The McClain Method
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© 2025 The McClain Method
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Welcome to The McClain Method—the podcast for interior designers who are done playing small and ready to be seen.
I’m your host, John McClain—designer, business mentor, author, and your go-to branding bestie.
This isn’t about toss pillows or paint swatches. Around here, we dive deep into the business of design—mindset, marketing, visibility, systems, and everything in between.
So if you’re ready to build a bold, profitable, and well-run business that truly reflects your brilliance...
You’re in the right place. It’s time to let it shine.
83 Episodes
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If your Instagram captions or newsletters sound like a bad Hallmark card… I hate to break it to you, but I know AI wrote them. And so does your audience. 👀 Here’s the deal: AI isn’t the problem. It’s actually a powerful tool — but if you’re handing it the mic and posting whatever it spits out, your content is going to sound robotic, generic, and totally forgettable. And luxury clients? They don’t hire forgettable. In this episode of The McClain Method, I’m giving you the tough love (and the s...
How to Avoid Common Interior Design Business Mistakes with Ronniesha Rivera In this episode of the McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain discusses overcoming difficulties in the interior design business with guest Ronniesha Rivera, founder of Vetted By Design. They talk about the importance of dealing with hardships, the challenges of finding good help, outsourcing effectively, and maintaining long-term profitability. They also delve into the specifics of hiring bookkeepers, account...
Do it Afraid: Navigating Fear and Change in Design In this episode of the McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain speaks with Katie Derek Erickson, founder of Success by Design. They discuss the importance of grit, perspective, and intuitive decision-making in business. Katie shares her journey from flipping houses to leading a multimillion-dollar commercial design firm and emphasizes the significance of sustainable design. The episode also touches on overcoming fear, the power of cel...
What do interior designers, creatives, and wellness founders have in common? Most of them hate selling—but still need to do it daily. In this episode, John sits down with Christopher Francis, engineer-turned-entrepreneur and founder of Home Plunge, the world’s first cold plunge designed for your home bathtub. Drawing inspiration from Steve Jobs and his own experience bridging product design with human connection, Christopher shares how to sell without being pushy, pitchy, or fake. Ins...
ACCESS MY FREE 5 PART PODCAST SERIES COURSE HERE! "5 Things I Would Do Differently I Were Starting My Design Business Today" https://learn.mcclainmethod.com/free-podcast-series Episode 75: The Power of Your Voice: Storytelling in the Age of AI with Jude Charles In a world of AI-generated content and generic captions, how do you make your brand actually stand out? In this powerful episode, John is joined once again by storytelling expert and filmmaker Jude Charles for a heartfelt, thought-pro...
Episode Summary: If your Instagram posts feel like they’re disappearing into the void lately—you’re not imagining it. In this episode, I’m breaking down the just-revealed 2025 changes to Instagram’s algorithm and content strategy, based on a brand-new interview with Instagram Head Adam Mosseri on the Build Your Tribe podcast with Brock Johnson. From why hashtags aren’t helping anymore, to why Reels still matter (but only if you do this), to how Lives have lost their edge—this is your updated...
🎙️ Episode 73 — How Breegan Jane Built a Bold Design Brand—and Landed 13 HGTV Shows In This Episode: If you’re an interior designer dreaming of being on television, this episode is your roadmap. John McClain sits down with HGTV star, product designer, author, and branding powerhouse Breegan Jane for an unfiltered conversation about what it really takes to get noticed by TV networks—and how building a bold, authentic brand is the key to long-term success. Breegan shares how she: Built a stron...
🎙️ Luxury Clients Aren’t Booking You—Because You Look Budget 📌 Episode Summary: You say you want luxury clients… but does your brand actually look the part? In this bold and necessary solo episode, John McClain pulls back the curtain on why so many talented interior designers are struggling to attract high-end projects. Spoiler: it’s not your portfolio—it’s your presentation. From outdated websites and inconsistent posting to visuals that send mixed messages, John dives into the top se...
71: Exploring Color and Creativity: 3 Specific Strategies from Meredith Heron In this episode of the McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain speaks with Canadian design powerhouse Meredith Heron. They discuss the importance of dealing with decision-makers, aligning values in business relationships, diversifying ventures, and staying true to passion and creativity. Meredith shares insights from her journey from working at Home Depot to becoming a TV host and launching a bespoke rug col...
In episode 70 of The McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain continues his insightful conversation with Luann Nigara, a leading figure in the interior design industry. They delve into key aspects of running a successful design business, including mindset, pricing, and branding strategies. Luann shares her journey, emphasizes the importance of being unapologetically yourself, and discusses the value of professional guidance. They also address common industry challenges such as cl...
The McClain Method Podcast Episode 69: Get Out of Your Own Way: Lessons from LuAnn Nigara In this episode of The McClain Method Podcast, host John McClain welcomes LuAnn Nigara, a pioneer in the interior design business world. They discuss LuAnn's journey from helping her husband start Window Works to becoming a celebrated media personality with her podcast 'A Well-Designed Business.' LuAnn shares how she identified the need for business education among designers, her strategies for lau...
🎙️ Episode 68 is here, y’all! Say hello to the very first episode of the newly rebranded McClain Method Podcast — and let me just say… she’s bold, she’s brilliant, and she’s ready to take center stage. 💁♂️✨ In this kickoff episode, I’m pulling back the velvet curtain on why I rebranded the podcast, what The McClain Method really means, and how YOU can stop playing small and start building the visible, profitable, soul-aligned business you actually want. We’re talking: 💫 Why your “backstage”...
67: How to Create a Dream Team and Streamline Your Design Processes with Jessica Harling In episode 67 of The Designer Within Podcast, host John McClain sits down with Jessica Harling, founder of Behind the Design, to discuss the essentials of building a successful design team. They explore strategies for defining core values, setting realistic goals, and hiring the right talent. Jessica shares her expertise on the importance of a solid onboarding process, managing company culture, and ...
66: LIVE FROM KBIS! The Future of Luxury Baths: Tech Advances & Entrepreneurial Lessons with BainUltra. In this special live edition of the Designer Within Podcast recorded from the floor of KBIS 2025 in Las Vegas, host John McClain welcomes Jean-Michel LeBeau and Kim Frechette from Bain Ultra. Together, they discuss the fearless entrepreneurial spirit and innovation driving Bain Ultra’s focus on wellness through luxury bath products. Learn about the importance of storytelling in d...
Welcome to Episode 65 of The McClain Method Podcast, where host John McClain explores the intersection of creativity and intentional design in home and life. This episode features special guest Barb Davids, a digital marketing and SEO expert from Compass Digital Strategy, who breaks down SEO in an easily understandable format for interior designers and other creatives. Barb discusses the importance of blogging for SEO, optimizing website images, the role of Google Business Profile, and basic ...
In this episode of The Designer Within Podcast, host John McClain chats with Mina Duque from Duke Renders about the significant impact photorealistic renderings can have on an interior design business. They delve into Mina's journey from handling her design business to heading client success at Duke Renders and discuss the external support and benefits that outsourcing renderings can bring to designers. They cover how renderings can speed up project approvals, enhance client prese...
In episode 63 of The Designer Within Podcast, recorded LIVE as he walks the streets of ever-inspiring Italy, host John McClain shares his transformative experiences from a trade show in Verona to the picturesque streets of Florence, and finally, the bustling city of Milan on a solo soul finding trip through Italy. John reflects on much-needed inspiration and offers insights on refueling creativity, maintaining originality, and setting realistic expectations in the business world. Key lesson...
In episode 62 of The Designer Within Podcast, hosted by John McClain, we delve into the world of brand collaborations and PR strategies. John chats with Jocelyn Hutt, a seasoned marketing and PR expert, about effective brand partnerships, storytelling in design projects, and the importance of both regional and national PR. Jocelyn shares invaluable tips for designers and creatives on how to elevate their projects and visibility, emphasizing the importance of high-quality photography, d...
The Designer Within Podcast Episode 61: How to Create A True Client-Centric Design with Michael Mitchell In this episode of the Designer Within podcast, host John McClain discusses the art of creating client-centric designs with Michael Mitchell. They explore Michael's approach to blending diverse styles, his extensive sourcing trips, and the importance of understanding clients' unique stories. Michael shares insights on managing client expectations, the power of intentional mix-and-m...
Designing Your Best Year: Embracing Purpose, Progress, and Peace in 2025 In this episode of the Designer Within Podcast, host John McClain explores the crucial difference between being busy and being productive. He introduces the concept of aligning tasks with one's goals through a decision filter focusing on purpose, progress, and peace. John explains the revamped podcast format, which will now cater to interior designers, homeowners, and general listeners, offering insights for imp...
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