Imagine a Place

00:22:05

Why “Interior Designer” is a title worth fighting for...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/09/21

What does it really mean to be an interior designer, and why should designers be proud to own that title?In this conversation, we explore why strengthening the interior design profession starts with designers themselves, from pursuing credentials and getting involved to advocating for a more unified voice. We also talk about the next generation of designers, the power of mentorship and industry connection, and how thoughtful design can make a measurable difference in healthcare and the way people

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00:18:21

WorkX San Francisco: Inside the minds of workplace...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/09/01

What happens when workplace leaders from Meta, Google, Etsy, NVIDIA, WSP, Fresenius Medical Care and Acuity Brands, plus a workplace veteran whose career spans Alo, Netflix, Uber and Headspace, get in a room? You quickly realize they are wrestling with the same question: how do we make the workplace worth the commute for people and worth the investment for the business?Fresh from WorkX San Francisco, we unpack the ideas that stuck with us. Francis Aquino on shrinking budgets and growing

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00:20:24

Mothers of Design: Designing careers, raising...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/08/24

What does it really look like to build a meaningful career in design while raising a family?In this special Imagine a Place episode, Maria VanDeman takes us inside Mothers of Design: Calling in the Double Shift, a live conversation in Knoxville, Tennessee, exploring the intersection of motherhood, design, leadership, and life. Following the panel, Maria sat down with designers and leaders for candid mini conversations about what motherhood has taught them about empathy, presence, boundaries, asking

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00:29:23

In the Room | Designing with purpose: Nicole Ward on...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/08/10

What if great healthcare design isn't just about beautiful spaces but about helping people heal, caregivers thrive, and every second count? In this episode, Nicole Ward, Senior Associate and Interior Designer at NBBJ, shares how purpose has shaped her career in healthcare design. Nicole offers an inside look at the complexity, and humanity, behind designing spaces where lives are changed every day. It's a thoughtful conversation about innovation, empathy, and why the best design solutions begin with

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00:22:32

Leading across generations: Burnout, authenticity,...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/07/27

Amanda Schneider joins Imagine a Place for a candid conversation about the future of work, generational leadership, and what it takes to build workplaces where people can thrive. Beyond the researcher, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author, Maria uncovers the authentic Amanda, discussing motherhood, burnout, finding joy, and the "elephant circle" of women who helped her rediscover balance. Together, they explore Gen Z, personal branding, authenticity, and leading across generations with empathy,

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00:26:17

People care about people: What neurodiversity teaches...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/07/13

Discover how neuroinclusive design is reshaping the way we think about workplaces, justice facilities, and human-centered environments. In this episode, Olivia Danielson-Veed, independent contractor for ThinkLab and former Associate and Senior Project Interior Designer at HOK, shares practical insights on designing for neurodiversity through choice, control, and variety, while exploring how thoughtful design can improve well-being, support rehabilitation, and create spaces where more people can

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00:24:20

Building community for the Dealer Designer: Growth,...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/06/22

Dealer designers play a vital role in shaping the workplace experience, yet many navigate their careers without a strong professional network or a clear roadmap for growth. In this engaging conversation, Maria VanDeman sits down with Alexandra Tseffos, founder of The Design POP, to discuss the evolving role of dealer designers and the power of building community within the industry. Together, they explore career development, leadership, mentorship, professional visibility, and the importance of

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00:16:45

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

Imagine a Place ·

2026/06/19

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,

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00:29:42

The art of feeling: How OFS, Liz Flores, and Alkemis...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/06/01

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

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00:32:12

In the ROOM at ICFF: The spaces that shape us with...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/05/28

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

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00:22:06

In the ROOM at ICFF: Designing for Experience with...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/05/19

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

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00:11:58

Conversation to creation: Design, connection, and OFS...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/05/11

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

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00:18:02

Lighting the way for leadership, representation, and...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/04/20

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

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00:10:33

When “Not In Scope” and humor become a design...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/04/06

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

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00:16:42

Reclaiming creativity: Leadership, balance, and the...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/03/30

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

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00:30:04

You can’t mandate culture: Insights from WorkX Dallas

Imagine a Place ·

2026/03/23

In this episode, Christina Jameson, Director of Workplace at OFS, and Lydia Moya, Brand Manager at OFS, reflect on conversations with workplace leaders from organizations like Warner Music Group, PepsiCo, Eli Lilly, Microsoft, UT Health San Antonio, and TDECU at WorkX Dallas 2026. One message came through clearly: The office is no longer required. It must be earned. Together they unpack themes that surfaced throughout the event including why policy cannot replace purpose, how the employee journey

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00:47:35

The design strategy behind one of the world’s leading...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/03/16

From architecture school to leading design at global coworking brand Industrious, Jean Chandler has seen the workplace from every angle. In this episode, we explore how coworking spaces create buzz, why people “vote with their feet,” and what it takes to design offices that feel more human.Connect with Jean on LinkedIn Connect with Wesley on LinkedIn Connect with Maria on LinkedIn.Click here to get your copy of Maria's children's book—Design Your World.Follow Imagine a Place on LinkedIn.Imagine a

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00:11:54

The designer’s secret superpower: Listening, empathy,...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/03/09

In this episode, Maria sits down with Melissa Borman, Interior Design Director at Niles Bolton Associates in Atlanta, to talk about leadership, listening, and designing with intention. Melissa shares how seeing projects through a client’s business lens reshaped her approach to design. Along the way, she discovered that her greatest superpower isn’t just creativity, but listening.Together, they explore the shift from designing for clients to designing with them, and why empathy, curiosity, and

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00:34:20

AI and the future of design: Balancing technology,...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/03/02

In this episode, Maria sits down with Mike Sewell, Chief Digital Transformation Officer at Gresham Smith, to explore what happens when engineering, interior design, and artificial intelligence intersect. From a life changing moment on a bicycle that reshaped how he thinks about designing for people, to his role as Chief Digital Transformation Officer guiding firm wide digital innovation, Mike shares a powerful perspective on the future of practice. Together, they unpack the tension between

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00:14:43

The courage to stand up for your team: Redefining...

Imagine a Place ·

2026/02/23

In this episode, Kala Fagan, a Senior Associate and Design Director at OTJ Architects, joins us for an honest and energizing conversation about what it means to lead in design today. From navigating post recession pressures to pushing back on unrealistic timelines and race to the bottom fees, Kala speaks candidly about advocating for people, protecting teams from burnout, and why designers must reclaim the value of their ideas. We explore leadership as an act of care, the importance of industry wide

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