Love What You Do

In the latest episode of Love What You Do, Aga Artka, Founder and Author of The Brand of You, shares why the strongest personal brands for designers aren’t measured by a portfolio. They’re built through the relationships they cultivate, the promises they keep, and the values they consistently demonstrate through their work.

In the latest episode of Love What You Do, Dianne Kimiko Murata, Furniture Planning Strategist, Accidental Environmentalist, and Founder of Kimiko Designs, shares why recognizing your strengths, trusting others to bring theirs, and leaving room for the unexpected leads to better results. From leaning into what you do best to asking the furniture industry to think a little more like the world of rescue animals, it’s a conversation about learning to recognize potential.

As excitement builds for Design Days, Doug sits down with Alexandra Tseffos - founder of Design Pop and champion of the design community. It's a conversation that goes all over the board. They talk about the future of learning in the commercial interiors industry, aura readings, loving what you do and what makes our industry's designers unique.

Amanda Schneider, founder of ThinkLab and author of Work for What’s Next, explores how work is changing across generations, industries, and the built environment. Amanda shares how her research on Gen Z, hybrid work, and “boundaryless work” uncovered a larger shift: we are operating in a digital-speed world with analog-era rules. The conversation dives into burnout, middle management pressure, loyalty, communication gaps, and the urgent need to redesign workplace norms before they become barriers to relevance.

IA Managing Director, Valerie Jardon, weighs in on personal growth and the future of work. She shares her inspiring journey from a difficult upbringing and early self-doubt to leadership and shaping workplace strategy. The conversation explores everything from humanoid robots and techno-optimism to impostor syndrome, future selves, and the assumptions we make about work, identity, and change. Valerie also reflects on the emotional impact of receiving a major leadership honor, the role her family played in her success, and her belief that the spaces and systems we create ultimately echo back to us. The conversation is thoughtful, funny and deeply human.

In this episode of Love What You Do, Doug Shapiro sits down with Christian Giordano, CEO of Mancini Duffy, to explore leadership, culture, and the evolving role of AI in design. Christian shares his “word of the year”, replacement, covering both the opportunities AI creates and the deeper concerns around human purpose and early career pathways. The conversation dives into how strong cultures are built through instinct, humility, and a shared commitment to client service. Christian also reflects on the power of lofty goals, organized thinking, and creating space for others to step up as a company grows.

On this episode of the LWYD podcast, Doug sits down with Joanna Jablonski to explore how perseverance shaped her journey from immigrating to the United States to becoming a design leader at Henrickson.

Doug Shapiro talks with Scott Delano, Design Principal at StudioGC, about mentorship, creativity, joy, and the responsibility of leadership. Scott shares why design is ultimately an act of optimism, how great teams are built around strengths rather than sameness, and why helping people feel like they belong can unlock their best work. It’s a thoughtful conversation about purpose, perspective, failure, and creating environments where people can grow.

Cheryl Durst, CEO of IIDA, joins Doug Shapiro for a wide-ranging, soulful conversation about kinship, optimism, and the power of imperfection. From “word of the year” reflections to mosaics, quilts, and mixtapes, Cheryl explores how unlikely combinations shape meaningful leadership and design. Cheryl shares how energy, memory, and human connection influence the spaces we create and the teams we build. It’s a thoughtful, funny, and deeply human dialogue about why design and life are at their best when they’re a little imperfect.

Roby Issac is the Design Insights Leader at Mannington Commercial. In this episode, he shares his journey from a kid who loved to draw to finding his place in design through apprenticeship and taking risks. He talks candidly about cultural identity, assimilation, and how those experiences shaped the way he works and leads. Doug and Roby reflect on craftsmanship, longevity, and the responsibility that comes with making things that last. At its heart, this episode is about perseverance, gratitude, and finding meaning in the work.

This episode of Love What You Do goes beneath the surface of a creative career with John Sadlon, Principal and Global Workplace Leader at Perkins&Will. Guided by a personal map of sketches—from the Guggenheim to Brancusi’s Bird in Space—John shares the stories and lessons that have shaped his work and worldview. He reflects on running the Boston Marathon, why you should never cross the “finish line” empty, and how a risk he finally took at 30 changed the course of his life. John also recounts losing his partner in a tragic accident, and how that experience led to 20 years of meditation, a deeper sense of intention, and a daily choice to spend his energy on connection and gratitude. It’s an episode about design—but even more, about the art of living fully.

Doug sits down with Julia Machado, Vice President of Internal Operations at Price Modern. Julia shares her journey from designer to operations leader, and why the most impactful sales meetings include the designer. She discusses the beauty of uncovering “I didn’t know that” moments, both in business and in life, and how those moments can spark transformation.

Referenced in the conversation: TED Talk by Dr. Seligman: https://youtu.be/9FBxfd7DL3E?si=smazbMRTYGQx43HV Arjun vs. Duryodhan: https://youtu.be/_EqwlOeTj7Y?si=jMPg4rDITjtTv5ie

Doug talks with HOK’s Mike Goetz about design that feels, leadership that cares, and why TikTok counts as “cultural research.” They explore how creativity, curiosity, and care shape great work — and why slowing down might be the key to loving what you do.

In this episode we hear from Krystal Lucero, designer, mom, and survivor whose story blends grace, grit, and joy. From navigating motherhood and design to overcoming cancer twice, Krystal shares candid insights on resilience, wellbeing, and staying true to yourself. Her journey is a reminder that the pursuit of getting to better is never complete.

Jane Hallinan, iida, NCIDQ, leed green associate, is an interior designer interested in environmentalism, material health, and honeybees. She is an Associate at Perkins Eastman in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and practices within the workplace and higher education areas of the firm. This complements her previous design experience in the renovation of existing and historic buildings for commercial, educational, and religious clientele. In 2017, Hallinan launched Not A Decorator, a brand that focuses on interior design advocacy and is dedicated to further strengthening a respected title for professionals across the industry. Hallinan was named the 2015 IIDA Member of the Year, was President of the IIDA PA/NJ/DE Chapter from 2015-2018, and was a member of the Contract Magazine Editorial Advisory Board. Jane is known for her active voice within the industry and recently co-authored a submission to the 2020 CoreNet Global Hackathon with a team of IIDA members titled “A View Towards the Workplace of 2024.” Jane Hallinan | Website | LinkedIn

Gilbert Broco grew up in Puerto Rico and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Design Architecture from the University of Puerto Rico in 2002. He moved to Florida in 2006 where he became NCIDQ Certified and a Florida Registered Interior Designer. Gilbert is the President for the CI Group, a Contract Furniture Dealership with 8 locations across the Southeast; he has been with the company for over 12 years and has led the design department and operations. He was the IIDA Florida Central Chapter President in 2018 and has been a Trustee of the International Interior Design Foundation for two terms. He is part of the Leadership Tampa Bay Board where he serves on the Executive Board, and is a member of the USF Leadership and Innovation Forum of Tampa. Gilbert has been recognized for his leadership and design skills, in 2021 he received the Professional Impact Award from the IIDA Florida Central Chapter, last year Gilbert received the COO of the Year Award from the Tampa Bay Business and Wealth Apogee Awards, and a Titan 100 in 2024. Gilbert brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to every project and collaborates with clients and business partners in developing the best fit product solution appropriate to the way people work and interact. His objective is to always create a harmonious work environment centralized in the health and well-being of people’s lives.

In this episode, Doug sits down with Rex Miller for some real talk about work, purpose, and finding balance. We talk about what it means to love what you do — and how grace plays a big role in making that possible. Catch the full one hour chat on Rex's podcast - The Resilience Lab. We also get into: • How to stay present when life feels busy • The story behind JSI’s “Love What You Do” message • What real purpose at work looks like • How to avoid burnout and build strong relationships • Why starting simple conversations can lead to big change