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PODCAST

Break Some Dishes

SURROUND Podcast Network

Defying the rules to inspire design. Under the lens of creativity, Verda Alexander and Jon Strassner swap stories with the unlikeliest of heroes in this fight to save our planet.

arts design

All Episodes

01:01:57

Climate Activism and Gender Justice: A Conversation...

Break Some Dishes ·

2025/10/15

In the penultimate episode of season six, Jon and Verda have a conversation with Ayshka Najib, who shares her journey from being inspired by the Chipko movement in India to becoming a fervent champion for both climate justice and gender equality. The discussion covers the intersection of climate change and gender issues, the influence of grassroots movements, and recent advancements in global climate policies. Insights on the role of women in environmental activism, the complexities of greening the

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00:37:49

Less Friction, More Flow — Evolving Design Materials...

Break Some Dishes ·

2025/09/24

Live from the NeoCon show floor in Chicago, Verda and Jon sit down with Kathleen Egan and Paul Shahriari, co-founders of Ecomedes. If you’ve ever struggled to specify sustainable materials, this episode is a must-listen. Ecomedes is changing the game for the architecture and design industry by streamlining product data, certifications, and comparisons into one comprehensive and easy-to-use platform. We explore why the process has been so hard for both designers and manufacturers, challenge ideas

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01:02:17

Women at the Frontlines of Climate Justice

Break Some Dishes ·

2025/09/17

In this episode, Jon and Verda sit down with Osprey Orielle Lake, founder of the Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network (WECAN), to explore the connections between women’s rights, climate justice, and the rights of nature. From ecofeminism to alternative worldviews, from frontline defenders to global policy, Osprey shares how women, especially in the Global South are driving climate solutions.References & Resources Women’s Earth and Climate Action Network

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01:13:37

Unlabeling the Future: Gender, Work & The Climate...

Break Some Dishes ·

2025/08/27

In this episode, Jon and Verda go live from Chicago, at the Gensler Principal's Retreat to unpack some of the issues shaping the design industry. Amanda Schneider, of Think Lab, is back and joins us on stage for a three-part conversation on how unspoken norms around gender and power influence who leads, whose needs are prioritized in design, and how inclusive leadership can drive climate resilience. Amanda shares her research in how generational shifts, and specifically the perspective of Generation

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00:56:39

Rethinking the Hero: A Creative Conversation with...

Break Some Dishes ·

2025/08/20

In this episode, we sit down with product designer and creative thinker Ayse Birsel. She is the co-founder of Birsel + Seck, the award-winning design and innovation studio and is known for her work with manufacturers like Herman Miller as well as her bestselling book Design the Life You Love. Ayse has spent her career helping people design with intention: whether it’s a chair, a company, or their own life. We explore her tools to help people tap their creativity and she even guides Jon live on air

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00:55:56

Beyond the Classroom: Gender, Learning & Leadership...

Break Some Dishes ·

2025/07/23

In this episode, Jon travels to the University of Texas School of Architecture at Arlington to talk with professors and students about learning, teaching and mentoring. Does what we teach, and how we teach, truly open doors for everyone in the design profession? Listen in on these multi-perspective conversations that touch on bias, opportunity, and what happens when expectations meet up with reality. Jon also asks: Are we placing different expectations on male and female students — or are we

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00:47:53

The House By The Sea, Eileen Gray and Other Women...

Break Some Dishes ·

2025/07/16

In this episode, we sit down with Kyle Bergman, founder of the Architecture & Design Film Festival (ADFF), to explore House by the Sea — a dreamy new film that revisits Eileen Gray’s iconic E1027 house and the notorious murals by Le Corbusier. We look at how the film uncovers what design history often hides: the stories of women like Gray, Charlotte Perriand, Lily Reich, and Denise Scott Brown — visionaries whose work shaped modern architecture but whose names too often went uncredited. We

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00:37:08

Breaking Barriers with architect, designer and...

Break Some Dishes ·

2025/06/18

In this episode, we sit down with Lauren Rottet — the only woman ever elevated to Fellow status by both the AIA and IIDA — to explore her remarkable journey from architect to interior and product designer. As Founding Principal of Rottet Studio, Lauren has led award-winning projects around the world and launched a celebrated furniture line, all while challenging the status quo. We talk mentorship, leadership, and what it takes for women to not only enter the design professions, but to lead them

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00:54:43

From Products to Planet: Jane Abernethy’s Mission

Break Some Dishes ·

2025/05/22

In this episode of Break Some Dishes, Jon and Verda talk with Jane Abernethy, Chief Sustainability Officer at Humanscale about everything from sustainable products to gender equity in industrial design. Jane shares her journey from industrial designer to sustainability leader, why women’s voices are essential in shaping our built environment, and how bias in design can have lasting consequences. We also dig into circularity, regenerative futures, and how young designers can lead us toward a more

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00:51:04

Prowl Breaks Barriers: Gender, Design & Sustainability

Break Some Dishes ·

2025/04/23

Jon and Verda dive into the intersection of gender, sustainability, and regenerative futures in industrial design. We’re joined by two powerhouse designers, Baillie Mischler, Founder at PROWL, and Lauryn Menard, CEO of GOB. Together, we explore the challenges and opportunities for women in industrial design, the systemic gender biases embedded in everyday products, and the urgent need for diverse voices in shaping the future of design. We also discuss what a ‘regenerative future’ means and how

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00:43:43

Crunching the Numbers: Women in Design with ThinkLab

Break Some Dishes ·

2025/03/19

In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Schneider, founder of ThinkLab, to explore gender disparities in the architecture and interior design industries. We dive into the numbers—why do women make up 50% of architecture students but only 25% get licensure and even less than 10% are in leadership roles? Does it matter who leads? We discuss systemic barriers, the impact of workplace culture, and what it takes to create a more equitable future. Plus, Amanda shares insights on domestic inequality,

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00:41:38

Beyond Patriarchy: Indigenous Perspectives for a...

Break Some Dishes ·

2025/02/26

For this first episode of Season 6 Jon and Verda speak with Keshia DeFreece Lawrence, a Ramapough Lenape Munsee environmental political scientist and Indigenous expert at Harvard Forest, a 4,000-acre living laboratory on traditional Nipmuc land. We explore the concept of Sovereign Science—an approach to environmental stewardship that prioritizes protection, care, and deep relationship with the land, and discuss the rematriation of physical space, the shift from patriarchal land management to

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00:25:08

Accidental Activists and Citizen Designers

Break Some Dishes ·

2024/12/18

In this wrap-up of Season 5, Jon and Verda reflect on the role we all play in shaping a better future. Jon shares his biggest takeaway from his favorite episode, and Verda calls for action, urging designers to embrace activism and leverage their unique influence to drive systemic change. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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00:55:22

Lost Corners: Understanding Climate Migration through...

Break Some Dishes ·

2024/11/20

Jon invites fellow Connecticutian Tabitha Sookdeo on the podcast to dig deep on climate migration. It's happening right here within our own borders and we need to understand this multifaceted issue that is impacting all of us. After this episode we hope you will think differently and find empathy for those that have lost their corners of the world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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00:40:37

Lessons from Space: What an Astronaut Learned About...

Break Some Dishes ·

2024/10/16

Jon and Verda speak with veteran NASA astronaut Nicole Stott.

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00:48:38

Climate Complexities with the Queer Brown Vegan

Break Some Dishes ·

2024/09/18

Isaias Hernandez, AKA the Queer Brown Vegan joins Jon and Verda to examine tackling climate change education thru social media and engaging with fringe communities who often get left behind. Isaias is taking on all the complex issues around climate change and social equity through the eyes of a young activist and a child of immigrants. We often don’t consider the impact climate change has on minorities and marginalized communities, and Isaias is shedding light onto issues like Petromasculinity and

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00:49:40

If You Can't Fly With the Eagles, You Can Soar With...

Break Some Dishes ·

2024/08/21

Learn the amazing story of a biologist turned bird aviator! Austrian biologist, Johannes Fritz speaks with Jon and Verda about the Northern Bald Ibis, which was completely extinct in the wild 50 years ago. Through careful re-introduction Fritz began to bring them back. Then, when climate change made their winter migration route unpassable, Fritz began teaching these birds a new migratory route by flying an ultralight to lead them across the Alps and into Southern Italy to winter.See Privacy Policy

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00:34:58

Can Baya be a playa? You betcha!

Break Some Dishes ·

2024/07/31

Jon and Verda discover John Derkach, an architect turned techie, who just might help our industry finally impact climate change. Listen to John’s story of building a tech company with an architects eye. Baya is a workflow tool that will help designers specify green solutions throughout their interiors project, and measure their impact while doing it. Learn more about this amazing technology in episode 63!This episode was recorded in the NeoCon Podcast Studio Powered by SURROUND and Sponsored by

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01:00:00

He Saved His Community When He Saved Himself—The...

Break Some Dishes ·

2024/07/17

Domingo Morales grew up in public housing in Harlem and sold candy in subways to help his mother pay rent. By 19 he had two kids and no steady income, but then Domingo stumbled upon a chance to work with Green City Force, an non-profit that teaches young people in the projects careers in horticulture, solar installation and other environmental jobs. Today Domingo is teaching communities how to farm thru city wide composting. But he’s done more than show people how to grow food, he’s showing them

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43:03

Davies Re-Does It

Break Some Dishes ·

2024/06/05

Davies Office was founded in 1948 as a small, family-owned business. Since then, Davies Office has grown to become a nationally recognized leader in green remanufacturing and sustainable office solutions. Host Jon and Verda chat with Bill Davies and Doug Pilgrim about sustainability, and the possibilities that come with upcycling!Discover more shows from SURROUND at surroundpodcasts.com. This episode was produced by Rob Schulte. Break Some Dishes is presented by Davies Office.

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