Design Matters with Debbie Millman

Design Matters Media

Design Matters with Debbie Millman is one of the world’s very first podcasts. Broadcasting independently for over 15 years, the show is about how incredibly creative people design the arc of their lives.

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Our Editor's Take

The podcast Design Matters with Debbie Millman is a long-running show that began in the early era of podcasting. Debbie Millman, an American educator, and writer, is a podcasting pioneer. In each episode, she interviews creative people-writers, designers, artists, and more. Through hundreds of episodes, these guests discuss their creative journeys and life experiences. Millman, a brand consultant, has interviewed many hundreds of guests. In its time running, this podcast has won many awards, too. In 2015, iTunes named it one of the "All Time Favorite Podcasts."

Design Matters with Debbie Millman explores the role of design in society. But more than that, it talks about the personal struggles and triumphs of the guests. Millman is an experienced designer and author. She is also an insightful and empathetic interviewer. Guests on the show include musicians like the Indigo Girls. In their episode, they share insight into their 30-year careers.

Other guests, like actress Kyra Sedgwick, talk about her directing debut, Space Oddity. Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson talks about his book and cosmic career. American Recordings and Def Jam cofounder Rick Rubin shares insight on the podcast. In his episode, he and Millman talk about the music industry. He shares about crafting iconic songs with the most famous musicians in the industry. Other guests include Roxane Gay, Seth Godin, and Steven Heller.

The podcast is great for anyone interested in creativity and the work that goes into making art. It is also helpful for those looking for guidance on career paths. Design Matters with Debbie Millman is a fascinating program. It provides an intimate look at the lives of creative people. The podcast provides rare insight into their creative process. Millman's warmth, insight, and interview skills make the show fun to listen to. New episodes come out each week.

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Sonya Passi is the Founder & CEO of FreeFrom, a national organization transforming our society’s response to gender-based violence. She joins to discuss her new documentary SURVIVOR MADE and her advocacy work, creating a community where survivors of intimate partner violence can heal, thrive, and drive change together.

Episodes

Sonya Passi is the Founder & CEO of FreeFrom, a national organization transforming our society’s response to gender-based violence. She joins to discuss her new documentary SURVIVOR MADE and her advocacy work, creating a community where survivors of intimate partner violence can heal, thrive, and drive change together.

From his breakout role in The Goonies to No Country for Old Men to his recent appearances in the Dune films, acclaimed actor Josh Brolin brings unmistakable gravity and grit to all his films. He joins to talk about his life on and offscreen and his new memoir, From Under the Truck.

Nicolas Heller—Commercial Director, Documentarian, and “Unofficial Talent Scout of New York” known as @newyorknico—joins to talk about his new book, a raw and authentic city guide of Nick’s can’t-miss eateries, shops, bookstores, and so much more.

For more than forty years, Ken Burns and his collaborators have created some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made. Sarah Burns and David McMahon join him to discuss his legendary career, new film, and the people and events that molded our history.

Olafur Eliasson

Olafur Eliasson

The works of artist Olafur Eliasson explore the relevance of art in the world at large. He joins to discuss his three-decade career creating sculptures, installations, paintings, photographs, and film utilizing natural elements—light, color, water, and movement—to alter viewers’ sensory perceptions.

Building worlds in motion pictures through graphic props and typography—Annie Atkins joins to discuss her career designing set pieces for films such as The Grand Budapest Hotel and her new book, “Letters from the North Pole.”

Carson Ellis is the author and illustrator of the bestselling picture books Home and Du Iz Tak?. She joins to talk about her life living on a farm in Oregon and her remarkable career illustrating numerous award-winning books for children.

With his expertise in enigmas and illusions, David Kwong delights and challenges audiences around the world with his intellectual brand of magic. He joins to discuss his one-man show, The Enigmatist, and his career as a magician, crossword puzzle constructor, and writer.

Best of Design Matters: Sarah Polley

Best of Design Matters: Sarah Polley

Oscar-nominated screenwriter, director, actor, and author Sarah Polley, who began her career as a childhood actress more than three decades ago, joins to talk about her life’s work and newest film, “Women Talking.”

Best of Design Matters: Celeste Ng

Best of Design Matters: Celeste Ng

Celeste Ng—New York Times bestselling author of three novels, Everything I Never Told You, Little Fires Everywhere, and Our Missing Hearts—joins a live audience to talk about her illustrious career exploring complex family dynamics and themes of identity, race, and culture.

Best of Design Matters: Stella Bugbee

Best of Design Matters: Stella Bugbee

Former Editor-in-Chief and President of New York Magazine’s The Cut and current Styles Editor of The New York Times—Stella Bugbee joins to discuss her remarkable career in the media industry, covering fashion, beauty, and culture as a journalist, editor, and creative director.

Best of Design Matters: Alexandra Horowitz

Best of Design Matters: Alexandra Horowitz

Alexandra Horowitz—a canine psychologist and authority on how dogs perceive the world—joins to talk about her latest book, ‘The Year of the Puppy,’ and share her knowledge about the relationship between humans and our canine friends.

Best of Design Matters: Kara Swisher

Best of Design Matters: Kara Swisher

Tech journalist, opinion leader, and disruptor—Kara Swisher has hosted hundreds of newsmaking interviews tracking tech and media's changing power dynamics, often going head-to-head with the most prominent figures in the technology industry. She joins a live studio audience to talk about her inimitable career covering the ever-evolving world of technology.

Best of Design Matters: Martha Wainwright

Best of Design Matters: Martha Wainwright

Singer-songwriter Martha Wainwright joins to discuss her latest album and new memoir about growing up in a family of rock ‘n’ roll royalty and her experiences with love, loss, motherhood, divorce, and the music industry.

Best of Design Matters: Rick Rubin

Best of Design Matters: Rick Rubin

Exploring Rick Rubin’s production discography is like taking a tour through the commanding heights of American music over the past few decades. From Run-DMC to Jay-Z to Adele, the record producer joins to talk about his legendary career making classic songs with the best musicians in the world.

Best of Design Matters: Mickalene Thomas

Best of Design Matters: Mickalene Thomas

Known for her elaborate paintings composed of rhinestones, acrylic, and enamel, Mickalene Thomas draws on art history and popular culture to create a contemporary vision of female sexuality, beauty, and power.

Best of Design Matters: Ai Weiwei

Best of Design Matters: Ai Weiwei

Ai Weiwei joins to discuss his new memoir “1000 Years of Joys and Sorrows,” depicting a century-long epic tale of China told through a story of his family.

Best of Design Matters: Suleika Jaouad

Best of Design Matters: Suleika Jaouad

New York Times bestselling author and journalist Suleika Jaouad began writing her Emmy Award-winning column, “Life, Interrupted,” from her hospital room, chronicling her experiences as a young adult with cancer. She joins to discuss her remarkable life, career, and bestselling memoir, Between Two Kingdoms.

Best of Design Matters: Oliver Jeffers

Best of Design Matters: Oliver Jeffers

Working in painting, bookmaking, illustration, collage, performance, and sculpture, Oliver Jeffers joins to talk about his career making art and telling stories. His new book, Begin Again, explores humankind’s impact on itself and our planet, asking the big question: Where do we go from here?

Best of Design Matters: Rosanne Cash

Best of Design Matters: Rosanne Cash

For decades, Rosanne Cash has soared through the ranks of music with her powerhouse poetic skills and wistful reflections on her past. She has released 15 albums, won four Grammys, and authored four books, including a best-selling memoir. She joins to talk about her life and legendary career as a singer, songwriter, and author.