Good, Thoughtful Hosts, A Design Podcast

On Good, Thoughtful Hosts, Sarah Steimer explores the built environment on the notion that a designer’s role is to anticipate the needs of their guests. Join us to dig into the ways in which the built world can influence people’s feelings and experiences — and how. Beyond the traditional requisites of form and function, hear firsthand from architects, engineers, planners, and more on how they imbue designs with health, well-being, user experience, and other modern priorities. Interviews and discussions will include project case studies, profiles of designers, trend reports, and much, much more.

The Movement to Replace PVC

PVC is made with vinyl chloride, a Group 1 carcinogen linked to multiple types of cancers. Yet because of its durability and low price point, it's still a widely manufactured and used building material. The biggest sea change in phasing out its use will likely come from designers and others in the industry. In this episode, we'll talk with Cushing Terrell designer Jill Lee and Carnegie Fabrics CEO Gordon Boggis about efforts to educate others and discontinue use of PVC.

09-03
29:48

Equitable Social Infrastructure in Placemaking

There's an emerging trend in placemaking: equitable infrastructure. When large investments are made in streets, transportation systems, bridges, and tunnels, it can uplift, reinforce, and build community and culture. There can also be investments in a community's social infrastructure — which is reflected in the design for a new YMCA in downtown Boise, Idaho. In today's episode, we talk with Cushing Terrell's Amy Lindgren and Jason Butler, as well as Treasure Valley Family YMCA's Kathryn Hunter, about how this new investment acts as a main street and multi-need social center for the community.

08-20
29:52

Season 4 Teaser

We're back with a new season of Good, Thoughtful Hosts! Expect a great new round of interviews that explore the forefront of design.

08-13
01:10

Bonus Episode: A Chat With Your Host + Favorite Childhood Creative Outlet

We're back (briefly!) to review Season 3 of Good, Thoughtful Hosts and reflect on what we've learned about inspiration. We also put together a special sequence in which this season's guests told us their favorite childhood creative activities.

09-25
29:12

Inspiration from Others: A Season Review with David Koel

We're looking back on our third season with Cushing Terrell Design Director David Koel — who also helped kick off our first episode on the topic of inspiration. It's a conversation about the many ways people can find inspiration, but also the differences in how we define the concept in the first place.

09-23
28:25

Inspiration for Inspiration's Sake with Joel Anderson

We often use inspiration as a way to problem-solve, especially when it comes to work-related projects. But what about when there's nothing at stake or nothing to prove? In this episode, we speak with the recently retired Joel Anderson (while on a hike!) about how he seeks inspiration... just because.

08-28
20:28

Inspiration Through Lifelong Learning with Jill Lee

Senior Interior Designer Jill Lee is all about ongoing education, whether formal or informal. Lee chats with us about learning new skills, being constantly curious, and her latest knowledge quest.

07-31
22:15

Inspiration Through Systems with Kaitlin McCoy

Cushing Terrell Architect and Sustainability Specialist Kaitlin McCoy explains how she problem-solves by stepping back and considering the full system, rather than hyper focusing on an issue. She'll also discuss the systems found in nature that inspire her to look at the big picture.

07-10
19:26

Inspiration Through Beauty-Seeking with Darren Johnson

Project manager and mechanical designer Darren Johnson discusses how he opens himself up to find beauty to inspire him, and how he uses that inspiration as fuel.

06-19
15:50

Inspiration Through Shepherding Others with Charlie Deese

People usually talk about the ways that leaders can inspire the team — but the inspiration can go the other direction as well. In this episode, Design Director Charlie Deese discusses how helping to nurture others' ideas help to keep his own creative juices flowing.

05-15
16:22

Inspiration From Your Inner Circle with Kendra SantaCruz

Administrative Assistant Kendra SantaCruz talks about how her brother — the writer Michaelbrent Collings — inspires her, and how looking to those close to you can be a great way to motivate yourself. Listen to the full TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/michaelbrent_collings_confessions_of_a_super_villain_the_psychosis_of_lies

05-02
21:25

Inspiration from David Lynch with Jimmy Talarico

In this week's episode, Cushing Terrell Project Strategist Jimmy Talarico explains how he shares David Lynch's philosophy about creativity: Sometimes you just have to stay open and know how to catch the fish.

04-17
17:24

Inspiration Through Mission-Driven Work with Isaura Perez

In this episode, we chat with designer Isaura Perez about how her mission-driven work inspires her. We'll dive into how knowing the impact of your work can spur creativity. For more information on the organization Isaura discusses, Sound Foundations NW: https://www.soundfoundationsnw.org/

04-03
16:16

Inspiration Through Listening to Music with David Serna

In this episode we'll chat with architect David Serna about how he plays music — or opts for silence — when he's looking to groove deeper into his work and set just the right tone.

03-19
18:02

Women Inspiring Women: A Special International Women's Day Episode

On this special episode of Good, Thoughtful Hosts, we're celebrating International Women's Day. We're joined by architect Tracy Baker, interior designer Angelica Henderson, marketer Kate Gray, and urban planner Nora Bland to discuss how — when we lift one another up and set a positive example — it can help to encourage other women to thrive personally and professionally.

03-08
26:57

Inspiration Through Movement with Ross Hamand

We're chatting with Visualization Design Manager (and yogi and rock climber...) Ross Hamand about how he uses movement to spark inspiration. Turns out a little physical exertion has been proven to get our creative juices flowing.

03-06
19:52

What is Inspiration? with David Koel

In this first episode of Season 3, we're diving into our theme of inspiration, be it a person, place, activity, organization or something else entirely. We'll talk with Cushing Terrell Design Director David Koel, who helps us set the tone for the rest of the season.

02-21
27:08

Season 3 Teaser

We're back with a new season of Good, Thoughtful Hosts. This time around we're discussing what inspires our creativity, whether a person, place, activity, organization, or otherwise. Stay tuned for talks about music, movement, and more!

02-20
01:17

Special Anniversary Series: Looking at the future with Ashleigh Powell and James Foster

Last up in our special series is a look at the future of design (and Cushing Terrell) through a chat with Ashleigh Powell and James Foster. The two will guide us through some trends that are taking off — but also describe the attitudes and skills that are crucial for setting yourself up for future success.

09-07
29:03

Special Anniversary Series: Looking at the present with Greg Matthews

In this second episode of our special series, we're looking at the present of Cushing Terrell. We're chatting with President and CEO Greg Matthews about how the organization has positioned itself as a leader in the industry — largely by staying true to its values over the years, while modernizing its approach.

08-21
24:07

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