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Design Nerds Anonymous

Design Nerds Anonymous

ThinkLab and SURROUND 104 Episodes Oct 1, 2026

Design Nerds Anonymous is a podcast exploring what comes next through the lenses of design, human behavior, and data. Each episode features conversations with designers, researchers, and strategists about emerging trends and practical ideas. The show examines how design decisions influence people and how data can inform better creative work. It is produced by ThinkLab and SURROUND.

Episodes

Gen Z Is Entering the Workforce. Are We Setting Them Up to Succeed?
Gen Z Is Entering the Workforce. Are We Setting Them Up to Succeed? Oct 1, 2026 00:45:47 Recorded live at the Mannington Atlanta showroom, this episode explores a question facing every industry: as Gen Z enters the workforce, are we collectively setting them up to succeed?Gen Z is entering a workplace with changing context to the one we entered. AI is changing how work gets done. Communication norms are shifting. Career paths are less linear. And the definition of “work ready
Mass Customization: The Next Workplace Challenge
Mass Customization: The Next Workplace Challenge Sep 17, 2026 00:38:50 Recorded live with Office Revolution in Chicago in the Haworth showroom, this episode explores what may be the next great workplace challenge: how organizations can deliver individualized experiences while maintaining alignment, efficiency, and culture.Inspired by ideas from I Can Fit That In and Work for What's Next, Amanda is joined by leadership coach and author Erin Coupe alongside Ty
The System Wasn’t Built for Everyone. Now What?
The System Wasn’t Built for Everyone. Now What? Sep 3, 2026 00:39:51 Recorded live at the Momentum showroom, this episode explores a tension at the heart of Work for What's Next: people can experience the same workplace very differently—and those differences have something important to teach us.Inspired by recent conversations across the industry, Amanda is joined by Cheryl Durst (IIDA), Libby Gillen (Women of Color in Design), and Lisa Chung (Gensler) to
The Oprah Encore: What Jean Twenge Says We’re Getting Wrong About Gen Z
The Oprah Encore: What Jean Twenge Says We’re Getting Wrong About Gen Z Aug 27, 2026 00:35:32 After appearing together on Oprah’s podcast, Amanda knew one thing immediately: we needed more time with Jean Twenge.Jean is one of the world’s most cited and influential generational researchers, known for shaping how leaders understand Millennials, Gen Z, technology, mental health, and cultural change. Her newest book draws from more than 42,000,000 data points, making it one of the mos
The Story Behind the Story of Work for What’s Next
The Story Behind the Story of Work for What’s Next Aug 20, 2026 00:34:44 Cindy Kaufman turns the mic around, live, at the Mannington showroom in Denver for a more personal conversation with Amanda Schneider. Together, they go beyond the ideas in Work for What’s Next to explore the moments, questions, and experiences that shaped the book. This is the story behind the story—what it took, what surprised her, and what didn’t make it onto the page.This episode is p
We Tested a Gen Z Advisory Model. Here's What We Learned.
We Tested a Gen Z Advisory Model. Here's What We Learned. Aug 6, 2026 00:45:25 In this milestone 100th episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, recorded live at our industry's largest trade show, Amanda is joined by Candon Murphy (HOK), Joseph Oliveri (Corgan), and Caroline Murphy (FutureGen) for a live conversation testing a Gen Z advisory model. Building on years of ThinkLab research and an ongoing Gen Z cohort, the discussion brings the next generation into real busine
The Road Show Begins: Come Build What's Next with Us
The Road Show Begins: Come Build What's Next with Us Jul 23, 2026 00:06:31 We're hitting the road... and we'd love for you to come along.Over the next few months, Design Nerds Anonymous is leaving the studio for a series of live podcast recordings, keynotes, and conversations across North America as part of the Work for What's Next Road Show.In this special episode, Amanda shares what to expect, why every stop is intentionally different, and how you can join the
Signals of the Future: A Playbook for What’s Next
Signals of the Future: A Playbook for What’s Next May 14, 2026 00:14:53 The future of work isn’t a distant horizon—it’s already taking shape in small, often overlooked signals. In this episode, we explore the early indicators reshaping how work is designed, led, and experienced. The conversation connects these signals to practical action, offering leaders a clearer way to spot what’s emerging and make smarter decisions about what to d
BONUS EP: LIVE from the PDC Healthcare Summit 2026
BONUS EP: LIVE from the PDC Healthcare Summit 2026 May 7, 2026 01:01:19 In this special episode of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider takes you inside the PDC Summit—one of the rare events where the full spectrum of healthcare decision-makers comes together under one roof. Recorded live from the show floor, this episode captures an unfiltered look at the real conversations unfolding between owners, clinicians, facilities leaders, arc
Mentorship and Learning for What’s Next
Mentorship and Learning for What’s Next Apr 30, 2026 00:33:58 In Season 10, Episode 6 of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider turns to two critical forces shaping the future of work: mentorship and learning. She’s joined by Elisabeth Mejia, President of IIDA New York and Interiors Leader for HKS in New York, and Paridhi Chawla, Vice President of Student Development for IIDA New York and a Gen Z designer at TPG Archi
Communication and Collaboration for the New Rhythm of Work
Communication and Collaboration for the New Rhythm of Work Apr 23, 2026 00:35:36 In Season 10, Episode 5 of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider turns to two of the most pressing realities of modern work: communication and collaboration. She’s joined by Dr. JJ Peterson, former head of StoryBrand and a leading voice in modern messaging, and Gideon Spitzer-Williams, who leads global experiential marketing for Canva’s B2B
The Power of Microcultures: Designing Culture and Purpose That Stick
The Power of Microcultures: Designing Culture and Purpose That Stick Apr 16, 2026 00:33:05 In Season 10, Episode 4 of Design Nerds Anonymous, host Amanda Schneider zooms out from trust and talent to explore the deeper belief systems holding organizations together: culture and purpose. She’s joined by Ron Tite—author, speaker, founder of Church+State, and former stand-up comic turned award-winning creative director—who has helped global brands align

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