The Design Board

Hosted by UpSpring

Business Marketing

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Episodes

Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

The Design Board is a podcast hosted by UpSpring, a PR and marketing agency for the design and development industries. Tune in to hear various experts across the architecture and design community and beyond to chat about everything from the latest industry news to marketing tips, tools, and tactics for brands on their way up.

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60 recent

October 20, 202648 min

Who's Not in the Room? The Hidden Cost of Designing Without Everyone in Mind

What if the most beautifully designed space, product, or building was still built for the wrong person? In this episode of The Design Board, host Caroline Schillaci sits down with Moji Akinde, founder of Fadéké Strategic Consulting, to unpack what it really means to design with cultural intelligence. Drawing on a career that spans philanthropy, private equity, and hospitality, Moji challenges the design industry to move beyond box-checking and ask a harder question: who's not in the room when decisions are being made? From generational differences in how people experience space to the hidden business costs of exclusion, this conversation explores why the future of design isn't just digital, it's deeply, fundamentally human. The Design Board, by UpSpring , is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's SURROUND Podcast Network , home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows.

October 13, 202620 min

If Workplace Culture Is Failing, How do We Earn the Trust of the Next Generation?

Recorded live from the floor at NeoCon 2026, this special episode of The Design Board gets into one of the most pressing conversations in the industry right now: what does it take to earn the trust of a generation that experiences work and the workplace completely differently than the one before it? Host Caroline Schillaci is joined by Sarah Terzic, President of UpSpring, and Amanda Schneider, founder of ThinkLab and author of the newly released book Work for What's Next: Why Workplace Culture Is Failing and How the Next Generation Can Fix It. Together, they unpack what "failing culture" actually means for the people designing and furnishing the spaces where that culture is supposed to live, who this next generation really is, and what they want from work, and what it takes for brands, firms, and leaders in this industry to stop assuming trust and start earning it. The Design Board, by UpSpring , is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's SURROUND Podcast Network , home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows.

October 6, 202627 min

The Art and Responsibility of Luxury Hospitality Design

What does it take to design a destination that people travel across the world to experience and leave wanting to return? In this episode of The Design Board, host Caroline Schillaci sits down with Scott LaMont, CEO of EDSA, to explore the craft and strategy behind some of the world's most celebrated luxury hospitality projects. With over 25 years of experience working with brands like Four Seasons, Ritz-Carlton, and St. Regis, Scott brings a landscape architect's perspective to the big questions shaping the industry: How do you design for authenticity without resorting to imitation? How do wellness and sustainability fit into the luxury equation? And what does it really mean for designers to take responsibility for the relationship between people, nature, and place? This is a conversation about what great hospitality design demands, and where it's headed next. The Design Board, by UpSpring , is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's SURROUND Podcast Network , home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows.

September 29, 202628 min

What You Don’t See Can Hurt You: Rethinking Water in Design

We spend so much time talking about how buildings look and function. But what about what’s happening behind the walls? Host Caroline Schillaci sits down with Missy Cain, Environmental Planning Principal at HGA, to dive into the often overlooked systems that quietly shape building health, with a focus on water management and its real-world consequences. From adaptive reuse to healthcare environments, we explore how early decisions can either prevent risk or create it and why collaboration across design and engineering has never mattered more. Because when it comes to building performance, what you don’t see is often what matters most. The Design Board, by UpSpring , is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's SURROUND Podcast Network , home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows.

September 22, 202632 min

Has Sustainability Become the Baseline?

Sustainability used to be a differentiator. Now, it’s expected. In this episode of The Design Board, host Caroline Schillaci sits down with Arathi Gowda a Principal at ZGF Architects to explore what happens when sustainability is no longer the headline, but the starting point. As new standards, client expectations, and cost pressures reshape the industry, firms are being forced to rethink how sustainability actually shows up in their work. The conversation looks at the gap between ambition and execution, where bold goals meet real-world constraints, and how teams are adapting in response. Arathi shares how this shift is playing out inside practice: from more measured conversations with clients to embedding sustainable thinking directly into materials, systems, and the overall experience of a space. The result isn’t always louder—it’s often quieter, more integrated, and more effective. This episode asks a bigger question: if sustainability is now the baseline, what does it take to design above it? Editor's Note: Since this recording, Arathi Gowda has transitioned from ZGF Architects to Principal, NE Regional Regenerative Design Director at Perkins&Will. The Design Board, by UpSpring , is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's SURROUND Podcast Network , home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows.

September 15, 202623 min

The Business Case for Employee Coaching

As engineering firms grow, one of the first things to get squeezed is the time and consistency it takes to actually develop people. In this episode of The DesignBoard, we talk with Brandon Harwick, President of Engenium Group, and Jessica Norton, Partner and Director of Human Resources, about how their firm tackled that problem head-on by hiring a full-time, dedicated internal coach. Brandon and Jessica walk through the business case behind that decision, what it's meant for growth, leadership development, and retention, and why they believe coaching is one of the most undervalued investments an engineering firm can make. The Design Board, by UpSpring , is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's SURROUND Podcast Network , home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows.

September 8, 202650 min

How Do You Design a Better Design Firm?

In this episode of The Design Board, host Caroline Schillaci sits down with Megan DeTratto and Linda Wallack of TOKONEXT, alongside TOKONEXT strategic collaborator Marjanne Pearson, to explore what it takes to build a more intentional, future-ready design firm. As talent expectations shift and firms navigate new definitions of growth, the conversation examines how organizations are approaching leadership, succession, culture, and long-term strategy more holistically. Rather than treating hiring as a transaction, our guests share a more holistic perspective, one that ties together people, purpose, performance, and positioning. The discussion also reframes what growth can look like, moving beyond size to focus on quality, impact, and clarity of direction. If firms are in a constant state of evolution, what does it really mean to design the firm itself? The Design Board, by UpSpring , is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's SURROUND Podcast Network , home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows.

December 17, 202433 min

Empowering Women: Maximizing Your Membership in Industry Associations

Join host Caroline Schillaci in conversation with Chris Tucker, CEO of NEWH, Inc., as they explore how women professionals can make the most of industry organizations. From fostering leadership growth to cultivating meaningful relationships and accessing continued education, Chris shares actionable insights on how industry organizations membership can empower women across diverse markets. Discover practical strategies for staying engaged and informed, building a supportive professional network, and leveraging organizational resources to accelerate careers and redefine roles within companies and the broader industry. The Design Board, by UpSpring , is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's SURROUND Podcast Network , home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows.

December 10, 202429 min

Designing the World Around Us: How Creativity Shapes our Lives

Host Tiffany Rafii is joined by artist, designer, and maker Amy Devers, host and producer of Clever, to discuss building a podcast platform that gives listeners a window into our own humanity. In this episode, Amy shares insights from her career as a designer, educator, and podcast host, and how she has navigated and overcome barriers in each field. She also discusses nurturing creativity and the importance of uplifting one another within the design industry and beyond. With extensive experience in both the creative and educational fields, Amy expresses her passion for creative exploration and her dedication to helping others unlock their full potential. Tune in for an engaging conversation as Amy reflects on her journey and what has led her to become a true champion of creativity and storytelling. The Design Board, by UpSpring , is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's SURROUND Podcast Network , home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows.

December 3, 202424 min

Cultivating Early Education: From Play to Purpose with Amanda Vierheller

This episode explores the personal and professional journey of Amanda Vierheller, COO and Co-founder of Playgarden. Amanda shares her passion for early education and her vision for building an impactful business in this space. From overcoming early challenges to fostering community and mentorship, she provides invaluable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs—particularly women striving to make their mark in education and beyond. The Design Board, by UpSpring , is a proud member of SANDOW Design Group's SURROUND Podcast Network , home to the architecture and design industry’s premier shows.