanding.
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S10, Ep73
The Design Of Getting Unstuck: Meet Sarah Kissko Hersh
What happens when a communicator turns the mirror on herself? Sarah Kissko Hersh of Type A Consultancy shares honest insights on clarity, burnout, and real influence—revealing how listening, constraint, and courage fuel better leadership and communication.
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S10, Ep72
The Design Of Legacy and Clarity: Meet Gordon Kaye of GDUSA
In this episode, we meet Gordon Kaye, a lawyer who once reviewed scripts for Saturday Night Live and now runs one of the most respected design and communication magazines in America. His story is one of legacy, reinvention, and the quiet power of clarity.
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S10, Ep71
The Design Of People-First Events: Meet Together By Design
What if virtual events sparked real connection? Hear how Rachel Elnar, Heather Lynn, and David Carr-Berry turned Adobe’s Creative Jams into energizing, human-centered experiences. Learn their secrets for building belonging and community online—and why treating audiences as people, not numbers, transforms everything. Tune in for a fresh take on digital gatherings.
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S10, Ep70
The Design Of Beauty and Provocation: Meet Brian Singer
What if changing minds isn’t about new campaigns, but new perspectives? Brian Singer (“Someguy”) uses beauty and play to reveal what’s uncomfortable.
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S10, Ep69
The Design Of Bold Joy: Meet Alyssa Low
What if a side project changed everything? Meet Alyssa Low, whose bold, joyful work now lives on walls, in stadiums, and across Chicago.
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